Boxoffice-January.22.1949

TOTAL NET PAID CIRCULATION OF THIS ISSUE EXCEEDS 23,000
Theatre Television Goes
Big-Time for Inauguration
Page 8
Goldwyn Quits MPAA Fold
In Flurry of Statements
Page 9
COVER STORY: TV Hits Hollywood; o Survey
on Progress in Video Film Production
Page 22
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE EDITION

.
THANKS, MISTER SHOWMAN
tf^!N
You will see below that M-G-M is fj
ahead in the trade press annual survey I
motion picture leadership. We are prow
but wish to share this acclaim with our cul
tomers whose cooperation made it possibly
KM
ffMHfr
"LEADERS"
{Issue of Dec. 25)
M-G-M tops all others in
"Money Hits", in Boxoffice
Stars, in New Faces
and in Shorts.
BOXOFFICE
MAGAZINE -"BAROMETER'
(Issue of Koi: 20)
M-G-M has more than twice 1
many Ail-Time Blue Ribbo
Awards as any other compan
more place-winning stars, mo
awards in 10 Best Short Seri<
Group.
5, 1940)
M-G-M leads all companies with 3
out of 7 "Golden Circle" Top Grossers
of 1948, and out of 93 leading
pictures of the year M-G-M is
first
with 20. M-G-M's George Sidney
wins the year's Top Director honors
and Joe Pasternak wins Top Producer
honors. Out of the 64 alltime
"Golden Circle" Top Grossers
M-G-M leads the industry with 25,
nearest competing company 1 1
cWtt?
(Issue of Dec. 20)
"M-G-M leads 1948 Honor Roll
with nine pictures!"
M-G-M tops all companies in poll of
nation's critics with: "A Date With Judy"
'The Bride Goes Wild" • "Cass Timberlane"
• "Easter Parade" • "Green
Dolphin Street" • "Homecoming"
"Julia Misbehaves • "The Search"
"The Three Musketeers".
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
(Issue of Dec. 24)
"M-G-M has two out of
the First Three in topgrossing
pictures of
1947-'48 season, 'Cass
Timberlane' and 'Green
Dolphin Street'."

asV us*
«0** S
c'
:C oiiis W
0*
the
S^eepittS
ttf^°*
PREDICTION: THE CHALLENGERS OF 1949!
"EDWARD, MY SON"
Spencer Tracy • Deborah Kerr
'THE BARKLEYS OF BROADWAY"
(TECHNICOLOR)
Fred Astoire • Ginger Rogers
"THE SECRET GARDEN"
(Special Sequences in TECHNICOLOR)
"THE GREAT SINNER"
Gregory Peck • Ava Gardner
Melvyn Douglas
'NEPTUNE'S DAUGHTER'
"COMMAND DECISION"
Clark Gable • Walter Pidgeon
Van Johnson • Brian Donlevy
"LITTLE WOMEN"
(TECHNICOLOR)
June Allyson • Peler Lawford
Margaret O'Brien • Elizabeth Taylor
"THE STRATTON STORY"
James Stewart * Juno Allyson
"THE FORSYTE SAGA"
Greer Garson • Errol Flynn • Walter Pidgeon
Robert Young • Janet Leigh
'IN THE GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME'
(TECHNICOLOR)
Judy Garland *
Von Johnson
'TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME'
(TECHNICOLOR)
Frank Sinatra • Esther Williams • Gene Kelly
"ACT OF VIOLENCE"
Von Heflin • Robert Ryan
"THE BRIBE"
Robert Taylor * Ava Gardner • Charles
"MADAME BOVARY"
Jennifer Jones • James Mason
Van Heflin • Louis Jourdan
"THE CONSPIRATOR"
Robert Taylor • Elizabeth Taylor
'ANY NUMBER CAN PLAY"

SENSATIONAL
IN YOUNGSTOWN!
IN CLEVELAND!
I» t os *****
First results are in and the
proof is out! There's a new
Warner sensation rolling so
Get ready for "The Mo»ies ond You" short subject series the story of yoo

?**£&
-s °Mtr/Affs
SOMlr/Ms
WOMANi
THE CAMPAIGN

distributor and producer could be openly discussed; that a
sincere effort would be made to arrive at a common understanding
looking toward a solution of these problems, even]
that the outcome of such a conference might, at long last, form
a solid nucleus for industry unity that would keep these groups
working together, eventually disposing of the causes for ill-
conceived actions that have plagued this industry, both internally
and externally.
i
!
THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY
PUBLISHED IN
NINE SECTIONAL EDITION:
BEN SHLYEN
Editor-in-Chief and Publisher
JAMES M. JERAULD Editor
NATHAN COHEN Associate Editor
JESSE SHLYEN_ Managing Editor
IVAN STEAR- Western Editor
FLOYD M. MDC Equipment Editor
RAYMOND LEVY General Manager
Published Every Saturday by
ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS
Jerauld, Editor, Chester Friedman, Editor Showmandiser
Section; A. J. Stocker, Eastern Representative.
Telephone Columbus 5-6370. 5-6371, 5-6372. Cable
address: "BOXOFFICE, New York."
Central Ofiices: 624 South Michigan Ave., Chicago
5, 111. Jonas Perlberg, Manager; Ralph F. Scholbe,
Central Representative. Telephone WEBster 9-4745.
Washington Ofiices: 6417 Dahlonega Road, Alan Herbert,
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932 New Jersey, N. W. Sara Young.
Publication Oliices: 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City
1, Mo. Nathan Cohen, Associate Editor; Jesse Shlyen,
Managing Editor; Morris Schiozman, Business Manager.
J. Herbert Roush, Manager Advertising Sales
and Service. Telephone CHestnut 7777-78.
Other Publications: BOXOFFICE BAROMETEH
Published in November as a section BOXOFFICE;
HE MODERN THEATRE,
of
published monthly as a
section ol BOXOFFICE.
ALBANY—21-23 Walter Ave., M. Berrigan.
ATLANTA— 163 Walton, N. W., P. H. Savin.
BIRMINGHAM—The News, Eddie Badger.
BOSTON—Frances W. Harding, Lib. 2-9305.
BUFFALO— 157 Audubon Drive, Snyder, Jim Schroder
CHARLOTTE—216 W. 4th, Pauline Griifith.
CINCINNATI— 1634 Central Parkway, Lillian Seltzer
CLEVELAND—Elsie Loeb, Fairmount 0046.
DALLAS—1525 Holland, V. W. Crisp, J8-97S0.
DENVER-1645 Lalayette, Jack Rose, TA 8517.
DES MOINES—Register & Tribune Bldg., Russ Schoch
DETROIT— 1009 Fox Theatre Bldg., H. F. Reves.
Telephones: RA 1100; Night, UN-4-0219.
HARTFORD— 109 Westborne, Allen Widem.
HARRISBURG, PA—Mechanicsburg, Lois Fegan.
INDIANAPOUS-Rt. 8, Rox 770, Howard M. Rudeaux
MIAMI—66 S. Hibiscus Island, Mrs. Manton E. Harwood.
2952 Merrick Rd., Elizabeth Sudlow.
MEMPHIS—707 Spring St., Null Adams, Tel. 48-5462.
MILWAUKEE—529 N. 13th, J. R. Gahagan, MA-0297.
MINNEAPOLIS—29 Washington Ave. So., Les Rees.
NEW HAVEN—i2 Church St., Gertrude Lander.
NEWARK, N. J.—207 Sumner, Sara Carleton.
NEW ORLEANS—Frances Jackson, 218 So. Liberty.
OKLAHOMA CITY—216 Terminal Bldg., Polly Trindle.
OMAHA—Omaha World-Herald Bldg., Lou GerdM.
PHILADELPHIA-4901 Spruce St., J. M. Makler.
PITTSBURGH—66 Van Braam St., R. F. Klingensmith
PORTLAND, ORE.—David Kahn, 7722 N. Interstate.
RICHMOND—Grand Theatre, Sam Pulliam.
ST. LOUIS—5149 Rosa, David Barrett, FL-3727.
SALT LAKE CITY—Deseret News, Howard Pearson.
SAN ANTONIO—309 Blum St., San Antonio 2, L. J. B
Ketner.
SAN FRANCISCO — 25 Taylor St., Gail Lipman.
ORdway 3-4812.
SLAITLE-928 N. £4th St., Willard Elsey.
TOLEDO—4330 Willys Pkwy., Anna Kline, LA 7176.
IN CANADA
CALGARY—The Albertan, Wm.
MONTREAL—4330 Wilson Ave.,
michael, Walnut 5519.
G., Roy Car-
ST. JOHN— 116 Prince Edwajd St., Wm. J. McNulty.
TORONTO—R. R. No. 1, York Mills, Milton Galbrcdth.
VANCOUVER—411 Lyric Theatre Bldg., Jack Droy.
VICTORIA—938 Island Highway, Alec Merriman.
WINNIPEG—The Tribune, Ben Lepkin.
Member Audit Bureau or Circulations
OXOFFICE
REAL IMPROVEMENT NEED
P
0**»IKE the weather, everybody in this great
business of ours talks about unity, but nobody does anything
about it. Of course that isn't completely true, for there have
been several attempts to unify the various segments of this
industry into one solid and formidable group. But in only one
instance did it get beyond the talking stage. And then il
wasn't given a chance to work out a difference that had
arisen within the ranks.
And, while this happened in the early days of the war.jj
the industry did prove to itself and to the rest of the world!
that it could work in unison. But that was on matters patriotic'
—not on matters of business; not even on matters involving
common business interest. The schism seems to be growing
wider—even in the ranks of what had for a long time been
referred to as "the organized branch of the industry," meaning
the association of motion picture producers and distributors.
At the testimonial dinner honoring Arthur Lockwood in
Boston on January 11, this independent exhibitor, who is presi-,
dent of the Theatre Owners of America, made a plea for unity.
Citing the progress the industry had made scientihcallY and in
other ways he concluded with: "The only real improvement
we need is in will power—the will to unify our action for the
common good of the industry, the will to face every scientific
fact with enlightened self-interest, the will to analyze and discuss
our problems across the conference table. There isn'1tQ
single problem that we face that can't be solved by commo; ion I
sense and common action."
Just a few days before, the meeting that had been called
by Eric Johnston and at which producers, distributors and
representative exhibitors were to "sit around the table together,"
was called off indefinitely. The reason given wasj
that a quorum (of producer members of MPAA) was lacking.
But they were able to get a quorum together in Miami this
week.
There had been some hope—and promise—that a roundtable
discussion of some of the problems common to exhibitor,!
The call for unity thus far seems to have been only a cry
in the wilderness. Maybe it will yet be heard.
JANUARY 2 2. 1949
Vol. 54 No. 12

A Sensible View of TV
There's an interesting article in this issue from the typeter
of our Hollywood bureau manager, Ivan Spear, on the
entry of some erstwhile motion picture producers into the field
pf producing films for television use.
held. And still more will follow.
Others, too, have entered
The experience that these men will bring to the new melium
will, doubtless, greatly improve the quality of its programs.
That they have confidence in the future of this new
>ntertainment form is evidenced in the complete forsaking ol
ar motion picture production by such a picture-making
as Hal Roach. And, of course, there are others who
nil make television films while continuing to provide the maret
needs with regular film product.
This brings to mind, again, the competitive factor that
loes now or soon will come into stronger focus between teleision
and the motion picture theatre. And it reminds of an
xcellent setting-forth of the place of the new medium in the
ife and habits of the people which was contained in an ad-
•ertisement by the J. Walter Thompson Co., the world's largest
idvertising agency, in the December issue of Fortune magaine.
Here is what it said:
HOW WILL TELEVISION AFFECT PEOPLE'S HABITS?
"Twenty-four hours, no more, no less ... the total length oi the
lock-day is one iact we can't changel
"Some of these hours we use for WORK. Some for EATING. Some
SLEEP. Some for household chores. After these, dozens of other
3r
lings compete for our leisure hours.
"So already many are saying 'Television is wonderful . . . but where
rill we get the TIME to watch it. and still do other things?'
"Changed habits mean changed markets.
What will television do to
,ie boxoffice take of the MOVIES? Will fewer people listen to the
'.ADIO? What about MAGAZINE readership?
"We have no pat answers to these questions. But there are some
acts worth thinking of:
"(1) the total market is growing; there are almost 2.000,000 marriages
jvery year. (2) the nation is becoming better educated, has more litervtes,
wider interests. (3) there are MORE LEISURE HOURS, as the averge
workweek gets steadily shorter!
"Twenty years ago the same kind of questions were asked about the
Iffect of radio. Now as then, this company believes that the new medium
trill find its balance with the old.
I "Television will be important as an ADDED channel of communicalon.
As for us.—we will continue to work with it intensively, while
studying its eventual place among all media."
iew.
The motion picture industry might well adopt a similar
\JL~ sMJL&^
Pcdte'SeaU
Mid-Central Allied Meeting
Held in Springfield, 111.
Twenty-seven exhibitors brave sleet and
snow to be present at sessions January 19;
Bill Hoffman of Arthur, 111., presided in absence
of President Henry Holloway.
New Harry Cohn Pact
Due for Ratification
Contract for Columbia Pictures president
calls for same salary, $197,000 a year, plus
benefits from $300,000 life insurance policy
carried by company.
*
Exhibitor-Owned Tele Station
To Open During the Spring
Myron J. Kallet. head of upstate New York
theatre chain, is president of Copper City
Broadcasting Corp., which will operate
WKAL-TV in Mohawk Valley.
New York City Trade Raises
$120,000 for Rogers Fund
Total of 89 prizes awarded in the Will Rogers
Memorial hospital campaign ending January
20; David Newman, office manager for
Bandforce circuit, wins three prizes.
*
Al Jolson 'Dimes' Appeal
To Be Aired Everywhere
New lyrics for "Brother, Can You Spare a
Dime" recorded and sent to 2,500 stations for
use as often as openings occur; all concerned
donated services.
*
Robert S. Benjamin Plans
Flight to London Meeting
President of J. Arthur Rank American
company to leave January 25 for conferences
with Rank and John Davis, his managing director;
to be gone three weeks.
+
"Best Film of Year' Award
To Rossellini for 'Paisan'
National Board of Review presentation
made ceremoniously at Museum of Modern
Art by Richard Griffith, executive director;
first
of kind.
Bing Crosby Goes CBS
For Radio and TV
Film and radio star signs with Columbia
network as the third major star to be lured
away from competing nets; had been with
ABC for the last two years.
+
New Memphis Mayor Urged
To Oust Censor Binford
"His silly censorship has made Memphis
look silly to the rest of the country," according
to an editorial blast appearing in the
city's Commercial Appeal.

—
THEATRE VIDEO GOES BIG-TIME
FOR TRUMAN'S INAUGURATION
Video and Newsreels Join
In a Full Coverage of
Washington Affair
NEW YORK—Television-newsreel competition
hit a historic new high Thursday
at President Truman's inauguration.
It may also have been a new high for
television-theatre competition. Later reports
from theatre managers will prove or
disapprove theories on this point.
Admittedly It was a spectacle designed to
draw a crowd—also a spectacle with national
pictorial news interest.
In less than eight months since the national
political conventions, when television
networks were confined to the Atlantic coast
from Boston to Richmond, another eight
cities with more than 30 stations which theoretically
reach about one-third of the total
population have been connected by coaxial
cables. The cities are Pittsburgh, Buffalo,
Cleveland, Toledo, Detroit, Chicago, Milwaukee
and St. Louis.
NO MERE COINCIDENCE
This connection was no coincidence. Work
on it had been rushed for many months.
The television interests relied on it to give
a boost to received sales, to stir the interest
of advertisers, to give the new industry the
kind of stimulant that put radio on its feet
during the Democratic national convention
of 1924.
Unlike the political conventions, which
could be covered by radio and were evening
competition for theatres, the inaugural
was largely pictorial and, except for the
ball in the evening, it was a matinee attraction.
Even so, it was admittedly competition
comparable to the World Series.
The newsreel people, long accustomed to
covering big events, took it in stride and contrated
on fast service for first runs. Since
Thursdays are regular makeup days for the
weekly newsreels, their coverage did not become
special feature product but was included
in the weekly product. Newsreel cameramen
and sound men got their pictures
in Washington, shot them to New York by
fast planes, and the studios here worked all
Thursday night in assembling the prints and
getting them off before daylight for fast
distribution by plane to all parts of the
country. The March of Time and Ail-American
Newsreel also covered the events.
PLANNED FAR AHEAD
Television film officials did a lot of planning
in advance of the ceremonies and decided
to work cooperatively. They were
NBC, ABC, CBS and DuMont. NBC took
over the job of recording the events on film
by photographing them as they appeared on
the television receiver while being broadcast
over interconnected outlets from the Atlantic
to the Mississippi.
The Paramount Theatre, New York, with
its fast tube-to-film system in its booth,
began its Washington coverage Wednesday
evening at 10 p. m.
Televised Capital Events
Definite Theatre Draw
New York — Paramount's television
presentation of President Truman's inauguration
may turn out to be an industry
milestone comparable to the Warner Bros,
presentation of "Don Juan" and its accompanying
sound program April 6, 1926.
Wednesday night the film program was
interrupted for 45 minutes; Thursday for
the swearing in of the President television
replaced films for one hour. At night another
45 minutes was devoted to the inaugural
festivities.
All these were firsts—for length of time,
for elaborate methods of pickup. Previous
shows have been mostly sport events on
an experimental basis.
Paramount executives attended in force
and were agreed that the showings were a
definite boxoffice attraction. The theatre
was filled practically to capacity, except
for the loges, long before noon and while
the ceremonies were being shown an impatient
crowd was waiting outside to get
Also, for the first time, the company
decided to submit its television program
to the advertising test, with the film attraction
subordinated. Two-column three
and one-half inch newspaper ads were
used in the form of a dignified invitation,
with the film portion in five lines of
eight-point bold face type half way down.
The tag line was— "The first and only
theatre in the nation to bring you the
festivities as they happen."
John Balaban, Leonard Goldenson, Paul
Raibourn, George Shupert and Robert
Weitman, theatre managing director, were
all
enthusiastic.
Quality of the pictures was considerably
below film standards, but the feeling of
immediacy, the dramatic buildup of the
preliminaries, the crowd stimulation, the
solemnity of the oaths of office, and occasional
humorous comments by the chilled
commentators had a hypnotic effect on
the audience. When the Washington spectators
applauded, the theatre audience
applauded. It was genuine screen entertainment
with emotional impact.
The results will have an important effect
on Paramount's plans to market its
tube-to-film system and to seek out means
of securing program material with dramatic
news importance.
FCC Told Para Affiliates
In Plans for Video Expansion
WASHINGTON — The future television
prospects of Paramount circuits which may
be "liberated" by the federal courts have
been unfairly retarded by arbitrary FCC action,
the commission was told Monday by
Paramount attorney Duke Patrick. Testifying
on an FCC proposal to establish a maximum
number of radio and television stations
which may be licensed to an individual or a
single corporate group, Patrick said Paramount
has already suffered "incalculable
harm."
He referred to the FCC's proposal to dismiss
all pending applications of Paramount
and the DuMont Laboratories because the
commission found last month that Paramount
controls DuMont.
Patrick also insisted that the FCC has no
right to consider antitrust and monopoly
charges as it awards licenses for television
and radio—that is the busines of the Department
of Justice, he said.
The FCC has proposed to limit to five the
number of stations which may be licensed to
a single group or to an individual. Paramount
Tied
has stations in Los Angeles and Chicago, and
DuMont in New York, Washington and Pittsburgh.
Patrick advanced two reasons why
the other applications should be processed
they include DuMont applications for Cincinnati
and Cleveland, and the applications
of Paramount affiliates for Boston, San Francisco,
Detroit and Tampa. Both arguments
were based on the assumption that the multiple
ownership limitations to which he was
objected were actually observed by the FCC
which Is
likely.
First, he said, Paramount should be given
the same opportunity other firms will have if
the FCC rules are adopted—that of disposing
of their over-limit holdings by Jan. 1,
1953. In other words, Patrick would have the
commission act on other Paramount and Du-
Mont applications, leaving it up to the company
to decide by 1953 which of the various
stations it holds it will dispose of, particularly
because there "is a distinct possibility"
that Paramount's production and distribution
organization may be broken off from its
theatre
operations.
BOXOFFICE January 22. 1949

"
. . The
GOLDWYN QUITS MPAA FOLD
IN A FLURRY OF STATEMENTS
Producer and Johnston
In a Bitter Exchange
Of Sharp Words
HOLLYWOOD—Samuel Goldwyn has
GOLDWYN'S STATEMENT
Goldwyn's statement in full declared:
"It is indeed unfortunate for the motion
picture industry that Mr. Eric Johnston's
manners are as bad as his judgment. I had
hoped to withdraw from the MPAA without
commenting on Mr. Johnston's leadership,
but this latest effusion from his word factory
impels me to state a few matters for
the record.
"During the past period that Mr. Johnston
has been president of the MPAA the public
relations of the industry have declined alarmingly.
Mr. Johnston's contribution to building
fine relations between the public and our
business has consisted mostly of turning the
offices of the MPAA into a personal press
bureau for Eric Johnston.
"This is not surprising in view of the fact
that all this time Mr.. Johnston has been
preening himself to accept a call to public
office. The overwhelming silence of the public
with respect to Mr. Johnston's political
ambitions has unfortunately not prevented
him from devoting his major efforts to his
personal objectives rather than to the benefit
of the motion picture industry.
'FINANCIAL DETERIORATION'
"During the period of Mr. Johnston's incumbency,
the financial position of the industry
as a whole has deteriorated considerably.
This may not be Mr. Johnston's fault,
but his glittering genius for doing the wrong
thing has certainly not helped the industry
solve any of the grave problems it faces.
As far as I have been able to observe, Mr.
Johnston's chief contribution to the economic
stability of the industry has been to give it
such advice as has caused the filing of lawsuits
against the MPAA and various other
members totaling $65,000,000—one of which
has already been decided against the company
involved.
"The motion picture industry has survived
many misfortunes and I am confident
it will survive Eric Johnston."
Goldwyn's reference to the $65,000,000 lawsuits
was in connection with actions against
U. S. Business Is Off 10%;
World Attendance Is Up
again included himself out of the Motion
Picture Ass'n of America and the Ass'n of
Motion Picture Producers, and this time
to the accompaniment of mud-slinging
reminiscent of the days when Mack Sennett
MIAMI—Public relations, economy, foreign
filled the Hollywood air with flying remittances and Sam Goldwyn's resignation
custard pies.
were topics at the meeting of MPAA directors
Chief protagonists in the tossing of invectives
and several production officials here
and accusations were the producer January 18, 19.
and Eric Johnston, president of the MPAA, No details were given
with Goldwyn having had the last word— cisions were reached, but
out on
it became
what de-
obvious
which included such choice morsels as
charging the MPAA head with "devoting
that the MPAA had decided to handle its
foreign problems without reference to the
SIMPP which wants negotiations handled
his major efforts to his personal objectives
rather than to the benefit of the motion
through the State Department.
picture industry."
This became known when it was stated
that Francis Harmon, vice-president, would
go to South Africa in a few days to discuss
the proposed 50 per cent reduction of remittances
from that area.
It is
believed that Sam Goldwyn's resignation
was due to this difference of opinion.
Considerable resentment exists among MPAA
leaders over Eugene Arnall's public declarations.
Harmon was originally scheduled to
leave January 3.
Eric Johnston held a press conference in
the MPAA and the major companies by
the so-called "unfriendly 10." charging a conspiracy
to blacklist them and deny them
future employment in the industry because
of their indictment for contempt of Congress
after they had appeared as witnesses at a session
of J. Parnell Thomas' house un-American
activities committee.
It was Johnston's declaration in Miami.
Fla., where he was presiding at a meeting
of major company presidents, that brought
forth the Goldwyn blast. Notified of Goldwyn's
resignation from the MPAA, Johnston
commented, among other remarks, that:
"Our members here are relieved by Mr.
Goldwyn's withdrawal .
reactions of
the members here can be summarized in one
word : 'Good.'
The Johnstonian statement was issued
through the MPAA's Washington, D. C, office.
The text of Johnston's statement follows:
"Our members meeting here are relieved
by Mr. Goldwyn's withdrawal. During his'
association with us, he has demonstrated a
unique and singular flair for saying one
thing and doing exactly the opposite.
"Mr. Goldwyn's fabulous material success
in the motion picture industry—he is a multimillionaire—is
irrefutable proof that free
enterprise and free opportunities exist in a
very real and positive way for all producers.
I'm afraid I can't shed any tears over the
way that multimillionaire Goldwyn is being
oppressed by his fellow producers, many of
whom are not as well off as he is.
which he said public criticism of the industry
was "turning," and that producers "think
the quality of their films is good."
Johnston also said film business is "a little
less than 10 per cent off in this country,"
but that in the foreign areas it is up 20 per
cent. Remittances, however, from foreign
sources are off 30 per cent.
Production costs are up 15
per cent, Johnston
also revealed, and this was one of the
problems taken up at length.
Television's probable effect on theatres
and how to meet the problem formed an important
section of the agenda of the second
day's
sessions.
AP Editor Hails Shorts
NEW YORK—Mark Barron,
drama editor
of the Associated Press, in a wire service
story to AP member newspapers calls "The
Movies and You," all-industry public relations
shorts, "informative and brilliant."
"Mr. Goldwyn's statement is the latest example
of his penchant for getting into violent
disagreement with himself on all sides
of a question.
"The reactions of the members here can
be summarized in one word: 'Good.'"
Goldwyn had limited his resignation announcement
to the declaration that he had
decided upon the move because he wished
to give his "undivided support to the interests
of the Society of Independent Motion
Picture Producers."
Pursuant to the MPAA's bylaws, Goldwyn
submitted notice of intention to withdraw
after 12 months from the date the action
was taken. In accordance with the AMPP's
bylaws, the withdrawal notice stipulated a
period of six months.
Goldwyn, in a statement amplifying upon
his resignation, declared he found himself
"unable to agree conscientiously" with many
of the association's policies and felt they "do
not represent the interests of the independent
producers." He contended the fight of independent
film-makers for an "open market"
is "a fight for survival" and asserted there
must be "a return to real free enterprise in
our industry—an opportunity for all producers
to show their pictures to the public
in every community on a fair and nondiscriminatory
basis."
The future of good motion pictures, the
producer added, is "completely bound up
with the efforts of the Society of Independent
Motion Picture Producers to bring
this
about."
BOXOFTICE January 22, 1949

Antitrust Case Entering
Homestretch Next Week
NEW YORK—Antitrust litigation goes
into the homestretch Monday, January 31.
This will be the big day when all defendants
in the Paramount case will turn over
proposed decrees to the Department of Justice.
An arbitration plan has been agreed
upon. It has already been presented to
Ass't Atty. Gen. Robert L. Wright and will
go before the court, thus ironing out some
of the uncertainties of recent weeks.
Paramount has several proposals under
consideration by the Department of Justice,
but what will come of them is uncertain.
RKO has sought a postponement of the
deadline for placing its splitup plan before
the stockholders. This may be granted any
day.
LITTLE THREE AT ODDS
The Little Three is said to be at odds.
Three proposals may be forthcoming—or one.
They have not reached an agreement at any
time during the ten-year progress of the
case.
After studying the defendants' proposals
the Department of Justice will come back with
its counter-proposals March 1. The court will
hear oral arguments from both sides March 31.
In the meantime more of the divorcement
details will be ironed out, it is expected. Warners,
20th Century-Pox and Loew's have already
made some progress in this direction.
Agreement on arbitration was reached after
three weeks of negotiations among the major
defendants. They reworded the provision for
awarding damages to exhibitors after Paramount
had objected to the original wording.
Most of the recent news about theatre negotiations
and divestiture has come out of
meetings held in New York. Washington and
California by company executives, Department
of Justice attorneys and partners of affiliated
circuits.
Leonard H. Goldenson, president of Paramount
Theatres Service Corp., has been shuttling
between New York and Washington. He
has been reporting weekly to the executive
committee of the board of directors on the
results of his talks with Wright.
OTHER SPLITUPS DISCUSSED
In California, Dan Michalove and Charles
P. Skouras have been discussing plans for
dividing 250 theatres held jointly by Fox
West Coast Theatres Corp. and its partners
in California.
Approximately 60 of these theatres are
owned with United Artists Theatres of California,
Ltd., a subsidiary of United Artists
Theatres, Inc.
No deal has been set as yet for these theatres
or any of the other theatres held jointly
by UAT with Loew's and Paramount. Joseph
M. Schenck. president of UAT. who
has been discussing deals in New York, Interrupted
his negotiations to attend an MPAA
directors' meeting in Miami.
Loew's expects to wind up some of its joint
holdings with Paramount, Si H. Fabian and
Charles Moss after March. No action can be
expected before March because Loew's wants
to protect employes covered by its pension
Some progress has also been made by Warner
Bros, in negotiations to dispose of 15 of
27 theatres owned with partners. These include
a group of 15 houses operated with Atlantic
Theatres, Inc., in southern New Jersey;
the Mt. Oliver Harris Theatre, Mt. Oliver,
Pa.; the Shayside Theatre, Pittsburgh; the
MacArthur Theatre, Washington; the Griswold
Theatre, Tory; the Felton Theatre,
Philadelphia; the Paramount, Warner and
Park theatres, Youngstown, Ohio and the
State, Majestic, Regent and Fairbanks theatres,
Springfield, Ohio.
Trade practices will be the chief target of
the Little Three. They have scheduled meetings
to discuss a decree that would legalize
price-fixing, roadshows and moveovers.
Columbia will continue to oppose arbitration,
while United Artists and Universal-International
may accept arbitration if it is not
too expensive.
Seeks SI,000,000 Damages
In Massachusetts Suit
BOSTON—A civil action asking $1,000,000
damages has been filed in federal district
court here by W. Leslie Bendslev, owner and
operator of the Community Playhouse in
Wellesley Hills, Mass.
Defendants are the M&P Theatres Corp.,
including the New England Theatres, Inc.,
Publix Netoco, and Allston Theatres, Inc.;
the Keith-Massachusetts Corp.; and the eight
majors. The complaint alleges restraint of
trade, consipracy and monopoly of interstate
commerce in motion pictures. The plaintiff
claims that by unreasonable clearance he has
been compelled to play 28 days after first run
Boston and after the subsequent second run
of the Coolidge Theatre, Brookline; the Paramount,
Newton; the Colonial, Natick; the
Paramount, Needham, and other theatres that
are in or near Boston.
Blumenstock Again Heads
Public Relations Unit
NEW YORK—Mort Blumenstock, vicepresident
in charge of advertising and publicity
for Warner Bros.,
has been elected chairman
of the advertising
and publicity directors
committee of the
MPAA. He succeeds
Stanley Shuford. advertising
manager of
Paramount. whose
term of office has just
expired, and will
serve
for a term of six
months.
Blumenstock is the
Mort Blumenstock 16th chairman of the
committee, which was formed in 1942. and
it is the second time he has been chosen for
the position, having been elected to it in
1943. The committee has been consistently
active in formulating the public relations
programs of the industry.
Little
Three Agrees
On Trade Practices
New York—Proposals covering roadshows,
admission prices, franchises, extended
runs and moveovers have been
worked out by the Little Three for inclusion
in a joint decree. These plans
were made January 20 at the first of several
meetings by Columbia, United Artists
and Universal-International. The
company lawyers expect to complete their
proposed decree for study by the Department
of Justice by January 31. The theatre-owning
defendants are working on individual
decrees.
The Little Three will ask the court to
permit inclusion of admission prices in
licensing agreements only for purposes of
calculating earnings on percentage pictures.
The exhibitor will be free to raise
or lower his admission prices without restriction.
The court had banned pricefixing.
They will ask the court to permit roadshows
on the following basis: No fixed
admission price, exhibitor to guarantee
runs in terms of days or weeks, exhibitor
to agree to number of shows per day, and
the distributor to be able to charge breach
of contract if an exhibitor violates either
of the two provisions.
The Little Three also will ask for permission
to make franchise agreements
with any exhibitor—independent, circuit
or affiliate—so long as the distributor
can show that these agreements do not
restrain trade. The court banned franchises,
but the Department of Justice approved
franchise agreements for independents
after the Supreme Court ruled
the entire franchise issue should be reviewed.
The Little Three also will ask that distributors
be allowed to grant moveovers
and extended runs to all exhibitors without
discrimination. The Department of
Justice has asked for a ban on these
practices.
Senate's Tax Chairman
For Ticket Tax Slash
WASHINGTON—Support for a reduction of
the federal boxoffice tax was registered this
week in a powerful new quarter as Sen.
Walter George, chairman of the senate finance
committee, said he thought the levy
is "burdensome." He said he hopes something
can be done this year to make it less
burdensome, and refused to rule out the idea
of
a graduated tax.
George said he could not be sure just how
far the tax should be lowered. He was by no
means certain that it should simply be cut
down from 20 to 10 per cent of the ticket
price, he said. Some other figure might be
in order—or maybe the committee might feel
that a graduated tax would be preferable.
He stressed also that he was not certain his
committee will go along on the idea of lowering
the admission tax at all this year in
view of the heavy budgetary demands of the
administration.
10 BOXOFFICE January 22, 1949

2
TRADE SHOW DATES
TO REMEMBER!
Three More Big M-G-M 1949 Hits!
Seeing is believing! Don't Miss them!
trade shows feb.
Robert Taylor, Ava Gardner, Charles
Laughton, Vincent Price, John Hodiak
nd
BfllB*
ITV

'
Clark.
'
.
•
Edward
Charlotte,
The Jim Mote Fund Gets Wide Response
Film Industry Shows Its Heart in Lending a Hand to little Fellow'
In the interest of helping a "little fellow"
whose theatre burned out and who was without
insurance, there has come a heartening
response from every corner of the industry.
Jim Mote of Sterling. Okla.. was the unfortunate
little fellow. Reading of his plight,
W. H. Hoffman. Lamar Theatre, Arthur, 111.,
suggested through the columns of BOX-
OFFICE that a JIM MOTE FUND be started,
beginning it with his contribution. It was
Mr. Hoffman's thought that if each exhibitor
would send as little as one dollar, enough
money could be raised to put Jim Mote and
his family back in theatre business.
WHERE TO SEND (HECKS
Those listed below are some of the contributors;
others requested anonymity. Individual
contributions have ranged from $1 to
$200. Additionally there have been made
offers of sound equipment, a popcorn machine
and free film service.
Those wishing to contribute may send their
checks to the JIM MOTE FUND, care BOX-
OFFICE, 825 Van Brunt Blvd.. Kansas City
1. Mo.
Contributors up to press time, alphabetically
:
John N. Allison, New Vivien Theatre, Carlisle, Ind.
H A. Anderson, Roxy Theatre. St. Ansgar, Iowa
Edward E. Atkinson. Baldwin. N. Y.
John B. Austin, Austin Theatre, Versailles. Ind.
Zenobia Austin, Lyric Theatre, Williamson, W. Va
Avalon Theatre. Platteville, Wis.
T. A. Baker. Lincoln Theatre, Bunker Hill 111
Fern Bales. Sieger Theatre, Steger, III.
lames C. Balkcom jr.. Gray Theatre, Gray, Ga.
M. Bank, King Bee Theatre, St. Louis. Mo.
I. A. Becker. Associated Theatres. Independence
do
Ġeorge Beckham, East Alton, 111
W. E. Benton, Saratoga Springs, N. Y.
Fred J. Bielamowicz, Texas Theatre, Bremond, Tex
Benjamin Berger, Berger Amusement Co., Minneapolis,
Minn.
Alvin Besagno. Augusta and Isis Theatres. Augusta.
Kas.
John Bettendorf. Foley Thealre, Foley, Minn.
H. F. Blount. Plaza Theatre. Potosi, Mo.
George S. Blutecker, Ashland, 111
George Bonser, Bonser Printing Co., Comanche, Tex.
Mr. and Mrs. Wiley Booth, Booth Theatre. Wolle
City. Tex.
Donna W, Borchert, Door Theatre, Sturgeon Bay
Wis
Buddy and David Bowers. Warrior Thealre, New
York City
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Bracken, Hurst Theatre.
Hurst. 111.
Roy Brandenburg, Madison Theatre Corp, Madison,
Ind
L. Brazil jr.. New Theatre, Bearden. Ark.
A Briggs. Gerald, Mo.
Pen Brinck, West Point Thealre, West Point. Iowa.
I L Brown, Lake Theatre, London. Tenn
Mynie Brueckner jr.. Lake Theatre. London. Tenn.
FROM LOUISIANA
Mrs. O E Brumley, Pal Theatre, Chatham, La
Paul H. Brunei, Dixie Theatre. New Orleans, La.
Theo B. Brush, Rex Theatre, Richfield, Idaho.
Clifford Byler. L. C. Theatre, Bevier, Mo,
C A Caballero, Calpac Operating Co., Los
Angeles
I Glenn Caldwell. Princess-Caldwell Theatres.
Aurora, Mo.
W A Cassidy. Cassidy Theatres, Midland. Mich
H H Carlisle. Rio Theate. Dimmitt. Tex.
T, N. Carnahan, Roosevelt Theatre, Sulphur, La
Rhoda I Cates, Sterling. Okla
Bill M, Chambers, Sheridan Theatre, Sheridan. Mo
lames A, Cheek. Time Theatre, Mattoon. 111.
H, Chertcolf, Strand Theatre. Lancaster. Pa.
Vernon Christianson, Woodman Theatre. Halstad.
Minn
Ernest W Clark, Molalla Theatre. Molalla. Ore.
Dixie Theatre, Greenwood. Miss.
Max A Cohen, Cinema Circuit. Now York City
Earl Cokenour, Dixie Theatre. New Madrid, Mo,
Mr, and Mrs. Joseph W Cole. Rains Theatre,
Emory. Tex.
Bill Collins. DeSoto, Mo.
W. Penn. Allied Votes
$150 Contribution
Joining several other Allied regional
units in supporting the Jim Mote fund,
the Allied Motion Picture Theatre Owners
of Western Pennsylvania last week
voted a contribution of $150 toward the
fund. This is in addition to individual
contributions made by a number of the
MPTO members.
Mr and Mrs Louis Collins, Canton. Mo.
[ Cook. Kanawha Theatre, Grantsville, N. W. Va
Craig Theatres. Ridgetown, Canada,
M.
G
T.
R
Craig,
Crocker, Rialto Theatre, Lyndon, Kas.
R B Culbreth, Rio Theate, Sneads Ferry, N. C.
R. N. Culp, Lobelville Theatre, Lobelville, Tenn.
Samuel Cummings, Pix Theatre Co., New York City.
B. E. Curl, Clinton Theatre. Clinton, Wis.
B. F. Curtis, Capitol Theatre, Meridian, Tex.
burg, Ohio.
Geo. Davis, Liberty Amusement Co., Wellesville, U
E V Delaney, Lyric Theatre, Marcus, Iowa.
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Demarest, Model Theatre, Beulahv
'» e . N - C. „ ^
Geo. Diamos, Tri-Delta Amusement Co., Tucson, Ariz.
K. K. Dickson, Dallas, Tex.
Andy Dietz, St. Loui;
lo, Tex
William P. Downes, South Bend, Ind
Laura Downing, Ashman Theatres, Coro, Mich.
Joseph and Madigan Doyle, Pontiac Theatre, Fort
Coulonge, Can.
Genevieve Drake, Dixie Theate, Linneus, Mo.
M. L. DuBose, Majestic Theatre, Cotulla, Tex.
R. Durbin, Pittsfield. 111.
„ ,,
E D Durwood. Durwood Theatres, Kansas City, Mo.
Mrs. Minnie Dwyer, Lake Theatre, Celina, Ohio.
William Eakins, Kentucky Theatre, South Shore, Kv
Earl East, Winfield, Mo
Louis Ebert, Odem Theatres, Redmond, Ore.
P. F. Erickson. Alki Theatre, Wilbur, Wash
Herman J. Erie, Rio Theatre, Columbus, Mont.
Sam F Ewing, Fay Theatre, Fayette, Miss.
Joe Faith, Linn Theatre, Linn. Mo
Rosea* Faunce, Strand Theatre. Ocean City, N, ).
M J Fauver, Broadway Theatre, Brooklyn, Iowa.
Merrell Fie, George Theatre, George, Iowa.
Harold Field, Pioneer Theatre Corp., Minneapolis,
Mir
William M Firiley, Lyric Theatre, Noriork, Ark
Mr. and Mrs. "ischer, Lynn Theatn
ville, N. C.
C. L. Freeman. Iris Theatre. Riceville, Iowa.
E M, Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Ok. a.
J J Freiburaer, Bartlesville, Okla.
Mr and Mrs. W. S. Funk, Star Theatre, St. Stephen,
Hobart H. Gates, Garlock Theatre. Custer. S. D.
M. C. Gehlsen, Burke Theatre, Burke, S. D.
Lawrence Gilbreath, Isis Theatre, Lucas, Kas.
Vincent A. Gilhool, Huish-Gilhool Theatres, Salt
Lake Citv, Utah
M Ginn, Manon Theatre, Pickens. Miss
Jleason, Maple Theatre, Maple Rapids, Mich.
Wm Goldman, Goldman Theatres, Philadelphia.
D. W Goodwin, Urban Theatre, Dallas, Tex.
Louis M Gordon. Boston, Mass.
M L Graves. Sunshine Theatre, Cherry Valley, Ark.
H Greenberg, Gimli Theatre, Gimli, Canada.
Jock H. Greenberg. Philadelphia. Pa.
William H Gregg. Flo Theatre, Nashville. Mich
Charles W GriffUh, Glenville, W. Va.
Mr and Mrs J. R. Haldeman, Sterling, Okla.
Jack Hammond. Shastona Theatre, Mt. Shasta. Calif.
J W Hancock. Columbia City Theatre Co ,
Columbia
City, Ind
Ray S Hansen, Fox Theatre. Fertile. Minn.
Vira Harbison. Torkio Thealre. Tarkio, Mo.
I. D. Harlow. Valley Theatre. Tazewell. Va.
Tav Harris. Valley Theatre, Tazewell, Va.
Millard T. Harthertz, South Williamsport, Pa.
Irwin Hawley. Gem Theatre. Odin, 111
C, E. Hendrickson, Croft Theatre, Bancroft, Iowa.
L Z Henry. Lyric Theatre, Plattsburg, Mo.
T. Hetherington. Kaslo Theatre. Kaslo, Canada
Lewis and Dorothy Hickok. Dream Theatre. Efiing-
F D Hodges, Kozy Theatre, Granite, Okla.
Theatre. Greenup Ky
Jack H. Hoffman, Hunter
W H, Hoffman. Lamar Theatre, Arthur. 111.
St. Henry Holloway. Louis. Mo
Mr and Mrs Ray Holly, Holly Theatre, Adrian, Ore.
Raymond H. Holly, Holly Theatre, Parma Ida^
Sam Holmberg. Regal Theatre, Sturgis Canada.
E. C Holt, Freeburn Theatre Co., Freeburn. Ky.
Bilhe P. L and Don Hope. Hope Theatre. Elks-
S Hope, Hope Theatre. Sesser. 111.
J. D Housley. Roslyn Theatre, Evarts. Ky. (Sandra
Gay. Louellen). ,. _,
Ray .
Hughes. Liberty Theatre Heavener Okla.
Bob Hunter Movie Service, Wellsburg. W. Va.
Frank W. Huss jr.. Associated Theatres, Cincinnati,
Ohio.
Irene Theatre, Irene, S. D.
C ] Jamison, A-Mus-U Theatre, Muscaiine. Iowa
Jeff Jeffers, Piedmont, Mo.
Allan Johnson, Legion Theatre. Humboldt. S D.
Arnold Johnson. Iowa Thealre. Onaway. Iowa.
Dorothy Johnson. De Luxe Theatre. Bucklin. Kas.
Charlie Jones, Elma Theatre, Elma. Iowa.
Mr and Mrs. Frank Jones. Castle Theatre, New-
Lea' Jones, Upper Sandusky. Ohio.
W A Jorgensen, Reaale Theatre, Salem, S. D.
Justice Theatre, Kernersville, N. C
A, H. Kaufman, Fountain Theatre. Terre Haute, Ind.
HOLLYWOOD CONTRIBUTOR
Cecil Kellaway. Hollywood. Calif.
E. J. KeTly, C & T Theatre Co.. Providence. R I.
R. F. Klingensmith, BOXOFFICE correspondent.
Pittsburgh. Pa.
L A Knott, Esquire Theatre, Tieton. Wash.
Erwin Koenigsreiter, Greendale Theatre, Greendale.
Wis. „ w .
Saul Korman, Korman Theatre. Detroit, Mich.
W E. Korsmeyer, Family Theatre. Kirksville, Mo.
Mr. and Mrs. Adrian Kreiger, Terril Thealre. Terril
°A°E. Krull, Osage Theatre. Stover. Mo.
W. A. Labarthe, Grant Theatre, Pond Creek, Okla
Oscar Lam, Lam Amusement Co., Rome, Ga.
P A Larson, Empress Theatre, Wausa, Neb.
A D Lawrence, Apex Theatre, Pilot Point, Tex.
Harry E. Lawrence, Ritz and Majestic Theatres
Madill, Okla. „ .
O H. Leonard, Peoria Theatre, Peoria. Ariz.
Roy Lepovitz, Iowa Theatre. Onaway, Iowa.
Little Carnegie Theatre. New York City.
Loew's, Inc., New York
E. A. London, State Theatre. Olivet, Mich.
M & E Theatre Management Co.. Milwaukee, Wis.
Chas Magur. Manville Theatre Co., Manville, N. J
Main Booking Office, Moline, 111
Mr and Mrs. Wm. Tuttle, Tuttle Theatre. Tuttle,
M S Millard, Embassy Theatre. Coldwater, Can.
Joe Markowitz, La Paloma Theatre, Encinitas. Calif.
A C Martin. Miss Victory Theatre. Naha. Okinawa
H H. Matthews, Roxv Theatre, Meridian, Ida.
L Mover, Kent Theatre, Yonkers, N. Y.
R H Meek, Anne Theatre. Maysville, Mo
A W Miles, Eminence Thealre, Eminence Ky.
Ben Mindlin, Baldwin Theatre, Baldwin. N. Y.
Miner Amusement Co. Rice Lake, Wis
C W, Miner, Strand Theatre Co.. Rldgway. Ill
D. -Moore, BOXOFFICE, Kansas City. Mo.
Mount Anael' Theatre. Mount Angel. Ore
John W. Murray, Capitol Theatre, Sprmafield, Colo.
Ray and Mayme Musselman, Princess Theatre, Lin-
CO
a"' F. Myers. Allied States Ass'n, Washington. D. C.
Fred C. Myers, Martinsville. Ind.
A C Mynck, Lake Park, Iowa
H B Muselman, Radio Citv Bldq N C
,
Cecil McClure, Bob's Theatre. Twin Bridges. Mont.
C L. McKeen. Community Theatre. •Lcmsford N. D
Mark E. Neilson, Main Theatre. Smithfield Utah.
W Varick Nevins III, Alfred Campus Theatre,
Alfred. N. Y.
MORE CONTRIBUTORS
Frank L Newman, Evergreen Theatres Corp Seattle,
Wash
,
Charles Niles, Anamosa. Iowa,
lames W Olson Olson Theatres, Clare, Mich.
Martin Operle, St Genevieve, Mo
J C Otts Royse Theatre. Royse City, Tex.
Lloyd E. Palmer. Postville. Iowa.
Robert Palmer, State Theatre. Presque Isle Mo.
Steve and Helen Paluck, Silhouette Theatre. Perry.
C. S Parsons, Roslyn Theatre. Evarts. Ky. (Sandra
G^v. Louellen). ,
H J. Partridge. Lyceum Theatre. Gull Lake, Canada.
Ernest G. Paschoal, Maui Amusement Co., Maui.
Hawaii. — , ,
A R. Peck,- Dixon Thealre. Dixon, Calif.
Hunter Perry. Dominion Theatres, Inc., Charlotte-
"Art" V Phillips, Hammond Theatre, Cromona, Ky
Charles F. Pershing, Lyric Theatre, Preston, Iowa
(Continued on next page)
January' 22, 1949

. Frank
SG Franchise Holders
Subscribe More Stock
NEW YORK—The franchise holders of
Screen Guild are subscribing $100,000 for
additional stock in the company, according
to Robert L. Lippert, president. Lippert presided
at a two-day meeting of the board of
directors January 17, 18 to discuss expansion
plans and sales policies on the company's biggest
budget picture, "I Shot Jesse James."
Lippert, who has just completed a tour of
Chicago, Boston and other cities, has set
deals with several of the large circuits for
"Jesse James." The picture, which stars Preston
Foster, Barbara Britton and John Ireland,
was previewed for the board.
Others who attended the directors' meeting
were: Bert Steam, Pittsburgh; Jack Engel,
Philadelphia; Arthur Lockwood, Boston: J.
Francis White jr., Charlotte; John Franconi.
Dallas, and Arthur Greenblatt, eastern sales
manager, and William Pizor, vice-president
in charge of foreign sales.
Lippert also said he is holding discussions
with Carl Leserman, former sales executive
with Warner Bros, and United Artists.
about joining the company as an executive.
Leserman is meeting with his associates, including
Benedict Bogeaus, to discuss plans
for putting a substantial sum, said to be in
excess of $1,000,000. in Screen Guild.
Mote Fund Contributors
(Continued from preceding page)
Russell Phillips, Franklin Theatre, Greensburg, Ky.
Edwards & Plumlee Theatres, Farmington, Mo
M. B. Presley, New Globe Theatre, Savannah, Mo.
W. A. Prewitt jr.. Associated Theatres, New
Orleans, La.
C C. Pulis, Booker Theatre, Booker. Tex.
Quimby Theatres, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Harland Rankin. Rankin Enterprises, Chatham.
Canada.
Henry E. Rehlield, Iowa Theatre, Bloomlield, Iowa
'
rrank X. Heller, Troy, '
Millard Rethwisch, Vic
Elmer C. Rhoden, Fox 1
sas City, Mo.
Lyle Richmond, Richmond and Missouri Theatres,
Senath, Mo.
Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Rickard, Arkansas Theatre,
Mammonth Spring, Ark.
Messrs. Rinzler and Frisch, Rdndforce Amusement
Co., Brooklyn, N. Y.
C. W. Ritenour, Majestic Theatre, Milford, 111.
Hobbins Amusement Co., Warren, Ohio.
I. R. Roberts. Silvertown Theatres. Thomaston, Ga.
lames W. Robinson, Bama, Dale and States theatres.
Town Creek, Ala.
John A. Robinson. Cave Station, Weirton, W. Va.
I. Roche, Vernon Theatre, Vernon, Fla.
Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Romero, McComb Theatre,
Lafayette, La.
R F. and Eleanor Rose, Swan Theate, La Cygne.
Kas
Vincent H. Rost, Dixie Theatre, New Madrid. Mo.
Samuel Roth, Valley Enterprises. Inc ,
Washing
ion, D. C.
Charles Rudolph, Troy, Mo.
William Rulon, Avon Theatre, New Vienna, Ohio.
Sabin, Majestic Theatre, Eureka, Mont.
Wm. Sanderson, New Grand Theatre, Dawson, Minn.
Walter B. Sayler, Dakota Theatre, Wishek. N. D.
Oliver J. Schneider, Muse Theatre, Osceola, Neb.
Marjorie M. Schroder, Royal Theatre. Frankfort, Kas
Si Seadler, MGM Pictures, New York City.
C. F. Seichnst, Glen Theatre, Glen Rock, Pa.
H. H. Seiferts, Palace Theatre, Weimar, Tex.
Earl V. Seitz, Wadsworth Amusement Co.. San
dusky,
Ohio.
I. P. Serro, Century Theatre, Morganza, La.
Doyle Shelton. Monarch Theatre, Pnchett, Colo.
A. E. Shepard, Essex Square Theatre, Inc., Essex,
Conn.
I. Shepherd, Majestic Theatre, Biggar, Canada.
Warren A. Slee, MGM. Chicago, 111
Bill Slepka, Jewel! and Crystal theatres, Okemah,
Okla.
Dave Smason, Karnes Theatre, Karnes City, Tex.
Henley and Burris Smith, Imperial Theatre, Pocahontas,
Ark.
Vance Smith, Orpheum Theatre. No. English, Iowa
Stanley Sodenberg, Iris Theatre, Riceville, Iowa.
Ben F Spainhour. Twilight Theatre, Greensburg,
Kas.
United Artists Considers
Reorganization Plan
HOLLYWOOD— Plans for the complete reorganization
of United Artists, including
financing for the independent producers on
the company roster, were developed at a
meeting of stockholders and directors held
here this week.
However, Gradwell Sears, president, adjourned
the meeting "until further notice,"
without having taken concrete action on the
projected plans.
Sears said that "plans were explored for
the complete reorganization of the company,
including financing for independent producers."
UA, he added, is "in excellent financial
condition, having no bonded indebtedness,
and the general feeling is that a new
financial structure can be readily developed."
Next directors meeting will be held in New
York January 25.
Resumption of the stockholders parleys,
however, is "subject to call." Sears said, "and
will be held in New York in the very near
future."
Among financing propositions considered
but not acted upon were offers from William
Pi J. Stanton, Alexander Film Co representative,
Charleston, W. Va.
Wayne Stebbins. Saranac Theatre, Saranac, Mich.
Paul Stehman, Winchester, 111.
Lillian V. Stempaugh, Heart Theatre, Hartford,
Mich.
Ivah B. Stephen, Winston- Theatre, Double Springs,
Ala.
D W. Stephens, Mt. Ogden Drive-In, Ogden, Utah.
R. E. Sterbenz, Follett Theatre, Follett, Tex.
G. M. Stewart, Walker Theatre, Walker. La.
Samuel Stiefel, Storm King Theatre, Cornwall, N. Y
I- B. Stine, Garfield Theatre, Terre Haute, lnd.
Frank Storty, Alamo Theatre, Washington. D. C
W. L. Stratton, Lyric Theatre, Chalhs, Idaho.
Studio Theatre, Philadelphia, Pa.
O. F. Sullivan, Sullivan Theatres, Wichita, Kas.
G. W. Summers, Royal I Mo.
William Svendsen, New Grand Theatre, Dawson.
Minn.
W. H. Swan, Auditorium Theatre, Roscoe, S. D.
Bruce M. Sweet, Opera House, Fillmore, N. Y
Charles Szewczyk, Boswell, Pa.
T 1 & 6, DUjr. Enterprises, enterprises, Inc., inc., San ban Francisco, t Calif.
Hugh Talley, Louisa Theate, Louisa, Va.
B. Tembonous, Alama Theatre. Lebanon,
C. W. Trampe,
Samuel Traynor, Bailey Enterprises. Princeton, III.
Mr. and Mrs. Truitt, Wolf Theatre, Lone Wolf, Okla.
Herb Turpie, representative Maniey Popcorn Products,
Inc., Los Angeles, Calif.
Len Utrecht, Lake Theate, Oak Park, 111.
W. J, Van Wyls, Pix Theatre, Centerville, Tex.
Mr. and Mrs. Verzuh, Princess Theatre, Crested
Butte, Colo.
J. W. Vogeding, Elizabeth Theatre, Elizabeth, W
Va.
Mr. and Mrs. Waldron, Billings. Okla.
R C, Walker, Vintah Theatre, Fruita, Colo.
Charles Walter, Thurmont, Ind.
Mrs. J. A. Walton, Valley Theatre. Fort Hancock
W W. Ward, Atlantic Theatre, Washington, D. C
J. Lloyd Webb, Mam Theatre, Smithlield, Utah.
I. A. Welch, Duke Theatre, Duke, Okla.
I. N. Welty ("Also Ma. and Lil"), Midway Theatre."
Hill City. Kas.
Fred G. Weppler, Colonial Theatre. Colfax, 111.
George Werts, Mainstreet Theatre, Beloit, Kas.
N. C. Wettstein, Coleman Theatre, Coleman, Wis
G. B. White, Almo Theatre, Poulsbo, Wash.
R R. White. Playhouse Theatre, Poultney, Vt.
W. I. Whitmore. Star Theatre, Stanley, N. D.
C. W. Williams, Normal, 111.
I. G. Williams, Ilwaco Theate, Ilwaco, Wash.
R. R. Winship, Majestic Theatre. Phillipsburg, Kas.
Glen B. Wittstruck, Rio Theatre, Meeker. Colo.
Mitchell Wolfson, Wometco Theatres, Miami. Fla.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wollrab. Minier Theatre,
Minier, 111.
M W. Woods. Zett Theatre. Darronzetl, Tex
Mr and Mrs. James Work, Grove Theatre, Pine
Grove. W Va
Weddell E. Yeagley. Liberty Theatre. Confluence.
and Edward Nassour, owners of the Nassour
Studio, and James Nasser, UA producer
and operator of the General Service lot.
UA spokesmen denied vehemently a report
that Charles Chaplin's half interest in the
company was to be placed on the market. It
was pointed out that under UA rules Chaplin
must offer his holdings to the other memberowner,
Mary Pickford, before placing them
on the open market.
TOA Directors Will Talk
Over Many Problems
MEW YORK—A great variety of
industrial
problems are scheduled to be discussed when
the TOA board of directors meets January
28, 29 at the Mayflower hotel in Washington,
D. C. Acceptances have been coming in so
fast that an attendance of at least 75 is expected.
Principal discussion will center around
television competition, the method and cost
of conducting an expanded public relations
program, adverse legislation and conciliation.
It is hoped that there will be panel reports
on the progress of conciliation. The release
of films to army and navy theatres which
admit civilians also will be considered. President
Arthur H. Lockwood will preside.
National Theatres Books
Talent Quest Contest
LOS ANGELES—Moving into a field that
has proved both popular and lucrative in
radio, National Theatres will stage a "Talent
Quest" contest for amateur entertainers
throughout all divisions of the circuit, to be
launched February 6 and concluding April 17.
Winning contestant from each NT division
—Fox West Coast, Fox Evergreen, Fox Intermountain,
Fox Midwest, Fox Wisconsin, Fox
Michigan and Fox Philadelphia—will be
brought here the week of April 17, when
finals will be held on the stage of Grauman's
Chinese Theatre.
As outlined by President Charles P. Skouras
of NT, the contest is set up like this:
Getting under way February 6 in all theatres,
the "Talent Quest" will go into district
finals starting March 27. Division finals
will be staged April 3 and the six division
winners will trek to Hollywood for their appearance
at the Chinese. NT will pay all
traveling expenses for the finalists.
The winning amateur will receive a $1,000
cash prize, a screen test and merchandise.
Next three runners-ups will be awarded $500,
$250 and $100 respectively, in addition to
merchandising prizes. Tieups with leading
newspapers in each area are being worked
out.
COVER PHOTO
Jerry Fairbanks (right), a television film production
pioneer, demonstrates his widely discussed
zoomer lens to Klaus Lanc'sberg, head
of Paramount's station KTLA The video production
activities of Fairbanks and others are
revealed in "TV Hits Hollywood," a survey by
Ivan Spear on page 22 of this issue.
January 22, 1949
13

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: January
Move Fast on Television,
SNIPE Warns Industry
NEW YORK—If
this industry expects to
get television into theatres, action must be
taken now. a year from now may be too
late, states a report on theatre television
just issued by the Society of Motion Picture
Engineers.
This is because television channels in
the spectrum are limited and are being exhausted
rapidly.
The report says it has been demonstrated
that television pictures on screens are now
feasible, although the quality is somewhat
below 35mm film standards.
"Methods of distribution of program material
by coaxial cables or radio channels
also have reached a stage of development
where satisfactory television pictures can be
transmitted over necessary distances." the report
states.
Then it issues its critical warning on the
probable results of inaction as follows:
Further development of equipment as well
as provision by the Federal Communications
commission of suitable radio channels is now
mainly dependent upon the interest shown
by the motion picture industry.
"Active participation by theatre owners and
related organizations is essential if the opportunity
to use this new medium is not to
be lost.
HARRIS AMUSEMENT
COMPANY
first
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SiSSTiSMSEtS
wos gzjss&fcza
LCEBy
TELEVISION
WITH
RCA VICTOR EYE WITNESS TELEVISION
AND
RCA VICTOR IS FIRST IN TELEVISION
Cltortit pictures.' Perfect lowid!
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PUBLICIZING TELEVISION—T h e
Harris Amusement ., which opened the
first all-motion picture theatre in 1905.
has placed television in the lobbies of
ten of its theatres. These are the first
units to be purchased by the circuit, and
additional sets are to be acquired for
other theatres. Above is a reproduction
of a 4-column. 11 -inch advertisement run
List week in Pittsburgh papers publicizing
the presence of television in the ten
theatres—and. at the same time, exploiting
the fact that the Harris circuit has
been a pioneer in all phases of advancement
in the motion picture world.
"The FCC, however, does not grant channel
allocations on a vague request that they
may be needed at some future date. Concrete
evidence must be presented that the group
requesting such allocations is prepared financially
and technically to provide a service in
the public interest. Only by such action can
it be hoped that the request will receive favorable
consideration.
"Producers distributors and exhibitors
alike must unite and approach the FCC with
a well-formulated plan that they intend
immediate experimental operation."
The report was timed at a dramatic moment—three
days before the big television
event of the year, President Truman's inauguration,
and during the current FCC hearings
in which Paramount is challenging the
refusal of the FCC to grant additional station
licenses because of its close relations
with DuMont and regional circuits.
CRITICAL BITE IN SPOTS
SMPE reports are usually so highly technical
that only engineers read them. This one
has a critical bite in several spots and includes
governmental attitudes, projection and
optical systems, equipment costs, space requirements,
and the as yet incompletely developed
Scophony and Swiss systems of direct
projection through a liquid.
The SMPE has been working on the problem
since 1944. The report says the SMPE
repeatedly approached the MPAA with requests
for support and stirred no response.
Association members did not see the competitive
possibilities, the report indicates.
Paul J. Larsen, in behalf of SMPE, secured
experimental allocations from the FCC, however.
"The general attitude seemed to be that
it might be possible to buy into the television
industry at some future date and thereby save
the high cost of research and development,"
the report asserts.
This lack of interest so affected the attitude
of the FCC that in 1947 the commission
scheduled a hearing at which it was proposed
to reallocate to other services the frequencies
formerly provided for theatre use.
Immediately preceding the hearings on
Feb. 4. 1947, a telegram was received from
Eric Johnston. MPAA head, formally endorsing
the SMPE stand, and three weeks
after the hearings Donald Nelson, then head
of the SIMPP, sent a similar telegram.
ON FREQUENCY ALLOCATION
As a result, the FCC early in 1948 provided
frequency allocations which could still
be used by the motion picture industry for
experimental purposes.
No federal license is required, the report
points out. if a theatre wants to receive programs
by wire, or coaxial cable, or by radio.
If high towers are erected the Civil Aeronautics
Authority will have to be consulted.
The principal problem is getting programs
designed especially for theatres.
The report says this could be done from
central studios to the theatres. They can
be originated by live shows or by films.
Transmissions on narrow beams, a system
used by Paramount at. times, go directly to
SMPE Video Highlights
Next year may be too late to get
channel allocations.
Satisfactory pictures can be transmitted.
Producers, distributors and exhibitors
should unite on plan.
Circuits can have city or regional
hookups of their own.
Local events can be picked up by
microwave relays.
Apparatus, at present, costs about
535,000. plus installation.
Experimental licenses can be obtained,
but they must be used.
Rapid future development predicted.
the theatres and not to the public.
The SMPE has asked the FCC for channels
for commercial theatre television, but it
doesn't know yet whether these will be
granted. Individual theatres or circuits contemplating
such a service will need FCC permits.
These will be experimental licenses
and can be transferred into commercial licenses,
if proved successful. Reports on
progress are required.
The report also says theatre chains could
establish their own transmitting facilities,
and programs can be picked up from elsewhere,
including the scenes of action of news
events and transmitted by microwave relays.
Licenses for these are necessary.
Experimental licenses must be used, the
report points out. Non-use results in cancellation,
and progress reports are compulsory.
These channels are scarce and much
sought. Proofs of financial responsibility are
asked.
"There seems little likelihood that a vague
expression of general interest or intent will
lead to channel assignments," the report
states.
PROJECTION METHODS
The last half of the 28-page report is devoted
to explanations of the different systems
of theatre projection now developed or
under development.
The direct projection system raises a problem
of location in the theatre. Normal booth
installation is not possible, because the largest
apparatus developed to date can throw
a picture only 65 feet. To avoid locating the
projector among the orchestra seats some
have been installed on the fronts of balconies.
It also has been proposed that the apparatus
be suspended from ceilings. Rear screen
projection causes too much light loss to be
practical.
The Paramount transfer to film is called
the "film storage system." This system requires
television receiving equipment, recording
camera, rapid film-processing equipment,
a 35mm projector, and other apparatus.
Apparatus for remote pickups now costs
$55,000. The total cost of receiver, camera
and processing unit is about $35,000, plus installation,
and running water is required for
cooling and developing purposes. About 200
square feet of space, or a room approximately
10x20 feet, is recommended in the report.
1G BOXOFFICE
:
22. 1949

Exhibitors of
America
award
COSTELLO
the # 3 spot
in their selection
of the
"Money-Making
Stars of 1948"
\\ i/
THE CURRENT HOT ONE IS

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Exhibitors Can Expect a Big Slice
In
Cooperative Advertising Aid
NEW YORK—Exhibitors can expect less sinations win be decided when the current
money for cooperative advertising daring contracts expire, he declared. At one time
1M9 than in past years, Warners financed campaign'; in 100 to 115
The distributors hare been paring their situations,
cooperative advertising budgets to the bone At 20th-Fox the reduction in cooperative
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were each spending between S500.000 and by dismissal of 13 of the IT members of the
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their funds for San Francisco, plus the home office staff.
up some of Republic. Paramount, Universal-International
began to reduce their cooperative
The point of view of these officials is that spending about one year ago. Paramount
the exhibition end of the industry has been eliminated 60 of the 115 situations from its
the anry money-making operation during the budget. Republic and Universal-Interna-
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all cooperative advertising, on a reduced scale. Silas F. Seadler MGM
advertising and publicity ad chief, said the cooperative advertising
company budget is being tailored to fit in with reduced
an expenditures in every department,
but 30 key situations. The campaigns were Eagle Lion will operate in accordance with
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merits, be said. Future «p—mii»e in these said Max E Youngstein. vice-president said.
Eagle Lion Will Resume
Production Next Month
HOLLYWOOD—Idle
since
Eagle Lion will put an end to its produc-
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Bryan Foy win send two films bef ::
cameras—the first in a projected -:
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company this year.
Cheering news to studio workers
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employes, laid off when fum
halted, will go back on the payroll Pe
1. with another 200 due to return within the
:..-.:.; •: days
Some production and location personnel
have already returned to work, and among
the first to be recalled will be men.
the art depmitmaa
Kickoff pictures on the 19*9 slate wOl be
"Port of New York" and -Trapped." both to
be produced by Foy. It win be followed by
an Aubrey Schenck production. Ma:
and two from Cavalier Product;::
Robert Young-Eugene Rodney unit— I
Against the Underworld" and The
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BOXOFTICE January 22. 1M9

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By JAMES M. JERAULD
Scophony Television
QOMING developments in connection with
Scophony theatre television patents
may prove to be of general interest to exhibitors.
The consent decree signed recently
in an antitrust suit against Scophony
Corp. of America. Paramount Television
Productions and General Precision
Equipment Corp. returns full control of the
company to Arthur Levey and requires that
all bidders be licensed to use the patents.
Levey asserts that under the Scophony
system television pictures can be projected
from a theatre booth with a carbon arc in
practically the same way that films are
projected. The advantage of the system
but it is certain that its progress will be
given close attention both in this industry
and in the radio and television industries
because the Scophony patents also cover a
new form of home projection.
Antitrust Developments
J^APID progress is reported in the separation
of jointly operated theatres' involving
the antitrust defendants.
Paramount still has a number of regional
deals under discussion with partners,
but has run into complications in
trying to negotiate sales and purchases.
To get around these the latest proposal to
the Department of Justice, it is reported,
is that Paramount set up a new theatre
corporation along the lines of the RKO
proposals. It is not known yet whether
this plan, if it is approved, will include
100 per cent owned circuits.
Proposals for decrees are due for presentation
from all defendants January 31,
but RKO already has asked for an extension
so that the RKO stockholders can
approve the plan. Paramount may make a
similar application.
In the meantime the Griffiths and
Schine cases are advancing, with more
progress apparent in the latter than in the
former.
income Drops
J"HERE has been a lot of loose talk in
the last year about falling theatre
grosses. Reports of decreases have ranged
from 15 to 50 per cent at exhibitor meetings.
Big circuits have been saying that
business was off from 7 to 15 per cent.
The distributors' financial reports, which
have included heavy writeoffs of inventories,
have been startling.
Last week's statement from the Securities
and Exchange commission that the
third quarter reports of seven companies
Columbia. Monogram. RKO. Republic.
20th Century-Fox. Universal, Warners and
Loews—showing that the gross for the
third 1948 quarter totaled $145,253,000,
compared with $147,436,000 for the third
quarter of 1947. seems to indicate that the
circuit reports were about right. The drop
was 6% per cent.
Government Control
BRITISH exhibitors are learning from
day to day what government control
over current systems is that no heavy accumulations
of voltage are necessary and
the apparatus is not limited to the 40-
foot throw now used by other companies
here and in England.
of the film industry can do. Under the
Considerable development work will be system set up when the British tax was
required to make the apparatus work, as
settled, the Bank of England must approve
remittances to the United States.
only one set has ever been imported to
this country and this came in before the During the five months ending Nov. 27.
1948, the bank approved remittances of
start of the war.
$5,000,000.
It has been reported frequently that some
Now the austere bankers have decided
of the big electric companies are interested.
these remittances should be cut down and
they are requiring approval of film purchases
by exhibitors. They inform ex-
There is no way of speculating as to how
long it will take to get the apparatus into
hibitors when the prices are considered too
commercial use. or how much it will cost,
high. One large firm which tries to get
serials and reissues can't get them from
United States sources, because the bank
won't give any assurances that frozen
funds ever will be remitted, as these firms
are outside the group of companies in the
tax settlement agreement.
Film Music Course
[HE College of the City of New York has
decided to start a course for film producers
and prospective film producers on
how to use music in films.
According to Lan Adomian, who will
conduct the course, most producers are
"not sufficiently equipped to discuss music
with the composers working for them, and
in most cases music in present-day films
hasn't progressed from the piano or organ
accompaniment of silent movie days."
That's leaping into a controversy with
both feet. Some of those famous Hollywood
musical experts probably will welcome
the graduates of this course with open
arms.
Cite Disney and O'Brien
For Their Personality
NEW YORK—Mrs. Esther E. Sweeney, community
service director of the American
Social Hygiene Ass'n, has named Walt Disney
and Pat O'Brien as among the ten American
men whose "friendly personalities would
brighten any home in America."
President Truman headed the list. The
others were Henry J. Kaiser, Joe E. Brown.
Jack Smith. Sen. Robert Taft. Joe DiMaggio,
Nelson Rockefeller and Arthur Godfrey.
Lipton Takes Over
Joseph U-I Post
HOLLYWOOD—David A. Lipton has been
appointed national director of advertising
Q
and publicity for Universa
1-International.
headquartering at the
studio here. He succeeds
John Joseph,
who had been in the
post for 11 years, and
who announced his
resignation January 15.
Lipton for the past
three years has been
executive coordinator
of advertising and promotion.
Prior to join-
Dayjd A L|
mg U-I in that capacity,
he was national publicity-advertising
director for Columbia in New York. Previous
to the Columbia position, Lipton was Universal's
studio publicity director under Joseph
from 1938 to 1941.
U-I spokesmen said there had been no official
decision as yet as to whether Lipton's
berth as advertising-promotion coordinator
would be filled or whether the post would be ]
left
vacant.
Previously advertising-publicity director
for RKO Theatres in the midwest, Joseph
will remain at the studio for two or three
weeks.
Two RKO Managers Get
Showmanship Awards
NEW YORK—Winners of the December
RKO showmanship awards were Ansel Winston,
manager of the RKO Coliseum Theatre,
New York, for his campaign on "Canon
City" and "Raw Deal," and Sam Torgan of
the RKO Keith. Lowell, Mass., for his exploitation
of "Red River." Each man receives
$25 and a showmanship certificate.
Winston has won two citations before.
Who Said There Is
Chicago Film
No
Industry!
CHICAGO—The Better Business Bureau
of Chicago apparently is unaware
of the "Chicago amusement industry" or
that Variety Club has its quarters in the
Sheraton hotel. In its current bulletin,
it reports that its sister bureau in Milwaukee
had reported individuals selling
tickets for the benefit of the Will Rogers
hospital in Saranac Lake, N. Y., under
sponsorship of the Chicago amusement
industry and drawings would be
held at the Sheraton hotel. The bureau
reported it had made an investigation
and found that the Sheraton hotel had
no reservation for a room for such a
drawing and that the Chicago amusement
industry "was unknown to local
is contacts." It said that some individuals
who had purchased tickets on a
car and other prizes squawked to sellers
after reading the bulletin. If the Chicago
bureau had checked, it would have
learned that the drawings were held December
27 as advertised.
20
January 22, 1949

I
)
p, CIJY MUSIC HALL HAS |
IPENED "A LETTER TO THREE WIVES"*
i.

a
TV Fever Hits
Hollywood
Here Is the First Detailed Report on What Film
Ifl Producers Are Doing In Video Production
After 30 years as a producer of motion
picture comedy, Hal Roach has decided
henceforth to confine his activities exclusively
to the television field. Here he
is rehearsing players for a scene in "Sadie
and Sally," video comedy series, with
Joy Lansing (left) . Lois Hall and Dorothy
Vaughn absorbing instructions.
By IVAN SPEAR
Tf you can't lick 'em, jine 'em."
That familiar political axiom seems to be
applicable to a sizeable segment
wood's current viewpoint on
of Holly-
television—
medium which, say some savants, is potentially
capable of wrecking motion picture
entertainment in its present form but which,
if intelligently recruited, might very easily
bring to Cinemania the most colossal boom
in its long and colorful history.
And what filmdom's future may be—rosy
or ruinous—could be mapped in 1949, looming
at this writing as a possible year of decision.
It is obvious at this point that, despite
some uncertainty as to exactly where video
is going, among many Hollywoodians the
feeling
is:
Get aboard that bandwagon—and do it
quick.
In constantly increasing numbers, established
film names in every category, producers
and directors, writers, actors and
technicians, have either already taken the
television plunge or are drafting plans to
do so within the foreseeable future.
Among the more significant developments
along such lines in the recent past, probably
the most noteworthy have been:
1 The disclosure by H. M. Warner, president
of Warner Bros., that his company
is poised for an entry into television on a
big scale, with Hollywood as the headquarters
for its video operations—hinging upon
approval by the Federal Communications
Commission of the Warners' pending bid to
purchase KLAC and its accompanying telecasting
equipment.
The Warner announcement was of particular
interest to film colony railbirds who
recalled the pioneering work done in the
talking picture field by the Warners in an
era when many industry executives regarded
sound films as a "novelty" of dubious value.
Warner declared it is his belief video will
not interfere with either theatre operations
or the making of regular entertainment
films, since "there will be a good market
for both," and opined television will be most
important "in the production of educational
films and specialties . . . Television will find
its way in motion pictures as naturally as
did sound."
O Hal Roach sr.'s announcement that,
after 30 years as a producer of film
comedies for theatrical consumption, his efforts
henceforth will be confined exclusively
to the making of celluloid entertainment for
video. Almost simultaneously his son Hal jr.
also embarked on an extensive program of
television film-making.
Q The possibility that an "exploratory"
* television production program may shortly
be launched at Universal-International
studios under the guidance of Louis Blumberg,
son of Nate Blumberg, U-I president,
using the lot's technical facilities and some
of its personnel. The younger Blumberg is
sales manager for the television division of
United World Films, a wholly-owned U-I
subsidiary, and which already is one of the
largest individual suppliers of commercial
video films, having turned out product for
such sponsors as Lucky Strike, Chevrolet
and General Electric. Blumberg recently
spent several weeks in Hollywood surveying
studio facilities to determine whether future
television subjects can be produced here
more economically than in the east, and during
his stay opined there was "little doubt"
several such pictures would be made on the
lot.
THAT major companies are
intensely interested
in the commercial aspects of video
Is further exemplified in the recent efforts
of 20th Century-Fox to purchase a controlling
interest in the American Broadcasting Co..
an attempt which, although officially reported
"dead," is rumored in some quarters
as being still very much alive.
From the east, furthermore, come disclosures
that Paramount plans to show every
outstanding event of "wide public interest"
—so far as is possible—on large-screen television
at its Paramount Theatre in New
York. Large-screen television experiments
undoubtedly will also be undertaken locally
by the company through its Station KTLA,
which is well within telecasting range of
Paramount's two Los Angeles showcases.
Of importance in consideration of television's
invasion of the motion picture field
is the increasing employment being offered
experienced studio workers, particularly
actors, writers and technicians, who have
been the economic victims of a downward
spiral in motion picture production. While
the number absorbed into video activities is
virtually impossible to estimate, it runs well
into the hundreds and certainly has been
of material assistance in alleviating a serious
unemployment situation.
More than a passing interest in TV and its
current and future effect on employment
is being exhibited by Hollywood guilds and
unions. The Screen Actors Guild, for
example, some months ago engaged in a
bitter controversy with producers over television
rights during negotiations for a new
basic agreement, and at one period strongly
hinted that a strike might be called should
the disagreement not be resolved. Later,
when a new contract was signed, the way
was left open for continuing negotiations on
the video question, and subsequently the
SAG announced agreement had been reached
on details of a "partnership" plan for administering
the video affairs of members of
that organization, Actors Equity, the American
Federation of Radio Artists, the American
Guild of Musical Artists and Chorus
Equity.
Further indication of the SAG's belief
television will become a more and more important
field for the employment of actors
was its retention of Kenneth Thompson,
one-time executive secretary of the Guild
and later a production executive, as its video
administrator.
Writers, too, have moved to solidify the
author's basic position in television's current
phase with the establishment of Writers'
L
Pilot films—to video very much like
audition programs are to radio—are an
important phase of television film-making.
Here such a pilot film is in the
works at Jerry Fairbanks Productions.
22
BOXOFFICE
:: January 22, 1949

:
m Leaders Entering Television Production
Harry M. Warner David O. Selznick IMPPRO Executives Hal Roach jr. Hal Roach
These film leaders are either engaged in video production or have revealed plans for such production. Harry M. Warner will supervise
Warner Bros, video film production at the studios. Selznick has established an experimental group, Sclznick Television
Corp., with the enterprise to run full force in 18 months. The IMPPRO is the Independent Motion Picture Producers Releasing
Organization, established to produce pictures for CBS telecasting. In the picture, left to right, are Paul Garrison, Harlan
Thompson and Herbert Strock, company executives. Hal Roach and his son, Hal Roach jr., are both in television, almost exclusively,
with the elder Roach having recently announced that his studios hereafter will be devoted to making video films only.
Theatre for Television, of which Scenarist-
Playwright Emmet Lavery was named president.
Material developed by its members
for video will be sold on a basis whereby
the scriveners will retain all other rights
and will participate in a long-range licensing
program, with sliding-scale percentages of
payment through a profit-sharing setup.
Another group, film cameramen, are being
drawn into the TV picture with the expressed
hope of top video executives that the new
medium "soon will be able to afford the services"
of Hollywood's top cinematographers.
Attending a recent technical meeting of the
American Society of Cinematographers, four
of NBC's TV officials also opined—as have
others—that the high cable cost of coaxial
transmission of live video will call for the
continuous production of motion pictures
especially for telecasting. Several ASC members,
including Lensers John Boyle and Phil
Tannura, have already gained some TV experience.
J^IFFICULT would be the task of rounding
up a complete list of the film names who
are interesting themselves in television, either
through concrete productional activity or
the announcement of plans to enter the field.
At the risk of omitting some personalities
in this category, here is a run-down:
As previously noted, Hal Roach sr. has
converted his $6,000,000 Culver City studio to
video film production and is well under wiy
with a series of half-hour comedy shows. In
addition to producing programs of his own
origin. Roach is making the studio's facilities
available to advertisers and agencies for all
video production requirements. Roach's announcement
that he had canceled a Metro
distribution commitment in order to concentrate
exclusively on television contained the
significant statement
"I am thoroughly convinced that the insatiable
desire to be entertained will find its
greatest satisfaction through television."
Video, he predicts, will uncover "vast resources"
of talent heretofore "unknown and
unheard of."
His initial program of six half-hour series
includes "Sadie and Sally," "The Brown Family,"
"Botsford's Beanery," "Foo Yung,"
"Puddle Patch Club" and "Our Main Street,"
with 12 additional series to follow.
Meantime Hal jr.. under the corporate
name of Hal Eugene Roach Productions,
began shooting "Life With the Erwins," a
series of half-hour domestic comedies starring
Stuart Erwin and his wife, Actress June
Collyer. The younger Roach also plans a
series called "Don't Be a Sucker," to be
filmed in cooperation with the Los Angeles
police bunco squad as semi-documentary exposes
of prevalent rackets. In addition to
his production activities, Roach jr. is president
of the Television Film Producers Ass'n.
whose roster includes a majority of west
coast video production units.
A TV film pioneer is Jerry Fairbanks, who
at the moment boasts Hollywood's only longterm
commitment with a national network
His product will be televised by NBC. Fairbanks
already has completed "Public Prosecutor,"
a series of 26 20-minute films starring
John Howard and Anne Gwynne—both
established film personalities—with a supporting
cast of 103 film players including
such names as Mary Beth Hughes, Beulah
Bondi, Jane Frazee and Lina Romay. Also
completed by the Fairbanks organization is
another group of 26. titled "Television Closeups,"
each program running five minutes.
Before the cameras is "Going Places With
Uncle George." a group of 26 15-minute
programs, while "Quizology" will be a
26-week half-hour quiz show. On the docket
are "Jackson and Jill," a 13-week cycle of
half-hour domestic comedies, and "Musical
Journeys," a series of 15-minute programs
starring Tito Guizar. to be lensed in Mexico
City.
Fairbanks' interest in video also include
the Zoomar and Balowstar lenses—sales and
promotion of which are handled through a
separate company, the Zoomar Corp.
This producer's views on video were
summed up in an address at a joint meeting
of the National Ass'n of Broadcasters and
the Society of Motion Picture Engineers In
Hollywood last May. Said Fairbanks:
'
"It is . . . obvious that film will be one
of the main sources of video programming
—that a tremendous new motion picture industry
to supply this entertainment is certain
to develop . . . Television will create
thousands of new positions and opportunities
in the motion picture field . . . Television
will enhance theatre programs; provide a
greater drawing card; a greater Incentive
to go to a show. Film—for theatre and for
television— has a mighty rosy future."
Likewise, apparently, thinks Harlan Thompson,
a veteran of film production, directing
and scripting, who has taken the TV plunge
through the formation

TV Fever
(Continued from preceding pagei
gomery, the trained-bird act at Ken Murray's
"Blackouts," and an interview with
Actress Joan Leslie. Johnson appears in and
narrates the subjects.
Actor Richard Cromwell has been booked
by Tele Reels Productions—a new unit organized
by Jack Berne and Erie Waltman—
to star in the first of a series titled "Hollywood
Hobbies," devoted to the off-the-set
occupations of film figures.
Probing the TV field, but with no definite
plans yet announced, is Producer-Director
Cecil B. DeMille, who some time ago incorporated
a television unit. His video activities
have been sidetracked for the past
several months, however, while DeMille has
been occupied with the making of "Samson
and Delilah" for Paramount.
Marshall Grant, whose last film venture
was "Moonrise," in association with Charles
K. Feldman, for Republic release, is the organizer
of Marshall Grant-Realm Productions,
making a video film series for the
American Tobacco Co. Associated with Grant
in the venture is Writer-Director Charles F.
Haas.
A member of the Academy of Television
Arts and Sciences is Edward Nassour, owner
of the Nassour studios and a producer for
United Artists. Nassour made provision, while
constructing his studios, for television production
and installed suitable facilities on
the lot. Also well established in the field are:
Eddie Albert, the actor and industrial films
producer, who has organized his own television
film company.
Bernard J. Carr, formerly with Hal Roach,
now head of Cascade Pictures.
Producer Harry Grey, associated with Bill
Richards in Grey-Richards Productions.
Vernon J. Keays, veteran producer-director.
William Cameron Menzies, noted production
designer and producer, now affiliated
with Ben Finney in Menzies-Finney Productions.
Sam Coslow, songwriter and producer, who
with George Frank organized Telefeatures,
Inc.
Al Herman, head of Wilding Pictures.
John and Ross Sutherland, producers of
commercial and entertainment films, now
preparing to take a whirl at video.
West Coast Productions, formed by Harold
Nebenzal, son of United Artists Producer
Seymour Nebenzal.
Planning to enlarge his activities to include
TV is Harry Popkin, also a UA producer,
who has been exploring the video
field for several months. Likewise intensely
is interested Bill "Hopalong Cassidy" Boyd,
who, parenthetically, could establish a logical
claim to being one of television's most popular
current stars. Telecasting rights to some
17 old "Cassidy" westerns toplining Boyd
and produced originally by Harry Sherman
for Paramount were disposed of some time
ago and the sagebrushers have enjoyed numerous
video "bookings" since.
Also well immersed in the TV picture is
Edgar Bergen, radio star and film character
actor.
Seek Exhibitor Help
In Brotherhood Week
NEW YORK—A national appeal was made
January 14 for wholehearted exhibitor cooperation
in putting over the industry's part
in the Brotherhood week drive. Four specific
requests will be made of all exhibitors
as a result of talks made by the distribution
chairmen of each exchange territory to exhibitor
co-chairmen and company branch
and district managers.
The first request is for exhibitors to enroll
at least ten new members in the National
Conference of Christian and Jews at a minimum
of one dollar each. It is immaterial
whether they sign up employes, neighbors,
friends or patrons.
Second, exhibitors are asked to give prominent
display to special posters, and if possible
to install special lobby displays. Third,
some kind of observance is urged such as
"minute men" speakers or tableaux. Fourth,
Brotherhood week newsreels should be shown.
The talks by the distribution chairmen
stressed that the exhibitor represents the
industry in his community and that Brotherhood
week gives him the opportunity to show
how well the industry supports worthwhile
civic efforts.
The National Screen Service will deliver
to each theatre a large envelope containing
a lobby poster, press sheet and 25 combination
enrollment and membership cards with
complete instructions. There will also be a
handsome certificate of cooperation.
COLUMBIA PICTURES
ANNOUNCES THAT PRINTS OF THE FOLLOWING PICTURES
ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN OUR EXCHANGES FOR SCREENING
&
dorothy LAMOUR
don AMECHE
SLIGHTLY FRENCH
jams CARTER T'willard PARKER
Adele JERGENS • Jeanne MANET
Screenplay by Karen DeWolf
Directed by DOUGLAS SIRK • Produced by IRVING STARR
SABU
SONG OF INDIA
GAIL
starring
RUSSELL .
torhan BEY
with
Anthony CARUSO • Aminta DYNE • Fritz LEIBER
Screenplay by Art Arthur and Kenneth Perkins
Produced and Directed by ALBERT S. ROGELL
JEAN PIERRE AUMONT
joan HOPKINS - cecl PARKER
AFFAIRS OF A ROGUE
Screen Play by NICHOLAS PHIPPS • Adaptation by REGINALD LONG
Additional Dialogue by WILFRID PETTITT • From the Play by NORMAN GINSBURY
D.rected by CAVALCANTI
LADIES OF THE CHORUS
with
ADELE JERGENS • MARILYN MONROE
RAND BROOKS • NANA BRYANT
EDDIE GARR • STEVEN GERAY
and
THE BOBBY TRUE TRIO
Screenplay by Harry Sauber and Joseph Carole
Directed by PHIL KARLSON
Produced bv HARRY A. ROMM
STARRETTBURNETTE
u CHALLENGE
OF THE RANGE
Witt
Paula Raymond • William Halop
The Sunshine Boys
Original screenplay by Ed. Earl Repp
Directed b y RAY NAZARRO
Produced by COLBERT CLARK
BOXOFFICE January 22, 1949

—
, BREA,
'
TtJaAAittyfoK
^efaont
By LEE GARLING
\\TE STILL DON'T THINK it means much,
but two more bills to reduce or repeal
the admissions tax were hoppered in the
house of representatives last week. Authors
were Reps. Harold Hagen of Minnesota and
Franck Havenner of California, two sincere
gentlemen who would like to see their bills
pass. But don't forget that there were 19
such bills in the last Congress, according
to MPAA count, and not one of them got
anywhere.
Fact is that the house did vote a reduction
two years ago. but the president and the
it.
senate conspired separately to reverse
Now the administration is strongly opposed
to any reduction, and there is hardly a chance
it could get through the house.
When the house did vote Monday to give
up some $50,000 in admissions taxes from
the tickets for the inauguration parade and
other festivities, GOP Representative Ed
Rees of Kansas complained bitterly. "People
who can pay the $10 admissions certainly
can pay the tax," he shouted . . . "It
is pretty difficult to justify the approval of
special legislation to exempt tickets costing
$5 and $10 each to the big show where Hollywood
actors perform, and then charge 20
per cent admission tax for the average family
to attend a picture show at the local
theatre."
Rees and his supporters were outnumbered
by about five to one on the final vote.
WE HATE TO DIG for the moral of a
story, but you might be interested in some
figures given the FCC this week by CBS
vice-president Joe Ream. Claiming that the
radio stations his network owns are, financially
speaking, the "backbone of the network,"
Ream reported that in 1947 the network's
profit margin was only 7.1 per cent.
Even the Democrats
Can't Kill Ticket Tax
WASHINGTON—It seems that even
the Democrats can't eliminate the federal
ticket tax. The committee in charge
of the inaugural ball and other affairs
attendant to the inauguration of President
Truman failed to add the federal
20 per cent tax on the various tickets
and the oversight created a minor crisis
in Congress.
When the matter was discovered, the
house, after a heated argument, with Republicans
lined up against forgetting the
tax, okayed the non-taxable tickets. But
it was different in the Senate. Five
southern and one western Democrats
lined up with Republicans and scuttled
a bill to make the tickets tax-free.
Senator Lucas, the majority leader,
characterized the action as "sour grapes."
Others predicted that the inaugural committee
members may personally become
liable for the estimated $60,000 due in
taxes. But Lucas said he felt quite confident
that Congress at a later date would
make up the deficit.
BOXOFFICE :: January 22, 1949
compared with a margin of 29.8 per cent
for the seven stations owned by the network.
Lest anyone think that's because the network
operation is so much larger, here are
the actual profit figures—for the network.
$2,707,000; for the stations. $4,458,522.
Which should be interesting reading to
various people interested in television.
TALKING ABOUT TELEVISION, we were
interested to read in an otherwise not too
important FCC decision last week that "estimates
as to construction and operation
costs of television stations have advanced
rapidly within the last year, and due to the
uncertainty surrounding such figures it is extremely
difficult for parties to make exacting
estimates prior to the hearing." This
was written to justify an amendment to a
TV application which raised the cost estimates
from $410,000 to $837.000—somewhat
more than 100 per cent.
THERE IS CONSIDERABLE interest here
how Matty Fox's gamble with the Indonesian
Republic will turn out. Fox is the
comparatively young midwesterner who left
the Skouras wing about a dozen years ago
and today owns a large chunk of Universal.
Of late, he has been getting more and more
interested in things international—including
films and other commodities.
In Havana about a year ago. Fox formed
a corporation with the Indonesian government
to facilitate its commercial dealings in
this country. Free of charge, he was to aid
private businessmen in the Republic in their
dealings here—but on all importing and exporting
in which the government had a
hand the corporation was to collect five per
cent of the gross value. This could be several
million dollars annually, with half going
to Fox.
Of course, he has made nothing on the
deal yet, but it is reported that he has
spent close to half a million dollars to finance
the political campaign of the Indonesians
against the Dutch government. Fox
has been just about the sole support of the
native independence movement in France,
at the UN, and in this country.
THE FEDERAL TRADE commission
last
week wound up its lengthy hearings on alleged
restraint of trade and monopoly in advertising
films. Charged in the proceedings
were Ray Bell Films, St. Paul; Alexander
Film Co., Colorado Springs; United Film Ad
Service, Kansas City; and Motion Picture
Advertising Service, New Orleans. Some
weeks from now we will have findings by the
FTC.
WILLIAM HITZ, United States attorney,
asked the U.S. court of appeals here last
week to throw out the appeal of Screenwriter
John Howard Lawson from his conviction
for contempt of Congress. Lawson,
sentenced last year to one year in prison
and a fine of $1,000. was one of the "unfriendly
ten" witnesses cited for the contempt
a year ago for failing to tell the house un-
American activities committee what his politics
were.
0. K Family Fare.a boy and-his-
, dog theme a natural .should >--
hit better than average / "V
.grosses! 'own variety ,--*
~.,h GEORGE REEVES -RALPH BYRD
lylr Tolbol • Michael Whol-n • Greg McClure Vino B.
HOILYWOOD 36, CAUF
25

. . "King
. . One
. . Columbia
. . Seymour
*%oUqw6od ^eftcnt
Viva Zapata' Story Rights
Sold by MGM to 20th-Fox
Rarely do film companies display the kind
of inter-studio cooperation exemplified in the
transaction whereby MGM has sold all its
rights in "Viva Zapata," a yarn by Edgecomb
Pinchon, to 20th Century-Fox. MGM bowed
out of the project when it was learned the
West wood studio also was developing a story
based on the career of the Mexican revolutionary,
under the working title of "The
Beloved Rogue." Hence the Pinchon story
will be combined with "Rogue" in a script
being prepared at 20th Century-Fox by John
Steinbeck . . . Universal-International accounted
for a pair of story purchases. It
acquired "Panther's Moon." by the British
novelist, Victor Canning, and set Joel Malone
to prepare the screenplay. It's a post-World
War II spy story laid in Milan, Italy and
Switzerland. Also going to U-I was "Curtain
Call at Cactus Creek," an original by Howard
Dimsdale, which will star Donald O'Connor.
Revolving around the adventures of a touring
repertory company in the 1880s, it will be
produced by Robert Arthur from a script by
Oscar Brodney . of the Rocket Men."
an original by Royal Cole, Bill Lively and
Sol Shor, was purchased by Republic and
assigned to Producer Franklin Adreon as the
first of four serials to be turned out for the
1949-50 program.
Will Rogers Film Collection
Given Academy by Son
Largest and most valuable donation of
films yet received for its archives by the
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
was presented when Will Rogers jr. turned
over a total of 167 cans of 35mm film, 150
of which are from the estate of the late
Will sr.
Of the pictures, 17 are full-length features
in which the cowboy-humorist starred for
Fox, and which were given to the Rogers
family by the studio shortly after Rogers'
death In 1935.
The remaining units of film, ranging from
New Mrs. Miniver Film
Planned by MGM
Mrs. Miniver, the staunch English lady
who epitomized that nation's courageous
resistance during World War II in the
MGM picture which won the Academy
award as the best film of 1942, has been
set for a return engagement. To be produced
at the company's British studios,
the as-yet untitled project will reunite
the earlier version's producer and stars-
Sidney Franklin. Greer Garson and
Walter Pidgeon.
The screenplay has been completed by
George Froeschel and Ronald Millar.
Producer Franklin will head for London
in May to set up plans for the camera
work.
By IVAN SPEAR
one to four reels in length, highlight Rogers'
inauguration as mayor of Beverly Hills, polo
games at the TJplifters' club, rodeo scenes,
the Dempsey-Willard championship fight and
other subjects.
Rogers starrers included in the presentation
comprise "David Harum." "They Had to
See Paris." "So This Is London," "Handy
Andy." "Too Busy to Work." "Judge Priest,"
"Doctor Bull," "Doubting Thomas," "Steamboat
Round the Bend." "Young as You Feel,"
"County Chairman." "Down to Earth," "Business
and Pleasure." "Mr. Sketch." "Life Begins
at 40," "State Fair" and "Happy Days."
Michael Curtiz to Direct
Film Reopening WB
A couple of fairly significant firsts are
corollary to Warners' announcement concerning
a story property provocatively tagged
"The Octopus and Miss Smith."
For one, the picture is slated for camera
work next month, reopening the Burbank
studio sound stages which have been shuttered
completely for several weeks, since
completion of the Gary Cooper starrer, "Task
Force"—a hiatus accompanied by a nosedive
in the studio's employment index.
For another, it will mark the first directorial
chore for Michael Curtiz since he recently
folded his own independent unit and returned
to the Warners contract roster on a
long-term megging deal.
Slated as a co-starring vehicle for Jane
Wyman and Dennis Morgan, "The Octopus
and Miss Smith" will be produced by Harry
Kurnitz, who also scripted from an original
by Jerry Gruskin.
MGM Shorts Department Has
18 Cartoons Under Way
It's good to be able to report a boom somewhere
in filmdom in these times of nearpanic.
Such cheerful news emanates from MGM's
shorts department, which—under the supervision
of Fred Quimby—has 18 cartoons in
various stages of preparation, comprising the
entire 1949 release schedule. Of the group,
ten are in the "Tom and Jerry" series, and
all 18 are in Technicolor.
The schedule is so far advanced that
Quimby already is drafting plans for 1950's
animated cartoon slate.
George Murphy Making Film
Between Convention Jaunts
Between attending exhibitor conventions,
George Murphy is sandwiching in a starring
role in MGM's upcoming "Border Incident."
He attended a conclave of Louisiana theatremen
last month and is booked also for upcoming
meetings in Massachusetts and North
Carolina . of the stellar roles in
•I Married a Communist" at RKO goes to
Paul Lukas
.
added Gordon
Jones and Jerome Courtland to the cast of
"Tokyo Joe" . . . William Demarest will portray
a press agent in "Red, Hot and Blue,"
the Betty Hutton starrer at Paramount.
Topnotch Stars Appear
In All-Industry Short
All-star casts have long since become
commonplace as a facet of motion picture
production.
But it's worthy of some comment when,
for one picture, the talent roster includes
Walter Pidgeon, William Holden. Dana
Andrews, Leon Ames. Paul Harvey. George
Chandler. Robert Armstrong. Edward Arnold,
Louise Beavers, Macdonald Carey,
Chick Chandler, Rosemary DeCamp, Dan
Duryea, Glenn Ford. Virginia Grey, Van
Heflin, Gene Kelly. Richard Lane. William
Lundigan. George Macready. Agnes
Moorehead. Larry Parks. Marshall
Thompson. Regis Toomey and Ralph
Byrd.
What's more, they all worked for free.
The catch:
That lineup of Thespian talent appeared
in a sequence filmed at the headquarters
of the Screen Actors Guild for
"The Screen Actor," latest in the series
of short subjects titled "The Movies and
You." which are being turned out as an
industry public relations project under
joint sponsorship of the producers association
and the Academy of Motion Picture
Arts and Sciences.
The short is designed to give an "honest
portrayal" of actors' activities, professionally
and as citizens of the film
community.
Sturges Leaving 20th-Fox
To Form Own Company
With plans to reenter the independent production
field. Producer-Director-Writer Preston
Sturges is winding up a two-picture commitment
at 20th Century-Fox and checks off
the lot next month. Sturges turned out
"Unfaithfully Yours" and the yet-unreleased
Betty Grable starrer, "The Beautiful Blonde
From Bashful Bend" for 20th-Fox . . . Byron
Haskin amicably settled his directorial ticket
with Producer Hal Wallis. He'll leave the
organization after completing location sequences
for Wallis' current "Rope of Sand."
Arnold Stoltz Enters Field
Of Independent Activity
A new entrant in the independent production
field is Arnold Stoltz, one-time head of
the Associated Motion Picture Advertisers in
New York, who has set Lon McCallister,
Walter Brennan and an 8-year-old Thespian
newcomer. Pam Price, for the top roles in
"Magnificent Mike." a dog yarn based on a
story by James Arthur Kjelgaard. Stoltz.
who hasn't set a definite starting date, is
dickering for release through a major unit.
Charles Barton to Direct
Another Abbott-Costello
Marking his eighth directorial stint with
the comedy team. Charles Barton was set by
Universal-International to meg "Abbott and
Costello Meet the Killers" . . . Writing assignments
at Warners include Ranald Mac-
Dougall to "Bright Leaf" and Alan LeMay to
"Ghost Mountain" . Friedman
will meg Columbia's "Rusty's Birthday."
26 BOXOFFICE :: January 22, 1949

CHESTER FRIEDMAN
EDITOR
HUGH E. FRAZE
SECTION
PRACTICAL IDEAS FOR SELLING SEATS BY PRACTICAL SHOWMEN
-A natural Screening and Special Events Help
From correspondence with theatremen,
we gather that many are
skeptical about the practical
results
of national tieups arranged by the
distributing companies.
Twentieth Century-Fox has come
up with one that really looks like
a humdinger. It involves the Poultry
and Egg National Board, which
is interested in selling more chickens.
Twentieth-Fox's interest is in
selling more tickets for exhibitors
playing the company's new comedy.
"Chicken Every Sunday."
There are novel features connected
with the tieup. For one thing,
newspapers and the wire service
have already displayed unusual interest
in the contest phase of the
promotion. On a national scale,
people are being asked to write letters
expressing their most desired
wish. The gimmick here is that a
chicken wishbone must accompany
each entry. Three regional winners
will receive an all-expense free trip
to Hollywood, plus the honor of
sharing a Sunday chicken dinner
with the stars of the film production.
The national winner will have
his wish fulfilled.
The Poultry and Egg board is paying
all the freight for the campaign,
which includes the distribution
of 20,000 tricolor posters in
chain food and drug stores across
the country. The campaign is geared
to reach consumers on both the
wholesale and retail levels.
The wishbone contest will serve
to whip up interest in the picture
far in advance. When playdates are
available, theatremen can find many
uses for the idea in local adaptations.
From here, it looks like a
natural.
Quick He Walked by Night' Date
A sudden moveup in the opening date of
"He Walked by Night" allowed Jim Mc-
Carthy, manager of the Warner in Memphis,
only three days to set his advance campaign
in motion. With an assist from H. M. Addison
jr., Eagle Lion exploiteer, newspaper and
radio publicity and special exploitation were
utilized extensively and effectively.
A screening for newspaper reviewers was
booked, and police officers and detectives
who were invited were interviewed via wire
recorder. The interviews were aired on a
15-minute program over WHBQ immediately
following the evening newscast the day before
opening. Due to the screening, the press
reviewers broke their reviews a day before
opening rather than the day after opening.
This was instrumental in getting extra patronage
on opening day.
An extra budget ad campaign was used in
the dailies and in the Memphis World, an
important Negro publication. Publicity
stories and art broke in the Press Scimitar,
the Memphis Commercial and Sunday Commercial.
Spot announcements, following
every mystery program on the air waves,
plugged the starting dates for two days prior
to opening and during the run. Additional
time was promoted gratis on WHBQ's daily
morning quiz and on WHHM's Man on the
Street program.
Managers, refreshed from the
tough holiday grind, are keeping
Uncle Sam busy these days. A regular
avalanche of mail has been
pouring into this office. We unhappy
to note that many are addressed
to the U-I contest judges.
The number of showmen who have
staked their claim in U-I's pot of
gold is rapidly increasing. This is
to remind one and all that there
are no restrictions on the number
of campaigns submitted.
The contest runs until April 30.
Let's hear from YOU.

Most Deserving Student Vet Wins
Apartment for 'Peggy,' Furnished
The outstanding feature of Manager Mel
Jolley's campaign for "Apartment for
Peggy" at the Century in Hamilton. Ont.,
gained a completely furnished apartment
for a fortunte student at McMaster University
and citywide publicity for the picture.
Jollev's promotion was a contest open
to all married students at the university.
The general idea was to select the most
deserving veteran, who received an attic
apartment, similar to the one shown in
the picture, in a home situated near the
university. The apartment was completely
furnished by the Home Outfitting Co..
with additional accessories supplied by cooperating
business concerns and a month's
free rent donated by the Hamilton Air
Force Ass'n.
Applicants were required to submit their
complete personal background including
details of military service, reason for attending
the university, present living conditions
and accommodations, financial
status, future plans and sacrifices necessary
to attend school.
A judges committee was formed with
university faculty members, Veterans administration
officials and newspaper and
Brides Win $25 Gifts
In 'Every Girl' Tieup
Prank Boyle, publicity manager for the
RKO Keith Theatre in Lowell, Mass.. made
a good Christmas tieup which also helped
to publicize "Every Girl Should Be Married."
The tieup was made with the local Scott
Jewelry Co. which agreed to give a $25 gift
to every Lowell bride during January.
Coupons for entry of brides' names were
distributed at the theatre, with complete
details of the offer and announcement of
the picture playdates. Each bride was entitled
to her choice of a $25 gift or a credit
in that amount on any purchase made during
the month at Scott's. Stunt provoked
plenty of word-of-mouth publicity.
Boyle also promoted advance stories and
art in the Lowell Sunday Telegram and the
Optic. Imprinted napkins were placed in
night spots plugging both the Christmas and
New Year shows at the Keith
Christmas Book Tickets
Are Sold to Parents
Matt Whitman, city manager for Martin
Theatres in Tifton, Ga., used a clever device
to promote the sale of Christmas Books of
Happiness to the parents of hundreds of
students at the local college. junior Whitman
obtained the names and home addresses
of the parents of every student. He sent
each a personal letter explaining how invaluable
the books would be as Christmas
gifts for their offspring on their return to
school. The stunt went well, with many extra
book sales resulting.
28
radio representatives. The Hamilton Spectator
covered the contest from beginning
to end. The McMaster Silhouette devoted
daily announcements on the front page to
contest.
the unique
Radio station CKOC cooperated with
regular plugs following newscasts and a
15-minute interview with JoUey, giving all
interesting details of the contest. All cooperating
firms plugged the contest on
their regular radio programs on both Hamilton
stations.
Coeds from the university sat at a lobby
desk in the Century taking registrations
for the contest. The mayor of Hamilton
made the official presentation of the key
to the winning couple from the theatre
stage. This program was broadcast, and
a re-broadcast was made on the following
day. Coming as it did three days before
Christmas, the entire campaign had a human
interest angle that appealed to local
theatre patrons.
Jolley ran a sneak preview of "Apartment
for Peggy" ten days ahead of the
opening. Comment cards were distributed
to patrons as they left the theatre and
their remarks were used as a basis for the
regular newspaper advertising campaign.
Amateur Comics Offered
Opportunity on Stage
Salvatore Adorno sr., owner-manager of
the Palace Theatre. Middletown. Conn., injected
an unusual comedy idea into a New
Year's eve midnight show. Adorno advertised
in the regular theatre ads for the show
that local comic talent, anxious to demonstrate
their ability to entertain, would be
welcome to participate in special stage activities.
He announced that cash prizes would be
offered to the most talented amateur performers.
Resulting show was hilarious and
drew curious as well as talented neighborhood
comediennes.
Talent Programs Boost
Pre-Christmas Revenue
Ken Carter, manager of the Madison Theatre.
Richmond, Ky., introduced a series of
amateur shows as a one-night-a-week stage
attraction. Finalists appeared on New Year's
eve to compete for grand prizes donated by
a sponsoring radio store. The only expense
involved for the theatre was the salary of
a stagehand. The tieup helped stimulate additional
business during December.
Builds Theatre Fronts
Special theatre fronts created by Gene
Kistner. manager of the State. Elkhart. Ind.,
have been helping exploit recent attractions.
Kistner has permanent background boards
available, on which are mounted litho cutouts
and stills from current shows. Side
banners serve a double purpose as advance
lobby
setpieces.
—14—
Beauty Queen Crowned
For Police Benefit
In Waycross, Ga.
John Harrison, city manager for Georgia
\
Theatres in Waycross, keeps his eye open for
||
opportunities to promote goodwill in the
community and keep the theatres before the
public as a civic enterprise.
Recently, the mayor of Waycross was invited
to send a representative beauty queen
to the Gator Bowl festivities in Jacksonville,
Fla.
Harrison contacted the police department
and offered the stage of the Lyric Theatre
as a site to select such a representative, with
benefit proceeds going to the Police Relief
fund. The suggestion was acted upon. Ten
business concerns were invited to enter their
most attractive employes in the contest. As
an added incentive, prizes were promoted
for the winner from Waycross merchants.
Before a capacity audience, the beauty
queen was selected with appropriate stage
ceremonies. Each girl was escorted by a uniformed
policeman. Mayor Yarbrough acted
as master of ceremonies. Full newspaper
coverage resulted, with both the police fund
and the theatre benefiting.
Public Tunesters Play
'Words and Music' Songs
In his campaign for "Words and Music .1
J. G. Samartano, manager of Loew's State in -I
Providence, R. I., capitalized on the exploi- I
tation value of the songs heard in the film I
Every disk jockey, orchestra leader and cafe I
piano player in town received a letter-size I
envelope, imprinted in red with copy: "These I
are the Words, Enclosed is the Music ... We I
would appreciate your playing the Rodgers I
and Hart tunes which are featured in the I
picture." A list of the songs and the artists
performing them was enclosed, along with a
tiny harmonica.
Real estate office window was promoted by
Murray Libman, manager of the Bellerose
(New York) Theatre, as part of his campaign
lor "Apartment lor Peggy,"
BOXOFTICE Showmandiser Jan. 22, 1949

Santa Takes
To Water
At left, a clever greeting message extended by Florida
State Theatres to residents of Daytona Beach. Marie
Du Pree. manager of the Empire, used a Santa Claus
figure on water skis as part of the annual Christmas
lighting displays in Riverfront park. The idea of a
"tropical display" provoked many complimentary com
ments.
At right, street ballyhoo used
by Lou Singer, manager of the
Warfield. San Francisco, exploits
"Three Musketeers."
At left, mammoth overhead
lobby display for "Snake Pit"
at the Wisconsin. Milwaukee,
included animation. Manager
Carl Doty had a revolving disk
concealed to provide onlookers
with a series of constantly
changing facial expressions
just below the title.
1*
I
KSegffg^ianmai
Harold Mortin, manager
of the State.
Syracuse. N. Y., used
usher, well decorated
with lipstick prints, at
left, to stimulate outside
interest in "No
Minor Vices."
Cutouts from litho 24-sheet were mounted on marquee of the
Beacham Theatre. Orlando, Fla„ by Manager Billy Wilson.
Realistic creation was a traffic-stopper for "Two Guys From
Texas."
At right, overhead
banner designed by
Elliott Johnson, publicist
for Malco Theatres.
Memphis, helped
to publicize playdates
of "The Paleface" at
the Malco Theatre.
BOXOFFICE Shov Jan. 22, 1949 -15—

Some Holiday
Holdovers
SMMStou TOWHE
Holiday Greetings
-
From All of Us
J. P. HARRISON, city manager, Interstate
Theatres. Denton, Tex.
W. BERKLEY, ad manager, Adler Theatres,
Marshfield. Wis.
flfi^El
The
ERV CLUMB. ad manager, Towne Theatre,
Milwaukee.
programs seen at
left and below were
used for special holiday
messages by James
Stepello, owner and
manager of the James
Theatre in Utica,N.Y.,
and Harold G r o 1 1,
manager of the Rialto
in
Baltimore.
HANK HAROLD, art director. RKO Theatres.
Cleveland.
Merry Chmgjs
—16— BOXOFTICE Shov Jan. 22, 1949

i he
Playdates Publicized
For 'Unknown Island'
By Radio, Contests
Strong exploitation and ballyhoo helped
the engagement of "Unknown Island" at the
Eckel Theatre, Syracuse, N. Y. just prior to
the Christmas holidays. The campaign was
handled by Irving Cantor, manager, who
planted advance stories and art in the Syracuse
Herald-Journal and Post-Standard.
An usher dressed in gorilla costume aroused
the curiosity of shoppers. He carried a sign
announcing the starting dates and distributed
a few passes to lucky pedestrians
The Post-Standard broke a picture of this
stunt with mention of the Eckel situation.
At no cost. Cantor promoted a new Ford
truck, which was driven around the shopping
section with an A-board mounted for threesheet
signs. Five thousand heralds were distributed,
partially as inserts in grocery bags
by neighborhood markets.
In front of the theatre, Cantor displayed
a large blowup of a group of islands. Passes
were offered to passersby who correctly identified
the "Unknown Island" in the group.
Radio station WOLF and a local jeweler cosponsored
a radio contest in which listeners
were invited to submit lists of words made
up from the letters in "Unknown Island."
The jeweler donated a $100 diamond ring
for the winner, the theatre netting 30 free
Montgomery Ward Store
Sponsors Yuletide Party
Betty Riseley, manager of the Kingston
(N.Y.i Theatre, staged a successful pre-
Christmas kiddy show which included gifts
for every child who attended and a Santa
Claus to dispense them.-
Tied in with the showing of "Rudolph, the
Reindeer." a cartoon which was booked as
part of the show, the Montgomery Ward store
provided 2,000 Rudolph cards, stuffed Rudolph
animals, record albums and books as
giveaways. The .super market and local
candy stores donated 1.500 oranges and candy
canes.
Two hundred youngsters from an orphan's
home were brought to the theatre and joined
in the festivities as guests of the management.
Flash Front Is Built
For 'Sealed Verdict'
A flash front for the boxoffice and a
startling lobby display were used by Jerry
Segal, manager of the Strand, Perth Amboy,
N. J., to exploit "Sealed Verdict." The boxoffice
front, topped by a six-sheet cutout of
Ray Milland and Florence Marly, carried the
picture title in large letters and had an
opening for the cashier. A scaffold and
hangman's noose were used for the lobby
display, with scene stills at the base of the
scaffold, playdate information on the platform,
and a sign with the picture title mounted
inside the noose.
BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :: Jan. 22, 1949
S. Tenser, manager of the Centre Cinema, Cambridge in England, forwards this
ique photo of his pre-Christmas itage setting. Tenser contacted the rector of St.
Bamabos and invited' 12 of the choir boys to entertain for five nights with Christmas
Carols. A recording of Reginald Dixon at the organ provided the musical accompaniment.
Slides with words of the carols were projected on the curtain, with a
greeting slide, illustrated, at the completion.
Issues Theatre Program
lust for Juvenile Trade
plugs for "Unknown Island" in the tieup.
Window cards were placed in strategic locations.
Howard Phillips, manager of the Renel,
Foreign language newspapers were promoted for free stories and art. A flash Philadelphia, regularly publishes what he believes
is the only theatre program designed
front was created and free spots were obtained
over station WNDR on several popular
exclusively for children. The Renel is familiarly
programs.
known in the neighborhood as the
"children's theatre" because of special screen
programs arranged for the youngsters during
the past three years. The printed programs
contain news of coming shows with
ad cuts and playdates. Bookings for as
much as six weeks are given and Phillips
reports the programs have paid off many
times because of their popularity with parents
as
well as the kids.
Ken Woodward Winner
Of Bonus for Ballyhoo
Ken Woodward, manager of the Manos
Theatre in Monessen. Pa., was inadvertently
left out of the list of
BOXOFFICE Bonus
winners in the January
8 issue of the
Showmandiser. Manager
Woodward was
awarded the ballyhoo
Bonus for the allaround
effectiveness of
airplane campaign
he carried out for the
opening of the new
Manos circuit theatre
Monessen.
in
Ken Woodward Woodward arranged
for a plane to distribute announcements on
the formal opening not only in Monessen and
vicinity but in several surrounding counties.
Mike Manos is head of the circuit which
built the 1.200-seat de luxe house in the steel
city of Monessen.
inently
—17-
Co-Op Layouts Pay Oil
For Buffalo Houses
Charles B. Taylor, advertising-publicity director
for Shea's Theatres in Buffalo, turned
up three excellent cooperative ads in conjunction
with as many merchants on recent
attractions at the Teck. Buffalo and Great
Lakes theatres.
For "Yellow Sky" at the Buffalo, the Edwards
stoie used a four-column illustration
of Anne Baxter tied in with a cosmetic promotion
and complete theatre mention. Gambler's
Jewelry Co. ran a one-third page co-op
for "The Palefaces" on the society page of
the Buffalo Evening News, in connection with
its engagement at the Great Lakes. Kleinnans
mens shop used a three-column. 15-inch
co-op. with an illustration from "The Three
Musketeers, during Us urn at the Teck Theatre.
This ad used scene illustration from
the picture, with theatre credits.
For "The Paleface" date at the Great
Lakes, David's, large Main street women's
wear store, used a full window display which
featured Jane Russell color blowups. Theme
of the window was built around the angle,
"We're quick on the trigger at slimming your
figger." Theatre name and dates were prom-
displayed.
Football Trophy Awarded
With appropriate stage ceremonies, the
Warner Bros, football trophy, awarded annually
to the champion co-city football team
was presented on the stage of the Broadway
Theatre, Philadelphia. Local football coaches,
radio commentators and the winning team
from Southeast Catholic High school were
present when the trophy presentation was
made by Sam Phillippe, manager of the
Broadway.
31

A contest to find Vancouver's most photo-
genie girl was staged by Charles Doctor,
manager of the Capitol there, for "The Velvet
Touch."
Doctor tied up with the leading photography
studio in town to take pictures of the
j'
-
'
Pennsylvania Opening
Of 'Regiment' Is U-I
Contest Entry
The Pennsylvania premiere of "Rogues'
Regiment" at the Midway Theatre. Allentown,
received wide newspaper, radio and
special events promotion from publicist E. P.
Scully.
Over a ten-day period preceding the opening,
almost 250 inches of display advertising
was dispersed in local newspapers. Three art
breaks were planted during this period and
the Allentown Beacon devoted a feature article
to news of the picture and premiere.
Spot announcements on two major radio
stations saturated the air audience with news
of the premiere. Disk jockeys on both stations
plugged the song hits. "Who Can Tell"
and "Just for Awhile." constantly, with theatre
credits. WKAP plugged Dick Powell recordings,
and included mention of the film
plus theatre dates. During the run, pedestrians
interviewed on WKAP's Man on the
Street daily broadcast were queried on the
premiere and given free theatre tickets.
Scully had the theatre porter double in
brass as a street ballyhoo garbed in Legionnaire
costume and proper signs. Theatre
lobby was decorated with French flags in
advance and colorful pennants provided an
exterior flash during the regular engagement.
Scully's campaign for "Rogues' Regiment"
is the latest entry to be received in the U-I
Unity drive exploitation contest which is under
the administration of the Showmandiser
section of BOXOFFICE.
What! No Reindeer?
Santa didn't have to use reindeer to attract
attention to current booking at the Downtown
Theatre, Toronto. Manager Martin Simpson
simply mounted St. Nick astride a Palomino
mare. The duo sold "Gallant Bess" to cTowds
of holiday shoppers.
Promotes Co-Op Spread
Six merchants were promoted for a cooperative
newspaper ad on "When My Baby
Smiles at Me" by Bill Hulbert, manager of
the Massena (N. Y.) Theatre. The ad spanned
almost the complete width of two pages and
was centered with the theatre message and
illustration topping both pages. Entire cost
of the ad was solicited to give the theatre
full benefit at no expense.
Organ Solo by Miami Beach Manager
Serenades Holiday Shopping Crowds
The skill of Ed May, manager of the Lincoln
Theatre, Miami Beach, as an organist
resulted in a pre-Christmas promotion which
attracted wide publicity for the theatre and
resulted in goodwill as weU as extra business
during the holiday shopping season.
May, who is a former organist by profession,
tied up with Morgan Piano Co., distributors
for Hammond Muzak, Inc., and
the Lincoln Road Merchants Ass'n to provide
a daily program of carols and other
Christmas music to shoppers along the entire
length of swank Lincoln road and to
patrons of the Lincoln Theatre.
A modern type of console was installed
in the 24-foot lobby bay window in the midst
of electrically illuminated tropical gardens.
Colored spotlights illuminated the organ keyboard
and foot pedals. The entire setting was
visible from the street and lobby.
The Muzak company installed speakers on
light poles along the avenue. A city ordinance
which strictly prohibits outdoor sound systems
was waived when the merchants group
and real estate owners petitioned for a special
permit.
The concerts, heard by thousands of
shoppers, were given daily from December
11 through January 3. Publicitv included
gratis announcements over various programs
broadcast by WGBS. WKAT and WMBM,
Photos and readers were used by all three
Miami papers. Theatrical critics for the
Florida Sun, Herald and Miami Daily News
commented favorably on the promotion. A
lobby display and exterior signs plus 40,000
programs also carried news of the concerts.
—18—
Most Photogenic Girl
Sought in Vancouver
With Velvet Go-op
contestants. The studio placed display ads
on the theatrical page of the Vancouver Sun,
which has the city's largest newspaper circulation
(150,000i. These ran for ten days
in advance of opening. The studio also used
a window display in advance and during the
run of the contest.
A special trailer spurred interest in the contest,
as did a brilliant lobby display enhanced
by a young woman dressed in a velvet gown
distributing contest folders. Folders were
also distributed in universities and schools,
and handed to pedestrians and motorists
from a bannered car.
The contest was boosted twice daily by Phil
Ashton over radio station CKWX and at
citywide Teen Town meetings and dances.
Twelve nominees were chosen from the
photographs submitted, all of whom were
taken to dinner and were guests of the theatre
on opening night. The winner received
a sterling silver compact as a gift from
Rosalind Russell, star of the picture.
Army Air Unit Emblems
Displayed for Tighter'
Extensive cooperation from the ROTC air
unit of Colgate university helped Bob
Thompson, manager of the State Theatre,
Hamilton. N. Y., promote advance interest
in "Fighter Squadron."
With the Syracuse air recruiting unit, a
program was mapped which made the city
air-minded for the picture playdates. Large
emblems of every air force unit command
were hung around the walls of the theatre
lobby. An exhibit of art and literature covering
aviation cadet training,
air Wac training,
etc., was displayed in the lobby.
Thompson used additional displays to hypo
interest and promoted a newspaper story tied
in with a search for former members of the
56th fighter command. These ex-servicemen
were then invited to be guests on opening
night.
Scene Mats Are Planted
For 'Stampede' at Rialto
Ralph Rothman, manager of the Rialto
Theatre. Morrilton, Ark., planted a threecolumn
scene mat and a story with both the
Democrat and Morrilton Headlight to publicize
"Northwest Stampede." Circulars were
imprinted and distributed house-to-house, in
cars and in business establishments. A sixsheet
was mounted as the central figure of
a lobby display which was moved out front
on opening day.
Two overhead boards were constructed to
exploit the feature and "Three Little Pigs"
which was booked on the same program. The
illustration from a 24-sheet was mounted on
a large display board and placed on the
wall in front of the theatre for current exploitation.
BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :: Jan. 22, 1949

. . safer,
'Musketeers' Boosted
By Coloring Contest
And Co-Op Ads
Larry Levy, manager of the Colonial, Reading,
Pa., used a coloring contest for "The
Three Musketeers," which was sponsored by
Merritt's paint and gift shop. Five cash
prizes and ten guest tickets were offered for
the best color sketches submitted on scenes
from the film. The sponsor also paid for
and distributed several thousand heralds announcing
the contest.
During the Santa Claus parade preceding
Christmas, several thousand balloons, inflated
and bearing an imprint of the theatre
dates, were distributed free to children along
the line of march.
The H. L. Green Co. paid for and distributed
free star photos to all customers,
plugging "The Three Musketeers," and advertised
the giveaway through newspaper
co-ops.
Levy promoted a co-op newspaper ad from
radio station WEETJ. based on Lana Turner's
screen love stories broadcast over that
station. Bookmarks were imprinted and
distributed through book stores, libraries and
at
schools.
Christmas Tree Lights
For Worcester 'Music'
Robert Portle, manager of the Elm Street
Theatre in Worcester. Mass.. put up a Christmas
tree in front of the theatre and utilized
it to call attention to his engagement of
"Words and Music." About a dozen starshaped
cards were used to trim the tree, along
with the other decorations, each of which
carried copy on "Words and Music." One
title spelled out the of the picture, another
the cast, a third bore the word "Technicolor,"
a fourth boasted "22 song hits," and so on.
Manager Promotes Gifts
For Invalid Youngsters
Lily Watt, manager of the Florida Theatre,
Kings Park, Glasgow, Scotland, helped provide
gifts for inmates of the Elder Park Children's
hospital. A Christmas tree was installed
in the theatre lobby, with a sign nearby
inviting patrons to hang up gifts for the
youngsters.
To publicize the stunt, Peter Brough, famous
British ventriloquist, appeared to formally
dedicate the holiday promotion. Brough
placed the first gift on the tree, and within
an hour more than 50 additional gifts were
received. Several hundred other sympathetic
citizens of the community brought offerings
which were presented to the youngsters at
the hospital on Christmas morning.
Mummy Display Helps
Horror Show Campaign
A special screen trailer used two weeks in
advance of the regular trailer helped attract
extra business for Bob Dent, manager of the
Pecos Theatre, Roswell, N. M., for "Bride of
Frankenstein" and "Son of Frankenstein."
Displays were placed inside the lobby two
weeks prior to opening, and a mummy placed
in a coffin helped to convey the horror theme
of the pictures.
Window cards were spotted in strategic locations
and 2,000 special handbills were distributed
in homes throughout Roswell. A
false front was built from a 40x60, lithos and
stills, and a truck ballyhoo was used in advance
and during the current showing.
'Yellow Sky' Tieup
Norman Levinson. assistant manager of
the Poli Theatre in Hartford, tied up with
five important newsstands for special displays
of the Life magazine break on "Yellow
Sky." Each stand exhibited copies of Life,
showing the cover and inside pages of the
"Yellow Sky" spread.
COSTS LESS
THAN
COCONUT OIL
SEASONINGS
Pops greater volume of corn . . .
«"ith butter - like flavor and
appearance .
too;
flashpoint 654 .
,1
VIRGINIA MAC PHERSON*
U HAS SWITCHED TO
'FAMILY HONEYMOON''
'My all-time favorite comedy was 'The
Awful Truth'. . .until I saw Claudette
Colbert and Fred MacMurray in
'FAMILY HONEYMOON"
* Noted United Press Correspondent
Simonin of Philadelphia
BOXOFTICE Showmandiser :: Jan. 22, 1949 -19—

. . Helen
'
FROM THE FILES OF
yi\)MORROW the new stars of the stage will
come from the picture studios in Hollywood,
according to Cecil B. DeMille, president
of the Producers Ass'n and noted producer-director.
"In 1912 we had to look
to the stage for our artists because it was
the sole source of supply. Today there are
so many motion picture studios and such
heavy production of pictures that the majority
of actors are not on the stage, but in
pictures."
Claude C. Mundo Winner
Of Blevins $100 Award
NASHVILLE. TENN.—Claude C. Mundo of
Your Family Theatres. Little Rock, Ark., has
been awarded $100 by the Blevins Popcorn
Co. here for submitting the best idea during
December on "How to Increase Your Popcorn
Business." Munda, sometimes jocularly referred
to as Little Rock's "Popcorn King,"
reported sales of popcorn and other concession
items averaging seven and four tenths
cents per patron through a psychological
popcorn merchandising program at his Rex
and Liberty theatres.
The prize-winning letter is published in
its entirety in the January issue of Blevins'
"Pointers to Poppers." The $100 contest will
run another month.
CLEARING HOUSE
(Continued from inside back cover)
Heavy
Affl
CONDITIONING
Columbia Pictures Corp. has leased the entire
11th floor of 729 Seventh Ave., New York
City. Under the leadership of Joe Brandt,
Jack Conn and Harry Cohn. the organization
during the last 12 months has made the
greatest stride forward in its existence . . .
More than $1,000,000 loss was incurred in the
recent burning of the Paramount Famous
Players-Lasky Corp. studio in Hollywood.
is Origin of the fire not determined.
A Grateful Exhibitor
CLEVELAND—A well-known local independent
distributor got the pleasant surprise
shock of his life last week when an equally
well-known exhibitor sent him a check twice
the amount previously agreed upon as the
price of a picture. A letter accompanying the
check said that "Lil Abner" doubled the anticipated
business and that the distributor
was entitled to share in the additional profits.
William Fox becomes the largest theatre
chain operator in Greater New York by the
acquisition of 200 theatres, representing 40
independent units with a seating capacity of
280,000 in the purchase and merger deal recently
completed. The houses will be operated
by Fox Metropolitan Playhouses, Inc., a
subsidiary of Fox Theatres. This deal practically
eliminates all the so-called independent
theatres in Greater New York and will
give Fox a buying power for film estimated
at $7,000,000 a year. Including the West
Coast Theatres, Inc.. also a Fox subsidiary,
the total gross intake for the year is estimated
at $13,000,000. Most of the theatres
included in the purchase have been built in
the past three to five years. Their annual
profits are estimated at $5,000,000.
Gary Cooper has signed a new contract with
Paramount. He is now acting the juvenile
leading role in Emil Jannings' current film,
"The Betrayal" Twelvetrees, just
.
chosen in Hollywood as one of the 13 new
Wampas baby stars for 1929, is the only one
of this group who has appeared on Broadway
in stage production . . . "Strange Cargo" is
Pathe's first all-dialog feature.
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Phone TOwnsend 8-7227
GINGER PRINCE
SHE IS without a doubt the most lovable .. .
winning personality (child or grownup* to be presented
on the screen in many a year.
LEARN ABOUT HER FIRST STARRING PICTURE
Ultc Sainton Stoi f y
uding the Wichito Mountain Pogcant, "The Prince of Peace"
to be released soon
i
'
HYGIENIC PRODUCTIONS ,«c
-//

!
',
manager
!
supervise
'
: manager
'
;
the
Percentage Contracts
Before Jersey Allied
TRENTON—The campaign by the Allied
States Ass'n against forced percentage contracts
was one of the chief topics discussed
at the membership meeting held here January
17 by the Allied Theatre Owners of New
Jersey.
Edward Lachman, president, read a report
from Col. H. A. Cole of Texas on the progress
of the Allied committee formed at the New
Orleans convention to study the question.
Cole had opposed a suggested boycott of
percentage pictures, but had indicated that
Congress might be asked to protect small
exhibitors by national legislation.
In the meantime. Allied leaders have been
discussing the problem with distributors.
They will report the results of their conferences
at a meeting of the board of directors
this month.
In connection with percentage pictures, the
New Jersey members pledged to help E. E.
Alger and his associates in the percentage
fraud suits pending against them in the U.S.
district court of northern Illinois. The suits
were filed by the eight major distributors
Nov. 6, 1947. Alger and his associates were
accused of falsifying reports on percentage
pictures played in 12 theatres over a 6-year
period.
The defense contended that the cases
should be dismissed because the license contracts
had price-fixing clauses and therefore
were illegal under the antitrust laws.
Judge William Campbell of the district
court referred the cases to a referee, who was
instructed to determine whether or not the
license agreements were illegal. No decision
has been made.
FC, Mono-AA Changes
In Quaker City Posts
NEW YORK—Max Gillis, eastern district
for Monogram-Allied Artists, will
make his headquarters in Philadelphia and
the district from that office as the
result of the resignation of Al Davis, man-
!
ager of the Philadelphia exchange, according
to Morey Goldstein, general sales manager.
Davis resigned to do the buying and booking
for a local circuit.
Nat Beier, recently head of the Film Classics
Boston branch, has been promoted to
at Philadelphia, replacing Mort Mai
gill, who remains with PC as sales manager
of its branch there, according to B. G. Kranze,
vice-president.
Astor Pictures to Handle
'Lorna Doone' in America
NEW YORK—Astor Pictures has acquired
"Lorna Doone." A.T.P. production made in
England by Basil Dean, for 35mm. 16mm
and television showings in the U.S., according
to R. M. Savini, president. It will be
released in February.
Margaret Lockwood, John Loder, Roger
Livesy and Victoria Hopper head the cast.
Jacques Kopfstein, executive vice-president,
who is working on new accessories, will also
supervise the 16mm sales.
Steve Fisher will write the screenplay of
Drew Pearson story, "Washington Merry-
__ Go-Round, " for Columbia.
N. J. Exhibitors Keep Eyes
On State Legislature
Exhibitors
Divided
On MPAA Meeting
NEW YORK—Exhibitor reaction was
divided over the cancellation of the coast
meetings with MPAA directors and the
fact that no exhibitors had been invited
to attend the Miami meeting January 18
and 19. Allied was resentful, the TOA
Indifferent.
Allied, the TOA and PCCITO had been
invited to send representatives to the
coast meeting originally scheduled for
December 16, 17, which was moved back
to January 25-28, and later re-scheduled
for Miami.
Allied discussed the invitation at length
at the New Orleans convention and
named Trueman Rembusch as delegate.
All regional units were asked to send suggestions
to Rembusch on what he should
present to the producers and distributors.
He collected a mass of material.
When news of the Miami meeting broke
Allied became resentful. The TOA leaders
expressed indifference.
Allied's attitude came out at a meeting
of the New Jersey unit held in Trenton
the day the Miami meeting opened.
Ed Lachman, New Jersey president, sent
letters to Abram F. Myers, board chairman
and general counsel, and to Rembusch,
head of the Indiana unit, suggesting
that the Allied attitude should be
aired in the press.
Rembusch had planned to report the
attitude of Allied members on films
stressing sex, crime and insanity. He also
intended to report on the Finneran resolution
passed in New Orleans for penalizing
actors convicted of lawbreaking, or
who gain publicity unfavorable to themselves
and the industry. Allied has already
taken up this problem by sending
letters to women's organizations and
others and resolutions have been passed
and published quite widely.
Exhibitor Phil Lavene
Dies at Buffalo Home
BUFFALO—Phil Lavene. 55, in the show
business here for 20 years, died at his home
here last week. The funeral was held in
Toronto, Ont., where he was born.
Until four months ago. Lavene operated
the Academy Theatre. He had been associated
with Harry Dixon, who died a few
months ago. Before operating the Academy,
Lavene operated the Embassy, which became
the Telenews and later the Vogue. Before
coming to Buffalo from Detroit 20 years ago,
he had been active in the Motor city as an
exhibitor and in other phases of the show
business.
Lavene was a member of Variety Tent 7
here, and Is survived by his wife, a daughter,
his son. mother, brother and sister.
NEW YORK—New Jersey exhibitors are
keeping close watch on the state legislature
which went into session during the week of
January 3.
They will oppose all proposed legislation
to legalize bingo and establish a state censorship
board.
Democratic and Republican efforts to legalize
bingo were defeated last year. This
year the Republicans are expected to renew
the campaign to permit bingo for charitable
and welfare organizations by local option.
CENSORSHIP MOVE EXPECTED
Under the new constitution any proposed
bingo bill would have to be approved by a
state referendum next November. If approved,
it would then be submitted to the
voters of individual communities considering
bingo.
Possible censorship legislation may be introduced
by Assemblyman Stephen Bator of
Maplewood, a Republican. Last year he
failed to get through a proposal that would
have raised the age limit for admitting children
accompanied by adults from 14 to 16
years. Managers, who admitted these below-
16 patrons, without adults, would have been
fined $500.
During the past few months Bator has been
conferring with John Keenan, commission of
public safety of Newark, and parent groups
on a censorship measure. It is reported that
Keenan has been the chief force behind this
censorship move.
Keenan's campaign for censorship is said
to have been stimulated by his failure to keep
"Mom and Dad" out of Newark. His attempt
to prevent a Newark theatre from showing
the film was blocked by a court injunction.
GOLD MAY CALL MEETING
These legislative issues were discussed
by the Allied Theatre Owners of New Jersey
January 17. The TOA of New Jersey has had
informal discussions on these topics.
If these exhibitor threats materialize,
George Gold will call a meeting of the Federation
of New Jersey Theatres, a statewide
group representing both exhibitor organizations,
independents and affiliated exhibitors
Gold is head of the federation.
TOA Conciliation Program
Approved by Skouras
NEW YORK—Spyros P. Skouras. president
of 20th Century-Fox. has written Arthur H.
Lockwood. TOA president, that he believes
the TOA conciliation committee set up in
the Boston area "will prove of great assistance
in cutting down the increasing litigation
which, as you say, is strangling the
Industry."
After saying that Andy W. Smith. 20tn-
Fox sales manager, considers conciliation
most important, Skouras wrote that Smith
"has already instructed our Boston exchange
manager. E. X. Callahan, to cooperate with
the Boston exchange area committee" and
that "Callahan has been authorized by Andy
Smith to act for our company on any complaints
presented to him."
BOXOFFICE :: January 22, 1949
35

. . . William
. . Ted
. . Moe
. . Pincus
. . Herman
. . Alan
. . Jane
. . Syd
. . . David
. . Ava
. . Lawrence
. . Gael
. . Marvin
BROADWAY
Daul Broder, Rtalart president, arrived from
Detroit, and Jack Broder, vice-president,
from Los Angeles for a meeting of the board
of directors. Secretary Norman Eisenstein
returned from a Florida vacation for the
meeting . Gould, general sales manager
of MGM Pictures of Canada. Hillis Cass,
Montreal manager, and Dewey Bloom, promotion
representative with headquarters In
Toronto, have returned to their posts after
home office talks.
E. Z. Walters, Altec Service controller, is
here from the coast . . Alfred Werker. Eagle
Lion director, arrived for his first eastern
vacation in several years . . . Jules K. Chapman,
assistant general sales manager of Film
Classics, left on a tour of exchanges. His
visits plans included to Des Moines, Minneapolis.
Milwaukee, Chicago, Indianapolis,
Cincinnati and Detroit.
John P. Byrne, MGM eastern sales manager,
returned after visits to New Haven and
Boston . Kerman. president of Fa-
Kilms Corp.. is back after a threeweek
Florida vacation . . . Harry Goldberg,
director of publicity and advertising for
Warner Bros., visited Pittsburgh, Cleveland
and Albany . Ripps, field assistant
to J. P. Byrne, MGM eastern sales head,
left for his Albany headquarters after a week
at the home office.
Hurd Hatfield, who played the chaplain in
"Joan of Arc," is here talking over stage and
screen contracts. He may be cast in an
American-financed film to be produced in
Italy . . . Cyd Charisse, MGM star, and her
husband. Tony Martin, arrived from the
coast for a short stay . . . Christy Wilbert,
advertising manager of 20th Century-Fox.
left on a two-week vacation.
Jules B. Weill, president of Masterpiece
Productions, returned from the midwest
where he completed circuit deals for his current
reissues. "Stagecoach" and "The Long
Voyage Home" . F. Cummings, in
charge of MGM exchange operations, visited
Cincinnati and Indianapolis . Wyman
appeared January 13 on the CBS Hallmark
Playhouse.
Jacques Kopfstein, executive
vice-president
of Astor Pictures, left for a month's stay in
Miami . Sober of the MGM legal
department, president of the local Amateur
Athletic Union, has been named track chairman
by the national AAU . Gross,
assistant director of advertising and publicity
of Film Classics, left for Seattle, Portland.
Salt Lake City and Denver to supervise
exploitation of "Unknown Island."
Gene Kelly, MGM star, left for the coast
Pine and William Thomas arrived
for Paramount home office discussions
about the releasing of "El Paso" and "Manhandled"
. . . Robert Vogel, MGM studio publicist
for the foreign department, was expected
here over the weekend . . . Barbara
Warner. 13-year-old daughter of Jack Warner,
vice-president of Warner Bros., sailed on
the maiden eastbound voyage of the Caronia.
W. R. Frank, producer of "The Great Dan
Patch" for United Artists, has been seeing the
Broadway shows during his New York visit
He was accompanied by Al Tamarin. UA publicity
manager, and Mrs. Tamarin . . . Eddie
Albert and his actress wife. Margo, saw "Symphonic
Pastorale" at the Paris. He is here to
discuss his appearance on the Broadway
stage in the revival of George M. Cohan's
"Forty-five Minutes From Broadway."
Olivia DeHavilland received the New York
Critics award as the best actress of 1948 on
the Music Hall stage January 21. John Huston
won as the best director with "Treasure
of Sierra Madre," and Warner Bros, for the
year's best picture with the same film. Roberto
Rossellini won in the foreign category
with "Paisan." Laurence Olivier, chosen the
best actor, could not attend . H.
and Mrs. Schenck left for a vacation at Hot
Springs . Gardner, MGM star, has
returned to the coast.
Herman M. Levy, TOA general counsel, and
Mrs. Levy went to the Bahamas. They will
return in time for the TOA board of directors
meeting in Washington January 28, 29 . . .
H. M. Richey, MGM exhibitor relations head,
has returned from a vacation in the Bahamas
Home, foreign sales manager of
Film Classics, left for Havana to set up distribution
plans for "Unknown Island." He
expects to be gone about a week.
John P. Byrne, eastern MGM sales manager,
celebrated a birthday January 21. Benn
H. Rosenwald. Boston manager, celebrated
his January 19. the home office reports . . .
William G. Brenner, head of the MGM checking
system, and Marvin Atlas of the home
office, with Mrs. Atlas, have returned from
Chicago . J. Callahan, who recently
joined the MGM field auditing staff,
went to Boston . Sullivan. TOA executive
director, visited Washington for the
inauguration.
AUyn H. Wright will exhibit and explain his
collection of stamps issued in honor of Franklin
D. Roosevelt at the next meeting of the
Cinema Stamp Collectors at 7:30 p. m., January
26. at the Astor hotel. Wright is editor
of the club's publication, the News Reel . . .
Maria Montez. who has been here several
weeks conferring with United Artists, left for
Paris to begin work on a film she will make
with Orson Welles. Jean Pierre Aumont, her
husband and co-star of "Siren of Atlantis,"
remains here to star in "Figure of a Girl,"
the play he wrote for Theatre Guild presentation.
ON NEW YORK VISIT—Jane Wvatt.
one of the stars of Monogram-Allied Artists'
"Bad Boy," visits New York and
home office executives, Edward Morey
(left), vice-president, and Lloyd Lind, supervisor
of exchange operations.
N.Y. Raises $120,000
For Rogers Hospital
NEW YORK—A total of $120,000 was raised
here for the Will Rogers Memorial hospital
in the campaign which ended January 20.
Eighty-nine prizes were awarded.
David Newman, office manager for Randforce,
won three prizes including a 1949 Buick.
Leonard C. Steel of Woodhaven, L. I., won
the other automobile award, a 1949 Lincoln.
M. Kretsky of the Bronx won a trip to Hollywood
for two, worth $1,500, and George Weise
won a $1,000 U.S. savings bond. Fifty $50
bonds and five $100 bonds also were given
out.
Other awards included three television sets,
seven radio phonograph combinations, two
washing machines and season passes to the
Yankee stadium and Ebbets field. Several
distributor executives were among the winners.
Abe Montague, general sales manager of
Columbia and head of the distributors' committee,
selected the first five winners.
David A. Levy, Universal-International
branch manager, announced the awards.
Clarence Eisman, Warner Bros, district manager,
headed the New York area committee.
Nat Cohn of Columbia and Nat Furst of
Monogram helped supervise the campaign.
Paramount Luncheon Held
Honoring Frank Meyer
NEW YORK—Paramount tendered Frank
Meyer a luncheon Thursday at the Astor
hotel in honor of his retirement after 37
years with the company.
Austin Keough acted as master of ceremonies
and those on the dais included Mrs.
Meyer, Adolph Zukor, Charles Reagan, Paul
Raibourn, Leonard Goldenson, Russell Holman,
Fred Mohrhardt, John Balaban and
Y. Frank Freeman and George Weltner.
Tables were decorated with folders from
very old feature pictures made at the Long
Island studios, of which Meyer was the head.
Keough read a wire of tribute to Meyer from
Barney Balaban, who was unable to attend
due to a meeting in Florida. Speakers were
Y. Frank Freeman, who said "What we need
in this industry is more like Frank Meyer
and Adolph Zukor." He lauded Meyer for his
tremendous aid during the formative years
of Famous Players and for his sincerity and
honesty throughout the yeacs. citing Meyer
as an example for all indBStries to follow.
Meyer spoke briefly, following which he
was presented a silver service.
Others present were:
Robert O'Brien. Hiller Innes, Bernard Goodwin, Al
Schwalberg, E. K. "Ted" O'Shea, C. J. "Pat' Scollard,
Oscar Morgan. Arthur Isreal jr., Dan Hynes sr.,
Henry Anderson, L. Brown, Arthur Leonard, Irene
J.
Sullivan, William O'Connell, Louis Phillips, Walter
W. Gross, Eric Ericsson. Elizabeth Scheuer. Sara
].
Dr. Stern. Lyons, Emanuel C. Knox Haddow. A.
Richard, Ben Washer, Stanley Shuiord, Sid Mesibov,
Dr Leon Warshaw, Aldyth Reichenbach, Robert M
Weitman, George Barry, Joseph Walsh, Albert Deane,
Vincent Trotta, Ed Sullivan, Agnes F Mengel, Harry
A Nagel, John Cicero, John Guilfoyle, Percy Lockwood.
Bessie Goldsmith, Katherine DeGuard, Helen
Lotti. E. I. Kaufman, Linda Frank LaGrande, Mann
and William German.
Comedies Draw Heavily
ALBANY—"The Paleface" pulled heavy
weekend business to the Ritz on a moveover
from the Strand and many patrons were
turned away. Another Ritz offering. "You
Gotta Stay Happy." drew class trade.
BOXOFTICE :: January' 22, 1949

—
-
. . . Lawrence
. . Seated
. . . Jack
Holdover Films Mild
In Broadway Spots
NEW YORK—With holdovers in the majority
at Times Square theatres business generally
mild before the expected upturn with
an influx of seven pictures during the week.
Of the three new films, only "The Accused"
at the Paramount and "The Boy With the
Green Hair," which returned the Palace to
first runs, were above average. "Mexican
Hayride" had a poor first week.
Best among the holdovers were "Wake of
the Red Witch" at the Mayfair and "Unknown
Island" at the Rialto.
(Average Is 100)
Asior—Enchantment (RKO). 4th wk 110
Bijou—The Red Shoes (EL), 13th wk. of
Capitol—Every Girl Should Be Married (RKO).
plus stage show, 4th wk 100
Criterion—Mexican Hayride (U-I) 90
Globe—Belle Starr's Daughter (20th-Fox),
2nd wk B0
Little Carnegie—Mr. Perrin and Mr. Traill (EL) 100
Loew's State— Force of Evil (MGM). 4th wk 9U
Mayiair—Wake ol the Red Witch (Rep). 2nd wk lib
Palace—The Boy With Green Hair (RKO) ....110
Paramount—The Accused (Para), plus stage show 10b
Park Avenue—Hamlet (U-I). 16th wk. ol
two-a-day 110
Radio City Music Hall—Words and Music
(MGM), plus stdge show, 6th wk 100
Rialto—Unknown Island (FC), 2nd wk 115
Rivoli—The Snake Pit (20th-Fox), 11th wk 85
Roxy—That Wonderful Urge (20th-Fox), plus
stage show, 6 days of 4th wk 8b
Strand—The Adventures of Don Juan (WB), plus
stage show, 4th
Grosses Below Average
At Buffalo Houses
BUFFALO—Holdovers, moveovers, reissues
with bad weather brought local grosses below
average. Only "Rogues' Regiment" at the
Lafayette made average.
Bullalo—One Sunday Altemoon (WB); Exposed
(U-I) 92
Great Lckes—The Paleface (Para), 3rd d.t. wk 89
Hippodrome—Yellow Sky (20th-Fox); I Wouldn't
Be in Your Shoes (Mono), 2nd d.t. wk 92
Lafayette Rogues' Regiment (U-I); Ladies of
the Chorus (Col) 100
Teck—They Made Me a Criminal (WB);
Walking Dead (WB), reissues 96
20th Century—Every Girl Should Be Married
(RKO); Bodyguard (RKO), 3rd d.t. wk 93
Average Week Enjoyed
By Baltimore Theatres
BALTIMORE — Unseasonal weather had
Baltimoreans gasping, but downtown theatres
experienced an average week with a flock
of average pictures.
Century—Three Godfathers (MGM) 102
Hippodrome—He Walked by Night (EL), plus
stage show 110
Keith's-The Paleface (Para), 4th wk 95
Mayfair—Siren of Atlantis (UA), 2nd wk 86
New—Yellow Sky (20th-Fox), 2nd wk. VI
Stanley—Whiplash (WB) 100
Town—Every Girl Should Be Married (RKO),
3rd wk. 95
Valencia—Words and Music (MGM), 3rd wk 98
Along New York's Filmrow
.By
THE Motion Picture Bookers Club expects
a turnout of 200 members and guests at
the annual installation dinner Monday night.
The affair will be held, as usual, at the
Tavern-on-the-Green . on the dais
will be: Harry Brandt, Max A. Cohen, E. K.
"Ted" O'Shea, David A. Levy, Ray E. Moon,
B, G. Kranze, Sam Rinzler, Alex Arnswalder,
Harry Margolis and Dan Ponticelie . . .
Kranze will be the toastmaster and Rinzler
will be inducted as an honorary members.
Loew's has moved its theatre district managers
to new offices constructed in the 17th
floor quarters formerly occupied by WMGM
at 1540 Broadway. Those who have moved upstairs
are: Gene Meyers, Larry Beatus, Jack
Harris, Salli Levi, Bill Downs, Bill Phillips,
Jim Grady and Maurice Seidlitz . . . Archie
Weltman of the legal department also has
moved with them.
Carl Fishman of Loew's State has returned
to his publicity duties after a five-day stay
at the Long Island College hospital where
he underwent an eye operation
Criterion publicity
Jerry Sager, wife of the
director, is recuperating from an operation
J. Callahan has joined the
MGM auditing staff . . . Alan Cummings,
head of the MGM auditing department, will
celebrate his birthday January 25.
Ward Ferrar, former 20th-Fox and Loew's
publicist, is now handling publicity for Trenton-New
Brunswick Theatres, the RKO-
Walter Reade chain . . . Bert Kulick of Bell
Pictures has left on a business trip throughout
the midwest. Before he left he had
a visitor from Buffalo—Dewey Michaels of
the Palace and Mercury theatres.
Henry Randell's metropolitan district took
first place in the recent Paramount sales
drive . . . Myron Sattler's New York branch
took second place . . . Irving Rothenberg,
upstate salesman for Warners, has been vis-
WALTER WALDMAN.
iting his accounts to show off the sun tan he
acquired while on a cruise of the West Indies.
Irving also has been getting contracts . . .
Harvey English of the Harden Theatres, Al
Greenberg of the Paramount theatres in
Poughkeepsie and Bill Disbury of Walden,
N. Y., are grateful for the mild winter. They
have been able to operate their upstate houses
without interference from snowdrifts.
Clarence A. Hill has some encouraging
to in things say a inter-office report now
making the rounds of the 20th Century-Fox
exchange. Hill, who is head of branch operations,
said the company believes in promoting
personnel now on the payroll rather than
in giving jobs to outsiders ... He urged every
junior employe to train himself or herself
for the job above, so that when an opening
occurs he or she can step into the better
position with little trouble . . . "There is no
door between the front office and the service
department that cannot be opened for anybody
with ambition," said Hill.
Max Cohen, who operates theatres in Liberty,
Monticello and White Lake, N. Y., has
left for Hollywood where he will visit the
studios . . . George Reisner of the York
Theatre. Manhattan, is scheduled to leave
for the coast this weekend with Mrs. Reisner
and Sydney Mittleman of tne
Nassau Theatre, Brooklyn, have signed a
booking contract with Island circuit.
Cinecolor, FC to Expand
In British Market Shortly
NEW YORK—Cinecolor and Film Classics
plan to expand in the British market shortly.
Joseph Bernhard, president of the two companies,
will go to London for conferences
with Sir Sidney Clift, British exhibitor, regarding
the building of a plant for processing
of two-color film.
Services for Harris Child
NEW YORK—Funeral services were held
here for Louise Harris, 7, only child of Jack
and Mrs. Harris. The daughter of the Walter
Reade Theatres executive died after a brief
illness at the school she was attending in Atlantic
City.
NEW MIRROPHONIC SOUND
I0E
HORNSTEIN, Inc.
At*..
N.w York City
RCA SALES MEETING—New RCA theatre equipment and merchandise plans
unfolded by Jack F. O'Brien, sales manager, interest field representatives attending
the general sales meeting of the engineering products department at the Bellevue
Stratford hotel, Philadelphia. Shown in the group are: J. F. O'Brien, Camden;
R. H. Heaeock, Camden; W. E. Cheesman, Camden; Barton Kreuzer, product manager
of Theatre and Film Recording, Camden; T. F. McCleary, Cleveland; J. H. Kuhlen,
Camden; H. R. Henken, Camden; A. H. Demmer, Camden; J. P. Bethell, Philadelphia;
J. S. Pesce, Dallas; C. D. Cushman. New York; M. J. Yahr, Chicago; R. L. Schultz,
San Francisco; B. Sholtz, New York; Don R. Davis. Kansas City; J. E. Miller, Los
Angeles; H. M. Paul. Atlanta; C. N. Batsel, Los Angeles, and M. F. Bennett, New York.
January 22, 1949

. . Local
. . Screen
. . Don
WASHINGTON
WTashington film and theatre staffs were
busy escorting stars, starlets and entertainers
who came in for the inauguration
festivities Wednesday and Thursday. Carter
Barron was head man and did a magnificent
Job . . . Jane Powell made a personal appearance
at Loews Capiol Theatre . . .
United Artists exploiteer Dave Polland returned
to Washington after visiting lus
family in Wisconsin . . . Jean Drill, secretay
to Branch Manager Jerry Price, soon will
become Mrs. Si Perlman and will make her
home in Pittsburgh . Guild salesman
Don Chaban returned from a visit with
his family in Pittsburgh.
Thieves stole the safe from the offices of
the Center Theatre, Hampton, Va., on a
recent Sunday morning . Local B13 is
planning a dinner dance to celebrate the
union's birthday F13 executive
board held its regular monthly meeting
Wednesday evening . . . Republic Manager
Jake Flax went to Charlotte . Kelsey
came in from Blackburg, Va., to book.
Jimmy Burns, Paramount head shipper,
who was hospitalized for several weeks, returned
home but must stick close to home
for the next couple of months . . . Cashier
Lillian Lee and her husband spent the
weekend in New York . . . The new ledger
clerk at Paramount is Celia Monahan and
the new booker's clerk is Dorothy Darr . . .
Southern Sales Manager Rudolph Berger
held a series of sales conferences at the
Hotel Statler with division sales executives
recently. Present were Jacques C. ReVille,
Charlotte manager; Jerome Adams, Washington
manager; Ansley B. Padgett, Atlanta
manager; Charles Kessnick. district manager,
and Memphis Manager Louis C. Ing-
fering with laryngitis . . .
. . .
RKO office was handicapped this week
with Shirley Johnson out with an infected
eye and Beryl Walters and Mel Nau suf-
Cashier Agnes
Turner is back on the job . . . C. E. Pritchett
came in from Schoolfield, Va., to book his
Harley Davidson
Schoolfield Theatre
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THE IDEAL THEATRE CHAIRS
JOE HORNSTEIN has them
]
was here setting up bookings for his Independent
circuit . . . Variety Club Tent 11
was saddened by the recent death of associate
Barker W. Stokes Sammons, a member
of the club since 1936 and active in all
of Tent ll's welfare program.
The following members received gifts from
the Variety Club at the installation luncheon
recently. Herbert Sachs, a watch, for
selling the most welfare awards books; Archie
Engel, a watch, for his work in handling
the advertising program for Tent ll's
annual program; Wade Skinner, Warner
Bros., and Joel Margolis, Loews Theatres
watches, for selling welfare award books.
Presentation was made by Frank Boucher
. . Variety barkers celebrating birthdays
include Elliott Dullea, Saul Menick, Joseph
Pitts. Jack White, Moe Marcue, Charles
Olive. Elmer H. Brient. Carter T. Barron
and Clark Davis.
Sara S. Young, guiding light of the ladies
group each year when the annual welfare
drive is in full swing, sent out invitations
to ladies who worked in the booths and sold
Welfare award tickets to attend a "thank
you" luncheon at the Carlton hotel January
24 as guests of the Variety Club.
Two New York Publicists
Leave Selznick Staff
NEW YORK—Aileen St. John Brenon, who
handled magazine publicity in New York for
the David O. Selznick Enterprises, and Nick
Mamula, who was newspaper, trade paper
and syndicate contact man, will leave the organization
in a few days. Their new connections
will be announced later. Both joined
Selznick two years ago.
Miss Brenon previously was a newspaperwoman
and handled publicity for Cecil B.
DeMille and Paramount. Mamula was with
Paramount and United Artists. During the
war he was with the original group of B29s
that hit Japan.
Nat Furst Is Installed
As Film Board Head
NEW YORK—Nat Furst was instaUed as
president of the New York Film Board of
Trade January 12 at the home of Louis Nizer.
He was elected during a special meeting held
after Jack Ellis, the original 1949 president,
resigned. Ellis left when he checked out of
United Artists as district manager.
The other officers are; William Murphy,
first vice-president; Myron Sattler, second
vice-president; Saul Trauner, treasurer; Robert
S. Fannon, secretary, and Clarence Eiseman,
sergeant-at-arms.
Frank Smithson, 88. Dies
NEW YORK—Frank Smithson, 88, who was
a producer and director in the early years of
picture making with the Edison Co., died
January 14 at Sanger's Home for Chronic
and Aged. Smithson, who retired in 1933,
also directed more than 200 stage productions
and was general stage manager for the Shuberts
from 1900 to 1920. Two son. Percy Michael
and Edwin, survive.
MP Associates Plan
Variety Tent Vote
NEW YORK—Members of Motion Picture
Associates will vote January 25 on a resolution
to set up a New York tent of Variety
Clubs International.
Voting will take place at a special meeting
that will precede the installation luncheon
scheduled for Max A. Cohen, newly elected
president.
During the past week, the board of directors
passed a resolution calling for the establishment
of a Variety tent to replace Motion
Picture Associates.
The board members said this move would
be in line with the charity and welfare work
of their organization.
Robert J. O'Donnell, international chief
barker, has written to Cohen that Variety
Clubs would welcome a New York tent.
Charles E. Lewis, one of the international
officers, has been authorized to help organize
the New York unit.
Skouras Denies ABC Net
Purchased by 20th-Fox
MIAMI—Spyros P. Skouras, 20th Century-
Fox president, has emphatically denied there
has been a renewal of negotiations for the
purchase of the American Broadcasting Co.
Skouras was here at midweek for a meeting
of MPAA directors.
First talk of a purchase developed last
November and it soon became known that
Skouras was negotiating with Edward J.
Noble, ABC board chairman and majority
stockholder. Skouras announced December 1
that negotiations had been dropped because
the companies could not agree on a price.
It was about that time, too. that the Federal
Communications Commission indicated
it considered the elements of monopoly were
involved and an informal statement from
the department of justice followed.
The purchase rumors were revived in the
New York Stock exchange as a result of a
report to the exchange that ABC executives
had sold stock in large quantities. Mark
Woods, president, disposed of 30,500 shares;
Robert E. Kintner. executive vice-president,
sold 17,800 shares, and C. Nicholas Priaulx,
treasurer, 14,000 shares.
An ABC executive said these were "purely
personal" transactions.
Skouras issued his denial after a story in
Advertising Age had been called to his attention.
This stated that the ABC purchase
was made at midnight. January 12; that
Woods had signed a five-year contract to
manage the company at S50.000 a year, and
that Noble would continue as an adviser.
Ticket Purchase Heavy
ALBANY—Manager Al LaFlamme of the
Strand reported that only a small number
of tickets for the two evening performances
of "Harvey" remained two weeks before the
Broadway show comes to town. LaFlamme
said he received fine response from a printed
announcement mailed to more than 5,000
Albany area residents. He said orders for
tickets were received from such distant points
as Bennington, Vt., Pittsfield, Mass., Hudson
and Catskill, N. Y.
BOXOFTICE January 22. 1949

. . . William
. . . Nat
. . . Pudgy
. Mrs.
. . Milton
. .
. . . Walt
. . . Rube
. . Completion
. .
. .
BALTIMORE
Oeorge Ward of the Palace in Cape Charles
was in Washington booking and buying
McCraw spoke at a special
meeting of Variety Tent 9 last Friday regarding
the premiere of the Variety sponsored
"Bad Boy." Lauritz Garman, president
of the MPTO of Maryland, was appointed
chairman of the premiere committee by Chief
Barker Grant. These new members were
installed: Pete DeFasio, Paul Huddles, Sid
Zimmerman, Jacob Schapiro, Marvin Schapiro,
Aaron Zeligman, Frank Durkee jr.,
Arnold Klein, Charles Weisman, Avron
Waskins, Gordon B. Mills, Harry Silbert
and Herb Thacher.
Mae West was forced to cancel the last
matinee and evening performances of "Diamond
Lil" at Ford's Theatre because of illness.
Al Rosen, producer of the show, had
Loew's Bill Saxton up into the wee hours
of the morning getting a doctor and making
hospital arrangements.
at the Center for local exhibitors . . . Julius
Goodman is breaking his son Sol in as
booker and buyer for the Ideal Theatre .
C. Grimes, Warner district manager, was in
Oletsky, daughter of Morris and
Ruth Oletsky, Windsor Theatre, has the
measles.
.
.
The Malle Theatre in Birds Nest, Va„
was held up last week . Theatre in
Milton, Del., is showing its own 16mm newsreel.
Manager Howard Carey is the cameraman
Layton Ayres, Ayres circuit,
Delaware, gave birth to a baby boy
Herman Purnell, booker and buyer for the
Insley circuit, spent three days in Washington
and caught the tradeshowing of "Command
Decision."
Vince Daugherty, U-I salesman, had a
slight mishap with his car crossing the Delaware
line . . . Lee Insley of the Insley circuit
was at Palm Beach on his yacht.
Production Costs
Multiply in Italy
NEW YORK—Production costs in Italy are
eight to ten times above their level in 1944,
according to Roberto Rossellini, producer of
"Open City" and "Paisan." "Open City,"
which has grossed more than $1,000,000 in
the American market to date, cost approxi-
. . . Berlo
Lou Cohen, New Essex Theatre, is recuperating
at Sinai hospital after an operation
... I. Makover has resigned as manager of Ilya Lopert, president of Lopert Films,
greets Roberto Rossellini, prize-winning
the New Albert Theatre with Aaron Seidler
taking over and Morris Oletsky doing the Italian film director, on his arrival from
booking and buying . . Fred Sandy flew Rome. Rossellini, on his first visit to the
.
into Roanoke to meet his United States, received the National
salesman Sampson
Pike and both went on by car to Charlotte
Board of Review and the New York Film
to visit Craver circuit officials . . Mrs. Critics annual awards- for "Paisan."
.
Barry Goldman was home ill with the flu
Rosen,
mately 11,000,000 lira to
formerly make in
of the Royal, is
1944. A
film
back from
with the same production values would
Florida.
cost 80,000,000 to 100,000.000 lira to make today,
Mr. and Mrs. Morris Flax and son were
which is $100,000 to $150,000 at the pres-
injured in the recent train wreck at Groveland,
ent rate of exchange, Rossellini said.
Fla. Mrs. Flax still is in the hospital Rossellini flew in from Rome January 17
there . . Milton Schwaber is doing some to look over the American situation and to
.
remodeling at his Radio Theatre attempt to close a deal with Ingrid Bergman
Vending Co. has inaugurated a new radio to make a picture under his direction in
program over WITH on Saturday evenings, Italy. Production will begin in March if
an audience participation movie quiz, with Miss Bergman approves the story Rossellini
has selected. Despite the fact that many
prizes every week. Berlo's Stern was here
checking all concessions and attending the American companies are producing pictures
broadcast.
in Italy, there has been little interchange
first
of ideas, he said. This is because the American
producers bring over actors and all pro-
Gordon Contee of 20th-Fox is back at work
after a long siege of illness ... Sol Klein duction personnel except laborers and bit
is
looking for a buyer for his Realart Theatre players and thereby use few Italian artists
. . . 20th-Fox tradescreened "Snake Pit" or workers in the local film industry.
Gulistan Wilton Theatre Carpet
JOE HORNSTEIN has it!
Rossellini's "Paisan" is expected to gross
$2,000,000 in the American market, according
to Mayer-Burstyn, its distributors. Rossellini
has four completed pictures not yet released
in America. They are: "Germany, Year
Zero," which will be released by Superfilm;
"Amore," "The Machine to Kill Bad People"
and "The Spirit of Rome."
Superfilm to Distribute
New Rossellini Picture
NEW YORK—Superfilm Distributing Corp,
has acquired the American distribution rights
to "Germany, Year Zero," produced, written
and directed by Roberto Rossellini in Berlin
last spring. The contract was signed with
I. E. Lopert, acting as personal representative
for Rossellini and Anna Magnani, who formed
Anna International Co. for production of the
film. Rossellini produced both "Paisan" and
"Open City."
Felix Bressart has been ticketed for the role
of a professor in U-I's "Take One False
Step."
ALBANY
Oeveral staff members from the Schine offices
attended a concert given in the
Gloversville Jewish Community center by
Jerome Rappaport, pianist. Seymour L.
Morris, Schine director of publicity and exploitation,
was among those who spoke enthusiastically
of the performance . . . Tony
Buttita, advance man for "Harvey," booked
for three performances at Warners' Strand
January 25, 26, visited here for huddles with
zone manager Charles A. Smakwitz, house
manager Al La Flamme and others.
RKO sneakpreviewed "So Dear to My
Heart" at the Grand . . . "The Three Musketeers"
played to good first run business
in this territory. The local date was at the
Palace.
Carol Conery, daughter of Mrs. Joseph R.
Burgess, head of Conery Theatres, is president
of the student council at St. Agnes
school in Albany. Miss Conery, whose father
was the late Mitchell Conery, is a senior.
"The Paleface" piled up one of the biggest
Sunday grosses in the 27-year history of the
Strand. One reason for the smash showing
was that the Paramount film was single
featured, permitting an extra screening .
The Colonial, Albany fine art theatre, will
present "The Red Shoes" for an indefinite
run starting January 26, Manager Herbert
Jacobs announced. The British color picture
comes to town after a five-week run of
"Hamlet." Advanced prices will be in effect
Doyle's Rivoli in south Troy was
closed for several days during the New Year
flood.
Abe Sunberg, who was recently appointed
assistant general manager of the Fabian-
Hellman drive-ins, has been acting as temporary
supervisor of the Hellman indoor
theatres, the Paramount and Royal in Albany
and the Palace in Troy. Sunberg, who
attended Monday night's Variety Club dinner
with Neil Hellman (back from Florida
for two weeks), managed the Fabian-Hell -
man Lincoln Drive-In at North Philadelphia
for the last two seasons.
Nate Dickman, Monogram manager, spent
a vacation in Detroit and Buffalo . . . Bob
Adler, Monogram booker and salesman, took
a business swing through the north country
Jackter and George Josephs, assistants
to the general sales manager, conferred
with Jack Bullwinkle, Albany Columbia
manager . of the screen
tower, projection booth and concession stand
at Harry Lamont's new Kingston Drive-In
was expected by the end of the week .
The Regent, Cohoes, is offering a Webster
dictionary and American encyclopedia gift
for 13 weeks. A 25-cent payment is required.
Sam Lefkowitz, UA district manager: Abe
Dickstein, New York branch manager, and
Dick Perry, local representative, stopped here
en route to the Schine offices in Gloversville
. . Jules Perlmutter of the Rivoli.
Schenectady, reports he plans to book
"Hamlet" for one week in February. He said
film business in Schenectady had been
"pretty good" since Christmas.
NEO-SEAL BURIAL WIRE
January 22, 1949 39

Winchester, Va. Theatremen Balk
At Hike in City License Costs
WINCHESTER. VA.—This city's new license
tax ordinance covering all businesses
and professions, including motion picture theatres,
has been returned to the council finance
committee for reconsideration and possible
revision of some sections downward.
Herman Hable. owner of the Palace Theatre,
and Lamar Keen, manager of the Warner
Bros. Capitol, appeared at the January
council meeting to lodge a protest against
the theatre license hike.
Hable. a former councilman here for many
years, had compiled a list of taxes on theatres
of comparative size in a dozen adjacent
cities. The top was $600 at Fredericksburg,
Va. Under the 1949 ordinance, the Winchester
operator said his license to operate this
year would cost S969.
He also pointed out that $617 paid to license
his 738-seat theatre last year was 150 per
'Jenny Lamour' Is Picked
Best '48 Foreign Film
NEW YORK—"Jenny Lamour," the
French-language film released in the U.S. by
Vog Films, has been voted the best foreignmade
of 1948 in a poll taken by Foreign
Film News. Out of the 24,307 ballots cast by
mail, "Jenny Lamour" received 9.201 votes
while 7,833 went to "Symphonie Pastorale,"
also a French film released by Films International,
and 4,267 went to "Paisan," an
Italian picture released by Mayer-Burstyn.
Michele Morgan, star of "Symphonie Pastorale."
was picked for the year's best performance
by a foreign actress while Anton
Walbrook, one of the stars of the British
film, "The Red Shoes," was chosen for the
year's best actor in this category. Jean
Cocteau was picked as best director of the
year for "Beauty and the Beast." which
he also wrote.
Bronze statuettes, 15 inches tall, will be
presented in a ceremony to be held late in
January, according to Arthur Davis, publisher
of Foreign Film News. Vog Films will
accept one trophy, while another will be
sent to Majestic Films, producer of "Jenny
Lamour," in Paris. Films International and
Eagle Lion will accept trophies for the best
performance awards Duplicates will go to
Miss Morgan. Paris, and Walbrook, London.
The ballots came mostly from the New-
York metropolitan area, the nation's principal
outlet for foreign films, according to Davis.
French Film Opens Soon
NEW YORK—The French film "Dedee
D'Anvers" has been retitled "Dedee" and
given English titles and will be shown soon
in New York, according to Vog Film Co.
|ST CLASS DISTRIBUTION FOR
THE ENTIRE SOUTH — thru
ATLANTA: Astor. W. M. Richardson
(3) 163 Walton St.. NW
DALLAS: lenlcins & Bourgeois. Astor
(1) Harwood & Jackson Streets
NEW ORLEANS: Dixie. R. A. (Bob) Kelly
(13) 218 S. Liberty
cent more than 1947. and that the new lawwould
increase it another 50 per cent.
Keen spoke briefly along the same lines.
He said a license for the 966-seat Warner
house would jump from $686 in 1948 to $1,083
this year unless the law is revised.
John Steck jr., finance committee chairman
who voted against returning the ordinance
but who offered a resolution for the
commissioner of revenue and the city auditor
to make a thorough study to determine a
fair and equitable basis for assessing business
and professional licenses on a basis of gross
receipts in 1950. said his committee would
meet shortly to consider complaints.
In the meantime. January 31 will be the
deadline for payment of licenses without penalty.
The city will continue to accept payments,
but promised adjustment if any sections
of the law are changed.
Lippert to Make Three
For SG During March
NEW YORK—Lippert Productions will make
"The Baron of Arizona," an original story
based on the life of James Reavis, said to
be the most extraordinary swindler of modern
times, for the Screen Guild 1948-49
schedule, according to Robert L. Lippert,
president of SG.
This will go into production immediately
following "Grand Canyon" and "Three Alarm
Fire," which will start shooting early in
March. Lippert held a series of meetings
with the SG franchise holders in New York
January 17 and 18.
INCORPORATIONS
ALBANY.
Empire Drive-In: To conduct business in
Webster, Monroe county: 600 shares, no par
value; Neal Murphy, 215 Canterbury Rd.;
Edmond S. Spencer, 3881 Elmwood Ave..
Rochester, and H. Graden Hodges, 25 Daytona
Ave., Webster. Each incorporator owns
150 shares of stock.
Hyde Park Theatre: To present motion pictures
and other entertainment; 200 shares,
no par; Joseph H. Gellert. Paul S. Samuels
and Nelle R. Smith, 54 Market St., Poughkeepsie.
Office is in Red Hook.
United Talent: To conduct motion picture
business in New York; 200 shares, no par.
Paris-New York Filn* Export Corp. of
Queens. Name changed to Albany Film Export
Corp.
Hispano Theatre: Theatrical business in
New York; 200 shares, no par value.
Walter Reade Theatres, Mattison Ave..
Asbury Park. N. Y.; Recorded papers that
its New York office is at 701 Seventh Ave.
Walter Reade jr. is president; 2,500 shares,
no par.
Long Park. Inc., Mayfair Theatre Bldg..
Asbury Park, N. Y.: Recorded papers that it
has the same New York address. Walter
Reade jr. is president; capital stock is $1,000.-
000, $100 par.
Harry Cohn Contract
Up to Stockholders
NEW YORK — Stockholders of Columbia
Pictures Corp. will vote on an increase of two
in the membership of the board of directors
and on a new employment contract for Harry
Cohn, president, at a meeting to be held
February 8.
Directors nominated in the proxy statement
are: Harry Cohn, Jack Cohn, Abe
Schneider, Leo M. Blancke. Nate B. Spingold,
Abe Montague and Donald S. Stralem. No
decision has been made on the new directors.
Stockholders will be notified later on this.
Under the terms of the proposed new contract
with Harry Cohn he will continue at his
present salary, but he will receive benefits
from a $300,000 life insurance policy which
the company has held for some time. These
benefits will be payable to Cohn or his heirs
in case of either death or disability. Cohn
now receives $197,000 annually. He serves at
present on a week to week basis and has an
expense account of $300 weekly.
The proposed new contract calls for a salary
of $3,500 weekly, plus $300 for expenses,
starting Nov. 1.
1948, plus $1,000 per week for
300 consecutive weeks from the date of his
death or $3,000 per month in the event that
his employment ends due to disability, up to
S300.000.
Sigmund Maitles Elected
Screen Publicists Head
NEW YORK—Sigmund Maitles was inducted
as president of Screen Publicists Guild,
the CIO union, at the Newspaper Guild headquarters
January 13. Maitles, who was unopposed
in the voting for that office January
12, succeeds Jeff Livingston of Universal-
International.
Others elected were Ray Murray of Columbia
as first vice-president and Murray
Goldstein, also of Columbia, as second vicepresident.
Their opponents were Ray Malone
of RKO Service Corp. and Herbert Haines of
RKO. Also elected, without opposition, were
Maria Van Slyke of Eagle Lion, secretary,
and Leo Israel. 20th Century-Fox treasurer.
Greenthal Set to Handle
Florida Citrus Campaign
NEW YORK—The Monroe Greenthal Co.,
Inc., has been named to handle the 1949
advertising campaign for the Florida Citrus
Canners Cooperative. Lake Wales. Fla., according
to Dr. J. L. Heid, director of research
and development.
The Florida company is currently marketing
two brands of citrus juice under the
trade names of Donald Duck and Priceless.
Test campaign to solidify the merchandising
plans will be started in Philadelphia, Newark,
Camden, Baltimore. Washington, Boston,
Louisville. Chicago. Detroit and Cleveland.
Mother of MGM Editor Dies
NEW YORK—Mrs. A. L. Simons. 73. mother
of M. L. Simons, editor of the MGM Distributor
and assistant to H. M. Richey, died
January 18 at her Paris, 111., home after a
long illness. The funeral was held January
20 and attended by the MGM executive,
another son and three daughters.
BOXOFTICE :: January 22, 1949

'
Ascap Voting System
Is Upheld by Court
NEW YORK—Ascap will continue to elect
its board members through a system of multiple
voting based on royalty earnings.
This was decided January 14 when Judge
Henry W. Goddard of the U.S. district court
denied an application to eliminate this voting
system set up by the consent decree of
1941. Judge Goddard had signed the decree.
The application had been made by Abner
Greenberg. a member of Ascap and a lawyer.
He had asked the court to replace the
present voting system with one that would
give one vote to each member.
Greenberg's application was opposed by
Judge Robert P. Patterson, Ascap attorney,
and Harold Lasser, a Department of Justice
attorney.
Lasser admitted that others also have
complained about the consent decree, and
have asked for changes. He said the department
is making a study of these complaints
with an eye toward future action.
The consent decree involved in this action
is separate from the final decree signed last
November by Judge Vincent L. Leibell, ending
the antitrust case filed against Ascap
by the 164 ITOA members.
This decree has been stayed for all exhibitors
except the 164 plaintiffs pending the
outcome of Ascap's appeal. Arguments will
be heard within 90 days.
Court Delays Deadline
In Brighton Action
NEW YORK—The U.S. district court has
given the eight major distributors and Kallet
Theatres, Inc., until February 1 for answering
the antitrust suit filed by Syracuse Brighton
Theatres Corp.
The corporation owns and operates the
Brighton Theatre* Syracuse. It has accused
the distributors and Kallet, operator of the
Regent Theatre, of violating the antitrust
laws. The Regent is the only Syracuse theatre
to play major product on second run.
The Brighton complaint, filed by Monroe
E. Stein, has asserted that the Brighton has
been unable to get second run availability
from the distributors because of a conspiracy
with the Kallet circuit and its officers. Kallet
operates 31 upstate houses.
The Brighton has asked for $9,000 in triple
damages and the following injunctions: one,
banning the distributors from granting clearance
to the Regent over the Brighton; two,
banning Kallet from asking for the clearance,
and three, banning the film companies from
refusing to negotiate with the Brighton for
second run 30 days after first run, and also
that the second run availability shall not be
based on bidding.
RKO Eastern Group Leaves
For West Coast Meeting
NEW YORK—A group of RKO home office
executives, including Ned E. Depinet,
president; Robert Mochrie. sales head; S.
Barret McCormick and Terry Turner, will
leave for the west coast over the January
22 weekend to look over completed product
and prepare advertising campaigns on forthcoming
releases.
Fly-In
Drive-In Operator Prepares
For 2nd Season on Jersey Coast
NEW YORK—Edward Brown jr. is getting
Airport, they taxied toward
towed
the Fly-In
position
ready for his second season as opera-
Drive-In, and then were into
by a jeep. The planes were parked
of the Fly-In Drive-In Theatre on
tor
Highway 34 near Belmar, on the New on ramps inclined downward in contrast
to automobile ramps that are inclined upward.
Jersey seacoast.
Last year he received wide publicity
Each plane was supplied with a
when he announced that he was providing
new
portable speaker.
The same admission scale prevails for
facilities for 25 airplanes at his Monmouth automobile passengers and air patrons—
drive-in theatre near the
county airport, which he also operates. 60 cents on weekdays and 74 cents weekends
The theatre accommodates 550 cars.
Between June and November, an average and holidays.
Rain and nasty weather kept the planes
of from seven to ten planes landed at the away, but not the automobile patrons.
drive-in each week. They were single-engined
Most of the planes flew in from points
craft with room for four or five within a 100-mile radius. These
included
passengers.
After the planes landed at Monmouth
Warner Theatres Night
Held by Variety Club
ALBANY—A half-hour quiz show over the
Schine-controlled radio station WPTR climaxed
the annual Warner Theatres night of
the Variety Club at a dinner last week.
Forty-two film men and their associates attended
the dinner. Dan Houlihan, 20th-Fox
manager, won the jackpot question by naming
ten major league baseball managers in
40 seconds. Others participating in the show
were Ed Ruff, recently resigned Paramount
manager; Jules Perlmutter of the Rivoli.
Schenectady; Harold Gabrilove, district manager
of RTA, and Gene Teper, projection
machine exporter.
Motion pictures of the testimonial dinner
which Variety gave in December were shown.
Among those present were Arthur Newman,
Republic; Nate Dickman, Monogram; Jack
Bullwinkle, Columbia; Fred Sliter, 20th-Fox;
Ray Smith, Warners; Max Westebbe, RKO;
Saul J. Ullman, chief barker, and Fabian
Theatres upstate general manager; Joe Saperstein,
Ullman's assistant; Gene Vogel, U-I;
Sandy Miller, Film Classics; Ben Smith,
Screen Guild; Smakwitz, Jim Faughnan, Joe
Weinstein, Max Friedman and Jerry Atkin,
Warner Theatres, and Vedder Peters, theatrical
printer.
Inauguration for Kaye
As 'Mayor' in Brooklyn
NEW YORK—Brooklyn-born Danny Kaye
will be inaugurated as ••mayor" there January
27. He will be inducted by the locality
mayors of New York, a group of 40 nonpolitical
regional leaders.
Kaye's inauguration will be held at the
Towers hotel. Louis Zeltzner, president of the
locality mayors, will preside.
Democratic and Republican leaders who
plan to attend are John J. Murtagh, Vincent
Impellitteri, Anthony DiGiovanna, Francis
X. Gianconne. Leo Rayfiel, John Cashmore,
Carmine Marasco. Charles Ramsgate and
John J. Bolan.
"Voice of Theatre Speakers"
JOE HORNSTEIN has them!
air patrons from northern New Jersey,
Long Island and parts of Pennsylvania.
Stamatis Denied Motion
In RKO Percentage Suit
NEW YORK—Judge Rayfield of the U.S.
district court has denied a motion by the
Stamatis Amusement Co. of Brooklyn to
compel RKO, which has charged fraudulent
underreporting of admissions from percentage
films, to file a more definite statement
of its complaint and to separately state its
causes of action. The court cited recent
Supreme Court decisions in similar cases.
The defendants, George, Milton and Costas
Stamatis, own the Apollo and Lyric theatres.
Other defendant theatres are the Minerva,
Plaza and Venus, in Brooklyn. Phillips, Nizer,
Benjamin & Krim represented
RKO.
RKO to Give Screen Test
To Photographers Queen
NEW YORK — Jeanne Crow, 21-year-old
brunet modeling student who was picked from
300 contestants as queen for the Press Photographers
ball at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel
February 4, will receive a free trip to Hollywood
and a screen test at the RKO studios.
Arrangements for the test were concluded by
Arthur Willi, eastern talent scout, who interviewed
Miss Crow at his office.
Miss Crow, who comes from St. Petersburg,
Fla., graduated from the Grace Downs Modeling
school January 17.
Strand to Play 'Oklahoma!'
ALBANY—Warners plans to book "Oklahoma!"
into the Strand for a full week later
this season, according to a report on Filmrow.
The circuit played the stage show to
good business at the Avon in Utica earlier
this fall. The local presentation would be the
first traveling musical comedy production,
other than college shows, to be presented here
in recent years.
WANTED—Used Theatre Chairs
Circuits and independent exhibitors can now dispose
ol their used seats at the highest prices by
contacting us today. Send photos and description
in first letter. Call us immediately and we
can advise of full particulars.
WRITE WTRE OR PHONE
-
JACK McGRATH
ALBANY THEATRE SUPPLY CO.
1046 BROADWAY Phone 5-5055 ALBANY, N. Y.
BOXOFTICE :: January 22. 1949

Bell System Plans Video
Link to 21 More Cities
NEW YORK—The Bell
System has tentative
plans to add, during the next two years.
21 cities to the present 13 cities now linked
by its intercity television network channels.
This means that the 3,400 miles of channels
now in operation would be tripled. Most of
the additional video channels would be furnished
by radio relay. Fulfillment of the
program depends upon government approval.
EXTENDED TO MISSISSIPPI
When the eastern and midwestern networks
were linked by coaxial cables recently,
Bell System television channels were extended
from the Atlantic to the Mississippi.
To effect this, the cables were laid
from Philadelphia through Pittsburgh to
Cleveland. Many of the channels to be added
are on the existing main routes of the
eastern and midwestern networks. Under the
two-year program, channels will also be extended
to additional nearby cities, while other
cities, located on the chief routes, will be
connected to the networks.
By the end of 1950. additions along present
Bell networks would increase facilities so
that five television channels will be operating
between New York and Boston, New York
and Washington, Philadelphia and Cleveland.
Cleveland and Chicago, and Detroit and Toledo.
Two channels now link Chicago and
St. Louis.
The largest new area scheduled to be
linked with Bell facilities lies south of Toledo.
It Is planned to install three channels
between Toledo and Cincinnati via Dayton.
Between Dayton and Columbus three channels
will be installed. An additional twochannel
link will be put in service between
Dayton and Louisville via Indianapolis.
OTHER INTERCITY LINKS
On the coast, two channels would go into
service between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Possible Installations include channels between
Boston and Providence. New York and
New Haven, Philadelphia and Wilmington.
Buffalo and Rochester, and Milwaukee and
Madison, Wis.
Cities lying along the paths of main channels
scheduled for connection with Bell network
facilities by the end of 1950 are: Hartford.
Reading. York, Harrisburg. Johnstown,
Pittsburgh, Youngstown and Erie, Pa.; Akron
and Fort Wayne.
Westinghouse Says Relay
Of TV by Plane Solved
NEW YORK — Westinghouse Electric Co.
claims to have solved the technical problems
of relaying television programs by airplane
so that a coast-to-coast hookup would be
possible. It has been experimenting with this
system for tnree years.
The political and administrative problems
connected with its use remain to be solved.
Television wavelengths are supposed to be
limited to approximately 30 miles—from horizon
to horizon depending on the height of
the transmitter, but experience has shown
that existing stations already are interfering
with each other in spots.
For this reason no new television station
permits are being issued by the Federal Communications
commission pending a solution of
this problem.
How to prevent planes flying at 25.000 feet
or higher from increasing this interference
may be one of the angles the FCC will have
to consider.
Westinghouse in making its announcement,
also said it would be possible to transmit programs
to theatres, but this may be one of the
possibilities of the distant future, as no transmitters
are now in existence for specialized
theatre programs and only one theatre, the
Paramount in New York, is equipped for
large screen presentations. These are made
possible through a special tube-in-film apparatus.
It is the film that is projected.
Boxing Is Also Concerned
With Tele Competition
NEW YORK—Television competition to entertainment
fields outside the film industry
was highlighted at the Boxing Writers' Ass'n
dinner here last week.
Harry Markson, managing director of the
20th Century Sporting club, said that television
is one of the factors now hurting boxing.
He said the others are lack of talent,
the general decline in business and bad publicity
resulting from investigations by the
district attorney last year and recent ring
Col. Edward Eagan. chairman of the New
York boxing commission, said that while
television may hurt boxing temporarily, It
will eventually make new fans.
In his annual report to Gov. Thomas E.
Dewey, Eagan stated that the gross income
from boxing in New York state was $6,245,000
during 1948. The 1947 gross income was
S5.600.901.
Bell
System Filing
New Video Tariffs
NEW YORK—The American Telephone &
Telegraph Co. has filed new tariffs with the
Federal Communications commission, effective
March 1, which amplify the provisions
under which the company furnishes channels
for television transmission. They affect the
previous provision that the company would
not interconnect its intercity video network
facilities with those of other companies, except
in areas where the telephone company
lacks such network facilities. Other Bell System
affiliates are filing similar tariffs.
WPIX Withdraws Requests
For Time on West Link
NEW YORK—WPIX. the New York Daily
News television station, which had planned
to join with NBC, CBS and DuMont in taking
time on the western coaxial cable, advised
AT&T that it was withdrawing all requests
for time for the first quarter of 1949.
MPEA Delays Decision
On Representation
NEW YORK—No final decisions were
reached by the board of directors of the
Motion Picture Export Ass'n at its meeting
January 17 to discuss renewal of MPEA
distribution licenses in various foreign countries.
Action was delayed pending further
investigation by some member companies of
conditions now prevailing in Germany, Japan
and some other countries. Final decisions
probably will be made at another meeting
of company presidents within a month.
The board elected John G. McCarthy, chief
of the MPAA international division, an additional
vice-president.
MPEA officers present were: Eric Johnston,
president: Francis S. Harmon, vicepresident;
Irving Maas, vice-president and
general manager; Frederick W. DuVall.
treasurer; Gordon E. Youngman, secretary;
Herbert J. Erlanger, assistant secretary, and
Frank J. Alford, assistant treasurer. Others
present from the MPEA were Joe C. Goltz,
Theodore S. Hope and Alfred F. Corwin. Tom
Waller of the MPAA also attended.
Present from the member companies were:
Norton V. Ritchey and Bernard J. Gates.
Allied Artists; Joseph A. McConville, Arnold
Picker and Lacy W. Kastner, Columbia:
Arthur M. Loew and Morton A. Spring.
Loew's; George Weltner and William Piper.
Paramount; Phil Reisman and R. K. Hawkinson.
RKO; Douglas T. Yates and Theodore
Black, Republic: Murray Silverstone, 20th
Century-Fox: Walter Gould. United Artists;
Al Daff, Universal-International: Wolfe
Cohen and John J. Glynn. Warner Bros.
W. E. and AT&T Sued
In Antitrust Action
NEWARK—The U.S. Department of Justice
filed suit here January 14 in U.S. district
court to separate the Western Electric
Co. from the American Telephone & Telegraph
Co., of which it is a wholly owned
subsidiary, and break it up into three companies
competing for AT&T business. The
charge is one of monopoly in supplying telephone
equipment.
Att'y Gen. Tom C. Clark asked the court
also to provide protection for any other companies
that might enter the field, and to
order AT&T and Western Electric to allow
use of their patents on a "reasonable royaltybasis''
to all companies that want to use
them.
Leroy A. Wilson. AT&T president, issued
a statement in which he said Western Electric
has been a part of the Bell System for
over 65 years, that telephone users have
benefited from the relationship, that it was
of "extreme importance" to national defense
during both world wars and that "when all
the facts are known the existing arrangement
will be found to be in the public interest."
The suit was filed by Joseph R. Cannon,
special attorney, and J. Francis Hay den.
chief of the New York office of the antitrust
division. The news made AT&T stock
drop 1H points to a new low for 1948-49. but
it recovered to close with a net loss of one
point. The company has the largest number
of individual stockholders of any corporation
in the country, and has maintained its present
$9 dividend for nearly 30 years, even
when its market price dropped to 70 in 1932.
42 BOXOFF1CE January 22, 1949

HOLLWOpp
NEWS
PRODUCTION
(Hollywood Office— Suite 219 at 6404 Hollywood Blvd.: Ivan Spear. Western Manager)
CENTER
Film Writers Approve
Cooperation Steps
HOLLYWOOD — An east-west liaison between
film scriveners has been approved with
action by the executive board of the Screen
Writers Guild granting an application for
affiliation filed by the Associated Film Writers
of New York City. Although the eastern
group will call itself the eastern division of
the SWG, each organization will retain its
own autonomy.
A majority of the APW members are
established in the video field, and the affiliation
was approved, according to SWG President
George Seaton, because of the belief
that the screen writer will "play a primary
role In the advance of television."
Seaton said the two groups will "also work
very closely" with the Radio Writers Guild
"to achieve absolute harmony and results
beneficial" to all.
The AFW-SWG affiliation will result in
the creation of a national committee of
which Seaton, and succeeding SWG presidents,
will be chairmen.
Meantime at a general membership meeting
the SWG okayed the appointment of a
negotiating committee which will conduct
parleys with producers relating to a new
contract. The negotiators include Seaton,
Charles Brackett, Oliver H. P. Garrett, Sheridan
Gibney, Albert Hackett, Don Hartman.
Arthur Kober, Emmet Lavery, Sloan Nibley,
Ernest Pascal, Dwight Taylor and Harry
Tugend.
In balloting on ten major lots, supervised
by the National Labor Relations Board, the
IATSE and Studio Teamsters won out over
the International Ass'n of Machinists for
control of studio machinists and automobile
mechanics. The IATSE won by a vote of
155 to 25 for the IAM for representation of
machinists, while the teamsters were victorious
in a 25-to-2 vote over the IAM for
control of automobile mechanics.
A general membership meeting was scheduled
by the Screen Publicists Guild for January
19 to discuss the status of negotiations
with the producers for a new bargaining
agreement. SPG members also were to be
brought up to date on other business matters
including the downward employment
spiral.
Board of directors of the Screen Directors
Guild voted unanimously to recommend, "by
individual concurrence," that members increase
their contributions to the Motion Picture
Relief Fund from the present one-half
of 1 per cent to a full 1 per cent of salaries.
Friars Distribute Gifts
From Annual Frolic
HOLLYWOOD—Several southland organizations
were the beneficiaries when the Hollywood
Friars club disposed of the profits from
its recent annual frolic. On behalf of the
Friars Al Jolson presented the Los Angeles
General hospital a new iron lung; Harry
Cohn, Friars board chairman, awarded the
Motion Picture Relief Fund a check, and
cash gifts also went to the Westview hospital,
the Duarte sanitarium, the McKinley
Home for Boys, the Vista Del Mar Ass'n, the
Children's hospital and the John Tracy Clinic
for
the Deaf.
Max Wilkinson Resigns
HOLLYWOOD — Max Wilkinson has resigned
as executive assistant to Producer
Samuel Goldwyn and the balance of his
long-term contract has been amicably settled.
He had been with Goldwyn for nearly
four years, two in New York and the rest at
the studio.
Wise Ends Works at RKO
HOLLYWOOD—Ending a five-year association,
Director Robert Wise has wound
up his RKO Radio ticket and checked off
the lot. His last assignment was the Robert
Ryan starrer, "The Set-Up." Wise did not
announce his future plans.
Six TV Films io Vie
For Video 'Oscars'
HOLLYWOOD—Six TV films have been
designated as contenders for awards when
the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
holds its first annual seminar and dinner
January 25. Entries are Emerson Films'
"Christopher Cplumbus," Tele-Features' "Hollywood
Brevities," Vallee-Video's "It Could
Happen to You," Telepak's "The Tell-Tale
Heart," Centaur Productions' "Time Signal,"
and Marshal Grant-Realm Productions' "The
Necklace."
Awards will also be distributed for the
best all-around video station, best live program,
top mechanical achievement and foremost
TV personality.
Sherry Shourds, Warner director, resumed
active duty in the army air force to direct
the first of the air force television films on
the Berlin airlift. Shourds left for Washington
to prepare for the assignment, which
will be filmed in Washington and New York.
For the first time in a neighborhood situation,
the four Academies—the Picfalr,
Cinema, Vermont and Jewel in Los Angeles
—are employing television for exploitation
purposes. Special trailers for the units' current
dual bill, "A Foreign Affair" and "Sorry,
Wrong Number." were telecast over Station
KTLA.
Expediting Firm to Aid TV Filmmakers
HOLLYWOOD—Aimed at expediting television
film production by established producers,
incorporation papers were filed in
Sacramento for General Television Enterprises,
Inc., capitalized at $1,000,000 and
headed by Gordon W. Levoy, film, radio and
video attorney. His law associates, A. Albert
Spar and David J. Sachs, are also listed as
officers.
The new outfit will specialize in guiding,
financing, packaging and marketing TV programs,
acting as a liaison between the producer
and sponsor. The Levoy company, at
least at the outset, will not engage in production
itself, but will limit its activities to
the direct purchase of pictures, concentrating
on servicing both producer and advertiser.
Staffs will be assembled both in New
York and Hollywood.
Added to the TV film schedule of Jerry
Fairbanks Productions is a series of 130 animated
cartoons, titled "Crusader Rabbit"
and running five minutes each in length. A
new animation technique, eliminating many
of the more costly features of theatrical
animation, has been developed for the series.
Apparently advocating the "in union there
is strength" policy, the Academy of Television
Arts and Sciences, the Television Producers
Ass'n and the Television Film Producers Ass'n
are forming a Joint executive committee.
The two producing organizations are backing
the Academy's first annual seminar and
awards dinner, to be staged January 25.
Heading the joint committee are Charles
Brown, Academy president: Mai Boyd, TPA
head, and Hal Roach jr., president of the
TFPA.
To launch negotiations with major producers
for the purchase of TV rights to feature
films, officials of the newly formed Lion
Television Corp. arrived from New York.
The delegation of visitors included Neil Agnew,
Charles L. Casanave. Jules Levey, Robert
Savini and Paul White.
BOXOFHCE :: January 22, 1949
43

STUDIO PERSONNEUTIES
Barnstormers
Metro
" imi Beach's Beachcombers club
".:•: S".'ATRA, star ol the upcoming "Take
lo the Ball Game, " during a iour-day singing
engagement which began January 17.
RKO Radio
Polio victims confined to the Merced. Calil .. hospital
will be visited by Tim Holt January 22, follow-
Blurbers
Allied Artists
ED LURIE has been set as advance man for a
nationwide tour ol Variety Club tents with a print
of "Bad Boy." to be made by Col. William McCraw,
executive director of Variety Clubs International,
and Audie Murphy, who stars in the Paul Shorl
production.
Cleffers
Columbia
Paramount
Composer-conductor FRANZ WAXMAN has
signed to a new contract.
Loanauts
Warner Bros.
by DAVID BUTTOLPH.
20th Century-Fox
n loan from Metro, BUSTER KEATON will appear
You're My Everything," June Haver-Dan Dailey
rer being produced by Lamar Trotti.
Meggers
Ope:*
Metro
reins were handed RICHARD THORPE
JOHN HUSTON'S fust in a three-picture directing
deal will be "Quo Vadis," to be produced by
Arthur Hornblow jr.
First assignment handed RICHARD GOLDSTONE,
recently signed former RKO producer, was "Outriders.'
story ol the southwest during the Civil Wot.
ROBERT SIODMAK draws the megging stmt on
Producer Hal Wallis' "File on Thelma Jordan," a
Barbara Stanwyck vehicle.
Republic
Tucker assigned as associate producer.
20th Century-Fox
First assignment under CLAUDE BINYON'S new
writer-director contract is "The Doctor Wore Three
races," to be produced by Fred Kohlmar.
Universal-International
CHARLES BARTON was set to direct the next
Abbott and Costello comedv. "Abbott and Costello
Meet the Killers " Robert Arthur produces the picture,
which marks Barton's eighth directorial stint
with the comedians.
Wamer Bros.
"Barricade." outdoor
1 Technicolor, was ad
luction schedule.
JERRY WALD will produce "Musical Comedy,"
tarring Joan Crawford, Jack Carson, Virginia Mayo
:nd Gordon MacRae
Options
Columbia
Los Angeles little theatre discovery MARJORIE
STAPP was inked lor the femme lead in Colbert
Clark's production. "The Blazing Trail," Charles
Starrett-Smiley Burnette starrer in the "Durangc
Kid" series Ray Nazarro directs
ROMAN BOHNEN will play a character lead in
" Robert Cohn's production, "Kazan Also added to
the cost were JOE SAWYER. GEORGE CLEVELAND
and JOHN DEHNER Will Jason directs.
Character RHYS WILLIAMS was signed lor
r.p-r:
Tcky
HOWARD KUMAGAI also join the cast. Feature role
was handed GORDON JONES. Also inked was LORA
LEE MICHEL.
Metro
WALTER PIDGEON draws a topline in Carey Wilson's
production, "Storm Over Vienna,'' with Peter
Lawford and Janet Leigh completing the starring
lineup in the film, to be directed by George Sidney.
GEORGE MURPHY is cast in "Border Incident."
semidocumentary. with Anthony Mann directing lor
Producer Nicholas Nayfack.
GENE LOCKHART plays the part oi the chemist.
Homais, m Pandro S. Berman's production, "Madame
Bovary," with Jennifer Jones in the title role.
"Scene of the Crir
Monogram
Additions to the cast of the untitled Johnny Mack
Brown western were KEITH RICHARDS. CAROL
HENRY, BOYD STOCKMAN, BILL BAILEY and
GEORGE CHESEBRO.
Paramount
Set (or a featured spot in "Red, Hot and Blue," to
star Betty Hutton, is JUNE HAVOC. John Farrow will
direct. JANE NIGH is signed for the key role of
Betty Hutton's roommate. Robert Fellows, producer.
BARRY FITZGERALD'S option was lifted for one
picture, continuing the actor's association with the
studio for the sixth year.
Signed to a three-picture contract to be effective
over a period of years was JEAN ARTHUR, whose
last film was "A Foreign Affair."
20th Century-Fox
Options were exercised on ANNE BAXTER, currently
in "You're My Everything," and character
actor LEE J. COBB.
Universal-International
The role of a professor in the William Powell
starrer. "Take One False Step," will be portrayed
by FELIX BRESSART. Chester Erskine produces and
directs.
One of the two male leads in Robert Buckner's
production, "Desert Leaion," was set lor STEPHEN
McNALLY, while Paul Christian plays the other top
role in the picture.
Signed for one of the top roles in the Donald
O'Connor comedv. "Curtain Call at Cactus Creek,"
was VINCENT PRICE.
Scripters
Columbia
"The Hero," a collegiate football yarn, will be
developed by JOHN PAXTON Slated to star Jorin
Derek, the opus is on Buddy Adler's production
20th Century-Fox
LESTER SAMUELS was inked to screenplay his
original. "No Way Out."
Warner Bros.
William Jacob's upcoming production. "Ghost
Mountain." has been assigned to ALAN LEMAY to
screenplay.
RANALD MACDOUGALL was assigned to script
"Bright Leaf," novel by Foster Fitzsimmons. to be
produced by Henry Blanke
Film Group Adds Show
For Truman's Biq Day
Hollywood—Filmdom was well represented
at the January 20 inauguration
ceremonies for President Truman. George
Jessel, 20th Century-Fox producer and
active campaigner for the president, was
master of ceremonies at a preinauguration
show on which appeared such film
names as Abbott and Costello. Gene
Kelly. Margaret O'Brien. Dick Haymes.
Jane Powell. Edgar Bergen, Lena Home
and Joan Davis.
Also on hand for the ceremonies were
Melvyn Douglas, Dinah Shore, Roy Rogers,
Bob Hope, Xavier Cugat, Desl Arnaz.
Producer Glenn McCarthy, Bryan Foy
and Ann Doran.
Story Buys
Republic
"King of the Rocket Men." original by Royal Cole,
Bill Lively and Sol Shor, was purchased and assigned
to Franklin Adreon as the first of four serials
to be produced on the 1949-50 program.
20th Century-Fox
All rights to "Viva Zapata," Edgecomb Pinchon
story, nave been purchased from Metro. John
Steinbeck will rework the yam to be combined with
another property, "The Beloved Rogue." also a tale
of the Mexican revolutionary, Zapata.
Universal-International
"Curtain Call at Cactus Creek." by Howard Dimsdale,
will be the next Donald O'Connor starring
vehicle. Being scripted by Oscar Brodney for Producer
Robert Arthur, it is a period comedy about
a touring repertory company in the 1880s.
Technically
Film Classics
Cinematographer PAUL IVANO was set for Skyline
Pictures' "The Great Speculator," to be directed
by Richard Oswald.
Metro
Lensing chore on "Storm Over Vienna" was
handed GEORGE FOLSEY. PEER OPPENHEIMER.
the in formerly with occupation lorces Vienna, was
technical signed as adviser. Assigned as unit manager
was EDDIE WOEHLER.
Paramount
CHARLES LANG JR. will lens Hal Wallis' "Rope
ol Sand," with William Dieterle directing.
DANIEL FAPP will photograph "Red. Hot and Blue,"
next Betty Hutton vehicle. EDA WARREN was assigned
to serve as film editor.
assigned to upcoming produ
LIN, "Red, Hot and Blue." Betty Hutton and Victor
Mature vehicle, and Hal Wallis' "Rope of Sand";
EARL HEDRICK on "Dear Wife" and Wallis' "File
on Thelma Jordan." CURTIS MICK and CHICO DAY
were assigned as assistant production manager and
first assistant director respectively on "File on
Thelma Jordan."
Assistant director OSCAR RUDOLPH was assigned
to "My Friend Irma," the Hal Wallis comedy.
Republic
Assignments on the Roy Rogers starrer, "Susanna
Pass," include REGGIE LANNING. cameraman; JACK
LACEY, assistant director; TONY MARTINELLI, film
editor; FRANK HOTALING. art director; MORTON
SCOTT, musical director.
Lensing chore on the 12-episode serial, "Ghost ol
Zorro " was assigned to JOHN MACBURNIE. Other
assignments include ROY WADE, unit manager; ART
VITARELLI, assistant director; CLIFF BELL and
HAROLD MINTER, film editors; FRED RITTER. art
Title Changes
Monogram
SKY DRAGON is set as the release title of the
Charlie Chan film formerly titled "Murder in the
Air," with Roland Winters starred.
LAW OF THE WEST is the release title of the
Johnny Mack Brown western previously titled "Outlaw
Marshal."
United Artists
DON'T TRUST YOUR HUSBAND is the new handle
for Affair." "An Innocent which has already had
in several cities bookings under the old tag. The
James Nasser production stars Madeleine Carroll
and Fred MacMurray.
Universal-Intemafional
DESERT LEGION is the new title lor the Palestine
story formerly titled "The Night Watch," with Rob-
After playing a number ol dates as "Kiss the
Blood Off My Hands," the Burt Lancaster starrer
switches to THE UNAFRAID for subsequent-run
bookings. The offering was known by both tags
during production.
Video
jgging chores on Life With the Erwins," tele
in film series being produced bv Hal Roach jr.
9 handed MALCOLM ST. CLAIR The picture
Stuart Erwin and June Collyer.
New Ticket for Fadiman
HOLLYWOOD—William Fadiman has been
handed a new term ticket as RKO studio
short story editor. He joined the company
two years ago as an executive aide to Dore
Schary. then production chief, but who has
since shifted to Metro.
January 22, 1949

Purdue Ciies Disney
At 'So Dear' Debut
HOLLYWOOD—Preceding the scheduled
January 19 world premiere of "So Dear to
My Heart" in Indianapolis, Producer Walt
Disney received a citation for "distinguished
service" from Purdue university. Disney
junketed east with members of the picture's
cast including Beulah Bondi, Bobby Driscoll
and Luana Patten, all of whom were slated
for personal appearances at the Indiana Theatre
in Indianapolis. The RKO film opened
the next day in Cincinnati, Louisville and
Nashville.
At the Purdue ceremonies Disney set up a
scholarship fund and was made an honorary
alumnus. On hand for the ceremonies were
Ellis Arnall, new president of the Society of
Independent Motion Picture Producers, and
Ned Depinet, president of RKO.
The Washington piemiere of Metro's "Command
Decision" will be held February 15 at
the Palace Theatre, with an invitational audience
limited to air force and government
top brass. The opening will be accompanied
by a show of air power, disclosing the newest
in combat planes and weapons.
United Fund Falls Short;
16 Stars in Polio Parade
HOLLYWOOD— Although a substantial
number of top-income-bracket subscriptions
have not been renewed, the fourth annual
United Appeal campaign will be brought to
More than $20,000 for charities was netted
by the eighth annual championship golf
tournament sponsored by Bing Crosby and
held at Del Monte. The sum, proceeds from
gate receipts and entry fees, will be donated
to such charities as the Community Chest
and youth centers at Carmel and Monterey
which are sponsored by Crosby.
Remodel Roseville House
ROSEVILLE, CALIF.—Remodeling of the
Roseville Theatre, operated by Harvey Smith,
now is in progress and will require approximately
three months to complete. The house
will be redecorated, and a new cooling and
heating system will be installed. Operation
of the theatre will be continued daily while
the remodeling is in progress.
VIEW of current business conditions,
MNboth courageous and praiseworthy is the
decision of Southern California theatremen
to raise $500,000 through audience collections
on behalf of the National Foundation
for Infantile Paralysis. The undertaking
will be the first campaign since World War
II to employ the hat-passing-in-theatres
technique.
During the war years—as the weakest memory
will recall—such pass-the-plate operations
were so numerous that even the most charitable
and public-spirited among showmen
began to doubt the wisdom of further pursuing
the practice. They became a source of
considerable annoyance to the average exhibitor,
and many were the ticket-buyers who
were antagonized and alienated to a point
where they avoided show houses when such
drives were in progress. While many of the
campaigns were for worthwhile causes, the
need for and the merits of certain others
can now be retrospectively viewed with question—and,
in some cases, suspicion.
But there is no gainsaying the necessity
and rightfulness of the polio campaign. Plans
The appearance of O'Connor as the featured
speaker and his fervent appeal to the
assembled theatremen was not without its
ironical touch. Lauding: the industry for its
cooperation in the past, O'Connor said that
"filmdom has good reason to be proud of its
charitable record."
Which recalled that during the second annual
United Appeal drive in HoUywood, in
1947, the Permanent Charities committee offered
to contribute a portion of the funds
raised thereby to the Red Cross and the
National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis.
O'Connor was then, and still is. chairman of
both. O'Connor announced, however, that
neither the Red Cross nor the Paralysis Foundation
could participate in any joint fundraising
campaign, such as the United Appeal,
and therefore rejected the offer.
At that time his attitude was generally
considered a cut-off-your-nose-to-spite-yourface
one, since neither of the organizations
headed by O'Connor could then carry on a
fund-raising drive in the studios. The PCC's
United Appeal was designed to eliminate all
such campaigns by individual organizations.
Apparently O'Connor has learned to appreciate
"the big heart of show business."
While on the subject of that big heart, rating
a passing paragraph of praise is a current
undertaking by Director John Ford, partner
of Producer Merian C. Cooper in Argosy
Pictures.
With all proceeds going to the Military
Order of the Purple Heart, Ford is presenting
a stage production of "What Price Glory,"
the famed World War I play, with bookings
set for Los Angeles, Hollywood, San Francisco,
Long Beach and possibly other cities.
for the Southland theatres' participation
It will open on the eve of Washington's birthday
therein were outlined at a luncheon attended
by 600 showmen and hosted by Charles P.
and is to continue through mid-March.
Ford has secured a star-studded cast including
Skouras, president of Fox West Coast and
Gregory Peck, John Wayne, Maureen
National Theatres. Basil O'Connor, president
close shortly, some 26 per cent short of its
O'Hara, Pat O'Brien, Robert Armstrong, Wallace
a
of the paralysis foundation, was featured
Ford, George O'Brien, Ward Bond, Harry
$1,303,720
subscribed.
tributed more
goal. To
Labor
than
date
unions
$305,700,
$958,564
and
has
guilds
while upperbracket
been
speaker at the gathering.
con-
Carey jr., Forrest Tucker, Luis Alberni, Alan
While the occasion brought forth its usual
Hale, Oliver Hardy and Herbert Rawlinson—
quota of characteristic, over-enthusiastic,
participation
believed to be a new high for stellar
pledges total $652,850.
let's-go-over-the-top drum-beating, it was
in a single stage play.
Hugh Bruen, successful showman of suburban
Ford, the cast, Director Ralph Murphy,
Sixteen film actresses will serve as divisional
marshals in a March of Dimes pa-
Producer Harry Joe Brown and others asrade
to
Whittier, appearing as a representative of
independent exhibitors, who sounded the most
be staged January 28 on Wilshire
sociated with the venture have arranged their
sensible note. Said Bruen, in effect:
boulevard. Appointed by Gen. Mark Clark,
personal and business affairs so as to give
"As much as anyone in this business, I hate
the players include Ingrid Bergman, Rosalind
Russell, Betty Grable, Jeanette Mac-
one of the personalities is receiving a penny
up three nights weekly for rehearsals, and not
the idea of passing the hat in my theatres.
The idea of asking for contributions from my
Donald, Linda Darnell, Dorothy Lamour,
in salary. Of further significance and indicating
their sincerity is the fact that Wayne,
patrons—many of whom are also my friends
Claudette Colbert, Loretta Young, Margaret
and neighbors—when they have paid a substantial
DeHavilland,
Peck, Hale, George O'Brien and others are
O'Brien, Bette Davis, Olivia
evening
price to
Greer Garson, Joan Crawford, Joan Fontaine,
playing mere "walk-on" roles.
of entertainment in one of my theatres is
admission buy an
Virginia Mayo and Jane Wyman.
repugnant. But in this case the need is so
Eddie Cantor heads the arrangements committee
great and the cause so worthy that we just From Klondike Bill Hebert a morsel of
for the affair.
have to make the best of it, get wholeheartedly heart - rending intelligence that "Samuel
Meantime Shirley Temple and her husband
behind the campaign and raise the necessary
Goldwyn and his employes went cold and
John Agar left for Washington to par-
funds."
opening the
hungry when an explosion of a gas main
ticipate in a national broadcast
That's the good sense and public spirit on the lot cut off all heat in studio buildings
annual March of Dimes drive.
which, if embraced by all other theatremen, and closed down the studio commissary and
will make a success of the drive and reduce executive dining room."
Why didn't they pipe in some of the hot
to a minimum the headaches which were
the aftermath of too many of the unwise air from Hebert's praisery? Possibly the
previous pass-the-hat undertakings.
sight of starving producers and executives
was too devastating to permit consideration
of such obvious emergency measures.
California's periodical "unusual" weather
for lo! these many years has been a dull-day
life-saver for harried Hollywood press agents.
Witness John Joseph's jolly jugglers, who
come up with word that "As a precaution
against future production delays in case Los
Angeles should have another freak snowstorm,
Universal-International is investigating
possibility of taking snow insurance with
Lloyds of London."
The policy should carry a rider covering
chilly boxoffice receptions.
BOXOFFICE :: January 22, 1949 45

^totdw ^efront
TOR A CONSIDERABLE TIME the national
newspapers in this country have
been restricted not only to a total of four
pages a day but also to a pegged circulation
figure which they were forbidden to exceed.
Two weeks ago the newsprint control allowed
them to print six pages on three days
a week and also permitted unlimited sale.
To the film publicity man here, who is always
thankful for small mercies, this increase
in the amount of space means that
he has more chance of placing film stories
for a large proportion of the extra six pages
weekly in the national newspapers seems to
be allocated to entertainment news.
It is a debatable point whether a four-line
paragraph in a completely streamlined fourpage
paper which is read from first line to
last is not worth more than double the space
in a six -page paper. From experience we
would say that the former is preferable, for
the British reader is so conditioned by now
to having his news served up in tabloid form
in the mornings that he finds that the time
allocated to reading the daily paper has got
to be increased and he might therefore skip
more than he did before.
It may be significant that the two newspapers
which concentrate most on entertainment
news are those which have shown
the most sensational increases in their net
sales since the restrictions were lifted. Those
two are the Daily Mirror and the Daily Express,
both of which have now gone over
the four-million-a-day mark. It should be
explained that England as a small country
is easy to cover with a national newspaper,
unlike the United States where circulation
of daily newspapers is usually confined to a
hundred or so miles around the big cities.
EALING STUDIOS sprang a surprise on
the REP (Renters, Exhibitors and Producers)
committee, which is dealing with the subject
of films and television, by announcing
the signing of a deal with the British Broadcasting
Corp. for 12 of its old films to be
televised during the coming year. Maj. Reginald
Baker informed the British Film Producers
Ass'n Council of this and said that
the negotiations had been going on for a
considerable time; since 1939, in fact, and
that they were postponed indefinitely during
the war. There appears to be some lack
of coordination between the Kine Renters
Society and the REP committee, for Major
Baker expressed himself as surprised at the
trade's astonishment that Ealing should have
completed this deal. According to him the
KRS had been kept informed throughout as
to the negotiations, but they apparently had
not notified the committee.
THE FILM AWARD SEASON has opened
with a bank, first with the Daily Express
and now with the usual yearly Daily Mail
award. The Express appears to have made
a serious mistake in its selection method,
appointing a committee to make its choice,
and as previously reported this fell on "The
Fallen Idol" as the best film of the year
and Pierre Fresnay and Jane Wyman as the
best actor and actress respectively. Now,
presumably in an attempt to meet criticism,
that its committee was too highbrow in its
By JOHN SULLIVAN
has invited readers to vote on their
choice, it
selection. This is an implied compliment
to the Daily Mail which has always used
the system of filmgoers voting for their best
film of the year. The difference is, of
course, between an award on merit and an
award on popularity, for the Daily Mail is
really a popularity poll and the Express
appears to be coming reluctantly to the conclusion
that its readers have different views
from those of their so-called experts.
THE CINEMA EXHIBITORS ASS'N has
decided not to continue its discussions on
rental terms with the producers' association,
but intends to continue negotiations with
the J. Arthur Rank Organization. Some time
back the exhibitors were negotiating with
Rank until an attempt by one of them to
impose Rank's terms on another distributor
was met by that distributor throwing the
whole matter into the hands of the British
Film Producers Ass'n.
W. R. Fuller, reporting to CEA delegates,
disclosed that to give exhibitors the terms
they were asking would cost the Rank Organization
something like $8,000,000, which
they obviously could not afford. He did say
that Rank had made two promises to exhibitors
which have been kept and that
530 applications for new terms from General
Film Distributors had been cleared and other
members had declared themselves as negotiating
satisfactorily with that company.
It was also revealed at the meeting that
the producers' association has asked the
CEA to withdraw its rule that an exhibitor
will not pay more than 50 per cent rental.
They point out that in many cases where an
exhibitor has complained that the terms
are excessive the distributor invariably has
scaled them down. It is only fair, they say,
that if this course is adopted for an unsuccessful
film the producer should have a
chance to recoup when he makes a picture
which is an outstanding success.
OFF TO ROME LAST WEEK were Arthur
S. Abeles jr., managing director of Warner
Bros, and J.
D. Goodlatte, managing director
of Associated British Cinemas, to see the
final cut of John Stafford's "The Golden
Madonna" which Warners will release in
Britain with, presumably, an Associated
British Cinemas circuit deal if the picture
comes up to expectations.
The film was almost entirely shot on location
in Capri and stars Phyllis Calvert.
This is her first picture for more than a year.
COMMUNIST DOMINATION of the executive
council of the Ass'n of Cine Technicians
was given as one of the reasons for
the breakaway of Tom O'Brien's NATKE
from the Film Industry Employes Council.
ACT's general secretary. George Elvin, who
is always being taxed about the very red
tinge of his executive council, has a stock
answer to these criticisms. He says: "I don't
elect the general council, I merely have to
work with them." He could also say that the
majority of his members don't elect the general
council either as the general meeting is
usually attended by only a small proportion
of ACT's 7.000 members. Criticized again last
week for his tolerance of Communists within
the union Elvin retorted: "I don't care what
their politics are so long as they do their
job."
LAST WEEK WE MENTIONED in
this
column that Nettlefold, Britain's oldest film
studio, was threatened with a complete closing
as it could not find a tenant until Columbia
goes in again in May. Within a
day or two of the announcement, however,
George Minter, managing director of Renown,
came to the rescue by arranging for
a small picture which he is producing to
take the floor there shortly on an eight or
ten-week schedule. The picture is titled "Old
Mother Riley's New Venture" and is built
around a vaudeville team popular in provincial
England which calls itself Old Mother
Riley and Daughter. Several times in the
past films have been made with these two
central characters and in each case they
have resulted in a boxoffice gross out of all
proportion to the comparatively small cost.
Minter seems to be varying his product
considerably. His first big British picture
was the notorious "No Orchids for Miss
Blandish," which played to very big theatres
after a bad slating by the critics on
the grounds of its sex angle. His next is
"The Glass Mountain," which opens shortly
in the west end and is reputed to be a good
quality woman's picture. This will be followed
by the slapstick comedy just mentioned,
which probably will not be seen in
the west end at all.
Presentation of Oscars
Shifted to Award Stage
HOLLYWOOD—Adhering to
the on-againoff-again
policy which has characterized the
Oscar sweepstakes for the past several years,
plans for the 1949 presentation ceremonies
were changed again when the Academy of
Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced
that arrangements to hold the affair on a
studio sound stage had been canceled and
that the event will instead be presented at
mains the same—March 24.
the Academy Award Theatre. The date re-
Decision as reached by the Academy's
board of governors and disclosed by President
Jean Hersholt was made, he said, as a
means of "simplifying the problems attendant
on the presentations and realizing a
long-cherished ambition" to center all of the
Academy's activities around the offices and
theatre acquired by the organization some
years
ago.
Original plans called for staging the 21st
annual awards function on a Warner sound
stage, preceded by a banquet.
In past years the locale of the Oscar ceremonies
has run the gamut from the Biltmore
Bowl to Grauman's Chinese Theatre and the
Shrine Auditorium.
Filmland observers were of the opinion,
however, that the Academy's decision to hold
the event at the Academy Theatre this year
might be changed again in view of a barrage
of protests lodged with the organization by
Academy members. Dissatisfaction is being
expressed in many quarters because of the
theatre's limited seating capacity, only 950,
of which some 400 will be set aside for the
press. Many hundreds of Academy members
thus will be unable to attend the affair, since
only about 550 seats will be available for
nominees, top Academy dignitaries and others
on the "must" list.
46 BOXOFFICE :: January 22, 1949

. . . Glenn
. . Larry
East: Nate Blumberg, president of Universal-International,
planed for New York,
prior to his journeying to Florida to attend
a meeting of company presidents slated for
January 18, 19.
West: Seymour Nebenzal, United Artists
producer, returned from Baltimore and
Washington, where he attended openings of
his "Siren of Atlantis."
Checking in from Gotham was another
UA filmmaker, W. R. Frank, who huddled in
the east with UA executives on the selling
campaign for "The Great Dan Patch."
Heading for Manhattan was Irving Fein
of Amusement Enterprises, who will discuss
with UA executives the distribution arrangements
to be set up for "The Lucky Stiff."
East: William Pine and William Thomas,
sharecropping Paramount producers, left for
Manhattan for Paramount home office huddles
on the national campaigns for two new
P-T offerings, "El Paso" and "Manhandled."
South: Ron Ormond and Ira Webb, respectively
producer and associate producer
for Western Adventure Pictures, releasing
through Screen Guild, planed for Charlotte,
N. C, to attend the annual stockholders
meeting of the Western Adventures outfit.
The company is owned by a group of Carolina
theatremen.
East: Ely Levy, head of the Columbia
studio foreign department, left for New York
for ten days of conferences with home office
representatives and overseas officials.
West: William Heineman, Eagle Lion sales
chief, was expected in from New York to
discuss details of the deal whereby EL is
handling the reissue of a group of David
D. Selznick pictures as well as selling additional
accounts and rebookings on Selznick's
current "The Paradine Case" and "Duel
in the Sun." Also due in to participate in
the huddles were Leonard Case and Sidney
Deneau of the Selznick Releasing Organization.
East: Arthur L. Krim, president of Eagle
Lion, checked out for New York for business
huddles with eastern executives of the company
including Robert Benjamin, general
counsel and American representative of the
J. Arthur Rank Organization.
Southland Exhibitors
Will Aid Brotherhood
LOS ANGELES — Southland exhibitors
pledged support of American Brotherhood
week, to be staged on a nationwide scale
February 20 through 27, at a joint session
here of showmen and distributors. Handling
the campaign for this area is Fred Greenberg
of Warners.
Distributor-exhibitor committees will solicit
funds to continue the work of the National
Conference of Christians and Jews.
Theatremen will book a special newsreel clip
during the week of observance and will spot
special display posters, supplied by National
Screen Service, in house lobbies.
William Lindsay Young, vice-president of
the conference, was a speaker at the planning
session.
A second session to discuss all phases of
the campaign will be held January 24 at
which Young again will speak. Presiding at
the meeting will be Harry Vinnicof and
Charles Minor, co-chairmen for the exhibitors
in the Los Angeles exchange area.
Funeral Rites Conducted
For Writer Al Block
HOLLYWOOD—Private services were held
for Al Block, 51, veteran screen writer and
for 14 years MGM's representative to the
MPAA's production code administration. He
died January 13 at the Queen of Angels hospital
of heart attack,, after having entered
the institution two weeks previously suffering
with pneumonia.
Block, son of the late Bruno Lessing, lecturer
and columnist, is survived by the
wife, Mrs. Betty Block, a son Peter and a
brother Rudolph. As a scenarist Block wrote,
among others, "It's a Great Life," "Way Out
West" and "Speedway."
New Roxie, Oakland, Manager
OAKLAND — Management of the Roxie
Theatre here has been taken over by William
E. Chamberlain, formerly of Berkeley. Chamberlain
assumed his new duties recently.
LOS ANGELES
pormerly the operator of the La Habra in
La Habra, Ed Penn has acquired four exploitation
pictures from the Sonny Roadshow
Co., and is barnstorming through Texas,
Oklahoma and Arkansas . . . Dave Thomas
has replaced Moses Hernandez, resigned, as
manager of Jack Broder's California Theatre,
Spanish-language house.
Filmrow visitors included John Danz, president
of the Sterling circuit of Seattle, and
his assistant Bill Foreman; Jack Lowenbein,
operator of the Rio in San Diego; Bill
Scully,
Universal sales chief; Bill Heineman, distribution
topper for Eagle Lion ... Ed Levin,
formerly with National Screen Service in
Pittsburgh, is now associated with the Projection
Equipment Co. here.
Drive-ins under construction in outlying
areas include one being built by Jim Toller,
formerly of Fox West Coast, in Santa Maria,
and a unit in Bakersfield which Joseph and
William Gannon are constructing . . . Lou
Goldberg has bought out the interests of his
partner Morse Redwine in the Grand Theatre,
Anaheim . Kennedy, Columbia
salesman, returned from a junket up north
Slipper, salesman for National
Screen Service, was transferred to Omaha to
open a new branch.
Meadowbrook House Sold
MEADOWBROOK, WASH.—Mr. and Mrs.
W. A. Cochrane, who for more than 25 years
have operated the Brook Theatre here, have
sold the house to J. L. Lewis of Bellevue,
Wash. The theatre was built in 1923. Lewis
has operated an auto rebuilding firm in
Seattle the last 22 years.
Drive-In Open Parttime
LONGMONT, COLO—The Motorena Drive-
In has reduced operations to Friday, Saturday
and Sunday nights only for the winter.
R. W. Koenig is manager.
West: Due in over the weekend from Manhattan
was Ned E. Depinet, RKO Radio
president, for parleys with Howard Hughes
and other company officials concerning production
and distribution plans for the year.
East: David Lipton, newly appointed successor
to John Joseph as national publicityadvertising
director for U-I. headed for New
York for a week's stay to confer with the
company's eastern toppers.
West: Theodore H. Silbert, president of
Standard Factors Corp., arrived from New
York to investigate the film and television
production financing fields.
OVER THE TOP—Charles P. Skouras (behind microphone) outlines plans for
southern California theatremen's participation in the March of Dimes drive. Head of
the southland showmen's campaign committee, the National Theatres and Fox West
Coast president was host to some 600 exhibitors at a luncheon at which the drive goal
was set at S500.000. Funds will be solicited among theatre audiences during the week
from January 24-31.
At extreme left, Los Angeles County Supervisor Raymond V. Darby; Paul Williams,
general counsel for the Southern California Theatre Owners Ass'n; Actor George Murphy;
Skouras; Basil O'Connor, head of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis;
Mayor Fletcher Bowron (partially obscured); Sheriff Eugene Biscailuz, and George
Bowser, FWC general manager. The lad is 9-year-old Aubrey Smith, who is the Los
Angeles county "poster boy" for the drive.
BOXOFFICE January 22, 1949 47

. . Kleig
.
. . The
. . Both
. . The
. . Sequences
SAN FRANCISCO
n new fUm depicting the fight against infantile
paralysis was shown to
representatives
of most northern California theatres
recently. The film will be sent to all theatres
in northern California between January
15 and 20. Basil O'Connor, president
of the March of Dimes, told about the picture
at a luncheon for the theatre executives
at the Variety Club.
The partnership of Ken W. Loomis of
Weaverville and George Tyler of Burney,
owners of the Valley Theatre in Anderson,
has been dissolved by mutual consent . .
Harvey Smith, manager of the Tower and
Roseville theatres In Sacramento, said remodeling
work is expected to start at once
at the Roseville Theatre. The house will not
close and remodeling is expected to take
three months.
Mrs. Helen Wallace has been named assistant
manager of the Strand Theatre in
Merced, according to Manager Clayton Hickle.
She has been employed as bookkeeper and
head of the candy concession for the last
year .
lights and searchlights heralded
the opening of the new Centre Theatre
in WastsonvUle, ready for use seven
months after start of construction ... A
S500 loss was suffered by the Broadway Theatre
in San Mateo recently when the mar-
THE MODERN PROJECTOR
quee caught fire . . . Two young men held
up the Fox Theatre in San Francisco and
escaped with about S100.
Jimmy Durante was guest of the Catacombs
club in Oakland, a Catholic youth organization
. . . Barbara O'Neil, screen, stage and
radio star, visited Berkeley recently . . .
The Empire Theatre sneak previewed "So
Dear to My Heart" recently.
Dave Cantor, west coast exploiteer for RKO,
was in town for a few days . . . Herb Mc-
Intyre, RKO district manager, also was a
visitor .
Golden Gate Theatre held
a fashion show on its stage recently in addition
to its established Amateur Talent
Quest. The fashion show was presented for
The son of
Lassie will be one of the many features at
the Golden Gate Kennel club annual dog
show held at the Civic Auditorium January
29. 30.
Robert Lippert was off to the east on
business . . . Matt Freed, district manager
for Robert Lippert theatres in Medford, Orewas
here for a few days . . . George Mann
entertained with a dinner party recently.
His guests included Delfin Jaranilla. retired
associate justice of the supreme court of the
Philippines, his wifa Sofia and his daughter
Emma . Frances Saff of the accounting
department for Golden State circuit
and Val Lavagnino of the booking department
will retire from that firm . . . Lucille
Schafer. with Golden State for 26 years,
is hospitalized and will return to work in
about six weeks . . . George Naify also was
hospitalized.
Adele Kotite, secretary to Fred Dixon,
Golden State booker, is a very proud of son
Dick who is contemplating transferring to
USC. Her daughter Phyllis will graduate
from college in June . Orpheum has
in its lobby a model plane pushing the film.
"You Gotta Stay Happy," with the placard
"If you wanta be happy take a plane-ride
in TWA." The Orpheum also has a new loge
section.
ENTRANCE AND EXIT
FLOODLIGHTS
DRIVE IN THEATRE MFG. CO.—K. C, Mo.
PHOENIX
/"•onstruction will get under way shortly on
a new Harry L. Nace theatre on the
corner of East A and North Third streets
in Glendale. The house will be named The
Glen, and will be constructed at a cost of
exclusive of furnishings and equipment
S60.000,
of a new Paramount
picture expected to be shot in Yuma
are
this month, with a company of about 150
trekking in from the coast for an estimated
week's
work.
Sidney B. Street, Paramount production
manager, and assistants Richard A. Blaydon
and R. S. McWhorter visited Yuma last
week to look over location sites from the
film, which deals with an African diamond
mine.
About 2,000 Tucson youngsters were treated
last Saturday to a full-length motion
picture and two comedies at the Paramount
and Catalina theatres there. The performances
were a reward for the fire-conscious
children who, earlier in the week, had brought
more than 6.200 Christmas trees to nine
burning centers throughout the city. Tickets
to the special shows were distributed to each
child bringing three trees to the collection
points. The Tucson citizens fire prevention
committee sponsored the program to rid the
city of the fire hazard created by the dry.
inflammable trees.
At least one restaurant here is going Hollywood
in a big way. The newly opened Green
Gables, which features 14th century English
decor in architecture and furnishings, includes
among its props the following: the
fireside equipment used in "Citizen Kane,"
the swords, sabers and broadswords from
"Joan of Arc," and the costumes worn in
"Robin Hood" by Olivia DeHavilland and
Errol Flynn.
A congress of film salesmen checked into
the Paramount-Nace office last week to line
up booking dates. The group included Cliff
Harris, Republic; Bert Lentz. Columbia; Dick
Carnegie, Eagle Lion; Bruce Miller, Monogram,
and M. J. E. McCarthy, Monogram
manager.
Dr. Milan Herzog of the productions department
of Encyclopedia Britannica Films,
has lined up location sites in Wickenburg
for a series of educational motion pictures
which his company plans to produce. The
pictures will be part of a series of educational
films depicting life and industries
throughout the world, and will include such
local subjects as cattle industry, ranch life,
a rodeo, and cowboy ballads. The film company
originally was scheduled to shoot the
pictures in Colorado, but decided to come to
Arizona instead since that area is completely
snow bound. They chose Wickenburg
after contacting Martin Wist in Phoenix,
whose firm. Peterson. Brooke. Steiner and
is Wist, the local distributor for Encyclopedia
Britannica Films.
Helped by an exceptionally big turnout of
high schooi and college students, the Vista
broke all house records during the sevenday
showing of "Hamlet." Despite increased
prices, business held up throughout the week,
aided by an unusual amount of radio and
press publicity. Word of mouth was terrific.
BOXOFFICE January 22. 1949

I average.
2nd
fi
'Snake Pit' Attracts
Best Frisco Gross
SAN FRANCISCO—The Fox Theatre with
is second week of "Snake Pit" far outdistanced
its nearest competitor for top honors
by shining through with a bright 185 per
cent. "The Untamed Breed" opened at the
Esquire to clip second place honors with a
mild 135.
(Average Is 100)
Esquire—The Untamed Breed (Col); Highway 13
(SG) 135
Fox—The Snake Pit (20th-Fox); Rose of the Yukon
(Rep). 2nd wk 18b
Golden Gate—Every Girl Should Be Married
(HKO); Indian Agent (RICO), 3rd wk
Orpheum—Rogues' Regiment (U-I); Ladies
105
of the
Chorus (Col), 2nd wk 125
Paramount—The Paleface (Para); Disaster (Para),
3rd wk 115
St. Francis—The Accused (Para). 3rd wk.. E5
State-In the Navy (U-I); Who Done It? (U-I),
United Artists—The Best Years of Our Lives (RKO).
3rd wk . 110
United Nations—Yellow Sky (20th-Fox); Bungalow
13 (20th-Fox), 3rd wk . 110
Wariield—Hills of Home (MGM), No Minor Vices
(MGM) .. 10C
'Yellow Sky' Grosses
180 in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES—The old axiom that there's
no such thing as a bad western held true,
as far as boxoffice takes are concerned, with
first week's takes on "Yellow Sky." It topped
all first runs with a 180 per cent rating. In
second position, and a strong contender, was
"Words and Music," snagging a 160 per cent
All other bookings were in the holdj
over category.
lelmont. Culver, Vogue. Orpheum—Blood the
Moon (RKO); Trouble Preferred (20th-Fox)
3rd wk 100
Carthay—Portrait of Jennie (SRO). 4th wk 130
Chinese, State, Uptown, Loyola—Yellow Sky (20th-
Fox); Alaska Patrol (FC)
Fine Arts—The Red Shoes (EL), 3n
1/'
'Paleface' Continues to Lead
Seattle First Run Trade
SEATTLE—For the third week in a row.
"The Paleface" hit 200 or better at the Liberty.
"Words and Music," in a second round
at the Music Hall, was next best. "The Return
of October," with "Homicide for Three"
at the Fifth Avenue, topped the newcomers.
Blue Mouse—That Wonderful Urge (20th-Fox);
t Parole. Inc. (EL), 3rd d. wk 80
Coliseum—The Paradine Case (SRO), Kidnapped
Mono), 2nd wk 110
Filth Avenue—The Return of October (Col); Homicide
for Three [Re] II!
Liberty—The Paleface (Para); Racing Luck (Col),
3rd
One Sunday
Alt,.,
Service Investigator (Rep!
Music Hall—Words and Music (MGM),
Hate (RKO), 2nd k
Oi rheum—The Countess of Monte Cri
Dynamite (Para)
Paramount—Rogues' Regiment (U-I); Blc
Secret (Col), 2nd wk
Portland Grosses Good
Despite Cold Weather
PORTLAND — Boxoffice receipts held u-
despite the extreme freezing weather and
hazardous driving conditions. "The Ma.i
From Colorado" fared well at the Oriental
and Paramount theatres.
Broadway—June Bride (WB). Texas, Brooklyn and
Heaven (UA)
Hi]
United Artists—Words and Mu:ic (MGM), 3rd
d. wk t. 135
Mayfair—The Best Years of Our Lives (RKO);
Biondie's Secret (Col) 125
Music Box—That Wonderful Urge (20th Fox); Belle
Starr's Daughter (Col) Ill)
Paramount and Oriental—The Man From Colorado
(Col); Fighting Back (20th-Fox) 145
Orpheum—The Paleface (Para); Manhattan Angel
(Col), 2nd d. t. wk 200
Playhouse— Yellow Sky (20lh-Fox), So This Is New
9
-The
Paleface
(MGM)
Four Music Halls—The Best Years of Our Lives
(RKO), 3rd wk 75
Four Star—Hamlet (U-I), roadshow, 12th wk 80
'antages. Hillstreet—Enchantment (RKO); Boston
Blackie's Chinese Venture (Col), 4th wk 100
Vomers Downtown, Hollywood, Wiltem—Whiplash
(WB) wk 100
Several Holdovers at
Denver First Runs
DENVER—"The Paleface" was held for a
fifth week at the Denham, and "A Song Is
Born" went into its fourth week at the Broadway.
"Every Girl Should Be Married" also
fas
held.
iladdin—You Gotta Stay Happy (U-I); Olympic
Games of 1948 (EL), 4th d. t. wk 125
Iroadway—A Song Is Born (RKO), 3rd wk 10U
Denham—The Paleface (Para), 4th wk 120
Denver—Man From Colorado (Col) Here Comes
Trouble (UA) .130
Esquire—That Wonderful Urge (20th-Fox), Leather
Gloves (Col) .100
Orpheum—Every Girl Should Be Married (RKO)
Indian Agent (RKO) 175
'aramount—That Wonderful Urge (20th-Fox);
Leather Gloves (Col) 100
lialtc—Yellow Sky C0th-Fox). Million Dollar
Weekend (EL). 4th d. t wk. 100
Vogue-Henry V (UA) 175
Webber—Man From Colorado (Col) Here Comes
Trouble (UA) 13U

. . Dave
. .
Colorado ITO Asks Gift of Receipts
Instead of Collections for Polio
w
|
The directors of Allied Rocky Mountain Independent Theatres, seated, left to right,
Lloyd Greve, Minturn; John Wolfberg, president, Denver; Joann Livingston, secretary,
Denver; Neal Beezley, Burlington. Standing: Kenneth Powell, Wray; Robert Smith,
Steamboat Springs; Leon Coulter, Loveland; Elden Menagh, Fort Lupton; L. F. Flower,
Bayard, Neb.; Joe Ashby, general manager, Denver, and Peter Nelson, Fort Logan.
DENVER
phe blizzard that paralyzed traffic in sections
of the territory caused some theatres
to run film a week. Many picked up
any film they could get from nearby towns,
phoned to Denver for an okay, and used it.
One theatre probably had a world premiere
as far as civilian theatres was concerned.
He got a film from a nearby army post, got
an okay from Denver, and ran the film
Film was gotten from some towns to others
by means of planes, some of them with
skis. Gordon, Neb., was closed to ground
travel of any kind for nine days, but the
theatre got its film by plane.
The South Denver Drive-In Theatre Corp.
will build a theatre south of Denver for
opening on April 1. The company has been
formed by the Wolfberg Theatres, Inc., which
owns the Broadway, Denver first run. The
drive-in, to contain the latest features, will
cost about $250,000, will accommodate 1.000
cars, will contain a children's playground
and a pony ring. The concession stand will
be arranged so patrons can be served from
all four sides.
DENVER—With attendance cut slightly because
of the storm, the directors of Allied
Rocky Mountain Independent Theatres
voiced their approval of the resolutions passed
at the New Orleans convention condemning
the forcing of percentage films, and the demand
that stars that overstep the bounds of
propriety be disciplined. They declared the
latter should be done before the public gets
aroused.
It was recommended that collections In
theatret for the March of Dimes be done
away with, and that instead each theatre be
asked to donate the receipts from either a
matinee or night, or for a full day. More
La
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than
40 theatres have concurred in the plan.
Some owners said they would put on a special
show at $1 and would publicize the fact that
half the money would remain at home to
combat polio.
The directors voiced their full approval
of Brotherhood week and urged participation
by all theatres.
Committees will be named to promote one
or more strictly social events yearly for independent
theatre owners.
The next directors meeting was set for
March 1.
French Producer Launches
Amateur 16mm Film Club
NEW YORK—As a means of experimentation
for French cinema groups, Jean Cocteau,
French writer-director-producer, has formed
"Objectif '49," a club for which amateur
filmmakers can produce and explore new
16mm film methods.
Cocteau, whose early expressionist feature,
"Blood of a Poet," produced in 1929, still is
being shown in key city art theatres, believes
that American producers are afraid to experiment
with new film ideas because of the
financial risk involved. He believes that
Hollywood should allocate sums of money to
encourage experimental films.
Cocteau arrived in America December 25
attend the New York opening of "The
to
Eagle With Two Heads" at the CineMet
Theatre December 29. The picture is released
in the U.S. by Vog Films. Cocteau
appeared on the stage of the CineMet to receive
an award of a scroll from Foreign Film
News, which cited that he has "forged the
key to the barriers of language and creed,
to reach the hearts of men and women everywhere."
He also opened a one-month exhibit
of his black-and-white drawings at the
Hugo Gallery December 28.
Cocteau has completed another feature,
"Les Parents Terrible." now playing in Paris,
and is scheduled to start another, "Orpheus."
in August 1949 with an American player
featured. He will return to France early in
January.
Thomas Smiley, general manager for Selected
Pictures, has moved his wife and three
children to Denver from Cincinnati . . .
Brothers Walt and Gus Ibold have installed
496 Ideal Slideback chairs in the Comet .
Selected Pictures will soon open an exchange
in Des Moines to serve that and the Omaha
territory.
Ross Bluck has been named head booker at
0-1, succeeding Dick Stafford, recently moved
to Kansas City ... In a contest that has
just finished its opening week, Dan Campbell,
city manager for Fox Intermountain,
Walsenburg, has been named "Manager of
the Week" . . . Vern Fletcher. Fox Intermountain
city manager at Idaho Falls, is
father of a baby daughter . Cantor,
RKO field supervisor of publicity, is here
setting up the campaign for "Joan of Arc,"
to open at the Orpheum next month.
Margaret Lay, U-I manager's secretary, has
resigned and will move to Alliance, Neb.,
where her husband is in the insurance business.
She is succeeded by Hazel Chalmers.
J. R. Clark, Film Classics salesman, has resigned
to join' Screen Guild, working out of
the Hollywood offices . . . Robert Herrell,
office manager at Film Classics, has resigned,
and will announce plans later. He is being
succeeded by Mike Stewart, booker at Warners
. . . Date for the initial convention of
the Colorado Ass'n of Theatre Owners has
been set back to April 4, 5 because of hotel
accommodations. The association intends
asking the TOA board of directors to hold
their next directors meeting in Denver at
the same time.
L. E. Hobson. until recently with SRO here,
is looking for a job. The SRO office in Denver
is still open, with Frank Hale, booker, in
charge . . . Peter Nelson has bought the Post
Theatre, Fort Logan, from Robert Patrick.
Filmrow visitors: Kenneth Powell, Wray;
Neal Beezley, Burlington; Lloyd Greve, Eagle;
Robert Smith, Steamboat Springs; Elden
Menagh, Fort Lupton; L. F. Flower, Bayard,
Neb.; Leon Coulter, Loveland; Peter Nelson,
Fort Logan; C. G Diller, Cripple Creek; W.
C. Cox. Ault, and Marlin Butler, Albuquerque.
BOXOFFICE January 22,

19 > . and
St. Louis TOA Waives
Dimes Hat-Passing
ST. LOUIS — The officers and executive
committee of the Motion Picture Theatre
Owners of St. Louis, Eastern Missouri and
Southern Illinois, in a meeting at the Variety
Club here, voted to aid in the March of Dimes
campaign by running trailers, posting cards in
the lobby and permitting the campaign organization
to place wishing wells or girl collectors
in theatre lobbies. However, it was
decided that the organization, as such, would
not give its approval to making audience collections.
The meeting also voted to cooperate in
American Brotherhood week, which opens
February 20.
President Tom Edwards of Farmington
read a letter from Bob Hill of Columbia, head
of the Saving of Children Federation, seeking
cooperation in a campaign to raise funds
to aid children of Europe.
The gathering also voted to send a protest
to RCA officials in Camden, N. J., because of
an advertisement that appeared in the Chicago
Tribune last November 26 plugging that
company's television sets and pointing out
to prospective purchasers that they could have
their own picture shows at home. The advertisement
appeared alongside advertisements
of Chicago theatres.
The meeting, held in the Variety Club headquarters,
was attended by Henry Halloway,
president of Midcentral; officials of Fanchon
& Marco, and R. R. Biechele, a director
of the Kansas-Missouri Theatre Ass'n,
and Dick Brouse also of Kansas City, an attorney
for Fox Midwest.
Warn Against Bogus Bills
CHICAGO—Members of a counterfeiting
ring are trying to pass phony bills around
Chicago. Harry D. Anheir, secret service chief,
has warned theatres to be on guard for bogus
$20 bills bearing the serial number G-110.
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Disney and RKO Officials
Join Big So Dear Debut
1
INDIANAPOLIS—Nearly 150 theatres in
Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia and Kentucky
are participating in the world area premiere
of Walt Disney's "So Dear to My Heart,"
which opened first at the Indiana Theatre
here Wednesday at the Albee in
Cincinnati the next day.
The other theatres followed closely to
benefit from the mass radio and newspaper
coverage given the event. Disney and members
of the film cas*. including Luana Patten
and Bobby Driscoll, are taking part in
activities throughout the four states.
The premiere began officially this week
at Purdue University where President F. L.
Hovde and Gov. Henry Schreiker of Indiana
presented the Award of Merit citation to
Disney, making him the first American to
receive the honor. Previous citations have
gone to Lord Halifax in 1940 and President
A. Somoza of Nicaragua in 1930. Disney
also was named an honorary member of the
Purdue alumni. He was the first man to receive
this honor since the late Will Rogers.
Among those attending the ceremonies at
Purdue were President Ned E. Depinet of
RKO; Vice-president Robert Mochrie; eastern
Division Sales Manager Nat Levy; Morris
Lefko, district manager, Cleveland; Stanley
Jacquest, Cincinnati manager; R. E.
Brentlinger, local manager; Sterling North,
author of the book from which the film was
made; William B. Levy, eastern representative
for Disney; Leo Samuels, foreign representative
of Disney; Charles Levy, eastern
publicity representative, and the Hollywood
celebrities.
Proceeds from a dinner held here for Disney
were donated to the local polio fund.
St. Louis Antitrust Suits
Consolidated for Trial
ST. LOUIS—The antitrust damage suits
Martin W. D'Arcy and Victor G. Mossotti
have been consolidated for trial by District
Judge Roy W. Harper on the basis of motions
by the defendant film distributors and Fanchon
& Marco Service Corp.
The defendants in both cases are the same
and the petitions are of similar content.
D'Arcy asks $600,000, or triple damages, for
alleged violations of antitrust laws by the
defendants during a three-month period in
1942 when D'Arcy operated the Shubert Theatre
here. Mossotti. also a former lessee of
the Shubert, is seeking $300,000 and alleges
that he had to give up a five-year lease on
the theatre 30 days after he signed it in October
1942.
Defendants in the case include Warners,
RKO. Universal. United Artists. Columbia,
Loew's, Inc., Paramount, 20th-Fox, St. Louis
Amusement Co. and Fanchon & Marco.
To Script 'Commencement'
F. Hugh Herbert has been ticketed by
Samuel Goldwyn to script "Commencement"
for RKO.
of
WALT DISNEY
Disney and the stars appeared on stage at
the opening of the film here and in Cincinnati,
and were scheduled to visit hospitals
and children's homes in the area.
Proceeds from a special showing of "So
Dear to My Heart" were placed in a fund to
establish a permanent Walt Disney scholarship
at Purdue.
A dinner also was given for Disney at
Columbus where he was named an honorary
citizen of Ohio by Gov. Frank Lausche,
and all proceeds from this dinner were donated
to the March of Dimes drive.
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January 22. 1949

. . . James
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INDIANAPOLIS
J^fax Roth, midwest division manager for
Film Classics, was at the local exchange
Keefe of 20th-Fox was in working
on "The Snake Pit" . . . Adverse weather
conditions, including swollen streams caused
by heavy rains, hampered film salesmen
covering the southern part of Indiana and
parts of Kentucky, causing many detours
and general inconvenience and delays.
Peter Mailers of the Mailers circuit. Fort
Wayne, and his family spent several days in
St. Louis visiting friends . . . James Keisler
is building a 250-seat theatre in Palmyra,
Ind., to be known as the Pal, scheduled to
open about March 1 . . . Alex Kalafat of the
Kalafat circuit, Garrett, and Peter Mailers
are planning a 30-day trip to California
and the west coast.
The Star at Geneva, operated by Walter
Ward, has been taken over by Clyde Neihamer
... All employes at Eagle Lion wore
wide and broad smiles Monday after receiving
the bonus checks won in the Bill
He.neman drive . . . Ned Tilman, office manager
at Warners, was home with an injured
arm. The accident occurred when he reached
for some papers on his desk. After suffering
intense pain, he visited a bone specialist
who diagnosed the condition as radialburs!tis.
. . .
.
William Carr of the home office was at
Earl
the local exchange on business
Gingery replaces Ora Jolly as head shipper
at Warners . . Hobart Hart, operator of the
Court and Smart theatres at Auburn, was
home ill . . . A. B. Thompson, who operates
the Ritz and Park at North Vernon. Ind.,
has gone to Miami for 90 days . . . Doyle
Carter, operator of the Roxy in Bloomington,
has recovered from his illness . . . Don
Hammer reports his father died January 8
at his home here. Hammer is in the theatre
concessions business . Cook, age 82,
a former janitor at 20th-Fox, recently retired,
was murdered in his home January 4.
Visiting exhibitors: Gail Lancaster, Huntington:
William Handley. Rembusch circuit,
Franklin; William H. McNabb, Ritz, Mooresville;
William Passen, Amusu, Jasonville:
William T. Studebaker. Logan, Logansport:
Don LeBrun. Kent, South Whitley, and Harry
Watts, Alhambra, Knightstown.
John Keller, booker at RKO. has resigned
. . . Alice Odaffer is the new contract clerk
at Eagle Lion . Swing, secretary to
manager Goddon Craddock, Eagle Lion, is
ill . . . Thomas Goodman resigned as Paramount
salesman to take over the management
of his father's theatres at New Harmony,
Poseyville and Corydon, Ind. . . .
ATOI board meeting and luncheon was held
January 11 in the Athletic club.
Roland Krause to Sheboygan
MADISON — Roland Krause has been
named manager of the Majestic Theatre, succeeding
Roy Rockow. who has resigned to go
into private business at Sheboygan. Krause
formerly was associated with the Warner
Theatre at Milwaukee.
Signs for Comedian Role
Billie Bevan has been signed for a character-comedian
role in Metro's "The Forsyte
Saga."
In Third Loop Week
'Red River' Hits 140
CHICAGO—Cold weather warmed up boxoffice
grosses at all Loop houses and seats
were well filled at all hours. Outstanding
was "The Accused" at the Chicago plus the
Jack Carson. Marion Hutton and Robert Alda
stage show. The Oriental had a very good
third week with "The Three Musketeers" plus
a stage show headed by Vivian Blaine and
the Three Suns. "Red River" at the Woods
had another terrific week, and "The Snake
Pit" at the Garrick filled seats in its ninth
week.
(Average Is 100)
Apollo—Hamlet (U-I), 7th wk., roadshow. ...Very good
Chicago—The Accused l?ara). plus stage show...... 135
Garnck—The Snake Pit 20th-Fox) 9th wk 110
Grand—Blood on the Moon IRKO). 2nd wl 100
I- er.:a.-The Three Musketeers (MGM), plus stage
i
,
Palace—You Gotta Stay Happy 2nd wk.Z~100
(U-I!.
Rialto—Corregidor (EL); Lady From Chungking
(EL), reissues 100
Rooseve!:—One Sunday Altemoon (WB), 2nd wk...l00
Selwyn—The Red Shoes wk.,
roadshow
Good
State-Lake—He Walked by Night (EL) 110
Studio—Girls ol the Underworld Dezel); Probation
(CHE 3rd wk 110
United Artists— Unlaithiully 110
CPthTox) Yours
Woods—Bed River (UA), 3rd wk
UU
World Playhouse—The Lost One (Col), 9th wk 110
Indianapolis Gross Down;
'Race Street' Gets 110
INDIANAPOLIS—Boxoffice grosses at first
run houses were only fair. The Circle headed
the list with "Race Street."
Circle—Race Street (RKO); The Girl From Manhattan
[UA] 110
Indiana—The Paleface (Para! 2nd wk 9b
Loews—Words and Music (MGM), 2nd wk 9b
Lvric—Sealed Verdict Para The End ol the River
Zion Retail Stores Open
Despite Blue Law Order
ZION, ILL.—After a three-Sunday shut
down of all businesses caused by enforce-
ires
meat of the town's blue laws, five retail stores
here remained open on Sunday.
The Zion Theatre, principal target of
Sabbath ordinance, remained dark, however. rer.
The stores opened under a temporary
junction granted by Judge William M. Car
roll, who held that it was unfair to enforce
the old restrictive ordinance after letting
stores run on Sunday for 18 years. An a
peal of the legality of the ordinance is pen
ing in the state supreme court.
Fox Wisconsin Rally in Madison
MADISON—About 50 officers, manager and
distributors of the Fox Wisconsin circuit recently
attended a district meeting at the Loraine
hotel here.
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BOXOFFICE :: January 22, 1949

. . The
. . B&K
. . Thomas
. . Herb
. .
Filmmaking Boom
Seen in Television
MILWAUKEE—The motion picture
industry
will have to cooperate with television or
be run out of business, H. V. Nielsen, president
of the Nielson Television Corp. of Norwalk,
Conn., told a meeting of the Lions' club
here recently.
"Some Hollywood independents already are
producing films for television, and the sooner
the others come in the better off they will be,"
he asserted. "Television will bring film producers
a boom such as they have never known.
will be operated by the building owners,
Fadam-Kaplan Corp.. starting June 1. They
also operate the Savoy and Bel in Chicago.
The West End. which seats 1.140, has been
operated by Essaness for the last 15 years.
The lease on the North Center, also has been
relinquished by Essaness, which has operated
the theatre for 20 years. The house will be
operated by Lincoln Robey Corp., who took
over the lease. The theatre will be managed
by Rollin K. Stonebrook, who has managed
theatres in various parts of the country for
Paramount and Loew's for 20 years.
Joins New Alired Lunt Show
MADISON—Ray Pelt, stage manager and
chief technician at the Orpheum Theatre
here, recently left for New York to be head
carpenter for a new Alfred Lunt and Lynn
Fontanne play, "Speak to Me of Love." Rehearsals
are now under way in New York, and
the play is scheduled for its first performance
at the Wisconsin Union Theatre here February
21-26. Felt was with the Lunts in their
production of "O Mistress Mine."
Theatre Confections
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CHICAGO
Talk of the town is the series of "Wonder-
ful Urge" stunts featured daily as part
of the promotion planted and staged by Ed
Seguin of B&K's publicity department and
Ed Solomon, 20th-Fox exploiteer. Daily pictures
of people fulfilling urges that range
from riding hook-and-ladder trucks to holding
a cool million bucks all credit "That
Wonderful Urge," which is packing 'em in
at the Chicago Danish film, "Day of
Wrath." is the benefit attraction at the Surf
Theatre. Proceeds of the opening day show
went to Danish Children's Home and Danish
Old People's Home of Chicago.
February 22 at a Loop theatre. Premiere
admissions will range from $1.50 to $10, with
the local tent sharing in the gross . . . Warner
Bros., which is eliminating most of its
field representatives, has discontinued the
job of publicity head Lucia Perrigo, who has
had charge of exploitation in Chicago area
for the last five years . . . Jules B. Weill,
president of Masterpiece Productions, was
here for a confab with Dezel executives Sam
Kaplan and Sol Cohen.
B&K's Ed Seguin was polishing up his golf
club preparatory to taking off with his wife
Virginia January 28 for Miami . is
plugging its February 4 opening at the Chicago
Theatre. "Words and Music" will be
on the screen and Barbara Ann Scott, Canadian
ice ace and Olympic champion will be
on stage . . . Mills Bros, follow on stage with
the screen attraction, "Adventures of Don
Juan," February 18.
Walt Disney arrived here and was host to
the press before going to Purdue University
where he will be given an honorary degree.
With him were Bobby Driscoll, Luana Patten
and Clarence Nash, the voice of Donald Duck.
Terry Turner, RKO exploitation chief, was
in for a huddle with Wally Heim and Bob
Hickey of local exchange . Crane.
assistant at the Oak Park Lamar for the last
three years, has been appointed manager of
the Southern, Essaness circuit, Oak Park .
Sam Kaplan, Dezel Productions, reports that
"Stagecoach" and "Long Voyage Home,"
which have been doing terrific at the RKO
Palace in New York, will open at the RKO
Grand February 2.
Services for Agnes Bruder, who died at
her home, were held recently. She was a sister
of Mrs. John Balaban and Roy C. Bruder,
Television will use hundreds of
many films as are shown today.
times as
Sure, motion
former B&K manager . Burchill,
Charles Harting Percy, 29, became the nation's
the dean of Chicago's theatrical booking
pictures sometimes cost five million dol-
agents, who spent over 30 years booking leading
lars to make now, but if the producers will
youngest chief executive of a major
industrial organization when he assumed duties
eliminate unnecessary costs they can turn
acts for Orpheum circuit in vaudeville
as president of Bell Howell Co. Asso-
days, was killed recently when struck by an
&
out film much more cheaply. And the advertiserciated
will pay for them."
auto at Hillsdale, 111. . . . Trudye Blum, for
with the firm more than 12 years.
Nielson said he believed the Federal Communications
Percy succeeds Joseph H. McNabb, who died the last three years with Filmack, has joined
commission would relax its
Sonja Henie, who has been National Screen in charge of special one-day
freeze on the number of video stations within breaking records with her Ice Skating Follies trailer service.
six months and that there would be more at the Stadium, also is packing them in at
than 100 stations in operation in the U.S. by the RKO Grand in "The Countess of Monte
the end of the year.
Cristo" . . . Lou Mayer, former manager of St. Louis Unions Give $700
the RKO Grand in the Loop and for the last
To Help Out 111 Member
two years, director of publicity for RKO Theatres
in the Chicago area, left thej company
West End Theatre Owners
ST. LOUIS—Mrs. Kathleen Craig, an employe
at Republic and a member of Local PI.
Take Over House June 1
and was replaced by Winston Ansel, formerly
recently was presented a $700 check by a committee
of the N.Y. office.
CHICAGO—The West End Theatre, which
from the union to help defray medical
has been operated by the Essaness circuit, Paul Short's "Bad Boy," based on activities costs of her many months of illness. The
union, with the assistance of officers and
of the Variety Club's Boys Ranch, will bow
members of Local 6, Local Bl, Local B2 and
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BOXOFFICE January 22, 1949

. . . Andy
John Reyner Re-Elected
St. Louis Local Bl Chief
ST. LOUIS—John Reyner, MGM, has been
re-elected president of Local Bl. representing
the shippers, inspectors and other back office
workers in local exchanges. Betty Wendt will
continue to serve as business agent. Other
officers re-elected include: vice-president,
Richard Klages. 20:h-Fox; financial secretary,
Abe Engel, National Screen; recording
secretary, Mrs. Mollie Curry, National Screen;
guide, Wilfred Meyer. National Screen, and
guardian, Ervin Stahl, Monogram.
Selected to serve on the executive committee
were Mrs.
Mary Vaughn, MGM; Roy
Stockglausner, Warner Bros.; Anna Cullen,
Monogram, and Herman Buechel. 20th-Fox.
Trustees are Leona Klages, 20th-Fox; Fanny
Engel. 20th-Fox, and Anna Cullen, Monogram
Delegates to :he Central Trades and
Labor council will be Richard Klages, Chloe
Kropp, RKO. and Betty Wendt.
SPRINGFIELD
Q
C. Murray, manager of the Lincoln Theatre
here, and John Giachetto, executive
of the Frisina Amusement. Co.. have been
named chairmen of the Sangamon county
March of Dimes campaign. Murray has been
county chairman for the National Foundation
for Infantile Paralysis for seven years.
The Springfield Theatre Association is cooperating
to make the campaign a success.
The Springfield Theatre Assn is assisting
the churches of the city in the taking of a
religious census. All theatres are running
trailers giving details and information on the
census.
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p
A. Bateman, sales manager for Screen
Guild, presided at the tradescreening of
"I Shot Jesse James" at the S'Renco screening
room. He later departed for Dallas, where
a similar showing was scheduled . . . Jimmy
Bradford. Columbia salesman, was released
from Alexian hospital after 28 days in
which he underwent two operations. He went
to his home in Quincy to spend a few days
before resuming work.
Hugh Graham, manager of the Webster
Theatre and secretary of Midcentral Allied,
is recovering from a severe cold from which
he has been suffering since New Year's eve
Dietz, general manager of Cooperative
Theatres, was in Thayer, Mo., on
business . . . Lester Bona. Warner manager,
returned from a trip to Paducah, Ky., and
Cairo, Harrisburg and Herrin, 111.
Herman Gorelick of Screen Guild spent a
busy week making calls in Breese. Vandalia,
Charleston, Mattoon, Casey, Newton, Oblong
and Flora before heading home . . . Exhibitors
seen along Filmrow included Tom Edwards
and C. Plumlee. Edwards and Plumlee
circuit. Farmington. Mo.; Sol Goldfarb, East
Alton, 111.; Eddie Rosecan, Hannibal, Mo.;
Ed Clarke, Mattoon, 111., and Elvin H. Wiecke,
Staunton, 111.
Joe Hornstein, Joe Hornstein. Inc., with
stores in New York. Miami and St. Louis,
checked in from Miami for several days. He
was in Miami for five weeks.
Exhibitors now can pick up popcorn and
popcorn accessories while on Filmrow, since
R. D. Von Engeln, local Manley representative,
has put in extra stocks at his office.
This is in addition to the large supplies warehoused
downtown. Repair parts for Manley
machines also are in stock.
Department store sales here for the week
ending January 8 were 11 per cent ahead
of the same month last year. The gain for
the four-week period was 6 per cent, the
federal reserve bank reports . The 1949
St. Louis Police circus will be staged in Kiel
auditorium instead of at the Arena. It will
run 19 days, from April 20 through May 8.
To Speak at Variety Club
ST. LOUIS—Audie Murphy, the most decorated
American soldier of World War II,
and William C. McCraw will speak at a meeting
of the Variety Club February 2. according
to Tommy James, who heads the committee
in charge of arrangements.
Closed by Blaze
ST. LOUIS—The Grand Theatre, a burlesque
house, was damaged extensively by a
fire recently. The damage was largely confined
backstage since the asbestos fire curtain
was down, and was estimated by district
Fire Chief Bernard Gummels at $4,500 to the
contents and $2,500 to the building. Richard
Zeisler. manager, said, however, the loss
might be as much as $50,000. The fire apparently
was caused by defective electric
wiring in dressing rooms in the basement.
Zeisler said the fire would cause the theatre
to suspend operations for the next three or
four
weeks.
Mayor of Abingdon, 111.,
Speaks at Abby Opening
ABINGDON. ILL.—The recent grand opening
of the Abby Theatre, a 600-seater owned
by S. E. Pirtle of Jerseyville, 111., took on
the nature of a civic celebration with Mayor
J. Warren Hampton as speaker. Pirtle also
spoke. Emmett Knickerbocker, manager of
the Abby, welcomed the audience and introduced
Hampton and Pirtle. Pirtle has not
announced definite plans for the future of
the 350-seat Bijou, which he also operates
here.
Harold Butcher, A. G. Lee
Buy Durand, Wis., House
DURAND. WIS.—The Durand Theatre here
has been bought by Harold Butcher and
Arthur G. Lee from the Durand Theatre Co.
The new owners, who took possession January
11. are from Morris, Minn., where Butcher
was in the hotel and banking business while
Lee operated a restaurant. The deal was
negotiated by H. W. Buck of Savereide Theatre
Brokers. Minneapolis.
Ccmnelton Theatre Remodels
CANNELTON, IND.—Remodeling of the
front, marquee and boxoffice of the Irwin
has been started and is expected to continue
through the spring, manager Bill Conway reports.
Plans include replacement of the 21-
year-old stucco, front, erection of a new boxoffice
and modernization of the marquee.
Conway said.
NEO-SEAL BURIAL WIRE
DRiVE IN THEATRE MFG. CO.—K. C, Mo.
60 E. 13th St CHICAGO 5
ON THE COAST IT HAS
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TRAILERS FOR ALL PURPOSES
Autry to Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS — Gene Autry and his
troupe will present two shows on the stage
at the Murat Theatre here February 2.
Irvin Allen in Danville
DANVILLE. IND.— Irvin Allen of Louisville
has been named manager of the Royal
here, replacing Lowell Cash who has held
the position for the last six years. Allen
entered show business when he was 17. ushering
on Saturdays and after school. During
his four years in the army he served as projectionist
at one of the post theatres.
COMPLETE
EQUIPMENT
for THEATRES and DRIVE-INS
• IMMEDIATE DELIVERY
• LOWEST PRICES
ODUCTION AND SC
SERVICE
Write for free literature
Theatre Equipment Co.
AL BOUDOUHIS. Manager
109 Michigan St.. Toledo 2. Ohio
ADams 8107
BOXOFFICE :: January 22, 1945

28 Day Takers Asking
Limit in Twin City
MINNEAPOLIS—Independent exhibitors
here who are enjoying the 28-day availability
on first run films have asked distributors
to stop offering the earlier clearance
to other independents and to limit the
clearance to "larger de luxe neighborhood
and suburban houses, holding down the
number."
Six local neighborhood and independenthouses
now have the 28-day availability and.
with possibly one exception, all are prospering
from the earlier clearance, despite
higher admission prices and 35 per cent deals
which make film rental costs higher.
Other houses previously indicated they
would request the 28-day availability.
Three Construction Jobs
Planned in Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS—Plans for conventional
and drive-in theatre construction are being
pushed on the largest scale in many years
in this territory with actual construction
slated to start in many towns this spring.
Latest projects to be definitely announced
include an ultramodern 476-seat conventional
theatre at Milaca, Minn., for the S. E.
Heller Co. along with Lowell Smoots' 500-
car drive-in at Little Falls, and Don Buckley's
400-car theatre at Redwood Falls.
Meyer Stern Is Installed
As Omaha Chief Barker
OMAHA—New Chief Barker Meyer Stern
and other Variety Club officials were in-
Variety of Des Moines
To Hear McCraw Jan. 24
DES MOINES—Variety Club will meet
January 24 at noon at the Standard club.
Col. William McCraw, executive director of
Variety Clubs International, will talk on
plans for the premiere of "Bad Boy." An
election of officers
speech.
will be held following the
Martin L. Holzman Buys
Fort Dodge, Iowa, House
FORT DODGE. IOWA—Martin L. Holzman
will take over the Dodge Theatre here
February 6 from C. C. Dunsmoor who has
purchased a farm and will occupy it. The
new owner operates the Aida Theatre in
111. Oglesby, The deal was arranged by Ray
Copeland of Savereide Theatre Brokers.
Ayrshire, Iowa, Fire
AYRSHIRE, IOWA—Fire in the projection
room at the theatre here recently caused
the loss of one film during the evening performance.
The file was kept under control
by the quick thinking of the owner, C. M.
Anderson. The house was quickly emptied
with no injuries. There was some smoke
damage to the interior.
BOXOFFICE January 22, 1949
Worst Blizzard in Recent Years
Crimps Kansas City Film Trade
KANSAS CITY—In the wake of the winter
storm which hit here before daylight last
Tuesday (18) as it swept over the entire midwest
and severely handicapped communication
and transportation throughout the area,
theatre attendance which had continued at
a generally high level since the start of the
new year rapidly spiraled downward.
Blizzard conditions existed in Kansas, Missouri.
Nebraska and Oklahoma and bordering
states, immediately following an earlier
storm which covered most of the area with
ice and sleet and virtually paralyzed communication
and transportation.
DELIVERY WORK ALL NIGHT
Following receipt of warnings of the approaching
storm, the staff of the Exhibitors
Film Delivery worked throughout Monday
its night to service accounts. The company
operates 34 trucks in making film deliveries
to approximately 600 theatres in Kansas and
western Missouri.
Before the blizzard engulfed the entire
midwest, local first run theatre managers
generally had reported grosses which equaled
or exceeded other recent totals, but trade
slumped sharply after snow had fallen continually
for more than 12 hours and thermometers
registered near-zero temperatures.
Since most of the local de luxe houses already
had grossed the major part of their
probable business for the week, their totals
were not affected severely by the storm.
New bills opened to smaller houses, however,
and continued cold weather cut expected
trade sharply. Neighborhood theatres
generally reported greatly reduced attend-
stalled Saturday (22) at the Highland club
in the Rome hotel at the annual dinner-ball.
ance.
William McCraw. national executive officer,
was a guest. He helped the Omaha ONLY 350 AT CONCERT
Col.
group arrange for the preview showing here
of "Bad Boy."
A concert by the Kansas City Philharmonic
orchestra in the Music Hall of the municipal
auditorium was attended by only 350 persons.
Hans Schwieger. the conductor, and members
of the orchestra wore the clothes they
had chosen earlier in the day for a morning
rehearsal, the management having refused
to risk letting them return to their homes
for a change to evening dress.
Downtown department stores were closed
Tuesday at 3 p. m.. and virtually all schools
in the Kansas City area were dismissed
Wednesday, many of them to remain closed
during the remainder of the week.
Most of the hotels in the downtown district
were crowded with storm-bound guests, and
extra cots were placed in dining and sample
rooms. Restaurants and cafes generally reported
greatly increased trade.
Nebraska Blizzard Compared
To Storm of 1888
OMAHA—They are comparing the recent
blizzard in this state with the granddaddy of
them all, the blizzard of 1888. Some towns
have been blocked from all transportation
for almost two weeks, thousands of motorists
have been stranded and airlift has carried
food and other essentials to many points.
Film salesmen who did get out on the
road found the going too tough. Many an
exhibitor had all his business shut off and
many more suffered severe dents at the boxoffice.
Yet, say the exchanges here, there have
MW
been more serious film delivery troubles In
several storms in the last couple of years.
Fortunately the blizzard picked the less populated
areas and compared to the severity
of the storm not so many schedules were
missed this time.
Disney Art Is on Display
At Club in Kansas City
KANSAS CITY—Members of the Woman's
City club were entertained recently with ar
Art tea which called attention to the Disne;
pictures which are on exhibit at the club
Stanley Spohn and Louis Schmidt, formerly
employed at the Disney studios, and now
illustrating greeting cards for Hall Bros., lectured
on the cartoon art, using chalk illustrations.
They emphasized the fact that
Disney had pioneered a new technique in the
field of illustration, and praised his business
organization, which he manages down to
the last detail and personally looks over
every foot of film in the final stage.
Schmidt started with Disney in 1931,
Spohn in 1937, one working mostly as an
animator and the other with color. Both
entered the navy in 1942 and remained until
1945. after which they spent some time work^
ing on the Tom and Jerry cartoons for
MGM, and free-lancing. Joyce Hall saw
some of their work at Sach's in Chicago
and brought them to Kansas City for greeting
card work, where similar techniques are
employed as in cartoon work.
The Disney art, which will remain on display
at the club during this month, contains
many atmospheric color sketches by Mary
Blair from "Melody Time," "Song of the
South," "Fun and Fancy Free," and "So
Dear to My Heart." with various sequences
of Donald Duck, Pluto and Mickey Mouse.
Joyce Hall sees all the Disney releases at
tradeshowings now. the artists said, and selects
what shots he wants for greeting cards.
His Easter line will include a number from
"So Dear to My Heart."
Grandson of R. R. Biechele
Saves Child From Death
KANSAS CITY—The grandson of R. R.
Biechele. local theatre operator and KMTA
legislative committee chairman, saved a
drowning child in an heroic action recently
at Waco, Tex.
The boy, 10-year-old Jack Bolin of Waco,
pulled a 3-year-old boy from the icy waters
of Waco creek and then applied artificial
respiration which was said later by physicians
and hospital attendants to have saved
his
life.
Jack, son of Dr. and Mrs. N. V. Bolin.
said later that he had learned artificial respiration
methods by watching his sister, who
at one time took a life-saving course.
Remodel Sioux City House
WALTHILL. NEB.—Herbert Jensen of
Sioux City, owner of the Sun Theatre here,
is installing new seats, booth equipment and
doing general renovation. The theatre is
running during the remodeling and work
will be finished about February 1
55

. . Missouri
. . New
. .
KANSAS
f^larence Schultz, Commonwealth Theatres
board member, was reported improved at
St. Lukes hospital, where he was under
observation and treatment . . . R. R. Biechele,
theatre operator and KMTA legislative
local
committee chairman, was ill with pneumonia
at his home ... In the wake of the worst
blizzard to hit Kansas City in recent years,
various Filmrow workers were afflicted with
colds.
R. F. Wlnegar, Grand Rapids. Mich.. Irwin
Seating Co. sales manager, visited Arthur
"Count" DeStefano. National Theatre Supply
Co. branch manager . . . Elmer Bills, Salisbury.
Mo„ KMTA president, and Homer F.
Strowig, Abilene. Kas., immediate past president,
were preparing to leave for Washington,
D. C, to attend a meeting of the TOA
board of directors there January 28, 29.
Elmer C. Rhoden, Fox Midwest Theatres
head who left recently for the west coast for
extended business conferences, was expected
to return in about five weeks . . . Jim Castle,
Paramount Pictures exploiteer, was a visitor
on Filmrow . . . L. D. Hasty. Shreve Theatre
Supply Co. salesman, resumed his duties following
recovery from a recent operation at
a hospital in Springfield. Mo.
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CITY
Bagdad in Kansas City
Is Sold by V. R. Stamm
Harry Tatman, Orpheum Theatre doorman,
left for Portsmouth, Ohio, to attend the funeral
KANSAS CITY—The 1,000-seat neighborhood
Bagdad Theatre here has been sold by
V. R. Stamm to Harold Linfield and L. H.
of a relative . . . Rudy Rogers of the
National Theatre Supply Co. staff and Mrs.
Silverman, who took possession of the property
on January 1. The new owners also
Rogers have given the name Michael to the
the Colonial, a 950-seat house in a
The second
operate
nearby
son born to them recently . . .
area.
issue of the recently-established Durwood
circuit house publication. Circuit Chatter, was
Stamm recently purchased the interests of
Herman Illmer in the Strand, a 650-seat theatre
expected to be ready for distribution soon.
in the central part of the city, and he
Construction soon will be started on a 500- will continue to operate the house. Jack
car drive-in which Commonwealth Theatres Comfort of the Savereide Theatre Brokers
seats handled the sale of the
will erect near Lawrence, Kas. .
have been installed at the Weston Theatre,
Weston, Mo., operated by Fred Eberwein .
Substitutes for Jim Bell
The new Englewood Theatre being built by PLEASANT HILL, MO—William Marshall,
Englewood Enterprises, Inc.. at a site on relief manager for Theatre Enterprises, is
Winner road in Independence, Mo., is expected
here substituting for James Bell, manager of
to be ready for opening early in April. the Peoples Theatre, who is on vacation.
Kansas theatre operators seen on Filmrow Marshall, who came here from Beloit, Kas..
works out of the circuit's LawTence. Kas., office.
included R. F. Fitc, Fite El Dorado; Cle-
Bratton. Ritz. Council Grove: Louis Hickock,
Dream. Effingham, and Lloyd Mahan, Ritz,
Burlingame showmen at exchanges
Install New Heat Plant
included James Russell, Strand, Lan-
LIME SPRINGS, IOWA—A new oil-burn-
caster; Dr. E. L. Lisbona, Maitland, Maitland;
ing forced air heating and ventilation system
has been installed at the Lime Theatre
Art Buergey. De Ray, Joplin; Bill Bradfield,
Roxy, Carthage, and Dave Williams, Royal,
here. Manager is Dick Preston.
King City.
Hosts Football Squad
BELMOND, IOWA—The management of
New
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CARPETS
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January 22. 1949

——
. . Mable
. . Norma
. . Russ
'Snake Pit' Hits 140
In Cold Kansas City
rang up a lively 90 per cent to round out a
run which approached the all-time house
record.
(Average Is 100)
Esquire—You Gotta Stay Happy (U-I), 2nd d. t. wk. 95
Midland—Man From Colorado (Col); Ladies of
the Chorus (Col) 90
Orpheum—The Fallen Sparrow (RKO Murder. My
Sweet (RKO), reissues _ 80
Paramount—The Paleface (Para). 4th wit. 9U
rizon (Col). Adam Had Four Sons
Ycol
Tower Upto -The Snake Pit (20th-
Fox)
.140
in its third week locally with 125 per cent.
Aster—Sons of Adventure (Rep). Jungle Goddess
(SG). reissue 90
Century—The Paleface (Para), 3d d. t. wk 125
Gopher Kidnapped (Mono); Trouble Makers
(Mono) 90
Lyceum—Henry V (UA), 2nd run, 2nd wk 100
Lyric—Yellow Sky (20th-Fox). 3rd wk 90
Fix—Last Days of Pompeii (RKO); She (RKO), reissues,
2nd wk 120
Rddio City—You Gotta Stay Happy (U-I) 110
RKO Orpheum—The Gallant Blade (Col) 100
RKO Pan—Every Girl Should Be Married (RKO),
3rd d. t. wk 100
State—That Lady in Ermine (20th-Fox) 115
World—Hollow Triumph (EL). 2nd d. t. wk 95
Weather Cuts Grosses
In Omaha Theatres "
OMAHA—Business fell off again at most
Omaha theatres but the RKO Brandeis was
a big exception. "Blood on the Moon" and
"Ladies of the Chorus" packed them in.
While Omaha escaped the real blizzard, it
did have severe cold, wind and snow, all of
which helped trim grosses.
Omaha—The Paleface
In This Comer
(EL) ,
Orpheum—My Dear Secretary Adv
of Gallant Bess (EL)
Paramount—Words and Music (MGt.lJ
RKO Brandeis—Blood on the Moon (RKO); Ladies
of the Chorus (Col) 1
Stale One Sunday Afternoon (MGM)
Town—Lulu Belle (Col). 2nd run; Fit for a King
(RKO), reissue; Frontier Agent (Mono); split
with Caravan (20th-Fox), reissue; Covered Wagon
ExhibitOrS of Missouri
KANSAS CITY—Although heavy snowfalls
and frigid temperatures swept over the midwest
from the far north, the resulting drop
in grosses at local first runs was modified
by the fact that most of the houses already
had registered good business before the KANSAS CITY— Plans for action to be
storms hit. "The Snake Pit," day-date at taken jointly with the St. Louis MPTO organization
in outlawing an old Missouri
the Tower, Uptown and Fairway, chalked up
a potent 140 per cent to pace the city by a statute which permits filing of "informer"
wide margin. "You Gotta Stay Happy," in a suits on theatre aisle widths were discussed
moveover second run at the Esquire, continued
to draw well. "The Paleface," in a of directors Tuesday at the Phillips hotel.
at the monthly meeting of the KMTA board
fourth and final stanza at the Paramount.
Fight Informer Racket
The need for such action follows the recent
filing of four suits against motion picture
theatres in Cape Girardeau, Charleston and
Sikeston, Mo., charging violations of the
statute enacted in 1877 and specifying that
middle aisles in places of amusement be at
least four feet wide and side aisles be at
least three feet wide "for the safety from
fire of those attending."
A fine of not less than $20 nor more than
$5,000 and forfeiture of license are the penalties
for giving public amusements in violation
Taleface' Leads With 125
of provisions of the old law, which
In Minneapolis
provides that "one-half of the recovery in
MINNEAPOLIS—A cold wave helped dent
every case shall be paid to the person making
the complaint and the other half to the
grosses here, but three newcomers, "You
treasurer of the city, town or village for the
Gotta Stay Happy," "That Lady in Ermine"
and "The Gallant Blade," and a powerful
use and benefit of its public schools."
holdover array held their own. High mark
of the week was scored by "The Paleface"
(Para), reissue; Love From a Stanger (UA), re-
Dual Leads by Shade
At Des Moines
DES MOINES—"Saboteur," showing on a
double bin with "Wings Over Honolulu" at
the RKO Orpheum here, did slightly better
business than competing programs at the
downtown Tri-States houses.
Des Moines—Red Biver (UA) 105
Orpheum—Saboteur (U-I); Wings Over Honolulu
(Mono)
11C
Paramoun'—Mexican Hayride (U-I); Bungalow 13
(20th-Fox) 100
Strand—The Paradine Case (SRO) 95
MOINES
DES
1"wo special screenings were held here last
week. Gene Shumate, sports director for
radio station KSO, was host to the coaching
staffs of Des Moines high schools and
.
Drake university, at a special showing of
the "Olympic Games of 1948" on Monday
On Tuesday evening, "Snake Pit" was
night.
filmed for an invited group of physicians
and psychiatrists.
Sam Burkett, Monogram producer, and
E. Goldhammer, eastern sales manager,
L.
were guests of the exchange January 14 . . .
Kenny Weldon, Monogram salesman, has a
new Ford Magnusson, U-I, observed
her birthday January 16. Her son
Ted came home from Iowa City to help celebrate
. . . Wendell Wellon, owner and congenial
host at Windy's, Filmrow "coffee
time" hangout, is the father of a baby daughter
named Patricia. The Wellons also have
a son, Michael—so there's another "Pat and
Mike" household!
M. L. Dickson, Mount Pleasant; Ed Nordhus,
McGregor; Jack Bouma, Pocahontas;
Dorman Hundling, Newton, and Walter Hoffman,
20th-Fox exploiteer from Minneapolis
were visitors on the Row last week . . . Zora
Fini, Monogram booker, has recovered from'
a tonsillectomy . Tilden and Lucille
Wesp, Tri-States, spent the weekend in Fredricksburg
. . . A. G. Stolte was in Waterloo
on business.
Bly and Gene McLaughlin, owners of the
theatre at Traer. entertain visiting salesmen
with their pet raccoon . Fraser.
Tri-States advertising man, is back at the
office after a siege of flu . . . Thelma Washburn.
RKO booker, has returned from her
trip to Florida and Cuba. While in Havana.
Thelma visited the Filmrow there and is
The Cape Girardeau houses named in two
of the suits are the Broadway and the
Orpheum, both operated by Fox Midwest
Theatres, and the theatres involved at
Charleston and Sikeston are owned by O. W.
McCutcheon of Blytheville, Ark.
Details of the action to be taken by the
Kansas-Missouri Theatre Ass'n were explained
during the meeting by Byron Spencer
and Joseph Kelley, KMTA attorneys, and
Dick Brous, Fox Midwest Theatres attorney.
Elmer Bills, Salisbury, Mo., KMTA president,
and Tom Edwards, Farmington, Mo.,
MPTO president, will direct the action to
be taken jointly by the two organizations
in a militant program which is expected to
result in early outlawing of the 1877 statute.
The next regular meeting of the KMTA
board of directors will be Tuesday, February
15, when plans for observance of American
Brotherhood week February 20-27 will be
discussed. Bills and Homer F. Strowig, past
KMTA president, both TOA directors, will
make reports of the national board meeting
January 28, 29 at Washington, D. C.
quite taken with their observance of a twohour
siesta every afternoon and their 8:00
a. m. to 1:00 p. m. hours in the summertime.
Thelma is thinking of applying for a
booking position in the sunny south! She
reports that a new film building is being
erected in Havana to house some of the
branch offices.
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BOXOFTICE January 22, 1949 57

: .' eight
Ted
MINNEAPOLIS
p
ptl i nan, was vaca-
Both Judith
Ander Brandon, leads in the
Goldhammer
: rrner RKO manager here, now
m western sales manager.
. manai' Mann, independent
circu. didn't sell the
ocal neighborhood house, but leased
U Marvin and M. L. G:
'
.nn and George Granstrom. St Paul
l California on a vaviiih
Ij.i. Ii.m -..king over the distri-
..lck pictures. Charlie Wiener.
KO manager, is in New York seeking
his salesman.
expected to line up with another
Kddie Ruben, back from Cali-
.ning a European trip. He's
A the territory's largest in-
.' theatre dl
Wait.r Beffnan one of ten 20th-Fox
field men dropped the company in an
by
He had been field man in
years The company
:ied all accounts that after
no longer will participate in
"The Paleface," held
reek in St. Paul as well as
a third week here, is proving one of the
boxoffice attractions in more than
a
year.
r...i. II..;.. . reported receiving a $10,000
guarantee against a percentage for his onenight
personal appearance with his radio
Auditorium here January 31
LEAK THEATRE SALES f ,

I J
.if
ided.
. One
. . Jack
. . Hymie
C
few Whistle Blows;
Onaha Ignores It
AHA—A curfew continues to blow at
)i night in Omaha, but it means little.
Chief Fred Franks says the kids have
,e so well behaved that the police deent
has not been enforcing the ordi-
The law requires those under 16 to
the streets by 10 o'clock,
ngsters found on the streets after curiae
may be questioned by police, Franks
iut only those who appear to be makouble
are turned over to juvenile of-
. City Welfare Inspector Tom Knapp
a dimmer view. If he had his way, he
he curfew would be rigidly enforced
^tended to cover youths under 18.
?n the curfew law passed in 1943.
p said some city officials said it
n't apply to youths who were "corngoing
from some place." With that
rew up his hands. "Everybody's either
» or going from some place," he ex-
Mr. Jack Comfort Dies;
Wie of Theatre Broker
W TERLOO, IOWA — Funeral services
wen leld here for Mrs. Jack Comfort, 31,
who ied at the home of her mother, Mrs.
Han Shaw, following an illness of about
one ir. Burial was at Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
The ife of Jack Comfort, Kansas City of-
Eice nager of the Savereide Theatre Brokers.
had gone to Warterloo to spend the
Chri.mas holidays with her mother.
Boi in 1917 at Kansas City, Mrs. Comluri
s a graduate of East High school there
and Stephens college, Columbia, Mo. The
Comirts were married Aug. 15, 1938, at Sarasota
la.
In idition to the husband and the mother,
include a brother and a sister.
inch lirror.
Th card reads:
"N is the time for all good exhibitors
to coie to the aid of—Joe Jacobs. And you're
look at one of the guys who can help him.
you book 'em in! Between
now nd Feb. 17, 1949. Won't you help my
drive please? February 17 rounds out my
tent:
Oma "
ear as Columbia's branch manager in
lust
off the lobby.
No Audience Collections
MI NEAPOLIS — North Central Allied
mem rs again this year will limit March
Srrall Green Card Plugs
Ne/ Columbia Drive
OM.HA—Joe Jacobs, Columbia manager,
is setting out a little green card that ought
to phse every exhibitor. On it is a l%x%-
Briigewater State Opens
BR3GEWATER, IOWA—The State Theatre
re was opened recently by G. O. Duni
Fontanell. The State has a seat-
Itj of 195 and has a sandwich shop
of Di.es collections to theatre lobbies, directors
March of Dimes trailers were
i
appro>d for screens.
OMAHA
Oome Omaha salesmen got back on the road
for the first time in a month Monday.
There were Christmas vacations for some of
the salesmen, then followed the blizzard
weather that halted all travel in many sections
of the state . . . Larry Caplane, manager
of the Brandeis, is taking a week's midwinter
vacation. He will spend it baby sitting
for the new arrival—which should really
mean a vacation for Mrs. Caplane.
George Barton, booker for the Veterans administration
from Minneapolis, was in town
. . . Arthur Herzog, special exploiteer for
"Hamlet," arrived in the city. The film opens
February 2 at the neighborhood Dundee
Theatre of the highlights of the
dinner for Nebraska legislators at Lincoln
was the making of Ralph Falkinburg sr.
of Lexington an admiral in the Nebraska
navy. The governor's secretary made the
presentation . Renfrow, RKO manager,
was out due to illness.
Bill Haarmann, Paramount office manager
who smuggled five hens into Omaha with
him when he moved back from Bellevue.
hit what he calls the jackpot Sunday: five
eggs from five hens . Novitsky,
20th-Fox ailing salesman, is continuing to
make progress despite the weather and is
making a few visits to the Row . . . Rita
Heavey, Paramount contract clerk, has resigned
to take a job in Ralston, where she
Uves. Her successor is Marilyn Fritz, moved
up from booking stenographer. Rita Minarik
is new to the office, replacing Marilyn.
Sol Hankin, who came here from St. Louis
to take charge of the Omaha Monogram
office, has returned to that city . . . Police
are looking for a man who did some hair
snipping at several downtown theatres . . .
DeWitt Sinclair has installed new chairs in
his Grand Theatre at Wymore, Neb., and
new RCA sound in the Family Theatre at
Des Moines.
Griffith Enterprises of Dallas expect to
open the new Pioneer Theatre at Nebraska
City February 3. Western Theatre Supply
Co. equipped the 1,200-seat house with new
booth equipment. Robert Bowler of Kansas
City was the architect . . . Paul Tramp,
Oxford exhibitor, said that even should the
last big snow have arrived, his area is worrying
about a graver threat this spring due
to the snow already on the ground: floods.
Other exhibitors along Filmrow included
Harold Schnoonover. Aurora; Jim Burrus,
Crete; F. J. Cook. David City; Mr. and Mrs.
John Noffsinger, Madison: Lester From, Calloway;
Elmer Svendsen, Alta, Iowa; Harold
Qualsett. Tekameh: Joe Warnecke, Battle
Creek, Iowa; Arnold Johnson, Onawa, Iowa:
W. Rassmussen. Anthon, Iowa; Eddie Kugel,
Holstein. Iowa; Phil Lannon, West Point,
and Arthur Sunde. Papillion.
Bill Miskell, Tri-States district manager,
chairman of the traffic enforcement section
of the Omaha Safety council and member
of the police civil service commission,
combined his interests to help arrange a
safety council dinner honoring traffic policemen.
He had part of the Henry Busse
unit entertain while not busy on the Orpheum
Theatre stage.
Conscience Bothers Boys
Who Stole Theatre Candy
OMAHA — Conscience won out over the
sweet tooth here recently in an incident In
which three lads ended up in police custody—at
their own request.
The sweets were 18 boxes of candy, valued
at $35.50, taken from the Fortieth Theatre,
Fortieth and Hamilton streets.
The boys told this story:
Louis Albert Taute, 19, went to work at
the theatre as an usher. He left a fire
escape door open. After the theatre closed,
he and two companions Floyd Curtis, 17,
and Harold Newman, 14, slipped in. They
took the candy and went to the home of
Floyd. There remorse caught up with them.
They called the police station.
Why did they turn themselves in?
"Conscience," said Louis.
Herman was more to the point: "We knew
we'd get caught. We didn't think it was
worth the trouble just for that little amount
of
candy."
Theatre Deals Biggest
DAVENPORT. IOWA — Theatre transactions
were among the biggest financial deals
of the year in this city. Largest real estate
transaction was sale of the Mississippi hotel
and Orpheum Theatre building to the Singer-
Davenport Corp. for $1,232,000. Second largest
was purchase by Tri-States of the Fsquire
Theatre building for $137,500.
Leg Contest at Oelwein, Iowa
OELWEIN, IOWA—A legs contest was held
on the stage of the Grand Theatre here on
New Year's eve. The winner, chosen by the
audience on the basis of applause, won a diamond
ring. The runnerup was given a book
of passes. Only the legs of the contestants
were visible to the audience as the girls came
out behind a screen in groups of four.
Sales Tax Hike Proposed
PIERRE, S. D.—A bill providing for a
state soldiers' bonus to be financed by a
sales tax increase from to 4 per cent has
3
been introduced in the state legislature.
While it would affect theatre operations, it
isn't discriminatory and therefore will not be
opposed by theatre interests.
Bus Drivers Host Party
OCHEYEDAN, IOWA—Joe Taylor and Vic
Monjar, owners of the Mound Theatre, were
hosts to a house full of fun over the holidays.
Drivers of rural school buses in the
county got together and sponsored a free
theatre program for the youngsters. The
turnout at the Mound was terrific.
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January 22, 1949

,
SAM
. . Frank
. . Hanaphone
. . The
. .
. .
Autry, Hope Will Appear
On Kansas City Stages
KANSAS CITY—Gene Autry and Bob
Hope, accompanied by cast members, heard
with them in their regular weekly network
radio broadcasts, will appear in single performances
here during the next ten days.
Autry and his Melody Ranch cast were to
stage their weekly CBS broadcast Saturday
night 1 1 at the Ivanhoe Temple. With
22
his horse Champion, Autry was to be featured
in a stage show Sunday afternoon
23' In the of arena the municipal audi-
Theatre at Adair. Iowa,
Sold to Curtis Bigley
ADAIR. IOWA—Curtis Bigley has purchased
the Riada Theatre here from A. O.
Ludwig. The new owner, who will take pos-
Rites for Simon Galitski,
Topeka Theatre Owner
TOPEKA— Services were held here for Simon
Galitski. theatre operator and businessman,
who died following a heart attack Friday
night, January 14. while he was attending
a Shrine meeting.
For many years operator of the Co-ed
Theatre here. Galitski was widely known in
midwest theatrical circles. He also had various
other business interests here.
Show 'Fighter Squadron'
OMAHA—Donal Shane, manager of the
Paramount Theatre, and Norman Haried of
the Chamber of Commerce arranged for a
special advance showing of "Fighter Squadron"
for staff officers of the Strategic air
command national headquarters at Offutt air
force
base.
Howard Bayer to Schleswig, Iowa
SCHLESWIG. IOWA—Howard Bayer of
Milwaukee has arrived here to take over the
Iowa Theatre which he recently purchased.
ON THE COAST IT HAS
ALWAYS BEEN
OiS HYDE ST.f
FRANCISCO. CMIF.
hiLPICTURE 5EI
TRAILERS FOR All PURPOSES
UNA-CAR SPEAKERS - SPEAKER
POSTS
DRIVE IN THEATRE MFG. CO.— K. C. Mo
Censor Decisions on 'Apartment'
And 'Belinda Mystify Columnist
From the BOXOFFICE Files
{Twenty Years Ago)
atres in Minot, N. D.. passed to Finkelstein
& Ruben, who closed the Arcade . . . The
Legion auditorium in St. Paul, Neb., was
leased by John J. Rojeski . . . The Grand
Theatre at Nashua. Iowa, which has been
operated for a number of years by Mrs. M.
Larson, has been leased to O. R. Laird .
C. G. Mullen has sold the Lyceum at Deer
River. Minn., to J. E. Johnston of Atkin,
Minn.
A. H. McLaughlin, for two years Minneapolis
district manager for Tiffany-Stahl
Productions, has resigned . Strand
Theatre at Sioux Falls. S. D„ was taken over
recently by Bennie Berger. It has been an
F&R house.
The Avalon is the name of the remodeled
theatre at White Bear, Minn., recently reopened
by Mrs. J. W. Jensen . . . Finkelstein
and Ruben have acquired the Garden Theatre
in Hibbing. Minn., and will operate it
as a first run. de luxe house . . . J. C. Christensen
has disposed of his Idyl Hour Theatre
at Litchfield. Neb. to F. M. Robinson . . .
W. J. Seyditz of Lincoln, a former resident
of Plattsmouth. has purchased the Parmele
Theatre at Plattsmouth. Neb., from A. W.
Coldt and A. O. Moore.
The Royal in Sibley, Iowa, which was sold
to Robinson and Lehman about three months
ago by E. F. Pagle. changed hands on January
1 . . . L. R. Pierce, in charge of outstate
shows in Nebraska for the World Realty
Co., is taking over the managership of the
Orpheum in Memphis . is nowinterchangeable
with all sound-on-disk equipment,
its makers announce.
A site has been purchased in Fayette, Mo..
by Hartley H. Banks of Columbia. Mo., for
the erection of a theatre building to cost
approximately S70.000 ... A 450-seat theatre
is being built at 213 North Broadway. Pittsburg,
Kas., by J.
Lenski.
From Southwest Edition
DALLAS — John Rosenfield, nationally
known amusements editor and critic of the
Dallas Morning News, has disagreed in his
column with Interstate circuit and the Dallas
Motion Picture Reviewing board over classifications
of two current pictures. The critic
has often expressed views in the past that
.
torium.
Hope and his company of entertainers will
ATIONAL Theatre Supply Co. is moving
from its location in the Loeb Arcade and that it should be properly treated as
sex is a natural for the theatre, or the film,
make their weekly broadcast Tuesday night. N
February' 1. from the ballroom at the Muehlebach
hotel. Immediately afterward, Hope
to the new location at 56 Glenwood Ave., an open book in view of all classes and ages
Minneapolis. The Rialto Theatre Co. has The pictures involved were "Johnny Belinda"
be featured in a stage presentation in
been absorbed by National and will be discontinued
will
and "Apartment for Peggy," the re-
the municipal auditorium arena.
Rubel of Talking Picviewing
board giving the first an "adult and
tures Corp. secured distribution in Minnesota,
young people" rating and the second an
has
North and South Dakota for "Should "adult only" classification.
a Girl Marry?" and "Sweet Sixteen" .
The Gayety, burlesque house in Minneapolis, •PEGGY" RULED OKAY
has closed again in its continual fight to The critic disagreed, saying "Peggy" was
survive Mayor Leach's edicts. It may open suitable for parents, grandparents and children
again when the city has a mayor who will
and that "Belinda" is more suitable for
not insist that comic operas be show in "adults with adult intelligence." He recounted
session April 1. is a newcomer to exhibition,
having been in the farm produce business. a section of the city where only burlesque will that Belinda, a deaf-mute, made a beast of
Ludwig will enter the insurance business and produce a profit, say the owners. The countygrand
burden by her family in a farm community,
jury is investigating alleged indiscre-
wlH continue bis work as a local tax consultant.
a victim of rape by the village lecher bears
a child, murders the lecher who tries to kidnap
Ray Copeland of Savereide Theatre tions in permits for operation of the house. Brokers handled the theatre transaction.
it, disclosing her secret to the town. The
Ownership of the Strand and Arcade the-
picture has remarkable acting but it is not
for adolescents, Rosenfield wrote.
He pointed out that Peggy, wife of a GI
college student who uses the word "pregnant"
to describe her condition, refers to a
subject familiar to thousands of teen-agers.
"Why this picture is not urged on young
people escapes our understanding," he wrote.
"It is about young people who tackle soundlj
a question even teen-agers must ask themselves
in only a few years. Perhaps Peggy's
unembarrassed approach to motherhood
shocked the reviewing committee. We doubt,
however, if any young person of 1948 would
be shocked, as they certainly have heard
about Princess Elizabeth. The point at issue
is nothing they haven't been taught in
school, that they don't see daily with their
own eyes, and that is presented in the picture
in the best taste.
"STRAINS AT GNXT"
"The reviewing committee strains at the
gnat of legal and sanctified propagation in
•Apartment for Peggy' and swallows the
camel of statutory rape and unwed motherhood
in 'Johnny Belinda.' The first Is about
the happiest and healthiest movie of the
season and the second is among the most
sordid."
For several months now the reviewing
board's classification of pictures have been
included in Interstate circuit ads and In
newspaper reading columns. R. J. O'Donnell.
Interstate vice-president, said although Interstate
officials long had been credited with
some responsibility for classifications of new
pictures, this really is the work of the reviewing
committee headed by Mrs. Clarence
Echols. "The reviewing committee is independent:
we will continue to accept their
ratings but will withdraw all responsibility
concerning them," he added.
The disagreement here of a newspaper
editor or critic with theatres, the producers
or a private reviewing board Is regarded as
a healthy, constructive development.
BOXOFFICE January 22. 1949

Bill King of Shelby. Neb.,
Gives Educational Show
SHELBY, NEB.—A pretty good answer to
critics who say Hollywood produces no pictures
to encourage juveniles in the proper
pursuits is unfolding here. Paul Back. RKO
salesman, and Bill King, owner of the Shelby
Theatre, drummed up the idea, then got
excellent cooperation from Superintendent of
Schools Tabor and school board chairman
Harold Blevins.
On January 21 both town and rural pupils
will turn out for an afternoon of pictures
that offers both visual education and entertainment.
The school board will foot the
film bill.
The youngsters will see This Is America
subjects, all two-reelers, including "San Francisco,
the Pacific Gateway," "Letter to a
Rebel," "Hawaii, the 49th State," "Treasure
House," "Operation White Tower," and
"Sport's Golden Age."
Allied Unit to Exploit
Booking, Buying Service
KANSAS CITY—Increased use of booking
and buying services offered by the Kansas-
Missouri Allied unit to its members will be
sought by C. M. "Parky" Parkhurst, who recently
assumed duties as general manager of
the organization at its offices here.
Intensive efforts to increase the membership
of the Kansas-Missouri Allied unit also
will be launched soon by Parkhurst, who said
that doubling of its present enrollment before
July 1 had been established as the goal.
With the return of more favorable weather,
Parkhurst will begin a tour of the areas from
which the organization draws its membership.
He plans to spend about half of his time in
the field in making personal contacts with
members and prospects.
Lake Theatre at Duluth
Sold to John T. Rogus
MINNEAPOLIS—The Lake Theatre at Duluth
has been purchased by John T. Rogus
of Stanley, Wis., from . William and Doris
Blackmore. Rogus was a former tavern and
bowling alley proprietor at Stanley. The
Blackmores have not revealed future plans.
Sale of the theatre was handled by the Savereide
Theatre Brokers here.
Crosby Gifts to Boys Town
OMAHA—Bing Crosby played
Santa Claus
at Boys Town this year. He wired Morris
Levey. General Appliance Co. president here,
to deliver 45 console combination sets. Six
youths representing various Boys Town organizations
were on hand to receive the sets
with Msgr. Nicholas H. Wegner. Each unit
at Boys Town will get one of the sets.
Railroad Safety Film
OMAHA—The Union Pacific
has produced
a new sound color film "Look. Listen and
Live." It is a safety film that will be shown
to civic and educational groups by highway
patrols. The picture was produced after a
conference between the railroad's superintendent
of safety and the governors of Nebraska,
Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah,
Idaho. Montana, Oregon, Washington and
Nevada. Vincent H. Hunter is the director.
Locally Created Goodwill Is
For Film
Industry, Jenkins Says
.From Southeast Edition
ATLANTA—"Public relations in our industry
should be primarily on a local
basis," said William K. Jenkins, president
of Georgia Theatre Co., at a recent meeting
here with department heads.
Praising the community relationships of
his city managers both in key towns and
WILLIAM K. JENKINS
in one-house locations, the circuit president
said that more good for the industry
accrues from "on-the-spot" goodwill than
any "canned" newspaper releases or contacts
imported from the coast.
"First and foremost," he pointed out.
"comes the goodwill built by the individual
manager among his own patrons, city
and state officials. If each manager has
won local confidence and respect for himself,
his theatre and his pictures, adverse
national publicity against the industry
will fall on deaf ears in his town.
"On-the-spot public relations, fostered
carefully and sincerely, stands as a bulwark
against destructive considerations
and publicity which otherwise might be
real threats to each theatre's boxoffice and
Johannsen Hobby Attracts
PAULLINA, IOWA—Film exhibitors calling
on Will Johannsen, owner of the Wonderland,
continue to marvel at his hobbyefforts.
The latest to come from his complete
work shop Is a miniature steam engine.
He made every part including the smallest
screw. About his home are dozens of workshop
products. Each room has an electric
clock for which he made every part except
the drive motor.
As Chemist in 'Madame Bovary'
Gene Lockhart will play the role of the
chemist, Homais, in Metro's "Madame Bovary."
Best
the industry as a whole."
An example of the public relations program
followed by the Georgia circuit is
the presentation of William K. Jenkins
trophies to the outstanding back and lineman
on the University of Georgia football
team at Athens. This year, the biggest
tally of patron votes in
the five-year
history of the trophies was chalked up at
the Palace Theatre in Athens by City
Manager Dan Hill.
Theatre patrons themselves awarded the
trophies by casting ballots in a voting box
in the Palace lobby. Close to 9,000 votes
were cast, adding up to ties between quarterback
Johnny Rauch and halfback Joe
Geri and between tackle Porter Payne and
Bernie Reid, guard.
As a result of the tie, the theatre circuit
decided to present trophies to all four
grid stars in ceremonies at the Athens
Touchdown club's annual Christmas party.
The presentation garnered for the circuit
publicity in the Athens Banner Herald
reading, in part:
"Presentation of these awards by Jenkins
. . . has become a big thing in the
public life of this city, and the popularity
of the awards was borne out by the heavy
vote."
The Georgia Theatre circuit also emphasizes
the importance of aiding the
youth of the state. Each year delegates
to the Georgia Youth Congress are guests
in circuit theatres.
This year, T. H. Read, Atlanta operations
manager for the circuit, was host to some
350 high school students during the congress
sessions in Atlanta, when teen-age
boys and girls attended the Paramount
and Roxy theatres.
The Youth Congress is a state-sponsored
organization for the purpose of better
acquainting Georgia youngsters with
affairs of state. It is part of the state's
educational program to develop well-informed
citizens.
"These representative boys and girls,"
said Jenkins, "are Georgia's citizens of tomorrow.
We are proud to participate in
making their sessions memorable. Our
theatres in all locations seize every opportunity
of furthering local and state
educational aims and of aiding Georgia's
youth.
I consider this phase of public relations
one of the most worthwhile that
we undertake."
Plan 1,200-Seat Theatre
As Part of New Center
MINNEAPOLIS—A 1,200-seat theatre will
be a feature of a shopping center building
to be constructed at a cost of approximately
S500.000 on a 10-acre tract here, according
to Peter J. Karalis, president of the Boulevard
Plaza Corp.
The new theatre will be known as the
Plaza, and a private parking lot will provide
one space for each pair of seats. The house
will be operated by Mrs. Betty Secrest.
Writes 'Greed' Score
George Dunning has been signed to write
the musical score for "Greed" for Columbia.
BOXOFFICE January 22, 1949

Food Price Cuts Seen
As Film Trade Help
ALBANY—Further drops in the prices of
food, noticeable in those of a few commodities,
could be of benefit to the motion picture industry.
Charles A. Smakwitz, zone manager
of the 26 upstate Warner theatres, declared
recently when asked for comment on the outlook
for 1949.
•Business currently is from 16 to 30 per
cent below the level for a comparative period
last year." Smakwitz said. "The amount of
the decline, which in turn was less than that
during the peak year previously, varies from
week to week.
•I think there are five reasons for the
drop." the Warner official stated. "First
come factory layoffs. Such layoffs form the
nucleus for a shrinkage in theatre attendance.
Men want to be sure they have a good
home and adequate food for their families.
They budget more closely, and one of the
methods by which they conserve funds is to
reduce the amount of money spent for amusements,
including motion pictures.
"A second reason is that operating costs
have increased materially. Labor, supplies,
film product all cost more. A third reason
that high costs in Hollywood have reduced
is
output. Less product is available to theatres.
A fourth reason is that some of the current
films are not as good as previous productions.
"Lastly, Christmas and New Year's fell on
what might be called 'poorer days' this season
than last. Storms and floods also handicapped
business generally."
Hope Show to Twin Cities
MINNEAPOLIS—Bob Hope will make a
personal appearance at the Auditorium here
with his radio show January 31. Among those
who will appear with Hope are Doris Day.
Irene Ryan, the Piton brothers. Hy Averback
and the Les Brown orchestra. The admission
scale will be S1.80 to S6. tax included.
Hope is making 26 one-night stands in 26
consecutive days. He and his troupe are
traveling in the "Bob Hope Mainliner." a
50-passenger craft.
Drive-In Company Formed
OTTUMWA. IOWA—Articles of incorporation
have been filed by the Ottumwa Drive-
In Co. Capital stock was listed as $10,000.
Directors are listed as Merrill Gilmore and
Jake Cohen of Ottumwa and Leo McKechneay
of Des Moines. Gilmore is president
and Cohen secretary. McKechneay is treasurer.
To Equip 7 Drive-Ins
OMAHA—F. A. Van Husan, head of Western
Theatre Supply Co. here, announced that his
firm has completed a S150.000 deal to supply
equipment for seven planned drive-ins
in Iowa and Nebraska this spring. He did
not disclose the name of the operators.
Redecorate Canby Theatre
CANBY, MINN.—Redecoration of the
Canby Theatre here has been completed at
a cost of approximately $5,000. The foyer and
aisles of the house have been recarpeted,
and new lighting has been installed. The
theatre is operated by William Flieder.
Omaha 20th-Fox Booker
Gives 224 Dimes to Fund
OMAHA—Regina Molseed, 20th-Fox head
booker, was pictured in the local press donating
224 shiny new dimes to the March
of Dimes drive. Eleven years ago she began
dime collecting for the polio fund and each
year she turns over her 12-month collection
to the drive. All of the 1949 donation were
dimes minted in 1948.
Des Moines Loge Elects
DES MOINES—The Des Moines loge of
Colosseum of Motion Picture Salesmen has
elected the following officers: President, Carl
Olson, EL; vice-president. Pearl Robbins,
Paramount; corresponding secretary. Raymond
McKittrick. RKO: financial secretary,
Kenneth Bishard. Paramount: trustees. Bill
Johnson, Monogram, and Ted Mendanhall,
UA, and sergeant at arms. Sol Yaeger. RKO.
Films at Poor Farm
MARSHALLTOWN, IOWA—Motion pictures
now are being shown at the Marshall
county home and hospital for the indigent.
Nels Riemenschneider, superintendent, said
he believes the Marshall county institution
is the first of its kind in Iowa to provide this
recreational
service.
Buys Marion, S. D., House
MARION. S. D — Lee Nelson has purchased
the Marion Theatre here from George Billings.
Billings has purchased a general store
at Spencer. S. D.. and is moving there.
If It's Good Promotion .
. .
some one will
report it in B0X0FFICE
.
Fresh from the scenes of the activities each week come constant
reports of merchandising of films. Most of these are ideas you
can use for your own promotion. All of them are interesting and
most of them are profitable in other similar circumstances. Make
full u*-- of these practical ideas by practical showmen, many of
whom you may know.
Motion pictures lend themselves ideally to good advertising. The public interest is
high.
Capitalize on the interest that already exists and increase your at
tendance with proved ideas.
BOXOFTICE

19 1 , and
Tax Limit Extension
Sought in Kentucky
LOUISVILLE—Extension from the tenth
to the last day of the month for the reporting
of amusement tax collections by motion picture
theatre operators in Kentucky, and more
convenient methods of payment, loom as possibilities
following discussions by officials of
the Kentucky Ass'n of Theatre Owners and
H. Clyde Reeves, state revenue commissioner.
The proposed extension, and changes in
methods by which theatre owners may remit
amusement tax payments, were described in a
letter written by Reeves to the state attorney
general.
METHOD OF PAYMENT AN ISSUE
"According to KRS 138.000, amusement tax
reports shall be filed by the tenth day of the
month covering the preceding month, and
the report shall be accompanied by cash, express
or postal money order for the amount
of the tax due," Reeves stated in his letter.
"As a matter of policy, we would like to
extend the reporting date for theatres until
the last day of the month. KRS 131.170 provides
conditions under which extensions may
be made by imposing one-half of 1 per cent
interest for each month or part of month
that the extension defers payment. The interest
payment would not be satisfactory to
the theatre industry.
"Please search the law and advise us if we
may properly extend for motion picture theatres
the reporting time from the tenth to the
last day of the month, and to accept personal
checks instead of cash, express or postal
money order or certified check in payment of
their amusement tax collections.
CONFERENCE IS SCHEDULED
"If this can be done, it is our belief that
the interests of the state will be as well protected
as now, and that payment of the tax
will be made less burdensome to the taxpayer."
Guthrie Crowe, KATO president, and other
officials of the organization will meet with
Reeves and several of his assistants later this
month for further discussion of tax collection
payments.
The group also will view a short film,
"United We Stand," prepared for showing ir
theatres throughout the state to explain state
income tax laws. The continuity for the film
was written by Kent Lane.
Milt Mooney Testimonial
To Be Given by Variety
CLEVELAND — Members of the Variety
Club here will sponsor a testimonial banquet
to Milton A. Mooney, outgoing chief
barker, in recognition of his outstanding
leadership on Monday (241 at p. m. The
6
stag banquet will be held in the main ballroom
of the Statler hotel. Industry members
and friends may obtain tickets from Nate
Schultz, who, with Nat Wolf, is co-chairman
of the affair.
Under the Mooney regime the Variety Club
house has been redecorated, regular Friday
evening entertainment programs, including
free rumba lessons and keno, have been inaugurated.
Sunday dinners were served and
several important Heart fund activities were
inaugurated. Succeeding Mooney as chief
barker is I. J. Schmertz. 20th Century-Fox
branch manager.
Disney and RKO Officials
Join Big 'So Dear Debut
1
INDIANAPOLIS— Nearly 150 theatres in
Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia and Kentucky
are participating in the world area premiere
of Walt Disney's "So Dear to My Heart,"
which opened first at the Indiana Theatre
here Wednesday at the Albee in
Cincinnati the next day.
The other theatres followed closely to
benefit from the mass radio and newspaper
coverage given the event. Disney and members
of the film cas\ including Luana Patten
and Bobby Driscoll, are taking part in
activities throughout the four states.
The premiere began officially this week
at Purdue University where President F. L.
Hovde and Gov. Henry Schreiker of Indiana
presented the Award of Merit citation to
Disney, making him the first American to
receive the honor. Previous citations have
gone to Lord Halifax in 1940 and President
A. Somoza of Nicaragua in 1930. Disney
also was named an honorary member of the
Purdue alumni. He was the first man to receive
this honor since the late Will Rogers.
Among those attending the ceremonies at
Purdue were President Ned E. Depinet of
RKO; Vice-president Robert Mochrie; eastern
Division Sales Manager Nat Levy; Morris
Lefko, district manager, Cleveland; Stanley
Jacquest, Cincinnati manager; R. E.
Brentlinger, local manager: Sterling North,
author of the book from which the film was
made; William B. Levy, eastern representative
for Disney; Leo Samuels, foreign representative
of Disney: Charles Levy, eastern
publicity representative, and the Hollywood
celebrities.
Proceeds from a dinner held here for Disney
were donated to the local polio fund.
Upped by MGM to Serve
In Mideast Territory
NEW YORK—Carl Gentzel, for five and
one-half years in the MGM field auditing
department under Alan F. Cummings, has
been promoted to salesman. He now is in
Pittsburgh training under John J. Maloney,
central sales manager, and will be assigned
to Cincinnati January 31. He joined MGM
in 1943.
Lou Marks, former salesman, is now assistant
branch manager in Detroit under
Frank J. Downey, manager. He was one of
the six trainees recently brought to New
York for indoctrination. He has been with
MGM since 1937, most of the time as sales- •
man.
Theatre Wins Damage Suit
BUCYRUS, OHIO—A directed verdict was
returned in favor of the Crawford Theatre
Co., operator of Schine's Bucyrus Theatre
here, in a $10,000 damage suit brought against
the company by Mrs. Mary Augustine, a
local resident who sought damages for injuries
received Sept. 20, 1947, when she fractured
her right leg in a fall
of
the theatre.
in the outer lobby
WALT DISNEY
Disney and the stars appeared on stage at
the opening of the film here and in Cincinnati,
and were scheduled to visit hospitals
and children's homes in the area.
Proceeds from a special showing of "So
Dear to My Heart" were placed in a fund to
establish a permanent Walt Disney scholarship
at Purdue.
A dinner also was given for Disney at
Columbus where he was named an honorary
citizen of Ohio by Gov. Frank Lausche,
and all proceeds from this dinner were donated
to the March of Dimes drive.
Roy Suckling Is Chosen
President of Local 735
DETROIT — Roy Suckling of the Shores
Theatre. Saint Clair Shores, has been elected
president of IATSE Local 735, covering a
large area of southwestern Michigan, northeast
of the metropolitan area.
Other new officers to be installed at the
next meeting include Fritz Devantier, Macomb,
Mount Clemens, vice-president; Bert
Penzien, East Detroit, East Detroit, business
agent; James Kimmick, Emsee, Mount Clemens,
secretary; George Konath, Roseville,
Roseyille, treasurer; Earl Natzel, Hills,
Rochester, sergeant-at-arms: Bert Penzien,
delegate to convention: Bert Penzien and
Roy Suckling, delegates to state meetings,
and Fritz Devantier, alternate.
A feature of the election meeting was the
showing of a special film depicting the growth
of the union during the last 50 years, presented
through the courtesy of the Pontiac
local.
'Joan' Dated at Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH—Walter Wanger's "Joan of
Arc'' will open here at the Warner February
3.
BOXOFFICE January 22, 1949 ME 63

. . Marie
. . Jake
. . SRO
. . W.
. .
. . . Janet
. . . Madge
. . . Front
. . Dixie
. . Nittany
. . Lou
. . Kay
PITTSBURGH
. .
.
tioning in New York . . .
a grandma . The Blatt Bros. Theatres and
personnel were hosts at the January 21 family
night party at the Variety Club . . . Dorothy
Elpern is Hymie Wheeler's new bookkeeper
Jew Lefton. former film man here, was a
visitor from Albuquerque. N. M. . . . RKO
Blair has been invited to return
to her native Altoona for the centennial celebration
at the Film Classics office, succeeding Minnie
Steoinberg, widow of Mannie. who with her
screened 'The Boy With Green Hair" for
slated for August 6-14.
Angeles where
children has departed for Los
they will make their home . Nittany at
. .
local civic leaders and county committee
Providence, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel
Messina, was married recently to Fred
members on fair employment office
State College. Pa., featured "Torment." foreign
hit, two days this week . . . Warners'
remains open with Bob Munn and Dorothy
Lauderbaugh. Messina is a projectionist at
Rodgers on duty. Jim Velde. former SRO
Prince at Ambridge will award puppies as
Guy V. Ida's Grand in McDonald . . . Donald
manager, now is affiliated with EL. The
gifts from Roy Rogers.
Chaban. former RKO booker here and for
district office of SRO is supervising the
several years a Screen Guild salesman at Sam Rothenstein, veteran exhibitor, stated
downtown headquarters . . . Television programs
are demonstrated on the mezzanine
Washington, has returned to make his home this week that the roof is on his new theatre
here and hopes to make a Filmrow connection
. . . Mrs. Keith Chambers, wife of the crete floor was being poured. He will close
at Evans City, the Evans, and that the con-
at the Liberty in McKeesport . L. Dunn,
owner, has been the board
to theatre elected
Parsons. Jack Carson and his
W. Va.. exhibitor, has been vaca-
his Rialto there . . .
of directors of the First National bank of
George Eby of the radio show will appear at the Warner in Erie
Cochranton.
January 24-26. giving four performances daily
Harris circuit office was in Los Angeles conferring
with John H. Harris. Eby is the 1949
. . . Wally Allen, exploiteer for 20th-Fox for
Sam Fineberg, partner of F. D. "Dinty"
Moore in operation of the Alexander Theatre
Supply, visited his family in Phoenix.
Mathilda Kiel, assistant secretary at the
Allied office, working late on convention
matters, could have been overcome by gas
escaping from a refrigerator downstairs recently.
Fortunately. Bud Shuttleworth of
Superior Motion Picture Supply stopped at
7 p. m., discovered there had been a gas
explosion and noticing the lights on second
floor called to Miss Kiel and helped her
down into the air where she was revived . . .
The State at Uniontown presented the
Golden Gate 4 and stage revue . . . Vince
Josack. who returned here recently from the
west coast, joined Ben Stahl as a sales representative
for Theatrical Enterprises . . .
Charlie Burke, native of this city and veteran
advertising-exploitation representative,
died recently in Washington.
Mrs. John G. Rainey died recently as the
result of injuries suffered when the former
film distributor-exhibitor's car collided with
a B&O train in McKeesport. Her husband
was seriously injured . . . James G. Balmer.
veteran Harris circuit executive, is recuperating
[ruin an illness at St. Francis hospital
D. "Dinty" Moore
Sam Fineberg
705 Blvd. ol the Allies
PITTSBURGH 19. PA.
Phone EXpreu 0777
SCREEN COATING AND MASKING
PAINT
PROMPT SHIPMENT
DRIVE IN THEATRE MFG. CO.—K. C. Mo.
chief barker of Tent 1. Variety Clubs.
Gordon and Milton Gibson, Ben Stahl and
Patsy Martin of Atlas Theatre Supply left
Ariz., for several weeks and was ready to
return here when he slipped and broke an
for Chicago to inspect the Motiograph plant
ankle . Isler is the new girl at
and place orders . . . Harry Resnick, sales
the EL office replacing Betty Schacter, resigned
. Blatt of Corry and Walter
representative for Theatrical Enterprises,
managed by Ben Stahl, formerly was associated
with Paramount and Skouras theatres
Scott, attorney for the Blatt circuit, were
on vacations in California. They made the
Stout, managing the Robinson
trip in Jake's new car . . . Sigmund Romberg
and his orchestra will be the February
Grand and Moore's Opera House. Clarksburg,
for the estate of the late Claude Robinson
23 attraction at the Warner in Erie . . . Ben
& Co., states that a new lease has been signed
Amdur will observe his 31st anniversary at
for the B house with owner Colonel Moore,
the Garden, north side, next month .
former mayor of Clarksburg.
George Davis, tri-state exhibitor, visited on
Filmrow recently. He said his wife is hospitalized
here and that he is stopping at a parents. His dad. the Monogram salesman,
Howard Crombie jr., was here to visit his
downtown hotel.
gets around slowly on crutches as the result
of a broken leg suffered when he fell while
on a sales trip at Tionesta . Ginsberg,
Warner auditor, is in Montefiore hospital . . .
Gabe Rubin's Art Cinema has been exhibiting
"Paisan" for a months and. a recordbreaking
engagement.
Warren Wurdock. formerly associated with
the Lowrie Theatre, is the new booker at
U-I. Bill Probst was advanced to office manager.
Warren is a brother of Thelma Wurdock,
long associated with the Monogram exchange
. at State College. Pa., ex-
Princess Martha hotel at St. Petersburg, Fla.
of the Regal in Wilkinsburg has
been newly painted.
hibited the French film. ••Passionnelle" . . .
Roosevelt at Republic staged a Kiddie Quiz
show, awarding a bicycle ... A. P. Way, Du-
Bois exhibitor, is spend the winter at the
Thieves broke into the Crescent at Mahoningtown.
opened the safe in the office and
escaped with $300 . . . Lewis V. Hepinger.
pioneer exhibitor, is vacationing in Florida
and his assistant Louis Aaron is managing
the Orpheum at Clarion . . . Ted Gamble
representatives on Filmrow were LeRoy Furman
of New York, Bill Bell of the Penn, New
Castle, and Bob Cooney of the Victor, New
Castle.
Steve Rodnok jr., manager of the Oaks and
Lehigh at Oakmont, flew to St. Petersburg.
Fla.. to handle publicity for the opening of
his sister's cocktail lounge. His sister Lydia.
well known here and throughout the country
as an organist, will be the feature attraction.
Their parents, the Steve Rodnenok seniors,
reside in Florida and will
be on hand for the
opening. Another son George is looking after
the Oakmont theatres.
.Max Shulgold, Crown Film manager, ne-
! for additional product in New York
Dougan of the Paramount office is
a number of years until recently, when the
company discontinued the entire field staff,
expects to return to theatre management in
the Buffalo area.
Alexander Theatre Supply has remodeled
stock and storage rooms in the rear of the
office and has taken additional storage space
on the second floor of the same building at
1705 Blvd. of the Allies . . . Mrs. Dolly Bosko
Ragen, until recently an employe at the Paramount
exchange, is the mother of a son . . .
Allied's 1949 convention may come to Pittsburgh.
Ben YVachnansy and Maurice J. Gordon of
Ohio and Allied Theatres, outdoor circuit,
were Filmrow visitors . . . Bea and Harvey
Emerman's State at Erie remains closed, and
the Erie Dispatch published this item: "Closing
of the State Theatre here is probably one
of the moves in the battle all over the nation,
whereby the big film companies are being
sued in federal courts by the little independent
cinema house operators, who contend
they are shut off from getting current pictures."
Attorney J. Roy Dickie, elected president
of the Pittsburgh school board, represents
a number of local independent exhibitors in
litigations with the film companies . . . Sun-
Telegraph Servicemen's Fund his installed an
RCA life-size television set. exhibiting clear
images on a 7x9-foot screen, at the Veterans
Administration hospital in Aspinwall. Cost
Norman Mervis was
of set is $3,000 . . .
chairman of the Variety Club's New Year's
eve celebration . Lockhart received
a floral tribute at the annual MGM Christmas
party, which recognized her 28th anniversary
with the company here.
Consider Amusement Tax
LINESVILLE. PA.—Borough council lien
has under consideration a 10 per cent amusement
tax, which will apply to the Regent,
operated six nights a week by Hollis Hayes:
a bowling alley, pool room and pinball games.
Amusement taxes previously have been passed
by Meadville city council. Titusville school
board and Summit township school board,
whose taxable territory takes in the amusement-rich
Conneaut Lake Park area. Linesville
council also is considering a wage tax
or a mercantile tax.
Russian Film Shown
AKRON—"The Stone Flower." a Russian
film, was shown two days in the West Theatre,
in nearby Barberton.
boxoffice :: January 22, 1949

. . . John
. . Mr.
. . Sam
— —
Foreign Pictures Set
Pace at Cleveland
CLEVELAND — Two foreign pictures,
"Paisan" and "The Red Shoes," are doing
remarkable business here. "Paisan" is outgrossing
"Open City." Slated for its fourth
week, it continued to build. "The Red Shoes,"
playing a reserved seat, roadshow engagement,
also headed for its fourth week, was
benefitting by word-of-mouth advertising. Of
the home-made product, only "Every Girl
Should Be Married" went over the average
line. It was held over a second week at the
Palace. "Words and Music," which opened
very big at the State, did average in its second
week on a moveover to the Stillman,
where it was slated for another week.
(Average Is 100)
Allen—The Man From Colorado (Col). 2nd wlc 100
Esquire—The Red Shoes (EL), 3rd wk 330
Hippodrome—Whiplash (WB) 100
Ohio—Phantom of the Opera (U-I). Ali Baba and
the 40 Thieves (U-I), leissues 105
Palace—Every Girl Should Be Married (RKO) 115
Stale—Words and Music (MGM), 2nd wk 100
Stillman—The Palelace (Para), 3rd d. t. wk 100
Lower Mall—Paisan (Mayer-Burstyn), 3rd wk 320
'Musketeers' Grosses 130;
High in Detroit
DETROIT—The New Year business upturn
continued in local theatres with the help of
prolonged good weather. The week's leader
was "The Three Musketeers" with 130 per
cent at the Downtown. Following in second
spot with 125 were "Hamlet" in its seventh
week at the Cinema and "The Paleface" in
its third week at the Michigan.
.
Adams—Words and Music (MGM) 100
Cinema—Hamlet (U-I), 7th wk 125
Downtown—The Three Musketeers (MGM), 2nd
wk 130
Fox—Road House (20th-Fox), 2nd wk......... 110
Madison Unknown Island IFC); Appointment
With Murder (FC) 120
125
Michiaan—The Paleface (Pa.-a). 3rd wk
Palms-State—The Man From Colorado (Col);
Blonde Ice (FC) 105
United Artists—The Accused (Para), Leather
Gloves (Col) 115
"Yellow Sky' Grosses
175 in Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH—Trade at local first runs
generally was better. -Yellow Sky" at the
Harris chalked up an impressive 175 per cent
to set the pace for the city. "Words and
Music," at the Penn. was close behind with
a lively 160 per cent. "Every Girl Should Be
Married," playing a second round at the
Warner, continued to draw well.
Fulton—Mexican Hayride (U-I) 105
Harris-Yellow Sky (20th-Fox) 175
Penn—Words and Music (MGM) 160
Ritz—The Search (MGM); Big City (MGM) 120
Senator—Canyon Passage [U-I); Frontier (U-I),
Stanley—One Sunday Aitemoon (WB) 85
Warner—Every Girl Should Be Married (RKO),
2nd d. t. wk 135
Three Pictures Held Over
On Cincinnati Screens
CINCINNATI—Business fell down somewhat
following the holiday season. "The
Paleface," "Words and Music" and "Every
Girl Should Be Married" were held for additional
weeks.
Albee—Angel on the Amazon (Rep), plus stage
165
Capitol—The Paleface (Para), 3rd wk
Grand—Words and Music (MGM). 2nd wk 1
Diamond Frontier (U-I), Frontier Badmen
of Keiths—The Countess Monte Cristo (U-I)
Lyric
Palace—Every Girl Should Be Married (RKO),
2nd wk
(U-I), d. Shubert—Rogues' Regiment 3rd t. wk
LOUISVILLE
prank H. Riffle, service engineer for the
Falls City Theatre Supply Co. here, returned
from an inspection tour of the theatres
in southern Kentucky and northern
Tennessee . and Mrs. Ernie Forbes
of Ernie Forbes Theatre Supply Co.. Detroit,
stopped here on a motor trip to Florida to
renew acquaintances with W. E. Carrell, a
fellow equipment and supply dealer . . . Leo
F. Keiler, president of the Columbia Amusement
Co., Paducah. was reported on a vacation
in California.
The Columbia Amusement Co. is constructing
a drive-in which should be ready for
opening early next spring . . . Charles H.
Behlen, Nicholasville Amusement Co., Lexington,
reports grading and foundation work
for his new theatre has been completed.
However, he has run into some difficulty ui
obtaining materials, but he has hopes of the
situation clearing up soon, so that he may
proceed with the building . . . Reports indicate
a sellout crowd of approximately 8,000
for the Bob Hope show to be presented at the
Armory here January 24.
C. R. Powers of Bryantsville, local representative
of the Alexander Film Co., attended
a home office conference in Colorado Springs.
At the request of the Kentucky Ass'n of
Theatre Owners, H. Clyde Reeves, state revenue
commissioner, is eliminating daily tax
reports and putting them on a monthly basis
P. Flaherty, business manager of
IATSE Local 163, has been re-elected for his
25th consecutive term. Others elected: Chester
Demaree, president; Clarence Young, vicepresident;
William Fane jr., recording secretary;
Edward Williams, financial secretary.
A charter has been granted the Princess
Theatre Co. Incorporators were listed as
Warren and Edna Shafer, Barbara Sharp
and Howard McCartney . . . Placards showing
the maximum number of persons permitted
in theatres, gymnasiums and other
public places are to be distributed here, according
to Frank D. Crutcher. state fire marshal.
Visiting the Row for the first time in a
good many weeks was Paul Sanders, Sanders
Theatres, Campbellsville. Paul said he contemplated
a short trip to Washington, whence
he planned a vacation in Florida . . . Other
visitors on the Row: C. O. Humston, Lyric,
Lawrenceburg ; Jesse Fine, Premier Theatres,
Evansville: Lewis Baker, Star. West Point;
Tex Richards, State, Crothersville, Ind.; Oscar
Hopper, Arista, Lebanon; J. C. Smith, Bloom,
Bloomfield; R. Lyell Webb. Ritz, Burkesville;
Edwin St. Clair, Lebanon Junction.
Bruce Aspley of Glasgow has announced
plans for the installation of three projectors
in his Plaza Theatre and in the new drive-in
he has under construction near Glasgow.
There has been reported a change in the
ownerships of the Strand Theatre, Edmonton,
and the Veterans Theatre in Tompkinsville.
The report indicates that M. H. Sparks and
Ray Coleman dissolved partnership, with
Sparks purchasing the full interest of Ray in
both enterprises. It was reported that immediately
after the purchase, Sparks sold a
half interest in the Strand to Phil Thompson
and a half interest in the Veterans to Cecile
Richardson.
Producer Walt Di: and the cast in his
"So Dear to My Heart" appeared at a dinner
for the March of Dimes drive Friday t21) at
the Brown hotel here . Switow, executive
of the Switow Amusement Co., is a
member of a March of Dimes committee on
the sale of tickets for benefit of the March
of Dimes to the Bob Hope show.
Louisville theatregoers had a field day with
practically all first run theatres bringing in
new bills. Two had single billings, but four
stuck to the familiar double features. "The
Decision of Christopher Blake" opened at the
Mary Anderson. Also a singleton was the
French film, "The Idiot," at the Scoop.
20-Year-Old Lawsuit Ends
In Brownsville, Pa.
BROWNSVILLE, PA.—Judge Walter P.
Smart of Allegheny county common pleas
court has ruled in favor of Mrs. Mary J.
Laskey, owner of the Strand Theatre heie,
and has directed Peter J. Demas, former lessee
of the house, to pay $22,000 to Mrs. Laskey
for rent, insurance and taxes on the
theatre from 1929 to 1931.
The decision was the latest in a series of
legal battles which began a score of years
ago. Demas and Mrs. Laskey were partners
in exhibition here for five years prior to
1926. Twenty years ago Demas leased the
house from Mrs. Laskey. Then a fire in the
stepped out before renovations were combasement
closed the house and Demas
go but he pleaded that the Strand did not
plete. His lease had two and a half years to
have quality films. Mrs. Laskey, meanwhile,
had acquired the Plaza and Demas said she
was licensing product formerly played at the
Strand.
Two years ago a jury in common pleas
court awarded $10,000 damages to Demas
and Mrs. Laskey appealed the verdict. The
Strand was leased to other parties after
Demas left and in September 1947, Mrs.
Laskey repossessed the house.
Ready for Opening
BTJCKHANNON, W. VA.—The screen
tower and projection booth are completed at
the drive-in which Garland West will open
early in the spring. Located a mile and a
third out of town, the five-story tower will
be furnished for apartments, a fraternal
club or two and storage space. Half the
property has been ramped and the complete
wiring will be added as the weather permits.
WANTED—Used Theatre Chairs
Circuits and independent exhibitors can now dispose
of their used seats at the highest prices by
contacting us today. Send photos and description
in first letter. Call us immediately and we
can advise of full particulars.
WRITE - WIRE OR PHONE
JACK McGRATH
ALBANY THEATRE SUPPLY CO.
1046 BROAOWAY Phone 5-5055 ALBANY, N. Y.
NATIONALLT ADVERTISED BRANDS CANDT
82e per 24—5c bars. Peanuts 70c. Gum—60c.
bars of
MINIMUM PREPAID SHIPMENTS 1.200
lanufacturer's products. Smaller shipments f.o.b.
UNIVERSAL SOUND MOVIE CO.
Calhoun, Kentucky
ire distributors for Nationally Adierllsed b
January 22. 1949

. . M.
;
limes
. . . Bemie
. . Edward
. . George
Harris
s.
. .
. . . Lina
. . The
. . Louis
. . Robert
. . Ray
. .
. .
. . . Roger
. . . Joe
. . . Milt
. . Marshall
. . Art
. . Carl
. . Blair
. . The
. . Sandler
. . Shaker
. . Bob
. . Milton
. .
. .
Review of
48 Cleveland Film row News
CLEVELAND—Flashbacks of 1948 among
Cleveland area film circles:
January
Andy Smith. 20th-Fox general sales manager,
broke the established 35-day first run
protection with a 21-
day availability date
for selected, noncom-
A first run
neighborhood houses
Kranze was
appointed Film Classics
sales manager
Milt Mooney was elected
Variety Club chief
barker . . . Jack Share
sold the Cedar and
Quincy theatres to Irv-
Miit Mooney '"& Gross Jack
•
Lefton, former Cleveland
film salesman, died . . . J. S. Jossey,
Hygienic Productions, was ill in a Los Angeles
hospital
John Tender reopened the Tivoli, Lorain,
following a five-week shutdown for remodeling
. Day Tysinger was named manager
of Shea's Auditorium. Newark . . . Fred Holzworth.
Hillard Square manager, had the
mumps . B. Horwitz, Washington circuit,
and his wife went to New York to celebrate
their 25th wedding anniversary,
February
The Yoiktnwn. built by the Vermes boys,
and the Parma, built by John Kalafat and
associates, merged interests . . . Sam and
Maurice Barck announced plans for a drive-in
in the Alliance area . P. Strong.
one of the former owners of Loew houses,
died in Florida . . . Ernest Schwartz was
elected president of CMPEA for the 15th consecutive
year . . . Orville Crouch succeeded
Charles Raymond as Loew Theatres district
manager . . . Mildred Gross, sister of and
secretary to Frank and Roy Gross, circuit
owners, announced her engagement to Joseph
Polachek . . . U-I joined 20th-Fox and Warners
in offering 21-day availability to class A
neighborhood houses . . . Horace Shock,
drive-In owner, started Lima Speakers, Inc.,
to manufacture drive-in speakers . . . Almira
Theatre offered the first local theatre television
demonstration.
E. S. Stutz bought the Moreland Theatre
. . . E. B. Brady was appointed president of
Drive-In Theatre Equipment Co., manufacturers
of Auto Voice speakers . . . Mollye
Davis was promoted from head contract clerk
to cashier at MGM . . . George Pank resigned
as manager of the Palace, Marion, to enter
business for himself
. W. Rawson bought
Hi, Scio Theatre .
Manos announced
plans for a new 850-seater in Louisville.
Ohio.
March
D. Leonard Halper. Warner construction
and maintenance head, and his wife celebrated
their 25th wedding anniversary with
an open house . . . George Settos bought the
Lyric. Lima, and renamed it the Ranger . . .
Cleveland independents collected $15,000 for
.
Diulel.s.m was
named UA manager . . . 37th Chakere
opened In ShelbyviUe, Ky.
April
.
livery service, died . . .
Joe Krenitz. 25-year distributor, turned exhibitor,
buying a partnership in the Cedar and
Quincy theatres . . . Heavy storm blew out
two Oliver Theatre Supply show windows .
Tony Stern and Lou Ratener resigned from
Warner Theatres to open a new buyingbooking
co-op Albrecht. film de-
Sidney Samuelson
joined Tony Stern and Lou Ratener as a
booker for Ohio Theatre Service Corp . . .
Betty Bluffstone, booker, quit Columbia for
Film Classics . . . Ted Minsky was appointed
Warner film buyer . Knepton was
named contact manager . . . Variety Club
gave a 16mm outfit to Marine hospital .
Ezra Skirball was managing the new Skirball
Drive-In near Massilon . . . Dave Sandler
organized Theatrecraft Mfg. Corp. to make
in-car speakers.
May
Yassenoffs opened their Wooster Drive-in
Pagot, Lansing Theatre, Lansing,
was married . Milt Mooneys and Irv
Shenkers were back from the Variety International
convention in Miami . . . Fred
Holzworth marked his 20th year as manager
of the Hillard Square Theatre . Wallace,
owner of all Alliance theatres, died.
Martin Printz sold his local interests in
the Alhambra Theatre and went to the west
Filmrow
Changes
Cleveland—Several changes were made
during 1948 in personnel among local
exchanges.
MGM—Dorsey Brown promoted from
office manager to salesman; George
Bailey promoted from head booker to office
manager.
Universal—Alex Schimel, salesman,
transferred to the New Haven office.
United Artists— Sidney Cooper, promoted
from salesman in Detroit to
branch manager here, succeeding Bill
Levy, now in the home office.
Paramount—Lou Averbach, formerly of
Philadelphia, appointed assistant to District
Manager Harry H. Goldstein.
Columbia—Tony Laurie appointed
booker.
Screen Guild—Justin Spiegle appointed
branch manager, succeeding Edwin R.
Bergman, resigned; Jack Welsh appointed
salesman.
Monogram—Mark Goldman named to
head circuit sales.
Republic—Irwin Pollard, branch manager,
transferred from Detroit to succeed
Jack Houlihan, transferred to Dallas.
Eagle Lion—Robert Richardson, former
RKO salesman, named branch manager,
succeeding Mark Goldman.
Film Classics—Sanford Gottlieb, former
20th-Fox salesman, named branch
manager; Betty Bluffstone, former booker
for Columbia, named FC booker.
coast . . . Nat Wolf and Henry Greenberger
were named co-chairmen of the motion picture
division of the Jewish Welfare drive . . .
Max Mink installed table-type television on
the Palace mezzanine . . . Harry Henderson
moved from the Lorain. Fulton, to Yorktown
as manager ... Ed
Cutler was named new
RKO booker . . . Hygien.c
Productions held
open house in Wilmington
High school
and Wilmington college
. . . Republic exchange
was remodeled
Albright
of the MPA education
department addressed
the Motion Picture
council on cultural
and educational phases
Hoy Simons
of motion pictures . . Hoy Simons celebrated
the 20th year of the Fayette Theatre,
Washington Court House.
June
Richard Rasgaitis. U-I booking clerk, won
the Ohio roller skate championship . . . Local
exhibitors reported a 15 per cent drop in
business Schweikert, charter member
of 160, IATSE. died . . Peter
Local .
Wellman added the Uptown and Mahoning
to his Youngstown chain . Cohen
quit as RKO division manager here to become
EL eastern division sales manager .
Morris Lefko replaced Cohen as RKO district
manager ... J. J. Houlihan. Republic
manager, was transferred to Dallas . . . C.
W. Powers, owner of the Hudson Theatre,
W. D. Ward, onetime owner
Hudson, died . . .
of the Ohio Theatre, Kenton, died Jack
Benny broke all RKO Palace
. . .
attendance
records . . . Variety Club closed for the
for extensive remodeling . . Kalafat
summer
Memorial Fund was established as a loan
fund for WRU students.
July
H. C. Lance and his wife bought the Diana
Theatre, Rittman, from F. D. Kirchbaum
Minsky. EL district manager, resigned
to open an army-navy store in Alliance
. Fine graduated from Babson
Business School, joined Associated cir-
Simon, RKO representative in
.
. . .
.
cuit
Mexico City, was here for a short visit . . .
Carl Schwynn officially took over the Paramount
Theatre, Toledo . and University
Heights agreed to split taxes on the
Fairmount Theatre, built on property in both
suburbs . Mooney was appointed Coop
booker . Lower Mall discontinued
Andy
its art policy over the summer
Smith jr. and Charles Reagan hosted local
film men at a luncheon for the Rogers Memorial
hospital fund Richardson
succeeded Mark Goldman as EL manager .
Bill Shartin went to Seattle as FC manager
Cohen was honored with a testimonial
dinner.
August
Co-operative Theatres of Ohio marked its
Huh anniversary . developed ad-
January 22, 1949

\
in-car
•
named
|
elson
I
; here
j
and
. Martin
. . . Sam
. . Jim
. . Sam
. . Bob
. . Lincoln
. .
:
. . The
N
. . Sam
:
justable parking lights for his Mobiltone
speaker Reichflum moved
.
here from East Liverpool . . . Bill Levy was
UA manager, succeeding Harris Dud-
... A 1,300-seat deluxer in Galion was
'
started for Howard Reif and Henry Fickensher.
Vogel Building Co. of Wellsville was
contractor .
Scoville, retired member
of the Scov.lle Essick & Reif circuit, was
on a visit from Tucson .
Snyder
Manny Stutz got world distribution of
the Bob Feller short "How to Pitch" . . .
Nate Schultz & Associates bought the Ohio
Theatre, Marion, irom John J. Huebner . . .
Gertrude Tracy resigned as Knickerbocker
manager to manage the Parma Theatre,
Parma.
September
Community circuit leased the Lake Theatre,
formerly operated by Warners . . .
Ben
Fain, Milo Tneatre, died ... Air races and
baseball hurt boxoffices ... Sid Holland replaced
Ed Weiss as manager of the Fairview
. I. J. Schmertz and Harry Weiss went
to Los Angeles for the 20th-Fox convention
G. Smith was re-elected ITOO
president at the Columbus convention . . .
Don McGregor was named assistant to Jack
Armstrong of Schwynn circuit ... Art Isaacs
joined Ohio Theatre Service as booker.
October
Stuart Cangney joined Theatrecraft Mfg.
Corp. as sales and promotion manager .
Qpening of the new Chakeres house in Celina
. .
Paul Staup, Capitol and Star theatres, Delphos,
Drive-In from
has been set for January 28, Frank Collins,
general manager, has announced. The
bought the Starlite .
Christopher Bros. . . . Gerald Kerner. Columbia
booker, married Frances Kozman by John and Drew Eberson, New York archi-
new house will be called the Dwyer. Designed
tects, and built by Knowlton Construction Co.
Thanksgiving day . . . George Dowdell, veteran
of Bellefontaine, general contractors, the new
stage hand, died . . . Mrs. Helen Smith was named president of Akron Theatre Owners
theatre has 1,000 seats. The building is 66x165
feet and, in addition to the theatre, will house
. . . Business was
and Managers Ass'n
two first floor shops. The air conditioning
off 15 independents
per cent, according
Gorrel added
to
the sixth to his
unit was installed by the Hugh Simonson
Co. of Dayton. The interior is turquoise blue
chain of Ohio theatres . . . Esquire (Lake)
opened under Community
and coral with matching carpets, walls and
circuit operation
seats.
after, a $50,000 remodeling job.
November
Variety Club, newly decorated, offered free
rumba lessons to members every Friday
night . . . Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gale took
over the People's Theatre, Akron . . . Sam
and Maurice Barck announced plans for a
de luxe theatre on an undisclosed site . . .
Mrs. Elma H. Albrecht of Albrecht Film Delivery
Service died just a few months after
the death of her husband . . . Eddie Bergman
quit as Screen Guild manager. Judd
Spiegle was appointed to succeed him .
The Linda Theatre, Akron, opened . . .
Maryland Theatres was building on the $160,-
000 Ritz Theatre. Akron . Theatre,
Youngstown, closed for the last ten
years, was opened by Gene Gioppo.
December
Jack O'Connell opened the Paulding Theatre,
Paulding, on Christmas day ... I. J.
Schmertz was elected new chief barker of
Variety Club . . . Meyer Lefton, pioneer film
man, 74, died . . . Wellman opened the new
Belmont Theatre. Youngstown . . . Manos
Amusement Co. and George Manos were sued
by the Bureau of Internal Revenue and major
distributors for alleged fraudulent boxoffice
returns . . . Cleveland will turn over about
$35,000 to the Will Rogers Memorial hospital
fund as the result of a successful give-away
and a gala stage and screen show . . . Ira
Schaeffer, engineer at the Strand, Akron,
died.
MPEA of Cleveland
Retains Schwartz
CLEVELAND—The Cleveland Motion Picture
Exhibitors Ass'n in its annual meeting
here Tuesday re-elect-
^^Kmnq^H eel Ernest Schwartz In
I serve his 16th term as
I
president.
Albert E. Petak was
mdent for his 13th term,
while Ted Vermes was
re-elected treasurer for
his second term.
The following board
also was re-elected
Henry Barden. P. E.
Essick, M. S. Fine,
Ernest Schwartz Henry Greenberger,
Frank Gross. Max Lefkowich and Frank Porozynski.
The Cleveland MPEA was formed 35 \. art
ago with the motto, "An Injury to One Is
the Concern of All," guiding the organization
in unity and harmony ever since.
SPRINGFIELD
David Sawyer, public relations director for
the Regent-State Corp., attended a press party
given by Walt Disney in Hotel Claypool,
Indianapolis ... All local theatres, including
the independently owned Liberty, are cooperating
in the March of Dimes polio drive.
Barrels have been posted in each theatre
where patrons may deposit their donations
to the campaign.
Takes Role in 'Tokyo Joe'
Gordon Jones has been handed a feature
role in "Tokyo Joe." a Columbia picture.
Columbus Critic Lists
13 Top Films of 1948
Columbus—Unable to limit his list of
the best films of 1948 to ten, Norman
Nadel, film editor of the Columbus Citizen,
picked 13.
Listed in the order in which they played
in Columbus, films selected by Nadel included
"The Voice of the Turtle," "Treasure
of Sierra Mad.re," "A Double Life,"
"Call Northside 777," "I Remember
Mama," "Gentleman's Agreement," "Naked
City," "The Search." "Slim- Shine."
"Apartment for Peggy." "Red River."
"Johnny Belinda" and "Words and
Music."
Q I
CINNATI
•The local SRO office, as throughout the
country, is operating on a skeleton crew,
with Leonard Katz and Irene Meek in
control. The latter underwent an appendectomy
at the St. Elizabeth hospital . . . W.
G. Carmichael and J. J. Oulahan left SRO
January 14 . . . Ruth Huelsman, secretary,
will join RKO as Manager Stan Jacques' secretary,
replacing Lillian Lazarus, resigning.
Irene Sagle, 20th-Fox office manager, has
returned to her desk after a siege with the
flu . Park Theatre, Bremen, Ohio,
has been sold by Roy Osbourne to Delbert
Brooks . . . Mrs. Stanley C. Jacques, wife
of the RKO manager, returned from a tenday
visit with her sons Robert and Donald,
who are in charge of the television division
of an advertising agency.
Lee Goldberg, a distributor for Realart Productions,
won $500 for his record in the first
13 weeks of the Realart drive, which extends
to February 19.
William Onie will be honored at a dinner
to be given by the Variety Club January 24
for his long service as an officer and worker
WILLIAM ONIE
for the club's charity ventures. He was a
charter member, and filled a term as president.
He is now a director, after serving
as treasurer for two years.
Irving Good, West Virginia salesman for
20th-Fox, has been transferred to the Omaha
branch, and Clayton Bond jr. has taken on
the West Virginia territory . . . Management
of the two theatres in Nelsonville,
Ohio, has been split, with Mrs. Steenrod taking
over the Orpheum and Mr. Crowe the
Majestic. Jack Needham will continue to do
the booking and buying for the Orpheum.
R. L. Fitzwater. who operates the West
Hills Theatre here and the new drive-in at
Forestville, Ohio, went to Atlanta to confer
with distributors about product for his new
drive-ins in Florida . Galanty, district
manager for Columbia, spent the week
here with Manager Allan Moritz.
The Associated circuit, of which Wes Huss
id, lias reopened its Royal here, after
being remodeled and redecorated.
BOXOFFICE
:: January 22. 1949

. . Irene
. . William
. . William
. . . Max
. . Emil
DETROIT
\A7illiam J. Bayer, projectionist at the Lakewood
and a former shipper at Garner
Bros., planned to enter 16mm film library
field with Chrut H. Matzke, under the name
of Detroit Film Products . Flemion,
Screen Guild branch manager, appointed
George Rossman, former assistant buyer for
the Broder circuit, as booker and city salesman
. Olick. formerly with WJR,
joined the writing staff of the Jam Handy
organization.
Norman Pingel, projectionist at the Emsee
in Mount Clemens, moved into a newly-completed
home . J. Girard, manager
of the Virginia, moved to Centerline.
Edward Popkins, former Kum-C projectionist
who left for California some time ago,
has moved to Montgomery, Ala. . . . Ben Robbins.
Universal manager, was vacationing in
Miami . . . Lou Marks, former MGM salesman
in Cleveland, now is assistant branch
manager here, taking over following Jack
Morgan's illness . . . The Cunningham Oil
Co. is readying a new 370-seat house in Dexter,
to be the first theatre there, for early
spring opening . Beck is taking over
booking for the Callier at Belding, currently
involved in an arbitration suit.
Leonard Salerno was reported to be the
latest owner of the Amsterdam, having taken
it over from Mrs. Gitla Jakubowicz . . . Mr.
and Mrs. Harry A. Dolan of the Dolan Theatre
Service returned from a vacation in Milwaukee
and learned that a new customer, the
Eastwood, had burned the day before service
was to be started . . . Vernon Chapin will
continue to operate the Lorenzen floral business
under that name.
Nat Kaufman at the New Home eagerly is
awaiting the opening of the drive-in season
Chetkin, formerly with the Joy, and
wife were vacationing in Miami, where their
nephew, Henry Youngman, is appearing at a
major night club there.
Harry Weiss Ends Decade
As 20th-Fox Publicist
CLEVELAND—With the discontinuation of
the 20th Century-Fox field exploitation force,
Harry Weiss, who has been in charge of the
company's exploitation, publicity and public
relations program here the last ten years,
packed his brief case and moved out at the'
end of the week. His final efforts were in
behalf of "The Snake Pit."
3
Stagehands Dispute
Ends in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD, OHIO — A labor dispute
over employment of union s'agehands in "The
Best Is Yet to Come" stage shows at the
Fairbanks Theatre was settled this week.
John B. Fitzgerald, IATSE representative in
District 8. issued a statement saying members
of Local 34 of the stage employes union would
be employed for the remainder of the shows.
The controversy arose last December 3
when members of the union picketed the
theatre during the production over the number
of hands used in staging it. At that time,
four members of the union marched in front
of the theatre boxoffice before each of the
two shows.
Springfield Lodge 536. Loyal Order of
Moose, sponsors the monthly stage shows.
Capacity houses greeted each of the past
four shows at the Fairbanks. During the last
production, crowds formed for a distance of
more than a city block from the theatre to
see the show.
Fitzgerald and B. B. Bray, secretary of the
local Moose lodge, said the dispute had been
settled
"satisfactorily."
Buys Out Partner
CLEVELAND—Paul Bonaiuto has acquired
the interest of his partner Herman Deutschman
in Major Films Co., distributors of 16mm
films, including the 16mm version of Hygienic
Productions' "Mom and Dad." He is continuing
the business under the name of Major
Films, and in the same location, 1800 East
30th St. Bonaiuto said he has greatly enlarged
his library of 16mm subjects and is
equipped to service all types of schools, clubs
and organizations.
—
TheatrfSign and Marquee Maintenance
//^Hn^_ Our Specialty
%UHorstman v Co.
McARTHURS
IDEAL SLIDE BACK CHAIRS
Phone: CAdillac 5524
DRIVE-IN THEATRE SOUND SYSTEMS
COMPLETE IN-CAR SPEAKER EQUIPMENT
106 Michigan St., N. W„
Telephone GLendale 4-8852
RINGOLD THEATRE
EQUIPMENT COMPANY
Grand Rapids 2, Michigan
Nights and Sundays 3-241
jmmwiyiimiiimmmi
FILM EXCHANGE DRUGS
The Showman's Drug Store
*
Drugs Cosmetics
Prescription!
Personal Service from Two Showmen
MAX BERNBAUM JACK GALLAGHER
Pharmacist
Manager
Phone CLiflord 1527. CLiflord 3694
BOXOFFICE :: .January 22, 1949

. . . David
. . . Herman
. . . Estelle
. . Lou
. . Dick
. .. The
. . Jack
. . Three
. .
. .
CLEVELAND
Jack Shulman, M. B. Horwitz and Frank
Gross, Cleveland theatre owners, and Jerry
Steel, Oberlin. left here to attend the inauguration
of President Truman in Washington
Sandler, general manager of Theatrecraft
Mfg. Coro., left with his wife for
a Florida vacation ... Leo Gottlieb, former
U-I salesman, now is Film Classics branch
manager in Pittsburgh. His successor in the
Cleveland territory has not yet been named.
Allen Shaw, well known in this area as
booker and salesman, has joined Ohio Theatre
Service Corp. as a booker. He succeeds
Arthur Isaacs, resigned . Sogg, MGM
branch manager, will leave for the west coast
early in February to attend a company convention
. Rasgaitis of the U-I contract
department played the lead in a special
March of Dimes show January 19 at Skateland
. . . Henry Greenberger, head of Community
circuit, and Mrs. Greenberger left for
Miami for an annual winter vacation.
J. E. Fontaine, SRO eastern division sales
manager, was a visitor. To date the Cleveland
SRO office remains intact, with Leonard
Mishkind as sales manager and Sol Gordon
as salesman . . . Bill Price is managing
the Milo Theatre since the death of one of
the owners, Ben Fuin. Before serving five
years in the armed forces, he ushered at the
Milo while attending school.
Nate Schultz, Monogram franchise owner,
was convalescing at his home from pneumonia
. Marks, a graduate of the MGM
school of executive training, has been assigned
to the Detroit branch as assistant to
the manager, Frank J. Downey. Dorsey Brown
succeeds him as salesman, and George Bailey
succeeds Brown as office manager.
In a series of U-I promotions, Bob Grant
was moved up from booker-manager to office
manager; Frank Musto will handle first run
territorial bookings, and Jim Levitt became
city booker . . . Harry Weiss, for the last
decade publicity and exploitation man
for 20th-Fox, and his wife Molly celebrated
their tenth wedding anniversary January 14
Deutschman, formerly of Major
Films Co., has joined Reel Film Service
as salesman.
Beatrice Kay, secretary to Warner film
buyer Ted Minsky, resigned to join her husband
in Toledo . Variety Club has
resumed its Friday night entertainments, discontinued
during the holidays. The programs
consist of free rumba lessons for members
with instructors from the Fred Astaire studios,
and keno. The first keno was won by
Mrs. Harry Weiss, who was celebrating her
10th wedding anniversary.
Mrs. Abe Kramer returned from California
just in time to see the new year in with
her husband, who returned several weeks ago
Goldberg Stahl, now living in
Farrell. Pa., where her husband runs a newspaper,
was here on a shopping tour and sends
regards to all the cldtimers who remember
when she was United Artist office manager.
Cleveland Critic Offers
Film Lecture Series
CLEVELAND — W. Ward Marsh, Plain
Dealer motion picture editor, steps out in the
role of a college professor, starting February
8, when he will conduct a course on "The
History, Enjoyment and Criticism of the
Movies" at Cleveland college. The course will
be illustrated by 75 different films. Classes
will meet at 7:30 p. m. in the Engineers
auditorium on the following dates:
February 8—The First Beginnings . . . First
programs, early Edison shorts, early Lumiere
shorts, early films of interest.
February 15—The French Pioneers . . . From
Lumiere to Rene Clair.
March 1—The Rise of the American Films
... "A Corner in Wheat." "The New York
Hat," "A Fool There Was."
March 8—D. W. Griffith, the first film
magnate . classic movies by the
undisputed master of motion pictures.
March 15—The Great Charles Chaplin .
Five Keystone comedies.
March 22—Adventure and melodrama .
Douglas Fairbanks and Wallace Beery in
"Robin Hood."
March 29—Bases of the Modern Movie I.
April 5—Bases of the Modern Movie II.
April 19—German and French influences.
April 26—Erich von Stroheim and Realism.
May 3—The westerns.
May 10—The movies march on.
Co-Op Team Takes Lead
In Detroit Pin League
DETROIT—Cooperative leads in the second
half of the Film Bowling league season, with
Allied. Monogram and UA tying for second
place. Team standings are:
Won Lost
Cooperative 4
Allied 3 1
Monogram 3 1
UA 3 1
Republic 1 3
Theat.ical 1 3
Scharun's 13
RKO 4
200 club—W. Pasenen, 237: E. England, 215;
L. Metzer, 212; D. Fill, 210; J. Susami, 208;
A. Trombley, 203, and W. Goryl. 201.
National Theatre Supply retains the lead
in the Nightingale Club Bowling league. Team
standings
are:
IN-A-CAR
SPEAKERS FOR NEW
JOBS

SU.
. . . Edward
At Least, Ten Best Lists Indicate
Any Film May Be Hit Somewhere
.
i
By ELSIE LOEB Fort Apache 160%
Kiss the Blood Off My Hands 160
CLEVELAND— Of interest on one hand S°p
Babe e s
Ruth Story
155
, ,. ,
the wide divergence of opinion among
150
is Boy With Green H isc
critics in their Ten Best selections, and on
fo^nn'^BeTmda
the other hand between their lists and the Fuller 7 Brush" Man 145
ten biggest moneymakers here in the last Remember Mama uo
'
Sitting Pretty 140
year- Cary and the Bishop's V.' 140
The motion picture critic performs a ^Blo^n/s^ld^" Dream House. .. i 35
service in informing the public about the
pictures, but apparently the public does its
Paletcrce
CM Nor,hslde 777
135
135
own choosing irrespective of any trained The conclusion to be drawn is tnat tastes
advice. And when the critics, themselves,
differ that the Iunction of the films is t0
do not agree, their choices reflect hardly entertain large numbers of people coming
more than their personal tastes.
from a cross section of America; that tnere
For example, when W. W. Marsh of the is no one type, or one star or group of
Plain Dealer, dean of local motion picture stars, that hit the jackpot the time;
all
editors, and Omar Ranney. critic for the that what's good boxoffice in one place may
Press, chose their ten best of the year, they be poison in another place, and that all
agreed only on six: namely. "Hamlet," "The kinds of well made pictures, on any sub-
Johnny Belinda" "Sitting ject. and with any start are always in de-
Pretty." "The Bishop's Wife" and "The Red mand somewhere.
So. first it is the function of the pro-
And what were the pictures that made ducer to make good pictures. Then it is
the best boxoffice showings in 1948 in the function of the distributing and sell-
Cleveland? They were: jng organizations to show these pictures
450% hi situations where they will reap the
greatest harvest. No doctor prescribes the
ThVe^'Musketeers same medicine for every patient. In like
Key Largo manner, every theatre cannot play, suc-
195
Bood'to^ cessfully, every picture.
Be QiMt
with the
in
THEATRE
DRIVE-IN
• EQUIPMENT
• SERVICE
• ENGINEERING
THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO.
Al Boudouris, manager
TOLEDO, OHIO
109 Michigon — AD. 8107
CLEVELAND, OHIO
921 Guardian Bldg
,
4680
Alhambra Theatre Leads
Projectionists League
CLEVELAND — The Projectionists bowling
league resumed its weekly sessions following
the holidays. The standings:
Won Lost Points
Alhambra Theatre 26 13 35
Union Federated Insurance 23 16 31
National Theate Supply 24 IS 30
Auto Voice Speakers 21
RCA Service Co. 20
18
19
28
26
Oliver Theatre Supply 18 21 25
Ohio Theatre Supply 14 25 18
Mobiltone In-Car Speaker 10 29 14
The RCA Service Co. team was the only
three-game winner of the week.
To Plan 'Bad Boy' Showing
CLEVELAND—Variety Club will hold a general
meeting February 8. when Col. William
McCraw of Variety International and Audie
Murphy will be guests, and plans will be
made for the showing of the Variety-sponsored
feature. "Bad Bov."
SPECIAL TRAILERS!
BEST BY TEST
QUICKER THAN THE REST!
FILMACK
uci luun ncAi innii.cn rnum >:- k
NSS Asks Exhibitors
To Evaluate Service
CLEVELAND—National Screen Service here
set out this week to improve its service to
exhibitors throughout the territory by asking
exhibitors to indicate how they like the
service.
NSS sent out letters to the exhibitors telling
of its service policy and enclosing a stamped
post card on which the exhibitor is asked to
indicate whether he has a complaint, how his
service has been, why service was or was not
good and any suggestions he has for bettering
the service.
The letter, signed by NSS Branch Manager
Nat Barach, says that NSS wishes to serve
the exhibitor "to the best of our ability."
"Since you are the ultimate test of our
service." the letter says, "we want to learn
from you directly whether you feel our service
is good, bad or indifferent . . . You can help
us render better service to you if you will be
good enough to use these cards at will. Your
comments will be appreciated and will receive
. . . personal attention."
The cards are addressed to William B. Brenner,
vice-president in charge of operations
for NSS in New York.
COLUMBUS
Dobert W. Greer was re-elected president of
the local projectionists union for a twoyear
term. Others chosen: Everett E. James,
vice-president: Donald Gardner, secretarytreasurer:
Chester Warner, financial secretary;
Bill Weltz, recording secretary; Willis
Persons, sergeant at arms; Edson James,
trustee. 3-year term: Dave Cornwell. health
committee. 2-year term; Orland Mackey,
health committe. 1-year term, and Ned
Welch, business
agent.
Delegates to the Ohio Fair Managers convention
here urged members of the Ohio
legislature to reappropriate $500,000 for the
Ackerman road site for the new Ohio state
fairgrounds . . . "Hamlet" will open an extended
run February 2 at the 325-seat World
at $2.40 top and with a students price of $1
J. Mackay, 74. former stage and
screen actor and film director, died in Elizabeth,
N. J. He was the husband of Mrs. Alice
Coon Brown Mackay. former Ohio State
Journal drama critic. In silent film days, he
played leading roles with Blanche Sweet.
A music hall and a smaller recital hall included
in original plans for the Franklin
county veterans memorial will not be built at
this time according to Dr. Wayne Brehm,
chairman of the board of trustees. He said
the convention hall and veterans' headquarters
would be started early next fall with
provision for addition of the music hall, recital
hall and other facilities later. He said
the convention hall will seat 12.000 for boxing
or wrestling shows, and 9.500 for hockey,
ice shows, basketball and other games and
spectacles requiring full floor space.
One of the most powerful FM radio stations
in the nation will be constructed by the
Peoples Broadcasting Co.. operators of WRFD,
Worthington. Ohio, following FCC approval
of an FM license for the present AM station.
James R. Moore, general manager, said
the new station, to be built on the site of the
present transmitter, will have 340,000 watts
power.
BOXOFFICE January 22. 1949

j for
. . Technical
Suit for $50,000 Filed
By Salvaiore Adorno
HARTFORD—Salvatore Adorno sr., Connecticut
exhibitor for the last 30 years, has
brought suit for $50,000 against Middletown
Enterprises, Inc., charging that the corporation,
one located in nearby Middletown,
neglected Adorno's Palace Theatre there during
a 15-year lease which ended last summer.
He also charged the firm removed
some property which Adorno contends was
his.
He claimed that the lessee failed to comply
with Connecticut regulations, and that
when he wanted to resume exhibition in Middletown
after expiration of the lease, he was
compelled to spend large sums of money to
put the Palace in shape.
The writ is returnable in superior court
the first Tuesday in February. There is no
attachment in connection with the suit. Dan
Pouzzner is president of the Middletown Enterprises,
Inc.
Farmington Zone Board
Withholds 2 Decisions
FARMINGTON, CONN.—Plans for a new
I drive-in here were revealed with the appli-
I cation by Abraham Friedman, David Friedman
and Arthur W. Droheim, all of Bristol,
a zoning change from residential to business
on land owned by Lewis Wells on route
177.
The town planning and zoning commission
said that a public hearing would be scheduled
on the matter. The same suburban commission
it also announced would withhold
decision on a zoning change from residence
to business on land owned by Paton Price
and Salvatore Capuano. The change was requested
in order that a legitimate theatre
may be built on the land.
The theatre to be constructed would be
the Frank Lloyd Wright "professional" theatre,
upon which an article and photo appeared
in the December 4 issue of BOX-
OFFICE.
Charles Wilson Is Named
Cinema Club President
BOSTON—The Cinema club has elected
the following officers: President. Charles
Wilson, Monogram; first vice-president, Matt
Danahue, MGM; second vice-president, Phil
Berler, E. M. Loew's:
treasurer, Melvin Davis,
Republic; George Roberts, Rifkin circuit, secretary.
These men will serve on the executive
board: Frank Wolf, E. M. Loew's; Tom
Fermoyle. ATC; Harold Young, Booking Service,
and Nate Oberman, MGM.
Harry Smith, RKO, was named chairman
of the annual dinner dance to be held at
the Latin Quarter March 20. Matt Donahue,
MGM, and Dick Dobbyn jr., RKO, were
named chairmen of the souvenir program
book for the dance and have started assembling
ads and greetings.
Drive-In Hearing Held
DARIEN, CONN.—The town board of
adjustment
scheduled a hearing for January 20
on the application of Jenvir Realty Co.,
Norwalk, for an open air theatre on the
Norwalk-Darien town line.
Phonovision Is Big Threat,
Asserts Arthur Lockwood
BOSTON—Television will not be a serious
threat to exhibition until phonovision
is developed, Arthur Lockwood, president
of the Theatre Owners of America, said in
an interview here prior to the dinner given
in his honor at the Copley Plaza hotel.
The "unscrambling device" now being developed
to link television sets with the telephone
will make possible the showing of
motion pictures in the home, Lockwood explained;
and that time will come when
there are enough television sets in use to
pay the heavy costs. He said the "unscrambling
device" constitutes a threat to the existence
of the motion picture theatre.
No advertiser could afford to pay a million
dollars and more foi one motion picture, he
explained, but if there were 30 or 40 million
television sets connected with telephones and
bringing in 30 or 40 million dollars in revenue,
a producer could very well afford to
make films for the exclusive use of television.
Lockwood asserted motion pictures have
greatly improved in entertainment, intellectual
and dramatic content, although the
theatregoer is subjected to a poor picture
now and then.
"The producers try their best to make boxoffice
films," he said, "but it always is a
matter of chance . improvements
in the making of films are running
neck and neck with artistic advancements."
The Lockwood dinner brought many national
figures from their respective home
Norwalk Zoning Board
Defers Drive-In Action
NORWALK, CONN.—The zoning board of
appeals has reserved decision on the application
of the Norwalk Open Air Theatre
for Corp. the construction of a drive-in on
Connecticut avenue here. At the hearing a
charge was made that most of those appearing
in opposition were in the pay of a large
theatre corporation. Still to be acted on is
the application of Michael Redstone of Boston
to install a drive-in in Stamford.
Albert E. Shea Buried
BRIDGEPORT—Albert E. Shea, 55, who
for the last eight years has been booking
legitimate attractions here, first at the Klein
Memorial and later at the Lyric, died in his
sleep recently. He was a native of Charleston,
W. Va., but spent his childhood in
Waterbury. He started in show business at
the Jacques Theatre there and toured for
many years with shows as an electrical technician
after graduation from the Yale drama
school. He is survived by his wife Katherlne,
who was associated with him in his local
bookings.
'Carmen' at Waterbury
HARTFORD—The San Carlo Opera Co.
production of "Carmen" was booked into
Loew's Poli in Waterbury for January 26
at $4.80 top.
offices and Filmrow fairly buzzed with celebrities.
Ray Moon, eastern division manager
for 20th-Fox, stayed over for conferences with
E. X. Callahan, local manager, as did Jack
Byrne, MGM eastern division manager, who
huddled with Benn Rosenwald.
Leo Abrams, National Screen district manager,
visited Harry Kirchgesner, local head,
while Milton Cohen, eastern division manager
for Eagle Lion, and his assistant Sol
Krugman spent some time in the Boston
exchange with Harry Segal and his sales
staff. At Columbia, Louis Astor from the
home office visited the exchange, while Sam
Lefkowitz of UA spent a day with John Dervin,
local manager.
Morey "Razz" Goldstein of Monogram and
Edward Lurie, Allied Artists Hollywood representative,
huddled with Ben Abrams, local
manager. Nat Levy, RKO eastern division
sales manager, visited the local exchange,
while Robert Lippert, president of Screen
Guild Productions and a speaker at the Lockwood
dinner, spent some time with Al Swerdlove
at SG headquarters.
Al Kane, Paramount executive, was in the
district following the dinner. Two Manley
Beall, head of public
representatives.
relations, and
Ray
M Treusch of New York,
E.
attended the dinner with Sam Horenstein,
New England manager. Max Cohen, eastern
division sales manager for Film Classics,
stayed over for conferences with Nat Beier,
retiring manager, and Clayton Eastman,
newly appointed Boston manager.
Joseph Nuzzolo Renamed
President of Local 182
BOSTON—Projectionists Local 182 has reelected
the following: President, Joseph Nuzzolo,
Uptown; vice-president, Morris Goldman,
Loew's State; treasurer, Joseph Caplan,
Oriental, Mattapan: financial secretary, Leon
Narbut. Dudley. Roxbury: business representative.
Walter F. Diehl; recording secretary,
Bernard Lynch, Adams, Dorchester; trustee
to serve for three years. Jack Rosenberg,
University, Cambridge.
Elected to serve on the executive board
for one year were Harold Armistead, Majestic,
Boston; Harold Kaitz, Egyptian.
Brighton; James Gibbons, Rivoli. Roxbury.
Elected to serve on the seniority board for
one year were William Dwyer, Strand, Maiden;
George Hookailo, Regent, Norfolk
Downs; Benjamin Bearman, Capitol, Somerville:
Joseph Cohan, Casino. Boston, and
Albert Reith jr..
Strand, Maiden.
Parking Meters Take Dimes
BOSTON—The 500 parking meters on local
streets will become collectors for the 1949
March of Dimes drive, through an arrangement
between Mayor Curley and the chairman
of the Suffolk county chapter of the
National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis.
The meters are adjusted to register nickels
only, but through the arrangements, citizens
may drop dimes into the meters.
BOXOFFICE January 22, 1949 NE 71

. . . Elihu
. . Paul
BOSTON
Touis Richmond and his wife left for Miami
directly after the Arthur Lockwood testimonial
mouth, N. H., a Morse & Rothenberg house.
With the closing of the SRO office here,
dinner for a three-week vacation salesmen Clayton Eastman and Douglas Mcmouth,
that he had postponed since his resignation Leod have resigned. The former has joined
from the E. M. Loew circuit. Richmond and
Film Classics as district manager, replacing
partner Louis Stern are now settled in their
Hotel Bradford. Their company,
Nat Beier who has been given another territory.
offices in the
McLeod will announce a new con-
the Richmond-Stern Enterprises, oper-
Edward H. Deming of
Somerville. specially
. .
ates several suburban theatres . Louis
assigned electrician for
Gonick, Embassy Pictures salesman, returned
the Majestic Theatre during the run of "The
from a St. Petersburg vacation with his wife Red Shoes," died while on his way home
Glass, Majestic, West Springfield.
after the Saturday night performance.
was on Filmrow telling how lucky all that
section was not to have been affected by the Max Magovsky, manager of the poster department
recent floods . . . Another visitor was Bill
of National Screen, is getting to-
gether a bowling team made up of his poster
Savits. manager of the Arcadia. Ports-
FOR THEATRE PREMIUMS
Here's the Deal to get behind for . . .
WAY AHEAD
"OLD EIRE"
DINNERWARE
boys to join the exchange bowling league for
tournaments at the Huntington alleys. Affiliated
Theatres and RKO are enthusiastic
contenders and it is hoped that other groups
will join the league.
Ralph Banghart, RKO publicist, arranged
a screening of "Joan of Arc" for the staff
of the French consulate and received a letter
of appreciation from Vice-Consul Count Max
de Montalembert . Swift, a newcomer
from Northampton, has been named booker
at RKO. A Boston University graduate and
a former air corps officer, he replaces Jim
O'Hara, who has been named head cashier
at the exchange. Swift is booking Maine,
New Hampshire and Vermont.
New England Allied
Aids Jim Mote Fund
BOSTON—Members of the Independent
Exhibitors, Inc.. of New England voted at a
recent meeting to endorse the Bill Ainsworth
plan for cooperation in the Jim Mote
national fund with $5 contributions from
each member.
The Jim Mote fund was started by W. H.
Hoffman of the Lamar Theatre of Arthur,
111., after he had read about Mote's theatre
burning, in the Exhibitor Has His Say section,
to which Mote was a regular contributor.
Since Mote, who had the only theatre
in the little town of Sterling. Okla.. carried
no insurance and wrote a goodby message to
other contributors, Hoffman suggested everyone
send $1 and help Jim rebuild his theatre.
The idea has been snowballing along
ever since, with distributors and circuits
swelling the fund.
At the same meeting. President Daniel
Murphy selected a nominating committee to
bring in the slate of officers for 1949 at the
annual meeting to be held February 8. The
committee includes W. Leslie Bendslev and
past presidents Francis Perry. Francis Lydoh,
Walter Mitchell and Leonard Goldberg.
Bendslev was named to serve in place of
past president Nathan Yamins. who is in
Florida on a vacation.
Other matters discussed at the meeting
were print shortages, on which members
voted to submit the problem to the national
board for consideration and action. It also
was voted to participate in the Alger case
and a telegram was sent to Abram F. Myers,
general counsel, in Washington.
Bendslev reported on activities of the committee
for the convention, which will be
held at the Copley-Plaza May 25, 26.
Maurice Safner. Ted Rosenblatt, Meyer
Stanzler. Julian Rifkin and Ray Feeley
announced their intentions of attending
the Allied board meeting Washington
in
February 12-15.
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72 BOXOFFICE

. . Keeps
. . Proven
. . Operates
. . Kills
. .
Sidelights
on Lockwood Dinner
Palfreyman, D. John Phillips, Sam Shain.
James M. Jerauld, Ed Morey, Steve Broidy.
Capt. Ross Urquhart, A. A. Spitz, Arthur
Greenblatt and Jack Byrne.
Boston
A LL six of the New England states were
represented at the dinner given in honor
of Arthur H. Lockwood at the Copley Plaza
January 11. Delegations also were present
from New York. Pennsylvania and Washington.
The turnout totaled over the 600 mark.
Variety Club Tent 23 staged the even' in
honor of a fellow member because of his
election as president of TOA.
Sam Pinanski was toastmaster and Col.
William McCraw of Texas was chief spokesman
for Variety.
"They gave me one of these dinners once,
with a watch, and they spent the next four
years giving me the works," he wisecracked.
Later in his talk he remarked: "I'd like
this town if we had better weather. You
can't even make a motion toward a restaurant
check here."
Governor Dever of Massachusetts recalled
a day several years ago when he and Colonel
McCraw had a case coming up in the Supreme
Court. They were ascending the
marble steps of the court building—both very
nervous—and Colonel McCraw remarked to
Dever: "We ought to have a sideline, like a
saloon or something, in case Chief Justice
Hughes throws us out."
The governor speaks without a microphone
and the echoes bounce off the opposite wall.
Later, when Louis M. Gordon, Lockwood's
partner, was speaking he said if he had the
governor's "lung-power" he would also run
for
office.
those named above were: Jim Britt, John P.
Byrne, Joseph S. Cifre, Robert Coyne, John
J. Dervin, Dr. Sidney Farber, Edward M
Fay, Morey Goldstein, Edmund C. Grainger,
Theodore Jacocks, Albert M. Kane, Frederick
Katz, Otto Kleppner, Max L. Levenson,
Nat Levy, Robert Lippert, Lester Lockwood,
Rabbi Irving A. Mandel, Philip J. Marget,
Herman A. Mintz, Ray Moon, Martin J.
Mullin, Daniel Murphy, J. J. O'Leary, Louis
R. Perini, Walter Reade jr., Louis W. Richmond,
Samuel Rosen, E. Harold Stoneman,
Gael Sullivan, William J. Sullivan and M.
Murray Weiss.
Among the out-of-town guests were Dave
The committee included: Sam Pinanski,
general chairman; Steve Broidy, Walter A.
Brown, Harry Browning, Joseph S. Cifre,
Albert Clark, John J. Dervin, Theodore
Fleisher, John Ford, Louis M. Gordon, Theodore
Jacocks, Albert M. Kane, Arnold Van
Leer, Max L. Levenson, Herman M. Levy,
Elias M. Loew, Philip J. Marget, S. James
Marshall, Martin J. Mullin, Michael Redstone,
Louis M. Richmond, Herman Rifkin,
Stanley D. Rothenberg, Philip Smith, Ralph
E. Snider, Irving Wallens, M. Murray Weiss,
Benjamin Williams, E. Harold Stoneman and
Abraham Yabchin.
VIRAGON
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With Ultra-Violet and Ozone
Brings healthful "outdoor freshness" to any room .
Theodore Jacocks, Connecticut exhibitor.
was described by Pinanski as "400 pounds of
the best ever."
Jacocks replied: 'When I heard they were
looking for a big man to become TOA president
I was worried, but now I'm satisfied
because my longest friend got the votes."
Colonel McCraw complained that Governor
Dever seemed to have a limited
knowledge of geography. "He's always
talking about the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
and the United States; he doesn't
seem to know that it's Texas and the outlying
states."
Si Fabian spoke seriously about current
industry problems— antitrust suits, studio
economy waves that affect the quality of
films and television.
"I don't know the answers," he stated,
"but if we all make an honest, wholesome
effort we can find them. The effort has to
be united, under united leadership and honest
leadership. I am satisfied that we have the
man who will devote himself to the problem."
Tent 23 presented a scroll to Lockwood
tohich read: "Lawyer turned theatre operator,
forward looking interpreter of the
problems of the motion picture industry,
you have applied your judicial temperament
to the technique of business, so that
you have become an independent and forceful
representative of all who love fair play
both in and out of your choseji field." Mrs
Lockwood received a silver set.
Those seated on the dais in addition to
Quickly eliminates unpleasant odors .
bacteria .
air fresh .
theatres, offices, REST-ROOMS .
air-borne
efficiency for
electrically
and economically. Costs less than one cent per day
to operate.
Fox West Coast Theatres
and Other Circuits Now Using
This Equipment
VIRAGON SALES OF BOSTON
ROY E. HEFFNER, New England Distributor
22 Church St. Liberty 2-9305 Boston. Mass.
BOXOFFICE January 22. 1949

. . Mike
. . Ruth
. . Max
. .
. . . Al
"
. . Nominations
. . Gus
. .
Frank
HARTFORD
.
£"eorge E. Landers, division manager for
E. M. LoeWs Theatres, returned from
Detroit where he visited his wife and daughter,
who are with the road company of "Oklahoma!"
Piccirillo of the Center
will be married January 29 in Wilson, Conn.,
to Anita Soloshun . McCormick is
the new candy girl, and James Shortwell is
the new doorman at E. M. Loew's . . . The
front and lobby at Loew's Poli have been
ledecorated Milton Hale, former amuseunmentator
for radio station WMAS.
. . .
Springfield, now is an advance agent for
•Hamlet" on the west coast. Hale at one
time was associated with the Playgoers
League of Springfield.
Frances Gordon of Gordon's Entertainment
bureau was in the city . . . Bill Canelli.
manager of the RKO exchange in
New Haven, visited Martin Kelleher. Princess
Theatre Corp. president . Birnbaum
of Warners was a visitor . . . Ruth
Pierson is a new cashier at the Princess,
replacing Shirley Jones who resigned to devote
her time to household duties . . . Helen
Feateau, Princess cashier, was on vacation,
with Wealthy Smith substituting . . . Maurice
Shulman of Shulman Theatres was in
New Haven on business.
Harry Bernstein of Columbia was in the
territory, working on the New England premiere
of "Shockproof" at E. M. Loew's .
The Middlesex, Middletown. now is using
vaudeville on Tuesday nights, with Eddie
Culver's house band in addition to films . . .
Maurice Sabitienor has been appointed
Springfield branch manager of the Gordon
Entertainment Bureau. He formerly managed
theatres and appeared in vaudeville.
Otto Tefts, operator of the State in New
ENTRANCE AND EXIT
FLOODLIGHTS
DRIVE IN THEATRE MFG. CO.—K. C, Mo.
Co.+t

MGM);
Piccadilly
. . Candy
. . Mrs.
. . . The
. . . Charles
. .
'Snake Pit' Continues
Strong at Boston
BOSTON—Another big week was registered
by "He Walked by Night" at the new first
run Pilgrim, but no average can be given
for the first week of the American Theatres
Corp.'s recently converted flagship. "The
Snake Pit" at the Paramount and Fenway
had a splendid second week and held for a
third. "The Red Shoes" did above average
business in its eighth week and a new indefinite
run contract was signed with the Majestic
with hopes that the film will play
through the winter months.
(Average Is 100)
Astor—Enchantment (RKO), 3rd wlc 120
Boston—Adventures of Gallant Bess (EL), plus
stage show 125
Exeter Street—Paisan ( Mayer-Burstyn), 3rd wk 140
Majestic—The Red Shoes (EL). 8th wk 125
Memorial—Mexican Hayride (U-I); Sofia (FC) 110
Metropolitan—The Paleface (Para); Dynamite
(Para), 3rd wk...... 110
Paramount and Fenway—The Snake Pit (20th-Fox);
Trouble Makers (Mono), 2nd wk 150
Pilgrim—He Walked by Night (EL); Old-Fashioned
Girl (EL) No average available
State and and Music (MGM),
Oipheum Words
Llnd
"Yellow Sky' Paces Trade
At Hartford Theatres
HARTFORD—"Yellow Sky," playing a
second
week at the Palace with "Piccadilly Incident,"
topped local first runs with a strong
150 per cent. "Mexican Hayride," dualed with
"Gun Smugglers" at the Strand, paced the
newcomers with a lusty 140 per cent.
Atlyn—For the Love of Mary (U-I); Angel on the
Amazon (Rep) 70
E M Loew s—Shockproof (Col: Manhattan Angel
(Col) 100
Unfaithfully
Poll—The Kissing Bandit
Yours (20th-Fox) ..... 75
Palace—Yellow Sky UOih-Fox) Incident
(20th-Fox), 2nd wk... 150
..
Regal—Blood on the Moon ;RKO). An Old-
Fashioned Girl (EL). 2nd wk 130
State—Son of God's Country (Rep), plus stage
she
"Words and Music' Get 110
For 3rd New Haven Week
NEW HAVEN—Business showed a definite
upswing here as most houses soared from
the below average or average line which
was the rule for many weeks. Second week
of "Words and Music" was unusual for this
city and the feature stayed on for a third
week at the College.
Bijou—Ghosts on the Loose iMonol, Spooks Run
Wild (Mono), reissues 105
College—Words and Music (MGM), 2nd d. t. wk 110
Loew Poll—Yellow Sky (20th-Fox); Piccadilly Incident
(MGM)
Paramount—The Palefa
(Mono), 3rd
i:o
MJ
BRIDGEPORT
Wincent B. Palmeri, former manager of the
Warner here and now with U-I in Mexico
and Lower California, was a visitor . .
Congratulations to Manager Edwin Riha of
the Merritt on a birthday . Ida Shaw,
mother of Harry F. Shaw, Loew's New England
division manager and mother-in-law of
Manager Harry A. Rose of Loew's Majestic,
is recuperating at her home here after a
time in the hospital . . . Stanley Thompson
of Loew's legal department was in from New
York City to confer with Manager Matt L
Saunders of Loew's Poli.
Tiny Day has completed his organ-playing
engagement at Loew's Poli in Waterbury . . .
James Landino, formerly of Warners' Tremont
in Ansonia, is manager of the Hi-Way
here . and popcorn counters are
now functioning in three of the Strand
Amusement theatres, the American, Astor
and Rialto . . . Paul G. Anglin w^as here
setting the groundwork for the opening of
the film, "Hamlet," at Loew's Lyric . . . The
Community. Fairfield, has started Camwood
dish deal . . . Manny Kuggell, former manager
of the Warner, is now operating a hardware
store.
Mrs. Carmelia McLeod, mother of projectionists
Roland and Arthur, and mother-inlaw
of projectionist Jerry Comboy, is a patient
in Bridgeport hospital. Roland is president
of Local 277 . . . Sympathy to John
Martin, business agent for Local 277, on the
death of his father Louis.
Albert M. Pickus of the Stratford Theatre
has been named area chairman for the national
Brotherhood week . . . Phil Spitalny's
Hour of Charm all-girl orchestra drew two
slim houses at the Klein Memorial . . . Anthony
Masella, former assistant manager at
Loew's Globe here and now assistant at
Loew's Poli in New Haven, was in town drumbeating
for the band his twin brother Guy
is bringing to a local ballroom . . . Ernest
Gilbert, projectionist at Loew's Majestic, and
his wife went to New York City to celebrate
a wedding anniversary.
Quite a striking new cover Al Pickus has
adapted for his Stratford Theatre program.
It shows a drawing of the facade of the
recently remodeled theatre . . . New
candy
girls at the American are Shirley J. Basile
and Angelina B. Rende and at the Astor,
Carolyne E. Hatfield and Ida Sofarewitz . . .
HANDY
Two projectionists on the sick list are Edward
F. Lavery of Loew's Poli and Harry
Gulliver of Loew's Globe.
Sam Shuboff, manager of Loew's Lyric, is
in Springfield on a relief assignment. Manager
Al Domain of Loew's Globe is looking
after the theatre during his absence . . .
Larry Pastore, projectionist at the Klein
Memorial, has resumed his studies at the
American Dramatic school in New York City
Lyric played two imported films,
"Torment" and "Passionelle," to fair business
on a weekend.
Jules J. Leventhal, who once operated the
Lyric here, has entered St. Mary's hospital
in Passaic, N. J., for a rest and observation
Tomassetti, projectionist at
Loew's Globe, celebrated an anniversary
Voice of the Theatre sound has been installed
by Jack Schwartz at his West End
Theatre.
Lou Brown
Club Installs
As Tent 31 Chief Barker
NEW HAVEN—Lou Brown was installed as
chief barker of Variety Club Tent 31 at a
dinner honoring Barney Pitkin, retiring chief
barker and his crew Thursday at Variety
headquarters on Chapel street. Pitkin
was presented a gift in appreciation of his
services since the birth of Variety here a
few years ago.
Col. William McCraw, international executive
director, officiated. The new officers,
headed by Brown, include George H. Wilkinson
jr., first assistant chief barker; Ben
Simon, second assistant; Harry Rosenblatt,
doughguy. and Hugh Maguire, property master,
as well as canvasmen Barney Pitkin.
Maurice Bailey, Harry F. Shaw, William
Brown, Herman M. Levy, Arthur Greenfield
and A. J. Mattes.
Mayor William C. Celentano. Chief of Police
Henry Clark, Roger Connolly of the
Register and Arthur Sloan of the Journal-
Courier were among the guests at the installation
ceremony and dinner. McCraw.
who is touring Variety tents, spoke on Allied
Artists' coming release, "Bad Boy," percentage
of rental of which will go to Variety Clubs.
It is the story of a boys ranch established
by Texas Variety.
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. . The
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. .
. . . This
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NEW HAVEN
gnh Kaufmann. exploiteer for 20th-Fox, has
been transferred to New York for home
office duty . Ripps. Metro district
manager, was here from Albany .
George Horan. Warner district manager in
Boston, also was a visitor ... A big New-
Haven contingent went to Boston for the
Arthur Lockwood testimonial dinner .
Harry Rosenblatt, Barney Pitkin, Ben Simon,
Lou Phillips, Ted Jacocks, Sam Rosen, Bill
Vuono and Al Pickus were among those
present.
Bob Schwartz's new 800-seat Ville in Waterville
will be ready for opening by Easter.
National Theatre Supply will equip the
house ... At the Palace, Middletown. National
and Lou Phillips are outfitting the
booth . . . Rumors of houses for sale in the
territory included the Prince. Rockville, two
houses in Waterbury and the Victory. New
London . West End at Bridgeport was
being renovated.
.
.
Jim Darby, Paramount manager, and
Franklin Ferguson. Whalley manager, are
co-chairmen locally for the March of Dimes
campaign State at New Britain
recently joined the Amalgamated ranks
Ray Joyce of Simsbury was ill at his home.
.
.
Bob Elliano, Walnut Beach, will leave for
Florida February 1. He will visit Tim O'Toole
in Fort Lauderdale and Eyrie Wright, former
Loew Poli publicity chief now ill in
Miami . . Morris Rosenthal obtained 1,000
silver dollars to use as change during showings
Ben
of "Man From Colorado" . . Rosenberg has replaced Hy Fine as district
manager for Mullin houses. Fine becomes
Boston district manager . . Joe Mulvey,
.
assistant at the Paramount here, took time
off to attend the boat show in New York.
M.i\ Salzburg, manager of Eagle Lion, left
town on vacation after the return of salesman
Morris Weinstein, who joined the Bill
Kumins of the Warner, Boston, for a week
in New York ... Joe Faith of the Unionville,
Collinsville, etc.. circuit, was on a vacation
in Sarasota. Fla. . . . Roger Mahan
of the Tower. Waterbury, returned from a
Florida trip.
Harry Rosenblatt. MGM manager, and his
wife celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary
with an intimate party at the Tivoli.
m which the Harry Shaws, Barney Pitkins
and Lou Browns joined them . Shea
of Bridgeport, who ran the legitimate shows
at the Loews Lyric, died recently . . . Harry
Blume of the Plaza. New Haven, was saddened
by the death recently of his father
. . . Michael Tomasino. retired exhibitor, announced
the betrothal of his daughter Connie.
The Tim O'Tooles. retired Columbia manager,
have constructed a new home in Fort
Lauderdale, Fla. . . . Josephine Malavassi.
20th-Fox inspector ten years, became the
mother of her second daughter, Camille Anne
was the first New Year's eve in
12 years that Joel Levy was not on hand
from the New York office to witness holiday
shows in the Loew-Poli houses.
Danger to Canadian TV
Is Seen in U.S. Push
MONTREAL— Serious danger to Canadian
television frequencies, reserved under an international
agreement, was indicated here
by Dr. George H. Brown, research engineer
the RCA Laboratories at Princeton, N. J.,
of
who told members of the local branch of
the Engineering Institute of Canada that
"high pressure is being brought to bear by-
American broadcasters to get allocation of
all frequencies not in use at the present
time."
Brown, an expert on television antennae
and allocation problems, discussed prewar
and postwar standards in allocation and
described the present television situation in
Connie Wright will many Thomas Reid of the U.S.. where ultra-high frequencies are
being considered for television broadcasting,
Baltimore, now finishing undergraduate
work at Johns Hopkins June 18 at Center although it would involve considerable expense
church here. They will live in Baltimore
and delay in bringing television to
The Variety Club screened "Bad Boy" the average consumer.
January 13 before the installation meeting The speaker, after a description of the
and dinner, attended by Col. William Mc- technical perfection achieved in television
Craw.
in the New Jersey area, where he can receive
in his own home more than nine different
television stations without interference,
explained that "allocation, however, is
a very important problem." He said there
was a limit to the number of stations being
able to operate within a certain area and
that therefore the allocation of certain channels
within the low-frequency range was
most essential. He also mentioned the possibility
of using high frequencies and of assigning
one frequency with different timing
to two stations as a means to overcome the
"crowding" or interference experienced by
some stations in the U.S., where 30 to 40
stations already are in operation.
Regarding the danger to Canadian frequencies,
anticipated by some members of
the club and expressed in various questions
from the floor. Brown said that "there can
be no doubt, the pressure from American
broadcasters for any unused frequencies is
tremendous."
In reply to Brown's remarks. J. A. Ouimet,
assistant chief engineer of the Canadian
Broadcasting Corp., said that Canada's frequencies
were guaranteed by international
treaty and that the CBC "was definitelysold
on television" but would not make a
decision on frequency allocation because of
some technical problems still to be solved
and clarified. He stated, "We have had only
four applicants in Toronto and six in Montreal
. . . and television became only commercially
practical during the past two years."
Incorporations
—HARTFORD—
Colonial Amusements, Inc., Railroad street.
North Canaan, Conn.: amount paid in property.
S30.000; president. Frances Boscardine;
vice-president. Elizabeth Knickerbocker;
treasurer. Antonio Boscardine: secretary.
Jean Louise Stone, all of Canaan.
WORCESTER
John Matthews, manager of the Warner, has
been undergoing hospital treatment. Substituting
for him is Mary Rafferty, assistant
manager . Guy Palmerton says
he expects bigger film names than ever for
bis Whalom in Fitchburg next summer.
A Sunday Telegram columnist observed
that 5-and-10s replaced both the Plaza and
Park on Front street . . . The two theatres
in the new shopping center in Framingham
on the Boston-Worcester turnpike soon will
be under construction. They will not be ready
for use until next year . Leo
Lajoie of the Capitol held "The Paleface" a
third
week.
The Lyric in Fitchburg will be known as
the Saxon when it is reopened in Februaryafter
a $100,000 reconstruction job . . . Two
automobiles were smashed when the boom of
a crane buckled and crashed at the site of
the Regent, which is being torn down to
make way for a parking lot ... A benefit
show here crossed Milton Berle off its program
when he raised his price for the onenighter
from $2 500 to $4,000.
A writer in the Worcester Telegram, commenting
on the "Col. Blimp" case, said. "The
government hasn't much to do when it sues
a film producer for cutting an overlong film."
He then pointed out that UA merely had cut
the picture down from its "ridiculous 2 '--hour
running time."
Ye Towne Playhouse in Whitinsville has
started Sunday night performances . . . Private
use of the burned out Majestic in Fitchburg
by seven teen-age youths was halted
by the police. The boys entered the rooms
through a skylight and held meetings and
parties . . . Nate Goldberg, manager of the
Plymouth, attended a district E. M. Loew's
meeting in Boston.
.Martin Krasowski of Southbridge states he
definitely will build a film theatre at Main
street and Goddard court. He says he is
waiting for the architect to revise the plans
so the building will house a store as well
as the theatre. Construction probably will
start in six months.
Dominic Turturro, owner of the Elms in
Millbury. has agreed to allow use of the theatre
for the annual town meeting in March.
The town hall is unavailable for the session
because of repairs required by the state, and
the theatre is the only other building big
enough to accommodate the voters.
No Quickie Weddings
In Connecticut
Bridgeport—Some one ought to tell the
Hollywood script writers about the Connecticut
marriage laws. For years Hollywood
has been rushing its film heroes
and heroines to this state for quick weddings
and happy endings.
Latest pulling the boner is "Dream
Girl" in which the stars get romantic in a
New York City beanery and dash to
Greenwich, where they have no trouble
getting married at once.
Connecticut has had blood-test and
five-da\ waiting period laws for a number
of vears.
76 BOXOFTICE :: January 22. 1949

I
I
Kellogg
I
one-third
. . And
Fire Safety Inspection
Shows Many Violations
MANCHESTER, N.
H.—Widespread safety
violations, most of them believed to be unintentional,
were found by state officials
upon completion of a recent fire prevention
inspection of New Hampshire theatres, according
to Aubrey Robinson, state fire mar-
shal.
Robinson said he and his assistant Tom
visited 96 theatres and that at least
of the theatres in which fire violations
were found were quick to remedy
the situation. It was expected that the department,
in its second round of inspections,
would find complete compliance with safety
regulations.
Most frequent danger found in the theatres,
Robinson said, was the partial blocking
of lobbies with popcorn machines and
other stands. Poor electrical wiring, lack of
adequate exits, exposed inflammable film
and poorly stored scenery also were found
by the inspectors.
The theatre visits were included among a
total of 280 inspections made throughout the
state, during which the officials said they
found "far too many" one-room schoolhouses
were fire traps, and in which they became
alarmed at conditions found in many convalescent
homes and public institutions.
Only Woman Assistant
In Worcester Is Cited
WORCESTER — Mary W. Rafferty of
the Warner, the only woman assistant
manager in a local theatre, was the subject
of an interview in the Sunday Telegram
recently.
She disclosed that she entered show business
by working on a candy counter in a
theatre, was graduated to usher and then
stepped into the assistant manager post. She
says she would not like to be a full-fledged
manager because managing a theatre would
mean some day she would have to live away
from home, and that doesn't appeal to her.
Last summer, however, she did substitute
as manager of the Strand in Clinton.
To Direct Yale Drama
NEW HAVEN—Jerome Mayer, Broadway
director and producer, will direct the new
Yale University department of drama major
production. "The Pink Pigeon." Following
the production he will return to work on his
own play, "Wisteria Cottage," which he has
adapted from the novel by Robert Coates.
WANTED—Used Theatre Chairs
Circuits and independent exhibitors can now dispose
of their used seats at the highest prices by
contacting us today. Send photos and description
in first letter. Call us immediately and we
WHITE - WIRE OR PHONE
JACK McGRATH
ALBANY THEATRE SUPPLY CO.
1046 BROADWAY Phone 5-5055 ALBANY, N. Y.
Jack Martin, Republic, in Industry 30 Years
BOSTON—Thirty consecutive years in
the film industry here are being celebrated
this month by Jack Martin, Republic
salesman.
As a youngster, Martin eyed the theatres
in his section and decided upon a
film career when his schooling was finished.
His first job was with the late
Sam Grand of Premier Features, Inc.,
as a shipper. Those were the days when
Harry Decker had one old white horse
to transport reels to and from the north
and south stations. Today, the Decker
Co.. now owned by Decker's widow, boasts
a fleet of film transportation trucks.
Martin has been with Republic since
1937 and has been a salesman for the
last five years. After working hours, politics
is his hobby. He was president of the
Dorchester Citizens club for three years
and after refusing a third term, was
named secretary. He has a wide acquaintance
among New England industryites.
Svengala Aids Benefit
SOUTHINGTON, CONN.—An all-star benefit
stage show was presented recently at
the Colonial Theatre here. William Pilot,
theatre manager, donated use of the house
and proceeds went to the Danny Daly fund
which is sponsored by the Southington Gems.
Headliners for the presentation were Al "Mr.
Sweep" Monty, as master of ceremonies, and
Sol Weinberger of Milldale, widely known as
Svengala the hypnotist. Weinberger cut short
his current tour of theatres in this area to
appear in the local benefit.
Michael Redstone Buys
DARIEN, CONN.—Michael Redstone has
purchased a parcel of land on the Boston
Post road here on which he will erect a
700-car drive-in, to be called the Norwalk
Drive-In. Construction work is slated to
start March 1, with operation scheduled for
midsummer.
As a Cage Star, He's
A Good Showman
Worcester—John Matthews, manager
of the Warner, was trying to impress a
friend with the fact that he didn't become
a basketball player until after his
school days. At Branford, Conn., high
school, he couldn't make the team but
he used to travel with it anyway.
One night they played Wilby High
school in Waterbury, Conn. On the return
trip, they stopped at a lunchroom
for coffee. The counterman inquired how
they had come out.
"We lost, 56 to 0," one of the players
.
replied.
"Holy gosh," exclaimed the waiter,
"what a drubbing—what a drubbing!"
"What he didn't know," Matthews explained,
"was that the player was
ashamed to tell him the real score, which
was Wilby 156. Branford I
couldn't make the Branford team!"
LYNN
Owampscott voters will decide at the annual
town meeting in March whether or not
they want a motion picture theatre on Main
street bordering the ocean. The Atlantic
Shore Properties was given a permit by the
board of selectmen to build a motion picture
theatre in this location, but a proposed parking
area did not come within the scope of
the permit and the attorney general was of
the opinion that the theatre permit itself
constituted spot zoning. New zoning laws
made no provision for the theatre and objectors
have brought a writ of mandamus in
superior court. Petitioners have filed two
articles for action at the town meeting, one
changing the zoning laws and the other
making it posssible to erect a theatre in the
town.
Leonard "Skip" Dunn, toastmaster at the
national popcorn convention, although his
business is supplying candy for theatres in
New England,- has recovered from a recent
illness. "Skip" was former manager of the
Olympia Theatre here.
Jane Greer has been assigned the feminine
lead in "I Married a Communist," an RKO
RAMP-ENTRANCE-EXIT
FLOODLIGHTS
DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO.—K. C. Mo.
THEATRE CHAIRS

. . Berlin
. . Ansel
NEW HAMPSHIRE
T Ioyd H. Bridgham, manager of the Broadway
in Dover, was one of the past presidents
of the Dover Kiwanis club who attended
a program marking the 25th anniversary
of the organization. Also in the group
was Charles A. Crocco of the Dover Film
Corp. . recently had its first showing
of "True Glory,'' a photographic record
of the battle for Europe in World War II.
The film was shown in the Legion hall by
the local army and air force recruiting station
m cooperation with the Berlin American
Legion.
\ll hough no formal move was made during
the first week of the new session of the legislature
in Concord, it was understood that a
measure will be intioduced soon calling for
legalization of greyhound racing . . . The
Strand in Manchester gave souvenirs for dog
lovers during the showing of "Hills of Home."
The gifts included colored pictures of the
canine film star and dog identification tags.
The 1948 Olympic games were brought to
the screen at the Manchester Institute of
Arts and Sciences when John Jay, America's
official photographer at the events, presented
a two-hour show of colored films, "Skis
Over Europe" . N. Sanborn, Carroll
county circuit owner and member of the
from Wakefield, was scheduled to
legislature
participate in educational sessions planned
by the solons. The program was to include
a special "school" on parliamentary procedure
to be conducted by veteran legislators for
new members.
in Littleton, aided police in apprehending
three young suspects after the theatre and
three other downtown business establishments
were burglarized one night recently.
Police called Raymond after discovery of
the theatre break and on his way to meet
the investigators he passed three youths, one
of them with a badly cut hand. His tip to
police resulted in their capture . . . Telesphore
Bourque. 52, a projectionist for more than
30 years at the Somersworth Theatre in
Somersworth, died recently at Frisbie Memorial
hospital in Rochester after a brief
illness. He was a brother of the widow of
Peter M. Gagne. who owned the film house
for several years.
Summer Theatre Permit
Tabled for Added Study
BRIDGEPORT—An application by Lawrence
Langner. owner of the Country Playhouse
in Westport, to increase the size of
the summer theatre, has been tabled by
Arthur Miller, Westport building inspector
for further study by the planning and zoning
commission.
The building inspector said his main reason
for refusing to give the permit was the
added parking problem, because the addition
would allow at least 100 more patrons to attend
the performances. The theatre is one
of the oldest summer playhouses in New-
England.
To Produce Cotton Gin Story
FALL RIVER
Jocal 216 cf the American Federation of Musicians,
which provides instrumentalists
for vaudeville shows held on Tuesday of each
week at the Empire, has formed a credit
union. The union also appointed an escrow
department, which will make it necessary for
band leaders to pay through the union office
the men they employ in miscellaneous work.
Appreciation for substantial Christmas
bonuses has been voiced to Nathan Yamins
by employes of the theatres he operates in
this community . . . Despite inclement weather
and an important radio address by President
Truman, the first giveaway in several years
at the Capitol started with a bang recently.
The management introduced Rust Tulip dinnerware.
a sample of which had been exhibited
in the lobby for several weeks. The
giveaway takes place every Wednesday afternoon
and attracts capacity female audiences.
.
Weekly vaudeville shows on Tuesdays at
the Empire continue to attract capacity attendances.
The polity is in its ninth week
and presents before appreciative audiences
leading talent of the area . . Three-type
soft drink dispensers have been installed at
the Empire. Durfee and Strand, three Yamins
houses.
Directs Photography
"Mr. Whitney Had a Notion," based on Stuart Thompson has been given the dithe
cotton gin invention, will be produced by rector of photography assignment on "Dear
Herbert Moulton for MGM. Wife." a Paramount film.
Officers were elected at an organization
meeting held by the recently formed experimental
radio theatre, Monadnock Players, in
Peterborough. The group, which is composed
of teen-agers from Peterborough, Keene,
Brattleboro, Vt., and other places, named
Eleanor Johnson as president; Charles Parrott,
vice-president; Patricia Shea, secretary,
and Shirley Crowell. treasurer . . . The state
Planning and development commission has
issued its new edition of the New Hampshire
Recreational Calendar, which lists information
about activities in the state's leading
winter sports areas.
The film, "Activities in New England,"
depicting manufacturing processes in various
industries in the area, was shown by Lloyd
B. Bemis. public relations director of the
New England council, at a recent luncheon
meeting of the Keene Rotary club.
A new establishment, the Globe Furniture
Co., has been opened in the former Globe
Theatre building in Manchester . . . The
Rev. Robert W. Shields has resigned as pastor
of the Deerfield Congregational church,
where a few years ago he attracted nationwide
attention by producing a Bible pageant
film in color, with a cast of more than 700
persons wearing a thousand different costumes.
Representative Ansel Sanborn of Wakefield,
who operates several theatres in Carroll
county, served as Republican caucus chairman
prior to the opening of the new legislature
. . . The Bob Hope-Jane Russell film,
"The Paleface," which the management declared
was "terrific." was held over at the
State in Manchester.
James Raymond, manager of the Premier
Build a Better
Business!
Showmanship is the answer
to many a question
as to poor patronage for
your shows. Improve your
methods and earn
more
profits by reading —
SHOWMANDISER
SECTION
Every Week - in BOXOFFICE
BOXOFTICE :: January 22. 1949

|
The
'Bad Boy' Premiere
Ai Dallas Feb. 16
DALLAS—Plans are rapidly maturing here
for an elaborate world premiere of "Bad
Boy" on February 16 in the Majestic Theatre.
R. J. O'Donnell, chief barker of Variety
Clubs International, sponsor of the picture,
will be master of ceremonies. Gov. Beauford
Jester will be a special guest. Stars and featured
players, including Lloyd Nolan, Jane
Wyatt, Audie Murphy and James Gleason,
will appear on the stage. An hour-long stage
show with night club and radio talent will
be presented.
Tickets will sell for $5, $3 and $1, with all
proceeds going to the Boys Ranch Foundation
fund. Similar premieres will be held later
in other parts of the country with proceeds
going to the various Variety tents for their
use in their local charity programs.
'Bad Boy," produced by Paul Short, will be
distributed by Steve Broidy's Allied Artists.
regular release of the picture will be
made soon after the premiere schedules are
completed.
Jake Walker Stays Out
Of Project at Carthage
CARTHAGE, TEX.—An 800-seat theatre is
under construction here, but not by all of the
parties who were originally in on the deal.
The owners are H. L. Hampton, former 10
and 25-cent merchant, and H. B. Turner, an
oil man, both new to the business. Steel and
other materials are on the ground. The architect
is Raymond F. Smith at Dallas. P. C.
McPherson, formerly a manager with East
Texas Theatres for 12 years, will be manager
of the new house.
Hampton and Turner some time ago bought
the Carter Theatre building and equipment,
and the Texan Theatre equipment and lease
from N. E. Walker. To round out their deal
and have the town's theatres in one basket,
Jake Walker of the Royal Theatre was Invited
in on construction of the new house.
Jake was a cousin of n: E., but they were
competitors. Jake was to manage all of the
houses operated by the company. R. A. Gin,
Jake's father-in-law, did not agree to some
real estate phases of the deal with which
he was connected, and Jake's part of the
arrangement did not jell. He will continue
to operate his Royal independently.
George Reed Launches His
Nu-Vue in Abernathy
ABERNATHY, TEX.—George Reed has
opened his all new Nu-Vue Theatre, seating
about 700 and costing $100,000, In this
small town. Construction required seven
months. His present house, the Rita, will be
used for Mexican patronage. All of the
equipment was purchased from Southwestern
Theatre Equipment Co., Dallas.

i
RRE VOU PLAMlinG
fl DRIUE-m THEATRE
FOR SPRinG OPEniRG?
If so, now is the time to purchase
your projection and sound
equipment.
Southwestern Theatre Equipment Co.
2010 lackson Dallas. Texas Phone - C-8579
New Crest Theatre
Open in Seagoville
SEAGOVILLE. TEX.—The new Crest, a
650-seater, was opened by Charles Weisenberg
January 14. It has a small balcony,
about 200 seats. 50 of which are for Negroes
Admission prices are 9 and 40 cents. The
owner drew his own sketches and acted as
contractor for the job, hiring day labor as
he could get it. Under these conditions the
services of Southwestern Theatre Equipment,
from whom he bought most of the equipment,
were valuable. The new brick theatre
faces the busy Kaufman highway.
Weisenberg is a partner in the Palo-Duro
Drive-In in Amarillo and is a son-in-law
of Hollis Boren of the Palace. Ritz and
Texas theatres in Memphis. He will begin
soon to build his new Pike Drive-In half way
between here and the Dallas city limits.
ON THE COAST IT HAS
ALWAYS BEEN
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BELTON, TEXAS
BOXOFFICE :: January 22, 1949

1 15 1 . . . The
. . Hoot
OKLAHOMA CITY
£«oing to Washington for the inaugural fes- and Polly Trindle, BOXOFFICE correspondtivities,
including the inaugural ball on ent. The Loewensteins were to remain in
the night of the 20th, were Mr. and Mrs the east for an extended stay, visiting in
Morris Loewenstein of the Majestic Theatre New York before returning to Washington
MANLEY'S NEW
MERCHANDISING
SERVICE
Soon to Be Available
Will Help You Make More Popcorn Sales!
for the TOA board meeting. Loewenstein is
TOA secretary and TOO president. Polly
Trindle will return about January 26 after a
visit in New York following her Washington
stay.
Hi Martin of Dallas, former U-I manager
here, was a Variety visitor Saturday night
WKY television studio, which
burned recently, will be ready to resume this
month. Television will make its debut here
next spring. The fire in the studio, located
in the Little Theatre of the Municipal auditorium,
destroyed about S100.000 worth of
equipment . Gibson of silent screen
fame and wife were visitors. He now operates
a dude ranch near Las Vegas and is interested
in other businesses.
Ginger Prince, 6, Beverly Hills, was in
town, stopping en route home after spending
some time in Lawton making a film. "The
Lawton Story," built around the city of Lawton
and the annual Easter pageant there.
The juvenile star's father Hugh is an executive
for a circuit in Atlanta. Ginger speaks
over 2,000 words in the film . . . Gene Autry
canceled his scheduled polio parade and
rodeo show for Saturday and Sunday
. . . Spike Jones was a sellout Sunday night
in the Auditorium.
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Distributors for America's Leading Manufacturers of Motion Picture Theatre Equipment
BOXOFFICE :: January 22. 1949

. . Opening
. . await
. .
"High
. . will
.
from
into the Home for January 24, 25 . . .
Starting
Friday (21) at the Midwest was "Don
Juan" .
Thursday at the Criterion
was "The Accused" . Fury"
Is booked next for the State.
One of the most brilliant social events
here this season was the marriage Saturday
(15) of Dannie Bea James and Frank Johnson
Hightower. She is the daughter of Dan
James, Variety Club member and officer and
hotel man. The bridegroom comes from one
of the city's most prominent and wealthiest
families. His parents were the late Mr. and
Mrs. W. E. Hightower; his grandparents, the
late Mr. and Mrs. Frank Johnson, civic and
social leaders in their time. The bridal couple's
elaborate cathedral wedding was followed
by a reception in the Skirvin hotel that
was equally as elaborate. Dancing was in
the Venetian room, while the guests were received
in the Continental room. The couple
left on a honeymoon tour of Europe by
auto for several months.
Bob Hope and his troupe will make a onenight
stand here on February 4 in the Auditorium
... A religious sound film, "The
King of Kings," was advertised for showing
Monday-Friday at Grand Temple on West
Grand where there is a theatre-type marquee
over the door. This showing was announced
in an item in the newspaper by
the pastor, who offered the program at no
admission
charge.
G. M. Smith Is Manager
Of Orpheum at Tulsa
TULSA—George M. Smith, for eight years
a food jobber, is back in the theatre business.
Ralph Drewry, vice-president and general
manager of the Ralph Talbot Theatres, announced
the appointment of Smith as manager
of the Orpheum Theatre, the same post
he held several years ago. Smith succeeds
Bob Russell, who moves to the managership
of the Ritz, another Talbot house.
Dallas Film Men Plan
Brotherhood Activity
DALLAS—At the request of Ned E. Depinet,
industry chairman for Brotherhood week,
film men were organized here by local exchange
chairman Heywood Simmons at a
meeting in the Paramount exchange. Letters
from Depinet and from Charles Reagan,
national chairman of distributors for the
February 20-27 drive were read by Simmons.
Distributor representatives will ask exhibitors
to cooperate by doing four things: each
theatre manager to enroll 10 new members
in the campaign at SI each, display Brotherhood
week posters at the theatre, arrange
a special observance, including a leading
citizen as a minute speaker, and run the
newsreel showing the Brotherhood purpose.
Attending were J. B. Underwood, Columbia;
J. E. Gribble, Eagle Lion; Louis Weber,
MGM; J. A. Prichard, Monogram; T. E. Laird,
UA; Vernon Adams, Warners; N. J. Colquhoun,
Film Classics; Bernard Brager, Republic,
and Sol Sachs, RKO.
Al Reynolds of Ezell & Associates sat in at
the meeting. He and Col. H. A. Cole were
named by Depinet as co-chairmen of theatres
in getting the program under way.
Theatre at Butler, Okla.,
Is Destroyed by Flames
BUTLER, OKLA.—John W. Gates, partner
in the operation of the Butler Theatre, recently
destroyed by fire, said recently that
the owners had not decided whether to try
to rebuild the house. The house and all
equipment were demolished in the flames,
and less than one-third of the cost was covered
by insurance. The Butler was the only
local theatre. Cause of the fire was not
known.
The building was built three years ago of
brick and stucco.
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BOXOFFICE January 22, 1949
J. KLDON PEEK Telephone 7-B691
628 West Grand Avenue
OKLAHOMA CITY 2. OKLA.
jjENKINS&DOURGEOIS
ASTOR PICTURES COMPANY
2^08
DIXIE FILMS, Inc.
218 SO. LIBERTY ST.
NEW ORLEANS 13, LOUISIANA
"MAGNOLIA 5812"

F0
1
:
January
DALLAS
.
WTill Wade and his son Nelson of the Augus with out-of-town exhibitors. None of them
Theatre in San Augustine were here for put in a complaint about business, according
months the market to several Rowites who sell them goods and
the first time in to get
touch and confer with their booking agent services and watch for such comment.
Forest White of the Ind-Ex Booking Service.
Nelson is managing the theatre following his Visitors included W. W. Spurlock of the
graduation from Baylor university and his Elk. Italy; C. H. Jones, Plaza and Jones
D. B. "Dub" Drive-In at Weatherford; Clint Bailey, Cona
marriage to a Louisiana girl . .
Carraway of the Circle at Meridian, was a at Nocona; C. O. Donaldson, manager
visitor just before the ice, and brought along Community Theatres in Fort Worth: C. H
Cox jr., Crystal and Strand in Gilmer; W. J
his assistant Bill Stanford, who is back at
Van Wyk. Pic at Centerville; Jake Walker
serving a short time at the
the Circle after
Palace in Grapevine ... At midweek as the
sun began to shine and the temperature rose
Royal in Carthage; W. H. McLemore jr. o:
the Melrose. Waco; Hiram Parks of Brown
Pan
to above freezing, the Row began to fill up field, who reported a lot of ice in the
handle; Charles A. Thompson of the Grove,
Blooming Grove; S. G. Fry, Tyler; Raymond
Weir, Royal at Azle, and O. M. Cosby of the
new Majestic at Amherst.
Ray Beall, Manley, Inc., public relations
executive, returned from a two-week trip to
New York conferring on national advertising
plans.
Lee Bell, operator of the Mulkey and Pastime
theatres in Clarendon, was here on the
sad mission of attending funeral services and
burial of his brother Joe Preston Bell, who
died on Sunday after a brief illness. Lee did
not remain over for usual Filmrow contacts
but returned home promptly and did some
necessary business by telephone . . . Finishing
touches were being applied to the
streamlining of the Monogram exchange, and
District Manager James A. Prichard is planning
a housewarming. Filmrow commentators
say it is a job well and fully done, adding
that you wouldn't know the place from the
shipping department back door to the front
sidewalk line.
The thermometer read 23 on the Row
Monday morning and there was very little
activity. It was trying to rain but the drips
were all ice. Exhibitors had again postponed
early visits to the Row, but not Ralph Donnell
of the Texas at St. Jo, who was carrying
on with booking routine as usual. He handled
cattle out in the open country before
turning showman two years ago and weather
flurries mean nothing to him.
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James O. Cherry, city manager for Interstate
Theatres for 15 years, and a leader in
activities of the Salesmanship club, is chairman
of judges for the Golden Gloves tournament
which opened this week. The club is
sponsor of the contest, which has become one
of the top athletic events of the area. Cherry
also is chairman of the Variety Club Boys
Ranch committee and has been promoter for
some of his boys who were runnersup in some
of the former events.
Justin Mclnaney and Fred Hargis, district
and branch managers for Alexander Film
Co., returned from the company's annual
sales convention in Colorado Springs. Justin
said President J. Don Alexander announced
that 1948 was its biggest year and that television
is a prime objective.
Exhibitor's Wife Urged
For State Presidency
AUSTIN. TEX.—Mrs. J. Howard Hodge,
wife of the owner of several theatres in
Midland, has been nominated for president
of the Texas Federation of Women's Clubs
by the Fine Arts club of Midland, of which
she has been president several years. Mrs.
Hodge is a trustee of Howard Payne college
in Brownwood. and has been president of
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BOXOFFICE
:
22, 1949

Long Circuit Is Adding
Two in Houston Area
HOUSTON—J. G. Long Theatres, whose
home office is in Bay City, have eight suburban
theatres operating in this largest city
J. G. LONG
'Squadron
DALLAS—Showing of an air fighter picture,
two foreign films, plus "The Snake Pit"
and burglary of a neighborhood theatre safe,
were off the beaten path of news among local
theatres last week.
"Fighter Squadron" opened strong at the
Majestic. A radio program over KIXL presented
direct testimony from pilots in the
last war, who said the film was better than
good and that it was very realistic. One pilot
with the Silver Star, who shot down seven
Germans in one afternoon, said the fighter
scenes were just like they happened, and
that he saw the picture twice. Other pilots,
now in business here, made similar recommendations,
all constituting one of the
strongest pieces of theatre advertising done
here in a long time.
"Henry V" opened Monday at the Coronet,
ne ghborhood art policy house, for five days
matinee and night. Prices were upped from
60 to 80 cents matinee and $1.20 at night,
with students admitted at a special 60-cent
price. Back downtown, another art picture,
foreign-made "Paisan" was in full swing at
the Telenews.
Opening later at the Melba was a new kind
of screen fare, "The Snake P.t," which many
showmen were watching to form an opinion
Helps Make Dallas News
as to whether similar films might go well
at the boxoffice.
A turban-topped psychologist, Kirma, who
answers audience questions on personal problems,
was on the Avenue Theatre stage for
five nights, said to be unusual in a neighborhood
house.
To top it off, a burglar went the back
door route and opened the safe in H. C.
Houston's Trinity Theatre to the tune of
$550. The thief knocked off the knob after
loosening the small safe from its moorings
in a concrete floor.
'Badmen of Tombstone'
Debut in Oklahoma City
OKLAHOMA CITY—The world premiere
of "Bad Men cf Tombstone" has been set
for the Warner Theatre here January 26.
To Screenplay 'Ghost Mountain'
Alan Lemay has been signed to screenplay
"Ghost Mountain" for Warners.
RftMP IDENTIFICATION LIGHTS
SAVES TIME — ELIMINATES CONFUSION
DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO.—K. C, Mo.
in Texas and have a ninth under construction.
Contractor Laughlin & Vernon has
started the $165,000 job in the 2100 block on
Luell street on the north side. It may seat
1,700 and will be part of a million-dollar
community business center started several
weeks ago. The center will include a bowling
alley, furniture store, grocery, clinic and
pharmacy. The new theatre is located only
a few blocks from Long's North Houston Theatre,
a large de luxe operation.
Other Long theatres here are the Union,
Sunset, Airway, South Houston, Rainbow (a
colored house), Long's and the Garden, the
latter two in the Pasadena section. Long's
Theatre is one of the bigger de luxe houses
and compares with the North Houston.
Long owns and operates over 60 theatres,
mostly in south Texas, and owns several radio
stations in medium sized towns in this
part of the state.
TEXAS CITY—The Showboat Theatre, under
construction here a year, will be opened
by the J. G. Long circuit in February. This
house was destroyed dring the earth-rocking
explosion of an ocean freighter in the channel
that took hundreds of lives two years
ago. The new theatre was built under most
trying materials and labor shortages. It will
be one of the most modern houses in the
Long circuit. The big Showboat sign, nearly
60 feet high and overshadowing any other
sign on the Gulf roast, has been placed in
position and equipment of latest design installed
in the interior.
O. M. Cosby's Majestic Open Soon
AMHERST, TEX.—O. M. Cosby jr. is making
good progress rebuilding his Majestic
Theatre which was destroyed by fire the
latter part of last year. The all-new house
is going to seat about 400. The owner went
to Dallas last week to arrange for equipment
and services for the early opening.
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BOXOFFICE :: January 22. 1949

Fly to Hollywood to See 'Tulsa
Showmanship Pace
Set by M.G.Barclay
MIDLOTHIAN, TEX.—M. G. Barclay, who
joined the industry when he purchased the
Dunlay Theatre several months ago and
changed the name to Midlo, helped the
Chamber of Commerce raise funds to buy
a gift for a boy who almost lost his life by
burns. Bobby Moore, a young lad known to
everyone here, had made a gallant recovery
from near death over a long period. He wore
bandages from head to foot and many transfusions
were necessary.
As recovery became more than probable,
people talked about Bobby's courage for miles
around. The Chamber of Commerce wanted
to give Bobby a real present for his valor, a
television set, but had no handy way to raise
the money. Barclay simplified the answer
and turned his theatre over for a special
show, and remained on duty personally with
the projectionist to see that all went well.
The chamber sold tickets at 50 cents each,
and a full house assured enough money for
Bobby's TV entertainment. Near full recovery
for him is believed sure. The whole affair
was written up in many newspapers with
Barclay and his theatre receiving due mention.
A man connected with the theatre industry
at Dallas, who did not want his name used,
reported he had observed some real showmanship
by Barclay in his first theatre venture.
Barclay came to the theatre industry
from a merchandise business and puts in as
many hours daily with his theatre as he did
while operating a store, said the commentator.
Prominent southwest exhibitors were taken to Hollywood by airplane for a preview
of Tulsa," new Eagle Lion film. Top photo, left to right: Sam Landrum. buyer
for Jefferson Amusement Co.. Beaumont, Tex.; Julius Gordon, president of Jefferson;
Walter Wanger. producer of "Tulsa"; Susan Hayward, star of the film, and H. J.
Griffith, head of the Griffith Amusement Co., Dallas.
Bottom photo: Raymond Willie, assistant general manager of Interstate circuit.
Dallas; Jess Barker; Arthur B. Krim, president of Eagle Lion; Ray Jones, Interstate
head booker, and John Rowley, Robb & Rowley circuit. The film will be premiered
at the Tulsa in March.
HANDY

NEW MEMPHIS MAYOR URGED
TO REMOVE CENSOR BINFORD
Commercial Appeal Avers
That His Judgment 'Is
All Cockeyed'
MEMPHIS—A suggestion that Memphis'
new mayor, Watkins Overton, ask censor
chairman Lloyd T. Binford to resign "and
put that unhealthy part of the municipal
house in order," is contained in an editorial
attack on local motion picture censorship
appearing in the Commercial Appeal Wednes-
Lloyd T. Binford, censor board chairman,
"whose silly censorship has made
Memphis look silly to the rest of the
country," according to the Memphis
Commercial
Appeal.
day (19 1. The editorial was the second blast at
the Binford censorship made by the Commercial
Appeal in two weeks. The editorial
titled "Reputation Spoiled," follows:
"As a result of the banning of the motion
picture, 'Curley,' and a subsequent circuit
court decision upholding the right of
the board of censors to decide as it sees fit,
Memphis is being held up to ridicule throughout
the length and breadth of the country.
"A loyal Memphian, now residing elsewhere,
and anxious because of the harm being
done, expresses our feelings when he writes:
"The whole theory and practice of the censoring
being done by Lloyd T. Binford is so
silly, capricious and unintelligent that it
leaves the people outside of Memphis wondering
what kind of people are inside the
city of Memphis to let Binford or anybodyelse
get away with it.'
"As chairman of the board Mr. Binford
has 'gotten away with if because enough
people haven't howled loud enough about it,
or to the 'right places,' and that of itself
suggests a remedy.
"Mayor Overton has just assumed office.
By his methods of operation and his insistence
on sanity and efficiency in government,
he has earned the reputation of
being a "good housekeeper." No doubt he
will effect changes of importance at city
hall.
"It would be an excellent thing for Memphis
if he would start with the board of
censors and put that unhealthy part of the
municipal house in order first, and put an
end to the actions which are spoiling the
otherwise good reputation of, Memphis. He
couldn't possibly do the city a greater immediate
favor.
"It would be no reflection on Mr. Binford's
personal character if he were to be
asked for his resignation. It would merely
be an acknowledgment that the city government
at long last recognizes what every citizen
of Memphis has long known, that Mr.
Binford's censorship judgment is completely
cockeyed.
"His silly censorship has made Memphis
look silly
far
too long."
to the rest of the country too long,
Surf at West Palm Beach
Equipped for Telecasts
WEST PALM BEACH—The new Surf Theatre
has been equipped with a television
lounge which will open as soon as video is
brought to this area. Herbert Scheftel, president
of Tellco. Inc., and Telenews Newsreel
Theatres, stated that "rather than try to
fight television or ignore it, we have installed
in our theatres television lounges." Headline
attractions will be piped directly onto the
screen so that the audience will see the event
as it appears.
Scheftel states that the present chain
started with its own newsreel. "I got the idea
when I was overseas with the army air force
during the war and put it into effect in 1945,"
said Scheftel. Continuing, he said that the
company now employs correspondents
throughout the world and even some behind
the iron curtain in
Russia.
Midsouth Earth Tremor
Shakes Sikeston House
SIKESTON, MO.—A near panic was caused
here recently when an earth tremor shook
a local theatre and sent several hundred persons
rushing from the house. Pew of the patrons
returned to see the rest of the picture.
At nearby New Madrid the quake was the
most severe since 1915.
The St. Louis university seismograph station
reported that the quake, felt in Memphis
and the midsouth, originated in the New
Madrid, Mo., fault, the origin of the historic
quake which created Reelfoot lake in 1811-12.
Manager W. A. Tison 111
DELAND. FLA—W. A. Tison, manager of
the Dreka Theatre, has been seriously ill for
several weeks.
Gulf Stales Allied
Elects Ofiicers
NEW ORLEANS—The board of directors
of Allied of the Gulf States here recently
elected officers and
^
|jj
directors.
Re-elected
president and vicepresident
were W. A.
P r ew i 1 1, Associated
Theatres head, and
Don George, Don
George Theatres,
Shreveport. P. C. Prat
jr. was elected treasurer
and Harold Bailey
secretary. Prat operates
the Vacherie Theatre,
Vacherie, La.,
W. A. Prewitt anc} Bailey is owner
of the Gentilly here. Prewitt also was reappointed
to the national beard of directors.
Immediately following the meeting Prewitt
wired Abram P. Myers in Washington condemning
forced percentage pictures and approving
the Finneran plan for disciplining
stars.
Directors appointed at the meeting, and
their terms of office are:
Three years—J. V. O'Quinn, Joy, Kaplan,
La; Nick Lamantia, Ritz, Bogalusa, La.; W.
M. Sendy, Kenner, Kenner, La.; Locke Bolen,
Jackson, Jackson, Ala.; B. V. Sheffield,
Strand, Poplarville, Miss.
Two years—W. A. Prewitt, Associated
Theatres, New Orleans; Don George, Don
George Theatres, Shreveport; Abe Berenson,
Tower, Gretna, La.; Milton Guidry, Bijou,
Erath, La.; G. L. French, Star, Mendenhall,
One year—W. A. Lighter jr., New Orleans;
F. G. Prat jr., Vacherie, Vacherie, La.; Harold
Bailey, Gentilly, New Orleans: W. M.
Butterfield, Tech, Ruston, La., and J. Williams,
State, Jackson, Miss.
Maurice J. Artigues was reappointed general
manager.
George Mitchley Named
To Streamline Theatres
ST. PETERSBURG — G e o r g e Mitchley,
Texas drive-in pioneer, has been named to
streamline operations for the three theatres
of the O. W. Philpott Gulf Winds circuit.
They include the Gulf Winds at St. Petersburg
Beach and houses in Clearwater and
Winter Haven.
Mitchley has been interested in outdoor
theatres for almost 20 years. He joined a
Texas syndicate in 1940 and even in the face
of gas rationing during the war years, successfully
promoted the drive-in. He declares
that Florida has the perfect climate for airers
and predicts that in this field the surface of
possibilities has not been scratched.
BOXOFFICE January 22. 1949
87

Showman From Suitcase Up
William Finley,
NORFORK. ARK— After 42 years in show
business. William M. Finley of the Lyric
still thinks it is the best business in
the world. In common with many other husbands
who have had successful careers. Finley
pays high tribute to his wife.
"Most of our success is due to Mrs. Finley."
he says. "She has been my faithful wife
and partner and always had new ideas for
making the show better."
Finley was born in 1890 on his father's
MR. AM) MRS. WILLIAM FINLEY
farm near Zion, Ark. He wanted to be a
showman for as long as he can remember,
and as a child loved to listen to his mother
read from newspapers and magazines about
operas, circuses and stage shows. In his
youth he made himself a violin about the
size of a cigar box, and learned to play on it
and on several other musical instruments.
This ability later helped get him into show
Since his father's crops had been "laid by."
young Finley joined Cromwell's show for the
summer, contributing musical numbers. During
this first venture, he was taught several
sleight-of-hand tricks and how to manipulate
the Punch and Judy dolls. Later he left
Cromwell and framed his own show, carrying
it about in a suitcase, except for his guitar.
It was Finley's custom to work in schoolhouses
in the rural districts and he remembers
how careful he had to be of the gags
used for the Punch and Judy show. One
experience he tells will give some idea of
the way "censorship" was practiced in those
days:
"I had presented several sleight-of-hand
tricks and was working the old hat trick."
Finley reminisces. "I took a lot of things
out of a hat borrowed from one of the spectators.
The last things to be taken out were
Norfork, Ark., Started 42 Years Ago
baby clothes, and the last article a man's
handkerchief, folded the old three-cornered
way to look like a baby's diaper.
OFFENDED BY A DIAPER
"A lady in the audience rose and left, her
back stiffly showing disapproval. About half
the crowd followed her and I found out
she was the school teacher and was offended
by the sight of the 'diaper!' Things like
that didn't discourage me, though. I kept
on and made enough money to buy me an
Edison movie machine. Few towns and communities
had electric power then, so I used
hydrogen and oxygen, with gas light to
make the pictures. I can still remember
some of the titles: "The Two Unlucky-
Thieves,' Police Dogs of Paris,' and "The
Swimm ng Hole.' I guess I enjoyed presenting
the pictures as much as the spectators
did seeing them."
Finley kept growing as a showman. He
enlarged his acts and put the show under
canvas, hiring a sister and two brothers for
vaudeville acts, and a string band. They
traveled overland by wagon, using a fog
horn which could be heard several miles to
let the towns know they were coming.
In 1914 his show wintered in Norfork and
there he met Luna E. Cockrum, who was
attending high school and assisting her
father in the postoffice after school hours.
A year later Miss Cockrum became Mrs. Finley
and joined the tent show, which was
modernized from time to time, taking to
trucks and cars instead of wagons.
Constantly looking about for new ways of
entertainment popular at the time, the Finleys
noticed that people were as interested
in hypnotism then as they are in psychiatry
today, so they studied hypnotism and mindreading
i
from the show angle ) and added an
act, Mrs. Finley acting as Finley's assistant.
In winter when the tent show season was
over, they toured small town theatres.
By 1925 the Finleys had also acquired
two children, a girl and a boy. so they bought
their present home in Norfork and built the
business.
Lyric. It is a 32x68 building constructed of
JOINS TRAVELING SHOW
native stone and the Finleys have made a
place for themselves in the community,
Moving with his family to Waynesboro, brought up their family, and hope to continue
Tenn., he became acquainted with a man
in business for many years yet, as he
named Bob Cromwell who was going through is only 58 and she 54. Wanda, the 28-year-
the country with a sleight-of-hand show.
old daughter, is now Mrs. Roe and William
M. Finley jr. has a radio and sound service
shop in Norfork.
"It's a good life and we have been happy
in show business," the Finleys say. "We have
met a lot of show people and find them
such friendly folks, always ready to help,
one another. We would never want to change
from show business to any other and we
don't ever forget what a helDful place In
our business lives BOXOFFICE has had."
Film Chiefs Vacation
CORAL GABLES— William Brandt and his
wife are on a ten-week vacation in the Miami
area. William F. Rodgers, MGM vice-president,
is another who is enjoying a midwinter
vacation in this area. He is general sales
manager for MGM.
TOA of Two Carolinas
To Convene Jan. 30
CHARLOTTE—The program committee for
the 37th annual convention of the Theatre
Owners of North and South Carolina has
completed arrangements for the meeting at
the Charlotte hotel here January 30-February
1.
Nationally known exhibitor leaders will discuss
industry problems at the business sessions
and local problems will be aired.
T. A. Little and Walter Griffith are cochairmen
of the affair. Parties also have
been arranged for the ladies.
Reservations may be secured through Don
Graham, Box 1606, Charlotte.
Dixie Skydrome Drive-In
Opens at Lake Worth, Fla.
LAKE WORTH, FLA—The new Dixie Skydrome
Drive-In on North Dixie highway was
opened recently by owners Roy B. Harrelson
Jack Cook and Walter Morgan. Mayor Jack
T. Barton officiated at the opening ceremonies
and the local high school band played
as the ribbons were cut. This was followed
by one hour of free entertainment.
The Dixie Skydrome has a 600-car capacity
and a special ramp has been constructed for
busses and station wagons. The mammoth
screen measures 50x56 feet and is so constructed
that it will withstand hurricane
winds up to 150 miles per hour. The Dixie
also has been constructed so that it can be
adapted to television broadcasting.
A restaurant is operated in connection with
the drive-in and curb service will be available
for at least 125 cars. The owners say
they have been approached with the idea of
establishing a shopping center in the area
and that they are agreeable to the idea if
a sufficient number of merchants are interested
enough to join in a permanent lease
deal.
Manager of the Dixie Skydrome is Walter
E. Foley jr., formerly associated with Loew's
circuit in Massachusetts. The drive-in will
play first and second run product with three
program changes a week. Children under 12,
accompanied by their parents, will be admitted
free and a playground is being prepared
for the youngsters at the base of the
screen. The grounds will be landscaped in
keeping with the tropical setting.
Little River Theatre
Is Nearing Completion
MIAMI— Bernstein's Little River Theatre
is having its marquee and seats installed as
the finishing touches prior to the January
18 opening.
Manager Walter Leech, along with George
Wendhal and others of the Bernstein organization,
have been working feverishly to complete
the neighborhood house. It was decided
that opening night proceeds would go
to the Little River Youth center. Interest
was signified by the local Optimist club,
which was given the responsibility for staging
a show at opening ceremonies.
The management has scheduled "Race
Street" for the initial screen attraction. It
will run for three days.
BOXOFFICE :: January 22. 1949

SEATING
Harlan "Tuffy" Dunlap is the man to see for your seating needs. We are
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Seeing actual samples is the better way to appreciate the seating we offer.
Write, Wire, or Call
Harlan "Tuffy" Dunlap
410 So. 2nd Street, Memphis, Tennessee
Office Phone - 81770 Home Phone - 34-7873
Representing
GRIGGS EQUIPMENT COMPANY
Belton, Texas
BOXOFFICE January 22, 1949

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BIRMINGHAM 3. ALABAMA
NEW ORLEANS
•Theatre cashiers and concession attendants
in the New Orleans territory have been
warned to be on the lookout for spurious $10
bills. Previously spotted in the east and in
Chicago, several of the bogus bills already
have turned up here. Agent Maier believes
that a theatre boxoffice is a natural outlet
for the bills, since the cashier would ordinarily
be too busy to give each piece of currency
more than casual attention. Managers
have been provided with a sketch of the
counterfeit currency and its description. Each
bill is a green seal note with green serial
number drawn on the Federal Reserve bank
of Chicago. Worthless bills located so far
bear the number G20964706B. Agent Maier
requests that persons receiving suspicious
bills refer them to hl» office in the local
federal
building.
With the construction of new theatres in
the territory rapidly reaching the boom stage,
exhibitors have been requested by the fire
marshal's office to bear in mind the state
fire rules and regulations. They are: (1) Two
exits on the lower floor are required. One
must be located in front part of auditorium
and the other either on the side of building
or in back of screen; All balconies must
have two exits, one on each side of the building.
If exits are entered through a passageway,
the passage must be fireproof; (3) Seating
arrangements limit the two side sections
to seven seats each and the middle section
to 14 seats. Width of aisle must not be
less than 36 inches.
Allied Manager Maurice Artigues has issued
a special request for the cooperation of
all Allied members auring National Brotherhood
week . Star Theatre, Mendenhall,
La., operated by G. L. French, has resumed
operations after being closed for remodeling,
in which 406 new seats were added . . . L. W.
Illsey's new 1,000-seat Rebel Theatre, at Columbia,
Miss., officially opened on January
13 to a capacity crowd. In attendance from
Filmrow and guests at the subsequent buffet
supper were Bob Kelly, Dixie Films manager;
Luke Connors, Warner manager; Charlie Ost,
Universal manager, and Mike Heck.
The Joy Theatre at Mansura, La., a Joy
Theatres, Inc., operation, has been closed
indefinitely, according to Willis Houck . . .
Paul Lee has sold his Lee Theatre at Cutoff,
La. The name of the new owner has not been
divulged. The house will be closed temporarily
for repairs ... J. P. Serio has announced
that due to bad business he will
not operate his Century Theatre in Morganza,
La., on Fridays. He will continue this practice
until after Easter Sunday.
Shirley Reach Eagen, former Allied of Gulf
States stenographer, has accepted a similar
position with National Theatre Supply Co.
. . . Bill Castay has closed his Film club
Princess Theatre, an A. L. Royal
operation, is closed temporarily for remodeling.
In the city to confer with Delta Theatres
head John Ellzey were RCA representatives
Harry Paul, Atlanta, southern district manager
of theatre equipment; Walter Gilreath,
Dallas, district manager: Edward Auger, Camden.
N. J., and Adolph Goodman from Camden,
treasurer . F. Ewing, owner of
Curtis Dossett, who operates the Star Theatre,
Hattiesburg, Miss., recently purchased a
new Chrysler.
Reba Lampton has replaced Becky Jones
as boxoffice clerk at Fox Films. Becky is
now secretary to Henry Harold, office manager.
Miriam Benson, former office manager's
secretary, is now assistant cashier.
Other new employes at Fox are Eloise George,
bookkeeper, and Patricia Corona, biller. Patricia
replaces Shirley Bourgeois who resigned
as biller on January 14 to be married
Jones, secretary to Fox's office
manager, has set May 1 as the date of her
wedding . Neal, Fox booker, returned
from Maryland and New York where he spent
the New Year holiday.
Jake Lutzer of Film Classics was here from
Dallas conferring with Manager Milton
Dureau . Jenkins, Astor Pictures executive
from Dallas, was here for a one-day
conference with Bob Kelly, manager of Dixie
Dan Brandon. Transway general manager,
left on a business trip to Atlanta, Ga.
Local independent exhibitors emerged victorious
from a recent meeting with representatives
of the local newspapers, held to
discuss the reduction of the newly imposed
3-cent-per-line increase in newspaper advertising
for theatres. The outcome of the meeting,
which was called by Allied Manager
Maurice Artigues, was 2 '^ -cent per line reduction
of the levied increase, leaving an actual
increase of only tf cent per line . . .
Kenneth R. Giddens. Giddens & Rester Theatres
head, operator of the Downtown. Brookley
and Crichton theatres at Mobile. Ala.,
has assumed most of the responsibility for
the booking and general administration of
the three theatres, a position formerly held
by Ricardo Montiel, who died a few weeks
ago. Kenneth Montiel, son of Ricardo, continues
as assistant to Giddens.
Latest of the exchanges to transfer the
shipping and inspection of film to Film Inspection
Service is Kay Film Exchanges,
which moved its prints from the vaults of
Dixie Films to FIS on January 8. Next on
list is the Eagle Lion, which expects to make
the move during the latter part of January.
Along with EL's prints will go its head shipper
and inspection personnel . Jarvis,
Kay Films manager, was here for several
days after an extended trip throughout the
territory.
The third Paramount feature to play other
than a Paramount -Richards house since the
recent sell-away was to open at Loew's State
LN-A-CAR SPEAKERS
the Fay Theatre, Fayette, La., is ill . . .

. . Fox
. .
.
. . Ritz
. . Ned
. .
Friday (21). It is "The Paleface" . . . Currently
playing at downtown houses were
"Joan of Arc," held over for a fourth week
at the Orpheum; "Unfaithfully Yours," at
the Saenger and at the Tudor and Globe,
"Yellow Sky" and "Unknown Island." The
Joy was showing "The Return of October,"
"You Gotta Stay Happy" was at Loew's State,
"The Invaders" and "Commandos Strike at
Dawn" was the Liberty's double bill. The
Center featured "High Seas." The Strand's
double bill was "The Noose Hangs High" and
"Michigan Kid."
Maurice Artigues, Allied of Gulf States
general manager, was in Memphis on business,
as was W. A. Prewitt jr., Allied president
. . . Filmrow visitors included C. J.
Tringas, Roxy Theatre, Pensacola, Fla., and
his brother J. K. Tringas of the Tringas,
Fort Walton, Fla.; Jack O'Quinn, Joy, Kaplan,
La.; Frank Olah, Star, Albany, La.;
Henry Nastasi, Redwood, Bogalusa, La.; Milton
Guidry, Bijo, Erath, La.; Roy Pfeiffer,
Tivoli, Avenue and Istrouma, Baton Rouge,
La.: Sam Wilson, Hazel, Hazelhurst, Miss.,
and Max Connett. Roxy, Newton, Miss.
Wolfson-Meyer Gets Stock
Of Miami Video Station
MIAMI—Television station WTVJ here got
the go-ahead signal this past week as the
FCC transferred the station's stock to the
Wolfson-Meyer Theatre Enterprises, Inc.
The decision is subject to review if objections
arise. The station has been delayed
by FCC action charging that the transfer of
stock from the Southern Radio & Television
Equipment Co. to the theatre chain was not
in accordance with commission rules.
Commission officials in Washington also
said that they hoped the current "freeze" on
other applications over the entire country may
be lifted soon to permit increased service.
Key West Theatre Improved
KEY WEST, FLA.—Manager Ygnacio Carbonell
closed the Monroe Theatre several days
to lay new concrete floors and install new
cushioned seats. Other improvements will be
made to the plant in the near future, a little
at a time so as not to necessitate closing
the place for too long a period.
MEMPHIS
T C. Carter, owner of the State, Stephens,
Ark., says this showhouse has been reopened
under new management ... 71 Drive-
In. Fort Smith, has been closed until spring
by owner William L. Spicer ... J. J. Sharum,
Chandelle and Metro theatres, Walnut Ridge,
Ark., is in Baptist hospital here . . . Don
Sharp, manager and booker for Sharum, was
on Filmrow booking.
Ike Katz, president of Kay Film Exchanges,
Atlanta, spent three days in the Memphis office
. . . Barbara English, stenographer, will
be married February 18 at Epworth Methodist
church to Bob Dillard Dorris, salesman .
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Bostick went to Los Angeles
for the wedding January 15 of Billy Oldknow,
son of the southern and western division manager
for National Theatre Supply Co., and
Constantia Skouras. Bostick is Memphis manager
for National Screen.
N. B. Blount, manager for Monarch Theatre
Supply, was in Nashville on business .
Fred Massey. Fred's Theatre Service, Vina,
Ala., was a Memphis visitor Familyclub
held its annual election of officers.
.
Paul
Glisson, office manager, was elected president;
Dewey Hopper, vice-president; Marie
Taylor, secretary; Evelyn Hammonds, treasurer;
Lorraine Burris and Ethel Wolfe, reporters,
and Leon Wintker, exalted custodian
of the bulletin
board.
Tennessee exhibitors seen on Filmrow included
Cliff Peck. Gem, Covington; N. B.
Fair, Fair, Somerville; W. F. Ruff in sr., and
W. F. Ruffin jr., Ruffin Amusements Co.,
Covington; Amelia Ellis, Mason, Mason;
Louise Mask, Luez, Bolivar; M. E. Rice, Rice,
Brownsville, and W. H. Gray, Rutherford,
Rutherford.
Arkansas exhibitors led the parade. Among
them were Lawrence Landers, Landers, Bates-
ville; J. R. Keller, Joiner, Joiner; J. E. Singleton,
Tyro, Tyronza; Wake Newsum, Dixie,
Marmaduke; Alvin Tipton, New at Caraway,
Manila and Monette; Paul Myers, Belinda.
McCrory; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Patterson, City
at Junction City. Ark., and Joy at Debach,
La.; K. H. Kinney, Hayes and Beale Street,
Hughes; F. K. Daugherty, Palace, West
Helena; J. Henley Smith, Imperial, Pocahontas;
Zell James, Joy, West Memphis; Tom
Ford, Ford at Rector and Maxie at Truman;
Dan Landers, Radio, Harrisburg, and Walter
Lee, Gem, Heber Springs.
Lyle Richmond, Richmond, Senath, and
Nathan Reiss, Missouri, Campbell, were in
town from Missouri . Green. Princess
and Legion, Mayfield, was the only Kentucky
exhibitor spotted on Filmrow .
Whyte Bedford, Marion, Hamilton, was here
from Alabama.
From Mississippi came R. L. Osborne, Harlem.
Belzoni; W. R. Tutt. Tunica, Tunica;
C. N. Eudy, Ackerman, Ackerman; Jack Watson,
Palace, Tunica; J. A. Owen. Amory,
Amory; B. F. Jackson, Delta, Ruleville; Fitz
Farris, Harlem, Clarksdale, and Mrs. Jack
Wilbanks, Hines, Walnut . . . Zell James, one
of the partners in the new Joy Theatre, West
Memphis, Ark., wants it known the new showhouse
just across the Mississippi river at
Memphis has 1,028 seats. Published reports
recently indicated the Joy was smaller.
Rufus Blair, who heads the national press
division of Paramount's publicity department,
was in town making final arrangements for
the Bob Hope show. Hope and his company
gave a matinee in Memphis Saturday and
flew to Jackson, Miss., for a night show the
same day . Theatre, reopening after
extensive remodeling, presented "Hamlet,"
which Manager Joe Simon said would run for
four weeks. The Ritz reopened January 19.
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January 22, 1949

. . Tom
. . . The
. . The
. . The
From the BOXOFFICE Files
(Twenty Years Ago)
THOMAS W. BALDRIDGE has assumed the
duties of manager of the Arcade in West
Palm Beach. Baldridge has been manager
of the Stanley in the same town. Irwin R.
Waite. former manager of the Arcade, has
been transferred to Houston . . . Fire damage
to the Capitol Theatre in Raleigh, totaling
$1,000, resulted from a booth fire. W. B.
Enloe is city manager for Publix-Saenger,
owners of the Capitol. G. L. Moore is operator.
Saenger's Strand in New Orleans has inaugurated
talking and sound policy. It had
always been one of the most popular theatres
in the city . . . Jack Bower, formerly
Atlanta manager, is now southern district
manager for United Artists with headquarters
in New Orleans Olsen, former manager
of the Washington in New Orleans, is
now directing operations of the Granada
there.
The Gay Theatre. Sweetwater, Tenn., is
almost completed and was to have opened
before this, but delayed arrival of seats has
postponed opening till about January 1 . . .
A new theatre is to be constructed opposite
the postoffice in Morgantown, N. C. . . .
The
new $100,000 Ideal Theatre has opened at
Picayune, Miss. . . . H. G. Parris has bought
the Lyric Theatre in Oakdale, Tenn., from
William Goforth . . . H. H. Lewis and Beverly
Baker have bought the Dixie Theatre
building in Marianne, Fla.
G. E. Hornsby of Hartford has purchased
and reopened the Elba Theatre at Elba, Ala.
Oakley Theatre at Lake Worth, Ha.,
will be rebuilt at an estimated expenditure of
$35,000. The community was wrecked in a
recent storm.
Fire damaged the theatre in Hamburg,
. . J. Ark., recently F. Crossman, manager
of the Brownie Theatre in Haynesville, Lahas
been transferred to Minden, La., where
he will become general manager of the five
houses operated by the Brownie Theatre
Corp. ... A new picture house to cost $250,-
000, one of the finest in the state, will be
built by the Saenger Amusement Co. in Hattiesburg,
Miss. . . . John B. Carroll, for the
last four years general manager of Consolidated
Amusements, Inc., and recently appointed
district manager of Publix for the
west coast of Florida, has established headquarters
in Jacksonville.
Dania, Fla., Drive-in Open
DANIA, FLA.—The Dania Drive-in has
been opened on Federal highway here.
CHARLOTTE
Albert Sottile, Pastime Amusement Co.,
Charleston, has opened his new 300-seat Arcade
there . . . Sen. Roy Rowe of the Pender
Theatre, Burgaw, has been appointed a member
of the rules committee . Sammy
Kaye radio show will appear at the Armory
the night of January 21.
Robert Arnold has been appointed office
manager at the Warner exchange. Formerly
he was a Warners auditor . booth
and film at the Skyline Drive-In, Morganton,
were destroyed by fire last week . . . The
Acme Theatre, Cove City, N. C. was swept
by fire.
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BOXOFFICE :: January 22,

. . . The
. . The
. . The
. . Warner
. . Photographer
. . Wometco
Doorman's Life Rivals
Dramas on Screen
Trom Mideast Edition
CLEVELAND—What, if anything, does
the average theatre patron think about
the doorman who tears off stubs and deposits
them in the ticket box when Mr. and
Mrs. Patron and all the little Patrons pass
•
into the auditorium to live for a short
period, a vicarious life of excitement and
adventure? If he does give the doorman
a thought in passing, it may be to remark
how dull and colorless his life must be.
Little do Mr. and Mrs. Patron and the
little Patrons know that often the silent
doorman, who spends his working hours
tearing stubs, has experienced more excitement
and has seen more high adventure
than is shown on the screen.
A WILD ANIMAL TRAINER
Take, for example, "Cap" Curley Wilson,
for many years doorman at the RKO Palace
Theatre. For more than 50 years,
Wilson was a wild animal trainer. During
those years, while zoo keeper at the Roger
Williams Park zoo in Providence, R. I., he
was attacked by wild animals nearly 300
times, and has spent about 240 weeks of
his life in hospitals.
It all began when "Cap" Wilson, then
known by his family name of Edward F.
McEnaney, was 11 years old. He left the
security of his home to join the Bostock
show as a dishwasher. He joined the circus
because he loved animals, and in time he
was promoted from dishwasher to menagerie
attendant.
Wilson's first bcut with a "cat" happened
in 1897. It was during a parade in Oxford,
Ind„ that one of the lions, frightened by a
horseback rider, took his anger out on Wilson.
Another time, a bear, which resented
being put through his training paces,
grabbed one of Wilson's arms and tore
great gashes in it. It took many weeks in
a hospital for him to recover from that
attack.
Another time, during a show at Coney
Island, a lion showed his anger at being
separated from his mate by jumping on
Wilson. He barely escaped with his life.
but long hospitalization was required to
effect a cure.
TWICE IN AFRICA
Wilson did not confine his animal experiences
to zoos and circuses. During his
51 years as a trainer, he learned how animals
behave, not only in captivity but also
in their jungle habitats. Twice he was a
member of expeditions into Africa and
India, where he assisted in the capture of
wild animals he later was to train. He got
his title and stage name in 1911 and has
been known as "Captain Curley" ever since.
So while Mr. and Mrs. Patron and the
little Patrons get cold shivers down their
spines watching "Bring 'Em Back Alive"
and other adventure pictures, Wilson goes
on quietly tearing off stubs and depositing
them in the ticket box. Inwardly, however,
he is reliving his days of high adventure
and perhaps he's just a little bit sorry for
the patrons whose only knowledge of excitement
is what they see on the screen.
—
MIAMI
fyf
ichael Dann of NBC, on a recent visit here,
predicted that Miami will become one of
the chief television centers of the nation . .
The Cadillac hotel is offering a two-week
vacation as a prize in a New York Paramount
Theatres contest which asks, "Why would
you like to vacation in Miami Beach?"
.
Wometco presented special children's shows
at nine of their houses on a recent Saturday.
The Miracle, Grove and Strand had stage
shows . Paramount, Beach. Olympia.
Florida, Sheridan and Cinema, all of the
Paramount chain, are showing newsreels of
the Orange Bowl parade Orange
Bowl will be the site of the Bob Hope show
scheduled for January 22.
returned to his office after a trip to Tallahassee
where he attended the inauguration of
Florida's new governor.
A local girl, Powers model Jan Jordan,
posed for the leg ads which appeared in
newspapers here to publicize "The Red Shoes"
at Brandt's Flamingo . Movie
News, the weekly picture schedule, sprouts
more and more pages as the number of circuit
theatres increases. The new Boulevard
Drive-In occupies a whole page and lists the
services and amusements which may be had
there.
Invitations were received here by U-I and
Wometco Theatres for a private screening of
"Hamlet" prior to its opening at the Mayfair
Rudolph Valentino picture, "Four ruary 1 . . . We're on our way to make Hialeah
Horsemen of the Apocalypse," is the first in happier with our new Essex Theatre."
a series of eight classic films to be shown
under the sponsorship of the University of Nicholas M. Schenck and William F. Rodgers
were recent visitors . . . Dave Balaban
Miami Film society . . . More than 6,100 persons
saw "The Red Shoes." now playing a of the theatre chain has been a visitor in
roadshow engagement at Brandt's Flamingo, Miami Beach . James Kriegsmann
has been visiting here. He formerly
during the first week's run. Theatre officials
consider the figure impressive considering the was with the Sasha Film Co., in his native
small size of the house and the fact that only Vienna . Bros, has Jay Brattler's
two shows are played daily except on weekends,
when there is an extra performance. shooting, but has not cast it yet. Mort Blum-
"The Miami Beach Story" scheduled for
enstock, publicity chief, says the camera crew
Sonny Shepherd of Miami theatre fame has will not arrive here for several months.
A box on the back cover of Wometco's Movie
News, headed "Two Down and One to Go,"
said recently: "Frankly, we're a little breathless
from the job of opening new theatres, but
we love it and will get our second wind in
time to open our next one along about Feb-
Editor Champions Teresa Wright
MIAMI—The Miami Herald published the
following editorial in a recent Issue: "If producer
Sam Goldwyn wants to fire movie
starlet Teresa Wright, that's his business.
He can fire all of his stars if he wants to.
But Goldwyn is risking public ire when he
cancels a star's contract because she wants
to keep her film life and her home life
separate.
"Goldwyn says that Miss Wright did not
cooperate' in publicizing her pictures. Miss
Wright counters that a film company has no
right to jeopardize the private life of an
actress.
"Goldwyn, in our opinion, is several years
behind the times. In the adolescent days
of movies public interest in film people was
fanned and fed with scandal, loves and domestic
secrets of the big names. Hollywood
created myths and planted publicity to build
up an actor for a particular part.
"But a few years ago. when movies became
more grown up, certain top bracket
stars discovered that they did not have to
bare their private lives and literally open
their homes to the public to hold their jobs.
A male player did not lose his boxoffice appeal
when the public discovered he was the
father of four and getting bald. Female
sirens remained glamorous on the screen.
STANDEE SPEAKERS
FOR FRONT SECTION AND REAR RAMPS
FOR TRUCKS AND OVERFLOW
DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO.—K. C, Mo.
without racing to divorce courts and creating
copy for scandal sheets. They could be alluring
and good wives and mothers, too.
"The public likes this change from the old
false-front Hollywood. Making movies Is a
job, just like selling groceries or building
tires.
"If an actor or actress has ability, if a
picture is well made, the fans will buy tickets
without bothering about the star's personal
history. Unsavory records may hurt boxoffice
appeal, however. If a star lacks ability
and the picture is no good, publicity won't
make either a smash hit.
"The general public, we believe, will be
more likely to take sides with Miss Wright
than with Goldwyn. Movies have come of
age, and should have left their juvenile
foolishness behind them. Grow up. Sam."
DROLL PROCESSED
CARBONS
Save Operating Cost
BOXOFFICE :: January 22, 1949

. . . H.
. . . George
. . . Announcers
. . Arthur
. . John
. . The
Many Miamians 'Get in Act' Atlanta
flattery' Directors Used Over 1,000 Local Extras
MIAMI—The location crew of "Slattery's
Hurricane" has departed but numerous highlights
of their visit here keep cropping up in
conversations of townfolk. One who won't
soon forget the 20th-Fox film crew is Dick
Rogers, a Miami Beach cab driver. Rogers
was hired to help out in a scene where he,
as a cab driver, helped Richard Widmark
from a cab after a hilarious evening out with
Veronica Lake.
Widmark endeared himself here on several
occasions, once in a restaurant where word
of his presence had the kitchen staff peeking
through a crack in the door. Widmark left
his table to visit the kitchen and compliment
the chefs.
Nobody here will be fooled when exterior
views of the "Club Griffen" are shown in the
picture. They'll know it is just the Versailles
hotel with large bronze plaques propped
against its entrance to hide its rightful
identity.
What was described as a "super catering
job" was done by a local restaurant which
furnished 150 to 1,200 meals a day to the
shooting unit. Ralph Stevens, manager ot
the restaurant, estimated he would have
Start Sarasota Drive-In
SARASOTA, FLA. — Construction of a
drive-in for the Sarasota and Bradenton
areas will be commenced soon by the Waller
& Thomas Amusements, Inc., a Florida corporation
owned by Fitz Hugh Thomas jr. and
Mose L. Waller jr, from Lenoir City, Term.
The theatre will be built on a 12-acre tract
to care for 555 cars.
To Star in 'Curtain Call'
Donald O'Connor will star in the Universal-
International picture. "Curtain Call at Cactus
Creek."
served approximately 10,550 meals to the
picture crowd by the time they left.
About 1,000 Miamians will see themselves
in the forthcoming film. The largest number
of locals who acted as extras was used in a
scene at the navy reserve station in Opalocka.
The scene was one in which Widmark
was awarded the Navy Cross. The presentation
was made by a professional actor but all
others on the platform were home talent.
Among the "extras" who played themselves
were Capt. R. N. Hunter, Comdr. C. M. Ewan.
Comdr. E. T. Harding. Lieut. Col. A. W.
Fisher and Lieut. Col. R. F. Smith. Among
civilians who posed as dignitaries were Moseley
Hale, realtor, and P. W. Jacobs, recreation
director at the air station. Besides these,
there were two bleachers filled with people,
largely families and friends of the air station
employes. Each of them got $8 a day for
sitting in the bleachers. Nearly 500 navy men
in whites marched by with the naval air
station band from Jacksonville. Overhead
there were about 50 Corsairs and Hellcats,
flown by navy and marine reserves and a
training unit from Jacksonville. None of the
military personnel appearing in the show
was paid for their film work.
Theatres Change Personnel
ST. PETERSBURG—Frank H. Bell, district
manager for Florida State Theatres, is
making a number of changes in personnel of
local theatres. Tom Sawyer has been assigned
to the Beach Theatre at St. Petersburg
Beach. Harold Hockett, former Beach
manager, has been moved uptown to take
over the job of relief manager. Garvin
Combs, former relief manager, has resigned
because of ill health.
To Develop "The Hero'
"The Hero," a collegiate football yarn, will
be developed by John Paxton for Columbia.
^yilliam Richardson, president of Astor Pictures
of Georgia, was visiting
in Florida
V. Manning, former owner of the
Manning & Wink circuit, operating houses in
Georgia and Tennessee, visited friends here
M. Bell of Monogram Southern
Exchanges was ill at his home . Strand
Theatre at Tullahoma Tenn., was closed indefinitely.
Johnny Bachman, local United Artists
branch manager, left for Florida . . John
.
W. Mangham, Screen Guild president, returned
Hugh Owen. Paramount eastern and southern
from a trip in Georgia territory . . .
division sales manager, was here for a
sales meeting . Nelson Towler, former
. .
SRO salesman, joined the Eagle Lion staff.
Ralph Peckham, Screen Guild branch manager
in Jacksonville, Fla., visited here . .
Joyce Manning has joined the Film Classics
branch staff . . . Bill Hanes. formerly with
SRO. left for Indianapolis to join the United
Artists branch staff . . . Porter Epperson,
Monogram salesman, returned from Raleigh,
N. C. . . . John Michelson of the Monogram
home office in New York was a visitor on
Filmrow.
Harvey Smith, Tower Theatre operator,
opened his new refreshment bar adjoining
the house . C. Bromberg, Monogram
Southern Exchanges president, celebrated
another birthday . Jenkins,
Astor Pictures. Dallas, Tex., left for New-
Orleans after visiting here . . . Ralph McCoy,
Film Classics branch manager, was back in
town.
Georgia exhibitors seen on Filmrow included
John Harrell, Martin Theatres, Columbus:
Mrs. Wallace Smith, Gem, Bernesville;
Mr. and Mrs. John Carter, Brookhaven.
Brookhaven: N. B. Mills. Mills. Moultrie; P.
L. Taylor, Dixie, Columbus; Sidney Laird,
West Point. West Point; O C. Lam and Howard
Schueler, Lam Amusement Co., Rome,
and Windel Welch, Strand, Dallas.
"The Snake Pit," starring Olivia de Havilland.
played to capacity business during its
opening week at the Paramount Theatre here,
chalking up one of the best totals registered
by an Atlanta, house in several years . . . The
Georgia Ass'n of Broadcasters will hold its
annual convention January 28, 29 in Rome
strike.
at WATL still were out on
New Palms Treats Kids
DUNEDIN, FLA.— All children of the community
under 14 were invited to be guests
of the new Palms Theatre the day before
Christmas. In cooperation with the Dunedin
Chamber of Commerce, children were invited
to attend the 10 o'clock matinee and see
"National Velvet" and three cartoons. In addition
every child was given a box of popcorn.
Gordon Bennett is manager.
Everything for the theatre except film'
Florida State Artist Weds
TAMPA—Carole James, a commercial artist
employed by Florida State Theatres, became
the bride of John Wenzel at a candlelight
service in the Union Congregational
church. The bridegroom is a native of Toledo,
Ohio.
BOXOFFICE :: January 22. 1949

St. John Mayfair Redone Second Time in Six Years
m
Two views of the interior of the renovated Mayfair in St. John.
Left: New curtains, wall drapes, clock, etc., may be seen, and,
right, view from near the stage looking toward the rear. Spun
rayon drapes were hung on the upper walls.
ST. JOHN—Modernization and property
upkeep is more or less a continuous activity
of Franklin & Herschorn, owner and operator
of seven theatres in the maritime provinces.
The circuit, of which Joseph M. Franklin is
president and his son Mitchell vice-president,
tries never to allow one of its theatres to
show evidence of deterioration, and almost
always has some alteration program or reconditioning
under way. Even staff members
of the various theatres are competent with
the paint brush and hammer.
NOW SEATS 800
The latest Franklin & Herschorn unit to
undergo the reconditioning process is the
downtown Mayfair here, which was taken
apart at the seams and stitched up again.
This theatre, which plays first and second
runs, only six years ago underwent a revamping
in which seating capacity was reduced
from 1,000 to 800 in the interest of
comfort.
In the recent renovation, the two-story
brick and steel building received a new marquee
and boxoffice and a series of interior
improvements. The old boxoffice was situated
in the center of the entrance and blocked
the vision into the lobby, reduced penetration
of lobby lighting to the sidewalk, was
uncomfortably cold in the winter and interfered
with orderly emptying of the house.
The new boxoffice was shifted to the right
side of the entrance, where it is connected
with interior heating. Fancy woodwork, plate
glass and aluminum trim were used in the
construction.
The entire front was finished in Zurite.
The slightly inclined flooring from the sidewalk
to the short stairs leading to the foyer
and auditorium had consisted of block tiles.
This was found to offer insecure footing, and
was replaced by asphalt.
The marquee, which had extended about
half the width of the building over the sidewalk,
was discarded in favor of one taking
up the whole width and extending out over
the sidewalk curbing. Colored lights feature
the top and fronts, while spot lights in the
soffit illuminate the sidewalk brightly. Adler
provided the new marquee and signs.
Fluorescent troughs increase greatly the
illumination in the lobby.
Interior changes include a larger screen,
acoustic improvement by hanging of Verney
spun rayon drapes on the upper auditorium
walls, new Bigelow-Sanford carpeting. Carrier
air conditioning, new sound equipment
by the Ballantyne Co., Simplex projection,
new seats installed on the stagger plan, and
new display frames outside and in the lobby.
In addition, new outside doors were installed
to decrease drafts into the lobby.
Hearing aids, from Trimm, Inc., were installed
in 15 seats, and the restrooms were
reconditioned.
Sam Babb, manager of the Mayfair and
son-in-law of President Franklin, assisted
in the renovation, which was carried out
without interruption of the show. Peter Herschorn,
Halifax, is secretary of the circuit.
DOESN'T HANDLE POPCORN
The Mayfair was one of the first maritime
theatres to sell candy. There is a small
showcase in the inner lobby near the doorman
where candy bars and packaged chocolates
are sold. Recently added were some
bulk candies for children.
It has been noticed
that money is much less plentiful among the
boys and girls, and hence the introduction
of the sweets available for one to five cents
each. The bars and packages are eight cents
each.
F&H has consistently held off from selling
popcorn at its theatres, this attitude being
based on noise, corn left on chairs and causing
damage to clothing as well as chairs
and complications in cleaning up. The onlynuts
handled are in packages, and none in
shells.
chocolates.
Special attention is given to the boxed
FPC Adds 377th Theatre;
New Westminster House
NEW WESTMINSTER. B. C—The last local
independent theatre has been acquired
by the Famous Player chain, which took over
the 850-seat Edison Theatre here January 17.
The Edison is on the main street, one block
from the FPC Columbia, a 970-seater. The
acquisition of the Edison now gives FPC five
houses in the New Westminster zone and
Odeon circuit, three.
The Edison is an oldtimer and formerly
played vaudeville. It will be reconstructed
into a new and modern theatre with the latest
in sound equipment and seating.
FPC now operates 377 theatres in 130 Canadian
cities and towns, 21 more than at the
same time last year. Four new deluxers are
in work at present in British Columbia, at
Kelowna. Chilliwack, Kamloops and Nanaimo.
All are expected to open this year. Total
seating capacity of the four houses will be
around 3,700.
Steamroller Substitutes
For Theatre Heat Plant
CHATHAM, ONT—Ernie Taylor, manager
of the Park Theatre here, turned the failure
of his theatre boiler into a money-maker
recently. When the boiler blew up and
the theatre was without heat, Taylor
secured a steamroller from the city. He
had it parked in front of the theatre and
steam piped in through the basement. This
proved quite an eye-catcher and the patrons
didn't miss a show. The only catch was that
for the rental for the steamroller cost Taylor
$100 a day.
Royal, Montreal, License
Revoked on Age Charge
MONTREAL—Because of alleged continued
violations of the provincial law barring children
under 16 years of age from attending
motion picture theatres, the municipal executive
committee revoked the license of the
Royal Theatre here.
Director of Police J. A. Langlois and Director
of Finance Lactance Roberge previously
had reported that the theatre management
was haled before the recorder's
court on a long series of complaints charging
that juveniles were allowed on the
premises without regard to law.
There was no indication in the report of
the committee that other theatres, suspected
of allowing children on their premises without
hindrance, would suffer the same fate.
BOXOFFICE :: January 22, 1949 95

. . . One
Queen
. . . Mrs.
. . For
. . Mrs.
including
. . Jack
TORONTO Ed Wells Quiis Post ST. JOHN
por Brotherhood week, sponsored by the
Canadian Council of Christians and Jews,
a Toronto feature will be a special film program
for school children at the Victoria.
Members of the moving picture committee
for the educational campaign include J. J.
Fitzgibbons, Earl Lawson. Henry L. Nathanson,
Arthur Silverstone and H. M. Masters.
All theatres are planning to run a trailer,
which has been prepared by Audio Pictures.
Manager Dave Sherman had his hands full
when a 43-year-old woman wanted to have
a 14-year-old boy ejected from the Casino
during the screening of "Blonde Ice" because
he was too young. Following a rumpus, the
woman, Mrs. Gladys Gardiner, was jailed for
15 days and fined S15 for assaulting a policeman
and for creating a disturbance. The
boy was attending the show with his parents
. . . Congratulations to Jay L. Smith, president
of Alliance Films, and Mrs. Smith on
the birth of a daughter named Joan Louise
Red River cereal box top provided
free admission for a juvenile at a
matinee of "Red River" at any of four 20th
Century Toronto theatres, the Midtown, Circle,
Esquire and Odeon < street) . . .
Sponsored by the Hadassah of Hamilton. "My
Fathers House," produced in Palestine with
an English-speaking cast, was shown for one
day 1 13 1 at the Hamilton Savoy, managed
by Sam Hebscher. Proceeds were turned over
to overseas relief.
. .
Arrangements are being made for personal
appearances at the premiere of "The Red
Shoes" at the Odeon Toronto of Gladys
Forrester, Canadian dancing star of the picture
Famous Players Canadian Corp.
has
.
appointed Bill Burke as manager of
the Capitol at Brantford following the elevation
of Ernie Moule as managing director
of Paramount Brantford Theatres, a subsidiary.
Al Smith has assumed the management
of the Brant at Brantford in succession
to Burke.
Ted Gould, general sales manager for
MGM of Canada, has returned to Toronto
following a conference at the New York
home hi
:
With Distributors
TORONTO—Ed H. WeUs has resigned as
secretary of the Canadian Moving Picture
1. Distributors Ass'n, effective March and
will be succeeded by F. C. Dillon of Ottawa,
former secretary to David A. Croll, member
of parliament for the Toronto-Spadina
riding.
Wells has served with the MPDA 14 years.
originally as assistant to Col. John A. Cooper,
whom he succeeded as secretary some five
years ago. Prior to joining the association.
Wells was in the film business, principally
at Montreal. He served overseas with the
Canadian army in the first world war.
Wells has planned to take a lengthy vacation
trip in the U.S. and the British Isles.
It is understood he will retain his attractive
country home at Clarkson, Ont.
Wells started with General Films in New
York, later joining the Fox Film Corp. and
eventually became identified with RKO Pictures
in Montreal. He has also served as
secretary of the Film Boards of Trade.
Dillon originally was on the staff of the
Star newspaper at Windsor, from where he
went to Ottawa as secretary to Croll. whose
election to parliament followed several terms
as mayor of Windsor. Dillon, who is 32.
has more recently headed his own enterprise,
F. C. Dillon & Associates, with headquarters
at 46 Elgin street, Ottawa, engaging
in public relations and political work. He
will close this business and move shortly to
Toronto to take over his new duties.
Wells has been an integral part of the
Canadian film industry for a long time and
is a familiar figure on Toronto's Filmrow.
Colonel Cooper, whom he succeeded, soon
will observe his 81st birthday. Despite his
age. Cooper continues active as chairman of
the 16mm Film Distributors Ass'n of Canada,
and with several national organizations.
16mm Projector Sales Limited
OTTAWA—The modification of import restrictions
under the foreign exchange conservation
program has brought back 16mm
projection machines to the Canadian market,
at least for religious or school purposes.
The merger of the four Halifax dailies into
two cut down advertising outlay for all
i
the Halifax and suburban Dartmouth
i theatres. There had been no advance
know-ledge of the consolidation plan. The
Chronicle and Star plant was closed and
shop work was concentrated at the Herald and
Mail, with the morning edition becoming the
Chronicle-Herald and the afternoon paper
. the Mail-Star E. D. Nesbitt of
Edmundston is sponsor of a bridge club which
meets weekly at her home .
Bellamy,
manager for International Films at St. John,
was on a committee promoting a Montreal
Royals vs. St. John Beavers hockey game
here for the charity program of the Kinsmen
club. Bellamy also served as one of the
special ushers.
Aubrey C. Sprague of Fairville, a veteran
projectionist and formerly a partner in the
Gaiety there, has organized the Lancaster
Hobby club, with headquarters at Fairville.
Facilities and instruction are provided for
execution of hobbies, including mechanics,
art. etc. A two-floor workshop is available
for members.
The birthplace of Donald Brian, former
featured actor and warbler who died recently,
has often been confused. Actually it
was St. John's, N.F.. but some versions had
it St. John, N. B. He had not appeared on
the stage in either center. He was 75 years
old at his death, and had been starred in
musicals 30 to 40 years ago, notably the
"Merry Widow."
Weekly cartoon programs continue at the
Strand . the second time cartoons
constituted a midnight show at the Regent.
This theatre is reported to be the first in
the maritimes to offer a midnight program
completely of cartoon comedies. Contrary to
predictions it manifested boxoffice appeal
Norman Eversfield, who has recently
taken up residence in Dartmouth, is
Sebe DeRoland. a ballet dancer, who had
appeared in London productions and also
on tour of the Antipodes. Her home town
is Wellington, New Zealand. She was with
the musical. "Follow the Girls," on the road
through Australia and New Zealand.
( 1NADIAN PIONEERS MEET—Pictured above are officials of the Quebec division
of the Canadian Picture Pioneers organization at their recent annual meeting
in Montreal. Standing,
manager Of Associated
left to
Screen News;
right: President William .1. Singleton, general
Treasurer William F.lman of Columbia; Tom
DowMffgaa, Paramount; Arthur Hirsch. Consolidated Theatres: William Lester,
general manager of United Amusement: R L. Vallee. Sherbrooke; Tom (leary of
Consolidated Theatres and Irving Sourkes. secretary. Seated: A. A. Dilman, Consolidated
Theatres; Mr. Bourassa. secretary of Allied Theatres: I.. Ernest Ouimet.
honorary president and oldest exhibitor in Quebec; Earl Lawson, national president,
( in nli in Picture Pioneers, an honored guest; George Ganatakos, president. United
\inus( ment. and B. E. Norrish. president. Associated Screen News.
Georges Gauvreau Dies;
Pioneer Theatreman
MONTREAL—Georges Gauvreau. 84. well
known in Montreal's French-speaking theatre
in the early part of the century, died
here January 8. A native of Montreal, he became
identified with Sohmer Park, which
launched him on a career in the amusement
field. He built the Theatre Nationale at St.
Catherine and Beaudry streets and brought
over troupes from Paris.
When- films became popular, he built a
theatre known as the Nationoscope at St.
Andre and St. Catherine streets which he operated
as one of the first motion picture
houses in the city.
He was instrumental in bringing many topranking
artists from France to Montreal,
among them. Madame Cecile Sorel, prominent
actress who played in later years at the
Princess Theatre.
He is survived by four sons and four daughters.
BOXOFFICE :: January 22. 1949

. . . Bob
. . . Douglas
. . Promoters
. . The
. .
VICTORIA
lUTel Metropet has sold his 250-seat Rialto
at West Summerland, B. C, to M. Harrison,
a newcomer to the show business. The
town is a fruit center with a population of
500 .. . In Port Moody near Westminster a
new theatre was opened in time for the holiday
season. It is the town's first theatre .
A power shortage threatens here unless rain
arrives. The power company is talking about
curtailing window lights and electric signs.
Len Burrell of the Capitol, who suffered
a stroke recently, is doing nicely at last reports.
Len, who has a good sense of humor,
told this reporter that it was a break for
him as it was the first time in 20 years he
had been off the job and home for Christmas
Faulkner of the Lux Theatre was
hospitalized for a major operation but is up
and around again.
Famous Players is ready to invest $635,000
in a video station, which will put all shows
on film for use by other stations and theatres.
John J. Fitzgibbons, president, recently
told associates on a recent visit here:
"We already have television. After all, television
is only another way of transmitting
talking pictures. The catch is that the federal
government doesn't want outside connections."
E. A. "Teddy" Jamieson, who has been secretary
of the Musicians Local 1 here for the
last 28 years, has resigned to take over the
duties as secretary of the British Columbia
Labor Relations Board, with headquarters at
Victoria . of a proposed drivein
at suburban Richmond presented the town
council a 300-name petition as an answer to
a 20-name protest that the theatre would
encourage drinking and loose morals. Richmond
is the only dry town in the Fraser
Valley.
Doug Redgrave, assistant at the Odeon
Theatre in Victoria, resigned and was succeeded
by Lisle Kinnee, from the New
Westminster Metro . International
Distributors team won the first-half race in
the Exchange Bowling league, winning 27 and
losing 15. Doug Isman is the team captain
Lewis, Sovereign Films booker,
has announced his engagement to Ruth Skuse
of Victoria . . . Mary Brunt, head Orpheum
usherette who was to leave for a South Sea
destination to be married, has changed his
mind.
The film exchange back shop union B71
elected the following officers: President.
Marvin Proudlock, WB; vice-president, Luke
Doucette. Empire-Universal; business agent,
Rod McArthur, MGM, and George Hislop . . .
Films of "The Red Shoes" premiere were
shot by Wally Hamilton and crew from
Trans-Canada Films of Vaucouver, and will
appear in the newsreels ... A series of boxoffice
holdups here were cleaned up when
a judge sentenced a 17-year-old youth who
pleaded guilty to three theatre robberies with
a toy gun to three years in prison. His
crimes netted him $210. He was
MONTREAL
caught
through the efforts of two downtown cashiers,
who shadowed him for six blocks after Ujxhibitors are awaiting with perhaps more
recognizing him on the street. The two interest than trepidation the issuance of
girls, employed by Famous Players, Ann Nowlin
summonses by the recorder's court, charging
of the Orpheum and Kay McDonald of
the Capitol, received checks from FPC as
about 40 theatre and night club owners with
New
violation of the early closing law on
rewards.
The Daily Province is sponsoring a talent
quest, the winner of which will receive a
week in Hollywood, all expenses paid. The
contest is being conducted at the Odeon
Hastings on 20 successful Wednesday evenings
with five contestants and a guest star
presented each week, with music provided
by a five-piece orchestra. Al Mitchell, manager,
reports 400 applications to date. Roy
Gordon, well known in the show business
circles for many years, is acting as talent
scout, conducting auditions each Wednesday
afternoon backstage at the Odeon. The contest
has aroused provincewide interest, resulting
in all kinds of free publicity.
Adult Appeal Is Stressed
In British Films Essays
PETERBORO, ONT. — Manager Claude
Hunter of the Odeon here received many replies
for an essay writing contest on "Why I
Like British Pictures." Winner Robert Gilchrist
summed up his arguments thus:
"I would say that my preference for British
films lies mainly in the fact that, as an
adult of average intelligence, I
appreciate being
treated as such."
Gilchrist referred to "the obvious care in
casting even the very minor roles," the "discriminating
choice of worthwhile subjects"
and "the authentic portrayal of life and customs
without glamor, blatant propaganda or
maudlin sentimentality."
Use of Forged Tickets
Revealed in Vancouver
VANCOUVER—Recent discovery of forged
newspaper carrier theatre tickets brought to
light another petty racket being used to gain
admission to several downtown first run
houses here.
Ross Jenkins, assistant manager of the
Strand Theatre, detained three teen-age
youths who sought to enter the house with
forged tickets. Fifty-two of the bogus tickets
were confiscated and held for evidence after
the trio was taken to police headquarters.
Year's eve. Police Director Albert Langlois
had given warning a few days previous to
New Year's that the 2 a. m. closing hour
would be strictly enforced for the first time,
and that violators would be prosecuted. It
was reported that many clubs and theatres
giving midnight shows had exceeded the time
limit and summonses were ordered.
Cowansville has a new theatre, the Princess,
owned by the Cowansville Theatre Co., in
which Leo Choquette of Montreal is a partner.
Dr. J. A. Beaudry performed the official
opening ceremony before a capacity audience
of 750. Mayor Carl H. Brock of Cowansville,
prominent exhibitor, was introduced by William
Parry, president of th? local Lions club,
and gave an address during the intermission.
J. J. Bertrand, M.P. of Sweetsburg,
and Choquette also spoke.
A proposal made by a correspondent of the
Montreal Star that Montreal should be given
a newsreel theatre evidently ignored the fact
that such a theatre was opened on St. Catherine
street a few years ago but did not draw
the expected crowd and has reverted to the
showing of French language pictures. Another
correspondent of the same paper mentions
that newsreel theatres have been opened
in the principal railway stations in London
and other British cities, and expresses the
hope that this example will be followed in
Canada.
Elisabeth Bergner in "Escape Me Never,"
a stage play, was seen at His Majesty's . . .
Because of a mild winter which has made
it impossible to count on a normal supply
of ice, Montreal will not have its projected
Ice Palace this season, thus depriving the
newsreel cameramen of an opportunity to
shoot a thrilling color scene, the storming
of the Ice Palace by an army of snowshoers.
The last Ice Palace was built about 20 years
ago. A generation earlier ice palaces were
one of the best known winter attractions in
this
vicinity.
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Phone 25371
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Terms offered if so desired. Contact us
today while the selections are unlimited.
ALBANY THEATRE SUPPLY CO.
1046 BROADWAY Fhone 5-5055 ALBANY, N. Y.
Everything For Your Theatre
COMPLETE SOUND SYSTEMS
An Expert Repair Department
January 22, 1949

Holdovers Dominate
Screens at Toronto
TORONTO—Plenty of holdovers continued
among first runs, the outstanding being the
fourth week of "The Paleface" at the Imperial
and of "The Three Musketeers" at Loews.
A pair of revived features. "The Last Days
of Pompeii" and "She." continued for a second
week at the Victoria and Nortown and,
of course. "The Snake Pit" remained at the
Tivoli and Eglinton. The weather was seasonably
cold but not disagreeable.
Is 100)
Biltmore—The Wreck of Ihe Hesperus (Col);
The Woman From Tangier [Coll . 100
: in: j h—Canon Cily (U-I); Let's Live a
I
Little
Eglinton and Tivoli—The Snalce Pit (20th-Fox),
2nd wk .105
Fairlcrwn—The Is
Crystal
Made at Night iUA)
Ball i'JA): History
.95
Imperial—The Paleiace Para), 4th wk 95
Loews—The Three Musketeers (MGM), 4th wk 9b
Nortown and Victoria—The Last Days of Pompeii
(RKO). She (HKO
Odeon-Toronto—Ang»l on the Amazon (Rep)
90
9b
Shea's—The Accused (Para) 115
Uptown—Mexican Hayride (U-I), 2nd wk 95
'Palegace' Continues to Lead
Calgary First Run Trade
CALGARY—Boxoffices were busy as local
first runs enjoyed good business. The best
magnet was "The Paleface" at the Capitol.
Matinees were good and night crowds continued
during the second week. '-Hamlet"
began a 2-week run at the ace suburban
Tivoli. After the first night, student matinees
were packed and evening shows at $1.50
were sold out.
Capitol—The Paleiace (Para). 2nd wk Excellent
Grand—Pitfall '.'Ai, The Time of Your Life
Puln'.-e-- Isn't It Romantic? (Pi: 3). Night Wind
(20th-Fox)
Good
Tivoli-Hamlet (U-I) Very Good
Cold Weather Hits Trade
At Vancouver Theatres
VANCOUVER—Trade at local first run
theatres headed downward as a result of extreme
cold weather. Holdovers topped newcomers
for the second consecutive week. "Red
River," in a second round at the Vogue, and
"Miss Tatlock's Millions," in a second stanza
at the Strand, set the pace. "Walk a Crooked
Mile" at the Orpheum drew praise from the
critics but it
did not fare well at the boxoffice.
Capitol—The Paleiace (Para), 3rd wk Fair
Cinema—Secret Land (MGM); No Minor Vices
(MGM)
Average
Walk a Crooked Mile (Col) Fair
Soha Code of Scotland Yard
(Rep)
..Good
Strand-Miss Tatlock's Millions (Para). 2nd wk Good
Vogue—Red River (UA). 2nd wk
Good
Fred Geingrick, 60, Dies
NORTH MANCHESTER, IND. — Fred
Geingrick, 60, president of the Peabody Seating
Co.. died here following an illness of two
months. He had been president of the firm
since 1944. and for several years previous
had been general manager and vice-president.
He joined the firm in 1909. His wife, a
daughter, a sister and two grandchildren
survive.
'Hamlet' Run 8V2 Weeks
TORONTO—"Hamlet" did not disappear
in 'in the screen of the Hyland in North Toronto
January 12 after all. Following a ltd -
hour decision, the local roadshow engagement
was continued for another week at
SI.50 top to complete a run of 8'^ weeks
January 19.
O T T A W A
•The National Film Board has produced a
film called "Mother and Her Child." which
may prove to be a successor to "The Birth
of a Baby," because it deals with childbirth.
The short subject has been released by National
Department of Health and Welfare
and is being shown under the auspices of
the Canadian Mothercraft society . . . Leslie
Kemp, head office architect of Odeon Theatres,
checked the progress on the construction
of the new Ottawa Odeon, scheduled
to open in the early spring.
manager Frank Paul of the Imperial was
host to the 400 members of the schoolboy
traffic patrols at a performance arranged as
a reward for their attention to duties in
regulating street movement near educational
institutions in all kinds of weather. A feature
was a fire-alarm demonstration under
the direction of District Chief Fred Cooksey.
"Mom and Dad" opened a five-day engagement
January 17 at the Elmdale where
Manager Martin carried out arrangements
for segregated audiences. The picture attracted
exceptionally large crowds . . . After
playing a roadshow at the Famous Players'
Regent here. "Life With Father" was shown
practically a year later at regular prices at
the larger Capitol during the week of January
17. Meanwhile Manager Henry Marshall
of the Regent was also doing nicely
with "The Pirate."
The National Film society conducted a
Sunday afternoon performance at the Glebe,
the feature of which was the Australianmade
picture, "The Overlanders." This film,
running 107 minutes, had its local first run
at the Centre several months ago . . . Gordon
Cullen, who recently became manager
of the new Odeon at Brantford, is remembered
in Ottawa as assistant at the 20th
Century Elgin before going into another line
of business. He returned to the theatre field,
however, when Canadian Odeon started to
expand.
Charles Backus Is Chosen
Head of Local F-71. IATSE
VANCOUVER—Charles Backus of the Universal
exchange has been elected president of
IATSE Local F-71, which was organized last
year.
Other officers elected included David Soudar,
Eagle Lion, vice-president; Delia Garland.
RKO, secretary and treasurer; Rose
Ismail, Warners, recording secretary; Larry
Strick, Columbia, business agent, and Theo
Ross, 20th-Fox, marshal.
Negotiations between the local and the distributors
regarding wages and working agreements
covering 38 employes now are in
progress. Dave Griesdorf, representing the
distributors, is expected here late this month
to complete negotiations
While the local has accepted both conciliation
and arbitration board awards, a
bone of contention in the negotiations has
been a clause providing retroactive pay from
May 1948.
RAMP IDENTIFICATION LIGHTS
SAVES TIME — ELIMINATES CONFUSION
DRIVE IN THEATRE MFG. CO.— K. C. Mo.
Federal Video Loan
Is Sought by CBC
OTTAWA — The Canadian Broadcasting
Corp. has applied to the Dominion government
for a substantial loan with which to
construct television facilities, the money to be
repaid to the public treasury, it is promised,
out of license fees and advertising revenue
after visual broadcasting gets under way.
The application for the loan will come before
the session of parliament which opens
January 26. so that it may be included in the
estimates for the fiscal year starting April 1.
but there is the prospect that the item will
arouse warm debate in the House of Commons
because of the continuing delay in the
introduction of television in Canada and of
the announced policy of the governmentowned
CBC to exercise monopolistic control
over video.
The statement has been made that if the
loan is not authorized by parliament, the
broadcasting corporation will have to reconsider
its television plans. It has also been
stated that CBC officials are not prepared
to divulge the progress of negotiations with
private interests for television rights on a
cooperative basis. Four months ago the CBC
board of governors tabled six applications for
television broadcasting licenses for Toronto
and Montreal, one of the applicants being
Famous Players Canadian Corp.
Party for Poor Kids
WHEATLEY, ONT.—Jack Dean, popular
promotion and theatre manager at the Erie
Theatre here, tied up with the Legion for
a theatre party for all underprivileged children.
Gifts were distributed and a cartoon
show was featured.
CALGARY PRIZE-WINNER — Managers
and personnel of Calgary's cxohanges
are proud of Joe Garfin's prizewinning
Dalmatian puppy, the Duke of
Highwood. Only six months old, the pup
has won six ribbons, garnered at its first
show, the Calgary Kennel club exhibition,
where it won more awards than any
other dog. Bernie Aisenstat, brother-inlaw
of Garfin and the dog's trainer, is
seen holding up cards with the ribbons,
with Ihe owner, at right.
BOXOFFICE January 22, 1949

DXOFFICE BAROMETER • EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY
EATURE CHART • REVIEW DIGEST • SHORTS CHART
|HORTS REVIEWS • FEATURE REVIEWS • EXPLOITIPS

, My
|
,
'
;
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EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY
ABOUT
PICTURES
Just as the Barometer page shows first run reports on current pictures, this
department is devoted for the most part to reports on subsequent runs, made
by exhibitors themselves. A one-star contributor is new, two stars mean the exhibitor
has been writing in for six months or longer, and a three-star contributor
is a regular of one year or more, who receives a token of our appreciation. All
exhibitors welcome.
COLUMBIA
Best Man Wins. The (Col)—Edgar Buchanan,
Anna Lee, Robert Shayne. Columbia wins
the best man but we sure didn't win anything
and you won't miss anything if you
skip this one. Played Mon., Tues.—M. E.
Ginn, Manon Theatre, Pickens, Miss. Small
*
town, rural and oil field patronage.
Black Arrow, The (Col)—Louis Hayward,
Janet Blair, George Macready. This is a
very good adventure drama which paid off
at the boxoffice. I'm sorry we didn't book
this one for Sun., Mon. Played Wed., Thurs.
Weather: Good.—William Rulon, Avon Theatre,
New Vienna, Ohio. Rural and small
town patronage.
*
Black Eagle, the Story of a Horse (Col)—
William Bishop, Virginia Patton, Gordon
Jones. Good western entertainment. Okay
for Saturday but not big enough for your
best playing time. Business was average.
Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Cold.—Vincent
H. Rost, Dixie Theatre, New Madrid, Mo. Small
town and *
rural patronage.
Dog Rusty (Col)—Ted Donaldson, John
Litel, Ann Doran. This is a good show but it
failed to get the kids in. Columbia gets too
much rental for the business their pictures
bring you. I can get along without them.
Played Saturday only. Weather: Cool and
snow.—Ray S. Hanson, Fox Theatre, Fertile,
Minn. Rural and small town patronage. *
Singing Spurs (Col)—Hoosier Hotshots, Patricia
White, Kirby Grant. A good musical
and action picture for Fri., Sat. The weather
was good and so was business.—E. M. Freiburger,
Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla.
Small town patronage. * * *
Son of Rusty, The (Col)—Ted Donaldson,
Stephen Dunne, Tom Powers. This is very
good for our situation—one of the best in
this ever popular series by Columbia. Played
Thurs., Fri., Sat. Weather: Good.—H. J. Partridge,
Lyceum Theatre, Gull Lake, Sask.
Rural and small *
town patronage.
To the Ends of the Earth (Col)—Dick Powell,
Signe Hasso, Ludwig Donath. My audience
liked it and reported "very interesting,"
it
poor exhibitor reports to the contrary. Played
Tues., Wed. Weather: Frigid.—Frank Sabin,
Majestic Theatre, Eureka, Mont. Small town
patronage. * *
EAGLE LION
(EL)—Bud Abbott,
Noose Hangs High, The
Lou Costello, Cathy Downs. This didn't gross
like Frankenstein but did okay on our best
time and everyone seemed satisfied. Good
old corn is the answer, I guess, so they'll get
it, if we can buy it. We're playing this one
but it was a lot better than some "psycho"
or other mind-over-matter theme. Played Sun.,
Mon., Tues. Weather: Fair.—Mayme P. Musselman,
Roach Theatre, Lincoln, Kas. Small
town patronage. * * *
Sword of the Avenger (EL)—Ramon De-
Gado, Sigrid Gurie, Ralph Morgan. A good
picture of its type and the music is very good.
As the stars are new, it did almost average
business here. For best results, play with a
western—L. Brazil-jr., New Theatre, Bearden,
Ark. Small town patronage. * * *
METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER
B. F.'s Daughter (MGM)—Barbara Stanwyck,
Van Heflin, Charles Coburn. This is a good
story that had interest at first and last. Lots
of people got fidgety in the middle of the
show. Business was fair. Played Sun., Mon.
Weather Cold—D. W. Trisko, Ritz Theatre,
Jerome, Ariz. Small mining town patronage.
* * *
Date With Judy (MGM)—Wallace Beery, Jane
Powell, Elizabeth Taylor. This is one of the
most entertaining films in years. Be sure you
get a "Date With Judy." This has an out-,
standing cast and beautiful Technicolor.
Played Mon., Tues.—James C. Balkcom jr.,
Gray Theatre, Gray, Ga. Small town patronage.
* * *
Homecoming (MGM)— Clark Gable, Lana
Turner, Anne Baxter. This the best is of
Clark Gable's which I have seen, since "Gone
With the Wind." It is a war picture and there
is a real cast. Exhibitors can thank MGM for
this one. Played Wed., Thurs.—M. E. Ginn,
Manon Theatre, Pickens, Miss. Small town,
rural and oil
*
field worker patronage.
On An Island With You (MGM)—Esther
Williams, Peter Lawford, Ricardo Montalban.
Esther Williams still makes the fellows all ask
to "go sit on the stage." This story seemed
very flimsy to us but it brought a fair crowd
over Christmas and when it holds up the third
day, we think it worth a mention. Played
Sat., Sun., Mon. Weather: Below zero.—Robert
E. Halstead, Tri-Town Theatre, Lindstrom,
Minn. Rural and small town patronage. * *
Sailor Takes a' Wife (MGM)—Robert Walker,
June Allyson, Audrey Totter. Here is really
a good sort of a comedy, that everyone enjoyed
and there are quite a few laughs in this
too. Our crowd was very small but it was
not on account of the picture, as the weather
here was really bad. The print was in good
shape and the sound was good. Played Wed.,
Thurs. Weather: Br-r-r, plenty cold.—Sam
Holmberg, Regal Theatre, Sturgis, Sask. Rural
patronage. * * *
OState of the Union (MGM) — Spencer
Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Van Johnson. We
played this picture the night before election
and it really hit the spot. Charlie Stoflet, our
new MGM salesman, gave us a good playdate
tip and it made us some money. Give it
your best playing time. Played Sun., Mon.
James Balkcom Defends
BO Value of 'Paleface
PALEFACE, THE (Para)—Bob Hope,
Jane Russell, Robert Armstrong. Reading
the January 8 issue of BOXOFFICE,
I couldn't pass up the comment of Mr.
Zimmerman of Warrenton, Mo., about
this picture. How any small town exhibitor
could criticize "The Paleface" is
beyond me. I also have seen it but haven't
played it, but am anxiously awaiting a
playdate. It is the best film for small
towns that Bob has ever made. Any exhibitor
who read Mr. Zimmerman's comment
must overlook it because he's from
Missouri and has to be shown. It will
outdraw and please more customers than
any previous Hope film.—James C. Balkcom
jr.. Gray Theatre, Gray, Ga. Small
town patronage. * * «
He Likes the Date Crowd:
Go to All the Shows
IT HAD TO BE YOU (Col)—Ginger
Rogers, Cornel Wilde, Percy Waram.
This is fair entertainment. The date
crowd liked it (Lord bless 'em, they come
to them all). Played to average Sun.,
Mon. business—not too bad and not too
good. Weather: Fair.—G. L. Faith, Linn
Theatre, Linn, Mo. Rural and small town
patronage.
•
Weather: Poor.—Walt Sayler, Dakota Theatre,
j
Wishek, N. D. Rural and small town patronage.
MONOGRAM
-Babe Ruth Story, The (Mono)—William!
Bendix, Claire Trevor, Charies Bickford. This
is a picture that everyone should see
good acting and a good story which pleased
everyone but did not draw a large crowd, but
this is no fault of the picture. The weather
was bad and we do not have many t
fans here. Played Sun., Mon. Weathe;: Snow
and cold.—E. C. Holt, Freeburn Theatre, Freebum,
Ky. Mining and small town patronage.
* * *
OBabe Ruth Story, The (Mono)—William
Bendix, Claire Trevor, Charles Bickford. This
is a good, clean story of a great guy and is
done very well by all in the cast, especially i
with Bendix in the lead part. Production could 1
have been higher, particularly for the price
asked. Business below average' as has been I
the case so much lately. The worst winter
in many years has taken its toll around here.
Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Snowing and
'
icy.—Jack Hammond, Shastona Theatre, Mount
Shasta, Calif. Small lumber town patronage. *
Michael O'Halloran (Mono)—Scotty Beckett.
Allen Roberts, Tommy Cook. This is a very
good picture. Although not big, it will satisfy
if you can get them in to see it. I used this
for my Christmas show and the picture did
okay for this time of year. Played Fri., Sat.
Weather: Cold.—W. L. S'.ratton, Lyric Theatre,
Challis, Ida. Small town and country patronage.
*
PARAMOUNT
Beyond Glory (Para)—Alan Ladd, Donna
Reed, George Macready. People don't seem
to care for military trials here, so this one
didn't go over. Alan Ladd played a good
part but not good enough to justify the footage.
Played Wed., Thurs.—M. E. Ginn, Manon
Theatre, Pickens, Miss. Small town, rural and
*
oil field patronage.
Mr. Reckless (Para)—William Eythe, Barbara
Britton. Walter Catlett. This is exceptionally
good and well liked by the few who
saw it. The Technicolor two-reeler is fine, too.
Lots of action in the feature, and beautiful
music and singing in the two-reeler. In fact,
a nice program throughout. Played Wednesday.
Weather: Good.—W. H. Swan, Auditorium
Theatre, Roscoe, S. D. Rural patron-
*
age.
'
*
'Sainted' Sisters, The (Para)—Veronica Lake,
Joan Caulfield, Barry Fitzgerald. This picture
used in the middle of the week was better
than I expected. A good picture with plenty
of laughs and it should go over well in the
small town theatre. Pleased Tues., Wed.
Weather: Rainy.—E. C. Holt, Freeburn Theatre,
Freeburn, Ky. Mining and small town
patronage.
UWelcome, Stranger (Para)—Bing Crosby,
Joan Caulfield, Barry Fitzgerald. Sure, this
was tops. Great entertainment for all. I
know it's old but that doesn't affect the quality.
I'd rather run a good old one than a fair
BOXOFFICE BookinGuido Jan. 22, 1949

new one. nuyou in., oui., uu... ,.„^... 1...
Below zero.—Frank Sabin, Majestic Theatre,
Eureka, Mont. Small town patronage. * *
RKO RADIO
Bring 'em Back Alive (RKO)—Reissue. Frank
Buck documentary. This may be old but it
is one of the best drawing Sunday features
I've had in months.—James C. Balkcom jr.,
Gray Theatre, Gray, Ga. Small town patronage.
Good Sam (RKO)—Gary Cooper, Ann Sheridan,
Ray Collins. A very good picture that
made them talk, and with a decent break in
the weather, we would have had a much
better than average gross, but you just can't
beat blizzards and bad roads with any picture.
This is worth a date on your best time.
Played Sun., Mon., Tues.—Mayme P. Musseln,
Roach Theatre. Lincoln, Kas. Small town
,
patronage.
Good Sam (RKO)—Gary Cooper, Ann Sheridan,
Ray Collins. Cooper is always good
here. This pleased, and that is what we want.
This is good for top playing time and it is
safe to be in town while playing it. Played
Sun., Mon. Weather: Cold,—E. W. Clark,
Molalla Theatre, Molalla, Ore. Small town
patronage.
Pearl. The (RKO)—Pedro Armendariz, Fernando
Wagner, Marie Elena Marquees. This
is good drama and okay for our situation,
due to the Mexican stars in the production.
There is too much acting for some, though.
Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Fair and cool.—
D. W. Trisko, Ritz Theatre, Jerome, Ariz. Small
mining town patronage.
REPUBLIC
Angel on the Amazon (Rep)—George Brent,
Vera Ralston, Brian Aherne. This is one of
the best Republic pictures we have played
in a long time. It is very cleverly directed
and one that holds your interest from start
to finish. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Snow.
—William Rulon, Avon Theatre, New Vienna,
*
Ohio. Rural and small town patronage.
Lightnin' in the Forest (Rep)—Lynne Roberts,
Donald Barry, Warren Douglas. We ran
this with Bill Elliott in "Law Comes to Texas"
(reissue) and this was our first time in about
a year for a double feature We put this in
as a special attraction for New Year's eve,
and the results were extra business. Either
feature will do for Saturday or bargain days.
Played Friday. Weather: Clearing and
warmer.—Vincent H. Rost, Dixie Theatre, New
Madrid, Mo. Small town and rural patronage.
*
SCREEN GUILD
Flying Deuces (SG)—Reissue. Stan Laurel,
Oliver Hardy, Jean Parker. Laurel and Hardy
always draw a big crowd here. The print was
good as well as the sound and we need more
of this type of picture. Use it with a western
and you can't g'o wrong. This learn should
make some more of these comedies. Bring
them back, Hollywood, for they are needed
for the small town theatre. Played Fri., Sat.
Weather: Snow and cold weather.—E. C. Holt,
He Really Was Happy
About This Picture
BRIDE GOES WILD, THE (MGM) —
Van Johnson, June Allyson, Batch Jenkins.
How loud do we have to holler to
make the producers hear us? Please sell
us more shows like this! Our patrons eat
them with a spoon and ask for more.
June Allyson is a first class comedian
for our money. Played Sat., Sun., Mon.
Weather: Mild for winter.—Robert E.
Halstead, Tri-Town Theatre, Lindstrom,
Minn. Rural and small town patron-
•
age.
small town patronage.
Hollywood Barn Dance (SG)—Ernest Tubb
and Texas Troubadours, Lori Talbott. This
is strictly corn but of a very fine variety, I
guess, as my patrons really got a bang out
of this clunk. The trick fiddler stole the show
and Tubb got a hand with his songs. Doubled
it New Year's day with "Winner's Circle"
(Col) to over average business. You never
can tell! Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Cold.—
Jack Hammond, Shastona Theatre, Mount
Shasta, Calif. Small lumber town patronage.
*
Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House
(SRO)—Cary Grant, Myrna Loy, Melvyn
Douglas. This is a swell comedy that both
old and young seemed to enjoy. Now if we
didn't have to give SRO 40 per cent, everything
would be hunky-dory. Played Sun.,
Mon. Weather: Rain.—William Rulon, Avon
Theatre, New Vienna, Ohio. Rural and small
town patronage.
20th CENTURY-FOX
OApartment for Peggy (20th-Fox)—Jeanne
Grain, William Holden, Edmund Gwenn. This
is very good and is also adult entertainment.
Played Mon., Tues.—James C. Balkcom jr..
Gray Theatre, Gray, Ga. Small town patronage.
Blood and Sand (20th-Fox)—Reissue. Tyrone
Power, Linda Darnell, Rita Hayworth. Here
is another reissue that went over better than
Good Crowd First Wight .
Insures Later Crowds
SECRET LAND, THE (MGM)—Navy
documentary with narration by Robert
Montgomery, Robert Taylor, Van Heflin.
Advertise this as an authentic Technicolor
Antarctic expedition and get them
in the first night. The next play days
will take care of themselves. Doubled
this with a reissue ("Tarzan's New York
Adventure") and enjoyed good midweek
business. Played Tues., Wed., Thurs.
Weather: Cold.—E. W. Clark, Molalla
Theatre, Molalla, Ore. Small town patronage.
*
most new pictures. This picture was turned
out when Hollywood was making good pictures
and the public seems to know it. I have
played all of Fox's reissues and all of them
have done well. This picture was originally
in Technicolor but they like it just as well in
black and white. Played Wednesday.
Weather: Cold.—W. L. Stratton, Lyric Theatre,
Challis, Ida. Small town and country
patronage.
Drums Along the Mohawk (20th-Fox)—Reissue.
Claudette Colbert, Henry Fonda. This
is one they brought back that did okay even
though the weather was the coldest in many
years. People seemed to enjoy this. Played
Tues., Wed.—D. W. Trisko, Ritz Theatre, Jerome,
Ariz. Small mining town patronage. * * *
Shepherd of the Valley (20th-Fox)—Formerly
"Thunder in the Valley" and "Bob, Son of
Battle." This was very well liked by the few
who ventured out. Definitely not as good a
draw as the title might suggest. "Bob, Son
of Battle" would have been the better one.
I believe this was the original title. Played
Thurs., Fri., Sat. Weather: Stormy.—H. J. Partridge,
Lyceum Theatre, Gull Lake, Sask. Rural
and small town patronage.
When My Baby Smiles at Me (20th-Fox)—
Betty Grable, Dan Dailey, Jack Oakie. What
a difference between this and "That Lady in
Ermine." This is an outstanding musical that
will please the entire family. Dan Dailey gets
better and more popular with each film.
Played Mon., Tues.—James C. Balkcom jr.,
'Father Dunne' Will Draw
In All Communities
FIGHTING FATHER DUNNE (RKO)
—Pat O'Brien, Darryl Hickman, Charles
Kempner. This is good, clean, family entertainment.
It is not necessary to have
a Catholic community for this one. We
received many compliments. Played Sun.,
Mon. to average business for the holiday
season. Weather: Snow. E. W. Clark,
Molalla Theatre, Molalla, Ore. Small
town patronage. *
Gray Theatre, Gray, Ga. Small town patronage.
Winner's Circle, The (20th-Fox)—Jean Wiles,
Johnny Longden, Morgan Farley. Fox has a
few big ones but the rest run from average
down to lousy and this one hit the lower
bracket in quality, but not in film rental. The
cheapest picture you can buy from anyone
is equal to this dud. Played midweek and
didn't even make the film rental. This can't
go on—I am learning. Played Wed., Thurs.
Weather: Fair.—H. A. Anderson, Roxy Theatre,
St. Ansgar, Iowa. Small town and rural
patronage.
UNIVERSAL-nn-ERNATIONAL
Are You With It? (U-D—Donald O'Connor,
Olga San Juan, Martha Stewart. This is a
good comedy with a clever story, but it is
priced too high for us to make any money
on it. Doubled with "Rocky" (Mono) to average
weekend business. Played Fri., Sat.
Weather: Clear and cold.—Jack Hammond,
Shastona Theatre, Mount Shasta, Calif. Small
lumber town patronage.
Fighting 69th, The (U-D—Reissue. James
Cagney, Pat O'Brien, Dennis Morgan. Here is
an old one that we brought back and hit the
it. it jackpot with We bought right, spent a
little money advertising, and found to our
still surprise that customers wanted this type
of picture. We played to tough weather and
still they came. Played Wed.. Thurs. Weather:
Rain—Walt Sayler, Dakota Theatre, Wishek,
N. D. Rural and small town patronage.
Red Ingle and His Natural Seven (U-D—
Short. This two-reel Name Band short is the
best from U-I yet. Played it New Year's and
had people stay over just to see it the second
time. It's crazy and the people will go crazynail
your seats down and play it. Played
with "The Noose Hangs High" (EL), which is
just fair for an Abbott and Costello. Played
Fri., Sat. Weather: Cold.—E. W. Clark. Molalla
Theatre, Molalla, Ore. Small town patronage.
WARNER BROS.
OMy Wild Irish Rose (WB)—Dennis Morgan,
Arlene Dahl, Andrea King. This is a
great picture that will please all. The color is
grand and Dennis Morgan plays a great role.
You don't have to hide as people leave the
theatre when you play pictures like this.
Played Wed., Thurs—M. E. Ginn, Monon Theatre,
Pickens, Miss. Small town, rural and oil
patronage.
field
Two Guys From Texas (WB)—Dennis Morgan,
Jack Carson, Dorothy Malone. Musical
comedies usually draw well here and this
one did average business. Dorothy Malone
was pleasing to the eyes but most of our
patrons prefer Dennis Morgan in dramatic
roles. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Good.—
William Rulon, Avon Theatre, New Vienna,
Ohio. Rural and small town patronage. *
Wall Flower (WB) — Robert Hutton, Joyce
is Reynolds, Janis Paige. This a good comedy
picture and almost as good as "Dear
Ruth." Robert Hutton and Joyce Reynolds
make a good team on the screen. All comments
were good. Played Mon., Tues.—L.
jr.. Brazil New Theatre, Bedrden, Ark. Small
town and rural patronage.
BOXOFFICE BookinGuide

I
FEATURE CHART
release
dale. Production number is at right Number in parentheses is running tim
lumished by home office ol distributor; checkup with local exchanges is recomme
R—is review date. PG—is Picture Guide page number. Symbol O indicates BOXOI
Blue Ribbon Award Winner. Symbol © indicates color photography.
MARCH 20
pj (63) Drama 95
RETURN OF THE
WHISTLER
Michael Duane
Lenore Aubert
Richard Lane
B—Mar. 13—PO-911
ra (77) Drama 817
©enchanted valley
Alan Curtlj-Ann Gwenn
B—Mar. 27—PG-916
ra (85) Drama 818
OCTOBER MAN
John MUll
It—Mar. 10—PO-91S
p
(76) Comedy 8JJS
ALIAS A GENTLEMAN
Wallace Berry
Tom Drake
Dorothy Patrick
B—Jan. SI—PO-896
[jii (60) Drama 4710
Rose of the rio
GRANDE
MARCH 27
££] (75) Drama 982 84) Drama 936 [|]
(67) Drama 914
ADVENTURES IN SIGN OF THE RAM MY DOG RUSTY
SILVERADO
m Petal
ed Donaldson
I!— M.ir. 13—PG-911
Feb. 21— PG-904 ulin Litel
is] (55) Western 966
nn Doran
M (66) Mus-Com 952
WEST OF S0N0RA
K—May 1—PG-926
SONG OF IDAHO
Starreti-Burnette
loosler Hotsbots
Mar. 17—PQ-916
—Mar. 27—PO-916
Reissues
ra (93) Drama 849
SUTTER'S GOLD
Edward Arnold
(86) Drama 848
SEVEN SINNERS
Marlene Dietrich
(98) Comedy 819
IDE GOES WILD
) Johnson
June Allyson
Cronyn
Butcb Jenkins
R—Feb. 28—PO-905
APRIL 3
rj] (102) Drama 81
RUTHLESS
Zarhary Scott
Louis Uayward
II—Mar at—PO-915
(108) Dram. 820
J]
}. F.'s DAUGHTER
Barbara Stanwyck
Heflln
Charles Cobum
B—Fab. 11—PO-908
|i] (67) Drama 4712 m (146) Drama 4725
RECKLESS ©UNC0NQUERED
IB Eythe
Gary Cooper
Barbara Brltton
Paulatte Uoddard
It—Feb. 21—PG-904 Boris Karloff
Howard daSllva
It—Oct. 4—PO-862
APRIL 10
[jo] (54) Western 85
HAWK OF POWDER
RIVER
Eddie Dean
Mar. 13— PG-911
(69) Drama 91
J||
PORT SAID
Gloria Henry
William Bishop
Steven Geray
B—Apr. 24—PG-923
Bud Abbott
Lou Costello
Cathy Downs
B—Apr. 10— PO-#10
(70) Drama 4712
fT) Western 4761
(66)
(67) Drama 4708
Si]
gi] "
FIGHTING 4
J. Cagney-P.
I £
(64) W -stern New Bel
OEADLINE
Sunset
Carson
(81) Western New Bel
FIGHTING MUSTANG
Sunset Carton
"at Starling
(70) Comedy relwue
LIT ABNER
Martha O'Dtlseoll
Edgar Kenned;
(67) Musical Bdssue
ROAD TO HOLIVAH"
Blng Crosby
R_Mar i—ra-ft«
(861 Mus-Dr BelstM
SECOND CHORUS
(86) Western Retail
FRONTIER OF '49
"Wild Bill" Elliott
(7 1 Western Reissue
ARIZONA THOROBRED
"Wild Bill" Elliott
(60) Western Reissue
THE LAW COMES TO
TEXAS
(67) Mus-Com New Bel
LOOK OUT SISTER
Louis
Jordan
(66) Western New Bel
SUNSET CARSON RIDES
AGAIN
(61) Western!
RETURN OF DM.
BOONE
(•) We
LONE STAR PI0N1
"Wild Bill" EllloaJ
BOXOFFICE BooldnGuide

CHECK RUNNING TIME WITH LOCAL EXCHANGES
FEATURE CHART
AY 15

•
"
.
FEATURE CHART
JULY 10
(77) Drama
JULY 17
904
[g]
THUNDERH00F
Preston Foster
Mary Stuart
ttllllim Bishop
K—July 10—PG-949
JULY 24.
gg (TO) Drama 829
SHED NO TEARS
Wallace Ford
June Vincent
Hubert Scott
R—Aug. 14—PG-960
g
CHECK RUNNING TIME WITH LOCAL EXCHANGES
JULY 31 AUGUST 7
(90) S'Westrrn 939
©CORONER CREEK
Randulpk Scott
K—June 5—PO-948
_
(65) Musical 953
ARKANSAS SWING
Hoosler Hotabou
R—July 24—PO-953
fj]
(79) Drama 827
THE SPIRITUALIST
Turban Bey
Lynn Bart
Cathy O'DonneU
It—Aug. 7—P0-958
AUGUST 14
3| (54) Western 9
TRAIL TO LAREDO
Charles Starrett
Smiley Bumette
jl| (61) Drama 831
LADY AT MIDNIGHT
Richard Denning
Frances Rafferty
Ralph Dunn
Bryant
It—July 24—PG-954
AUGUST 21
D Drama 941
LULU BELLE
Dorothy Lamour
George Montgomery
Albert Dekker
Otto Kruger
R—June 19— PO-943
Reissues
lS (86) Comedy 847
HOLD THAT GHOST
Abbott-Costello
(96) Comedy 850
RED WIFE
sallnd Russell
Brian Aherne
AUGUS'
(103) Musical 829
tJOEASTER PARADE
Fred Allaire
Judy Garland
Peter Lawford
Ann Miller
R—May 29—PO-938
(113) Com-Mus 831
V DATE WITH JUDY
Jane Powell
Elisabeth Taylor
allace Beery
R^lune 26—PO-946
M) Drama 830
THE SEARCH
Montgomery CUft
Aline MacMahon
Mar. 20—PO-914
|T| (55) Western 4762
COWBOY CAVALIER
Jimmy Wak«ly
'Cannooball"
Taylor
[H] (85) Mystery 4718
THE SHANGHAI CHEST
Roland Winter*
Manton Moreland
g
(54) Western 4757
BACK TRAIL
Johnny Mack Brown
Mildred Coles
Raymond Hatton
S5| (82) Drama 480
©16 FATHOMS DEEP
Lon Chaney
Arthur Lake
Tanls Chandler
R—June 12—PO-941
(T| (79) Drama 4719
MICHAEL O'HALLORAN
Scotty Beckett
AUene Roberts
Tommy Cook
Isabel Jewell
R^June 19—PG-944
JS (63) Western 4753
FIGHTING RANGER
Juhnny Mack Brown
Raymond Hatton
22 (53) West*
SILVER TRAILS
immy Wakely
Christine LarMt
Dub Taylor
m (128) Dr R7-3508
THE CRUSADES
Loretta
Henry
Young
WUcaxoB
|3 (88) Comedy 4721
DREAM GIRL
Belty Button
Macdonald Carey
Irglnla Field
I'alrlc Knowles
•-Mo 8—PO-MT
SoJ (62) Drama 4722
BIG TOWN SCANDAL
Philip Reed
Hilary Brooke
Stanley ClemenU
Darryl Hickman
May 22—PO-93S
fj] (109) Drama 4723
SO EVIL MY LOVE
Ray Milland
Todd
Geraldlne Fitzgerald
Leo Q. Carroll
—Slay 22—PO-933
gjj (116) Drama 4724
FOREIGN AFFAIR. A
Jean Arthur
John Lund
Marlene Dietrich
(102) Drama
MINE OWN
EXECUTIONER
Burgess Meredith
Group 5
(S] (90) Western 817
RETURN OF THE
BADMEN
Robert Ryan
nne Jeffreys
—May 22—PO-934
(IS (78) .utd'r-Mus 732
©EYES OF TEXAS
Roy Rogers
Lynn Roberts
Andy Define
lly 24—PG-953
Reissue
(89) Drama S-4
KING OF THE TURF
Adolphe Menjou
Dolores Costello
(85) Drama I
DEEP WATERS
Dana Andrews
Cesar Romero
Jean Peters
Dean Stockwell
R^luly 3—PO-948
52 (75) Musical 91
©MELODY TIME
Andrew Sisters
Roy Rogers
Dennis Day
R—May 22—PO-934
Reissue
5| (71) Comedy S-3
RUNAWAY DAUGHTER
Barbara Stanwyck
Robert
Young
(67) Drama 825
THE CHECKERED COAT
Tom Conway
Noreen Nash
Hurd Hatfield
R—Aug 7—PO-957
am Elliott
R—May 29—PO-838
(60) Western 756
MARSHAL OF
AMARILLO
Ian "Roety" Lane
Reissue
(6G) Western HC22
THE SHOWDOWN
William Boyd
Russell Hayden
(106) Musical 826
(88) Musical 832
WALLS OF JERICHO
ROSE OF WASHINGTON
Cornel Wilde
SQUARE
Linda Darnell
Tyrone Power
Baiter
.Anne
R—July 10—PO-950
(92) Drama 833
SLAVE SHIP
Wallace
Beery
Special
jj]
(97) Drama 961
THE VELVET TOUCH
Rosalind Russell
Leo Oenn
Claire Treror
Sydney Oreenstreet
R^July 24—PO-954
To] (60) M'drama 716
DAREDEVILS OF THE
CLOUDS
Mae Clark
James CardweU
R-^Iuly 31—PO-I
(89) Musical 836
©THAT LADY IN
ERMINE
Betty Grable
Douglas Fairbanks )r.
Cesar Romero
Walter Abel
R—July 17—PO-951
(61) Drama 8
FIGHTING BACK
aul Lanfton
Cary Gray
Jean Rogers
R—Oct. 30—PO-982
(59) Musics
VARIETY THJT
Leon Errol
Edgar Kennedy
Jack Parr
Frankle Carls
(611 I'drai
OUT OF THE 9
Jimmy Lydoo
R—Sept. 25—
53 (60) If
SONS OF ADVQ
Lynne Roberu
R— Dec. 4—POfl
a (si. i
THE RETURN •
WILDFIRE
Richard Arltn
R—Aug. 21—1
[TJ (81) OtrurrJJ
JUNGLE GODDE
Qeorge Reews
76) AdT-Bl
THE BLACK
Louis Haywsi
Blair
Oumi Maer<
Edgar Bucnai
Rhys William
R—Jul* 10-
(70) Outd'r-I
i
THE WINNER'S
Jean W tiles
Morgan Farley
Johnny Longden
R—Aug. -ro-
(T| (89) Drama 576
FOUR FACES WEST
Joel McCrea
(83) Comedy 664
ABBOTT & COSTELLO
MEET FRANKEN-
STEIN
Abbott k CosteUo
Lon Chaney
Bela Lugosl
R—July 3—PO-94T
Jomne Page
Wendell Corey
R-^June 26—PO-945
TS] (82) Dr.ima
FLOWING GOLD
Garfield O'Brien
T7] (71) Drama 729
GODS COUNTRY ,
THE WOMAN
George Brrnl
(78) Mus-Com 665
FEUDIN'. FUSSIN'
AND A-FIGHTIN'
Donald O'Connor
Percy Kilbride
H—June 19—PO-943
5oj (109) Com-Dr. 582
TIME OF YOUR LIFE
James Cagney
William Bendii
Wayne Morris
leanne Cagney
R—May 22—PO-93S
(80) Drama
THE ENO OF
RIVER
Sabu
THE
Blbl Ferrelra
Esmond Knight
Torln Thatcher
R—June 26—PO-945
ai) (101) P.-arr
KEY LARGO
Humphrey Bogart
Edwvd 0. " '
Lauren Bacall
R—July
10— PO-949
(109) Drama
©TAP ROOTS
Van Il.-tl-.n
Susan Hayward
Ward Bond
R^luly 3—PO-947
(76) Comedy 583
TEXAS. BROOKLYN
AND HEAVEN
R—July 24—PG-954
g|]
(85) Drama 587
-Aug.
-FO-957
(891 Comedy 667
MR. PEABODY AND
THE MERMAID
William Powell
Vnn Blyth
Irene Harrey
Andrea King
R^Tuly 10—PO-949
u (118) Comedy 702 52 (801 M'drama 732
OLIFE WITH FATHER EMBRACEABLE YOU
Dane Clark
William Powell
Geraldlne Brooks
Irene Dunne
8. Z Sakall
Blliabetb Taylor
Wallace Ford
Edmund Gwenn
R—July 31—PO-955
Za.su Pitts
R— Aug. 23—PO-850
(82) _
ONE TOUCH Oil
(96) Cnmedv 206
MR. BLANDINGS (117) Drama 105
BUILDS HIS DREAM THE PARADINE CASE
HOUSE Gregory Peck
Cary Grant Villi
Mymi Loy Ann Todd
Ethel Barrymore
Melryn Douglas
Louise Beaten R—Jan. 3—PO-888
R—April 3—PO-91T
(89) Drama
Eng. Films
SHOWTIME
R-^Jtine 12—PO-942
(72) Musical
Bell
(83) Corned)
Dlst. Films
QUIET WEEKEND
R—«ft. 2—PG-973
(70) Alexander Drami
THE FIGHT NEVER
.{ ENDS
VJ R—Mar. 6—PO-909
5? (^3) Doemnentiry
Target Films
STRANGE VICTORY
R—July 24— PO-964
(IT)
Lanaj
LOUISIANA STW
R—Oct. 2—PO-M
(90) Document!
Oxford Fl
WHAFS ON YOB
MINO?
II—Jan 8—PO-lj
BOXOFTICE BookinGuide ::

•ig
la
la
10—FO-950
CHECK RUNNING TIME WITH LOCAL EXCHANGES
SEPTEMBER 11 SEPTEMBER
(86) Dr:im»
(D
916
GENTLEMAN FROM
NOWHERE
Warner Baxter
Kay Baker
Luis Van Rooten
R—Oct. 2— PG-973
(88) Documentary 902
©OLYMPIC GAME"
OF 1948
(76) Western 9l
fj
BLACK EAGLE, THE
STORY OF A HORSE
William Bishop
Virginia Patlon
Gordon Jones
R—Sept. 4—PO-965
SEPTEMBER 25
WALK A CROOKED
MILE
Dennis O'Keefe
It—Sept. 11—I'Q-968
p] (62) Act-Mus 95
SINGIN' SPURS
lluosler llotshota
(62) Drama 903
|J9]
IN THIS CORNER
Scott Brady
OCTOBER 2
|o| (70) Spec-Act 104
TRIPLE THREAT
Richard Crane
Gloria Henry
R—Oct. 9—PO-976
Reissues
(102) Mystery 734
INTERNATIONAL LADY
George
But!
Brent
Itathlimie
(117) Drama 737
fj]
MY SON, MY SON
Brian Aherne
OCTOBER 9
I "avid Street
Don McGuIre
R—Oct. 9—PC-975
jT] (83) M'drama 91
HOLLOW TRIUMPH
Paul Hcnreld
Joan Bennett
Bduard Franz
Leslie Brooks
It—Aug. 21—PO-981
FEATURE CHART
OCTOBER 16
jijfj (56) Western 165
EL DORADO PASS
Charles Starrett
Smiley Burnetta
Elena Verclugo
Steve Darrell
It— Dec. 11— PG-91
(73) Drama 9
©ADVENTURES OF
GALLANT BESS
Gallanl Hess
Cameron Mitchell
Audrey Long
Funj Knight
It—July 31—PO-956
OCTOBER 23
J2i| (59) OuUI'r-Dr 111
RUSTY LEADS THE
WAY
Ted Donaldson
Sharyn Moffett
John Lltel
Ann Doran
R—Oct. 16—PO-9T7
I) Mys-Dr 90
BEHIND LOCKED
DOORS
Lucille Bremer
Richard Carlson
Douglas Fowlej
Half Harolde
It—8ept. 18—PO-969
|24] (90) Comedy 902
A SOUTHERN YANKEE
Red Skelton
Arline Dahl
Brian Donlevy
R—Aug. 7—PO-968
[F] (99) Comedy 903
JULIA MISBEHAVES
Waller l'ldgeon
Petar Lawford
Elizabeth Taylor
Cesar Romero
li—Aug. 14—I'G-960
[5] (68) Musical 4721
THE MUSIC MAN
Phil Brlto
R—July 24—PO-853
[IS) (66) M'drama 4802 [|o] (87) Comedy AA8
JOE PALOOKA If THE DUDE GOES WEST
WINNER TAKE ALL Eddie Albert
R—Aug. 28—PG-963 Gale Storm
U— May 1—PO-926
(56) Western
THE RANGERS RIDE
Jimmy Wakely
|T] (55) West 4754
THE SHERIFF OF
MEDICINE BOW
Johnny Mack Broun
goj (86) Adi 4726
SMUGGLER'S COVE
Leo Gorcey
NUMBER
Barbara Stanwyck
Burt Lancaster
Ann Richards
Wendell Corey
R-^Iuly 31—PG-966
m (88) Comedy 4802
ISN'T IT ROMANTIC
Veronica Lake
Mary Hatcher
Mona Freeman
Billy DeWolle
R—Aug. 21— PO-962
,22] (81) Myslery 4803
NIGHT HAS A
THOUSAND EYES
Edivard 0. Robinson
Outd'r-Mus 733
TIME IN
ADA
Comedy
MY BOY
CIRCLE,
Ugel
THE
Group 6
gj] (66) Mystery 822
MYSTERY IN MEXICO
llliam Lundlgan
Jacqueline White
Klcardo Cortea
Tony Barrett
R-^hily 3—PO-948
[3) (90) Drama 719
ANGEL IN EXILE
John Carroll
\dele Mara
Barton MacLane
R—Jan. 1— PQ-10O0
(99) Driima 83
THE LUCK OF THE
IRISH
Tyrone Power
Anne Baxter
Cecil Kellaway
Lee J. Cobb
B—Sept. 4—PO-985
g (61) Western
FALSE PARAOISE
m Boyd
Group 2
(63) Mystery 905
BODYGUARD
Lawrence Tlerney
Priscilla Lane
Philip Reed
Steve Brodle
R—8ept. 4—PO-965
«] (60) Western 757
DESPERADOES OF
DODGE CITY
R—Sept. 11—PQ-968
[15] (60) Western 741
-"N OF GOD'S
COUNTRY
R—8ept. 25—PO-971
Reissue
[nj (89) Docum. 41
SUBMARINE
go| (72) Comedy S-5
FLIRTING WITH FATE
Joe B. Brown
SOS
R—Oct.
g (81)
16—P0-9n
Drama 4804
HARPOON
John Bromfleld
Alyce Louis
R—Nov. 27—PG-990
i) Drama
ESCAPE
Rex
Harrison
|2«] (126) West-Dr 585
RED RIVER
John Wayne
jomery CUft
Walter Brennan
Joanne Dru
R—July 17—PO-952
Special
(48) Docum 9
DESIGN FOR DEATH
R—Jan.
1—PG-893
Group 6
gg| (79) M'drama 821
RACE STREET
R—July 3—PO-948
Reissues
|J| (108) Comedy S-7
DUKE OF WEST POINT
Louis Hayward
Joan Fontaine
(88) Comedy S-8
MlSS ANNIE ROONEY
Shirley Temple
(139) Drama I
©FOREVER AMBER
Darnell
Cornell Wilde
R—Oct. 18—PO-888
I) Mystery 839
THE CREEPER
Eduardo Clnelll
(57) Docum 58
OLYMPIC CAVALCADE
Bill Slern, narrator
-8ept. 11—PO-968
(65) Jungle Dr 588
URUBU
George Breakstone
R—Aug. 21—PO-961
Group 1
(77) Drama 903
THE PEARL
Pedro Armendarlz
Maria Elena Marques
R—Feb. 21—PG DU3
(90) Drama 714
[JJ
MOONRISE
Dane Clark
Gall Russell
Ethel Barrymore
R—Sept. 18—PG-970
[T] (60) Western 758
DENVER KID
(68) Comedy 840
THE GAY INTRUDERS
John Emery
Tamara Geva
Lelf Erlckson
Roy Roberts
~
"ine 12—PQ-942
(81) Comedy 590
[7J
THE GIRL FROM
MANHATTAN
Dorothy Lamuur
George Montgomery
Charles Laughton
Hugh Herbert
R—Sept. 25—PO-972
(92) Duma 901
RACHEL AND THE
STRANGER
Loretta Young
William llolden
Robert MJtchum
R—Aug. 7—FQ-958
(93) Drama 4805
[J]
THE MOZART STORY
Hans Holt
Winnie Markus
von Meydendorft
R—Nov. 27— PO-990
(62) Western
STRANGE GAMBLE
llliam Boyd
(98) Com-Dr 842

EATURE CHART

•s
CHECK RUNNING TIME WITH LOCAL EXCHANGES
FEATURE CHART
iMBER 25
Comedy 107
•S SECRET
Ugleton
JANUARY 1
JANUARY 8
(79) Drama 13
SH0CKPR00F
Cornel Wilde
Patricia Knight
Baragrey
R—Jan". 15—rG-1003
JANUARY 15
ina Foch
Lee J. Cobb
Allele Jergens
JANUARY 22
I) Western II
LOADED PISTOLS
Gene Autry
Champion
Barbara Brltton
Chill Wills
m. 8—ra-1001
JANUARY 29
FEBRUARY 5 FEBRUARY 12 /
3j (56) Western
CHALLENGE OF
RANGE
Charles Starrett
Smiley Burnette
THE
m t«i) Miisif.d
.A DIES OF THE
CHORUS
Adele Jergens
Marilyn Monroe
Rand Brooks
Drama
HTHERED
:NT
Tlnters
4S23
g
(119) Musical 910
OW0RDS AND MUSIC
Judy Garland
Qene Kelly
Mickey Itooney
K—Dec. 11—PQ-994
(81) Drama AA12
[JJ
STRIKE IT RICH
Rod Cameron
Bonlta GranvlUe '
Nov. 2T—PO-989
(66) Comedy 4727
[J]
TROUBLE MAKERS
Leo Gorcey
Bowery Boys
(60) Drama 9
THE STRANGE
MRS. CRANE
Marjorle Lord
Hubert sli.iyne
Ruth Brady
itrre Watkln
R—Oct. 30— PG-981
[h] (106) Drama 911
©THREE GODFATHERS
John Wayne
Harry Carey Jr.
"Vdro Armendarlx
Ward Bond
iec. 4—PG-992
[9] (110) Drama 48C
TEMPTATION HARBOR
Simone Simon
Robert Newton
[u] (100) Drama 4808
E ACCUSED
Loretta Young
Robert Cummlngs
Wendell Corey
Sam Jaffe
R—Nov. 20—PO-987
) Western
©RED STALLION
THE ROCKIES
\rthur Frana
Jean Heather
James Darts
Michael
Reginald
Michael
eb.
Wilding
Owen
Laurence
7—PG-897
IN
[l6| ( .
. ) Western 4861
GUN RUNNER
Jimmy Wakely
(74) Western AAU
[|||
BAD MEN OF
TOMBSTONE
R— Dec. 18—PG-995
) Com-Dr 912
AN OLD-FASHIONED
GIRL
Gloria Jean
Jimmy Lydon
Rafferty
John Hubbard
Dec. 18—PQ-996
(100) Musical 913
©THE KISSING
BANDIT
Frank Sinatra
Kathryn Grayson
1 Chartsse
Carrol Nalsh
-Nov. 20—PO-988
(67) M'drama 48
HH
INCIDENT
Warren Douglas
Jane Frazee
Robert Osterloh
Joyce Compton
R—Jan. 1—PQ-999
(67) Drama 4809
|jjj
DYNAMITE
William Gargan
Virginia Welles
Richard Crane
Irving Bacon
R—Nov. 20—PG-988
(71) M'drama 91
PAROLE, INC.
Michael O'Shea
Turhan Bey
Evelyn Ankers
Michael Whalcn
in. 15—PG-1003
f] (84) Drama 4810
MY OWN TRUE LOVE
Phyllis Calvert
Mclvyn Douglas
Wanda Hendrix
Blnnic Barnes
R—Dec. 11—PO-994
Robert Ryan
Janet Leigh
Mary Astor
Dec. 25—PG-997
m (82) Fantasy 9.
©THE BOY WITH
GREEN HAIR
Pat O'Brien
Robert Ryan
Barbara Hale
Dean Sloekweii
R—Nov. SO—PU-987
(62) Western 9
GUN SMUGGLERS
Tim Holt
Richard Martin
Martha Hyer
Gary Gray
in. 1—PG-1000
(82) Comedy S
©SO DEAR TO MY
HEART
Burl Ives
Beulah Bond!
Bobby DrlscoU
Luana Patten
R—Dec. 11—PQ-993
(82) Drama
TARZAN'S MAGIC
FOUNTAIN
Brenda
Joyce
29] (67) Outd'r-Mus 84:
©THE FAR FRONTIER
Hoy Rogers
Andy Dertoe
[5] (57) M'drama 802
ROSE OF THE YUKON
Steve Broldy
( . . ) Western
SHERIFF OF WICHITA
Alan
Lane
Reissue
(58) Western
FRONTIER PONY
EXPRESS
Roy Rogers
[g] (69) M'drama 8
DAUGHTER OF THE
JUNGLE
Lois Hall
James Cardwell
[H] (60) Western 4812
OUTLAW COUNTRY
Lasb LaRiie
Fuzzy St. John
HOME
8—PO-1001
(100) Western 84
E PREFERRED
YELLOW SKY
Olivia
nudsei
de HaviUand
Gregory Peek
lusael
Leo Qenn
Anne Baxter
Stereos
rterta
Richard Wldmark
Celeste Holm
Robert Arthur
Glenn Langan
R—Nov. 27—PO-990
bv. 13—PG-988
(82) Comedy i
THAT WONDERFUL
URGE
Tyrone Power
Gene Tlerney
Reginald Gardiner
\rleen Wbalen
R—Nov. 27—PO-990
Robert Lowery
a Blake
Michael Wbalen
Dan Seymour
R—Jan. 1—PO-1000
(102) Drama 903
THIS WAS A WOMAN
Sonla Dresdel
Barbara White
Walter Fitzgerald
Cyril Raymond
R—Jan. 8—PG-1002
(103) Drama 906
A LETTER TO THREE
WIVES
Jeanne Craln
Linda Darnell
Ann Sothern
Kirk Douglas
R—Dec. 11—PG-993
(91) Comedy 9
CHICKEN EVERY
SUNDAY
Dan Dalley
Celeste nolra
Colleen Townsend
Alan Young
R—Dec. 18—PG-998
Leo Carrtlle
John Lltel
Barbara Billlngsley
it—Jan. 8—PO-1001
(100) Comedy c
YOU GOTTA STAY
HAPPY
Joan Fontaine
Jimmy Stewart
Eddie Albert
Roland Young
R—Nov. 6—PO-984
(90) Drama
LIVE TODAY FOR
TOMORROW
Fredrlc March
Edmond O'Brien
(94) Drama 61
THE FIGHTING
O'FLYNN
Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
Helena Carter
Richard Creene
R-^Ian. 15—PO-1004
Dram. 809 S ,90)
EC.S.ON OF a^J^P-AY
ITOPHER BLAKE
AFTERNOON
llimt;
Douglas
lUaway
Dennis Morgan
Dorotby Malone
Don DeFore
1 uili Paige
R—Dec. 18—PG-995
(91) Drama 81
WHIPLASH
Dane Clark
Smith
Alexis
Zachary Scott
Eve Arden
R—Dec. 25—PO-998
(110) M'drama 81
©ADVENTURES OF
DON JUAN
Errol Flynn
V'lveca Llndfors
Robert Douglas
Alan Male
R— Dec. 25—PO-998
[J3 (86) Drarr
FLAXY MARTI r.
Virginia Mayo
Zachary Scott
Dorothy Malone
Tom D'Andrea
1105) M'drama
8uperfllm
WHEN LOVE CALLS
E—Oct. 18—PG-878
Lopert Dlseina Intl
WHERE WORDS FAIL RUY BLAS
R—Oet 9—PO-976 R—Oct 23—PO-980
BOXOFFICE BookinGuide
(102) Drama (100) Drama
Film Right Infl Films Infl
BACK STREETS OF WOMAN HUNT
PARIS B—Nov. 8—PO-984
B—Oct. SO—PO-981
(98) Musical (103) Drama
Clasa-Mobme Vesurto Fll
LA REINA DEL MALACARME
(77) Drama (91) Drama
(84) Drama
Films
Vog
Dlst.
Lopert
LONG IS THE ROAD
10—PO-987
THE ETERNAL
HUSBAND
SECRETS OF A
BALLERINA
R—Nov.
R— Dec. 4—PO-W1 R-^lan. 8—PO-1002
u (91) M'drama V f (102) Drama
Lopert
iky IntT EAGLE WITH TWO
HEADS
MONSIEUR VINCENT
R—Jan. 15—PO-1004
PO-891 R— Dee. 18—PO-998
(95) Com-Dr
MLLE.
R-^Jan.
DESIREE
15—PO-1004
(93) Drama
Rupernlm
MONTE CASSINO
R—Jan. 15—PO-1003

REVIEW D

in interpretative analysis of opinions deducted from the language of lay
:nd trade press reviews. The plus and minus signs indicate the degTee
I favor or disfavor of the review. This department serves also as an
L1PHABETICAI. INDEX to feature releases. Numeral preceding title is
'icture Guide Review page number. In parentheses alter title is running
time. Date following distributor is BOXOFFICE review date. Listings cover
current reviews. It is brought up to date regularly. The meaning of the
various signs and their combinations is as follows:
++ Very Good; + Good; — Fair; — Poor; = Very Poor.
In the summary ft is rated as 2 pluses; = as 2 minuses.
001 Loaded Pistols (79) Col 1- 8-49 +
923 Lost One, The (84) Col 4-24-48 +
1961 Loves of Carmen, The (98) Col... 8-21-48 +
965 Luck of the. Irish, The (99) 20-Fox 9- 4-48 4+
943 Lulu Belle (87) Col 6-19-48 +
962 Luxury Liner (98) MGM 8-21-48 t
M
977 Macbeth (107) Rep 10-16-48 ±
945 Man-Eater of Kumaon (79) U-l.... 6-26-48 +
899 Man From Colorado (99) Col 11-20-48 -(-
988 Manhattan Angel (67Vi) Col 11-20-48 ±
Marshal of Amarillo (60) Rep
Melody Time (75) RK0 5-22-48 ft
Mexican Hayride (77) U-l 12-11-48 +
344 Michael 0'Halloran (79) Mono 6-19-48 tt
llckey (87) EL 6-26-48 +
977 Million Dollar Weekend (73) EL. .10-16-48 ±
line Own Executioner (102) 20-Fox 6-19-48 ±
362 Miraculous Journey (76) FC 2-21-48 J03 Miranda (80) EL 1-15-49 +
770 Miss Tatlock's Millions (101) Para. 9-18-48 +
117 Mr. Blandlngt Builds His Dream House
(96) SR0 4-3-48 +
M9Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid
+
(89) U-l 7-10-48
»97Mr. Perrln and Mr. Traill (91) ... .12-25-48 +
718 Money Madness (73) FC 4-3-48 ±
TTOMoonrlse (90) Rep 9-18-48 +
179 Mourning Becomes Electra (173)
+
RK0 12-6-47
Story, (93) Mozart The SG 11-27-48 ±
(S3 Music Man (66) Mono 7-24-48 ±
My Dear Secretary (94) UA 9-11-48 ft
True Love (84) Para My Own 12-11-48 -
Mystery in Mexico (66) RK0 7- 3-48 ±
N
+
176 Nicholas Nlckleby (95) U-l 11-22-47
Night Has a Thousand Eyes
(81) Para 7-17-48 +
Wl Nightlme in Nevada (67) Rep 10-30-48 +
Night Wind (68) 20-Fox 9-11-48 ±
No Minor Vices (96) MGM 10- 9-48 +
176
Northwest Stampede (79) EL 7-10-48 +
O
±
196 Girl, Old- Fashioned An (82) EL. - .12-18-48
I67 0lymijic Cavalcade (57) UA 9-11-48 +
171 Olympic Games of 1948 (88) EL.. 9-25-48 +
126 On an Island With You (107) MGM 5- 1-48 ft
it Night With You (..) U-l
>95 Oni Sunday Afternoon (90) WB. . . .12-18-48 +
Om Touch of Venus (82) U-l.... 8-28-48 +
198 On Our Merry Way (formerly Miracle
Can Happen, A) (107) UA 2- 7-48 +
Outlaw Brand (57) Mono
71 Out of thi Storm (61) Rep 9-25-48 ±
P
Paleface, The (91) Para. 10-23-48 ff
Paradine Case, The (117) SR0.... 1- 3-48 +f
Parole, Inc. (87) EL*. 1-15-48 +
Pearl. (77) The RK0 2-21-48 -
Piccadilly Incident (88) MGM.... 2-7-48 ±
Pirate, The (102) MGM 4-3-48 +
Pitfall (85) UA 8-7-48 Plot to Kill Roosevelt, The (83) UA 11- 6-48 +
*3 Plunderers, The (87) Rep 11-6-48 4+
Portrait of Jennie (86) SR0 1- 1-49 +
R
±
Race Street (79) RK0 7-3-48
Rachel and the Stranger (92) RK0 8- 7-48 +
Racing Luck (66) Col 11-6-48 +
Range Renegades (54) Mono 8-14-48 +
Ringers Ride, The (56) Mono
•37 Raw Deal (78) EL 5-29-48 +
"Red River (126) UA 7-17-48 ft
Red Shots, The (134) EL 10-23-48 +
Renegades of Sonora (60) Rep
Return of the Badmen (90) RKO.. 5-22-48 +
Return of October. The (19) Col. .. 10-23-48 +
Return of Wildfire (81) SG 8-21-48 +
River Lady (78) U-l 5-15-48 ±:
House (95) 20-Fox 74 Road 10-2-48 *
Rogues' Regiment (86) U-l 10-9-48 +
'42 Romance on the High Seas (99) WB 6-12-48 ft
63 Rope (80) WB 8-28-48 ±
the Rusty Leads Way (59) Col 18-16-48 ±
s
67 Saxon Charm, The (88) U-l 9-11-48 67 Sealed Verdict (83) Para. 9-11-48 ±
fi

.
I
.
i
Big
..
. 813
.
SHORTS CHART
Short subjects, listed by company, in order of release. Running time follows
title. First date is national release, second the date of review in BOXOFFICE.
Symbol between dates is rating from the BOXOFFICE review; 44 Very Good.
+ Good, — Fair, — Poor, = Very Poor. © Indicates color photography.
Columbia
Prod. No. Title Rel. Date Rating Rev'd
ASSORTED COMEDIES
1503 Coo-Coo Bird Dog (6) ... 2- 3
COMEDY FAVORITES
1441 Pest From the West
. 1401 Heavenly Daze (16>/2 ) . 9- 2 -f- 9-18
1402 I'm a Monkey's Uncle
(16) 10- 7 4- 10-16
1403 Mummy's Dummies (16). 11- 4 + 11-6
1404 Crime on Their Hands
(17' 2 ) 12- 9
1405 The Ghost Talks (16) .
2-3
THRILLS OF MUSIC
99S8Tony Pastor & Orch. (10) 7-22 + 9
1948-49 SEASON
1951 Elliot Lawrence & Orch.
(10i/ 2 ) 9-23 4- 9-18
1952 Ray Eberle & Orch. (10). 11- 4 + 11- 6
1953 Louis Prima & Orch. (10) 12-16
1954 Buddy Rich & Orch. (..) 1-20
VERA VAGUE LAFF TOURS
Metro-GoldwYn-Mayer
Title
Rel.
CARTOONS
Date Rating Re
S-956 I Love My Mother-in-Uw
BUT (8) 2-7 44 2-14
S-957 Now You See It (9) 3-20 ± 3-20
S-958 ©You Cant Win (9) .
. 5-29 4- 5-15
S-959 Just Suppose (9) 7-17 ± 8-14
S-960 Football Thrills No. 11
(9) 8-21 4-
1948-49 SEASON
S-51Why Is It? (9) 9-11 4- 10-16
S-52 Pigskin Skill (9) 9-18 4- 10- 9
S-53 lee Aces (9) 11-16 4- U-27
Let's S-54 Cogitate (8) 12-25 4- 12-18
10-28 4- 10-16 S-55 Super Cue Men (..)
1752 Sitk.i Sue
1803 Babe Didrikson. Queen of
TOM .. 1-13
2 Acrobatic 1 11 in i (10) ... .12-10
1433 Miss in a Mess (151 2 >.. 1-20
1948-49 SEASON
R8-3 Sno'time for Learning
1948-49 SEASON
1424 Radio Riot (..) 2-10
32 Lucky Lucky (8) 10- 9
(10) 1-21
94.101 Pluto's Purchase (7) . . 7- 9 ± 84
In the Driver's Seat
94.102 Trial of Donald Duck
CAN YOU TOP THIS?
(10) 3-4
(7) 7-30 + 10-
1411 Can You Top This? (13). 11-18
94.103 Cat Nap Pluto (6) . . . 8-13 ± lOJ
-36 Goggle Fishing Bear
COLOR FAVORITES
MUSICAL PARADES
94.104 Inferior Decorator (7). 8-27 10-1)
9608 The Untrained Seal (7', 2 ) 7-15 ± 7-31
(Technicolor)
94.105 Pluto's Fledgling (7).. 9-10 - 10-»
FITZPATRICK TRAVELTALKS
I 1948-49 SEASON
Samba Mania (18).... 2-27 ±- 2-14 94.701 Goofy and Wilbur (7)
(Technicolor)
1601 The Stork Takes a Holiday
FF7-2 Footlight Rhythm (19) .4-9 44 4-10
(reissue) 10- 1 4 U|
T-913 Cape Breton Island (9) 5-8 4- 7-10 FF7-3 Gypsy Holiday (18) . , . 6-25 4- 7-3 94.106 Soups On (7) 10-15 4- lMjt
1602 Swing Monkey Swing (8) . 10-14 + 10-16 T-914 Chicago, the Beautiful
FF7-4 Tropical Masquerade
94.107 Three for Breakfast
1W3T
%£r Ma,Ch Girl
(10) 7-17 4- 8-14
(16) 8-6 4- 8-21
(7) 11-5 4- 12»
.. 11-25 ± 12-11
FF7-3Big Sister Blues (14).. 10- 1 -I- 10-9 94.702 Wynken, Blynken and
1604 Glee' Worms ... 6- 3 +
83.703 Secretary Trouble (17) 4-9 ± 6-
9659 No. 9 California Here I Come
K7-5A Model Is Born (7)... 5-28
83.704 Bachelor Blues (17)... 9-17 4- 1.10- 7
K-974 My Old Town (9) .... 2- 7 44 2-21 E7-8»iow Place Like Home
94.302 Frozen Fun (8) 10-22 ± 12.
(7) 9-3
1853 Stars to Remember (9', 2 11-18
K-975 Souvenirs of Death
94.303 Athletic Stars (8) 11-19
. .
)
1854 Hollywood's Santa Claus
(10) 6-19 4- 7-10
1948-49 SEASON
.
E8-1 Robin Hood-Winked (71.11-12 4- ]
Lane (10) . .- 12-23
K-976The RAY WHITLEY WESTERN MUSIC ALi
Fabulous Fraud
E8-2 Symphony in Spinach (..) 12-31
(Reissues)
1855 A Rainy Day in Hollywood
(11) 8-28 4- 10- 9
1948-49 SEASON
POPULAR SCIENCE
1948-49 SEASON
STOOGE COMEDIES
K-71 The City of Little Men
(Magnacolor)
93.501 Keep Shooting (16) . .
9-10 ± U-f
9408 The Hot Scots (17).... 7- 8 + 7-31
(10) 11-20 4- U-27 17.3 streamlined Luxury (10) 2-20 93.502 Range Rhythm (17) .10-15
1948-49 SEASON
.17-4 Fog Fighters (101 4-2 ±
93.503 Cactus Cacers (17). .
11-19
PETE SMITH SPECIALTIES
J7-5 The Big Eye (101 5-21 +
17-6 Flying Wing (10) 8-6
SCREEN LINER
1948-49 SEASON
1948-49 SEASON
J8-1 Solar Secrets (10) 12-24 4- ]
SCREEN SONGS
.
. .
. . .
(Color)
Jug (8)... X7-3 Little Brown 2-20 4-
X7-4 The Golden State (8) 3-12 4-
X7-5 Winter Draws On (7)... 3-19 44
X7-6 Sing or Swim (8) 6-14 4*
X7-7 Camptown Races 7-16 4-
(8)
X7-8The Lone Star State (9) 8-20 - 4-
1948-49 SEASON
X8-1 Readin'. Ritin' and
Rhvthmetic (7) 10-22 H
'
X8-2 The Funshine State (7) .1-7
X8-3The Emerald Isle (71 .
2-25
SPEAKING OF ANIMALS
Y7-5 'Taint So (10) 4-16 ±
Y7-6 Headliners (10) 6-18 4-
1948-49 SEASON
Y8-l.The Gnu Look 00) .10-29 4- :
YK-2 Catling All Animals (10) 1- 7
Y8-3 Meet the Champ (91 . . 2-11
UNUSUAL OCCUPATIONS
(Magnaclor)
L7-4Nimrod Artists (10).... 4-16 ± 4-10
.... 514 4- 6-26
L7-5 Feather Finery (10)
L7-6 Aerial Hot Rods (10) + 8-21
1948-49 SEASON
LSI The Glass Orchestra (101 11-26 4- 11-6
LK-2 The Early Bird (10) . 1-29
L8-3Tne Flying Dancers (10). 3-11
Prod.
RKO Radio
Title Rel. Date Rating I
DISNEY CARTOONS
94.201 Jan August and His Piano
Magic (7) 10-29 I 11
94.202 Block Party (7) 11-26
94.203 It Pays to Be Ignorant
(7) 12-24
SPECIALS
83,601 Twenty Years of Academy
Awards (19) 4-2 44
83.801 Basketball Headlines of 1948
(18) 4-23 44
Louis-Walcott 2
80.842 Fight No.
(15) 6-25
1948-49 SEASON
93.901 Football Headliners of 1948
(16) 12-10
THIS IS AMERICA
83.105 Photo Frenzy (16) .... 3- 5 44 *
83.106 Funny Business
(18) 4-2 4-
83.107 Democracy's Diary (16) 4-30 '
83.109 Letter to a Rebel (17) 6-25 44
83.110 Sports Golden Age (17) 7-23 4-
83.111 Glamour Street (16) . 8-20 t-
Family
83.112 Friend of the
(16) 9-17 44
83.113 Who's Delinquent?
(17) 10-15 +
1948-49 SEASON
93.101 County Fair (17) ... .11-12 ft- 11*
93.102 Girls in White (17). 12-10 ft 12- 21
12
BOXOFFICE BoolcinGuide Jan. 22, 194!

'
i
©Scenic
. . . Banquet Busters (7) 3-12 t
.
.
20th Century-Fox
No. Title Rel. Date Rating Revd
DRIBBLE PUSS PARADE
Dying to Live (9) May + 6-5
I
FEMININE WORLD
Something Old—Something New
MARCH OF TIME
§L 14. No. 5 The Presidential
Year (18) 12-2*
14, No. 6 The W. Cold War
1-31
(18) 1-24 ft
No. Divorce
I,). 14, 7 Marriage and
(17) Feb...H 2-28
M. 14, No. I Crisis in Italy
(17) Mar. + 4-10
/•I. 14, No. 9 Lite With Junior
(18) Apr.
14, No. 10 Battlo for Greece
(18) May + 5-15
14. No. 11 The Fight Game
(18) June + 6-12
14, No. 12 The Case of Mrs.
7-10
Conrad (18) July ++
No. 13 White Girls
14, Collar
8- 7
(17)
M. 14, No. 14 Life With Grandpa
9-18
(19) Sept. ++
14, No. 15 Battle for
10-16
Germany (19) Oct. ff
No. 16 America's Air
rtl. 14, New
Power (19) Nov.
No. 17 Answer to Stalin
14,
(19) Nov. + 1
M. 14, No. 18 Watchdogs of the
Mail (18) Dec. + '
MOVIETONE ADVENTURES
$254 ©Copenhagen Pageantry
I Sky Thrills (9)
I Majesty of Yellowstone
(9)
(256 ©Riddle of Rhodesia (8) July +
©Bermuda (8) Aug. +
©Desert Lights (8) Aug. 4-
©Portrait of the West (8) Oct. +
1260 ©Way of the Padres (8) Dec.
i
MOVIETONE SPECIALTY
of a City (11). Sept. +
MOVIETONE NEWS
(Released Twice Weekly
SPORTS
©Aqua Capers (8)
Olympic Class (10)
©Playtime in Scandinavia
(8)
B03 Everglades Adventure (9).
8304 Football Finesse (10),...
S305 Olympic Water Wizards
(9)
1306 Yankee Ski-Doodle (9)..
TERRYTOONS
(Technicolor)
8510 Talking Magpies in Hitch
Hikers (7) 12-tt
8511 Mighty Mouse In Lazy Little
Beaver (7) 12-26
8512 Felix the Fox (7) Jan.
8513 Talking Magpies in Taming
the Cat (7) Jan.
One Note Tony (7) Feb.
8514 Mighty Mouse and the Magician
(7) Mar.
8515 Gandy Goose and the Chipper
Chipmunk (7) Mar.
Hounding the Hares (7).. Apr.
8517 Mighty Mouse and the Feudin'
Hillbillies (7) Apr.
8518 Mystery in the Moonlight
(7)
8531 The Butcher of Seville
(7), reissue
8532 Mighty Mouse In the
Green Line (7), reiss
8520 Talking Magpies
Night (7) June
Mighty Mouse in the Witch's Cat
(7) July
8522 The Talking Magpies in Magpie
Madness (7) July
8523 Mighty Mouse In Love's Labor
(7)
The Har
Egg (7). Sept.
Mighty Mouse and tl
Stranger (7)
The Talking Magpie Fret
ErrtK-flw (7) ...€!.
8527 Mighty Mouse In Triple
Trouble (7) Nov.
Talking Magpies In Out Again,
m
In Again (7) Not.
the Magic
ft 4-24
± 2-28
+ 8-14
Dec + 12-25
10-23
10-23
+ 1-8
+ 12-25
Universal-International
Prod. No. Title Rel. Date Ratii
ANSWER MAN SERIES
3391 Wind, Curvet and Trapdoor
(8) 12-22
3392 Hall of Fame (7) 1-19 ±
3393 Men, Women and Motion
(8) 3-15 +
3394 Flood Waters (8) 4-26 +
3395 Mighty Timber (9) 6-21 H
3396 Rockets of the Future (8) 7- S
3397 Water Battlers (7) 8-16
3398 Home of the Iceberg (I) (-23 +
LANTZ CARTUNES
(Technicolor— Reissues)
3321 Knock Knock (reissue)
(7) Mar.
3322 Syncopated Sioux (7) May
3323 Woody Woodpecker (7) July
3324 Scrub Me Mamma (7)... Sept
3325 Nutty Pine Cabin (7). ..Oct.
1948-49 SEASON
4321 Pantry Panic (7) Nov.
4322 Hollywood Matador (7).. Dec.
MUSICAL WESTERNS
(24) 2-26
3353 Echo Ranch (25) 4-1
1948-49 SEASON
4351 Six Gun Music (24) 1- 6
4352 Cheyenne Cowboy (..).. 2-3
NAME BAND MUSICALS
5 ± 3-13
3303 Carlos Molina & Orch.
(IS) 12-31 -)- 1-24
3304 Tex Beneke & Orch. (15) 3- 3 + 3-6
3305 Woody Herman & Orch.
(15) 3-3 + 4-3
3306 Red Ingle and His Natural
Seven (15) 6-16 ± 5-29
3307 Tex Williams & Orch. in
Western Whoopee (15). 6-23 +t 7-24
3308 Jimmy Dorsey & Orch. (15) 8-18
3309 Charlie Barnet & Orch.
in Redskin Rhumba (15) 9-15
3310 Buddy Rich & Orch. (15) 10-13 ± 10-30
1948-49 SEASON
4301 Rhythm Masters (15)... 12- 8 + 1-1
4302 Lawrence Welk & Orch.
(15) 1-5
3384 Songs of the Season (10) . 10-11
3385 Hits of the Nineties (10) .10-18
3386 Let's Sing a Love
While You Work
4381 Choo Choo Swing (10).
4382 The Year Around (10).
4383 Songs of Romance ( . .
SPECIALS
)
.11-22
2201 Fight of the Wild Stallion
(20) 12-24
3201 Snow Capers (19) 2-18
1948-49 SEASON
4203 Christmas Dream (11).. 11-22
4201 Cheating in Gambling (17) 2- 2
UNIVERSAL NEWS
VARIETY VIEWS
3343 Brooklyn Makes Capital
(10) 2- 9
3344 Whatta Built (10) 6-7
3345 Copa Carnival (9) 6-28
3346 Parts on Use Plata (9) 7-12
. .
3347 Gauclw Fiesta (9) 8-16
3348 Call of Mm Canyon (10). 10-18
1948-49 SEASON
4341 Canada Calls (9) 11- 8
Warner Bros.
No. Title Rel. Date Rating Rev'd
BLUE RIBBON HIT PARADE
4308 The Squawkin' Hawk (7) 7-10 +
4309 Tale of Two Kitties
(7) 7-31
4310 Pigs in t Polka (7)... 8-14
4311 Greetings Bait (7) 8-28
4312 Hiss and Make Up (7) 9-18
. .
4313 Hollywood Steps Out (7). 10- 2
1948-49 SEASON
5301 An Itch In Time (7).... 10-30 +
5302Fln'n Cattj (..) 12-11
BUGS BUNNY SPECIALS
(Technicolor)
3723 Rabbit Punch (7) 4-10 +
3724 Buccaneer Bunny (7) . . . 5-8
3725 Bugs Bunny Rides Again
(7) 6-12 +
3726 Daredevil Hare (7) 7-24
1948-49 SEASON
4719 Hot Cross Bunny (7)... 8-21
4720 Hare Splitter (7) 9-25 +t
4721 My Bunny Lies Over the Sea
(7) .12- 4
FEATURETTE
1948-49 SEASON
5101 Football Magic (20) 9-11 +
5102 Grandfather's Follies
(20) 11-13 +
JOE McDOAKES COMEDIES
4405 So You Want to Build
a House (10) 5-15
4406 So You Want to Be a
Detective (10) 6-26 ±
1948-49 SEASON
5401 So You Want to Be in
Politics (10) 10-23 ±
5402 So You Want to Be on the
Radio (10) 11- 6
MELODY MASTERS
4606 Henry Busse A Orch. (10) 5-15 +
4607 The Saturday Night Swing
Club (10) 6-19 ±
4608 Joe Reiehman & Orch.
(10) 7-17 +
MEMORIES OF MELODY LANE
4205 Let's Sing a Stephen Foster
Song (10) 5- 8
4206 Let's Sing a Song from
the Movies (10) 7-17
MERRIE MELODIES
(Color)
3717 I Taw a Putty Tat (7) . . 4-3
3718 Hop, Look and Listen (7) 4-17
4701 Nothing but the Tooth
(7) 5-1
4702 Bone Sweet Bone (7) . . 5-22
4705 The Rattled Rooster (7) 6-26
4704 Up-Standing Sitter (7).. 7- 3
4703 The Shell Shocked Egg
(7) 7-10
4706 You Were Never Duckier
(7) 8-7
4707 Dough Ray Me-Ow (7).. 8-14
4708 The Pest That Came to Dinner
SING AND BE HAPPY SERIES
(7) 9-11
Odor 10- 2 4709 of the Day (7) .... 11-13
4710 The Foghorn Laghorn (7) 10-9 + U- 6
2388 Lamp Post Favorites (9) 2- 2 ± 4-3
4711 A Lad in His Lamp (7) . .10-23
3381 Spotlight Serenade (10). 3-29 ± 4-10
10-30 11-13
4712 Daffy Dilly (7)
4713 Kit for Cat (7) 11-6
+t 12-4
3382Singln' the Blues (10).. 6-14 + 7-24
4714 Stupor Salesman (7).... 11-20 12-4
3383 River Melodies (10).... 7- 5 + 7-24
4715 Riff Raffy Daffy (7)... 11-27 + 12-4
4716»etsresly Cat (7) 12-18
SPORTS NEWS REVIEW
1948-49 SEASON
5601 Roaring Wheels (10).... 10- 2 9-4
5602 Ski Devils (10) 12-4 + 12-4
SPORTS PARADE
(Technicolor)
4508 Built for Speed (10) .... 6- 5 7-24
4509 Fighting Athletes (10).. 5- 1 + 5-1
4510 The Race Rider (10) 6-19 + 7-17
4503 A Nation on Skis (10) 7-31
.
4511 Playtime In Rio (10).. 8-14
4511 Sports Down Under (10) 9-18
Gauchoi of the Pampas
4513
(10) 10-9 + 11-13
1948-49 SEASON
Sr- Jungle Man Killers (10). 11- 6 + 4
5501
5502 Sportsmen of the Far East
(10) 12-18 + 12-4
TECHNICOLOR ADVENTURES
4806 Living With Lions (20) .6-5
1948-49 SEASON
5801 Mysterious Ceylon (10). 9-25 + 9-4
-
5802 Bannister's Bantering Babies
(10) 12-11 + 12-4
TECHNICOLOR SPECIALS
Calgary Stamjude (19).. 5-29 + 4005 6-12
4006 A Day at the Fair (20) 7- 3 ft 7-24
. .
4007 The Man From New Orleans
(20) 9-4
4008 My Own United States
(20) 10-16 tt 9- 4
1948-49 SEASON
5001 Sons of Liberty (21)
Reissue H-20 + S- 4
Princely ft 5003 India (20) 12-25 1-1
WARNEH-PATHE NEWS
(Released Twice Weekly)
onwnio unnni
Miscellaneous
>rod. No. Title Rel. Date Rating
ASTOR
Vol. 1, No. 1 ©Makers of Destiny
(IS) ±
REPUBLIC
CARTOON
761 ©It's a Grand Old Nag
(8) 12-20 tt :
SERIALS
694 The Black Widow 11- 1
13 Chapters
791G-Men Never Forget 1-31
12 Chapters
792 Dangers of the Canadian
Mounted 4-24
12 Chapters
793 Dick Tracy Returns
(re-release) 7-17
15 Chapters
794 Adventures of Frank and
Jesse James 10-30
13 Chapters
891 Federal Agents vs. Underworld,
Inc. (12 Chapters) .. 1-29
UNITED ARTISTS
LANTZ CARTUNES
(Technicolor)
... Kiddie Koncert (7) 4-2 it
. . . Wacky Byo Baby (7) . . . 7-16 ±
. Pixie Picnic (7) 6-14 f|
... Wet Blanket Policy (7) . . 8-27
. . . Playful Pelican (7) 9-8
1948-49 SEASON
... Dog Tax Dodgers (6) 11-26
... Wild and Woody (6) 12-31
LOEW MUSICOLOR
...Engulfed Cathedral (7).... June +
. . . Moonlight (7) 8-29 +
. . . Enchanted Lake (7) 10-30 +
. . . Flngal's Cava (10) 3-26 ±
. . . Liebestraum (7) 5-7
DTOEPENDENTS
9-20
9-20
12- «
2-14

I
Dorothy
SHORTS REVIEWS
Opinions on the Current Short Subjects-
—
Hollywood's Santa Claus
Lane
Columbia (Screen Snapshots) 10 Mins.
.
Good. The famous annual Christmas parade
of Hollywood stars and gorgeous floats
in review before the camera. It is
otuff and should have a wide appeal.
i
Among the stars of stage, screen and radio
shown are Lamour, Arthur Lake,
Penny Singleton, Wild Bill Elliott, Edgar
Bergen and Charlie McCarthy, William Bendix,
Dennis Day, Sabu, Clyde Beatty and
Leo Carillo.
Louis Prima and Orchestra
Columbia (Thrills of Music) 10 Mins.
Good. lack Eigen, disk jockey, supplies
comments while playing records featuring
Louis Prima and his orchestra. Keeley
Smith, soloist, aids in renditions of such
songs as "Bacia-Galoop," "Robin Hood" and
the new "That's the Lip." Appropriate stage
settings enhance the appeal of the numbers.
Audiences liking snappy airs will like this.
Parlor, Bedroom and Wrath
Columbia ( All-Star) 16 Mins.
Good. Wally Vernon and Eddie Quillan
provide lot of fun in a skit dealing with
a
a man worrying about his health who is
visited by a friend with two very noisy and
mischievous children. The peace and quiet
of the home is shattered until Wally goes
completely haywire, imagining an attempt
is being made on his life. A police dog trying
to protect him also complicates matters.
Static in the Attic
Columbia (Comedy Favorites) 19 Mins.
Good. Walter Catlett's birthday party, to
which his employer is invited, gets all messed
up when one of the guests goes in for a lot
of awful wise-cracking and tries to sell the
employer insurance. Walter hates radios but
one of the gifts is a short-wave sending set.
Later, when his son turns it on, the news
comes over that the employer's yacht is in
trouble off-shore. Walter sends out the alarm,
the employer is rescued and all ends well.
The Acrobatic IUini
(Grantland Rice Sportlight)
Paramount
10 Mins.
Good. The agile young student acrobats at
the University of Illinois at Urbana are compared
with the professionals from the Ringling
Bros, circus. The amateurs first go through
their paces on the athletic field and then the
Ward Bell flyers engage in breathtaking
stunts on the giant swing and tight wire. The
college coach, Ray Runkel, also trots out some
of his prize acrobats who perform agile and
graceful stunts which require long hours of
practice.
The Funshine State
Paramount (Screen Song) 8 Mins.
Good. A musical trip to Florida, filmed in
w Polacolor process, which shows the
caches, fishing and, of course, beautiful
girls. It starts off with a cartoon of Ponce
DeLeon landing in Florida in search of the
fountain of youth. After running into an
orange juice fountain, he retrogresses into
babyhood. Then comes the song "Tallahasn
which the audience joins.
Let's Go to the Movies
RKO (The Movies and You) 9 Mins.
Very good. The first of the one-reel public
relations shorts supervised by the Industry
Film Project committee. An outstanding introduction
It
to the series. shows Edison's
kinetoscope, a penny arcade, nickelodeon,
phonograph, the translation of sound to film,
Hollywood where 30,000 specialists work at
272 separate arts why pictures "move," the
turning of cotton and silver into film, a completed
feature almost two miles long and
containing about 150,000 still pictures or
frames flashed on the screen at 90 feet a
minute, know-how in the studios, publicity,
advertising, exploitation, distribution, inspection
and repairs. It's fascinating from start
to finish. Succeeding films will be reviewed
before their release date.
Sno' Time for Learning
(Grantland Rice Sportlight)
Paramount 10 Mins.
Good. Still another in the current cycle of
shorts showing the increasing popularity of
winter sports. Middlebury college in the picturesque
Champlain valley of Vermont has
a student body which practically makes a
career of skiing, ice hockey or fishing through
the ice. The young people are shown on the
ski tows and on the downhill trails, which
include a 50-meter jump.
Block Party
RKO (Screenliner) 7 Mins.
Very good. This is the second in the new
series of RKO shorts for 1949. The camera
records an actual block party on New York
City's Mulberry street in the lower east side.
The party shown here is in honor of an
Italian patron saint. The film has some excellent
character studies, shots of processions,
dancing in the street and of a carnival.
Cactus Capers
(Ray Whitley Western Musical)
RKO
17 Mins.
Fair. The star of this film turns out to be a
donkey with loads of personality and camera
appeal. Ray Whitley and his singing cowboys
use the animal as a beast of burden
and also have him perform several tricks. The
picture has little action, but lots of western
songs.
Tea for Two Hundred
RKO (Disney Cartoon) 7 Mins.
Good. Donald Duck has plenty of unexpected
company while picnicking. An army
of ants joins him and helps finish the meal.
There are a number of amusing scenes as
Donald tries to outwit the hungry insects,
but they are more than a match for him and
his tricks. In Technicolor.
The Uninvited Blonde
RKO (Leon Errol Comedy) 17 Mins.
Fair. Leon Errol runs amuck into" a matrimonial
wrangle when his wife returns from
her vacation unexpectedly. He knocks himself
out trying to get rid of a blond who has
decided to sleep off a hangover in his wife's
bed. There are many complications and slapstick
chase scenes good for a few laughs.
Wynken, Blynken and Nod
RKO (Disney Cartoon Reissue) 7 Mins.
Good. This short, based on a poem by
Eugene Fields, has beautiful Technicolor effects.
It will appeal to the youngsters with
its pleasant fantasy of three children who
sail
through the sky in a shoe-like boat.
In the A/ewsree/s
Movietone News, No. 4: Marshall resigns;
nature on the rampage; women in politics;
aerial daredevils thrill crowds at Miami air
show; French boxing fans see leather fly in
bantamweight bout; New York photographers
pick "Florida girl as their queen.
News of the Day. No. 238: Hawaiian volcano
erupts; Acheson named secretary of
state; Bullitt reports on China crisis; London
Chelsea arts ball; baby lion boarding with
puppies; English coast gales; press photographer's
queen; funeral of Egyptian prime
minister; Philadelphia—Mummers' parade; Miami
air show.
Paramount News, No. 41: Rockies area hit
anew in worst winter; last rites for Egypt's
slain premier; George C. Marshall, statesman,
steps down; child minister's wedding
rite stirs debate.
Universal News, No. 212: Marshall turns
over portfolio to Acheson; assassinated premier
of Egypt buried; 4-year-old minister;
Mummers parade; Chelsea arts ball; Miss
Press queen; Miami air show.
Warner Pathe News, No. 43: Premier Pasha
rites; Kuzu, former Black Hand leader, freed,
Florida's Warren inaugurated; Acheson re
places Marshall as secretary of state; Miam
air show; photographers pick a queen; strange
news from abroad.
Movietone News, No. 5: Senate hears Dean
Acheson; California snowfall; Miami beach
bathing-suit fashions; French gratitude train;
marionette show in Germany; basketball; Los
Angeles open golf; silver skates.
News of the Day, No. 239: Hollywood snowbound;
it's different down in Florida; Reds
celebrate 1917 revolution; ghost fleet comes
to life; French send gratitude train; new golf
champ; lighter side of the news.
Paramount News, No. 42: Russia's big show;
snow in California; Dean Acheson; U.S. tightens
patrol on Mexican border; curtain time
for kiddies.
Universal News, No. 213: California snowbound
while Florida sizzles; mercy trains;
destroyers taken out of mothballs; Los Angeles
open golf; silver skates; puppet show.
Warner Pathe News, No. 44; Senate hears
Dean Acheson; Carovia ends maiden voyage;
snow blankets. California; France sends U.S.
gratitude train; moppet melodrama sports;
silver skates; St. Louis and LIU basketball
game; Great Americans—John Hancock.
All American News, No. 326: Airmen preview
new chevrons at Kelly Field, Tex.; Jackson,
Miss., college honored; all-Negro police
platoon formed in St. Louis; Gloria Thompson
of New York trains for boxing career; scouts
present annual awards in Memphis; Dr. Ralph
Bunche congratulates sorority; Levi Jackson
named Yale football captain.
Telenews Digest, No. 2: Marshall retires;
Truman "officially" elected; Wyoming; Arkansas;
Hawaii; Miami air races; Philadelphia
mummers parade; funeral of slain Egyptian
premier; Red navy on display; Israel; Austria-
England; basketball scandal; Australian
rugby.
14 BOXOFFICE BoolanGuide Jan. 22, 1949

;:;;,)
s on Current Productions; Exploitips for Selling to the Public
FEATURE REVIEWS
Alias Nick Beal
Paramount (4812) 93 Minutes Rel. Mar. 4, '49
Perhaps the quickest way to record an index to the picture
is to inform that the alias is for Lucifer. Yes, Ray Milland
portrays his Satanic majesty, but in modern garb and locale
and with a suavity and sensitivity that add further testimony
to his already-recognized talents. Into the unusual yarn are
woven fantasy, metaphysics, satire, irony and a sizable touch
of philosophy, the latter to establish two premises: that the
cevil enters the soul of politicians and right eventually downs
evil. Despite the highly imaginative yam, the picture is so
excellently produced, delineated and directed that it seems
logical and believable. Discriminating theatre patrons will
love the film, will loudly acclaim it and liberally patronize it,
while the magnetism of its top-flight cast should serve to corral
the trade of the less appreciative. Directed by John Farrow.
Ray Milland, Audrey Totter, Thomas Mitchell,
Macready, Fred Clark, Henry O'Neill, Darryl Hickman.
Bad Boy
Monogram-AA
«8)
Criss Cross
Univ.-Int'l (688) 8
Minutes Rel. Feb.
Another gangster thriller in the hard-hitting, fast shootii
tradition of "The Killers" and "Brute Force." With Burt
Lancaster, who starred in these two and jumped to top popularity
with the bobby-soxers, heading the cast, the picture
will do good business generally and clean up in the action
spots. Director Robert Siodmak has kept the action cruel and
realistic throughout, with no attempt to make the characters
sympathetic, and his ended with the accepted "Crime Doesn't
Pay" fadeout. The climactic armored car holdup, in which a
big-time racketeer attempts to doublecross the driver who had
planned the robbery, will keep spectators on the edge of
their seats. Lancaster is excellent in a made-to-order, twofisted
role and Dan Duryea again excels in a sneering portrayal.
But it is Yvonne de Carlo who stands out because
her cheating gangster's moll is a departure from her previous
glamorous costume parts.
Burt Lancaster. Yvonne de Carlo, Dan Duryea, Stephen
McNally, Richard Long, Alan Napier, Percy Helton.
Tarzan's Magic Fountain F
87 Minutes Rel. RKO Radio (914) 87 Minutes
The fact that this was filmed with the cooperation of
Variety Clubs International should in itself assure the offering
plenty of favorable playing time. And, fortunately, the
picture is endowed with entertainment merit to justify and
make profitable any and all bookings. While its basic theme
is designed to reveal the functioning of Variety's Boys'
Ranch at Copperas Cove, Tex., the film's documentary facets
are adroitly wrapped in a fast-moving, action-crammed story
which stands on its own. Producer Paul Short mounted the
vehicle impressively, with many of the scenes shot on the
ranch location and cast it opulently and wisely, while Kurt
Neumann's direction takes full advantage of the screenplay
and mummers. In the title role—and adding another asset
to the offering—is Audie Murphy, widely publicized war hero,
who contributes a surprisingly good debuting performance.
Lloyd Nolan, Jane Wyatt, Audie Murphy, James Gleason, Stanley
Clements, Martha Vickers, Rhys Williams.
Flaxy Martin F m °ir
Warner Bros. (813) 86 Minutes Rel. Feb. 12, '49
Mobsters, a. moll and a mouthpiece are all mixed together
this very involved ^yarn of the underworld. In both situations
in
and dialog the picture probably will prove to be un-
believable to all but the most naive of ticket buyers. Nor is
the vertiginous story treatment helped by performances,
which, under mallet-fisted direction, are markedly of the
mugging, scenery-chewing variety—a result, obviously, of
efforts to read more drama and suspense into the play than
its literary substance provides. Because the toplines are
filled by established names, the offering has a chance of
doing satisfactory business in opening engagements but it
seems too much to hope that its subsequent appearances
will be aided by audience reactions. Its title applies to the
moll (Virginia Mayo), a gal with hair of gold and heart of
brass whose mercenary machinations cause all the shooting.
Directed by Richard Bare.
Virginia Mayo, Zachary Scott, Dorothy Malone, Tom D'Andrea,
Helen Westcott, Douglas Kennedy, Elisha Cook jr.
Interlude
Globe Film Distributors 85 Minutes Rel. Writt
A depressing and rather static Swedish-made film dealing
with a love affair between two patients in a tuberculosis
sanatorium. The theme is similar to that in "The Other
Love," recent Enterprise Pictures release, and the dialog is
partly in English, the rest divided between Swedish, French
and Italian. The picture is best suited to art theatres but
because Viveca Lindfors, the Swedish star, is now a wellpublicized
Warner Bros, player, it may have some name
value in foreign neighborhood houses. Although she looks
lovely and gives a powerful dramatic portrayal, the picture
will not enhance her popularity in the U.S. There is little
action and far too many doseups of the long-suffering lovers
who realize their ill-starred romance is doomed. The girl's
death brings about an unhappy fadeout. Directed by Haase
Ekman. Globe Film Distributors is at 140 West 57th St., N.Y.C.
Viveca Lindfors, Haase Ekman, Stig Jarrol, Erik Berglund.
Ronald DeWolfe, Bengt Ekerot.
1006 BOXOFFICE /January 22, 1943
Fantasy
Rel. Jan. '49
Establishing this as a milestone in the venerable film series
about Edger Rice Burroughs' fabled superman in the debut
in the title role of a different actor. He is Lex Barker. How
Tarzan fans will welcome him probably will depend on
individual tastes. Certainly he possesses the hunk-o'-man
physique and agility traditionally associated with the part
and no actor could go far wrong in reading the monosyllabic
dialog assigned the king of the jungle. For this kickoff appearance
a yarn was chosen which follows in general pattern
its predecessors, one which leans a little more on fantasy
than most. But the same flora and fauna are there and,
again, the animal actors carry a good share of the Thespian
burden, most especially its comedy quotient. It seems likely
that the offering will do well at the turnstiles as earlier Tarzan
pictures. Directed by Lere Sholem.
Lex Barker, Brenda Joyce, Albert Dekker, Evelyn Ankers.
Charles Drake, Alan Napier, Ted Hecht, Cheeta.
IT *) Ladies oi the Chorus
y
Columbia (114) 61 Minutes Rel. Feb. 10. '49
In a burlesque of burlesque which also carries a societystage
romance to a conclusion that if not logical, is a proverbially
happy one, this sparkles with songs, dancing and pretty
ladies. Adele Jergens and Marilyn Moore play motherdaughter
roles in a plot which deals with the mother's disillusionment
when her marriage to a society man goes on the
rocks, and so tries to "protect" her much-mothered daughter
Irom making a similar mistake. The denouement comes when
they visit in the home of the young social register scion and
are recognized by the musicians, who cause lifted eyebrows
by their impromptu announcement, until Nana Bryant as the
scion's mother does a neat number and pretends to have
had a stage career herself. Amusing angles with plenty of
action, and with feminine curves in and out of glamorous
costumes. Phil Karlson directed.
Adele Jergens, Marilyn Monroe, Rand Brooks, Nana Bryant,
Eddie Garr. Steven Geray, Bill Edwards.
YOUR REPORT OF THE PICTURE YOU
HAVE JUST PLAYED FOR THE
GUIDANCE OF FELLOW EXHIBITORS.
USE THE BLANK ON REVERSE SIDE
—flight Now
Just Paste It on a Ic Government Postcard and Mail

. . Racketeers
EXPLOITIPS
Suggestions for Selling; AtUines for Newspaper and Programs
SELLING ANGLES: "Criss Cross'
Play up Burt Lancaster, currently one of the biggest draws
with the bobby-soxer group, and Yvonne de Carlo, whose role
is a distinct departure from her customary glamorous costume
portrayals. Stephen McNally has also attracted attenor
figures of Lancaster and Miss de Carlo will attract attention.
Also white criss-cross marks on sidewalks or fences e al
adjacent to the theatre. Sni-
CATCHLINES:
Their Love Was Based on Distrust Instead of Faith . . . Burt
Lancaster Shoots and Fights His Way Up Until Lovely Yvonne
de Carlo Drags Him Down . Get the Criss Cross
From the Gun Men They Double Crossed.
There's Nothing Like a Woman to Come Between Two Men
... A Double Cross Which Separated Him From the Woman
He Loved . . . Violence and Excitement in the Story of the
Greatest Double Cross of the Year.

. Issues
.
Benwood
'"
Giant
'
i 7.
, on
i ilatioo
no.
. . l':o
Mi
Hi:.
i Two
£S: 10c per word, minimum S1.00. cash with copy. Four insertions ior price of three.
SING DATE: Monday noon preceding publication date. Send copy and answers to
Box Numbers to BOXOFFICE, 825 Van Brunt Blvd.. Kansas City 1. Mo. •
ENERAL EQUIPMENT—USED
go a long way! Simplex rear shutter double
spiral gear mechanisms, excellent. $109.50;
double bearing movements, rebuilt. $39 5H;
Xl> projectors it bargain puces. Write us.
u also; Mori-lite high intensity
$250 pair;
Safe, teel ale. I"' -air StIS rrinnvi . the
Nothing leaves here unless it's absolutely
.Mi. cii.lomers the vvorbl over built SOS
eep buying here since 102ti. because SOS
less; llilii catalog ready. Heft. C. S.ll S.
Supply Corporation. 002 W. 52nd St..
fork 19.
L I. arc outfit, like new. Pair Itrenkert
Linze rectifiers. $395; Dual
Educator portable projectors with large
s; lens; 1.00OW lamp; amplifier, speaker,
t, $095; Dual lieVry XH Transpnrtablcs.
ete. rebuilt. $595 Dual Simplex SP Arc
projector outfit, complete. $1,095; Sirnplev
shutter mechanisms, excellent, $1115; other
!S from $09.50; 1919 catalog ready Dept.
S. Cinema S v Corporation. 602 W.
;.. New York 19.
ced to sell, pair Holmes Portable Projectors,
ed heavy bases, lamp houses, speaker, spare
$400. Box 89. Fayette, Idaho.
eatherette seat cushions. 25 cents. G. E.
lamp houses. $3. Powers parts galore,
ants, all sizes; 35mm sex lecturing outfit,
r and turntable. Will trade, whatcha got?
if bases and soundheads. Box 537, Sulrings.
Ark.
aanpne. V shape. Inforn
GENERAL EQUIPMENT—NEW
l-Car speakers. No. 7000. waterproof, cast
lum cases. $16.75 per set. DaWo Co., 145
le St.. Toledo. Ohio.
Itillins" Safety Carbon Savers. Ask your thea
ejection bulbs. General Electric. 1,000-
""
1 Pre-focus. C 13 D. Brand new, $1.25
Limited supple. (Minimum order one dozen)
Epstein. 001 Pelham Pkway, Bronx 67, N. Y.
beautify fronts, lobbies, restrooms
Aluminum tile, durable, flashy. 14
- Kansas Aluminum Tile, Bos 112,
VEIN OR OUTDOOR THEATRE
EQUIPMENT
Dive you the right time. You can order
skip payments until opening. Complete
projection outfits. $1,595 up; new 500-vvalt
rn Electric Booster amplifiers. $650: new
in-rar speakers with junction box and transr,
$16.75: new driveway entrance and exit
Illuminated. $22 .Ml; burial cable. 6c ft.
Snaplite II, 9 lenses increase light 25'",
id for Time Deal Plan. Dept. C
s ipplv Corporal ion. 602 W. 52m
K i..rk 19.
speakers. No. 7600, waterproof, cast
ases. $16.75 per set. DaWo Co., 145
.. Toledo. Ohio.
THEATRE TICKETS
service. Special printed roll tickets.
523.95: 10.000, $6.85: 2.000. $4.45.
change in admission price, including change
$3 00 extra. Double numbering i
charges paid to 500 miles. Cash with
"
\ansas City Ticket Co.. Dept. 9.
Kansas City. Mo.
BUSINESS STIMULATORS
at your kiddy shows. Large variety latest
ge newsstand editions Comic; Premium Co.
Greenwich St.. New York City.
ith more action. $2.75 thousand cards
other games. Novelty Games Co.. 1434 Bed-
Brooklyn, N. Y.
ly legal game for theatres. Legal in any
Biggest business booster since Bank Night
n to Win" copyright 1947 by L.T.W. Co
today for Information. Secure excluslv<
for your town now. Listen to Win Co.. Box
Cambridge. Ohio.
die-cut cards. 75 or 100 number, $3 pei
en dial $20. Premium Prod.. 354 W
New York 18. N. Y.
vie books obtainable from world's- largest
oldest theatre distributor. Best titles and
In stock. Price 3e each, i
334 W. 44th St.. New York City.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
rida theatre (400
altor.
Waurhula. Flo
THEATRES WANTED
I your theatre privalelj. Con I blent ial corulenee
Invited. Leak Theatre Sales. 3122
ire, Dallas. 1109 Orchard bant, lies
Is your theatre for sale? Our cash buyers are
alting. We get quick results. Will give you a
rompt estimate of your present theatre value,
.'rite us today. "Joe" Joseph. 3409 Sunset Ave.
hone Yale 2-7650. Dallas. Texas.
theatre for sale? 1 have buyers with
established theatres. Claude Crockett,
cash for
1505 First National Hank 01, Ig. Dallas. Tex.
9230.
Two to 21/2 times 194S profit offered without
building. Building additional. $20,000 to $75,000
available. Minimum population 1.800. Location
secondary. Guaranteed confidential. Boxoffire.
3303.
i h hi tn theatre » u ted I I nil
:.- n to
1.200 to 1.800 population. Fred Busche,
Clare. Mich. Phone 793W.
HELP WANTED
Wanted: Projectionists and thci
teach all phases of motion picture projection and
theatre management. High school education re
quired, college education preferred. Send sum
aiary of education, training, experience, refer
?nces. marital status, age and state when avail
ible. Excellent epportunlty for men seeking i
lecure future with opportunity for advancement
tddress National Theatre Instltut '.0. Box
-.769. Dallas. Tex.
Wanted: Experienced theatre manager. Apply
Cooper-Klrsch Theatres Co., 1233 So. Wabash
\ve . Chicago 5.
fheatre manager, experienced, permanent posl
i with circuit in Iowa; give experience, refer
e.5 and full particulars. Write Bnxofflce, A-3281
Wanted: Projectionist experience and reference:
necessary. Apply at once, Palace Theatre. Seguin
Texas.
Youno, single assistant manager with plenty of
ambition. De luxe San Diego neighborhood house.
Starting salary, $35. Boxofflce. A-3276.
for Southern California's largest
beautiful skating rink. Full time.
and most
Experience necessary. Phone mornings. SYcamore
full 30566 or write particulars, 3645 E. Colorado,
Pasadena. Calif.
Theatre manager or experienced assistant. Stat
all qualifications and send photo. R. N. Smith
Theatres. Mission, Texas.
POSITIONS WANTED
Projectionist, 20 years experience, single, sober,
reliable, go anywhere. Projectionist. Room 407
Milner Hotel. Oklahoma City. Okla.
Projectionist and manager. 24 years experienci
i all equipment. Married, no children. Box
'flee. A-3242.
Projectionist, electrician, mechanic. Manager 26
years experience. Now employed. Consider repairmaintenance
small circuit. No drinker.
Rnvoffiee. A-3299.
Manager, 39, happily married wishes to locatt
west coast. Well recommended. Thoroughly experl
enced. Now managing 900-seat house. Boxoffice
A-3300.
Oistrict manager or manager; 20 years experience
all phases theatre operation. Go anywhere.
Best of references: no reasonable pnsitlon or salary
refused. Boxoffice. A-3301.
MISCELLANEOUS
Complete 24-hour theatre service, new and used
equipment, pins film bookings. Globe Theatre
Service Co.. or and Supply MA. 3971 OL 3971.
Dayton,
Ohio.
STUDIO AND PRODUCTION
EQUIPMENT
New Cine Special Synchronous Motor Drives,
$115; Cine Special Blimps, $295: Clnephone 35mm
Recnrder with synchronous motor. $545: Houston
1.200-foot dayllcht magazines, worth $225. now
$97.50: Bllmped 35mm Askanla Studio Camera.
3 lenses. 4 magazines, synchronous motor, rebuilt,
S995: Neumade combination 10 '35mm Automatic
Film Cleaner. $350 value. $!0| Spotltte
;
Trlnods. 8 ft. high. $9 95: Belhowell 10mm Pllmscorinc
Viewers, government cost $30n, e.io 50;
Bardwell Mc Ulster 5 noo w floodlights. $111.75:
1/19 HP 110V Svmhrnnnus mo'ore, new. $57 50;
B. Manrer Recording out'lt. $2,275- 35mm threeway
Sound Moviola, rebuilt, *$ r, 5. Send for
Rtnrdab catalog supplement, Dept, c. sns
Cinema Supply Corporation. 002 W 52nd St .
New York 19.
THEATRES FOR SALE
tatres for sale. Texas and southwest. L,
i broker with long fheatre background. Claud
Crockett. 1505 First National Bank Bide. Dallas.
Tex. Telephone 11-9230.
Theatres tor tale Selected listings In Oregon
and Washington now available. Write for Ust.
Theatre Exchange Co.. Fine Arts Hldg.. Portland.
For Sale: Family theatre rich wheat area.
Concrete building, four-room apartment: going
dress shop: Ideal family operation. Must sell
immediately Mode Theatre. Cottonwood, Idaho.
Theatres For Sale: For choice selection o
Northwest Theatres, write Irv Bowron, mgr.. Thea
on, Ion. John L. Gray, Realtor. 4611
S. E. Hawthorne Blvd.. Portland 15. Oregon.
Near Fayetteville. Arkansas. Near Ozark wonderland
Heavy dairy-broiler production. Rich
farm area. Market town 2.000. Unusually nice
theatre, building included $31,000. $20,000
down. Arthur Leak. 3122 Klnmnre. Dallas.
Theatre. Northern Illinois, city 4.250. No competition.
New ten-year lease. Terms. Savcrclde
509 Securities Bldg., Des Moines. Iowa.
Plaza Theatre, Evant, Texas. Including 33x90
tile and stucco building, three years old. 374
seats. Good equipment. Million dollars local
hank deposits. Competition 15 miles. Complete
lor $23,000. $15,000 cash. Claude Crockett,
1505 First National Bank, Dallas, Texas,
Theatre. Oklahoma county seat town 8.000.
line of the most beautiful theatres In state.
800 seats. Finest equipment throughout. Illness
forces quick sale. $40,000 cash down.
Original investment hack In year and half. Claude
Crockett. 1505 First National Bank. Dallas, Texas.
Modern. Less than 90 minutes from Tulsa. Now
nil time operation, fast growing town, established
rade. $13,000 handles long lease. Best equlplent.
good building. Boxofflce. A-3287.
Modern. Simplex. Near beautiful southwestern
city. No competition. Progressive, growing town.
$20,000 handles, with building. Boxofflce. A-3288.
For Sale: S00 seat theatre, simplex machines.
New R.C.A. sound, town 1,500, good lease, central
Missouri. Boxoffice. A-3283.
For Sale: 350-seat theatre, equipment and
hulldlng. good condition, central Missouri. Box
A-3284.
office.
250-seat. small east Texas
feed
barber shop, equipment two years old. Building
property, equipment $9,500 Should pay for self
in two years, naif
Bnxofflce. A-3282.
CLEM.II16 HOUSE
Will consider trade
Rich western Kansas town. Only theatre. Nearest
competitor 15 miles. First run product. Newlj
remodeled. Five-room home Included If desired.
Cash desired. Nn shoppers. Boxoffice, A-3280.
Both modern theatres, loveliest town 3,000 Texas
best area. Constructing multlmlllion factory. In
eluding 250 homes. filch farming section. Junior
college Mayo surgeon clinic. Reliable absentee
owner states potential yearly profit to $40,000.
Oosest check welcomed. Another Arthur Leak exclusive.
3422 Kinmore. Dallas.
Modern Oklahoma situation. Active growing
will town Owner finance $20,000 down Includes
good building. Balance 8 years. Principals only
A-32S9.
Boxofflce.
Theatre for sale or lease. Well constructed
building In good condition in colored section of
Kansas City. Write or phone Robert Williams,
Real Estate, 2021 Prospect. Kansas City. Mo
Phone Benton 5633.
288-seat house. New seats. Simplex heads.
Peerless lamps. Western Electric sound. Aux
Power plant Popcorn machine. Automatic oil hot
air heat. Frame building, asbestos siding. Gross
average $20,000 year, low overhead. Price $30,000
includes everything. Plenty product. Excellent
In fast location growing rural town. Call Heathsvllle
exchange 2011 Write Grayson Sandy.
Callao.
Va.
Western Illinois theatre. 200 seats. Population
1.500: $0,500: $4,000 down. All Inquiries answered
TtoTofflce. A-3291.
Theatre, 300 Irwin seats, one or the nicest
•heatres In southern Minnesota. Two Simplex
F,-7"s protectors and sound, 1 KW high Intensity
lamps, air conditioned, automatic heat, flood
cross. $30,000 down. No brokers. Boxofflce.
\-3292
Theatre, southern Tennessee town 9nn. Immediate
trading area 2,000; new concrete hulldlnc. well
designed. 30x90. adiolnlng two-story building.
10x70. rented, and Includes small apartment: 316
seats, new Simplex equipment: weekly gross exceeds
- couple desiring comfortable Income
in well-located country town. Recall tn foreign
service necessitates sale; $35,000 Boxofflce.
A-3298
Completely equipped theatre. Including 50-ton
Chrysler air conditioning, son reals, Super Slmnlex
heads, nertner tr.insverter. high intensity
Simplex lamps. Simplex sound Sell all or part.
re, Ilnustnn. Texas
THEATRES FOR SALE (Cont'd)
,:2u7
Established
In year John Maiburger. liealtor. Hover Ohio
Waco, Texas, suburban llienlre nil
"liable le. 11 lllle building;
ii down Claude Crockett, 15115
I'll i N.i'ional Hank llldg ., Dallas.
New colored theatre in central Kentucky town
'
Theatre modern and alrrolidil
d tin .1 II. i. lie. Theatre Brokers. -1119
Over 30/ , net ui.rl ' a I lliea
in a. ; ...i. .a I Inn mil 70(1 population Will
-i vi r in (until Must
,
be sold togelliet
I'mv sin including leal estate (Ills
Memphis,
Term.
ie l-.iokei ,
MrCall Hldg.,
Theatre. Platte. South Dakota; I. nek building,
50\12o All ue equipment. Living quartet up
stairs, A. A I'.iloll. I'lalle. Soulli lid o:a
For Sale: Entirely new modern theatre, small
own. g area. I'irsl time offered, u for
1 rei
other Hon c Harris. Chad-
a-iiing. Interest*
rick,
in
Showman will appreciate this
,, i.i i„,iii, excellent
Ion. Ideal family with children.
$17,500 handles everything. Box-
.
rive-ln Theatre, Mu-ko
ern Theatre, Boxoffice, January 8. 1949.
Drive-ln 50,(100 latino (own. 550 RCA
ir speakers, Itrenk. a I projection, shaded AC
each post, beautiful neon display, eon-
; tower booth, rest rooms and concession, exnt
ramps and driveways, 70 ft. concrete wing
?, 1,200 feet of fence, beautiful shrubbery,
-in franchise, second run pictures. Hock botprlce,
$125,000 cash. Selling because of
expansion. Off the market March 1st. Ad-
r
5 0. F. Sullivan. Civic Theatre, Wichita, Kas.
POPCORN MACHINES
Rebuilt Popcorn Machines for sale. Fully guaranteed.
Price from $150. Consolidated Confections,
1314 S. Wabash. Chicago 5. III.
Bargain prices in used and completely reeonlltloned
DPI in machines. Blevlns Popcorn Co.,
vJashviiie. Tenn.
Burcli, Mauley. Cretors, Alliance, all electric
frencli fry types. 50 Hollywood type, theatre
special electric poppers from $250. Karmelkorn
Equipment, 120 S. Halstcd, Chicago 6, 111.
Rebuilt popcorn machines, half price. Write
for list. Drive-In poppers, bargain. Poppers Bupnly.
Box 838. Atlanta. Ga.
United States Popcorn Co. announces delivery
on new 1949 poppers, with life-time satlnfinished
mono] metal cabinets. 40% discount on
remaining 194S models. Closeout on surplus beautiful
Glass Top display, floor model, warming
cabinets. $375 value for $75 new. Annual closeout
rebuilt poppers all makes traded on our famous
Frenchflake poppers. Factory. 14909 Kinsman
Blvd.. Cleveland 20. Ohio.
Free 56-pane 1949 catalog of Award Winning
Popcorn and Concession Equipment and Supplies.
Rlevins Popcorn Co., Popcorn Village, Nashville,
Good, used Manlev popcorn machine. Large
World's Fair model. Rube Melcher. 114 W. 18th
St.. Kansas C.tv. Ho
POPCORN SUPPLIES
Home of "Rush Hour" popcorn and popcorn
supplies. Send for price list Prunty Seed 4
Grain Co.. 820 N 2nd St.. St. Louis 2. Mo.
F. t iblihed 1874.
Attractively printed popcorn cartons for sale.
10c size. $8 M: 25c size. $17.50 M. Fabian
Kontney. 609 N Ashland. Green Bay. WLs.
Sno-Flake white hulless popcorn. Give your customers
the best. Write us for your sample and
quotations. Sno-Wlte Popcorn Co . Montlcello. Is.
Bee-Hive Hybrid—better than ever for '48: In
cartons, the Family-Size "Premiere" Is the latest
'hlng Blevlns Pnpcom Co.. Popcorn Village
MORE CLASSIFIED
ON PAGE 34
J'.inuary 22, 1949

A s though
VaV \ng to each 0ne
YOU'LL PLEASE ALL YOUR PATRONS
WITH RCA THEATRE SOUND
• So lifelike is the realism of the RCA Theatre
Sound System that movie-goers receive a vivid
emotional impression that the artists on the
screen are performing to each patron alone.
Song or symphony. ..machine gun or whisper
... the RCA Theatre Sound System reproduces
them all with flawless fidelity.
The roll call of theatres equipped with RCA
Sound includes the de luxe theatres of the world
as well as theatres of the smaller cities and
towns where movie theatres are the heart of
the community.
Exhibitors everywhere have come to realize
that the superior quality of RCA Theatre Sound
reproduces voices, music and sound effects that
please patrons. RCA Theatre Sound brings
customers back more often to swell box-office
returns.
Send for descriptive liti.-r.itu
RCA Sound Systems fori
theatre. Please state size and
ing capacity of theatre. Wt
to Dept.
18-A.
Order Sound Equipment from Your Independent RCA Theatre Supply Dealer
THEATRE EQUIPMENT
RADIO CORPORATION of AMERICA
ENGINEERING PRODUCTS DEPARTMENT. CAMDEN. N.J.
In Canada: RCA VICTOR Company limited, Montreal