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<strong>TOTAL</strong> NET PAID CIRCULATION EXCEEDS <strong>23</strong>,<strong>000</strong><br />
Industry's Tax Case Goes<br />
Before House Committee<br />
Page 8<br />
Loew's to Appeal Decree;<br />
TOA Is<br />
Urging Arbitration<br />
Page 9
Just Previewed in Hollyv\^ood!<br />
There is<br />
only one way to describe it!<br />
THE GREATEST MUSICAL<br />
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HHP AX THE TAXI IRAILERI PROTEST<br />
CARDS IN lOBBYl lETS FIGHTI
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KIRK<br />
LAUREN<br />
DOUGLAS BACALL<br />
DORIS<br />
HOAGYCARMICHAEL<br />
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JUANO HERNANDEZ<br />
PRODUCED BY<br />
JERRY WALD<br />
DIRECTED BY<br />
MICHAELCURTIZ<br />
SCREEN PLAY BY CARL FOREMAN<br />
iAND EDMUND H. NORTH<br />
FROM THE NOVEL BY DOROTHY BAKER<br />
MUSICAL DIRECTION BY RAY HEINDORF<br />
HAVE YOU ORDERED YOUR TAX TRAILER FROM NATIONAL SCREEN?
RAYMOND MASSEY<br />
PRODUCED BY<br />
ANTHONY VEILLER<br />
RICHARD WHORF<br />
DIRECTED BY<br />
SCREEN PLAY BY LIAM O'BRIEN AND VINCENT EVANS<br />
SUGGESTED BY A STORY BY J. REDMOND PRIOR<br />
STUART heisler
OF THE<br />
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Y"!<br />
The boxoffice shakes when Betty Grable cuts loose with the famous "Shimmy"<br />
in "Wabash Avenue," 20th Century-Fox's gala Technicolor musical contribution for<br />
Easter. Co-stars Victor Mature and Phil Harris, a hit score by Mack Gordon and<br />
Josef Myrow, Henry Roster's lusty direction and production by William (Miracle on<br />
34th Street) Perlberg add up to superlative screen entertainment.<br />
(Advertisement )<br />
BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950
—<br />
—<br />
o^t^^?/lotionr^u^4^ /ftc^^<br />
THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY<br />
Published in Nine Sectional Editions<br />
BEN SHLYEN<br />
Editor-in-Chief and Publisher<br />
JAMES M. lEBAULD Editor<br />
NATHAN COHEN. ...Executive Editor<br />
JESSE SHLYEN Managing Editor<br />
IVAN SPEAR Western Editor<br />
KEN HUDNALL Equipment Editor<br />
RAYMOND LEVY.General Manager<br />
Published Every Saturday by<br />
ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS<br />
Editorial Offices: 9 Itockcfeller Plaza. New<br />
20. N. Y. Ifciyraond Levy. General<br />
Manager; James M. Jerauld, Editor: Ches-<br />
Friedman, Editor Showmandiser Seoi:<br />
A. J. Stocker and Ralph Scholbc,<br />
Advertising. Telephone Columbus 5-6370.<br />
Publication Offices: 825 Van Brunt Blvd..<br />
isas City 1, Mo. Nathan Cohen. Execu-<br />
Editor: Jesse Shlyen. Managing Editor:<br />
Morris Schlozman, Business Manager.<br />
Kenneth Hudnall. Editor The MODERN<br />
THEATRE; J. Herbert Roush, Manager<br />
Advertising Saks. Tel. CHestnut 7777.<br />
Central Offices: Editorial—624 S. Michi-<br />
.\ve.. Chicago 5. 111. Jonas Perlberg.<br />
Telephone WEBster 9-4745. Advertising<br />
Eiist 1, III.<br />
35 Wacker Drive. Chicago<br />
Bwlng Hutchison and E. E. Yeck. Telephone<br />
.\NDover 3-3042.<br />
Western Offices: Editorial and Film Advertising—6404<br />
Hollywood Blvd.. Hollywood<br />
28. Calif. Iv;m Spear, manager. Telephone<br />
Non-Film<br />
GLadstone<br />
Advertising—672<br />
1186. Equipment<br />
S. LaJ'ayette<br />
and<br />
Park Place. Los Angeles. Calif. Bob Wettstein.<br />
manager. Telephone DUnkirk 8-2286.<br />
Washington Offices: 6417 Dalilonega Road,<br />
Alan Herbert. Manager. Telephone, Wisconsin<br />
3271. Sara Young. 932 New Jersey.<br />
London Offices:<br />
26A. Redclifte Mews. Kenun.<br />
S. \V. John Sullivan. .Manager.<br />
I'nijiishers of: The MODERN THE.\TRE,<br />
published monlhly as a section of BOX-<br />
OFFICE; BOXOi-TICE BAROMETER.<br />
Albany: 21-<strong>23</strong> Waller Ave..<br />
M. Berrigan.<br />
Atlanta; 163 Walton, N. W.. P. H. Savin.<br />
Birmingham: Tlie News, Eddie Badger.<br />
Boston: Frances W. Harding. Lib. 2-9305.<br />
Charlotle: 216 W. 4lh,<br />
Pauline GrifflUl.<br />
Cincinnati: 4029 Reading. Lillian Lazarus.<br />
Cleveland: Elsie Loeb. Fairmount 0046.<br />
Dallas: 4525 Holland. V. W. Crisp.<br />
Denver; 1645 Lafayette. Jack Rose.<br />
Des .Moiiics:<br />
Register-Tribune, Russ Schoch.<br />
Detroit: Fox Theatre Bldg.. H. F. Reves.<br />
iDdlanapoIls: H. M. Rudeau-x.<br />
Memphis: 707 Spring St.. Null Adams.<br />
Milwaukee: 3057 No.<br />
Murray. John Hubel.<br />
Minneapolis: 29 Washington, So.. Les Rees.<br />
New Haven: 42 Church. Gertrude L;inder.<br />
Orleans: 218 S. Liberty. A. Schlndler.<br />
City: Terminal Bldg..<br />
Polly Trindle.<br />
Oni,[li.i; World-Herald Bldg.. Lou Uerdcs.<br />
I'liil.idelphia: 5363 Berks. Norman Shlgon.<br />
I'ittvljurgh: 86 Van Braam. R. F. Kllngen-<br />
~mllh. ATlantlc 2002.<br />
I'orihuul. Ore.: Edward Cogan. Nortonla<br />
ll"lcl. Advertising; Mel Hickman. 907<br />
Terminal Sales Bldg.. ATwater 4107.<br />
SI. Louis: 5149 Rosa. David Barrett.<br />
Salt Lake City: Dcseret News. H. Pearson.<br />
San Francisco: Gail Lipm^in. 25 Taylor St.,<br />
Ordway 3-4812. Advertising: Jerry Nowell.<br />
1003 T.W.A. Bldg., YL'kon 6-2522.<br />
lealtlo: 928 N. 84th St.. Wlllard Elsey.<br />
In Canada<br />
Calgary: The Albertan. Wm. Campbell.<br />
Montreal: 4330 Wilson, Roy Carmlchael.<br />
St. John: 116 Prince Edward, W. McNulty.<br />
rorontn: R. R. 1, York Mills. M. Calbraltb.<br />
Vancouver; Lyric Theatre Bldg.. Jack Droy.<br />
Victoria; 938 Island H'wy. Alec Merrlman.<br />
Winnipeg: The Tribune. Ben Lepkln.<br />
Member Audit Bureau of Circulations<br />
Entered as Second Class matter at Post<br />
Office, Kansas City. Mo. Sectional Edition.<br />
»3.00 per year; National Edition. $7.50<br />
FEBRUARY 18, 1950<br />
Vol. 56 No. 16<br />
LOOPHOLES FOR LITIGATION<br />
w.HILE the statutory court has issued<br />
what it terms a "final decree" in the case of<br />
the government versus the three theatre-owning<br />
major companies, the end of this industry's litigation,<br />
which was launched in July 1938, is not<br />
yet in sight. Rather, the way has been opened<br />
for more litigation, on at least two counts: 1) by<br />
the order outlawing buying and booking through<br />
an agency; and 2) by the restraints placed on<br />
clearances.<br />
A third opening for legal conflict is present<br />
in the court's action on arbitration in which<br />
this means of settling intra-industry disputes is<br />
left hanging in midair. True, the court authorizes<br />
the setting up of a system of arbitration,<br />
subject to its passing on provisions thereof.<br />
But, without actual requirement of arbitration,<br />
it is doubtful if any system will come into being<br />
until after the industry has undergone considerable<br />
litigation in the interim.<br />
The court's ruling on buying and booking<br />
agencies, known in the trade as "booking combines,"<br />
foreshadows a multiplicity of actions<br />
against such groups on a nationwide scale. Decision<br />
on one such case is now pending in Detroit.<br />
But it is expected that its outcome will<br />
not be awaited for the filing of other such suits,<br />
now that the federal court has put a seemingly<br />
"illegal"' label on joint buying and booking arrangements.<br />
Further, as in all court decisions, there are<br />
many points that will need clarification, which,<br />
unfortunately, may not be had without more<br />
visits to the courts. Aside from this and the new<br />
problems which will grow out of this case, there<br />
are the pending suits involving exhibitors and<br />
distributors, which total considerably more than<br />
$100,<strong>000</strong>,<strong>000</strong>. Nor can there be any doubt that<br />
competitive bidding, which arose from the 1948<br />
decision of the statutory court, is the spawning<br />
ground for supercharged and costly litigation.<br />
In the light of its experience in matters of this<br />
kind, it would seem that the court would have<br />
considered it essential to provide some means<br />
for almost immediate use—through which the<br />
industry could settle some of these pending disputes<br />
without recourse to the processes of law.<br />
Again, we say. there was such intention in its<br />
"approval" of a system of arbitration, but without<br />
even setting a deadline, that left too much to<br />
chance. The altitude expressed in some industry<br />
quarters casts further doubt on the establishment<br />
of an arbitration tribunal "in time"' to<br />
be of the greatest possible value. But industry<br />
leadership may assert itself and take the necessary<br />
steps to bring a thoroughly sound arbitration<br />
plan into early fruition.<br />
As we go to press, the telety|)e brings a news<br />
bulletin informing that Gael Sullivan ami Herman<br />
Levy, executive director and general counsel,<br />
respectively, of the Theatre Owners of America,<br />
are taking steps looking toward the establishment<br />
of "an efficient, attractive system" of<br />
arbitration. They express confidence that the<br />
bringing together of all the segments of the industry<br />
for a conference on the subject will serve<br />
to achieve the desired results. That is encouraging.<br />
When Silence Is<br />
^<br />
^<br />
Golden<br />
To the observations and reports on "Stromboli"<br />
appearing in this issue, we should like to<br />
add our own comment.<br />
The industry has not and should not seek to<br />
condone the actions by its stars which go against<br />
the accepted standards maintained by society for<br />
its own protection. It must be realized, however,<br />
that these deviations from the ideal have been<br />
going on for several thousand years. When<br />
King David dishonored Bath-Sheba, he even<br />
caused her husband, I riah. to be put into the<br />
front battle lines where he was killed, and David<br />
married her. His punishment followed, for the<br />
idea that a king (or a star I can do no wrong<br />
has never been true, since all actions carry the<br />
seeds of their own fruit.<br />
However, it does not follow that the public<br />
should, or will always, reject the work of artists<br />
whose private lives have been held up to reproach.<br />
Sarah Bernhardt freely acknowledged<br />
an illegitimate son, but she was still "the divine<br />
Sarah." There are other noteworthy cases in<br />
which the public came to realize that the |)rivate<br />
life of an artist is not the fairest basis for evaluating<br />
his or her work.<br />
Kxhibitors are under no obligation to showany<br />
picture which they feel may be detrimental<br />
to their own best interests. However, when exhibitors<br />
or exhibitor groups, go out of their wav<br />
to make public statements condemning a ])icture<br />
because of a scandal surrounding its production,<br />
and virtuously assert they will not |)Iay it<br />
on that account, they do themselves and the industry<br />
an injustice. No family, smarting under<br />
the disgrace brought on by a wayward girl, ever<br />
drew sympathy by casting her out. There is a<br />
dignity of silence demanded here, while tongues<br />
are wagging all around.<br />
Sx^^v. /OyhUlC^i^^
:<br />
INDUSTRY'S TAX CASE GOES<br />
BEFORE HOUSE COMMITTEE<br />
Johnston Says the Levy<br />
Hurting All Segments<br />
Of Film Business<br />
WASPUNGTON—The entire structure<br />
of the motion picture industry is affected<br />
by the theatre admissions tax and the<br />
taxes on raw film stock and photographic<br />
apparatus, Eric Johnston, MPAA president,<br />
told the House ways and means committee<br />
Wednesday (15) when he appeared<br />
before it as a vice-chairman of the National<br />
Committee for Repeal of Wartime<br />
Excise Taxes. This includes company heads<br />
in <strong>23</strong> of 27 industries affected by the taxes.<br />
WANTS PROMPT REPEAL<br />
Johnston urged prompt repeal of all wartime<br />
excise taxes and increases levied on all<br />
Eric Johnston<br />
industries. He said the<br />
case of this industry<br />
will be "handled later<br />
in greater detail by<br />
able representatives of<br />
our industry when<br />
they appear before the<br />
committee" and that<br />
they will explain how<br />
the admissions tax<br />
"hit unfairly where it<br />
liurts the hardest—the<br />
pocketbook of the<br />
American family." He<br />
was referring to the<br />
appearance before the committee in a few<br />
days of Abram F. Myers, National Allied general<br />
counsel and chairman of the COMPO tax<br />
committee, and Gael Sullivan, TOA executive<br />
director, who will make a special plea<br />
for the industry.<br />
AS MPAA REPRESENTATIVE<br />
Johnston said he was appearing as an official<br />
of the national committee and as president<br />
of MPAA. His prepared statement had<br />
only passing reference to the industry's case<br />
but in questioning he was called upon to<br />
speak for the nation's exhibitors and the<br />
studios.<br />
A few hours after the Johnston appearance,<br />
A. F. Myers, Allied's general counsel, remarked,<br />
"I hope there is something left for<br />
Gael Sullivan and myself to say. If there is.<br />
Myers and Sullivan<br />
Testify on Tuesday<br />
WASHINGTON—The formal presentation<br />
of the film industry's plea for reduction<br />
of the 20 per cent federal admissions<br />
tax is slated to be made Tuesday before<br />
the House ways and means committee by<br />
A. F. Myers, chairman of the COMPO<br />
tax committee and of national Allied, and<br />
TOA Director Gael Sullivan. Members of<br />
the COMPO committee met here this<br />
week to work out strategy for the presentation.<br />
37 of 45 Congressmen<br />
From N. Y. for Tax Cut<br />
NEW YORK—A powerful group of 37 of<br />
tire 45 New York State representatives to<br />
Congress had pledged their votes to the repeal<br />
of the 20 per cent federal admissions tax by<br />
Wednesday (15) and more pledges were expected.<br />
The entire Brooklyn contingent had<br />
promised its support to the industry's campaign,<br />
and only three of the 26 in the metropolitan<br />
area had failed to put themselves on<br />
record. In addition, Sen. Irving M. Ives said<br />
he would back the campaign.<br />
Six of the 14 New Jersey congressmen also<br />
had pledged themselves, as had Sen. H. Alexander<br />
Smith, and more pledges were expected<br />
from the representatives of that state.<br />
The support of the New York lawmakers<br />
had been obtained by the Independent Theatre<br />
Owners of America and the Metropolitan<br />
Motion Picture Theatres Ass'n and that of<br />
the New Jerseyites by Allied, TOA and ITOA<br />
and the latter has enlisted the aid of the<br />
Broadway Ass'n, New York Board of Trade,<br />
we will say it." They appear next week.<br />
Johnston pledged that the public will receive<br />
full benefit from any congressional<br />
action cutting or wiping out the admissions<br />
levy. In response to questioning by Rep.<br />
John Carroll of Colorado he said he could<br />
"for the industry" promise that the saving<br />
will be passed on the the consumer. He<br />
agreed when Rep. John Dingell of Michigan<br />
ventured that competition is strong enough<br />
within the industry to insure that the tax<br />
cut will be reflected in a drop of the ticket<br />
price.<br />
In response to questioning by Rep. Cecil<br />
King of California, Johnston said the film<br />
industry "is trying to supply family entertainment<br />
at an average cost of 15 to 20 cents<br />
an hour, but the excise tax hikes the cost<br />
by 20 per cent." He also made a strong pitch<br />
for reduction of the 25 per cent levy on photographic<br />
apparatus and the 15 per cent tax<br />
on raw stock. The latter amounts to about<br />
$3,500,<strong>000</strong> annually, he said, and is especially<br />
discriminatory because there is no comparable<br />
tax on newspapers, magazines or broadcasting.<br />
He spoke of the importance of the Hollywood<br />
product as an aid to American foreign<br />
policy, and asked for "an even break and<br />
equal treatment."<br />
Among the overall points Johnston made<br />
were:<br />
"I believe the repeal of these taxes is in<br />
the national public interest. There is unanimity<br />
of opinion in this country for repeal<br />
that is tantamount to an informal national<br />
agreement."<br />
"I believe the continuance of wartime excise<br />
taxes in peacetime constitutes a drastic<br />
<strong>23</strong>rd Street Ass'n, the chambers of commerce<br />
of Coney Island, the Rockaways and Ridgewood,<br />
N. J., and many supply manufacturers<br />
and unions.<br />
One highly satisfactory result of the campaign,<br />
according to Morton Sunshine, ITOA<br />
executive director, has been not only the great<br />
public response in signing protest cards at<br />
the theatres, but evidence of a feeling that<br />
the theatremen have the interests of the<br />
public at heart. Sunshine called it great pub-<br />
relations.<br />
lic<br />
The unanimous support of the Brooklyn<br />
congressmen is receiving special consideration.<br />
D. John Phillips, MMPTA executive director,<br />
and Sunshine have notified their members in<br />
that area to continue to collect protest cards,<br />
but not to forward them to the congressmen.<br />
They are to be collected and kept in a central<br />
place until their destination and time<br />
of forwarding is settled. There would be no<br />
point in flooding the congressmen's mail.<br />
intrusion of government into the regulation<br />
of business inconsistent with a free enterprise<br />
system."<br />
"What is new and, to me, serious, in the<br />
continuation of these excises is the danger<br />
of our being unconscious of the unintended<br />
regulatory impact of these taxes. Whether it<br />
is so intended or not, these taxes influence<br />
very substantially the whole pattern of consumer<br />
spending, the cost and price levels in<br />
the industries affected, the entire structure<br />
of these industries, the volume of their production,<br />
the very size of the employment and<br />
the level and distribution of the national<br />
income. These taxes regulate my industry<br />
and all other industries affected, because<br />
they place us under handicaps the non-excise-tax<br />
industries do not have to endure."<br />
"Any commodity or service is essential to<br />
our peacetime economy if it meets these tests<br />
If it 'satisfies the healthy needs and desires<br />
of consumers' and 'If its production provides<br />
employment and income to individuals, to<br />
businesses and to communities.' To accept any<br />
other standards for public policy is to subject<br />
certain sectors of our economy to discrimination,<br />
to impose restrictions on the consumer's<br />
freedom of choice and to jeopardize<br />
the freedom, vitality and flexibility of our<br />
economy."<br />
The power behind the national tax-repeal<br />
campaign, especially that supplied by the<br />
public in support of the COMPO campaign,<br />
has amazed Washington. Political dopesters<br />
now see President Truman, Secretary of the<br />
Treasury Snyder and other proponents of<br />
continued taxation on the spot. Some believe<br />
the administration may make a new<br />
move to try to justify continued taxation.<br />
BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950
LOEWS WILL APPEAL DECREE;<br />
FOX, WB STILL NEGOTIATING<br />
But Strategy Conferences<br />
Are Still in Order at All<br />
Defendant Companies<br />
NEW YORK—Strategy coufeieiices between<br />
lawyers and executives of defendant<br />
companies in the antitrust case began almost<br />
immediately after the three-judge<br />
court's latest decree Wednesday (8i and<br />
were still in progress at the weekend.<br />
THREE TOP DEVELOPMENTS<br />
The three most important developments<br />
were:<br />
1. Warner Bros, announced that the<br />
Lehman Brothers' option to find a purchaser<br />
for the company's theatres when<br />
organized into a new company had lapsed.<br />
2. Twentieth Century-Fox, through<br />
Spyros P. Skouras, president, announced<br />
that it would continue talks looking<br />
toward a consent decree.<br />
3. Loew's, Inc., through J. Robert<br />
Rubin, vice-president and general counsel,<br />
made it clear it would appeal the<br />
court's order to submit a divorcement<br />
plan within six months. This appeal will<br />
go directly to the U.S. Supreme Court.<br />
The Loew appeal will be based on the contention<br />
that the company stands entirely<br />
apart from the other theatre-owning defendants.<br />
During the trial John W. Davis, counsel,<br />
pointed out that the company owned less<br />
than 131 theatres and that, unlike the other<br />
defendants, it had no closed towns.<br />
Because the Little Three—Columbia, United<br />
Artists and Universal-International—are affected<br />
only by the application of trade practices<br />
which are the same for all companies<br />
no early action is expected from them. Policy<br />
conferences are under way, but the general<br />
response, in effect, was that it was "too<br />
early to tell" what they would do. The<br />
principal gripe was that they should have<br />
been allowed to grant franchises to customers,<br />
Edward C. Raftery has indicated that he<br />
may apply to the court for a modification<br />
of this part of the decree.<br />
TO GET OUT ANALYSES<br />
Both Abram F. Myers, general counsel for<br />
Allied, and Herman Levy, TOA general counsel,<br />
are expected to get out analytical bulletins<br />
for members in a short time.<br />
Arbitration was left hanging in midair.<br />
The Allied board failed to act on the matter<br />
in Wa.shington. The attitude of some of the<br />
major companies is that they don't want to<br />
support an arbitration system, and that if<br />
one is set up it should be through the commercial<br />
facihties of the American Arbitration<br />
Ass'n with both exhibitors and distributors<br />
sharing the expense of each case. Nothing<br />
tangible is expected on this problem until<br />
new theatre companies are set up for the<br />
three remaining theatre-owning defendants.<br />
The drastic court ruling that there can be<br />
no pattern of clearances set up by agreement<br />
between distributors, or between distributors<br />
and exhibitors, or by arbitration,<br />
caused general surprise. Clearances made up<br />
BOXOFTICE :: February 18, 1950<br />
TOA May Take Lead<br />
To Spur Arbitration<br />
New York—Gael Sullivan, executive<br />
director of Theatre Owners of<br />
America, and Herman Levy, general<br />
counsel, will recommend to<br />
the association's executive committee<br />
that TOA invite defendants in<br />
the antitrust case to initiate hearings<br />
to learn if the industry can get<br />
together and work out an arbitration<br />
system. The committee meets<br />
March 1 and 2.<br />
The matter of sponsorship, either<br />
by the companies or through industry<br />
leadership, would also be<br />
determined through these hearings,<br />
it was explained.<br />
The TOA executives reached<br />
this decision because the final antitrust<br />
decree authorized Loew's,<br />
Inc., 20th Century-Fox and Warner<br />
Bros, to set up an arbitration system<br />
"upon terms to be settled by<br />
the court." They called the authorization<br />
"heartening news."<br />
Sullivan and Levy were confident<br />
that "an efficient, attractive<br />
system" can come about. The main<br />
obstacle to date, they commented,<br />
has been the lack of an opportunity<br />
for all segments of the industry<br />
to confer on a system.<br />
the bulk of the arbitration system set up<br />
under the original consent decree Issued by<br />
Judge Henry W. Goddard. They are still<br />
arbitrable, but the decisions would apply<br />
only to individual disputes with the distributors<br />
required to prove the reasonableness<br />
of the clearances.<br />
The general impression in the industry is<br />
that Warner Bros, and Loew's are stalling for<br />
time. There will be no .surprise if 20th-Fo.x<br />
is the next company to reach an agreement<br />
with the Department of Justice.<br />
The crux of the discus.sions between 20th-<br />
Fox and the government is understood to be<br />
whether Charles Skouras will be allowed to<br />
continue as head of National Theatres, if that<br />
wholly owned subsidiary is set up as an independent<br />
company.<br />
There is a widespread impression that this<br />
permission will be granted. Lawyers base their<br />
opinions on this point on the fact that<br />
Joseph M. Schenck was told that he could<br />
continue as head of United Artists Theatres<br />
if he severed his connections with 20th-Fox.<br />
The Warner Bros, discussions with the<br />
Department of Justice are somewhat similar.<br />
It is reported that the three brothers<br />
are insisting that Major Albert Warner<br />
should be permitted to head a new theatre<br />
company. They may wait to see how the<br />
20th-Fox negotiations come out.<br />
No indication has been given by Loew's<br />
on how fast the company may act on its announced<br />
appeal.<br />
General speculation has developed about<br />
the future of buying and booking combines.<br />
Defendant companies are barred from using<br />
these in servicing currently owned or formerly<br />
owned theatres. It is argued that this<br />
would put a huge group of theatres outside<br />
the buying combine field and might lead to<br />
suits to test the legality of buying anywhere<br />
except on a theatre-by-theatre basis.<br />
SIMPP already has such a case pending in<br />
Detroit.<br />
RKO Given Extension<br />
To End Partnerships<br />
NEW YORK—RKO has been granted a<br />
time extension until February 24 for compliance<br />
with the partnership-dissolution demands<br />
of its amended consent decree. The<br />
extension was filed with the U.S. statutory<br />
court February 16.<br />
RKO expects to close a deal with Skouras<br />
Theatres on breaking up their joint operation<br />
of seven Bronx houses and one each in<br />
Newark and Forest Hills by the February 24<br />
date. The company also may close some deal<br />
to dispose of its one-sixth ownership of Metropolitan<br />
Playhouses here. The sale of its 25<br />
per cent interest in the Huntington, W. Va.,<br />
circuit of five theatres to the Hyman Bros.,<br />
controlling stockholders in the chain, was<br />
completed this week.<br />
Outside Interests Purchase<br />
Two Minnesota Units<br />
MINNEAPOLIS—Interests new to motion<br />
picture exhibition have acquired two of the<br />
theatres being divested by the Minnesota<br />
Amusement Co. under the Paramount consent<br />
decree. Harry FYench, MAC president, announced<br />
this week that the State Theatre, C<br />
house in Austin, Minn., had been sold to<br />
Donovan Bros., contractors, and the Eastman<br />
Theatre, B hou.se in St. Cloud, Minn., had<br />
been sold to Willard G. Burnett, oil man of<br />
that city. The purchase prices were not announced.<br />
United Para. Theatres<br />
Declares First Dividend<br />
NEW YORK—The board of directors of<br />
United Paramount Theatres, Inc.. declared<br />
a first dividend of 50 cents per share at a<br />
meeting February 15, according to Leonard<br />
Goldenson, president. The dividend is payable<br />
April 20 to stockholders of record March<br />
31.<br />
In a letter to security holders, Goldenson<br />
pointed out that, under the terms of tlie consent<br />
judgment, only 50 per cent of the dividend<br />
will be paid to holders of certificates<br />
of interest and the remaining 50 per cent will<br />
be deposited on special account and paid to<br />
holders when the certificates are converted<br />
into stock.<br />
An estimated earnings statement for the<br />
first quarter of 1950 will be available April 20.<br />
It will be mailed to security holders with the<br />
dividend check, Goldenson .said.
a<br />
PcU4c Sc(nU<br />
Wartime Power Restrictions<br />
Return to New York State<br />
Coal shortage forces limit on fuel supply<br />
and modified brownout calling for ban on<br />
electricity for outdoor advertising, 200-watt<br />
limit for theatre entrances and marquees.<br />
*<br />
Labor and Eric Johnston<br />
Talk on Unemployment<br />
Long-standing complaints that foreign production<br />
bv U.S. companies is causing decreasing<br />
staffs in Hollywood presented by producers,<br />
talent guilds and craft unions.<br />
U-I Reduces Its Bank Debt<br />
By $1,500,<strong>000</strong> Payment<br />
Total now owed to First National Bank of<br />
Boston, Manhattan Co. Guaranty Trust under<br />
May 1, 1947; agreement is $6,<strong>000</strong>,<strong>000</strong> and includes<br />
United World Financing.<br />
*<br />
National Screen Releases<br />
Its Second Tax Trailer<br />
The film, which urges theatre patrons to<br />
support repeal of the admission tax, is titled<br />
"Kill That Tax" and is 65 feet long; first<br />
trailer is 50 feet.<br />
AFL Executive Council<br />
Votes Tax Fight Aid<br />
*<br />
Full support is approved in campaign for<br />
repeal of the federal admissions levy, following<br />
an appeal by Richard F. Walsh, lATSE<br />
international president.<br />
Civil Liberties Union Asks<br />
To Intervene in Atlanta<br />
Files brief with U.S. district court seeking<br />
permission to act as "friend of the court" in<br />
move to upset censors' ban on DeRochemont's<br />
"Lost Boundaries."<br />
Missouri High Court Rules<br />
Aisle Law Is Invalid<br />
state supreme court declares unconstitutional<br />
73-year-old law requiring three-foot<br />
aisles next to the walls in theatres and other<br />
places of amusement.<br />
March of Time Feature<br />
To Be Handled by RKO<br />
Will relea.se "The Golden Twenties—<br />
Chronicle of America's Jazz Age," in April;<br />
deal renews an association between the two<br />
companies which began in 1935.<br />
Films Council in London<br />
Discusses 30% Quota<br />
X<br />
British Film Producers Ass'n and Cinematograph<br />
Exhibitors Ass'n agree this 10 per<br />
cent cut would be enforceable limit if change<br />
is made October 1.<br />
'Stromboli' Opens Strong<br />
In Controversial Storm<br />
NEW YORK — "Stromboli" opened strong<br />
Wednesday (15) in 330 theatres throughout<br />
the nation, with attendance ranging<br />
from sensational to good.<br />
Ned E. Depinet, RKO president, at a<br />
press conference the following day, called<br />
it "astounding." He quoted figures from<br />
various cities to back up his statement.<br />
He was especially enthusiastic about San<br />
Antonio, Philadelphia. Washington and<br />
New York. Here, he said, circuit officials<br />
reported business as 50 per cent over normal<br />
to "super-sensational."<br />
93 DAY-AND-DATE BOOKINGS<br />
In the New York exchange area, morning<br />
attendance generally was weak, but it picked<br />
up rapidly after noon and was big during<br />
the evening after the stormy weather moderated.<br />
Most patrons during the day were<br />
women but many men came out in the evening.<br />
Ninety-three theatres day-and-dated<br />
it in this area. Twenty-six more opened it<br />
later in the week.<br />
No circuits reported any demonstrations or<br />
adverse comments. Some daily newspapermen<br />
interviewed patrons attending the Criterion,<br />
Broadway showcase, and reported them as<br />
liking the film. On the other hand, most<br />
newspaper critics gave it a "so-so" reception<br />
while a couple panned it as weak entertainment.<br />
BOXOFTICE checked the various circuits.<br />
Sol Schwartz, general manager of RKO<br />
Theatres, said the picture's overall average<br />
at his 34 local houses was more than 50 per<br />
cent above business at the same time a year<br />
ago, and that the same was true of houses<br />
in 17 outside towns.<br />
The Criterion reported "very big" evening<br />
business after "almost capacity" during the<br />
afternoon. The Randforce circuit with eight<br />
houses showing the picture, said business was<br />
"fair." Century, with three houses, called it<br />
"above average but nothing sensational."<br />
ADDITIONAL BOXOFFICE REPORTS<br />
Loew's, with one house, said it was "50<br />
per cent more than the same day last year,<br />
though all other houses in our circuit ran<br />
the same as last year." Brandt, with two<br />
houses, said business was "better than an<br />
average Wednesday." Skouras reported "good<br />
business despite the weather" and "better<br />
than an average Wednesday" in its 15 local<br />
and five upstate houses showing the film.<br />
Warners Bros., with two houses, reported<br />
business "in line with top pictures." Fabian,<br />
with three houses, said, "a little better than<br />
normal." Walter Reade, with five houses,<br />
said, "excellent and patrons satisfied."<br />
In Chicago, 300 moviegoers, mostly women,<br />
lined the sidewalks for the Bergman-Rossellini<br />
opus. "Stromboli," when it opened<br />
Wednesday (15). They braved the sleet, snow<br />
and stood in line on the icy sidewalks 30<br />
minutes before the doors opened at 8:45 a. m.<br />
with shopping bags, umbrellas and slightly<br />
sheepish grins. The line, three abreast.<br />
stretched a half a block when the cashiers<br />
furiously punched out the 98-cent tickets.<br />
Chicagoans liked "Stromboli" and Ingrid<br />
Bergman. Most persons questioned had nothing<br />
but praise for the actress. They forgot<br />
about her private troubles when they walked<br />
in the RKO Grand Theatre, they said.<br />
"We had a full house— 1,158 persons—for<br />
the first show." said the manager, Matt<br />
Plunkett. "It's doing better than "The Outlaw.'<br />
"<br />
Exhibitors remained divided on whether to<br />
play the picture.<br />
While six southwest circuits, comprising<br />
351 theatres, announced they would not play<br />
the picture, a number of other chains elsewhere<br />
in the country said they would book<br />
and let the public decide whether it desired<br />
to see the film or not. Tri-States Theatres<br />
and Central States Theatres which operate<br />
throughout Iowa and Nebraska said they<br />
would book the film. In this territory, however,<br />
the Allied regional unit urged its members<br />
not to play the picture and the question<br />
is whether the extensive circuit bookings will<br />
force independents to book it despite the<br />
urging of the Allied office.<br />
In Oklahoma and Texas, the Talbot Theatres<br />
in Tulsa, the 130-theatre Video Independent<br />
circuit, Eddie Joseph circuit and<br />
East Texas Theatres joined the big Interstate<br />
circuit in banning the picture. In addition,<br />
several individual houses decided to follow<br />
suit and keep the film off their screens,<br />
but simultaneously a number of independent<br />
exhibitors reported they had booked the picture.<br />
It got a day-and-date opening in seven<br />
San Antonio theatres and had dates penciled<br />
in by exhibitors in Dallas, Tulsa and Oklahoma<br />
City.<br />
MARTIN CIRCUIT UNDECIDED<br />
C. L. Patrick, general manager of the Martin<br />
circuit which operates 75 theatres in<br />
Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Alabama,<br />
said his company would be guided by public<br />
sentiment but would not indicate whether<br />
the circuit would ban the film. This was in<br />
answer to a press query regarding an appeal<br />
by the Marietta, Ga., city council that the<br />
picture not be booked.<br />
The Huntington, W. Va., Theatre Corp. also<br />
announced it would play the film, as did the<br />
Evergreen-Hamrick circuit in Portland, but<br />
Western Massachusetts Theatres said it would<br />
not.<br />
Censors differed, but generally the wellorganized<br />
censorship bodies okayed the picture.<br />
Ohio's board gave its seal several weeks<br />
ago though there has been some attempt to<br />
withdraw it. In Pennsylvania, Mrs. Edna R.<br />
Carroll, state censor board chairman, said<br />
that "Stromboli" had met "legal requirements"<br />
and has been approved. Any attempt<br />
to ban a picture because of conduct by the<br />
principals is outside jurisdiction of the board,<br />
she said.<br />
The Memphis board banned the film, and<br />
expected a court fight because of it—but<br />
Memphis residents will be able to see the<br />
picture at the Crittenden Theatre in West<br />
Memphis, Ark., just across the river. Bii--<br />
mingham's city council, answering a protest<br />
from the ministerial association, said it had<br />
no law to ban the film but asked the Acme<br />
Tlieatres circuit not to play it. The picture,<br />
however, has been booked to open February<br />
22, and will play in a number of other Ala-<br />
10 BOXOFFICE<br />
:: February 18, 1950
ama cities. While there has been no announcement<br />
from the Malco circuit, the Malco<br />
Theatre in Hot Springs, Ark., opened with the<br />
picture this week—indicating the stand of<br />
the circuit.<br />
The film also posed a problem in Canada.<br />
Famous Players Canadian, which has a contract<br />
with RKO for exhibition of the company's<br />
product, said it was undecided although<br />
J. J. Pitzgibbons, president, said the circuit had<br />
protested against the type of advertising<br />
which was being used in the United States.<br />
"We don't resort to that sort of thing; it<br />
seems to be misleading advertising," he said.<br />
Premier Leslie Frost of Ontario indicated that<br />
he may simply refuse to grant a license for<br />
the film instead of directly banning—a legal<br />
step which would have the same effect as<br />
censorship.<br />
In the province of Alberta, however, the<br />
film censorship board approved the picture.<br />
In some sections of the country the pressures<br />
to ban the pictures were strong. Ministerial<br />
associations, generally, -were leading<br />
the protest parade although in Chicago the<br />
National Federation of Women's Clubs urged<br />
Eric Johnston, president of the Motion Picture<br />
Ass'n of America, to invoke the behavior<br />
clause in players' contracts. Ministerial protests<br />
were voiced during the week in Harrisburg,<br />
Pa., and Lowell. Mass. The South Carolina<br />
state legislature received a resolution<br />
calling for a ban, but no action was taken.<br />
Mayors in Lawrence, Mass., and Holyoke,<br />
Mass., banned the film.<br />
Judge Michael Igoe Refuses<br />
Extended Chicago Run<br />
CHICAGO—Judge Michael Igoe of federal<br />
court said "nothing doing" to an extended<br />
Loop run for "Stromboli" this week. He<br />
turned down a petition by RKO for permission<br />
to book the film for a long run, under<br />
Jackson Park decree provisions. The film will<br />
be limited to two weeks at the RKO Grand.<br />
Judge Igoe. however, did grant Disney's "Cinderella,"<br />
also released by RKO, the right to<br />
an extended run at the RKO Palace.<br />
Hollywood in All-Out War<br />
On Talent Racketeering<br />
HOLLYWOOD—An all-out war on racketeers<br />
in the motion picture and television<br />
production and agency fields was declared<br />
at a meeting of national, state, county and<br />
city law enforcement officials and film and<br />
video leaders, called by the Motion Picture<br />
Industry Council and the Screen Actors Guild,<br />
after hundreds of complaints had been received<br />
from amateur thespians.<br />
Almost simultaneously Don Redwine, assistant<br />
city attorney for Los Angeles, began<br />
a series of hearings out of which he predicted<br />
would come 50 to 75 criminal actions<br />
against the asserted bunco artists by week's<br />
end.<br />
At the MPIC-SAG session, the full facilities<br />
of the post office department, the city council<br />
and the county board of supervisors were<br />
offered in the campaign to crack down on the<br />
alleged racketeers, who, it is claimed, are<br />
"stealing" from $5,<strong>000</strong> to $20,<strong>000</strong> a week by<br />
charging fees of $50 to $200 to place their<br />
"clients" in video and film "productions."<br />
Chairman of the meeting was Ronald Reagan,<br />
SAG president and MPIC chairman, who<br />
pointed out that there are only four recognized<br />
unions in the entertainment field—the<br />
American Federation of Radio Artists, SAG,<br />
Screen Extras Guild and Actors' Equity.<br />
The Jim Mote Family and Bowery Boys at the Premiere<br />
Jim Mote Opens Theatre<br />
With a World Premiere<br />
By LARRY GROVE<br />
STERLING, OKLA. — Jim Mote's new<br />
Friendship Theatre was opened formally Sunday<br />
(12) with a world premiere, personal appearances<br />
by the Bowery Boys, and an auditorium<br />
filled to capacity by the hometown<br />
folks who came to pay their respects not only<br />
to a neighbor but to an industry which had<br />
helped bring back their movie house.<br />
It was a gay and festive affair despite the<br />
fact that during the day and most of the<br />
evening this little southwest Oklahoma town<br />
was whipped and drenched by a two-inch rain.<br />
The storm, nevertheless, did not keep Jim<br />
Mote's neighbors from turning up en masse<br />
for the biggest event in the town's history.<br />
From the stage of the theatre he named<br />
"Friendship" to express his gratitude to those<br />
who helped replace the building destroyed by<br />
fire 18 months ago. Mote said "thank you"<br />
to the motion picture industry for the way it<br />
responded to his simple announcement on<br />
Aug. 13, 1948, that his theatre had burned<br />
to the ground—with no covering insurance.<br />
He said he was deeply grateful to the exhibitors<br />
who first came forward with their $1<br />
bills, to Ben Shlyen, publisher of BOXOF-<br />
FTCE, for taking up the campaign, to Monogram<br />
Pictures for staging a special sales drive<br />
in his behalf and to those who contributed<br />
equipment and films. With a genuine warmth<br />
and affection, he also thanked his hometown<br />
friends who formed a brigade of volunteers<br />
to help dig the basement, hammer together<br />
much of the building, and do an endless number<br />
of chores involved in getting a theatre<br />
built and opened.<br />
"There's hardly one of you," he said, "who<br />
hasn't helped me in one way or another." He<br />
said that the voluntary help probably saved<br />
$2,<strong>000</strong> on construction costs. The Boy Scout<br />
troop dug the foundation in a single day.<br />
Local carpenters and bricklayers, seeing what<br />
people from far away places were doing, contributed<br />
much of their services. It became a<br />
community project as well as an industry<br />
project.<br />
Monogram Pictures, which gave $5,<strong>000</strong> toward<br />
the building of Friendship Theatre by<br />
contributing a share of the receipts in the<br />
Steve Broidy 25th anniversary drive, helped<br />
stage the formal opening. The picture chosen<br />
for the premiere was "Blonde Dynamite,''<br />
which stars the Bowery Boys—and from this<br />
troupe Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall and Bill Benedict<br />
were on hand for personal appearances.<br />
Together with Brownie and Daisy Greene,<br />
guitar and song team from Louisiana, they<br />
clowned, sang and danced to the delight of<br />
the audience. Sterling film fans, like those of<br />
any other community, turned out to be autograph<br />
collectors and the lobby was one big<br />
autographing party after the performance.<br />
Milt Lipsner, Monogram branch manager in<br />
Oklahoma City, represented the distribution<br />
department of the company at the opening.<br />
The Jim Motes also entertained—at a dinner<br />
at which the visitors were their guests.<br />
The girls in the high school home economics<br />
class served the dinner in the American Legion<br />
hall. Mrs. Mote, her daughter. Arsann,<br />
and son, Jimmy, decorated the hall in a Valentine<br />
motif.<br />
Friendship Theatre on Opening Night.<br />
BOXOFFICE :: February 18. 1950
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NT PROBLEM: HOW TO WIN BACK<br />
10 MILLION LOST ADMISSIONS<br />
LOS ANGELES—Faced with the cold<br />
facts—as outlined by Charles P. Skouras,<br />
circuit president—that business in the<br />
chain dropped by 10,<strong>000</strong>,<strong>000</strong> admissions for<br />
a 6.4 per cent boxoffice decrease during<br />
1949—delegates to National Theatres' annual<br />
district managers' conference here<br />
placed high on their agenda for the fourday<br />
meeting ways and means of combatting<br />
the decline in attendance this year.<br />
Skouras, presiding over the sessions, disclosed<br />
in his opening speech that attendance<br />
ui NT houses during the past year was 152,-<br />
<strong>000</strong>.<strong>000</strong>, as compared to 162,<strong>000</strong>,<strong>000</strong> in 1948,<br />
and warned that grave problems are to be<br />
faced as concerns rising operational costs,<br />
decreasing business and television competition.<br />
Video cannot be laughed off, he emphasized,<br />
urging that means must be found<br />
"to work with the new medium and make it<br />
advantageous to our own industry in the<br />
same manner we did with radio. Ignoring<br />
television will not solve anything."<br />
TICKET CUTS UNSUCCESSFUL<br />
One means of stimulating the boxoffice<br />
slashing admission prices—was disclaimed<br />
when Stan Brown, a district manager for<br />
Fox West Coast, reported that a survey of<br />
independent houses in his area which had<br />
slashed ticket prices showed that although<br />
there was an upswing in patronage for a few<br />
weeks, attendance subsequently tapered off<br />
to the old level, but with a proportionately<br />
lower gross.<br />
Every NT division was represented at the<br />
gathering, which opened February 14 and<br />
was slated to wind up February 17. Delegates<br />
were to be guests of Skouras at cocktails<br />
and dinner at the Ambassador hotel February<br />
18, following which they were scheduled to<br />
check out for their respective headquarters.<br />
Skouras, in his opening talk, touched only<br />
lightly upon the divorcement question, asserting<br />
that NT is cooperating to the utmost<br />
with the government in solving the problems<br />
arising out of that measure.<br />
ZANUCK STRESSES DIVERSITY<br />
From Darryl F. Zanuck, 20th-Fox vicepresident<br />
and production chief, and a featured<br />
speaker at the conclave, came the assertion<br />
that while the merchandising of product<br />
has improved on the national scale, aggressive<br />
showmanship still is needed on local community<br />
levels to stimulate varying audience<br />
tastes and spark ticket sales. Outlining his<br />
company's production program for the year,<br />
Zanuck emphasized that diversity of subject<br />
matter will be the keynote, combining standard<br />
escapist fare with offbeat "adult" attractions.<br />
A detailed picture of business trends<br />
throughout the country was presented by H. C.<br />
Cox, NT treasurer. E. F. Zabel, chief film<br />
buyer, discu.ssed upcoming product. W. C.<br />
Ricord and Hall Baetz turned the spotlight<br />
on secondary features and means of booking<br />
them to extract the utmost in revenue. Advantages<br />
of personal appearances at premieres<br />
and roadshow openings, and special<br />
treatment for advanced-price bookings, were<br />
detailed by Thornton Sargent, public relations<br />
director.<br />
20th-Fox Calls Exhibitors<br />
To Merchandising Forum<br />
Spyros P. Skouras at a press meeting In New York announces plans for the forthcoming<br />
merchandising conference in Chicago, March 8, 9.<br />
NEW YORK—How to stimulate theatre<br />
attendance with the full cooperation of exhibitors<br />
will be the topic of an open forum<br />
discussion to be conducted by 20th Century-<br />
Fox at the Drake hotel, Chicago, March 8, 9.<br />
The gathering will be patterned after the<br />
merchandising conferences held by Charles<br />
Einfeld during July last year and on January<br />
25-27 this year, but the scope of the<br />
discussion will be broadened and exhibitors<br />
will be invited, instead of confining the program<br />
to advertising representatives.<br />
Representatives of large and small circuits;<br />
independent operators, both large and small;<br />
trade leaders from the TOA, Allied and<br />
PCCITO, and representatives of the tradepress<br />
will be invited.<br />
Sp3Tos P. Skouras, company president, will<br />
preside. His aim will be to present all the<br />
current problems of exhibition, excluding<br />
trade practices, and to secure a free discussion<br />
of what can be done not only to<br />
halt the decline in attendance, but also to<br />
put it back on the road upward.<br />
The company representatives will present<br />
a plan for encouraging and re-vitalizing<br />
showmanship methods, based on the problems<br />
and conclusions formed after the recent merchandising<br />
meetings. A number of well-known<br />
men will be asked to speak.<br />
The agenda will include discussions of<br />
showmanship; the merits of saturation bookings;<br />
institutional merchandising for the<br />
benefit of the individual exhibitor and of<br />
the industry as a whole.<br />
Methods for attracting new audiences will<br />
be presented. Included in this category will<br />
be practical methods for building a future<br />
audience through children's matinees, student<br />
admissions, and other activities aimed<br />
at increasing youth attendance.<br />
Skouras emphasizes that this will not be<br />
a gathering "for the glorification of 20th<br />
Century-Fox, but an effort conducted on a<br />
high plane to benefit the business."<br />
Three 20th-Fox vice-presidents—Andy W.<br />
Smith jr., Al Lichtman and Charles Einfeld<br />
—will be among the speakers.<br />
Invitations wired by Skouras read:<br />
"In the interest of closer relationship with<br />
you and for greater patronage for all theatres,<br />
I want to invite you most cordially to<br />
be our guest at a two-day meeting to be<br />
held March 8, 9 at the Drake hotel in Chicago.<br />
A definite practical plan will be laid<br />
before you at that time for increasing audience<br />
attendance through showmanship and<br />
merchandising ideas carefully compiled by<br />
us, and we want your own ideas and help<br />
in putting a program into effect for better<br />
boxoffice results. I earnestly hope you will<br />
join us in Chicago.<br />
"This meeting is in line with the letter<br />
and spirit of our clear statement of policy<br />
of last May. We have attempted in every<br />
way to give full effect to this policy by<br />
striving to create greater public interest in<br />
your theatres and in motion pictures. In line<br />
with this, we inaugurated a series of showmanship<br />
and merchandising meetings, the<br />
first of which was held July 27, 1949, and<br />
another January 24 of this year, attended<br />
by theatre advertising men. These meetings<br />
were an unparalleled success. It was made<br />
clear to us at every stage that certain positive<br />
efforts can be made by all of us to<br />
widen public interest in motion pictures.<br />
"We are taking another logical step by<br />
asking more than 200 leading exhibitors to<br />
join in a realistic discussion of showmanship<br />
possibilities. We believe this will be<br />
the greatest assemblage of representative<br />
exhibitors of large and small circuits and<br />
large and small independents from both the<br />
United States and Canada that this company<br />
has ever sponsored. We believe further that<br />
the plans we will present will be of great<br />
and lasting benefit since you constitute the<br />
best showmanship minds in our business.<br />
Also we want to offer something very tangible<br />
to all our customers in appreciation of your<br />
support and cooperation in the past."<br />
14 BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950
'"KS„,?05< DAILY<br />
71 X<br />
NEWS<br />
THF „„'^-"^«R^..HAN<br />
•—<br />
X<br />
^^^<br />
hibitors in this area ttt^'"""? 400 exthe<br />
annual<br />
membershr ^""ounced<br />
the at<br />
independent<br />
ftZ "'^''^''S of Allied<br />
tion) held yesterday at Trl'^^^^^i^a<br />
•<br />
Asked<br />
;, what comnfn<br />
*^ ^^oadwood<br />
the most valuable t^f"^ * P^°^"ct was<br />
^^'erwheln.ingfy for<br />
'"^^ po'f^?^" voTed<br />
«^^ing the studfo a L .* Century-Fox<br />
^<br />
HELP REPEAL THE 20% TAX<br />
ON YOUR MOVIE TICKET!<br />
"T^iLte^/f^gU^^ii^^ Fo^ OMnedo^i
Republic;<br />
Walt<br />
'<br />
Academy Picks Nominees<br />
For Annual Awards<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Filmdom's annual glamorfest,<br />
the Academy of Motion Picture Arts<br />
and Sciences' Oscar sweepstakes, passed the<br />
three-quarter mark in its 22nd yearly running<br />
with the disclosure of nominations for<br />
the 1949 "Awards of Merit." The nominations<br />
were made by approximately 10,950 industry<br />
members and will be voted upon from<br />
February 28 through March 14 by some 1,900<br />
members of the Academy, Winners will be<br />
announced March <strong>23</strong> in presentation ceremonies<br />
at the Pantages Theatre.<br />
Here are the official candidates:<br />
BEST PICTURE— "AH the King's Men," Columbia;<br />
"Batlleg.-ound," MGM; "The Heiress," Paramount;<br />
"A Letter to Three Wives" and "Twelve O'Clock<br />
High," both 20th Century-Fox.<br />
BEST PEHFORMANCE, ACTOR — Broderick Crawlord,<br />
"All the King's Men," Columbia; Kirk Douglas,<br />
"Champion," Screen Plays-United Artists; Gregory<br />
Peck, "Twelve O'Clock High," 20th Century-Fox;<br />
Richard Todd, "The Hasty Heart." 'Warners; John<br />
Wayne, "Sands of Iwo Jima," Republic.<br />
BEST PEHFORMANCE, ACTRESS — Jeanne Crain,<br />
Pinky," 20th Century-Fox; Olivia DeHavilland, "The<br />
Heiress," Paramount; Susan Hayward, "My Foolish<br />
Heart," Samuel Goldwyn-RKO Radio; Deborah Kerr,<br />
"Edward, My Son," MGM; Loretta Young, "Come to<br />
the Stable," 20th Century-Fox.<br />
BEST PERFORMANCE. SUPPORTING ACTOR—John<br />
Ireland, "All the King's Men," Columbia; Dean Jogger,<br />
"Twelve O'Clock High," 20th Century-Fox;<br />
Arthur Kennedy, "Champion," Screen Plays-UA;<br />
Ralph Richatdson, "The Heiress," Paramount; Jcnnes<br />
Whilmore, "Battleground," MGM.<br />
BEST PERFORMANCE. SUPPORTING ACTRESS—<br />
Ethel Barrymore, "Pmky," 20th Century-Fox; Celeste<br />
Holm, "Come to the Stable," 20th Century-Fox; Elsa<br />
Lomchesler, "Come to the Stable," 20th Century<br />
Fox; Mercedes McCambridge, King's Men,'<br />
"All the<br />
Columbia; Ethel Waters, "Pinky," 20th Century-Fox<br />
BEST DIRECTORIAL ACHIEVEMENT—Robert Ros<br />
sen, "All the King's Men," Columbia; William A<br />
WellmOn, "Battleground," MGM; Carol Reed, "The<br />
Fallen Idol," a London Films production, distributed<br />
by Selznick Releasing Organizaticm; William Wyler,<br />
"The Heiress," Pcnamount; Joseph L. Mankiewicz,<br />
"A Letter to Three Wives," 20th Century-Fox.<br />
BEST MOTION PICTURE STORY (as written lor the<br />
screen, not previously published or produced in any<br />
other medium)—Clare Boolhe Luce, "Come to the<br />
Stable," 20th Century-Fox; Shirley W. Smith and<br />
Valentine Davies, "It Happens Every Spring," 20th<br />
Century-Fox; Harry Brown, "Sands of Iwo Jima,"<br />
Republic; Douglas Morrow, "The Stratton Story"<br />
MGM; Virginia Kellogg, "White Heat," Warners.<br />
BEST SCREENPLAY—Robert Rossen, ""All the King's<br />
Men,'' Columbia; Cesare Zcrvattini, "The Bicycle<br />
Thief," De Sica Production Co., Mayer-Burstyn<br />
(Italian); Carl Foreman, ""Chcrmpion.'" Screen Plays-<br />
UA; Graham Greene, ""The Fallen Idol," London<br />
Films-SRO; Joseph L. Mankiewicz, "A Letter to Three<br />
Wives," 20th Century-Fox.<br />
BEST STORY AND SCREENPLAY (honoring writers<br />
who have developed their own motion picture stories<br />
into screenplay form)—Robert Pirosh, ""Battleground,"<br />
MGM; Sidney Buchman, ""Jolson Sings Again"" Co<br />
lumbia; Alfred Hayes, Federico Fellini. Sergio Amidei<br />
Marcello Pagliero, Roberto Rossellini, "Paisan,"" c<br />
Roberto Rossellini production, Mayer-Burstyn (Ital<br />
lan); T. E. B. Clarke, ""Passport to Pimlico," J.<br />
Arthur Rank-Eagle Uon (British); Helen Levitt, Janice<br />
Loeb, Sidney Meyers, ""The Quiet One,"" Film Documents-Mayer-Burstyn.<br />
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY, black-cffld-white — Paul<br />
C. Vogel, ""Battleground," MGM; Frank Planer,<br />
"Champion,"" Screen Plays-UA; Joseph LaShelle,<br />
"Come to the Stable," 20th Century-Fox; Leo Tover,<br />
The Heiress," Paramount; Leon Shamroy ""Prince<br />
of Foxes," 20th Century-Fox.<br />
Little and Paul S. Fox. John Meehan and Harry<br />
Horner, "'The Heiress,'" Paramount; set decoration,<br />
Emile Kuri. Cedric Gibbons and Jack Martin Smith,<br />
"Madame Bovary,"' MGM; set decoration, Edwin B.<br />
Willis and Richard A. Pefferle.<br />
BEST ART DIRECTION. COLOR—Edward Correre.<br />
"Adventures of Don Juan," Warners; set decoration,<br />
Lyle Reifsnider. Cedric Gibbons and Paul Groesse,<br />
"Little Women,"' MGM; set decorcrtion, Edwin B.<br />
Willis and Jack D. Moore. Jim Morahan and William<br />
Kellner, ""Saraband,"" J. Arthur Rank-Eagle Lion<br />
(British).<br />
BEST COSTUME DESIGN, black-and-white—Edith<br />
Head, ""The Heiress,"" Paramount; Vittorio Nino<br />
Novarese, ""Prince of Foxes,"' 20th Century-Fox.<br />
BEST COSTUME DESIGN, color — Leah Rhodes<br />
""Adventures of Don Juan," Warners; Kay Nelson<br />
"'Mother Is a Freshman,"" 20th Century-Fox.<br />
BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT—"A Chance<br />
to Live," March of Time, Richard DeRochemont producer,<br />
20th Century-Fox; ""1848," A. F. Films, Inc.,<br />
French Cinema General Cooperative; ""The Rising<br />
Tide,"" National Film Board of Canada, St. Francis-<br />
Xovier University. Antigonish, Nova Scotia, producer;<br />
"So Much for So Little,"" Warner Bros. Cartoons, Inc<br />
Ed-ward Selzer, producer.<br />
Dmitri Tiomkin,<br />
?fP\ "Champion," Screen Plays-<br />
UA; Aaron Copland, "The Heiress,"' Paramount.<br />
BEST SONG (written for and/or first used in a<br />
motion picture)— "Baby, It"s Cold Outside "" from<br />
"Neptune's Daughter," MGM, music and lyrics by<br />
Frank Loesser; "lt"s a Great Feeling,'" from "It's<br />
a Grecrt Feeling," Warners, music by Jule Styne<br />
lyrics by Sammy Cahn; "Lavender Blue,"' from ""So<br />
Dear "<br />
to My Heart, Disney-RKO Radio, music<br />
by Ehot Daniel, lyrics by Larry Morey; "My Foolish<br />
Heart," from ""My Foolish Heart,"" Goldwyn-RKO<br />
Radio, music by Victor Young, lyrics by Ned Washington;<br />
""Through a Long and Sleepless Night,"" from<br />
Come to the Stable,"" 20th Century-Fox, music by<br />
Alfred Newman, lyrics by Mack Gordon.<br />
BEST CARTOON-" "Canary Row,"" Warners; "Magic<br />
I- hike. United Productions ol America-Columbia-<br />
For Scent-Imental Reasons," Warners; "Hatch Up<br />
Your Troubles,"" MGM; ""Toy Tinkers,"" Disney-RKO<br />
BEST ONE-REEL SHORT-"Aquatic House Party"<br />
Paramount; "Roller Derby Girt,"' Paramount- "So<br />
^°' Guilty,"<br />
X?'',J^.'",';,'^°"''® Warners; ""Spills and<br />
Chills, Warners; "Water Trix,"' MGM-Pete Smith.<br />
u^S^l<br />
TWO-REEL SHORT—"Boy and the Eagle,""<br />
HKO Radio; "Chase of Death," Irving Allen Productions;<br />
"The Grass Is Always Greener," Warners-<br />
Snow Carnival,"" Warners; '"Van Gogh," Cinema<br />
Distributors.<br />
BEST ACHIEVEMENT BY A STUDIO SOUND DE-<br />
PARTMENT-"Once More, My Darling," Universal-<br />
International; ""Sands of IVo Jijna Republic<br />
"Twelve " O'Clock High," 20th Century-Fox.<br />
special<br />
jI^^^o<br />
EFFECTS-" 'Mighty Joe Young,"<br />
ARKO Productions-RKO Radio; "Tulsa " Walter Wanger<br />
Pictures-Eagle Lion.<br />
The presentation ceremonies March <strong>23</strong> will<br />
be broadcast via the ABC network and shortwaved<br />
by the Armed Forces Radio Service.<br />
All nominated pictures will be screened at<br />
the Academy Award Theatre beginning February<br />
20.<br />
Johnny Green, music department chief at<br />
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY, color—Harry Stradling<br />
"The Barkleys of Broadway,"" MGM; William Snyder,<br />
"Jolson Sings Again," Columbia; Robert Planck and<br />
Charles Schoenbaum, ""Little Women," MGM; Charles<br />
G. Clarke, "Sand," 20th Cenlury-Fox; Winton Hoch,<br />
"She Wore a Yellow Ribbon."' Argosy Pictures-RKO MGM and general director of the Oscar ceremonies,<br />
has<br />
BEST<br />
appointed<br />
BLACK-AND-WHITE ART DIRECTION —<br />
Robert Lyle<br />
Emmet Dolan<br />
Wheeler and Joseph music C. Wright, ""Come<br />
director<br />
to the<br />
and Vincente Minnelli stage<br />
Stable,"" 20th Century-Fox; set decoration, T'homas director.<br />
'Stratton Story' Gets<br />
1950 Photoplay Medal<br />
HOLLYWOOD—With some 600 industry<br />
luminaries in attendance and amid newsreel<br />
and radio coverage, Photoplay JVIagazine<br />
passed out its Gold Medals for film achievement<br />
during 1949 at an elaborate banquet<br />
staged February 13 at the Beverly Hills hotel.<br />
The winners:<br />
"Most enjoyed" picture—MGM's "The<br />
Stratton Story." Its star, James Stewart, was<br />
named the year's most popular actor, while<br />
Jane Wyman, for her performance in Warners'<br />
"Johnny Belinda." was acclaimed most<br />
popular actress. Gold Medals went also to<br />
Jack Cummings, who produced "The Stratton<br />
Story," its co-authors, Douglas Morrow<br />
and Guy Trosper, and, posthumously, to its<br />
director, Sam Wood.<br />
Runnerups for the "most enjoyed" picture<br />
classification included "Champion," "Home<br />
of the Brave" and "Red River," United Artists:<br />
"House of Strangers," "I Was a Male<br />
War Bride" and "Mr. Belvedere Goes to<br />
College," 20th Century-Fox; "Little Women"<br />
and "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," MGM;<br />
BEST FEATURE-LENGTH DOCUMENTARY — "Daybreak<br />
in Udi," British Information Services; Crown Medals went also to June AUyson, for "Lit-<br />
and "Johnny Belinda." Warners.<br />
Film Unit, producer. "Kenji Comes Home," Protestant<br />
Film Commission, Paul F. Heard, producer.<br />
tle Women," Olivia DeHavilland, for "The<br />
BEST FILM EDITING—<br />
Snake Pit," Ingrid Bergman (in absentia) for<br />
Robert Parrish and Al Clark,<br />
All the King's Men,"" Columbia; John Dunning, "Joan of Arc," and Loretta Young, for<br />
"Battleground," MGM; Harry Gerstqd, "Champion "<br />
"Mother Is a Freshman." Honored in the<br />
Screen Plays-UA; Richard L. Van Enger, "Sands of<br />
"<br />
Iwo Jima, Frederic Knudtson, ""The Window,"<br />
RKO Radio.<br />
"Champion," Cary Grant, for "I Was a Male<br />
masculine category were Kirk Douglas, for<br />
OUTSTANDING MUSICAL ACHIEVEMENT — Morris War Bride," Bob Hope, for "Sorrowful Jones,"<br />
Stoloft and George Duning, "Jolson Sings Again '"<br />
and William<br />
Columbia; Ray<br />
Bendix, for "The Life of Riley."<br />
Heindori, "Look for the Silver Uning!"<br />
Warners; Roger Edens and Lennie Hayton, "On the Winners were selected on the basis of a<br />
Town," MGM.<br />
series of national polls among theatre audiences.<br />
Pictures released after Nov. 1. 1949,<br />
BEST MUSICAL SCORE OF A DRAMATIC OR COM-<br />
EDY FILM—Max Steiner, "Beyond the Forest,"" War- were not eligible.<br />
National Board of Review<br />
Selects Seven Features<br />
NEW YORK—Five American pictures and<br />
two foreign-made were given selected features<br />
rating by the National Board of Review<br />
in the weekly guide to selected films.<br />
The American pictures were: "The Blonde<br />
Bandit" (Rep), "Chain Lightning" (WB),<br />
"Cowboy and the Prizefighter" (EL), "Nancy<br />
Goes to Rio" (MGM), and "Three Came<br />
Home" (20th-Fox). The others were: "The<br />
Glass Mountain," British film released by<br />
Eagle Lion, and "Her Wonderful Lie," Italian<br />
picture released by Columbia.<br />
Short subjects given special mention were:<br />
"The Big Drip," "The Husky Parade" and<br />
"Snow Pooling" (Para).<br />
United Artists to Handle<br />
Michelangelo Feature<br />
NEW YORK—United Artists has acquired<br />
the distribution rights to "The Titan—the<br />
Story of Michelangelo," from Robert Flaherty,<br />
according to Paul N. Lazarus jr., executive<br />
assistant to Gradwell L. Sears.<br />
"The Titan," which is now in its fifth week<br />
at the Little Carnegie Theatre, will be handled<br />
by the UA "Henry "V" unit, headed by<br />
Capt. Harold Auten and Howard Kohn. The<br />
picture was filmed by Curtis Certel, Swiss<br />
producer, and re-edited here by Robert Snyder,<br />
Richard Lyford and Norman Borisoff<br />
with an added musical score and narration<br />
by Predric March.<br />
16<br />
BOXOFTICE :: February 18. 1950
50 WEST THE AA-G-M WAY!<br />
rHE OUTRIDERS<br />
It's<br />
It's<br />
It's<br />
It's<br />
It's<br />
the Great Magazine Serial!<br />
TECHNICOLOR!<br />
Spectacular!<br />
M-G-M's Mighty Romance!<br />
a SUPER-WESTERN!<br />
•NTA<br />
TON<br />
FALO<br />
RLOTTE<br />
:«G0<br />
:iNNATI<br />
VEIAND<br />
LAS<br />
VER<br />
MOINES<br />
ROIT<br />
lANAPOUS<br />
SASCITY<br />
ANGEIES<br />
(«fH<br />
PLACE<br />
20th- Fox Screen Room<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room<br />
M-G-M Screen Room<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room<br />
H. C. Igel's Screen Roonl<br />
RKO Palace BIdg. Sc. Rm.<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room<br />
Paramount Screen Room<br />
20th- Fox Screen Room<br />
MaxBlumenthal's Sc. Rm<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room<br />
20th- Fox Screen Room<br />
20th- Fox Screen Room<br />
ADDRESS<br />
1052 Broadway<br />
197 Walton St., N. W.<br />
46 Church Street<br />
290 Franklin Street<br />
308 S. Church Street<br />
1301 S. Wabash Ave.<br />
16 East Sixth Street<br />
2219 Payne Ave.<br />
1803 Wood Street<br />
2100 Stout Street<br />
1300 High Street<br />
<strong>23</strong>10 Cass Avenue<br />
326 No. Illinois St.<br />
1720 Wyandotte St.<br />
2019 S. Vermont Ave.<br />
151 Vance Avenue<br />
3/3<br />
3/3<br />
3/3<br />
3/3<br />
3/3<br />
3/3<br />
3/3<br />
3/3<br />
3/3<br />
3/3<br />
3/3<br />
3/3<br />
3/3<br />
3/3<br />
3/3<br />
3/3<br />
TIME<br />
2 P.M.<br />
2 P.M.<br />
2 P.M.<br />
2 P.M.<br />
1 :30 P.M.<br />
1 30 P.M.<br />
8 P.M.<br />
1 P.M.<br />
2:30 P.M.<br />
2 P.M.<br />
1 P.M.<br />
1 30 P.M.<br />
1 P.M.<br />
1 ;30 P.M.<br />
10;30 A.M.<br />
10 A.M.<br />
CITV<br />
MILWAUKEE<br />
MINNEAPOLIS<br />
NEW HAVEN<br />
NEW ORLEANS<br />
NEW YORK. N.J<br />
OKLAHOMA CITY<br />
OMAHA<br />
PHILADELPHIA<br />
PITTSBURGH<br />
PORTLAND<br />
ST LOUIS<br />
SALT LAKE CITY<br />
SAN FRANCISCO<br />
SEATTLE<br />
WASHINGTON<br />
PLACE<br />
Warner Screen Room<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room<br />
20th- Fox Screen Room<br />
20th- Fox Screen Room<br />
M-G-M Screen Room<br />
20th- Fox Screen Room<br />
20th- Fox Screen Room<br />
M-G-M Screen Room<br />
M-G-M Screen Room<br />
B. F. Shearer Screen Rn<br />
S'Renco Art Theatre<br />
20th- Fox Screen Room<br />
20th. Fox Screen Room<br />
Jewel Box Preview Thea,<br />
20th- Fox Screen Room<br />
ADDRESS<br />
212 W. Wisconsin Ave.<br />
1015 Currie Avenue<br />
40 Whiting Street<br />
200 S. Liberty St.<br />
630 Ninth Avenue<br />
10 North Lee Street<br />
1502 Davenport St.<br />
1<strong>23</strong>3 Summer Street<br />
16<strong>23</strong> Blvd. of Allies<br />
1947 N. W. Kearney St.<br />
3143 Olive Street<br />
216 E. First St., So.<br />
245 Hyde Street<br />
<strong>23</strong>18 Second Ave.<br />
932 New Jersey, N. W.<br />
1:30 P.M.<br />
2 P.M.<br />
2 P.M.<br />
1:30 P.M.<br />
3:30 P.M.<br />
1 P.M.<br />
1 P.M.<br />
11 A.M.<br />
2 P.M.<br />
2 P.M.<br />
1 P.M.<br />
1 P.M.<br />
1:30 P.M.<br />
1 P.M.<br />
2 P.M.<br />
VI-G-M presents "THE OUTRIDERS' Starring JOEL McCREA • with ARLENE DAHL • BARRY SULLIVAN • CLAUDE JARMAN, JR.<br />
'AMES WHITMORE • RAMON NOVARRO • Color by TECHNICOLOR • Story and Screen Play by Irving Ravetch • Directed by<br />
Produced by RICHARD GOLDSTONE • A Metro-Goidwyn-Mayer Picture<br />
ROY ROWLAND •<br />
"Brotherhood—For Peace And Freedom"
UA Supporting COMPO;<br />
Aid to Independents<br />
NEW YORK—A decision by United Artists<br />
to join the framework of COMPO and support<br />
it financially, made during the week, will<br />
have important bearing on the attitude of<br />
independent producers who are to be polled<br />
on the question of ratification by the Society<br />
of Independent Motion Picture Producers<br />
Ass'n because some of them release through<br />
UA.<br />
The company's decision, made public by<br />
Paul N. Lazarus jr.. executive assistant to<br />
President Gradwell Sears, in advance of<br />
SIMPP voting, makes clear just what policy<br />
the company will follow. It suggests a pattern<br />
for other distributors not affiliated with<br />
MPAA which also handle independent product<br />
and serves to clarify the involved situation<br />
in which independents have found<br />
themselves.<br />
Lazarus said UA cannot become a charter<br />
member of COMPO because it is affiliated<br />
with neither MPAA nor SIMPP. but as a<br />
member of the National Distributor committee,<br />
which has approved the COMPO financing<br />
plan, it will become an industry<br />
member.<br />
UA's distributor contribution to COMPO<br />
will be based on its distribution arrangement<br />
with producers. If a contract calls for 30<br />
per cent of a picture's revenue to go to UA<br />
and 70 per cent to the producer. UA will back<br />
COMPO with three per cent, leaving the<br />
producer with the responsibility, if he accepts<br />
it. for paying COMPO seven per cent. The<br />
feeling around UA was that the producer will<br />
not interpose any objection.<br />
As the COMPO financing plan has been<br />
considered by different organizations, a number<br />
of unexpected problems have come to the<br />
surface regarding allotment of contributions.<br />
The statement by Lazarus, in behalf of Sears,<br />
clears up one that has been commented on<br />
by Ellis Arnall. head of SIMPP, and which<br />
concerned producers and distributors not<br />
under the aegis of MPAA. Arnall suggested<br />
the same percentage of division now UA<br />
policy.<br />
UA has still another problem to iron out<br />
regarding its COMPO-financing agreement<br />
with independent producers. Lazarus said, but<br />
he thought it will be far from insurmountable.<br />
It has to do with contracts with banks<br />
supplying "first money," which stipulate that<br />
they be paid off first on their loans to producers.<br />
Lazarus felt that the banks will be<br />
willing to let the COMPO money be deducted<br />
first so there will be no delay in financing<br />
COMPO. He also felt that UA will be willing<br />
to make its proportionate contribution even<br />
though a producer objects to contributing.<br />
Paramount Sets Up Zoning Plan<br />
To Speed Reissue Distribution<br />
NEW YORK—A.<br />
W. Schwalberg. president cer" will be rereleased in the east zone during<br />
of Paramount Distributing Corp.. has developed<br />
what he calls a "bi-zonal " plan to "Wake Island' and "So Proudly We Hail"<br />
March and in the west zone during June.<br />
secure better distribution of reissues. The will be rereleased in the west zone during<br />
country is divided into an east and a west March and the east zone during June.<br />
zone, with separate release dates. This will<br />
give each zone a full supply of prints.<br />
The plan was developed during discussions 13 Lipped Productions<br />
among department executives.<br />
The east zone includes branches in the<br />
In Early Release Dates<br />
eastern and southern divisions headed by HOLLYWOOD — Lippert Productions will<br />
Hugh Owen and the mideastern division release 13 features during the next four<br />
headed by H. H. Goldstein. The branch months, more than double the number ever<br />
cities in this zone are: New York. Albany, Atlanta,<br />
Boston. Buffalo. Charlotte. Jackson-<br />
Since June 1. 1949. marking the beginning<br />
distributed previously in a similar period.<br />
ville. New Haven. New Orleans. Cleveland. of the company's production year. 17 pictures<br />
Cincinnati. Detroit. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh have already been released. The 1949-50<br />
and Washington.<br />
schedule calls for 33 features.<br />
The west zone takes in the central division For the upcoming four-month period beginning<br />
March 1 the films to go into distribu-<br />
headed by J. j. Donohue. the south central<br />
division headed by M. R. "Duke" Clark and tion include:<br />
the western division in charge of George A. "The Baron of Arizona," to be world premiered<br />
in Phoenix March 1, with national<br />
Smith. The exchange cities are: Chicago.<br />
Des Moines. Indianapolis. Milwaukee. Minneapolis.<br />
Omaha. Dallas. Kansas City. Mem-<br />
Agent," March 17; "Hostile Country," March<br />
release set for March 4: "Western Pacific<br />
phis. Oklahoma City. St. Louis, Los Angeles. 24; "Everybody's Dancin'." March 31; "Marshal<br />
of Heldorado." April 7; "Colorado<br />
Denver. Portland. Salt Lake City, San Francisco<br />
and Seattle.<br />
Ranger." April 21; "Operation Haylift." April<br />
The first pictures to be rereleased under 28; "Crooked River." May 5; "Highway<br />
the plan are: "Beau Geste," "Lives of a Bengal<br />
Lancer," "Wake Island" and "So Proudly 19; "None Came Back," May 26; "West of the<br />
Patrol." May 12; "Fast on the Draw," May<br />
We Hail."<br />
Brazos," June 2, and "Hollywood Holiday,"<br />
"Beau Geste" and "Lives of a Bengal Lan-<br />
June 16.<br />
.ecececa > ><br />
^^aa^ed<br />
STROMBOLI (RKO)—Undoubtedly the business<br />
that can be done with this is not so<br />
much dependent upon the merits of the picture<br />
but upon how ticket -buyers react to<br />
the precedentially publicized Bergman-<br />
Rossellini affair and how far the individual<br />
exhibitor chooses to go in exploiting<br />
it. That the screaming, sensational headlines<br />
will spell capacity grosses in first runs<br />
seems inescapable. From then on, the film's<br />
fate probably will be a matter of geography.<br />
As a picture, it's no great shakes. There<br />
are four story and productional ingredients<br />
—the primitive, the emotional, the artistic<br />
and the documentary. None of them is<br />
thoroughly or consistently enough developed<br />
to carry the plot, which is as thin as a<br />
four-bit steak. Bergman's performance is<br />
characteristically excellent, just as good as<br />
her material permits, and the film affords<br />
some interesting sidelights of life on the<br />
rugged island. Roberto Rossellini produced<br />
and directed.<br />
GUNMEN OF ABILENE (Rep)— Rugged<br />
"Rocky" Lane rides, raids and 'restles his<br />
way through another set of stereotyped situations<br />
and adventures—this time for a<br />
gold mine. Rates fair entertainment. Allan<br />
Lane, Eddy Waller, Roy Barcroft, Donna<br />
Hamilton. Directed by Fred C. Brannon.<br />
These reviews will appear in full in<br />
a forthcoming issue of Boxoffice.<br />
Warners Quarterly Income<br />
Rises From 1948 Figure<br />
NEW YORK—Net profit of Warner Bros<br />
Pictures, Inc.. for the three months ending<br />
Nov. 26. 1949. was $3,189,<strong>000</strong> after provision<br />
of $2,200,<strong>000</strong> for federal income taxes and<br />
$250,<strong>000</strong> for contingent liabilities.<br />
For the same period in 1948 the net was<br />
$3,093,<strong>000</strong>.<br />
The three-month profit for the quarter in<br />
1949 was equivalent to 43 cents per share on<br />
the 7,298,<strong>000</strong> shares of common outstanding.<br />
For the same period the previous year it<br />
was 42 cents.<br />
Film rentals, theatre admissions, sales, etc..<br />
after eliminating inter-company transactions,<br />
for the three months ending Nov. 26 totaled<br />
$32,712,<strong>000</strong>. compared with $33,734,<strong>000</strong> for the<br />
corresponding period the previous year.<br />
At a meeting of the directors held Friday<br />
(lOi a dividend of 25 cents per share was declared<br />
on the common payable April 5 to<br />
stockholders of record March 3, 1950.<br />
Nat Holt Will Make Three<br />
For Paramount Release<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Nat Holt, former RKO circuit<br />
executive and later a producer for that<br />
company, has been inked to produce two outdoor<br />
action pictures for Paramount during<br />
the coming year. Holt recently completed a<br />
three-picture commitment whereby his independent<br />
unit — delivered three action dramas<br />
to 20th-Fox "Canadian Pacific." "Fighting<br />
Man of the Plains" and. to be released this<br />
summer, "The Cariboo Trail." Titles of his<br />
pair for Paramount are now being set.<br />
18 BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950
3.184 THEATRES<br />
HAVE BOUGHT<br />
JOLSQN IN THE<br />
LAST 30<br />
lOLSON SINGS<br />
OIN'still heading<br />
he box-office parade<br />
A COLUMBIA PICTURE
THctt a«td S^^i^Ht^<br />
Antitrust Decision<br />
gOILED right down to essentials, lawyers<br />
agree, the latest decision of the threejudge<br />
expediting court in the antitrust case<br />
is an order to submit to divorcement and to<br />
present plans which the three remaining<br />
theatre-owning defendants think wiU carry<br />
out the mandate of the Supreme Court.<br />
Two decisions were handed down—one<br />
for 20th-Fox, Warner Bros, and Loew's,<br />
Inc., and the other for United Artists, Columbia<br />
and Universal-International.<br />
The Little Three are now virtually out<br />
of the case with a strict code of trade practices<br />
which does not include the product<br />
franchises sought by this group.<br />
The theatre-owning companies can take<br />
six months to submit divorcement plans<br />
and the Department of Justice can take<br />
another three months to criticize them,<br />
with three years allowed thereafter to carry<br />
them out, but none are expected to do so.<br />
A Warner consent decree arrangement<br />
is far advanced and some progress has been<br />
made on one for 20th-Fox. Loew's, Inc., is<br />
the only company to indicate it will appeal,<br />
although it was earlier believed that no<br />
appeal would be taken because the court<br />
has indicated a willingness to hold further<br />
hearings and it has been cooperative with<br />
RKO in granting extensions on certain<br />
phases of its consent decree.<br />
Minor phases of the case probably will<br />
be in court for several years, but the general<br />
principle that there will be divorcement<br />
with no more closed towns probably<br />
will stick indefinitely.<br />
Parking Center on Way<br />
JlJOW we are to have parking centers, in<br />
addition to shopping centers, but not<br />
out in the country, or in spots close to new<br />
housing developments. This latest pursuit<br />
of the automobile trade will be right in the<br />
center of Mt. Vernon, N. Y., and may set a<br />
pattern for others of a similar type along<br />
railroads with heavy suburban commuting<br />
traffic.<br />
New railroad stations outside of large<br />
cities are scarce in the United States. Most<br />
of them were built in the horse and carriage<br />
era and have considerable parking<br />
space, because communities tended to develop<br />
away from the smoky, noisy railroad<br />
properties.<br />
Then came electric commuting zones on<br />
four raih-oads out of New York and one<br />
each out of Chicago and Philadelphia, followed<br />
by introduction of the quiet Diesel<br />
engine on others. More significant still, in<br />
commuting areas a large percentage of the<br />
male population motored to the stations<br />
and parked cars for the day on railroad<br />
property.<br />
In one-car families the wife had to drive<br />
her husband to the station when she<br />
wanted to use the car during the day, or go<br />
down to the station in a bus or taxi. The<br />
net result has been that hundreds of stations<br />
are traffic focal centers in heavUy<br />
populated areas.<br />
The New Haven Railroad gets credit for<br />
some fresh thinking on the subject. It approached<br />
the city administration of Mt.<br />
-By JAMES M. JERAULD<br />
Vernon and received cooperation. Within<br />
a few months there will be a new station, a<br />
theatre, restaurant, a series of stores, indoor<br />
parking for both cars and busesmany<br />
of the facilities common to big terminals.<br />
The interesting angle for exhibitors lies<br />
in the fact that there are a couple of hundred<br />
of these sites in the northeastern<br />
section of the country.<br />
Public Reactions<br />
gEFORE the end of the week RKO and the<br />
rest of the industry will know how the<br />
moviegoing public is reacting to "Stromboli"<br />
and Ingrid Bergman.<br />
"It's all a matter of sympathy," is the<br />
way one distribution executive explains his<br />
belief that the picture will do a big business.<br />
When a person is the target for public<br />
criticism, he says, the reaction can snowball<br />
into an overwhelming public indignation<br />
or it can start a counter-reaction. He pointed<br />
out that when Mitchum permitted himself<br />
to be photographed on a prison farm<br />
the almost universal reaction among both<br />
men and women was:<br />
"Well, he can take<br />
it!"<br />
In the case of Ingrid Bergman feminine<br />
emotions are involved.<br />
Many men in this business who have<br />
talked with their wives or secretaries about<br />
the case have been surprised by the comment.<br />
Usually it is: "Perhaps she was unhappy."<br />
This may be completely illogical to the<br />
purists and those who feel the breath of<br />
scandal is damaging to the industry, but<br />
it is a factor to be reckoned with in assessing<br />
the commercial value of "Stromboli"<br />
and Miss Bergman's future as a star.<br />
Invitation Accepted<br />
^^^^HEN the representatives of women's organizations<br />
who make the joint estimates<br />
of motion pictures recently presented<br />
a plaque to Samuel Goldwyn, he delivered<br />
a graceful speech of acceptance in which<br />
he invited those present to go to Hollywood<br />
as his guests. He said he would pay all<br />
expenses. Some of the women just chuckled;<br />
others laughed audibly. Goldwyn repeated<br />
his invitation and said it should<br />
be taken literally.<br />
Sigmund Spaeth, representing the National<br />
Federation of Music Clubs, the only<br />
man present, later wrote to Goldwyn accepting<br />
the invitation and said he would<br />
like to make the trip next month. GoldwjTi<br />
replied that he would have to set the time<br />
for the trip and that it would have to be<br />
during some period when he was engaged in<br />
active production.<br />
Word spread among the women. There<br />
may be more acceptances.<br />
WB to Show 'Barricade'<br />
NEW YORK—"Barricade," a Warner Bros,<br />
feature in Technicolor starring Dane Clark,<br />
Ruth Roman, Raymond Massey and Claude<br />
Rains, will be tradeshown nationally March 6.<br />
The picture is set for April 1 release.<br />
Elect Rembusch Head<br />
Trueman Rembusch<br />
Of National Allied<br />
WASHINGTON—The Allied board of directors<br />
last week selected Trueman T. Rembusch,<br />
head of Associated<br />
Theatres of Indiana,<br />
to lead the national<br />
exhibitor association<br />
for the next<br />
year. Rembusch moved<br />
up from a spot as<br />
treasurer, with Charle.s<br />
Niles of Iowa succeeding<br />
him. Retiring president<br />
is William Ainsworth.<br />
Niles vacated the<br />
secretary's office,<br />
which went to Irving<br />
DoUinger of the New Jersey Allied unit, and<br />
Stanley D. Kane of North Central Allied<br />
remains as recording secretary.<br />
A. F. Myers continues as general counsel<br />
and chairman of the board, with indications<br />
that his tenure in these offices will be of<br />
indefinite duration. He was given a creamcolored<br />
Cadillac convertible, with red leather<br />
upholstery—at a Thursday night banquet of<br />
the board.<br />
Rembusch also will double as alternate to<br />
COMPO, now that Allied has formally ratified<br />
its participation in that organization,<br />
and Nathan Yamins of Boston will serve as<br />
his alternate. Rembusch and Niles will serve<br />
on the Caravan committee along with Col.<br />
H. A. Cole and Sidney Samuelson of Allied<br />
of Eastern Pennsylvania. Samuelson has resigned<br />
as chairman of the outdoor theatres<br />
committee, witli O. F. Sullivan of Wichita,<br />
Kas., taking over.<br />
The 1950 annual convention will be held<br />
in Pittsburgh October 2-4, with the board<br />
meeting for two days earlier. The board will<br />
meet next in Memphis, in mid-May.<br />
Allied Drive-In Confab<br />
In Kansas City May 8<br />
WASHINGTON — The first of a series of<br />
Allied regional conventions and equipment<br />
shows for drive-in operators is to be held in<br />
Kansas City May 8 in conjunction with the<br />
annual meeting of the Allied Theatres of<br />
Kansas and Missouri. Drive-in operators from<br />
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa. Nebraska, and the<br />
Rocky Mountain states have been invited.<br />
The drive-in confab in Kansas City precedes<br />
the launching of a major drive by Allied<br />
to sign up a large outdoor membership. Other<br />
regional drive-in meetings will be announced<br />
later.<br />
Allied Chairman Abram F. Myers indicated<br />
after the board meeting last week that the<br />
association may offer some sort of award to<br />
the E. M. Loew circuit for battling to Supreme<br />
Court victory the attempt of the Hollingshead<br />
interests to collect on ramp patents<br />
for drive-ins. The high court refused to review<br />
lower court rejection of the royalty<br />
claims, and the patent-holder has promised<br />
to file new suits against other drive-in operators.<br />
Have you ordered your taxation trailer and<br />
petition cards from National Screen Service?<br />
Do it today.<br />
20<br />
BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950
ROLLING UP UNPRECEDENTED<br />
BEST<br />
PICTURE OF YEAR<br />
SACRAMENTO<br />
BALTIMORE<br />
SPRINGFIELD (».ss,<br />
NEW ORLEANS<br />
OKLAHOMA CITY<br />
NEW LONDON<br />
CINCINNATI<br />
PROVIDENCE<br />
SPRINGFIELD (ill,<br />
SAN FRANCISCO<br />
DETROIT 3-A meks<br />
SEATTLE<br />
CHICAGO<br />
OAKLANO<br />
HOLYOKE<br />
SYRACUSE<br />
OMAHA<br />
NORFOLK<br />
FRESNO<br />
NEW YORK 12<br />
weeks<br />
COLUMBIA PICTURES presents<br />
ROBERT ROSSEN'S PRODUCTION<br />
AllThe<br />
Based upon the Pulitzer Prize Novel "All Ihe King's Men" by Robert Penn Warren<br />
Btodenck loanne lohn lohn Meicedes<br />
Wnllen Ihe Scfeen and by<br />
lot Diiecled<br />
WASHINGTON ,2 weeks<br />
and dated in<br />
more<br />
than^OOO'^^^'<br />
smrms
ROBABLY most persons in the motion<br />
picture business—as well as those who<br />
are not—are about fed up with the<br />
endless discussions anent I'affaire Bergman.<br />
Pew indeed the columnists and/or commentators,<br />
the living-room orators and the<br />
back-fence gossips who haven't either defended<br />
or damned the star. One pays one's<br />
money and takes one's choice as concerns<br />
La Bergman's morals, her lack of judgment,<br />
her bravery, her bad taste and other numerous<br />
controversial facets of her over-publicized<br />
romance and motherhood.<br />
But whether she be considered heroine or<br />
fool, sinner or sinned-against, there is no<br />
escaping that the most hazardous repercussion<br />
of the unsavory mess—as it affects the<br />
entire industry—is the trend in censorship<br />
which it has engendered.<br />
Sufficiently acute has been the industry's<br />
headaches over censorship by states and municipalities,<br />
religious and other groups. In<br />
virtually every instance, however, such<br />
damning or banning of motion pictures resulted<br />
from what was to be projected on the<br />
screen, not because of the private conduct<br />
of the person or persons who were active in<br />
making the product.<br />
There have been countless other scandals<br />
involving Hollywood prominents of both sexes<br />
and in various productional categories.<br />
Whether they stemmed from situations more<br />
or less heinous than the Bergman-Rossellini<br />
affair is, again, a matter of personal opinion.<br />
And some of them have generated some<br />
slight unofficial action by scattered groups or<br />
organizations which announced that their<br />
members would not patronize pictures in<br />
which the culprit appeared or upon which<br />
the offender worked.<br />
Never before has there been such widespread,<br />
concerted and official action to bar<br />
a picture—and, according to all reports<br />
"Stromboli," as a motion picture. Is entirely<br />
unobjectionable—because Its star has been<br />
tarred by the headlines of scandal.<br />
That, from an overall Industry perspective,<br />
is the most alarming phase of the Bergman<br />
predicament. If the mentors of films, official<br />
or unofficial, get Into the habit of barring<br />
motion pictures, no matter how wholesome,<br />
because of the private lives of the stars or<br />
other toilers in the celluloid vineyards, it<br />
conceivably can open a wide new vista of<br />
heckling, costly censorship and Intolerance.<br />
Easily within imagination is the possibility<br />
that the fanatical censorship fringe will start<br />
damning product every time one of Cinemania's<br />
pampered darlings gets out of line<br />
morally or socially. And, if past performances<br />
are in any way criterion, some one of<br />
them will always be stepping out of line.<br />
Natural enough would be the next step, the<br />
banning of pictures because of the race, religion<br />
or politics of their stars or producers.<br />
Assuming that the long-pull, overall interests<br />
of the motion picture industry can be<br />
best served if every member and branch<br />
thereof fights to limit censorship to what<br />
goes on the screen, it is a bit difficult to<br />
understand why certain theatre circuits and<br />
their executives are Issuing long and loud<br />
pronouncements that they will not permit<br />
"Stromboli" to be shown in their houses.<br />
Certainly it is their inaUenable right to buy<br />
the picture or reject it. F^irthermore, it is<br />
no one's business but their own whether their<br />
decision to forego the feature branches from<br />
sincere revulsion over La Bergman's private<br />
life or an opinion that her starring vehicle<br />
cannot possibly be a popular or profitable<br />
booking venture.<br />
But such decisions should be made and<br />
executed with a minimum of publicity. Otherwise<br />
it might develop that the holier-thanthou<br />
drumbeating may backfire, may build<br />
a Frankenstein of censorship from which<br />
they, as well as all others in the film business,<br />
will suffer.<br />
Despite all the furor over the Bergman<br />
affair, RKO Radio has bravely launched production<br />
on a short subject called "Waiting<br />
for Baby."<br />
And, in passing, shed a tear for poor Perry<br />
Lieber, praise chief of RKO Radio studio.<br />
Praise Pundit Perry has had more than his<br />
share of problem children during the past<br />
year. First Mitchum and reefers, now Bergman<br />
and baby.<br />
'TIS AN ILL WIND DEPARTMENT<br />
(Bob Lippert Division)<br />
The Bostonian mastermind bandits had<br />
hardly gotten out of their Halloween masks<br />
when Lippert Productions announced the<br />
purchase of an original story, "Boston Bank<br />
Robbery," by Edward Curtis.<br />
And the Brothers Warner girded their<br />
loins to make sure that Boston would not<br />
steal the limelight from Hollywood as the<br />
capital of opulence and superlatives. Out at<br />
Burbank. they announced that the current<br />
production, heretofore known as "The Million<br />
Dollar Bank Robbery," has been retitled<br />
"The Two Million Dollar Bank Robbery."<br />
Things-are-tough-all-over note from elegant<br />
Al Vaughan, who at last feport was<br />
still sitting on the studio publicity job at<br />
Samuel Goldwyn's:<br />
"Dana Andrews has his two yachts, an 85-<br />
foot ketch and a 55-foot cutter, up for sale.<br />
He doesn't want to part with both of them,<br />
but whichever one is sold first, he will keep<br />
the other."<br />
Producer Hal Wallis, currently filming "My<br />
Friend Irma Goes West" for Paramount release,<br />
booked Palmer Lee, a radio announcer<br />
from San Jose, Calif., for a role in the film<br />
because, Wallis decided, he possessed a soothing<br />
voice—the kind to calm a violent person<br />
—and thus fulfilled one of the principal requirements<br />
of the part, that of an asylum<br />
attendant.<br />
When his acting chore is done, Lee and<br />
his violent-persons-calming abilities could be<br />
useful in Norman Siegel's publicity department.<br />
Actors Guild Refuses<br />
Disciplinarian Role<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Something of a speed record<br />
in long-distance rebuttal was chalked<br />
up by the Screen Actors Guild in replying<br />
to a proposal by Gael Sullivan, executive<br />
secretary of the Theatre Owners of America,<br />
that the SAG should discipline its members<br />
who become engaged in public scandals.<br />
Sullivan<br />
made the suggestion at the Illinois<br />
UTO convention in Springfield.<br />
In a matter of hours the SAG had prepared<br />
and forwarded its reply, which was<br />
presented to the conventioneers by Actor<br />
Henry Wilcoxon, guest speaker at a banquet<br />
which concluded the UTO conclave.<br />
Contending that chastisement of erring<br />
stars by individual producers is "ineffective,"<br />
and that punishment by producers as a group<br />
"may well be a violation of the law," Sullivan<br />
had called upon the SAG to "work aggressively<br />
to advance the welfare of its worthy,<br />
conscientious members" by disciplining those<br />
members "whom they find to be fugitives<br />
from moral decency and offenders against<br />
good taste."<br />
The SAG, in a statement signed by President<br />
Ronald Reagan, promptly charged that<br />
SuUivan's proposal is "illegal," pointing out<br />
that the courts "have ruled consistently that<br />
a labor union has no authority to engage in<br />
such extra-curricular activity." Emphasizing<br />
that it does not "approve nor condone social<br />
misconduct by any actors—just as it does not<br />
approve nor condone social misconduct by<br />
engineers, architects, lawyers, newspapermen,<br />
theatre owners, carpenters or any other citizens<br />
engaged in any work or profession," the<br />
SAG submitted that actors as a group "are<br />
no different from any other group of average<br />
good citizens and workers."<br />
Erring thespians receive "a great deal more<br />
space in the press" than members of other<br />
professions or trades, the SAG statement<br />
added, because of the limelight and publicity<br />
which surround the screen and stage.<br />
However, the Guild asserted, the "very great<br />
majority" of actors are good citizens and<br />
are "much more interested in their eternal<br />
struggle for a UveUhood than they are in<br />
kicking over the traces of accepted social<br />
practice."<br />
The statement reiterated that the SAG,<br />
as a member of the AFL, has as its "sole<br />
purpose ... to advance the economic welfare<br />
of its members and handle their union<br />
affairs. The SAG cannot and will not establish<br />
a private court and prosecutor system<br />
nor any other witch-hunting plan to<br />
police the social behavior of its members.<br />
Mr. Gael Sullivan unfortunately overlooks<br />
or is unaware of the fact that his proposal<br />
is<br />
illegal."<br />
Cinecolor Re-Elects<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Officers and directors of<br />
the Cinecolor Corp. were re-elected at the<br />
company's annual stockholders meeting. Beginning<br />
new terms as officers are John D.<br />
Kerr, president: Karl Herzog, vice-president<br />
and treasurer; Alan M. Gundelfinger, vicepresident<br />
and technical director, and Graham<br />
L. Sterling jr., secretary.<br />
The board of directors comprises Kerr.<br />
Gundelfinger, Herzog, A. Pam Blumenthal, C.<br />
Kenneth Baxter, Francis Hann, Maxwell C.<br />
King, Joseph J. Rathert and Richard L.<br />
Rosenthal.<br />
22 BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950
1<br />
.<br />
stherhood— for Peoce and Freedorr<br />
Across the country and in the Dominion<br />
. . . in big city and in small city. . . Paramounf<br />
s smashing sea saga is making<br />
turnstiles spin with that happy profitrhythm<br />
I That's the story in . .<br />
Chicago<br />
Providence<br />
Memphis<br />
Nashville<br />
Jacksonville<br />
Greensboro<br />
Little<br />
Rock<br />
Wichita<br />
Winston-Salem<br />
Montreal<br />
Norfolk<br />
Louisville<br />
Roanoke<br />
1<br />
With ^vith results as r^^ i<br />
•<br />
«''--c:;t\?::er<br />
PARAAIOUNrs<br />
Chwa<br />
^'^n"g<br />
JOHN •<br />
mmssmm<br />
WITH<br />
THE MOST THRILLING<br />
BAHLE AGAINST A RAGING<br />
TYPHOON EVER FILMED!<br />
'^
7i^a^Al«t^teDonato's best-selling novel, "Christ in<br />
Concrete," was reviewed in BOXOFFICE<br />
Dec. 17, 1949. The production was made<br />
in England by Rod Geiger and N. A.<br />
Bronsten. The cast is headed by Sam<br />
Wanamaker and Lea Padovani, Italian<br />
star.<br />
24<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
:: February 18, 1950
According to the columnists and the trades:<br />
"Absorbing. An auspicious debut for producer. Hearttugging<br />
entertainment!" — BOXOFFICE<br />
"An unusual, Intelligent script. Superbly produced<br />
and acted. Always entertaining. Medal of the<br />
Month!"<br />
- PARENTS' MAGAZINE<br />
"Will have wide audience appeal. A sincere<br />
and timely human drama!" — FILM DAILY<br />
"Honest and sincere. A swell picture<br />
-JIMMY STARR<br />
"Memorable. Cosmopolitan Citation of<br />
the Month!" - LOUELLA PARSONS<br />
"Absorbing drama. Highly exploitable.<br />
Should rack up good business everywhere!"<br />
- SHOWMEN'S<br />
"A heartwarming story!" - KATE SMITH<br />
'Five Bell Picture! I wish I could take<br />
everyone by the hand to see it!"<br />
-JIMMIE FIDLER<br />
"A boxoflRce natural!" - MP HERALD<br />
"A tender, touching, charming<br />
film!"<br />
-TRUE STORY<br />
According to a prevue exhibitor:<br />
"Warmly human!" -VARIETY<br />
"Appeal for the whole<br />
family!" -HEDDA HOPPER<br />
'Charming, beguiling.<br />
Tears and laughs neatly<br />
balanced!"<br />
-HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
Theatre Construction, Openings and Sales<br />
CONSTRUCTION:<br />
OPENINGS:<br />
Brooksville, Fla.—41 Drive-In opened by Frank<br />
Saxon,<br />
Dover, Fla.—Mr, c(nd Mrs. Charles R. Hanson<br />
opened Plant City Drive-In.<br />
Fergus Falls, Minn.—$100,<strong>000</strong> remodeling job completed<br />
on Orpheum for Bennie Berger circuits.<br />
lackson. Miss.—Ritz opened by A. L. Royal.<br />
New Orleans, La.—900-car Airline Drive-In opened<br />
by Woolner Theatres.<br />
Presque Isle, Me,—930-seat Brctden opened by<br />
Charles Brooks-<br />
Son Antonio, Tex.—500-car, $85,<strong>000</strong> Hi-Park Drive-In<br />
opened<br />
San Antonio, Tex.—800-seat, $150,<strong>000</strong> Olmos Theatre<br />
opened by John C, Carson and Louis Santikos,<br />
Olmos Amusement Co<br />
St. Augustine, Fla.—395-cc(r Beach Drive-In opened<br />
hy Ray S Ettel and Edward Douglas<br />
Tacoma Park, Md.—K&B Theatres opened Flower,<br />
Voro Beach, Fla,—Vero Beach Drive-In opened by<br />
Talgar T'hecrtres<br />
West Palm Beach, Fla.—Florida Theatres opened<br />
Florida,<br />
SALES:<br />
Akron, Ohio—M M Simms and Jesse Wiseman<br />
purchased Circle from Paul Silknltter,<br />
Beaver City, Neb.—Ben Thorn purchased Oriental<br />
from Ben Miller,<br />
Bentonville. Ark.—Mr and Mrs. Carl Johnson purchased<br />
Cozy from Mr. and Mrs. Rulf Prophet.<br />
Blossom, Tex.—E. A, Chewing purchased Blossom<br />
from Royce Whitten and G. L. Skidmore.<br />
Bradley, Ark.—Rob-Son to J. M. Downs by I. T<br />
Roberts.<br />
Braniord, Fla.—E. S. Winburn sold Capitol to Harlovr<br />
Land.<br />
Danbury, Iowa—Dana purchased by Lloyd J, Ein-<br />
about should have occurred, but didn't. As<br />
a matter of fact, "Major Barbara" played at<br />
the DuPont Theatre in Washington for three<br />
weeks to solid, topnotch business, after the<br />
picture had been televised only four days<br />
before its opening. This may be verified by<br />
checking with the operators of the DuPont<br />
Theatre.<br />
Now if what Mr. Alldredge says were true,<br />
apparently there are no sets in Washington<br />
at all, or if there are a lot of sets, then the<br />
attendance by the television set owners certainly<br />
has not dropped 72 per cent or anything<br />
like it, because then of course the attendance<br />
at this theatre would have been affected.<br />
These are the incontrovertible facts. Prior<br />
to the exhibition of "Major Barbara," out of<br />
seven pictures played at this theatre, only two<br />
pictures outgrossed "Major Barbara," one of<br />
wliich was "Lost Boundaries." After "Major<br />
Barbara" was shown, only one picture out of<br />
five grossed as much as "Major Barbara" did.<br />
The point I am getting at is that "Major<br />
Barbarp" was televised, and the pictures both<br />
prior to and after the showing of "Major<br />
Barbara" were not shown on television.<br />
I know that this survey did not refer to<br />
televised motion pictures, but in view of the<br />
fact that exhibitors are concerned about the<br />
effect of television especially in the case<br />
where a picture has been televised, I thought<br />
I would give you the facts. Of course in the<br />
case of "Major Barbara," I have no control<br />
over the televising of this picture, inasmuch<br />
as the television rights were controlled by the<br />
producer. I want you to know that having<br />
been in distribution all my life, I do not favor<br />
the selling of pictures on television, as I know<br />
exactly how the exhibitor feels about it, but<br />
I am simply giving you the story of what<br />
feldt from William C, Chile,<br />
Dania, Fla.—Edward McClosky purchased Dania happened in Washington, D. C, as I believe<br />
Artosia. N. M.—Ray Bartlett building 350-oar, $70,<strong>000</strong> Drive-In from E, E. Doefler,<br />
Delphos, Ohio—Pfful Staup sold interest in Capitol<br />
there is too much hysteria over the television<br />
Circle B Drive-In.<br />
Bainlree. Mass.—Ground broken by Rifkin circuit for brother Ells rth.<br />
ogre.<br />
construction of 900-car dnve-m.<br />
Delphos, Ohio — Ellsworth Staup purchased his<br />
If<br />
Beaumont, Tex.—500-car, $150,<strong>000</strong> Pyrdmid Drive-In brother Paul's interest in Star<br />
the exhibitors were to take Mr. Alldredge<br />
started by Millard Jones and Maurice Kleinmen, I&K Detroit, Mich.—Alex Schreiber disposed of Irving seriously, then they would all rush out and<br />
in suburban Redford,<br />
Theatre circuit.<br />
sell<br />
Caldwell, Ida.—Work begun on 3S0-car Caldwell Detroit, Mich.— Alex Schreiber sold Highland Park<br />
their theatres as quickly as they could.<br />
Motor-Vu Drive-In lor Frank ludd. Hrtrry Harris and in suburban Highland Park,<br />
Perhaps Mr. Alldredge's survey is as accurate<br />
Kansas City, Mo.—Ted Huntsmcin purchased 1.100-<br />
Morris Eckert.<br />
as the polls were on President Truman's<br />
Conyers. Go.-Hub Drive-In Theatres, Inc., building<br />
Hub Drive-In on Mansfield highway.<br />
Orland, Calif.—William Stewart has taken over chances of election.<br />
seat Belmont.<br />
Dade City, Fla.—Work begun on $55,<strong>000</strong>. 250-car Orland from Mr. and Mrs M- W. Lathrop.<br />
JACK ELLIS<br />
drive-m for Floyd Theatres.<br />
Philadelphia, Pa.—Alden to Dave Shapiro by<br />
Ellis Films, Inc.,<br />
Dallas, Tex.—Hampton Road Drive-In, 750 cars, Charles Goldlme.<br />
under way for C. D. Leon Theatres.<br />
Russell, Eas.—Walt Lambader disposed of his interest<br />
in Sky-Vu Drive-In to J. O, Murray, W. A.<br />
New York 20, N. Y.<br />
Dallas, Tex.—Construction begun on 650-car Garland<br />
Road Drive-In for C. D. Leon Theatres.<br />
Michaelis cmd W. A. Michaelis jr.<br />
Dallas, Tex.—C- D. Leon Theatres building 840-car Torrington, Wyo.—Charles D. Stewart purchased<br />
Denton Road Drive-ln at Denton drive and loe Field fCcIr-Vu Drive-ln from Frank Sheffield, Bob C, Otwell DISLIKES 'STBOMBOLI' PUBLICITY<br />
and Bill Chopping.<br />
road,<br />
TO BOXOFFICE:<br />
Danville, 111.—Frank Stewcrrt started construction Yates Center. Kas.—Temple sold to Mr. and Mrs.<br />
Earl B. Crawford by Mr. and Mrs. Glen Newbold. This<br />
of drive-in.<br />
morning's maU brought me a letter<br />
El Campo, Tex.—Ten-acre site on Highway 71 purchased<br />
for construction of 500-cc(r drive-in for Rubin<br />
from RKO's Mr. Mochrie that convinces me<br />
that the organizing of COMPO for a public<br />
Frels,<br />
Florence, Ala.—Marshall Drive-In Theatres, Inc<br />
.<br />
relations<br />
LETTERS<br />
promotion job is going to be a waste<br />
building $100,<strong>000</strong>, 600-car drive-in.<br />
of time.<br />
Fulton, Mo.—Construction begun on 400-car, $75,<strong>000</strong><br />
drive-in for Don Fikes and nephew Kenny.<br />
Hartford, Conn.—Alfons Bach plans to construct CONTENDS TV HELPS FILIWS<br />
Can you tell me what good it is going to do<br />
$150,<strong>000</strong> theatre and office building,<br />
for us to try to whitewash our industry while<br />
To BOXOPFICE:<br />
Lakelond, Fla.—Murrell Amusement Co, building a<br />
distribution heads write us exhibitors letters<br />
400-car. $100,<strong>000</strong> drive-in on ten-acre tract.<br />
I have read with great interest the story<br />
telling us what great boxoffice winners they<br />
Lancaster, S, C.—Motor-In Theatres. Inc., building<br />
in the tradepress regarding the survey taken<br />
dnve-in.<br />
have in pictures like "Stromboli" and how<br />
Mount Vernon, N. Y.—New 600-seat theatre to be in Washington. D. C, where in some tradepapers<br />
the caption read "Capitol Survey Finds<br />
much publicity they are throwing behind it?<br />
built as part of a railroad shopping center.<br />
North Vancouver, B. C.—Permit issued Clarence<br />
Domsley for construction of 1,<strong>000</strong>-seat theatre. TV Cuts Attendance 72 Per Cent." On further Sure, we all know they have a lot of cash<br />
Quanah, Tex. — Theatre Enterprises, Inc., purchased<br />
ten-acre site for construction of drive-in.<br />
examination of the story, it says that families tied up in the picture, and there's no doubt<br />
Pottstown, Pa.—William Goldman<br />
owning television sets go to motion picture about it that the thing will pack houses with<br />
is constructing<br />
theatres 72 per cent less than they did before the curious. I think it would do that without<br />
Riverside, N. M.—Fidel Theatres, Inc., building they got their sets. I believe that many exhibitors<br />
will be appalled upon the reading of up the release date until the furor dies down,<br />
any page ads in the magazines. Why not hold<br />
$50,<strong>000</strong> drive-in.<br />
Santa Paula, Calif.—Hickey Bros, Co, purchased<br />
eight-acre site for construction of 500-car drive-in. this article if they take it seriously.<br />
then ease it out to exhibition without a lot<br />
Shamrock, Tex.—J. Seibert Worley began construction<br />
oi $40,<strong>000</strong>, 300-car drive-in,<br />
However, I would like to say, as the dis-<br />
of fanfare? They'll get their money back<br />
Thompson, Ga.—Work begun on 1.081-seat Martin<br />
without insulting the people who support our<br />
tributor of "Major Barbara," that I cannot<br />
Theatre<br />
industry but don't believe in such sensationalism.<br />
Tullahoma, Tenn.—Plans annoi ed by R. T. Hil quite argee with Charles Alldredge's analysis.<br />
ior construction of 500-cdt drive-:<br />
If what Mr. Alldredge says is true, then on<br />
West Covina, Calii,—Work to begin immediately<br />
on l.SOO-coT, $400,<strong>000</strong> theatre-recreation center. a recent engagement which was held at the I thought this was the kind of thing that<br />
Westport, Mass.—Construction of drive-in begun DuPont Theatre in Washington, D. C, beginning<br />
November 30, the dire results he talks any blood money to hold up my sagging box-<br />
we were organizing to combat. I don't want<br />
for Nathan Yamins of Flint Theatre, Inc,<br />
Yreka, Calif.—Site being surveyed by Robert L.<br />
Lippert Theatres<br />
office. Why can't RKO spend the money for<br />
for construction of 425-car, $65,<strong>000</strong><br />
dnve-in.<br />
the "Stromboli" campaign on some of their<br />
fine pictures that will build up future business?<br />
If I know the AmericEin press, unless they've<br />
changed a lot since I quit hammering a typewriter,<br />
they're going to give us hell this time<br />
and we deserve nothing better. After all our<br />
news releases right down to the grassroots<br />
country weeklies about how our industry was<br />
organizing to clean up everything in oior industry,<br />
then we slip a deal like this to the<br />
public.<br />
I'm not pitching my farmers any curves,<br />
and there will be no "Strombolls" in Fruita.<br />
Maybe I'U go broke in the business, but if<br />
greed ever makes me have to cash in on this<br />
type publicity, I'd rather quit.<br />
Uintah Theatre,<br />
Fruita, Colo.<br />
BOB WALKER<br />
'My First Love' Banned<br />
NEW YORK—The Motion Pictiu-e Division<br />
of the State Department of Education has<br />
banned "My First Love," a French film, featuring<br />
Gerard Nery. Jacqueline Delubac and<br />
Aime Clariond. The picture was scheduled<br />
to .open at the Ambassador Theatre. Leo<br />
Cohen, the distributor, says an appeal will<br />
be filed.<br />
26 BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950
UNNERSMINTERNMIONAL presents<br />
SWW WINTERS<br />
treenplay by ROBtwi l. n ^^^^^^^j
—<br />
. . Robert<br />
. .<br />
. . Edmund<br />
'^oU^fiMMd ^e^iOfU<br />
United Artists to Finance<br />
Six Independents Yearly<br />
It took months of negotiation, but now<br />
official is the arrangement whereby the<br />
United Artists releasing<br />
slate is swelled by<br />
the amount of six<br />
pictures annually—for<br />
an unspecified number<br />
of years—which<br />
will be channeled<br />
through a new financial<br />
syndicate formulated<br />
by Joseph Justman,<br />
operator of the<br />
Motion Picture Center<br />
studios.<br />
An interesting facet<br />
David L. Loew<br />
of the deal is the fact<br />
that It marks the active return to the production<br />
picture of David L. Loew, whose last<br />
direct association with picture making was<br />
as Charles Einfeld's partner in the now defunct<br />
Enterprise.<br />
Loew has been elected president of the<br />
Eljay Corp., formed to finance packages for<br />
ranking independent production units, with<br />
Justman as treasurer, Carl Leserman as vicepresident<br />
and Attorney Seymour Steinberg<br />
as secretary.<br />
Story Sales Total Seven;<br />
Three Yarns to MGM<br />
Scriveners and their agency representatives<br />
enjoyed another fat period as seven story sales<br />
were recorded, three of them to MGM. Acquired<br />
by Leo were the film rights to Preston<br />
Sturges' stage hit, "Strictly Dishonor-<br />
Two More Biographies<br />
About Silent<br />
Stars<br />
A few seasons back filmdom glorified<br />
one of the silent screen's immortals when<br />
Paramount starred Betty Hutton in "The<br />
Perils of Pauline," tracing the career of<br />
the serial queen. Pearl White. And currently<br />
in preparation at the same studio,<br />
with La Hutton again slated to topline,<br />
is "Keystone Girl," biographing both<br />
Mabel Normand and the custard-pie king,<br />
Mack Sennett, with Joseph Sistrom in<br />
the producer's spot and George Marshall<br />
set to direct.<br />
Comes now announcement of a third<br />
project in this vein. Dorothy Lamour will<br />
star in an independently produced opus<br />
based on the life story of Theda Bara,<br />
the screen's first vampire, film rights to<br />
which were purchased from Miss Bara<br />
Mrs. Charles Brabin in private life— by<br />
Wynn Rocamora.<br />
The rights reverted to Miss Bara when<br />
B. G. DeSylva abandoned his plans to<br />
produce the yarn. Rocamora is aiming<br />
toward a production start next summer<br />
when Miss Lamour returns from a twoweek<br />
booking in May at the London<br />
Palladium.<br />
By<br />
IVAN SPEAR<br />
able"—filmed once previously, in 1931, by Universal—as<br />
a starring vehicle for Ezio Pinza;<br />
"The People vs. O'Hara," a novel by Eleazar<br />
Lipsky, dealing with a criminal lawyer; and<br />
"The Carnival Story," by George Wells and<br />
Dorothy Kingsley, in which Esther Williams<br />
and R«d Skelton will topline. Jack Cummings<br />
is the producer . Mitchum<br />
will portray a professional golfer in "Just<br />
Like I Hate Money," a Collier's magazine<br />
serial by James Atlee Phillips, purchased by<br />
RKO Radio . . . The King Brothers bought<br />
"Sinful City," an original by Harold Douglas,<br />
for filming in semidocumentary technique.<br />
U-I Signs Kurt Kruger<br />
For 'Panther Moon'<br />
Signed by trans-Atlantic telephone from<br />
Paris, Kurt Kruger was booked by U-I for<br />
a character lead in "Panther's Moon" .<br />
Warners handed Edmond Ryan a long-term<br />
contract and a featured spot in "The Two<br />
Million Dollar Bank Robbery," for which<br />
Virginia Grey was also set . . . On loan from<br />
Paramount. Laura Elliot will star in "Phantom<br />
of the Sea" for Independent Producer<br />
Boris Petroff . . . Jeff Corey was signed by<br />
MGM for one of the leads in "The Next<br />
. . . Stage Actress Ruby<br />
Voice You Hear"<br />
Dee will appear opposite Jackie Robinson in<br />
"The Jackie Robinson Story," being made<br />
for Eagle Lion release . . . Borrowed from<br />
MGM, Barry Sullivan replaces Robert Young<br />
as Bette Davis' co-star in "The Story of a<br />
Divorce." It's a Jack Skirball-Bruce Manning<br />
project for RKO Radio distribution . . .<br />
James Lydon, former child star, joined the<br />
cast of Republic's "Dark Violence" . . . Bob<br />
Crosby, orchestra leader and, of course, Der<br />
Bingle's brother, will appear in Columbia's<br />
tunefilm, "When You're Smiling," for which<br />
Disk Jockey Al Jarvis also was set.<br />
Crane Wilbur Preparing<br />
His First Independent<br />
Last at Universal-International, where he<br />
megged "Outside the Wall" and "The Story<br />
of Molly X," Writer-Director Crane Wilbur<br />
has incorporated his own independent setup<br />
and is blueprinting "Wild Honey," a gambling<br />
expose, as his first project.<br />
Wilbur is huddling with law enforcement<br />
officials in San Bernardino, Victorville and<br />
Barstow, southern California communities,<br />
concerning the framework of his script, since<br />
those localities have been headlined from<br />
time to time in relation to illegal gambling<br />
activities. No releasing arrangements are set.<br />
Walter Reilly Joins MGM<br />
To Assist Dore Schary<br />
Succeeding Mary Rechner, who is leaving<br />
the post to marry Bob Hawk, radio personality,<br />
Walter Reilly has been named executive<br />
assistant to Dore Schary. MGM production<br />
chief. Prior to World War II Reilly<br />
was associated with the legitimate stage in<br />
New York; he served in the armed forces<br />
and, in the postwar era, has been a screenwriter<br />
at RKO Radio and U-I.<br />
Two Top-Bracket Stars<br />
Receive Assignments<br />
Title-role castings of more than ordinary<br />
interest and involving two of Filmdom's<br />
top-bracket names were the order<br />
of the day at Columbia and Universal-<br />
International.<br />
For the former studio, Joan Crawford<br />
has been set to star in "The Lady of the<br />
House," slated to roll early next month<br />
and marked by two "firsts"—it is Miss<br />
Crawford's initial appearance on the<br />
Gower street lot and the first picture to<br />
be produced for the studio by William<br />
Dozier. A remake of "Craig's Wife,"<br />
filmed by the same company in 1936,<br />
"The Lady of the House" was scripted by<br />
George Oppenheimer and will be megged<br />
by Vincent Sherman.<br />
Over at U-I, the topline in a newly<br />
acquired western, "Saddle Tramp," goes<br />
to Joel McCrea, whose lengthy screen<br />
career has included many sagebrush<br />
roles. An original by Harold Shumate<br />
and formerly titled "Fiddle-Foot," the<br />
opus is a Leonard Goldstein production,<br />
to be directed by Hugo Fregonese. Mc-<br />
Crea is cast as a carefree cowboy who<br />
suddenly finds himself the bachelor<br />
father of four children when their own<br />
father is accidentally killed.<br />
Danny Kaye Is Reported<br />
Planning Own Unit<br />
Prefaced by the customary disclosure that<br />
the parting was "entirely amicable," Danny<br />
Kaye and Warner Bros, tore up the balance<br />
of the carrot-topped comic's contract<br />
with the Burbank studio. Now in release is<br />
the first—and only—Kaye starrer made under<br />
his five-year ticket, "The Inspector General."<br />
While no official reason was given for the<br />
severance, there were reports that Kaye<br />
sought his release in order to form an independent<br />
production unit.<br />
Concurrent with Kaye's departure, — Warners<br />
shelved—at least temporarily "Stop,<br />
You're Killing Me," a mystery-comedy, which<br />
was to have been his next assigrunent.<br />
Checking out with him was Sylvia Fine (Mrs.<br />
Kaye, in private life), who functioned as<br />
music-and-lyrics writer and associate producer<br />
on his films.<br />
John Farro'w to Direct<br />
Second Film for RKO<br />
Originally borrowed from Paramount to<br />
direct "A White Rose for Julie," John Farrow<br />
will remain at RKO Radio for a second<br />
assignment, "Smiler With a Gun," to top-<br />
line Robert Mitchum and Jane Russell . . .<br />
"Trumpet to the Morn," historical western<br />
starring Cornel Wilde, Jean Peters and Richard<br />
Basehart, will be megged for 20th Century-Fox<br />
by Robert Wise . . . Carl K. Hittleman<br />
draws the production reins on "The<br />
Return of the James Boys" for Lippert Productions<br />
H. North is scripting<br />
"The Sound of Fury" for Robert Stillman<br />
Productions. It will be a United Artists release<br />
Handed the megging chore on<br />
. . . "Firefighters" at Columbia was Seymour<br />
Friedman.<br />
28 BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950
CHESTER FRIEDMAN<br />
EDITOR<br />
HUGH E. FRAZE<br />
Associate Editor<br />
SECTION<br />
PRACTICAL IDEAS FOR SELLING SEATS BY PRACTICAL SHOWMEN<br />
s, mrina frina Jonic<br />
The calendar and a bulletin received<br />
from the Gloversville, N. Y.,<br />
headquarters of the Schine circuit<br />
inform us that spring is not far off,<br />
The Lenten season gets under<br />
way next Wednesday and is sure to<br />
bring the usual number of expressions<br />
from exhibitors that business<br />
is due to slacken. No doubt a percentage<br />
of theatre patrons will abstain<br />
from their favorite entertainment<br />
pleasure. Business levels can<br />
be maintained by working to get the<br />
nonabstainers, and those who patronize<br />
the theatres infrequently, to<br />
attend more often during this period.<br />
The Schine circuit has a standard<br />
formula for this special promotion<br />
effort. This year, benefit shows will<br />
be thoroughly explored, following<br />
successful experiments in this field<br />
for the past year or more.<br />
Added entertainment in the form<br />
of talent shows, amateur shows and<br />
performers drawn from radio and<br />
professional ranks will augment the<br />
screen attractions, and thus bolster<br />
grosses.<br />
Many of the successful giveaways<br />
of former years are being revived<br />
Country Store nights are proving increasingly<br />
popular. The most successful<br />
promotion of all in past<br />
years has been the automobile giveaway.<br />
In this field, businessmen<br />
have cooperated annually, both during<br />
the spring and pre-Christmas<br />
periods, to the distinct advantage of<br />
all concerned.<br />
There are instances on record<br />
where merchants have soured on<br />
theatre tieups because of a careless<br />
promise made by the theatre manager.<br />
It speaks well for the Schine managers<br />
that in most situations where<br />
car giveaways are an annual or semiannual<br />
promotion, they are frequently<br />
at the insistence of the businessmen.<br />
It speaks well for the theatre<br />
and establishes the integrity of the<br />
manager and his organization whenever<br />
mutual enterprise proves mutually<br />
profitable.<br />
It emphasizes how closely good<br />
public relations are tied in with<br />
successful theatre operation and<br />
points the way to top-level grosses<br />
during every season of the year.<br />
BOXOFFICE Shovraiandiser Feb. 18, 1950<br />
High Jinks at Amarillo<br />
For 'Sundowners' Bow<br />
A barbecue, parade, square dancing in tlie John Barrymore jr., Lois Butler and producers<br />
streets and the personal appearance of the<br />
George Templeton and Alan LeMay, ar-<br />
producers and stars of "The Sundowners" rived to participate in the premiere activities.<br />
were some of the highlights of the manyfacet<br />
The visitors were interviewed by radio com-<br />
campaign which heralded the world mentators and press representatives from<br />
premiere of the film at the Paramount and the entire state who attended the opening.<br />
State theatres. Amarillo. Tex.<br />
The parade was staged on opening day.<br />
The premiere was dedicated to the Western Units of the Will Rogers Flange Riders in colorful<br />
Cowpunchers Ass'n and elicited a proclamation<br />
western regalia, a group of riders re-<br />
for Pioneer Parade day from Gov. Allan nowned for precision riding and equestrian<br />
Shivers of Texas. Mayor Gene Klein of Amarillo<br />
formations, mounted units of the Western<br />
urged the cooperation of the entire Pan-<br />
Cowpunchers Ass'n and school bands from<br />
handle citizenry in making the premiere a half a dozen nearby towns formed part of the<br />
real celebration.<br />
Merchants responded by decorating their<br />
gigantic celebration.<br />
Following the parade, 500 dancers took part<br />
business establishments in true western fashion.<br />
in a square dance exhibition viewed by the<br />
All downtown stores featured displays visiting stars and press and several thousand<br />
and stills in addition to "welcome" cards. onlookers.<br />
Replicas of windmills, reminiscent of the cattle<br />
on principal<br />
A barbecue, sponsored by the Western Cow-<br />
war era. were erected ten punchers for the visitors, was attended by<br />
downtown thoroughfares.<br />
over 700 persons who saw an exhibition of<br />
Stars from Hollyw'ood. including Chill Wills, roping and lasso artists perform in true western<br />
tradition.<br />
Wills dedicated the new American Legion<br />
Post building in Amarillo which released wire<br />
breaks including mention of the premiere.<br />
The premiere night attracted additional<br />
crowds to the theatre area to witness a 30-<br />
minute radio show originating in front of the<br />
State which was carried throughout the<br />
southwest by NBC. The stars participated in<br />
the broadcast and made personal appearances<br />
on the stage of the Paramount and State.<br />
A crew of Eagle Lion exploiteers under the<br />
personal direction of ad-publicity chief Leon<br />
Brandt set the stage for the ballyhoo and<br />
publicity with local assistance from Jack<br />
King, city manager for Interstate circuit in<br />
Amarillo.<br />
Hollywood visitors arrive at Amarillo.<br />
— 63 —<br />
29
Hungry Horse Patrons Eat Turkey,<br />
Kids Get Candy; It Builds Unity<br />
It's rather late to be writing about<br />
Christmas promotions but an exception is<br />
in order because of the fact that Marvin<br />
Dreyer, manager of the Gayan Theatre,<br />
Hungry Horse, Mont., actually had to take<br />
a vacation in order to find time to pass<br />
his report on for the benefit of other<br />
showmen. His Christmas promotions, incidentally,<br />
furnish an insight into one of<br />
the problems theatremen frequently run<br />
into, and suggest a solution on how salesmanship<br />
and diplomacy can overcome animosity<br />
between various local factions.<br />
Dreyer took over the theatre last November,<br />
a 600-seat house in a community<br />
of about 1.<strong>000</strong> population. He discovered<br />
that four different groups annually staged<br />
individual children's Christmas parties.<br />
The groups were the Chamber of Commerce,<br />
Pioneers club. Bureau of Reclamation<br />
and a contracting firm. A great deal<br />
of friction had developed because children<br />
invited by one group invariably were not<br />
invited by the others. A fifth party was<br />
therefore a decidedly ticklish proposition<br />
unless unity could be achieved among the<br />
various groups.<br />
Dreyer undertook this task by contacting<br />
officers and committees of the aforesaid<br />
groups, and explaining the disappointment<br />
of the children and the unfriendly<br />
feelings of parents because of the<br />
fact that the youngsters were slighted by<br />
one group or another. He outlined a program<br />
of cooperation in which one huge<br />
party would be given for the kids at the<br />
Grocers Distribute<br />
Plugs for 'Jolson'<br />
Lou Puhrmann, manager of the Arcade,<br />
Cambridge, Md., tied up with 30 grocery stores<br />
on the Kellogg promotion to exploit "Jolson<br />
Sings Again." Fuhrmann obtained the large<br />
mat from Kellogg's and had it imprinted<br />
locally. These were distributed by the cooperating<br />
shopkeepers.<br />
A window display was arranged at a music<br />
shop, consisting of a six-sheet cutout, stills<br />
and record albums with a sign announcing<br />
the Arcade dates.<br />
A "whistle" contest was planted with the<br />
radio station which obtained free publicity<br />
for the picture a week in advance. Each day<br />
the station publicized one of the Jolson songs.<br />
At a specified location and time on the<br />
following day, any persons in the area who<br />
was found whistling the tune, was awarded<br />
a pass. The picture was mentioned along<br />
with plugs for the playdates each day.<br />
'Jolson<br />
Co-Op to Buick<br />
When "Jolson Sings Again" played at the<br />
Kent (Ohio) Theatre, Manager Ben Geary<br />
sold an attractive herald to the local Buick<br />
dealer on a co-op basis. Copy led off: "You<br />
ain't heard nothin' yet—You ain't seen<br />
nothin' yet—until you have heard and seen,<br />
etc.,<br />
etc."<br />
Gayan Theatre. All the groups agreed,<br />
and without any cost to the theatre, the<br />
biggest party ever put on for the youngsters<br />
was held a few days before Christmas.<br />
All the trimmings and trappings,<br />
gifts, Santa Claus, a stage presentation of<br />
the story of Christmas, etc., attracted a<br />
capacity audience including several hundred<br />
children from adjacent communities.<br />
The goodwill manifest as a result of<br />
Dreyer's intercession on the part of everyone<br />
concerned created a tremendous<br />
amount of prestige, both for himself and<br />
for the theatre.<br />
Dreyer had another promotion on a cooperative<br />
basis with local merchants which<br />
also earned him their respect and cooperation.<br />
He promoted five large turkeys and<br />
a radio set as a giveaway. Twelve shopkeepers<br />
sponsored the entire program, including<br />
the cost of trailers, newspaper<br />
advertising and tickets. Drawing coupons<br />
were distributed by the merchants with<br />
each purchase of a specified amount. A<br />
huge campaign was staged over a 25 -day<br />
period, and a checkup with merchants<br />
revealed that more than 14.<strong>000</strong> tickets were<br />
given away. The merchants were particularly<br />
grateful for the fact that people<br />
from Martin City, Corum, Columbia Falls<br />
and many other adjacent towns did their<br />
shopping in Hungry Horse, in an effort to<br />
win the poultry and the radio.<br />
Dreyer, a firsttime contributor to the<br />
Showmandiser section, promises to submit<br />
more of his promotional efforts.<br />
Miniature Stage Plugs<br />
Attractions at Poli<br />
A miniature reproduction of a stage on display<br />
in the lobby of Loew's Poli Theatre,<br />
Hartford, is proving very popular in attracting<br />
the attention of patrons to forthcoming programs.<br />
The set was devised by Lou Cohen,<br />
manager of the Poli Theatre, and assistant<br />
Norman Levinson. Five frames containing<br />
colorful posters with title, star cuts and blurb<br />
copy are placed against a backdrop. The<br />
posters are changed as new releases are<br />
booked. A revolving terrestrial globe, operated<br />
by a motor, is in the center of the display<br />
and the whole thing is topped by the<br />
line, "You'll see the world from your seat at<br />
Loew's Poli this winter."<br />
Skeleton Cutouts Sell<br />
Opelika, Ala., Chiller<br />
Duke Stalcup, manager of the Martin Theatre,<br />
Opelika, Ala., ballyhooed a recent midweek<br />
horror program with a large sign<br />
stretched across the ceiling of the theatre<br />
entrance. Four large skeleton cutouts were<br />
placed around the banner for added effect.<br />
In presenting "Pinky" recently, a large sign<br />
was placed outside the entrance v/ith a message<br />
from the management explaining that<br />
the presentation of "mnky" indicated no<br />
crusade spirit but represented an extremely<br />
fine picture with Academy award potentialities<br />
which deserved to be seen.<br />
Co-Op Coloring Deal<br />
And Headless Rider<br />
Exploit 'Ichabod'<br />
A newspaper cooperative ad based on a<br />
coloring contest, window promotions and<br />
street ballyhoo were highlights of the campaign<br />
for "Ichabod and Mr. Toad" put on<br />
by Ted Davidson, manager of the State "Theatre,<br />
Lima, Ohio. Feldman's department store<br />
devoted a display tieing in the "Ichabod"<br />
book with a large sign advertising the State<br />
playdates. Inside the store, a full counter<br />
of "Ichabod" books was used with another<br />
theatre sign.<br />
The Newberry store used its exterior window<br />
to promote Bing Crosby records, "Ichabod"<br />
albums, and stills and posters from the<br />
picture. Interior displays followed out a similar<br />
pattern.<br />
Davidson obtained a large mat of a coloring<br />
scene from the picture and sold Hart's<br />
jewelry store on a very large newspaper ad<br />
that included the coloring mat and a onecolumn<br />
ad for the picture. Newspaper readers<br />
were invited to fill in the scene with<br />
colors and mail it to the store. The best<br />
entries received were rewarded with passes.<br />
For street ballyhoo, a frame was constructed<br />
out of wire hangers to fit over the<br />
shoulders of one of the ushers, giving him<br />
the appearance of a headless man. An 18th<br />
century costume large enough to fit over the<br />
frame was rented. Thus equipped, the usher<br />
covered the entire downtown section with a<br />
sign reading, "I'm the Headless Horseman,<br />
etc."<br />
The campaign proved effective in attracting<br />
above average business.<br />
Library Films Booked<br />
For 11-Week Series<br />
To provide suitable film programs for children<br />
in all grade schools, a series of special<br />
Saturday matinee programs covering an 11-<br />
week period has been instituted at the Neenah<br />
(Wis.) Theatre. The program was designed<br />
by Henry ToUett, district manager<br />
for the S&M Theatres Corp. in cooperation<br />
with Parent-Teacher associations in the twin<br />
cities of Neenah and Menasha.<br />
Pictures were selected by the PTA members<br />
from a list of attractions furnished by the<br />
Film Library council. The initial program<br />
included a series of 11 Saturday shows, with<br />
tickets for the entire series selling through<br />
the schools at $1.<br />
Parents were circularized by the PTA's, and<br />
a special selection of short subjects was<br />
booked to augment each program.<br />
Free Watch Every Night<br />
Features 6-Week Deal<br />
Douglas Craft, manager of the Capitol.<br />
Sidney. Ohio, set up a cooperative giveaway<br />
with a local jeweler in which a wrist watch<br />
was to be given away at the theatre one<br />
night each week, over a six-week period.<br />
The sponsor donated the watches and advertised<br />
the tieup in regular newspaper ads<br />
and an attractive window display. He also<br />
distributed drawing coupons on request, carrying<br />
full theatre information. Theatre advertising<br />
squared the deal which got under<br />
way February 18 and will run through March.<br />
30 — 64 — BOXOFFICE Showmandiser Feb. 18, 1950
Iriumph<br />
\\ rri .<br />
7 //<br />
MOTION PICTURE HERALD<br />
''Real<br />
boxoffice"<br />
HOLLYWOOD REPORTER<br />
''One of the best"<br />
HARRISON'S REPORTS<br />
"Crackerjack"<br />
'^^^t a few of those UNANIMOUS raves fo<br />
"' VARIETY<br />
"BlUE GISSS ol KENIUW" s,.,.,.,Bill ffiLIAMS-lm NIGH-Bil;* MOBGAN •?,.»„„„ .JEFFBElf BEfiNEBO.D,-,ci,db,lfilliam eea«(l«-sc„.npi.,», W.Scott Oirlmg<br />
It's<br />
One of MONOGRAM'S 4 Great C/neco/or Specials.'<br />
Are you doing YOUR PART in the fight to kill the unfair TICKET TAXI
Cincinnati Campaign for 'Samson<br />
Nets High Volume of News Space<br />
Capitalizing on national publicity in the<br />
tremendous campaign launched in behalf of<br />
"Samson and Delilah" by Paramount and the<br />
producer, Nate Wise, publicity director for<br />
RKO Theatres in Cincinnati, followed up with<br />
a local campagin which rolled up a recordbreaking<br />
amount of newspaper space and free<br />
radio time.<br />
For the opening at the Palace, Wise planted<br />
a six-day limerick contest with the Cincinnati<br />
Post. The paper publicized the tieup<br />
a week in advance with front-page art and<br />
a story, followed by six 280-line display ads<br />
incorporating contest details and mention of<br />
the picture. The contest attracted more than<br />
4.<strong>000</strong> entries.<br />
Cooperative newspaper advertising plugged<br />
the playates. One ad, measuring 600 lines,<br />
was used by Mabley & Carew tying in a<br />
Delilah dress with art from the picture.<br />
Another feature which resulted in extensive<br />
art breaks in the three Cincinnati dailies<br />
was a collection of DeMille photos, jewelry<br />
and background for an exhibit five days before<br />
opening. Radio commentators also picked<br />
up the incident for comment.<br />
Three days before opening, a wrestler billed<br />
as Samson attracted publicity in the sports<br />
columns of the local papers, thus providing<br />
a natural tiein.<br />
Another stunt which paid good dividends<br />
was an arrangement made with Cincinnati's<br />
zoo whereby the first animal born there during<br />
1950 would be named either Samson or<br />
Delilah. A week prior to opening, a bear<br />
cub was born, coincidentally with long hair,<br />
giving the Post inspiration for front-page<br />
pictures on the local Samson.<br />
Animated Lobby Piece<br />
Boosts 'Battleground'<br />
A huge lobby display arranged for "Battleground"<br />
by Maurice Druker, manager of<br />
the State Theatre, Providence, R. I., featured<br />
two elongated upright pieces, with star<br />
heads of the principal players joined across<br />
eye-level height by a title sign and an illustration<br />
of Denise Darcel, only female player<br />
in the cast.<br />
The title was transparent and was illuminated<br />
with a flasher. Near the top of the<br />
display, a plaque was set showing a head<br />
portrait of Bradford Swan, local newspaper<br />
columnist, with a quotation from his review<br />
stating that the picture heads his personal<br />
list of ten best films.<br />
For "Sands of Iwo Jima," Druker obtained<br />
the services of a marine truck and a<br />
155mm howitzer for a street ballyhoo. The<br />
vehicles covered Providence and the surrounding<br />
area with signs calling attention<br />
to the theatre booking.<br />
Kiddy Circus Show<br />
And 'Hot and Blue'<br />
Win Store Help<br />
Merchant tieups with a kiddy circus show<br />
and the feature, "Red, Hot and Blue," provided<br />
Ted Davidson, manager of the State<br />
Theatre, Lima, Ohio, with increased patronage.<br />
The J. J. Newberry Co. tied in on<br />
the circus show, donating 1,<strong>000</strong> goldfish as<br />
a giveaway to all children who attended, a<br />
full window display advertising the tieup, and<br />
an advertisement in the local daily.<br />
Davidson used a lobby display two weeks<br />
in advance and made announcements from<br />
the stage at regular kiddy shows on two<br />
Saturdays prior to the event, used underlines<br />
and newspaper advertisements, and ran<br />
a trailer.<br />
Newberry's also cooperated in the promotion<br />
of "Red, Hot and Blue" by featuring<br />
a soda fountain special tied in with the picture<br />
title and playdates. One hundred store<br />
clerks wore lapel cards advertising the fountain<br />
special and the title of the picture.<br />
Signs were placed on all fountain mirrors<br />
and on front windows. The store reported a<br />
complete sellout of goldfish, fishbowls, and<br />
the sale of more than 200 "Red, Hot and Blue"<br />
specials, as an indication that the promotion<br />
also paid off from the sponsor's angle.<br />
Davidson made another tieup with a jeweler<br />
on a three-column, 15-inch display ad<br />
incorporating a scrambled word contest on<br />
the title of the picture.<br />
Fine Local Cooperation Obtained for 'Samson' Promotion in<br />
Salt Lake<br />
Presold through one oi the most eiiective advertising and<br />
publicity campaigns in motion picture annals, "Samson<br />
and Delilah" received fine local exploitation prior to its<br />
opening at the Capitol Theatre in Salt Lake City. Manager<br />
Nevin McCord took over the local assignment and<br />
did on excellent job. Pictured here are some of the window<br />
displays arranged with leading department stores,<br />
book shops and the Utah Power & Light Co. Luminous<br />
letters spelling out the title on the street arch in front of<br />
the Capitol were visible four blocks away.<br />
32 — 66 BOXOFFICE Showmandiser Feb. 18, 1950
have<br />
t, J<br />
Dramatic Front Plus<br />
Outdoor Posting Put<br />
The Outlaw' Over<br />
strong exploitation prepared by Grant<br />
Martin, city manager for RKO Theatres.<br />
Champaign, 111., for "The Outlaw" at the<br />
Virginia Theatre stimulated business which<br />
required a moveover booking to the affiliated<br />
Orpheum.<br />
Martin used ten 24-sheet stands three weeks<br />
in advance and supplemented this showing<br />
with extensive use of six-sheets, three-sheets<br />
and window cards. A sound truck with bannered<br />
signs toured the city and environs<br />
five days prior to opening and throughout<br />
the run.<br />
The newspaper campaign was launched<br />
nine days prior to opening, publicity and<br />
art were planted with all three local dailies,<br />
and display advertising plus readers and<br />
scene mats were planted in weekly publications<br />
in out-of-town communities.<br />
Cards were placed on waste cans in the<br />
downtown area. Heralds were imprinted on<br />
wallpaper stock, with copy, "We had to scrape<br />
the paper off the walls to make room so<br />
everyone can see 'The Outlaw.' " These were<br />
distributed in homes, office buildings and<br />
in shopping centers.<br />
An unusual effect was obtained in a theatre<br />
front designed for current ballyhoo. On<br />
the side pieces, dramatic action scenes were<br />
produced in full color. These were projected<br />
out from the background at a distance of<br />
about four inches, giving the entire display<br />
a third-dimension effect.<br />
Direct Mail Emphasizes<br />
Playdates of 'Pinky'<br />
The general ballyhoo and forward approach<br />
used by many other exhibitors for "Pinky"<br />
was avoided by Spencer Steinhurst, manager<br />
of the Weis Theatre, Savannah, Ga.<br />
Steinhurst used an extensive mailing list,<br />
however, for a select list of persons in professional,<br />
civic and educational fields.<br />
All advertising carried illustration and a<br />
simple announcement of the title and stars.<br />
This same theme was carried out in ten<br />
choice window displays arranged with merchants.<br />
For this purpose, black oilcloth was<br />
used as a background for still displays and<br />
the theatre announcement. Front of the theatre<br />
was designed on a black-on-white idea<br />
for the color scheme. Service clubs were<br />
circularized with endorsements, and announcement<br />
cards were placed on street poles<br />
and lampposts.<br />
SEND US YOUR DATES'<br />
A New English Version<br />
Fix Distributing Corp<br />
Kaiser 'Frazer Dealer Aids 'Heiress'<br />
Jack Gibson, manager of the Milford (Del.)<br />
Theatre, obtained full support of the Kaiser-<br />
Frazer dealer on "The Heiress. ' The dealer<br />
made his entire window available for an<br />
elaborate display of stills and cards explaining<br />
the national contest. In the background<br />
was a car similar to the one offered to the<br />
contest winner.<br />
The dealer sponsored a full-page newspaper<br />
ad, tying in the contest with the paper's review<br />
of the picture. Another co-op ad wa-s<br />
promoted from merchants based on a missing<br />
word contest. Theatre passes offered as<br />
prizes and the time and effort put forth<br />
in working the deal out gave the picture<br />
an excellent plug at no cost.<br />
One week prior to opening, a Kraiser-Frazer<br />
car was displayed in front of the theatre<br />
with two signs calling attention to the<br />
national contest. The car was also used for<br />
street ballyhoo and was accompanied by the<br />
theatre sound truck. Annoiuicements made<br />
over the public address system and the signs<br />
provided an audience for the plug everywhere<br />
it appeared.<br />
Gibson arranged with the junior class of the<br />
local high for a benefit show of "Christopher<br />
Columbus." The group sold tickets to friends<br />
and students. Both the theatre and the class<br />
benefited from proportionate shares of money.<br />
Enthusiastic Exhibitors wrote this ad for<br />
CYCL«RAMIC<br />
CUSTOM SCREEN<br />
The Magic Screen of the Future... NO IV.'<br />
"...improvement in the screen at<br />
Capital Theatre ... obvious and<br />
outstanding .. .we intend to<br />
install<br />
these screens in all our theatres."<br />
Frederick Mercy. Jr.<br />
FIRST NATIONAL THEATRES, Inc.<br />
Yakima, Washington<br />
"...great improvement over screen<br />
we have been using ... gives pictures<br />
a richness we have never<br />
before seen on any screen."<br />
Hugo D. Jorgensen. MAIN THEATRE<br />
Rigby, Idaho<br />
". . . my front seats just filled space.<br />
Now, with this new CYCLORAMIC<br />
SCREEN I no trouble filling<br />
these seats with customers."<br />
Ed«<br />
"...since you installed the new<br />
Starke CYCLORAMIC Screen at<br />
". . . there has not been a day since<br />
the CYCLORAMIC Screen was put<br />
in service that we hove failed to<br />
have unsolicited comments from<br />
patrons expressing their delight<br />
with the improvement."<br />
Hugh W. Bruen<br />
BRUENS WHiniER THEATRES, Inc,<br />
Wh.iiier. Coin.<br />
". . . customer's reaction has made us<br />
very happy with the CYCLORAMIC<br />
installation ... it<br />
not only increases<br />
our screen light . . . but our sound<br />
seems better."<br />
Chos. H.<br />
Code, DREAM THEATRE<br />
Nome. Aloska<br />
". . . we are tickled pink with the results...<br />
can truthfully say it has<br />
increased our light... given us more<br />
light and has eliminated the objections<br />
of patrons in sitting in the<br />
our Criterion Theatre, we hove the<br />
finest picture on Broadway."<br />
side sections."<br />
Charles B. Moss, B. S MOSS CORP<br />
Leroy V Johns. 1. THEATRES, IInc.<br />
allle, Washington<br />
...can Y/E say morel<br />
Manufoctured by<br />
B. F. SHEARER<br />
COMPANY<br />
Oistfibuleij Ihfough<br />
Sold Eidusively in Eiporl by<br />
Thealie Supply Deolers<br />
mm t HANSEN Lid<br />
in oil Film Centers<br />
<strong>23</strong>18 Second Avenue, Seattle 1, Washington 301 Cloy Si, Son Fromis
Community<br />
Activity<br />
Public interest is served through theatremen's<br />
participation in recent and current<br />
activities supported by the industry.<br />
BROTHERHOOD WEEK was launched at the Cove Theatre, Glen Cove, N. Y.,<br />
when Manager Max Cooper invited Boy Scouts to present a skit on the theatre<br />
stage. High school and grade schools will be dismissed for special performance<br />
to be followed by a screening of "Prejudice" and addresses by clegrymen of all<br />
denominations on the morning of February 25.<br />
TAX REPEAL become chief objective of theatremen across the nation. Signs<br />
similar to those above containing personal message from Sid Kleper, manager of<br />
the College Theatre, New Haven, Conn., helped to enlist sympathy and support.<br />
National campaign to raise funds for the Infantile<br />
Paralysis Foundation enlisted the aid of theatremen<br />
everywhere. Many, like Myron Talman at the Roxy,<br />
Kansas City, recreated wishing wells which attracted<br />
contributions from passersby as well as regular theatre<br />
patrons.<br />
George Balkin, manager of the Stanley Theatre in Philadelphia, promoted<br />
an impressive exhibit of marine corps medals and battle flags<br />
as advance lobby plug for "Sands of Iw^o lima."<br />
Attractive models, carrying cases and signs advertising "Thelma<br />
lordon," were employed by John Mclnemey, publicist for the New<br />
York Paramount Theatre, as Times Square ballyhoo.<br />
i<br />
34 — 68 — BOXOFFICE Showmandiser Feb. 18. 1950
)<br />
Joe Boyle, Norwich,<br />
Sells 'Hopalong' as<br />
A Merchant Co-Op<br />
Two Hopalong Cassidy westerns booked<br />
for a Saturday morning show the day before<br />
Lincoln's birthday did capacity business<br />
for Joe Boyle, manager of the Poli Theatre,<br />
Norwich, Conn. Tickets were placed on<br />
sale in advance, and autographed photos<br />
of Bill Boyd were given away to the first<br />
300 children who attended. Boyle promoted<br />
many gifts from neighborhood merchants<br />
which were awarded as door prizes. Pistol<br />
caps were given to every child leaving the<br />
theatre at the end of the show.<br />
PRIZES ON EXHIBIT IN STORE<br />
Boyle used a theatre sign calling attention<br />
to the program and the giveaway, and<br />
promoted a full window in the Tepper department<br />
store for an exhibit of all prizes,<br />
an announcement of the show and credits<br />
for the cooperating merchants.<br />
Gratis announcements were promoted for<br />
the show on the Kiddy Klotsch program over<br />
station waCH. Newspapers cooperated with<br />
stories, and special heralds were distributed<br />
at schools and in homes.<br />
Boyle's campaign for "Guilty of Treason"<br />
was keyed to the New England campaign set<br />
up by the distributor of the picture. A screening<br />
was held for representatives of the school<br />
board, the clergy, women's groups and the<br />
city council. Announcements were made in<br />
all churches in Norwich three days prior to<br />
opening, and leaflets on the picture were<br />
distributed as churchgoers exited from the<br />
services.<br />
100 WINDOW CARDS USED<br />
One hundred window cards were placed<br />
throughout the area by drivers of the American<br />
News Co. Additional cards were placed<br />
in public libraries, on the bulletin boards<br />
of veteran organizations, civic and service<br />
clubs, the YMCA, and public and high schools.<br />
The board of education sent an urgent<br />
request to all teachers suggesting that announcements<br />
of the playdates be made in<br />
schools. Organizations connected with religious<br />
groups in the city made chain telephone<br />
calls to announce the playdates.<br />
Strong local newspaper support was enlisted,<br />
and display ads were mailed to weekly<br />
publications in the rural areas.<br />
Radio Teasers Cue<br />
'12 O'clock' Booking<br />
Thomas Leonard, manager of the State<br />
Theatre, Rhinelander, Wis., contracted for<br />
specially selected time on the local radio<br />
station, for a teaser campaign on "Twelve<br />
O'clock High." Three weeks in advance all<br />
time was purchased at a half-minute before<br />
12 noon and before 12 midnight. The spot<br />
plugs broke in with copy: "It's coming.<br />
•12 O'clock High.' In just 30 seconds, '12<br />
O'clock High.' The high of the year. The<br />
high of your lifetime, etc., etc." These continued<br />
until 12 o'clock.<br />
Leonard reports that from the number of<br />
telephone calls received at the theatre asking<br />
for information on when the picture<br />
would play at the State, he is convinced that<br />
the radio stunt will pay off amply in boxof flee<br />
returns.<br />
Personal<br />
Pitch<br />
Subs for Trailer<br />
United Detroit Theatres introduced<br />
something new by way of an advance preview<br />
trailer on "The Hasty Heart" a week<br />
prior to the opening at the United Artists<br />
Theatre.<br />
The regular trailer was dispensed with.<br />
A local actor was engaged to address<br />
audiences personally at each performance,<br />
over the public address system. The actor<br />
explained that because of the unusual<br />
appeal of the picture, the management<br />
was taking this unusual method of bringing<br />
it to their attention.<br />
The announcement also stressed the<br />
fact that all mezzanine seats would be<br />
reserved for men only during the run of<br />
this picture, so that those who might feel<br />
embarrassed shedding tears in the presence<br />
of women could feel free to release<br />
their emotions.<br />
Stage Revue Varies<br />
Midweek Program<br />
James Wiggs jr., manager of the Wakelon<br />
Theatre. Zebulon, N. C, varied his routine<br />
of presenting hillbilly acts to support midweek<br />
screen shows by booking "Hawaiian<br />
Nights," a revue with a native cast of<br />
dancers and musicians, and found a satisfactory<br />
payoff at the boxoffice.<br />
In addition to his usual advertising, trailer,<br />
lobby signs and window cards, Wiggs tied up<br />
with a grocer for an attractive display in<br />
a prominent window location. Stills of the<br />
performers and announcement cards were<br />
placed on display with a cocoanut, cans of<br />
pineapple and bunches of bananas.<br />
Wiggs reports that although no records were<br />
broken, the show returned a profit and was<br />
well liked by the patrons.<br />
Have you written to your congressmen and<br />
senators about repeal of the unfair amusement<br />
tax?<br />
Leo Charlton recently installed new^ projection<br />
machines at the Odeon Theatre, Halifax, N. S.<br />
The old equipment and a full-length cutout<br />
caricature of the Odeon manager made an<br />
arresting lobby display. Stunt had everyone<br />
in town talking, wth Charlton coming in for<br />
some neighborly ribbing.<br />
Local Couples Share<br />
Anniversary Honors<br />
With Fox, Alberta<br />
D. C. Fox, manager of the Fox Theatre,<br />
Pincher Creek, Alta., Canada, combined his<br />
celebration of the first anniversary of the<br />
Fox opening with MGM's 25th anniversary,<br />
booking the company's new product and promoting<br />
the dual event profitably.<br />
In order to arouse curiosity, monthly calendars<br />
mailed several weeks in advance were<br />
imprinted with "Anniversary Week" instead<br />
of listing the attractions. Window cards were<br />
placed in local and rural stores with anniversary<br />
copy, and 1,<strong>000</strong> heralds were distributed.<br />
A 30-pound cake was promoted from a baker<br />
and displayed in the lobby with an appropriate<br />
sign. During Anniversary week, the cake<br />
was raffled off for the benefit of the Crippled<br />
Children's hospital. One thousand phony<br />
dollar bills were imprinted for distribution<br />
in stores, carrying complete theatre copy on<br />
Anniversary week.<br />
Six couples in the area who observed anniversary<br />
dates during the week were invited<br />
to be guests of Fox at a Wednesday night<br />
performance. The couples were introduced<br />
on stage, each woman received a corsage and<br />
each husband received a book of tickets good<br />
for admission at the theatre. Gift certificates<br />
from public-spirited merchants also were presented<br />
to the couples.<br />
A local choral group and a pianist of local<br />
renown gave a concert which was climaxed<br />
by a rendition of "The Anniversary Waltz."<br />
In .spite of bad prevailing weather, a capacity<br />
crowd attended.<br />
Aide Promotes Page Ad<br />
On Norwich, N. Y., 'Foxes'<br />
Dick Hulse. assistant to Manager Bill<br />
Straub at the Colonia Theatre, Norwich, N. Y.,<br />
promoted a full-page newspaper co-op in conjunction<br />
with the recent engagement of<br />
"Prince of Foxes." Hulse tied in the merchants<br />
on a page of "princely values," the<br />
theatre coming in for a solid plug on the<br />
picture via a display ad and a banner heading.<br />
The theatreman mailed letters to all residents<br />
of Italian extraction to exploit the picture:<br />
tied up book stores, magazine stands and<br />
the library for poster and still displays, and<br />
created a false front resembling a castle for<br />
current ballyhoo.<br />
School promotion was covered through an<br />
essay contest in history classes on the topic,<br />
'The Italian Renaissance."<br />
Model Ball Field Built<br />
For 'The Ruth Story'<br />
BOXOFFICE Showmandiser Feb. 18, 1950 — 69 — 35<br />
A small model baseball field, complete with<br />
players and grandstand was built at a cost<br />
of less than $2 to exploit "The Babe Ruth<br />
Story" for James Broeffle, manager of the<br />
El Rey Theatre, Tulare, Calif. The display<br />
was placed in the lobby well in advance of<br />
playdates with two three-sheets set at an<br />
angle so as to be visible to incoming and<br />
exiting patrons. Another novel feature of<br />
the model field was a good fence around the<br />
outside. Stills were placed within the enclosure.
ARMY AID, DENISES PERSONALS<br />
BIG GUNS FOR BATTLEGROUND<br />
First run situations playing "Battleground"<br />
report 100 per cent cooperation of army officials<br />
in the phase of the campaign tying in<br />
with national advertising. Success has also<br />
been achieved in concentrating on publicity<br />
facets designed to stimulate women's interest.<br />
The producer wisely made Denise Darcel, only<br />
woman in the cast, available for personal<br />
appearances which provided special newspaper<br />
and radio publicity features of interest<br />
to women.<br />
In Indianapolis, Howard Rutherford, manager<br />
of Loew's Theatre, obtained stories and<br />
art on Miss Darcel's personal appearance on<br />
the front pages of the three daily newspapers.<br />
Rutherford launched his campaign by holdiiTg<br />
a screening for members of the Indianapolis<br />
Business and Professional Women's club, the<br />
Indianapolis Hairdressers and Beauticians<br />
Ass'n, members of the 101st airborne division,<br />
and officials of three veterans organizations.<br />
The screening was instrumental in producing<br />
extensive word-of-mouth publicity and<br />
direct cooperation in the promotion of the<br />
playdates.<br />
TRANSCRIPTIONS ON RADIO<br />
Transcribed interviews and personal interviews<br />
with Miss Darcel reached radio audiences<br />
ovtr stations WFBM, WISH, WIBC,<br />
WIRE and WXLW. Spots were promoted<br />
gratis on air time purchased by the army recruiting<br />
service. The picture was plugged<br />
daily on the Man-on-the Street program over<br />
WISH.<br />
In addition to fashion features centered<br />
around Denise Darcel in the women's pages<br />
of the daily press, Rutherford built his lobby<br />
and current front displays around layouts<br />
and feature stories taken from national women's<br />
magazines.<br />
For outdoor ballyhoo, 5,<strong>000</strong> heralds were<br />
distributed house to house by a number of<br />
stores in the downtown location, 400 bumper<br />
strips were used on Red cabs at no expense<br />
to the theatre beginning three days prior to<br />
opening and throughout the run.<br />
Twenty-five standee window cards were<br />
spotted throughout the area, and in addition<br />
to this, the army made available 40 A-boards<br />
for posters and distributed 100 regular window<br />
cards carrying the "Battleground" playdates.<br />
Exhibits of equipment similar to that used<br />
in the famous Battle of the Bulge were<br />
placed in the theatre lobby and in windows<br />
of four banking branches of the Union Trust<br />
Co.<br />
THE MEMPHIS CAMPAIGN<br />
In Memphis, Arthur Groom, manager of<br />
the State, focused his campaign on opening<br />
night. The initial showing was developed<br />
as a tribute to former members of the 101st<br />
airborne division. who live in Memphis. Eleven<br />
of these veterans were located. Between the<br />
evening shows, a navy band and a marine<br />
color guard marched down the aisles of the<br />
theatre to the stage where a colorful ceremony<br />
was staged, including an introduction<br />
of the honor guests by Rear Admiral Harold<br />
Martin. Fifteen minutes of the stage ceremonies<br />
were broadcast over WHBQ. An additional<br />
15 minutes following the first performance<br />
were devoted to a lobby broadcast<br />
This dramatic display in full animation was placed in the lobby oi the Arcadia Theatre,<br />
Olney, 111., well in advance of the opening of "Battleground."<br />
of interviews with patrons who had seen the<br />
picture. Denise Darcel made a 20-minute stopover<br />
which netted a three-column art break<br />
on the front page of the second section of<br />
the Commercial Appeal.<br />
Army cooperation included posters on 30<br />
A-boards. 50 window cards tying in the recruiting<br />
drive with the picture booking at the<br />
State, and an exhibit of war accoutrements<br />
for lobby display.<br />
Groom bannered the entire front of the<br />
theatre with flags, bunting and pennants;<br />
distributed window cards and special circulars<br />
throughout the area, and provided Memphis<br />
schools with 100 audio-visual guides for use<br />
in classroom studies.<br />
AT SAN FRANCISCO<br />
At the Warfield in San Francisco, Manager<br />
Boyd Sparrow planted a number of outstanding<br />
window displays in the downtown<br />
area, keyed to the catchline, "The story of<br />
50 guys and a gal." Color blowups of the<br />
principal players in the production were<br />
spotted around exhibits of army equipment<br />
provided by the recruiting service.<br />
Opening night was designated 101st airborne<br />
division night, with a 66-piece army<br />
band providing an outside ballyhoo. Veterans<br />
of Bastogne and the commanding general of<br />
the area were among the guests.<br />
Four separate screenings held for beauticians<br />
and professional women started wordof-mouth<br />
publicity and helped get across the<br />
woman's angle. Three hundred streetcar cards<br />
heralded the playdates, and an abundance<br />
of radio promotions were topped by interviews<br />
with veteran heroes.<br />
Peter Nepote, manager of the Arcadie Theatre,<br />
Olney, 111., created a 14x8-foot lobby display<br />
depicting a battle scene from the film<br />
in miniature, representing the labors of<br />
Nepote. almost everyone on the theatre staff.<br />
and the local recruiting sergeant. With an<br />
outlay of 20 hours of work, and constructed<br />
from scrap lumber and newsprint wrapping.<br />
the setting was illuminated by a concealed<br />
color wheel, providing bomb-burst effects in<br />
animated fashion. Models of tanks and toy<br />
soldiers in battle positions, plus cutout stills,<br />
branches of a discarded Christmas tree, artificial<br />
snow. 'cotton rocks, etc., were used in<br />
making up the terrain for the display. The<br />
unique exhibit attracted persons to the theatre<br />
for several weeks prior to opening.<br />
A full-page newspaper ad was promoted<br />
from the various banks in the city, composed<br />
of elements from two pressbook mats. The<br />
picture received exceptional treatment, in<br />
that it was reviewed in the local paper by<br />
the publisher rather than the staff critic.<br />
Letter by Wife Gives<br />
'Battleground' Lift<br />
Frank Steffy, manager of the Radio City<br />
Theatre in Minneapolis, used a novel mailing<br />
piece to sell the woman's angle of "Battleground."<br />
which helped to attract holdover<br />
business in spite of subzero weather.<br />
Five thousand penny postal cards were sent<br />
to the heads of women's clubs, school teachers<br />
and auxiliaries of all veteran organizations.<br />
The new slant was provided by having<br />
a message imprinted on the card signed<br />
by Steffy's wife. The copy led off: "When<br />
your husband asks you to do something<br />
."<br />
. .<br />
The information which followed explained<br />
that Mrs. Steffy had been asked to see a<br />
preview of "Battleground" with her husband.<br />
She went on to say that the title and war<br />
background did not appear to have much<br />
appeal, and then proceeded to point out<br />
some of the interesting highlights which had<br />
brought her to the conclusion that "Battleground"<br />
is a wonderful picture for everyone<br />
in the family.<br />
Widespread word-of-mouth advertising<br />
followed.<br />
36 — 70 — BOXOFFICE Showmandiser Feb. 18. 1950
Parade of New Cars<br />
Directs Attention<br />
To 'Great Lover'<br />
Cooperation from storekeepers brought<br />
"The Great Lover" to the attention of hundreds<br />
of potential theatre patrons of the<br />
Huntington Park (Calif.) Theatre. Manager<br />
Jim Barnes arranged with a large grocery<br />
store to permit the theatre imprint to be<br />
placed on several thousand bags. Owl Sontag<br />
drug stores distributed 5,<strong>000</strong> paper napkins<br />
imprinted with copy on "The Great<br />
Lover." Hershey chocolate kisses were promoted<br />
and distributed by the theatre staff,<br />
with small cards bearing a message from<br />
"The Great Lover."<br />
The Chevrolet dealer staged a parade of<br />
1950 models which were bannered with signs<br />
reading, "You'll love Bob Hope, 'The Great<br />
Lover,' and the new 1950 Chevrolet."<br />
A street ballyhoo aroused considerable interest.<br />
A number of berets were dropped at<br />
busy locations in the downtown shopping<br />
area. Inside each beret was a small card<br />
with the information that the finder would<br />
be entitled to free admission at the theatre<br />
if the beret was returned.<br />
The theatre staff provided another laughprovoking<br />
ballyhoo when two ushers carried<br />
a girl on a stretcher through the main<br />
streets of town. The ushers were dressed in<br />
white jackets, and signs on either side of<br />
the stretcher announced: "I swooned right<br />
out of this world when I saw 'The Great<br />
Lover,' etc."<br />
In January, Barnes ran a very successful<br />
Friday the 13th midnight thrill show. "The<br />
Mummy's Ghost" and "Son of Dracula" were<br />
booked for the occasion, and the show was<br />
well publicized through special lobby displays,<br />
a Frankenstein type of ballyhoo, and<br />
the distribution of envelopes containing salt,<br />
imprinted with copy, "You'll need these<br />
smelling salts when you attend, etc., etc."<br />
Extra matinee business was stimulated recently<br />
by Jay Clarke, a mentalist, who appeared<br />
at matinee performances "for ladies<br />
only." Signs in the lobby, including a blowup<br />
of a column by the late Damon Runyon<br />
in which he described Clarke's unique ability,<br />
newspaper ads and local publicity in the<br />
Huntington Park Daily Signal all helped to<br />
spread word of the stage attraction.<br />
Sharpshooters Win Pass<br />
To See 'Roseanna McCoy'<br />
In connection with his engagement of<br />
"Roseanna McCoy," Murray Meinberg, manager<br />
of the Ritz, Brooklyn, set up a target<br />
on a 30x40 in the theatre lobby, and offered<br />
passes to those who could hit the bull's eye.<br />
Meinberg used an ordinary dart gun and<br />
metal target. Small targets were worth one<br />
pass: a large target in the center paid off<br />
with two. The stunt created lots of fun in<br />
the lobby, with most patrons trying their<br />
hand at it.<br />
kJ Sets 'Dancing' Windows<br />
A number of attractive window displays<br />
set by OUie Brooks helped "Dancing in the<br />
Dark" at the Bijou Theatre, Battle Creek.<br />
Mich. Merchandise was displayed with large<br />
signs tieing in the picture title and music<br />
score.<br />
BOXOFFICE Showmandjser Feb. 18. 1950<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
Bonus<br />
For Brotherhood Week<br />
• Offering special encouragement to theatremen during the Brotherhood<br />
week drive, February 19-26, BOXOFFICE will present a special Bonus<br />
and a Citation of Honor to the manager, assistant manager or theatre<br />
pubUcist who enrolls the greatest number of members during the 1950<br />
drive as a result of personal and theatre promotion.<br />
• Announcement of the special Brotherhood Bonus winner will be made<br />
in the March 11th issue of BOXOFFICE. The winning manager will receive<br />
$10 and a Citation as evidence of outstanding support and achievement<br />
in behalf of the industry's participation in Brotherhood week.<br />
• Campaigns should be forwarded to: The Showmandiser, BOXOFFICE,<br />
9 Rockefeller Plaza, New York 20, N. Y. They should be postmarked no<br />
later than midnight, February 28. Attached to each campaign must be a<br />
copy of the report on eruollment of members which goes to the regional<br />
exhibitor chairman of the Brotherhood week committee.<br />
First Local War Draftee<br />
Helps 'Willie' Ballyhoo<br />
Local interest developed through a novel<br />
approach exploited "When Willie Comes<br />
Marching Home" for Lou Hart, district manager<br />
for the Schine circuit. The picture<br />
opened at the Avon Theatre in Watertown,<br />
N. Y.<br />
The first local draftee from Watertown in<br />
the recent world war was invited to act as<br />
host at a screening for officers of Watertown's<br />
veteran organizations and army officers<br />
from Pine camp. This stunt received<br />
wide local publicity, with the newspaper<br />
drawing on the draftee's experiences as a<br />
comparison with those endured by the star<br />
of the film production.<br />
Hart also ran a screening of the picture in<br />
advance for a number of selected families in<br />
the community. Comment quotations and<br />
small photographs of the guests at this<br />
screening were published in newspaper adverti.sements,<br />
up to and including current playdates.<br />
Voice Competition Aids<br />
'Whirlpool' at Allen<br />
Patrons of the Allen Theatre in Cleveland<br />
had an opportunity to test their voices on a<br />
wire recording machine in a competition for<br />
guest tickets to "Whirlpool" devised by Howard<br />
Higley, manager of the Allen. The distributor<br />
of the recording apparatus set up<br />
equipment in the theatre lobby, and a sign<br />
nearby a.sked: "Do you want to be a press<br />
agent? Talk into the wire recording machine<br />
and tell why you want to .see 'Whirlpool' and<br />
win free, etc.. etc."<br />
Promotes Navy Exhibit<br />
Guy Hevia, manager of the Mayfair Tlieatre,<br />
Asbury Park, N. J., obtained naval air<br />
rescue equipment as a lobby exhibit on "Ta.sk<br />
Force." The equipment was borrowed from<br />
the Lakehurst naval air depot and included<br />
parachutes, a rescue raft, survival implements,<br />
an exposure suit and many other<br />
items.<br />
— 71 —<br />
Contest Is Promoted<br />
In Ad on 'Adam's Rib'<br />
The local newspaper in Sunnyside, Wash.,<br />
is not especially cooperative in giving free<br />
space to theatre promotions, but A. E. Tribbett,<br />
manager of the Liberty Theatre, decided<br />
that if a stunt is worth using, it is<br />
worth paying for. For "Adam's Rib," he ran<br />
a letter-writing contest in his regular newspaper<br />
ad space on the subject, "Who should<br />
be the boss, the husband or the wife?" Tribbett<br />
promoted dinners at the Planters hotel<br />
for three couples, and offered an evening of<br />
entertainment, including loge seats at the<br />
Liberty Theatre, for the writers of the best<br />
letters. A number of passes were also awarded<br />
as consolation prizes.<br />
As an inexpensive method of getting out<br />
a special herald covering his full week's bookings,<br />
Tribbett made a deal with the newspaper<br />
and obtained a quantity of newspapier<br />
tear sheets which were overprinted in red<br />
ink with copy: "Extra! "That Forsyte Woman'<br />
is making such fools of men, etc."<br />
"WE SHOULD<br />
have booked this picture for<br />
at<br />
least three more days!"<br />
Writes Showman... / V- L. HILL<br />
\ New Carolina Theatre<br />
, I High Poinl. N. C. _<br />
The PRINCE<br />
OF PERCE"<br />
. THE STORY OT JESUS<br />
f<br />
ENTIRELY IN COLOR<br />
BOOK rr N0W1 wmri wi>i<br />
HALLMARK PRODUCTIONS<br />
\}'imnwmmw»im».\f>m<br />
37
i<br />
Voting Machine Used<br />
At Playhouse for<br />
'All King's Men'<br />
Screenings, newspaper coverage and abundant<br />
tieups and stunts exploited "All the<br />
King's Men" for Gerald Wagner, manager<br />
of the Playhouse Theatre, Washington. A<br />
screening for drama critics resulted in favorable<br />
advance reviews. Editors of district high<br />
school papers also attended and each received<br />
a copy of the novel autographed by<br />
John Derek.<br />
Jerry Strong, disk jockey for radio station<br />
WINX. conducted a Songs of Our Times<br />
contest which garnered excellent returns.<br />
Listeners were required to identify the titles<br />
of the songs, and record albums and theatre<br />
passes were awarded to winners.<br />
A voting machine was set up in front of<br />
the theatre and passersby and patrons were<br />
invited to vote for their candidate (stars of<br />
the picture) for "governor."<br />
Brentano book stores featured book displays<br />
tied in with the opening at the Playhouse.<br />
In addition, a counter was set up<br />
in the theatre lobby where an usher offered<br />
books on sale to the public. The Decca record<br />
distributor arranged for displays in more than<br />
30 music stores in the area, each carrying<br />
full credits.<br />
All local papers and approximately 20 weekly<br />
publications carried publicity and art on<br />
the picture.<br />
START Tl[ YEAR WITH<br />
the<br />
"^<br />
New DRIVE-IN version<br />
for Mixed Audiences<br />
HyOJENIC PRODUCTIONS M<br />
A&mra^l>a.mG\iHi BLDG. WILMINGTDN.OHIO.au<br />
'Kiss' Gross Good in Rifle<br />
Due to Personal Cards<br />
Fred and Mary Lind, operators of the Ute<br />
Theatre in Rifle, Colo., had been told that<br />
"That Midnight Kiss" distinctly was not a<br />
"small town picture," but they long ago<br />
learned not to pay too much attention to<br />
what you hear. So they devised a bit of<br />
personal exploitation and went ahead and<br />
grossed more than double average on the<br />
film.<br />
Mr. and Mrs. Lind, who left recently on a<br />
motor car trip to New York and Florida, related<br />
that a conversation at the breakfast<br />
table did the trick. They felt that the title<br />
doesn't indicate the true entertainment merits<br />
of the picture, so Mrs. Lind suggested that<br />
patrons be informed of the fine music in the<br />
film by means of a personally signed message<br />
printed on 5-4 good-grade bristol. The<br />
Linds obtained the membership lists of music<br />
clubs and selected names from the society<br />
columns of the local paper for a mailing list.<br />
About 2,500 of the personal recommendations<br />
were sent out in the farming and mining<br />
area.<br />
The Linds have been at Rifle 15 years.<br />
Lind formerly was a film salesman in the<br />
Denver- Salt Lake areas and at one time was<br />
RKO manager at Denver. Two years ago<br />
they opened their new Ute Theatre, a 600-<br />
seater. Their daughter and son-in-law, Mr,<br />
and Mrs. D. J. Munson, were left in charge<br />
of the theatre when the Linds left on their<br />
vacation trip.<br />
Special 'Bambi' Show<br />
For the recent booking of the reissue,<br />
"Bambi," C. J. Brown, manager of the Port<br />
Theatre, Port St. Joe, Fla., tied up with school<br />
teachers who brought children from the first<br />
to fourth grades to the theatre to see a special<br />
morning showing of the picture. School<br />
buses transported the young students to the<br />
theatre, and Brown reports that many of<br />
them returned in the late afternoon hours to<br />
see the film a second time.<br />
Iwo Jima Vets Are Guests<br />
A. L. Clary, manager of the Killeen, Tex.,<br />
Theatres, stimulated word-of-mouth publicity<br />
and goodwill in the community by inviting<br />
all local marines who served in the<br />
Iwo Jima campaign to be his guests at the<br />
opening of "Sands of Iwo Jima." Clary mailed<br />
a personal letter of invitation to each veteran<br />
and urged that they and their families<br />
attend the Sadler Theatre so that they could<br />
relive many of their war experiences.<br />
CLEARING HOUSE<br />
(Continued from inside back cover)<br />
THEATRE SEATING<br />
Chair-ity becjins at S.O.S. We're practically<br />
giving 'em away. 271 sturdy veneer folding chairs.<br />
$2.95; 2!)3 rebuilt panelback spring cushion, only<br />
$4.05; 2,<strong>000</strong> late American 7-ply veneers, like<br />
new, $5.25. Send for Chair Bulletin for complete<br />
list. Dfept. C, S.O.S. Cinema Supply Corp.,<br />
602 VV. 52nd St., New York 19.<br />
Patch-0-Seat cement. Patching cloih, solvent,<br />
elc. Kensin Seating Co., Chicago 5.<br />
Used chairs, t'Hiiointeed good. Advise quantity<br />
watiU'd. IMmlotiraphs mailed with quotation. Feusiti<br />
St.iting Co.. Chicago 5.<br />
No more torn seats: ICepair with the original<br />
Tatch-A-Seat. Complete kit. $6. General Chulr<br />
Co.. Cliicugu 22. ill.<br />
Chair Parts: We furnish most any part you retjiiire.<br />
Send sam[ilB for price, brackets, backs<br />
and seats. General Ch.iir Co., 1308 Elston Ave..<br />
Tax Repeal Officials<br />
Chosen at Albany<br />
ALBANY—Coordinators for the various<br />
cities in the Albany exchange area in the<br />
campaign to effect repeal of the existing federal<br />
amusement tax were appointed at a<br />
meeting Tuesday (l-l) called by the local<br />
TOA organization, with Leonard L. Rosenthal,<br />
general counsel, presiding. Approximately<br />
40 exhibitors attended the session.<br />
Appointments include those of Alex Sayles,<br />
Albany; Larry Cowen, Ti-oy and Watervliet;<br />
Andy Roy, Utica: George Seed, Cohoes and<br />
Waterford, and Bob Lamont, Greenville and<br />
the neighboring Catskill area towns. A coordinator<br />
for northern New York was to be<br />
appointed later, with Lou Hart of Watertown<br />
as the probable choice.<br />
Rosenthal declared that special attention<br />
should be given to efforts to induce newspapers<br />
to publish editorials advocating repeal<br />
of the tax. D. John Phillips, MMPTA secretary,<br />
in a letter read at the mf;eting, reported<br />
that all daily newspapers in New York City<br />
have published such editorials, and that the<br />
organization was contacting at least 50 other<br />
publications for the same purpose.<br />
Among exhibitors attending the meeting<br />
were Charles F. Wilson, Joe Farnham, Vic<br />
Bunze and Bill Wilson, all of Troy; John<br />
Gardner, Bernie Bernstein, C. M. Cascio, John<br />
Kddy. Dick Murphy, Phil Rapp and Lou Rapp,<br />
all of Schenectady, and Joe Saperstein, Floyd<br />
Fitzsimmons, Neil Hellman and Abe Sunberg.<br />
all of Albany.<br />
Hundreds of signatures were obtained on<br />
petitions urging repeal of the tax in the lobby<br />
of the Palace Theatre here during the initial<br />
days of the drive. The Fabian organization<br />
then began distribution of petition cards.<br />
Saul J. UUman, upstate general manager for<br />
Fabian, said the initial order was for 25,<strong>000</strong><br />
cards.<br />
Each of the Fabian situations in the area<br />
sent 12 telegrams urging repeal to Washington.<br />
Guy Graves, Schenectady, city manager,<br />
said that he had received a letter from<br />
Bernard W. Kearney, representative from<br />
Gloversville. pledging support to the repeal<br />
effort.<br />
Norfolk, Va., Afflicted<br />
With Double Ticket Tax<br />
NORFOLK—This city, which is afflicted<br />
with a local ticket tax as well as the federal<br />
admissions levy, is intensely interested in the<br />
industry campaign for repeal of the federal<br />
tax, according to Milton Kaufman, manager<br />
of Loew's State. He called it "the greatest<br />
thing that could happen to us in Norfolk."<br />
"If the federal tax is lifted," he said, "public<br />
sentiment will go a long way toward influencing<br />
the city council to do something<br />
about the local tax, and at least prevent the<br />
local government from trying to grab the<br />
federal tax bite."<br />
The city has a ten per cent tax on top of<br />
the federal 20 per cent tax. Special trailers<br />
have been advertising that fact.<br />
Fox Staff Aids Tax Fight<br />
NEW YORK— All members of the 20th<br />
Century-Fox staff in New York have received<br />
letters from Spyros P. Skouras, president,<br />
asking them to help in the campaign<br />
for ticket tax repeal by writing letters to<br />
their congressmen.<br />
Raibourn Disputes Figures<br />
In Washington Survey<br />
NEW YORK—Paul Raibourn, Paramount<br />
vice-president and head of its television<br />
activities, has taken exception to a<br />
survey of the effect of television on theatre<br />
attendance made public in Washington<br />
by Charles Alldredge, public relations<br />
consultant. This estimated that<br />
television has caused a drop up to 74 per<br />
cent. Raibourn said it ranges between 20<br />
and 30 per cent according to' a survey<br />
conducted over a period of several years<br />
by Paramount.<br />
Raibourn said that the Alldredge finding<br />
regarding rate of attendance after<br />
ownership of a set isn't far off from his<br />
own estimate, but that the Washington<br />
survey errs in its estimate of rate of attendance<br />
before ownership of a set. This<br />
was set so high that the decrease is out<br />
of proportion to the facts. He said the<br />
survey depended on the recollections of<br />
persons who were asked to remember how<br />
often they attended two years before, and<br />
that no efficient survey ever uses that<br />
faulty technique.<br />
The decision to reveal that Paramount<br />
has been conducting a survey was made,<br />
Raibourn said, because the Alldredge<br />
figures sound sensational and may conceivably<br />
affect the attitude of banks<br />
toward the industry.<br />
Seeks a Law Requiring<br />
Theatre Owners Names<br />
ALBANY—Senator William F. Condon of<br />
Yonkers has introduced a bill which would<br />
require all owners or operators of theatres<br />
in this state to display their full names, including<br />
registered tradenames, on the exteriors<br />
of theatres. The measure was referred<br />
to the codes committee. The bill will be<br />
opposed by the MMPTA. A suit recently<br />
started by a Yonkers attorney was dismissed<br />
because the name of the theatre owner was<br />
incorrect.<br />
There is no time to lose! Act today on<br />
repeal of the amusement tax!<br />
Brownout^ Rationing<br />
Of Coal in New York<br />
ALBANY—Coal rationing for theatres, commercial<br />
buildings and homes became effective<br />
in New York state at midnight Thursday,<br />
while power rationing, which includes a ban<br />
on marquee lighting in excess of 200 watts and<br />
air conditioning service begins Sunday. The<br />
state emergency coal administrator, Bertram<br />
D. Tallamy, acting under emergency powers<br />
given Governor Dewey Tuesday by the legislature,<br />
decreed the lowest preference and<br />
priority status for theatres, bowling alleys,<br />
taverns, dance halls, and other places of<br />
amusement.<br />
No more than seven days' supply of coal<br />
may be delivered to places used for public<br />
gathering, commercial buildings, etc.<br />
Interpretations of the regulations as they<br />
affect theatres were not available Friday<br />
morning. One official said he did not think<br />
fans and blowers, necessary for public assembly,<br />
would be prohibited under the ban on<br />
"air conditioning service."<br />
The number of theatres affected by the coal<br />
rationing is probably less than would be the<br />
case had many not converted to oil during<br />
the previous shortages. Four theatres here—<br />
Palace, Grand, Ritz. Leland—burn coal but<br />
it is understood they have fairly large supplies<br />
on hand.<br />
New K-B Flower Theatre<br />
Opened in Washington<br />
WASHINGTON—The new Flower Theatre<br />
here, latest addition to the K-B circuit, was<br />
opened Wednesday night (15K Designed by<br />
John Zink, the house is equipped with Kroehler<br />
seating, RCA projection and sound and<br />
York air conditioning. An adjoining parking<br />
lot provides space for 600 cars. Fred Kogod<br />
and Frank Boucher, operators, greeted a<br />
capacity crowd which attended the opening<br />
night ceremonies. Howard Hutton is manager<br />
of the new theatre.<br />
Loew's Declares Dividend<br />
NEW YORK—The board of directors of<br />
Loew's, Inc., has declared the regular dividend<br />
of 37'i cents per share, payable March<br />
31 to stockholders of record March 10.<br />
•KEY TO CITY' DEBUT—John J. Lynch, Brooklyn commissioner of borough<br />
works, is pictured above presenting the key to the city to Brooklyn's community<br />
mayors in honor of the world premiere of "Key to the City" at Loew's State. Z. Wayne<br />
Griffin, producer of the film, looks on. Left to right: Oscar Ncuman, Louis Zeltner,<br />
chief mayor; Robert F. Kaufman, Griffin, Abe Friedman and Lynch.<br />
BOXOFFICE :: February 18. 1950 39
. . Denise<br />
. . Beverly<br />
. . Peter<br />
. . Stewart<br />
. .<br />
'<br />
BROADWAY<br />
IJarry "SI. Warner, Warner Bros, president,<br />
left for a Florida vacation before returning<br />
to the coast . . . Paul Lazarus jr. of United<br />
Artists left for a two-week vacation at Phoenix.<br />
Ariz. . . . Nathan E. Goldstein. New England<br />
theatre operator, and wife are vacationing<br />
in Sarasota, Pla.. until April . . . Ralph<br />
Wheelwright, assistant to Howard Strickling<br />
at the MGM studios, went home after two<br />
weeks at the home office conferring on campaigns.<br />
Leo F. Samuels and Charles Levy of the<br />
Walt Disney New York office returned from<br />
Chicago where they set up campaigns on<br />
"Cinderella" . . . Steve Strassberg. Film Classics<br />
assistant ad-publicity director, was in<br />
Boston to set up the campaign on "Guilty<br />
Bystander," which opens there soon . . . Farley<br />
Granger. Goldwyn star here for a vacation,<br />
accompanied Judy Holliday to the opening<br />
of "Come Back. Little Sheba" February 15.<br />
Margaret Sullavan. Paul Stewart. Wendy<br />
Barrie. Nancy Coleman and Joan Blondell<br />
also were on hand to applaud Sidney Blackmer<br />
and Shirley Booth in the play.<br />
Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall returned<br />
to Hollywood following ten days in<br />
Manhattan . . . Sheldon Leonard, who portrays<br />
gangsters in Hollywood, was here for<br />
his first visit in some time . Lawford.<br />
MGM star, arrived February 15 by private<br />
plane<br />
, Darcel returned from Miami<br />
where she made personal appearances in<br />
connection with "Battleground" openings.<br />
SaUy Forrest and Keefe Brasselle. stars<br />
of "Never Pear," arrived for a week of press<br />
interviews and radio appearances in connection<br />
with the Eagle Lion release . . . Kirk<br />
Douglas will be guest of honor at the 56th<br />
annual dinner here February <strong>23</strong> of his alma<br />
mater. St. Lawrence university . . . Irving<br />
Sochin. sales head for U-I's Prestige Pictures,<br />
left for Chicago .<br />
Scope, secretary<br />
to Jack Bellman. Eagle Lion circuit sales<br />
manager, was married Saturday (18) to Milton<br />
Smith. Gem Moscowitz. secretary to<br />
Eugene Arnstein, Film Classics treasurer, becomes<br />
the bride of Sidney Salpeter February<br />
19.<br />
Murray Silverstone, head of 20th Century-<br />
Fox International, and his wife; Henry<br />
Henigson, MGM executive; Harry Bruchman.<br />
assistant to Barney Balaban at Paramount,<br />
and Noel Coward, British actor-playwright,<br />
sailed for England on the Queen Mary .<br />
Arriving from abroad were Deborah Kerr.<br />
MGM star, and her husband Anthony Bartley<br />
and daughter, Agnes Moorehead and Frederick<br />
Lonsdale, British playwright . . . Gracie<br />
Fields returned from Italy . . . Sam Seidelman.<br />
Eagle Lion foreign manager, left for<br />
Mexico. From there he will go to several<br />
Latin-American countries . . . Joseph C. Goltz,<br />
EL foreign sales manager, has returned from<br />
Havana.<br />
James R. Grainger, Republic executive vicepresident,<br />
left on a two-week swing through<br />
the southern territory. Walter L. Titus jr.,<br />
division manager, accompanied him. Both will<br />
be back at the home office February 27 . . .<br />
Barney Balaban. Paramount president, left<br />
February 16 for a Florida vacation . . . Alan<br />
F. Cummings. head of MGM exchange operations<br />
and maintenance, is on a three-week<br />
swing of exchanges with Chicago his first<br />
stop followed by Butte, Seattle. Portland. San<br />
Francisco and Los Angeles.<br />
Tom Rogers of the MGM publicity department<br />
returned from a Miami vacation, while<br />
Tony Martin and Cyd Charisse, his wife and<br />
MGM star, left for Miami Beach for a night<br />
club engagement . Granger, who<br />
appeared in "King Solomon's Mines" for<br />
MGM in Africa, returned by air and left the<br />
next day for the coast.<br />
Willie Priory, assistant in the drama and<br />
motion picture department of the late New<br />
York Sun, has been engaged by MGM to pro-<br />
—<br />
mote "Annie, Get Your Gun," the next attraction<br />
at Loew's State . . . Arthur Lubin, director<br />
of "Francis" for U-I, is in New York for<br />
a brief holiday before beginning work on<br />
"Queen for a Day" for United Artists . . . W.<br />
Lee Wilder, who produced "Once a Thief" for<br />
UA, and Ronald Alcorn, producer of "Johnny<br />
Holiday," were here for conferences with UA<br />
executives on promotion campaigns.<br />
Snow Hurts B'way;<br />
'Horn' Opens Big<br />
NEW YORK—"Young Man With a Horn"<br />
at the Radio City Music Hall was the best of<br />
three new features on Broadway where the<br />
majority of pictures were finishing their runs<br />
and waiting for new product which opened<br />
during the week. Snow and sleet on the<br />
Lincoln's birthday holiday held down the expected<br />
crowds at all theatres.<br />
"Mrs. Mike" had a satisfactory first week<br />
at the Capitol and the best of the many holdovers<br />
were "The Third Man," in its second<br />
week at the Victoria, and, to a lesser degree.<br />
"Key to the City." in its second week at Loew's<br />
State; "Samson and Delilah." in its eighth<br />
week at the Rivoli. and "Sands of Iwo Jima,<br />
in its seventh week at the Mayfair. "The<br />
Astonished Heart" started off strong.<br />
The seven new pictures which opened during<br />
the week included "Stromboli." which<br />
played the circuit houses in addition to the<br />
Criterion on Broadway; "Chain Lightning,"<br />
"Paid in Full," "When Willie Comes Marching<br />
Home" and the return of "The Outlaw,"<br />
three years after its first Broadway run.<br />
(Average Is 100)<br />
Astor—Battleground (MGM), 14th wk., _ 80<br />
Bijou—The Red Shoes (EL), 69th wk. of two-a-doy 90<br />
Capitol—Mrs. Mike (UA). plus stage show 105<br />
Criterion—Mom on the Eiffel Tower (RKO), 3rd wk, 85<br />
Globe—Port of New York (EL), 2nd wk 85<br />
Gotham—Monkey Business (Para); Horsefeathers<br />
(Para), reissues, 8th wk 85<br />
Loew's Stat^Key to the City (MGM), 2nd wk 105<br />
Mayfair—Sands of Iwo Jima (Rep), 7th wk 105<br />
Palace The Tattooed Stranger (RKO), plus vaude-<br />
„^'"^ - : 100<br />
Paramount—Dear Wife (Para), plus staoe show<br />
2nd wk<br />
._<br />
85<br />
Park Avenue—The Astonished Heart (U-I), 5 days 110<br />
Radio City Music Hall—Young Man With a Horn<br />
(WB), plus stage show 115<br />
Rivoli—Samson and Delilah (Para), 8th wk 105<br />
Roxy—Twelve O'clock High (20th-Fox),<br />
3rd<br />
Strand—Montana (WB), plus stage 2nd<br />
<<br />
Sutton—The Fallen Idol (SRO), 13th<br />
-Lux Madison Avenue — Tight Little Island<br />
plus stage<br />
'Samson' Second Week Grosses<br />
180 in Philadelphia<br />
UA FETES HARRY POPKIN—Harry M. Popkin, producer of "D.O.A.," "Champagne<br />
for Caesar" and "Here Lies Love" for United Artists release, is about to blow<br />
out the solitary candle on the cake at an impromptu birthday party staged for him<br />
at the UA home office in the midst of conferences on releasing and exploitation plans.<br />
Left to right: Francis Winikus, UA advertising manager; Leon Roth, promotion manager;<br />
Alfred H. Tamarin, pubUcity director; Howard LeSieur, director of advertising<br />
and pubUcity; Popkin; Fred Polangin, west coast vice-president, Buchanan & Co.;<br />
Bernie Kamber, eastern publicity and advertising director, Popkin Productions; Tess<br />
Michaels, UA magazine pubUcity; Hy Carnow, pressbook editor, and Samuel M. Stiefel,<br />
UA producer.<br />
PHILADELPHIA—Business at first run situations<br />
was uneven. "Samson and Delilah"<br />
went into its second week copping top honors<br />
with 180. "All the King's Men" was second<br />
with an opening week of 175.<br />
Aldine—Woman in Hiding (U-I), 2nd wk 95<br />
Boyd—Botlleground (MGM), 5th wk 75<br />
Earle Samson and Deliloh (Para), 2nd wk 180<br />
Fox—Twelve C'Clock High (20th-rox), 2nd wk 125<br />
Goldman—Dear Wife (Para) ""95<br />
K'arlton—The Red Shoes (EL), 2nd run, 4th wk 90<br />
Mastbaum—Montana (WB), 2nd wk 80<br />
Randolph—East Side. West Side (MGM), 4lh wk 85<br />
Stanley—All the King's Men (Col) _ 175<br />
Stanton-Ambush (MGM), 3rd wk 45<br />
National Board of Review<br />
Annual Meeting March 24<br />
NEW YORK—The National Board of<br />
Review<br />
will hold its annual meeting in the 20th<br />
Century-Fox Little Theatre March 24. The<br />
board members will also see a special screening<br />
of "Cheaper by the Dozen" the same day.<br />
40<br />
BOXOFTICE :: February 18. 1950
. . . Tony<br />
. . Joseph<br />
. . Returning<br />
. . Mrs.<br />
. . Elmer<br />
. . The<br />
. . . Ajiother<br />
. . . Bob<br />
. . Ruth<br />
. . W.<br />
. . Elaine<br />
. . Same<br />
. . Mrs.<br />
. . The<br />
. . Norman<br />
. . Film<br />
. .<br />
Week of Brotherhood<br />
Opens February 19<br />
NEW YORK—Brotherhood week, which has<br />
been observed every year since 1934, will be<br />
celebrated anew this year beginning Sunday<br />
(19) all over the nation, with this industry<br />
making many contributions to its success.<br />
Ted R. Gamble, national chairman of the<br />
motion picture division of the National Conference<br />
of Christians and Jews, which sponsors<br />
it, reported that 22 more branches have<br />
reached the goal of 100 per cent participation.<br />
They are: the Paramount branches in Denver,<br />
Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Omaha, Milwaukee<br />
and Cleveland: Loew's in New Haven,<br />
Kansas City and Albany: 20th Century-Pox<br />
in Philadelphia: Monogram in Minneapolis;<br />
Republic in Milwaukee and New York City;<br />
Warner Bros, in Omaha; Universal-International<br />
in Cincinnati and Memphis; RKO in<br />
San Francisco and Albany; United Artists in<br />
New Haven; Eagle Lion in Atlanta; Film<br />
Classics in New York, and Bonded Film<br />
Storage and Bonded Film Distributors in<br />
New York.<br />
This campaign against bigotry is made possible<br />
by the generous cooperation of newspapers,<br />
magazines, radio, television, motion<br />
pictures, advertisers, book and pamphlet publishers,<br />
theatres, speakers, recording companies,<br />
civic and religious groups and countless<br />
individuals. The honorary chairman is<br />
the President and John L. Sullivan, former<br />
secretary of the navy, is general chairman.<br />
The slogan is; "Brotherhood—for peace and<br />
freedom. Believe it! Live it! Support it!"<br />
Celebrities Will Attend<br />
'Three Came Home' Debut<br />
NEW YORK—Stage, screen and radio stars,<br />
as well as political and musical figures, are<br />
scheduled to attend the invitation opening<br />
of "Three Came Home," the 20th Century-<br />
Fox picture, at the Astor February 20. The<br />
theatre will remain closed during the day in<br />
preparation for the festivites which will begin<br />
at 8:30 p. m.<br />
Among those expected are Mary Pickford<br />
and Buddy Rogers, Dorothy McGuire, Elliott<br />
Roosevelt, Myrna Loy, Conrad Nagel, Geraldine<br />
Fitzgerald, Leo G. Carroll, Gladys<br />
Swarthout, Pi-itz Kreisler, Ilka Chase, Walter<br />
Huston, Maggie Teyte, Franklin Pangborn,<br />
Wendy Barrie, Charles Laughton, Margaret<br />
Whiting, Joe DiMaggio, Ethel Merman,<br />
John Van Druten, Anita Loos, Helmut Dantine,<br />
Rex Harrison. Burgess Meredith. Jack<br />
Benny and Burt Lancaster.<br />
Along New York's Filmrow<br />
By KOBERT O'NEILL<br />
f^HARLIE PENZER is starting his second the same state was Louis Fritzer of Film<br />
term as president of Colo.sseum of Motion Classics.<br />
Picture Salesmen of America. Others elected<br />
with Charlie are Manny Myer, vice-president;<br />
Philip Levine. formerly with Burke Theatres<br />
in the Bronx, has been appointed sales<br />
Lee Mayer, .secretary, for a third time, and<br />
Howard Levy, treasurer. The club will stage<br />
representative for Lux Distributing Corp. . . .<br />
its second annual dinner and dance March<br />
Visitors here this week were Jack Rochellc,<br />
20 at the Tavern-on-the-Green . Motion<br />
Picture Bookers club scheduled its open<br />
Rockaway Park; Herb Nolan and Don Speirs,<br />
St. Cloud circuit; Dave Dubin, North Tarrytown:<br />
Ed Lachman and Vincent Trainor,<br />
meeting for the Hotel Taft Monday (20), with<br />
Harry Margolis presiding. An old fashioned<br />
Boonton. and Louis Gold and Abe Levin,<br />
square dance and party followed the meeting.<br />
Newark.<br />
Adolph Weiss, owner of the Plaza in South<br />
Jamaica, was severely injured in an auto<br />
crash two weeks ago in Columbia, S. C, while<br />
returning from Florida. His jaw was broken.<br />
His wife suffered several fractured ribs. Both<br />
are recovering at their home . Harry<br />
Goldstone, wife of the Famous Films chief,<br />
and her son are back in the city after a sixweek<br />
Florida vacation. Daughter Charlotte is<br />
sojourning on the coast . . . Marty Cohen of<br />
Famous Films is enjoying the sights of Miami.<br />
Nat Nathanson, new division manager for<br />
UA, soon will visit the exchange here to get<br />
acquainted . . . Jules Resnick sold the Park<br />
in Trenton to Frank Cruiani . Hollander<br />
will contract and book for all St. Cloud<br />
theatres, replacing Cliff Smith.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
Jean Slade, Brooklyn booker for RKO, is<br />
recovering from an operation at Beth -Israel<br />
hospital Israel of Film Classics<br />
accounting department also underwent surgery<br />
and is now at New York hospital . . .<br />
Zelda Rosenberg, sales secretary at Eagle Lion,<br />
returns Monday (20) from a trip to Florida<br />
Ricci of the Republic exchange<br />
last week from<br />
is in Florida<br />
. . . Elsie Tappin<br />
.<br />
The 20th-Fox Family club will .set the date<br />
soon for its annual party<br />
was married this month to Peter Connaughton.<br />
Elsie is in the Paramount film inspection<br />
department Komansky. Warners<br />
exchange biller, will wed Alfred Altmark June<br />
Wedding bells will ring Tuesday i21i<br />
11 . . .<br />
for Al Robyn, manager of the Gracie Square<br />
Theatre, and Ann Slawson. publicity director<br />
for the same theatre . Norman (Ruth)<br />
Schenker. former secretary to Calvin C.<br />
Leeder. Warner exchange office manager, is<br />
the mother of a seven-pound baby . . . Max<br />
Cohen, owner of the Rivoli in Monticello. is<br />
in Hollywood.<br />
. . . Celia Rymland of the<br />
Jerry Horowitz of Paramount is the father<br />
of a son born Monday (13). The baby weighs<br />
eight pounds<br />
Warner exchange has been out of action with<br />
Harriet Costello of Paramount<br />
the flu . . .<br />
is doing nicely at home after her recent illness<br />
. Maizell has resigned as -switchboard<br />
operator at the Universal exchange and<br />
soon will leave for Los Angeles and another<br />
job.<br />
Birthday greetings to Tony Agoglia. Brooklyn<br />
booker for UA. and Pat Marcone. UA office<br />
manager . for Walter Martin,<br />
night crew shipper at MGM . . . Leonard<br />
Dorfman has been transferred from the Ea^le<br />
Lion home office foreign department to the<br />
exchange booking department . . . Harris<br />
Dudelson. now with Lippert Films as midwestern<br />
division manager, has been succeeded<br />
by James Hendel as district manager for<br />
Eagle Lion. Hendel was former manager for<br />
the company in Pittsburgh . Classiccompleted<br />
the move from 362 West 44th St. to<br />
the Film Center, but painters still are on the<br />
job.<br />
Praises British Theatre<br />
•Efforts Under Handicaps<br />
NEW YORK—C. J. Latta. Associated British<br />
Picture Corp. managing director in England,<br />
returned Wednesday (15 1 and praised<br />
British theatre operation for its success in the<br />
face of many handicaps. Latta was a theatre<br />
executive for Warner Bros, in Albany before<br />
taking his post in England two years ago.<br />
He said that shortages of building materials<br />
and labor reduced new theatre construction<br />
to a minimum, but that despite this, prudent<br />
management had kept maintenance standards<br />
high. He revealed that kiddy club matinee<br />
programs are popular in the United Kingdom<br />
and said that heavy admission taxes were<br />
one of the big problems, just as in the U.S.<br />
NATHANSON PROMOTED — Nat<br />
Nathanson (above) has been appointed to<br />
succeed the late Edward M. Schnitzer as<br />
eastern and Canadian general sales manager<br />
of United .Vrtists. He was promoted<br />
from branch manager of the I'A Chicago<br />
exchange. Nathanson has been with UA<br />
since 1935 when he became a salesman<br />
at the Denver exchange.<br />
Grace Brinkerhoff has joined the Monogram<br />
family in the contact department .<br />
Evelyn Grauer is a new face at Film Classics<br />
newcomer to Filmrow is Beatrice<br />
Kay in the 20th-Fox accounting department<br />
Woolf has been promoted from<br />
student-booker to booker by Warner Bros, and<br />
will leave soon for Charlotte. N. C. to take<br />
over his new job. He will be replaced hei-e<br />
by Sam Ferrara . RKO exchange<br />
staff has been increased with Rose Katz,<br />
clerk-typist, and Eddie Dudewicz. billing<br />
clerk, filling new posts . H. Moray.<br />
Warner Bros, short subject sales chief, is on<br />
a two-week trip to the coast to discuss 1950<br />
product . C. Gehring. 20th-Fox assistant<br />
general sales manager, has returned from<br />
Dallas.<br />
BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950 41
SUBSEQUENT SINGLE FEATURES<br />
DISAPPEARING IN MANHATTAN<br />
Houses Switch to British<br />
Or Foreign Features;<br />
Some Play Revivals<br />
By FRANK LEYENDECKER<br />
NEW YORK—The past year saw a tremendous<br />
increase in the number of downtown<br />
or midtown theatres playing first<br />
run British or foreign films and. when this<br />
product was unavailable, turning to revivals<br />
starring W. C. Fields, the Marx<br />
Bros.. Will Rogers. Mae West. Marlene<br />
Dietrich or other stars whose best pictures<br />
were made in the 1930s. Many of these<br />
houses formerly played single feature bills<br />
of outstanding current product directly<br />
after it had played the subsequent runs.<br />
The number of single feature theatres, outside<br />
of the Broadway first runs, still playing<br />
current Hollywood product has decreased<br />
to such an extent that discriminating<br />
fUmgoers who prefer single bills<br />
at neighborhood prices are having difficulty<br />
seeing the new pictvires.<br />
NEW POLICY SUCCESSFUL<br />
Although two ESnbassy newsreel theatres,<br />
on Broadway and 47th street and on east<br />
42nd street, have reverted to newsreels after<br />
a few months of first run British features,<br />
the Trans-Lux newsreel houses, both in New<br />
York and in Washington and Philadelphia,<br />
have switched to first run British or clasi;<br />
product and are "very successful" under tha;<br />
policy, according to Trans-Lux executives.<br />
Of the six New York Trans-Lux houses, only<br />
the 49th street and Broadway house is still<br />
playing straight newsreels and shorts.<br />
The regular Broadway first runs now include<br />
five playing films and stage show;;<br />
(Radio City Music Hall, Roxy, Capitol, Paramount<br />
and Strand), one playing films and<br />
vaudeville (Palace), seven playing new Hollywood<br />
films (Astor, Criterion, Globe, Loew's.<br />
State, Mayfair. Rivoli and Victoria) and ont'<br />
long-run, two-a-day house (Bijou). In addition,<br />
the Gotham alternates revivals with an<br />
occasional first run while the Rialto alsd<br />
plays British or Hollywood first runs but l;<br />
now playing the old Hedy Lamarr "Ecstacy,"<br />
retitled "My Life." These 15 Broadway first<br />
runs compare with 17 on Broadway a year<br />
ago and 19 two years ago before the Broadway<br />
and Winter Garden reverted to legitimate<br />
shows.<br />
SEVEN HOUSES SWITCH<br />
During the past year, seven class neighborhood<br />
houses switched from Hollywood<br />
product to British or foreign first runs, although<br />
the two Embassy houses went back<br />
to newsreels and the Arcadia. 59th street<br />
on Third avenue, went back to subsequent<br />
Hollywood product after several months of<br />
Swedish or French first runs.<br />
The other changeovers are: the Normandie<br />
(a small east side house also favored by<br />
RKO and other companies for morning ex-<br />
M'oitor screenings), which became a first<br />
- n January 31 with "Child of Man," a<br />
enin iilm: the Trans-Lux Madison Ave-<br />
CIRCUIT HEAD SIGNS—The new Plaza Theatre nearing completion in Washington<br />
will show British product distributed by Eagle Lion first run. Fred Rohrs. Eagle<br />
Lion branch manager, is shown at the left in the accompanying picture signing a contract<br />
with Sam Roth, head of Sam Roth Enterprises. Watching the signing, left to<br />
right, are Al Sherman, public relations advisor; Morris Fradin, executive assistant;<br />
John Broumas, general manager, and Harry Roth, executive vice-president.<br />
nue, which has been doing well with such<br />
British features as "Passport to Pimlico" and<br />
"Tight Little Island." the latter in its seventh<br />
week; the Beacon, which alternates subsequent<br />
class films with first run British<br />
product, and the Stoddard, which recently<br />
became first run with "Red Meadow." a<br />
Danish film. The Sutton, on east 57th street,<br />
became first run several years ago and has<br />
been the most successful of all with British<br />
first runs. During the past ten months the<br />
house has played only two films, "Quartet"<br />
for 34 weeks and "The Pollen Idol," now in<br />
its 13th week.<br />
SHOW EUROPEAN FIRST RUNS<br />
Other class houses which play more British<br />
films and revivals than recent Hollywood<br />
product include: the Park Avenue, which<br />
played "Hamlet" for 66 weeks of two-a-day<br />
and opened Noel Coward's "The Astonished<br />
Heart" February 13; the Art. Eighth<br />
street and Gramercy. Rugoff & Becker theatres;<br />
the Riviera and Symphony on upper<br />
Broadway, and the Plaza, a Leo Brecher<br />
house, which has long been favored by Park<br />
avenue residents for their picture-going.<br />
Several other neighborhood houses which<br />
played old foreign product have switched to<br />
first runs from Europe. These include: the<br />
City, on 14th street, which started first<br />
runs with "Tombolo." Italian film. December<br />
31; and the Little CineMet. which opened<br />
"II Trovatore." Italian picturization of the<br />
famous opera. February 9. The regular foreign<br />
film houses include; the Avenue Playhouse,<br />
the Fifth Avenue, the 55th Street, the<br />
Little Carnegie, the World, which has played<br />
some Italian films for six months or a year,<br />
and the new Paris, the only postwar theatre<br />
to be built, which has played only four<br />
French films since it opened in September<br />
1948.<br />
On the fringe of the Times Square district<br />
are: the Stanley, which has been New<br />
York's only house playing first run Soviet<br />
films but which also plays an occasional<br />
Yiddish-language picture, and the Ambassador,<br />
the Siritzky International house, which<br />
has played French first runs but is also now<br />
playing a Yiddish film. "CatskiU Honeymoon."<br />
Also listed among the first runs, after 15<br />
years of playing subsequents on a grind<br />
policy, is the Selwyn Theatre on west 42nd<br />
street, which is doing sensational business<br />
with a double bill of the stage play, "The<br />
Respectful Prostitute," and a minor first run<br />
film, "Flame of Youth." This policy has been<br />
so successful during the past seven weeks<br />
that George Brandt is considering extending<br />
it to a Bronx and a Brooklyn house.<br />
He has several other sensational tjTJe of<br />
Broadway plays, including "Ladies' Night in<br />
a Turkish Bath." lined up to follow "Prostitute."<br />
Meanwhile, the moviegoer in search of a<br />
single bill with an average Hollywood film<br />
such as "Always Leave Them Laughing" or<br />
"Tokyo Joe." is out of luck in Manhattan.<br />
'Battleground' in Havana<br />
NEW YORK—"Battleground" has opened<br />
strong in Havana. Cuba, in a seven-theatre<br />
day-and-date release, according to a report<br />
from Julian Berman. MGM manager there.<br />
The theatres are the Astral. Santa Catalina.<br />
Riviera. Plaza. Tosca. Miramar and Campomoar.<br />
BOXOFFICE ;: February 18. 1950
Italian Films to Be Aimed at U.S,<br />
Mass Audiences, Says Malenotti<br />
NEW YORK—Italian producers will aim<br />
at larger American audiences and try to get<br />
away from limited art house appeal in their<br />
future film releases, Maleno Malenotti. Italian<br />
producer of "Mad About Opera" and "A<br />
Night of Fame," declared here Thursday (16).<br />
Malenotti is president of the A.ssociated Producers<br />
of Italy. He said that he and other<br />
Italian producers will attempt to win new<br />
markets here by employing American stars,<br />
writers and co-directors, and by using English<br />
dialog instead of subtitles.<br />
STRESSES STAR NAMES<br />
"We know that our pictures will never<br />
succeed at the American boxoffice unless we<br />
have stars with big names to attract mass<br />
audiences," he said. "We also realize that<br />
American picture patrons are accustomed to<br />
action on the screen and don't want to be<br />
slowed up by reading subtitles."<br />
The producer is here to sign an American<br />
star for his next release, "Neapolitan Legend,"<br />
a story about Caruso in which Ferruccio<br />
Tagliavini's voice will be used in the singing<br />
sequences. He will also confer with leading<br />
screen executives about methods of improving<br />
commercial appeal of Italian films in<br />
this country.<br />
He stated that English dialog would be<br />
used throughout future Italian releases by<br />
means of Syncrophone, a system originated<br />
by Malenotti. This system requires the Italian<br />
actors to use phonetic English. The<br />
dialog is not recorded. When the picture<br />
has been completed American voices, synchronized<br />
with the movement of the Italian<br />
actors' lips, are substituted.<br />
DIFFERS FROM 'DUBBING'<br />
The method differs from "dubbing" in that<br />
the illusion of seeing and hearing the same<br />
person is maintained. Malenotti claims this<br />
illusion is destroyed when "dubbing" is used<br />
because the audience hears words that the<br />
actor is not framing with his lips.<br />
The producer said there is a growing concern<br />
in Italy over the impression some Italian<br />
films had given of his country's way of life.<br />
"Some of these pictures have stressed the<br />
seamy side of our existence and have created<br />
a false idea that dirt, poverty and immorality<br />
abound in Italy," he said. "In the future wc<br />
are going to prove to the world, and America<br />
especially, that there is a brighter side to<br />
Italy."<br />
delegates will be asked to request theatre operators<br />
in the state not to show "Stromboli,"<br />
and to ask citizens of the state not to see it.<br />
Mrs. Rose Marie Murphy (D), Baltimore, the<br />
only woman in the Baltimore delegation, will<br />
seek the assembly action.<br />
"With all this scandal going on," Mrs. Murphy<br />
.said, "I just don't think the movie should<br />
come here at all.<br />
It seemed probable, however, that the effect<br />
of the resolution, if passed, would be no<br />
more than an expression of disapproval. The<br />
state board of censors has said that it has no<br />
power to ban the film regardless of the personal<br />
opinion of board members about the<br />
actress's private life.<br />
Jules Levey Will Handle<br />
Italian-Made 'Fabiola'<br />
NEW YORK—Jules Levey has closed a<br />
deal to handle the Italian-made costume<br />
spectacle, "Fabiola," for the United States,<br />
United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.<br />
The picture stars Michele Morgan and<br />
Michel Simon.<br />
Levey has Italian, French, German and<br />
Spanish versions for the territories and an<br />
English-speaking version is now being prepared.<br />
The picture recently completed a 16-<br />
week run in Montreal.<br />
Four major distributors have been negotiating<br />
to acquire the distribution rights,<br />
Levey said. He also plans to handle other<br />
foreign-made pictures.<br />
Hoffberg to Move Offices<br />
NEW YORK — Hoffberg Productions.<br />
Inc.,<br />
distributor of foreign films, have taken over<br />
the quarters formerly occupied by Film<br />
Classics on west 44th street.<br />
There is no time to lose! Act today on<br />
repeal of the amusement tax!<br />
Thfs /s tr:<br />
THt PlACt:<br />
STROMBOLI<br />
THC STAKi<br />
BERGMAN<br />
UNDIR<br />
THt IHSPIRIB OIKtCriOM OF<br />
ROSSELLINI<br />
DAY AND DATE COPY—One of the<br />
New<br />
impressive advertisements placed in<br />
York newspapers to sell the world premiere<br />
of "Stromboli" in approximately 100<br />
theatres this week was the copy reproduced<br />
above. This advertisement ran five<br />
columns by 13 inches and listed all<br />
of the<br />
theatres in the day and date engagement.<br />
Other copy used preceding the opening<br />
were variations on the center panel which<br />
is being used in all key advertising<br />
throughout the country.<br />
Schlaifer Co. Benefits<br />
NEW YORK—Charles Schlaifer and Co.<br />
has inaugurated a company-financed insurance<br />
plan and hospitalization program for<br />
all employes following payment of a Christmas<br />
bonus. The new benefits were described<br />
to the staff by Charles Schlaifer, president,<br />
at a first anniversary party at the St. Moritz<br />
hotel.<br />
Harrisburg Theatre Refuses<br />
To Cancel 'Stromboli' Run<br />
HARRISBURG--The management of the<br />
Senate Theatre here refused to cancel its<br />
scheduled opening of "Stromboli" Wednesday<br />
(151 following a request by the Rev.<br />
Joseph Woods, executive secretary of the<br />
United Churches of Greater Harrisburg. Glen<br />
Lazar, manager, told church officials that<br />
the contract for the picture had been signed<br />
several weeks ago and that cancellation would<br />
be impossible. A lobby sign exploited the<br />
film, and Senate newspaper ads included copy<br />
about "Stromboli" several days prior to the<br />
opening.<br />
Maryland Solon to Ask<br />
'Stromboli' Disapproval<br />
BALTIMORE—The Maryland house of<br />
NOEL COW.4RD GOES ON AIR—Noel Coward, third from left, star and author<br />
of "The Astonished Heart," and Rex Harrison, fourth from left, are interviewed by<br />
Allen Prescott, WJZ radio commentator, as they arrive for the opening of the J. Arthur<br />
Rank picture at the Park .Avenue Theatre in New York. Jeff Livingston, left, advertising<br />
and publicity head for the Rank pictures released by U-I, and Robert Ungerfeld,<br />
right, managing director of the Park Avenue, look on.<br />
BOXOmCE ;; February 18, 1950 43
. . The<br />
. .<br />
. . . The<br />
. . . Ray<br />
. . Claude<br />
PHILADELPHIA<br />
•The Runnemede Theatre on Black Horse<br />
Pike. Runnemede, N. J., burned down .<br />
"Stromboli" opened at the Goldman. There<br />
were no advance showings for the trade.<br />
The picture had the approval of the state<br />
board of censors. Chairman Edna Carroll<br />
declared, "The censor board is concerned<br />
only with the picture, not with the outside<br />
actions of its participants." Boxoffice returns<br />
for the opening days were encouraging.<br />
. . . Raymond<br />
"Outside the Wall" was world-premiered<br />
at Stanley-Warner's Aldine. The film, which<br />
was partly produced in Philadelphia, was<br />
backed by an intensive promotional campaign<br />
handled by Abe Bernstein<br />
Polnaiaszek, Glen Lyon undertaker, has asked<br />
dismissal of his suit charging that he was<br />
slandered in "The Miracle of the Bells" with<br />
prejudice. This may indicate an out of court<br />
settlement . Princess was to show a<br />
different opera film each day for a week.<br />
A reunion of veterans from the China-<br />
Burma-India wartime area took place at<br />
private screenings of the "Francis." E. Perry<br />
Campbell, Ambler lawyer, invited a number<br />
of veterans to a screening at the WB projection<br />
room in the Earle Theatre building<br />
with the added purpose of forming a local<br />
branch of the CBI Veterans Ass'n. Dr. Philip<br />
J. Hodes served as host at another screening<br />
for members of the University hospital<br />
staff, which comprised the nucleus of the<br />
army's 20th general hospital unit in the CBI<br />
areas.<br />
Al Zimbalist, producer and onetime Stanley-Warner<br />
exploiteer, was in town . . . R. M.<br />
Katz, Monogram salesman, is back at work<br />
after being out sick . . . There was a rumor<br />
current that Abe Altman had reacquired the<br />
Mayfair from Lewen Pizor . . . Paramount<br />
Decorating Co. is installing a new stage set<br />
and damask panels for Dave Shapiro's recently<br />
purchased Alden.<br />
Max Miller was still in Cleveland work-<br />
MANAGER AVAILABLE<br />
22 Years in Theatre Bus'mess.<br />
Will go anywhere in territory. Reason for leaving—want<br />
position vrith more Scope for Initiative.<br />
Salary according to Conditions. Am married.<br />
Illy.<br />
Box 3771, Boxoiiice. 825 Van Brunf Blvd.. Zansat<br />
City. Mo.<br />
ing on promotion for "Guilty of Treason"<br />
New Egypt Theatre, formerly the<br />
in New Egypt, N. J,, acquired its new<br />
Isis,<br />
name and a new operator. S. Kaplan . .<br />
.<br />
"Joison Sings Again" opened key run engagements<br />
at the Anthony Wayne. Auditorium,<br />
Broadway, Carman, Circle, Glenside,<br />
Logan, Midway, Rivoli, Roxy, Suburban,<br />
Yorktown and City Line Center.<br />
John Bergin has taken over the Scranton<br />
territory for former UA salesman John Montgomery<br />
. Schlanger, son of Stanley-Warner's<br />
Ted Schlanger, is learning the<br />
ropes of exchange operations at 20th-Fox<br />
... A series of 10 o'clock Saturday films<br />
for children is being presented by the Main<br />
Line Children's Film Library under the sponsorship<br />
of the Junior league, the Radnor<br />
Parents Ass'n, the Lower Merion Interschool<br />
exchange. Episcopal academy and local<br />
schools. Performances are divided between<br />
the Anthony Wayne and the suburban theatres.<br />
Eagle Lion manager's secretary, Jean Coyle,<br />
received an engagement ring on Valentine<br />
day . . Jack Reimel, EL booker, will have<br />
his<br />
.<br />
song, "My Heart's Aflame," published<br />
and recorded by Westinghouse on Top Tune<br />
records. It soon will be released . . . Broderick<br />
Crawford, who was born in Philadel-<br />
. . . Irving Coopersmith,<br />
phia, was here helping on promotion of "All<br />
the King's Men"<br />
new Allied Motion Picture Booking Service<br />
EL manager<br />
booker, was on sick leave . . .<br />
Harry Berman also was home ill . . . Ditto<br />
Paramount salesman Herman Rubin.<br />
Lex Barker filmland's Tarzan, was in town<br />
Arre, from Stanley-Warner New<br />
York office, is filling in for Ellis Shipman<br />
while Shipman is on vacation . . . Trenton,<br />
N. J., gave a favorable reception to "Battleground"<br />
after Lincoln Manager Conklin<br />
helped publicize the film with a photograph<br />
contest of World War II combat pictures in<br />
a tiein with the Trentonian.<br />
Allied Independent Theatre Owners of<br />
Eastern Pennsylvania voiced its unanimous<br />
opposition to the showing of commercial films<br />
on television as well as to percentage pictures.<br />
The exhibitors also came out against competitive<br />
bidding.<br />
Order your taxation trailers today!<br />
Dave Supowitz Installed<br />
Chief Barker of Tent 13<br />
PHILADELPHIA — Approximately 250 attended<br />
the annual installation banquet of<br />
Variety Club 13 here Monday (6) night, with<br />
George W. Eaby, Variety International doughguy,<br />
as installation officer. David Supowitz<br />
is the new chief barker.<br />
Both Gael SuUivan, executive director of<br />
Theatre Owners of America, and William Mc-<br />
Craw, executive director of Variety, spoke<br />
briefly. The dinner signaled the end of the<br />
club's charity drive in which $50,<strong>000</strong> was<br />
raised, which added to $25,<strong>000</strong> realized from<br />
its County Fair night, makes a total of<br />
$75,<strong>000</strong> raised by the club.<br />
Earl W. Sweigert, past chief barker, was<br />
toastmaster. Israel was awarded the Cadillac<br />
sedan, chief prize in the charity drive. Frank<br />
Arch was awarded a $3,<strong>000</strong> mink coat. Other<br />
recipients were Walter Shoemaker, Leo Burrison<br />
and Robert Adelman.<br />
Colleen Townsend Visits<br />
Five Quaker City Houses<br />
PHILADELPHIA — Colleen Townsend, the<br />
20-year-old star of "When Willie Comes<br />
Marching Home," made personal appearances<br />
at the Carmen, Band Box, Roosevelt, State<br />
and Tower theatres here Tuesday.<br />
The actress has renounced her Hollywood<br />
career for church work. She came here from<br />
Punxsutawney, Pa. Her local visit tied in with<br />
a series of regional conferences for high<br />
school and college youth sponsored by the<br />
Council of Churches in observance of<br />
National Christian Youth week. She met<br />
Christian youth leaders at the YMCA<br />
Wednesday.<br />
Goldwyn Receives Plaque<br />
From Parents' Magazine<br />
NEW YORK — Parents' Magazine has<br />
awarded a plaque to Samuel Goldwyn for his<br />
"portrayal of the American Way of Life." It<br />
was the first such award given by the magazine;<br />
previously they have been for specific<br />
films.<br />
E. Phihp Willcox, public relations director<br />
of the magazine, made the award. The inscription<br />
states: "In appreciation of his years<br />
of devotion to superior filmmaking, especially<br />
for his care in depicting the American<br />
scene with honest sentiment and for his clear<br />
understanding and portrayal of the American<br />
Way of Life."<br />
NO PERFORATIONS: 20% More Light and Better Vision<br />
CYCLWAMIC<br />
Custom Screen<br />
INCORPORATIONS<br />
— ALBANY —<br />
Distinctive Theatres Corp.: To furnish<br />
amusement to the public; 100 shares, no par.<br />
Motion Picture Properties: Film productions<br />
in New York; 1,<strong>000</strong> shares, 500 preferred<br />
at $100 par, and 500 common at no<br />
par; David Fisher, Edward R. Peckerman jr..<br />
Jessie O. Strang, 113 W. 57th St.<br />
Magic Screen<br />
of the Future<br />
'Pofent applied for<br />
ST.<br />
Installed<br />
GEORGES PLAYHOUSE<br />
100 Pineapple St. Brooklyn, N. Y.<br />
By JOE HORNSTEIN, Inc.<br />
630 Ninth Ave. Theatre Equipment Specialists New York City<br />
at<br />
Benny Productions: Motion pictures,<br />
dramas in New York; 200 shares, no par;<br />
Edward J. Danziger, Harry Lee Danziger, Lenore<br />
F. Traub, 550 Fifth Ave.<br />
Tele-Test Exchange: Produce radio and<br />
television programs in New York; 200 shares,<br />
no par; William Costin jr., 1<strong>000</strong> Park Ave.;<br />
Thomas Elwell, 1619 Broadway; Evertt B.<br />
Birch, 152 W. 42nd St.<br />
44<br />
BOXOmCE :: February 18, 1950
. . Mary<br />
. .<br />
. .<br />
—<br />
Stale Building Code<br />
Plan Is Criticized<br />
NEW YORK—A statewide building code<br />
now being drawn up by the United States<br />
Building commission, established last year<br />
by the legislature, came in for criticism<br />
February 6 at the annual meeting of the<br />
Ass'n of Towns of the State of New York<br />
at the Commodore hotel. H. Ward Ackerson,<br />
secretary of the planning board of Islip,<br />
L. I., said it promised benefits for "the speculative<br />
builder and his customers but not<br />
for the interests of the community as a<br />
whole." Walter Fasbender, supervisor of<br />
Huntington, L. I., questioned whether it<br />
would reduce construction costs.<br />
The net result to the layman was some<br />
confusion as to which code was being discussed.<br />
There is one state building code in<br />
effect, the standard building code for places<br />
of public assembly, including all theatres.<br />
which became operative in May 1949, but<br />
did not affect New York and other large<br />
cities because they had their own codes. The<br />
proposed state code now being drawn up<br />
would, it is planned, cover all kinds of construction<br />
but would not conflict with the<br />
public assembly code. All municipalities<br />
would have the right to refuse it by filing<br />
notice of intent within 30 days after it is<br />
promulgated, and it would not apply to any<br />
municipalities lacking building codes or<br />
regulations. Where New York City is concerned,<br />
there still is a third code involved.<br />
This would liberalize theatre construction<br />
and now is being drawn up. In addition,<br />
there are 250 local codes now in effect in<br />
the state.<br />
The proposed code which aroused criticism<br />
is intended to meet the specifications of all<br />
local codes which, varying in details, are<br />
costing builders large sums of money. The<br />
theory is that a single code would mean<br />
savings also to the consumer. Following the<br />
example of the public assembly code, it<br />
probably will not specify what materials must<br />
be used but only their physical properties.<br />
In other words, any material meeting certain<br />
safety standards may be used. Col. E. J.<br />
McGrew jr., chairman of the commission,<br />
defended its aims.<br />
WASHINGTON<br />
T^espite unfavorable weather, the Valentine<br />
day party and tea given by Variety Club<br />
women drew a large crowd. Several door<br />
prizes were awarded, and proceeds will be<br />
used for the welfare program of the group.<br />
Mrs. Caroline Adams and Mrs. George Nathan<br />
headed the committee on arrangements .<br />
John Barrymore jr. and Chill Wills, both of<br />
whom are featured in "The Sundowners,"<br />
were visitors at the Eagle Lion exchange.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
. . . Lou Lichtenstein,<br />
The Sam and George Wheelers spent several<br />
days in Pittsburgh visiting their mother<br />
who is seriously ill . . . Joe Oulihan and his<br />
family were here from Gloucester, Va., to<br />
attend the wedding of their niece Sherry<br />
Slierwood February 11 . . Twentieth-Fox<br />
.<br />
items: The Dynamos held a monthly meeting<br />
Tuesday afternoon il4) ... Thelma<br />
Eltinge, former inspector, was ill in Johns<br />
Hopkins hospital with an eye ailment<br />
Shipper Stanley Summers was vacationing<br />
in Miami Lou Bean is the new<br />
Marion Bowen, secretary<br />
booker's clerk . . .<br />
to head booker, Sara Young, has been promoted<br />
to student booker<br />
home office auditor, completed his<br />
report.<br />
Don Kelsey was in town to book for his<br />
Lyric and Little theatres in Blacksburg, Va.<br />
. . . Mrs. Harley Davidson returned to her<br />
home in Rural Retreat, Va., from Johns<br />
Hopkins hospital . . . Mr. and Mrs. Mervell<br />
M. Dean of the Lexington Park Tlieatre left<br />
for Hollywood with MJr. and Mrs. Fulton<br />
Sam Roth, head of Sam Roth<br />
Lewis jr. . . .<br />
Enterprises, has appointed AI Sherman,<br />
Washington public relations counsel, adviser<br />
on advertising and publicity for the new<br />
Plaza Theatre soon to be opened here.<br />
National Groups Attend<br />
Course on Reviewing<br />
NEW YORK — Eleven national organizations<br />
were repr^sented February 7 at the first<br />
of six weekly lectures on the techniques of<br />
reviewing films which will be held at the 55th<br />
Street Playhouse. Marjorie G. Dawson, coordinator<br />
of MPAA preview services, opened<br />
the series, which will tell how to assess a picture's<br />
appeal for the regular audience as well<br />
as for those who are not habitual patrons,<br />
and will conduct the next two.<br />
Among the organizations were the American<br />
Ass'n of University Women. American Library<br />
Ass'n. Children's Film Library Committee.<br />
National Society, D.A.R.; General Federation<br />
of Women's Clubs. National Council of Jewish<br />
Women, Protestant Motion Picture Council,<br />
American Legion Auxiliary, National Federation<br />
of Music Clubs and Parent-Teachers<br />
Ass'n of New York State.<br />
Allentown Drive-In Sues<br />
For First Run Clearance<br />
ALLENTOWN, PA.—The Boulevard Drivein.<br />
a 932-car situation on Union boulevard<br />
here, has brought action in district court<br />
seeking first run product on a day-and-date<br />
basis with central Allentown theatres.<br />
The petition charges tlie eight major film<br />
companies with violation of antitrust laws<br />
in refusing to give the drive-in films until<br />
28 days after they were shown in first run<br />
houses here. The action was brought by<br />
David E., Samuel and Nathan Milgram,<br />
Frances Kret and Bessie Hoberman, owners<br />
of the ozoner. The defendants are Loew's,<br />
Paramount, RKO, 20th-Fox, United Artists,<br />
Universal, Columbia and Warners.<br />
The plaintiffs alleged that they opened<br />
the ozoner on Oct. 19, 1949, and wrote to the<br />
major film companies on November 29 asking<br />
for a lease agreement to get product on<br />
a day-and-date basis with first run Allentown<br />
houses. However, the action charges,<br />
defendants allegedly refused to license product<br />
to the drive-in without imposing clearances<br />
in favor of center city theatres.<br />
The plaintiffs charge that unless they get<br />
product on a first run basis they will suffer<br />
immediate and irreparable injury inasmuch<br />
as they intend to reopen the drive-in on<br />
March 15 for the 1950 season.<br />
Unger Shows Movie Quiz<br />
To New England Buyers<br />
NEW YORK—J. J. Unger of Rogers and<br />
Unger Associates, distributor of "Movie Quiz,"<br />
is holding screenings of the short for exhibitors<br />
in eastern cities, according to Budd<br />
Rogers. Unger and Joseph E. Levine. who is<br />
distributing "Movie Quiz" in the New England<br />
territory, held three screenings for New England<br />
circuit owners and operators in Boston<br />
last week. Representatives of the Lockwood<br />
& Gordon, Affiliated, E. M. Loew, American<br />
and other circuits attended. Unger went to<br />
New Haven January 30 to hold screenings for<br />
Warner Theatres and other independent<br />
operators.<br />
ON NATIONAVIDE TOUR — Seymour<br />
Poe (left) of Sol Lesser Productions, discusses<br />
with Robert Mochrie (center),<br />
RKO vice-president and general sales<br />
manager, the nationwide tour of Lex<br />
"Tarzan" Barker (right) prior to their<br />
departure for RKO exchanges thronghont<br />
the country.<br />
Emerson Radio Buys Plant<br />
From Continental Corp.<br />
NEW YORK—The Emerson Radio & Phonograph<br />
Corp. has purchased the Continental<br />
Can plant. Cole and 14th streets, Jersey City,<br />
and will use the buildings for the manufacture<br />
of radio and television receivers, according<br />
to B. Abrams, president. The new<br />
buildings are on a four-acre tract, covering<br />
two blocks, and are constructed of brick,<br />
steel and concrete.<br />
HARRY L. WAX M.\.\.\- I 'n sident,<br />
Hacco Theatres ("ompany,<br />
Atlantic City, N. J. —says:<br />
"RCA Service is a must—it<br />
has meant 10 years' continuous<br />
customer satisfaction."<br />
To get the benefits of RCA Service<br />
write: RCA SERVICE COMPANY,<br />
INC., Radio Corporation of America,<br />
Camden, N. J.<br />
BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950 45
. . . Owner<br />
. . . Karl<br />
. .<br />
ALBANY<br />
. . . Schine's<br />
JUtM Kravitz, Colonial manager, and Lou<br />
Hart, assistant, attended the opening program<br />
given by Walter Scheff, baritone, at<br />
the Ten Eyck hotel . . Clarence Bell, here<br />
.<br />
in advance of "Private Lives" at the Strand<br />
February 21, renewed acquaintances with<br />
Oscar Perrin. Ritz manager<br />
Rialto in Glens Falls and Benton's Congress<br />
in Saratoga have dropped vaudeville,<br />
.411 people who cherish freedom should see<br />
Guilty of Treason.' " the Evangelist stated<br />
in a plea for Catholic support of the picture<br />
Sam Slotnick plans to add a new<br />
front to the Lyric in Waterford. He has<br />
completely refurbished the interior,<br />
A party marking the first wedding anniversary<br />
of Donald G. Schine. president of<br />
Darnell Theatres Corp., and his wife Gelda<br />
was held at the Ten Eyck hotel Sunday night<br />
(12), when 80 guests dined and danced in the<br />
Empire room. Among those attending from<br />
the Schine organization were John May,<br />
Douglas Leishman, George Lynch, Bernard<br />
Diamond, J. Dewey Lederer. Seymour L. Morris.<br />
Howard M. Antevil. Bill Kraemer. Maurice<br />
Glockner and Charles Horwitz . . .<br />
Charles Horwitz has been promoted to director<br />
of personnel for the Schine circuit, and<br />
Bernard Diamond has been made assistant<br />
to Louis W. Schine. vice-president. Diamond,<br />
originally a booker, was appointed personnel<br />
director when E. Douglas Leishman was<br />
WALTER READE, JR.— Walter<br />
Reade Theatres, New York, N. Y.<br />
—says:<br />
"An investment in RCA Service<br />
is the best insurance we<br />
know of for top quality sound."<br />
—,<br />
To get the benefits of RCA Service<br />
write: RCA SERVICE COMPANY,<br />
I NC Rad io Corporation of America<br />
. ,<br />
Camden, N. J.<br />
FOR SALE<br />
Simplex Mechanisms S750 per pair: Guaranloed<br />
iactory rebuilt. Prices i.o.b. Chicago or<br />
New York Iactory.<br />
Now installing new machines throughout large<br />
circuit. Contact us today. Terms 11 desired.<br />
ALBANY THEATRE SUPPLY CO.<br />
1046 Broadway S-S05S Albany, N. Y.<br />
named controller of Schine hotels . . . Warners'<br />
Madison was to be the scene of the second<br />
annual social and fashion promenade of<br />
the Vincentian Institute PTA council Thursday<br />
afternoon (16). Herb Jennings is manager.<br />
The $10,<strong>000</strong> bronze concession stand being<br />
built at Fabian's Palace here probably will be<br />
unveiled March 1. While workmen are busy<br />
within a temporary enclosure, the old stand<br />
has been shifted to the left side of the lobby<br />
Harte. office manager and head<br />
booker at Warners, was one of those questioned<br />
by the Times-Union inquiring reporter<br />
on the verdict acquitting the Connecticut<br />
girl who killed her sick father.<br />
Warners Strand, Madison and Delaware<br />
presented kiddy shows Monday morning, children<br />
being absent from school because of<br />
Lincoln's birthday. The Strand screened a<br />
Hopalong Cassidy feature and cartoons .<br />
The Colonial ran vaudeville Monday (13).<br />
Freddie Bartholomew, former child screen<br />
actor, divided top honors with Hermine's<br />
Midgets.<br />
Bausch & Lomb Develops<br />
New TV Color Filter<br />
ROCHESTER—After two years of research<br />
the Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. has developed<br />
a color filter that will produce four<br />
colors—red, blue, green and yellow—on television<br />
screens. It has been labeled the Interference<br />
Color Filter.<br />
When ordinary white light passes through<br />
the coated filter one of the four component<br />
colors emerges. Three thin films, two of silver<br />
and one of magnesium fluoride, are applied<br />
under high vacuum to one side of the glass<br />
and a cover glass is then cemented on to<br />
protect the triple coating.<br />
The thickness of the fluoride film determines<br />
which color will pass through the<br />
filter. Up to now the filter will permit only<br />
one pure color to pass through at a time,<br />
but Dr. Arthur F. Turner, head of the firm's<br />
evaporation laboratory, predicts that it will<br />
eventually receive wide application in commercial<br />
television, photography, vision testing<br />
and astronomy.<br />
Schine Circuit Sponsors<br />
Merchandising Forums<br />
ALBANY—A series of regional meetings on<br />
theatre promotion is being sponsored by the<br />
Schine circuit in the wake of the annual merchandising<br />
sessions held by 20th-Fox in New<br />
York. Seymour L. Morris, Schine director of<br />
publicity and exploitation, has been conducting<br />
the meetings for Schine house managers.<br />
Meetings already have been held in Syracuse,<br />
Rochester, Buffalo and Amsterdam, and<br />
others were to be given this week in Marion.<br />
Ohio, and Lexington, Ky. Another in the<br />
Maryland territory will be scheduled later.<br />
In addition to Morris, speakers at the<br />
meetings have included Cy Friedman, his assistant;<br />
Bernard Diamond, assistant to Louis<br />
W. Schine. and Bill Kraemer. zone manager<br />
and booking official. Specific campaigns have<br />
been worked out for various films, and such<br />
subjects as federal amusement tax repeal and<br />
public relations have been discussed.<br />
Chairmen Are Named<br />
For Variety Dinner<br />
ALBANY — Leo Rosen and Charles A.<br />
Smakwitz have been appointed general chairmen<br />
for the eighth anniversary dinner of the<br />
Albany Variety Club, to be given March 3 at<br />
the DeWitt Clinton hotel here. Si H. Fabian.<br />
Sam Rosen, J. Myer Schine, Louis W. Schine,<br />
Gerald Salisbury and George O. Williams<br />
have been named honorary chairmen. Ed<br />
Maloney was chosen treasurer for the event.<br />
Committee members include Joe Saperstein,<br />
tickets: Harry Alexander, Jack Goldberg and<br />
Nate Dickman, seating: Gerry Atkin and<br />
Larry Cowen, publicity, and Bernie Brooks,<br />
Lou Golding, Nat Lapkin, Herman L. Ripps,<br />
Gene Lowe, Gene Vogel, Alex Sayles and<br />
Nate Winig, entertainment.<br />
Among those expected to attend the eighth<br />
anniversary fete are J. Myer Schine and Louis<br />
W. Schine, Schine circuit, Gloversville; Spyros<br />
Skouras, 20th-Fox; Oscar Doob, Loew's; Sid<br />
Deneau, SRO; Sol Schwartz, RKO Theatres;<br />
William McCraw, 'Variety International; Ted<br />
Gamble, Bob Coyne, and other prominent<br />
theatremen. Gael Sullivan. TOA executive<br />
director, will be toastmaster, and Eric Johnston,<br />
MPAA president, will be among the<br />
speakers. Francis Murphy and his orchestra<br />
will provide the music.<br />
Choice as Premiere Site<br />
Sought by Dunkirk, N. Y.<br />
DUNKIRK, N. Y.—A bid for selection of<br />
this city of approximately 18,<strong>000</strong> population<br />
as the site for the world premiere of a proposed<br />
motion picture based on the World War<br />
II evacuation of Dunkerque has been made<br />
in a letter to Darryl F. Zanuck. 20th-Pox<br />
production executive. Roman W. Waite, secretary<br />
of the Dunkirk Chamber of Commerce,<br />
wrote to Zanuck to state that "you wiU have<br />
the complete cooperation of all our people in<br />
the development of any plans which might<br />
include Dunkirk."<br />
The letter described the strong ties existing<br />
between this city and its French counterpart<br />
developed following a donation of food and<br />
other gifts valued at thousands of dollars and<br />
formally presented to official representatives<br />
of France. The subject of articles by Quentin<br />
Reynolds in two nationally circulated magazines,<br />
this gesture brought widespread fame<br />
to this city.<br />
Video for Fabian Houses<br />
Is Seen as Probability<br />
ALBANY—That the larger Fabian theatres<br />
in the Albany area may be equipped with<br />
television equipment was believed to be probable<br />
following a visit here by Nathan Halpern,<br />
consultant on video for Si H. Fabian.<br />
Halpern, who supervised installation of television<br />
in the Fabian-operated Fox in Brooklyn,<br />
was accompanied by several TV technical<br />
experts.<br />
Saul J. UUman. upstate general manager<br />
for the Fabian circuit, said the 2.700-seat<br />
Palace here and the 2,500-seat Proctor's in<br />
Schenectady were virtually certain to be<br />
equipped for video. He said that the 2,500-<br />
seat Proctor's in Troy and the 1,<strong>000</strong>-seat Cohoes<br />
in Cohoes also would be recommended<br />
for television. Ullman did not make any<br />
estimate of the time which would be required<br />
for installation of video equipment in the<br />
various houses.<br />
4S BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950
. . George<br />
. . Louis<br />
. . The<br />
"<br />
. . . now<br />
NEW ARK<br />
Ceveral campaigns either are running<br />
throughout Warner's circuit or are about<br />
to start. George Kelly is in charge of exploitation.<br />
The Boiler Beverage campaign,<br />
used successfully in four theatres, has gone<br />
into six more houses. The grocery carnival,<br />
which was started in November, will be continued<br />
in March in 20 theatres. Porky Pig<br />
wrist watch matinees are another innovation,<br />
and they will be started in March at<br />
Jacob Lehutsky is new assistant<br />
25 houses . . .<br />
at the Hawthorne, replacing Ernest Man-<br />
ganello, who has been shifted to the Hollywood<br />
in East Orange.<br />
The Variety has slashed its prices until<br />
. . . Frederick<br />
1 p. m. to 25 cents, tax included<br />
B. Dressel, manager of the Capitol The-<br />
atre, is doing exploitation on such films as<br />
"Rocket Ship" and "Mars Attacks the World"<br />
with special lobby displays . . . "San Francisco"<br />
brought good results at the Pix Newsreel<br />
Theatre in Orange . . . George AUsopp<br />
is new assistant at the Cameo in South<br />
Orange, replacing Aaron Green . . . Edward<br />
Lindemann, assistant at the Newark Newsreel,<br />
has resigned. There will be no replacement.<br />
Margaret Prescott, cashier, has been<br />
out due to illness.<br />
. . . Selda<br />
.<br />
Because of the increased patronage at the<br />
Newsreel Theatre since morning and early<br />
afternoon prices were slashed, the house has<br />
reduced its evening admissions Monday<br />
through Friday to 25 cents, tax included. On<br />
Saturdays and Sundays the Newsreel prices<br />
remain at 30 cents until 2 p. m.. and 40 cents<br />
from 2 p. m. until closing. The Newsreel has<br />
helped business with the Dempsey-Pirpo.<br />
Louis-Baer and Dempsey-Willard fight pictures<br />
released by Ringside Films<br />
Tomczyk is the new cashier at the Ritz, replacing<br />
Alva Webber Gillergan,<br />
former assistant at the Hollywood in East<br />
Orange, has contacted the Marine Corps<br />
league business on "Sands of Iwo Jima," due<br />
in March. He has arranged for a display of<br />
military equipment. A band composed of Iwo<br />
Jima veterans will participate in the program<br />
. . . Jack Conhaim. manager of the<br />
Hollywood, played up the educational possibilities<br />
in "Savage Splendor" by sending<br />
letters to the principals of seven schools.<br />
Ray Williams, manager of the Sanford in<br />
Irvington, will run an Easter revue, featuring<br />
dancers from a local school in a stage<br />
show. Harry Hadfield, electrician, is still out<br />
due to illness Rhodes, projectionist<br />
at the Sanford, finds time for com-<br />
.<br />
mercial photography and camera repair work<br />
outside theatre hours.<br />
.<br />
Sophie Taraskewicz is new relief cashier<br />
at the Branford, replacing June Naylor who<br />
resigned . . . The Branford's extensive campaign<br />
on "The Hasty Heart," arranged by<br />
Bernie Silverman, manager, and Carl Kester<br />
and Lee Kelly, his assistants, proved an effective<br />
business booster Globe was<br />
the only downtown Warner house catering<br />
to children by running hohday matinees on<br />
Lincoln's and Washington's birthdays . . .<br />
Morey Schayer. manager of the Rialto, reported<br />
good business on "Girls of the Harem"<br />
and will follow with "Girls of the Big House."<br />
What have YOU done today to help secure<br />
repeal of the unfair amusement tax?<br />
Wm, Goldman Says Divorcement<br />
Means More and Better Films<br />
PHILADELPHIA~The Supreme Court divorcement<br />
decree breaking up the system by<br />
which the men who<br />
make motion pictures<br />
also control their<br />
showing may create a<br />
boon for better pictures,<br />
said William<br />
Goldman, independent<br />
circuit owner, in an interview<br />
with Al Hinc<br />
published in the March<br />
issue of the magazine<br />
Holiday.<br />
Goldman left his job<br />
as local manager for<br />
Warner Bros. Theatres<br />
and went into business<br />
for himself, building<br />
a circuit of 17<br />
houses. His antitrust William Goldman<br />
suit against eight distributors, started in 1942<br />
and climaxed in 1946 with a victorious judgment<br />
of $375,<strong>000</strong>, made industry history.<br />
"I don't say the public is going to start a<br />
revolution," Goldman said, "or go highbrow,<br />
but I do think that the companies will have<br />
to make better pictures because nobody will<br />
have to buy movies they don't want. Bad<br />
pictures just won't sell, and producers won't<br />
be able to throw around money as carelessly<br />
as they have been. Distributors will no longer<br />
have their own theatres to underwrite their<br />
pictures against failure.<br />
"Exhibitors will get more pictures, too, because<br />
films won't run as long at all first run<br />
houses."<br />
Goldman doubted that forcing filmmakers<br />
to make films that would sell on their own<br />
merits will stifle incentive. "As if there has<br />
been enough incentive to stifle." he asserted.<br />
"Most of those people sit around and if one<br />
of them is making a certain kind of picture,<br />
the other one makes one too. That's originality.<br />
I suppose.<br />
He declared that the divorcement ruling is<br />
MOM FILM HONORED—Howard Dietz<br />
(at right), MOM vice-president and director<br />
of advertising, publicity and exploitation,<br />
receives a plaque from Dr.<br />
Clarence Hall, managing editor for the<br />
Christian Herald. The award was made<br />
in recognition of "Stars in My Crown" as<br />
the outstanding picture of the month of<br />
February by the Christian Herald, in association<br />
with the Protestant Motion Picture<br />
Council.<br />
a shot in the arm for independent producers,<br />
explaining. "Before they'd have been frozen<br />
out of finding any exhibitors by the big boys<br />
the open market independents can<br />
get a square break trying to find an outlet.<br />
I don't see how this can mean anything but<br />
better pictures and a healthier outlook."<br />
Goldman doesn't believe that the decree will<br />
affect the star system, pointing out that the<br />
public created that system itself, and improvement<br />
will have to come within its framework.<br />
Will better pictures bring back some of the<br />
older people back to the theatre? Goldman<br />
believes they not only will attract more older<br />
persons but they'll pull a larger audience all<br />
around.<br />
March Issue Also Features<br />
Old Palace Vaudeville<br />
NEW YORK—The thrills and the heartaches<br />
that took place behind the footlights at<br />
the old Palace every Monday, when the new<br />
vaudeville acts tried out, are nostalgically recalled<br />
by an article in the March issue of<br />
Holiday.<br />
"Out front sat the most critical and most<br />
promising audience an act could face," it says,<br />
recreating the scene. Flo Ziegfeld, Charles<br />
Dillingham, the Shubert brothers, David Belasco,<br />
and Winthrop Ames, all Broadway producers<br />
looking for new talent, were regular<br />
Monday attendants. Their appraisals decided<br />
an act's career.<br />
Photographs of some of the headliners. as<br />
they appeared in that day. illustrate the account,<br />
which was written by Donald Wayne,<br />
Broadway stage manager and screen writer.<br />
TV Trailer Idea Adopted<br />
By Paramount and SRO<br />
NEW YORK—Paramount and the Selznick<br />
Releasing Organization are going ahead with<br />
their plans for television trailers, and 20th<br />
Century-Fox still is doing research work on<br />
the idea of using video to advertise its films.<br />
Starting Tuesday (14 1 Paramount's first<br />
video trailer, for "Dear Wife." was given a<br />
five-day tryout over WAT'V in Newark, N. J.<br />
Ben Griefer, general manager of the Adams<br />
downtown theatres there, .scheduled the advertising<br />
campaign in conjunction with the<br />
"Dear Wife" engagement at the Newark Paramount.<br />
SOPEG and Publicists<br />
Talk Over Combining<br />
NEW YORK—The combined<br />
membership<br />
of Screen Publicists Guild and Screen Office<br />
& F>rofessional Employes Guild attended a<br />
meeting at the New.spaper Guild quarters<br />
February 9 to di.scu.ss merging the two organizations.<br />
Under tentative plans, Big Maitles,<br />
SPG president, would become president of the<br />
combined units and Sid Young, SOPEG head,<br />
would become vice-president. No immediate<br />
action will be taken as the entire membership<br />
would have to vote on the move.<br />
Have you ordered your taxation trailer and<br />
petition cards from National Screen Service?<br />
Do it today.<br />
BOXOFFICE :: February 18. 1950 N 46-A
20th-Fox Bonus Plan<br />
Pushes Older Films<br />
NEW YORK—Twentieth Century-Fox has<br />
started a new type of bonus drive for branch<br />
managers and salesmen throughout the country<br />
in an effort to get further rentals on<br />
a group of pictures, mostly British-made<br />
product. Under the plan, the managers and<br />
salesmen will get a 10 per cent commission<br />
on rentals for the pictures, according to Andy<br />
W. Smith jr.. vice-president in charge of distribution.<br />
Among the pictures, most of which have<br />
played only a small part of available dates,<br />
are: two Alexander Korda features. "An Ideal<br />
Husband," in Technicolor, and "Anna Karenina":<br />
"Forbidden Street." filmed in England<br />
but with American stars. Dana Andrews<br />
and Maureen O'Hara. and "The Fan." filmed<br />
in Hollywood but featuring several British<br />
plas'ers. George Sanders. Martita Hunt and<br />
Richard Greene.<br />
Smith is aiming at an additional $2,<strong>000</strong>,<strong>000</strong><br />
in domestic rentals on the pictures. "An Ideal<br />
Husband" and "Anna Karenina" were 1948<br />
releases while the other two were released<br />
early in 1949.<br />
Bausch & Lomb Name Day<br />
Head of Manufacturing<br />
ROCHESTER—Carl A. Day has been<br />
named head of manufacturing of the Bausch<br />
& Lomb Optical Co.. according to Theodore<br />
B. Drescher. vice-president in charge of<br />
manufacturing since 1932. Day will give fulltime<br />
to development of methods, processes<br />
and modernization of manufactiu-ing facilities.<br />
Divisional plant superintendents working<br />
under Day are Harry O. Flodin. Edward J.<br />
Reh. Otto E. Trautman. Vincent M. Young.<br />
Joseph J. Graffley and Harry N. Bedford.<br />
lATSE to Fete Walsh<br />
NEW YORK—Tlie lATSE unions in New<br />
York state will hold a biennial dinner at<br />
the Hotel St. George. Brooklyn. February 20.<br />
the date of the 50th birthday of Richard<br />
F. Walsh. lATSE president, who also is<br />
president of Local 4, Brooklyn.<br />
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VFW AWARD TO EL — William J.<br />
Heineman (left). Eagle Lion vice-president<br />
in charge of distribution, accepts<br />
a scroll from Charles Ralls, senior vicecommander<br />
in chief of the Veterans of<br />
Foreign Wars, in commendation for the<br />
release of "Guilty of Treason." story of<br />
the "trial behind the trial" of Cardinal<br />
Mindszenty of Hungary. The presentation<br />
was made in New York City.<br />
Al Crown Worldwide Head<br />
Of Sales for Goldwyn<br />
NEW YORK—Alfred Crown, vice-president<br />
of Samuel Goldwyn Productions, has been<br />
placed in charge of worldwide sales by James<br />
A. Mulvey. president. Crown now takes over<br />
the responsibility for domestic sales in addition<br />
to continuing his duties as head of<br />
foreign sales.<br />
Robert B. Pell will be Crown's assistant in<br />
the foreign sales field. Other Goldwyn appointments<br />
are: Gordon Craddock jr.. formerly<br />
with Universal and Eagle Lion, who<br />
will be Crown's assistant in domestic sales,<br />
and William Toumey, formerly with Eagle<br />
Lion, who will be assistant to Jock Lawrence,<br />
pewly appointed vice-president of advertising<br />
and publicity. Lawrence recently<br />
succeeded Lynn Farnol.<br />
Boy's Wish Is Granted;<br />
Talks With Roy Rogers<br />
NEW YORK—Recently Tyrone Diggin, a<br />
youngster from Indianapolis, who was flown<br />
to New York by the Variety Club tent of that<br />
city for treatment with the new leukemia<br />
drug ACTH at University hospital, said he<br />
wanted most in the world to talk with Roy<br />
Rogers.<br />
A brief wire was sent to Rogers at Houston.<br />
Texas. Within a short time young Tyrone<br />
received a long distance call from Houston.<br />
Roy wished him happiness on his ninth birthday,<br />
which was Monday (13). They talked<br />
for a long time and Rogers promised to send<br />
the boy a souvenir.<br />
Another Drive-In to Open<br />
In Jersey During April<br />
IXCVER. N. J.—The 550-car Garden Auto-<br />
Torium has been started at Ledgewood Circle,<br />
five miles west of here at the junction of<br />
routes 6 and 10. The opening is slated for<br />
April 15. Wilfred P. Smith will be the operator.<br />
The new theatre will occupy 15 acres,<br />
and offer a shopping center along the highway<br />
frontage, a restaurant and children's<br />
playground. Smith formerly was general<br />
manager for Eastern Drive-In Corp., operating<br />
six New Jersey drive-ins.<br />
Directors for Ascap<br />
Elected by Mail<br />
NEW YORK—The annual election for<br />
Ascap directors is now being conducted by<br />
mail with the results to be announced at the<br />
annual meeting to be held within the next<br />
few weeks. Eight of the 24 board members<br />
are elected for three-year terms each year.<br />
The eight nominated for re-election for<br />
1950 are four songwriters. Otto A. Harbach,<br />
Edgar Leslie, Stanley Adams and Deems Taylor,<br />
and four publishers, Irving Caesar, Frank<br />
H. Connor. Abe Olman and Lester Santly.<br />
In addition, two other writers are nominated<br />
for each writer up for re-election. They are<br />
WiUie Bishop. L. Wolfe Gilbert. John Latouche.<br />
John D. Marks. Maurice Sigler. Mabel<br />
Wayne. Walter Golde and Irwin Rawan. One<br />
other publisher is nominated for each publisher<br />
up for re-election. They are Abner<br />
Silver, Tommy Valando, Bob Miller and<br />
Willard Sniffen.<br />
Maurice N. Wolf Speaking<br />
Schedule Again Extended<br />
NEW YORK—Maurice N. Wolf, assistant<br />
to H. M. Richey. MGM exhibitor relations<br />
head, has completed 300 speaking engagements<br />
and is continuing the fast pace. He<br />
has two dates in February, five in March<br />
and four in April.<br />
He appeared before the Rotary Club at<br />
Macon. Ga.. February 15. and the following<br />
day addressed Rotary at Thomasville. Ga.<br />
His March dates are: Rotary. Waco. Tex.,<br />
March 20: Rotary, Austin, Tex., March 28;<br />
Kiwanis, Corpus Christi, Tex.. March 29:<br />
Motion Picture Advisory Reviewing Board.<br />
San Antonio. March 30. and Rotary. San<br />
Antonio. March 31.<br />
The April dates are: Rotary. Lubbock. Tex.,<br />
April 12: Rotary, Amarillo, April 13; Rotary,<br />
Fort Worth, April 14: Young People's League,<br />
Roxbury, Mass.. April <strong>23</strong>.<br />
Walker, Schaefer Named<br />
To Catholic Committee<br />
NEW YORK—Frank C. Walker, former<br />
postmaster general, has been named treasurer<br />
of the special gifts laity committee for<br />
the 31st annual drive for Catholic charities,<br />
and George J. Schaefer. eastern representative<br />
for Stanley Kramer Productions, has<br />
been named assistant treasurer by Cardinal<br />
Spellman.<br />
John S. Burke, president of B. Altman<br />
& Co.. and John A. Coleman of the New<br />
York stock exchange firm of Adler. Coleman<br />
& Co., were named chairman and executive<br />
chairhian, respectively, of the committee.<br />
The 1950 appeal officially opened with a<br />
meeting of the special gifts committee at<br />
the Empire State club February 15. A houseto-house<br />
canvass of all Catholic families will<br />
begin April <strong>23</strong>.<br />
"Cinderella' to Mayfair Feb. 22<br />
NEW YORK—"Cinderella." the Walt Disney<br />
feature in Technicolor released by RKO,<br />
will open at the Mayfair Theatre February<br />
22, three days earlier than originally scheduled.<br />
46-B BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950
fr<br />
Six New Promotions<br />
In MGM Sales Force<br />
NEW YORK—Six promotions in the MGM<br />
sales forces were made over the weekend.<br />
They became effective Tuesday (14).<br />
Pitt H. Holmes, office manager and head<br />
booker at Memphis, has become salesman in<br />
that territory. In Atlanta John H. Allen,<br />
booker, has been made a salesman. In Cincinnati.<br />
Jack Rider, booker, has been given<br />
a sales post.<br />
Clark Skaggs, booker at Memphis, has been<br />
named as head booker and office manager.<br />
He succeeds Holmes. Laura Butler, a booker's<br />
clerk, has moved into the booker's post vacated<br />
by Skaggs.<br />
Richard Hedglen, student booker at Cleveland,<br />
has been promoted to booker.<br />
Oklahoma City Keeps Lead<br />
In Ned Depinet Drive<br />
NEW YORK — The RKO Oklahoma City<br />
branch held its lead at the end of the sixth<br />
week of the 1950 Ned Depinet Drive, which<br />
got under way December <strong>23</strong>. Memphis, with<br />
R. V. Reagin, manager, advanced to second<br />
place from third position, while Charlotte,<br />
R. F. Branon, manager, dropped to third.<br />
Denver. J. C. Emerson, manager, finished in<br />
fourth position.<br />
The southeastern district, David Prince,<br />
manager, jumped from third position to take<br />
over the lead in the nine districts with Canadian,<br />
Leo M. Devaney, manager, dropping<br />
from leader last week to second position. The<br />
north-south division, headed by Charles Boasberg,<br />
held on to first place with western second<br />
and eastern third. Walter E. Branson<br />
heads western and Nat Levy heads the eastern<br />
division.<br />
March of Time Feature<br />
To Be Handled by RKO<br />
NEW YORK—RKO will release the March<br />
of Time's first postwar feature. "Tlie Golden<br />
Twenties—a Chronicle of America's Jazz Age,"<br />
in April, according to Ned E. Depinet, RKO<br />
president, and Richard DeRochemont. producer<br />
of March of Time. This deal renews<br />
an association between the two companies<br />
which began in 1935, when March of Time<br />
was founded.<br />
The story of "The Golden Twenties" was<br />
written by Frederick Lewis Allen, author of<br />
"Only Yesterday" and "I Remember Distinctly,"<br />
and Samuel N. Bryant of the March<br />
of Time staff. The picture features over 100<br />
personalities of the '20s, including Al Jolson,<br />
Valentino. Chaplin, Garbo and Douglas Fairbanks<br />
and the hit tunes of the period were<br />
arranged by Jack Shaindlin.<br />
Marc Spiegel to Resign<br />
From RKO Foreign Dept.<br />
NEW YORK—Marc Spiegel will resign from<br />
the RKO foreign department home office<br />
staff March 1. Spiegel, who joined RKO upon<br />
termination of his services with the U.S.<br />
army, has been with the company for four<br />
years, handling special assignments. He recently<br />
returned from Germany, where he<br />
represented the home office in helping to organize<br />
RKO offices there.<br />
Biblical Passages Halt<br />
Demand for Free Passes<br />
Miami—Jack Fink came up with a few<br />
suggestions for a new angle to get rid<br />
of persons who don't deserve, but constantly<br />
ask for, theatre passes. In Contact,<br />
Wometco's house organ. Fink suggests<br />
the pass-demanders read the Bible,<br />
a little each day, and pay attention to<br />
these passages:<br />
Monday—Numbers 20:18: "Thou shalt<br />
not pass."<br />
Tuesday—Judges 3:28: "Suffer not a<br />
man to pass."<br />
Wednesda.v—Nahum 1:15: "The wicked<br />
shall not pass."<br />
Thursday—Mark 13:30: "This generation<br />
shall not pass."<br />
Friday—Isaiah 34:10: "None shall pass."<br />
Saturday—Jonah 1:3: "So he paid the<br />
fare thereof and went."<br />
Sunday: (We all know passes aren't<br />
good on Sunday.)<br />
Slate of Officers Picked<br />
By Television Authority<br />
NEW YORK—The national board of the<br />
Television Authority, which aims to represent<br />
performers in the live television field, has<br />
elected a temporary slate of officers. The<br />
permanent officers will be elected by TVA<br />
groups in the east, midwest and west within<br />
the next few months.<br />
The temporary officers are John Kennedy<br />
of Actors Equity, chairman: Virginia Payne<br />
of American Federation of Radio Artists, first<br />
vice-chairman; Margaret Speaks, American<br />
Guild of Musical Artists, second vice-chairman,<br />
and Paul Purnell of Chorus Equity,<br />
treasurer. These are the four organizations<br />
which make up TVA.<br />
Meanwhile, the Screen Actors Guild, which<br />
wants to represent actors in filmed television<br />
shows, still is split with TVA over jurisdictional<br />
control.<br />
'Key to the City' Booked<br />
Into 100 Key Theatres<br />
NEW YORK—"Key to the City" has been<br />
booked into more than 100 theatres for<br />
Washington's birthday, according to Howard<br />
Dietz, vice-president of advertising, publicity<br />
and exploitation for MGM. The same<br />
type of advertising campaign used for<br />
"Adam's Rib" will be employed.<br />
The film is now playing Loew's State here.<br />
Special Sunday advertisements for four<br />
weeks up to the opening dates will be placed<br />
in each city where the film is to open.<br />
Boston, Cleveland. Chicago, St. Louis. Syracuse,<br />
Rochester, Hartford, Houston, Albany,<br />
Memphis and New Haven are among the cities<br />
scheduled.<br />
Petrillo Asks Tax Repeal<br />
NEW YORK—Pi-esident James C. Petrillo<br />
of the American Federation of Musicians<br />
called for repeal of the 20 per cent federal<br />
entertainment tax in the current issue of<br />
International Musician. He made the charge<br />
it is not actually a revenue-producing levy<br />
because it "shows very rapidly diminishing<br />
returns, dries up the source on which it is<br />
levied and adversely affects employment.<br />
Loew's Stockholders<br />
To Meet March <strong>23</strong><br />
NEW YORK—Loew's .stockholders will meet<br />
March <strong>23</strong> to vote on extensions of contracts<br />
of Louis B. Mayer and J. Robert Rubin, vicepresidents,<br />
and to elect 11 directors. Those<br />
nominated for re-election are: Leopold Friedman,<br />
F. Joseph Holleran, Eugene W. Leake,<br />
Charles C. Moskowitz, William A. Parker,<br />
William F. Rodgers, Nicholas M. Schenck,<br />
David Warfield, Henry Rogers, Winthrop and<br />
Rubin.<br />
The stockholders also will vote on two resolutions<br />
whcili have been submitted by a minority<br />
stockholder, James Fuller. One calls for<br />
a ceiling of $10,<strong>000</strong> per year on payments under<br />
the company's retirement fund and the<br />
other recommends reducing salaries of officers<br />
and executives and directors who receive<br />
more than $25,<strong>000</strong> per year when company<br />
earnings have been reduced.<br />
Manny Reiner to Handle<br />
Foreign Films for SRO<br />
NEW YORK—Manny Reiner, former Selznick<br />
Releasing Organization sales manager<br />
for Latin America and Australasia, has been<br />
put in charge of a new SRO department for<br />
distribution in the U.S. of quality pictures<br />
which are produced in other countries. The<br />
new unit will be under the supervision of<br />
Sidney G. Deneau, vice-president, who will<br />
put on special exploitation men to handle<br />
the publicizing of the pictures.<br />
Deneau -said that foreign pictures which<br />
formerly were considered problem features<br />
by exhibitors now are capable of attaining<br />
grosses comparable to American films, and<br />
that the term "art pictures" can be dropped.<br />
He feels that a great proportion of "lost<br />
audiences" will be brought back into the<br />
theatres by these films.<br />
Reiner will leave February 15 for Cuba<br />
and will make a two-month tour of Latin<br />
America to set up sales arrangements in<br />
that territory for "The Fallen Idol" and "The<br />
Third Man" before taking over his new post<br />
in New York.<br />
'Willie Comes Marching'<br />
Set for 24 Key Cities<br />
NEW YORK — "When Willie Comes Marching<br />
Home." which played saturation dates<br />
in Pennsylvania last week, has been set for<br />
openings in 24 key cities during the next few<br />
weeks. The picture opened at the Roxy, New<br />
York, February 17.<br />
The new dates set are Fulton, Pittsburgh:<br />
Stuart. Lincoln: Strand. Portland, Me.; Allen.<br />
Cleveland; Fox. San Franci-sco: three theatres,<br />
Kansas City: Grand, Topeka; Strand.<br />
Cumberland; Capitol, Cincinnati; Fox, Philadelphia;<br />
four tlieatres, Oklahoma City:<br />
Apollo, Atlantic City: Paramount, Portland.<br />
Ore.; Radio City, Minneapolis: Paramount,<br />
Youngstown: Palace, Dallas; Aztec. San Antonio;<br />
Grandin-Lee. Roanoke: Denver-Esquire,<br />
Denver: Lincoln. Springfield, 111.;<br />
Strand, Wichita; Strand, Vancouver; Orpheum,<br />
Tulsa, and Carolina, Charlotte.<br />
Navy Adopts Mighty Mouse<br />
NEW YORK—Paul Terry's well-known<br />
Mighty Mouse has been honored by the U.S.<br />
Navy. The name has been adopted for the<br />
new rockets shot from planes.<br />
BOXOFTICE :: February 18. 1950 46-C
First Japanese Permit<br />
Is Granted Monogram<br />
HOLLYWOOD—In what is reportedly the<br />
first postwar deal encompassing the distribution<br />
of American pictures in Japan, the<br />
Nipponese government has granted an import<br />
permit providing for the exhibition of<br />
Monogram-Allied Ai-tists product in the territories<br />
of Honshu and Kyushu.<br />
The five-year agreement becomes effective<br />
upon approval by the Supreme Commander<br />
Allied Powers, and the necessary applications<br />
are now being prepared for submission to<br />
that body.<br />
Principals in the commitment are Shochiku<br />
Film Enterprises. Ltd., a California corporation<br />
of which Kenneth K. Hirose is president,<br />
and the Monogram International Corp.,<br />
Monogram subsidiary. Actual distribution in<br />
Japan will be carried on by the Shochiku Co.,<br />
Ltd., which owns 850 theatres and leases 500<br />
others in that country. It also produces and<br />
distributes film fare.<br />
Both completed and forthcoming films are<br />
included under terms of the agreement, including<br />
such product as "Bad Boy," "The<br />
Babe Ruth Story," "Black Gold," "Blue Grass<br />
of Kentucky," "There's a Girl in My Heart,"<br />
and such "series" pictures as "Bomba," "Joe<br />
Palooka," "Jiggs and Maggie," "Tlie Latham<br />
Family." "Bowery Boys," the Roddy Mc-<br />
Oowall starrers, and westerns toplining<br />
Johnny Mack Brown and Whip Wilson.<br />
UA Sets Releasing Deal<br />
For Films in Indonesia<br />
NEW YORK—United Artists has concluded<br />
a deal with N. V. Mij Intraport of Jakarta,<br />
whereby the latter will distribute UA product<br />
in Indonesia for a term of years, according<br />
to Arthur w. Kelly, executive vice-president.<br />
The agreement is similar in character to<br />
the licensee arrangement UA has had with<br />
distributors in various territories for many<br />
years.<br />
The details were finalized by Alfred Katz,<br />
UA manager in Singapore, and Dr. R. G. C.<br />
Dezentje, managing director of Intraport.<br />
During the past three and one-half years,<br />
distribution of UA pictures, as well as those<br />
of all other American companies, in Indonesia<br />
was handled through the combined facilities<br />
of the Motion Picture Export Ass'n.<br />
This agreement expired Dec. 31, 1949.<br />
Bjorkholm Now Manager<br />
For UA in Sweden<br />
NEW YORK—Folke Bjorkholm has been<br />
named as United Artists manager in Sweden<br />
by Arthur W. Kelly, executive vice-president.<br />
Bjorkholm succeeds Harald Astrom, who retired<br />
after 28 years service with the company.<br />
Bjorkholm was born and educated in Stockholm.<br />
He began his career in the film business<br />
with Paramount in 1929. Before joining<br />
UA, he was sales manager and production<br />
adviser for Kungsfilm AB, Swedish producing<br />
and distributing company,<br />
Kelly also has promoted Louis Reeves, formerly<br />
salesman in the UA office at Leeds,<br />
England, to become manager of the Manchester<br />
office.<br />
Steve Broidy (left) ,<br />
president of Monogram-Allied<br />
Artists, and Kenneth K.<br />
Hirose, president of Chochiku Film Enterprises,<br />
exchange mutual congratulations<br />
upon consummation of a five-year agreement<br />
whereby the Shochiku company will<br />
distribute Monogram-AA product in Japan.<br />
The deal becomes effective upon<br />
approval by the Supreme Commander<br />
Allied Powers—Gen. Douglas MacArthur.<br />
Labor and Johnston<br />
Talk Unemployment<br />
NEW YORK — Long-standing<br />
complaints<br />
that foreign production by U.S. companies is<br />
causing serious unemployment in Hollywood<br />
were presented here Tuesday (13) to Eric<br />
Johnston, president of the Motion Picture<br />
Ass'n of America, by producers, talent guilds<br />
and craft unions, most of them members of<br />
the Hollywood AFL Film council.<br />
The western delegation emerged from the<br />
meeting feeling that progress had been made,<br />
since they had been able to personally present<br />
their problems to Johnston, representing<br />
management, and since Johnston promised<br />
to go to Hollywood and check into the situation.<br />
The Hollywood labor leaders emphasized<br />
tbat this was the first time they had gotten<br />
directly to top management. A second meeting<br />
will follow, to be held in Hollywood before<br />
the opening of the Anglo-American film pact<br />
negotiations in London and with Johnston<br />
attending.<br />
All at the meeting agreed as to the need<br />
for cooperative effort to advance the general<br />
welfare of the industry. The Hollywood meeting<br />
will discuss specific methods of cooperation.<br />
See Expansion of TV<br />
As Slower in 1950<br />
NEW YORK—The National Industriral<br />
Conference Board has found that the television<br />
industry "seems to be over the hump<br />
of its growth." having produced receivers at<br />
a faster rate in 1949 than the expected average<br />
for 1950.<br />
Estimated 1949 output totaled over 2,600,<strong>000</strong><br />
units, against a little under 1.<strong>000</strong>,<strong>000</strong> in 1948,<br />
200,<strong>000</strong> in 1947 and 6,500 in 1946. During<br />
the last quarter of 1949 the output was more<br />
than 1,<strong>000</strong>,<strong>000</strong> sets, or an annual rate of<br />
4,600,<strong>000</strong>. The board quoted the Radio Mfg.<br />
Ass'n as estimating a production of about<br />
3,700,<strong>000</strong> in 1950. This would mean an expansion<br />
of only 10 to 20 per cent.<br />
The NICB study showed television coverage<br />
as now limited to a little more than 50<br />
metropolitan areas with about 22,<strong>000</strong>,<strong>000</strong> families,<br />
and also that present stations cannot<br />
send consistently good images more than 50<br />
to 75 miles, depending on operational interference<br />
and local conditions. When the federal<br />
freeze on new stations is ended, additional<br />
transmitters will be constructed and<br />
new markets opened, the study said.<br />
The study found that prices of sets decreased<br />
substantially after 1946, and that<br />
the potential market of television at present<br />
prices is about 30,<strong>000</strong>,<strong>000</strong> sets, compared<br />
with 63.<strong>000</strong>,<strong>000</strong> radio sets in 42,<strong>000</strong>,<strong>000</strong> homes.<br />
MPAA Committee Prepares<br />
Findings on Television<br />
NEW YORK—The Motion Picture Ass'n of<br />
America television committee expects to release<br />
its television survey before the end of<br />
the month. The committee has been collecting<br />
data for several months dealing with<br />
the present and future effect of the new<br />
medium on the industry. Large-screen theatre<br />
television and Phonevision, which a<br />
number of exhibitors have termed a real<br />
threat to boxoffices, will be reported on, as<br />
well as the competition of home sets and<br />
the probability of a new market for Hollywood<br />
production.<br />
The committee consists of Jack Cohn,<br />
chairman; Theodore R. Black, Leopold Friedman,<br />
Edward Morey, Paul Raibourn, Samuel<br />
Schneider, Earl I. Sponable and Lewis Blumberg.<br />
Edward L. Cheyfitz, assistant to Eric<br />
Johnston, MPAA president, is taking a personal<br />
interest in the survey.<br />
DuMont Estimates Profit<br />
Of $3,200,<strong>000</strong> for 1949<br />
NEW YORK — Earnings of the Allen B.<br />
DuMont Laboratories, Inc., in 1949 were between<br />
$3,200,<strong>000</strong> and $3,300,<strong>000</strong> after taxes,<br />
according to Dr. Allen B. DuMont, president,<br />
speaking at a luncheon of the New York<br />
Security Analysts recently.<br />
Sales in 1949 were about $45,<strong>000</strong>,<strong>000</strong> and he<br />
predicted that they would reach $80,<strong>000</strong>,<strong>000</strong><br />
Taking part in the talks were; Ellis Arnall,<br />
president of the Society of Independent Motion<br />
Picture Producers; James A. Mulvey,<br />
president of Samuel Goldwyn Productions; in 1950.<br />
Richard F. Walsh, lATSE president; Kenneth The company has been operating at an annual<br />
rate of $70,<strong>000</strong>,<strong>000</strong> for the last four or<br />
Thomson, assistant executive secretary. Screen<br />
Actors Guild; Ray Lehaney, public relations five months and profits this year might reach<br />
director. Teamsters Joint Council, AFL, of $5,<strong>000</strong>,<strong>000</strong> or $6,<strong>000</strong>,<strong>000</strong> after taxes, DuMont<br />
Los Angeles; Y. Frank Freeman, chairman said. At the end of 1949. DuMont Laboratories<br />
of the board, Ass'n of Motion Picture Producers;<br />
Joyce O'Hara, executive assistant to $4,800,<strong>000</strong> at the beginning of the year. He<br />
had cash totaling $7,200,<strong>000</strong>, compared with<br />
Johnston, and Robert W. Chambers, MPAA saw prices of television receivers dropping 5<br />
director of research.<br />
to 10 per cent for the next five years.<br />
46-D BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950
,<br />
OLLXWPOD<br />
NEWS AND VIEWS THE PRODUCTION<br />
(Hollywood Office— Suite 219 at 6404 Hollywood Blvd.: Ivan Spear, Western Manager)<br />
NLRB Election Slated<br />
For Carpenters Union<br />
HOLLYWOOD—As an outcropping of the<br />
1946 studio strike, jurisdiction over studio<br />
carpenters will be decided via a National<br />
Labor Relations Board election within the<br />
next 30 days, according to word from the<br />
parent NLRB in Washington. Those active in<br />
that trade in the studios will choose between<br />
the lATSE. the carpenters' brotherhood or no<br />
union at all. Slated to vote are carpenters at<br />
Columbia, Goldwyn, MGM. Paramount, Republic,<br />
RKO, Hal Roach, 20th Century-Fox,<br />
U-I and Warners, all studio-members of the<br />
Ass'n of Motion Picture Producers: Cathedral<br />
Films, Monogram. Nassour. Sutherland and<br />
Falcon Productions, members of the Independent<br />
Motion Picture Producers Ass'n. and<br />
Walt Disney. Pine-Thomas. Jerry Fairbanks,<br />
Eagle Lion, California studios. General Service<br />
studios and Motion Picture Center.<br />
Still another postponement, this time until<br />
February <strong>23</strong>. was encountered in the $47,<strong>000</strong>.-<br />
<strong>000</strong> damage action brought by the Conference<br />
of Studio Unions against the major producers<br />
and the lATSE as another echo of the<br />
1946 studio walkout. The delay was caused<br />
by the crowded calendar in U.S. district court<br />
and by the enforced absence of some of the<br />
attorneys involved.<br />
The action, filed in 1947. charges the major<br />
producers and lA entered into a conspiracy<br />
to violate antitrust laws by refusing<br />
to hire CSU members for studio work.<br />
Employment in the studios showed a slight<br />
increase during December, it was reported by<br />
the California state labor statistics department,<br />
which revealed wages climbed to $99.13<br />
weekly, average, from $97.16 in November,<br />
while the payroll index climbed to 173.2 from<br />
November's 169.6.<br />
Masquers Dinner Slated<br />
HOLLYWOOD—President George Marshall<br />
and the board of directors of the Screen<br />
Directors Guild will be guests of honor at a<br />
Masquers dinner party to be staged February<br />
28. Harry Joe Brown is the arrangements<br />
chairman, heading a committee which includes<br />
John Ford. Robert Armstrong. Pat<br />
O'Brien. Mitchell I^ewis. Charles Kemper,<br />
Lloyd Bacon. Clarence Kolb, Rhys Williams,<br />
Henry O'Neill and David Butler.<br />
Rites for Henry B. Bell<br />
LOS ANGELES—Funeral services were held<br />
at the Pierce Bros. Hollywood chapel for<br />
Henry B. Bell. 58. cowboy actor, who died at<br />
his home here recently.<br />
West: Robert L. Lippert, president of Lippert<br />
Productions, planed in after a two-week<br />
eastern tour during which he showed "The<br />
Baron of Arizona" to exhibition executives.<br />
West: William Thomas, partner in Pine-<br />
Thomas Productions, returned from New<br />
York after huddling with eastern executives<br />
of Paramount on release plans for the recently<br />
completed "The Lawless."<br />
East: Producer Stanley Kramer and George<br />
Glass, vice-president of the Kramer production<br />
unit, were slated to leave for New York<br />
over the weekend to deliver the print of 'The<br />
Men," Kramer's latest opus, to United Artists<br />
homeoffice executives.<br />
East: Joseph Bernhard. president of Film<br />
Classics, returned to his Manhattan headquarters<br />
after a week in the film colony.<br />
West: James E. Vaughan. former studio<br />
manager for Eagle Lion, returned from a<br />
three-month survey of European production.<br />
He reported that although filmmaking activity<br />
is on the upswing, particularly in Italy,<br />
Spain and France, the picture industries on<br />
the continent are suffering from a lack of<br />
trained technicians.<br />
Square Dance Revue Tour<br />
To Raise Relief Funds<br />
HOLLYWOOD—To raise funds for multiple-sclerosis<br />
relief, 11 thespians are rehearsing<br />
in a square-dance revue, titled<br />
"Stars on<br />
the Cob." which will tour California and key<br />
cities in other parts of the U. S. The troupe<br />
includes Roddy McDowall. Henry Wilcoxon.<br />
Joan Woodbury, Rhonda Fleming. Janet<br />
Leigh. Sally Forrest. Douglas Dick. Leo Penn.<br />
Jane Powell and Ann Triola. First appearance<br />
will be at the Crown Theatre in Pasadena<br />
March 18.<br />
Terminate Jarmon Ticket<br />
HOLLYWOOD—By mutual consent Claude<br />
Jarman jr.s acting ticket at MGM has been<br />
terminated, the youth having signified a<br />
desire to return to his home in Tennessee<br />
to resume his schooling there. Young Jarman<br />
had been with the studio since 1945<br />
and appeared, among other films. In "The<br />
Yearling."<br />
Blame Unemployment<br />
On Foreign Filming<br />
HOLLYWOOD—That present high unemployment<br />
among studio workers is attributable<br />
in large measure to so-called "runaway"<br />
foreign production by American film companies<br />
was reiterated at a meeting of industry<br />
leaders in New York by two film colony labor<br />
leaders who were delegates to an eastern session,<br />
called to discuss the upcoming renewal<br />
of the Anglo-American film agreement.<br />
Attending the meeting from Hollywood<br />
were Roy M. Brewer, chairman of the Hollywood<br />
AFL Film council, an international executive<br />
of the lATSE, and active in the<br />
Motion Picture Industry council, and Kenneth<br />
Thomson of the Screen Actors Guild, which<br />
craft is a member of both the MPIC and the<br />
AFTL council.<br />
The New York huddles, over which Eric<br />
Johnston, MPAA president, presided, came<br />
only shortly after the MPIC, at a general<br />
membership meeting here, launched a study<br />
to determine how problems generated by the<br />
entire foreign situation, including frozen<br />
funds and "runaway" production, can be<br />
solved.<br />
It was reported from New York at midweek<br />
that an agreement had been reached between<br />
labor and management to present a "united<br />
front" in solving those problems and to protect<br />
Hollywood workers. Brewer told Johnston<br />
and others attending the meeting that more<br />
than 50 per cent of the film colony's studio<br />
employes are out of work because of the trend<br />
by producers toward using frozen foreign<br />
money to make pictures abroad, employing<br />
foreign labor in such projects.<br />
Others attending included Ellis Arnall and<br />
James Mulvey of the Society of Independent<br />
Motion Picture Producers. Joyce O'Hara,<br />
Johnston's executive a.ssistant. and Richard<br />
Walsh, president of the lATSE. Another session<br />
reportedly has been scheduled befoi'e<br />
American delegates journey to Britain to renegotiate<br />
the Anglo-American pact.<br />
That agreement expires in June. One of<br />
its principal provisions allows the U. S. film<br />
industry to take out of England $17,<strong>000</strong>,<strong>000</strong> in<br />
cash annually from the distribution of American<br />
films in that country.<br />
Start Frolic Rehearsals<br />
HOLLYWOOD — Rehearsals have been<br />
started for the Friars Frolic of 1950. which<br />
will be presented April 8 at the Shrine auditorium,<br />
with a portion of the proceeds to be<br />
earmarked for the Motion Picture Relief fund<br />
and other charities. Set to supply the music<br />
was Morris Stoloff. motion picture musical<br />
conductor, and a 55-piece orchestra.<br />
BOXOFTICE :: February 18, 1950 47
STUDIO PERSONNEUTIES<br />
Barnstormers<br />
Paramount<br />
HENRY WILCOXON, who appears in "Samson and<br />
Delilah," discussed that picture cfnd motion picture<br />
public relations in general at the convention of the<br />
United Theatre Owners of Illinois, which started in<br />
Springfield February 9.<br />
Republic<br />
Cowboy star ROY ROGERS, DALE EVANS and<br />
FOY WILLING and the RIDERS OF THE PURPLE<br />
SAGE were due in February 12 following their appearances<br />
at the Houston stock show.<br />
Blurbers<br />
20th Century-Fox<br />
A heart attack claimed Robert S. Doman, 61, veteran<br />
publicist who had been with the company since<br />
its organization in 1935. He is survived by his wile<br />
and a daughter.<br />
Briefies<br />
Columbia<br />
Outstanding figures in the film industry for the<br />
past 30 years are to appear in a special short<br />
which Producer Ralph StcTub has assembled for the<br />
30th anniversary of his one-reel Screen Snap Shots<br />
Metro<br />
Producer Pete Smith is selecting material for the<br />
13th in his annual series of Football Thnlls, which<br />
will contain the high spots of the 1949 grid season<br />
and is to be relea'sed just prior to the 1950 football<br />
Cleffers<br />
Columbia<br />
Assigned to score "Beyond the Purple Hills" was<br />
MISCHA BAKALEINIKOFF.<br />
Monogram<br />
Inked as musical director for<br />
was EDDIE KAY.<br />
"A Ivlodern Marriage"<br />
Paramount<br />
Engaged for musical sequences in "My Friend<br />
Irma Goes West" was DICK STABILE'S ORCHESTRA.<br />
REO Radio<br />
EMIL NEWMAN is scoring Producer Samuel Goldwyn's<br />
"The Edge of Doom."<br />
Warners<br />
The team of SAMMY CAHN and RAY HEINDORF<br />
has written two songs to be sung by Adele jergens<br />
in "Sugarfoot."<br />
Loanouts<br />
th.<br />
Columbia<br />
MEL FERRER was borrowed from<br />
leads in Producer Robert Rossen'<br />
jIIs.'<br />
RKO fo:<br />
The<br />
Independent<br />
Producer Boris Petrolf borrowed LAURA ELLIOT<br />
from Paramount for the top femme role in "Phantom<br />
of the Sea," to be directed by Norman Dawn.<br />
Meggers<br />
Columbia<br />
Assigned to direct the upcoming Durango Kid<br />
film, "Texas Dynamo," was RAY NAZARRO. Colbert<br />
Clark produces.<br />
Set to meg "The Firefighters" for Producer Milton<br />
Feldman was SEYMOUR FRIEDMAN.<br />
Metro<br />
Signed to a new three-picture<br />
and producing contract<br />
writing, directing<br />
MELVIN FRANK.<br />
were NORMAN PANAMA and<br />
Paramount<br />
Studio lifted its option on the services of Producer<br />
ROBERT FELLOWS,<br />
RKO Radio<br />
Slated to direct Robert Mitchum and Jane Russell<br />
in "Smiler With a Gun" was JOHN FARROW.<br />
Assigned to produce the Robert Mitchum topliner,<br />
"Just Like I Hate Money," was ROBERT SPARKS.<br />
20th Century-Fox<br />
LEWIS MILESTONE was handed the directing<br />
chore on the next Robert Bassler production, "The<br />
Halls of Montezuma."<br />
LAMAR TROTTI was set to script and produce<br />
"American Guerilla : Philippines," which will<br />
star Tyrone Power.<br />
Studio renewed its contract th Director JULES<br />
DASSIN for another yedr.<br />
Inked to direct "Trumpet to the Morn" f<br />
ducer Casey Robinson was ROBERT WISE.<br />
Options<br />
Columbia<br />
BOB CROSBY was signed to appear with other<br />
radio and recording artists in Producer Jonie Taps'<br />
"When You're Smiling." Also set was AL JARVIS,<br />
radio disk jockey.<br />
Actress VIVECA LINDFORS wds inked to a straight<br />
one-picture-a-year contract.<br />
JEFF DONNELL was handed a -top featured spot<br />
with Lucille Ball in "The Fuller Brush Girl." Lloyd<br />
Bacon megs for Producer S. Sylvan Simon.<br />
Eagle Lion<br />
RUBY DEE will star with Jackie Robinson in "The<br />
Jctckie Robinson Story," to be directed by Alfred<br />
Green for Producer Mort Briskin.<br />
Independent<br />
Signed for Pr^<br />
Boris Petrofl's "Phantom of<br />
FRED KOHLER JR., PIERRE WATKIN,<br />
BOB CARSON and HERMAN CANTOR. Norman Dawn<br />
megs the Laura Elliot and Jim Arness topliner. Inked<br />
for featured roles were JOIE RAY, BILL KENNEDY,<br />
GLORIA PETROFF, JANE HARLAN and TOM HUB-<br />
BARD.<br />
Producer Carl Krueger set KE'VIN O'MORRISON in<br />
the featured lead for "The All-Star Gatme."<br />
in<br />
lor<br />
Lippert<br />
HUGH O'BRIEN draws a top role with Don Castle<br />
"Highway Patrol," to be directed by Sam Newfield<br />
Producer Barney Sarecky.<br />
Metro<br />
FERNANDO DEL VALLE was<br />
Latin-American actor<br />
signed to make his Hollywood debut in Producer<br />
Arl^^iur Freed's "Crisis." Richard Brooks directs.<br />
JEFF COREY was signed for a key lead in "The<br />
William<br />
Next Voice You Hectr .. .," to be directed by<br />
A. Wellman for Producer Dore Schory. Inked<br />
for a key role was GEORGE CHANDLER.<br />
Monogram<br />
GEORGE McMANUS, creator of the Bringing Up<br />
Father comic strip, will portray a film producer<br />
in the next of the series, "Jiggs and Maggie in<br />
Hollywood."<br />
Cast additions for "Henry Does It Again" include<br />
OLIN HOWLIN, ROBERT EMMETT KEANE, BRETT<br />
KING, GEORGE NOKES, MARY STUART, BARBARA<br />
BROWN, GARY GRAY, PAT COLLINS, MARY FIELD,<br />
WILLIAM HUDSON. MARGARET BRAYTON and LOIS<br />
HUDSON. Jean Yarbrough directs for Producer Peter<br />
Scully.<br />
Paramount<br />
Actor RAY MILLAND was inked to a new nonexclusive<br />
contract which calls for six pictures over<br />
a period of years.<br />
LEN HENDRY, stand-in for comedian Bob Hope,<br />
was given an acting role in Producer Jules Schermer's<br />
"Union Station." Rudy Mate directs.<br />
CHARLES EVANS was set for "My Friend Irma<br />
Goes West." W. ANTHONY MERRILL joins the cast<br />
of the Hal Wallis production, starring Marie Wilson.<br />
RKO Radio<br />
role in "A Whiti<br />
Julie"<br />
Set for a heavy<br />
was PHILIP VAN ZANDT. Jol<br />
for<br />
Forrow directs the<br />
Robert Mitchum and Faith I lergue vehicle for<br />
Producers Irving Cummings jr.<br />
Signed for a supporting spot<br />
was GLORIA WINTERS.<br />
nd Irwin Allen.<br />
"Alias Mike Fury"<br />
JOAN DIXON was inked for the femme lead opposite<br />
Robert Sterling in "Bunco Squad." Slated for a<br />
featured role was MARGUERITE CHURCHILL, RI-<br />
CARDO CORTEZ was signed for a top supporting<br />
role. Herbert I. Leeds directs for Producer Lewis<br />
Rachmil. Handed a role was JOHN KELLOGG.<br />
Producers Jack Skirball and Bruce Manning signed<br />
KENT TAYLOR for an important role in the Bette<br />
Davis-Barry Sullivan vehicle, "The Story of a Divorce,"<br />
to be directed by Curtis Bernhardt. BARRY<br />
SULLIVAN was signed to replace Robert Young, who<br />
withdrew from the port, in the male lead opposite<br />
Bette Dcfvis.<br />
Inked for the Cornel Wilde-Maureen O'Hara vehicle,<br />
"Sons of the Musketeers," was MORONI<br />
OLSEN. Lewis Allen megs and Jerrold T. Brandt<br />
produces<br />
20th Century-Fox<br />
Dana Andrews-Gene Tierney Set for the starrer,<br />
"Where the Sidewalks End," were ROBERT PATTEN,<br />
BAREY BROOKS and NEVILLE BRAND. Otto Preminger<br />
produces and directs. Inked to play a heavy<br />
was LOU NOVA, former boxer.<br />
JEAN PETERS, CORNEL WILDE and RICHARD<br />
BASEHART were slated for the stellar roles in Casey<br />
Robinson's production, "Trumpet to the Morn."<br />
Universal-International<br />
Character actor JOHN MclNTIRE was signed for<br />
Producer Aaron Rosenberg's James Stewart-Shelley<br />
Winters-Stephen McNally topliner, "Winchester 73."<br />
Anthony Mann directs. JAMES BEST, GREGG MAR-<br />
TELL and ABNER BIBERMAN draw featured roles.<br />
Handed roles were ROCK HUDSON and J. C. FUP-<br />
PEN.<br />
EMERY PARNELL, REX LEASE, IDA MOORE and<br />
ESTHER DALE were set for "Ma and Pa Kettle Back<br />
Home."<br />
Signed for featured roles in "Panther's Moon" were<br />
07T0 WALDIS and ARAM KATCHER. KURT<br />
KRUGER also was signed.<br />
Warners<br />
Set for "The Two Million Dollar Bank Robbery"<br />
were VIRGINIA GREY, AILEEN TOWNE, EDDIE NOR-<br />
RIS and JACK STERLING.<br />
Cast addition for "Lighting Strikes Twice" is<br />
DARRYL HICKMAN.<br />
GENE EVANS joins the cast of the Randolph Scott<br />
topliner, "Sugarfoot."<br />
Scripters<br />
Republic<br />
United Artists<br />
EDMUND H. NORTH was assigned to screenplay<br />
The Sound of Fury" for Producer Robert Stillman.<br />
Story Buys<br />
Independent<br />
J. Carrol Naish and David Niven have acquired<br />
screen rights to the Arsene Lupin novels from the<br />
estate of the author, the late Maurice Leblanc. They<br />
will produce and stat in a series of films based on the<br />
Metro<br />
Acquired and placed on Jack Cummings' production<br />
slate was "The Carnival Story," authored by<br />
George Wells and Dorothy Kingsley. Esther Williams<br />
and Red Skelton will star.<br />
Acquired and slated as cm Ezio Pinza vehicle was<br />
"Strictly Dishonorable," Broadway stage play by<br />
Preston Sturges.<br />
Acquired was the Eleazar Lipsky novel, "The People<br />
versus O'Hara," which has a courtroom background.<br />
Republic<br />
Purchased and assigned to Sidney Picker for production<br />
was "Secrets of the Mounted Police," an<br />
original screenplay by Jerry Sackheim.<br />
Universal-International<br />
Screen rights to "Bonaventure," a play authored<br />
by Charlotte Hastings, and which is currently running<br />
in London, were acquired.<br />
Purchased was "The White Sheep," an original<br />
story by Whitfield Cook.<br />
Technically<br />
Columbia<br />
ROBERT PETERSON is unit art director on "The<br />
Fuller Brush Girl." Set as assistant to Director<br />
Lloyd Bacon was EARL BELLAMY.<br />
JACK CORRICK was named first assistant to Director<br />
Seymour Friedman on the Milton Feldman<br />
production, "Firefighters." Set as art director was<br />
VICTOR GREENE.<br />
GEORGE BROOKS was assigned as unit art director<br />
on 'Prowl Car."<br />
Monogram<br />
Eagle Lion<br />
MARCUS LOW wEas named assistant to Producer<br />
Mort Briskin on "The Jackie Robinson Story."<br />
Independent<br />
Production crew for Producer Boris Petroff's "Phantom<br />
of the Sea" includes HARRY NEWMAN, camera;<br />
DANNY HALL, art director; CLARENCE JURIST, production<br />
supervisor, and AL WESTON, assistant director.<br />
Production crew assigned to "Henry Does It<br />
Again" includes WILLIAM CALIHAN, assistant; WIL-<br />
LIAM A. SICKNER, camera, and TOM LAMBERT,<br />
RKO Radio<br />
Signed as photographer on Filn<br />
Safe" was ARCHIE STOUT.<br />
Set to handle the camera and id chores, respectively,<br />
for "Waiting for Baby"<br />
J. ROY HUNT<br />
(Continued on next page)<br />
48 BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950
"<br />
Para. TV Outlet Buys<br />
Rights to 25 Films<br />
HOLLYWOOD—First and second run telecasting<br />
rights in this area to 25 pictures produced<br />
between 1938 and 1943 have been acquired<br />
by station KTLA. Paramount's video<br />
outlet, the group including such features as<br />
"Stage Coach," "Blockade," "I Married a<br />
Witch" and "House Across the Bay." Toplined<br />
are such stars as John Wayne, Joan Bennett.<br />
Charles Boyer, William Holden, Joel McCrea<br />
and Ann Sheridan.<br />
KTLA also has inked Tim McCoy, veteran<br />
sagebrush hero, to a term ticket calling for<br />
video appearances and the production of 30-<br />
minute westerns tor telecasting. Along with<br />
the package the Paramount television outlet<br />
also corraled the rights to more than 50 Mc-<br />
Coy starring westerns made originally for<br />
theatrical consumption.<br />
Added to the Jerry Fairbanks Productions<br />
schedule were 65 more five-minute entries in<br />
the Crusader Rabbit video series. 13 spot<br />
commercials for Dodge motor cars and ten<br />
spot commercials for Oldsmobile. The Dodge<br />
commercials, utilizing Fairbanks' Speaking of<br />
Animals Duoplane process, will be earmarked<br />
for both video and theatrical showings.<br />
Son to Jack M. Warner<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Jack M. Warner, son of the<br />
Warner Bros, vice-president, became the<br />
father of a baby girl, born to Mrs. Warner,<br />
the former Barbara Ann Richman. It is<br />
their first child. Warner recently organized<br />
his own independent unit, Roxbury Productions.<br />
Personnelities<br />
(Continued from preceding page)<br />
and JAMES SPEAK. DORAN COX was named as assistant<br />
to Director Hal Yates on the short.<br />
United Artists<br />
PERRY FERGUSON, who has just joined Robert<br />
Stillman Productions, was assigned as art director<br />
on "The Sound oi Fury."<br />
Universal-International<br />
Stalf assignments for "Winchester 73" include;<br />
DEWEY STAfiKEY, unit production manager; WIL-<br />
LIAM DANIELS, cameraman; YVONNE WOOD, costume<br />
designer; NATHAN PURAN, ctrt director; ED-<br />
WARD CURTIS, him editor, and PAUL DAVIDSON,<br />
technical adviser.<br />
Warners<br />
Assigned as film editor on "Sugorfoot was CLAR-<br />
'<br />
ENCE KOLSTER.<br />
Slated to handle the film editor chore on "The<br />
Two Million Dollar Bank Robbery" was OWEN<br />
MARKS.<br />
Comermoti KARL FREUND terminated his contract<br />
with the studio and plans to freelance.<br />
Title Changes<br />
Columbia<br />
"Sweet Lorraine" to WHEN YOU'RE SMILING.<br />
Monogram<br />
"Border Renegades" io OVER THE BORDER.<br />
RKO Radio<br />
"I Married a Communist" to THE GIRL ON PIER 13.<br />
Universal-International<br />
"Death on a Side Street' 'to ONE WAY STREET.<br />
"Confidetitial Squad" to THE SLEEPING CITY.<br />
"Fiddle-Foot" to SADDLE TRAMP.<br />
Warners<br />
"The Hawk and the Arrow" to THE FLAME AND<br />
THE ARROW.<br />
GRE.\T HEART AWARD — Variety<br />
Club Chief Barker Ellis Levy (left) is<br />
shown above giving the first Great Heart<br />
award from Tent 32 to J. W. Erhlich before<br />
some 500 San Francisco notables. The<br />
award was given to Erhlich for his outstanding<br />
efforts in spearheading the raising<br />
of some $70,<strong>000</strong> for a permanent Milk<br />
fund for needy school children.<br />
Perc Westmore Contract<br />
Terminated at Warners<br />
HOLLYWOOD—A quarter-century association<br />
was terminated when, by mutual agreement,<br />
Perc Westmore's contract as head of<br />
the Warner studio makeup department was<br />
terminated. No reason for Westmore's departure<br />
was forthcoming and he did not immediately<br />
announce his future plans. Westmore<br />
in 19<strong>23</strong> organized the first makeup department<br />
for the old First National company,<br />
which later was merged with Warners.<br />
Eleanor Parker Leaves<br />
WB on Friendly Terms<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Actress Eleanor Parker and<br />
Warners have agreed to an amicable release<br />
and Miss Parker has checked off the lot<br />
after eight and a half years under contract.<br />
She will make no career plans until after the<br />
birth of her baby, expected in April. Mi.ss<br />
Parker has toplines in three completed but<br />
unreleased Warner films, "Chain Lightning,<br />
"Rock Bottom" and "Caged."<br />
Ronald Reagan Honored<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Ronald Reagan, president<br />
of the Screen Actors Guild and chairman of<br />
the Motion Picture Industry council, was<br />
guest of honor at a testimonial dinner given<br />
by the Fi'iars club applauding him for his<br />
contributions to the industry. With George<br />
Jessel as master of ceremonies, the speakers<br />
included Cecil B. DeMille, Harry Cohn, Al<br />
Jolson, Pat O'Brien. George Burns. EM Wynn<br />
and other luminaries of films, radio and television.<br />
SPEARHEADS<br />
appears on<br />
Page 22<br />
Dore Schary Speaker<br />
Before Rotary Club<br />
HOLLYWOOD — Emphasizing that it is<br />
difficult for "any industry to be all things to<br />
all people" and contending that some groups<br />
think of Hollywood as a place, others as an<br />
idea, some as an institution, others as an art,<br />
."ome as a business and others as a "propaganda<br />
agency," Dore Schary, MOM vice-president<br />
in charge of production, spoke at a<br />
meeting of the Los Angeles Rotary club.<br />
Schary pictured the film capital as a<br />
stable community in which more than 70 per<br />
cent of the personnel has been in the picture<br />
business for ten years or more, said that 70<br />
per cent of these married have never been<br />
divorced and contended that 87 per cent "do<br />
not believe the rest of the world actually<br />
knows the Hollywood community." Although<br />
it comprises only about 25,<strong>000</strong> workers, or<br />
roughly 1 per cent of the Los Angeles population.<br />
Hollywood contributes some 12 per cent<br />
of the funds raised in the city's Community<br />
Chest drive, Schary pointed out.<br />
LeRoy Prinz and Owen Crump have been<br />
set to produce and direct, respectively, a musical<br />
revue being underwritten by the national<br />
American Legion and scheduled to open here<br />
in October. In addition to big-name guest<br />
stars, the show's cast will comprise former<br />
G.I.s, WACs and WA'VEs. Following the local<br />
presentation, the revue will tour the nation<br />
and foreign cities.<br />
The new Irving Thalberg lodge, entertainment-industry<br />
affiliate of B'nai B'rith, will<br />
conduct its installation and first meeting February<br />
26. Its first president is Al Rogell, with<br />
a directorate including Steve Broidy, Henry<br />
Ginsberg, Barney Balaban, Henry Herzbrun<br />
and actor Alan Reed.<br />
35mm Recording Problems<br />
Discussed by Engineers<br />
HOLLYWOOD — Problems and techniques<br />
in 35mm magnetic recording were discussed<br />
by Dr. Robert Herr. research scientist associated<br />
with the Minnesota Mining & Mfg.<br />
Co., at a meeting of the Pacific coast section<br />
of the Society of Motion Picture and Television<br />
Engineers,<br />
Speakers also included winners of technical<br />
awards in the recent Academy of Television<br />
Arts and Sciences achievements presentation.<br />
Carl York Visits Hollywood<br />
HOLLYWOOI>— After a few days here conferring<br />
with local executives of the Motion<br />
Picture Ass'n of America. Carl York, MPAA<br />
representative for Scandinavia, headed for<br />
New York en route back to his headquarters<br />
in Stockholm. During his visit York was<br />
guest of honor at a luncheon given at Paramount<br />
by Luigi Lura.schi, head of the studio's<br />
censorship department and chairman of the<br />
MPAA international committee here.<br />
Benefit for Boys Home<br />
HOLLYWOOD—The LeRoy Boys home was<br />
the beneficiary when Janet Leigh. MGM<br />
actress, staged a benefit show at the Reseda<br />
Theatre in Reseda. Participating were Gloria<br />
DeHaven, Jane Powell, Keenan Wynn, Lassie,<br />
Andre Previn and Miss Leigh,<br />
BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950 49
»d(McCoK ^efi
. . Angeline<br />
. . Showmen<br />
. . Richard<br />
DENVER<br />
Tirillard Ausmus, recently with Fox Midwest,<br />
has been named city manager at<br />
Salida by C. U. Yaeger, Atlas Theatres president,<br />
where he succeeded Oran Dowler. resigned.<br />
Yaeger also has raised Jolin Krause.<br />
assistant at the Golden in Golden, to manager.<br />
Krause succeeds Dick Dekker. who went<br />
to Lamar to substitute for B. A. Dixon, who<br />
has been seriously ill and who is now slowly<br />
recuperating at home.<br />
.<br />
Robert "Rocky" Evans, assistant at the<br />
State, has been named manager by owner<br />
Norman Pi'obstein. Evans succeeds Tom Arrants,<br />
manager since Probstein bouglit the<br />
house, who has resigned Mc-<br />
Gee has been hired as booker secretary at<br />
RKO. succeeding Georgie Minock. who left<br />
the company.<br />
Irving Neuwirth, publicity man for Universal,<br />
was here putting on a campaign for<br />
"Francis," which will open at the Denver,<br />
Webber and Aladdin February 21 . . . Mayer<br />
Monsky. U-I manager, was on a sales trip<br />
to New Mexico with Don Gillin. salesman<br />
. . . Jerry Safron. Columbia district manager,<br />
was here for conferences with Robert<br />
Hill, manager.<br />
Filmrow visitors included Lloyd Greve.<br />
Eagle; Dr. F. E. Rider. Wauneta. Neb.;<br />
Dorrance Schmidt. Bridgeport, Neb.; Tom<br />
Love. Hanna. Wyo.; Mr. and Mrs. Richard<br />
Bennett. Sheridan. Wyo.: Frank Audelotte,<br />
Fort Collins; Leon Coulter. Loveland; Elden<br />
Menagh. Fort Lupton; Russ Dauterman, Casper,<br />
Wyo; Emmett Warner. Albuquerque;<br />
Garner Mason. Hagerman. N. M.; Larry<br />
Starsmore, Colorado Springs; Bernard Newman.<br />
Walsh, and Merle Gwinn, Benkelman,<br />
Neb.<br />
Baptist Church May Make<br />
Own Sound, Silent Films<br />
DALLAS—A committee of Baptist executives<br />
meeting here recommended that the<br />
Southern Baptist convention set up studios<br />
to produce its own religious films. Tlae recommendation<br />
will go to tlie convention's<br />
executive board and will be presented in May<br />
at an annual meeting of laymen and preachers<br />
in Chicago.<br />
Under the plan. Baptists would make both<br />
sound and silent films for religious education.<br />
The films would be sold or rented to<br />
member churches. The committee .suggested<br />
that the Sunday School board in Nashville.<br />
Tenn., handle the program. Dr. Ellis A.<br />
Fuller, president of the Southern Baptist<br />
Theological .seminary at Louisville. Ky., and<br />
one of the members of the committee, said<br />
that films now available do not stress Baptist<br />
views.<br />
Improve Long Beach House<br />
LONG BEACH. WASH.—Manager J. G.<br />
Williams says carpenters have completed<br />
added improvements to the local theatre by<br />
adding a new ceiling and better braces to<br />
the upper structure of the building.<br />
Free Show Initiates Equipment<br />
WEST HOPE. N. D.—A free show spon.sored<br />
by the Antler Community Club was held at<br />
the Roxy Theatre here recently to initiate<br />
new equipment which was installed.<br />
Tax Repeal Campaign<br />
Launched in Seattle<br />
SEATTLE—The Pacific Northwest motion<br />
picture industry has thrown its entire weight<br />
into the campaign to repeal the 20 per cent<br />
federal admissions tax.<br />
Under the leadership of A. J. Sullivan, local<br />
UA manager, the campaign is gaining momentum<br />
as additional ammunition arrives<br />
and more theatres are thrown into the battle.<br />
The drive was opened witli art breaks and<br />
stories in the newspapers. The big Evergreen<br />
circuit put its weight into the battle with instructions<br />
to all managers on how to handle<br />
the drive in their cities. John Hamrick Theatres<br />
and Sterling circuit also went to work<br />
vigorously.<br />
All theatres are running prepared trailers.<br />
Petition cards are being handed out to patrons<br />
with staff members given detailed instructions<br />
on how to handle them. Tables have been set<br />
up in foyers and receptacles prominently<br />
spotted for holding them. Badges are being<br />
worn by the staffs, one-sheets are up, window<br />
cards placed and other details worked out.<br />
City Officials in Seattle<br />
Impose 'Stromboli' Ban<br />
SEATTLE — Previously approved by the<br />
local censors. "Stromboli" was banned by<br />
city officials last Tuesday (14) on the eve of<br />
its scheduled opening at John Hamrick's Orpheum<br />
Theatre here. The action was based<br />
on the grounds that "peace and order are<br />
menaced by the proposed showing of the film,<br />
and the advertising and background connected<br />
with it." The film was withdrawn voluntarily<br />
by Hamrick in Tacoma. The censor<br />
board in Spokane has asked theatres not to<br />
play the film.<br />
West Theatres Starter<br />
ROCK SPRINGS. WYO.—The West Theatre<br />
Co. here has filed a certificate of agent<br />
and place of business with the secretary of<br />
state. The document names Owen W. West<br />
as resident agent and designated 618 Broadway<br />
as location of the firm's principal office.<br />
Dog Team Exploits 'Mrs. Mike'<br />
GREAT FALLS. MONT.—Fred Cooley and<br />
his Malemute dog team, winners of the recent<br />
dog races at Ashton. Idaho, were used to exploit<br />
"Mrs. Mike" during its run at the Civic<br />
Center Theatre here.<br />
MR. THEATRE OWNER!<br />
Wo can sell your theatre. We have buyers<br />
wcDting. List your theatre with ua and we<br />
will show you fast action.<br />
THEATRE SALES CO.<br />
4229 N. E. Broadwcry Portland 13. Oregon<br />
Phone Murdock 4300<br />
RCA-Brenkert Theatre Equipment Dealer<br />
U.S.<br />
Airco Distributor<br />
WE$TERN SERVICE & SUPPLY. INC.<br />
KE S041<br />
2120 Broadway Denver 2. Colo.<br />
PORTLAND<br />
Dalph Amacher, Eagle Lion branch manager,<br />
and Barbara Brunson. secretary to E. C.<br />
Holland at the B. F. Shearer office, were married<br />
Tuesday (14) ... Fern Shaw. U-I cashier,<br />
was to become a bride this week, and Gail<br />
Sawyer. MGM assistant cashier, is to be<br />
married March 2 . . . Joe Longo, RKO exploiteer<br />
from Seattle, was in town at work on<br />
publicity for "Stromboli."<br />
Archie Holt and Ed Bramwell, U-I sale.smen,<br />
left on sales trips . . . A. M. Dunlop, J. J.<br />
Parker circuit buyer and booker, was a visitor<br />
here . seen on Filmrow included<br />
Eino Hemmilia. Ro.seburg; Cleo Morelock.<br />
Cottage Grove; Don Condon, navy booker.<br />
Seattle; Ken Spear. Woodlark; Ed Randall.<br />
Sutherlin; Al Adams, Silverton. and Ken<br />
Peary. Esterkater . Dirkes, U-I<br />
liome office representative, visited the local<br />
branch.<br />
Improve Sumas Theatre<br />
SUMAS. WASH.—Mr. and Mrs. Edward A.<br />
Lytle. who recently purchased the Rose Theatre<br />
through the Theatre Sales Co. of Portland,<br />
will install all new equipment and a<br />
new front on the theatre before their opening<br />
early in March.<br />
What have YOU done today to help secure<br />
repeal of the unfair amusement tax?<br />
/'jk^^M*^ SHOWMANSHIP<br />
* 5/'f//))' SERVICE TOP QUALITY *<br />
monon PICTURE SERYICECB.<br />
12S HYDE ST.<br />
-San Iranciicod) Calif.<br />
']'. I'. HUNTINCrrON—Owner and<br />
operator, Seville and Vogue Theatres,<br />
President of Harbor Drive-In<br />
Theatre, Chula Vista, Calif.— says:<br />
"RCA Service has been my<br />
best insurance policy on my<br />
RCA equipment .since 1936."<br />
To get the benefits of RCA Servicewrite:<br />
RCA SERVICE COMPANY,<br />
INC., Radio Corporation of America,<br />
Camden, N. J.<br />
Adv.<br />
BOXOFFICE :: February 18. 1950 51
—<br />
—<br />
—<br />
——<br />
'Samson , 'Outlaw' Gross 190 Per Cent<br />
To Tie for Los Angeles Honors<br />
LOS ANGELES—Well out in front of the<br />
field, each snagging a mighty 190 per cent,<br />
were "Samson and Delilah" in its second<br />
week, and "The Outlaw." making its first<br />
local appearance in nearly three years. Also<br />
above average in initial stanzas were "Borderline,"<br />
with 135 per cent, and "Dancing in the<br />
Dark." which finished its first week with 130.<br />
(Average is 100)<br />
Chinese, Los Angeles, Loyola. Uptown, Wilshire—<br />
Dancing in the Dark (20th-Fox); Blue Grass of<br />
Kentucky (Mono) - 130<br />
Culver, Ritz, Globe. Sludio City, Vogue—Borderline<br />
(U-I); West of Wyoming (Mono) 135<br />
Downtown, Hollywood Pare mounts Samson and<br />
Delilah (Para), advanced prices, 2nd wk 190<br />
Egvptian. loew's Slate Thai Forsyte Woman<br />
(MGM); Trail of the Yukon (Mono) 100<br />
Rey, Iris, Bruin—The Fallen Idol El (SRO),<br />
2nd d. t. wk 110<br />
fine Arts—Spring in Park Lane (EL), 3rd wk 90<br />
four Star—My Foolish Heart (RKO), 8th wk 55<br />
Music Halls, Forum—Mrs. Mike (UA), 2nd wk 90<br />
Orpheum—Riders of the Range (RKO), 2nd run;<br />
eight acts vaudeville 80<br />
Pantages, Hillstreet—The Outlaw (RKO) 190<br />
Warners Hollywood, Downtown, Wiltern—Backfire<br />
(WB) 90<br />
'High' Opens at 190<br />
Per Cent in Portland<br />
PORTLAND—"12 O'Clock High" was 190<br />
YOU<br />
DONT<br />
KNOW<br />
WHAT<br />
YOU'RE<br />
MISSING...<br />
TIL YOU TRY<br />
SPECIAL TRAILERS<br />
Chicago - 1327 S. Wabash Avenue<br />
New York - 619 West 54fh Streer<br />
SPRING HAS SPRUNG,<br />
THE GRASS HAS RE,<br />
Things are booming<br />
in the<br />
DRIVE-IN BIZ /<br />
The most advanced and newest<br />
in equipment— designed especially<br />
for Drive-ln Theatre use, by<br />
-RCA-<br />
337 GOLDEN GATE AVE. • HE 1-8302<br />
SAN FRANCISCO 2, CALIF.<br />
C. W. Morris. Pres. : Wayne<br />
Mayhew, Vice-Pres.<br />
per cent high on a day-and-date engagement<br />
with "Prison Warden" at the Orpheum and<br />
Oriental. In a good second spot was "Battle-<br />
third week at the United Art-<br />
ground" in its<br />
ists with 150 per cent.<br />
Broadway-^The Hasty Heart (WB); The Blonde<br />
Bandit (Rep)<br />
Mayiair^Mrs. Mike (UA): Crooked Way (UA),<br />
Znd d, t wk<br />
Music Box—All the King's Men (Col); And Baby<br />
Makes Three (Col), 4th d t. wk<br />
Oriental and Orpheum— 12 O'Clock High (20th-<br />
Fox); Prison Warden (Col)<br />
Paramount—Dear Wife (Para); Spring in Park<br />
Lane (EL), 2nd d. t. wk<br />
United Artists—Battleground (MGM), 3rd<br />
'Battleground' Again Scores<br />
275 at Seattle<br />
SEATTLE—Exhibitors wore smiles again<br />
as patrons returned to normalcy and came<br />
in to see the shows after the coldest January<br />
in history. Best report of the week was at<br />
the Music Hall which had its best second week<br />
on record with "Battleground" again hitting<br />
275.<br />
Blue Mouse The Hasty Heart (WB); Bells of<br />
Coronado (Rep), 2nd d. t. wk 85<br />
Coliseum—The Big Wheel (UA); Silent Conflict<br />
(UA) _ 140<br />
Fifth Avenue—Dear Live Wife (PcTra); They by<br />
Night (RKO) 120<br />
130<br />
Music<br />
Liberty—On the Town<br />
Box—Mrs. Mike<br />
(MGM);<br />
(UA);<br />
Tension (MGM)....<br />
Apache Chief<br />
(Lippert), 4th d wk 135<br />
t,<br />
Music Hall—Battleground (MGM); Change of<br />
Heart (SR), reissue, 2nd wk<br />
Orpheum—South Sea Sinner (U-I); The Rugged<br />
275<br />
O'Riordans (U-1) 95<br />
Paramount When Willie Comes Marching Home<br />
(20th-Fox); Blondie's Hero (Col) 100<br />
Jane Russell and "Outlaw'<br />
hi Wild 200 at Frisco<br />
SAN FRANCISCO—What with Jane Russell<br />
on the stage opening day, a big buildup<br />
via radio, newspapers, traveling billboard and<br />
air blimp, "The Outlaw" ran up a wild 200<br />
per cent at the Golden Gate Theatre. Tlie<br />
rest of the first run houses did an average<br />
business with the opening of "My Foolish<br />
Heart" at the United Artists peaking up to<br />
140.<br />
Esquire Challenge to Lassie (MGM); Borrowed<br />
Trouble (UA) 100<br />
Fox—Twelve O'Clock High (20th-Fox) 100<br />
Golden Gate—The Outlaw (RKO), plus Jane Russell<br />
on stage opening day 200<br />
Orpheum—The Nevadan (Col); Mark of the<br />
Gorilla (Col), 2nd wk 135<br />
Paramount—Dear Wife (Para) 120<br />
St, Francis—Samson and Delilah (Para), 3rd wk...l40<br />
United Artists-My Foolish Heart (UA) 140<br />
United Nations—Dancing in the Dark (20th-Fox);<br />
Spring in Park Lane (EL), 2nd d. t. wk 75<br />
Warlield—Battleground (MGM), 3rd wk 75<br />
'Delilah' 170 at Denver;<br />
210 for 'Battleground'<br />
DEN'VTER-"Samson and Delilah" was still<br />
running strong in its third week at the Denham,<br />
and was to stay at least a fourth.<br />
"Battleground" was big at the Broadway in<br />
its second week, and stayed. "Twelve O'clock<br />
High" was strong at four theatres.<br />
Aladdin, Denver, Esquire, Webber—Twelve<br />
O'clock High (20th-Fox); GirU' School (Col) 150<br />
Broadway—Battleground (MGM), 2nd wk 210<br />
Denham—Samson and Delilah (Para), 3rd wk 170<br />
Orpheum—On the Town (MGM); Golden Madonna<br />
(Mono), 2nd wk 70<br />
Paramount—Dakota UI (20th-Fox); Change of<br />
Heart (Rep) 110<br />
Rialtc^Tho Big Wheel (UA); Rusty's Birthday<br />
(Col), 3rd d wk 100<br />
t<br />
Tabor—Tropped (EL); Down Memory Lane (ED... 90<br />
"Vogue Germany Year Zero (German) 85<br />
lUO<br />
Kroger Babb Leaves U.S.<br />
On World-Circling Trip<br />
SAN FTIANCISCO—Hallmark Productions<br />
President Kroger Babb, accompanied by Secretary<br />
Charles R. Kirk, left here on overseas<br />
airlines for an air trip around the world,<br />
scheduled to include business stops in 26<br />
nations during the next eight weeks.<br />
Babb and Kirk will complete 1949 business<br />
records of "Mom and Dad" distribution in<br />
foreign lands, pay taxes and make application<br />
for a withdrawal to the U. S. of Hallmark<br />
and Hygienic funds. Babb also expects to<br />
negotiate many foreign distribution deals for<br />
"The Prince of Peace," as well as Hallmark's<br />
forthcoming new twin-bill release, which combines<br />
Lila Leeds in "The Devil's 'Weed" and<br />
a color featurette, "G. I. Love." produced at<br />
Cannes, Prance. The new roadshow combination<br />
is slated for U. S. release February 26<br />
and will world premiere at Charlotte, N. C.<br />
During his present jaunt, Babb will visit<br />
the Hawaiian islands. Canton islands, Fiji<br />
islands. New Zealand. Tasmania. Australia,<br />
New Guinea, the Philippines, Scotland, England,<br />
Ireland, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia,<br />
Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.<br />
The entire trip of over 40.<strong>000</strong> miles will<br />
be made entirely by air. Babb expects to be<br />
back by Easter.<br />
Seeley Allen Buys House<br />
His Grandfather Built<br />
POMEROY. WASH.—Mrs. Abbie Thompson<br />
has sold the Seeley Theatre, which she or<br />
her husband have operated since 1913, to<br />
Seeley Allen, grandson of the builders.<br />
Mrs. Thompson and her husband Claude A.<br />
were active in the entertainment business<br />
here from 1907, when they started a silent<br />
picture show. They later operated in the old<br />
Opera House, then opened their Dime Theatre<br />
in the building now occupied by the Sommerville<br />
clubhouse, later moving back to the<br />
Opera House, where they remained until the<br />
Seeley Theatre was constructed by C. H.<br />
Seeley in November 1913. The Thompsons<br />
operated the Seeley until Mr. Thompson died<br />
in 1925, when Mrs. Thompson took over alone.<br />
The new owner is the son of Mrs. Kate<br />
Allen, a daughter of the C. H. Seeleys.<br />
Orpheum at Havre, Mont.,<br />
Renovated and Reopened<br />
HA'VRE, MONT.—The redecorated and remodeled<br />
Orpheum Theatre here was reopened<br />
recently with entirely new seating, a pinepaneled<br />
lobby, new equipment and new restrooms.<br />
The renovation took six weeks and<br />
included installation of new American Seating<br />
Co. seats, new zourite front and remodeled<br />
marquee with rose and white neon tubing.<br />
New equipment included a screen, booth<br />
equipment and stage drapes.<br />
Dairy Farm and Theatre<br />
Swapped at Marcola, Ore.<br />
MARCOLA, ORE —The Victory<br />
Theatre<br />
here has been sold to Mr. and Mrs. Maurice<br />
McGinitie, formerly of Creswell, in a deal<br />
in which their dairy farm at Creswell was<br />
taken over by the former theatre owners, Mr.<br />
and Mrs. Carrol Kuhl.<br />
Get your audience sig^ning petitions now!<br />
52 BOXOFFICE :: February 18. 1950
. . . Bob<br />
. . Max<br />
. . Bob<br />
. . About<br />
. . John<br />
. . Orpheum<br />
. . Melba<br />
. . Lawrence<br />
. . The<br />
DriveJn Patronage<br />
Is Good All Winter<br />
BAKEKSFIELD, CALIF. — Attendance at<br />
drive-ins during the winter months here has<br />
been remarkably good, according to a survey.<br />
The winter here is relatively short and rainstorms<br />
and fog are experienced only for about<br />
a month, generally between Christmas and<br />
early February. Otherwise, nights are clear.<br />
Even in rainy season, there are more clear<br />
nights than not.<br />
Rain is not such a bad situation, but fog is.<br />
When the fog falls, it is just a matter of issuing<br />
rain checks to departing customers. However,<br />
since rain checks are redeemed at scattered<br />
intervals, the cut into boxoffice receipts<br />
is inconvenient, but not necessarily fatal.<br />
Big shows like the 99, the South Chester<br />
Drive-In and the Terrace do a good business<br />
all winter, and the losses from fog or blinding<br />
rain are not frequent enough to cause concern.<br />
Westbrook Food Co. Starts<br />
To Handle Popped Corn<br />
SANTA MONICA, CALIF. — R. M. Westbrook,<br />
president of Popcorn Equipment Co.,<br />
has announced the formation of a subsidiary,<br />
Westbrook Food Co., which will take over the<br />
prepopped corn business formerly handled by<br />
the parent company.<br />
Westbrook said his firm had designed a new<br />
carton for theatre use only to simplify handling<br />
and delivery so that the company could<br />
offer a uniform low price from San Luis<br />
Obispo to San Diego. Westbrook has named<br />
John Mershon, formerly with the western<br />
advertising office of BOXOFFICE, to head<br />
sales and advertising for the new company.<br />
The product, trademarked Westbrook's<br />
Homestyle Popcorn, also will be marketed<br />
through retail outlets in a special container.<br />
Promotional plans for the new company<br />
include use of television outdoor posters, newspaper<br />
ads and extensive samplying. Tieins<br />
and trailers are being designed for theatres<br />
who want to use consumer ads.<br />
From the BOXOFFICE Files<br />
(Twenty Years Ago)<br />
CEEN on San Francisco Filmrow: Ben Levin,<br />
Strand, Gilroy; Lee Naify, State, Martinez;<br />
L. H. Killingsworth, Rialto, Willows;<br />
Mr. and Mrs. Ware, Dixon; Walter Jacobs,<br />
Auburn; Barney Gumette, Lodi; W. W. Tarn,<br />
Jackson.<br />
SAN FRANCISCO<br />
^he Santa Clara county planning commission<br />
is delaying its decision on the application<br />
of J. M. Reiter to establish a commercial zone<br />
near Campbell to erect a drive-in . . . Berkeley<br />
city council is considering a proposal to levy<br />
an amusement tax of 1 cent on each 20 cents<br />
admission price. February 28 is the date of<br />
the hearing.<br />
Scaffolds and stages have been erected in<br />
the Fox Theatre in Watsonville. initiating a<br />
$40,<strong>000</strong> renovation program, according to Manager<br />
Lloyd Howell. Work will be carried on<br />
without interruption of daily programs . . .<br />
Sacramento county board of supervisors has<br />
postponed until March 15 a hearing on an<br />
appeal by T&D Jr Enterprises from a county<br />
planning commission decision denying a permit<br />
to construct a drive-in opposite Municipal<br />
airport. The commission held the screen<br />
would create a hazard for planes. T&D is<br />
awaiting an opinion from the Civil<br />
Aeronautics<br />
division.<br />
Rumors are that Fi-ank DiNapoli plans to<br />
erect a drive-in in Campbell. Decision depends<br />
on commission's approval of rezoning<br />
of land ... A new drive-in is being considered<br />
for Marysville. Plan is to lease about ten<br />
acres of Yuba county airport holdings south<br />
of Marysville as the site on a profit sharing<br />
basis. The plan has been referred to the<br />
aviation committee for action. The promoters<br />
would pay for all construction and operational<br />
costs. The drive-in would hold 400 cars. Plan<br />
was presented to the Yuba board of supervisors<br />
by Dick Brandt, airport manager. There<br />
is<br />
no drive-in now in Yuba county.<br />
Locally, the West of Twin Peaks central<br />
council and the Forest Hills Ass'n are opposing<br />
a plea to rezone the south slope of Mount<br />
Sutro adjoining the Laguna Honda home to<br />
permit building of a drive-in by the Blumenfeld<br />
Theatre circuit. Action has been delayed.<br />
It is the Blumenfeld intention to erect a<br />
$200,<strong>000</strong> theatre to accommodate 536 cars.<br />
The Northern California Motion Picture<br />
Workshop met February 17 at the Fenner<br />
Fuller Dining room in Oakland. The meeting<br />
was to provide an opportunity for community<br />
leaders actively interested in motion<br />
pictures to coordinate constructive thinking<br />
and action on motion picture problems of the<br />
community. Chairman of the meeting was<br />
Mrs. J. G. Maasdam with Myrtle Gustafson,<br />
assistant in Instruction Oakland public<br />
.schools, di.scussion leader ... On March 1, the<br />
Alameda Motion Picture council will hold its<br />
meeting at the 'Vogue Theatre in Alameda.<br />
The Grand Theatre in Tracy had a small<br />
fire. Amount of damage was $50. The blaze<br />
was extinguished without disturbing the audience<br />
. Baer, onetime world heavyweight<br />
champion, told friends in Livermore<br />
that he was confident of getting a role in a<br />
forthcoming picture to be made soon by MGM<br />
in Rome.<br />
The Santa Clara Theatre turned in for a<br />
three-day collection, $<strong>23</strong>2.25 to the March of<br />
Dimes campaign . 15 speakers were<br />
stolen from the Encina Drive-In on the Santa<br />
Cruz-Watsonville highway<br />
. publicity<br />
committee of COMPO met in San Francisco<br />
February 13 to outline plans . . . Golden Gate<br />
Theatre telephone operator answered all<br />
phone calls: "Good morning, 'Stromboli' opens<br />
Wednesday."<br />
Helen Wabbe, publicist for the Golden Gate,<br />
celebrated her birthday with a party at the<br />
Mark Hopkins . Leo celebrated his<br />
birthday by flying to Seattle . . . Harry Price.<br />
Embassy Theatre, and Lloyd Katz, branch<br />
manager of Eagle Lion, also had birthdays.<br />
.<br />
A valentine party was held at 'Variety Club<br />
Goodfried, Eagle Lion publicist, was<br />
in town for a few days Crafton,<br />
secretary at the Lawrence Borg Theatres<br />
office, flew to San Diego . Borg<br />
is vacationing in Florida for several months.<br />
AI Dunn, manager of the Orpheum, bought<br />
a new Oldsmobile . treasurer<br />
Herb Lustig is out of the hospital following<br />
an operation . Broadbent, new manager<br />
at the Esquire, has initiated a matinee<br />
special price of 50 cents.<br />
Lou Singer, manager of the Fox here, is<br />
recuperating in Arizona. Mr. Hanson of the<br />
El Capitan has taken over Lou's duties . . .<br />
Thirty-seven from Filmrow took a trek down<br />
to Lodi to witness the Celeri-LeBaron football<br />
game. Among them were Jack Goodwin,<br />
Motion Picture Service, his wife and father<br />
Charles Goodwin. The elder Goodwin, age 74,<br />
now retired, was the owner of the Larkin in<br />
1916 and a Market street theatre which<br />
showed the flickers. Al.so attending the football<br />
game were Lloyd Lamb of Affiliated Theatres,<br />
Morris Rosenberg and his son from<br />
T&D.<br />
D. T. McNerney, manager of United Artists<br />
in Salt Lake, has been transferred to manage<br />
Harry O.<br />
the San Francisco office . . . Hoyt, one of the best production managers<br />
on the west coast, has been named production<br />
manager for the new-ly formed Equitable<br />
Pictures.<br />
It is said that Seattle's eight first run<br />
houses have set a record for first run seating.<br />
The checkup showed the following seating<br />
capacities in that city: Publix Seattle.<br />
3,150; Fox, 2,450; Fox Fifth Avenue. 2.750:<br />
New Orpheum, 2,650; Liberty, 1.850; Metropolitan<br />
(Publix I, 1.100; Hamrick's Music Box,<br />
950; Hamrick's Blue Mouse, 950. Admission<br />
prices are reduced, the Liberty charging<br />
15-25-35 cents.<br />
c^locm^^^<br />
IN THE SMART STYLING OF THE NEW<br />
HEYWOOD-WAKEFIELD THEATRE CHAIRS<br />
Pacific Coast Dislribvlors<br />
B. F. SHEARER COMPANY<br />
SEATTLE PORTLAND SAN FRANCISCO LOS ANGELES<br />
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ELIiol 8247 Alwiter 7543 UNderhill 1816 ROcliester 1145<br />
BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950<br />
53
. . Walter<br />
. . After<br />
. . The<br />
LOS ANGELES<br />
Ounstruction will be launched shortly on the<br />
new Starlite Drive-In, an 800-car operation<br />
in Rosemead, by B. E. Congdon and Ford<br />
and Carl Bratcher. They also operate the<br />
Mount Vernon Drive-In in San Bernardino<br />
and the Del Rio in Riverside. The architect<br />
is J. Arthur Drielsma . . . Next general membership<br />
meeting of the Southern California<br />
Theatre Owners Ass'n will be held March 28.<br />
Dody Smith has joined the Columbia exchange<br />
as a contract clerk , . . Max Factor,<br />
RKO salesman, and Irene Horowitz will be<br />
married March 5 . . . James<br />
Quinn has discontinued<br />
his operation of the Garden Theatre<br />
in East Los Angeles and the showcase has<br />
reverted to Owner Fred Hershorn.<br />
After eight years as western exploiteer for<br />
RKO, Dave Cantor is transferring to New<br />
York and takes his wife and family with him<br />
in anticipation of a long stay in the east.<br />
Fred Calvin, his former assistant, replaces<br />
Cantor here . Branson, RKO western<br />
division manager, checked in from New<br />
York for huddles with local exchange personnel.<br />
Undergoing a complete remodeling job is<br />
^^,er^<br />
IDEAL<br />
PROJECTION<br />
AND<br />
SOUND<br />
SEATING<br />
SLIDE -BACK<br />
Projection Equipment & {Maintenance Co.<br />
1975 South Vermont Avenue. Phone: REpublrc 0711<br />
Los Angeles 7, California<br />
THEATRE /ALE/<br />
.ARAKELIAN<br />
PROSPECT S-7146<br />
DRIVE-IN THEATRE IN-A-CAR SPEAKERS<br />
and Junction Boxes. For new jobs or replacements<br />
caused from theft or vandalism<br />
DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO. ^'Z^^^To.<br />
l^OPiCORH.<br />
BLOCKBUSTER<br />
the Grande Theatre in Arroyo Grande. The<br />
showcase is due for a new marquee, new seats<br />
and new projection equipment . famed<br />
Goodyear blimp (but just one of them) was<br />
part of the circus-type exploitation employed<br />
for the booking of RKO's "The Outlaw" at<br />
the Hillstreet and Pantages.<br />
Rambling on the Row: Frank Valuskis,<br />
Valuskis in Buena Park; Charles and Herman<br />
Minor, Burbank; Ray Lindsey and Jack<br />
Lowenbein, El Monte; Fred Siegel, Palomar<br />
in Oceanside; Paul Glick, Canoga Park; Steve<br />
Chorack, Puente; Mrs. Jenne Dodge, Mission<br />
and Mayfair, Ventura; Hugh Bruen, who owns<br />
three theatres in Whittier, and Jack Kolbo,<br />
Downey.<br />
Scott Brown, formerly on the staff of the<br />
Filmarte Theatre, has succeeded Gorman<br />
Heimueller in the home office booking department<br />
at Fox West Coast. Heimueller resigned<br />
recently to join the United Artists<br />
circuit as assistant to Fred Stein, head<br />
booker.<br />
A southland visitor was Harry Alexander,<br />
believed to be the oldest exhibitor in Canada<br />
in point of service. One of the owners<br />
of the B&F circuit, affiliated with Famous<br />
Players Canadian, Alexander became a theatre<br />
owner 41 years ago . two weeks<br />
and two days in Fox West Coast's Chinese,<br />
Los Angeles, Wilshire, Uptown and Loyola<br />
first run unit, Republic's "Sands of Iwo Jima"<br />
moved over to the Belmont, Iris, Globe, El<br />
Rey and Guild.<br />
ALBUQUERQUE, N. M.—Scenes from the<br />
forthcoming film, "My Friend Irma Goes<br />
West '<br />
were filmed here with Director Richard<br />
McWhiter of Hal Wallis productions in charge.<br />
According to the scenario Irma misses the<br />
Super Chief and typically goes helter-skelter<br />
trying to make connections here.<br />
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TALKING<br />
OVER PROBLEMS—Barney<br />
Rose, front right, made his first visit<br />
to Salt Lake in his new capacity as district<br />
manager for Universal-International.<br />
During his visit he conferred with C. R.<br />
"Buck" Wade, front left, branch manager,<br />
and Ray M. Hendry, rear left, and<br />
Sidney L. Cohen, rear center, associate<br />
general managers of Intermountain Theatres.<br />
Foster Blake, rear right, TJ-I western<br />
division manager, visited the city<br />
with Rose.<br />
Smiling Store Clerks See<br />
'Francis' Showing Free<br />
DENVER—A stunt that rated a news story<br />
in the tough-to-crack Denver Post was worked<br />
up by Irving Neuwirth, Universal publicity<br />
man, for "Francis," which opens at the Den-<br />
Through a tieup with the Pacific Electric<br />
Co., which operates streetcar and bus service<br />
to neighboring communities, commuters wishing<br />
to catch "Samson and Delilah" at the Wilbur Loeffler, personnel director at the<br />
ver, Aladdin and Webber February 21.<br />
Downtown and Hollywood Paramounts are Denver Dry Goods Co.. large department store,<br />
being offered Special reduced fares. Trains<br />
picked 35 of the store's clerks, with the most<br />
to surrounding towns are carrying large banners<br />
publicizing the playdate.<br />
cheerful and spontaneous smiles. Their reward<br />
was to see a screening of "FYancis" at<br />
a Denver screening room. Also invited were<br />
several newspaper columnists, reporters and<br />
Shoot New 'Irma' Scenes radio commentators.<br />
Bill Mauck Transferred<br />
To Calexico Capitol<br />
CALEXICO, CALIF.—Bill Mauck, former<br />
manager of the Roxy at Pacific Beach, has<br />
moved here to manage the Capitol Theatre.<br />
He was replaced as manager of the Roxy<br />
by Dean B. Davis.<br />
Renovate Parma Theatre<br />
PARMA, IDA.—L. w. Dobbs, manager, has<br />
started remodeling of the Parma Theatre<br />
here. Renovations will include extension of<br />
the theatre some 35 feet, addition of new<br />
seats and redecoration of the interior. A new<br />
roof was put on the house shortly after the<br />
New Year.<br />
Install New Seating<br />
CAMBRIDGE, IDA.—Joe Hancock, owner<br />
of the Cambridge Theatre, has installed new<br />
seats. The seats came from the Granada<br />
Theatre in Boise. Those removed from the<br />
Cambridge were transferred to the Midvale<br />
Theatre.<br />
54 BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950
Rex Allen Will Tour<br />
Southwest Stages<br />
NEW YORK—Rex Allen, new Republic<br />
cowboy star whose first western, "Arizona<br />
Cowboy," will be released in March, will make<br />
a series of personal appearances during February<br />
and March.<br />
Allen will play the Balboa Theatre, San<br />
Diego, February 17, 18: Fox, Tucson, Ariz.,<br />
22, <strong>23</strong>; Palace, El Paso, Tex., 25, 26, and El<br />
Paso, Sante Fe, 28. He will play the Victory,<br />
Denver, March 2-4; Liberty, Oklahoma City,<br />
6, 7; Strand, New Orleans. 9-11: Capitol, Little<br />
Rock, 13, 14: Temple, Fort Smith, 15, 16, and<br />
Tulsa, 17, 18. Newspaper spread and radio<br />
tieins will help introduce the star in each<br />
city.<br />
Aviation Writers Guests<br />
At 'Lightning' Screening<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Top aviation writers were<br />
guests at a special screening of Warners'<br />
"Chain Lightning," starring Humphrey Bogart<br />
and Eleanor Parker, at the Burbank<br />
studio. Viewing the opus were representatives<br />
of the Los Angeles Times, News and Examiner,<br />
Western Flying. Aerial Digest, Aviation<br />
Week, American Aviation, Aviation News<br />
Beacon, Western Pilot and the Aviation Writers'<br />
Ass'n. "Chain Lightning," a drama of<br />
jet pilots, was produced for Warners by<br />
Anthony Veiller.<br />
First foreign premiere of Paramount's<br />
"Samson and Dehlah" was staged February<br />
16 at the Avenue Theatre in Manila, Philippine<br />
Islands. Props and costumes from the<br />
Cecil B. DeMille production were flown to<br />
Manila for exhibition at the showcase.<br />
Gov. Dan E. Garvey and other officials of<br />
Arizona were guests at a screening of Lippert<br />
Productions' "The Baron of Arizona" in<br />
Phoenix February 14. The showing was arranged<br />
as part of the state's celebration of<br />
the 38th anniversary of its admission into<br />
the union. The opus, starring Vincent Price,<br />
will be given its world premiere March 1 at<br />
the Orpheum in Phoenix.<br />
• • •<br />
Fairbanks, Alaska, will be the locale for<br />
the world premiere on March 10 of "The Boy<br />
From Indiana," produced for Eagle Lion release<br />
by Ventura Pictures, headed by Frank<br />
Melford and Director John Rawlins. The<br />
film's stars Lon McCallister and Lois Butler<br />
will make personal appearances.<br />
Columbia Ad Building<br />
To House 82 Offices<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Slated for completion in<br />
June, the new four-story administration<br />
building being constructed by I. E. Chadwick<br />
for rental by Columbia will provide 82 offices<br />
and 50,<strong>000</strong> square feet of floor space to<br />
the studio's facilities. Producers, writers and<br />
independent filmmakers releasing through<br />
Columbia will be housed in the new unit. The<br />
present administration building on Gower<br />
street will continue to house major executive<br />
offices.<br />
Have you written to your congressmen and<br />
senators about repeal of the unfair amusement<br />
tax?<br />
^ Newspaper Salute to Film Industry<br />
SPOKANE, WASH.— It is all too seldom<br />
that drama critics and motion picture editors<br />
go out of their way to point out the many<br />
good things in our industry. When it does<br />
happen it's news. Just such a case happened<br />
in this city—and it is the talk of tlie industry<br />
throughout the Pacific northwest. The article<br />
appeared in the Spokane Spokesman-Review<br />
bylined by Margaret Bean, veteran fihn critic.<br />
Here are some of the things written by Miss<br />
Bean that gladdened the hearts of industry<br />
leaders in the area:<br />
"Usually this corner is concerned with the<br />
impersonal side of Hollywood— an appraisal<br />
of the entertainment value of its product<br />
which sometimes achieves the artistic. However,<br />
today, it is concerned with the heart of<br />
the show world. That means the sympathetic<br />
understanding, the self-sacrifice and inexhaustible<br />
generosity of entertainment troupers.<br />
No industry in the world does as much<br />
for civic, charitable and patriotic projects as<br />
the men and women who entertain us on the<br />
screen and behind the footlights.<br />
"Nor is there any other industry that does<br />
as mucli for its own. Consequently here is a<br />
salute to the show world and its people who<br />
not only entertain us all year but who spread<br />
goodwill throughout the land, with their innumerable<br />
benefits on behalf of the unfortunate.<br />
"This salute doesn't hang on mere generalization<br />
but on the recent demonstration of<br />
the generosity of the show world in Spokane.<br />
If you went to the Spokesman-Review fund<br />
benefit at the Fox you witnessed it.<br />
"It was one of the best shows of its kind<br />
ever presented in the city, yet theatre, performers,<br />
musicians, stage hands and all the<br />
services that go with presentation of such a<br />
stage piece were donated to the benefit<br />
fund being raised on behalf of 13 young<br />
widows and their infant children of the late<br />
B-29 crash victims. That is one instance in<br />
our midst but consider the entertainment<br />
world as a whole.<br />
"Hollywood has made an outstanding record<br />
in charity. In a single annual campaign for<br />
many national and local causes, such as the<br />
American Cancer society, the Sister Kenny<br />
Two 20th-Fox Features<br />
In Color for Easter<br />
NEW YORK—Twentieth Century-Fox will<br />
release two Technicolor productions. "Cheaper<br />
By the Dozen" and "Wabash Avenue," for<br />
Easter (April 9), according to Andy W. Smith<br />
jr., vice-president and general sales manager.<br />
Clifton Webb, Jeanne Crain and Myrna Loy<br />
are starred in the first named and Betty<br />
Grable and Victor Mature are starred in the<br />
musical. The company is preparing a series<br />
of national tieups for "Cheaper By the Dozen."<br />
The 20th-Fox March relea.ses will be "Mother<br />
Didn't Tell Me" and "Under My Skin."<br />
Trinidad Uptown Sold<br />
TRINIDAD, COLO. — Mr. and Mrs. Joe<br />
Amato sold the Uptown Theatre building to<br />
Nathan and Helen Snyder. The new owners<br />
have tentative plans for remodeling of the<br />
building.<br />
Foundation and the Community Chest, Hollywood<br />
gives more money per capita and more<br />
closely approaches 100 per cent participation<br />
than any comparable group or community in<br />
the nation.<br />
"And through a separate organization, the<br />
Motion Picture Relief Fund, Hollywood takes<br />
care of its own. More than 82,<strong>000</strong> workers,<br />
from producers to backlot laborers, pledge<br />
one-half of 1 per cent of their salaries or<br />
wages to the fund. What other industry taxes<br />
itself for the benefit of its fellow -workers?<br />
"During the war no industry made such a<br />
sacrificial effort to help the nation. Its stars<br />
bolstered soldier morale in every theatre of<br />
war, from New Guinea to Greenland . . . And<br />
Hollywood, which has never demobilized, continues<br />
on its good works. With the war over,<br />
Hollywood doesn't keep records.<br />
"Such top stars as Bob Hope, Bing Crosby,<br />
Red Skelton, Danny Kaye, especially comedians<br />
and singers, are continuously playing<br />
benefits. The demand never ends. It is true<br />
in a lesser way with the other stars.<br />
"In our concern to find a good .show every<br />
time we pay our money and enter a theatre,<br />
we become impatient and criticize Hollywood.<br />
But we forget to recall that Hollywood's batting<br />
average is even better than that of the<br />
book world and stage. Of a recent year, according<br />
to the Johnston office, using audience<br />
reception in numbers who see a play or<br />
movie and the number of books sold, out of<br />
487 movies there were 150 hits, making a<br />
batting average of .308: but of 69 Broadway<br />
productions, there were 16 hits, or a batting<br />
average of .<strong>23</strong>1, and out of 1,307 books ('fiction)<br />
published, 120 hits or a batting average<br />
of .091.<br />
"We are apt to forget such relative figures<br />
when we talk of Hollywood's indifferent pictures.<br />
"And invariably we forget its generous response<br />
to the world's unfortunate in its many<br />
benefits, which are often self-sacrificial, as<br />
the other night at the benefit fund show<br />
when its troupers worked their regular shows<br />
at their clubs and then entertained into the<br />
wee small hours of the morning on behalf of<br />
the Spokane Air Force base bereaved."<br />
Joan Harrison Signed<br />
As Columbia Producer<br />
HOLLYWOOD—One of the industry's few<br />
feminine producers, Joan Harrison, has been<br />
signed to a term ticket in that capacity by<br />
Columbia. She has just completed the making<br />
in England of "Your Witness," which she<br />
produced in association with David Rose as<br />
a starring vehicle for Robert Montgomery.<br />
Miss Harrison was at one time an associate<br />
of Director Alfred Hitchcock and later was<br />
under term contract at U-I.<br />
'Living' to General Service<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Horizon Pictures has arranged<br />
for shooting space at General Servicn<br />
studios for its next independent entry, "Cost<br />
of Llviiig," which will be for United Artisti<br />
release. The outfit is headed by Sam Spiegel<br />
and John Huston.<br />
BOXOFnCE :: February 18, 1950 55
—<br />
Site for $500,<strong>000</strong> Theatre Bought<br />
At Venice, Calif.,<br />
VENICE, CALIF.—Fox West Coast Theatres<br />
has purchased a 12-acre site at Lincoln<br />
boulevard and Vernon avenue on which the<br />
circuit will build a 1.300-seat, $500,<strong>000</strong> theatre.<br />
Development of the L-shaped property,<br />
which was acquired by Fox from the Southern<br />
California Water Co., will include a unit<br />
of six new stores, a parking lot and a 30-<br />
home residential section in addition to the<br />
theatre.<br />
The front six acres of the tract will be<br />
devoted to the theatre, to be located on the<br />
corner of Vernon, and one hundred feet of<br />
stores which will be erected on the Sunset<br />
avenue corner. Construction of the stores will<br />
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DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO. K^ansas\'i'ly!'°Mo.<br />
J. A. CHRISTENSEN—Owner and<br />
Manager, Arcade Theatre, Salt Lake<br />
City, Utah—says:<br />
"Sound service is essential for<br />
patron satisfaction.<br />
For many<br />
years RCA Service has done an<br />
excellent job for us."<br />
To get the benefits of RCA Service<br />
write: RCA SERVICE COMPANY,<br />
INC., Radio Corporation of America,<br />
Camden, N. J.<br />
by Fox Circuit<br />
began at a later date, but work on the 138x<br />
160-theatre will start immediately, according<br />
to officials of the bay chain.<br />
A new street will be cut through between<br />
the theatre and the stores to accommodate<br />
patrons of the theatre and business firms.<br />
It will have space for 800 cars.<br />
The remainder of the acreage, extending<br />
from Sunset avenue to Lake street, will be<br />
devoted to a residential tract. Land will be<br />
Sold to developers.<br />
P. P. Hughes, realtor for the transaction,<br />
said that the negotiations between the Fox<br />
chain and water company had been under<br />
way for about six weeks previous to the sale.<br />
Sale price was $75,<strong>000</strong>, said Hughes.<br />
Lippert Starts Fresno Airer<br />
FRESNO — A new drive-in is under construction<br />
on Hughes avenue just north of<br />
Kearney boulevard for the Robert L. Lippert<br />
Theatres of San Fi-ancisco. The location is<br />
about two miles from the downtown district<br />
and it will be the third airer for the Lippert<br />
chain in the Fresno district.<br />
The new show will occupy about eight acres<br />
of a 12-acre site. Plans call for tiered ramps<br />
and an artificial moon over the 500-car lot.<br />
There will be two boxoffices, and all exits and<br />
entrances will be on Hughes avenue. Individual<br />
speakers will be installed.<br />
A name for the new theatre will be chosen<br />
in a contest. The Fresno district's first drivein.<br />
the Fresno Motor-Inn. was opened in 1946<br />
by Lippert and, last year, the Starlite Drivein<br />
was opened. The third one will be opened<br />
in April.<br />
L. H. Hansen & Sons is the general contractor<br />
for the project.<br />
Intermountain to Build<br />
SALT LAKE CITY—The surge of theatre<br />
building in the Salt Lake area continued with<br />
the disclosure that Intermountain Theatres.<br />
Inc., will build a 1,<strong>000</strong>-seat house in an east<br />
side residential area. Intended to replace the<br />
circuit's Victory Theatre which was destroyed<br />
in 1942. the new showhouse was given<br />
by fire<br />
official approval more than a month ago.<br />
Work will start this spring, and the theatre<br />
is expected to be completed next fall.<br />
Details of the proposed building were revealed<br />
by Ray M. Hendry and Sidney L.<br />
Cohen, associate general managers for Intermountain.<br />
before they left for an extended<br />
eastern trip to study new theatre installations.<br />
The showhouse will be built in the rapidly<br />
expanding southeastern residential area of<br />
Salt Lake. It will be the hub of a new shopping<br />
project. Parking for more than 750 cars<br />
will be available through a supervised multiple<br />
parking lot system.<br />
Drive-In Proposed at Marysville<br />
MARYSVILLE. CALIF.—A proposal to lease<br />
about ten acres of the Yuba county airport<br />
holdings south of Marysville as the site for<br />
a drive-in on a profit-sharing basis has been<br />
presented to the county board of supervisors.<br />
Under the plan the county would<br />
lease an unused parcel of the airport north<br />
of the access road to A. P. Ifland and Fred<br />
E. Cappo of Vallejo for ten years and receive<br />
as payment 5 per cent of the gross revenue<br />
from admission and concessions after amusement<br />
and sales taxes were deducted.<br />
The promoters would pay for construction<br />
and operation. The theatre would accommodate<br />
about 400 cars. The lease would be subject<br />
to Civil Aeronautics Administration approval<br />
on the safety factor, but the site is<br />
believed out of the functional scope of the<br />
airport.<br />
Palm Springs El Rancho Opens<br />
PALM SPRINGS. CALIF.—The El Rancho<br />
Di-ive-In has been reopened by lessee Reg<br />
C. Jones after completion of a five-week remodeling<br />
program. Jones, a Palm Springs<br />
contractor, has rehabilitated the airer. erecting<br />
a new snack bar building, paving the<br />
ramps, painting the screen and numerous<br />
other improvements.<br />
The drive-in, located on Highway 111 on<br />
the corner of Highway 80, will be managed<br />
by Frank Millan. with Reba Perry assisting<br />
him,<br />
L. C. Smith Seeks Permit<br />
SAN MATEO. CALIF.—The application of<br />
L. C. Smith for a use permit to construct<br />
and operate a drive-in near 19th avenue was<br />
approved here recently by city planning commission.<br />
An 804-car airer will be erected on<br />
the site which lies between the Southern Pacific<br />
railroad tract and Bayshore highway,<br />
north of 19th avenue, and Ben Levin, San<br />
Francisco theatre man, will operate it.<br />
Ridgway Theatre Opened<br />
RIDGWAY, COLO.—Edward Tuhey, formerly<br />
of Fort Worth, Tex., who bought a<br />
ranch near Ridgway last fall, has converted<br />
the old Circle Hall building into a motion<br />
picture theatre, the first regular fuUtime<br />
theatre to be installed here. Heretofore, films<br />
have been shown here for only short periods<br />
of time at irregular intervals. Tuhey constructed<br />
and wired a projection booth at<br />
the Circle hall to provide fuUtime shows.<br />
Edvrards Bviilds at Sunland<br />
SUNLAND. CALIF.—Construction has been<br />
launched by the James Edwards circuit on a<br />
new 700-car drive-in here. The ozoner will<br />
occupy a 10-acre site on Foothill boulevard.<br />
New Oxnard Theatre Opened<br />
OXNARD. CALIF.—Manny Feldstein and<br />
Paul Dietrich have opened their new Oxnard<br />
Theatre, a de luxe showcase constructed at<br />
an estimated cost of $150,<strong>000</strong>. The Feldstein-<br />
Dietrich company also operates the Vogue in<br />
Los Angeles.<br />
Bob Hoese Biiilds at Pasadena<br />
PASADENA, CALIF.—Playground facilities<br />
for children are among features of a new<br />
$350,<strong>000</strong> drive-in being built in Hastings<br />
Ranch village here. Robert H. Hoese heads<br />
a group that negotiated a longterm lease on<br />
the 11-acre area on which the drive-in is<br />
being constructed. The ozoner is located on<br />
Foothill boulevard and Rosemead.<br />
Sunset Opened by T&D at Lodi<br />
LODI, CALIF.—Two thousand persons attended<br />
the opening of the new $150,<strong>000</strong> Sunset<br />
Theatre here recently. Manager Don<br />
motion picture film cut<br />
Nichols had a strip of<br />
to officially open the house. The 1,<strong>000</strong>-seater<br />
is the latest in the T&D Theatres circuit.<br />
56 BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950
. . Walter<br />
SALT LAKE CITY<br />
TJus Campbell has resigned as salesman for<br />
Columbia to join Service Theatre Supply<br />
as a salesman. His territory will be taken<br />
over by Harold Green, and John Dahl. head<br />
booker, will move up to Utah salesman for<br />
Columbia. Dahl's job will be taken by Dave<br />
Adamson, his assistant . . . George A. Smith,<br />
Paramount division manager, conducted a<br />
two-day meeting with the local staff . . .<br />
B. R. Wolf, NSS district manager, made a<br />
routine visit here from Los Angeles . . . Jerome<br />
J. Saffron, Columbia division manager,<br />
was at the local branch.<br />
.<br />
. . . John Rowberry,<br />
Mel Smart has leased the Airport Drive-In<br />
here from Ray Wilmert, and will book for<br />
the Autorium, Hyland and Redwood in addition<br />
to the Airport R. Hillis<br />
has taken over the Airport Village Theatre,<br />
which he opened this week on a two-changea-week<br />
policy, operating on Friday, Saturday,<br />
Sunday and Monday<br />
operator of Cedar City theatres, paid one of<br />
his infrequent visits to Filmrow.<br />
The Motion Picture club roundup will be<br />
held here June 20-22, according to announcement<br />
from the committee. The celebration<br />
will be tied in with presentation of a charter<br />
for Variety International to the club . . .<br />
Joy Lansing, native Utahn who is now freelancing<br />
in Hollywood, was a visitor . . . The<br />
grandfather of actress Marie Windsor died<br />
at his home in Marysvale, Utah. He was<br />
Joseph D. Bertelsen, 92.<br />
Harold Lloyd will visit Utah March 8 as<br />
potentate of the Shrine. He will be at the<br />
El Kalah temple with members of El Korah,<br />
Boise, Ida., participating in the rites . . . The<br />
Vernal and Vogue theatres at Vernal, Utah,<br />
participated in the drive of the Fossil fund<br />
committee there to help raise money to return<br />
the fossils from the Carnegie Museum<br />
at Pittsburgh to the Utah Field House of<br />
Natural History at Vernal. Facilities of the<br />
showhouses were used for showing pictures<br />
in the drive.<br />
Drive-In to Open in May<br />
PORT ANGELES. WASH.—A new drive-in<br />
being erected on the Olympic highway east<br />
of Morse creek by the Port Angeles Theatres<br />
will be in operation by May 1. Willard J.<br />
Moss, engineer and architect for Sterling<br />
Theatre Co.. Seattle, said construction work<br />
would get under way as soon as the site has<br />
been cleared.<br />
THEATREMEN AID POLIO DRIVE—Salt Lake City theatremen give checks for<br />
their organizations' collections on March of Dimes to Alvin G. Pack, right. Salt Lake<br />
county drive chairman. A total of Sa.550.70 was collected by showhouses of Intermountain<br />
Theatres and Joseph L. Lawrence Theatres in Salt Lake and Murray. In<br />
addition. Intermountain collected $1,288.32 in Provo; $55.99 in Brigham City; $404.65<br />
in Logan; $129 in Preston; $<strong>23</strong>2.08 in Twin Falls; $819.42 in Ogden. and $413.53 in<br />
Boise. Lawrence Theatres obtained $255 in Provo and $289 in Weiser, Ida. The money<br />
was obtained during one day of appeal during the show and from wishing wells in<br />
the theatres. In the picture with Pack are James Needham. manager of the Villa;<br />
Vern Austin. Uptown; Charles M. Pincus, Utah; Nevin McCord. Capitol.<br />
Simmons Circuit Bar<br />
MISSOULA. MONT.—"Stromboli" will not<br />
be shown at any of the houses operated by<br />
the W. A. Simmons Amusement Co.. according<br />
to E. K. Taylor, general manager. The<br />
circuit runs 17 theatres in Montana and<br />
Idaho.<br />
Okay Drive-In at Long Beach<br />
LONG BEACH. CALIF.—Proposed construction<br />
of a drive-in on an 11 -acre site<br />
north of Del Amo boulevard and east of the<br />
flood control channel, has been approved by<br />
the city planning commission.<br />
[We<br />
have the<br />
Count on ui<br />
for Quick Action)<br />
(or<br />
YOUR<br />
THEATRE<br />
THEi THEATRE EXCHANGE CO.<br />
^201 > Fim Pint Arts BIda. Portland S. Oregon d<br />
Cathedral City Airer to Start<br />
CATHEDRAL CITY. CALIF.—Construction<br />
of a $200,<strong>000</strong> drive-in will be started immediately<br />
on Highway 111 west of town by<br />
Benjamin Bronstein of Palm Springs. Architectural<br />
design is by Roy M. Watkins.<br />
What have TOU done today to help secure<br />
repeal of the unfair amusement tax?<br />
YOUR POPCORN WARMER<br />
IS LOSING YOU 50%<br />
Can You Afford It?<br />
*<br />
HERB TURPIE<br />
Manley Popcorn Machines and Supplit<br />
Los Angeles 7, Colif.<br />
Denver Cactus Sold<br />
HUGO, COLO.—Clarence Martin, operator<br />
of the Gem Theatre here, has purchased the<br />
Cactus Theatre at 17th and Larimer streets<br />
in Denver. He now is dividing his time between<br />
the two show houses.<br />
Idaho Drive-In Is Sold<br />
BLACKFOOT, IDA. — Albert Barrott, coowner<br />
of the Roxy Theatre here, and Oscar<br />
Paisley, exhibitor at Couer d'Alene, have purchased<br />
the Motor Vu Drive-In, a 500-car situation,<br />
from the estate of the late Merrill C.<br />
Boyle. The price was $55,<strong>000</strong>.<br />
There is no time to lose! Act today on<br />
repeal of the amusement tax!<br />
BOXOFFICE :: February 18. 1950 57
. . . Ralph<br />
. . . On<br />
. . John<br />
. . Filmrow<br />
. . Glenn<br />
. .<br />
Australia Sends Marketing Expert<br />
To America to<br />
By WILLIAM BEECHAM<br />
Australian Representative. Boxoffice<br />
PERTH, W. A.—The federal government<br />
has sent the commonwealth statistician. Dr.<br />
Roland Wilson, to the United States to investigate<br />
all possible dollar sources and to try<br />
to expand the market for Australian dollar<br />
goods in North America. Tliis may lead to<br />
some easing of the present dollar position.<br />
It has been disclosed here that Spyros<br />
Skouras. president of 20th-Fox. is to visit<br />
Australia and New Zealand in the near future.<br />
Meanwhile, Robert Snody, associate producer<br />
for that company and at present in Sydney,<br />
says that the forthcoming Australian production<br />
"The Bushranger" will be photographed<br />
in Technicolor. Monopack stock will be used,<br />
enabling the company's own cameras to be<br />
used instead of Technicolor cameras, which<br />
are too heavy for location work.<br />
Because of strict temperature control requirements<br />
for processing, all exposed film<br />
will be flown to Hollywood in special refrigerated<br />
containers which will have the ice replenished<br />
en route. Work on the picture originally<br />
was scheduled to begin in March, but it<br />
has been postponed until July in order that<br />
any unsatisfactory weather conditions for location<br />
work can be cut to a minimum. It is<br />
said that the feature will be at least 70 per<br />
cent outdoor action, and it is probable that<br />
at least three name players will be brought<br />
from Hollywood to Australia for the venture.<br />
Producer Charles Chauvel recently complained<br />
that "Sons of Matthew" was not being<br />
properly presented by distributors in Britain,<br />
as the shortened American version was being<br />
offered to the public instead of the full-length<br />
Australian version. So Gordon Ellis is going<br />
from Sydney to London to investigate matters<br />
and to confer with General Film Distributors<br />
with a view to having some change<br />
made in the present method of distribution<br />
and screening. Despite some lukewarm criticisms<br />
at its Australian premiere, this feature<br />
has drawn some outstanding business in the<br />
capital cities here.<br />
The board of directors of Hoyts Theatres<br />
has declared a dividend of 3^2 per cent on<br />
the company's A-preference shares and one<br />
of 3 per cent on its B-preference shares for<br />
the period from July 1 to Dec. 31, 1949. The<br />
dividends will be payable March 7.<br />
The freehold of the Majestic Theatre.<br />
Adelaide, will be offered for sale at a public<br />
auction March 31. The theatre is now used as<br />
a cinema, offering two showings daily of reissues,<br />
but in the past it has offered some of<br />
the best long run attractions. It is one of<br />
the most centrally situated theatres in the<br />
city, with a frontage of 72 feet and a depth of<br />
195 feet. The total rentals now amount to<br />
£9,952 a year, and the lessee is Sir Benjamin<br />
Fnaller.<br />
Norman B. Rydge disclosed that on January<br />
31 National Theatre Supply took over Harrington<br />
Raycophone Bio and Theatre Supplies Co.<br />
He said, "This far-reaching deal represents<br />
a fusion of Australia's two oldest theatre service<br />
organizations and foremost pioneering<br />
Eye Export Plans<br />
cinemachinery establishments. It has been<br />
brought about for the sole purpose of giving<br />
better service and a wider range of facilities<br />
to all exhibitors throughout the seven states<br />
of Australia. Harrington's has a 60-year history,<br />
while National Theatre Supply dates its<br />
origin back to 1912. and I am very proud that<br />
two such famous and highly regarded trade<br />
marks are united to ensure greater service to<br />
the motion picture industry." National Theatre<br />
Supply Co. now will market Raycophone.<br />
Minerva and G. B. Kalee sound projectors.<br />
An application (No. 135.626) has been filed<br />
in Canberra for an Australian patent for<br />
sound on film by A. Lee of New South Wales.<br />
Details of the application are: "To produce,<br />
on a commercial type of film tape, a sound<br />
record in the form of a modulated track having<br />
a sufficiently wide frequency range and a<br />
high signal to noise ratio to enable medium<br />
quality musical programs to be recorded. Apparatus<br />
is provided to form a plurality of<br />
sound tracks, the material of the film tape<br />
being displaced laterally and upwardly to a<br />
stylus while simultaneously the film tape material<br />
forming the root of each of the said<br />
tracks is depressed downwardly by the stylus<br />
when forming the sound tracks. The portion<br />
of the film tape beneath the stylus is adapted<br />
to be moved simultaneously with the peripheral<br />
surface of a drum upon which is disposed<br />
a bed of felt."<br />
'Iwo Jima' Star to Be Feted<br />
At Marine Ceremonies<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Adele Mara, femme lead<br />
in Republic's "Sands of Iwo Jima." will be a<br />
guest of honor February <strong>23</strong> when the Marine<br />
Newsmen Ass'n stages ceremonies commemorating<br />
the fifth anniversary of the raising<br />
of the American flag on Mt. Suribachi in<br />
Iwo Jima by the marines. The ceremonies<br />
will take place in the chambers of the Los<br />
Angeles city council.<br />
Timed for release this month, in conjunction<br />
with the organization's annual campaign<br />
for funds, a short subject starring Gary<br />
Cooper and Patricia Neal was filmed at Warners<br />
for use by the American Heart Ass'n.<br />
The briefie was directed by Richard Bare.<br />
'Challenge' to Fox<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Release through 20th Century-Fox<br />
has been secured by Thor Productions<br />
for "Dark Challenge," its kickoff independent<br />
film, which Bert Friedlob produces<br />
and Tay Garnett directs. Mickey Rooney.<br />
Beverly Tyler and Pat O'Brien have the toplines.<br />
Seek Permit at Campbell<br />
CAMPBELL. CALIF.—Plans to construct<br />
a drive-in on north McGlincey Lane at Casey<br />
road here ran into opposition and a second<br />
hearing on a rezoning application was slated.<br />
J. M. Reiter sought the rezoning application<br />
on a 15'j-acre tract.<br />
There is no time to lose! Act today on<br />
repeal of the amusement tax!<br />
SEATTLE<br />
pddie Yarbrough, west coast exploiteer for<br />
20th-Fox, is here aiding in plans for the<br />
world premiere of "Mother Didn't Tell Me"<br />
February 21 at the Fifth Avenue. William<br />
Lundigan, its co-star, was to hit the town<br />
the Friday and Saturday before for a round<br />
Mrs. Oscar<br />
of personal appearances . . .<br />
Chiniquy. wife of the National Screen Service,<br />
underwent an operation at Doctors hospital.<br />
Maurice Sadick, who 15 years ago managed<br />
a group of theatres here for John Danz, was<br />
here from Salisbury, Md.. greeting old friends<br />
and to attend the wedding of his nephew<br />
. . Milton Watt and Larry Doyle of SRO<br />
have been in town for work on "The Fallen<br />
Idol." which opened at the Music Box .<br />
Floyd Henninger, Rep salesman, is back at<br />
work following healing of his broken ankle<br />
Abbett, Monogram manager, attended<br />
a company meeting in Kansas City.<br />
.<br />
.<br />
Dan Larson has left the B. P. Shearer Co.<br />
and joined the Murray Marsh Co. in Los<br />
Angeles Hamrick was in Palm<br />
Springs for a few days Haviland<br />
was elected president of the film salesmen's<br />
Colosseum at a recent dinner and meeting.<br />
Arnie Eichenlaub was elected vice-president.<br />
Leonard Raatz. treasurer, and Harry Blatt.<br />
Chilton Robinett, 20th-Fox<br />
secretary . . .<br />
manager, attended a meeting in San Francisco.<br />
William H. Thedford, vice-president; Vic<br />
Gauntlett, ad manager; Prank Christie, film<br />
buyer; Carl Mahne, Washington district manager;<br />
Lowell Parmentier, merchandising manager,<br />
and Bob Haase. purchasing agent, all<br />
of Evergreen, attended National Theatres'<br />
convention in Los Angeles. They were joined<br />
there by Prank L. Newman sr.. president<br />
Filmrow were Malcolm McLeod,<br />
Lopez Island; Fred Estelman, Cle Elum;<br />
George Blair, 'Vashon; Fred Gamble, Tacoma,<br />
and Ernie Thompson, Port Townsend.<br />
Friends here mourned the death of W. A.<br />
Cochrane, 80-year-old pioneer northwest exhibitor,<br />
who died at his North Bend.. Wash.,<br />
home. For years he operated a theatre in<br />
nearby Snoqualmie .<br />
showed 100<br />
per cent contributions from executives and<br />
employes during the March of Dimes drive.<br />
To Produce Live Units<br />
HOLLYWOOE>—Roger Rogers, theatrical<br />
producer, has formed a new producing company<br />
in partnership with Fred Seelig, former<br />
newspaperman and publicist. Under the<br />
name of Rogers-Seelig Productions, they will<br />
produce complete vaudeville units geared for<br />
television and theatre bookings, musicals and<br />
roadshow dramas. "Beyond Tomorrow," a<br />
stage drama, will be the first play to go into<br />
rehearsal.<br />
Gloria Films Slates Two<br />
HOLLYWOOD — A two-picture<br />
releasing<br />
deal with United Artists was set by Gloria<br />
Films, headed by I. G. Goldsmith, which will<br />
produce "Three Husbands" and "The Dungeon."<br />
The former, being geared to start<br />
next month, will topline Emlyn Williams,<br />
British star.<br />
58 BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950
Oriental in Chicago<br />
To Booth Company<br />
CHICAGO—A court order authorizing owners<br />
of the Oriental Theatre building to evict<br />
the Essaness Theatre Corp.. lessee ot the<br />
theatre, was entered Friday (10) by Circuit<br />
Judge Judge Cornelius J. Harrington. The<br />
order culminated a long legal battle in which<br />
owners of the building accused their tenant<br />
of favoring the nearby Woods Theatre, also<br />
operated by Essaness, by showing better pictures<br />
and stage shows than those displayed<br />
at the Oriental.<br />
The Booth Theatre Management Co.,<br />
headed by James Booth, an affiliate of the<br />
company that owns the theatre building, will<br />
succeed the Essaness Corp., headed by Edwin<br />
Silverman, as operator of the theatre.<br />
Sparta Manager Resigns<br />
After Blue Law Defeat<br />
SPARTA. ILL.—Charles W. Wells, who resigned<br />
as manager of the Grand Theatre here<br />
following the election in which this city threw<br />
off the blue law that had prevented Sunday<br />
shows, is considering going to Florida to spend<br />
several weeks.<br />
Wells has been succeeded as manager of<br />
the Grand, which is owned and operated by<br />
the Sparta Theatre. Inc.. by Frank McLean,<br />
son of a former Coulterville, 111., minister and<br />
a veteran of World War II. who had been the<br />
motion picture projectionist at the theatre for<br />
the past nine years.<br />
The former manager started with the<br />
Grand Theatre in 1914 and later took time<br />
out to serve with the armed forces during<br />
World War I. He resumed his duties at the<br />
theatre in 1920. He left the Grand in 1927<br />
to become manager of a theatre in Fairfield,<br />
111., but returned to Sparta in 1933 and had<br />
been on the job as manager of the Grand<br />
until he resigned following the successful<br />
campaign against the blue law late in January.<br />
The Grand Theatre had its first Sunday<br />
show on January 29. ending the 122-year ban<br />
against commercial Sunday entertainment in<br />
the city.<br />
Talent Contest Under Way<br />
MARSHFIELD. WIS.—A six-week Talent<br />
on Parade is under way at the Palace Theatre<br />
here, which will culminate in a grand final<br />
contest at the Adler with a two-week vacation,<br />
worth $550. at the Northernaire summer<br />
resort as the grand prize. Weekly prizes are<br />
$25. $10 and $5.<br />
Ex-Theatre Manager Arraigned<br />
MILWAUKEE—Eugene R. Michalek, former<br />
manager of the neighborhood American<br />
Theatre here, was arraigned here on a charge<br />
of embezzling $1,190.45 in popcorn receipts<br />
between April 1, 1949. and January 6. Miss<br />
Demetra Kritselis owns the American. Bond<br />
of $1,<strong>000</strong> was set for Michalek.<br />
Illinois UTO Again Picks<br />
Edward Zorn President<br />
SPRINGFIELD. ILL. — Edward G. Zovn,<br />
Pontiac. was renamed president of the United<br />
Theatre Owners of Illinois at the closing session<br />
of its recent annual convention here.<br />
George Kerasotes. local theatreman, was<br />
named vice-president.<br />
New directors include E. E. Alger, LaSalle;<br />
George Barber, Villa Grove; Steven Bennis.<br />
Lincoln; Charles Dyas. Earlville; John Giachetto,<br />
Springfield; R. L. Cutler, Macomb;<br />
William Griffin, Cairo; John Koletis, Rock<br />
Island; Ralph Lawler, Peoria; August<br />
Marchesi, Amboy; Marion Bodwell, Wyoming;<br />
Lee Norton, Sullivan; S. E. Pirtle, Jerseyville;<br />
Gene Russell, Champaign; Sam Traynor,<br />
Princeton; E. H. Wieck, Staunton;<br />
Charles Duncan, Decatur; Henry Sticklemeyer,<br />
Chicago; P. Bissell Shaver, Henry;<br />
William Souttar, Springfield, and Fred Anderson,<br />
Morris.<br />
Federal excise taxes on motion picture theatre<br />
tickets are discriminatory and in violation<br />
of fundamental rights of freedom of the<br />
screen, Gael Sullivan, TOA executive director,<br />
said in one of the principal addresses to the<br />
217 persons registered for the two-day convention.<br />
"We have never been a luxury, and even<br />
during the war it was thought by many national<br />
leaders that taxes on motion pictures<br />
were unwise because of the many millions of<br />
people the theatre served as a necessity," Sullivan<br />
said. "We want to share in every equitable<br />
tax with all other businesses, but we feel<br />
the future of our entire industry depends<br />
upon the relief from these burdensome<br />
taxes."<br />
Commenting on television, Sullivan said he<br />
considered it an asset to the trade. He said<br />
he had been notified that the Federal Communications<br />
commission soon will accord a<br />
hearing on the granting of special channels<br />
for facilities to be operated by theatre owners.<br />
Television further is enhancing film appeal<br />
through the use of trailers which aid tremendously<br />
in stimulating public interest, he<br />
declared.<br />
T\\e convention endorsed the safety trailers<br />
originated by the Skouras circuit, and a plan<br />
to use them in theatres throughout Illinois<br />
will be worked out. Details of the organization<br />
of amusement tax reduction campaign<br />
committees in all cities and towns were discussed.<br />
Arrangements were completed for the<br />
shipping of the official tax repeal exploitation<br />
packet to all exhibitors in the state by the<br />
National Screen Service.<br />
Tom Burke, director of programs for the<br />
National Safety Council, spoke of the work<br />
of the organization which now has more than<br />
7,<strong>000</strong> members in the United States and other<br />
countries. He said that its work is solely accident<br />
prevention, by which accidental deaths<br />
may be lessened. Its progi'am is carried on by<br />
application of education, engineering and enforcement,<br />
he said. Progress is being made<br />
annually in all fields, including industrial<br />
safety, home safety and traffic safety.<br />
George Kerasotes, convention chairman<br />
who supervised preparation for the meeting,<br />
sustained a gastric hemorrhage recently and<br />
he was unable to attend any of the convention<br />
sessions. Dave Jones and other officials of the<br />
Springfield Theatre Ass'n took over details of<br />
the conclave. The special emergency committee<br />
included William Souttar, Fox Lincoln<br />
Theatre; Mortimer Berman, Orpheum Theatre;<br />
William Giachetto, Fi-isina Amusement<br />
Co., and Edmond Metzger, Kerasotes Theatres.<br />
Seek to Vacate Alley<br />
RIPON, WIS.—The new theatre planned<br />
here by M&S Theatres, headed by Ben Marcus<br />
of Milwaukee, will be enlarged from its<br />
present planned size of 68x132 if the city approves<br />
vacation of an alley behind the site.<br />
Signed as Film Editor<br />
Clarence Kolster has been signed as film<br />
editor for Warners' "Sugarfoot."<br />
Order your taxation trailers today!<br />
Capital Stock Increased<br />
MILWAUKEE—Standard Kenosha Theatre<br />
Co. has filed amendments to original corporation<br />
papers filed in 1948, calling for an increase<br />
from 100 to 2,500 .shares at no par<br />
value. The incorporators are Charles A. Puis,<br />
G. H. Marx and Marshall A. Rice.<br />
WISCONSIN .ALLIED BO.VRD—Shown above is the board of directors of Allied<br />
Independent Theatre Owners of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan at a recent meeting<br />
held in Madison. Standing, left to right: Arnold Brumm, secretary. Milwaukee; Ben<br />
Marcus, president, Oshkosh. Seated: Edward Johnson, Milwaukee, treasurer; S. J.<br />
Goldberg. Wausau; Harry Melchcr, Eskin Theatres. Milwaukee; Floyd Albert, Mount<br />
Horeb; Russell Leddy, Green Bay; F. J. AVilliams, Madison; C. Baldwin, Gillett; Eric<br />
Brown, Plymouth; A. Spheeris, Milwaukee.<br />
BOXOFFICE :: February IB, 1950 59
St. Ann, Suburb of Sf.<br />
Construction of Jy^o Theatres<br />
ST. LOUIS—The board of aldermen of the<br />
Ann in St. Louis county last week<br />
City of St.<br />
approved permits for the construction of a<br />
1.<strong>000</strong>-car four-screen drive-in and also for<br />
a 800-seat brick-and-mortar theatre to<br />
Charles P. Vatterott & Co., St. Ann.<br />
Each of these projects, which will cost approximately<br />
$200,<strong>000</strong> including equipment, will<br />
be lea.sed to the St. Louis Amusement Co.,<br />
which is controlled by Harry C. Arthur and<br />
other members of the Arthur family.<br />
The drive-in will be constructed on a tract<br />
of land at 10400 St. Charles Rock road now<br />
used for the Kuper's driving tee, while the<br />
indoor theatre is to be built at 10259 Rock<br />
road. Both are in the same general neighborhood<br />
as the Airway Drive-In and the Gem<br />
Theatre, which are owned by Henry Halloway<br />
of Overland, Mo., and under lease to Phillip<br />
Smith of Boston and his Midwest Drive-In<br />
Theatres.<br />
Officials of the St. Louis Amusement Co.<br />
sought a permit for the construction of a<br />
1,<strong>000</strong>-car four-screen drive-in on ground the<br />
company owns on Page avenue near Woodson<br />
road in Overland, but a bloc of aldermen<br />
refused to approve the project, which apparently<br />
was favored by the residents of Overland<br />
on the basis of signatures to petitions<br />
for and against the proposed drive-in.<br />
Later, when their efforts to build in Overland<br />
were frustrated by the opposition interests,<br />
it was decided to negotiate for a site in<br />
St. Ann. The result was the closing of the<br />
Louis, Okays<br />
$8,427 ERECTS THIS<br />
NEW SCREEN TOWER
—<br />
—<br />
. . Peter<br />
. . Exhibitors<br />
. . Herman<br />
—<br />
'Monlana' Grosses 120<br />
Despite Bad Weather<br />
CHICAGO—Messy weather with a downpour<br />
of rain most of the week kept folks out<br />
State-Lake—All the King's Men (Col), 2nd wk 115<br />
Studio Sin oi Nora Moran (Dezel); Virgins of<br />
Bali (Dezel). reissues 90<br />
United Artists Tension (MGM) 110<br />
V/oods—My Foolish Heart (RKO), 2nd wk 115<br />
World Playhouse—Open City (M-B); Faisan (M-B),<br />
2nd run 110<br />
Trade Sho'ws Improvement<br />
At Indianapolis Houses<br />
INDIANAPOUS — Business at local first<br />
runs was good. Despite unfavorable weather,<br />
grosses showed improvement over the weekend.<br />
A dualing of "Borderline" and Unmasked"<br />
at the Circle paced the newcomers.<br />
"Battleground," in a second week at Loew's,<br />
still drew heavily and racked up better than<br />
average trade.<br />
Circle—Borderline (U-I). Unmasked (Rep) 110<br />
Indiana—Bagdad (U-I). The Blonde Bandit (Rep).. 90<br />
Keiths—Pinky (20th-Fox), 2nd d. t. wk lOQ<br />
Loew's—Battleground (MGM), 2nd wk _ 110<br />
Lyric—The Krates of Capri (FC); The Flying<br />
Saucer (FC) 100<br />
Seek Writ Against Airer<br />
INDIANAPOLIS—Property owners living<br />
near the intersection of the U.S. highway and<br />
Georgetown road renewed their fight against<br />
construction of a drive-in in the area Tuesday<br />
i7) by filing an injunction. The action,<br />
filed in superior court, names Joseph Cantor.<br />
Indianapolis theatre operator, as defendant.<br />
The theatre now is under construction on a<br />
30-acre tract. Thirteen property owners demanded<br />
the injunction, claiming they were<br />
misled into believing the tract was to be<br />
used for a shopping center.<br />
New Outdoor Theatre Corporation<br />
JANESVILLE. WIS.—L. F. Gran, H. M.<br />
Rosenband and A. C. Stolga have organized<br />
the Janesville-Beloit Outdoor Theatre, Inc.,<br />
with 100 shares at no par value. Gran is<br />
manager of Standard Theatres, Inc.. Milwaukee.<br />
5^?2iaClRAIlERS<br />
5/»^/Z)K SERVICE<br />
TOP QUALITY •<br />
iiiiiiiiiiiiji^iiiiH.-Hii'im{i<br />
INDIANAPOLIS<br />
. . L. J. McGinley.<br />
Uarold M. Schoo of the Midwest Theatre<br />
Supply Co., Cincinnati, was at the local<br />
branch a day . . Walter Wolverton, manager<br />
.<br />
of the Circle, reported that stage en-<br />
gagements for February and March will include<br />
five name bands .<br />
of the Loop and business sagged. The Chicago<br />
did fine with "Montana," sparked by a<br />
stage revue with Hollywood stars Jack Carson.<br />
for Film Classics, was a caller . . . Mike and<br />
Janis Paige and Robert Alda. "Tension" had<br />
Steven Make, operators of the Airline Drivein<br />
at Winchester, were making the rounds<br />
a fair week at the United Artists and the<br />
Palace did around average with "Borderline"<br />
getting information on product for the approaching<br />
season.<br />
^nd "The Rugged O'Riordans." Oriental had<br />
a fair second week with "Malaya." plus a<br />
stage revue headed by Buster Shaver.<br />
Mel Harwood, Warner auditor, left for Milwaukee<br />
. Rosian. U-I district man-<br />
(Average Is 100)<br />
ChictJqo—Montana (WB), plus stage show 120 ager, was in . . . Ted Mendelssohn. U-I manager,<br />
and wife have gone to Florida on a va-<br />
Garrick Wing and a Prayer (20th-Fox): Submarine<br />
Patrol (20th-Fox), reissues 90<br />
Grand—The Outlaw (RKO), 6lh wk 100 cation ... A. A. Schubart. RKO manager of<br />
Oriental—Malaya (MGM). plus stage show. 2nd<br />
exchange operations, was in , . . June Hassinger<br />
is a new typist at RKO . . . Jack<br />
wk. 110<br />
Palace Borderline (UA); The Rugged O'Riordans<br />
(UA)<br />
lUO<br />
Dowd, Republic manager, was home with a<br />
Roosevelt—Thelma Jordon (Para), 2nd wk 95<br />
Selwyn—The Red Shoes (EL), 60 wks., roadshow severe cold several days.<br />
atlrdction<br />
Fair<br />
lis HYDE IT. '•SaiifrflKTt
. . . Lester<br />
ST. LOUIS<br />
IJarry Kahan of the Harry and Meyer Kahan<br />
Film Delivery Service was in Chicago<br />
for the national meeting of National Film<br />
Carriers . . . Buck Lewis, former general manager<br />
of the Carney Theatres, RoUa, recently<br />
sold his residence in that city and moved to<br />
Brownsville, Tex.<br />
A very large attendance is anticipated for<br />
the Mldcentral Allied Theatre Owners regional<br />
meeting to be held at the Leland hotel at<br />
Springfield February 21. A. B. Jefferis of<br />
Piedmont, president will preside . . . W. H.<br />
Hoffman of Arthur, 111., chairman of the<br />
board for Mldcentral Allied, was in Washington<br />
for the gathering of the board of national<br />
Allied.<br />
Exhibitors on Filmrow included Tom Edwards<br />
and Frank Plumlee, Farmington, Mo.;<br />
Harry Miller, Festus; Jimmy Frisina, Ranny<br />
—<br />
MRS. HAROLD CALLAWAY—<br />
Owner and projectionist. Mars<br />
Theatre, La Farge, Wise.—says:<br />
"RCA Service brings to our<br />
theatre a remarkable amount of<br />
continuous admiration from our<br />
patrons for our excellent sound<br />
and clear projection. A gratifying<br />
insurance!"<br />
To get thf- benefits of RCA Service<br />
write: RCA SERVICE COMPANY,<br />
INC., Radio Corporation of America,<br />
Camden, N. J.<br />
NO PERFORATIONS: 20";. More Light and Better Vision<br />
CYCl«RAMIC<br />
Custom Screen<br />
Padrucci and Johnny Giachetto, Frisina circuit,<br />
Springfield; Howard Bates, Cape Drivein,<br />
Cape Girardeau; Thomas Baldwin, Mount<br />
Vernon (Ind.) Drive-In; Joe N. Sites, Springfield<br />
(HI. I Drive-In; Herman Tanner, Vandalia;<br />
Frank X. Reller, Wentzville; Forrest<br />
Pirtle, Jerseyville; Dick Fisher, Willow<br />
Springs; Stewart Cluster, Johnston City;<br />
A. H. Boemler, Alton; Joe Goldfarb, Upper<br />
Alton; Ed Clarke, Mattoon, and Elvin H.<br />
Wiecks, Staunton, 111.<br />
Paul E. Stehmann, Winchester, 111., is reported<br />
to be negotiating for the purchase of<br />
a theatre in another southern Illinois town<br />
Bona, Warner manager, and Bud<br />
Edele, manager for Film Classics, were in<br />
Rolla last week to confer with Caesar Berutt<br />
of Rolla and Bill Williams of Union . . . Dean<br />
Davis of West Plains is visiting in Florida<br />
and later plans to go to the west coast to<br />
visit his daughter in March.<br />
St. Louisians are awaiting with considerable<br />
interest the outcome of the experiment<br />
by the Illinois Bell Telephone Co. and the<br />
Zenith Radio Corp. with phonevision in the<br />
Chicago area. The trial, approved by the FCC,<br />
will affect 300 homes for a 90-day period. The<br />
charge is to be $1 for each of 90 films to be<br />
fed out to the television sets in the trial<br />
period. There are a lot of angles to this experiment.<br />
Will Uncle Sam collect amusement<br />
taxes, especially if the user passes the cost<br />
along to those viewing the show. If not, why<br />
not?<br />
Local newspaper reports of the television<br />
survey taken in Washington, D. C, recently<br />
also was received here with mixed emotions.<br />
Some theatre owners were greatly worried by<br />
the reported falling off in attendance at picture<br />
shows by the television set owners.<br />
Others were inclined to take the Washington<br />
figures with a couple of grains of salt. Perhaps<br />
they didn't know that the Washington<br />
offices of Warner Bros, and Loew's, Inc., and<br />
the Washington Motion Picture Theatre Owners<br />
Ass'n were among the sponsors of the survey.<br />
Others interested were the Columbia<br />
Broadcasting System, National Broadcasting<br />
Co., the Dumont network and the Washington<br />
Evening Star.<br />
Have you written to your congressmen and<br />
senators about repeal of the unfair amusement<br />
tax?<br />
Phone-TV Film Tilles<br />
Requested by MPTO<br />
ST, LOXnS — Directors of the MPTO of<br />
Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois here<br />
Tuesday (14) instructed President Tom Edwards<br />
to ascertain through Gael Sullivan,<br />
executive director of the Theatre Owners of<br />
America, what film companies are to provide<br />
the 90 motion pictures to be used in the<br />
90-day test of Phonevision by the Zenith<br />
Radio Corp. in cooperation with the Illinois<br />
Bell Telephone Co. in the Chicago, 111., area.<br />
Sullivan also will be requested to find out<br />
the names of the pictures to be used, so that<br />
"theatre owners everywhere will know<br />
whether the market value of the films they<br />
have booked have been seriously damaged<br />
by prior use on television."<br />
The directors also heard a protest that<br />
Paramount, apparently in direct violation to<br />
pledge made some weeks ago to the MPTO<br />
organization, had permitted the use of "Red<br />
Hot and Blue" on the Lux Hour radio broadcast<br />
the night of February 6, with the same<br />
stars as the motion picture. This radio use<br />
of the current picture's plot, it was contended,<br />
depreciated the value of the film for the theatres<br />
still to play it. It was recalled that<br />
some film companies while permitting the<br />
use of their screen stories on the air restrict<br />
such use to films two years of age or older.<br />
President Edwards and four other showmen<br />
visited U.S. Senator James P. Kem of Missouri<br />
to conmmend him for his strong opposition<br />
to the federal amusement tax and to<br />
provide him with information concerning its<br />
effect on theatre attendance, especially in<br />
the smaller towns and outlying parts of the<br />
larger cities. Kem was at a local hotel. Russ<br />
Bovin, B. Lueker, Tommy James and Tom<br />
Bloomer accompanied Edwards.<br />
Word was received from Washington that<br />
the House ways and means commiteee had<br />
postponed until February 21 a hearing on the<br />
proposed repeal of the amusement tax.<br />
Steinberg Brothers Buy<br />
East Alton Ritz Theatre<br />
EAST ALTON—The 640-seat Ritz Theatre<br />
has been sold by Sol Goldfarb to Marc Jay<br />
Steinberg, formerly on the Eagle Lion sales<br />
staff, and his brother Eugene, assistant buyer<br />
for the Famous Barr department store of St.<br />
Louis.<br />
The sale is effective March 1. The price<br />
was not disclosed.<br />
Marc Steinberg will move to East Alton and<br />
operate the theatre. His brother will retain<br />
his position with Famous Barr.<br />
Marc Steinberg has been assistant booker<br />
and later salesman for Eagle Lion the last<br />
2^i years. The Steinberg brothers are sons<br />
of Nat Steinberg, St. Louis manager for Republic.<br />
The father will have no connection<br />
with the Ritz Theatre.<br />
Get your audience signing petitions now!<br />
Magic Screen<br />
of the Future<br />
'Potent applied for<br />
3146 Olive<br />
Installed<br />
at<br />
AMERICAN THEATRE<br />
Mt. Carmel, III.<br />
By JOE HORNSTEIN, Inc.<br />
LUcas 2710 St. Louis, Mo.<br />
EVERYTHING FOR THE<br />
Personalized Se<br />
THEATRE<br />
St. Louis Theatre Supply Company<br />
Arch Hosier<br />
331D Olive Street. St. Louis 3. Mo.<br />
Telephone lEfierson 7974<br />
'*^>OOOOOOOOOOO^^OOB-SOO^<br />
62 BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950
. . . MGM's<br />
. . The<br />
. . Rosa<br />
. . The<br />
. . Ray<br />
Chicago Tent to Open<br />
New Quarters Apr. 1<br />
CHICAGO—New quarters at 540 South<br />
Michigan avenue here will be dedicated by<br />
the Variety Club of Illinois about April 1<br />
following remodeling and redecorating soon to<br />
be started. The quarters will include a large<br />
room for social events, a fireproof room with<br />
a projection booth for screenings, and facilities<br />
for serving food and refreshments.<br />
Details of the new quarters were discussed<br />
at the first 1950 meeting of the club February,<br />
when Jack Kirsch. recently installed as<br />
chief barker, was the presiding officer. Plans<br />
for a membership campaign were among<br />
subjects discussed, and details of proposed<br />
social events were outlined by Kirscli and<br />
other officers.<br />
Neil Duffy Is Stricken;<br />
Appleton, Wis., Exhibitor<br />
APPLETON, WIS.—Neil Duffy, who has operated<br />
theatres in this city for 41 years, died<br />
recently at his home here at the age of 75.<br />
He was born in St. Joseph, Mo., but moved<br />
here many years ago. Duffy operated the<br />
Elite Theatre here from 1908 to 1913. In<br />
1913 he built a new Elite, but in 1948 he sold<br />
that building to the Lutheran Aid Ass'n. At<br />
the Elite he showed stage presentations, and<br />
he claimed to be the first to show films here.<br />
It was in 1929 that he started to show motion<br />
pictures here.<br />
TWO IMPORTANT<br />
THEATRES<br />
FOR SALE<br />
ELGIN, ILL. Grove Theatre, 1,100<br />
Seats. Fully Equipped; Long Term<br />
Lease.<br />
•<br />
KANKAKEE, ILL. Luna Theatre,<br />
900 Seats. Fully Equipped; Long<br />
Term Lease.<br />
NO BROKERS<br />
For Further Details, Contact<br />
M. G. LEONARD<br />
17S N. State Street<br />
Chicago, 111. Tel. Ra 6-5300<br />
ri^lll PROGRAMS<br />
ONE DftY SERVICE — On Reque<br />
THEATRICAL ADV.<br />
CO.<br />
"SERVING EXHIBITORS FOR 33 YEARS"<br />
<strong>23</strong>10 CASS WO. 1-2158. DETROIT, 1. MICH<br />
SELL YOUR THEATRE PRIVATELY<br />
Uiroest coverage in U.S. No "Net" listings.<br />
Highest reputation tor know-how<br />
and fair dealing. 30 years experience iticluding<br />
exhibition. Ask Better Business Bn<br />
^0^<br />
reau, or our customers. Know your brokt-<br />
ARTHUR LEAK Theatre Speciali:,ls<br />
1109 Orchardlane, Des Moines. lo.«.i<br />
4-9087<br />
CONFIDENTIAL CORRESPONDENCE INVITED<br />
CHICAGO<br />
TTrnest L. Byfield, president of the Sherman<br />
and Ambassador hotels, died from a heart<br />
attack last weekend. Many present day motion<br />
picture stars got their start in show<br />
business in his College Inn . Variety<br />
Club has secured temporary clubrooms (Saturdays<br />
only) in the Congress hotel for social<br />
gatherings and card games, etc.; its new home<br />
at 540 South Michigan Ave. is being fitted up.<br />
It will be ready for occupancy in about six<br />
weeks . Esquire Tlieatre, operated by<br />
H.&E. Balaban, celebrated its 12th birthday.<br />
David Bradley, Winnetka, who produced the<br />
motion picture, "Julius Caesar," in the Chicago<br />
area, has been invited to Hollywood by<br />
Dore Schary of MGM . Raisa, the<br />
Manager Joe Odendahl of the Telenews<br />
Theatre, who had his appendix subtracted, is<br />
out of the hospital and ready for work again<br />
"On the Town" was showing at<br />
some 50 houses in the neighborhoods, speaked<br />
by big ads in all newspapers . . . The Astor<br />
Theatre is featuring a free pass coupon, good<br />
for one admission when accompanied by a<br />
paid admission. The house presents two new<br />
pictures every day and is opened all night.<br />
A fire broke out in the basement of the<br />
Fannie May candy shop on the first floor of<br />
the three-story Marbro Theatre building and<br />
spread between the walls to the top floor.<br />
The theatre itself was not damaged because<br />
of a protecting firewall . . . Joseph Burstyn,<br />
the film importer who has booked "Bicycle<br />
Thief" into the World Playhouse, is the chap<br />
who gambled on the first two Rossellini films<br />
to hit pay dirt, "Open City" and "Paisan,"<br />
which have played a return engagement at<br />
the Playhouse. "Paisan" is the picture that<br />
inspired Ingrid to write her first letter to<br />
Roberto.<br />
Harry Lessman, Filmrow cigar merchant,<br />
was back at his old stand after an absence<br />
of many months due to illness . . . Moe<br />
Cooper recently underwent surgery at Michael<br />
Reese ho.spital . . . Birthday greetings<br />
to Nat Nathanson, Lawrence Schienberg.<br />
Bernard Mack and Irwin Jo.seph . . Orchids<br />
.<br />
to Sam Levinsohn, head of Chicago Used<br />
Chair Mart and Heart chairman of the Cinema<br />
B'nai B'rith lodge, and members who<br />
have been placing coin containers in business<br />
establishments throughout the city in an effort<br />
to exceed last year's collections for the<br />
Chicago Heart Ass'n fund.<br />
Charles Baron, exploiteer for Eagle Lion,<br />
was here working with B&K's Dave Arlen on<br />
a campaign for "Guilty of Treason," which<br />
will bow at the UA Tlieatre February 22.<br />
.\ttorney Thomas McConnell says that since<br />
films are received by subsequent theatres<br />
much earlier under the edict of the Jackson<br />
Park antitrust case, they are doing much better<br />
business and the film companies take has<br />
increased from 20 to 25 per cent. He quoted<br />
exchange managers and said he was able to<br />
examine books of a couple of exchanges.<br />
The B&K Northshore Theatre on Howard<br />
street has advanced to an A-booking schedule<br />
and admission prices have been advanced<br />
from 62 to 74 cents evenings. This<br />
gives the circuit three A-houses on the<br />
The Astor Theatre at<br />
north side area . . .<br />
Clark and Madison streets has gone into<br />
all-night policy at popular prices. This<br />
makes three all-night film houses in the<br />
Loop, the E.s.saness Woods Lubliner's Clark<br />
being the others. The RKO Grand plays<br />
midnight shows, but has no all-night policy.<br />
former prima donna, is spearheading a drive<br />
to raise funds for an Italian Boys Town. A Manager Jim Fields, Warners' Stratford,<br />
high point was the benefit premiere of "Bicycle<br />
Thief" at Abe Teitel's World Playhouse, Saturday shows and the kiddies are flock-<br />
has added a Hopalong Cassidy matinee for<br />
Friday (17) ... A new English film opened ing in droves, he says. Chicago Tribune<br />
at the B&K Pantheon Theatre on the north recently started the Hopalong film strips<br />
side. "Hungry Hill," the story concerned with and this is helping Cassidy films, both new<br />
40 feuding years, is laid in Ireland during and old, the managers report . Dunn,<br />
Queen Victoria's reign and tells of the fight manager of Warners' Partheon in Hammond,<br />
is ill at home, and Bob Kennedy,<br />
of Cornish miners brought to Ireland to sink<br />
a copper mine. Starred in the film are Dennis<br />
Price, Margaret Lockwood and Jean Sim-<br />
in charge. Jim Fennell is at the Highland<br />
Highland Theatre, Chicago, is temporarily<br />
mons.<br />
as assistant.<br />
Sheboygan County Council<br />
Holds Dinner, Preview<br />
KIEL, WIS.—Some 90 persons attended a<br />
recent dinner given by the Better Films<br />
Council of Sheboygan county here, and approximately<br />
20 others attended a preview of<br />
the film "On the Town," which was sent here<br />
from MGM in Milwaukee especially for the<br />
event.<br />
Six cities were represented at the dinner<br />
and discussions were held about the selection<br />
and patronage of better screen fare. It was<br />
revealed that the Kiel Chamber of Commerce<br />
has voted $200 this year for children's films.<br />
SIGNS<br />
MARQUEES<br />
^ATTRACTION<br />
BOARDS<br />
w/P/r£ Off wm€<br />
iADV^S£RVIC€<br />
"Sign and Lighting Specialists<br />
for Over (<br />
Quarter Century."<br />
REASONABLE<br />
PRICES<br />
BOXOFFICE :; February 18. 1950 63
Those Who Boycott Bergman Films,<br />
Theatremen Included, Are Blamed<br />
ST. IX>UIS—The St. Louis Register, the<br />
official pubhcation of the St. Louis archdiocese<br />
of the Catholic church, makes a sharp<br />
distinction between Ingrid Bergman the motion<br />
picture artist and Ingrid Bergman the<br />
woman who apparently forgot at least one of<br />
the Ten Commandments as given to Moses.<br />
In its February 10 issue the Register carries<br />
the ratings of the National Council of the<br />
Legion of Decency and "Stromboli," the latest<br />
Bergman picture, carried the A-2 classification,<br />
unobjectionable for adults, and "Joan<br />
of Arc," another Bergman starring vehicle,<br />
is rated as A-1, unobjectionable for general<br />
patronage.<br />
Then, in a separate story, the same issue<br />
of the Register deals with Ingrid Bergman,<br />
the woman, and Roberto RosseUini, the man,<br />
and also their child. It is an unusual treatment<br />
of their situation, different from any<br />
other press comment on the picture.<br />
Motion picture theatre owners who are inclined<br />
to blacklist all Bergman motion pictures<br />
and the clergymen of various faiths.<br />
Catholic as well as Protestant, and the thousands<br />
of others who are so excited because a<br />
woman and a male violated the Commandment<br />
"Thou shall not commit adultery" apparently<br />
have failed to remember that at the<br />
same time God gave to Moses another Com-<br />
FROM BOXOFFICE DATE OF THE 4th FEB.<br />
For<br />
Greater Popping Profits<br />
Today, due to good supply throughout<br />
the corn producing area, top grade popcorn<br />
will expand 32 to 34 times after<br />
popping. If a merchant wishes to save<br />
50 cents or $1 on 100 pounds of raw popcorn<br />
with an expansion of 28 times, he<br />
may have a loss in finished product of<br />
12 to 15 per cent compared to the use of<br />
top grade corn. A 12 or 15 per cent loss<br />
in popped product may mean an actual<br />
loss of $15 to $2i5 per 100-pound bag of<br />
popcorn.<br />
Therefore, when the popcorn merchant<br />
buys raw popcorn, quality and<br />
expansion volume should be paramount<br />
and price, secondary. Any large popcorn<br />
dealer will certainly stand back of his<br />
product and a good source of top quality<br />
popcorn is a great help to any popcorn<br />
merchant.<br />
Amen.<br />
mandment, "Thou shall not steal," the Register<br />
argued.<br />
"So when a clergjnnan or another person<br />
advises that a motion picture theatre should<br />
be boycotted and its business destroyed if it<br />
dares to show a Bergman picture, that is a<br />
clear violation of that other Commandment<br />
of God." it read. "For it not only steals from<br />
the motion picture theatre owner the business<br />
that he is entitled to on the merits of<br />
the picture but also steals from the producer<br />
and distributor the money they invested in<br />
fine pictures. Class A productions morally and<br />
artistically, months and years before a weak<br />
woman fell in grace before God and man.<br />
"Pictures starring Ingrid Bergman or any<br />
other person should be judged and evaluated<br />
strictly on their merits as film productions<br />
God's law on that is clear and clean cut."<br />
The RKO tradeshowing of "Stromboli,"<br />
originally scheduled for February 7 at the<br />
RKO screening room, was postponed to<br />
Wednesday (15). The date for the first run<br />
showing of the picture in St. Louis has not<br />
been announced.<br />
Green Bay Council Votes<br />
Bon on "Stromboli"<br />
GREEN BAY, WIS.—The Green Bay common<br />
coimcil voted on February 8 to ban the<br />
film "Stromboli" from showing in this city<br />
of about 49,<strong>000</strong>, a Catholic stronghold of the<br />
state. A resolution presented by an alderman<br />
prohibited the showing of the film because<br />
of adverse publicity, and the vote was reported<br />
to have been unanimous. Citizens interviewed<br />
were of the opinion that the more<br />
you ban a picture, the better the boxoffice<br />
receipts.<br />
Cartoon Ad for Preview<br />
Pays Off at Milwaukee<br />
MILWAUKEE—A novel form of newspaper<br />
ad was used in the Milwaukee Journal by Fox<br />
Wisconsin for a sneak preview at the Wisconsin<br />
Theatre downtown. A cartoon was<br />
used at the head of the ads showing patrons<br />
hurrying to the Wisconsin for the show, a<br />
daughter, hurriedly putting on her coat, saying<br />
as she rushed down the home porch:<br />
"Mother, why didn't you tell me there will<br />
be a sneak preview tonight at 9 p.m. at the<br />
Fox Wisconsin Theatre?" Her companions<br />
are remarking: "Dorothy McGuire sure is my<br />
favorite!" and "William Lundigan is terrific!"<br />
The ad brought in the crowds.<br />
Citywide Search for Girl<br />
Who Likes Cowboy Films<br />
FRANK P. MORRIS GREEN BAY, WIS.—Seven-year-old<br />
MANLEY, INC.<br />
3138 Olive Street<br />
St. Louis 3, Missouri<br />
by those handsome gents from the plains<br />
DRIVE-IN THEATRE<br />
Screen Coating and Masking Paint. Prompt Shipment<br />
DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO. K?nL^1{y"'Mo.<br />
Rita<br />
Lee Taylor adores cowboys, it seems. She<br />
spent ten hours watching Roy Rogers and<br />
Hopalong Cassidy in a local theatre, while<br />
her parents and police conducted a frantic<br />
citywide search for her. Rita's father even<br />
had her name called over the loud speaker<br />
in the theatre, but she was too enthralled<br />
to<br />
hear it. When she finally did get home,<br />
Rita confided that she would have stayed<br />
at the theatre even longer, only the theatre<br />
closed.<br />
Checks Area Opinions<br />
On Building Theatre<br />
MOUNT PROSPECT, ILL. — Walter A.<br />
Wischstadt has sent out a questionnaire to<br />
find out if people in this area want a motion<br />
picture theatre and. if so, what kind.<br />
By checking the preferred answers on an<br />
addressed return post card, persons throughout<br />
the area can report whether they really<br />
want a theatre, to what extent television is<br />
changing their theatregoing habits, whether<br />
they want a drive-in or the "year-round comfort<br />
and hospitality of a well-managed indoor<br />
family theatre," whether they prefer<br />
single or double features and the type to<br />
play, and if they want carefully selected matinees<br />
for children on Saturday.<br />
"The many difficulties encountered since<br />
the theatre was planned in 1947," Wischstadt<br />
commented, "we tackled one by one as<br />
they came up, and finally have been overcome.<br />
However, the very recent threat of<br />
television's rapid growth and the possibility<br />
of nearby outdoor drive-in theatre competition<br />
make it advisable to sound out the people's<br />
viewpoint on these two mediums of entertainment<br />
before proceeding with construction."<br />
Walter Vollinger Leases<br />
Former Pap's Theatres<br />
EMINENCE, MO. — The county court of<br />
Shannon county has closed a deal with Walter<br />
Vollinger, manager of tha Ritz Theatre<br />
in Van Buren, under which he has leased the<br />
three theatres recently turned over to the<br />
county by W. S. Brawley in settlement of a<br />
civil suit brought by the county to collect<br />
$48,<strong>000</strong> said to be due from Brawley as Shannon<br />
county treasurer.<br />
The theatres, all formerly known as Pap's<br />
Theatre, are located in Eminence, Birch Tree<br />
and Winona, Mo. Vollinger has changed the<br />
name in each instance to conform to the<br />
name of the town. His lease is for a 90-day<br />
period, at the end of which a new and larger<br />
contract probably will be entered into.<br />
Films With School Lunches<br />
MILWAUKEE—A full lunch program, including<br />
motion pictures, is finding increasing<br />
acceptance among local high schools.<br />
Some schools show films from one to three<br />
days a week to fill in the free time between<br />
the end of lunch and the opening of classes,<br />
and at least one school has daily shows with<br />
attendance as high as 75 per cent of the<br />
pupils. Sports, dancing, dramatics and<br />
games are used by the schools when motion<br />
pictures are not shown.<br />
G4 BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950
. . . Alvin<br />
. . The<br />
. .<br />
$30,<strong>000</strong> Heart Fund<br />
Is Urged for Tent 4<br />
ST. LOTJIS—Robert J. O'Donnell of Dallas,<br />
chief barker of the Variety Clubs International,<br />
will retire from that position at<br />
the next international gathering of the Variety<br />
Clubs to be held in New Orleans. He<br />
announced this at a joint meeting of the<br />
members of Tent 4 here and the MPTO nf<br />
St. Louis. Eastern Missouri and Southern<br />
Illinois, at Hotel Melbourne on Wednesday<br />
(8).<br />
EN ROUTE TO UTI CONVENTION<br />
O'Donnell stopped off here en route to the<br />
convention of the United Theatre Owners of<br />
Illinois at Springfield February 9 and 10,<br />
and prior to his talk attended a Dutch luncheon<br />
in the new quarters of the St. Louis<br />
Variety Club on the second floor of the<br />
Melbourne hotel. His talk was rather informal,<br />
dealing both with the affairs of<br />
Variety and the TOA and including a brief<br />
discussion of the objectives of COMPO and<br />
the present campaign to obtain the repeal<br />
or reduction of the federal 20 per cent tax<br />
of motion picture theatre admissions.<br />
He urged the members of Tent 4 to get behind<br />
their new officers, headed by Joe<br />
Ansell, chief barker, to expand not only the<br />
membership but also the objectives of the<br />
local club. He expressed the belief that Tent<br />
4 should be able to raise from $30,<strong>000</strong> to<br />
$40,<strong>000</strong> annually above its own expenses for<br />
the furtherance of its heart fund work.<br />
Touching on COMPO he expressed gratification<br />
that Variety Clubs International had<br />
been invited to join in its work, and also disappointment<br />
that TOA had delayed its ratification<br />
of the COMPO program. He expressed<br />
the opinion that the $600,<strong>000</strong> annual fund<br />
contemplated by COMPO was not too much<br />
to do a proper personal relations job for<br />
the motion picture industry, pointing out<br />
that it probably will take $75,<strong>000</strong> a year to<br />
get the right type of man to head up that<br />
organization.<br />
He stressed the importance of individual<br />
theatre owners, as well as other facets in the<br />
business, to get behind the campaign for the<br />
repeal of the unfair federal admission taxes.<br />
UNWORRIED BY DRIVE-INS<br />
Apparently, he is not too concerned either<br />
about drive-in theatres or television competition<br />
with the motion picture houses. With<br />
respect to drive-ins, he said that eventually<br />
.such amusement places .should create new<br />
patrons for the brick-and-mortar houses on<br />
a longhaul basis. Television, he contended,<br />
would have no way of competing with the<br />
combined buying power of exhibitors when<br />
theatre television becomes practical through<br />
the allocation of exclusive television channels<br />
for theatres. He also expressed doubt that<br />
phonevision would be an answer to the revenue<br />
problems of the television stations, especially<br />
if they try to give shows warranting<br />
the charging of a pay-as-you-see fee of $1,<br />
or even less, per show.<br />
Following the Melbourne hotel gathering,<br />
some of those in attendance went to the<br />
S'Renco screening room to view the COMPO<br />
trailer on the repeal of the amusement tax.<br />
There also was a meeting of the exchange<br />
managers who are members of the tax regulation<br />
committee. Various phases of the repeal<br />
program were di.scussed. If the 20 per<br />
cent amusement tax is reduced or eliminated<br />
many theatres will be able to reduce<br />
their admission prices. Joseph C. Ansell was<br />
quoted as saying by the St. Louis newspapers<br />
following the Melbourne meeting.<br />
All of the first run theatres and many of<br />
the neighborhood and suburban houses have<br />
been soliciting signatures to petitions seeking<br />
the repeal of the amusement tax. Some<br />
of the larger theatres have been obtaining<br />
signatures at the rate of 1,<strong>000</strong> per day.<br />
Many of the smaller theatres have never<br />
advanced their admission prices, ab.sorbing<br />
the federal tax. So in all fairness tax repeal<br />
should not affect the prices of such houses,<br />
it has been pointed out.<br />
From the BOXOFFICE Files<br />
(Twenty<br />
Years Ago)<br />
pox will build a $3,<strong>000</strong>,<strong>000</strong> theatre in Chicago,<br />
says Sidney Meyer, general manager<br />
of Fox Chicago Theatre, at 92nd and<br />
Commercial avenue. The house will seat 3.<strong>000</strong><br />
and will be completed by fall . . . Roy Boomer,<br />
manager of the Stratford Theatre, a Coston<br />
house, suffered an infected finger, apparently<br />
from a tinsel sign he was working on. Amputation<br />
of one finger may be necessary.<br />
Mrs. H. C. Bertrand, chairman of the neighborhood<br />
theatre organization, reports that<br />
18 neighborhoods in Indianapolis gave potato<br />
and apple matinees during the holidays,<br />
which were attended by 2.500 youngsters.<br />
Sam Katz has been elected president ol<br />
Balaban & Katz in Chicago, succeeding Herbert<br />
L. Stern, who has been president of the<br />
organization since its inception. John Balaban<br />
was re-elected vice-president. Earnings<br />
for the organization for 1929 were $2,601,<strong>000</strong><br />
compared to $1,559,<strong>000</strong> for 1928.<br />
Films in the Prospect Theatre, Indianapolis<br />
exploded recently with $2,500 damage from<br />
the blaze. Spontaneous combustion was reported<br />
as the cause . . . A. W. Sobler, Jack<br />
Rose and William McCarthy of the J. E.<br />
Costen office in Chicago have taken over the<br />
Parkside Theatre, a 1,<strong>000</strong>-seat house at 1550<br />
North Clark St.<br />
Lipton Astrakin, for years city sales manager<br />
in Chicago for Universal, has left to takeup<br />
duties as Universal representative in th(i<br />
Orient. Ben Eisen .suceeds Astrakin and<br />
Bill Baker was appointed short subjects sales<br />
manager.<br />
MILWAUKEE<br />
nffiliated Management Corp. has been<br />
formed here with capital stock of 500<br />
shares at no par value by Richard R. Teschner,<br />
Paul Noelke and Lorraine O. Thorn .<br />
Harvey Hanson, owner of the Palace Theatre<br />
at Antigo. Wis., for more than 25 years, died<br />
of heart disease recently. For the last few<br />
years the Palace has been operated by Mrs.<br />
Lucille Forbes Fowler under a lease . . . Mi.ss<br />
Lee Peffer. booker and office manager of<br />
Screen Guild P:-oductions and Lippert Productions<br />
here, returned from a two-week<br />
vacation at Daytona Beach and Miami, Fla.<br />
Thurman Schroder, former manager of the<br />
Neenah, operated by S&M Theatres at Neenah.<br />
Wis., is now booker at the S&M office<br />
here, succeeding Art Miresse, who resigned<br />
Goodwin, general sales manager<br />
for Quality Premium Distributors, visited<br />
Vincent DeLorenzo, Wisconsin representative<br />
and called on local exhibitors. He was on<br />
the way to Kan.sas City and Dallas.<br />
Teddy Hayes, formerly Teddy Weinstein,<br />
a projectionist at the Orpheum Theatre here<br />
many years, has landed an important job as<br />
congressional liaison man for Oscar R. Ewing,<br />
a federal administrator. Hayes has been in<br />
government work since 1937 . . . Ben Marcus,<br />
president of Allied Independent Theatre Owners<br />
of Wisconsin, and Harold Pearson, executive<br />
secretary, attended the national Allied<br />
board meeting in Washington.<br />
The Riverside featured the Lawrence Welk<br />
orchestra plus "Star-Studded Revue" with<br />
Jerry Colonna on the stage and "The Tattooed<br />
Stranger" on the screen ... A Valentine<br />
party was given for the kids Saturday<br />
I 111, consisting of two features and six cartoons,<br />
at five of the Warner theatres, the<br />
Egyptian, Milwaukee, National, Juneau and<br />
Granada .<br />
Fox Downer, on the upper<br />
east side, presented "Rigoletto," the opera<br />
film.<br />
One TV set was given away free each Monday<br />
durmg January to the holder of the most<br />
admission ticket stubs to the Avalon Theatre<br />
in the south side. Beginning with the .second<br />
week of February, a TV .set is given away<br />
free every Monday at the Fi-anklin. north<br />
side theatre, to holders of the most ticket<br />
stubs. It is reported that other theatres In<br />
this area expect to give similar prizes.<br />
Get your audience signing petitions now!<br />
HANDY SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM<br />
BOXOFFICE:<br />
Please enter my subscription to BOXOFFICE, 52 issues per year (13 of which contain<br />
The MODERN THEATRE Section).<br />
D $3.00 FOR 1 YEAR D $5.00 FOR 2 YEARS D S7.00 FOR 3 YEARS<br />
D Homittanco Enclosed D Send Invoice<br />
THEATRE<br />
STREET ADDRESS<br />
TOWN<br />
NAME<br />
posrrioN<br />
STATE<br />
BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950<br />
65
12-Year-Old Sentenced<br />
For Setting Odeon Fires<br />
BEAVER DAM. WIS. — A 12-year-old<br />
boy<br />
who confessed starting a series of fires here<br />
recently, including three at the Odeon Theatre,<br />
has been ordered committed to the Wisconsin<br />
Industrial School for Boys at Waukesha<br />
until he is 21.<br />
Judge W. C. O'Connell. presiding in juvenile<br />
court, however, tempered the sentence by directing<br />
that the boy be placed at some home<br />
for younger boys, providing such a place<br />
could be found which would accept him. The<br />
county sheriff's office said tentative arrangements<br />
had been made to place the boy at a<br />
Catholic home.<br />
Donald Melton Resigns<br />
MOUNT CARROLL. ILL.—Donald Melton,<br />
manager of the Carroll Theatre here for the<br />
last three years, has resigned.<br />
pp<br />
A COMPLETE THEATRE<br />
EQUIPMENT<br />
MID-W€ST TH€ATR€<br />
SUPPLY COMPANY, Inc.<br />
Brenkert Projection Equipment — Ideally<br />
Suited for Drive-In Tbeatres.<br />
448 North Dlinois St.<br />
Riley - 5655. Indianapolis, Ind.<br />
Twenty-four hour service<br />
Live Acts to Circle<br />
INDIANAPOLIS—Walter Wolverton. manager<br />
of the Circle Theatre, has booked stage<br />
engagements for February and March, including<br />
Prankie Carle. February 9 with a<br />
stage show: Eddy Duchin. February <strong>23</strong>. and<br />
March dates will include Tommy Dorsey,<br />
Lawrence Welk and Vaughn Monroe. The<br />
finals of the Sammy Kaye disk jockey series<br />
Jockeys Jim Lowe. Ozzie Osborn.<br />
were held.<br />
Easy Gwynn. Milt Lewis. Bill Faulkner. Wally<br />
Nehrling and Mike Dunn, paraded their daily<br />
winners during the final show (2). Johnny<br />
Newmister. 14-year-old North Vernon boy.<br />
walked off with top honors.<br />
Grossman Outbids Chain<br />
CHICAGO—Grossman's Mode Theatre in<br />
Joliet and the Isle Theatre. Aurora, and the<br />
independent Avon Theatre in South Bend,<br />
Ind.. outbid the Great States circuit for<br />
MGM's "Battleground" first run for these<br />
towns. Great States secured "Battleground"<br />
for Peoria. Rockford, Springfield and Bloomington<br />
theatres.<br />
Blue Mounds Pix Reopens<br />
BLUE MOUNDS, ILL.—The Pix<br />
Theatre,<br />
recently reopened by its new owner Byers<br />
Jordan, has been provided with new sound<br />
equipment. New lenses also have been installed.<br />
A new popcorn machine is another<br />
improvement provided by Jordan after he<br />
bought the house from St. Louis interests.<br />
The theatre also is using stage shows to supplement<br />
the picture program.<br />
Dickinson Chain Remodeh<br />
Quincy Star Theatre<br />
QUINCY. ILL — Extensive remodeling<br />
work has been started on the Star Theatre<br />
here by the Dickinson Operating Co.. owner<br />
of the theatre. Art Perry of the Dickinson<br />
circuit is supervising the work. He alsc<br />
headed work done on the Belasco Theatre<br />
which was remodeled last spring.<br />
Plans call for a new front of glass blocks<br />
a new lobby floor with a ramp effect, a new<br />
style boxoffice. new concession stand and new<br />
restrooms. Mark Leslie, manager of the Belasco<br />
and Star, says extensive remodeling will<br />
he done within the theatre.<br />
Dickinson also is remodeling the Macor<br />
Theatre, in Macon, Mo.<br />
Chadwick Theatre Elects<br />
Two to Board Members<br />
CHADWICK, ILL.—The Chadwick Theatre<br />
Corp. held its annual stockholders meeting<br />
here recently and elected Erm Barnhart and<br />
Walter Queckboerner to three year terms on<br />
the board of directors succeeding K, W.<br />
Senneff and Lloyd Handel.<br />
Home Directors Meet<br />
ANTIGO. WIS.—At the annual meeting of<br />
the Home Theatre Co. about 1,400 shares of<br />
stock were represented. Miles Jansen and<br />
Norbert Schleis were re-elected to the directorate.<br />
The following officers for 1950 were<br />
chosen: President. Mose Jansen, re-elected;<br />
vice-president. Dr. C. E. Zellmer, and secretary-treasurer-manager,<br />
John Hanus.<br />
Join the Widening Circle<br />
Send in your reports to BOXOFFICE<br />
on response of patrons to pictures<br />
you show. Be one of the many who<br />
report to —<br />
THE EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY<br />
Address your letters to Editor,<br />
"Exhibitor Has His Say," 825<br />
Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City,<br />
Mo.<br />
A Widely Read Weekly Feature of Special Interest<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
Always in the Forefront With the News<br />
B6 BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950
Fred Harpst Is Named<br />
Manager of Allied<br />
KANSAS CITY—Fred Harpst. booker and<br />
buyer for the Kansas-Missouri Allied unit<br />
since June 1948, was appointed general manager<br />
of the organization at a meeting of its<br />
board of directors here Tuesday (14). He<br />
succeeds C. M. Parkhurst. who resigned recently<br />
to devote his entire time and attention<br />
to his theatre interests in Kansas and<br />
Missouri. Harpst will continue to handle<br />
booking and buying in addition to his new<br />
duties as general manager.<br />
A special committee appointed during the<br />
meeting by O. F. Sullivan. Wichita, president,<br />
to assist Harpst in matters relating<br />
to personnel includes Jay Means. Oak Park,<br />
Kansas City, chairman; E. M. Block, Civic,<br />
Sabetha, Kas., and V. R. Stamm, Kansas<br />
City, unit secretary and treasurer.<br />
Following a detailed report by Sullivan<br />
of proceedings at the recent national Allied<br />
board meeting in Washington, the directors<br />
approved resolutions supporting the new Motion<br />
Picture Ass'n of Kansas City, condemning<br />
forced competitive bidding and percentage<br />
pictures, and supplementing a national<br />
board resolution disapproving "Stromboli."<br />
Plans were started during the session for<br />
a regional equipment display and drive-in<br />
meeting which the Kansas-Missouri unit will<br />
sponsor May 8 preceding its annual spring<br />
convention May 9. 10 at the Phillips hotel<br />
here. Following recommendations of the national<br />
Allied board, the region to be covered<br />
will include Indiana. Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska,<br />
Texas and the Rocky Mountain states.<br />
Further details of the equipment display<br />
and drive-in meeting, along with those for<br />
the two-day spring convention, will be among<br />
subjects to be di.scussed at the next Kansas-<br />
Missouri Allied board meeting, to be held<br />
about March 15. Special committees which<br />
will supervise details of the projects are to<br />
be appointed by Sullivan during the next<br />
several weeks.<br />
James Bey Is Assistant<br />
At Atlantic, Iowa<br />
ATLANTIC. IOWA — James Bey,<br />
assistant<br />
manager for Pioneer Theatres at Storm Lake<br />
for the last year, has been named assistant<br />
at the Atlantic and Grand theatres here, according<br />
to Manager Art Farrell. Bey also<br />
will manage the Corral Drive-In this summer.<br />
He was in theatre business in Washington<br />
prior to going to Storm Lake.<br />
C. J. Wheeler Joins EL<br />
OMAHA—Manager Ed Cohen of Eagle Lion<br />
has added C. J. Wheeler as a salesman.<br />
Wheeler was an RKO salesman out of Dallas<br />
for a number of years.<br />
Big Iowa Circuit Sees Bar<br />
On 'Stromboli' as Unfair<br />
DES MOINES—Tlie battle of "Stromboli"<br />
came to Iowa last week and after the smoke<br />
had cleared away it appeared the first skirmish<br />
was a draw. The Allied Independent<br />
Theatre Owners of Iowa and Nebraska advised<br />
its member theatres not to show the<br />
Ingrid Bergman picture. The Tin-States Theatre<br />
Corp.. on the other hand, said the picture<br />
"offends no moral code" and announced it<br />
does not consider it has the right to prohibit<br />
showing the picture in its theatres. Most of<br />
the theatres in the state come imder the<br />
jurisdiction of either Ti-i-States (and its<br />
affiliate. Central States) or the independent<br />
group.<br />
Tlie Allied recommendation was made in<br />
the group's current general bulletin distributed<br />
to members and to the motion picture<br />
industry in general. The bulletin likewise<br />
suggested that the public be advi.sed of this<br />
attitude toward the film.<br />
Leo F. Wolcott, Eldora, chairman of the<br />
Allied board, pointed out the circumstances<br />
which have made "Stromboli" a controversial<br />
film, that the picture is "now being rushed<br />
into release in the United States by RKO-<br />
Radio pictures." The public, he continued,<br />
can and will blame theatre owners for showing<br />
the film, even though American theatres<br />
are not responsible for its production or for<br />
the moral conduct of the star and the director,<br />
Roberto Rossellini.<br />
Tri-States. meanwhile, pointed out that<br />
such action "would penalize the producer because<br />
of an unfortunate circumstance to a<br />
player" and be "undemocratic" for theatregoers.<br />
The film is scheduled to show in Des Moines<br />
at the RKO Orpheum Theatre next week.<br />
"We believe the Legion of Decency (Catholic<br />
censor gi-oup) has clarified the position<br />
of the theatre owners in statements that they<br />
judge only the picture." Tri-State's statement<br />
continued. "We believe from there on, it is<br />
up to the patrons as to whether they do or<br />
do not want to see Miss Bergman in this or<br />
any other picture in which she may play."<br />
Pointing out that Mi.ss Bergman is playing<br />
in "other fine and excellent productions," the<br />
statement added that boycott by the theatres<br />
of "Stromboli" because of the star's personal<br />
life would mean, "unfortunately," barring of<br />
all her pictures. The public, therefore, would<br />
be "denied the right to .see these productions,<br />
which we would consider most undemocratic,"<br />
Tri-States concluded.<br />
Central States Theatre Corp.. without explanation,<br />
has canceled the .showings of "Under<br />
Capricorn" at two of its theatres—the<br />
Majestic at Centerville and the Charles at<br />
Charles City. The showings had been scheduled<br />
for the latter part of February.<br />
'Stromboli'<br />
Playdates<br />
Set in Omaha Area<br />
OMAHA—First playdates for "Stromboli"<br />
in this area have been »et at the RKO-<br />
Brandeis here and in the Tri-States houses<br />
at Hastings and Grand Island. Nonetheless,<br />
pressure continues strong for bans on the film.<br />
While most of the spanking of star Ingrid<br />
Bergman and Roberto Rossellini has come<br />
from the public and church groups, at least<br />
one exhibitor also is on the giving side.<br />
Hal Burright, manager of the Orleans. Orleans,<br />
Neb., refused to show Bergman's "Under<br />
Capricorn," declaring: "If Hollywood can't<br />
make its stars behave then it is up to the<br />
film exhibitor to administer the spanking by<br />
refusing to show pictures made by stars who<br />
bring disgrace on the industry."<br />
Larry Caplane, manager of the RKO-<br />
Brandeis, said he had received few calls condemning<br />
the run. He .said the Legion of<br />
Decency clas.sed the film A-2, morally unobjectionable<br />
for adults.<br />
The Council Bluffs, Iowa. Ministerial Ass'n<br />
and the United Protestant brotherhood of<br />
that town took action to oppose showing of<br />
the film there. It is booked into the Strand,<br />
said Darrell Shelton, manager.<br />
Tom Boyle, Doorman, Dies<br />
CLINTON. IOWA—Thomas V. Boyle, doorman<br />
at the Capitol Theatre for several years,<br />
died recently after a lingering illness.<br />
New Screen at Princess<br />
HUMESTON, IOWA—A new screen has<br />
been installed at the Princess Theatre here.<br />
Owners are Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Rood.<br />
.\T LIPPERT LUNCHEON — tiiiuil uliuijl^ .aid independent exhibitors were<br />
guests at a luncheon February 10 at the Muehlebach hotel in Kansas City at which<br />
Kobert L. Lippert, head of Lippert Productions, was the speaker. Lippcrt was accompanied<br />
by .Arthur Greenblatt. Lippert general sales manager. Shown left to right in<br />
the accompanying picture are Robert Shelton, Commonwealth Theatres; Homer F.<br />
Strowig, Lyric, .Abilene, Kas.; Lippert; Glen Dickinson sr., Dickinson Theatres, and<br />
K. R. Biechele. Osage, Kansas City, Has., and legislative chairman for the Kansas-<br />
Missouri Theatre .Ass'n.<br />
BOXOFTICE :: February 18, 1950 MW 67
APPEAR IN KANSAS CITY—John Barrymore jr. and Chill Wills, both of whom<br />
are featured in the Eagle Lion production "The Sundowners," made personal appearances<br />
recently at the Tower and Uptown theatres in Kansas City in connection with<br />
the opening of the film day and date at the two houses and also at the Fairway, all<br />
operated by Fox Midwest. Shown left to right in the accompanying picture are Joe<br />
Redmond, Fox Midwest advertising and publicity assistant; Barrymore, Wills and Bob<br />
Collier, Tower assistant manager.<br />
No Wrong in Publishing<br />
Film Scandals, Editors Say<br />
MINNEAPOLIS — Northwest Daily<br />
Press<br />
Ass'n members favor publication of stories<br />
"such as those recently involving Rita Hayworth<br />
and Ingrid Bergman." according to a<br />
survey taken by the Minneapolis Morning<br />
Tribune during the association's convention<br />
here.<br />
One of the editors interviewed said his<br />
newspaper had received only a few complaints<br />
about running of the stories.<br />
"Ingrid and Rita became wealthy in Hollywood<br />
because of publicity," another editor<br />
commented. "They became celebrities because<br />
they wanted to be celebrities. In exchange for<br />
becoming celebrities, they owe the public good<br />
conduct or must suffer the con.sequences."<br />
Still another comment was that "if handled<br />
properly in the home, such stories can be used<br />
to point out a moral lesson to children who<br />
might otherwise be influenced wrongly by the<br />
antics of their movie idols."<br />
Entertainment Forum<br />
Is Held for Employes<br />
MANHATTAN, KAS. — An entertainment<br />
forum which trains the employes in conducting<br />
and presenting different types of entertainment<br />
programs is being held for employes<br />
of the Sosna. State. Carlton and Skyvue theatres<br />
here. The forums will be held each Saturday<br />
for the next eight weeks, Dave Dallas,<br />
TEI city manager, said. A cash prize will be<br />
awarded at the end of that time for the best<br />
program presented.<br />
C. J. Higgins Buys Theatre<br />
ANSLEY, NEB.—Clifton J. Higgins, starting<br />
March 1, will get a chance to put into practice<br />
some of the things he learned in the army's<br />
motion picture section in Japan. He has<br />
bought the Paramount at Ansley from Ben<br />
Thorn. Thorn now will operate in Beaver<br />
City, having bought the Sun there from Ben<br />
Miller.<br />
Your Best Buy is
: February<br />
"<br />
. . . Evelyn<br />
. . Nate<br />
. . Mary<br />
. . Irene<br />
. . John<br />
. . . Exhibitors<br />
. . Ken<br />
!<br />
. . John<br />
—<br />
'Pinky' Is Champion<br />
Of Twin City Week<br />
MINNEAPOLIS—"Pinky" was last week's<br />
boxoffice champion here. Another major<br />
newcomer that made a good showing was<br />
"On the Town." Trailers were "They Live<br />
by Night" and "Borderline." It was the fourth<br />
week for "Samson and Delilah" and "All the-<br />
King's Men" and the second for "Hamlet.<br />
(Average Is 100)<br />
Aster Prison Mutiny (Mono); Last Crooked Mile<br />
(Repp), reissues 90<br />
Century—Samson and Delilah (Para), 4lh wlc 120<br />
Gopher—Tension (MGM); Tough Assignment (LP) 90<br />
Lyric Renegades (Col), Desperado (Col),<br />
Pix—a'iI the King's Men (Col), 4th d. t. wk 110<br />
Radio City-On the Town (MGM) 115<br />
RKO-Pan—They Live by Night (RKO) 100<br />
RKO-Orpheum—Borderline (U-I) 90<br />
State—Pinky (20th-Fox) 130<br />
World—Hamlet (U-1), 2nd run, Znd wk 110<br />
D E S<br />
MOINES<br />
Police (U-I); Armored Car (U-l),<br />
Esquire—Stale Marie Butcher, Metro, celebrated her birthday<br />
on Lincoln's anniversary . . . Russ<br />
reissues<br />
- 50<br />
Kimo, Aladdin—My Foolish Heart (RKO) 225<br />
Midland—East Side, West Side (MGM); Tension Eraser and Jimmy Redmond. Tri-State publicity<br />
men. spent last week in Omaha on<br />
(MGM) 120<br />
Pen-amount-Montana (WB), 2nd wk<br />
SO<br />
RKO Missouri—The Hasty Heart (WB); Masked business .<br />
Sandler is vacationing in<br />
California .<br />
(MGM); Prince o( Foxes<br />
(20th-Fox), 2nd run 90 spent the weekend with her fiarents in<br />
Haiders<br />
Roxy—On<br />
(RKO)<br />
the Tovra<br />
65<br />
Hoffmann. Warners,<br />
Walnut.<br />
Iowa . Lind is new billing<br />
Tower, Uptown, Fairway—The Sundownerj (EL),<br />
Project X (FC) (Tower only) 90<br />
clerk at Universal, replacing Corrine Sinnard<br />
who left the staff after a week's time<br />
Tellis, contract clerk for Universal,<br />
Mannie Gottlieb, district<br />
was sick . . . manager, will be a guest in the Universal<br />
exchange this week.<br />
'Danube' and 'Tension' Pace<br />
Trade at Omaha Theatres<br />
OMAHA — "Battleground" stayed at the<br />
State Theatre for a third week, while "All the<br />
King's Men" and "Girls' School" remained at<br />
the RKO Brandeis Theatre for a second<br />
round. The best comparative gross was that<br />
of the Orpheum Theatre wuth a pairing of<br />
"The Red Danube" and "Tension."<br />
Omaha—Abandoned (U-I), One Woman's Story<br />
(U-I), 6 days 95<br />
Orpheum—The Red Danube (MGM); Tension<br />
(MGM) 110<br />
Paramount-Montana (WB) - ...105<br />
RKO Brandeis— All the King's Men (Col); Girls'<br />
School (Col), 2nd wk 95<br />
State—Battleground (MGM), 3rd wk 95<br />
Town—C-Man (FC), 2nd run; Bomba, the lungle<br />
Boy (Mono), 2nd run; Homcsteoders oi Paradise<br />
Valley (Rep), split wilh Great Guy (GN), Forty<br />
Thieves (UA) 110<br />
"rhe 12 inches of snow which covered Des<br />
Moines and surrounding territory was the<br />
biggest topic of conversation here last week.<br />
Salesmen remained in town until roads were<br />
cleared, or took trains where possible. George<br />
Baumeister, Metro salesman, couldn't even town .<br />
Wagner, exhibitor at Wilton<br />
make it to the exchange, being snowbound Junction, is drawing the heaviest fan mail<br />
at his home in Waukee . . . Secretaries were of any program on WOC-TV for his cartoon<br />
busy getting out letters to Iowa congressmen<br />
in the drive to urge removal of the sponsored<br />
show. Rumor has it that he will soon be<br />
federal tax on theatre admissions. A meeting<br />
of branch managers, salesmen and book-<br />
Bob Williams of the Sunset Theatre in<br />
Davenport returned from a trip to Chicago,<br />
ers was held in the Paramount screening<br />
New York and Boston Koletis of<br />
.<br />
room last Monday morning and everyone was<br />
the Riveria in Rock Island represented his<br />
urged to get behind the movement and make<br />
area at the TOA meeting in Springfield, 111.<br />
his opinions known.<br />
who braved the weather last<br />
Don Hicks left Iowa by auto in the midst<br />
. . . Claudean<br />
of the blizzard for CaUfornia where his<br />
Dee Hymes.<br />
father-in-law is very ill . . .<br />
Republic, has been away from the office for<br />
two weeks with pneumonia<br />
Freuh. Republic, spent the weekend at her<br />
home in Afton . Thomas has taken<br />
over the bookings and office managership for<br />
'Foolish Heart' Scores<br />
225 in Kansas City<br />
KANSAS CITY—First run trade in general<br />
here was spotty. A dualing of "East<br />
Side, West Side" and "Tension" at the Midland<br />
racked up 120 per cent to pace the Realart Pictures . . . Wilma Foster. MGM<br />
downtown theatres. "My Foolish Heart," day inspector, was ill last week . . . Lucille Avery,<br />
and date at the midtown Kimo and the outlying<br />
Aladdin as well as two other houses main at home because of the illness of her<br />
also a Metro inspector, was forced to re-<br />
in the area, registered 225 per cent. young daughter.<br />
Several managers and salesmen drove to<br />
Osage. Iowa. February 14 for the opening<br />
HEYWOOD-,<br />
WAKEFIELD'<br />
of the Watts Theatre there. Owner Jim<br />
Watts held a special preview at 1:30 p. m.<br />
for distributors and exhibitors and opened<br />
the theatre to the public in the evening.<br />
Watts also owns the Osage Theatre in that<br />
week for a trip to Filmrow were few, but<br />
among those who did were W. J. Whaley,<br />
Deep River; V. J. Shipright, Osceola; Don<br />
Gran. Sioux Rapids, and Jack Bauma. Pocahontas.<br />
Fred Weimar has joined the staff at NSS<br />
as salesman. Weimar comes from Salt Lake<br />
City. Utah, where he was manager for NSS<br />
before taking a leave six months ago . . . Jim<br />
Ricketts. Monogram salesman, is happily "at<br />
home" in his new apartment in Franklin<br />
Court.<br />
Install New Equipment<br />
STANTON, NEB.—C. J. Kremer has installed<br />
new equipment in the Rialto Theatre<br />
here. A vocalite beaded screen, coated projection<br />
lenses and a new high intensity arc<br />
lamp replaced those formerly used.<br />
COMPLETELY NEW<br />
HORKY'S CAFE<br />
Bigger and Better Than Ever<br />
— Featuring 'Delish' Steaks<br />
1202 High St. Des Moines, Iowa<br />
•Where Filmrow Friends Gather"<br />
Open Daily at 4 p. m<br />
Put Comfort First...<br />
To Rebuild at Forest City<br />
FOREST CITY. IOWA—Workmen began<br />
tearing down the old Forest Theatre here<br />
last week. First to go was the marquee and<br />
the neon sign, which were torn down by the<br />
Iowa Neon Sign Co. of Des Moines. The theatre<br />
is being razed so that a new structure<br />
can be built on the site.<br />
CALL DON WEST<br />
FOR COMPLETE INSURANCE COVERAGE<br />
Ule-Health-Accident-Hospilal-Thelt<br />
Automobile-Fire-Personal Liability-<br />
Floaters-Polio.<br />
300 Walnut Bldg. Phone 2-44S4<br />
'just ask anyone on film row"<br />
And -with the new He-ywood-Wakefield theatre<br />
chairs, you are sure of appearance and<br />
long service as well. Sturdy, steel construction assures you<br />
of long, trouble-free service. Come in and see for yourself<br />
the wide selection of colors and fabrics.<br />
DES MOINES THEATRE SUPPLY COMPANY<br />
Mohawk Carpets<br />
Heywood-Wakelield Seating<br />
National Carbons<br />
Projector Repair Service<br />
1121-<strong>23</strong> High St.<br />
Phone 3-6520<br />
Des Moines, Iowa<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
:<br />
18, 1950<br />
69
. . . The<br />
. . The<br />
. . The<br />
OMAHA<br />
Tust when Omaha area exhibitors thought<br />
they were rid of winter, the old man came<br />
back and belted them with the heaviest snowstorm<br />
of the season. Snowfall ranged from<br />
5 to 15 inches. Exhibitors warily watched<br />
dwindling coal piles. No towns in Nebraska<br />
were reported in distress, but there were some<br />
in Iowa where coal supplies were short.<br />
Howard A. Jackson was re-elected business<br />
manager and Alvin Kostlan of the RKO-<br />
Brandeis president in the annual election of<br />
Local 343 of the Omaha operators union.<br />
R. L. Mclntyre was named first vice-president:<br />
Art Krake, second vice-president; R, V.<br />
Mortenson, financial secretary; R. L. Harrington,<br />
Mace Brown, Paul Pollard, trustees, and<br />
Al Frazier, sergeant at arms. Ros Hatton<br />
was chosen treasurer, replacing Bayard<br />
Loomis who resigned because of poor health.<br />
.<br />
F. A. Van Husan, manager of Western Theatre<br />
Supply Co., is back on the job, fully recovered<br />
from an illness . . . Mrs. Daniel<br />
O'Connor of St. Louis, the former Lenka<br />
Isacson of Omaha, has a part in the film,<br />
"Outbreak." She also was in "Answer for<br />
Ann" . Omaha Symphony orchestra<br />
and the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben will put on<br />
Sigmund Romberg's "New Moon" here May<br />
24, 25 . . . Joe Scott, 20th Century-Pox manager,<br />
attended a district meeting in Kansas<br />
City Oliver building, which houses<br />
the Varsity in Lincoln, will be remodeled into<br />
a modern two-story structure. The theatre<br />
will not be touched.<br />
of Parkston, S. D., and Merrill Fie of George,<br />
Iowa . . . Three Omaha houses held Saturday<br />
morning shows. The RKO-Brandeis featured<br />
a 25-cent battle of the cowboys, a Hopalong<br />
Cassidy and a Gene Autry film. The State<br />
had "Circus Days." A cartoon show was given<br />
at the Omaha . . . Etoianuel Sinner, 60, Culberston,<br />
new president of the Nebraska Fair<br />
board, died in Lincoln.<br />
Improve Lyric Theatre<br />
MADISON, S. D.—G. L. Berquist, who recently<br />
purchased the Lyric Theatre here, said<br />
an improvement program has been completed<br />
on the theatre. A Cycloramic screen, high intensity<br />
lamps, projection heads and a new<br />
generator have been installed. The auditorium<br />
has been redecorated, and new popcorn<br />
and candy dispensing equipment have been<br />
added in the lobby.<br />
Fairfield, Neb., Modem Reopens<br />
FAIRFIELD, NEB.—The Modern has been<br />
reopened here by Bob Van Houten.<br />
—<br />
The visit of the exhibiting March brothers,<br />
Phil of Wayne, Neb., and George of Vermillion,<br />
S. D., stirred speculation as to their<br />
drive-in plans. They tested the field with an<br />
open-airer last year at Spirit Lake, Iowa . . .<br />
K-O-R-N, a popcorn business, has been incorporated<br />
for $100,<strong>000</strong> at North Bend, Neb.<br />
Incorporators are Alex E. Legge and Conrad<br />
M. Bloomquist of North Bend and Alex Legge<br />
jr. of Fremont, Neb.<br />
Exhibitor C. J. Kramer at Stanton is proud<br />
of his new screen and high intensity lamps<br />
White Horse farm of Naper, Neb.,<br />
often featured in films, has been held by<br />
Nebraska Attorney General James N. Anderson<br />
to be a profit-making corporation and<br />
therefore subject to tax assessment. The farm<br />
had filed articles of corporation saying it<br />
intends to devote a part or all of its property<br />
to charitable purposes.<br />
Ed Cohen, Eagle Lion manager, toured<br />
western Nebraska without incident and then<br />
returned home to Omaha to become snowbound.<br />
He found Howard Kennedy, Broken<br />
Bow exhibitor, still suffering from an eye infection<br />
Nancy Williams has joined the<br />
. . . 20th Century-Fox contract department, replacing<br />
Marian Sokey ... A snowstorm didn't<br />
keep Warren Hall, Burwell. from a visit to<br />
Filmrow. He claimed he "mushed in."<br />
Serena McKinney, white collar girl and Miss<br />
Omaha of 1948 who was chosen as Cinderella<br />
on a radio network show, had a big time in<br />
Hollywood. She visited MGM, meeting Ricardo<br />
Montalban, Lana Turner, Mario Lanza,<br />
Kathryn Grayson, June AUyson, Elizabeth<br />
Taylor and Esther Williams. Hedda Hopper<br />
devoted a column to the Omaha girl.<br />
HUGH FLANNERY— City Manager,<br />
Ashley Theatres, Madison, Wisconsin—says:<br />
"Our Orpheum, Parkway, Strand,<br />
and Madison Theatres have been<br />
regularly serviced by RCA for<br />
the past fifteen years. Complete<br />
satisfaction has been enjoyed by<br />
both the management and our<br />
patrons."<br />
To get the benefits of RCA Service<br />
write: RCA SERVICE COMPANY,<br />
INC., Radio Corporation of America,<br />
Camden, N. J.<br />
Adv.<br />
Theatre Design, Construction and<br />
Remodeling<br />
F. A. McMICHAEL & SON<br />
GENERAL CONTRACTORS<br />
Osborne, Kansas<br />
YOU'LL LIKE<br />
Among Filmrow visitors were Al Wuebben
,<br />
Omaha Showmen Meet<br />
To Boost Repeal Drive<br />
OMAHA—Exhibitors report most patrons<br />
are signing industry cards demanding repeal<br />
of the admissions tax. An industry meeting<br />
to push the drive in this area was held in<br />
the 20th Century-Fox screening room and was<br />
attended by most managers and salesmen.<br />
Iz Weiner. U-I's new manager, represented<br />
the distributors. Walter Creale, whose new<br />
Center is under way in Omaha, was the exhibitor<br />
representative. Bob Livingston, Cooper<br />
Foundation, Lincoln, was the exhibitor chairman.<br />
Also there were David D. Weinberg,<br />
Omaha attorney, and Robert Dolgoff, his assistant.<br />
Okay 750-Car Drive-In<br />
Near Independence, Mo.<br />
KANSAS CITY—The Jackson county planning<br />
commission has recommended the<br />
granting of a permit to construct and operate<br />
a drive-in to Norman Davidson, Independence,<br />
who has purchased a 40-acre tract on<br />
Route 24 in the intercity district as the site<br />
for a 750-car open air theatre. At a hearing<br />
on the application, Floyd R. Gibson, commission<br />
attorney, said that city officials of<br />
Sugar Creek and other localities did not object<br />
to the proposed drive-in. Several other<br />
applications for permits to construct open air<br />
theatres in the area recently were denied by<br />
the commission.<br />
Show Spending Rises<br />
MINNEAPOLIS — U. S. Internal Revenue<br />
collector's figures for January reveal an uptrend<br />
in Minnesota amusement spending.<br />
Both amusement admission and cabaret tax<br />
payments showed gains over the corresponding<br />
1949 month.<br />
The admission tax receipts were up to $5<strong>23</strong>,-<br />
<strong>000</strong> from $408,<strong>000</strong> in the same month a year<br />
ago—a substantial increase. Cabaret tax collections<br />
were $55,<strong>000</strong>, compared to $47,<strong>000</strong> in<br />
the same 1949 period.<br />
A Fulton, Mo., Drive-In<br />
FULTON. MO.—A ten-acre tract on Route<br />
54 one mile north of here has been purchased<br />
as the site for a 400-car drive-in to<br />
be erected by Don and Kenneth Fike. Construction<br />
will be started soon and is expected<br />
to be completed by June 1. A name for the<br />
drive-in has not yet been selected.<br />
lames Hill Sells Pilger<br />
PILGER, NEB. — It's back to his former<br />
stamping grounds at Peoria, 111., for James<br />
Hill. He has sold his Pilger to Jerry Drennan,<br />
a traveling salesman of Norfolk, Neb. Mrs.<br />
Drennan wiU operate the house while her<br />
husband continues to travel. Hill plans to<br />
re-enter the exhibition field in Peoria.<br />
Claude A. Six Is Re-Elected<br />
ADRIAN," MO.—Claude A. Six was reelected<br />
president of the Adrian Theatre Corp<br />
community- owned and operated house, at a<br />
recent meeting of stockholders. Other officers,<br />
both of whom were re-elected, include<br />
J. O. Phillips, vice-president, and Lewis M.<br />
Davis, secretary and treasurer. Directors of<br />
the firm include Leo H. Freund, Emery B.<br />
Dowell, Earl J. Haas, Charles Timmons, Melvin<br />
Ingram and Hadley H. Hess.<br />
Drive-In Theatremen to Speak<br />
February 22 at KMTA Meeting<br />
KANSAS CITY—More than 75 operators of<br />
open air theatres in various parts of the Kansas<br />
City exchange area are expected to attend<br />
the special drive-in meeting which the<br />
Kansas-Missouri Theatre Ass'n will sponsor<br />
Wednesday 122) at the Phillips hotel here,<br />
according to Dale Danielson. Russell, Kas.,<br />
president. The session will begin at 10 a.m.,<br />
and after a noon recess will continue throughout<br />
the afternoon.<br />
All phases of drive-in construction and<br />
operation will be discussed by theatremen<br />
who have been active in the open air field in<br />
Kansas and Missouri during the last several<br />
years. Among those who have accepted invitations<br />
to speak during the meeting, and<br />
their subjects, are:<br />
Jack Braunagel, Kansas City, "Drive-In<br />
Staff Organization and Operating Problems."<br />
Glen Cooper, Dodge City and Garden City,<br />
Kas., "What We Do to Preserve Surfacing."<br />
William Flynn, Great Bend and Emporia,<br />
Kas., "Lighting P>roblems I Have Experienced."<br />
Airline Aides Save Life<br />
Of S. N. Yaeger's Son<br />
DES MOINES—Sol N. Yaeger. RKO salesman,<br />
credits the alert efficiency of an airline<br />
for saving the life of his 2-year-old son<br />
Billy. Mrs. Yaeger noticed alarming red<br />
streaks on Billy's arms half an hour before<br />
she and the youngster were to board a plane<br />
from Chicago to New York several days ago.<br />
She inquired at the United Air Lines deck<br />
if a doctor were available and in about two<br />
minutes mother and child were being whisked<br />
in a station wagon to United's hospital.<br />
The doctor looked at the arm. "Acute<br />
blood poisoning." he said. "A few years ago<br />
this would have been fatal." Then he administered<br />
a strong dose of penicillin. Meantime.<br />
Mrs. Yaeger had missed her plane.<br />
United booked passage for her and Billy on<br />
a rival line and sent telegrams to her relatives<br />
in New York explaining the .schedule<br />
change. Tlien they put mother and child on<br />
the plane.<br />
In New York, she consulted another doctor<br />
about Billy. "That doctor in Chicago<br />
saved your boy's life." he said. "Ten dollars,<br />
please."<br />
Robbery Attempt at Roxy<br />
JEFFERSON CITY. MO —An unknown person<br />
who remained in the Roxy Tlieatre after<br />
it was locked up recently attempted to rob<br />
the house. Police said the west door of the<br />
theatre was opened from the inside, but<br />
according to a theatre employe nothing was<br />
taken.<br />
Burglary Attempt Fails<br />
ALLIANCE. NEB. — Local police doubled<br />
patrons near the Starlite Drive-In recently<br />
after an attempted break-in in which burglars<br />
pried boards off the door to the theatre office<br />
and refreshment stand. They did not get<br />
inside the office, however, according to<br />
Charles Brittan, one of the theatre owners.<br />
Jay Wooten, Hutchinson and Liberal, Kas.,<br />
"Indoor Theatre Advertising Stunts I Can<br />
Use Outdoors."<br />
Finton Jones. Kansas City, "Insurance Necessary<br />
for Drive-Ins and Means of Obtaining<br />
Lower Rates."<br />
Claude Parrish, Topeka, Kas., "Traffic Control<br />
Hints."<br />
Beverly Miller, Leavenworth, Kas., and Jefferson<br />
City, Mo., "Concession Tips and Management."<br />
Carl Burton, Fort Smith, Ark., "Winter<br />
Drive-In Operation."<br />
A representative of the Socony-Vacuum Oil<br />
Co.. Kansas City. "Dust Control and Rockless<br />
Surfacing."<br />
Details of the meeting are being supervised<br />
by Danielson. members of the KMTA drive-in<br />
committee which includes C. E. Cook. Maryville.<br />
Mo., chairman; Elmer Bills, Salisbury,<br />
and Frank G. Weary, Richmond, Mo.; Homer<br />
F. Strowig, Abilene, and Don Burnett, Larned,<br />
Kas.. Gladyce Penrod. KMTA office manager.<br />
Downtowner at St. Paul<br />
Starts Triple-Featuring<br />
MINNEAPOLIS—A second St.<br />
Paul downtown<br />
subsequent run theatre, the Garrick, has<br />
started a policy of triple features at 35 cents.<br />
It follows the lead of the Lyceum, also a<br />
downtown subsequent run. The Garrick management<br />
claims that the policy is necessitated<br />
by declining grosses. It's advertising the new<br />
policy on one of the lesser radio stations with<br />
a jingle contest.<br />
This territory has been a single feature<br />
stronghold, but during the past year twin<br />
billing has been on the increase.<br />
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BOXOFFICE :: February 18. 1950<br />
71
. . . Frank<br />
. . . Betty<br />
. . Jean<br />
. . R.<br />
. . After<br />
. .<br />
K AN ^ A^ CITY<br />
MTn-K-TTTJSnM TfAS —Mr and Mrs. W. A. '* ' ' *^ ' *^ V* III<br />
Free Anniversary Show<br />
NICKEBSON, KAS.—Mr. and Mrs. W. A.<br />
Bolinger, owners of the Reno Theatre, held<br />
a free show recently as part of an anniversary<br />
celebration.<br />
Satisfaction — Always<br />
Missouri Theatre Supply Co.<br />
L. J. EIM6RIEL. Manager<br />
Phone BAllimore 3070<br />
S:; lis W. 18th Kansas City 8. Mo. r=<br />
ODCIIT MPTCDM<br />
STAGE EQUIPMENT COMPANY<br />
jjuini<br />
TfLuium,<br />
mmm<br />
FLAV-0-NUT<br />
The Pure Cocoanut Oil Popcorn Seasoning<br />
and<br />
A Complete Line oi Popcorn and Popcorn<br />
Supplies<br />
SEE<br />
RUBE MELCHER POPPERS SUPPLY CO.<br />
114 W. 18th Street Kansas City 8, Mo.<br />
Mr. THEATRE OWNER<br />
. . . Want to RETIRE?<br />
We have a responsible circuit<br />
of 46 years' standing<br />
eager to expand in Midwest.<br />
LToward E. Jameyson, Commonwealth Theatres<br />
president, and his wife returned<br />
Monday avis, Dallas,<br />
TEI chief film buyer, visited the local office<br />
of the circuit . . M. D. Cohn, Paramount<br />
.<br />
Theatre manager, was preparing to<br />
leave February 24 with his wife for San<br />
Francisco, where he will attend a meeting<br />
of United Paramount Theatres officials.<br />
Smiley Burnette, western film comedian,<br />
stopped here briefly while en route by plane<br />
to the west coast . . . Mona Freeman, featured<br />
in the Paramount production "Dear<br />
Wife," was a visitor here Thursday (16) ...<br />
Les Durland, Film Classics branch manager,<br />
and his wife were to leave Sunday (19) for<br />
a two-week vacation in New Orleans and<br />
other southern cities . Niclc Sonday, Uptown<br />
. .<br />
Theatre manager, was convalescing<br />
after an operation at St. Mary's hospital.<br />
Rube Melcher, Poppers Supply Co., and his<br />
wife returned Tuesday (14i from Los Angeles<br />
Bowen of United Films Service,<br />
Inc., was recovering satisfactorily at his<br />
home following a recent operation at St.<br />
Chuck Decker, Monogram<br />
Luke's hospital . . .<br />
booker, celebrated his birthday Tuesday .<br />
"The Red Shoes" was to open Sunday (19)<br />
at the Orpheum at regular prices . . . William<br />
Feld of the new Ti-iangle Film Co. returned<br />
from a buying trip to New York.<br />
"Samson and Delilah" opened Wednesday<br />
(15 1 at the Paramount at advanced prices<br />
Caruso, former Monogram cashier,<br />
joined the Lippert branch staff. She has<br />
been succeeded at Monogram by Ruth Hannon<br />
. Fisk was to assume new duties<br />
Monday (20> as secretary to Ben Marcus.<br />
Columbia district manager . an<br />
opening week day and date at four houses<br />
in the Kansas City area, "My Foolish Heart"<br />
was held for a second stanza at the midtown<br />
Kimo.<br />
MGM Quintet Advances<br />
In Filmrow Pin League<br />
KANSAS CITY—The MGM quintet chalked<br />
up three additional victories and advanced<br />
from sixth to third place, while the Shreve<br />
Theatre Supply squad continued to lead the<br />
Filmrow Bowling league here. The current<br />
standings:<br />
Teom Won Lost Team Won Lost<br />
Shreve Supply 37 26 Fox Terriers 32 31<br />
Film Delivery 35 28 Michlo "32 31<br />
MGM 34 39 Fox Trotters 29 34<br />
Finton Jones 33 30 Michaels 26 37<br />
Diablos 33 30 Sharpshooters 24 39<br />
Individual high 10. Vic Butricks, <strong>23</strong>1; individual<br />
high 30, Warren Smith 609. Team<br />
high 10, Fox Terriers 847; team high 30, Fox<br />
Terriers <strong>23</strong>82.<br />
The Pox Midwest Vixens racked up two<br />
additional victories and continued to lead<br />
the Women's Filmrow Bowling league. Al's<br />
Wildcats advanced from sixth to fifth place<br />
by chalking up two wins, while the En Ess<br />
Essers dropped to last place. Standings currently<br />
are:<br />
Team Won Lost<br />
Fox Vixens 41 22<br />
Warner Starlets. .37 26<br />
Central Ship 35 28<br />
Write to<br />
MOSELEY & COMPANY<br />
1111 Insurance Exchange Bldg.<br />
Kansas City, Mo.<br />
Reopen Princess Theatre<br />
ST. MARY'S, KAS.—The Pi-incess Theatre<br />
here, damaged by a fire last December 6, has<br />
been reopened following extensive remodeling<br />
and redecorating. H. F. Higgins, owner of the<br />
300-seat house, is recovering at his home from<br />
burns sustained during the fire.
—<br />
Kansas City Colosseum<br />
Plans Meeting March 6<br />
KANSAS CITY~The next business meeting<br />
of Kansas City Loge No. 12. Colosseum of<br />
Motion Picture Salesmen, is being planned<br />
for Monday, March 6. at the Frank Wachter<br />
restaurant, 1112 Baltimore, according to Eddie<br />
Golden, president.<br />
Start Colby Drive-In<br />
COLBY, KAS.—Construction of the 350-car<br />
drive-in to be erected near the west city limits<br />
here by Don Phillips, local theatreman,<br />
has been started and is expected to be completed<br />
early in the spring. RCA projection<br />
and sound equipment and in-car speakers<br />
have been purchased for the drive-in.<br />
MRS. HAROLD CALLAWAY—<br />
Owner and projectionist, Mars<br />
Theatre, La Farge, Wise.— says:<br />
"RCA Service brings to our<br />
theatre a remarkable amount of<br />
continuous admiration from our<br />
patrons for our excellent sound<br />
and clear projection. A gratifying<br />
insurance!"<br />
To get the benefits of RCA Service<br />
write: RCA SERVICE COMPANY,<br />
INC., Radio Corporation of America,<br />
Camden, N. J.<br />
— FOR CENTURY —<br />
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More Quality and Sincerity Going<br />
Into Filmmaking, Critic Concedes<br />
DULUTH—Big stars and heavy glamor no<br />
longer will assure boxof fice successes in American<br />
theatres, Bosley Crowther. New York<br />
Times film critic, told a University of Minne-<br />
.sota group at a Duluth convocation last week.<br />
Motion picture tastes among American fans<br />
are changing, according to Crowther. He<br />
claims they ai-e now demanding more substance<br />
from Hollywood. "Hamlet" and "Tlie<br />
Red Shoes" demonstrate, in his opinion, the<br />
drawing power of high-grade films for the<br />
"over-30" audience.<br />
"A few years ago theatre operators wouldn't<br />
have dared put films of this kind before the<br />
public, except possibly in New York or Chicago,"<br />
he observed.<br />
Crowther said an alarmed film industry has<br />
finally accepted the advice of film critics and<br />
is beginning to replace glamor with more<br />
quality and sincerity. The 1949 decline in<br />
theatre attendance caused the alarm and its<br />
result, he told the university audience, Hollywood<br />
has catered for years to fans under 30<br />
years of age by combining stars and glamor<br />
in films not requiring "too much intellectual<br />
I'esponse," added the critic. Now, according<br />
to Crowther, the industry is thinking about<br />
films appealing to the "vast potential audience<br />
beyond 30 who would be happy to go to<br />
the theatre more often if they were assured<br />
quality and sincerity,"<br />
Crowther admitted it is difficult to solve<br />
the technical problems involved in maintaining<br />
exacting standards throughout a 400-picture<br />
annual producing schedule. The industry<br />
must turn out that many films to supply<br />
18,<strong>000</strong> U.S. theatres.<br />
He listed these as the best five films currently<br />
available: "All the King's Men." "Intruder<br />
in the Dust," "Fallen Idol," "Twelve<br />
O'clock High," and "Three Came Home,"<br />
Public Relations Group<br />
Will Start Drive Soon<br />
MINNEAPOLIS — North Central Allied's<br />
special committee appointed to prepare a plan<br />
for a big advertising-publicity campaign to<br />
improve public relations for the film industry<br />
in the territory and, by so doing, help the<br />
boxoffice, expects to be able to report back<br />
to the board of directors ,soon, according to<br />
Martin G. Lebedoff, chairman of the committee,<br />
which also includes Joe Powers, Joe<br />
Podoloff, Sol Fi.sher. George Granstrom,<br />
Charles Rubenstein, exhibitors, and S, D.<br />
Kane, executive director.<br />
The campaign will be modeled along the<br />
lines of the Baltimore plan now in operation,<br />
Lebedoff says. Affiliated circuits Minnesota<br />
Amusement Co. and RKO Theatres will be<br />
invited to participate as well as non-members<br />
among the independents.<br />
The feeling here is that the industry's public<br />
relations have been deteriorating. The<br />
local campaign will utilize cooperative advertising<br />
of all sorts, probably run four months<br />
and involve a substantial expenditure.<br />
To Open at Freedom. Okla.<br />
FREEDOM. OKLA.—Phil Prigmore, deputy<br />
sheriff for Woods county, has leased the<br />
motion picture theatre here and will reopen<br />
it under a new name.<br />
Duluth Lakeside Books<br />
Bergiman's 'Intermezzo'<br />
DULUTH—Lakeside Theatre, a suburban<br />
house here, booked in the first Bergman picture<br />
to show in Duluth since the birth of her<br />
son Roberto in Italy, Owner William Toback<br />
brought in for a six-day rerun the<br />
Leslie Howard-Ingrid Bergman "Intermezzo,"<br />
plugged it hard in Duluth newspapers as<br />
"Bergman's Best." Last weekend he said it<br />
was drawing as well as "The Fallen Idol,"<br />
which preceded it.<br />
Only two complaints came in during the<br />
first three days, said Toback, He thinks a<br />
large segment of the audience showed up simply<br />
to demonstrate that it would not let something<br />
like the Bergman-Ros.sellini affair keep<br />
it away from a good film,<br />
Tlie city government, which recently shut<br />
down another theatre because of its picture<br />
selection policy, remained silent about the<br />
appearance of a Bergman picture.<br />
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BOXOFFICE :: February 18. 1950 73
. . Pat<br />
. .<br />
RESEARCH BUREAU<br />
for<br />
MODERN THEATRE PLANNERS<br />
ENROLLMENT FORM FOR THE INFORMATION<br />
The MODERN THEATRE<br />
PLANNING INSTITUTE<br />
825 Van Brimt Blvd.<br />
Kansas Cify 1, Mo.<br />
Gentlemen:<br />
Please enroll us in your RESEARCH BUREAU<br />
to receive information regularly, as released, on<br />
the following subjects for Theatre Planning:<br />
n Acoustics<br />
D Air Conditioning<br />
Lighting Fixtures<br />
q Plumbing Fixtures<br />
n Architectural Service „ _ . .<br />
Projectors<br />
D "Black" Lighting<br />
,_,_,,<br />
D Projection Lamps<br />
D Building Material<br />
n Carpets<br />
D Seating<br />
D Coin Machines ^ Signs and Marquees<br />
D Complete Remodeling Sound Equipment<br />
n Decorating D Television<br />
n Drink Dispensers D Theatre Fronts<br />
n Drive-In Equipment Vending Equipment<br />
D Other Subjects<br />
Theatre<br />
Seating Capacity<br />
Address<br />
City<br />
Stale<br />
,<br />
Signed<br />
Postage-paid reply cards for your further convenience<br />
in obtaining information are provided in The MODERN<br />
THEATRE RED KEY SECTION (Nov. 19, 1949).<br />
Minneapolis Archbishop<br />
Refuses Allied Request<br />
MINNEAPOLIS—Archbishop J.<br />
G. Murray<br />
has refused to accede to North Central AUied's<br />
petition to modify his directive in a recent<br />
pastoral letter condemning theatres showing<br />
other than Legion of Decency approved pictures.<br />
The archbishop, in a reply to a letter from<br />
S. D. Kane, Allied executive director, asking<br />
that the condemnation apply only to "B"<br />
pictures, and not to apply to the theatres at<br />
times when they're showing approved films,<br />
explained that the recent directive represents<br />
no change from the rule that prevailed prior<br />
to its i-ssuance. He wrote that a pastoral letter<br />
mailed to pastors and people in the archdiocese<br />
as long ago as Sept. 1, 1934, and since<br />
then unaltered, set down the rule.<br />
"The text of the first clause of the pledge<br />
of the Legion of Decency taken annually by<br />
all the people of all the parishes of the archdiocese<br />
since Sept. 9, 1934, is: 'I will not attend<br />
any theatre which presents any immoral<br />
or indecent program nor will I permit any<br />
person under my jurisdiction to attend such<br />
theatres,' " the archbishop wrote.<br />
Orpheum at Des Moines<br />
To Undergo Remodeling<br />
DES MOINES—A city building permit for<br />
alterations at the RKO Orpheum here was<br />
issued last week to Kurcharo & Associates<br />
which will do the work. Jerry Bloedow, Orpheum<br />
manager, said plans call for "complete<br />
remodeling," including entrance, foyer,<br />
restrooms and stage, as well as redecorating.<br />
Covering alterations only, the permit was<br />
for $27,500. Bloedow said work has been<br />
started on the stage and dressing rooms in<br />
preparation for vaudeville.<br />
Previews of 'Riding High'<br />
In Wichita and Topeka<br />
KANSAS CITY—Special previews of the<br />
Paramount production "Riding High," starring<br />
Bing Crosby and directed by Prank<br />
Capra, will be staged by Paramount at houses<br />
in two cities in Kansas. The film will be<br />
shown Friday (24) at 8:50 p.m. at the Tower<br />
Theatre in Wichita, and Tuesday, March 7,<br />
at 8:30 p.m., at the Dickinson Theatre in<br />
Topeka. Paramount representatives will be<br />
at each showing to greet exhibitors.<br />
To Raze Oliver Theatre<br />
LINCOLN, NEB.—Last of the early landmarks<br />
from the downtown 13 th street area<br />
will be razed here shortly, when the Oliver<br />
Theatre building will be demolished to make<br />
way for the construction of a new building.<br />
The Oliver, built prior to 1890, was once this<br />
city's greatest show house. The Varsity Theatre,<br />
which was modernized and rebuilt inside<br />
the shell of the old Oliver, will not be affected<br />
by the demolition. Cost of the new building<br />
will be in excess of $80,<strong>000</strong>.<br />
C. E. Hendrickson Dies<br />
BANCROFT, IOWA—C. E. Hendrickson, 38,<br />
died of a heart attack last week at his home<br />
over the Croft Theatre here, which he has<br />
owned and operated the last ten years. Hendrickson<br />
was playing with one of his children<br />
on the floor, stood up and fell over dead.<br />
He is survived by his wife and three children,<br />
Roger 11, Rita 6 and Dean 4 months.<br />
MINNEAPOLIS<br />
The Silent One," which drew rave notices<br />
from the New York critics and had a long<br />
New York run, but which was yanked after<br />
only two days at the Plx here, despite a big<br />
advertising campaign, drew packed houses at<br />
the University of Minnesota Northrop auditorium<br />
for a single day under the auspices<br />
of the University Film society . . . Henry A.<br />
Morton of Winnipeg, Canadian theatre magnate,<br />
and his wife, en route to a Florida vacation,<br />
stopped over for a visit with Mr. and<br />
Mrs. Charlie Wiener. Charlie is the United<br />
Artists salesman.<br />
The local RKO office is moving up in the<br />
standings of the Ned Depinet sales contest.<br />
It's in sixth place now, says Fay Dressell,<br />
manager Halloran, U-I salesman,<br />
celebrated 42nd birthday . . The loop<br />
.<br />
sure-seater<br />
his<br />
Hx ran the biggest newspaper<br />
display ads in its history for "All the King's<br />
Men" after additional "best picture" awards.<br />
As a result, the picture turned in a bigger<br />
gross its second week than it did its first. The<br />
second week at the Plx was its fourth downtown.<br />
Ev Seibel, Minnesota Amusement Co. publicity<br />
and advertising head, is back on the<br />
job after a hospital siege . . . James Dunn,<br />
who has appeared in many pictures, was here<br />
in person at the Lyceum in "Harvey" ,<br />
Petitions being circulated in theatres throughout<br />
the territory asking for repeal of the wartime<br />
admission tax are getting thousands of<br />
signers.<br />
Don Alexander of the Minnesota Amusement<br />
Co. publicity and advertising staff Is<br />
engineering a terrific campaign for "Sands of<br />
Iwo Jima," which comes to the State here<br />
February <strong>23</strong>, the anniversary of the flag raising<br />
at Mount Suribachi. Alexander has arranged<br />
for a downtown parade by the marine<br />
corps and a duplication of the flag raising<br />
in front of the State that evening.<br />
Speaking at the University of Minnesota<br />
convocation on "What Do You Know About<br />
the Movies?" Bosley Crowther, New York<br />
Times film critic, said, "pictures are getting<br />
better and better. There are more first-class<br />
pictures today than ever before. The most<br />
hopeful sign is that producers are coming to<br />
realize there's a considerable audience for the<br />
rnore mature, higher-class pictures." Crowther<br />
advised his hearers to "discriminate" in<br />
their film going. "Look for and patronize the<br />
better films and stay away from the poor<br />
ones, and, by so doing, contribute substantially<br />
to the screen's betterment," he said.<br />
Charlie Perry, veteran theatre man who<br />
died in Detroit recently, was for many years<br />
a F&R circuit house manager here . . . L. D.<br />
Schwartz, local attorney, is planning a trip<br />
to Washington to urge the Department of<br />
Justice to take more speedy action against<br />
distributors who are refusing to accede to his<br />
demand for 28-day clearance for his client,<br />
the suburban Golden Valley Theatre.<br />
Subscribe Funds for Theatre<br />
STRATFORD, IOWA—More than $4,<strong>000</strong> of<br />
a goal of $10,<strong>000</strong> has been subscribed toward<br />
Stratford's motion picture theatre. Deadline<br />
for the subscriptions is April 1. The community<br />
project will be Stratford's first theatre.<br />
74 BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950
Grand Rapids Savoy<br />
Remodeling Finished<br />
GRAND RAPIDS — A $38,<strong>000</strong> remodeling<br />
job, started last August, has been completed<br />
on the Savoy Theatre here. The renovation<br />
included complete remodeling of the front<br />
and installation of new two-toned pink architectural<br />
porcelain and a new marquee.<br />
Second Drive-In at Morrell<br />
CONNELLSVILLE, PA.—A second drive-in<br />
will be constructed at Mon-ell, near here<br />
on Route 119. Laskey Brothers Enterprises,<br />
operators of indoor and outdoor theatres in<br />
western Pennsylvania and West Virginia, acquired<br />
15 acres as the site for the new<br />
ozoner. Ted Laskey, who directs the enterprises,<br />
says the site is near the Buick<br />
agency, faces Route 119 and will be similar<br />
in construction to the Laskey Starlite near<br />
Fairmont. Steel tower will measure 55x60<br />
feet. Whipkey Construction Co. of Connellsville<br />
will have charge of preparing the project<br />
and RCA equipments will be furnished from<br />
Alexander Theatre Supply.<br />
The Laskey drive-in at Morrell will be<br />
located one-half mile from the new drive-in<br />
to be built by Louis Cupiraggi, Anthony De-<br />
Michalis and associates.<br />
M. Kissiner to Build Drive-In<br />
CLEARFIELD. PA.—A drive-in is planned<br />
by M. Kissiner of Bigler on Route 322 midway<br />
between here and Philipsburg. Newoutdoor<br />
theatre will be operated by the Midway<br />
Theatre Corp.<br />
Have you ordered .vour taxation trailer and<br />
petition cards from National Screen Service?<br />
Do it today.<br />
Governor of Ohio Urges<br />
Boycott of 'Strombolf<br />
COLUMBUS—Public boycott of "Stromboli"<br />
was urged by Gov. Prank J. Lausche of Ohio<br />
in a speech at the Central Presbyterian<br />
church in Zanesville following the opinion<br />
of Attorney General Herbert Duffy that the<br />
state had no authority to recall the picture<br />
because of the private actions of an actress<br />
The lower part of the building is of macotta<br />
and the upper portion of glasiron, both porcelain<br />
enamel with cement back. New doors<br />
and new poster cases were installed and the<br />
boxoffice was moved to the outside of the<br />
in the film.<br />
building.<br />
Lau.sche had supported Dr. Clyde Hissong,<br />
Architect for the job was Theodore Rogvoy<br />
director of the state department of education<br />
of Detroit. The Savoy, an independent theatre,<br />
is owned by Emmett Goodrich and the<br />
and chief film censor, in asking Duffy<br />
whether he had authority to recall the picture,<br />
which received censor board approval<br />
William U. Murray estate.<br />
January 30. HLssong thought he had a legal<br />
right to recall the film, although he said<br />
there was nothing objectionable about the<br />
picture. He based his stand on the following<br />
provision of state law:<br />
"The department of education .shall be<br />
authorized to recall any film for recensoring<br />
or to revoke any certificate permitting the<br />
exhibition of any film in the state of Ohio<br />
when in the judgment of the department<br />
the public welfare requires it."<br />
Duffy pointed out that the law provides<br />
for disapproval of motion pictures on the<br />
basis of the films themselves and not because<br />
of the private lives or activities of<br />
actors. A film, once approved, cannot be<br />
recalled unless changes have been made in<br />
the film.<br />
The Columbus Citizen commented editorially<br />
:<br />
"That may be good law, and we are not<br />
going to argue the question—particularly since<br />
we always have a great deal of doubt about<br />
To Build Near Limestone, N. Y.<br />
the merit of any kind of government censorship.<br />
But we do feel there are two closely<br />
BRADFORD. PA.—A company is being organized<br />
by Wayne Holmes of the Holmes Outdoor<br />
Advertising Co. to construct a Turn-Key<br />
related<br />
is that<br />
points<br />
producers<br />
that<br />
and<br />
deserve<br />
exhibitors,<br />
emphasis.<br />
if they<br />
One<br />
insist<br />
drive-in on Route 219 about six miles from<br />
on showing the picture, bear a heavy<br />
here on the outskirts of Limestone, N. Y. responsibility to refrain from using the current<br />
Capacity will be between 400 and 500. Ballantyne<br />
mess as their basis of exploiting it. The<br />
Turn-Key equipment and fixtures other is that those thousands of citizens<br />
will be featured, according to Andrew F. Battiston,<br />
whose reaction is one of distaste and disgust<br />
distributor, of Pittsburgh. The outdoor have a perfect right to stay away from the<br />
theatre area will be black-topped. Holmes picture if they choose."<br />
said, and plans are for opening the unit on<br />
Decoration day. Battiston reported that three<br />
other Turn-Key drive-ins will be constructed Circuit and Censor Say<br />
in the western Pennsylvania area, with work<br />
'No' to Bergman Ban<br />
to be started as soon as weather permits.<br />
Huntington, \V. Va. — Tlie Huntington<br />
Theatre Corp. is "not concerned with the<br />
1-<strong>000</strong>-Car Drive-In Near Pittsburgh<br />
personal morals of actors and actresses"<br />
PITTSBURGH — Tlie 1.<strong>000</strong>-car Twin Hi- and will exhibit "Stromboli." J. S. Silverstein<br />
made this reply to a resolution by<br />
Way Drive-In which will be constructed on<br />
Routes 22 and 30 in Robinson township, will the local Ministerial association that no<br />
feature Motiograph equipment, furnished by Huntington theatres show motion pictures<br />
Atlas Theatre Supply. Local exhibitors identified<br />
featuring Ingrid Bergman. Silverstein said<br />
with this outdoor theatre include George that the picture will be exhibited in<br />
Saittis, William Papas and Steve Rodnok. March.<br />
Pittsburgh — "We censor pictures, not<br />
people," stated Mrs. Edna R. Carroll,<br />
chairman of the Pennsylvania censors, in<br />
disclosing that "Stromboli" had "met legal<br />
requirements" and has been given an approval<br />
seal of the commonwealth. Any<br />
attempts to ban the presentation of<br />
"Stromboli" due to the principals would be<br />
outside the jurisdiction of the board, she<br />
stated.<br />
Lausche, in his Zanesville speech, .said: "I<br />
recognize the fact that the private lives of<br />
individuals are their own pos.se.ssion. But<br />
there is no industry in American life, with<br />
the po.ssible exception of baseball, that .surrounds<br />
its people with as much glamor as<br />
does the movie industry."<br />
By vote of 6-1. the city council asked the<br />
Palace not to show the film. "Ingrid Bergman's<br />
private life is lier own affair." councilmen<br />
declared, "but the way .she leads her life<br />
should not be jammed down the throats of<br />
the people of Columbus." Lone dis.senter was<br />
Councilman Walter Snider, who said council's<br />
action sets that body up as a censor board.<br />
Harry Schreiber, RKO city manager, refused<br />
to comment.<br />
Dr. B. F. Lamb, head of the Ohio Council<br />
of Churches, said that any picture made by<br />
Miss Bergman should be banned.<br />
"I denounce<br />
the woman's actions." he said.<br />
Officials of the J. Real Neth neighborhood<br />
circuit withdrew "Intermezzo" after 75 persons<br />
walked out of the Markham when the<br />
picture started. It was scheduled to show two<br />
days later at Neth's Eastern and State.<br />
Grand Haven Councilman<br />
Seeks Ban on 'Stromboli'<br />
DETROIT—A minor wave of opposition to<br />
.showing of "Stromboli" was indicated in this<br />
area when Alderman Claude Ver Duin of<br />
Grand Haven called for a ban on all films<br />
featuring either Ingrid Bergman or Rita<br />
Hayworth. The council pas.sed the buck to<br />
take a "survey of public opinion."<br />
Detroit police censors made it clear that<br />
the law authorizing local censorship does not<br />
extend to a ban because of the private life<br />
of film principals.<br />
Showing of the picture locally is slated<br />
to go ahead as scheduled, opening February<br />
15 at the Palms-State. Earl J. Hud.son. president<br />
of United Detroit circuit, pointed out<br />
that the film contract was made long before<br />
the "current controversy" and was binding<br />
upon the firm.<br />
Hayworth-Bergman Ban<br />
Asked in Springfield<br />
SPRINGFIELI>—A ban on all Rita Hayworth<br />
and Ingrid Bergman films has been<br />
demanded here by pastors of the Clark County<br />
Ministerial A.ss'n. The group is opposed to<br />
the showing of motion pictures in this area<br />
featuring actors and actresses who have been<br />
involved in publicized scandals.<br />
The Hayworth, Bergman films were mentioned<br />
specifically. Members of the ministerial<br />
group sent letters to theatre owners<br />
in this vicinity urging them not to show the<br />
films.<br />
Prior to this group's action, the Clark<br />
County Council of Churches also denounced<br />
Hayworth and Bergman films and sent a<br />
letter to the State Board of Censors stating<br />
their opposition to such pictures.<br />
TV in Toledo Ace House<br />
TOLEDO—The Paramount, Toledo's largest<br />
theatre, has installed a television set with a<br />
3x5-foot screen in the downstairs lounge.<br />
BOXOFFICE ;: February 18, 1950 ME 75
. . . Loew's<br />
. . . Princess<br />
. . Reports<br />
. . Induction<br />
. . "Stromboli"<br />
. . Joe<br />
. . M.<br />
. . John<br />
. . Kenyon<br />
. . Mr.<br />
. . . Yhfra<br />
. . . Incorporation<br />
. . Uniontown<br />
. . The<br />
. . The<br />
. . The<br />
. . M.<br />
. . Frank<br />
. . Altoona<br />
. . William<br />
, , Carrier<br />
. .<br />
ITTSBURGH<br />
XZineent Choate, Shea's manager at Bradford,<br />
conducted a kill-the-amusement-tax meeting<br />
at Bradford with 18 theatres represented<br />
. . . Altoona Mirror featured an editorial February<br />
6 which urged that the federal amusement<br />
tax be abolished . Glaus, manager<br />
of the Prince at Ambridge, contacted<br />
John Wayne to pose for a picture showing<br />
him reading the Daily Citizen, and the Ambridge<br />
newspaper published the photo in connection<br />
with the opening of "Fighting Kentuckian."<br />
Joe Volpe's Rainbow Gardens Drive-In near<br />
McKeesport was reopened last weekend and<br />
if weather permits will continue in operation<br />
on weekends ,<br />
of new Boy Scouts<br />
was featured on the stage of Dipson's Bradford<br />
at Bradford the evening of February 10<br />
Penn cashiers this week wore<br />
novelty hats which identified them as "tax<br />
collectors" . . . Sammy Kaye and his orchestra<br />
will be featured March 3 at the State in<br />
Uniontown . opened in Warner<br />
situations February 17.<br />
Frank Yankovic and his orchestra appeared<br />
in person February 16 at Dipson's Bradford<br />
in Bradford . and Molly Mulone's Cheswick<br />
at Cheswick will stage a March 2 benefit<br />
show for the Boy Scouts . in the<br />
north side is presenting amateur talent contests<br />
Wednesday evenings for eight weeks<br />
with Joseph Windstein. traffic patrolman at<br />
Federal and Ohio streets, serving as master<br />
of ceremonies . A. Rosenberg forwarded<br />
a post card from Miami Beach, Also vacationing<br />
there are William Coleman and Joseph<br />
Gold, Erie outdoor exhibitors; Henry Rolnick,<br />
New Kensington outdoor exhibitor; Israel<br />
Roth, retired Pittsburgh exhibitor.<br />
Harry Fry's theatre at Wampum presented<br />
Slim Young and his gang from radio station<br />
WOHI Tuesday last week . and Mrs.<br />
Tom J. Hickes. who recently celebrated their<br />
30th anniversary in exhibition at Saxton, departed<br />
this week for a vacation in Florida<br />
at Republic was closed for several<br />
days due to a death in the Cappuzzi<br />
family . were circulated that the<br />
theatres at New Castle operated by the Ted<br />
Gamble enterprises have been or will be transferred.<br />
DRIVE-IN THEATRE<br />
PORT HOLE BLOWER<br />
Eliminates Dust, Bugs and Rain From Cenini ia Pwl<br />
Hole — Also eliminates use of Optical Therefon<br />
Glass,<br />
giving clearer and cleaner projection.<br />
DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO. >SL'^^To.<br />
SAM FINEBERG<br />
TOM McCLEARY<br />
1705 Blvd. oi the Allies j<br />
PITTSBURGH 19, PA.<br />
Phone Express 0777<br />
Joseph Troese . Community<br />
Follies, to be presented at two 2 '2 -hour performances<br />
February 14 at the State, is designed<br />
to raise funds for the March of Dimes<br />
Neaman. violinist, and Norman<br />
Voelcker, pianist, presented the second community<br />
concert recently at Joe and Molly<br />
Mulone's Cheswick Theatre.<br />
George Saittis and his father-in-law William<br />
Papas of the Temple on Chartiers avenue<br />
hurried to Chicago to witness Jim Londos<br />
in his "wrestUng comeback" . A.<br />
Silver. Warner circuit zone manager, was<br />
back at his desk after enjoying a vacation<br />
in Florida . . . Herman Lorence. Erie exhibitor,<br />
confined to Mercy hospital here for some<br />
weeks following a heart attack, is reported<br />
making progressive recovery . Interservice<br />
club concert at Meadville's Park was<br />
held February 15.<br />
Pirate baseball schedule shows that 25 night<br />
games will be played here at Forbes Field<br />
and that there are 12 Sunday afternoon games<br />
booked for the 1950 season . . . Beaver<br />
county's 150th anniversary will be observed<br />
this summer . National guard cooperated<br />
with Joe Bugala, Manos manager<br />
at Uniontown. by displaying a medium tank<br />
near the theatre during the engagement of<br />
"Battleground" and the VFW band paraded<br />
with massed colors of all veterans' organizations<br />
... A welcome Pilmrow visitor was<br />
Al Weiland. pioneer film distributor and exhibitor<br />
now residing at Conneaut Lake, who<br />
continues operation of the Fifth Avenue theatre<br />
in Coraopolis which son Al jr. manages.<br />
Al sr. is enjoying good health and he reports<br />
that the entire family is well and happy<br />
"up on the lake," his property adjoining the<br />
Elmer Hasley-Sam Yakish Lake Drive-In<br />
theatre.<br />
The Olympic at Altoona is erecting a new<br />
triangular-shaped marquee designed by Poblocki<br />
& Sons, Milwaukee. The house is one<br />
of the Altoona-Publix circuit, Notopoulos<br />
operated, theatres . J. B. H. Corp.<br />
(Jimmy Nash, Bert Stearn, Harry Hendel)<br />
and Joe Volpe, which will open the new 1,<strong>000</strong>-<br />
car drive-in on Route 19 at Wexford, has<br />
acquired the Convict Inn, a tavern directly<br />
at the approach entrance to the outdoor<br />
theatre. The tavern-restaurant will be renovated.<br />
Jimmy Nash jr., Rockwood exhibitor,<br />
George Tice and his Columbia Pictures<br />
gang were hosts at the February 10 family will manage the drive-in.<br />
night party in the Variety Club . . . Liberty<br />
at Sligo. recently transferred<br />
Tallulah<br />
to Mrs. Mary<br />
Bankhead and Donald Cook appeared<br />
in "Private<br />
McNeill, has reverted to former operator<br />
Lives" last Saturday evening<br />
at Shea's in Erie . . . Sun at Altoona<br />
double featured two Italian films, "Guaglio"<br />
and "Woman Trouble" with Anna Magnani,<br />
for three days this week.<br />
Irwin school board approved a 10 per cent<br />
amusement tax and four special levies on a<br />
four-month "experimentation" basis, effective<br />
March 7. From that date until July 3 the<br />
board will collect the theatre tax, plus levies<br />
on jukeboxes, pinball machines, mechanical<br />
amusements, billiard tables and bowling alleys.<br />
Bob Ruskin, Columbia salesman and a<br />
lawyer, addressed exhibitors in the Regent<br />
at New Castle one day last week in the<br />
drive to abolish the federal amusement tax<br />
papers show that Milton<br />
A. Samuels, former local exhibitor, and Mose<br />
Medick are owners of the Oakwood Tavern,<br />
7906 Frankstown Ave. . . . The home of the<br />
Abraham Rothensteins, West Aliquippa exhibitors,<br />
was looted the other night, probably<br />
by children who entered by way of a<br />
cellar window. Money and food were missing<br />
and drawers were rifled and the contents<br />
strewn all over the floors.<br />
Mrs. Angela Notorlanni presented benefit<br />
shows February 13 and 14 at the Knox in<br />
Knox for the high school janitor class . . .<br />
Mr. and Mrs. James H. Alexander recently<br />
observed their 40th wedding anniversary.<br />
Alexander, the theatre equipment man. after<br />
more than a quarter of a century's interest<br />
in soliciting membership in the YMCA. again<br />
is busy in a new drive for the Community Y<br />
at Brentwood.<br />
.<br />
Harold Tinker, RKO's veteran shipper, for<br />
the second season will coach the Terrace<br />
Village community baseball team in the city<br />
league Formoso of McKees Rocks<br />
is the new student booker at Eagle Lion .<br />
Lee Conrad, managing director of the Meadville<br />
Park Theatre Corp., conducted the<br />
Crawford county amusement tax fight meeting<br />
at the Chamber of Commerce rooms in<br />
Meadville. He urged not only repeal of the<br />
federal levy but of community admission<br />
taxes.<br />
.<br />
The city clerk's office at Monessen now<br />
is issuing amusement permits in conjunction<br />
with the new amusement tax . boys<br />
of the Evening Standard at Uniontown were<br />
guests of the Manos for a special exhibition<br />
of "Battleground" L. Brown,<br />
former Tarentum exhibitor and now an employe<br />
of the Pennsylvania department of<br />
revenue and chairman of the state employes<br />
division of the Allegheny county Red Cross<br />
campaign, was commended by Gov. James<br />
Duff for his part in the 1950 drive.<br />
Warner circuit has sold its half interest<br />
in the Mount Oliver and Shadyside theatres<br />
to Morris M. Finkel and O. F. Habegger,<br />
operators of these houses for the past year<br />
or so. Finkel. Habegger and the late Alex<br />
Moore were the original stockholders. Finkel,<br />
Allied MPTO president, also owns and operates<br />
the Capitol and Hill Top in the old<br />
Allentown district. A brother-in-law Bill<br />
Habegger is the Warwood district exhibitor<br />
at Wheeling, W. Va.<br />
Nearly ten million persons visited the 32<br />
Pennsylvania state parks in 1949, according<br />
.<br />
to a report issued by the department of forests<br />
and waters council is the<br />
first under the wire to vote favorably on<br />
daylight saving time for 1950. The public<br />
has never been given a vote on this issue in<br />
Altoona or in any political subdivision of the<br />
commonwealth.<br />
Incorporation Papers Filed<br />
HAKRISBURG — Filed here February 10<br />
was an incorporation petition of the Blue Dell<br />
Drive-In Theatre, Inc., listing owners as Norbert<br />
Stern, Ernest Stern, Arthur Stern and<br />
David Barkan. The outdoor theatre was<br />
opened and was operated on Route 30 near<br />
McKeesport last year by Joseph Warren and<br />
Tony Morocco.<br />
Wilcoxon at Convention<br />
Henry Wilcoxon. who appears in Paramount's<br />
"Samson and Delilah," discussed the<br />
picture at the convention of the United Theatre<br />
Owners of Illinois in Springfield recently.<br />
BOXOFFICE ;: February 18, 1950
. . Parkersburg's<br />
. . West<br />
. . The<br />
. . West<br />
'Battleground' Gross<br />
High at Cincinnati<br />
(Average Is 100)<br />
Albee—The Hasty Heart (WB) 90<br />
Capitol—Dancing in the Dark (20th-Fox) 120<br />
Grand—Battleground (MGM), 2nd wk 130<br />
Keiths—Mrs. Mike (UA) 95<br />
Lyric—Trapped (EL); Red Stallion in the Rockies<br />
I (EL), split with Stole a Million (Reo-lart); Paris<br />
Bombshell (Realart). reissues 80<br />
Palace—Samson and Delilah (Para), 2nd wk 120<br />
Shubert—Woman in Hiding (U-I) 105<br />
'Battleground' Bulges<br />
Pittsburgh Gross to 190<br />
PITTSBURGH—"Battleground," picture of<br />
the Battle of the Bulge, bulged the boxoffice<br />
barometer to 190 and continued for a run in<br />
Loew's Penn. Three other theatres hit the<br />
average mark.<br />
Fulton—My Foolish Heart (RKO) 100<br />
Hatris—Whirlpool {20th-Fox) 70<br />
Penn—Battleground (MGM) 190<br />
Ritz—Homlet (U-I), return engagement 70<br />
Stanley—Montana (WB), 2nd d. t. wk 70<br />
"Samson' Continues to Lead<br />
Trade at Detroit Houses<br />
DETROIT—Ti-ade in general at local first<br />
runs sank to a lower level as the Chrysler<br />
strike began to show a definite effect on<br />
theatre business. "Samson and Delilah," in a<br />
third week at the Madison, continued to pace<br />
the city with a rating of 150 per cent. A<br />
dualing of "The Hasty Heart" and "Unmasked"<br />
at the United Ai-tists, leading newcomers,<br />
registered 120 per cent.<br />
Adams—Battleground (MGM), 3rd wit 80<br />
Cinema—Shanghai Express (Para); Desire (Para),<br />
reissues 85<br />
Downtown—Port ol New York (EL); Stallion<br />
Canyon (Astor) 70<br />
Fox—Woman in Hiding (U-I); The Rugged<br />
O-Riordians (U-I) 100<br />
Madison—Samson and Delilah (Para), 3rd wk 150<br />
Michigan—Montona (WB); Blondie's Hero (Col).... 90<br />
Paims-State—The Nevadan (Col); The Blonde<br />
Bandit (Rep). 2nd wk 90<br />
Paradise—Master Minds (Mono), 2nd run, plus<br />
stage show 100<br />
United Artists-The Hasty Heart (WB); Unmasked<br />
(Rep) 120<br />
- Esquirs^-My FooUsh Heart (RKO), 3rd wk 265<br />
Hippodrome—Montana (WB) 100<br />
Lower Ma!l—The Girl in the Painting (U-I) 100<br />
Ohio—Thief of Bagdad (Realort); The Climax (U-I) 70<br />
Palac
. . . Hal<br />
. . . H.<br />
. . George<br />
. . Harry<br />
. . Max<br />
. . Mrs.<br />
RUTH I. SMITH— Manager,<br />
Miami Drive-In Theatre, Dayton,<br />
Ohio—says:<br />
"My patrons tell me that we<br />
have the finest sound in the<br />
Dayton area and that is why<br />
they like to come to the Miami<br />
Drive-In Theatre. Of course,<br />
RCA Service keeps the system<br />
at peak efficiency."<br />
—<br />
To get the benefits of RCA Service<br />
write: RCA SERVICE COMPANY,<br />
INC., Radio Corporation of America,<br />
Camden, N. J.<br />
Vi^lll PROGRAMS<br />
ONE DAY SERVICE On Request »<br />
THEATRICAL ADV.<br />
CO.<br />
"SERVING EXHIBITORS FOR 33 YEARS"<br />
<strong>23</strong>10 CASS WO. 1-2158. DETROIT, 1, MICH<br />
NOW<br />
THEATRE SEATS<br />
Upholstered, Repaired, Anywhere. Better Materials.<br />
Workmanship Guaranteed. Prompt Service,<br />
Reasonable.<br />
JOHN HEIDT<br />
1507 W. Kirb; Detroit 8. Mich.<br />
Phone: TYler 7-8015<br />
SERVICE-QUALITY -PRICE<br />
COLD CHIPS<br />
Potato Chips Exclusively lor the Thealie Trade.<br />
VETERAN FOOD PRODUCTS, INC.<br />
Mt. Elliott Ave. Detroit 11, 6439 Mich.<br />
Phone WAlnut 1-5516<br />
L G- L THEATRE CONCESSION<br />
INCREASED PROFITS - DECREASED WORRIES<br />
PERSONAUZED SUPERVISED SERVICE<br />
DRIVE-IN AND INDOOR THEATRES<br />
2937 SI. Aubin<br />
Phone Te. 13352<br />
Detroit 7, Mich.<br />
Te. 13884<br />
Afed OfUihf<br />
>ur Heywood - Wakelield<br />
lating Representative.<br />
Century Theatre Bldg.<br />
6519 14th St.,<br />
Detroit 8. Mich.<br />
Phone: TYler 8-6629<br />
DETROIT<br />
rjon Garey, who operates a drive-in near<br />
Hastings, has sold his IGA store to Howard<br />
K. Bentley of Detroit Kolin<br />
.<br />
left for Florida for a midwinter vacation<br />
Burris has rechristened the Norwood<br />
the "House of Love" under its new art film<br />
policy. Bill Pasman, formerly with the General<br />
Motors photo department, is joining the<br />
writing staff at Jam Handy ... Mr. and Mrs.<br />
James R. Powers of the Harper were office<br />
visitors . . . Pay Erskine of the Woods will<br />
hold an annual birthday party at his home<br />
in Grosse Pointe for his son Dean Erslcine<br />
of the Esquire.<br />
Al Levy, Jack Sturm, Eddie Westcott and<br />
Jay Prankel of 20th-Fox went to Chicago<br />
to a sales meeting . . . Harris Dudelson, formerly<br />
with Eagle Lion in New York and now<br />
new district manager for Lippert Productions,<br />
will make his headquarters in Detroit.<br />
He is a brother of Moe Dudelson, long a UA<br />
district manager here .<br />
Kobel, projectionist<br />
at the Motor City, is planning to<br />
vacation at Lake St. Clair this summer . . .<br />
Jack Zide's Movie Quiz got off to a good<br />
start with a sneak preview at the Lincoln.<br />
Milton Zimmerman, Universal salesman,<br />
became the father of baby girl . . . Jim<br />
a<br />
Mooney, United Artists auditor, was in town<br />
for a periodic visit . . . Charles Garner still<br />
was convalescing . . . Leon Brooks and Jack<br />
Yellich complete the committee headed by<br />
Edgar Douville for the Nightingale silver<br />
anniversary. Mrs. Douville and other club<br />
members held a Saturday evening reunion<br />
downtown . . . Robert J. Green, formerly of<br />
Pontiac, is starting his second year as manager<br />
of the Saginaw Auto Theatre at Saginaw<br />
for A. W. Ochs.<br />
and Mrs. Walter<br />
Leonard Salerno, owner of the Kena, has<br />
promoted Arthur Cavill from head usher to<br />
house manager<br />
Shafer, Wayne<br />
. . . Mr.<br />
circuit operators, have returned<br />
from a trip to Mexico. Martin Shafer,<br />
who has been managing the State in Wayne,<br />
left for a two-week vacation in Miami, and<br />
his brother Charles Shafer wiU go to Las<br />
Vegas when Martin returns . . Ira Hunt,<br />
.<br />
doorman at the State in Wayne, was back at<br />
work after an absence caused by recurrence<br />
of complications from an army service injury<br />
... Ed Sullivan, formerly of the Senate,<br />
now is manager of the Rex, replacing Steve<br />
Kowalczyk.<br />
Mac McMillen and Sam Stone represented<br />
the lATSE at the Monday night conclave of<br />
the Michigan Showmen's Ass'n . . . Don<br />
Kennedy of the Town Drive-In was back<br />
from a trip to Ohio . Carson, past<br />
commander of Theatrical Post, has been combining<br />
business with pleasure in Los Angeles<br />
Owen Blough was busy two weeks<br />
ushering at the Shrine circus . . Roy R.<br />
.<br />
Ruben of the Pox will head southward for<br />
a vacation.<br />
Frank J. Downey, MGM manager, re-<br />
Theatrp Sign and Marquee Maintenance<br />
/^^^<br />
Our Specialty<br />
%dWorstnmn^iCa<br />
WOodard 5-4050<br />
2821 Brooklyn<br />
pontine 3-4473<br />
Detroit 1, Mich.<br />
turned from a quick trip to California . . .<br />
David Korman, independent circuit owner,<br />
is taking over the Greenwood from the<br />
Schulte circuit . . . Sidney E. Golos is reorganizing<br />
the former S&G Premiums as Sid<br />
Golos Premiums. He will move to new offices<br />
in the Film building and take over the business<br />
formerly handled by William Scharun.<br />
who has moved to Milwaukee . Gladys<br />
B. Pike returned from Washington. She<br />
was the only feminine trucker present at the<br />
American Trucking Ass'n conclave.<br />
There is no time to lose! Act today on<br />
repeal of the amusement tax!<br />
DELUXE<br />
THEATRE EQUIPMENT<br />
*BRENKERT PROJECTORS<br />
* RCA SOUND SYSTEMS<br />
*<<br />
RCA RECTIFIERS<br />
* RCA SOUND SCREENS<br />
* BRENKERT LAMPS<br />
* INTERNATIONAL CHAIRS<br />
* MOHAWK CARPET<br />
*HORSTMAN MARQUEES<br />
*ADLER LETTERS<br />
* CENTURY GENERATORS<br />
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*STAR POPCORN MACHINES<br />
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DRIVE-IN THEATRES OUR<br />
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ERNIE FORBES<br />
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WO 1-11<strong>23</strong><br />
78 BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950
;<br />
BOWLING<br />
CLEVELAND—The Motion Picture Operators<br />
Bowling league scores last week were<br />
close with the Garwin Equipment Co. and<br />
Auto Voice teams tied for first place with<br />
48 points each. Union Federated Insurance<br />
was a close third with 46 points. Other scores<br />
Anchor Inn 43. RCA Service 42. National<br />
Theatre Supply 40, Mobiltone Speakers 37 and<br />
Oliver Theatre Supply 32.<br />
Although last on the scoring sheet, Oliver<br />
Supply went into second place for the high<br />
three-team game with 2.931 pins.<br />
High game rollers of the week included:<br />
Fred Lane, 224-2<strong>23</strong> for a 621 total; Earl<br />
Gehringer jr., 227; Paul Gibbons, 204-572;<br />
Tom Smart, 214-541.<br />
Other outstanding notes of last week's pin<br />
contest was Paul Collin's consistent score<br />
of 181-181-182 for a 544 total and Larry<br />
Shafer's 542 series.<br />
On the basis of last week's score, the following<br />
members were selected to represent<br />
the Cleveland league in the March 7 battle<br />
with the Detroit Nightingales in Detroit : Tom<br />
Smart, Joe Sabota. Joe Nobbe, Paul Gibbons.<br />
Andy Zill, Gordon Bullock, Jack Barry, Earl<br />
Gehringer sr., Paul Collins and Fred Lane.<br />
Alternates are Ralph Gertz and Clarence<br />
Kramer. And not to be left behind is Tom<br />
Fitzgerald, league secretary.<br />
DETROIT—Allied continued to lead the<br />
Film Bowling league here, with Co-Op in<br />
second place. Team standings are:<br />
Won Lost<br />
Won Lost<br />
Allied , .13 3 Monogram 7 9<br />
Co-Op 11 5 Republic 7 9<br />
Theatrical 9 7 RKO 5 11<br />
S4G 8 8 UA 4 12<br />
High 3 team; Theatrical 2738, Co-Op 2574<br />
and S&G 2545. High 1 team: Theatrical 927.<br />
UA 924 and RKO 899. High 3 individual: L.<br />
Metzger 635, J Pavella 614 and J. Crane 610.<br />
High 1 individual: D. Pill 254. D. Kaplan 243<br />
and K. Koskie 241.<br />
200 club: J. Haybes 2<strong>23</strong>. J. Zide 200, F.<br />
Sturgess 219, J. Crane 211, J. Sturm 200-218<br />
and E. Beck 205.<br />
DETROIT—National Carbon Co. leads in<br />
the Nightingale Club Bowling league with<br />
Ernie Forbes Theatre Supply in second place.<br />
Team standings are:<br />
Won Lost<br />
Won Lost<br />
Nafl Carbon. 48 28 Local 199 35 41<br />
Ernie Forbes 46 30 Nafl Supply 35 41<br />
Lorenzens 38 38 McArthur Equip. 34 42<br />
Altec Service 37 39 Brenkert 31 45<br />
200 games were rolled by Richard Connell,<br />
227; Gilbert Light, 225; Fi'ancis Light, 2<strong>23</strong><br />
and Roy Thompson, 200.<br />
Gilbert Light's 614 sent his team. National<br />
Carbon, back into first place, while Ernie<br />
Forbes was losing 3 points to Lorenzen's Shop<br />
to drop back into second place, while Lorenzen's<br />
remained in third place.<br />
Richard Connell, 227 for 547. was good<br />
enough to give him high single and high<br />
three in his division, helping National Theatre<br />
Supply to win three points.<br />
CINCINNATI-Midwest Theatre Supply got<br />
hot and scored a new single game high of 830,<br />
which gives them a chance for a prize in the<br />
ABC national standings for four-men teams.<br />
Harold Tull's 607 total and Fred Borgman's<br />
<strong>23</strong>2 single game paced Midwest to a 2,269<br />
three-game total which also is a three-game<br />
NEW DETROIT HOME—New qiiiirlcrs<br />
at 6209 Hamilton avenue have been purchased<br />
by the Long Sign Co., neon electrical<br />
sign contractors in Detroit. Edward<br />
A. Long, founder and manager of the<br />
firm, said tliat the increased space of<br />
66,800 square feet of floor area would<br />
allow for expansion and the handling of<br />
increased sales. The company services<br />
theatres, department stores, industrial<br />
and retail establishments.<br />
high for the league. Scores of 200: F. Bergman<br />
<strong>23</strong>2, G. Vlochas 229, H. Wieman 224, H.<br />
Tull 222 and 202, W. Strowe 209.<br />
Teom Won Lost Team Won Lost<br />
Midwest 59 4 Westwood 35 28<br />
National 53 10 Theatre Candy 25 38<br />
Bond Theatre 39 24 Times Theatre 21 42<br />
Mount Healthy 38 25 Associated 21 42<br />
Altec - 38 25 Keith Theatre 20 43<br />
Strand 37 2G Forest Theatre IB 47<br />
RCA Sound 36 27 Idle Hour 6 57<br />
Okay Drive-In in Detroit<br />
DETROIT—At the request of Ned Mellen,<br />
attorney, for an undisclosed principal who<br />
plans to build a new drive-in, the city council<br />
here revamped zoning plans for one of the<br />
few undeveloped 80-acre plots within the city<br />
limits. The council had designed the area for<br />
a future housing project but changed to an<br />
industrial classification to allow erection of<br />
the theatre. The city planning commission<br />
also approved the change.<br />
Quality Foreign Films<br />
Booked at Fox Theatre<br />
DETROIT—Policy of using quality imported<br />
pictures, possibly to include some foreign language<br />
films as the .second feature, is being<br />
tried out by Fox Theatre Managing Director<br />
David M. Idzal. with "The Rugged O'Riordans,"<br />
following "A Place of One's Own." No<br />
decision has been made on a foreign-language<br />
film. Idzal is taking the view that the feature<br />
must be up to A standards, regardless of<br />
origin, before it will be booked for the big<br />
liouse.<br />
Idzal frankly gave credit for the innovation<br />
to the columns written by Free Press film<br />
critic Helen Bower and correspondence from<br />
her readers, which indicates the dissatisfaction<br />
with the quality of the usual second<br />
choice film. The current policy experiment<br />
will not affect the bookings of the principal<br />
feature.<br />
FOR POPCORN PROFITS<br />
Sale of Three UDT Houses<br />
Is Rumored in Detroit<br />
DETROIT—It is understood that the projected<br />
sale of three major neighborhood hou.ses<br />
by United Detroit Theatres to Jack Goldhar<br />
is in the making here. Goldhar, formerly<br />
eastern division manager for United Artists,<br />
has been in the auto business the last three<br />
years as partner in Goldhar-Zimner, Inc.,<br />
Chrysler dealers.<br />
Houses said to be involved in the deal are<br />
the Regent, Alger and Annex. No official<br />
confirmation could be had from either party.<br />
The deal, however, would be in line with the<br />
Paramount divorce decree affecting UDT<br />
holdings here.<br />
FILM EXCHANGE DRUGS<br />
The Showman's Drug Store<br />
)rugs • Cosmetics * Preicriptions<br />
Personal Service irom Two Showmen<br />
MAX BEHNBAUM JACK GALLAGHER<br />
Pharmacist<br />
Manager<br />
> Phone CLillord 1527, CUllord 3694<br />
. . . Hitch Your Future to a Star!<br />
STJiB POPCORN MACHINES<br />
* Trouble-free performonce<br />
* Produce lorge quantities of high quality<br />
popcorn.<br />
* Attractive appearance.<br />
* Eye-catching interest produces soles.<br />
* Durobly constructed of monel metal and<br />
solid stainless steel.<br />
* S.mplicity of operation.<br />
* 6 Models to choose from.<br />
24-Houf Projection and Sound<br />
Service<br />
""> STi<br />
'OS 9 ..<br />
BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950 79<br />
""d Su<br />
^Le<br />
^4 1<br />
3<br />
—
Jess Cramblett Opens Village^<br />
New Deluxer in Salisbury,, Pa.<br />
By R. P. KLINGENSMITH<br />
SALISBURY, PA. — Practically the entire<br />
population of this community turned out<br />
Saturday evening (11) for the opening of Jess<br />
Cramblett's Village Theatre. Population is<br />
1,200 and the theatre seats about 650.<br />
The Village is one of the finest amusement<br />
centers ever opened in a small community<br />
anywhere. The Cramblett building's hoteldining<br />
room will be ready for opening around<br />
May 1, the theatre section being constructed<br />
and opened in a period of ten months. Cost<br />
of the project is upwards of a quarter of a<br />
million dollars.<br />
TO OFFER VAUDEVILLE<br />
Exploited as Somerset county's "newest,<br />
finest and most modern theatre," the Village<br />
will offer first run pictures and vaudeville.<br />
The theatre materials, equipments and fixtures<br />
are quality all the way, the workmanship<br />
superb and beautiful. Sponge carpeting,<br />
wall materials and lighting equipments are<br />
de luxe. A feature is a complete stage with<br />
17 sets of lines and with dressing rooms<br />
underneath. Paneling is in blond mahogany,<br />
front doors are herculite framed in stainless<br />
steel.<br />
The Village, entirely fireproof, also has a<br />
large and comfortable cry room-nursery and<br />
a children's playroom on the second floor.<br />
The manager's office, opposite the cry room,<br />
separated by the projection rooms, may seat<br />
a dozen friends or guests who may view stage<br />
or screen from behind a large plate glass window.<br />
RCA equipment, furnished by Alexander<br />
Theatre Supply, and Heywood-Wakefield<br />
seating are among major installations,<br />
in addition to complete Trane heating-air<br />
conditioning equipments. Theatre Candy Co<br />
installed the candy-popcorn bar in the lobby.<br />
Knoxville (Tenn.) Scenic Studios furnished<br />
wall fabrics, stage draperies, etc.<br />
A house feature is the latest Hammond<br />
concert organ with chimes, placed upon a<br />
hydraulic lift which raises it from the<br />
orchestra pit to stage level. Joe Lawther presides<br />
daily at the console, and he is a talented<br />
musician and personable young man.<br />
Backstage there is a grand piano and in the<br />
orchestra pit is an upright piano.<br />
SUNDAY SHOWS OKAY<br />
Salisbury approved Sunday shows last fall<br />
and is offering 2 p. m. and 8:30 p. m. exhibitions.<br />
The theatre opens w.eek nights at 7<br />
p. m., exhibiting two performances. Salisbury<br />
is in the heart of the Maple grove belt<br />
where there is much activity in sugar camps.<br />
There is an Amish community here and 5<br />
per cent of the population are Mennonites.<br />
The Village is on Route 219 and is 26 miles<br />
from Cumberland, Md. Mount Davis, the<br />
highest point in the state of Pennsylvania, is<br />
visible from Salisbury.<br />
The Village Theatre is the work of local<br />
craftsmen, except stage rigging and con-<br />
OUTSTANOINC CRAFTSMANSHIP AND~EN&INeERIN6<br />
struction and installation of the excellent<br />
Poblocki & Sons marquee. Even the special<br />
cement blocks which make the structure appear<br />
to be built of cut and finished stone,<br />
were made locally. The cement blocks were<br />
manufactured in the plant across the street,<br />
which was purchased by Cramblett to experiment<br />
for the greatest strength in the<br />
blocks, and later to make them. Robert F.<br />
Heal sr. was in charge of construction.<br />
Cramblett owns and operates the Salisbury<br />
Construction Co., which built the Village: the<br />
20th Century garage at Boynton, dealers for<br />
Diamond T trucks, etc.; the Cramblett Feed<br />
Supply, various coal mines and operations.<br />
He is a farmer and owns and operates his<br />
private four-seat airplane and has under<br />
construction a new private air field.<br />
Mrs. Leora Ann Cramblett and daughter<br />
Jessie Ann enjoyed the first night from the<br />
manager's office.<br />
Present from the motion picture industry<br />
were these guests:<br />
Lou and Roberta Hanna, Bud and Helen<br />
Thomas, Toni Armenti, Mary Lou Taylor, all<br />
of Hanna Theatre Service; Sam Fineberg,<br />
Alexander Theatre Supply: Harry Morrow,'<br />
RCA Service: Mr. and Mrs. Ray Showe, Theatre<br />
Candy Co.; Lawrence Lowstetter, Meyersdale;<br />
George and Pearl Graham, Columbia;<br />
Bob Klingensmith, BOXOFFICE.<br />
The dedication program was a splendid<br />
event. Opened by a prayer delivered by a<br />
local minister, leaders of the county's religious,<br />
civic, legal and patriotic organizations<br />
participated, paying tribute to Cramblett. He<br />
received plaques from the community's industrial<br />
association, photos and a desk set<br />
for his office.<br />
OWNER HAS HAD A VARIED CAREER<br />
Cramblett, designer, owner and builder of<br />
the new Village Theatre, who also manufactured<br />
all concrete materials used in the building,<br />
has had an interesting and varied career.<br />
He was born in Cadiz, Ohio, in the same<br />
town and at the same time as Clark Gable.<br />
He spent his boyhood on his father's farm.<br />
Jess, as he is more familiarly known to everyone<br />
in Somerset county, started retail hardware<br />
business after a few preliminary jobs.<br />
His biggest customers were five coal stripping<br />
firms, which led eventually to his present<br />
large operations in the same field. He was<br />
a salesman, then a dealer, special representative<br />
and sales manager for General Motors.<br />
Later he advanced to special representative<br />
for the Carven Steel Co. of Canton, Ohio.<br />
Jess has had the urge all his life to get<br />
into show business. For eight years he was<br />
with the circuses, carnivals, stage shows and<br />
a film company. He worked for Hagenback<br />
& Wallace, Clyde Beatty's shows, Barnum &<br />
Bailey and 101 Ranch at various times. He<br />
was with various carnivals and owned his<br />
own company. During 1930-33 he was on the<br />
stage in vaudeville and with stock companies<br />
in Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois. He was<br />
a field representative for Warner Bros, for<br />
a year.<br />
Eventually, about ten years ago, Cramblett<br />
came to Somerset county, and was in the coal<br />
business shortly thereafter, first with a partner<br />
and later on his own. His first operation<br />
was about a mile out of Salisbury, so his<br />
firm became the Salisbury Construction Co.<br />
Ryan Theatre Opened<br />
By Schulte Circuit<br />
DETROIT—The Ryan Theatre, located on<br />
Ryan road north of Detroit, was opened<br />
without fanfare recently by the Schulte circuit<br />
in the absence of circuit chief William<br />
A. Schulte, who is convalescing in the west<br />
following an auto crash.<br />
The new house will be managed by Frank<br />
Doyle, who has been at the Oakdale. Garnett<br />
Dewitt, formerly at the Liberty, is operator<br />
at the new house.<br />
Other shifts have been made by the Schulte<br />
organization to reassign personnel. Thomas<br />
Picha, onetime manager of the Virginia, has<br />
been named manager of the Oakdale. Prank<br />
Forest has taken over the manager's desk<br />
at the Liberty, replacing William Crowden,<br />
who moved to the Motor City, John Tabor,<br />
formerly with the Oliver, has moved into the<br />
Liberty as operator.<br />
Second TV Column Starts<br />
In the Detroit Times<br />
DETROIT—Detroit's second local column<br />
devoted to radio and television is making its<br />
bow in the Detroit Times under the byline<br />
of Andy Wilson, who formerly handled the<br />
motion picture beat. The new feature, running<br />
around 20 column inches under the title<br />
"Looking and Listening" tentatively will appear<br />
daily. General comment along with<br />
specific show news and criticism are used<br />
with Wilson's theatrical and vaudeville background<br />
forming a springboard for some of<br />
his comments.<br />
Jack Theisen will take over Wilson's old<br />
post and will divide the motion picture assignment<br />
with Harvey Taylor, dramatic editor,<br />
as well as assisting Taylor on dramatic and<br />
musical coverage as necessary.<br />
Paradise Theatre to Close<br />
In Detroit on March 16<br />
DETROIT—The Paradise Theatre probably<br />
•-vill close March 16 for the season. The<br />
theatre, operated by the Cohen circuit, opened<br />
about four weeks ago with a stage show policy<br />
but bookings have been sparse. Ella Fitzgerald<br />
and Illinois Jacquet opened February<br />
10, followed by the Charles Ventura band<br />
and the Shadows. The following week's booking<br />
is tentatively Larry Darnell with the Paul<br />
Williams orchestra.<br />
Major reason for the short season is the<br />
scarcity of available attractions, according to<br />
Harry Cohen. Present public demand insists<br />
upon two star attractions on the bill each<br />
week and there aren't enough available to<br />
keep the house open.<br />
Precision Experts Confer<br />
CLEVELAND — Executives of coordinating<br />
companies of all General Precision Equipment<br />
Corp.'s subsidiaries gathered in the<br />
Statler hotel last Monday for an interchange<br />
of ideas in the interest of future engineerini;<br />
improvements. Herbert Griffin of Los Angeles<br />
was chairman of the meeting which was attended<br />
by W. J. Turnbull, New York; J. W.<br />
Servies, New York; Arthur Hatch, Toledo;<br />
H. P. Sherer, Cleveland: Arthur Meyer, New<br />
York, and R. H. Richardson, New York.<br />
80<br />
BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950
. . Mrs.<br />
. . William<br />
. . Robert<br />
. . Harry<br />
College at Cleveland<br />
Offers Film Courses<br />
CLEVEHjAND—The Motion Picture Ass'n<br />
of America, through its educational and<br />
public relations departments, has supplied<br />
schools and clubs with material aimed to<br />
teach the youth of the land the value of<br />
visual education. Extending this field of<br />
education to adults, Cleveland college of<br />
Western Reserve university last week opened<br />
to the public two courses on various aspects<br />
of the motion picture. W. Ward Marsh,<br />
photoplay editor of the Plain Dealer, started<br />
the second year of his course on the "History<br />
of Motion Pictures." Dr. Joseph Remenyi,<br />
professor of comparative literature at Cleveland<br />
college, began a new course on "Literature<br />
and the Cinema." Both courses are<br />
held one evening a week, and both are open<br />
to the public upon payment of a nominal<br />
$6 registration fee. Tlie Marsh course runs<br />
16 weeks. The Remenyi course runs 12 weeks.<br />
Neither is accepted for college credits.<br />
HAD 1,500<br />
APPLICANTS<br />
When Marsh inaugurated his motion picture<br />
course one year ago, he had so many<br />
applicants— 1.500—that he was obliged to<br />
schedule a second session. While he now<br />
holds only one session a week, the general<br />
interest remains great among all types of<br />
adults, all ages from young to old, and as<br />
many men as women.<br />
Reviewing the first college course given in<br />
Cleveland, Marsh says he opened his lectures<br />
with the first short films ever made, the<br />
early Edison and Lumiere novelties. Then<br />
followed the showing and discussion on the<br />
Griffith films, Fi-ench films, the Mack Sennett<br />
and Chaplin shorts, development of the<br />
western from "The Great Train Robbery"<br />
to "The Covered Wagon," with examples<br />
of Fairbanks and Von Stroheim's work on<br />
the screen.<br />
^<br />
"The silents continued to hold the lecture<br />
course during the first half of this college<br />
year," March says. They include "Birth of<br />
a Nation," "Greed," George Bancroft in "The<br />
Pony Express," Buster Keaton's "Tlie General,"<br />
Lon Chaney's "The Unholy Three"<br />
and other such representative silents as<br />
"Underworld," "Way Down East," "Chang,"<br />
"What Price Glory," "Dancing Mothers" and<br />
concluding with Will Rogers in "The Headless<br />
Horseman" and Betty Bronson in "Peter<br />
Pan."<br />
•HALLELUJAH' NEW OPENER<br />
The new Marsh course opened with the<br />
showing of King Vidor's "Hallelujah." This<br />
will be followed by top early talkies and some<br />
of the best foreign films.<br />
Approaching the subject from a different<br />
angle. Dr. Remenyi will confine his discussions<br />
to the literary aspects of films made<br />
from great novels.<br />
Ticket Tax Cut to Legal Limit<br />
ROCHESTER, PA.—In accordance with<br />
new state legislation. Rochester borough<br />
council last week amended its amusement tax<br />
ordinance. Two years ago the borough enacted<br />
a levy of two cents on each 25 cents or<br />
fraction thereof of amusement prices. Under<br />
the amendment the Rochester amusement<br />
tax will be only what the Pennsylvania<br />
law allows, a total of 10 per cent of the established<br />
price.<br />
CLEVELAND<br />
. . .<br />
IJill Twigg, former buyer-booker for the Peter<br />
Wellman circuit of theatres, has been appointed<br />
UA city salesman. He succeeds the<br />
late Matt Goodman . Buxbaum jr.,<br />
Paramount manager, moved his family from<br />
Norman<br />
Philadelphia to Cleveland<br />
Wlieaton, onetime manager of the Hippodrome<br />
and Telenews theatres here and now<br />
in charge of two Telenews theatres in Detroit,<br />
here in the interim between the resignation<br />
of Frank Koza and the arrival of Jack<br />
Silverthorn as local Telenews manager, is<br />
enthusiastic about his three daughters and<br />
one son.<br />
A prerelease performance of "The Bicycle<br />
Thief" at the Lower Mall was sponsored by<br />
the Cleveland Emergency Relief for Italy,<br />
Inc., with the proceeds going to the Boys'<br />
Republic of Italy. Picture was to open February<br />
18 . Mena Fliehman, owner of<br />
the Noble Theatre, Caldwell, is branching out<br />
into the drive-in field. It will be located on<br />
Route 21 just outside Caldwell and will have<br />
all Simplex projection and sound equipment,<br />
and is scheduled to open May 1.<br />
Another new drive-in to be Simplex<br />
equipped is being constructed on Route 5<br />
near Warren by Mr. and Mrs. H. R. Eno of<br />
Niles, Ohio. Earl King of National Theatre<br />
Supply sold the equipment for both of the<br />
drive-ins . . . Grand Opera Movie Week, which<br />
had a sensational start last week in Erie, Pa.,<br />
is booked into the Strand, Akron, for the<br />
week of March 8. Grand Opera Movie Week<br />
is sold as a package show by E. J. Stutz and<br />
Bob Snyder of Realart.<br />
Bob Stone of the Idol Theatre, Lodi, made<br />
one of his infrequent Filmrow visits . . .<br />
Harry Goldstein, Paramount division manager,<br />
was in Detroit to attend the farewell<br />
party for resigning Detroit Manager Ed<br />
Stuckey.<br />
Romanre blossomed in the MGM exchange<br />
with the announcement last week of the engagement<br />
of Eleanor Forman, bookkeeper, to<br />
The previous week<br />
Albert Skladany . . .<br />
booker Native Roberts was hostess at a dinner<br />
at her home in honor of Anne Vicker"<br />
whose marriage to Alfred J. Pickett was recently<br />
announced . Tallman. owner<br />
of the Ceramic Theatre, East Liverpool,<br />
bought new Simplex sound equipment from<br />
NTS's Earl King . Snyder, Realart<br />
franchi.se owner, was jubilant upon learning<br />
that his wife, suffering with glaucoma, would<br />
not have to undergo an eye operation.<br />
Arthur d" Amidaba is building a drive-in<br />
in the East Liverpool area on Route 30 . . .<br />
Mrs. Doba Clayman, mother of "Red" Clayman,<br />
Warner head shipper, died . . . Also<br />
Charles A. Ames, 61. projectionist and charter<br />
member of lATSE Local 160. His wife,<br />
two sons and daughter survive . Max<br />
a . .<br />
Mink, manager of the Palace Theatre, was<br />
a passenger with the National guard bomb<br />
squadron that flew over the theatre ia a<br />
simulated bombing attack at 12 o'clock noon<br />
on the day of the opening of "Twelve O'clock<br />
High."<br />
Mrs. Clair Brewer, president of the Motion<br />
Picture council who is responsible for the<br />
success of the Children's Saturday shows,<br />
now broadcasts a 15-minute program every<br />
Saturday noon over WERE on "Movies for<br />
Children." Mrs. Brewer's activities in this<br />
field started in Lakewood where she got full<br />
cooperation from the board of education in<br />
publicizing the children's programs and with<br />
the Hilliard Square Theatre in Lakewood,<br />
Ni.'W the results of her efforts are known<br />
citywide.<br />
.lack Watts, formerly with National Theatre<br />
Supply and Ohio Theatre Supply, was<br />
around visiting the equipment offices just<br />
as a matter of sentiment.<br />
George Wolowiec Dies;<br />
Toledo Loop Manager<br />
TOLEDO—George Wolowiec, 58, manager<br />
of the Loop Theatre, and for many years active<br />
in Polish circles, died recently in Riverside<br />
hospital following a two-week illness.<br />
Prior to managing the downtown theatre,<br />
Wolowiec held a similar post at the Ohio<br />
Theatre in the Polish section. Both houses<br />
are operated by Jack O'Connell.<br />
154,<strong>000</strong> TV Sets Now<br />
CLEVELAND — Approximately 18,<strong>000</strong> television<br />
sets were sold here in December and<br />
17,<strong>000</strong> in January, bringing the total in operation<br />
in this metropolitan area to 154,<strong>000</strong>,<br />
the Bureau of Business Research of Western<br />
Reserve university reported.<br />
\<br />
STANDARD<br />
E. C. JOHNSON — Manager, Washington<br />
Theatre, Bay City, Michigan<br />
—says:<br />
"Our perfect .sound is our<br />
greatest asset. RCA has kept<br />
it to that high standard."<br />
To get the benefits of RCA Servicewrite:<br />
RCA SERVICE COMPANY,<br />
INC., Radio Corporation of America,<br />
Camden, N. J.<br />
''<br />
and SPECIAL<br />
ACCESSORIES ON ALL BOOKINGS!<br />
INDEPENDENT POSTER RENTAL CO.<br />
<strong>23</strong>00 PAYNE AVENUE<br />
CLEVEIAND 14, OHIO<br />
GLO-ART (Black-Light)<br />
POSTERS -at NO iXTRA COSV.I<br />
BOXOFFICE :: February 18. 1950 81
. . . Virginia<br />
. . Vic<br />
. . The<br />
Joe Rodriguez, Veteran of two Jima,<br />
Aids 'Sands<br />
ANN ARBOR. MICH.—Joe Rodriguez, 24-<br />
year-old member of the Michigan Theatre<br />
staff here, helped out the playing of "Sands<br />
of Iwo Jima" at that theatre recently when<br />
it was revealed that he was a member of the<br />
36-man marine patrol that first took Mt.<br />
Suribachi on the Pacific island.<br />
The Ann Arbor News ran a three-column<br />
photo of the theatre staffer, pointing out his<br />
picture in a photo taken on Mt. Suribachi<br />
and comparing it with the famous flagraising<br />
picture. The paper also ran a twocolumn<br />
feature telling of Rodriguez' part in<br />
combat on Iwo Jima.<br />
Rodriguez revealed in the story that the<br />
famed flag-raising photo was posed after the<br />
flag had been erected over Suribachi. He was<br />
not in the posed picture, but he was in a<br />
number of other photos taken at the same<br />
time.<br />
Two weeks after the flag-raising Rodriguez<br />
was struck in the knees by shrapnel from a<br />
Jap mortar shell. It was this same blast that<br />
CINCINNATI<br />
13 ex A. Carr, general manager of Theatre<br />
Owners Corp., buying and booking service<br />
here, says TOC now is servicing the following<br />
theatres: Marvel, Mount Orab, operated by<br />
F. N. Swope; Music Hall, Newport, Ky., Mrs.<br />
Leo Stephany; National. Cincinnati, Mrs. E.<br />
L. Shakespeare; McCook, Dayton, and Uptown,<br />
Columbus, by Herman H. Hunt, who<br />
also operates a number of other theatres in<br />
the midwest: Valley, Cincinnati, by Louis<br />
Wiethe, who has various other theatres in the<br />
area, and the Wayne, Greenville, by Sante<br />
Macci.<br />
Quick action on the part of ticket seller<br />
Marcella Wendelken. Empire, Cincinnati, resulted<br />
in capture of an Owensboro, Ky., man<br />
who held up the boxoffice with a toy pistol<br />
and fled with a bag containing $65. Miss<br />
Wendelken reported the holdup to Fred Clay<br />
and his wife, who followed the man, hailed<br />
two patrolmen in a passing cruising car and<br />
arrested the thief within a short time after<br />
the holdup.<br />
U-I booker Heywood Mitchisson is the father<br />
of a baby boy, their first child . . . Rube<br />
Shor, local exhibitor and secretary-treasurer<br />
of the West Virginia Theatre Managers Ass'n,<br />
has returned from a Florida vacation. Ditto<br />
Ben Cohen, manager of Shor's Twins Drive-<br />
In. Other Florida vacationers were Mr. and<br />
Mrs. Mark Cummins, Cincinnati: Albert<br />
Aaron. Charleston. W. Va., and J. B. Walters<br />
Huntington. W. Va.<br />
Pete Niland is coming out of retirement<br />
to join the sales staff of Eagle Lion in the<br />
FOR SALE<br />
Simplex Mechanisms S750 per pair; Guaianteed<br />
factory rebuilt. Prices f.o.b. Chicago or<br />
New York iactory.<br />
Now installing new machines throughout large<br />
circuit. Contact us today. Terms ii desired.<br />
ALBANY THEATRE SUPPLY CO.<br />
1046 Broadway S-S055 Albany. N. Y.<br />
at Michigan Theatre<br />
killed the platoon leader, Sgt. Mike Strang,<br />
whose role in the historic campaign was<br />
played in the film by John Wayne.<br />
In the photo here Rodriguez is shown comparing<br />
the posed flag-raising scene and pointing<br />
out his picture in the unposed Mt. Suribachi<br />
photo.<br />
West Virginia territory. Niland was former<br />
city salesman for Columbia prior to his retirement<br />
from active work. Niland has had<br />
a long film career and has many friends<br />
in the West Virginia area as well as in other<br />
sections of the territory. He replaces Dick<br />
Breslin. former booker, then salesman for<br />
EL, who resigned.<br />
A. A. Schubart, manager of exchange operations<br />
for RKO, was here for a conference<br />
with Manager Stanley Jacques . Warner<br />
Theatre circuit has sold its interests in<br />
theatres in Springfield to Phil Chakeres' Regent-State<br />
Corp. Mike Chakeres is vice-president<br />
and general manager of Regent-State<br />
and is handling the buying for first run<br />
houses in Springfield.<br />
Exhibitors on the Row were C. E. Harvey,<br />
New Boston: M. K. Murphy, Cumberland, Ky.;<br />
Joe Abbott, Midway, Ky.: Gene Lutes, Frankfort:<br />
W. T. Cain, Louisa, Ky.; Ted Peki-as.<br />
Columbus: Ducky Myers. Chillicothe: Louis<br />
Shor, Williamson, W. Va.; Gene and Jack<br />
Custer. Charleston. W. Va.: A. W. Ingle,<br />
Seaman: Ray Stout, Springfield; Mr. and<br />
Mrs. R. E. Wyrick. Carlisle. Ky., and Robert<br />
Epps, Dayton.<br />
Ralph Morley, former Columbus salesman<br />
for Columbia, has joined Lippert Production?<br />
and will travel in the Ohio territory . . .<br />
The annual installation dinner of the Colosseum<br />
of Motion Picture Salesmen was to be<br />
held Monday (20> in the Variety clubrooms<br />
Robbins. booker for Cooperative<br />
Theatre Service, is resigning as of February<br />
20 to take a position with Columbia Oldsmobile<br />
Co.<br />
salesmen attended a division meeting in Chicago<br />
The local 20th-Fox office ended<br />
. . . second in the country in the annual drive<br />
National Theatre Supply<br />
recently finished . . .<br />
is furnishing complete equipment for the<br />
new drive-in being constructed near Richmond,<br />
Ky., by the Cumberland View Amusement<br />
Co. of which Arthur Cleraig is vicepresident<br />
and manager. The drive-in will<br />
accommodate 525 cars and will open about<br />
March 15. In a previous announcement it<br />
was stated Midwest Theatre Supply would<br />
furnish equipment, which was erroneous. New<br />
Simplex projectors are being furnished.<br />
Jean Harrington, National Screen booker,<br />
received an engagement ring but has not<br />
set a definite date for her wedding . . .<br />
The brother of Jeanne Freeman. NSS biller.<br />
was in the hospital suffering from pneumonia<br />
. . . The Colonial. Dayton, and Lyric. Cincinnati,<br />
ran the Realart combination "I Stole<br />
a Million" and "Paris Bombshell."<br />
When Lee L. Goldberg, Realart, was in<br />
New York recently, plans were discussed for<br />
distribution of the Movie Quiz, for which his<br />
company took the franchise through Realart.<br />
Distributon of the subject has been approved<br />
by the attorney general of the U.S. . . . Joyce<br />
Wilmer, U-I clerk, who was to be married<br />
February 18, was given a dinner and miscellaneous<br />
shower by the girls of U-I at the<br />
Patio.<br />
Jack Silverthorn Shifts<br />
To Cleveland Telenews<br />
CLEVELAND — Jack Silverthorn arrived<br />
here over the weekend from Cincinnati to<br />
take over the managerial reins of the Telenews<br />
Theatre from Frank Koza who resigned<br />
to free-lance in newsreel camera work. Silverthorn,<br />
who was manager of the Strand in<br />
Cincinnati, comes to Cleveland via Detroit,<br />
San Antonio and the U.S. infantry.<br />
Born in Detroit. Silverthorn received his<br />
education in San Antonio where he also i-eceived<br />
his baptism in the picture business as<br />
an employe of the Interstate circuit for seven<br />
years. After three years war service mostly<br />
in Italy, he returned to Detroit in 1946 to<br />
work with Norman Wheaton in the Norwood<br />
and Telenews theatres, going to Cincinnati<br />
two years ago to manage the Strand Theatre.<br />
In Italy, one of his assignments was to<br />
round up the U.S. soldiers who took part in,<br />
Rossellini's "Paisan." He is quoted as saying<br />
of Rossellini that "he can't talk or direct<br />
a picture without screaming, and if you tied<br />
his hands behind his back he'd be mute."<br />
Two Theatres in Detroit<br />
To Install New Fronts<br />
DETROIT—The Ramona Theatre of United<br />
Detroit Theatres is adding a new porcelain<br />
enamel front by Maul Macotta. The boxoffice<br />
is being located in a prominent position at the<br />
center with a new facing and shelf. The new<br />
marquee will be circular and will have Wagner<br />
interchangeable letters to replace the<br />
old style letters.<br />
The Aloma Theatre has secured a permit<br />
Howard Spaun is new student booker at<br />
MGM . Coffel, general manager for<br />
the Manny Marcus circuit in Cincinnati and<br />
Dayton who recently suffered an injured arm<br />
to remodel its present marquee which will be<br />
in an automobile collision, is fully recovered<br />
removed and a new V-shape marquee with<br />
and again behind the wheel. Coffel has been<br />
Wagner interchangeable letters will be installed.<br />
There will be decorative effects con-<br />
busy recently with the decoration of the<br />
Esquire and says the house is really something<br />
to behold.<br />
sisting of flashing traveling borders. The entire<br />
sign and marquee will be porcelain<br />
Joe Rosen, manager for 20th-Fox, and his enamel.<br />
82 BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950
:<br />
Pittsburgh Loge 31<br />
Holds Dinner Dance<br />
PITTSBURGH—Approximately 100 members<br />
of the motion picture industry and<br />
guests attended the Colosseum dinner-dance<br />
in the Pittsburgh room of the William Penn<br />
hotel Sunday evening (12). Loge 31 officers<br />
in charge of the party were Jack Judd, president:<br />
Frank Dana, vice-president; Floyd<br />
Klingensmith, secretary; William Scott,<br />
treasurer; Milton Broudy, sergeant at arms:<br />
Carl Reardon, retiring president, and Irvinn<br />
Prankel. advertising chairman. Bob Unrath<br />
and his orchestra was featured for the dancing<br />
and entertainment program with several<br />
night club acts.<br />
Pittsburgh Colosseum film salesmen roster<br />
includes<br />
George Ball Pele Quitter<br />
lack Belman Milton Ripp<br />
Milton Broudy William Mack<br />
Dave Brown Charles Mergen<br />
Lawrence Ccrrettie Sam Milberg<br />
Robert Caskey Robert Munn<br />
Donald Chabon Saul Perilman<br />
George Corcoran Catl Reardon<br />
Howard Crombie Harry Rees<br />
Frank Dana Frank Reller<br />
Robert Ferber James Retter<br />
Irving Frankel Robert Runkin<br />
Stewcfrt Jacobson William Scott<br />
Robert Lynch Maurice Silverberg<br />
Floyd Klingensmith Frank Silverman<br />
Jack Judd Irving Stein<br />
Honorary members are Paul Krumenacker,<br />
David C. Silverman, Ike Sweeney, George<br />
Tice and John Zomnir.<br />
The evening's program "In Memoriam" remembered<br />
the late Manny Steinberg, Leo<br />
Isaacs and Eddie Wheeler.<br />
President Judd explained that the Colo.";-<br />
seum of Motion Picture Salesmen was "devoted<br />
to the purpose of improving conditions<br />
in the motion picture industry as a whole,<br />
pledging itself through accepted and recognized<br />
principles to motivate mutual confidence<br />
and cordial relations between all people<br />
in the industry and members of the<br />
Colosseum."<br />
Youngstown Exhibitors<br />
In Better Films Council<br />
YOUNGSTOWN—The Better Films Council<br />
of Greater Youngstown was organized recently<br />
by church, school, labor and civic<br />
leaders, theatre managers and the PTA council.<br />
The group will sponsor children's matinees<br />
and promote use of films approved for<br />
children. Mrs. Philip Ley and Mrs. William<br />
Miller, co-chairmen of the PTA motion picture<br />
committee, and Mrs. Fred Gerthing, PTA<br />
president, took the lead in the Better Films<br />
group. The group plans to include representatives<br />
of virtually all phases of community<br />
life in its membership.<br />
Boxing Show at Theatre<br />
ALTOONA, PA.—The kids who get little<br />
more than a pat on the back for their efforts<br />
put on a w'hale of an amateur boxing<br />
show one night last week in the Mishler<br />
Theatre. They slugged their way from corner<br />
to corner, gave the ropes a rugged test,<br />
and provided the 5(X) enthused fans with an<br />
evening of topflight entertainment as the<br />
amateur gladiators brought the sport back<br />
to the local entertainment palace for the<br />
first time in two decades. A ring-shaking<br />
knockout, a TKO, and six decisions were<br />
flashed before the audience which came to<br />
inspect promoter Dick Conlon's newest venture<br />
in the field of slug.<br />
STUDIO VISITOKS— Mr. and Mrs.<br />
Chris Lampros chatted with actor John<br />
Lund, rig:ht, during a visit to the Paramount<br />
studios in Hollywood while they<br />
were vacationing in southern California.<br />
Lampros operates the Capitol and Colonial<br />
theatres in Farrell, Pa.<br />
Variety Club at Cleveland<br />
Returns Kings for Night<br />
CLEVELAND—The Cleveland Variety Club<br />
under the direction of a younger group has<br />
taken a new lease on social life. Chief Barker<br />
Irwin Shenker and his rotating entertainment<br />
committee are keeping the entertainment<br />
ball rolling by inaugurating a series<br />
of events. Every alternate Monday is Stage<br />
night, with return to the old Kings for a<br />
Night program. Outstanding speakers will<br />
be provided. Irwin Pollard, Republic manager,<br />
and Leonard Greenberger, manager of<br />
the Fairmount Theatre, are the first "kings."<br />
In addition, alternate Friday nights are for<br />
the whole family with entertainers from current<br />
stage shows and dancing. The Monday<br />
luncheons were discontinued because of the<br />
time involved.<br />
Cincinnati Firm Leases<br />
Two Covington Houses<br />
COVINGTON, KY.—Operation of the Capitol<br />
and Shubert theatres was taken over<br />
February 1 by Cincinnati Theatres, Inc., under<br />
terms of a contract recently signed with<br />
the RKO Midwest Corp. Tlie Capitol has<br />
been leased for nine and the Shubert for five<br />
years, according to Robert J. Libson, president<br />
of the Cincinnati firm. New managers<br />
for the two hou.ses soon will be appointed, but<br />
no per.sonnel changes are expected to be<br />
made.<br />
Remodel Port Huron House<br />
PORT HURON, IvnCH.—Remodeling and<br />
redecoration of the Strand Theatre is under<br />
way here. Estimated cost of the improvements<br />
is $36,500. A new porcelain V-type<br />
marquee will be installed. The entranceway<br />
and lobby will be rebuilt and painted and<br />
new lighting fixtures will be installed. Structural<br />
glass will be used in rearranging the<br />
foyer and lobby. Work is expected to be completed<br />
in 60 days.<br />
Order your taxation trailers today!<br />
Hunts of Cincinnati<br />
Buy Two Theatres<br />
CINCINNATI — Hunt Theatres here has<br />
acquired the interests of the Jackson & Murphy<br />
in the Uptown at 217 North High St.,<br />
Columbus, and the McCook Theatre, 1267<br />
Keowee St., Dayton. New owners as.sumed<br />
operation of the houses February 12.<br />
Jackson & Murphy Theatres, a partnership<br />
coiTiposed of Virgil A. Jackson, John A. Murphy,<br />
Marguarite D. Jackson and Mary E.<br />
Murphy, has operated the Uptown for 15<br />
years and the McCook in Dayton for nine<br />
years. The new operating firm also is a partnership,<br />
composed of Herman H. Hunt and<br />
Pearl Hunt, who have holdings in a groui^<br />
of five subsequent run houses in Cincinnati<br />
and a first run house in Ripley, Ohio, and<br />
in Wichita, Kas.<br />
$8,427 ERECTS THIS<br />
NEW SCREEN TOWER<br />
apel<br />
attention<br />
irns with this<br />
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A FEW OUTSTANDING FEATURES<br />
Overall size: 50 ft.<br />
ft.<br />
M Screen size: 44 ft<br />
ft.<br />
33<br />
^ All 4 sides covered &<br />
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M Great wind resistance<br />
boxoifico<br />
THERTRE EqUIPRIEHT [o.<br />
ADAMS 8107<br />
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eVERY THING FOR THE THEATRE"<br />
DRIVE-IN THEATRES OUB<br />
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1638 Central Parkway, Cincinnati 10, Ohio<br />
BOXOFFICE February 18, 1950 ME 83<br />
CHerry<br />
772S
. . Bob<br />
. . For<br />
Charles C, Perry Dies;<br />
Variety Chief Barker<br />
DETROIT—Charles C. Perry, 60. chief<br />
barker of the Variety Club of Michigan, died<br />
from a heart attack at his home in Belle<br />
River, Ont., across the river from Detroit.<br />
Seventeen years ago he came here to open<br />
long-closed Adams Theatre as a first run<br />
tlie<br />
house for Harry and Elmer Balaban.<br />
Perry started witli the Orpheum in Minne-<br />
CHARLES C. PERRY<br />
days after Perry's death, but gave no indication<br />
of appointment of his successor. The<br />
Adams will remain temporarily, at least,<br />
under direction of Manager Norman Meyers<br />
and the Downtown under Aj-thur MacCoU.<br />
Publicity and advertising for both houses remains<br />
with Mrs. Doris Moss Pearl.<br />
184 Pennsylvania Units<br />
Use Tax-Anything Levy<br />
HARRISBtTRG—The bureau of municipal<br />
affairs of the Pennsylvania internal affairs<br />
department says the 1947 local tax-anything<br />
law is "workable and practicable" and predicts<br />
that it is here to stay. The announcement<br />
says that the law, amended by the<br />
1949 legislature, is "actually not unpopular"<br />
with taxpayers and seems satisfactory to<br />
muiiicipal units of government. Also, says<br />
the announcement, the law "probably has not<br />
led to extravagances, except in isolated instances."<br />
Latest checkup on amusement taxes, usually<br />
totaling 10 per cent, shows that 184 Pennsylvania<br />
political subdivisions are collecting<br />
the levy; 106 of the municipalities being<br />
cities and boroughs, the others being townships<br />
and school districts. Mechanical<br />
amusement devices taxes are imposed in 93<br />
municipalities, 22 of which are cities and<br />
boroughs. Other "tax-anything" imposts include<br />
income and wage taxes, used in 184<br />
local units: per capita tax, used by 288 units;<br />
mercantile tax, used by 39 units; deed transfer<br />
tax. used by 29 local taxing bodies, and<br />
severance taxes, used by 181 units.<br />
apolis as treasurer, a post he held for several<br />
years. He was also an actor in a repertory<br />
Order your taxation trailers today!<br />
company at one time. Subsequently, he went<br />
with Fox West Coast circuit as district manager<br />
and later was with the theatre division<br />
of Paramount in charge of houses in Toledo,<br />
Ohio, Rochester, N. Y., and elsewhere. Tohn Huffman, manager of the Regent, has<br />
He developed the Adams into a recognized won the grand award in the year-long<br />
major house after it had lost public support Manager of the Month contest sponsored by<br />
through being dark. He had a reputation for Regent-State. Huffman nosed out the managers<br />
of the other four theatres in the cir-<br />
showmanship—marked in his record of 15<br />
weeks in 1947 for "The Jolson Story," which cuit. He will receive, along with cash prizes,<br />
ran two weeks day-and-date at the Downtown<br />
Theatre with his Adams booking, and ners in the contest were announced monthly<br />
an extra two-week vacation with pay. Win-<br />
set one of the three alltime top records for throughout the year. Points were given for<br />
Detroit in length of run.<br />
the best increase in gross business over the<br />
About four years ago, when the Balabans same period the previous year, the best exploitation<br />
and the best theatre in regards<br />
took over the Downtown, Perry became managing<br />
director of this first run house as well. to cleanliness and personnel. Woodrow<br />
For part of this period, the Downtown offered<br />
the only consistent vaudeville policy in ond, while Oliver Nicklas, manager of the<br />
Owens, manager of the Majestic, came in sec-<br />
Detroit.<br />
State, was third.<br />
During the first World War, Perry was in<br />
charge Arthur "Art" Longbralie,<br />
of theatres in various army camps<br />
famed showman<br />
in<br />
this country.<br />
formerly with the<br />
About<br />
Gus Sun Shows,<br />
ten years ago he<br />
back in<br />
served<br />
the days of vaudeville,<br />
as chief barker<br />
has resigned as<br />
of Variety Club, and<br />
manager<br />
of<br />
in this<br />
capacity<br />
the<br />
was<br />
Prances Theatre in Mechanicsburg,<br />
a Chakeres<br />
host to the national convention<br />
house. Taking<br />
in<br />
over is Billy<br />
Detroit in 1939. In returning to the<br />
Clifford, former manager of the<br />
office last month,<br />
Chakeres<br />
he became the first man<br />
Ti-ail in Morehead. Ky. Longbrake<br />
in the<br />
was forced<br />
history of Variety here to be recalled<br />
to quit because of ill health . Baker,<br />
to this post after completing a full term of<br />
assistant manager of Chakeres Murphy at<br />
office, a proof of the respect accorded him<br />
Wilmington, is serving temporarily as manager<br />
of the Markay at Jackson, Ohio, during<br />
by his fellow-showmen.<br />
He is survived by his wife Ethel and his<br />
the absence of Harry Wilson<br />
mother, now<br />
who is ill. Wil-<br />
97, who is well known on Filmrow<br />
from her many visits here. The elder<br />
.son recently underwent major surgery in a<br />
Columbus hospital.<br />
Mrs. Perry flew here for the funeral, although<br />
recovering from severe injuries received<br />
in an auto crash only two weeks earlier. on the stage of the Fairbanks during a special<br />
Boy Scout council ceremonies were held<br />
Burial was in Joplin. Mo.<br />
program for children in connection w-ith<br />
Harry and Elmer Balaban, owners of the National Boy Scout week. Besides the scout<br />
Adams and Downtown, were here for a few ceremonies, Manager George Bauer showed<br />
Bingo Tax Net at Akron<br />
Passes Theatre Take<br />
AKRON—Bingo is making large inroads into<br />
theatre attendance in this area, with the<br />
city's 3 per cent tax on the gross of bingo<br />
operators in 1949 amounting to $72,702. This<br />
raised the total city amusement tax collection<br />
to an alltime high of $169,176. Since the<br />
bingo tax went into effect in September 1948,<br />
the city has collected $100,312.<br />
The figures mean that bingo players have<br />
poured nearly $3,400,<strong>000</strong> into the tills of bingo<br />
operators, and the game qualifies easily as<br />
the city's outstanding paid recreation.<br />
The 1949 tax paid by the theatres was<br />
$72,541, a decrease of $8,434 from 1948. The<br />
sports tax also decreased, totaling $10,416, a<br />
drop of $2,130 from the preceding year.<br />
Several applications are on file with the<br />
city from persons and groups wanting to<br />
open bingo parlors, but Mayor Charles SIusser<br />
ordered no more permits issued, because<br />
the city is already saturated with bingo<br />
parlors.<br />
SPRINGFIELD<br />
Former Exhibitor Feted<br />
WTLLOUGHBY. OHIO—Cecil B. Todd, a<br />
former mayor and former owner of the<br />
Hiawatha Theatre in that city, was honored<br />
by his friends and neighbors at a dinner<br />
recently. He ended his 16-year tenure as<br />
mayor by declining to run for the office at<br />
the last election.<br />
Kevin O'Morrison will play the featured<br />
lead in "The All-Star Game."<br />
the double bill "Wolf Hunters" and "The Hidden<br />
Room" . the showing of "Silver<br />
River" Manager Harry Elliott at the Ohio<br />
held a coloring contest. Patrons colored an<br />
ad running in the local newspaper and the<br />
ten best entries received tickets to the show.<br />
The entries were displayed on a large board<br />
in the theatre lobby.<br />
3Iichael H. Chakeres, manager of the Regent-State,<br />
has returned from a week's visit<br />
in New York City where he conferred with<br />
Warner officials , , , Al Glaubinger of Cincinnati,<br />
manager for Eagle Lion films, was<br />
in to see Chakeres officials.<br />
Helping to promote the Roy Rogers Great<br />
Western Roundup, to be held at the Regent.<br />
State and Majestic on George Washington's<br />
birthday, a school holiday, the two children<br />
in each theatre judged wearing the best cowboy<br />
outfit will receive as a gift a complete<br />
Roy Rogers cowboy suit. Later, the two winners<br />
from each theatre will compete for the<br />
grand prize, a bicycle plus a trophy cup bearing<br />
the winner's name. Each child attending<br />
the show at the three theatres will receive<br />
a lucky Roy Rogers pocketpiece, a photo<br />
of the film cowboy and membership in the<br />
Roy Rogers club.<br />
Ted Rose, sound service technician for<br />
Chakeres, spent a few days visiting theatres<br />
in Frankfort, Winchester and Morehead. Ky,<br />
. . . For the showing of "Slattery's Hurricane,"<br />
Harry Elliott, manager of the Ohio, decorated<br />
his lobby with regular hurricane pennants<br />
used by the coast guard.<br />
84 BOXOFFICE ;: February 18, 1950
. . The<br />
Chakeres Obtains<br />
Warner Interest<br />
SPRINGFIELD. OHIO—Warner Bros. Theatre.s<br />
has sold its interests here to the Springfield<br />
Theatre Co. The transaction was de-<br />
.scribed as the largest of its kind ever carried<br />
out in this city.<br />
By terms of the transaction, the Springfield<br />
Theatre Co., a locally owned corporation,<br />
acquired long-term leasehold intere.st<br />
m five theatres and obtained sole ownership<br />
of a piece of local real estate and some<br />
acreage in the county.<br />
PHIL CHAKERES PRESIDENT<br />
Theatres involved are the Regent, State,<br />
Ma,iestic, Fairbanks and Ohio. The Regent<br />
and Ohio Theatre sites are leased from Gus<br />
Sun of Springfield, a leader in the theatrical<br />
business and operator of the Gus Sun Booking<br />
Co.<br />
The real estate involved includes a parking<br />
lot near the Fairbanks Theatre and a tract<br />
of land west of Springfield where it was<br />
originally planned to build a super drive-in.<br />
Phil Chakeres. president of the Springfield<br />
Theatre Co. since its initial organization 22<br />
years ago, will continue in that capacity, and<br />
Michael H. Chakeres. a corporation director,<br />
has been named vice-president and general<br />
manager.<br />
The sale has been under active negotiation<br />
for many months. Phil Chakeres said in<br />
speaking of the transaction:<br />
"Naturally, we all regret the end of an<br />
agreement that has always been a pleasurable<br />
relationship. The leaders of Warners are a<br />
fine group with whom to do business.<br />
"We have enjoyed a true partnership in<br />
the finest sense of the term. We here in<br />
Springfield feel as though we are losing part<br />
of our family and we are certain that Warners<br />
in cooperation with us has always endeavored<br />
to bring to Springfield theatre patrons<br />
the very finest available in motion picture<br />
entertainment. At the same time, we feel<br />
that this is a step ahead and our policy shall<br />
continue to bring the outstanding Hollywood<br />
productions to this community."<br />
STARTED WITH RESTAURANT<br />
The history of the business career of the<br />
Chakeres brothers in Springfield began when<br />
the three brothers. Louis. Harry and Phil,<br />
settled here early in the century and opened<br />
a restaurant. The brothers later acquired the<br />
Princess Theatre, enlarged it and opened it<br />
as one of the first modern theatres in Springfield.<br />
Louis Chakeres died in 1928 but the<br />
two remaining brothers have maintained their<br />
association to become eminently succe.ssful<br />
leaders in the motion picture industry.<br />
New Sites Proposed<br />
PITTSBURGH — Seven new possible<br />
sites<br />
for the proposed million-dollar Civic .Light<br />
Opera amphitheatre were presented to the<br />
city planning commission. The commission<br />
also has 20 other proposed sites. Among the<br />
active and alternate choices are the eastern<br />
end of Panther Hollow in Schenley Park,<br />
along the Allegheny river between Anderson<br />
and Goodrich streets. Fern Hollow in Frick<br />
Park, tip of the Triangle in Point Park.<br />
Schenley Oval, the north end of Fern Hollow,<br />
and Monument Hill on the north side.<br />
Get your audience signing petitions now!<br />
LOUISVILLE<br />
f^larcnce Taylor, lobbyist for the Kentucky<br />
Ass'n of Theatre Owners during the current<br />
general assembly, has been on hand constantly<br />
with a watchful eye for theatre legislation<br />
being introduced ... In preparation<br />
for its opening for the current season, the<br />
Skyway Drive-In at Buechel, owned by the<br />
American Drive-In Theatres, headed by Lou<br />
Arru, has been remodeled. A new concession<br />
stand has been built, which includes a 40-foot<br />
sheltered serving counter. The new projection<br />
room is located just in back of the concession<br />
stand and is one and one-half stories high,<br />
with the projected picture .shooting over the<br />
top of the concession roof. In addition,<br />
numerous other improvements have been<br />
made. The Skyway is managed by Tony Kern.<br />
Exhibitors seen on the Row recently included<br />
Edwin St. Claii-, St. Clair, Lebanon<br />
Junction; A. H. Robertson, Majestic, Springfield;<br />
A. R. Milby, Adair, Adairville; J. E<br />
Elliott jr.. Cardinal. Hodgenville; Jim Howe,<br />
Richland. Carrollton; Mr. and Mrs. Harry<br />
Walsh. Pic, Scottsburg, Ind.; Mr. and Mr>.<br />
Fred May. Royal, Carrollton; H. M. Ferris,<br />
Bonn. Bonnieville; Oscar Hopper. Arista, Lebanon:<br />
Gene Lutes, Chakeres district manager.<br />
Frankfort; J. C. Smith, Bloom, Bloomfield;<br />
E. L. Ornstein, Rialto, Marengo, Ind.;<br />
Louis Baker, Star, West Point, and Tex Richards,<br />
State, Crothersville, Ind.<br />
According: to Ira Allen, manager of the<br />
Vogue, St. Matthews, he has tied in with a<br />
local radio station for presentation from his<br />
stage of a broadcast featuring a combination<br />
radio show and amateur contest. The program<br />
is presented over a local radio station<br />
which affords excellent publicity for the theatre.<br />
The program is aired on Satiu-day prior<br />
to the opening of the matinee. According to<br />
C'.ANDID.VTE—Wendell 11. Holt, Richwood.<br />
W. Va., exhibitor for many years,<br />
a candidate for the Democratic nomination<br />
is<br />
to the state senate from the 12th<br />
district. The scat is now held by Henry<br />
J. INIcKinley of Elkins, who is a candidate<br />
for renomination. Holt formerly served<br />
in the legislature and he is active in the<br />
West Virginia Theatre Managers .Ass'n,<br />
an .Allied unit of which he served as an<br />
organizer and as a former president.<br />
Allen, the program is a huge success and the<br />
attendance has exceeded all expectations. The<br />
program has been scheduled for an indefinite<br />
run.<br />
A. Edward Campbell, buyer and booker for<br />
drive-in theatres here, has returned from<br />
Miami, Fla., where he handled bookings for<br />
the Tropic Aire Drive-In. Ed is combining<br />
business with pleasure in working in Florida<br />
during the closed drive-in season here, then<br />
returning in time to handle the affairs of the<br />
local ozoners during their regular .season. Ed<br />
is making elaborate preparations for the theatres<br />
he is handling in this area for the coming<br />
season. Next winter he expects to return<br />
to Florida and possibly the Tropic Aire.<br />
Barney Carr of Cascade Film Pi'oductions,<br />
Culver City, Calif., was in briefly Edwin<br />
. . .<br />
St. Clair, who managed the Gypsy Drive-In,<br />
Bardstown. the last season, has returned to<br />
Lebanon Junction to handle the operation nf<br />
his St. Clair Theatre there Bard<br />
.<br />
Theatre here, owned by Premier Theatres.<br />
Evansville, and managed by Richard PiccoUa.<br />
has a first run picture in the offering. The<br />
Bard, normally a suburban, subsequent run<br />
house, has booked "The Fallen Idol" at higher<br />
admissions for a week's run with daily matinees.<br />
The regularity of the first run .showings<br />
will probably depend on the gross of the<br />
initial offering.<br />
The first run Scoop has a new policy of<br />
selling ticket books to its patrons. The books,<br />
available for either matinee or night, conlain<br />
eight ducats. They are an excellent gift<br />
item and help to eliminate bottlenecks at<br />
busy times . . . Creating a little competition<br />
for the motion picture theatres, the Shrine<br />
circus was in town for a seven-day run at<br />
the Jefferson county armory.<br />
A French sound film, "Le Million," produced<br />
by Rene Clair, was scheduled for noon<br />
and evening showings in the Playhouse at the<br />
University of Loui.sville . . . Bills introduced<br />
in the general assembly at Frankfort included<br />
one proposed by Representative Hayes to require<br />
licensing of open-air theatres and levy<br />
a tax of 40 cents a year on each parking<br />
space.<br />
Senators Leon J. Shaikun and Edward C.<br />
Gallagher, Loui.sville Democrats, say they<br />
will again seek legislation permitting Louisville<br />
to enact daylight .savings time. Efforts<br />
to get such legislation in 1948 failed, but the<br />
senators are hopeful a way can be fomid to<br />
get authorization for fast time during the<br />
jjresent session.<br />
Single and double bills were evenly divided<br />
at the first run theatres. "Pinky" was held<br />
over for a third Louisville week at the Brown,<br />
while "Battleground" was offered at Locw's.<br />
and the Mary Ander-son brought in "Guilty<br />
of Treason." The Scoop returned "Shanghai<br />
Express" and "Desire." while new programs<br />
opened at the Rialto in "Thelma Jordon" and<br />
"Belle of Old Mexico." The Strand had<br />
"Whirlpool"' and "Unmasked."<br />
To Direct Mitchum and Russell<br />
John Farrow will direct Robert Mitchum<br />
and Jane RusseU In the RKO picture. "Smiler<br />
With a Gun."<br />
What have YOU done today to help secure<br />
repeal of the unfair amusement tax'?<br />
BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950<br />
85
.<br />
Central Ohio Theatremen Pledge COLUMBUS<br />
Cooperation in Tax Relief Drive<br />
COLUMBUS—Columbus and central Ohio<br />
theatremen and labor representatives pledged<br />
cooperation in the antifederal tax campaign<br />
at the first meeting of the 12th congressional<br />
dLstrict theatre committee held at the Variety<br />
Club. Harry Schreiber, committee chairman,<br />
presided.<br />
A telegram from Congressman John M.<br />
Vorys of the 12th congressional district was<br />
received by P. J. Wood, secretary of the Independent<br />
Theatre Owners of Ohio, after the<br />
meeting. Said Vorys:<br />
"I believe we should cut government spending<br />
so that we can afford to repeal the admissions<br />
tax and most of the other excise<br />
taxes that were put through as wartime<br />
measures."<br />
TELEGRAMS FAVOR REPEAL<br />
Wood also has received telegrams, most of<br />
them favorable to tax reduction, from 15<br />
other Ohio congressmen, including Stephen<br />
M. Young, Edward Breen, Clarance J. Brown.<br />
Walter E. Brehm, John McSweeney, Wayne<br />
L. Hays. Robert Grosser. Charles H. Elston<br />
Earl T. Wagner, William M. McCulloch. Cliff<br />
Clevenger, Thomas A. Jenkins, Robert T. Secrest.<br />
J. Harry McGregor and Frances P.<br />
Bolton.<br />
Wood urged Ohio exhibitors to send letters<br />
of congratulation to Stephen M. Young,<br />
congi-essman-at-large and member of the<br />
house ways and means committee, now holding<br />
hearings on excise taxes, thanking him<br />
for his stand in favor of complete removal of<br />
the 20 per cent tax. Young characterized the<br />
tax as "restrictive, regressive, obnoxious and<br />
atrocious" and was, in his opinion, responsible<br />
for "huge losses in a heretofore profitable<br />
business and represents an indefensible tax<br />
on the poor man's entertainment and the<br />
pleasure of his children."<br />
Schreiber, on behalf of the theatremen attending<br />
the meeting, sent a congratulatory<br />
telegram to Young.<br />
LABOR PLEDGES SUPPORT<br />
Robert W. Greer, newly elected president<br />
of the Columbus Federation of Labor and<br />
business agent of the projectionist Local 386,<br />
pledged labor support in the drive. Members<br />
of the antitax committee of the film operators'<br />
union also attended the meeting. Chester<br />
Warner is chairman, with Roy Hoelcher<br />
and Ed Smart as members.<br />
Others attending the meeting were Arthur<br />
Miller, Miles circuit; John Hardgrove, Academy<br />
Theatres; Martin C. Burnett, Loew's<br />
central division manager; Harry Simons,<br />
RKO Grand; Fred Bruner and W. W. Rowlands,<br />
Rowlands circuit; John DiBenedetto,<br />
Loew's Broad; Fred Oestreicher, Loew's Ohio<br />
and Broad; Bernard Ginley, Southern;<br />
Charles G. Taylor and D. R. Taylor, Dixie,<br />
and Mr. and Mrs. Ray O. Miller, Fifth Avenue<br />
Cincinnati Industry United<br />
In Repeal Campaign<br />
CINCINNATI—The industry campaign for<br />
repeal of the 20 per cent federal admission<br />
tax is in full swing here under the chairmanship<br />
of Jim Ambrose, manager of the Warner<br />
exchange; F. W. Hu.ss jr.. Associated Theatres,<br />
exhibitor chairman, and Nate Wise, local<br />
publicity director for RKO Theatres, publicity<br />
chairman. All branches of the industry are<br />
working together. Folders have been mailed<br />
to each and every theatre in the territory;<br />
exhibitors are ordering trailers and petitions<br />
and using them, and the projectionist union<br />
and other labor organizations have pledged<br />
cooperation. The downtown theatres are<br />
using special ads in the newspapers, appealing<br />
to the public to help repeal the tax and the<br />
suburban theatres are all using the line,<br />
"Help Kill the Unfair 20 Per Cent Tax," in<br />
their ads.<br />
The local newspapers have cooperated with<br />
Wise in a very splendid manner, giving front<br />
page stories and editorial page notice, including<br />
pictures. Several organizations not affiliated<br />
with the industry have pledged their<br />
support. Ambrose has secured 100 per cent<br />
enrollment in all exchanges but two, and<br />
expected to have them by the end of this<br />
week.<br />
Local theatre owners also pledged cooperation<br />
to the National Conference of Christians<br />
and Jews Brotherhood week. Exchange managers<br />
and exhibitors at a recent meeting<br />
guaranteed wide distribution of the short on<br />
Brotherhood week and use of lobby displays<br />
and other publicity materials. Wise represents<br />
the Cincinnati Advertisers club on the<br />
Brotherhood publicity committee.<br />
Detroit Filmites Meet<br />
With Robert Lippert<br />
DETROIT—William Flemion, manager for<br />
Lippert, was host to a gathering of leading<br />
filmites at the Variety Club, with Robert L.<br />
Lippert, president of the organization, and<br />
Arthur Greenblatt, general sales manager, as<br />
special guests.<br />
Luncheon was served in the clubrooms,<br />
with those present having an opportunity to<br />
meet with home office visitors. Following<br />
luncheon, "The Baron of Arizona," new Lippert<br />
release, was screened in the 20th-Fox<br />
projection room.<br />
Sol Krolh Detroit<br />
/"hester Warner has been named chairman<br />
of the antifederal tax committee of Local<br />
386, Motion Picture Operators, according to<br />
an announcement by Robert W. Greer, business<br />
agent. Greer also appointed Roy Hoelcher<br />
and Ed Smart as members of the committee,<br />
which is working with the general<br />
theatre antitax committee in the 12th congressional<br />
district. Harry Schreiber, RKO<br />
city manager, is chairman of the theatre<br />
committee.<br />
Psychology department of Ohio State university<br />
is conducting a series of tests of patron<br />
reactions to different types of films with<br />
the cooperation of Roger Garrett, manager<br />
of the University, Academy house opposite<br />
the Ohio State campus. "On the Town" was<br />
the first<br />
test film.<br />
Charles P. Alcorn, assistant manager of the<br />
Gallon and State, Gallon, went to Bayonne.<br />
N. J., for a temporary assignment as consultant<br />
with the navy on amphibious landing<br />
equipment. Alcorn was with the marine corps<br />
during the war as officer in charge of food<br />
service . . . Columbus has gained more population<br />
since 1940 than any other Ohio city,<br />
according to a survey by Rand McNally &<br />
Co. Population now is 354,500, a gain of about<br />
50,<strong>000</strong> since 1940.<br />
. . . Mr. and Mrs.<br />
WLWC, Crosley video outlet here, is celebrating<br />
its first anniversary . . . Local Queen<br />
of Hearts, selected in citywide balloting, was<br />
presented on the stage of Loew's Ohio<br />
through cooperation of Manager Carl Rogers.<br />
Stunt plugged local heart fund drive in a<br />
tieup with "Mrs. Mike"<br />
Walter Miles, Miles circuit, attended the<br />
Ray Haughn, former RKO Palace assistant,<br />
national Allied meeting in Washington . . .<br />
has a leading role in the Players club production<br />
of "Miranda."<br />
Former Exhibitor in Kent<br />
KENT, OHIO — Harry F. Lallement. 63,<br />
died recently in Ravenna. At one time he<br />
operated a theatre here.<br />
MGM Shipper,<br />
Is Authority on Minor Actors<br />
DETROIT—Back in the shipping room of<br />
the MGM exchange in the Film building is a<br />
man who has become perhaps the city's foremost<br />
authority upon character and bit actors.<br />
Sol Kroll. who is head shipper for the company,<br />
has made this specialized phase of<br />
the film business his hobby for many years,<br />
and can recognize and recall the work of<br />
players who are merely faces without names<br />
to 99 out of 100 theatregoers and even industry<br />
workers. He comments pointedly upon<br />
the important contribution to the total industry<br />
product made by these men and women,<br />
who have, in many instances, worked In<br />
the business for a quarter century but have<br />
not reached feature status.<br />
When Kroll was in the service during the<br />
war. he spent part of the time on the west<br />
coast. One day on the street he stopped<br />
and called by name the veteran actor Chester<br />
Clute, who was surprised that any stranger<br />
knew his name despite his long list of screen<br />
appearances in minor roles.<br />
Calls from people in the film business here<br />
come to Kroll for information or a checkup<br />
on some actor in this class, and he can usually<br />
provide the answer. In this way, he has developed<br />
a quiet reputation in the field as an<br />
authority on his subject.<br />
PCroll has contributed occasionally to various<br />
newspaper columns on motion picture<br />
topics, and has an ambition to get into film<br />
publicity work.<br />
Besides his work, Kroll is an avid fan of<br />
the screen and stage. He ushers Saturday<br />
afternoons at the Cass Theatre, legitimate<br />
house, in order to have the privilege of seeing<br />
the shows on the stage. He has kept a<br />
record of every motion picture he has seen<br />
for years back. During the three years he<br />
was in service, he saw 1.055 feature films,<br />
and noted the work of all minor actors.<br />
86 BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950
10,<strong>000</strong> Patrons Sign<br />
Tax Protest Cards<br />
PROVIDENCE—Over 10.<strong>000</strong><br />
persons signed<br />
letters urging repeal of the 20 per cent federal<br />
tax on theatre tickets in local houses<br />
during the first two days of the campaign.<br />
All downtown theatres have set up booths<br />
and tables in the inner lobbies, and attractive<br />
girls are assisting patrons in filling in the<br />
blank-form letters of protest.<br />
Before the conclusion of each performance,<br />
a special trailer is flashed on the screen, explaining<br />
the situation. Long lines of patrons<br />
patiently awaited their turn to file protests.<br />
Loew's State and the RKO Albee garnered<br />
more than 5.<strong>000</strong> signed protests, between<br />
them, over the weekend. Another 5,<strong>000</strong> were<br />
collected through the Strand. Majestic and<br />
Fay's.<br />
In most theatres, letters of protest can be<br />
placed in slots marked with the name of the<br />
Congressman to whom they should be addressed,<br />
then the tlieatre bundles up the<br />
letters and ships them to Wasliington.<br />
Maurice Druker. manager of Loew's State.<br />
said the audience in his theatre responded<br />
quickly to the trailer when it was flashed on<br />
the screen and "murmiu's ran tlirough the<br />
house." Shortly afterward, the booth in the<br />
lobby was besieged witli enthusiastic patrons.<br />
David Levin, RKO-Albee manager, reported<br />
an equal showing of enthusiasm.<br />
It is expected that more than 50,<strong>000</strong> protests<br />
will be gathered in the next few days.<br />
Ads Carry Tax Repeal Lines<br />
HARTFORD—The Hartford campaign for<br />
federal admission tax reduction or repeal<br />
found circuit and independent theatres participating<br />
in aggressive activities, including;<br />
lobby displays, special publicity and film<br />
trailers.<br />
Outstandingly active In the campaign is the<br />
Loew's Poli circuit, where advertising in the<br />
daily papers carries the line "Help repeal tlie<br />
unfair 20 per cent tax on movie tickets—Ask<br />
now at Loew's Poli." Ads are supervised by<br />
Lou Brown, circuit ad and publicity director,<br />
and Harry F. Shaw, division manager.<br />
The Loew's Poli also carried an effective<br />
lobby display headed: "Let's ax that tax on<br />
behalf of our patrons."<br />
Board in South Windsor<br />
Rejects Drive-In Bids<br />
SOUTH 'WINDSOR. CONN.—Two applications<br />
for a change from residential to business<br />
zoning on Route 5 near here to permit<br />
erection of drive-in theatres were rejected by<br />
the planning and zoning commi.ssion. Philip<br />
C. Cahill. Portland. Conn., and Richard C.<br />
Edwall. Agawam, Mass., proposed to build<br />
drive-in theatres. Chairman A. C. Holland<br />
said the commission felt the theatres would<br />
not be in the best interests of the town and<br />
probably would have a tendency to decrease<br />
property values and revenue to the town.<br />
New TV Research Firm<br />
HARTFORD—Tl:ie Audicon Television Research<br />
Corp. has been established here. S.<br />
Andre Petrelle is president of the new^ firm.<br />
Charles Arthur Bu-chfield is vice-president.<br />
Alice Petrelle is secretary, and Carl Ardito<br />
is treasurer. Offices are at 7 Whitney Ave.<br />
Leslie Bendslev Heads<br />
Independent Exhibitors<br />
BOWLING<br />
BOSTON—At the end of the third week of<br />
tlie Theatrical Bowling league the standings<br />
of the four teams are as follows:<br />
Team Won Lost Team Won Lost<br />
RKO 9 3 Affiliated 5 '/<br />
Independents 7 5 UA-N E 3 9<br />
The high single scores of the evening were<br />
captured by Goldman w'ith 115 and Plunkett<br />
with 115, Farrington with 106 and Dobbyn<br />
with 104.<br />
Individual averages: Plunket (UA-NE). 94;<br />
Rand (Aff), 92; Dobbyn (RKO), 92: Levin<br />
(RKO), 92; Jennings (Ind), 91; Rathgeb<br />
(Indi, 89; Smith (RKO\ 89; Farrington<br />
I Aff), 88; Hill (Ind), 88; Hochberg (Aff), 88;<br />
Burlone (UA-NE), 86; Saver (Ind), 85; Arsenault<br />
(UA-NE), 85; Romanoff (UA-NE), 85;<br />
O'Hara (RKO), 85; Goldman (Aff), 84;<br />
Sacknoff (Ind), 84; Fraser (Ind), 83; Field<br />
(Aff), 83; Colarullo (Aff), 83; Fahlbusch<br />
(UA-NE), 81; Downing (RKO), 75.<br />
Jack Edwards Quits Post<br />
At Holyoke, Mass., House<br />
HARTFORD—George E. Landers, division<br />
manager for E. M. Loew's Theatres, reports<br />
the resignation of Jack Edwards as manager<br />
of the State at Holyoke, Ma.ss. Jack Cummings.<br />
relief manager, has been assigned temporarily<br />
as manager at Holyoke. Donald King<br />
will fill in as manager of the Taconic in Williamstown.<br />
Mass.. of which Cummings formerly<br />
was manager.<br />
Karen Hale to Make Debut<br />
Karen Hale, daughter of the late screen<br />
actor Alan Hale, will make her film debut<br />
in "Rhubarb," an Arthur Rubin production.<br />
BOSTON—W. Leslie Bendslev was elected<br />
president of Independent Exhibitors, Inc. of<br />
New England at an annual<br />
meeting Tuesday<br />
(14) at the Town<br />
House here. Others<br />
elected: James Guarino.<br />
first vice-president;<br />
Norman Glassman,<br />
second vice-president;<br />
Al Lourie, secretary,<br />
and Melvin<br />
Safner, treasurer. New<br />
directors include Daniel<br />
Murphy, the retiring<br />
president; Nathan<br />
W. Leslie Bendslev<br />
Yamins. Walter Mitchell,<br />
Leonard Goldberg, Francis Perry, David<br />
Hodgdon, Fred Markey. Morris Pouzner, Sam<br />
Resnick, Ted Rosenblatt, Julian Rifkin, Meyer<br />
Stanzler, Charles Tobey, Andrew Tegu and<br />
Mrs. Katherine Avery.<br />
Long interested in the Allied organization.<br />
Bendslev has been vice-president of the New<br />
England group the last two years. Previously<br />
he served as treasurer three years and<br />
as a board member ten years. Tlie late Adolph<br />
Bendslev. his father, was one of the founders<br />
of Independent Exhibitors, Inc. He<br />
operated the Community Playhouse at<br />
Wellesley Hills, now operated by his son.<br />
who took over the house in 1939. W. Leslie<br />
Bendslev is a graduate of the Babson institute.<br />
He is a past president of the Wellesley<br />
Kiwanis club and a former treasurer of<br />
the Community council.<br />
Gordon MacRae at Hartford<br />
HARTFORD—Gordon MacRae. Warner<br />
actor, recently appeared on the State Theatre<br />
stage in belialf of "Backfire."<br />
There is no time to lose'. Act today on<br />
repeal of the amusement tax!<br />
Booth Veterans Rate Wind as Best<br />
PROVIDENCE—"How Good Is a Movie?—<br />
Ask the Man in the Projection Booth" was the<br />
title of a half -page feature recently run in the<br />
Evening Bulletin.<br />
"Oscars and lemons come and go, but<br />
'Gone With the Wind' was the best of them<br />
all," according to a couple of hard-to-please<br />
critics who, together, have spent 58 years<br />
flashing motion pictures from projection<br />
booths in Pi-ovidence theatres. The article,<br />
illustrated with eight pictures, .summed up<br />
the experiences of Arthur P. Slater and Sydney<br />
Clarke, projectionists at Loew's State.<br />
Maurice Druker. manager, assisted the<br />
Providence newspaper considerably in planning<br />
this spread which contained many interesting<br />
and highly amusing sidelights.<br />
Sydney Clarke, a 30-year veteran, pointed<br />
out that he had viewed "Gone With the Wind"<br />
for 40 days and could still see it many, many<br />
more times.<br />
Ifwas emphasized that when a great many<br />
of the juvenile theatre patrons are munching<br />
on popcorn during a western it is necessary<br />
to increase the volume control several<br />
times more than for a "drawing-room picture"<br />
audience, which usually draws more<br />
sedate patronage who are not such big popcorn<br />
devotees.<br />
During "Mutiny on the Bounty." a lot of<br />
w'omen complained to the ushers about cursing<br />
in the audience. When the management<br />
checked up, it was found that many men were<br />
swearing audibly, probably without their own<br />
knowledge, during the whipping .scene. "That<br />
was real acting." said Slater, who "has been<br />
in the booth" for 28 years.<br />
During the first showing of "Hell's Angels,"<br />
featuring the late platinum-haired Jean Harlow,<br />
the noi.se of screaming airplane engines<br />
burned out four loudspeakers before the sound<br />
panel board was adjusted. "We had to scurry<br />
around town and borrow a couple of extras,<br />
before the next show," related Clarke.<br />
BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950 NE 87
. . . George<br />
. . Roger<br />
. . Sam<br />
. . Leonard<br />
. . Fred<br />
. . The<br />
HARTFORD<br />
pjoug Amos, district manager for Lockwood-<br />
Gordon-Rosen Tlieatres. plans to install<br />
children's playground equipment at the Danbury<br />
Drive-In this spring . Gagnon,<br />
manager, Plainfield, Plainfield, was a visitor<br />
E. Sawyer, assistant at the Victory,<br />
New London, for 22 months, has been<br />
appointed manager . . . Charlie Lowe, district<br />
sound engineer for Warner Theatres, is planning<br />
a southern trip, starting about March 1.<br />
Ernie Grecula<br />
Charlie has a new car . . .<br />
of the Hartford Theatre circuit reports a<br />
new silverware deal at the Rialto here.<br />
Sal Adorno jr., manager of the Palace, Middletown,<br />
has changed feature films now to<br />
first at matinees. "Only one theatre can be<br />
first—the Palace—Others follow!" was the<br />
way Adorno announced the time change in<br />
newspaper advertising.<br />
Ruth Brooks Flippen, daughter of Johanna<br />
Brooks of Hartford and wife of comedian<br />
J. C. Flippen, has sold another script entitled<br />
"Darling, I'm Stuck" to MGM . . . The<br />
.senior class of John Fitch High school.<br />
Windsor, sponsored "Great Expectations" at<br />
the Plaza, Windsor, one day last week,<br />
Bernie Maxwell, Eagle Lion exploiteer who<br />
was in this area on "Guilty of Treason," will<br />
be married in May to Olga Lipson of Monroe,<br />
WALTER READE, JR.— Walter<br />
Reade Theatres, New York, N. Y.<br />
—says:<br />
"An investment in RCA Service<br />
is the best insurance we<br />
know of for top quality sound."<br />
To get the benefits of RCA Service<br />
write: RCA SERVICE COMPANY,<br />
INC., Radio Corporation of America,<br />
Camden, N. J.<br />
—<br />
La. . . . The Capitol, Waterbury, has a new<br />
chinaware deal ... As a Saturday matinee<br />
stunt, the Win, Waterbury, gave away free<br />
Roy Rogers cameras.<br />
Edward Arnold was here the first time, he<br />
said, since 1928. He was guest at a luncheon<br />
at Hotel Bond of a number of Hartford<br />
businessmen and friends . . . Michael Masselli,<br />
projectionist, Webb, Wethersfield, is<br />
engaged to Lee Totedo, vocalist.<br />
Another Hollywood personality in town was<br />
Cesar Romero, who told reporters that his<br />
next motion picture is "Once a Thief," with<br />
June Havoc . Rosen, partner in Lockwood-Gordon-Rosen<br />
Theatres, was due back<br />
from a southern trip about February 15 . . .<br />
Doug Amos, district manager for LGR, has<br />
promoted George Keegan, usher, to the newly<br />
created position of chief of service, Webb,<br />
Wethersfield. Robert Hammead joined the<br />
ushers' crew at that suburban theatre.<br />
An 84-year-old Columbia. Conn., man,<br />
Horace W. Porter, saw his first motion picture<br />
last week. He told newsmen that he<br />
had no definite reason for his long holdout.<br />
He just never got around to seeing a motion<br />
picture. "I was too busy in my store,"<br />
he explained . Young, former assistant<br />
manager at E. M. Loew's and now a<br />
New York night club singer, visited Norman<br />
LeVinson, Bob Gentner and Lee Feigin of<br />
Loew's Poll.<br />
Harry F. Shaw, Loew's Poll division manager,<br />
and Ruth Bolton, relief manager for<br />
the circuit's New Haven theatres, were here.<br />
Shaw reported that Sheldon Rose, son of<br />
Harry Rose, Loew's Poll Majestic, Bridgeport,<br />
manager, recently graduated from Syracuse<br />
university.<br />
Also downstate: Louis Jacobson, manager.<br />
Park City, Bridgeport, is father of a baby<br />
boy named David Allen. Paternal grandfather<br />
is Morris D. Jacobson, general manager,<br />
Strand Amusement circuit . . Phil<br />
.<br />
Humphrey, field RCA theatre service manager,<br />
is father of a baby boy . Waring<br />
and his Pennsylvanians will play the State<br />
Theatre March 6 at $3.60 top . Broadway<br />
comedy, "Born Yesterday," is booked<br />
into the Court Square Theatre, Springfield,<br />
for March 6-8 at $4.20 top.<br />
A protest against the filming of "Yankees<br />
in Texas," a motion picture dramatizing the<br />
movement of the Chance Vought aircraft<br />
plant from Stratford, Conn., to Dallas, Tex.,<br />
has been made to executives of MGM by the<br />
Connecticut Development commission. Commission<br />
Chairman Francis S. Murphy said:<br />
"The commission deeply regrets the decision<br />
of MGM to make the picture and feels that<br />
it may well be unpopular in Connecticut."<br />
Albert W. Coote Resigns<br />
From Hartford Bushnell<br />
HARTFORD—Albert W. Coote. assistant<br />
manager of the Bushnell Memorial Theatre<br />
since 1931, has resigned, effective May 1.<br />
His future plans were not disclosed.<br />
Managing Director William H. Mortensen<br />
said he and Charles F. T. Seaverns. chairman<br />
of the theatre's board of trustees, tried to<br />
persuade Coote to postpone his retirement.<br />
—<br />
Three Top Pictures<br />
In Boston Openings<br />
BOSTON—Openings of three unusual pictures<br />
last Wednesday (8) brought out theatre<br />
patrons in crowds. "Guilty of Ti-ea.son" premiered<br />
at the Pilgrim, while "Samson and<br />
Delilah" opened at the Paramount and Fenway<br />
and "Twelve O'clock High" at the Metropolitan.<br />
All reported terrific business, and all<br />
three films were exploited to the hilt. "Samson"<br />
and "Treason" each had half-page ads<br />
in the local papers with extensive radio campaigns.<br />
In its first week at Loew's State and<br />
Orpheum, "Battleground" was very strong, as<br />
was "My Foolish Heart" at the Astor. "When<br />
Willie Comes Marching Home" at the Memorial<br />
was good enough for a holdover.<br />
(Average Is lOQ)<br />
Aslor—My FoolUh Heart (RKO) 175<br />
Beacon Hill—Devil in Ihe Flesh (AFE), Uth wk 90<br />
Boslcn—The Nevadan (Col); Mark of the Gorilla<br />
(Col) __ 90<br />
Exeter Street—Tight Little Island (U-I); The Golden<br />
Madonna (Mono), 7th wk<br />
Memorial—When Willie Comes Marching Home<br />
110<br />
(20th-Fox) _ 120<br />
Metropolitan Montana (WB), 5 days; Twelve<br />
O'clock High (20lh-Fox), 2 days 120<br />
Pilgrim—G.I. Joe (EL), reissue, 5 days, 2nd wk.;<br />
Guilty o) Treason (EL), 2 days 120<br />
Paramount and Fenway—Sands of Iwo Jima (Rep),<br />
5 days, 3rd wk.; Samson and Delilah (Para),<br />
2 days _ 135<br />
State and Orpheum—Battleground (MGM) 160<br />
Trade Drops Below Average<br />
At New Haven First Runs<br />
NEW HAVEN—Ti-ade at downtown houses<br />
in general was below par. Several theatres<br />
had short runs to change openings from<br />
Saturday to Wednesday or Thursday. A dualing<br />
of "High Seas" and "Spoilers of the<br />
South Seas" at the College set the pace with<br />
100 per cent. "Mrs. Mike" and "Blondie'a<br />
Hero," paired at Loew's Poll, proved next best<br />
with 85 per cent.<br />
Bijou—Ambush (MGM); Unmasked (Rep) 80<br />
College—High Seas (SR); Spoilers of the South<br />
Seas (SR) 100<br />
Paramount—Sands of Iwo Jima (Rep); Belle of Old<br />
Mexico (Rep), 2nd wk 75<br />
Loew's Poll—Mrs. Mike (UA); Blondie's Hero<br />
(Col) 85<br />
Roger Sherman—Bagdad (U-1); Undertow (U-I).... 80<br />
'Battleground' Grosses 210<br />
In 2nd Hartford Week<br />
HARTFORD—"Battleground" did the biggest<br />
business in moiiths at Loew's Poll Palace.<br />
Elsewhere in the downtown first runs<br />
trade was only fair.<br />
AUyn—Captain China (Para); Radar Secret Service<br />
(LP) 70<br />
E, M. Loew—Guilty of Treason (EL); Girls' School<br />
(Col) _ 100<br />
Poll—South Sea Sinner (U-I); Free for All (U-1) 85<br />
Palace—Battleground (MGM), 2nd wk _ 210<br />
Regal—The Red Shoes (EL) 75<br />
Strand—Backfire (WB); Davy Crockett. Indian<br />
Scout (UA) _ _ 80<br />
Spencer Brothers Visit<br />
Newport, N. H., Coniston<br />
NEWPORT, N. H. — Ralph and Gerald<br />
Spencer, owners of a chain of 27 theatres in<br />
New Brunswick, visited here recently with<br />
Ersley A. Blanchard. manager of Interstate<br />
Theatres' Coniston here. The Spencers chose<br />
the Coniston as their idea of a perfect theatre<br />
and spent the day with Blanchard inspecting<br />
the building. The Spencers plan to rebuild<br />
a theatre in New Brunswick, recently<br />
destroyed by fire.<br />
They will visit William Riseman of Boston,<br />
architect of the Coniston, before starting<br />
their own theatre.<br />
BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950
. . . Yvonne<br />
. . . Ushers<br />
Private Showings Set<br />
For Boston Critics<br />
BOSTON—The local Selznick office, headed<br />
by Tom Duane. manager, and Nick Russo.<br />
publicist, thought up a novel method of publicising<br />
"The Tliird Man." In place of the<br />
usual press screening where all critics review<br />
the film in a body, the SRO office arranged<br />
a series of special showings, making each<br />
critic hostess for her own editorial, reportorial.<br />
musical and pictorial staffs. The system<br />
worked out satisfactorily. Peggy Doyle and<br />
Mary X. Sullivan, critics for the Hearst papers,<br />
took over the RKO screening room<br />
February 3 entertaining their respective staffs,<br />
while on February 8 Marjorie Adams of the<br />
Boston Globe invited a group from her newspaper<br />
to see the film.<br />
On the evening of February 9. Elinor<br />
Hughes of the Boston Herald and Helen<br />
Eager of the Boston Traveler, sister newspapers,<br />
held their staff screenings, with Prunella<br />
Hall of the Boston Post holding hers<br />
on February 10. Each critic made a point of<br />
inviting music critics from her paper to attend<br />
the screening, due to the interest in the<br />
special zither music played by Viennese zither<br />
artist Anton Karas, whose music plays such<br />
a prominent part in the film.<br />
His talents are so well known that Arkie<br />
Yavensonne. booker of topnotch vaudeville<br />
talent at the Oval room of the Copley-Plaza<br />
hotel, is negotiating for a personal appearance<br />
at the famous supper room. Should this booking<br />
become an eventuality it would mark the<br />
first American appearance of Karas. Boston<br />
disk jockeys were invited to view the film at<br />
a special screening arranged by publicist<br />
Russo. More than 40 disk jockeys turned out<br />
for the event.<br />
LYNN<br />
Engineers have been making way for a new<br />
air conditioning system at the Warner<br />
Michalski. former Warner cashier<br />
and widow of Alfred Michalski. has resigned<br />
as candy girl to enter the employ of<br />
the Kennedy stores . . . Leo Barber, projectionist,<br />
has recovered from an illness of several<br />
weeks.<br />
.Admission to a special show at a Capitol<br />
Saturday morning show was a contribution<br />
for the March of Dimes. The Lynn Item<br />
furnished free publicity and patrons paid<br />
from 10 cents for children to $2 for adults<br />
are filling in for Howard Quill.<br />
Waldorf doorman, while he is under treatment<br />
at the Brighton Marine hospital. He is<br />
a World War I veteran.<br />
After being idle for months because of a<br />
rental fee of S400. the new City Hall memorial<br />
auditorium was engaged twice this<br />
month, once for a motion picture and again<br />
for a Gene Autry stage show at $1.50 a ticket.<br />
The seating capacity is 2,<strong>000</strong>.<br />
NEW HAVEN<br />
T loyd H. Bridgham, Dover exhibitor, has been<br />
re-elected president of the Cocheco County<br />
club . . . The French-Canadian population in<br />
Manchester recently saw a screening of "Un<br />
Homme et Son Peche." film with French<br />
dialog and English subtitles, at the Palace<br />
Theatre there . . . "M," a German film, was<br />
shown at a recent meeting of the film society<br />
of the Manchester Historical Ass'n.<br />
A new curtain will be purchased for the<br />
city auditorium in Concord with proceeds<br />
from a production by the Community Players<br />
there of "Our Town" . . . Eileen Woods, former<br />
Portsmouth girl who appears in the Walt<br />
Disney production "Cinderella." recently was<br />
given a reception following the opening of<br />
the film in Boston. She was known as Jackie<br />
Woods when she sang over WHEB in Portsmouth<br />
several years ago.<br />
Interstate Managers<br />
Hold Boston Conclave<br />
BOSTON—A round-table discussion of theatre<br />
problems was held by Interstate Theatres<br />
at a district managers' meeting called by<br />
President E. Harold Stoneman. Present were<br />
James Mahoney. general manager; Chris<br />
Joyce. Brockton and Cape Cod areas; Erwin<br />
Neumann. Connecticut; Ernest Fitzgerald,<br />
New Hampshire; Raymond Kiniry. Vermont;<br />
Joseph Bean. Revere, and Ted Fleisher. head<br />
booker.<br />
The two-day discussions were on product,<br />
future bookings, exploitation and ways and<br />
means of luring customers into the theatres.<br />
Several speakers were brought into the meetings<br />
from various industry departments to<br />
offer suggestions on salient points relative to<br />
theatre entertainment. Later the district<br />
managers will call meetings with their managers.<br />
The first will take place at the Hotel<br />
Bryant. Brockton, under Chris Joyce. Others<br />
will be held at the Hotel Bond. Hartford,<br />
under Erwin Neumann for the Connecticut<br />
and western Massachu.setts managers; at the<br />
Hotel Coolidge. White River Junction. Vt..<br />
under Ray Kiniry and Ernest Fitzgerald for<br />
managers in Vermont, and New Hampshire.<br />
Suit of Hartford Rivoli<br />
Before Board of AAA<br />
HARTFORD—A new date. Friday (17). was<br />
set for the AAA arbitration complaint of<br />
the Rivoli Theatre here over availability, with<br />
the complaint, filed by Shulman interests of<br />
Hartford, operators of the Rivoli and Webster<br />
theatres, contending that film product<br />
is available to the Rivoli seven days after<br />
the Hartford Theatre circuit's Colonial, with<br />
the latter theatre playing product 30 days<br />
after Hartford first run. The Shulmans requested<br />
that the Rivoli get product at the<br />
same time as the Colonial.<br />
Order your taxation trailers today!<br />
Get your audience signing petitions now!<br />
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Public Reaction Split<br />
On 'Stromboli' Bar<br />
SPRINGFIELD—A lively public discussion<br />
developed here this week as the result of an<br />
announcement by Samuel Goldstein, president<br />
of Western Ma.ssachusetts Theatres, Inc.,<br />
that the circuit would not play the Bergman-<br />
Rosselli picture. "Stromboli." WMT's Paramount<br />
is one of Springfield's four first runs.<br />
After a conference with Harry Smith, general<br />
manager, Goldstein announced, "We<br />
have had a number of calls a.sking if we were<br />
going to show the picture (Stromboli). but we<br />
actually did not get a reaction from the public<br />
as to their feelings. Our personal thought on<br />
the matter is that no one will miss the picture,<br />
and in view of the wave of resentment,<br />
we do not feel it would be right to screen<br />
it here."<br />
However, not all public reaction seemed<br />
to agree with the Goldstein dictum, and rumblings<br />
of dissent were heard almost as soon as<br />
the story hit the streets. Dissidents to the<br />
WMT policy seemed to feel that the public<br />
would rather be its own judge of what it<br />
should see and should not see, and, as one<br />
individual put it. "Here is one case where we<br />
would prefer to do our own censoring, if any<br />
is to be done."<br />
YOU<br />
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MISSING...<br />
TIL YOU TRY<br />
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HOWARD R. JOHNSON-Manager.<br />
Strand Theatre, Hamden,<br />
Conn.— says:<br />
"The Showman's Number One<br />
consideration is his booth's operation.<br />
RCA Service is 100 f>er<br />
cent insurance against breakdown<br />
and a top boost to highest<br />
efficiency of light and sound<br />
quality."<br />
To get the benefits of RCA Service<br />
—write: RCA SERVICE COMPANY,<br />
INC., Radio Corporation of America,<br />
Camden, New Jersey.<br />
BOXOFTICE :: February 18, 1950<br />
89
, , . Harry<br />
. . . Dr.<br />
. . "Tight<br />
. . Joe<br />
. . The<br />
. . "Samson<br />
SPRINGFIELD<br />
BOSTON<br />
the Bulge, and had them as his guests for<br />
the opening. Resultant story and pictures<br />
made the local newspapers.<br />
^he personal appearance of Gene Autry here Herman Rifkin and George Roberts toured lyjaurice Green of Audrey Pictures has obtained<br />
the New England rights for George<br />
the 17th gave a strong hypo to all westerns,<br />
and particularly to the double Hopalong recently returned from a vacation trip to<br />
the circuit in this city and Holyoke. Rifkin<br />
Jeffrey's production, "Cavalcade of Faith,"<br />
Cassidy show which George E. Freeman, South America . Strand now has a<br />
a documentary feature on Catholicism. The<br />
manager of the Loew's Poli, hosted as a special<br />
Saturday morning feature for youngsters.<br />
newly decorated lobby, and new popcorn and<br />
film will be available to theatres, churches<br />
soda machines and a new candy stand have<br />
and parochial schools in both 35 and 16mm<br />
Part of the Hopalong promotion featured the<br />
been installed. Al Sharby is in charge of the<br />
widths . . . Harry Zeitz of the Zeitz circuit<br />
sending of circulars to all local schools, containing<br />
pictures which were to be colored. Frank Linehan, now at the Liberty, recently records at the Civic in Portland, Me., and<br />
house.<br />
said "Sands of Iwo Jima" broke all house<br />
Kach youngster submitted his colored entry returned from Hollywood to this city, after the State in New Bedford, Mass. The film<br />
and the winners received watches, "westerntype"<br />
six-shooters, fancy kerchiefs, and other Charlie Hurley, manager of the Phillips, went moved for a second stanza to the New Bed-<br />
having spent a year in the film capital , . . played a second week at the Civic and was<br />
popular cowboy appurtenances. The prizes to Boston to discuss booking problems with ford, New Bedford.<br />
were awarded by local merchants.<br />
George Roberts, chief booker for the chain<br />
With the<br />
Splaine is the<br />
3,500-seat Municipal<br />
new doorman at the Mickey Andelman of the Devonshire Film<br />
auditorium<br />
sold Phillips.<br />
out for both<br />
Co. left to visit its<br />
matinee and<br />
midwest exchanges,<br />
evening<br />
working<br />
performances<br />
of the Gene Autry<br />
on the nine Cisco<br />
show,<br />
Kid reissues which<br />
the city<br />
property committee expressed<br />
the company is distributing . , . With the<br />
its dissatisfaction<br />
upon learning that<br />
resignation of<br />
Gene's two<br />
Saul Levin, salesman at<br />
horses<br />
Eagle<br />
Treason' Premiere<br />
would be quartered in the<br />
Lion, Carl Devizia,<br />
hall from<br />
former RKO Maine<br />
early<br />
afternoon until nearly midnight, and<br />
salesman, has<br />
ordered<br />
been given the Maine territory<br />
Promoter Duke Landen to provide some protection<br />
for the anteroom floor and<br />
Telecast a! Boston<br />
formerly held by Lloyd Coen, who has been<br />
transferred to<br />
the<br />
the<br />
ramp.<br />
Vermont and New Hampshire<br />
came areas.<br />
BOSTON—For the first time in local motion<br />
picture history, an opening of<br />
After considerable searching, Duke up<br />
Al Fecke, former Vermont and<br />
with<br />
a feature<br />
sections of heavy canvas, which proved<br />
New Hampshire salesman, has been assigned<br />
was televi-sed here 'Wednesday (8).<br />
acceptable 'WNAC-TV<br />
to the city fathers, and about<br />
the Massachusetts<br />
5,<strong>000</strong><br />
area formerly held by<br />
viewers saw the opening night festivities<br />
local<br />
of<br />
youngsters breathed more easily,<br />
Levin.<br />
Eagle Lion's world premiere of "Guilty of<br />
George E. Freeman, Loew's Poli manager,<br />
Treason" at the Esquire Theatre. The telecast<br />
can always be depended upon to get the best marked the climax of an intensive radio<br />
possible local promotion for any picture his and TV promotion for the simultaneous opening<br />
of the film in three of ATC's Boston<br />
Censorship by Advice<br />
hou.se is showing. For "Battleground," he<br />
Worse Than by Ukase<br />
rounded up half a dozen local residents who houses, the Pilgrim, Mayflower and Esquire.<br />
had actually participated in the Battle of Lester Smith was on hand to welcome PROVIDENCE—Bradford F.<br />
the<br />
Swan, widely<br />
guests, who included city and<br />
known film critic on the staff of the Providence<br />
Journal-Bulletin,<br />
state officials,<br />
EL officials, prominent<br />
recently pointed out<br />
socialites, visiting<br />
that<br />
celebrities and Hupgarian<br />
Rhode Island censorship<br />
and<br />
has a parallel<br />
Polish groups<br />
in Memphis.<br />
in native costumes.<br />
In a special article<br />
Several days<br />
published in<br />
before<br />
the<br />
the opening, Archbishop<br />
Sunday<br />
Journal,<br />
FILMACK .<br />
Gushing recommended<br />
Swan said that a recent court<br />
that all faith and<br />
case argued in the southern city<br />
creeds should<br />
was of vast<br />
see "Guilty of Treason." Citing<br />
does only ONE thing<br />
importance to the entire movie industry.<br />
the case of Cardinal Mindszenty, whose life<br />
story forms the basis of the plot of the picture.<br />
His Excellency asked titled<br />
The Memphis case concerned a film en-<br />
and does it well<br />
prayers in behalf<br />
"Curley," produced by the Hal Roach<br />
SPECIAL TRAILERS<br />
of the imprisoned churchman and urged<br />
studios and released through all<br />
United Artists.<br />
to see the film.<br />
It<br />
"I have never before gone<br />
was nothing more than a composite of several<br />
before the public to recommend old<br />
a picture, but<br />
Our Gang comedies made a decade<br />
I gladly<br />
ago. It<br />
do so in this case," he declared. He<br />
was released in 1947, and was banned<br />
like our QUICK service and<br />
also asked priests<br />
by the<br />
in his diocese to recommend<br />
the film<br />
Memphis censors, of whom Lloyd T.<br />
Binford is<br />
to their<br />
the kingpin,<br />
parishioners at Sunday<br />
services.<br />
shows a Negro child playing with white chil-<br />
presumably because it<br />
CHICAGO<br />
1 327 S. Wabash Av OHESlNEW YORK<br />
dren.<br />
y n i lU I<br />
^619 West S4th Si.<br />
Counsel for Binford denied<br />
NEWHAMPSHIRE<br />
it was banned<br />
but merely theatres were "advised" against<br />
showing it.<br />
Swan pointed out in his article that if censorship<br />
bodies with licensing power are to be<br />
Expert Projector Repairing The Variety Club will meet February 27 in<br />
Prompt Service — Reasonable Prices<br />
its clubrooms, with Ray Wylie, new allowed<br />
chief<br />
to escape the responsibility of their<br />
barker, presiding acts<br />
. and Delilah"<br />
by "advising" against the showing of a<br />
PROJECTION EQUIPMENT SERVICE CO. opened Wednesday film,<br />
(15i at the Paramount a situation will arise which is far more<br />
II Winchester St. Boston Theatre here<br />
vicious<br />
. Dolgin of the Pike Theatre,<br />
Newton, will buy and book for the new He likened the southern case to one which<br />
than outright banning.<br />
drive-in to be opened on the 'Waterbury- occurred here in 1939 when the Providence<br />
Bristol highway this spring . . . Bernie Maxwell<br />
and Sid Newman, Eagle Lion exploiteers licensor of public performances, "advised"<br />
bureau of police and fire, in its capacity as a<br />
from New York, were here working on a against the showing of "Professor Mamlock,"<br />
SERVICINO THEATRES JRIKE INS campaign for "Guilty of Treason,"<br />
a Russian film.<br />
CANDY POP CORN -DRINKS<br />
Despite a bitter court battle the picture<br />
COMPLETE CONCESSION SUPPLIES<br />
Truman Ferguson, "Whitney Theatre manager,<br />
was vacationing at Charleston, S. C, not actually ban it. But, the "advice" against<br />
was never shown, even though the bureau did<br />
HtKup tMe/HmiaSuwt-<br />
J. B. Fishman, general manager of its presentation was so worded that the prospective<br />
exhibitor decided not to go ahead<br />
the Fishman houses, returned home from a<br />
local hospital , . . Lou Cohen, manager of the without the "blessing" of the local censorship<br />
board. Swan is hopeful that if the<br />
Poli in Hartford, left for South America . . .<br />
Dave Kaufman, Loew Poli artist, was in Vermont<br />
.<br />
DRIVE-IN THEATRE<br />
Memphis case is carried to the Supreme<br />
Combination Ramp<br />
Little Island" broke all<br />
Identification and Driveway<br />
Court, as indicated at one stage, a clear<br />
Floodlioht<br />
records at the Lincoln Theatre here . . . Columbia<br />
Pictures gave a reception for Kansas ^r'l'"'?:'<br />
City, IMo<br />
statement of principle will result making the<br />
DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO. ^^ J" Gene screen as free as any medium of transmission<br />
of Autry at the Taft hotel February 11.<br />
ideas.<br />
90 BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950
D. C. Caraway Retires;<br />
Sells Meridian Circle<br />
MERIDIAN. TEX.—After nearly half a century<br />
in the theatre business. D. C. Caraway<br />
prepared to retire upon the sale of the Circle<br />
Theatre here to Bill Curtis of Meridian, Tex.<br />
Caraway is retiring because of ill health.<br />
He came to Clifton. Tex., in 1916 and<br />
bought a theatre, which at that time was in<br />
the building now occupied by an auto supply<br />
dealer. After about two years. Caraway established<br />
the Queen in the building now<br />
housing the Gem. In the late 20s he put in<br />
the Cliftex, which he operated until selling<br />
it to E. W. Capps a few years ago.<br />
Within 18 months he re-entered the industry<br />
with the Circle near this city. Caraway<br />
started in the theatre business in Hico in<br />
about 1904, and was in Corpus Christi, Los<br />
Angeles, Amarillo and Canyon before coming<br />
here.<br />
Curtis is owner and operator of the Capitol<br />
Theatre at Meridian.<br />
J. H. Rowley Installed<br />
As Texas Variety Head<br />
DALLAS—John H. Rowley, recently elected<br />
chief barker of the Variety Club of Texas,<br />
and other new officers were installed at a<br />
meeting in its clubrooms. Other new officers<br />
include F. W. Allen, first assistant;<br />
C. A. Dolsen. second assistant; Myer Rachofsky,<br />
dough guy; Don C. Douglas, property<br />
master, and Charles E. Darden. R. E. Davis.<br />
Clyde Rembert, A. H. Reynolds. L. M. Rice<br />
and F. L. Stocker, directors.<br />
Tony Lanagan to Manage<br />
Longview, Tex., Drive-In<br />
LONGVIEW. TEX.—W. A. "Tony" Lanagan,<br />
former city manager for East Texas<br />
Theatres, has been named manager of the<br />
River Road Drive-In here, according to Fred<br />
Minton, director of the organization. Lanagan,<br />
who retired two years ago, accepted<br />
the position effective immediately. He succeeds<br />
H. T. Wales, who returned to Burnet.<br />
Tex., to operate a string of privately owned<br />
theatres.<br />
Van Chamberlain Buys<br />
Fremont, Tex., Drive-In<br />
FREMONT, TEX.—Van Chamberlain of<br />
Palfurrias recently purchased the Star Drive-<br />
In south of here from George Western. Albert<br />
Dale jr., and A. M. Littlefield. Chamberlain,<br />
who owns the theatres in Freer and<br />
Benavides, retained Western as business manager<br />
and other personnel in their jobs.<br />
Resigns to Manage Royal<br />
ABILENE. TEX.—Bruce Royal, for seven<br />
years manager of the Majestic Theatre here,<br />
has resigned to become manager and part<br />
owner of the Royal Drive-In at Marlin, Tex.<br />
The drive-in is scheduled to open for E. L.<br />
Williamson and Associates about March 3.<br />
No successor to Royal has been named, according<br />
to Wally Akin, Interstate city manager<br />
at Abilene.<br />
To Tower at Bastrop<br />
BASTROP. TEX.—T. L. Duke, former<br />
Sweeney, Tex., showman, has assumed managership<br />
of the Tower Theatre hero.<br />
351 Houses in Southwest<br />
Impose 'Stromboli' Ban<br />
OKLAHOMA CITY — Five more circuits<br />
joined Interstate Theatres this week in refusing<br />
to book "Stromboli" to bring the total<br />
number of southwest theatres banning the<br />
picture to 351. Ralph Drewry, vice-president<br />
of the Talbot Tlieatres circuit in Tulsa, said<br />
the film would not be shown in his four<br />
Tulsa houses.<br />
UP TO LOCAL PARTNERS<br />
BAR BY EAST TEXAS CIRCUIT<br />
In Texas, the Eddie Joseph circuit of theatres,<br />
controlling five Austin houses, announced<br />
it would not show the film. Earlier.<br />
Karl Hoblitzelle, president of Interstate Theatres,<br />
ruled that the film would not be shown<br />
in any of that chain's 153 houses, including<br />
nine in Albuquerque, N. M.<br />
For his stand on the showing of "Stromboli."<br />
Hoblitzelle received high praise from<br />
Texas officials, including Homer Garrison jr..<br />
state department of public safety; Price<br />
Daniel, attorney general: John Winters, youth<br />
development council, and O. B. Ellis, general<br />
manager of the Texas prison system.<br />
S. L. Oakley, vice-president and general<br />
manager of East Texas Theatres, Inc.. at<br />
Beaumont, revealed that his circuit of 50<br />
theatres would not book "Stromboli," and<br />
Leon Glasscock, circuit owner at San Antonio,<br />
said the film would not be shown in any of<br />
his theatres at San Antonio. Stockdale.<br />
Blanco. Boerne. Pleasanton, George West or<br />
Luling.<br />
Two independent theatres, the &nie Pyle<br />
and Sandia at Albuquerque, joined in the<br />
protest by refusing to book the picture. Marlin<br />
Butler, operator, and president of the New<br />
Mexico Theatres Ass'n, "I think the vast majority<br />
of theatre operators looks unfavorably<br />
on this picture and the bad publicity it is<br />
creating."<br />
Likelihood of a statewide Texas ban on the<br />
film grew remote as a legislative resolution<br />
on the subject rested in an unfriendly committee.<br />
The re.solution. introduced in the<br />
house by Rep. Peppy Blount, Big Springs,<br />
was shoved by the state affairs committee,<br />
to which It was referred last week, into a<br />
three-man subcommittee "for further study."<br />
On the other hand, "Stromboli" was<br />
slated to open Tliursday in seven San Antonio,<br />
Tex., theatres, the Palace, Josephine,<br />
Prince. Highland, Uptown, Hi-Ho and Harlandale.<br />
It also will open Tuesday (21), carrying<br />
the same advertising used nationally by<br />
RKO, at the Center Theatre in Oklahoma<br />
City. Ads met little opposition here prior to<br />
the opening.<br />
R. V. McGinnis of the Cozy Theatre in<br />
Tulsa has booked the film for one week,<br />
starting March 1 at advanced prices. The<br />
Cozy is a subsequent run house, located in<br />
downtown Tulsa. Prices for the run will be<br />
.scaled at 35, 50 and 65 cents. The general<br />
He said: "Ingrid Bergman, star of the film,<br />
has deliberately offended public good taste.<br />
Since we do not want to be a party to offending<br />
the public it is our decision at this<br />
time not to play the picture."<br />
Meanwhile, locally the Video Independent<br />
Theatres expressed doubt about booking the admission price normally is 50 cents for both<br />
film in the cii-cuit's 130 theatres. A company matinee and evening shows.<br />
spokesman said partners and managers in 50<br />
cities in Oklahoma and Texas have shown<br />
'Stromboli' Opens Run<br />
opposition to exhibiting the film. He said he<br />
doubted that the film would be booked in At Dallas in Dallas<br />
any of the Video theatres.<br />
DALLAS—"Stromboli," the film which Karl<br />
"Local managers and partners determine Hoblitzelle declared will not be shown in<br />
what pictures will be shown in the houses Interstate theatres here and throughout<br />
they manage." he said. "They could obtain Texas, opened at the Dallas Theatre Thursday<br />
(161. The Dallas, a downtown house, is<br />
the film if they want it, but my impression<br />
is that none of them will want the picture. owned by the Telenews Corp. Until last<br />
Executives here are of the opinion that it Christmas, Interstate theatres had had an<br />
lacks entertainment value."<br />
Executives of the chain said no attempt to<br />
book it on a companywide basis will be made<br />
interest in the house, then called<br />
news.<br />
the Tele-<br />
because of the scandal over the Bergman-<br />
Rossellini romance.<br />
Long Circuit Presenting<br />
Civic Club Featurette<br />
Singer Charlie Walker and Shad Graham,<br />
Houston film producer.<br />
BAY CITY. TEX.—The J.<br />
G. Long circuit<br />
has been playing "Cowgirl Sweethearts on<br />
Parade," a 22-minute motion picture illustrating<br />
the theme of international relationship<br />
as practiced by the Lions. Rotary, Kiwanis<br />
and other civic and service clubs.<br />
The film features Etoris Parkan of Victoria<br />
and other .sweethearts from this area at the<br />
annual Bay City Rice festival, and was filmed<br />
by Shad E. Graham, former Hollywood and<br />
New York cameraman, who now lives in<br />
Houston.<br />
An 18-minute stage show starring Charlie<br />
Walker, cowboy ballad singer, was presented<br />
along with the film at the El Rancho Theatre<br />
in Victoria.<br />
There is no time to lose! Act today on<br />
repeal of the amusement tax!<br />
BOXOFFICE ;: February 18, 1950 sw 91
. . The<br />
. .<br />
!<br />
OKLAHOMA CITY<br />
'The 33rd annual membership meeting of the<br />
Oklahoma County Health Ass'n February<br />
<strong>23</strong> will draw William O'Donnell. Dallas, as<br />
keynoter. O'Donnell, international Variety<br />
representative, will speak on the heart of<br />
health and welfare, and possibly on Variety<br />
Club Health center.<br />
John Payne was in Oklahoma City beating<br />
the drums in advance of the opening<br />
of "Captain China," which started at the<br />
Criterion Tuesday U4». Payne appeared on<br />
two radio programs, stations KOMA and<br />
KTOW, while in town, and also met the<br />
press and radio at a party given by Cooper<br />
Foundations at the Skirvin hotel. Payne and<br />
A. C. Lyles jr., press agent, stopped at the<br />
Biltmore hotel.<br />
Pat McGee, general manager for Cooper<br />
Foundation, Denver, was here for the party<br />
honoring John Payne . Criterion will<br />
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SAN ANTONIO<br />
n live horse was featured on "TV Dude<br />
Ranch" over WOAI-TV Friday evening.<br />
Not just an ordinary cow pony, either. He i.s<br />
Star Baby, billed as "the world's smartest<br />
horse." With his owner and trainer, Miss<br />
Jonnie Douthitt. he enacted a love story in<br />
pantomime. Star Baby also rings bells, answers<br />
questions, unties knots, and even knows<br />
his arithmetic. The cast included comedian<br />
Lou Emerson, singers Curly Williams and<br />
Tommy Jean Whitley, Pancho Gonzales and<br />
emcee Bill Shomette.<br />
Vernon Geyer, theatre organist, has returned<br />
to the Alamo city following a three<br />
year sojourn in Chicago . . . Jessie Jackson's<br />
"High Steppers of 1950." an all-Negro musical<br />
revue, played a one -night stand at the<br />
Cameo Theatre . Burkhart recently<br />
was named manager of the Alamo Drive-In<br />
Yvonne Stein and John Currie are<br />
coming out with a new love ballad titled<br />
"Without My Darling." It will be recorded<br />
for Everstate release.<br />
Agapito Presa reports he is reopening the<br />
old Azteca Theatre in Beeville under the<br />
name of Alta Vista . . . Several other theatremen<br />
were here to contract for Mexican-made<br />
pictures. They were Frank Fletcher, Ritz,<br />
Houston; Mr. and Mrs. Philip Brady, Rex,<br />
Rio Hondo; Pedro Carrasco, Big Wells, and<br />
Senora Esther R. Ruenes, Ruenes Teatro. San<br />
Benito.<br />
Frank Flores, assistant booker at Clasa-<br />
Mohme. was home three days nursing a slight<br />
case of the flu . . . Clasa-Mohme screened<br />
"Ladronzuela," starring the late Blanca<br />
Estella Pavon . Gene Garcia, president<br />
of the lATSE Local 407 and chief projectionist<br />
at the Empire, attended the recent<br />
CTM union meeting in Mexico City . . . "The<br />
"Bombshell," an oldie, was showed at the<br />
community center by the San Antonio Film<br />
Forum . Bergman's "Under Capricorn"<br />
went into the Hi-Ho and Laurel, sub-<br />
March 9. This is to correct a recent news item<br />
Kid From Texas" will play the Majestic here<br />
urban houses . Negrete. the Mexican which had the date a month too soon.<br />
film star who recently appeared at the Alameda<br />
here, left for Havana<br />
A camera crew was here from New York<br />
to fill stage engagements<br />
in the island republic . . . George<br />
shooting local scenes for the television film,<br />
"The Big Story," of the late Walthall Littlepage,<br />
onetime San Antonio Light police re-<br />
Templeton. EL producer, was in town.<br />
Plans are under way to bring<br />
porter . . .<br />
Hopalong Cassidy Boyd here from Hollywood<br />
for the Fiesta de San Jacinto in April.<br />
Burglar Damages House<br />
WACO. TEX.—A burglary attempt at the<br />
Melrose Theatre here caused considerable<br />
damage to the front doors of the house, although<br />
the burglar to gain entrance<br />
-<br />
to the theatre. He made a second attempt<br />
to force his way through an air conditioning<br />
duct causing damage there also. The theatre<br />
management estimated that it would cost<br />
more than $100 to repair the damages.<br />
MEL DANNER— Owner of the<br />
Circle Theatre, Waynoka, Okla.—<br />
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GRAND<br />
John Payne, film actor, and A. C. Lyles, publicist,<br />
stopped here briefly last week en route<br />
to Hollywood from southeastern "Captain<br />
China" appearances.<br />
Herman Beiersdorf, Lippert branch manager,<br />
flew Tuesday (14) to Hot Springs to<br />
arrange a screening of "The Baron of Arizona"<br />
for R. J. O'Donnell, who is taking baths<br />
there . . . The Dallas Theatre is continuing<br />
an art display sponsored by the Federation of<br />
Dallas Artists. Twelve oil paintings by Adele<br />
Brunei are on display during February.<br />
Mrs. J. Howard Hodge of Midland, president<br />
of the Texas Federation of Women's Clubs,<br />
was here seeking cooperation of theatremen<br />
on a statewide program to raise funds for<br />
.<br />
its educational program Great<br />
Rupert" and "Mother Didn't Tell Me" were<br />
sneak previewed at downtown houses last<br />
week, in addition to regular bills.<br />
De Luxe House Opened<br />
By E. J. Jobe in Dallas<br />
DALLAS — The first de luxe theatre for<br />
Negro patrons, the Wlieatley Theatre, was<br />
opened here recently by E. J. Jobe, owner and<br />
operator. The theatre is located at Oakland<br />
and Southland in the new shopping center.<br />
Jobe, a resident of Dallas for 25 years, is<br />
former owner and operator of the Harlem,<br />
Terrell, Tex. The Wheatley seats 550 persons<br />
and was erected at a cost of about $85,<strong>000</strong>.<br />
The decorative scheme is in blue and gold.<br />
The theatre is air conditioned and has a soft<br />
drink and candy stand in the foyer.<br />
It will show double features except on<br />
Thursdays, changing bills five times a week.<br />
Three Robberies Staged<br />
At Oklahoma Theatres<br />
OKLAHOMA CITY—Theatre robberies hit<br />
a new high this week as gunmen held up<br />
cashiers at the local Mayflower, and at the<br />
Pix and Fitz in Chickasha. A robber threatened<br />
Mayflower cashier Connie Mae Tibey<br />
with a bronze plated pistol to obtain $125<br />
from that house.<br />
An armed bandit held up the Pix at Chickasha<br />
for $24.30. then went down the street<br />
a few doors to the Ritz where he flashed<br />
a gun to obtain $30. He ran around the<br />
corner and drove away.<br />
Glen Stovall. Chickasha policeman, said<br />
none of the witnesses could give a good description<br />
of the man or his car. However,<br />
one report was that the gunman flashed a<br />
bronze plated pistol. Tlie week before Oklahoma<br />
City's nevi' suburban Lakeside Theatre<br />
was robbed.<br />
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BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950
ABOARD OCEAN LINER—A. P. Brashear. president of the American Desk Mfg.<br />
Co. of Temple, Tex., and Joy Houck, head of the Joy circuit. New Orleans, and their<br />
wives returned recently from a voyage to England. Brashear completed a deal with<br />
J. Arthur Rank, British film industry leader, and Gaumont-Kalee, equipment company<br />
which he controls, to manufacture Gaumont's Ambassador theatre chair in the U.S.<br />
Seen in the photo taken aboard the Queen Mary are, left to right: Brashear, Mrs.<br />
Houck, Houck and Mrs. Brashear.<br />
Lancaster Theatre<br />
Destroyed by Fire<br />
LANCASTER, TEX.—The Lancaster Theatre,<br />
opened only two months ago here by<br />
V. H. Post, was destroyed in a fire believed<br />
to have been caused by defective wiring.<br />
The theatre, which adjoined the downtown<br />
business district, was gutted, with only portions<br />
of the walls left standing. A hook and<br />
ladder unit and two pumper trucks from<br />
Dallas joined the local fire crew in answering<br />
the alarm.<br />
All equipment and fixtures were destroyed.<br />
Post said the building was insured, but did<br />
not declare the value of the property.<br />
Vandals Slash Five Seats<br />
At San Antonio Alameda<br />
SAN ANTONIO. TEX.—Vandals slashed<br />
five seats in the balcony of the Alameda<br />
Theatre here, says Ignacio Torres, manager.<br />
Torres said he did not believe the damage<br />
was caused by strikers. The theatre is involved<br />
in a long-standing labor dispute.<br />
One recent labor dispute found Jorge<br />
Negrete. visiting film star, being pelted with<br />
eggs, fruit and vegetables upon his appearance<br />
at the theatre.<br />
DRIVE-IN K^anL^Ci'ly^'M"<br />
Theatres 10-2 - 12-2 -<br />
— From Stock<br />
firm alleged the theatre owes all but $12,<strong>000</strong><br />
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THEATRE MFG. CO.<br />
previously paid on $18,359 worth of seats<br />
Tulsa Theatre Is Sued<br />
TULSA—A suit for $6,359 allegedly due the<br />
Ideal Seating Co., Grand Rapids. Mich., for<br />
.seats installed in the Delman Theatre here<br />
was filed last week in district court. The suit<br />
named the Tivoli Realty Co. as owner and<br />
operator of the theatre,<br />
NEO-SEAL BURIAL WIRE<br />
and I. B. Adelman.<br />
Solid or Stranded<br />
Dallas, president, defendants. The seating<br />
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$101<strong>000</strong> Grants Made<br />
By Karl Hoblitzelle<br />
DALLAS—Karl Hoblitzelle, president of<br />
Interstate Theatre chain in Texas and well<br />
known as a philanthropist, has made a gift<br />
and a grant totaling $101,<strong>000</strong> to two Dallas<br />
institutions. Both were made through the<br />
Hoblitzelle Foundation. A gift of $50,<strong>000</strong> was<br />
given to Southern Methodist university and<br />
a $51jOOO grant went to the Texas Research<br />
foundation.<br />
About $50,<strong>000</strong> of the $51,<strong>000</strong> grant will go<br />
for construction of a field house at the foundation's<br />
main plant at Renner, north of the<br />
Dallas city limits. The research foundation<br />
committee passed a resolution saying, in part:<br />
"Mr. Hoblitzelle has made monetary gifts<br />
totaling $465,<strong>000</strong> commencing in 1946 and<br />
continuing down to the present, making possible<br />
the building of the institution to its<br />
present stage."<br />
Dr. Umphrey Lee. SMU president, said the<br />
$50,<strong>000</strong> gift would bs used to name a professional<br />
chair in real estate in the SMU<br />
School of Business Administration. The gift<br />
was made in honor of the late Frank L.<br />
McNeny and the professorship will bear that<br />
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Texas Solon Proposes<br />
Film on State Assembly<br />
AUSTIN, TEX.—Harris county representative<br />
Bob Casey has introduced a resolution<br />
proposing that a motion picture be<br />
made to enlighten the people of Texas on<br />
the way their state legislature operates. The<br />
preamble of the resolution states that the<br />
majority of the people "do not know when<br />
the regular sessions of the state legislature<br />
meet; how often it convenes; the duration<br />
and other matters related<br />
of each session . . .<br />
to operation of their state legislature."<br />
The resolution proposed that the state<br />
board of education and the University of<br />
Texas use their facilities to make a documentary<br />
film to sell or rent to schools, colleges<br />
and other interested groups.<br />
Casey's proposal was referred to the house<br />
appropriations committee.<br />
Sam Hanna of Dallas recommended Mack<br />
Sennett as the director.<br />
"You're too old," shot back Casey. "Most<br />
of these young members don't know who<br />
Mack Sennett is."<br />
"What would people pay to see this legislature<br />
operate?" said Hanna.<br />
"They're paying now," said Casey.<br />
Get your audience signing petitions now!<br />
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96 BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950
—<br />
Marshall, Tex., Forms<br />
Censorship Board<br />
MARSHALL, TEX.—A film and vaudeville<br />
censorship board provided for under a 28-<br />
year-old ordinance has been reactivated by<br />
the city commission. The action followed<br />
resolutions adopted by the Kiwanis and<br />
Rotary clubs requesting that the management<br />
of East Texas Theatres, a chain of 50 showhouses,<br />
withdraw a scheduled showing of<br />
"Pinky" here. Protests were made against a<br />
film concerning "interracial marriage."<br />
Meanwhile, W. L. Gelling, manager of East<br />
Texas Theatre, said the local houses would<br />
not book "Stromboli," a decision he said was<br />
made by S. L. Oakley of Beaumont, vice-president<br />
and general manager of the chain. City<br />
officials said that "Stromboli" had no connection<br />
with reactivation of censorship.<br />
The new board has five members: Charles<br />
Pry, chairman, A. C. Johnson, Tom Abney,<br />
Frank Yakel and Newman Wells. Under local<br />
law, it has the power to demand screenings<br />
or advance performances of a film or vaudeville<br />
show before it is played here. Violation<br />
of the ordinance is a misdemeanor punishable<br />
by a fine of $25 to $200 for each offense.<br />
An offense is constituted by presentation of<br />
an objectionable film of "immoral character"<br />
or "prejudicial to the best interests of the<br />
people of Marshall." The board must notify<br />
the management of a theatre in writing in<br />
case a presentation is found objectionable.<br />
The ordinance was enacted in 1921 during a<br />
controversy over "The Birth of a Nation."<br />
$353 to Dimes Drive<br />
TEXAS CITY, TEX.—Joe Brown, J. G. Long<br />
circuit manager here, reported local theatres<br />
collected $353 for the March of Dimes with<br />
Boy Scouts passing the basket and wishing<br />
wells in each lobby.<br />
Oak Drive-In Is Closed<br />
COLEMAN, TEX.—The Oak Drive-In here<br />
has been closed by owners, Mr. and Mrs.<br />
Roland Duus, for installation of 350 RCA incar<br />
speakers and a new concession stand.<br />
The drive-in will be reopened March 1.<br />
Benefit Show for Fund<br />
FREDERICKSBURG, TEX.—A benefit<br />
showing of "Penrod and Sam" was held at<br />
the 87 Drive-In here recently, with 100 per<br />
cent of the proceeds going to the polio fund.<br />
Remodels Texas at Cisco<br />
CISCO, TEX—C. L. Guinn, new owner<br />
of the Texas Theatre, has remodeled the<br />
building.<br />
Ne^v Wideman Company Offices<br />
DALLAS—Offices of the Wideman Brokerage<br />
Co. have been moved to rooms 201 and<br />
201A in the Alford building, located at 318<br />
Cadiz street here.<br />
Youth Attempts to Grab<br />
Oak Theatre Coin Box<br />
l-ONE OAK. TEX.- A youth who attempted<br />
to snatch a coin box from the ticket window<br />
of the Oak Theatre here and came up with<br />
only two $5 bills, is in Hunt county jail<br />
facing charges of petty theft. Mr. and Mrs.<br />
Howard Crump, operators of the theatre, had<br />
closed the ticket office, placed the money<br />
in the cash box and leaned the box against<br />
a board which closed the window. They<br />
had stepped outside the booth for a minute<br />
when the youth tried to move the board to<br />
get the box. The box fell to the floor attracting<br />
the attention of the Crumps.<br />
Strand Safe in Creek<br />
"HOUSTON, TEX.—Wliat W. E. Marshall<br />
hooked while fishing in Cypress Creek recently<br />
turned out not to be a giant fish as<br />
he hoped, but instead the safe that had<br />
previously been stolen from the Strand Theatre.<br />
The $969 which the safe contained at<br />
the time of the robbery, January 30, was gone.<br />
Proceeds Donated to Scouts<br />
PRANKSTON, TEX.—Proceeds of a special<br />
show held at the Strand Theatre recently<br />
were donated to the local Boy Scout organizations<br />
by the theatre management.<br />
Money will be used to send two local scouts<br />
to the National Jamboree of Boy Scouts, to<br />
be held at Valley Forge next July.<br />
Passes to Honor Students<br />
DEVINE, TEX.—The local drive-in has<br />
furnished passes to each school principal and<br />
superintendent in this area. The passes are<br />
to be given to each of the children making<br />
the school honor roll this term.<br />
Fire in Juarez Theatre<br />
EL PASO—Fire caused an estimated $600<br />
worth of damage to the Victoria Theatre in<br />
Juarez recently.<br />
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Xight' Grosses 105<br />
To Lead in Dallas<br />
DALLAS—An uneventful week was recorded<br />
with "Red Light" at the Melba leading the<br />
list at 105, and "Bo.ss of Boomtown" and<br />
,<br />
"Tarzan Triumphs," showing as a double feature<br />
at the Capitol, also chalking up 105.<br />
Despite excellent reviews and big support<br />
from newspapers, "The Heiress" garnered only<br />
90 per cent.<br />
(Average Is 100)<br />
Capitol Boss ol Boomlown (SG); Tarzan Triumphs<br />
(RKO), reissues 105<br />
Majestic—Prince of Foxes (Para) 100<br />
Melba:—Red Ught (UA) 105<br />
Palace—The Heiress (Para) .<br />
90<br />
Rialto—The Sundowners (EL), 2nd wk 100<br />
Tower—Intruder in the Duit (MGM) 85<br />
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BOXOFFICE :: February 18. 1950 97
—<br />
Snyder, Tex., Theatres<br />
Sold to Joe L. Love<br />
SNYDER TEX.—For the first time in 25<br />
years, except for a short and unsuccessful<br />
attempt in 1937, all of theatres in this rich<br />
oil-booming west Texas town will not be<br />
owned by a Lollar.<br />
Joe L. Love, 43-year-old Seminole, Okla..<br />
theatre operator, has purchased the equipment<br />
in Snyder's five theatres and has obtained<br />
leases on the buildings and property.<br />
The shows were purchased from Mrs. T. L.<br />
Lollar, whose husband bought his first theatre<br />
there in 1925. He died in 1927, after having<br />
added one new theatre. From that time<br />
on active management of the theatres has<br />
been in the hands of N. R. Clements, sonin-law<br />
of Mrs. Lollar. His wife has been<br />
manager.<br />
The purchase includes four downtown theatres<br />
and one drive-in. The Starlite Drive-In<br />
was built in the spring of 1949, and the Aztec<br />
Theatre was opened here last fall. The Ritz,<br />
now nearing completion, will be Snyder's newest.<br />
It is on the south side of the square<br />
facing the Scurry county courthouse.<br />
All of the theatres, except the original two,<br />
have been built since a rich oil pool was discovered<br />
under Scurry county, of which Snyder<br />
is county seat and sole city of note. The<br />
oil boom has developed Snyder from a sleepy<br />
town of 5,<strong>000</strong> to a thriving city of 25,<strong>000</strong>.<br />
Although Love, who is married and has<br />
three children, has made no definite plans<br />
as to moving his family here, he has plans<br />
for progression of the theatres. They include<br />
remodeling of the Texas and a new drive-in<br />
and completion of the Ritz. Love has been in<br />
the theatre business for the last ten years.<br />
L. D. Glasscock to Build<br />
MATHIS, TEX.—Construction will start<br />
immediately on a new 600-car drive-in for<br />
Leon D. Glasscock here. The ozoner also will<br />
have 600 seats for walk-in patrons.<br />
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now available. Prices are in case lots<br />
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KERNEL PRUNTY SAYS:<br />
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Silver HuUess and Golden Hulless Popcorn.<br />
Also list of 7 kinds popcorn cartons<br />
and 26 kinds of popcorn bags. Star<br />
Popcorn Machines—Peanut Roasters<br />
Food Serving Equipment.<br />
PRUNTY SEED & GRAIN CO.<br />
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-<br />
'Francis' Balks at Video;<br />
Refuses to Enter Studio<br />
OKLAHOMA CITY—"Francis," talking<br />
mule of the army and star of the U-I picture<br />
bearing her name, balked at television here,<br />
when Paul Townsend, manager of the Midwest,<br />
trainer Bob Fetters and U-I press<br />
agent Lou Gerard tried to get her on a ramp<br />
leading to the WKY-TV studio here. The mule<br />
refused to walk and information is that<br />
Gerard and Townsend have rope burns on<br />
their hands. Their efforts didn't work, however,<br />
since Francis didn't appear on television.<br />
The mule came to Oklahoma City, after<br />
world premiere of "Francis" in New Orleans,<br />
to plug the opening of the picture at the<br />
Midwest here Friday (17). From here, Francis<br />
and other members of the troupe went on to<br />
Tulsa to beat the drums for the picture at<br />
the Talbot theatres.<br />
Picher Theatre Dark;<br />
Mine CaveJn Feared<br />
PICHER, OKLA.—The Plaza, the only local<br />
theatre, was the first of this town's<br />
business to close last week in the face of a<br />
warning of a possible mine cave-in underneath<br />
a four-block downtown area. The<br />
theatre, however, was the only business interrupted<br />
by word from the Eagle-Picher<br />
Mining & Smelting Co. that supporting pillars<br />
in the long abandoned mine tunnels under<br />
the town are showing definite signs of<br />
strain.<br />
Lawrence Wells, manager of the 25-year-old<br />
house, said his decision to close was made<br />
because he felt "morally obligated to do so<br />
until the hazardous area was declared safe,<br />
or until something was done to insure safe<br />
operation of the theatre."<br />
The Plaza has a seating capacity of 1.<strong>000</strong>.<br />
Wells also said he had no intention of reopening<br />
the smaller Roxy Theatre, one-half<br />
block from the Plaza, which was closed last<br />
July.<br />
A later announcement from Kenneth Blackledge,<br />
Video official in Oklahoma City, said<br />
the theatre would be moved to safe ground<br />
as soon as possible. Other businesses in the<br />
area were slated to begin evacuations to<br />
safer ground later this week.<br />
Houston Drive-In Started<br />
HOUSTON—Ground is<br />
being cleared for a<br />
new drive-in on the Airline expressway here<br />
to be built by the Lone Star Theatre Co.<br />
The ozoner will accommodate 750 cars on the<br />
14-acre site. E. L. Pack is president of the<br />
Lone Star Co., which headquarters in Dallas.<br />
The firm has no theatres here at present, but<br />
operates drive-ins in Waco, El Paso and<br />
Shreveport, La.<br />
Freer, Tex., Drive-In Opens<br />
FREER, TEX.—H. T. Sain and Jack Telford<br />
have opened the Freer Drive-In. Telford,<br />
who will manage the airer, reports that<br />
RCA Brenkert sound and projection equipment<br />
has been installed, and although only<br />
300 speakers were in operation opening night,<br />
others will be installed upon arrival. Opening<br />
attraction was "Portrait of Jennie."<br />
Order your taxation trailers today!<br />
Scenic Fiesta Drive-In<br />
Is Opened at El Paso<br />
EL PASO—The new Fiesta Drive-In. about<br />
two miles west of town on the Mesa highway,<br />
was opened last week (7) by J. B.<br />
Season and W. O. Beardon with "Paleface"<br />
on the screen. The Fiesta is in a picturesque<br />
setting with the Franklin mountain as the<br />
background and offering a superb view of the<br />
Upper Valley and the New Mexico plains in<br />
other directions.<br />
Over $100,<strong>000</strong> was spent on construction<br />
and equipment. The tower displays one of<br />
the largest animated neon signs in this part<br />
of the country, featuring an 18-foot dancing<br />
girl in typical Mexican costume.<br />
"We studied over hundreds of drive-ins all<br />
over the country before starting construction,"<br />
the owners said, "and have incorporated<br />
every new and modern feature we could find."<br />
One of them is a cafeteria style snack bar<br />
and lovely patio in the center of the lot.<br />
The picture may be viewed from the patio,<br />
which also will be available for square<br />
dancing and individual party groups.<br />
The theatre has a capacity of 500 cars with<br />
a four-lane entrance and two boxoffices.<br />
Interstate Opens the New<br />
Arlington, Tex., House<br />
ARLINGTON, TEX.—The new 1,200-seat<br />
Arlington Theatre here was opened February<br />
11 by Interstate Theatres. Harold Eppes, who<br />
has been been with the Interstate circuit 15<br />
years, is manager of the house. Howard<br />
Hildreth is assistant manager. Completely<br />
air conditioned, the theatre has a cry room<br />
and a 20-foot snack bar.<br />
Opening features included a stage bill<br />
which included the Plying X Ranch Boys,<br />
a concert by a 50-piece band, fireworks and<br />
addresses by civic and theatre officials. A<br />
special opening program for children the next<br />
day included a feature, a serial and six cartoons.<br />
The initial screen bill was "The Story<br />
of Seabiscuit."<br />
Two Drive-ins Slated<br />
For Ennis, Tex., Area<br />
ENNIS, TEX.—One drive-in now is under<br />
construction here and plans are being drawn<br />
up for a second such installation. Robert M.<br />
Rogers, film operator formerly of Marshall,<br />
Mo., plans an early spring opening for a<br />
drive-in now being built a mile and one-half<br />
south of the city limits on Highway 7.<br />
The ten-acre tract has been surveyed and<br />
work has started on the screen tower.<br />
Lloyd Rust of Gene Autry Enterprises and<br />
John Stiles, local theatre owner, will build<br />
the second drive-in to be located north of<br />
the city. Property already has been purchased<br />
for the ozoner, which wUl feature<br />
playgrounds for children.<br />
Lex Barker Visits Dallas<br />
DALLAS—Lex Barker, the<br />
new Tarzan of<br />
the film series, was here Tuesday and<br />
Wednesday, 7, 8, visiting press and radio.<br />
While here, RKO gave a luncheon, preceded<br />
by a special screening of his latest film,<br />
"Tarzan and the Slave Girl."<br />
What have YOU done today to help secure<br />
repeal of the unfair amusement tax?<br />
98 BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950
have<br />
Meiselman Appeal<br />
To Supreme Court<br />
CHARLOTTE—The appeal of the H. B.<br />
Meiselman Theatres against a ruling of U.S.<br />
District Judge Wilson Warlick denying an<br />
injunction against .seven distributors, two circuits<br />
and an individual will be carried to the<br />
Supreme Court.<br />
The circuit court of appeals at Richmond.<br />
Va.. last week upheld the decision of Judge<br />
Warlick. Meiselman .said his attorneys already<br />
were working on an appeal.<br />
Meiselman filed the injunction suit at the<br />
same time he started an antitrust damage<br />
suit against the same defendants a year ago.<br />
The damage suit has not yet been scheduled<br />
for trial. Meiselman asked that Warnei-s.<br />
20th-Fox, U-I, Columbia. RKO, Paramount<br />
and United Artists be restrained from licensing<br />
films to the Carolina. Imperial and<br />
Broadway theatres here unless an equivalent<br />
number of first runs was made available for<br />
the Meiselman's Center.<br />
E. D. Martin Addresses<br />
Rotary Club on Taxes<br />
ATMORE, ALA.—Amount of taxes paid by<br />
the theatre industry was stressed by E. D.<br />
Martin, president of Martin Theatres, in a<br />
talk before the Atmore Rotary club. Martin<br />
pointed out that the industry paid $500,<strong>000</strong>,-<br />
<strong>000</strong> in taxes in America last year, as compared<br />
with $74,<strong>000</strong>,<strong>000</strong> paid to stockholders.<br />
He cited the fact 101 small town theatres will<br />
soon have video on their screens as proof that<br />
it is not deemed a great threat to their pictures.<br />
Uphold Stand on 'Pinky'<br />
ANDALUSIA, ALA.—Officials of the Martin<br />
Theatre, in connection with the showing<br />
of '"Pinky," February 8-10, said that they<br />
were of the belief that Academy award winners<br />
deserve a place on their screen, and<br />
that they believed that the south will be<br />
sympathetic towards the characters portrayed<br />
in "Pinky." The officials also stated that<br />
they are not taking part in any kind of a<br />
crusade.<br />
Orris Collinses in Mexico<br />
MEMPHIS—Mr. and Mrs. Orris Collins, who<br />
operate the Majestic and Capitol at Paragould,<br />
Ark., where they will open a new<br />
drive-in in the spring, are on a three-week<br />
trip to Mexico City as guests of J. H. Farrell,<br />
Arkansas racing commissioner. They will attend<br />
the national convention of racing commissioners<br />
in Mexico City.<br />
$261 to Dimes Campaign<br />
AUGUSTA, ARK.—Mrs. W. E. Malin. operator<br />
of the Lura Theatre here, has tm-ned<br />
over to the March of Dimes campaign $261.69<br />
which patrons of the theatre donated. The<br />
amount also includes Mrs. Malin's contribution.<br />
$1,<strong>000</strong> Given for Drives<br />
JONESBORO. ARK.—A total of about $1,-<br />
<strong>000</strong> has been collected at three theatres here<br />
in campaigns for infantile paraly.sis and<br />
other drives, according to Earl Young, manager<br />
for Malco Theatres.<br />
Memphis Joins 'No<br />
In Fight on 'Stromboli'<br />
MEMPHIS — While Memphis censors are<br />
prepared for and expect a court fight over their<br />
action in banning "Stromboli," Ingrid Bergman's<br />
latest picture, the film has been booked<br />
at a West Memphis theatre across tht Mississippi<br />
river from Memphis in Arkansas.<br />
RKO studio's spokesmen in Hollywood were<br />
quoted in news dispatches to Memphis newspapers<br />
as saying the studio "will certainly<br />
fight" the action of censor chairman Lloyd T.<br />
Binford and his board in Memphis. The<br />
spokesman added, "Tliat will have to wait,<br />
because we are busy arranging showings in<br />
other parts of the country."<br />
STUDIOS WILL FIGHT BAN<br />
This announcement had frankly been expected<br />
by the Memphis censors. Before agreeing<br />
to see the picture at all, Binford conferred<br />
with James J. Pleasants, Memphis city<br />
attorney and former mayor, and obtained his<br />
pledge of legal backing for any decision the<br />
board might make.<br />
Then, Binford and his fellow censors, Avery<br />
Blakeney, lawyer, and Mrs. Sid A. Law. clubwoman,<br />
saw the picture and issued a formal<br />
statement banning the picture which said, in<br />
part: "After seeing 'Stromboli,' it is the opinion<br />
of the board that it would be inimical to the<br />
public welfare to see a picture starring a<br />
woman living in open adultery." This formal<br />
decision was made, attorneys said, to prepare<br />
for a court fight, for Binford had already announced<br />
the picture would be banned before<br />
the censors saw it. Then he withdrew this<br />
statement and said they would see it before<br />
making a formal announcement. After the<br />
screening, Binford said the questions of other<br />
Bergman pictures being shown in Memphis<br />
would be settled one by one as theatres attempted<br />
to book them.<br />
Meanwhile, the Crittenden Theatre in West<br />
Memphis, Ark.—just across the Mississippi<br />
from Memphis — announced that it had<br />
booked "Stromboli" opening Wednesday of<br />
this week, date for the national release of the<br />
film.<br />
MEMPHIANS WILL CROSS BRIDGE<br />
Bruce Young. Crittenden manager, said the<br />
early showing in West Memphis was made<br />
possible when it was banned in Memphis. He<br />
said matinee showings, which are not ordinarily<br />
held at Crittenden, would be held and<br />
that the picture wound run as long as attendance<br />
justified.<br />
A new free four-lane concrete bridge across<br />
the river connecting Memphis and West<br />
Memphis was opened only a few weeks ago<br />
and it is only an ll-minute drive between the<br />
two cities. Many Memphians, in the past,<br />
have seen films banned in Memphis at West<br />
Memphis theatres.<br />
Memphis ministers have urged their congregations<br />
not to see the picture "anytime,<br />
anywhere."<br />
Okayed in Birmingham<br />
BIRMINGHAM—"Stromboli" will be shown<br />
here and in Montgomery, but another Ingrid<br />
Bergman picture has been canceled in Gadsden.<br />
Police Chief Eddins, who also is city<br />
censor, okayed the local showing after an<br />
Side<br />
interchange between city officials.<br />
When city attorneys could not find any<br />
provision in the city ordinances for banning<br />
the picture, city commissioners asked General<br />
Manager Frank V. Merritt of Acme Theatres<br />
not to show the film. Commissioner<br />
Connor wrote Merritt:<br />
"Your industry should voluntarily accept<br />
the re.sponsibility of refusing to show this<br />
picture and thereby convincing the public<br />
that you are determined that immorality<br />
shall not be condoned or glorified and that<br />
the misconduct of individuals shall not be<br />
exploited and used as a means of advertising<br />
a movie."<br />
Merritt arranged a private screening for<br />
the police officials and wrote Connor:<br />
"Our position in the matter is simply this:<br />
we are exhibitors and, as such, we feel that<br />
the final decision as to whether the motion<br />
picture 'Stromboli' can or cannot be shown<br />
should not rest with us, but with the proper<br />
appointed authorities.<br />
"As the situation now stands, we have a<br />
contract to show 'Stromboli' and unless the<br />
proper authority bans this picture we have<br />
no other alternative but to show the picture<br />
as per contract."<br />
The picture, opposed by the Birmingham<br />
Pi-otestant Ministers Ass'n and the Birmingham<br />
Council of Church Women, is booked<br />
for the Empire February 22.<br />
In Gadsden, the Pitman Theatre withdrew<br />
Bergman's "Capricorn." scheduled to open<br />
Saturday (11). John Teague, Pitman manager,<br />
said the film would not be shown because<br />
of the publicity about the Bergman-<br />
Rossellini affair.<br />
Seek Legislative Action<br />
COLUMBIA, S. C. — Representative Eubanks<br />
of Spartanburg introduced a resolution<br />
in the general assembly here recently<br />
asking that body to stamp disapproval upon<br />
the showing in South Carolina of "Stromboli."<br />
Carolina Groups Protest<br />
CHARLOTTE—Strong protests against the<br />
showing of "Stromboli " been voiced by<br />
religious and other organizations in Carolina<br />
communities. The ministerial association in<br />
Gastonia, N. C, was one of the first to protest,<br />
and ministers in several other towns also<br />
have taken action. The Raleigh Women's<br />
club approved a resolution asking that theatres<br />
refrain from showing the film. State<br />
officials will be asked to take action if theatres<br />
advertise the picture.<br />
'Stromboli' Opens at Malco<br />
HOT SPRINGS. ARK.—"Stromboli" began<br />
a run at the Malco Tlieatre here February<br />
15 and W. Clyde Smith, local manager, declared<br />
it would be shown despite opposition.<br />
In an advertisement over his signature in<br />
the Hot Springs Sentinel Record. Smith said:<br />
"Malco carires no brief either for or against<br />
the director or star. In traditional American<br />
fairnes.s. we will offer the picture on its own<br />
merits."<br />
BOXOFFICE :: February 18. 1950 SE 99
. . The<br />
. . Leonard<br />
. . The<br />
. . Talgar<br />
'<br />
|<br />
VISIT WITH CONGRESSMAN—John H. Stembler, Georgia Theatre Co. executive,<br />
is shown at right dining with Rep. George Smathers of Miami, who has challenged<br />
U.S. Senator Claude Pepper in the forthcoming Florida primary. Congressman<br />
Smathers visited Atlanta recently for a brief respite from his campaign schedule<br />
in Florida. Stembler and Smathers were roommates at the University of Florida.<br />
They also served together as assistant U.S. district attorneys in Florida before Stembler<br />
joined Georgia Theatre Co. Also pictured above are Mrs. Stembler (left) and<br />
Mrs. Smathers.<br />
JACKSONVILLE<br />
Oteve Edwards, advertising director for Republic,<br />
was In to confer with Howard PettenglU.<br />
advertising manager of Florida State<br />
Theatres . 5 Points Theatre is showing<br />
"The Red Shoes" at popular prices following<br />
up a successful run at advance prices several<br />
weeks ago.<br />
A new feature of the Lake Shore Theatre<br />
is family night—all adults are admitted for<br />
25 cents. The free parking lot at the Lake<br />
Shore is proving popular . St. Johns<br />
has reduced admission fees to 40 cents until<br />
2 p.m.<br />
.<br />
Jesse Clark, general manager for Florida<br />
State Theatres, returned to the home office,<br />
following a Miami business trip . , . District<br />
managers Frank Bell, Jack Fitzwater, James<br />
Cartwright and Walter Lyod, attended a<br />
booking meeting Allen was in<br />
town last week.<br />
Jimmy Goldberg, auditor, completed his<br />
Paramount chore and left for New Orleans<br />
. . . Ollie Williamson. Warner district manager,<br />
Atlanta, was in town . Theatres<br />
of Lakeland has leased space for a drivein<br />
in Lakewood subdivision, one of Jackson-<br />
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general manager of the Lakeland chain, said<br />
the new theatre will be known as the Lakewood<br />
Drive-In. It will have a capacity of<br />
about 500 automobiles. The land and theatre<br />
will cost about $75,<strong>000</strong> Hyde said. William<br />
Helm of Avon Park will be the architect.<br />
Talgar Theatres also announced that it<br />
will open a drive-in theatre in the Main<br />
street area of Jacksonville, between 45th and<br />
48th streets about June 1. The company,<br />
headed by B. B. Garner of Lakeland, operates<br />
about 25 theatres in Florida.<br />
Osceola, Ark., Joy Theatre<br />
Closed for Renovation<br />
MEMPHIS—The Joy Theatre in Osceola.<br />
Ark., has been closed until March 15 for extensive<br />
repairs and decorations. Bill Kroeger<br />
said. Kroeger, who is operating the Gem and<br />
Joy at Osceola on a lease for the estate of<br />
the late Miss Emma Cox. owner, who died<br />
recently, was on Pilmrow booking for his<br />
theatres.<br />
Kroeger also operates Shannon and Maxon<br />
at Portage ville. Mo.<br />
To Air Condition Victoria<br />
NEW SMYRNA, FLA.—D. Keer, air conditioning<br />
field engineer for Florida State Theatres:<br />
Lamar Sarra, and B. C. Marshall of New-<br />
York were here in regard to installing of a<br />
modern air conditioning unit in the Victoria<br />
Theatre. Kerr said installation work could<br />
start within 30 days.<br />
Guests at Daytona Beach<br />
DAYTONA BEACH — Former members of<br />
the 101st airborne division were guests of the<br />
Empire Theatre at the opening of "Battleground."<br />
Mark DuPree is manager.<br />
Ice Closed Theatre Two Days<br />
MEMPHIS—A sectional ice storm last week<br />
resulted in the closing of Missouri Theatre,<br />
Hornersville, for two days by W. B. McFarland,<br />
owner.<br />
Martin-Thompson Leases<br />
Cochran, Ga., Auditorium<br />
COCHRAN, GA. — The city council and<br />
board of education here has agreed to lease<br />
the city auditorium to Martin-Thompson<br />
Theatres here to be used as a theatre until a<br />
new house can be constructed on the site of<br />
the old Martin-Thompson situation here.<br />
Actual work on the new theatre has started.<br />
Terms of the auditorium lease include provisions<br />
that no lights shall be turned on until<br />
church is out, the auditorium will be reserved<br />
every Thursday night with ten days notice,<br />
the auditorium will be reserved for one week<br />
during commencement, it will be put back in<br />
the same condition as at present with the<br />
exception of natural wear and tear, it will<br />
be painted by the theatre circuit at expiration<br />
of the lease, and M&T will pay any increase<br />
in the current light bill over the same<br />
month in 1949.<br />
Other provisions are: permission granted<br />
to Martin & Thompson to install a temporary<br />
heating system and to remove it at the<br />
expiration of the lease and to make necessary<br />
alterations. The auditorium must be cleaned<br />
by M&T before 8 a.m. daily. Shows will start<br />
on school days at 4 p.m. Rent will be $87.50<br />
per month and will start when the show<br />
starts operating. The lease will cover the time<br />
it takes to complete the new theatre.<br />
New Bill Would Set Up<br />
Georgia Censor Board<br />
ATLANTA—A bill to establish a threemember<br />
state board of film censors has been<br />
approved by the senate state of the republic<br />
committee. Under terms of the proposed law.<br />
every feature film or short would have to be<br />
reviewed by the committee before being shown<br />
in Georgia. The bill was introduced by Gus<br />
Stark, senator from Walton county, as a substitute<br />
for a similar bill which was introduced<br />
but not acted upon in 1949.<br />
Beauty Contest for Dimes<br />
DEMOPOLIS, ALA,—The March of Dimes<br />
benefited from a beauty contest on the stage,<br />
of the Marengo Theatre here. Sixty girls<br />
competed in the contest, won by Miss Jean<br />
Carpenter. The beauty show is staged annually<br />
by Mrs. Cox Webb, wife of one of the<br />
owners of the theatre.<br />
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iOO BOXOFFICE :: February 18. 1950
. . . George<br />
. . F.<br />
. . Myer<br />
. . Ned<br />
Parrish, Ala., Exhibitor<br />
Arrested Over Letter<br />
BIRMINGHAM—An Alabama motion<br />
picture<br />
theatre operator is under $1,<strong>000</strong> bond<br />
here on a charge of writing a letter threatening<br />
another exhibitor. Arrested was Raymond<br />
John Horn, 35, of Guin, Ala. He operates the<br />
Parrish Theatre at Parrish, Ala.<br />
Horn was arrested after an investigation of<br />
several months of a letter written July <strong>23</strong>,<br />
1949, to Mrs. W. S. Thornton, who operates<br />
the Pastime Theatre at Carbon Hill.<br />
George D. King, special agent in charge of<br />
the P^I here, said the letter to Mrs. Thornton<br />
did not demand any money. King quoted<br />
Horn as saying he wrote Mi-s. Tliornton to<br />
"worry" her because she had interfered with<br />
an attempt to obtain certain motion picture<br />
rights.<br />
King said that Horn and a business associate<br />
had been negotiating for film rights at<br />
Winfield, Ala.<br />
Tom Robertson Appointed<br />
Memphis Representative<br />
MEMPHIS — Tom Robertson has been<br />
named to represent the Griggs Equipment<br />
Co., of Belton, Tex., manufacturers of theatre<br />
seating, in this territory. Forrest Dunlap,<br />
head of Griggs theatre seating division,<br />
Dallas, says Robertson will occupy the Griggs<br />
office at 410 S. Second St. here.<br />
Harlan Dunlap. who formerly served out of<br />
this office, will continue to represent the<br />
Memphis and Dallas office together with<br />
Forrest Dunlap. Robertson is a native of<br />
Memphis.<br />
Milton Dorriety Named<br />
GEORGIANA. ALA.—Milton Dorriety, manager<br />
of the Ga-Ana Tlieatre here, has been<br />
named as 1950 fund co-cliaii-man of the Butler<br />
county chapter of the American Red Cross.<br />
Dorriety said he had no connection with the<br />
March of Dimes campaign other than to take<br />
up a nice collection in his theatre.<br />
School Kids See 'Hamlet'<br />
WINTER PARK, FLA. — A tiein<br />
between<br />
management of the Colony Theatre and high<br />
school authorities at Clermont made it possible<br />
for students wishing to see "Hamlet" to<br />
be released from classes in time to drive to<br />
Winter Park for the performance.<br />
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MEMPHIS<br />
^T A. Lightman sr„ president of Maico Theatres,<br />
was in New York on business . . .<br />
A post card from Tom Young, 20th-Fox manager,<br />
and wife from Fort Myers, Fla., where<br />
they are spending a winter vacation, empha-<br />
.<br />
sized they are enjoying wonderful weather<br />
F. Cooper, 20th-Fox auditor,<br />
moved in from Oklahoma City<br />
Blount, manager at<br />
. .<br />
Monarch Theatre<br />
N. B.<br />
Supply,<br />
and Neil A. Murphy, salesman, were in<br />
Nashville on basiness . Ackerman,<br />
New York home office, was at Columbia,<br />
Clayton Tunstill, Malco division manager,<br />
was on a business trip to Owensboro, Henderson<br />
and Fulton, Ky. . Green, Legion<br />
and Princess, Mayfield, Ky., was in town on<br />
business . R. Matter, Riverside, Clifton,<br />
and Aubrey Webb, Webb, Ripley, were visiting<br />
from Tennessee . . . Mi-s. Winnie Elrod,<br />
manager of the Linden Circle, was called to<br />
the bedside of an ill aunt in Alabama. Bob<br />
Avery is relief manager.<br />
"Capacity business" resulted from a week<br />
of vaudeville at the Malco, and Elliott Johnson,<br />
manager, said he was so well pleased<br />
that he announced the Henry Busse orchestra<br />
and revue would open February 22. Warner<br />
took the attendance lead with a vaudeville<br />
show, starring Dick Contino and his revue,<br />
and Manager J. H. McCarthy was delighted<br />
with the opening crowds. The Strand proudly<br />
announced that "Samson and Delilah"<br />
opened there Wednesday. "Dear Wife," the<br />
300.<br />
first Paramount product not to receive its<br />
first run at Strand since the Malco-Paramount<br />
divorcement settlement, opened at the<br />
Malco. The Strand is one of the theatres<br />
taken over exclusively by Paramount in the<br />
settlement and Malco was retained by Malco<br />
Theatres.<br />
Two theatremen have opened the first California-type<br />
drive-in grocery in Memphis. It<br />
is the Ham-Kirk. Buster Hammond and Tom<br />
Kirk, well-known theatremen, are partners.<br />
Mississippi exhibitors on Pilmrow included<br />
S. D. McRae, Coffeeville, Coffeeville: Mr. and<br />
Mrs. Grady Green, Union, Grenada; R. B.<br />
Cox, Eureka, Batesville, and Jack Watson,<br />
Palace, Tunica.<br />
From Arkansas came Lawrence Landers,<br />
Landers, Batesville; Everett Malcolm, Ackerman.<br />
Mammoth Spring; Moses Sliman, Murr<br />
at Osceola and Lux at Luxora; Fred and Zell<br />
Jaynes, Joy, West Memphis; Mr. and Mrs.<br />
C. F. Bonner, Community. Pine Bluff; Henry<br />
Haven, Imperial, Forrest City, and Mr. and<br />
Mrs. J. R. Keller, Joiner, Joiner.<br />
Others from Arkansas: E. J. Smith, Victory.<br />
Altheimer; Burris Smith, Imperial, Pocahontas;<br />
Tom Ford, Ford. Rector; L. J. Renfro.<br />
Groves, Holly Groves; J. E. Singleton, Tyro,<br />
Tyronza; John Staples, Carolyn, Piggott, who<br />
was accompanied by his daughter, Carolyn<br />
Staples, for whom the show is named; and<br />
. . Pat Fleming,<br />
S. D. Thorn, Royal, Light .<br />
owner, canceled a week's exhibitions at his<br />
Gail Theatre, Round Pond, Ark., because of<br />
the high water situation in that .section . . .<br />
Gordon Hutchins, owner, has closed Dixie<br />
Theatre. Corning, Ark., for the winter.<br />
—<br />
Harlow Land Purchases<br />
E. S. Winburn Interests<br />
MAYO, FLA.—Harlow Land has purchased<br />
the interest of E. S. Winburn in a chain of<br />
four<br />
theatres and has assumed management<br />
of the group.<br />
The houses involved are at Mayo, Branford,<br />
Ti-enton and Chiefland. Land has changed<br />
the name of three from Capitol to the name<br />
of the town in which operated. The theatres<br />
of Mayo, Branford and Chiefland will be<br />
known at the Mayo Theatre, Branford Theatre<br />
and Chiefland Theatre. The one at Trenton<br />
will continue to operate as the Capitol.<br />
MEMPHIS—Paul Myers of McCrory has<br />
bought the Strand and Center theatres at<br />
Lexington, Miss., from Leon Roundtree.<br />
H. G. Alvarez has purchased the Palace<br />
Theatre, Greenwood, Ark., from Charles<br />
Nelson.<br />
Owners Swap Theatres<br />
MEMPHIS—Two theatres in the midsouth<br />
territory have been "swapped" in a two-way<br />
deal. S. D. Thorn bought the Royal at Light,<br />
Ark., from Wake Newsum, who in turn bought<br />
the Dixie at Marmaduke, Ark., from Thorn.<br />
58 Seats Installed<br />
GENTRY, ARK.—Fifty-eight new seats<br />
have been installed at the Gentry Theatre<br />
here, bringing the seating capacity to over<br />
MEL DANNER— Owner of the<br />
Circle Theatre, Waynoka, Okla.<br />
declares:<br />
"I let RCA Sound Service worry<br />
about my sound problems.They<br />
do a good job and their service<br />
is excellent."<br />
To get the benefits of RCA Service<br />
write: RCA SERVICE COMPANY,<br />
INC., Radio Corporation of America,<br />
Camden, N. J.<br />
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Write lor Details<br />
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TB Post to R. C. Butler Jr.<br />
SELMA, ALA.—Roger C. Butler jr., civic<br />
leader and manager of the Wilby Theatre,<br />
has been named chairman of the Dallas<br />
County Tuberculosis Ass'n for 1950.<br />
432 So. Second St.<br />
Memphis. Tenn.<br />
BOXOFFICE :: February 18. 1950 101
. . John<br />
—<br />
Drive-In and Theatre<br />
Open at New Orleans<br />
NEW ORLEANS—The new Patio<br />
Theatre,<br />
designed in traditional old New Orleans architecture<br />
complete with iron-laced balcony,<br />
was opened recently by W. M. Sendy, owner<br />
and operator. The theatre, located at 3939<br />
Airline highway, has 1,<strong>000</strong> seats. Among appointments<br />
of the house is a play room and<br />
nursery for small children and a smoker's<br />
room where patrons can smoke while seeing<br />
the film. A large free parking area adjoins<br />
the theatre.<br />
equipment will be used. A playground, picnic<br />
tables, comfortable outdoor seats, a snack<br />
bar and an outdoor stage will be built, Davis<br />
said. Construction will start immediately,<br />
with tentative opening in early May.<br />
Two other drive-ins were announced within<br />
the last several weeks. Marshall Drive-In<br />
Theatres, Inc., will build a $100,<strong>000</strong> drivein<br />
near Florence and an unidentified owner<br />
will build an $80,<strong>000</strong> to $100,<strong>000</strong> drive-in in<br />
the Highland Park area of Muscle Shoals<br />
City.<br />
McLendon io Open Hub Soon<br />
LAFAYETTE, LA.—Formal opening of the<br />
new Hub Drive-In, being built<br />
on Scott road<br />
here by the Fred T. McLendon Theatres of<br />
Union Springs, Ala., is scheduled for late<br />
this month. The drive-in will accommodate<br />
550 cars and will have a snack bar and incar<br />
speakers. Colored fountains will augment<br />
the decorative theme of the front of the<br />
drive-in. The screen will show a picture 40x50<br />
feet. The McLendon chain operates 40 driveins<br />
in Alabama, Mississippi, Florida and<br />
Louisiana.<br />
Savannah Drive-In Opens<br />
SAVANNAH, GA.—The new Hi-Way 80<br />
Drive-In, 1,<strong>000</strong> yards west of the Traffic<br />
Circle, held its formal opening recently.<br />
Owned and operated by the Dixie Drive-In<br />
Theatres, the Hi-Way 80 has accommodations<br />
for 700 cars. Harry C. Herr, jr., former manager<br />
of the Victory Drive-In here, is manager<br />
of the new ozoner.<br />
Dover, Ark., New Opened<br />
DOVER, ABK.—E. F. Coffman opened his<br />
New Theatre here Friday (17).<br />
DeVry Drive-In Equipment<br />
THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO.<br />
ZZO S. POPLAR ST. CHARLOTTE. N. C.<br />
ATLANTA<br />
TTnable to open a safe at the Grove Theatre<br />
here recently, burglars took a March of<br />
Dimes collection box containing $15 . . . Jack<br />
Barrett, Monogram salesman in Florida, and<br />
his wife left after visiting here . . . John Kirby,<br />
Warner southern sales manager, visited the<br />
branch here . . . Bob Tarwater, Eagle Lion<br />
branch manager, returned from a trip to<br />
Birmingham.<br />
Jimmy Hobbs, Monogram branch manager,<br />
conducted a sales meeting which was attended<br />
by Jim Campbell, Jack Barrett and Ben Jordan,<br />
salesmen . . . Juanita Burdette of the<br />
New Drive-In for Florence Area<br />
Eagle Lion office staff was ill . . . Ruth Roberts<br />
of the Monogram force celebrated her<br />
FLORENCE, ALA.—A thu'd drive-in, costing<br />
birthday . Harwell of Martin Theatres,<br />
an estimated $125,<strong>000</strong>, has been an-<br />
Joyce Hig-<br />
Columbus, Ga., was a visitor . . .<br />
nounced for the Tri-cities area. It is the gins of the Columbia staff will be married in<br />
Joy-Lan, which will be built within two miles April to Jim Gisi.<br />
of Florence by Norwood Theatre Co. It will<br />
William Richardson, Astor Pictures head,<br />
have a capacity of 700 automobiles.<br />
returned from Florida . . . T. D. McCoy, 89,<br />
Dan W. Davis, Norwood president, said<br />
father of Ralph McCoy of Film Classics, died<br />
that the general contractor will be E. L. Ames,<br />
recently at his home in Springfield, Mo. . . .<br />
Ames Construction Co., Clearwater, Fla. He<br />
The Palmetto Theatre at Palmetto, Fla., has<br />
has built numerous other drive-ins throughout<br />
the southeast. In-car speakers and RCA<br />
been leased by G. W. Floyd from W. Howard<br />
Smith . . . Meyer Fine, president of Associated<br />
Theatres in Cleveland, and his wife were enjoying<br />
a vacation in Miami . . . R. M. Savini,<br />
New York, Astor Pictures president, was here<br />
briefly en route to Charlotte and other points.<br />
Theatremen booking and buying on Filmrow<br />
included J. R. Kindrell, Dixie, Unadllla;<br />
O. C. Lam, Lam circuit, Rome; Sidney Laird,<br />
West Point Amusement Co., West Point; Fred<br />
G. Weis, Weis Theatres, Savannah, and Nat<br />
Williams, Interstate Theatres, Thomasville,<br />
Ga. . . . Harry Willard, Detroit, Jan Handy<br />
salesman, was in town.<br />
Two Theatres Will Help<br />
Hungry Coal Miners<br />
BIRMINGHAM — Hungry mining families<br />
in Alabama coal fields are receiving aid from<br />
at least two theatres in this district. They<br />
are the Quinton Theatre at Quinton, Ala., and<br />
the Parrish Theatre at Parrish.<br />
Manager Preston Thomason of the Parrish<br />
Theatre and Wayman Martin of the<br />
Quinton Theatre, worked out the idea. One<br />
can of food is required as admission at the<br />
Parrish Theatre on Saturdays and at the<br />
Quinton Theatre on Mondays. The scheme<br />
will remain in effect as long as there is any<br />
need, according to the two managers.<br />
Tlie food collected in lieu of admissions<br />
will be delivered to United Mine Workers<br />
union locals in the areas.<br />
Bonifay Theatre Loses $500<br />
BONIFAY, FLA. — Burglars entered the<br />
Bonifay Theatre and carried away the office<br />
safe which contained approximately $500<br />
and valuable papers.<br />
Ray City Theatre Opened<br />
RAY CITY, GA.—The new Ray City $20,<strong>000</strong><br />
theatre was opened here recently by L. O.<br />
West, owner of Luke's Theatre in Hilliard,<br />
Fla. The opening was preceded by a co-op<br />
merchant ad in the nearby Nashville paper.<br />
'Mom and Dad' at Drive-In<br />
OKEECHOBEE, FLA. — Manager Raymon<br />
Mackee featured "Mom and Dad" in a onenight<br />
engagement at the drive-in here.<br />
Georgia Chain Aids<br />
Tax Repeal Drive<br />
ATLANTA—Georgia Theatre Co. theatres<br />
are giving full support to the industry's nationwide<br />
campaign to kill the 20 per cent<br />
federal excise tax on theatre tickets, according<br />
to William K. Jenkins, president. Theatres<br />
under Jenkins' direction are following<br />
closely the campaign outlined by the Council<br />
of Motion Picture Organizations to bring<br />
public opinion to bear upon congress to include<br />
film tickets among those items being<br />
considered for removal from the wartime<br />
levy list.<br />
Jenkins points out that his company has<br />
sent outlines of the complete campaign to<br />
every theatre under its direction. The theatres<br />
are running the prepared trailer, encouraging<br />
patrons to sign protest cards in<br />
the lobbies, are displaying specially printed<br />
cards in boxoffices and display frames and<br />
are hard at work enlisting the aid of newspaper<br />
and radio news editors.<br />
Georgia Theatre's work in the drive should<br />
be most effective, since both Senator Walter<br />
F. George, chairman of the senate finance<br />
committee, and Congressman A. Sidney Camp,<br />
key man on the ways and means committee<br />
of the house, are Georgians.<br />
Benefit Given for Dimes<br />
MOORE HAVEN, FLA.—The Glades Theatre<br />
devoted a special program one night as a<br />
benefit for the March of Dimes. The high<br />
school band opened a concert at 8, which was<br />
followed by a brief talk by a minister, then<br />
"Christopher Columbus."<br />
N. H. W^ATERS, JR.—Vice-President,<br />
Waters Theatre Company,<br />
Birmingham, Ala.— verifies:<br />
"We are entering our eighteenth<br />
year with RCA Service. Experience<br />
has taught us we can always<br />
rely on RCA to give us<br />
the best service obtainable."<br />
To get the benefits of RCA Service<br />
write: RCA SERVICE COMPANY,<br />
INC., Radio Corporation of America,<br />
Camden, N. J.<br />
BOOKING<br />
BUYING AND PAYING<br />
JIMMY WILSON<br />
"A Friendly Service"<br />
WILSON-MOORE ENT., INC.<br />
P. O. Box 2034 Atlanta<br />
102 BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950
. . Carey<br />
. . "Sands<br />
BIRMINGHAM<br />
. . . Charlie<br />
John L. Lewis' coal strike has cut local theatre<br />
business sharply, especially in the<br />
neighborhoods and suburbs<br />
Walker, manager of Acme's Gary Theatre<br />
in Fairfield, arranged a special matinee for<br />
"Huckleberry Hnn." Admission was some<br />
article of food, which was given to mine<br />
William Whidden, Lyric usher,<br />
families . . .<br />
has been named to represent Paul Hayne<br />
High school on the annual citizenship tour<br />
to Washington sponsored by Congressman<br />
Laurie Battle.<br />
Bill Coury, Ritz manager, was host to John<br />
I>ayne on his recent visit here plugging<br />
"Captain China." Accompanying Payne were<br />
A. C. Lyles and Leonard Allen, Paramount<br />
publicists. Now Coury is arranging for the<br />
visit February 27 of Henry Wilcoxon for<br />
"Samson and Delilah." He has arranged a<br />
screen for the clergy, school leaders, and<br />
press and radio.<br />
It's a boy for J. R. Waters, booker for<br />
Waters Theatres. The child has been named<br />
Due to the unseasonably warm<br />
J. R. jr.<br />
weather,<br />
. .<br />
landscaping is under way in full<br />
swing at the three Waters' drive-ins here,<br />
the Fair Park, Roebuck and Shades Mountain<br />
Twenty-four air force and National<br />
. . . guard planes roared over the city in a welcome<br />
to "Twelve O'clock High" at the Alabama.<br />
Assistant Manager Bert Smith's campaign<br />
for the film also brought a 12,<strong>000</strong>-<br />
pound bomb here from Eglin Field, Fla., for<br />
display in front of the theatre. Part of the<br />
picture was filmed at Eglin . . Mrs. Siddie<br />
.<br />
It's<br />
New!<br />
It's<br />
Beautiful!<br />
It's<br />
Comfortable!<br />
It's<br />
Economical!<br />
Underwood is now doorwoman at the Lyric<br />
and Mrs. Velma Lynn is new cashier.<br />
Bill Tatum. assistant manager at the Lyric,<br />
has returned from a visit in Tuscaloosa, Ala.,<br />
with Ollie Haynes, former manager of the<br />
Lyric. Haynes is now manager of the Ritz<br />
and Diamond there . of Iwo Jima"<br />
went into a third week at the Melba here.<br />
The first week was a day and date run with<br />
the Empire . Gore, Acme artist,<br />
is now experimenting with a new TV set.<br />
Visitors here included Ben Butler, MGM<br />
salesman: Ken Laird, U-I salesman; George<br />
Roscoe, Columbia manager, and Walter<br />
Walker, Alabama .salesman; Frank Folger,<br />
Paramount salesman, and Harry Spann. Film<br />
Classics . . . Maurice Mitchell, 20th-Fox .salesman,<br />
is up and around after an illness . . .<br />
The Birmingham Theatre, one of the city's<br />
oldest and largest houses, is shuttered. Reports<br />
are that the house, which has been<br />
an all-Negro theatre in recent years, will<br />
be torn down to make way for a parking<br />
The house was operated many years by<br />
lot.<br />
the Wilby-Kincey circuit on a vaudevillefilm<br />
policy during the winter season.<br />
J. C. Harper sr., Strand projectionist, is<br />
new president of MPMO local <strong>23</strong>6. Other<br />
officers are: Fred Pinkard, Lyric, vice-president;<br />
Ralph A. Root sr., Alabama, re-elected<br />
business manager; J. W. Tate. Galax, secretary;<br />
W. H. Harper, Galax, treasurer; J. N.<br />
Cason, East Lake, sergeant at arms, and J. C.<br />
Harper jr.. Fair Park, chairman of the<br />
board of directors . . . MPMO members on<br />
the sick hst are S. W. Whatley, Ensley; N. A.<br />
Kriel, Ritz, and J. T. Amberson, Empire.<br />
Fritz May, Acme relief manager, has returned<br />
from a bird hunting trip to Mississippi<br />
. . . Harry Willoughby, operator of the<br />
Avondale Theatre, was in Atlanta on a booking<br />
trip. He is still handling the booking<br />
for the Princess Theatre in Hueytown, which<br />
he sold recently.<br />
Coming Dixie Closed<br />
CORNING, ARK.—Dixie Theatre, owned<br />
by Gordon Hutchins. closed for winter.<br />
'Montana' Scores 122<br />
To Lead in Atlanta<br />
ATLANTA — Grosses were steady at first<br />
run theatres here as milder weather bolstered<br />
trade in general. "Montana" at the Fox registered<br />
122 per cent as the best of the newcomers<br />
to local screens. A moveover week of<br />
"Beyond the Forest" at the Roxy continued<br />
to draw nicely and scored 103 per cent.<br />
(Average is 100)<br />
Fox—Monlona (WB) 122<br />
Loew's Grand—Malaya (MGM) 112<br />
Paramount—Captain China (Para) 115<br />
Roxy—Beyond the Forest (WB), 2nd d. t. wk 103<br />
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BOXOFTICE :: February 18. 1950 103
. . . The<br />
. .<br />
By HARRY HART<br />
JjAKELANT*. FTjA.—Many patrons of the<br />
Silver Moon Drive-In near here having asked<br />
why the 350-car open air theatre was given<br />
the name it bears, I. Q. Mize. president of<br />
the Highway Amusement Co., recently told of<br />
HART BEATS<br />
At Vero Beach, Clifford Ball, who operate;,<br />
the Rex, was working at his desk in the express<br />
office.<br />
At the Flamingo Theatre in Miami Beach<br />
Manager Al Brandt related that he expected<br />
^^i^m<br />
Entrance view of the Silver Moon Drive-In, Lakeland, Fla.<br />
an incident which resulted in the choice.<br />
After having attended a drive-in at Jacksonville.<br />
Mize was attracted by what appeared<br />
to be prospects for the success of a similar<br />
venture. Although he had no previous experience<br />
in the theatre field and his capital<br />
was limited, he began a search for a possible<br />
site. When he first saw the tract on which<br />
the Silver Moon is located, he was impressed<br />
with its natural beauty.<br />
Following conferences with the owner of<br />
the tract, Mize and the latter enlisted the<br />
aid of a third man and formed a corporation<br />
to build the drive-in. A name for the project<br />
had not been chosen when construction was<br />
nearing completion and an opening date<br />
should be disclosed.<br />
One morning before daylight as he and<br />
his wife were arising earlier than usual, Mize<br />
glanced through a bedroom window and was<br />
entranced with the silvery appearance of the<br />
moon which shone through his bedroom<br />
window.<br />
"I have it!" he exclaimed as he called his<br />
wife to look at the moon. "We will name our<br />
new drive-in the Silver Moon!"<br />
To emphasize the name of the open air<br />
theatre, a six-foot moon circled with a neon<br />
tubing adorns the tower of the drive-in, and<br />
casts a moonlight effect on the tropical lake<br />
scene after dark.<br />
C. M. Biggers, owner of the Starlite Drive-<br />
In and the Winter Theatre at Winter Garden,<br />
Fla., was busy with booking, but stopped tc<br />
talk about the screen tower at the 250-ca!<br />
situation, which opened last August 31. The<br />
screen tower is shaped like a half-circle tc<br />
protect the audience from winds and blowing<br />
sand. It is constructed of steel and concrett<br />
tied together every 18 inches, and the tower<br />
has a two-story apartment for the caretaker<br />
The airer is equipped with RCA projector.'<br />
and speakers. Biggers is an old showman witb<br />
years of experience in the industry, but like.'-<br />
to take time out to fish, especially when he<br />
can persuade a film salesman to accompanjhim.<br />
"The Red Shoes" to run the rest of the season<br />
there as the regular prices were stacking the<br />
people in and the SRO sign was being hung<br />
out every day.<br />
Loui Gold and brother Jerry, who operate<br />
the Princess in Pahoke, Fla.. were in Miami<br />
February 7 on business and were tickled pink<br />
with the new Cycloramic screen they recently<br />
installed there.<br />
At the Joe Hornstein. Inc., office in Miami<br />
Hal Hornstein was enthused about the installation<br />
the firm is putting in at the Le-<br />
Jeune Drive-In. It is being equipped with the<br />
latest Century projectors and dual sound,<br />
high intensity arc lamps and the General<br />
Register drive-in control system. The latest<br />
F-1.9 super lenses are being used. Hornstein<br />
just equipped the reopened Miami<br />
Drive-In with new new sound and projection.<br />
The firm also equipped the new Roosevelt at<br />
Miami Beach which opened December 27 with<br />
a Cycloramic screen, Gulistan carpeting,<br />
festoon-designed stage setting and drapes and<br />
projection and sound.<br />
Out at the Miami Drive-In North Carolinian<br />
E. Y. Stafford, manager, showed me<br />
around on his reopening night, February 8.<br />
Tower of Starlite Drive-In is semicircular.<br />
The theatre has a new circle bar that measures<br />
114 feet. The ramps are all new. The<br />
capacity is about 650 cars. The concession<br />
stand with the round bar is cold-cathode<br />
lighted, and will serve fried food such as<br />
chicken and shrimp in a box in addition to<br />
regular sweets and drinks. A new women's<br />
restroom also was added. Everything was<br />
being done with one thought in mind—the<br />
patron's comfort and entertainment. Stafford<br />
formerly was at Goldsboro, N. C.<br />
Talgar Theatres of Lakeland. Fla.. has<br />
leased space for a drive-in on San Jose<br />
boulevard near the Lakewood subdivision.<br />
Bolivar Hyde, general manager for the Lakeland<br />
theatre chain, says the drive-in will be<br />
known as the Lakewood and will have a capacity<br />
of about 500 cars. The land and theatre<br />
will cost about $75,<strong>000</strong>. William Helm of<br />
Avon Park will be the architect.<br />
Talgar previously revealed that it would<br />
open a drive-in in the Jacksonville Main<br />
Street area between 45th and 48th streets<br />
about June 1. The company, headed by B. B.<br />
Garner of Lakeland, operates about 25 theatres<br />
in Florida.<br />
NEW ORLEANS<br />
T ouisiana," 30-minute color flim produced by<br />
the state department of commerce and<br />
industry was premiered in the high school auditorium<br />
at Oakdale, La. Narrator of the<br />
film John Carroll is a native of New Orleans<br />
<strong>23</strong> theatres comprising Southern<br />
Amusement Co., operating in Bunkie, Crowley,<br />
DeRidder, Jennings, Lafayette, Lake<br />
Charles, Leesville, Mansfield, Many, Maplewood,<br />
Marksville, Natchitoches, Opelousas,<br />
Tallulah, Ville Platte, West Lake and Winnfield,<br />
will not present "Stromboli" in view of<br />
the widespread opposition from educational<br />
and religious groups.<br />
Irwin F. Poche, former manager of the<br />
Poche here, has been elected new vice-president<br />
of the Midwinter Sports Ass'n . . . H. G.<br />
Parker has a new front under construction<br />
for his Rose Theatre in Bastrop . . . Claude<br />
Keller, operating the K&M, Liberty and<br />
Queen theatres in Eunice, is in a New Orleans<br />
hospital for a checkup. Also on the<br />
E. Ewing, manager of Fay, Fayette,<br />
sick list is<br />
Miss.<br />
The drive-ins at Shreveport and Texarkana.<br />
Tex., have been purchased by Bouads &<br />
Houck from Paramount Gulf Theatres .<br />
Dixie Theatres has closed the Rex at Abbeville<br />
. . . Due to high waters in Alabama, the<br />
Mobile Bay bridge has been closed and<br />
Transway, Inc.. film carrier for the territory,<br />
has had difficulty servicing towns in Alabama<br />
and Florida. They also have been delayed<br />
on routes to Winnsboro, Marksville,<br />
Ruston, Logansport, Shreveport. Texarkana<br />
and Leesville.<br />
Melvin Savoy of Savoy's Joy, Vinton, visited<br />
here. He was accompanied by his sister<br />
Wilda and Mrs. Thelma Carrier of Eunice.<br />
La. . . . Also in New Orleans were Mr. Orkin,<br />
Jackson. Miss.. Eddie Jones and Alex Gounares.<br />
Gounares circuit. Mobile; Henry Jackson<br />
and A. L. Royal. Royal circuit. Meridian,<br />
Miss.: Ernest Delahaye. Gwen. Maringouin;<br />
O. Gaude. Magic. Port Allen; F. G. Prat jr.,<br />
Prat circuit, Vacherie; C. C. Meyers, Meyers<br />
circuit, Biloxi; Milton Guidry. Guidry circuit,<br />
Abbeville and Roy Pfeiffer, Pfeiffer circuit.<br />
Baton Rogue.<br />
104 BOXOFFICE :; February 18. 1950
Judge Kelley Weighs<br />
Film Story Offers<br />
Judge Caraille Kelley of Memphis and<br />
Kroger Babb of Hallmark Productions<br />
confer on a program outlined by Babb<br />
for Mrs. Kelley.<br />
MIAMI<br />
Drandt's Roosevelt opened "Stromboli" February<br />
15. "Battleground," which opened<br />
there Christmas week and had a successful<br />
run ever since, moved out to open at other<br />
local houses. As elsewhere, discussion has<br />
raged as to the probable reaction of local picture<br />
patrons to "Stromboli."<br />
Sir Alexander Korda arrived in Miami<br />
Beach to confer with David O. Selznick concerning<br />
financial details of the American<br />
release of "The Third Man" which opened at<br />
Wometco's Miami, Lincoln and Miracle. Korda<br />
produced the picture and the Selznick Releasing<br />
Organization, according to Herb Rau of<br />
the News, is distributing prints in the U. S.<br />
through Eagle Lion. Nicholas Schenck is<br />
acting as arbiter. Jennifer Jones (Mrs. Selznick)<br />
accompanied her husband here. They<br />
will mix vacation with business.<br />
. .<br />
"Pygmalion"<br />
"Henry V" was to open for its first return<br />
engagement at popular prices at Paramount's<br />
Coral, Shores and Colony .<br />
currently was at the Colony . . . "Samson and<br />
Delilah" was in its third week at the Florida<br />
and Sheridan and had .so far chalked up a<br />
10,<strong>000</strong> attendance mark . . . "Malaya" opened<br />
at the Paramount and Beach.<br />
The Miami Drive-ln, oldest outdoor operation<br />
in the area, has reopened after complete<br />
renovation. Daily advertising continued while<br />
the theatre was closed, stating progress of the<br />
work and new equipment being installed. Ad<br />
format has remained the same as has been in<br />
use for a number of years.<br />
Wometco was playing "When Willie Comes<br />
Marching Home" at the Town and Rosetta.<br />
The Miami Herald devoted a full front page<br />
of its Sunday magazine section to pictures of<br />
Colleen Townsend's recent visit here for the<br />
world premiere of the film. One picture<br />
showed the front of the Miami where welcoming<br />
crowds massed. Story accompanying<br />
the page-spread was of the star's decision to<br />
(Continued on next page)<br />
MEMPHIS—Judge Camilla Kelley, nationally<br />
known head of the juvenile court here,<br />
will decide within the next 60 days on a reply<br />
to offers made to her by Hollywood producers<br />
to make a film of her life. Mrs. Kelley,<br />
who will retire soon after 30 years on the<br />
juveziile bench, informed Kroger Babb, president<br />
of Hallmark Productions of Wilmington,<br />
Ohio, and Hollywood, who had outlined to her<br />
a program which would involve a cost of<br />
$5,<strong>000</strong>,<strong>000</strong>. that she would confer with her<br />
executives and son before making a decision.<br />
Other companies which have made offers<br />
to Mrs. Kelley are 20th Century-Fox, United<br />
Artists, Mary Pickford Productions. Paramount<br />
and Warner Bros. John Considinn,<br />
script writer for 20th-Fox, was here for a<br />
week's study of the life of Judge Camille<br />
"Mr. Babb's offer is so wonderful I'm<br />
dreaming with my eyes open," she told a local<br />
newspaper reporter. "I've put a lot on the<br />
altar in service for children all my life. If<br />
the producers will carry out the spiritual<br />
underpinnings of all that service I will be<br />
satisfied."<br />
Judge Kelley has handled over 50,<strong>000</strong> cases<br />
in her years as judge.<br />
Babb said he had presented Judge Kelley<br />
with a program which would include publication<br />
of a book on her life and career; a<br />
popular-priced book on her psychology, thinking<br />
and experiences in juvenile delinquency<br />
work: a $1,<strong>000</strong>,<strong>000</strong> picture based on her court,<br />
career tentatively entitled "Delinquent<br />
Angels" after Judge Kelley 's book: Hallmark<br />
handling of her speaking and public appearances,<br />
and a weekly radio program to be<br />
sponsored by Hallmark and later turned into<br />
a television .show.<br />
Babb estimated it would take 18 months to<br />
set the program in motion. He set September<br />
1 as the tentative date for starting the motion<br />
picture if Judge Kelley agrees to his offer.<br />
Babb said he started negotiations with Judge<br />
Kelley about two years ago after visiting her<br />
court after a Memphis stopover.<br />
Judge Kelley has been elected seven time.-:<br />
without opposition. Her famous court has<br />
been dubbed "The Human Arena," "The<br />
Heart Center of America" and "The Bullpen<br />
of Human Emotions."<br />
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BOXOFTICE :: February 18. 1950 105
. . Joseph<br />
. . Miami's<br />
'Francis' Premieres in New Orleans MIAMI<br />
With Famed Army Mule as Star<br />
(Continued from preceding page)<br />
"renounce flesh pots for the gospel." It referred<br />
to Sonny Shepherd, who arranged her<br />
schedule here, saying that he recalled Colleen's<br />
pleased reaction because he had Included<br />
time for her to attend church services<br />
on Sunday. "While here," said Shepherd,<br />
"she autographed 1,500 pictures for fans and<br />
on each of them she wrote, 'May God bless<br />
you.' "<br />
Left to right: Charles Simonelli, U-I executive in charge of national exploitation;<br />
David Stern, author of the book "Francis" and publisher of the New Orleans Item;<br />
J. J. Schinbach, district manager for RKO Theatres; Arthur Lubin, director of the<br />
film, and George Nelson of the Item.<br />
NEW ORLEANS — "Francis," the talking<br />
mule who stars in U-I's latest vehicle by the<br />
same name, visited Shreveport several days<br />
after the world premiere of the picture in New<br />
Orleans, and attracted much attention. The<br />
film opened at the Don Wednesday (15).<br />
"Francis." Donald O'Connor, Jackie Coogan<br />
and other members of their party returned to<br />
the States from Germany where they spent<br />
15 days entertaining occupation troops. In<br />
New Orleans on the day of the premiere.<br />
Francis was on exhibition on Canal street part<br />
of the day. She was featured at the races at<br />
the fair grounds, where a special handicap<br />
was run in her name.<br />
A parade in which she was featured before<br />
the premiere at the Orpheum was staged and<br />
Mayor deLesseps S. Morrison proclaimed the<br />
day as Francis day. The famous army mule<br />
insured for $50,<strong>000</strong> and has a service record.<br />
is<br />
She is a top sergeant, a rank given her at<br />
Fort MacArthur, Calif.<br />
Attending the premiere performance here,<br />
in addition to the members of the cast, were<br />
Arthur Lubin, director, and David Stern,<br />
author of the film story and publisher of the<br />
New Orleans Item.<br />
Green Light to 'Outlaw'<br />
BIRMINGHAM — "The Outlaw," once<br />
banned here by Floyd Eddins, censor-police<br />
chief, has now been given the green light.<br />
It will show at the Empire Theatre in the<br />
near future, according to John W. Douglas,<br />
assistant general manager of Acme Theatres.<br />
"The Outlaw," Chief Eddins said after a preview,<br />
"has been cleaned up considerably, and<br />
with the exeeption of one brief scene, I can<br />
find nothing objectionable to the picture."<br />
Theatre officials said the scene in question<br />
would be clipped.<br />
Booth Fire at Shelbyville<br />
SHELBYVILLE. TENN. — A booth fire<br />
caused considerable damage at the Bedford<br />
Theatre here. The house is a Crescent<br />
Amusement Co. affiliate.<br />
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Big news on the show business front here<br />
is the return of vaudeville to Wometco's downtown<br />
Capitol. The new policy went Into effect<br />
February 16, with a five-act stage presentation,<br />
starring Judy Lynn, who recently completed<br />
an engagement at a Miami Beach club.<br />
Bob Regent and orchestra will play for the<br />
show, which includes Donald Mann, marimba<br />
player; Dixie Roberts, dancer in top-flight<br />
night clubs, and Charlie Carlisle, master of<br />
ceremonies here this season. Price scale for<br />
the vaudeville-screen combination ranges<br />
from 42 cents to 76 cents. Gordon Spradley,<br />
Capitol manager, is supervising the endeavor.<br />
His one regret is that he was unable to book<br />
a zither player for his first bill.<br />
Many big names in show business in the<br />
greater Miami area participated in the First<br />
Annual World's Show^ Business Swimming and<br />
Diving championship meet at a Miami Beach<br />
hotel on a recent Sunday afternoon.<br />
Brandt's Flamingo continues to play "The<br />
Red Shoes" for the second entire winter In a<br />
row. This season's performance is at popular<br />
prices. Sunday's audience, beginning early in<br />
the afternoon, had late-comers searching for<br />
vacant seats . . . Mr. and Mrs. Harold Lloyd<br />
were front-paged on a recent Sunday. Lloyd<br />
was here as imperial potentate of more than<br />
600,<strong>000</strong> Shriners. "Today's kids don't know<br />
me." the comedian said sadly.<br />
Due to the big business "All the King's Men"<br />
has been doing at the Miami, Lincoln and<br />
Miracle, the opening of "The Third Man" was<br />
postponed a day .<br />
Paramount was<br />
the first place Howard Ross, Music Circus<br />
tenor, ever made a professional appearance.<br />
Occasion was his winning of a Major Bowes<br />
amateur contest. Ross also won 1948 Hollywood<br />
bowl auditions and was soloist there with<br />
Eugene Ormandy. Producer Laurence Schwab<br />
heard him sing at a drama studio.<br />
Actor Bill Gargan was a visitor . . . the<br />
Myer Schines were hosts to Mr. and Mrs.<br />
Lauritz Melchior, Irving Berlin and the Joseph<br />
Schencks . Cotten, who made<br />
personal appearances here, has left for Palm<br />
Beach.<br />
Local residents, interested in the forthcoming<br />
"The Miami Story," learn that budget<br />
considerations will determine whether or not<br />
the film will be shot in part here. Jay Dratler,<br />
who writes, directs and produces the picture,<br />
is a brother of Mrs. J. J. Sheppard of this<br />
city. Dratler's best-known works are "Northside<br />
777" and "Laura." Action in the film<br />
moves from Miami to Las Vegas and back<br />
again. Warners had the film scheduled for<br />
Burt Lancaster, but RKO took it over for<br />
Robert Mitchum.<br />
Have you written to your congressmen and<br />
senators about repeal of the unfair amusement<br />
tax?<br />
106 BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950
Showcase in St. John<br />
Acquired by Odeon<br />
ST. JOHN—After six months of negotiations,<br />
which at times appeared at a stalemate,<br />
Odeon Theatres of Canada acquired<br />
the 769-seat Strand, giving tlie circuit its<br />
first showcase in St. John where Odeon<br />
maintains its maritime headquarters.<br />
The Strand, situated in the center of retail<br />
business and tlieatre section, was sold<br />
by the F. G. Spencer Co. and Famous Players<br />
Canadian, who have owned the house<br />
on a 50-50 basis along with about a dozen<br />
other theatres in the maritime provinces.<br />
The price was unofficially reported to be<br />
$200,<strong>000</strong>.<br />
The Strand was opened 41 years ago by<br />
Pi-ed G. Spencer, head of the F. G. Spencer<br />
Co.. and he headed the sale negotiations<br />
along with Abe Garson. owner of the Garrick<br />
and Oxford in Halifax, and maritime manager<br />
for Odeon. Conferences were spread out<br />
among St. John, Montreal and Toronto.<br />
Odeon will take possession April 1. The<br />
Spencer company will continue its offices on<br />
the second floor of the Strand building. Rank<br />
pictures are expected to receive a major part<br />
of the playing time at the Strand. Tlie absence<br />
of a local showcase for British films<br />
has been of much concern to Odeon and<br />
Garson for the last six years.<br />
It is expected that plans reported for<br />
Odeon to build a new theatre on a site<br />
bought near the Strand eight years ago will<br />
be abandoned. They had been postponed<br />
because of high construction costs.<br />
Buildings adjoining the theatre owned by<br />
Spencer were not affected by the sale. Gerry<br />
Tipper has been manager of the Strand and<br />
probably will continue.<br />
The Strand operated under the name of<br />
Unique during its first 20 years.<br />
French Island Theatre<br />
Reports Fair Business<br />
ST. PIERRE—The new Rink Renaissance<br />
Theatre in this city on St. Pierre and Miquelon<br />
islands (French possession i off Newfoundland<br />
has been opened and business has been<br />
fair, according to Kenri Moraze, acting manager.<br />
He is a partner of Emmanuel Ruault-<br />
Cazier. Cazier now is hospitalized in Halifax<br />
and has undergone a second operation. He<br />
expects to be able to return to active direction<br />
of the theatre .soon. Tlie new theatre is<br />
of concrete and is adjoining a building whicli<br />
had been used for films and will now be used<br />
for ice and roller skating, dancing and sports<br />
events.<br />
Orpheum at Dawson City<br />
Is Destroyed by Fire<br />
EDMONTON, ALTA.—About $9,500 damage<br />
resulted from a fire which recently destroyed<br />
the Orpheum Tlieatre in Dawson City. The<br />
only film house in the town, the Orpheum<br />
had been opened recently. The fire broke out<br />
in the afternoon when the building was unoccupied.<br />
Harry S. Greaves, owner of the<br />
building, said plans for remodeling have not<br />
been completed.<br />
Dawson City, an outpost of the Klondike<br />
days, has experienced a new boom in recent<br />
years as the search for oil and minerals has<br />
expanded with development of air transport<br />
in the far north.<br />
CBC Conducts Hearing<br />
On Bingo by Radio<br />
OTTAWA—The fate of bingo broadcasting<br />
HI Canada rests in the hands of CBC's board<br />
of governors after a heated two-hour debate.<br />
No indication was given as to when a ruling<br />
will be announced, but Chairman A. D. Dunton<br />
made it clear that the board was not concerned<br />
about the legality of bingo in reaching<br />
a decision.<br />
The question of whether the game should<br />
be banned arose from complaints received by<br />
CBC, which controls radio in Canada, from<br />
church groups and theatremen of Ontario.<br />
J. Singer, who presented the theatre group's<br />
nine-page submi.ssion, said that radio bingo<br />
caused a 50 per cent reduction in attendance<br />
at theatres in several western Ontario centers.<br />
The Ontario Motion Picture Theatres Ass'n.<br />
in urging a ban on airborne bingo, argued that<br />
people who normally would have been attending<br />
their neighborhood theatres are staying<br />
at home to play the game.<br />
Written statements for and against a ban<br />
have been piling up at the CBC offices since<br />
it was announced in December that the board<br />
would hear representations at its next meeting<br />
on whether or not it should clamp down<br />
on bingo.<br />
There are several variations of the radio<br />
game, but basically it is the same as the ordinary<br />
bingo game. In some cases tickets are<br />
sold in advance of the program and the listener<br />
marks his card as numbers are called<br />
and broadcast from a radio station. Those<br />
filling one row of figures on their card in a<br />
straight or diagonal line telephone the radio<br />
station to claim the money. In cases of ties<br />
the money is split.<br />
Some of the radio games are based on<br />
telephone numbers and others on musical<br />
pieces.<br />
Tlie radio game, although not in widespread<br />
use, has become popular in some centers.<br />
ON MILIT.VRY FRONT—Ross Becsley.<br />
Associated Screen News cameraman, now<br />
is in the .Arctic regions filming the joint<br />
United States-t'anadian military operation<br />
known as "Sweetbriar." He is the<br />
only civilian Canadian cameraman authorized<br />
to film the activities.<br />
Warner to Release<br />
Picture on Canada<br />
MONTREAL—A motion picture on Canada<br />
produced by Canadian film companies and<br />
edited by the Warner Bros. Studios in Hollywood<br />
is scheduled for American release next<br />
fall, according to Owen Crump, Warner producer<br />
who was in Montreal and Toronto last<br />
week to .select the best film material available<br />
covering every aspect of Canadian life. He<br />
spent three days at screenings in this city and<br />
saw some 60 films. Crump flew to Hollywood<br />
Fi-iday.<br />
"Every foot of the film will be the work of<br />
Canadian filmmakers, but we will do the<br />
editing and commentary," Crump said. "As<br />
a matter of fact this picture will be put together<br />
with American tastes in mind. Our<br />
job is to translate Canada to the American<br />
people in a way they appreciate. Canadians<br />
may not be enthused with the finished product,<br />
which will describe your country as seen<br />
through American eyes, but it will be an effective<br />
part of the current Canadian cooperation<br />
project."<br />
Crump said Warner Bros, would have had<br />
to spend at least $2,<strong>000</strong>,<strong>000</strong> to produce the<br />
picture themselves. He added that the quality<br />
of Canadian filmmaking matched and. in<br />
some cases, outstripped the work of some<br />
American companies.<br />
Scenes of the Calgary Stampede, the Rockies,<br />
large smelters at Ti-ail, B. C, parliament<br />
buildings at Ottawa, Montreal's Chateau de<br />
Ramezay, Toronto university, the East-West<br />
hockey final and a generous picture of Canadian<br />
tourist attractions will be incorporated<br />
in the picture.<br />
Canadian companies which will contribute<br />
films to the production include As.sociated<br />
Screen News of Montreal, Crawley Films of<br />
Ottawa, Audio Pictures and Shelly Films.<br />
Theatre Manager Accused<br />
Of Withholding Taxes<br />
MONTREAL—The owner of<br />
a motion picture<br />
theatre formerly operated but now closed<br />
in Ottawa has been charged with failure to<br />
remit $1,399 in admi.ssion taxes to the Ontario<br />
government. Louis Wolfe, who is accused<br />
of withholding money received as admission<br />
taxes at the Strand Tlieatre during<br />
the six-month period ending last December<br />
31, was remanded to jail for seven<br />
days without having entered a plea.<br />
In addition to payment of the tax, Wolfe<br />
faces a fine of from $10 to $1,<strong>000</strong> a day for<br />
the six-month period for which tax was<br />
withheld. S. Rupert Broadfoot, special prosecutor,<br />
said it was the first charge to be filed<br />
under the provincial hospital tax act, Tlie<br />
20 per cent tax on amusements in Ontario<br />
goes to hospital grants under the terms of<br />
an act passed two years ago.<br />
Toronto TV Bldg. Soon<br />
TORONTO—CBC expects to start construction<br />
of television buildings here within a few<br />
months. Donald Ma.son, acting general manager,<br />
said soil tests are bei(ig made at the<br />
downtown transmitter site to determine its<br />
weight-bearing qualities. Studio and fivekilowatt<br />
transmitter buildings, topped by a<br />
500-foot tower and antenna, will be built on<br />
CBC property on Jarvis street. A second transmitter<br />
has been ordered for a Montreal studio<br />
but the Montreal site has not been settled.<br />
BOXOFTICE :: February 18, 1950 107
. .<br />
. . The<br />
VANCOUVER<br />
TXrin Barron, Paramount publicity director,<br />
was here several days working with Bob<br />
Murphy, local branch manager, and Jack<br />
Randall, Strand Theatre manager, on exploitation<br />
for "Samson and Delilah," which<br />
will open February 20 at the house . . . Hank<br />
Leslie resigned as secretary of Local 348 and<br />
was succeeded by Prank Smith jr. . . . The<br />
local Sovereign Films office reported the loss<br />
of a 16mm print of "You Gotta Stay Happy"<br />
to a swindler whose methods were not disclosed.<br />
.<br />
The recent power shortage brought out the<br />
inventiveness of Harry Black, Capitol Theatre<br />
manager at Pi-ince Rupert in Northern British<br />
Columbia. Black took the chassis and<br />
motor from an old bus, borrowed transformers<br />
from Port Edward and a dynamo from<br />
Penticton, Hooked together, the makeshift<br />
plant produced current for projectors, neon<br />
sign and theatre lights. Shows were given<br />
on schedule although other business establishments<br />
were without power and light<br />
. . . Fred Stone, Sovereign Film manager,<br />
left for a sales conference at Toronto<br />
Perry Wright, Empire-Universal manager,<br />
and Jack Reid, Monogram salesman, were<br />
on selling trip in the British Columbia interior.<br />
Local B-71 held a meeting at which members<br />
voted unanimously to strike. A 12'i per<br />
cent wage increase granted film exchange<br />
workers by a conciliation board was not ac-<br />
Warren. Capitol, Port Alberni. The Community<br />
Theatre at Hedley, a mining town in<br />
the interior operated by W. J. Brotherton, has<br />
been closed because of poor business.<br />
Richibucto, N. B., Victory<br />
Is Destroyed by Blaze<br />
RICHIBUCTO, N. B. — An early morning<br />
fire caused by an oil furnace explosion destroyed<br />
the Victory ,Theatre here. Two<br />
brothers who occupied an apartment in the<br />
brick building escaped. One of them saved<br />
some films. Ice covering the harbor handicapped<br />
use of a pumper.<br />
Harry Atkins, owner of the Victory, was in<br />
Montreal on a business trip, and planed back<br />
home in response to a telegram. He plans<br />
to start rebuilding the theatre by early spring,<br />
and said he may shift to the quonset design.<br />
The Victory seated about 325, but the successor<br />
may have about 400 seats.<br />
Atkins also operates the Roxy at Buctouche,<br />
which he rebuilt as a quonset after the original<br />
building was flattened by fire late in 1948.<br />
Both Richibucto and Buctouche are in Kent<br />
county.<br />
Romeo and Rene Nowland were occupants<br />
of the apartment in the Victory.<br />
The loss was reported at about $45,<strong>000</strong>.<br />
FORT WILLIAM<br />
cepted by employers, and the result was the<br />
vote to strike . . . Will Harper, manager of<br />
the Paramount Theatre at Kelowna, was the<br />
winner<br />
TITith the<br />
of an award offered by Famous<br />
Orpheum and Colonial here giving<br />
Players<br />
for sale of theatre gift tickets. He won<br />
away dishes, business has picked up<br />
a similar award considerably .<br />
last year. He Capitol did fairly well<br />
is a member<br />
of the Canadian Picture Pioneers.<br />
on "Malaya" due to the break in weather.<br />
It had reached a low of 41 below zero, the<br />
Harry Woolte, United Artists manager, is coldest in years.<br />
happy over the showing of "Mrs. Mike." Despite<br />
the worst snowfall Gordon in Carson still is doing<br />
local<br />
a good job<br />
history, the<br />
picture established two house<br />
with his<br />
records, and<br />
School of the Air every Saturday<br />
in<br />
three other engagements doubled average<br />
morning. The kids love it . . . Fred Tickell is<br />
grosses . . . Coming out after being snowbound,<br />
exhibitors are back visiting Filmrow.<br />
doing very well with his Wednesday night<br />
stage shows. One week Fred has CoUosimo's<br />
Visitors included C. Gough, Community, Keremeos;<br />
Bill Boyd, Boyd Drive-In, Kelowna; Horn presentation, "Tot-Teen Revue."<br />
Accordion band. The next he has the Sylvia<br />
C. Bastedo, Port, Port Coquitlan, and Harold The month's big question: "Will the provincial<br />
government reduce the 20 per cent<br />
hospital tax or lift it altogether?" If the<br />
DRIVE-IN THEATRE DIT-MCO DRAG BROOM government reduces it or takes it out altogether<br />
the theatres have promised that there<br />
Used for levaljng and filling holes in gravel covered<br />
DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO. J^^^^^^Z.<br />
will be no hike in admission prices for at<br />
least a year.<br />
Screens — Arc Lamps — Rectifiers — Lenses — Carbons — Theatre Chaii<br />
J. M. RICE & CO.<br />
202 Canada BIdg. Winnipeg, Manitoba<br />
Phone 25371<br />
Everything For Your Theatre<br />
COMPLETE SOUND SYSTEMS<br />
An Expert Repair Department<br />
Alberta Will Not Ban<br />
Ingrid Bergman Film<br />
EDMONTON, ALTA.—The province of<br />
Alberta<br />
will not impose a blanket ban on Ingrid<br />
Bergman films, according to P. J. A.<br />
Fleming, chairman of the provincial film censorship<br />
board. Fleming was asked for his<br />
views on the situation which arose in the<br />
United States following the recent birth in<br />
Italy of a son to the actress. Fleming indicated<br />
the board would review Bergman<br />
films as they were received, and each would<br />
be judged according to standards of the<br />
board.<br />
The censorship board in Alberta, located<br />
here, is a branch of the provincial secretary's<br />
department.<br />
Bruce McLeod Launches<br />
Ontario Booking Service<br />
TORONTO—Independent Theatres Services,<br />
a buying and booking organization, has<br />
been formed by Bruce McLeod, independent<br />
theatre operator in Kitchener, Strathroy,<br />
Elmira, Glencoe. Watford, Parkhill and<br />
Oshawa, with offices in the McKnight building<br />
at 609 Bay St.<br />
McLeod worked for film exchanges till<br />
1933, when he went into business for himself<br />
and constructed theatres in all the above<br />
named Ontario towns except Oshawa, where<br />
recently he purchased a partnership in the<br />
Marks Theatre with Harold Pfaff. He also<br />
built the Elmwood Theatre in London, which<br />
he owned and operated for two years.<br />
Kaff has been named manager of Independent<br />
Services and Eddie Goldsmith as<br />
chief booker. Pfaff started his film industry<br />
career with the Garrick Theatre in Toronto,<br />
then joined Regal Films on Adelaide<br />
street back in the days when that company<br />
distributed World-Brady. Metro and<br />
Triangle product. Since leaving Regal, he<br />
has been associated with Canadian Educational<br />
Films as salesman and branch manager,<br />
with Tiffany Productions as general<br />
manager and then with Paramount.<br />
Goldsmith started in the early days with<br />
Universal and was U-I booker many years.<br />
Later he was with Associated Theatres booking<br />
independent theatres.<br />
Claude Neon Co. Reports<br />
Small Profit for 1949<br />
MONTREAL — Claude Neon General Advertising.<br />
Ltd.. reports net profit of $22,685<br />
for 1949 against $5,090 in 1948. The improvement,<br />
said President W. T. Sutton, is accounted<br />
for principally by a reduction in the provision<br />
for depreciation in addition to savings<br />
effected in bond interest charges due to redemption<br />
of outstanding bonds during the<br />
year. During 1949, the report notes, the company<br />
put into effect a plan of reorganization<br />
approved by security holders. Balance sheet<br />
shows current assets of $181,336, current liabilities<br />
of $121,728, and indicating net working<br />
capital of $59,608. A surplus of $7,286 is<br />
carried forward. This contrasts with a deficit<br />
of $1,695,084 at the beginning of the year.<br />
Tlie change reflects various adjustments, including<br />
receipt of a special dividend from<br />
E. L. Ruddy Co., and adjustments arising from<br />
the capital reorganization.<br />
108 BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950
. . "Sands<br />
.<br />
.<br />
OT7 AW A<br />
Eugene Kasli, music director of the National<br />
Film Board, has been appointed conductor<br />
of the Ottawa Philharmonic society. His<br />
music has been an attractive feature of many<br />
Barney Simmons,<br />
government pictures . . .<br />
manager of the Century in the west end, has<br />
been appointed secretary of the Ottawa Theatre<br />
Managers Ass'n. He succeeds Jack Gibson<br />
who found he was too busy as manager<br />
of the Odeon Glebe, where "Tight Little<br />
Island" has set an engagement record by<br />
rounding out a run of eight weeks.<br />
Larry Ritza, supervisor of the O'Brien circuit,<br />
was in Toronto to arrange a lengthy list<br />
of bookings for the company's units in the<br />
Ottawa valley. Ritza has his office at Renfrew<br />
Manager Don Watts staged a<br />
. . . 30-minute cartoon show as an added attraction<br />
for the Saturday matinee February 11,<br />
the main picture for the whole week being<br />
"Davy Crockett, Indian Scout."<br />
A typical British film show for juveniles<br />
was presented at the Glebe Saturday morning.<br />
The program included "Uncle Bill at<br />
the Zoo," "Little Ballerina" and '"Who Robbed<br />
the Robins?" . of Iwo Jima" had<br />
a two-week run at the Centre, where Manager<br />
Frank Gallop had covered the theatre<br />
front with bunting and flags for atmospheric<br />
effect . . . The Canadian Repertory Theatre,<br />
a successful stock company at the LaSalle<br />
Playhouse, has announced the first Canadian<br />
production of "The Heiress"—before the Paramount<br />
picture hits the screen in the capital<br />
city.<br />
Public Opinion Guides<br />
FPC on Bergman Film<br />
TORONTO—The Bergman-Rossellini picture,<br />
"Stromboli," may not be shown in Ontario,<br />
and consequently in Canada, because<br />
of the protests of various organizations, and<br />
the attitude of Famous Players Canadian<br />
Corp. which holds a contract agreement with<br />
•The Centre Monday opened a week's engagement<br />
of "No Greater Sin" under the auspices<br />
of the Health League of Canada. Owner<br />
D. B. Stapleton of tlie Centre was back after<br />
several days on Toronto's Fihnrow . . . Manager<br />
Henry Marshall has uticovered the handsome<br />
new marquee on the Regent, and one of<br />
the features is a striking electric sign for<br />
RKO Pictures. In the face of mounting objections,<br />
Ontario Premier Leslie M. Frost ar-<br />
"Samson and Delilah" which will be shown<br />
as soon as the theatre's transformation job<br />
ranged a conference with his censor chief, O.<br />
is completed. The work has been in progress<br />
J. Silverthorne, on the question of withholding<br />
of an exhibition license for the<br />
for many weeks without the disruption of<br />
performances.<br />
Italian film. This announcement, made public<br />
February 12, indicated that the censor<br />
board would not ban or condemn the picture<br />
but would decline to issue a license for<br />
its showing.<br />
Projecting Signs Head<br />
For Poll at Toronto<br />
TORONTO—The battle over marquees and<br />
protruding signs on buildings facing Yonge<br />
street took a new turn with the move to take<br />
a poll of the property owners along the<br />
business thoroughfare on the necessity of<br />
projections over the sidewalk. The civic authorities<br />
have tentatively decided against the<br />
restoration of the canopies and signs which<br />
were removed last September for the construction<br />
of the subway. A comparison has<br />
been made to the clear-cut appearance oi<br />
structures on Fifth Avenue in New York.<br />
The Bloor-Yonge Business Men's Ass'n<br />
has come out in favor of the ban on projecting<br />
signs but the Motion lecture Theatres<br />
Ass'n of Ontario is opposed to the proposal,<br />
holding to the belief that the move<br />
in one locality would lead to a prohibition of<br />
the traditional marquee for theatres in other<br />
Ontario cities.<br />
Gloria Winters for Role<br />
Gloria Winters was signed for a supporting<br />
spot in RKO's "Alias Mike Fury."<br />
—<br />
The distinction In procedure is important<br />
because apparently no fault can be found<br />
in the picture itself from the censorship<br />
viewpoint but there could be grounds otherwise<br />
for refusal of a license.<br />
Pi-esident J. J. Fitzgibbons of Famous<br />
Players took the stand that the big Canadian<br />
circuit would not ignore public opinion.<br />
"We're not even penciling in any tentative<br />
date for its release," he said, pending further<br />
study of the situation. FPC did object to<br />
the advance advertising campaign for "Stromboli"<br />
in the United States. "We don't resort<br />
to that sort of thing: it seems to be misleading<br />
advertising," it was stated.<br />
A print of the feature has been submitted<br />
to the Ontario censor board, but no decision<br />
was immediately forthcoming.<br />
Meanwhile there was a mounting tide of<br />
protests from women's groups and other associations<br />
in Ontario. The Woman's Canadian<br />
club took the lead in protesting against<br />
the showing of the picture because of the<br />
Bergman-Rossellini affair.<br />
Considerable attention was aroused in film<br />
trade circles when "Stromboli" was given a<br />
routine private screening in the Film building<br />
here at the time that the print was<br />
being sent to the censors' office on Millwood<br />
road. One comment was that Bergman was<br />
radiantly beautiful.<br />
—<br />
Ten First Runs Are Held<br />
On Screens at Toronto<br />
TORONTO—Business is thriving for Toronto<br />
first run theatres, no less than ten<br />
(Average is 100)<br />
Biltmore—Abandoned (U-I); Blonde Bandit (Rep). 125<br />
Hyland—The Chiltem Hundreds (EL), 7th wk 95<br />
Imperial Chicago Deadline (Para), 2nd wk 105<br />
Loews—Bottleground (MGM), 2nd wk 105<br />
Odeon and Faulawn—Give Us This Doy (EL),<br />
2nd wk 90<br />
Sheas and Nortown—All the King's Men (Col),<br />
2nd wk 110<br />
JOROHTO<br />
Tndcpendfnt exhibitors continue to join the<br />
^ Motion Picture Theatres Ass'n of Ontario<br />
without solicitation. The latest member, on<br />
top of the seven unaffiliated theatre owners<br />
of the previous week, is Alex Solomon of the<br />
Palace, Blind River ... Two theatre men<br />
who joined the deputation which called on<br />
Premier L. M. Frost at the parliament buildings<br />
included H. W. Braden sr., president<br />
of United Amusement Co., Hamilton, and<br />
Douglas Wark, Bluebird, Burk's Falls. The<br />
more than 20 delegates asked for a substantial<br />
cut in the amusement tax.<br />
Toronto theatre executives have congratulated<br />
A. J. Ma.son on his re-election by<br />
acclamation as mayor of Springhill, N. S., for<br />
another two-year term. Ma.son, also a member<br />
of the Nova Scotia legislature, is a frequent<br />
visitor here as chairman of the national committee<br />
of Motion Picture Exhibitors Ass'ns of<br />
Canada, and secretary of the Motion Picture<br />
Industry Council of Canada Nine-year-old<br />
. . .<br />
CoUette Corriveau, who had been mi.ssing<br />
from her Welland home for more than a<br />
day, was found by Manager Manny Swadron<br />
in the Park. Swadron called the police who<br />
found she had been given money and food<br />
by strangers.<br />
Members of Variety Tent 28 held a luncheon<br />
at the organization's Occupational Guidance<br />
School for Crippled Boys. On Sunday the<br />
pupils were treated to a program by vaudeville<br />
entertainers from the Toronto Casino .<br />
Al Bollington, former British organist at the<br />
Famous Players' Victoria, is being heard in<br />
15-minute programs at 10 o'clock on Thursday<br />
nights over the Dominion network of the<br />
Canadian Broadcasting Corp.<br />
Charlie Mavety, head of the Mavety Film<br />
Delivery Service, presented a palomino horse<br />
to Mayor H. E. McCallum to go with the<br />
ten-gallon hat which had been given to the<br />
mayor by the citizens of Calgary. The horse<br />
ceremony took place on the steps of the city<br />
hall . . From 20th Century Theatres comes<br />
word that a start has been made on the new<br />
unit of the circuit at Lindsay, the home town<br />
of Premier L. M. Fi-ost . . . The death has<br />
occurred at nearby Pickering after a long<br />
illness of William Ro.ssborough, projectionist<br />
of Famous Players Canadian Corp. He was<br />
a member of the company's 25-Year club and<br />
of the Canadian Picture Pioneers. One<br />
brother survives.<br />
engagements having been extended for the<br />
week. "Samson and Delilah" continued strong<br />
at the Victoria for a seventh week while<br />
the British comedy. "Tlie Chiltern Hundreds,"<br />
continued for a seventh week at the TORONTO—Roy Miller, a director and<br />
New Roy Miller Office<br />
Odeon Hyland. Prominent among other manager of the Lincoln at St. Catharines,<br />
holdovers was "Jolson Sings Again," which being congratulated on his appointment as<br />
is<br />
was good for a fourth week at the Eglinton a member of the executive board of the<br />
and University. The second week of "All St. Catharines District Hotels Ass'n. Miller.<br />
the King's Men" brought good crowds to who is president of the Motion Picture Theatrs<br />
Ass'n of Ontario, is also managing direc-<br />
Shea's and the Nortown.<br />
tor of the Lincoln hotel in the Garden City.<br />
Miller has been elected chairman of the tourist<br />
development committee of the St. Catharines<br />
Chamber of Commerce as well. One<br />
of his committee members is Vern Hudson,<br />
manager of the Famous Players' Capitol at<br />
St.<br />
Kitts.<br />
Tivoli and Capitol-The Great Lover (Para);<br />
Holiday Inn (Para) HO Changed to 'Saddle Tramp'<br />
University and Eglinton Jolson Sings Again<br />
The title of the Universal-International<br />
(Col), 4th wk 90<br />
film, "Fiddle-Foot," has been changed to<br />
Uptown—The Kid From Texas (U-I) 100<br />
Victoria—Samson and Delilah (Para), 7th wk 95 "Saddle Tramp."<br />
BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950<br />
109
. . . The<br />
. . Mary<br />
"<br />
. . . "Seraphin,"<br />
. . . Associated<br />
. . Orval<br />
. . "Corbeau"<br />
. . The<br />
ST.<br />
JOHN<br />
past-chairman of the Nova Scotia censor<br />
board, James D. O'Connor. Halifax, died<br />
recently after a long illness. He was a pastpresident<br />
of the Halifax school board and<br />
Charitable Irish society . . . Two theatres<br />
in the same district of Nova Scotia use the<br />
same slogan. It is, "Always a Good Show,<br />
Often a Great One." The theatres are the<br />
Rialto at Tatamagouche and the Roxy at<br />
Shubenacadie.<br />
In addressing the Yarmouth Academy<br />
Home and School Ass'n, Manager Syd Wyman<br />
of the Community. Yarmouth, answered a<br />
question as to why there are not more films<br />
for children on the screens of theatres in<br />
Yarmouth. He stated the chief demand is<br />
for pictures appealing to adults and that producers<br />
cater to this demand for the most part<br />
Gaiety. Halifax, has been offering<br />
midnight shows on Sundays, presenting double<br />
film bills and also local vaudeville acts.<br />
Machines vending hot tea. cocoa and coffee<br />
will be installed in the lobbies of some maritime<br />
theatres this month. One machine under<br />
consideration for a chain is for tea only.<br />
Paper cups are used. Machines vending<br />
carbonated beverages have been installed<br />
during the last two months in many theatres<br />
of the Atlantic provinces. A demand for hot<br />
drinks is visualized until mid-May. The full<br />
extent of the appeal of the soft drinks then<br />
will start. Thus far, these have been vended<br />
only in bottles in the theatres.<br />
The absence of Sam Babb, manager of the<br />
Mayfair, at Miami Beach, will be for four<br />
or five weeks. He is a guest at the home of<br />
the J. M. Franklins where his wife and young<br />
son Franklin have been since early in December.<br />
Mrs. Babb and child will not return to<br />
St. John until April and the Franklins about<br />
May 1 . . . Tlie Peter Herschorns have returned<br />
to Halifax after several weeks in Manhattan.<br />
Pat Dwyer has been supervising<br />
Franklin & Herschorn theatres in Halifax<br />
and Dartmouth in the absence of P. Herschorn.<br />
Irene Malloy, for many years in charge of<br />
booking for F. G. Spencer Co. here, was<br />
named a member of the district board of<br />
health for another term . Hogan,<br />
hospitalized for over a year because of tuberculosis,<br />
underwent an operation recently at<br />
the East St. John Tuberculosis hospital. She<br />
was a cashier at the Mayfair here a dozen<br />
years.<br />
Austin Willis, Halifax, sailed for England<br />
to play a part in a new film for British<br />
National Films. After this assignment, he<br />
will work in a stage production in London.<br />
—<br />
—<br />
wmmmmm.<br />
He started as an announcer at CHNS, Halifax,<br />
and lately had been in the cast of a<br />
radio serial out of Toronto. He has been in<br />
•Bush Pilot" and "Sins of the Fathers." both<br />
produced in Canada. "Maria Chapdelaine."<br />
English-produced but about Canada and in<br />
which he has a part, has not yet been released.<br />
Austin will have as cast companions<br />
in the English picture two other Canadians,<br />
Bernard Braden and Barbara White.<br />
Three members of a new directorate of the<br />
Young Men's Hebrew Ass'n are Sammy Kunitzky,<br />
district manager for United Artists;<br />
Mort Bernstein and Stan Lieberman of B&L<br />
Theatres and sons of Mitchell Bernstein and<br />
Joshua Lieberman, heads of the firm.<br />
'High' and 'Rib' Lead Trade<br />
At Vancouver Theatres<br />
VANCOUVER—A week of moderate temperatures<br />
combined with good product bolstered<br />
trade at both downtown and neighborhood<br />
houses. "Twelve O'clock High" at<br />
the Strand and "Adam's Rib" at the Capitol<br />
paced the newcomers, while a seventh week<br />
of "Lost Boundaries" at the Studio continued<br />
to draw well.<br />
Capitol—Adam's Rib (MGM) Good<br />
Dominion— Pinky (20lh-Fox): Affairs of a Rogue<br />
Fair<br />
(Col)<br />
Orpheum lolson Sings Again (Col),<br />
4th wk.<br />
Average<br />
Paradise—Without Honor (UA), Alios the<br />
Champ (Rep)<br />
Average<br />
Plaza, Hastings—Fighting Man of the Plains<br />
{20th-Fox); The Spider (20th-Fox) Fair<br />
Strand—Twelve O'Clock High (20lh-Fox) Excellent<br />
State I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now<br />
(20th-Fox), plus stage shovf Average<br />
Sludio—Lost Boundaries (IFD), 7th wk Excellent<br />
Vogue—Sands of Iwo Jima (Rep) Fair<br />
'Mrs. Mike' Leads Trade<br />
At Houses in Edmonton<br />
EDMONTON, ALTA.—"Mrs, Mike" drew so<br />
well at the Rialto here that it was held for<br />
a second week. Interest in the film was<br />
heightened by newspaper and radio coverage<br />
of the search for the U.S. transport recently<br />
reported missing with 44 persons abroad.<br />
Capitol—That Midnight KUs (MGM) Ve<br />
Rialto—Mrs. Mike (UA). I ellent<br />
Solons Consider Measure<br />
To Outlaw Drive-Ins<br />
From Edstern Edition<br />
ALBANY—A bill to prohibit future erection<br />
of drive-ins in cities of 250,<strong>000</strong> population<br />
or more was introduced in the New York<br />
legislature recently by Assemblyman Alfred<br />
A. Lama, Brooklyn. The measure would affect<br />
New York. Buffalo and Rochester.<br />
Haskell Masters came in on his way to Lama was quoted as saying that drive-ins<br />
huddle with toppers of the Spencer and B&L cause traffic hazards, citing conditions before<br />
and after performances in Long Island.<br />
chains on Warners' contracts. Mickey Komar,<br />
district manager, had lined up Franklin & He also charged that drive-ins contribute to<br />
Herschorn. The latter also have signed with juvenile delinquency.<br />
RKO and 20th-Fox ... A new ornamental Introduction of the measure brought an<br />
front will be installed at the Community. immediate reply from Lewis A. Sumberg, attorney<br />
Yarmouth, within the next few months. Improvements<br />
associated with Harry Lamont in sev-<br />
include new restroom fixtures, eral drive-ins, who said he believed that "it<br />
Doug Smith made pay envelopes pay for behooves all drive-in operators to see to it<br />
the Casino, Halifax, and "Sands of Iwo Jima. that this bill is not passed."<br />
Thousands of the little envelopes containing "They should use their influence and persuasive<br />
sand were distributed from the Casino.<br />
powers to prevent enactment," Sum-<br />
Printed in red on the front were the picture berg said. "The bill sets a bad precedent."<br />
title, theatre name, opening day and John<br />
Wayne's name.<br />
DRIVE-IN<br />
THEATRE<br />
New 40" Double Face Entrance or Exit Lioht<br />
Also available in single face<br />
77Q PAltimnrp<br />
DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO. Kansas City Mo.<br />
MONTREAL<br />
/^ne of the largest audiences ever attracted<br />
to a local theatre clamored for admission<br />
to the Champlain, palatial Odeon house,<br />
to see Bourvil, famed French comedian and<br />
star of "Burlesques of Paris." Also on the<br />
program were the French-language picture.<br />
"Aux Yeux du Souvenir" and "Radio Carabin."<br />
weekly broadcast specialty. Several hundred<br />
persons waited in the lounge all afternoon<br />
after the house filled soon after opening.<br />
Bourvil received an ovation. Even after<br />
his performance ended the crowd fought for<br />
admission. Manager Art Bahen was more<br />
than delighted with the success of the special<br />
engagement.<br />
Tom Dowbiggin, Paramount manager, and<br />
his wife left for a two-week Caribbean cruise<br />
Canadian film, was worldpremiered<br />
at the St. Denis Friday (17).<br />
Made by Quebec Productions, it is a film<br />
version of the celebrated French-Canadian<br />
novel, "Un Homme et Son Peche," by Clau4e<br />
Henri Grignon.<br />
H. Harnick, Canadian general sales manager<br />
for Columbia, Toronto, conferred with<br />
William Elman, Montreal manager . . .<br />
Mickey Isman, Empire-Universal manager<br />
here, has been in the eastern townships on<br />
Guy Cadieux. salesman<br />
a selling trip . . .<br />
for Arrow Films, motored to Florida and<br />
Cuba for a four-week holiday.<br />
"Passport to Pimlico," J. Arthur Rank comedy,<br />
drew crowds to the Avenue for a third<br />
week . Fruitman, head booker at<br />
.<br />
Columbia, was back at his desk after a<br />
three-week illness . . . Gilles Morin. representative<br />
of J. Arthur Rank 16mm. returned<br />
from a selling trip Renaissance Productions<br />
film. "Docteur Louise," starring<br />
Madeleine Robinson and Jean Davy, was<br />
shown at the Cinema de Paris, along with<br />
"L'Annee Sainte a Rome" (Holy Year at<br />
Rome).<br />
A German film, "Les Assassins Sont Parmi<br />
Nous" (The Assassins Are Amongst Us), was<br />
shown in the concert hall of the University<br />
of Montreal .<br />
(The Crow), was<br />
the first French-language film shown at the<br />
System . . . Roland Petit and his "Les<br />
Ballets de Paris" drew crowds to His Majesty's<br />
Screen News filmed the story<br />
of the Quebec hat designer Claire Robert.<br />
Tlno Rossi, Parisian singer and film star,<br />
received a warm welcome during his personal<br />
appearance at the St. Denis under the<br />
sponsorship of France Film. During his first<br />
week he was seen by 56.130 persons, a record<br />
here. He sang such favorite songs as "Midinette<br />
de Paris," "Envoi de Fleurs," "Marlene,"<br />
"Petit Papa Noel" and "Ave Maria."<br />
The program also included Isa Miranda's<br />
Parisian film. "L'Aventure Commence Demain."<br />
Exhibitors in town included Mrs. L. Bertrand,<br />
Princess. Riviere du Loup; Dick Allaire<br />
and Paul Gendron, Victoria, Victoriaville;<br />
G. Martineau. Royal. Valleyfield; D.<br />
St. Jacques. Capitol. Thurso; Armand Champagne<br />
and Emile Elias, Capitol, Sherbrooke;<br />
W. Mainville, Rose, Ste. Therese; J. L. Chartier,<br />
Royal, Malartic, and G. Gauthier, Laurentian,<br />
Mont Laurier.<br />
110<br />
BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950
EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY<br />
ABOUT<br />
PICTURES<br />
—<br />
Just as the Barometer page shows first run reports on current pictures, this<br />
department is devoted for the most part to reports on subsequent runs, made<br />
by exhibitors themselves. A one-star contributor is new, two stars means the<br />
exhibitor has been writing in for six months or longer, and a three-star contributor<br />
is a regular of one year or more, who receives a token of our appreciation.<br />
All exhibitors welcome. Blue Ribbon pictures are marked thus U.<br />
COLUMBIA<br />
Jungle Jim (Col) — Johnny Weissmuller,<br />
Virginia Grey, George Reeves. It is kind of<br />
strange to hear Weissmuller talk but he does<br />
okay on the screen and at the boxoffice. Our<br />
folks just like him. This has lots of wild<br />
animals and action and is sure to please.<br />
We have only one complaint. The elephants<br />
In the stampede scene looked like they had<br />
been attending Arthur Murray's dancing<br />
school. Also, the film was a little too long.—<br />
Joe and Mildred Faith, Linn Theatre, Linn,<br />
Mo. Rural and small town patronage. • * •<br />
Leather Gloves (Col)—Cameron Mitchell,<br />
Virginia Grey, Jane Nigh. I doubled this one<br />
with " 'Neath Canadian Skies" (LP) to 60<br />
per cent of normal gross. What I saw of<br />
the picture seemed to be well acted, well<br />
directed and well plarmed. The local school<br />
played its first game of the county tournament<br />
this night, which may account for the<br />
low gross. Played Saturday only. Weather:<br />
Fair.—Fred G. Weppler, Colonial Theatre,<br />
Colfax, 111. Small town and rural patronage,<br />
t .<br />
Make BeUeve BaUroom (Col)—Ruth Warrick,<br />
Virginia WeUes, Jerome Courtland.<br />
Strictly no business, but the picture isn't bad<br />
for a double biU. The kids are cute and the<br />
story Is different, and it got a few laughs.<br />
Doubled with "Laramie" for Fri., Sat. Weather:<br />
Cold. — Bob Walker, Uintah Theatre,<br />
Fruita, Colo. Riu-al patronage. • • •<br />
Sahara (Col) — Humphrey Bogart, Bruce<br />
Bennett. This picture is packed with action<br />
and suspense. It was well liked here and<br />
business was good. We believe it is suitable<br />
for midweek and will do well in the average<br />
small town. Played Tues., Wed. Weather:<br />
Ice storm.— E. A. London, State Theatre,<br />
Ohvet, Mich. Small town, rural and college<br />
patronage. • * *<br />
Tokyo Joe (Col)—Humphrey Bogart, Alexander<br />
Knox, Florence Marly. This is a good<br />
action picture and business was above average.<br />
We had favorable comment on it.—O.<br />
Fomby, Paula Theatre, Homer, La. Small<br />
town patronage. • • ><br />
EAGLE LION<br />
October Man, The (EL)—John MiUs, Joan<br />
Greenwood, Edward Chapman. J. Arthur<br />
Rank may be solid in England, but they stay<br />
away in droves from the Roxy here in Wichita<br />
when one of his pictures shows. No matter<br />
what English variety I play, they won't accept<br />
the accent. I guess the foreign methods of<br />
story, production and casting just won't satisfy<br />
these midwesterns. Business was lousy.<br />
Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Cloudy and<br />
cold.—Jim Dunbar, Roxy Theatre, Wichita,<br />
Kas. Downtown subsequent run patronage.<br />
. . .<br />
Portrait of Jennie (ED—Jennifer Jones,<br />
Joseph Cotten, Ethel Barrymore. Here is the<br />
^<br />
poorest piece of film I have ever put on my<br />
screen. Should I caU it film tripe, it fits<br />
much better. Beware, fellow exhibitors in<br />
small towns. Leave it alone. It is first class<br />
rotgut for you. Played Mon., Tues., Wed.<br />
Weather: Cold.—H. J. McFall, Lyric Theatre,<br />
Russell, Man. Small town and rural patronage.<br />
• » •<br />
FILM CLASSICS<br />
Ride 'Em Cowboy (FO—Reissue.<br />
Bud Abbott,<br />
Lou Costello. This is one of A&C's best<br />
and it is ideal for weekend dates in small<br />
towns. It is a western with plenty of action,<br />
plus good comedy. Business was good. Played<br />
Thurs., Fri., Sat. Weather: Fair.—E. A. London,<br />
State Theatre, Olivet, Mich. Small town,<br />
rural and college patronage.<br />
• » •<br />
LIPPERT PRODUCTIONS<br />
Harpoon (LP) — John Bromfield, Alyce<br />
Louis, James Cardwell. Doubled this with<br />
"S.O.S. Submarine" for a first run at the<br />
Roxy for well over average business. For<br />
action houses, these should do well, even<br />
though they are produced on a small budget.<br />
We had favorable comments on both and a<br />
well pleased boxoffice. Played Thurs., Fri.,<br />
Sat. Weather: Cloudy and warm.—Jim Dunbar,<br />
Roxy Theatre, Wichita, Kas. Subsequent<br />
run patronage. • • •<br />
'Neath Canadian Skies (LP)—Russell Hayden.<br />
This was doubled with "Leather Gloves"<br />
(Col) to 60 per cent of normal gross for<br />
Saturday. The trailer on this one was the<br />
biggest atrocity I've ever seen. James Oliver<br />
Western Clothes Contest:<br />
47 Kids Dressed Up<br />
DOWN DAKOTA WAY (Rep)—Roy<br />
Rogers, Dale Evans, Pat Brady. Had a<br />
matinee party on this one, in conjunction<br />
with our Roy Rogers' Riders' club. The<br />
matinee party didn't pay me but I had<br />
as much fun or more than the kids. I<br />
had a western clothes contest and had<br />
47 kids dressed up for it. The local<br />
jeweler gave a wrist watch to the best<br />
dressed girl and the same to the best<br />
dressed boy. In addition I gave theatre<br />
tickets for the second, third and fourth<br />
prizes, plus one ticket for each kid who<br />
dressed for the contest. A local grocer<br />
gave away cookies and suckers, and I<br />
gave one of the 8x10 colored photographs<br />
of Roy and Trigger. Out-of-towners<br />
judged the contest and they had a rough<br />
time of it, but the kids were all happy<br />
and that is what counts! The evening<br />
performance was below average but then<br />
the local school was playing its last game<br />
in the county tournament and everyone,<br />
including Aunt Tessie and Uncle Hiram,<br />
goes to the games. This picture is the<br />
average Roy Rogers —good, clean entertainment—but<br />
Roy doesn't do for me what<br />
he used to do. Played Saturday only.<br />
Weather: Fair and chilly.—Fred G. Weppler,<br />
Colonial Theatre, Colfax, 111. Small<br />
town and rural patronage. » *<br />
Never a Dull Moment<br />
In 'Male War Bride'<br />
VI WAS A MALE WAR BRIDE (20th-<br />
Fox)—Cary Grant, Ann Sheridan, Marion<br />
Marshall This picture is more solidly<br />
packed with wonderful comedy than any<br />
we have shown in years. It also has an<br />
interesting story and there is never a dull<br />
moment. We think it is a natural for any<br />
situation and merits preferred plajring<br />
time. Business was good. Played Sun.,<br />
Mon. Weather: Fair.—E. A. London, State<br />
Theatre, Olivet, Mich. Small town, rural<br />
and college patronage. * * *<br />
Curwood's stories are usually weU received<br />
here. The local school played its first basketball<br />
game of the county tournament on this<br />
night, which accounts partly for the low<br />
gross. Played Saturday only. Weather: Fair.<br />
—Fred G. Weppler, Colonial Theatre, Colfax,<br />
111. Small town and rural patronage. • •<br />
METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER<br />
Doctor and the Girl, The (MGM)—Glerm<br />
Ford, Charles Coburn, Gloria DeHaven. This<br />
picture is weak on star value, title and story.<br />
Our loss was heavy and we cannot recommend<br />
the picture for the average small town.<br />
Played Tues.. Wed. Weather: Fair.—E. A.<br />
London, State Theatre, OUvet, Mich. Small<br />
town, rural and college patronage. * * •<br />
Great Sinner, The (MGM)—Gregory Peck,<br />
Ava Gardner, Walter Huston. Here is a perfect<br />
example of what is wrong with the movie<br />
business. A lot of star power and a lot of<br />
money completely wasted. This picture is<br />
about as far from entertainment as it can<br />
be. Business was 60 per cent of normal.<br />
K. A. Spears, Roxy Theatre, Winlock, Wash.<br />
Small town patronage.<br />
•<br />
Luxury Liner (MGM)—Jane Powell, George<br />
Brent, Lauritz Melchior. Here's a fine little<br />
Technicolor comedy that pleased everyone<br />
and surprised me at the boxoffice. It was no<br />
sellout but for a change I broke even on midweek.<br />
Don't let this go, even if It is old.<br />
Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Snow and below<br />
zero. — Bob Walker, Unitah Theatre,<br />
Fruita, Colo. Rural patronage. • • •<br />
Madame Bovary (MGM)—Jennifer Jones,<br />
Van Heflin, James Mason. How low can my<br />
grosses go on this type of picture? This one<br />
took the booby prize on grosses. However, I<br />
feel that I must play some of this type since<br />
there are some of my patrons who like to<br />
see only this heavy type of production. I<br />
feel I can't please them all, all of the time,<br />
but I can appease some of them, some of the<br />
time. The picture is perfect as far as acting<br />
and stars—but it's not for my situation.<br />
Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Cold.—Fred<br />
G. Weppler, Colonial Theatre, Colfax, 111.<br />
Small town and rural patronage. • •<br />
Night at the Opera, A (MGM)—Reissue.<br />
Marx Bros., Kitty Carlisle, Allen Jones. Business<br />
was only fair but the print was in good<br />
shape—which isn't true of all reissues. Played<br />
Tues., Wed. Weather: Okay.—D. W. Trisko,<br />
Ritz Theatre, Jerome, Ariz. Mining town patronage.<br />
• • •<br />
Southern Yankee, A (MGM)—Red Skelton,<br />
Brian Donlevy, Arlene Dahl. Yippee! For<br />
three days the "recession" was over and it<br />
BOXOFHCE BookinGuide :: Fob. 18, 1950
—<br />
—<br />
ture is I seemed mighty good. For once I made money<br />
town and rural patronage. • •<br />
on Skelton. Boy, he's terrific in this one. Be the<br />
good<br />
people<br />
and<br />
in<br />
I'm<br />
town<br />
sorry<br />
whose<br />
couldn't get<br />
"occupation"<br />
all<br />
is<br />
sure you don't pass this one up. Played Sun., go.ssiping to see it. Shirley redeemed her.self<br />
Mon., Tues. Weather: Rain, fog and zero partly after her part in 'Mr. Belvedere Goes<br />
temperatuies.—Bob Walker, Uintah Theatre, to College." Played Wed., Thurs. Weather:<br />
Fruita, Colo. Rural patronage. » • • Fair and chilly.—Fred G. Weppler, Colonial<br />
Theatre, Colfax, 111. Small town and rural<br />
PARAMOUNT<br />
patronage.<br />
• •<br />
Connecticut Yankee in King Artliur's Court,<br />
Good Sam (RKO) — Gary Cooper, Ann<br />
A (Para)—Bing Crosby, Rhonda Fleming, Sir<br />
Sheridan, Edmund Lowe. This is a grand<br />
Cedric Hardwicke. Costume pictures mean<br />
comedy with a swell cast and I'm glad I<br />
my lowest grosses, usually. This one was no<br />
played it, even late. RKO got its 50 per cent<br />
exception, but who are we to judge a picture?<br />
We, as exhibitors, have our likes and<br />
even though it was a flat deal. I couldn't see<br />
anything wrong with it, but I got a lot of<br />
dislikes as far as pictures are concerned.<br />
criticism about the last scenes. Played Sun.,<br />
Generally, if we do not like a picture ourselves,<br />
it is because our gross is so low. Per-<br />
Mon. Weather: Cold.—Bob Walker, Uintah<br />
Theatre, Fruita, Colo. Rural patronage. • •>•<br />
sonally, I liked this one, but I didn't like my<br />
low gross. Bing will stay on top for some Good Sam (RKO)—Gary Cooper, Ann<br />
time, in spite of all the yells from us exhibitors<br />
Sheridan, Edmund Lowe. This is a good pic-<br />
that Paramount is casting him in ture that played to 'way below average busi-<br />
lousy pictures. Here's to you, Bing. You are ness. It pleased those who came but few<br />
still tops. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Fair showed up to see it. Played Sun., Mon.<br />
and cold.—Fred G. Weppler, Colonial Theatre, Weather: Good.—Arthur E. Phifield, Park<br />
Colfax, 111. Small town and rural patronage.<br />
* •<br />
Magazine Reviews Used<br />
El Paso (Para)—John Payne, Gail Russell,<br />
George "Gabby" Hayes. This was okay and To Exploit His Films<br />
did very well on a weekend. I would say to ^^NE of our most regular contributors,<br />
you boys that it is worth playing. Played Ralph Raspa of the State Theatre<br />
Fri., Sat. Weather: Mild.—Harland Rankin, at Rivesville, W. Va., who is also editor<br />
Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont. Small town of The Columns at Fairmont State college,<br />
Fairmont, writes:<br />
patronage.<br />
• • •<br />
Lady Eve, The (Para)—Reissue. Barbara 'In your reference to the Protestant<br />
Stanwyck, Hem-y Fonda, Eugene Pallette. church choosing the better films, thereby<br />
This is a good picture brought back.<br />
aiding<br />
It is full<br />
Hollywood, I wish to call your attention<br />
to another movie aid. The Ameri-<br />
of spice. All my patrons thoroughly enjoyed<br />
it. Barbara Stanwyck couldn't have been<br />
can Legion magazine has a movie review<br />
better. My patrons seem to enjoy Barbara<br />
section that must be written by a Hollywood<br />
man.<br />
Stanwyck better in comedy roles than they<br />
"<br />
do in some of the big mystery<br />
'Report<br />
drama From Hollywood,'<br />
roles.<br />
as it is<br />
called,<br />
Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Cloudy and<br />
always brings out the good pictures<br />
cool.—O. Fomby, of<br />
Paula Theatre, Homer,<br />
the month,<br />
La.<br />
and it points out any stars<br />
Small town patronage. • • • that are veterans. This type of column<br />
should be encouragement for our benefit.<br />
Top O' the Morning (Para)—Bing Crosby, Whenever any of my features are reviewed<br />
Ann Blyth, Bai'ry Fitzgerald. This is top family<br />
in Life, Look, Good Housekeeping or the<br />
entertainment and we are proud to play American Legion (ones I subscribe to),<br />
pictures of this caliber. It has a charming I cut them out and tack them up in the<br />
stoi-y and some beautiful Irish songs. Our lobby for my patrons to see."<br />
film cost was high and the gross was below<br />
average. We believe that the picture rates<br />
Theatre, South Berwick, Me. Small town<br />
preferred playing time at reasonable flat<br />
patronage. • • •<br />
rental. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Fair.<br />
E. A. London, State Theatre, Olivet, Mich. Judge Steps Out, The (RKO)—Ann Sothern,<br />
Small town and riu:al patronage. • *<br />
Alexander Knox, George Tobias. This<br />
is a fair picture with some good comedy bits<br />
RKO RADIO<br />
but business was bad—the lowest Fri., Sat.<br />
Adventure in Baltimore (RKO) — Robert in a long time. Weather: Okay.—D. W.<br />
Young, Shirley Temple, John Agar. I took Trisko, Ritz Theatre, Jerome, Ariz. Mining<br />
a beating on this one and even the Chamber town patronage. • • •<br />
of Commerce gift night in the theatre did<br />
Mighty Joe Young (RKO)—Terry Moore,<br />
not help the gross. This was my lowest midweek<br />
gross in months and months. The pic-<br />
Ben Johnson, Robert Armstrong. This picture<br />
has all the usual hokiim, but not nearly<br />
the draw that "King Kong" had. It only<br />
did fair business here<br />
Reissues Compared<br />
and 'way below average<br />
for pictures of this type. Played Sun.,<br />
to<br />
Warmed-Over Coffee<br />
Mon. Weather: Good.—Terry Axley, New<br />
O SERGEANT YORK (WB)—Reissue. Theatre, England, Ark. Rural and small town<br />
Gary Cooper, Joan Leslie, Walter Brennan.<br />
patronage. * • •<br />
I asked the man who runs the res-<br />
Window, The (RKO)—Bobby DriscoU. Bar-<br />
taurant around the corner how he liked bara Hale, Arthur Kennedy. This is one of<br />
this reissue. He asked me, "How do you the best program pictures in circulation. It<br />
like your coffee warmed over?" He had to is not big but will satisfy.—K. A. Spears,<br />
admit it was swell entertainment, however.<br />
This picture had everything but<br />
attendance, and I don't know why. I guess<br />
they don't want any more war. I still<br />
recommend it.—J. Bye Coverston, Cherokee<br />
Theatre, Southwest City, Mo. Small<br />
Roxy Theatre. Winlock, Wash. Small town<br />
patronage.<br />
•<br />
REPUBUC<br />
Nighttime In Nevada (Rep)—Roy Rogers,<br />
.Andy Devine, Adele Mara. A good western<br />
in color that failed to make rental. Rogers<br />
has lost all his popularity here for some<br />
He Liked This Picture<br />
And It Went Over<br />
LUCK OF THE IRISH, THE (20th-Fox)<br />
Tyrone Power, Anne Baxter, Cecil Kellaway.<br />
Here is a feature that I have read<br />
several adverse reports on. As a result,<br />
I booked It twice and canceled it out<br />
each time and then went to battle with<br />
Mr. Cringan, our salesman from Winnipeg,<br />
over it to try and get out of playing it.<br />
However, he convinced me that it was<br />
not that bad, and now I am very disappointed<br />
in the writeups from fellow<br />
exhibitors on this, as it went over well<br />
here and personally I liked it very much.<br />
Played Thurs., Fri., Sat. Weather: Very<br />
cold.—H. J. McFall, Lyric Theatre, Russell,<br />
Man. Small town and rural patronage.<br />
• • •<br />
reason or other. Many think the Trucolor<br />
is wrong and others miss Dale Evans.—Jack<br />
Hammond, Shastona Theatre, Mount Shasta,<br />
Calif. Small lumber town patronage. * • •<br />
Sundown in Santa ¥e (Rep)—Allan "Rocky"<br />
Lane, "Black Jack," Eddy Waller. This is<br />
our type, much corn and everything. They<br />
turned out for it, too. Played Fri., Sat.<br />
Weather: Cool.—Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre,<br />
Tilbury, Ont. Small town patronage. • • •<br />
tinder California Stars (Rep)—Roy Rogers,<br />
Jane Prazee, Andy Devine. Our first Rogers<br />
show in many months. This one is fine and<br />
business was above average for Saturday.<br />
Roy is our best western draw. Played Saturday.<br />
Weather: Fair and cold—.Arthur E.<br />
Phifield, Park Theatre, South Berwick, Me.<br />
Small town patronage.<br />
• • •<br />
Village Barn Dance (Rep)—Reissue. Richard<br />
Cromwell, Doris Day. If your customers<br />
like corny pictures, they'll love tWs reissue.<br />
NSS served me the original trailer — we<br />
couldn't run It. Doubled with "The Marauders."<br />
Played Thurs., Fri., Sat. Weather:<br />
Bad. — W. O. Woody, Stockton, Mo. Small<br />
town patronage. • • •<br />
SRO<br />
Fallen Idol, The (SRO)—Ralph Richardson,<br />
Michele Morgan, Bobby Henery. Limey<br />
pictures are no go here. Comments were very<br />
poor. I would like to nominate this and<br />
"Portrait of Jennie" as the poorest pictures<br />
of the year. I won't let David burn me. twice,<br />
you can be sure! Played Mon., Tues., Wed.<br />
Weather: Fair.—H. J. McFall, Lyric Theatre,<br />
Russell, Man. Small town and rural patronage.<br />
• • •<br />
20th CENTURY-FOX<br />
CCome to the Stable (20th-Fox)—Loretta<br />
Young, Celeste Holm, Hugh Marlowe. This is<br />
a swell show for everyone and did average<br />
business at the boxoffice for us.—K. A. Spears,<br />
Roxy Theatre, Winlock, Wash. Small town<br />
patronage.<br />
•<br />
Frontier Marshal (20th-Fox) — Reissue.<br />
Randolph Scott, Nancy Kelly, Cesar Romero.<br />
Doubled with "Belle Starr" and this gave my<br />
Randy Scott fans a more than satisfactory<br />
fare. Both are good action oldies, and though<br />
the price for the combination was high for<br />
me, returns made up the difference. I think<br />
they would do well wherever Scott Is popular.<br />
Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Perfect. — Bob<br />
Walker, Uintah Theatre, Fruita, Colo. Rural<br />
patronage. • • •<br />
OGreen Grass of Wyoming (20th-Pox)<br />
(Continued on page 4)<br />
BOXOFFICE BookinGuide Feb. 18. 1950
—<br />
—<br />
—<br />
—<br />
Exhibitor Has His Say<br />
(Continued from page 3)<br />
Peggy Cummins. Charles Coburn, Robert<br />
Arthur. This is a good outdoor show with<br />
wide open spaces, horses and everything. It<br />
did just average for us for some unknown<br />
reason. We expected much more at the boxoffice.<br />
Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Fair<br />
and cold.—Arthur E. Phifield, Park Theatre,<br />
South Berwick, Me. Small town patronage.<br />
• • *<br />
Mark of Zorro (20th-Fox)—Reissue. Tyrone<br />
Power. Linda Darnell, Basil Rathbone.<br />
This we didn't expect too much from—and<br />
didn't get it. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather:<br />
Warm.—Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury,<br />
Ont. Small town patronage. * • •<br />
OMiracle on 34th Street (20th-Fox)—<br />
John Payne, Maureen O'Hara, Edmund<br />
Gwenn. This is one of those pictures that<br />
make you "just feel good all over." You stand<br />
in the lobby, proud you are an exhibitor, and<br />
more proud that they saw this picture in your<br />
theatre. As long as there is a Christmas, this<br />
picture can be played. It just seems to put<br />
the Christmas spirit over with a bang. Write<br />
in and ask for it for next Christmsis. You<br />
can't make money before Christmas, but you<br />
won't hate losing it so much with this one.<br />
J. Bye Coverston, Cherokee Theatre, Southwest<br />
City, Mo. SmaU town and rural patronage.<br />
• '<br />
Oh, You Beautiful DoU (20th-Fox)—June<br />
Haver, Mark Stevens, S. Z. Sakall. These<br />
musicals from Fox are nothing but pure entertainment.<br />
It was very much enjoyed by a<br />
small audience, due to the deep snow and<br />
wind. The ones that braved the storm were<br />
well pleased. Played Sun., Mon. Weather:<br />
Deep snow.—Jack Hammond, Shastona Theatre,<br />
Mount Shasta, Calif. Small lumber town<br />
patronage. • » »<br />
Kose of Washington Square (20th-Fox) —<br />
Reissue. Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, Al Jolson.<br />
This is one of the good old reissues. A<br />
musical, yes—but I am well satisfied with it<br />
and comments were good, and Fox sold it to<br />
me right. Believe it or not, with my business<br />
at a new low this winter, I made wages for<br />
myself out of this, which is new here this<br />
winter. Thanks, Fox. Played Thurs., Fri.,<br />
Sat. Weather: 40 below.—H. J. McFall, Lyric<br />
Theatre, RusseU, Man. Small town and rural<br />
patronage.<br />
* • •<br />
Sand (20th-Fox) — Mark Stevens, Coleen<br />
Gray, Rory Calhoun. Tliis was a good one<br />
from Fox and did a little above average January<br />
business. The color is nice, although the<br />
story misses the book a mile. We swallowed a<br />
little at the stiff rental but were molUfied a<br />
very little bit by the draw. Fox will need several<br />
like this, however, as far as we're con-<br />
Laughed, Too, at This<br />
Till Checker Came<br />
TWO GUTS FROM TEXAS<br />
(WB)—<br />
Dennis Morgan, Jack Carson, Dorothy<br />
Malone. All the world loves to laugh, and<br />
they will at this pair in this picture. The<br />
men laughed, the ladies laughed, the kids<br />
laughed, the operators laughed, I laughed<br />
—until the checker showed up! Why did<br />
they pick this picture to check, just as I<br />
was getting out of the red? Book it, by<br />
all means.—J. Bye Coverston, Cherokee<br />
Theatre, Southwest City, Mo. Small town<br />
and rural patronage. * *<br />
cerned to make up for "Prince of Foxes."<br />
Played Sat. (preview). Sun., Mon. Weather:<br />
Good. — WiUiam J. Harris. Crown Theatre,<br />
Lincoln. Ark. Rural and small town paronage.<br />
* * *<br />
UNITED ARTISTS<br />
Great Dan Patch, The (UA)—Dennis<br />
O'Keefe, Gail Russell, Ruth Warrick. This is<br />
a very good horse picture which enjoyed<br />
slightly above average business. Had it been<br />
in color with a top star, it would have been a<br />
knockout. So don't pay top money for it or you<br />
will be disappointed. There was a sUght profit<br />
en this one. Played Sun., Mon. Weather:<br />
Good.—E. M. Freibiu-ger, Dewey Theatre,<br />
Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. * * '<br />
UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL<br />
Frontier Gal (U-D—Yvonne DeCarlo, Rod<br />
Cameron. I traded this picture, hoping to<br />
break even. This is one of the best westerns<br />
ever made. This type of entertainment<br />
is what the American public wants. There<br />
wasn't one single bad comment from my<br />
patrons—it pleased everyone. I was truly<br />
pleased with the picture and with the business<br />
it did. I sure wish they would make<br />
more pictures with this combination of<br />
Basketball, Epidemic,<br />
But Picture Pulled<br />
JOH>r\Y STOOL PIGEON (U-I) —<br />
Howard Duff, Shelley Winters, Dan<br />
Duryea. Basketball games and a measles<br />
epidemic didn't keep this picture from<br />
doing average business. I believe it had<br />
a good title, and no doubt the Rod Cameron<br />
western with it helped a little. The<br />
feature was good, though—semi-documentary.<br />
Played Fri., Sat. Weather:<br />
Ideal. — Ralph Raspa, State Theatre,<br />
Rivesville, W. Va. Rural patronage. * * *<br />
spice, love, action and color in them. Played<br />
Sunday in Town Creek. Ala.. Wednesday in<br />
Rogersville and Sunday in Loretto, Term.<br />
Mrs. James W. Robinson, Dale, State and<br />
Bama Theatres, Town Creek, Ala. Small town<br />
patronage. * • *<br />
Give Out Sisters (U-I)—Reissue. Andrews<br />
Sisters, Richard Davies. This is an oldie that<br />
proved to be entertaining to an average audience.<br />
Plenty of star value in this one and the<br />
advertisement and trailer have been remade.<br />
(Thank Heavens!). Recommended. Played<br />
Fri., Sat. Weather: Rain. — Ralph Raspa,<br />
State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. Rural patronage.<br />
• • •<br />
Hamlet (U-I) — Laurence Olivier, Eileen<br />
Herlie, Basil Sydney. Much to our disappointment,<br />
this wonderful picture did absolutely<br />
nothing for us. The weather was bad, of<br />
course, but the advanced price didn't help<br />
business. This sort of high class entertainment<br />
is really lost on a small town audience.<br />
The school teachers, however, were loud in<br />
their praise; but in this day and age, praise<br />
fails to pay off. Played Thursday only. Weather:<br />
Snow and cold.—Jack Hammond, Shastona<br />
Theatre, Mount Shasta, Calif. Small<br />
lumber town patronage. • • •<br />
Pecos Pistol, The (U-I>—Musical western<br />
short, Tex Williams and Orchestra. Universal<br />
has at last hit something in the short<br />
field that will fit on any program. These<br />
short, musical westerns are top—play them,<br />
by all means. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather:<br />
f<br />
A Date-Crowd Natural,<br />
And With Doris Day<br />
MY DREAM IS TOURS (WB)—Jack<br />
Carson, Doris Day, Lee Bowman. This is<br />
a Sunday night date-crowd natural. This<br />
Doris Day is tops when it comes to putting<br />
over a song. W'arners can use her<br />
again and again for oxir money. Played<br />
Sun., Mon. Weather: Warm and fair.<br />
Joe and 3Iildred Faith, Linn Theatre,<br />
Linn, Mo. Rural and small town patronage.<br />
* * *<br />
Wonderful.—James F. HaU, Anthony Theatre,<br />
Anthony, N. M.-Tex. Small town and rural<br />
•<br />
patronage.<br />
Red Canyon (U-I)—Ann Blyth, Howard<br />
Duff, George Brent. We can take a lot like<br />
this one. A grand picture with good color<br />
brought the Sunday crowd out on Fri., Sat.<br />
—and that is no small feat in a small town.<br />
Weather: Rain.—Joe and Mildred Faith, Linn<br />
Theatre, Linn. Mo. Rural and small town<br />
patronage. ' * *<br />
Sword in the Desert (U-I)—Dana Andrews,<br />
Marta Toren, Stephen McNally. Who ever<br />
thought this one up? It smells to the highest<br />
mountain—and the rental on it makes it<br />
smell worse. Andrews should be plowing and<br />
Marta Toren should be waiting tables. Played<br />
Wed., Thurs. Weather: Fair.—James F. Hall,<br />
Anthony Theatre, Anthony, N. M.-Tex. SmaU<br />
town and rural patronage.<br />
*<br />
Take One False Step (U-I) — William<br />
Powell, Shelley Winters, Marsha Hunt. William<br />
Powell does his usual faultless job in a<br />
gripping mystery, ably abetted by luscious<br />
Shelley Winters and Marsha Hunt. The take<br />
was considerably off, however. The weather<br />
was frigid, but despite this, serious mysteries<br />
or cops-and-robbers movies never have drawn<br />
for us. So please read this, salesmen—lay off,<br />
and believe me the next time I protest. Played<br />
Sat. (preview). Sun., Mon. Weather: Cold.<br />
William J. Harris, Crown Theatre, Lincoln,<br />
Ark. Rural and small town patronage. • * *<br />
WARNER BROS.<br />
Romance on the High Seas (WB) — Jack<br />
Carson, Janis Paige, Don DePore. This was<br />
strictly below average at the boxoffice. It<br />
should have done better for us as it is the<br />
type that used to go over well—comedy, gals,<br />
gags — and of course. Jack Carson. Played<br />
Sun., Mon. Weather: Cold.—Arthur E. Phifield,<br />
Park Theatre, South Berwick, Me. Small<br />
town patronage. • » •<br />
Smart Girls Don't Talk (WB) — Virginia<br />
Mayo, Bruce Bennett, Robert Hutton. In<br />
spite of a murder or two. this one seemed to<br />
please our patrons. It is well presented and<br />
has a good cast. Business was average, which<br />
is good for the weather conditions here.<br />
Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Rain and snow.<br />
Jack Hammond. Shastona Theatre, Mount<br />
Shasta, Calif. Small lumber town patronage.<br />
• • •<br />
Story of Seabiscuit, The (WB) — Shirley<br />
Temple, Barry Fitzgerald, Lon McCallister.<br />
This is fair entertainment, but it could have<br />
been much better, with the stars and investment<br />
present. Business was about average but<br />
I made no profit or loss. Played Sun., Mon.<br />
Weather: Fair.—Ralph Raspa, State Theatre,<br />
BOXOFFICE BookinGuide Feb. 18, 1950
Alphabetical Picture Gaide Index aad REVIEW DICES<br />
o^ i- ac a cc<br />
A<br />
1080 Abandoned (79) U-l 10-15-49<br />
1061 Abbott & Costello Meet the Killer<br />
(84) U-l 8-13-49<br />
997 Act of Violence (82) IVIGM 12-25-4a<br />
1093 Adam and Evalyn (93) U-l 11-26-49<br />
lOSSAdam's Rib (102) MGM 11-5-49<br />
1022 Adventure in Baltimore (89) RKO.. 3-26-49<br />
998 Adventures of Don Juan (110) WB.. 12-25-48<br />
1012 Affairs o< a Rooue, The (95) Col.... 2-19-49<br />
1033 Africa Screams (75) UA 5- 7-49<br />
1042 Against the Wind (95) EL 6- 4-49<br />
1055 Air Hostess (61) Col 7-<strong>23</strong>-49<br />
1006 Alias Nick Beal (93) Para 1-22-49<br />
1085 Alias the Champ (60) Rep 10-29-49<br />
1049 Alimony (72) EL 7-2-49<br />
1044 All Over the Town (SS) U-l 6-11-49<br />
1087 All the Kino's Men (110) Col 11- 5-49<br />
1094 Always Leave Them Laughing<br />
(116) WB 11-26-49<br />
1108 Amazing Mr. Beecham, The (85) EL 1-14-50<br />
1040 Amazon Quest (70) FC 5-28-49<br />
1101 Ambush (90) MGM 12-24-49<br />
965An Act of Murder (90) U-l 9-4-48<br />
1090 And Baby Makes Three (84) Col. .. 11-12-49<br />
Angels in Disguise (63) Mono<br />
1054 Anna Lucasta (86) Col 7-16-49<br />
1042 Any Number Can Play (102) MGM.. 6- 4-49<br />
1082 Apache Chief (60) LP 10-22-49<br />
1046 Arctic Fury (61) RKO 6-18-49<br />
1071 Arctic Manhunt (69) U-l 9-17-49<br />
1037 Arson. Inc. (60) LP 5-21-49<br />
B<br />
1110 Backfire (92) WB 1-21-50 +<br />
1006 Bad Boy (87) Mono 1-22-49 +<br />
1095 Bagdad (90) U-l 12-3-49 d:<br />
1078 Bandit King of Texas (60) Rep 10- 8-49 +<br />
1082 Bandits of El Dorado (56) Col 10-22-49 ±<br />
1072Barbary Pirate (65) Col 9-17-49 ±<br />
1028Barkleys of Broadway. The (110)<br />
MGM 4-16-49 -H<br />
1078 Battleoround (118) MGM 10-8-49 -H-<br />
1040 Beautiful Blonde From Bashful Bend,<br />
The (77) 20-Fox 5-28-49 -f<br />
1109 Bells of Coronado (67) Rep 1-21-50 ±<br />
1113 Belle of Old Mexico (70) Rep 2- 4-50 ±<br />
1082 Beyond the Forest (96) WB 10-22-49 -f<br />
1033 Big Cat. The (75) EL 5- 7-49 i:<br />
1025 Big Jack (85) MGM 4- 9-49 ±<br />
1027 Big Sombrero. The (87) Col 4-16-49 +<br />
1045 Big Steal, The (71) RKO 6-18-49 +<br />
1089 Big Wheel, The (92) UA 11-12-49 +<br />
1038 Black Book. The (formerly Reign<br />
of Terror) (89) EL 5-21-49 +<br />
1110 Black Hand (92) MGM 1-21-50 ++<br />
1066 Black Magic (105) UA 8-27-49 ff<br />
1<br />
Black Midnight (66) Mono<br />
1077 Black Shadows (62) EL 10-8-49<br />
969 Blanche Fury (93) EL 9-18-48<br />
±<br />
—<br />
1061 Blazing Trail. The (56) Col 8-13-49<br />
1052 Blind Goddess, The (88) U-l 7- 9-49<br />
±<br />
±<br />
1112 Blonde Bandit (60) Rep 1-28-50 +<br />
1080 Blondie Hits the Jackpot (66) Col.. .10-15-49 ±<br />
1021 Blondie's Big Deal (66) Col 3-26-49 ±<br />
Blondie's Hero (..) Col<br />
Ull Blue Grass of Kentucky (70) Mono... 1-28-50 -f<br />
1060 Blue Lagoon. The (105) U-l 8- 6-49 +<br />
1115 Bodyhold (65) Col 2-11-50 +<br />
U07 Bomba on Panther Island (76) Mono. 1-14-50 +<br />
1016 Bomba. the Jungle Boy (71) Mono... 3- 5-49 -f<br />
1065 Border Incident (95) MGM 8-27-49 +<br />
1109 Borderline (88) U-l 1-21-50 -H<br />
1021 Boston Blackie's Chinese Venture<br />
(59) Col 3-26-49 ±<br />
1010 Bribe. The (98) MGM 2-12-49 +<br />
1083 Bride for Sale (87) RKO 10-29-49 -f<br />
10<strong>23</strong>-A Bride of Vengeance (92) Para... 4- 2-49 ±<br />
1064 Brimstone (90) Rep 8-20-49 +<br />
1044 Broken Journey (89) EL 6-11-49 +<br />
1015 Brothers in the Saddle (60) RKO.. 3- 5-49 *
ff Very Good; + Good; — Fair; - Poor; = V
++ Very Good; + Good; — Fair; — Poor; = Very Poor. In the summary H is rated as 2 pluses. = as 2 minuses.<br />
1<br />
IIU Palomino, The (75) Col 1-28-50<br />
1101 Paid in Full (104) Para 12-24-49<br />
SSSParadine Case, The (117) EL 1- 3-48<br />
1077 Passport to Pimlico (72) EL 10-8-49<br />
I;1077 Pinky (102) 20-Fox 10- S-49<br />
1107 Pioneer Marshal (60) Rep 1-14-50<br />
1098 Pirates of Capri, The (94) FC 12-10-49<br />
1013 Place of One's Own, A (94) El 2-26-49<br />
1095 Port of New York (79) EL 12- 3-49<br />
999 Portrait of Jennie (90) EL 1- 1-49<br />
1071 Post Office Investioator (60) Rep... 9-17-49<br />
1085 Prairie, The (65) LP 10-29-49<br />
1018 Prejudice (5S) MPSC 3-12-49<br />
1<br />
1066 Prince of Foxes (107) 20-Fox 8-27-49<br />
1026 Prince of Peace (formerly The Lawton Story)<br />
(111) Hallmark 4- 9-49<br />
1030 Prince of the Plains (60) Rep 4-<strong>23</strong>-49<br />
1097 Prison Warden (62) Col 12-10-49<br />
1091 Project X (60) FC 11-19-49<br />
Q<br />
10<strong>23</strong>-A Quartet (120) EL 4- 2-49<br />
R<br />
1112 Radar Secret Service (59) LP 1-28-50<br />
Range Justice (57) Mono<br />
1090 Ranoer of Cherokee Strip (60) Rep.. .11-12-49<br />
1084 Rmkless Moment, The (82) Col 10-29-49<br />
1009 Red Canyon (82) U-l 2-12-49<br />
1073 Red Danube, The (119) MGM 9-24-49<br />
1103 Red Desert (60) LP 12-31-49<br />
1047 Red, Hot and Blue (84) Para 6-25-49<br />
1063 Red Light (84) UA 8-20-49<br />
1042 Red Menace, The (87) Rep 6-4-49<br />
1110 Reneoades of the Sane (56) Col 1-21-50<br />
1011 Red Pony, The (89) Rep 2-19-49<br />
980 Red Shoes, The (134) EL 10-<strong>23</strong>-48<br />
1019 Red Stallion in the Rockies (85) EL 3-19-49<br />
In 1096 Riders the Sky (70) Col 12-3-49<br />
Riders of the Dusk (57) Mono<br />
1083 Riders of the Range (60) RKO 10-29-49<br />
1041 Riders of the Whistling Pines<br />
(70) Col 6- 4-49<br />
1106 Riding High (112) Para 1- 7-50<br />
1024-A Rimlirc (67) LP 4- 2-49<br />
1055 Rim of the Canyon (70) Col 7-<strong>23</strong>-49<br />
1056 Ringside (62) LP 7-<strong>23</strong>-49<br />
10S3ROII Thunder Roll! (58) EL 7-16-49<br />
1050 Rooe of Sand (105) Para 7- 2-49<br />
1063 Roscanna McCoy (89) RKO 8-20-49<br />
1037 Roughshod (88) RKO 5-21-49<br />
1100 Rugged O'Riordans, The (76) U-l . .12-17-49<br />
1022 Rustlers (61) RKO 3-26-49<br />
1029 Rusty Saves a Life (68) Col 4-<strong>23</strong>-49<br />
1094 Rust/s Birthday (60) Col 11-26-49<br />
S<br />
1100 Salt to the Devil (Former title<br />
Give Us This Day) (120) EL 1217-49<br />
1084 Samson and Delilah (130) Para 10-29-49<br />
1079 San Antone Ambush (60) Rep 10-15-49<br />
1031 Sand (77) 20-Fox 4-30-49<br />
1102 Sands of Iwo Jima (109) Rep 12-24-49<br />
1029 Saraband (95) EL 4-<strong>23</strong>-49<br />
1091 Satan's Cradle (60) UA 11-19-49<br />
1057 Savage Splendor (60) RKO 7-30-49<br />
1048 Scene of the Crime (94) MGM 6-25-49<br />
1028 Scott of the Antarctic (111) EL 4-16-49<br />
1032 Secret Garden, The (92) MGM 4-30-49<br />
1049 Secret of St. Ives, The (76) Col... 7- 2-49<br />
1022 Setup. The (72) RKO 3-26-49<br />
1035 Shamrock Hill (71) EL 5-14-49<br />
1015 Sheriff of Wichita (60) Rep 3- 5-49<br />
1057 She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (103) RKO 7-30-49<br />
1103 Side Street (84) MGM 12-31-49<br />
1094 Silent Dust (82) Mono 11-26-49<br />
1056 Sky Dragon (64) Mono 7-<strong>23</strong>-49<br />
1056 Sky Liner (60) LP B- 6-49<br />
1050 Slattery's Hurricane (83) 20-Fox 8- 6-49<br />
10<strong>23</strong>-A Sleeping Car to Trieste (95) EL.. 4- 2-49<br />
1010 Slightly French (81) Col 2-12-49<br />
1024 Snowbound (85) U-l 3-26-49<br />
1014 Song of India (77) Col 2-26-49<br />
1072 Song of Surrender (93) Para. 9-17-49<br />
Son of Billy the Kid (65) LP<br />
1110 Sons of New Mexico (71) Col 1-21-50<br />
1027 Sorrowful Jones (88) Para 4-16-49<br />
1061 South of Death Valley (54) Col 8-13-49<br />
1062 South of Rio (60) Rep 8-13-49<br />
1011 South of St. Louis (88) WB 2-19-49<br />
1107 South Sea Sinner (88) U-l 1-14-50<br />
1032 Special Agent (70) Para 4-30-49<br />
1076 Spring in Park Lane (91) EL 10- 1-49
FEATURE chart]
FEATURE CHART
; I—June<br />
)<br />
WARNER<br />
RKO RADIO<br />
H (66) Drtma O:<br />
THE THREAT<br />
illch«cl •'Shoa-V. Orey<br />
lulle l!lsbop-U. Stiiyne<br />
J—Oct. 29—PG-1083<br />
I![j] (95) llr«m« 009<br />
HrHEY LIVE BY NIGHT<br />
llfarlfj tIrar.ger-C. O'DonneU<br />
llBward I)eSllta-H. Craig<br />
26— l'Q-948<br />
j,:S _ (87) Comfdy *eS<br />
JRIOE FOR SALE<br />
:iau(iclte Colliert<br />
lobert Young-G. Brent<br />
I—Oct. 89—PG-ie83<br />
l\S ('«) Drama 01<br />
i'\ Dangerous Profession<br />
Jeorge Hatl-Ella Balnea<br />
'at OBrlen-BlU WlUlams<br />
[i— Ocl. 22—PG-1081<br />
CHECK RUNNING TIME WITH LOCAL EXCHANGES<br />
REPUBLIC 20TH-FOX UNITED ARTISTS<br />
g] (80) Western 866<br />
Ranuer of Cherokee Strip<br />
Monte Hale-Paul Hurst<br />
Monte Blue-D. Kennedy<br />
R—Nof. 12—PQ-1090<br />
m (67) Outd-r-Mua 844<br />
©The Golden Stallion<br />
Roy Rogera-Dale Bvaos<br />
Pat Bradj-Koy Willing<br />
R— Not. (i—Pa-1088<br />
a (60) Western 4961<br />
Powder River Rustlers<br />
Allan "Rucky" Lane<br />
Eddy Waller<br />
(98) Comedy 91<br />
EVERYBODY DOES IT<br />
Paul Dougtas-L. Darnell<br />
Celeste Holm-C Coburn<br />
R—Sept. 3—PQ-1068<br />
(93) Musical 927<br />
soil, You Beautiful Doll<br />
June Haver-Mark Steveni<br />
S. Z. Sakall-C. Greenwood<br />
R—Sept. 24-PG-10T4<br />
(102) Drama 931<br />
PINKY<br />
Jeanne Cralu-W. Lundlgan<br />
B. Barrymore-Etbel Waters<br />
R—ect. 8—PO-1077<br />
(S (92) Drama 618<br />
THE BIG WHEEL<br />
Mickey Rooney-M. O'Shea<br />
rhomaa Mltcbell-M. Hatcher<br />
R—No». 12—PQ-1089<br />
g (88) Comedy 619<br />
A KISS FOR CORLISS<br />
Shirley Temple-D. Hickman<br />
David Nlven-T. Tally<br />
R—Oct. 22—PG-1681<br />
UNIV.-INT'L<br />
I<br />
(83) Comedy 901<br />
FREE FOR ALL<br />
Ann Blylh-Percy Kilbride<br />
M. lU-sumny-R. Cummiogs<br />
R—Nov. 12-PG-1090<br />
(83) Drama 902<br />
THE STORY OF MOLLY X<br />
June Havoc-John Russell<br />
Dorothy Hart<br />
R— Nov. 19—PG-1092<br />
(83) Drama<br />
©BAGDAD<br />
Maureen O'Hara-V. Price<br />
Paul Christian<br />
B—Dec. 3—Pa-1095<br />
903<br />
BROS.<br />
5? (93) Drama 967<br />
©The Story of Seabiscuit<br />
Shirley Tcmple-B. Kltigerald<br />
Lon McCalllster<br />
R—Oct. 29— PQ-1083<br />
g§ (116) Comedy<br />
Always Leave Them Laughing<br />
Mlltim Bcrle-Ruth Roman<br />
Virginia<br />
R—Nov.<br />
Mayo-Bert Lahr<br />
26—PG-1094<br />
FEATURE CHART<br />
REISSUES (Cont'd)<br />
Sept. (110) Drama 006<br />
THE STORY OF G.I. JOE<br />
Robert Mltchum-Ernle Fyle<br />
•ct. (95) Drama 938<br />
Letter of Introduction<br />
Adolpbe Menjou-G. Murphy<br />
Dec. (135) Drama<br />
LL BE SEEING YOU<br />
Ginger Rogers-Joseph Cotten<br />
Dec. (82) Comedy<br />
HIT THE ICE<br />
Bud Abbott-Lou Costello<br />
July O (76) Drama<br />
WHITE SAVAGE<br />
July a (70) Drama<br />
COBRA WOMAN<br />
Oct. H (89) Drama<br />
BACK STREET<br />
Charles Boyer-M. BullMin<br />
Oct. S3 (102) Drama<br />
SCARLET STREET<br />
Bennett-E. G. BoblnsoD<br />
n (87) Comedy 013 O (61) Drama 49(4<br />
HOLIDAY AFFAIR BLONDE BANDIT<br />
Itnet Leigh- R. Mltckon Robert Rockwell-D. Patrick<br />
ffeodell Corey S (60) Western 4871<br />
I—Not. 19—P0-H91 PIONEER MARSHAL<br />
B (»9) Drama «5a<br />
«Y FOOLISH HEART<br />
kau Hayvard-D. Andrews<br />
(cDt Smllb-Lols Wheeler<br />
»-Ott. 22—PO-1081<br />
(107) Drama 929<br />
PRINCE OF FOXES<br />
Tyrone Power-OrsoD Welles<br />
Wanda Hendrta-M. Bert!<br />
R—Aug. 27—PG-1066<br />
(94) Westem-Dr 930<br />
©Fighting Man of Plilni<br />
Randolph Scott-Jane Nigh<br />
Bill WlUlams-Vlctor Jory<br />
R—Oct, IIS—PG-1179<br />
n (I«3) Drami 666 (109) War Drama 4906 (92) Mus-Com 601<br />
THE OUTLAW<br />
fun Bussell-Jack Bentel<br />
SANDS OF IWO JIMA<br />
John Wayne-John Agar<br />
©Dancing In the Dark<br />
William Powell-Betsy Drake<br />
Kilter Huston-T. Ultchell .\dele Mara-Forrest Tucker Mark Stevena-A. Menjoo<br />
R— Dec. 24—PG-llOl R—Nov. 12—PO-1089<br />
m (67) Outd'r-MuB 4941<br />
©Bells Coronado<br />
of<br />
Roy RogiTS-Dala Bvam<br />
Grant Wlthers-Foy Wlllinf<br />
g (97) Mystery 069<br />
aTHE MAN ON THE<br />
EIFFEL TOWER<br />
Ckarlea Laughton-F. Tone<br />
Dec. 24—PO- 11 02<br />
1 (.'n Drama<br />
TROMBOLI<br />
ngrld Bergman<br />
klarlo<br />
Vltale<br />
D 17.1) Cartoon<br />
:iNOERELLA<br />
>teney feature cartoon<br />
I—Dec. 24— PG-1102<br />
R—Jan.<br />
21—PG-11«9<br />
m (60) Melodrama 4807<br />
UNMASKED<br />
R. Rockwell-B. Fuller<br />
Raymond Burr<br />
\S (00) Western 4962<br />
GUNMEN OF ABILENE<br />
.Ml.in Rocky" Lane<br />
Eddy WaUer-D. Hamilton<br />
S (<br />
.<br />
TARNISHED<br />
Drama<br />
) .<br />
Arthur FraiB<br />
Dorothy Patrick<br />
I (97) Drama tM<br />
WHIRLPOOL<br />
Gene Tlcrney-Blchard Coote<br />
Jo?e Ferrer-C. Blckford<br />
I!— Dec. 3—PO-1096<br />
18(1) Musical 003<br />
WHEN WILLIE COMES<br />
MARCHING HOME<br />
Dan Dalley-Corlnne CWvet<br />
R—Jan. 7— PG-1105<br />
SS (89) Drama 63<br />
MRS. MIKE<br />
Dick Powell-Evelyn Keyes<br />
Angela aark-J. HlUan<br />
R— Dee. 24—Pa-ll»2<br />
(71) Drtma 9*<br />
UNDERTOW<br />
Scott Brady-Jolin Russell<br />
Dorothy Hart-Peggy Dow<br />
B— Dec. 10—PO-1097<br />
(M) Drama 90R<br />
Q] (71) Drama 662<br />
Davy Crockett,<br />
WOMAN IN HIDING<br />
Indian Scout<br />
George Montgomery-E. Drew Luplno-Howard Duff<br />
Ida<br />
jr.<br />
Philip Reed-Noah<br />
R—Jan.<br />
Beery<br />
14—PG-1108<br />
Stephen McNally<br />
R— Dec. 17— PO-1106<br />
gr (84) Drama 6<strong>23</strong><br />
Deadly Is the Female<br />
Peggy Cummlns-John Dakl<br />
Berry Kroeger-A. Shaw<br />
R—Nov. 5—PG-1087<br />
a Comedy<br />
( . . )<br />
IF THIS BE SIN<br />
Myma Loy-Rlchard<br />
Peggy C^immlns<br />
Greene<br />
(133) War Drama 004 :ia] (92) Drama<br />
TWELVE O'CLOCK HIGH JOHNNY HOLIDAY<br />
Gregory Peck-Hugh Marlowe W. Bendli-A. Martin Jr.<br />
Dean Jagger-Paul Stewart Sianley Clements-J. Hagen<br />
R— Dee. 24—PG-1101 B—Nov. 26—PO-1093<br />
(84) Western 006<br />
©DAKOTA LIL<br />
Rod Cameron-M. Wlnctsor<br />
George Montgomery<br />
R—Jan. 28—PO-1111<br />
m (83) Melodrama<br />
(88) Drama 006<br />
Mothef Didn't Tell Me<br />
0.0. A.<br />
Edmond •'Brien-P. Brltton<br />
Luther Adler-B. Campbell<br />
R— Dec. 31—PO-1104<br />
n.irnlhy MrGulre-J, Havoe<br />
W. Lundlgan-O. Merrill<br />
n—Feb. 4—PQ-1113<br />
( . .<br />
Drama 008 ^ { . . ) Drama<br />
UNDER MY SKIN QUICKSAND<br />
John Garfield<br />
Mickey Rooney-J. Cagney<br />
Mlchellne PreUe<br />
Barbara Bates-P. Lorre<br />
(88) Drama 908<br />
SOUTH SEA SINNER<br />
Macdonald Carey-H. Carter<br />
Shelley Wlnters-L. Adler<br />
R—Jan. 14—PG-1107<br />
(76) Drama I<br />
The Rugged O'Riordani<br />
John O'MaUey-T. Scott<br />
Australian cast<br />
R— Dec. 17—PO-llM<br />
\s\ (88) Drama 808<br />
BORDERLINE<br />
Fred MacMurray-R. Burr<br />
Claire Trevor-J. TorVay<br />
R—Jan. 21—PO-1109<br />
(91) Drama 8<br />
FRANCIS<br />
D. O'Connnr-P. Medina<br />
7,iLtu Pltls-Ray Collins<br />
R—Dec. 10—PG-1097<br />
(78) 8uper-We.«tem 811<br />
©KID FROM TEXAS<br />
Audle Murphy-Gale Storm<br />
Albert<br />
Dekker<br />
(77) Drama 912<br />
©BUCCANEER'S GIRL<br />
Yvonne DeCarlo<br />
Philip Friend<br />
TSO) Drama 913<br />
OUTSJDE THE WALL<br />
Marilyn Maiwell-S. Rtsso<br />
Richard<br />
Basehart<br />
13 (99) Comedy 911<br />
The Lady Takes a Sailor<br />
Jane Wyman-Dennls Morgan<br />
Eve Arden-Allyn Joslyn<br />
R—Dec. 3—PG-ie96<br />
m (102) Comedy 811<br />
©The Inspector Generil<br />
Danny Kaye-E. Lancheeter<br />
Walter Slezak-B. Batee<br />
B—Nov. 19—PO-1002<br />
IS (99) Drama 913<br />
THE HASTY HEART<br />
Ronald Reagan-P. Netl<br />
Richard Todd<br />
R—Dec. 3—PO-169e<br />
m (76) Super-West 814<br />
©MONTANA<br />
Errol Flynn-Alexls Smith<br />
S. Z. Sakall-D. Kennedy<br />
R—Jan. 7—Pa-1108<br />
m (91) Drama 816<br />
BACKFIRE<br />
Virginia Mayo-G. MacRae<br />
Edmond O'Brien-Dane Clark<br />
R—Jan.<br />
21— PG-1110<br />
gl (94) Drama 806<br />
CHAIN LIGHTNING<br />
Humphrey Bogart-E. Parker<br />
Raymond Massey-B. Whorf<br />
R—Feb. 4—PG-1113<br />
m (112) Drama 9<br />
Young Man With a Horn<br />
Kirk Douglas-Lauren Bacalt<br />
Doris Day-H. Carmlchael<br />
R—Feb. 11—P0-in6<br />
June 3 (85) Comedy<br />
MOVIE CRAZY<br />
Harold Lloyd<br />
Oct. (H (83) Drama<br />
TABU<br />
July (H (102) Musical 818<br />
©THE WIZARD OF OZ<br />
Judy Garland-Frank HorgiD<br />
Dec. a (167) Drama<br />
JOHNNY EAGER<br />
Robert Taylor-Lana Turner<br />
Feb. B3 (99) Drama<br />
BLOSSOMS IN THE DUST<br />
Greer Oarson-Walter PIdgeon<br />
June m (89) Drama 4822<br />
Trail of the Lonesome Pine<br />
F. Mac.Murray-8. Sidney<br />
Dec. H (97) Comedy 4808<br />
THE LADY EVE<br />
B. 8tanwyck-H. Fonda<br />
Dec. [S (90) Musical 4807<br />
HOLIDAY INN<br />
B. Crosby-F. Astalre<br />
Aug. (61) Drama<br />
SPY RING<br />
Jane Wyman-WIIllam Hall<br />
Aug. (61) Drama<br />
DOUBLE ALIBI<br />
Wayne Morrls-M. Llndur<br />
Aug. (72) Comedy<br />
THE BANK DICK<br />
W. C. Fields- Dna Uerkel<br />
Aug. (70) Comedy<br />
NEVER GIVE A SUCKEN<br />
AN EVEN BREAK<br />
W. C. Fields<br />
Sept. (82) DriBi<br />
FURY AT SEA<br />
Francbot Tone-John Carroll<br />
Sept. (96) Drama<br />
THE SUN NEVER SETS<br />
Douglas Fairbanks Jr.<br />
Sept. (94) Dram*<br />
FRISCO SAL<br />
Turban Bey-Alan Outit<br />
Sept. (63) Drtma<br />
LEGION OF LOST FLYERS<br />
William Lundlgan-J. Ctnaa<br />
Oct. (79) Comedy<br />
YOU CAN'T CHEAT<br />
AN HONEST MAI<br />
W. C. Fields<br />
Aug. (76) Fantasy 064<br />
TARZAN TRIUMPHS<br />
J. Welssmuller-B. Joyce<br />
Aug. (70) Fantasy 065<br />
Tarzan't Desert Mystery<br />
J. WelssmuUer-B. Joyce<br />
June (88) Drtmt 8M<br />
HOUSE ON 92nd STREET<br />
SIgne Hasso<br />
June (103) Unsled (56<br />
MY GAL SAL<br />
Rita Haywortb-Vlctor Mttnre<br />
Dec. (77) Drama (48<br />
STORMY WEATHER<br />
Bill Boblnson-Lent Horn*<br />
June a (102) Drama Ul<br />
CASABLANCA<br />
H. Bogart-I. Bergman<br />
June SI (86) U'drami 816<br />
G-MEN<br />
James C&gney-Ann Dvorak<br />
Dec ig (78) Drama 8(9<br />
A FAREWELL TO ARMS<br />
Helen Hayes-Gary Cooper<br />
Dec. E3 (74) Drama (1(<br />
THE HATCHET MAI<br />
B. a. Boblnioo-L. Tomf
9-29<br />
SHORTS CHART<br />
Short subjects. listed by company, in order of release. Running time ioUovra<br />
title. First date is national release, second the date oi review in BOXOFFICE.<br />
Symbol between dates is rating from the BOXOFFICE review: -HVery Good.<br />
+ Good. — Fair. — Poor. = Very Poor. O Indicates color photography.<br />
Columbia<br />
Prod. No. Title Rcl. Date Rating ReVd Prod. No<br />
ASSORTED COMEDIES<br />
1435 Flung by a Fling (16).. 5-12 + 10-1<br />
1426 Microspook (16) 6-9<br />
1436 Clunked in the Clink (16) 7-13 + 11-19<br />
1949-50 SEASON<br />
2411 Waiting in the Lurch<br />
(IS'/j) 9- S<br />
2421 Super VM1 (16) 10-13<br />
2422 Wha' Happen? (I6I/2) .<br />
.11-10<br />
2412 Let Down Your Aerial<br />
(17) 11-17<br />
24<strong>23</strong> French Fried Frolic<br />
12-8<br />
(161/2)<br />
2413 His Baiting Beauty (18) 1-12 ± 2-11<br />
2424 Hold That Monkey (..).. 2-16<br />
CAVALCADE OF BROADWAY<br />
2651 Cafe Society (11) 11-17 ±. 1-21<br />
2652 Blue Angel ( . . ) 1-26<br />
COLOR FAVORITES<br />
(Technicolor<br />
Reissues)<br />
1608 Two Lazy Crows (7) 7-13<br />
1949-50 SEASON<br />
Foxy Pup (7) 2601 The 91<br />
2602Window Shopping (7'/2).10-6<br />
2603 Happy Tots (7) 11-3 + 1-21<br />
2604 Ho^)^/ood Sweepstakes<br />
12-1<br />
(8)<br />
2605 Poor Elmer (8) 12-29 ± 2-11<br />
2606 Ye Olde Swap Shoppe (8) 1-19 + 2-U<br />
2607 Kangaroo Kid (71/2) 2-2<br />
COLOR RHAPSODIES<br />
1504 Grape Nutty (6) 414 8-13<br />
1505 Cat-Tastrophy (6) 6-30 + 9-3<br />
COMEDY FAVORITES<br />
(Reissues)<br />
1445 A Rookie's Cookie (17) 5-19<br />
. .<br />
1446 Crazy Like a Fox (IS1/2) 6-16 ± 10- 1<br />
1949-50 SEASON<br />
2431 Three Blonde Mice (IS).<br />
.<br />
+ 11-19<br />
2432 The Spook Speaks (IS). 10-20 4+<br />
2433 Love in Gloom (19) 12-15<br />
2436 Calling All Curtains (16) 2- 9<br />
COMMUNITY SINGS<br />
1656 No. 6 My Blue Heaven<br />
(91/2) 7-7<br />
FILM NOVELTIES<br />
1902 America's Heritage of Hospitality<br />
+ (IOI/2) 8-25 12-3<br />
:<br />
2901 Yukon Canada (10) 12-22<br />
JOLLY FROLICS<br />
2501 Ragtime Bear (7) 9-29<br />
2502 Punchy De Leon (61/2) 1-12 . .<br />
ONE-REEL SPECIAL<br />
1553 No. 3 Candid Microphone<br />
(10) 8-19<br />
1949-50 SEASON<br />
2551 No 1 Candid Microphone<br />
(9) 10-27<br />
2552 No. 2 Candid Microphone<br />
(11) 12-29<br />
2750 The Sound Man (10) 1-19<br />
2553 Candid Microphone (..).. 2-<strong>23</strong><br />
SCREEN SNAPSHOTS<br />
1859 Hollywood's Happy Homes<br />
(91/2) 6-16<br />
1860 Howdy Podner (9
20th Century-Fox Universal-International<br />
Prod. No. Title Rel. Date Ratiin Rev'd Prod. No. Title Rel. Date Rating Revd<br />
DRIBBLE PUSS PARADE<br />
9901 Satiifieil Saurians (9) Mar. +<br />
WORLD<br />
tEMIl'jn'lE<br />
9601 Talented Beauties (Vyvyan<br />
Donner) (11) June +<br />
9602 Fasliiocis o( Yesteryear<br />
(Mica Cnase) (8) Nov. +<br />
MARCH OF TIME<br />
Vol. 15, No. 2 Asia's New Voice<br />
(13) Feb. H<br />
Vol. 15, No. 3 Wish You Were Here<br />
(18) Mar. +<br />
Vol. 15, No. 4 Report on the Atom<br />
(20) Apr. +<br />
Vol. 15, No. 5 Sweden Looks Ahead<br />
(18) May ++<br />
Vol. 15, No. 6 It's in the Groove<br />
(19) June +<br />
15, No. 7 Stop— Heaiy Traffic!<br />
Vol.<br />
(18) July<br />
Vol. IS, No. 8 Farming Pays Off<br />
(18) Aug.<br />
Vol. 15. No. 9 Policeman's Holiday<br />
(18) Sept. H<br />
Vol. 15. No. ID The Fight (or Better<br />
Schools (20) Oct. +<br />
Vol. 15, No. 11 MacArthur's Japan<br />
(18) Nov. +<br />
Vol. 15, No. 12 A Chance to Live<br />
(18) Dec. 4+<br />
MOVIETONE ADVENTURES<br />
9252CQii3i"' Quebec (S) April +<br />
9253 OGoltlen Transvaal (8) May 4-<br />
9254 OMaine Sail (8) Aug. +<br />
9255 O Realm of the Redwoods<br />
(S)<br />
Sept.<br />
9201 Ahoy, Davy Jones (11) Oct.<br />
9202 Aboard the Flattop Midway<br />
(8) Nov.<br />
'9256 OJewel of the Baltic (8) . . Dec.<br />
9203 Midwest Metropolis (..).. Dec.<br />
MOVIETONE SPECIALTY<br />
9801 Struggle (or Survival (9)..Feb.++<br />
9802 The Hunter (8) Aug. +<br />
9803 Shadows on the Snow (9) . .Sept. tt<br />
MOVIETONE MELODIES<br />
(11) July ±<br />
1950 SERIES<br />
1101 Charlie Barnet and His Band<br />
7001 Lawrence Welk and His<br />
Champagne Music (9) ...Jan. ±:<br />
Red Ingle and His Gang<br />
002<br />
(9) Mar.<br />
MOVIETONE NEWS<br />
+f<br />
(Released Twice Weekly)<br />
SPORTS<br />
9302 Neptune's Playgromd<br />
(8) April 9303 Beauty and the Blad« May . +<br />
(9) .<br />
9304 Future Champs (9) July<br />
SHORTS CHAKT
SHORTS REVIEWS<br />
Opinions on the Current Short Sub/ects-<br />
FoT All the World's<br />
Children<br />
RKO (United Nations Short) 16 Mins.<br />
Good. Although this subject, the feeding<br />
and clothing of the world's helpless youngsters<br />
through UNICEF, has been fully covered<br />
in shorts made by the United Nations<br />
film imit, it still makes an interesting and<br />
informative film for regular theatre audiences.<br />
Many of the exact shots, such as that<br />
of a crying baby whose diaper is being<br />
stamped with the UNICEF letters, are employed<br />
in this but there are also many new<br />
shots of the youngsters who are benefiting<br />
by U.S. aid.<br />
Iron Ponies<br />
RKO (Screen Liner) 8 Mins.<br />
Good. An entertaining study of the toy<br />
train industry, which has developed since<br />
the spring-winding engines of father's day.<br />
The trains made by Lionel are now exact<br />
miniatures of the real thing and run by electronic<br />
control which permits the coupling and<br />
uncoupling of cars and switching while the<br />
trains are in motion. Oft times, father is so<br />
interested in running the toys that his youitgsters<br />
must wait their turn to play.<br />
Lion Around<br />
RKO (Disney Cartoon) 7 Mins.<br />
Fair. Donald Duck's two nephews dress up<br />
in a lion's skin and try to steal a pie Donald<br />
has just baked. He takes to the woods with<br />
the fake lion in pursuit and discovers the<br />
deception when the lion skin is snagged on<br />
a branch, exposing one of the nephews. He<br />
gives the lion a spanking and returns home<br />
where a real lion awaits him. A chase starts<br />
and Donald is saved only when he finds he<br />
can appease the lion by feeding him pies.<br />
Sheep Dog<br />
RKO (Disney Cartoon) 7 Mins.<br />
Good. One of the best of the recent Disney<br />
cartoons dealing with Pluto, now a fullfledged<br />
sheep dog. While Pluto is asleep after<br />
herding the lambs into the corral, a pesky<br />
coyote tries to teach his young son how to<br />
catch a lamb for himself. He dresses thp<br />
youngster in some wool and puts him in with<br />
the lambs. Of course, Pluto discovers the<br />
trick and foils the coyote's skullduggery.<br />
Stars of Yesterday<br />
RKO (Screen Liner) 9 Mins.<br />
Good. Stars of the silent screen appear in<br />
this one and oldtimers can recognize Francis<br />
X. Bushman, Rudolph Valentino, Agnes Ayres,<br />
Harold Lloyd, Lon Chaney, Ben Turpln, Douglas<br />
Fairbanks, Mary Pickford, Lionel Barrymore.<br />
Theda Bara and Marie Dressier. The<br />
kids wUl get a chuckle out of some of the oldschool<br />
acting. There are a series of shots<br />
from some of the classic sUents and three<br />
early shorts, "The Switch Tower," "Mother's<br />
Portrait" and "The Bouquet."<br />
You Can Make a Million<br />
RKO (This Is America) 15 Mins.<br />
Good. American inventiveness is the theme<br />
of this Interesting short. It shows how millions<br />
were made from simple inventions like<br />
the safety pin, the paper clip and various canopeners.<br />
The narrator describes how some<br />
of the inventions were the result of accidents<br />
in the home and stresses the fact that anyone<br />
with a practical idea can realize a profit<br />
by patenting his invention. The subject should<br />
appeal to all types of audiences.<br />
Melodic Spirituals<br />
United Artists (Songs of America) 9 Mins.<br />
Good. Against simple backgrounds of cotton<br />
fields or log cabins, several fine Negro<br />
singers lift their rich voices in early American<br />
spirituals that average patrons know<br />
and love. The two heard are "Roll, Jordan,<br />
Roll" and the moving "Walk Together, Children."<br />
Treasured Ballads<br />
United Artists (Songs of America) 10 Mins.<br />
Good. Three well-loved Negro spirituals are<br />
splendidly sung against a background suggestive<br />
of the southern cotton fields. Tlie<br />
three familiar songs heard are: "De Ol' Ark's<br />
a Movin, Climbin' Up the Mountain" and<br />
the inspiring "Joshua Pight de Battle of<br />
Jericho."<br />
Visions and Voices<br />
United Artists (Songs of America) 9 Mins.<br />
Good. Produced by W. Lee Wilder, these<br />
musical song-shorts will neatly fill out any<br />
neighborhood program. The spirituals heard<br />
In the Newsreels<br />
Movietone News, No. 12: Historic ceremony<br />
of India proclaiming itself a republic;<br />
Milford-Haven wedding; U.S. ski troops Arctic<br />
training; wind tunnel; hi jinx; $100,<strong>000</strong><br />
rookie; ski jumping in Germany; Palm<br />
Springs rodeo.<br />
News of the Day, No. 246: Battling huge<br />
snow slides; coal tieup brings action by Truman;<br />
international wedding bells; ski jumping<br />
world series; $100,<strong>000</strong> rookie; sizzling<br />
boxing bout; rodeo thriller; film world honors<br />
lefiders in Brotherhood.<br />
Paramount News, No. 49: Rodeo at Palm<br />
Springs; showdown on coal; Phillip Jessup<br />
in Indo-China; Milford-Haven wedding;<br />
Olivia DeHavilland receives award; U.S. chiefs<br />
of staff in Tokyo; $100,<strong>000</strong> rookie; ski jumping<br />
at Lake Placid.<br />
Universal News, No. 324: Operation Frostbite;<br />
snow slide; Holland winner; Milford-<br />
Haven wedding; wind tunnel; sports—$100,<strong>000</strong><br />
baseball marvel; ski jumping; Brotherhood.<br />
Warner Pathe News, No. 51: Brotherhood<br />
week; ski troops; Milford-Haven wedding; Dr.<br />
Jessup; fashion, sports—rodeo, Petit signs,<br />
Lake Placid, skiing in Germany; St. Patrick's<br />
church.<br />
•<br />
are: "Poor Ol' Lazarus" and "Dis Train."<br />
They are superbly rendered by aii all-Negro<br />
chorus and soloists.<br />
Emil Coleman and<br />
Orchestra<br />
(Melody Masters Bands)<br />
Warner Bros.<br />
10 Mins.<br />
Good. A re-release which is just as good<br />
musically as when it was first shown. Emil<br />
Coleman is still a name band and plays some<br />
unusual arrangements of classic Strauss<br />
waltzes while a dance couple do an appropriate<br />
routine. Three girl vocalists furnish interludes<br />
of song accompaniment.<br />
Snow Carnival<br />
Warner Bros. (Technicolor Special) 20 Mins.<br />
Very good. Gary Cooper, who appears now<br />
and then and narrates this excellent winter<br />
short, gives it name value for the marquee<br />
or front of the theatre. Cooper and his wife<br />
are enjoying a vacation at Aspen, Colo., and<br />
watch the several varieties of skiing at the<br />
mountain resort. Highlight of the film is a<br />
ski-mare, a dream sequence done on skis by<br />
Fred Iselin, head instructor at Aspen. The<br />
picture is well photographed in Technicolor<br />
and includes a procession of skiers, carrying<br />
colored flares and singmg the song of frostskimming.<br />
Universal News, No. 325: Lincoln day box<br />
supper GOP affair; Philippines president<br />
visits Truman; chiefs of staff tour Japan;<br />
congressional amateur show; Jap skiing and<br />
bobsledding.<br />
Warner Pathe News, No. 52: Republican<br />
box supper party; mine strike hearing; chiefs<br />
of staff in Japan; air force decorates Bob<br />
Hope and wife; Florida fashions; sports—U.S.<br />
team trains at Sun Valley, ski joring by helicopter;<br />
world bobsled champions, Japs go<br />
skiing.<br />
•<br />
All American News, No. 382: Todd Duncan,<br />
actor-singer, sponsors aborigine; YMCA membership<br />
drive goes western in Kansas City;<br />
student from Nigeria, West Africa, enrolls at<br />
Notre Dame university; Chicago sheriff deputizes<br />
boys; Campanella signs new contract<br />
with the Dodgers; Boy Scouts place wreath<br />
on Lincoln statue in Topeka, Kas.<br />
Telenews Digest, No. 6A: Coal crisis; British<br />
campaign starts; China—Red victory parade;<br />
Washington—king's cousin weds U.S.<br />
girl; Leslie Groves, wartime atomic bomb<br />
chief, testifies; Berlin "Little Blockade" renewed<br />
by Soviet; France—arrival of Ameri-<br />
Movietone News, No. 13: Mercy killer is can destroyer Power brings Communist protest;<br />
Japan—U.S. consul-general recalled<br />
acquitted; Republican party holds rally; Congress<br />
stages Heart Fund show; Holy Year from Communist China post; Washingtonhigh<br />
school students from mideast and<br />
pilgrims received by Pope at Vatican City;<br />
winter sports—bob sledding. Sun Valley ski southeast visit capital; New York—antique<br />
meet, helicopter ski joring; ski jumping in necklace gift of Napoleon to Josephine is examined<br />
by Bowery connoisseurs; Bergman<br />
Japan.<br />
News of the Day, No. 247: U.S. staff chiefs baby.<br />
confer in Japan with MacArthur; vice-president<br />
•<br />
and Hope star in show; Pope Pius wel-<br />
Telenews Digest, No. 6B: Mercy KiUer not<br />
comes Holy Year pilgrims; GOP goes on the guilty; GOP political picnic; Germany—doctor's<br />
test forecast sex; Jessup in Viet Nan;<br />
warpath; ski joring de luxe; international<br />
bobsled races.<br />
Paramount News, No. 50: Republicans set<br />
Lord Woolton watches British posters being<br />
put up for general election; FBI Chief Hoover<br />
policy for 1950; not guilty verdict in mercy testifies before congressional atomic energy<br />
case; Bob Hope in Washington; U.S. retains committee; fact-finding board tackles coal<br />
title in Italy; Brotherhood week.<br />
dispute; sports—^Hialeah, Bahamas handicap.<br />
14 BOXOFFICE BookinGuide Feb. 18, 1950
,<br />
Opinions on Current Productions; Exploitips tor Selling to the Public<br />
"<br />
FEATURE REVIEWS<br />
(FOR STORY SYNOPSIS ON EACH PICTURE, SEE REVERSE SIDE)<br />
Three Came Home<br />
20th-Fox ( ) 106 Minutes Rel.<br />
Any attempt to evaluate the revenue potentialities of, and<br />
audience reaction to. this grimly realistic story oi the Pacific<br />
war should take into consideration one dominant factor:<br />
Patrons will enjoy it more if they come equipped with casehardened<br />
intestinal tracts. Its subject matter (Japanese<br />
sadism and brutality in their treatment of allied prisoners in<br />
Borneo) requires relentless emphasis upon misery and suffering,<br />
which forthright approach is virtually certain to<br />
engender both critical acclaim and the plaudits of those<br />
customers who relish unmitigated realism in their film<br />
fore. From the merchandising standpoint, probably lis strongest<br />
assets are Claudette Colbert's magnificently projected<br />
performance in the starring role and the absolute authenticity<br />
of locale. Nunnally Johnson, the producer, wrote the hardhitting<br />
script, which was convincingly directed by Jean<br />
Negulesco.<br />
Claudette Colbert, Florence Desmond, Patric Knowles, Sessue<br />
Hoyakawa, Sylvia Andrew, Phyllis Morris, Mark Keuning.<br />
Guilty Bystander A<br />
Oraii<br />
Film Classics 92 Minutes Rel. Jan. 20, '50<br />
The producers and Joseph Lerner, director, have taken last<br />
year's best-selling whodunit by Wade Miller and fashioned<br />
it into a gripping and absorbing mystery film. It starts off<br />
on a note of action and maintains its pace right down to<br />
the exciting finale. Zachory Scott, in a welcome departure<br />
from his usual pretty-boy roles, turns in his best performance<br />
since "Mildred Pierce." His co-star, Faye Emerson, now back<br />
in the headlines as a result of her comeback on radio and<br />
television, plays the part of the harassed wife with realism<br />
and sincerity. A newcomer, Kay Medford, will be getting a<br />
lot of work in films after audiences see her excellent portrayal<br />
of a gangster's girl friend. The fact the book is selling better<br />
than ever in a new pocket edition may make it a natural<br />
for one of those "Read the book—see the picture!" tie-ins.<br />
F<br />
°"<br />
The Baron of Arizona F "^IT<br />
Lippert Productions (4902) 97 Minutes ReL Mar. 4, '50<br />
Exhibitor-Producer Robert Lippert—whose bread-and-butter<br />
product has carved a substantial niche for itself in the exhibition<br />
world— herein makes a strong bid for larger and lusher<br />
markets. It is far and away his most ambitious and expensive<br />
effort and the more important bookings the film is sure to<br />
command can prove profitable and popular ventures, most<br />
especially if showmen take full advantage of the wide merchandising<br />
possibilities inherent in the impressive cast, the<br />
film's obviously opulent mountings and its historical genesis.<br />
Then to add further to its flexibility and appeal is the fact<br />
that the picture has sufficient of the spectacle, aura and<br />
locale of the always-reliable western, one which productionwise<br />
transcends the average sagebrusher. Periormances,<br />
most especially that of toplining Vincent Price in the title<br />
role, are generally good. Carl K. Hittleman produced, while<br />
Samuel Fuller scripted and directed.<br />
Vincent Price, Ellen Drew, Beulah Bondi, Vladimir SokoloH,<br />
Heed Hadley, Robin Short, Tina Rome.<br />
Storm Over Wyoming<br />
RKO Radio (019) 60 Minutes ReL Feb. 1, 'SO<br />
Here is a routine western that has loads of gunplay, several<br />
exciting chases and an abundance of beautiful scenery.<br />
Tim Holt rides again in a story of war between Wyoming<br />
sheep and cattle herders. As usual, he is assis;ed by his<br />
Mexican friend, Chito Rafferty. The picture is good, clean<br />
fun and Director Lesley Selander never lets dialog nor<br />
atmosphere get in the way of the hard-riding, fast-shooting<br />
action. Adult audiences can call the shots (no pun intended)<br />
before they happen, but '.he kids will love the way Tim and<br />
his partner take care of the bad guys. It's an hour of melodramatic<br />
action and in double feature areas should fit in<br />
nicely as support films. Tim Holt has developed a following<br />
with the small fry and in "Storm Over Wyoming" he does<br />
what the youngsters expect him to do.<br />
F<br />
Zachary Scott, Fayo Emerson, Mary Boland, Sam Levene,<br />
J. Edward Bromberg, Kay Mediord, Jed Prouty.<br />
Cry Murder<br />
Film Classics 63 Minutes Rel. Feb. 3, '50<br />
This picture can be sold by stressing the blackmail and<br />
murder angles of the story and playing down the somewhat<br />
weak cast which lacks a single boxoffice name. The plot is<br />
adequate, although there is a tendency toward wordiness<br />
in the early stages of the film. There is an authentic Manhattan<br />
locale and the finale where the murderer is shot<br />
on the steps of the main post office in New York might make<br />
for interesting cops-and-robbers exploitation. Carole Mathews<br />
is about the only one in the cast audiences might<br />
recognize and her co-star. Jack Lord, is a comparative unknown.<br />
There is some humor to the story, but heavy stress<br />
is placed on the murder angle. In this respect the picture<br />
should supplement a musical or straight comedy as the lower<br />
half of the bill. Edward Leven produced and Jack Glenn<br />
directed.<br />
Carole Mathews, Jack Lord, Hov/ard Smith, Hope Miller. Tom<br />
Pedi, Eugene Smith, Harry Clark.<br />
The Rules of the Game<br />
A<br />
Cine-Classics 75 Minutes ReL<br />
"B<br />
!<br />
This is strictly for art theatre audiences with a good understanding<br />
of the French language, because it contains much<br />
rapid-fire dialog and because the English titles do not succeed<br />
in making the development of the plot known. It tells<br />
a sophisticated, satirical story about extra-marital affairs<br />
written and directed by Jean Renoir in 1938 for Discina Films,<br />
and Renoir also plays a prominent role in it. Largely conversational<br />
and slow-moving at the start, it speeds up to<br />
good comedy scenes of a ball given at a fashionable chateau,<br />
with husbands and lovers trying to locate their v/ives and<br />
women and a jealous servant running amok wi:h a pistol. '"T<br />
The end is melodramatic, with the suitor for the love of one -<br />
wife shot through a clever ruse. Renoir's name has some<br />
prestige in this country. Some of the dialog is probably a<br />
little risque for youthful students of French.<br />
Jean Renoir, Dalio, Nora Gregor, Paulette Dubost, Mila Parely,<br />
Corrette, Roland Toutain, Gaston Modot.<br />
1118 BOXOFFICE February 18, 1950 1117<br />
o<br />
Tim Holt, Richard Martin, Noreen Nash, Richard Powers, Betty<br />
Underwood, Bill Kennedy, Kenneth MacDonald.<br />
"^ Unmasked F<br />
RepubHc (4907)<br />
Gigi<br />
Spalter Int. Pictures<br />
60 Minutes ReL Ian. 30, 'SO<br />
Most promising is the story premise and the motivation<br />
thereof projected during the early footage of this murder<br />
yarn. But, unfortunately, just about the time when the spectator<br />
begins to believe that he is enjoying something refreshingly<br />
different in crime pictures, the film bogs dov/n and<br />
star's collecting cliches. From that point on it suffers through<br />
the introduction of too many and too hackneyed plot developments,<br />
many of which detract from, rather than enhance,<br />
the picture's believability. To make such literary superfluities<br />
the more regrettable is the fact that the cast is competent<br />
and hard-working, squeezing from the script every<br />
possible bit of suspense and action. In toto, then, what might<br />
have been an exceptional picture winds up as little more<br />
than a satisfactory companion piece for the dual programs.<br />
Directed by George Blair.<br />
Robert Rockwell, Barbra Fuller, Raymond Burr. Hillary<br />
Brooke, Paul Harvey, Norman Budd, John Eldredge.<br />
85 Minutes<br />
A<br />
Rel. Feb. '50<br />
A psychological drama measuring up to the requirements<br />
of art house audiences understanding French, but of doubtful<br />
value to others. This film of a story by Colette, famous<br />
writer, tells in sophisticated fashion about French demi-monde<br />
society just afier the turn of the century. It revolves around<br />
a girl born of a bachelor mother whom the mother and<br />
another woman train to be a cocotte. The three main roles<br />
are well played by Daniele Delorme, Yvonne de Bray and<br />
Gaby Morlay, and Frank Villard is good as the man, but<br />
they are strangers in the U.S. There is much conversation<br />
which would be lost to an American audience, and some of<br />
the English titles are risque enough to invite small-town<br />
criticism. For a moment at the start, the photography is hard<br />
on the eyes. Jacqueline Audry directed. Distributor's address<br />
is 729 Seventh Ave., New York City.<br />
Daniele Delorme, Frank Villard, Yvonne de Bray, Gaby<br />
Morlay, Jean Tissier, Madeline Rousset, Paul Demange.
. . And<br />
FEATURE REVIEWS Story Synopsis; Adliaes for Newspaper and Programs<br />
THE STOHY: "The Baron of Arizona"<br />
Vincent Price portrays James Addison Reovis, fabulous<br />
swindler who laid claim to the entire territory of Arizona in<br />
1872 on the basis of a spurious Spanish land grant. His<br />
claim is based on his marriage to the Baroness Peralta<br />
(Ellen Drew), supposedly the only living heir to the Peralta<br />
educated, marries her and claims the territory, setting himself<br />
up as the master of his own barony, and convinces r^ '<br />
everyone—except one man in the U. S. attorney general's °''<br />
office—that he owns Arizona. The far-reaching effects of<br />
Reavis' claim are felt throughout the nation until the G-man<br />
trips him up and sends him to prison.<br />
CATCHLINES:<br />
Fabulous Adventure ... Unforgettable Romance . . . The<br />
Compelling Story of a Man Whose Lust for Power Led Him to<br />
Defy the World . Every Vivid Word Is True — Torn<br />
From History's Pages.
—<br />
RATES: 10c per word. '"'"'"""" $1.00, cash with copy. Four insertions lor price of three.<br />
CLOSING DATE: Monday noon preceding publication date. Send copy and answers to<br />
• Box Numbers to BOXOFFICE, 825 Von Brunt Blvd., Kansas City 1. Mo. •<br />
HELP WANTED<br />
Wanted: M.iniigcr tor nelcliborhood theatre. Top<br />
snl.iry iinil bonus. Ideal working conditions. Write<br />
reltrencM, details, etc., care 0. Brolman. Avaioe<br />
Tliealre. 2S07 W. Diversey Ave.. Clileago.<br />
Need extra casii? Manager, operators—daytime,<br />
sell your neiKhborhood merchants advertising gifts,<br />
cilcnd:irs. pencils, matches, etc. Average order<br />
ciins $25 Tree samples. Kincole, 8916 Linivood,<br />
Hclroit,<br />
Jlicll.<br />
W,inted: hlxperienccd roan.iger for new Drive-In<br />
Theatre. Itefcrences necessary. Apply I'alace<br />
Tliealre. Segiiin, Tex.is.<br />
Experienced theatre equipment salesman—prcrilily<br />
living northern Ohio. Large independent<br />
ii.|.|v house. travel. Salary and Bo.wfrice. 3770.<br />
Wanted: Partner, manager, new small town theatre<br />
flxpericnce preferred. Bosoffice, 3773.<br />
POSITIONS WANTED<br />
Projectionist, 2(5 ycirs e.viierlence, all repairs,<br />
larrirJ. fioljer. Boxofflce, 3734.<br />
ProiectionisI: 10 years experience on Simplex<br />
and oilier makes of equipment. Married, age 25.<br />
No ehlhlren. Wish city in middlewest with fiirnislu'd<br />
aparlment or lionse. Salary $45 to $50<br />
weekly. No drunkard; able to go to work Feb.<br />
1. 1050. Boxoffice, 3737.<br />
Manaoer, now emplnjTd. desires rhnnge. A-1<br />
references. Prefer the Carollnas or VlrglnU. Addross<br />
Box 414. Ilamlct, N. C.<br />
Exnerienced projectionist, sober. Prefer South.<br />
Liiing wage to begin with. Onis Allen, llartselle,<br />
Projectionist, 11 years experience, maintenance<br />
cist repairs. Age 20, single, reliable, no alcohol<br />
liibaccn. Prefer west coast but will go anyliiri><br />
Boxoffice. 37GS.<br />
Reliable manager, ambitious, not afraid of work<br />
dt'Mres Midwest house. Circuit or independent<br />
A;;o 26. Single, experienced, excellent references<br />
lionald P. Perry, Jancsville, Wis.<br />
Experienced theatre and concession man wants<br />
osiiion as Assistant Manager. Sober, capable.<br />
aKiirii slates. Boxoffice, 3709.<br />
Projectionist, three years experience. Married,<br />
ilii r, ri'liable. anywhere. Age 21. Edward Thomas,<br />
A :;. Ciipperhiil, Tenn.<br />
BUSINESS STIMULATORS<br />
Comic books again available as premiums, giveavLiys<br />
at your kiddy shows. Large variety latest<br />
4.S page newsstand editions. Comics Premium Co.,<br />
Interstate llieatre Service. 1115 East .\rmour,<br />
K. C, Mo<br />
Comic books proven the most successful method<br />
of attracting the "small fry" to their Saturday<br />
matinees. Always large variety and latest popular<br />
all titles. Sold on newsstands at 10c; $22.50<br />
per 1.<strong>000</strong>. F.O.B. New Y'ork City. Diimont Sales,<br />
15 Park Kow, New York City.<br />
Dartaway: Two sensational new theatre games<br />
of skill. Fill those empty seats. Don't wait<br />
start now. Over 200 theatres now using our games.<br />
No theatre loo big or too small. Write or wire<br />
Dartaway Enterprises, Inc.. Shawnee. Kas.<br />
Do it with dishes; 10 cents average cost. .Arkansas<br />
Equipment Co,. Sulphur Springs, Ark.<br />
DRIVE-m THEATRE EQUIPMENT<br />
Drive-ins, order now. open early. Complete<br />
Dual 35mm outfits from $1,595; Dual 16mm<br />
Amproarcs, $1,795; No. 14 underground cable,<br />
$55.45 M (quantity discounts) : marquee letters,<br />
35c up. Time deals Invited. Write for details<br />
and drive-ln catalog (now In preparation). Dept.<br />
C. S.O.S. Cinema Supply Corp., 602 W. 52nd<br />
St.. New York 19.<br />
Speaker stands fabricated to specification In<br />
our ovrn plant. Immediate deUvery, any quantity.<br />
or Wire, write phone. Long Distance 1024<br />
or THatcher 9243. Sonken-Oalamba Corp., Second<br />
and Rivervtew, Kansas City 18, Kas.<br />
BOXOFFICE :: February 18, 1950<br />
GENERAL EQUIPMENT—NEW<br />
S-t-r-e-t-c-h your dollars at S.O.S. Here's value<br />
extraordinary: [iectlfier bulbs. 15 amp., $4.95:<br />
6 amp.. $2.95: carbon savers, 77c; Snapllte II<br />
coated lenses, $75 (liberal tradcins) ; coin chang-<br />
Theatre and dr|p»-ln amplifier units complete.<br />
All siies, 8 to 1,<strong>000</strong> vjatts. DAR Electronics,<br />
Bartow,<br />
Ky.<br />
GENERAL EQUIPMENT—USED<br />
Looks new, operates new. But it's rebiilltl<br />
Thafs the S.O.S. May. Holmes Educators, $550;<br />
Simplex Acme. $795; Simplex SP or Standard,<br />
$995. All dual equipments with 2,<strong>000</strong>' magazines,<br />
lenses, amplifier, speaker, etc. Available on time<br />
payments. Dept C. S.O.S. Cinema Supply Corp.,<br />
602 W. 52nd St., New York 19.<br />
Competitors wonder how we do it! Peerless<br />
M.ignarcs, rebuilt, $550; E7 mechanisms, rebuilt,<br />
$1,100: Simples 5-point pedestals, $90 pair; Simplex<br />
mechanisms, rear shutters, latest features,<br />
excellent. $125: Powers mechanisms, rebuilt,<br />
$114.50. What do vou need? Star anema Supply.<br />
441 West 50th St., New York 19.<br />
For the preview room, rebuilt navy DeVry projectors,<br />
$550 pair. Reconditioned navy DeVry<br />
amplifiers, $65. Holmes Educators, pair, complete,<br />
like new, $600. MIdstate Theatre Supply.<br />
1906 Thomas Ave, Fresno. Calif.<br />
Two Peerless lamps, automatic feed control, 32<br />
amps. Also Hertner Generator, 6 II. P. motor, two<br />
phase 440, all In excellent shape. Four 10 inch<br />
Sirapltt magazines. Low price of $225.00 for all<br />
Slate Theatre, Davenport, Iowa.<br />
11x14 Plastic Screen, used 3 months, reasonably<br />
priced Comet Theatre. Coggon, Iowa.<br />
THEATRES WANTED<br />
Sell your theatre privately. Confidential correspondence<br />
Invited. Leak Theatre Sales, 3422<br />
KInmore, Dallas. 1109 Orchardlane. Des Moines,<br />
Iowa.<br />
Movie Theatres. Representing "Buyers" who desire<br />
motion picture theatres and "Showmen" who<br />
desire to sell their theatres. He Blaslo & Saunders,<br />
Hotel Olcott, 27 West 72nd St., New York<br />
City. TR 7-4200.<br />
Let us sell your theatre, buyers waiting. Free<br />
appraisals. Harold Eastham Co., 313 Ripley<br />
Davenport,<br />
Iowa.<br />
Theatres. Nebraska, western Iowa, northern<br />
Kansas. No brokers. Over 400 scats. Town 1,800<br />
luipulatlon or over. Confidential. Experienced. L.<br />
.1 Burkitt, Sparta, Wis.<br />
Want small town theatre In Midwest. Small<br />
own payment essential. Boxoffice, 3765.<br />
Wanted: Good paying theatres to sell in Texa;<br />
only. "Joe" Joseph, Texas' Theatre Broker, 86U<br />
Beauregard Drive. Dallas, Tex. Phone E6-6289.<br />
CLtflfildG HOUSf<br />
THEATRES FOR SALE (Cont'd)<br />
$36,<strong>000</strong> handles beautiful New Mexico town<br />
3,<strong>000</strong>. Near large government project. Living<br />
quarters, real estate included. Remarkable opening<br />
showman. Boxoffice, 3753.<br />
ers, $149.50: Intercom telepliones, $9.95 pair:<br />
marquee 35c Oregon,<br />
$10,<strong>000</strong> down for small town Idaho, crystal pickups, $1.75; letters, up;<br />
Sold both theatres in Valley Mills. Tex. Scratch<br />
Thanks. "Joe" Joseph,<br />
northern California. Phelps, 429 East Carter, off previous m.iiling lists. beautiful stage settings, $277.60; wall and celling<br />
Pocattllo.<br />
sell Beauregard Drive, Dallas, Tex. Phone<br />
lighting fixtures, 45% off. (Send for brochure).<br />
Id.iho.<br />
Dept. C. S.O.S. Cinema Supply Corp., 602 52nd<br />
Want to lease theatres In Washington, Oregon, E6.0280.<br />
St., New York 19.<br />
Idaho, Montana. Rush full particulars to Boxoffice,<br />
Two small theatres south central Michigan, 14<br />
miles apart; 225 and 208 seats. Prosperous communities;<br />
New, too? Yesiree! With cooperation of manu-<br />
$13,50(1 each. The Briegs Company,<br />
facturers S.O.S. has assembled latest booth eqiilp-<br />
Individual wants theatre Texas town, 1,500 or<br />
No<br />
menls for theatres, $2,950: drive-ins, $3,950:<br />
Locker BIdg., SI. Johns, Mich.<br />
more. broker, no publicity. Cash. Replies<br />
actually 50Tr of market price! Time deals and<br />
confidential. Boxoffice, 3752.<br />
trades, too! Iiept. C, S.O S. Supply Corp.,<br />
Cinema Dallas, Texas, Suburban Theatre; <strong>000</strong> seats;<br />
West Texan wants to return home. Ample means needs Individual operation; $70,<strong>000</strong> Includes property<br />
602 W. 52nd St., New York 19.<br />
worth much more. Take about $20,<strong>000</strong> down.<br />
handle anything worthwhile. Boxoffice, 3759.<br />
Any informal Ion regarding this theatre given in<br />
Curtain controls, $74.50; coin changers, $79.50.<br />
ampere rectifiers, $285 pair; 1 K\V rectifiers.<br />
person at my office In Dallas only. Please don't<br />
60<br />
If $5,<strong>000</strong> down will buy good living and payments,<br />
win and thoroughly inspect. Bo.xofficc,<br />
come wriie or call on this one. Thanks. "Joe" Joseph,<br />
film cabinets. section: splicers. $3.95.<br />
$225: $2.95<br />
Star Cinima Supply, 441 West 50th St., New<br />
Texas' Theatre Broker, 8011 Beauregard Drive,<br />
3760.<br />
Dallas, Tex. Phone E6-G289.<br />
York 10,<br />
STUDIO AND PRODUCTION<br />
EQUIPMENT<br />
New Bridgamatic Automatic Processors. $1,505;<br />
1%"<br />
4 121; Greenwich St., New York City.<br />
new Cine Balowstar flS lenses, $199: Synehronmis<br />
35mm Diihblng Projectors, $695: new<br />
Bingo with more action. $2,75 thousand cards.<br />
.Mo other games. Novelty Games Co., 1434 Bedford<br />
Beauregard Drive, phone E6-6289,<br />
Joseph. 8611 Cinevoice 16mm Single System Sound Camera,<br />
Ave.. Brnoklj-n. N. Y.<br />
$695; Twin turret Eyemo, 6 fast lenses, motor,<br />
Tex.<br />
etc., $1,095: 35mm recorders, from $495: new<br />
33-Minute Camera, $1,665. Send Bingo die-cut cards, two colors, 75 or 100 numbers.<br />
Joseph:<br />
Notice, mailing list customers of "Joe"<br />
Auricon for<br />
SOS. Cinema |ier .\l.<br />
$3 Premium Products, 354 W. 44th<br />
Following theatres sold since Jan. 1, 1950. Please<br />
catalog Sturelab. Dept. C, Supply<br />
602 W. 52nd York New destroy Information. Qiilnlan, Texas; Seagoville.<br />
all St., New York 18.<br />
Corp., St.. 19.<br />
Tex.is, and Olton, Texas. Must have more<br />
Giveaway everything now, dinnerware to cars!<br />
listings for immediate disposition. "Joe" Joseph,<br />
Filmcraft studio Ilniildailon s.ile—Mole Rich-<br />
Merchant advertising tie-up. No cost to theatre.<br />
soil Beauregard. Dallas, Tex.<br />
ardson Solarspots. Wonderful shape. Including<br />
bulb, barndoors, diffusers, rolling stand. 5KW<br />
Seniors. $189.50: 2KW Juniors, $104.50; Juniors,<br />
less stands, $87.50; hundreds other lights, dimmers,<br />
cables, plugs, etc. Complete haekgronnd<br />
process projection outfit. Including 4 Selsyn motors,<br />
sound playback, lenses, screen, etc., worth<br />
$15,<strong>000</strong>. rebuilt. $4,995: MR Sllcrophone Boom,<br />
dolly. with $395. Send for Bulfetln Filmcraft,<br />
Dent. C. sn.S. Cinema Supply Corp., 602 W.<br />
52nd St., New York 19.<br />
EQUIPMENT WANTED<br />
Complete drive-in booth, used (prefer Strong<br />
Mogul lamps). No junk. Write, wire, call Montana<br />
Theatre Equipment. Inc.. Box 1<strong>000</strong>. phone<br />
33. Sunburst, Mont.<br />
AIR CONDITIONING<br />
THEATRES FOR SALE<br />
Theatres For Sale; Selected listings In Oregon<br />
and Washington now available. Write for list.<br />
Theatre Exch.ange Co., Fine Arts BIdg., Portl»nd.<br />
Ore.<br />
Build double parking drive-in theatres under<br />
franchise Patent No. 2.102.718, reissue No.<br />
22,756 and ImprovemenLs, patent pending. I'p<br />
to 30 per cent more seating capacity with H'lle<br />
cost. additional Louis Josscrand, architect, 3908<br />
S. Main St.. Houston, Tex.<br />
Pacific northwest theatres for sale. Write Theatre<br />
Sales Co.. 4229 NE Broadway. Portland. Ore.<br />
Describe to Walter Jackson, Broker. ChlUlcolhe.<br />
Mo., theatre you want to buy tr sell.<br />
Two theatres. Town near Waco, Texas. Both<br />
brick buildings Included. Present owner shows<br />
$200 weekly profits. All cushion seats. Late<br />
model equipment. $38,500, half down. "Joe"<br />
Heavy duty blowers, ball-bearing equipped,<br />
15.<strong>000</strong> cfm to 66.<strong>000</strong> cfm. Air washers, all<br />
sties. Hydraulic drives, two and four speed<br />
motor controls. Immediate delivery. Dealers<br />
wanted. National Eijineerllig and Mfg. Co., 619<br />
Wmiidotte Sl, Kansas City. Mo<br />
THEATRICAL PRINTING<br />
Window Cards. Programs, Heralds. Photo-Offset<br />
Printing. Cato Show Printing Co.. Cato. N. Y.<br />
For sale, at Victoria, Kas., 414-seat house,<br />
built in 1946. Sell everything, building and<br />
equipment, for $22,<strong>000</strong> cash, no terms. Write<br />
for particnlars: W. J. Braun, Victoria, Kas.<br />
Ten-year lease. All-day grind theatre In Illinois<br />
50.<strong>000</strong> population. $200 monthly rental Includes<br />
.apartment. $15,400 for lease and equipment<br />
Air conditioned. retiring. Owner Boxoffice. 3741<br />
700-car drive-in theatre, by owner, with 111<br />
heallh. Midwest city of 300.<strong>000</strong> population, surrounded<br />
by good pay rolls. Priced reasonable.<br />
Shown by appiilntment. State's choice location.<br />
Boxoffice, 3742.<br />
Theatre, South Jersey, 436 scats: solid brick<br />
latest Simplex sound, Brcnkert projectors: oil<br />
burner, new seats, new fronts, new carpets. Population<br />
7,500; $10,<strong>000</strong> for 10-year lease. Solid<br />
proposition. Boxoffice, 3751.<br />
Texas. 319 seats, town 1.200. Simplex, first<br />
class setup: $7,500 down. Boxoffice. 3767.<br />
Central Texas controlled town, near 3.<strong>000</strong>. Rich<br />
diversified Income. Everything Included. Hlidi<br />
profit. OO'",. steadv $49,<strong>000</strong>. down Prolonged<br />
Inspecllnn Invited. Arthur Leak, 3422 KInmore.<br />
Dallas. Texas. Others.<br />
SIO.OOO down. North Texas town 1,500. T««<br />
large Industrial projects should double population.<br />
Finest equipment. Absent owner. Arthur Leak.<br />
3422 KInmore. Dallas.<br />
Only theatre. Near Dallas. In town 3,500<br />
population; 400 seats: A-1 equipment. Best and<br />
neatest ever small town theatre offered. Long<br />
lease on building and parking lot, or will sell<br />
property, too; $20,<strong>000</strong> wllliout iiruperty; take<br />
$12,<strong>000</strong> down, or $50,<strong>000</strong> Includes property, wlih<br />
$18,<strong>000</strong> down. "Joe" Joseph, Texas' Theatre<br />
Broker, 8611 Beauregard Drive, Dallas, Tex.<br />
Phone E6-6289.<br />
Theatre for sale In southern Minnesota town of<br />
1.800. Concrete building, concrete lloors, 390<br />
seats. Price $52,<strong>000</strong>. Boxoffice, 3706.<br />
Theatre— 284 seats. Population approximately<br />
llt'A l.oOO; boolh equipment: double unit washed<br />
air cooling system. All equipment in A-1 condition.<br />
Thirty of minutes out Kans:is City. $27,500<br />
ash deal, shoppers. no Building optional. Boxoffice,<br />
3767,<br />
We have two drive-ins that can be bought for<br />
less tlian conslrucllon price. Both are in substantial<br />
locations. Inexperience of operators reason<br />
for selling. Il.uise-Shea, Tlieatrc Brokers, McCall<br />
,, Memiihis, Tenn,<br />
Tent Theatre with complete 35 and lOmra.<br />
etiuipment. Now in operation—good location.<br />
Clearing one hundred dollars per week. Bargain<br />
price fourteen hundred for everything. Call or<br />
write owner, Leon Broughton, Jr., Box 116, Bessmay,<br />
Texas,<br />
350 Seat Grind House, downtown mid-eastern<br />
city, 400,<strong>000</strong> poiiulatlon. Newly remodeled. Idealsuited<br />
for "Art" or "Grind" poliry. Absentee<br />
nership necessitates sale for i)rice that can be<br />
earned in less than two years. Boxoffice, 3772.<br />
THEATRES FOR RENT<br />
For Rent; 800-seal theatre in eity near Boston,<br />
Mass. Ready for Immediate occupancy. Closed because<br />
of Illness and death of owner. Best location.<br />
Contact Atl'y J. .Morton Rosenblum, 1008<br />
Elm St., Manchester, N. H,<br />
POPCORN SUPPLIES<br />
Attractively printed popcorn cartons for sale.<br />
10c size. $6,25 M; 25c size, $16,00 M. Fabian<br />
Kontney. 609 N. Ashhind, Green Bay, Wis.<br />
Blcvins' Pops-Rile Box with Wm. A. Rogers<br />
"Box-Top" Silverware Premium offer Is booming<br />
sales! popcorn Blevlns Popcorn Co., Popcorn<br />
Village, Nashville, Tenn.<br />
POPCORN MACHINES<br />
Rebuilt Popcorn Machines for sale. Fully piarleed.<br />
Price from $100. Consolidated Confecins.<br />
1314 S. Wabash, Chicago 6, 111.<br />
Burch. Manley, Cretors. Advance, all electric<br />
french fry types. 50 Hollywood type, theatre<br />
special electric poppers from $250. KarraHkom<br />
Equipment. 120 S. Il.ilsted. Chicago 6, III.<br />
THEATRE TICKETS<br />
Prompt service. Special printed roll tickets.<br />
100,<strong>000</strong>, $<strong>23</strong>95: 10,<strong>000</strong>, $6.85; 2.<strong>000</strong>, $4.45.<br />
Each change In admission price. Including change<br />
in color, $3.00 extra. Double numbering extra.<br />
(FOB. Kansas City, Mo.) Cash with order. Kansas<br />
City Ticket Co.. Dept. 9, 1819 Central. Kansas<br />
City, Mo.<br />
MORE CLASSIFIED<br />
ON PAGE 38
mm-m<br />
Jjecause RCA manufactures the most complete and flexible line<br />
of drive-in equipment in the industry, both de luxe and economypriced,<br />
you can select combinations of equipment that will best<br />
fit the needs of your drive-in. And, best of all, you need not forego<br />
any of RCA's quality construction features. RCA Drive-In Equipment<br />
costs less than you think!<br />
No matter what size or type of drive-in you are building, RCA<br />
can supply you with a Sound System and a Projection System that<br />
will save you money on initial equipment costs. And save you<br />
money, too, on annual operating and maintenance costs.<br />
Call on your nearest Independent RCA Theatre Supply Dealer<br />
for complete information. You'll find RCA Drive-In Equipment<br />
is priced within your budget. Be sure to ask about RCA's complete<br />
"Packaged" Drive-In Plan.<br />
More Brenkert Projectors, Brenlcert Arc Lamps, RCA Sound Systems and<br />
RCA In-Car Speakers are used in Drive-Ins than any other make.<br />
THEATRE EQUIRMEMT<br />
RADIO CORPORATtOM of AMERICA<br />
ENGINEERING PRODUCTS DEPARTMENT. CAMDEN. N.J.