Boxoffice-April.14.1956

Story
APRIL 14, 1956
ILTJu
m&&&yL fixitoiM
Gordon MacRoe ond Shirley Jones os they appear in the
20th Century-Fox production of the Rodgers ond Hommerstein
musical, "Corousel," winner of the BOXOFFICE
Blue Ribbon Award for March .
on Poge 26.
mONAL EXECUTIVE EDITION
Rl,iillii| lilt SmIimiiI Nm Pi(n of All Edltlwii

Grace Kelly
THE
SWAN
The love story of a princess.
Grace Kelly, Alec
Guinness, Louis Jourdan
and more. The picture
that everyone wants to
see. A magnificent eyeftUing
production in Color
and CinemaScope.
The kind of youthful
romance for which movies
were born. LesUe Caron,
topping her "Lili" performance,
John Kerr of
the stage's "Tea and Sympathy,"
Backed by a giant
promotion campaign.
Color-CinemaScope.
It's got all the drama, the
suspense, the power of
"The Caine Mutiny."
Watch for new star, Paul
Newman. Plus great performances
by Wendell
Corey, Walter Pidgeon,
Edmond O'Brien, Anne
Francis, Lee Marvin.
h^^
^
BHOWANI
JUNCTION
Just screened at M-G-M.
Sensational! One of the
year's big pictures. Ava
Gardner gorgeous, Stewart
Granger rugged in a drama
of passion and excitement.
Filmed in Pakistan. Color-
CinemaScope.

"Guys And Dolls" (Samuel Goldwyn
Production — M-G-M release)
and
M-G-M's "I'll
Cry Tomorrow" are
America's top-grossing attractions,
setting hold-over records
everywhere. "Forbidden Planet"
sensational Coast to Coast. "Meet
Me In Las Vegas" outstanding
nationwide.
And now more Big
Ones from Hit Headquarters.
OfiS WIW N16«« SOT/
Ernest Borgnine
THE CATERED
AFFAIR
Every audience Preview
sensational. Starring Bette
Davis, Ernest Borgnine,
Debbie Reynolds, Barry
Fitzgerald. The Academy
Award-winning team, star
and author of "Marty"
Ernest Borgnine and
Paddy Chayefsky deliver
another wonderful story.
GUnn l-orJ
THE FASTEST
GUN ALIVE
Glenn Ford's powerful
performance as a peaceful
man who suddenly reveals
a hidden skill as a marksman.
The startling surprise
ending will be kept
a secret in promotion. The
co-stars: Jeanne Grain,
Broderick Grawford, Russ
Tamblyn.
Kirk Duuglui
LUST FOR
LIFE
A masterpiece in every
sense of the word, filmed
in the beauty of its Netherlands
background. The
story of the tragic, tender,
bewildered great painter
van Gogh, perfectly portrayed
by Kirk Douglas.
A brilliant supporting cast.
Metrocolor-CinemaScope.
HIGH
SOCIETY'
A Big musical enterprise.
Great love story, Gole
Porter songs and: Bing
Crosby, Grace Kelly,
Frank Sinatra, Celeste
Holm, John Lund.
Louis Galhern, Sidney
Blackmer, Louis Armstrong
and Band. Color-
VistaVision.

"HI
RHERS ARE ALL SET TO AM
2 BILLION YEARS IN THE
MAKING! The whole
flaming story of raging
animal life on earth
from its prehistoric
"^
'
beginning to "^
the present!
'^^^^^fff^^
-» -a
v^
IH H I
Filmed by 27
production crews
on mass safaris
throughout the globe!
WIEN.PIIODUCEO..
ftNiiEEElEn'B'f
J^^Sim AWARD MAKER of
ifkQUNB US'

W-WORLD WIT^
I TERRITORIAL
I SATURATIONS
I THROUGHOUT
THE MONTH OF
^
JUNE! MASSIVE
TV AND RADIO
BOMBARDMENT
WILL ROAR NIGHT
^
AND DAY! IT'S
m THE SHOWMANSHIP
SHOW OF THE AGE
1
FOR ALL AGES!
(COAST PREVIEWS MOWING BUT ALL-OUT RAVES!)
SEE THE TRADE
SHOW! SET IT IN
AND SET IT UP
FOR A MOP-UP!
CHECK YOUR WARNER MAN FOR
DATING SCHEDULE IN YOUR AREA!

IT??
mill
t»?. «o^.
*Vf*. fOR*
?rtOV
%u^^t^
YOUR
nal R«,
fiatio v\/;'c/e
jS/at/o^
junmeSibveMt SSJI^SlBrTHl
COLOR by DE LUXE
CINemaScoPE MA
mM"^
^5^
i(«i
-l-a^>>
: *W/£'5 coming soon to all the best houses. The boys and girls will be lining up early
to watch this dance-hall queen in action, so get your date in today!
i\

??i^e (^ tAe y/lction Hctt^tAe /ndiiS^^
THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY
Published in Nine Sectional Editions
BEN SHLYEN
Editor-in-Chiei
and Publisher
CX3NALD M. MERSEREAU Associote
Publisher & General Manager
JAMES M. JERAULD Editor
NATHAN COHEN. .Executive Editor
JESSE SHLYEN. .. .Monaging Editor
HUGH FRAZE Field Editor
IVAN SPEAR Western Editor
LARRY GOODMAN . Promotion Editor
I. L. THATCHER. .Equipment Editor
MORRIS SCHLOZMAN . Business Mgr
Published Every Saturday by
ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS
Publication Offices: 825 Van Uriint Blvd..
KaiLtas City 24, Mo. Nathan Cohen. Executive
Eilltor: Jesse Shiyen. Miin,ielni: Eilltor;
Morris Schlozm.m, ntishiess Manager:
lliiKh I'raze. Kielil Ediloi; I I. Thatcher,
Tele-
Editor The Moilmi Theatre Section.
phone Clk'Stinit 1-77T7.
Editorial Offices: 45 llackcfeller Pinza, New
York 20. N. Y. Donald M. Mersereaii.
Associate TublNher & General Manacer:
James M. Jerauld. Editor: Ijirry Coodman,
Editor rrnniol lon-Showmandiscr Section;
A. J. Slorker. Kiiulitmpnt Advertislng.
Telcphone COhimbiis 5-fl3T0.
Central Offices: ICdllnrlal—920 No. Michigan
Ave.. Chlcaao II. 111. Frances It
Clow. Telephone Sl'perhir 7-.'!972 Advertising—.S5
East Wacker Drive. Chicago 1.
III.. Rvving lliilclilson and E. E Yeck
Telephone ANdovcr 3-.'i042.
Western Offices: Fxlltorlal and Film Advertising—C-104
lllillyvrood lilvil . llnllyuood
28. Calif. Ivan Spear, manager. Telephone
llOtlyvvond 5-1180. EiinhMiient and
Non-Film Advertising—(172 S. l/ifavelle
Park Place. I.os Anseles. Calif. Ilnh Weltsteln.
manager. Telephone lUInkIrk 8-22S6
London Office: Anilionv nriiner, 11 Wardour
St. Telephone (JEliard 5720/8282
The MOMBItN TIIEATIIE Seclliin Is in
eluded In llie first Issue of each month.
Atlanta: Paul Jones. The Cnnsllliitlnn.
Albany: J. S. Conncrs. 21-2-1 Waller Ave.
R.iltlmore: George Itrovvning. Slanley Thea,
Birmingham: F-ildie Ilad-rr. llie News
Boston: Frances Harding. I.lli. 2-9:105
nwrlnfic: Annie Mae Williams. Ell 2-1254.
CIncinnall: Mlllan I,a7;irus. 174(1 Carrahen
Cleveland: Elsie l.oeb FalrmnunI 1-0046.
Columbus: Fred (lestrtlcher. 04(1 llhoudes
Place.
Dallas: Frank Bradley. 20fl8A Jackson St
Denver: Jack Itosc. 1045 I.afayellc St
Des Moines: Ituss Sclincli. llcglster-Tribiinc.
Delroll: II. F. Ileves. Fox Tlieaire lihls!
Indianapolis: Cnrhln Patrick. Tlie Star
Jacksonville: lloherl Cormvell. .123 E. liav
.Memphis: Null Adams. 707 Spring SI.
Miami: Klltv Ilarvvond. fifi S. Hibiscus.
Milwaukee: Wm Nlplinl. 010 N. 14lh SI
Minneapolis: I.es IJces. 2121 Fremont Sq.
New Haven: W.iller Diidar. Tbe Jleglsler
N. Orleans: I,. Dvvyer. 8R18 Prllclnrd PI
Oklahoma City: Joyce Oiithlcr. Hales BIdg.
Omaha: Inrlng Baker, nil N .list St
PhilaHelphIa: Norman Shlgnn. 5101 Berk
Pittsburgh: It. F. Klingensmllh. 510 Jeannette.
Wllklnsliurg. Churchill 1 2.

COMPO SWINGS ITS SUPPORT
BEHIND REP. KING'S TAX BILL
Californian Introduces
Measure to End Levy
On Tickets Under $1
NEW YORK—The tax
campaign steering
committee of the Council of Motion Picture
Organizations is backing a measure
introduced In the
House of Representatives
Thursday (12>
by Rep. Cecil King of
California and referred
to the Committee
on Ways and
Means.
It is H.R. 9875. It
for amending the
calls
Internal Revenue Code
of 1954 to provide "that
the tax on admissions
shall apply only with
R. J. O'Donnell
respect to that portion
of the amount paid for any admission which
is in excess of $1."
COMPO is giving the bill its full support
in the belief it stands the best chance of
success. Other bills have called for 100 per
cent elimination of the tax.
COPIES OF BILL DISTRIBUTED
Copies of the bill are being sent to all
members of COMPO tax campaign committees.
They are asked to write their Congressmen
at once, m-ging them to support the King
bill and to urge members of the Ways and
Means Committee to do likewise.
Robert J. O'Donnell, national drive chairman,
said:
"Since the $1 exemption applies to all admissions,
we believe the bill is fair to motion
picture theatres charging higher admissions.
In addition to that, the exemption should enlist
the support of legitimate theatres, sports
interests and other enterprises that have admission
charges over $1.
"We intend to urge the House Ways and
Means Committee to hold hearings on this
measure as soon as possible and to pass it on
without delay for consideration by the full
House."
COMPO Asks MPAA to Act
On Lichtman Successor
NEW YORK—Tlie Council of Motion Picture
Organizations is awaiting the appointment
by the Motion Picture Ass'n of America
of a successor to Al Lichtman as a member
of the governing triumvirate of COMPO.
The triumvirate continues to consist of Sam
Pinanski, Robert W. Coyne and Lichtman, but
because of Llchtman's resignation from
20th Centm-y-Fox, another distribution representative
will be named to take his place. In
the meantime, Pinanski and Coyne are consulting
with Lichtman, who is on vacation
in Miami. He will go to the coast soon to
enter producton.
COMPO sources said during the week that
no business meeting could be set up until
the MPAA has named a successor to Lichtni;iii.
Coyne has asked the MPAA to act.
Southeast Asia Boost
Urged by Johnston
NEW YORK—Eric Johnston, president, has
recommended to the Motion Picture Export
Ass'n the development of a long-range program
to insure greatly increased revenues
from southeast Asia. The program includes
establishment of more MPEA offices in the
area and friendly rather than financial aid
to those countries in building up their own
motion picture industries.
One means toward the end would be technical
advice, another would be co-productions
and a third aid in building more theatres.
In the latter respect, some of the new theatres
could be U. S. owned and operated.
There are only about 5,000 theatres in the
huge area, he said.
Johnston told a press conference after meeting
with member company presidents that
his ideas had met with approval. Permanent
offices are already assured for Indonesia,
Pakistan and for Manila, where there has been
a temporary arrangement. A new representative
for India will be named to replace one
resigned. Johnston said others will be set
up but he could not tell the locations now.
SEES INCOME DOUBLED
The MPEA president had returned only two
days before from a globe-encircling business
trip, with emphasis on southeast Asia. He
said MPEA companies are now receiving between
$24,000,000 and $25,000,000 in revenues
from that area and that the total could be
doubled or halved in five years, depending
on political developments there and on "what
we do there."
He told how the economies are being expanded
in each country, with India leading.
That country, he said, plans a 5 per cent increase
each year for five years.
Everywhere Johnston went, from Japan to
Pakistan, he said, he met with the heads of
state, businessmen, producers, distributors
and exhibitors and the press. The talks were
successful in learning local problems and ambitions
for the future, and in explaining U. S.
Johnston Reports Gain
In
Domestic Market
NEW YORK—HoUywood is very optimistic
about the domestic market, &ic
Johnston, president of the Motion Picture
Ass'n of America, said Wednesday (11).
Revenues are above those of a year ago.
He said he was speaking of rental income.
He did not know theatre figures.
"I am optimistic," he said. "The industry
is not sick or dying. Now there is
genuine competition among producers and
that is a good thing."
film problems, and a much better mutual
understanding developed.
"I told them," he said, "that we are not
interested in just selling them individual pictures
but want to help them in every way possible.
It helps us if there is a healthy industry
in a country."
Johnston said he could not promise them
American bookings for their pictures, and
that it was up to them to develop their own
market here. He noted how markets for tea
and Scotch whiskey have been developed in
the U. S. through great selling jobs. He found
many of their problems practically Identical
with those of the industry here. One instance
was Hong Kong, where producers objected to
high star salaries.
He said that Irving Maas, MPEA vicepresident
in charge of the area, will arrive
here in May to discuss development plans.
FOREIGN GROSSES UP
He estimated that 1956 foreign grosses will
be slightly higher than In 1955, "perhaps
$3,000,000," but pointed out it was too early
to arrive at more than a tentative figure. In
response to a charge that producers now are
gearing their pictures to the foreign markets,
he said he did not Icnow of anyone doing that.
From Asia, Johnston went tp Italy. There
he was entertained by President Giovanni
Gronchi and other Italian government and
industry figures and by U. S. Ambassador
Clare Boothe Luce. He arranged for the
annual allotment of provisional import permits
pending passage of a new Italian film
law, expected in a month. As to the demands
of the Italians for more color printing of
U. S. films, he said those will be handled individually
by MPEA member companies.
Questioned about domestic developments,
Johnston said he would have to be briefed on
them before going into them in detail. However,
he supplied the following information:
He had hoped immediately on his return to
begin a study of the production code with
the code committee, but that will have to be
delayed because of the absences of Barney
Balaban, Paramount president, who is abroad
to attend the Grace Kelly wedding, and Abe
Schneider, Columbia vice-president.
He expected that the annual MPAA meeting
will be held in a week or two.
He did not know who will represent distribution
in the hearings, probably in May,
before the Senate Small Business Committee,
but he did know that the legal committee of
MPAA was busy making preparations.
He would not know until he visited Hollywood
what the possibilities were for industry
sponsorship of the Academy Awards.
He knew of no selection as yet of a successor
to Al Lichtman as a member of the governing
board of the Council of Motion Picture
Organizations.
BOXOFFICE :: April 14. 1956

: AprU
LIKE TRADE CODE APPROACH;
DIFFER ON WHO'LL REGULATE IT
So. Calif. Proposal Finds
Support; Preference Is
For Self-Regulation
Following the Senate subcommittee
hearing on exhibitor complaints on industry
trade practices. BOXOFFICE
aslced its staff of correspondents in key
cities to interview theatremen on two
of the major topics discussed at the
Washington hearing:
1. The recommendation of Southern
California Theatre Owners Assn that
a fair trade practices commission be
established to set up a code for the fihn
industry, to be administered by the government.
2. Recommendations of both Theatre
Owners of America and Allied that an
arbitration system, with rentals included,
be established.
NEW YORK—Exhibitors would like to
see a fair trade practices commission for
the motion picture industry, as recommended
by the Southern California Theatre
Owners Assn to the Senate subcommittee
on retailing, distribution and fair
trade practices. But, on the question of
placing this commission within the frame
of government regulation, there is a great
variance of opinion.
In some areas, exhibitors are convinced a
commission to establish and administer a
code of practices is essential to the future
welfare of the film business with the government
having its hand on the regulatory controls.
In others, there is agreement that a
commission would be helpful, but theatremen
would prefer to have the industry
create and administer the code itself. In one
or two other territories, the proposal of the
SCTOA was dismissed as "just so much talk"
and having little chance of gaining approval
by the senate committee. This was the
attitude, for example, in Houston.
FOLLOW UP ON HEARINGS
These opinions were obtained through interviews
with exhibitors in many sections
of the country by BOXOFFICE correspondents
following the Senate hearing of exhibitor
complaints three weeks ago. As a followup,
theatremen were asked for comments on
such topics as the Southern California proposal
on a code and arbitration of film
rentals.
There seemed to be a pretty unanimous
view that arbitration of film rentals would
be a helpful development. There were minor
a difference of opinion on how it should be
administered. Ben Berger, chairman of Allied's
Emergency Defense Committee, a long-
Top-Level Confab Okay,
If Just for Discussion
By LARSTON D. FARRAR
Washington Bureau, Boxoffice
WASHINGTON—One of
the reasons given
by distributors—usually— for declining to
participate in an "at-the-summit" conference
between company presidents and exhibitor
leaders is that such a meeting might violate
some obscure antitrust regulation.
This reporter went straight to the feed-box
to find out the score on this subject. He contacted
Judge Stanley N. Barnes, who still is
chief of the antitrust division of the U. S.
Department of Justice, and will remain in
that post until after Congress adjourns.
"What about this point?" Judge Barnes was
asked.
"Merely getting together to discuss a possible
plan or plans could not possibly be illegal,"
Judge Barnes responded. "The big
question is: Would the group stop at discussions?
If they made any plans, and attempted
to carry these plans out, there likely
would be action, if the plans were in violation
of the consent decree or antitrust law.
"It would not be illegal for the group to
make tentative plans, which could go through
the usual clearance procedures at the Department
of Justice, and, if cleared, such
plans could be followed without fear of prosecution.
"If any attempt were made to allocate markets,
or to take other steps that would be in
violation of the laws, before clearance with
the Department of Justice, as a result of the
meeting, then there could be trouble."
Judge Barnes, who hails from Los Angeles
(and is proud of it), readily confessed that
he long has been interested in the motion picture
industry in all its phases, and in its
problems. He said that others in his division
and in the Department of Justice generally,
also are well aware of the problems of the
film industry today.
"We know that the industry has many
pressing problems," he declared. "I will say
this: I believe that some exhibitors are
prone to blame the consent decrees for their
time proponent of government control, is
"wholeheartedly for the proposal." He said
"it would help considerably, I'm sure, to cure
dissents here and there to the effect that if a number of the major ills that now afflict
there could be a downward adjustment of film the small exhibitor." These views were also
rentals there also could be an upward adjustment,
something which "could boomerang to leagues—W. R. Frank, circuit owner and in-
expressed by two of Berger's Twin City col-
the detriment of the exhibitor." But this was dependent film producer, and William Volk,
not a majority attitude.
operator of several de luxe suburban theatres
The idea of a fair trade practices code intrigues
many exhibitors, even when there is While putting his stamp of approval on
in the Minneapolis area.
the
BOXOFFICE :
14, 1956
proposal, Volk wasn't optimistic that anything
would come of it. "What's the use of expecting
the millenium?" he asked.
troubles, without taking into account the
tremendous changes that have taken place
since they were signed. Television, as everyone
knows, has become a tremendous entertainment
factor. And when the con.sent decrees
were signed, the outdoor theatre was just a
gleam in the eyes of a few pioneers. There
have been many changes, and no doubt more
will come all the time."
From the manner in which Judge Barnes
spoke of any distributor-exhibitor meeting, it
was obvious that he could see no reason why
exploratory talks—that did not bind either
side to any mode of action—should be considered
illegal, per se. It also was plain that
what would bother the Department of Justice,
in case such an "at-the-summit" conference
were held, would be any agreements that
might be made, and acted upon, without consultation
with the Department.
Abram F. Myers, general counsel and board
chairman of the Allied States Ass'n, commented
shortly after learning of the statements
of Judge Barnes that he, Myers, would
"welcome" a conference between exhibitor
leaders and presidents of the distributing
companies. He pointed out that, heretofore,
the "second string" distributor executive team
had talked about such a conference, but that
a conference with the second team would
likely be fruitless, since "the sales managers
axe the ones who have put into effect the
practices the exhibitors dislike." He said it
was "obvious" that these under-executives
would defend their own handiwork.
Myers hinted that, if the Department of Justice
would police the decrees more vigorously,
to be certain that they were observed down
the line, exhibitors would not have quite as
hard a time as they are said to be having.
Incidentally, as predicted. Judge Barnes
was confirmed unanimously by the Senate as
a judge of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
A number of "going away" parties may be
expedited for him between now and the
time he leaves, which will not be until aiter
Congress adjourns.
In the roundup of opinion, it was evident
that exhibitor thinking echoes the philosophy
of governmental control in those areas
where Allied is a dominant factor in film industry
activities, and opposes governmental
controls in those sections of the country
where there is no organized group, or TOA
is a potent force.
In Florida, an important exhibitor labeled
the SCTOA proposal for a fair practices
commission "as dangerous and tending to
lead to government regulation of many of
its (the industry's) aspects." But in Boston,
(Continued on page 10)

: April
/^^Wfttf^ C^C^-i^
Small Business Committee
May Resume Before May 15
Ken Clark. Motion Pictiue Ass'n of America
vice-president, gives this as his best guess;
in meantime distribution answered questions
of committee attorneys and is now ready to
present its reply to previous testimony.
Senate Group to Hear
Toll-TV on April 26
Issue on subscription television will be
argued before Senate Committee on Interstate
and Foreign Commerce by representatives
of Committee Against Pay-to-See TV.
Hecht-Lancaster in Renewal
Of United Artists Pact
New releasing deal calls for slate of pictm-es
with total budget of $40,000,000 over
"extended period of time": called a record
for independent motion picture operation.
RKO Radio Studios Made
Available for TV Films
Company announces its personnel, facilities
and equipment on both coasts ready to
service producers of TV pictures: will not
produce for TV itself at present.
E. C. Rhoden in New York
For Cinemiracle Parleys
National Theatres president indicates that
Louis de Rochemont, who has acquired two
properties, Richard Halhburton's "The Flying
Carpet" and "Seven League Boots," plans
to combine both into one Cinemiracle production.
Film Company Dividends
Reported for March
Department of Commerce lists the following:
Columbia Pictm-es, $63,000: Loew's Boston
Theatres. $39,000: Warner Bros., $742,000;
National Theatres, $346,000; Stanley Warner,
$550,000.
Exhibitors of D. C. Area
To Convene April 17. 18
Industry trends will be analyzed by Albert
E. Sindlinger. industry statistics expert, at
Shoreham Hotel in Washington; concession
discussion will be led by Ralph Pries.
Expect Over 400 to .Attend
F- i- .'
i\on
Picture Council:
(Continued from page 9))
Edward Lider, general manager for Yamins
Theatres and president of Independent Exhibitors,
Inc. of New England, favored forcing
reforms and fair trade practices by government
regulation.
The report from Milwaukee, where Allied
is strong, indicated exhibitors looked favorably
both on the trade practices commission
as proposed and an arbitration system if
rentals were included and were inclined to
go along with Shor's allegations on admission
price-fixing.
Following are reports from other sectors:
For Self-Regulation in Frisco
By GAIL LIPMAN
SAN FRANCISCO—Exhibitors in this area
generally like the idea of a fair trade practices
commission suggested by the Southern
Miami Shows Opposition
By KITTY HARWOOD
MIAMI—The proposal by Southern California
Theatre Owners Ass'n that a fair
trade practices commission be established
for the film industry to adopt and administer
a code of fair practices, has been labeled by
one leading theatre circuit of this area as
"dangerous and tending to lead to government
regulation of many of its aspects."
This company has serious doubts that such
legislation would ever actually be enacted.
This source, and others interviewed on the
subject, stressed the fact that the question
was so large and so national in scope that
it was difficult for anyone not well-informed
in all details to voice too definitive an opinion.
On the subject of arbitration, this source
said yes, of course, that would be desirable
and this group had been working toward
such an end for a long time. However, this
was still not likely to clear up the basic
problems of shortage of product and high
film rentals.
What would help, so this spokesman believes,
would be if the Department of Justice
permitted the circuits now divorced
from distributing companies, to produce pictures
on a restricted basis. This, it was
thought, would greatly ease the situation,
bringing about the release of more product
within the reach of all. No one wants to see
the industry price itself out of business.
Enormous sums paid to certain top stars for
one thing, increase this possibility.
No direct attempt at price fixing is being
made, so this circuit believes, though in
actual practice, in order to meet film terms,
it becomes necessary on occasion to raise admissions.
The bid situation creates such occasions.
Another prominent local theatre circuit
spokesman, in commenting on the Senate
hearing on exhibitor complaints, said that
a flat "yes" or "no" of approval or disapproval
was nearly impossible. The problem is too
national in reach, includes too many ramifications
and involvements, for anyone, not
familiar with all the facets, to understand
all the implications.
He did believe, however, that prosperity in
the theatre will not be arrived at by the
passing of legislation. You can't pass a law
and heal everybody's troubles. Nor has it
always followed, on other occasions, that recourse
to the government has resulted in
benefit to the theatre business.
Arbitration? Yes. but by whom, on what
basis, and how can the formulating of some
rules come out satisfactorily for all concerned?
Theatremen are businessmen the
same as any others in other businesses. In
his case the theatreman has the privilege of
not buying a picture he finds priced too high
to allow him a fair return. Inequalities, if
he finds them, must be resolved by himself
as the head of a business, in most cases. At
least, there seems no more reason for him
California Theatre Owners Ass'n, but they to take his business problems to the government
were virtually unanimous in declaring that
for decision, than there is for any
the industry itself should establish the commission
other business to do so.
in lieu
of government control.
On arbitration of film rentals, the concensus
Cincinnati Divided
is that such a provision will help. As
By LILLIAN LAZARUS
for tv.e charge before the Senate subcommittee
CINCINNATI—Top exhibitor leaders here
that admission prices were still being
are divided on the question of government
fixed, in violation of the antitrust decrees,
regulation within the film industry, but generally
exhibitors said they found no evidence to
believe that arbitration including film
substantiate the allegation—except perhaps
rentals can be of help.
as high film rentals force individual exhibitors
to boost the scale.
Frank W. Huse jr., president of Cincinnati
Motion Picture Theatres, Inc., exhibitor association,
favors arbitration with rentals
included, and also government regulation of
rentals if necessary. The small exhibitor,
he says, does not have the economic power
to "get a fair deal—such as is within the
power of the large exhibitors."
Herman Hunt, veteran operator of a group
of theatres in this area, on the other hand,
is opposed to government regulation, and prefers
to see the industry settle its own problems.
He thinks that production of pictures
by the circuits formerly affiliated with the
major film companies will help alleviate the
product shortage and lower film rentals.
Pi-ank Weitzel, booking and buying service
operator, on the basis of his wide experience
in renting films, favors arbitration
of
rentals.
Cleveland for Self-Regulation
By ELSIE LOEB
CLEVELAND — Local independent circuit
heads "want to keep government out of our
business and e.Khibitor organizations favoring
it should drop the whole thing." This
opinion is reached on the basis that once
government regulations are established they
cannot be limited to practices presented before
the Small Business Committee but will
be extended to other operational fields,
worsening present conditions.
A strong feeling prevaUs that all problems
can be solved within the industry, either by
arbitration or a fair trade practices system
administered by the industry. "Arbitration
of film rentals to be equitable must necessarily
include price adjustments upward as
well as downward so that the proposed film
rental arbitration plan might understandably
boomerang to harm exhibitors."
Local exhibitors generally deny Ruben
Shor's allegation of distributors' deliberate
price-fixing, but admit that high film costs
require increased admissions in order to
survive.
BOXOFFICE
:
14. 1956

A){ atinoiniffmcuf oj (^reaf importance
to exhibitors world-wide!
REPUBLIC PICTURES, INC.
is proud to present the
breath-taking grandeur
of their new
wide screen process
photographed in
ratio
of 2:35 to 1
f^^TU FRy^M A^
This process will
eliminate distortion, grain and
improve photographic and color quality
without requiring any additional costly projection
equipment in your theatre, provided you are
equipped with Anamorphic lenses and wide screen.
The FIRST magnificent and thrilling motion picture
filmed in this new miracle of the screen!
HERBERT d. YATES presents
BARBARA
BARRY
STANWYCK • SULLIVAN
SCOTT
BRADY •
MARY
MURPHY
THE MAVERICK QUEEN
with Wallace Ford • Howard Petrie • Jim Davis • Emile Meyer
Walter Sande • George Keymas • John Doucette • Taylor Holmes
Screenplay by Kenneth Garnet and DeVallon Scott
Based on the novel by Zane Grey • Music by Victor Young
JONI JAMES sings "The Maverick Queen" by Ned Washington and Victor Young
Associate Producer Director. JOE KANE
rhotographcd in (he colvrfnl slate of Colorado
in exquisite TRUCOLOR
by Consolidated Film Industries

J^£

HERBERT J. YATES presents in the majestic
beauty of
REPUBLIC'S new wide screen process
a daring motion picture of romance and intrigue!
RAY MILLAND • MAUREEN O'HARA
CLAUDE RAINS •YVONNE FURNEAUX
£is6

:
April
Answer to Kefauver Report:
Find No Public Protests
On Violence in Movies
WASHINGTON—If certain segments of the
film industry are putting too much brutality
and violence in motion pictures, as Senator
Kefauver's committee report on juvenile delinquency
charged two weeks ago, the vast
majority of the nation's exhibitors have yet
to hear from their customers about it.
Here and there theatremen have had individual
complaints on a sequence of violence
in a specific pictui-e. but o\-er the nation there
have been no organized actions on the
violence and brutality which the Kefauver
committee protested. The daily press played
up this particular phase of the report, but the
editors generally were not .stirred into commenting
editorially on the findings.
HEAT ON TV AND CORUCS
Actually, a survey by BOXOFFICE correspondents
in virtually every section of the
country shows that, at the moment, local
authorities, PTA and church groups and
welfare agencies are much more concerned
with control over comic books and excessive
brutality being carried into homes by way
of the television screens than they are over
the alleged brutality in motion pictures.
If there is any semblance of a protest
against violence in pictures, it is coming more
from exhibitors than from their patrons. In
a number of communities, correspondents
found it was the exhibitors who were concerned
about screen brutality and not the customers.
Apparently, in these instances, exhibitors
were sensitive to possible reactions
among the family trade.
This was true in several situations, notably
Detroit and Houston. In Detroit, William
Clark, who operates a buying and booking
agency, said that exhibitors are getting occasional
objections from parents in the
smaller towns, and in Houston several theatremen
wondered why the companies didn't
make more films of the Andy Hardy variety,
"in which teenagers were good kids."
But even in the Detroit sector, exhibitors
weren't convinced that the movies were being
filled with an over-abundance of violence.
Milton London, the new'ly elected president
of Michigan Allied, said he disliked pictures
with brutality but added, "The fact is, these
are the pictures doing the business."
PLAY TO NORMAL' PATRONS
He answered the charge of the Kefauver
committee that movies with brutality and violence
were bad for emotionally disturbed
children with "We are not filling up our theatres
w'ith emotionally disturbed people. They
are normal, healthy people who come to the
movies for entertainment."
It was generally felt that it was impossible
to settle the juvenile delinquency problem by
placing a big share of the blame on motion
pictures.
The concensus in Cleveland, for example,
was "If television and comic books were as
clean as movies, the problem would be reduced.
These media bring brutality into the
home and have far greater effects on youth
than motion pictures." Not a single exhibi-
More Care in Selecting
Second Feature Urged
Columbus—Booking of films unsuitable
for children as second features with such
pictures as "The Court .lestcr" was condemned
by a reader of the Cohimbus
Citizen in a call to Norman Nadel, theatre
editor. Nadel agreed that parents
should check closely the second feature
on such bills. "They may be bad for
he said.
kids,"
Nadel's caller said he objected to the
showing of "Storm Fear" with the Danny
Kaye top feature. Nadel said "Storm
Fear" is "a harsh, brutal and sometimes
sadistic story dealing with illegitimacy,
among other things. I checked the ratings
given the picture in the National Parent-
Teacher magazine. It is tabbed 'poor' for
adults and 'unwholesome' for the 12-18
age group. It is not even listed among
films suitable for the family or children."
Nadel said the booker "can correct this
condition by expending no more than five
or ten minutes extra on his selections.
He can check any of several reliable critical
listings to avoid double-billing films
that could not possibly appeal to the
same audiences. Perhaps the best solution
would be the elimination of double
features. It has worked in other cities
and possibly would work here if all the
theatre men would try it and give the
single-feature plan enough time to constitute
a fair
test."
tor interviewed in Cleveland had received a
complaint on movie violence. Nor were there
complaints reported in a check by correspondents
in such widely scattered exchange
territories as Atlanta, Memphis, Minneapolis,
San Francisco, St. Louis, Boston and Milwaukee.
Here is a sampling of reactions to the
Kefauver report:
ALBANY: There's a feeling here that parents
and others object quicker and louder to
objectionable sex angles than they do to
brutality and violence in films. A substantial
number of theatremen in the territory said
they keep films with violence off the screen
on weekends to minimize possibility of protests
from parents, but there has been httle
or no complaint on the matter.
ATLANTA : R. M. Kennedy, president of the
Alabama Theatres Ass'n, and operator of theatres
in a number of southeastern cities, says
he has heard of no public protests on violence
and brutality, and he along with other exhibitors
work closely with PTA and other groups
in Alabama, Tenne.ssee and North Carolina.
The attitude of a number of exhibitors was:
"They have to put the blame somewhere, .so
they put it on the movies, and they have been
doing it ever since movies came into being."
An effort was made by the local censor to
hold up "The Blackboard Jungle," but the
film finally played without further comment.
HARTFORD: The Kefauver report was generally
disml.ssed as talk of the "whistling in
the dark" variety by exhibitors here. The report
was not played up by the press in Connecticut,
but strangely enough the reply by
Ronald Reagan as president of the Motion
Picture Industry Council gained some prominence,
particularly in the Hartford Times.
SHREVEPORT IS CLEAR
SHREVEPORT: Operators of downtown
theatres here report that not a single complaint
on violence or brutality has been received
in more than a year. "The Blackboard
Jungle" and "Trial." which they consider two
of the "rougher" films, played to big business,
with no comments from anyone about
brutality.
SYRACUSE: There's been more In the press
about comics and certain magazines than at
any time, and no mention of films as they
relate to juvenile delinquency. The Post-
Standard, for example, discontinued running
"Little Orphan Annie," because of its brutality
and gang war themes.
ST. LOUIS.: Exhibitors here have worked
closely w-ith the Better Films Council of St.
Louis for a quarter of a century, first in
the establishment of Family Night programs
and then in the formation of Youth Cinema
Clubs. As a result, there is a mutual understanding
of problems faced by exhibitors in
booking proper features for young people and
parents in getting the right kind of fare for
their children. This long-range cooperation
helps soften blows aimed at the industry such
as
those delivered in the Kefauver repwrt.
McEldowney Will Produce
Three Films in 2 Years
NEW YORK—Kenneth McEldowney, producer
of "The River," has revived Oriental
International Films and will produce three
pictures within two years. He has been here
negotiating for the rights to "The Pearl King,"
based on the life of Mikimoto, a new book
written by Robert Eun.^on, bureau chief of the
A.ssociated Press in Tokyo. Eunson came here
for meetings with McEldowney.
McEldowney said that all future films for
Oriental will be in color and in widescreen.
He has met with Henry Woodbridge, president
of Todd-AO, and may use that process
He left Wednesday (11 > for the coast to seek
other properties.
"The River" was directed by Jean Renoir
and released through United Artists. It
was a success in art houses throughout the
U. S., although the players were little known.
Seaton Wants Distributors
To Sponsor Oscar Awards
NEW YORK—George Seaton. president of
the Academy of Motion Picture Ar-ts and
Sciences, intends to confer with Eric Johnston,
president of the Motion Picture Ass'n, on
the possibihty of getting industry sponsor.ship
for the Academy Awards telecast next year.
He says the cost runs to about $400,000, and
if ten companies would contribute, the individual
shai-es would be about the same as a
page in Life magazine.
BOXOFFICE :
14, 1956
15

From DETROIT! From PITTSBURGH! From DENVER!
From CLEVELAND! From BOSTON! From BUFFALO!
From NEW YORK! From HOUSTON! From SEATTLE!
From WASHINGTON! From LOS ANGELES!
From ATLANTA! From CHICAGO!
Sensational openings setting the styie everywiterel
Be in trend witli fasiiion - play THE BIG PICTURE I

: April
Over Two-Hour Features
Increase in 7955-56
By PRANK LEYENDECKER
NEW YORK—The year 1955 probably will
go down in film annals as the period when
more two-hours-and-over featui-es were released
than at any previous time in the industry's
50-year history. And indications are
that 1956 will see several three-hours-or-more
features being released.
While supporting features (in the 60-to-75-
minutes lengths) have been steadily decreasing,
exhibitors still are playing double bills,
mostly because the younger patrons feel that
they are not getting theii' money's worth if
only one picture is advertised. But the more
discriminating adult moviegoers often bypass
the supporting picture and go to their neighborhood
theatres to see the main feature
only, with the result that the RKO Theatres
chain has started to advertise the starting
time of the main feature in response to patrons'
request.
NINE RELEASES INCLUDED
During 1955. nine major company releases
exceeded two hours in running time, in addition
to Stanley Warner's "Cinerama Holiday"
and Magna Theatres' "Oklahoma!" in
Todd-AO. both of which are playing reservedseat
engagements only. Warner Bros, had
four, including "A Star Is Born." which w-as
cut from its original over-three-hours length
to two hours and 24 minutes for its neighborhood
runs; "Battle Cry" (148 minutes), "The
Silver Chalice" (137) and "Mister Roberts"
(123). Except for "The Silver Chalice," all
of these did strong business generally.
T-wentieth Century-Fox and MGM each had
two Cinemascope pictures for release in 1955
which ran over two hom-s. They were: "The
Tall Men" (125) and "Daddy Long Legs" (126i
from 20th-Fox and "The Cobweb" (124) and
"Love Me or Leave Me" (122 1 from MGM.
United Ai'tists had "Not As a Stranger."
which ran 136 minutes.
In addition to these nine pictures over two
hours in length, there were no less than 16
other pictures which ran close to two hours
(from 110 to 119 minutes in length) Including
seven from Warner Bros., four from MGM.
two each from 20th Century-Fox and Paramount
and one from United Ai-tists.
SIX 2-HOUR FILMS IN 56
For 1956. the first four months already have
seen six features of from two houi-s to twoand-one-half
hours in length in release, including
Samuel Goldwyn's "Guys and Dolls,"
distributed by MGM (149); "The Man in the
Gray Flannel Suit," 20th-Fox (152); United
Artists' "Alexander the Great" (141); "Carousel,"
20th-Pox (128); Universal-International's
"The Benny Goodman Story" (125), and
Warner Bros.' "Serenade" (121). In addition,
there have been eight other features from
110 to 119 minutes in length, including:
United Aj-tists' "The Man With the Golden
Arm" (119); Warners' "Helen of Ti-oy" (118);
Paramount's "TTie Rose Tattoo" and MGM's
"I'll Cry Tomorrow" (117); Columbia's "Picnic"
(115); MGM's "Meet Me in Las Vegas"
(112); RKO's "The Conqueror" (111) and
MGM's "Diane" (110).
Lopert Films' "Richard III," which runs
clo.se to three hours (162 minutes) is playing
THE WINNERS—BOXOFKICE Blue
Ribbon Awards were added to their respective
collections
of kudos by those responsible
for Universal-International's
"The Benny Goodman Story" which was
selected by the National Screen Council
as the "best picture of the month for the
whole family" to go into release in February.
In the upper photo, Valentine
Davies (left), who wrote and directed,
and .Aaron Rosenberg, who produced, extend
mutual congratulations. In lower
photo is Joseph Gershenson. who was in
charge of musical supervision on the
biographical tunefilm.
a few key city reserved-seat engagements.
Other lengthy features to be released later in
1956 will include: Paramount's "War and
Peace," expected to run for three hours; 20th-
Fox's "The King and I," which may run close
to three hours; Warner Bros.' "Moby Dick"
and "Giant," both of which w'ill exceed two
and one-half hours, and Universal's "Away All
Boats," which will run over two hours.
Much
later in 1956 will come two of the longest to
date, Cecil B. DeMille's "The Ten Commandments,"
which is expected to run close to four
hours, and "Arotuid the World in 80 Days,"
in Todd-AO, which has over 40 name stars
and is expected to exceed three houi-s in
length. Allied Artists may have its first twohour
feature, William Wyler's "Friendly Persuasion"
in 1956.
Pi-evious to "The Ten Commandments," the
longest feature was "Gone With the Wind."
which kept to its three-houi-s-40-minutes
length through its several reissue engagements
since its original release in 1939. Other
lengthy pictures of the past few years included:
"The Robe," first CinemaScope picture,
which ran for two hours and 15 minutes;
De Mille's "The Greatest Show on Earth" and
"Samson and Delilah," each over two hours;
MGM's "Quo Vadis" and "Henry V" and "The
Red Shoes," both distributed by United Artists,
although both were primarily attractions
which played the art houses, where length is
not such a problem.
PLAYING ON FIRST-RUN BASIS
Samuel Goldwyn's "Guys and Dolls," which
is currently playing a record 12-day run at
Loew's metropolitan circuit also is playing
without a supporting featiu-e, the first to play
single on the Loew's circuit since "The Greatest
Show on Earth" in 1952. "Guys and
Dolls" is supported only by a Tom and Jerry
cartoon and a Pete Smith specialty, according
to Ernest Emerling, Loew's publicity head.
The RKO Theatres circuit, which has played
"A Star Is Born" and the early CinemaScope
pictui-es from 20th Century-Fox, "The Robe"
and "How to Marry a Millionaire," singly at
the time when the novelty of the word
CINEMASCOPE was an added attraction, has
made no decision as to whether "Carousel,"
the first picture in CinemaScope 55, will play
singly late in April or early in May. However.
RKO cii'cuit even coupled the 148-minute
"Battle Cry" with a supporting feature in 1955.
Exhibitors complain that the lengthy running
time of the main feature makes any
program run considerably over three hours
and decreases the turnover, as well as increases
the cost due to overtime pay for
boothmen. Many patrons are reluctant to stay
out past midnight because of transportation
difficulties at that time.
Despite these objections, the major producers
continue making "block-busters" based
on best-selling books or Broadway stage hits
and their importance as properties almost
necessitates a lengthy running time. "The
Man in the Gray Flannel Suit." "Not As a
Stranger," "Battle Cry," "The Silver Chalice"
and "The Cobweb" were made from bestselling
novels while "Oklahoma!" "Guys and
Dolls." "Carousel," "Mister Robert" and
"Daddy Long Legs" were famous Broadway
stage hits.
No Followup by Russians
On Buying U. S. Films
NEW YORK—Russian government representatives
seeking American films, who met
with him in mid-February before visiting
Spyros P. Skouras, president of 20th Century-
Fox, have not followed up their original visit,
Eric Johnston, president of the Motion Picture
Export Ass'n. said Wednesday (11).
Johnston said he had told them that approval
was up to the MPEA. He asked them
if they w'ished to buy the films, and if so
how many and at what price, but received
no answer. He said he may hear from them
again now that he has retui-ned from his
global trip.
I. N. Margolin on Cinerama BoarcJ
NEW YORK—Irving N. Margolin has been
elected a vice-president and member of the
board of directors of Cinerama Productions,
Inc. He also remains treasurer of the company.
18 BOXOFFICE
:
14, 1956

'
S''S!i".^5S^°J!^
Into Film-Buying Fund
NEW YORK— Fourteen individual pxliibitors
and exhibitor groups have invested
$1,000,000 in Continental
Distributing. Inc..
for the acquisition of
new European product,
according to Prank
. ^^^ Kassler, president, and
^^BthflP^ Walter Reade jr..
\.^7 ^-^ board chairman.
ft(a^^ Reade left April 7
V.tPi"^ for Europe in search
^•J -« of product and to arrange
for co-productions.
He said Conti-
Harold J. Salemson nental will also engage
in co-production
deals in the United States.
The money will be used for outright purchase
of films or their acquisition on a distribution
basis as well as investment in coproductions.
Continental now has completed
the basic structure of its national organization.
It has regional offices in New York.
Boston, Minneapolis, Dallas and Los Angeles.
In addition, H individual representatives are
handling the balance of territories. All are
under the direction of Kassler and Sanford
W. Weiner, general sales manager.
This week Harold J. Salemson, assistant to
tlie executive vice-president of Italian Film
Export (USAi, Inc., for the past two years,
was named sales promotion manager at the
home office of Continental in New York.
Salemson, who will work with Sheldon Guns-
centration will be given to followup key city
support for the current pictures, "The Ladykillers."
"The Night My Number Came Up"
the U. S. market.
Reade will attend the Cannes Film Festival
and visit key production centers. He will be
gone a month or five weeks and is expected
to address exhibitor groups in London and
Paris.
Martin Starr Will Greet
Variety Conventioneers
NEW YORK—Martin Starr, radio commentator
for Mutual Broadcasting System.
will greet delegates to the forthcoming 20th
annual convention of Variety Clubs International
at the Waldorf-Astoria May 9-12.
Starr will appear in a series of television and
radio programs at civic events and will participate
in newspaper interviews where he
will relate the story of Variety. Highlights of
the convention also will be discussed.
TOA Affiliates to Get
Increased Assistance
Mrs. Adolph Zukor Dies;
Leader in Charities
NEW YORK—Funeral services for Mrs.
Lottie Kaufman Zukor, 80, wife of Adolph
Zukor, chairman of the board of directors of
Paramount Pictures
Corp., were held at the
Fi-ank E. Campbell
Funeral Chiuxh Tuesday
UOi. Mrs. Zukor
died April 7 at Doctors'
Hospital following a
long illness. Pi-ivate interment
was at Mount
Hope Cemetery, Hastings-on-Hudson.
Mi-s. Zukor, a descendant
of immigrant
Hungarians, was born
in
and
Hungary
arrived
in
m
1875
the Mrs, Adolph Zukor
U. S. in 1883. In 1890, her parents moved to
Chicago and seven years later, she married
Adolph Zukor, a young fur merchant who
also had immigrated from Hungary. Two
years later, she and her husband moved to
New York, where Zukor had become interested
in the then-new development of penny
arcades and motion pictures.
From that time on, the Zukors spent their
berg, director of advertising and publicity,
lives in New York City and at their estate
will supervise the launching of campaigns on
at Mountain View Farm, Rockland County.
During her lifetime, Mrs. Zukor was deeply
all future Continental releases, coordinating
the company's advertising, publicity and exploitation
interested in charity work and was president
with its sales program. Special con-
or a member of the board of directors of more
than 20 leading charitable organizations.
Mrs. Zukor is survived, in addition to
Zukor, by a daughter, Mi-s. Mildred Zukor
and "Adorable Creatures," as well as planning
the advance campaign on the coming
Loew; a son, Eugene Zukor; five grandchildren,
E. John Zukor, Adolph Zukor II, James
picture, "The Snow Was Black."
R. Zukor, Arthur M. Loew jr. and Mrs. Boyd
Meanwhile Reade also reported that he expects
Morse; four great-grandchildren; a brother,
to reopen the Park Avenue Theatre in
Albert R. Kaufman, and three sisters.
It will be the local showcase for
the early fall.
Walter Reade Theatres and present international
product.
Continental plans to release eight films
during the year. Kassler and Reade said
one reason for the $1,000,000 investment by
exhibitors was the success of "The Ladykillers,"
net profit of $143,878.82 for the year ending
starring Alec Guinness, which they
Dec. 31, 1955, after providing for income taxes
gross more than that amount in
predict will
amounting to $52,603.68 and after a reserve
for amortization and depreciation amounting
Trans-Lux Reports '56 Net
Profit of $143,878.82
NEW YORK—Trans-Lux Corp. reported a
to $101,073.25, but before a reserve of $275,000
which has been set aside for reimbursement
of directors, including attorneys' fees, in connection
with a stockholder's
suit.
"In general," the report states, "theatre
business this past year has reflected the substantial
shortage of films being produced by
the major companies in Hollywood and
showed a downward trend. According to production
schedules, this trend is leveling off
in the year 1956, but remains at a level that is
uncomfortably low for the theatrical industry.
Because of this, your company this year has
decided to fui'ther its interests in acquiring
the distribution rights in the western hemisphere
for motion pictures produced independently
both here and abroad."
The annual meeting will be held April 26
to elect 11 directors.
NEW YORK—The major objective of exhibitors
now is to get more people into their
theatres and he will do everything possible
in that way to aid membei-s of Theatre
Owners of America, Claude C. Mundo, newly
appointed TOA administrative assistant to
President Myron N. Blank, said Wednesday
nil. He called for enthusiastic showmanship.
Mundo specifically outlined his duties as
assistance to TOA affiliates in organization
work and in arranging their conventions
when requested, and in working on preparations
for the TOA national convention and
tradeshow here September 19-25.
He will also work on TOA membership and
financing, but has not been asked to handle
exhibitor complaints on trade practices with
the distributors, with whom he has no contacts,
he said. He added, however, that if
Blank assigned him to approach dLstribution,
he would, of course, do so. He was doubtful
about playing any part in promoting TOA
public relations.
Mundo said Blank had not laid out any
set schedule for him, preferring to give him
time to study the TOA organization. He has
been out of show business for several years,
but is glad to return. He reminisced about
his early days as an exhibitor. He was a charter
member of the original American Theatres
Ass'n, forerunner of TOA, and later a member
of the TOA board and president of the
Independent Theatre Owners of Arkansas.
He will work closely with Joseph G. Alterman,
headquarters manager.
Herman M. Levy, general counsel, will be
TOA spokesman, he said, during the absence
in Europe of Blank and Walter Reade jr.,
past president. E. D. Martin, board chairman,
is scheduled to leave for Europe soon.
Asked if he would have contacts with Abram
F. Myers, board chairman and general counsel
of National Allied, Mundo said he had
not seen Myers in a long time and doubted
if Myers would remember him.
Claude and Mrs. Mundo arrived the first
of the week and are seeking an apartment.
George Gobel's Promotion
Tour Extended for Film
NEW YORK—Boston, Philadelphia, Washington,
Detroit and Denver have been added
to George Gobel's promotion tour for his first
film, "The Birds and the Bees." The enlarged
tour now will take in 11 cities to be visited
during April and May and more cities may be
added later.
The tour began in San Antonio April 11,
where the picture opened at the Majestic,
and continued to Houston, where it opened
April 12. Dates in Dallas April 13 and Fort
Worth April 14 followed. The New^ York
opening will be at the Paramount May 4. In
every city, the TV-film star will make three
stage appearances.
WB Dividend Declared
NEW YORK—Warner Bros, directors Monday
(9 1 voted a dividend of 30 cents a share
on the common stock, payable May 5 to stockholders
of record Friday (20).
BOXOFFICE 19

SCIENCE-FI
rilRRIFYING suspense
as superhuman monster and
monstrous beast run amok!
I EltRIFIC action
limed at audiences
)f all ages... weelt
ifter week for 15
consecutive weeks!
ttI
f^^'h'
CAMPAIGN BC

m1^
i^tU,
fv'
THE
i
M soen Pby b) SHERMAN LOWE am WHL COEE Mm • b)
RUDOEPH C. FE01H0W • M«i
>K HELPS YOU SELL IT mr

•
Third Cinerama Entry
In Enthusiastic Debut
WdND|K?|
Arriving for the premiere of "Seven Wonders of the World" at the Warner Theatre
in New York are, left to right: S. H. Fabian, president of Stanley Warner; Lowell
Thomas, producer of "Seven Wonders"; Sam Rosen, Cinerama executive vicepresident,
and Hazard E. Reeves, Cinerama president.
By J. M. JERAULD
NEW YORK—"Seven Wonders of the
World," the thh-d Cinerama production, was
given its premiere at the Warner Theatre
Tuesday (10) before an enthralled audience.
by a 15-minute in-
For two hours, relieved
termission, the spectators rounded the globe
on a magic carpet, and during most of the
It is said that "This Is Cinerama." the first
production in the three-camera medium, has
gro.ssed $40,000,000 since it was released Sept.
30, 1952. It still has a long way to go, because
even now Cinerama is showing in only 23
theatres in the world but there are plans for
adding many more to the list both here and
abroad. The gross on the second production.
"Cinerama Holiday," which ran 60 weeks in
the New York Warner Theatre, has not
been published as yet.
Some future historian of the business may
classify Cinerama as the eighth wonder of
the world. Aside from being a gold mine in
itself it has been responsible for all the widescreen
developments in the past four years.
Openings of "Seven Wonders of the World"
are scheduled shortly in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia
and Dallas.
Portable Cinerama equipment has been
fidelity Reeves sound system. Prosper Buranelli
and William Lip.scomb, British playwright,
aided in sequence and story development.
Representatives of many of the 42 countries
that were visited during a year of traveling
with the cameras attended the opening
of the Stanley Warner pre.sentation.
Asks RKO Theatres
To Take Arcade Co.
NEW YORK—Stockholders of RKO Theatres
Corp. will be asked to transfer 1,043,-
706 shares of the company's stock to the
Cleveland Arcade Co. in exchange for all the
Arcade assets at a meeting to be held May 8.
This meeting will take the place of the annual
meeting which was to have been held
this month.
Cleveland Arcade is one of a group of diversified
companies which Albert A. List,
chairman of the RKO Theatres board, controls.
It owns 84.4 per cent of the outstanding
common of Gera Corp., which, in turn,
controls companies engaged in textile finishing
and weaving, electronics manufacturing
and varied real estate operations.
List acquired practical control of RKO Theatres
in November 1953 after David J. Greene
had been trying to get control of the company
for several months. At that time there
were 3,914,900 shares of common outstanding.
Since then the total has been reduced to
3.219.336 shares, exclusive of 111,600 shares
held in the treasury for retirement in 1955
and 583,977 shares in 1954.
During the period in which List has been
m control the total of theatres operated by
the company has been reduced to 83. of which
78 are operated and five are lea.sed to others.
At the time of List's purchase of 929,020
shares from Howard Hughes his holdings represented
27
per cent of the total.
RKO Signs R. A. Klune
To New Studio Post
HOLLYWOOD—In line with its expanded
To Re-Release 'Open City'
NEW YORK—"Open City." the Italian film
which introduced Anna Magnani to the
American public in 1946, will be re-released
by Joseph Burstyn. Inc. in the spring. The
picture had a record 91-week run at the World
Theatre, longest for any foreign film.
BOXOFFICE
;
April 14. 1956

Loew's Board Holds
First Studio Confab
HOLLYWOOD—Marking the first time in
the company's history that its
board has met
at its production center, the directorate of
Loew's, Inc.. held it,s quarterly meeting Thursday
and Fi-iday (12, 13 1 at the MGM studios
m Culver City. The session was held to create
a closer understanding and working relationship
between MGM's production and distribution
executives.
Ten directors, headed by Ai'thur M. Loew.
president, attended. The others included
George A. Brownell. attorney, partner in
Davis, Polk, Wardwell, Sunderland & Kiendl;
Howai-d Dietz, Loew's vice-president in charge
of advertising, publicity and exploitation;
F. Joseph Holleran, vice-pi-esident of the First
National City Bank of New York: Charles J.
Stewart, general partner in Lazard Fi-eres:
Paul E. Manheim, general partner in Lehman
Bros.: Charles C. Moskowitz, Loew's vicepresident
and trea-siuer: William A. Parker,
chairman of the board of Incorporated Investors;
Charles M. Reagan, Loew's vicepresident
in charge of sales, and John L.
Sullivan, attorney, a partner in the firms of
Sullivan & Wynot and Sullivan, Bernard,
Shea & Kenney.
Accompanying the visitors from New York
were Benjamin Melniker, Loew's vice-president,
and Irving Greenfield, secretary.
They were welcomed at the studio by Dore
Schary, in charge of production, who expressed
the hope that there will be "meetings
like this in the future which will give an
opportunity to all concerned to understand
and discuss problems of production in the
home environment of studio activity."
Joining Schary in extending greetings were
studio executives E. J. Mannix, Ben Thau and
J. J. Cohn. The directors were taken on a
tour of the lot and visited the set of the
first MGM production in 65mm, "Raintree
County." During their stay they also went
on the set of "Tea and Sympathy," inspected
various departments, and discussed promotion
plans on upcoming films including "Lust
for Life," "Bhowani Junction," "The Rack,"
'Tribute to a Bad Man," "The Swan," "The
Fastest Gun Alive," "High Society" and
'Somebody Up There Likes Me."
Higher Remittance Rates
Allowed by the Japanese
TOKYO—Tlie Japanese government has
made substantial concessions in film remittance
rates for the fiscal year which began
April 1 as the result of recent negotiations
conducted here by &ic Johnston, president
of the Motion Picture Export Ass'n. The rate
for MPEA member companies has risen from
14 to 22 per cent, meaning a considerable decrea.se
in blocked funds.
MPEA companies will be allotted 102.09
import licenses. They can divide them among
themselves according to a formula now being
completed if they act before an April 30 deadline.
If they do not act by then, the Japanese
government will impose allocations.
To Show 'Animal World'
NEW YORK—Warner Bros.' "The Animal
World," produced and directed by Irwin Allen
in Technicolor, will be nationally tradeshown
April 18. The picture will be nationally distributed
June 23.
$30,000,000 Budgeted
For 14 20th-Fox Films
Spyros Skouras. 'JOth Century-Fox
president, is shown joining top executives
for luncheon during the studio conferences
last week.
In upper photo are Buddy Adler, left,
executive producer; Skouras, Lew
Schreiber, executive manager, and VVilham
Gehring, executive assistant to
Skouras.
In lower photo are Sid Rogell, left, executive
production manager, and Pete
Myers, divisional sales chief for Canada.
HOLLYWOOD—A budget of more than
$30,000,000 has been set by 20th Century-
Fox for 14 features which will be completed
or in production by the end of June, it was
announced at the company's sales meeting at
the studio late last week.
"This production spurt is within the framework
of the $100,000,000 program announced
at the beginning of the year." Spyros Skouras.
president, told the gathering of division sales
managers from throughout the United States
and Canada.
Buddy Adler. executive producer, who was
introduced at a special luncheon, said. "We
promised the exhibitor more and better product
at the start of the year, and by giving
them what they want—Cinemascope perfection
in a quantity that will afford a steady
stream of product—we feel that the future
of our business must pay off."
Alex Harrison, newly appointed general
sales manager, sounded one keynote when he
asked exhibitors to display the same type of
"inspirational salesmanship" which helped to
build the industry. Those days of hard selling
Corp.
must retui'n, he said, if the trade is to The Einfeld plan is to presell each attrac-
be kept "strong and healthy."
tion months and perhaps as much as a year
Skouras outlined specific campaigns for before release. He will meet first in Paris
some of the pictures soon to be released by with Ingrid Bergman and Anatole Litvak.
Buddy
the company, stressing the huge advertising star and director of "Anastasia." a
and exploitation budgets assigned for "The Adler production to be made in Paris. Berlin.
Copenhagen and London this summer. Wliile
Sixth of June," and Rodgers and Hammerstein's
"The King and I," the second picture
made in CinemaScope 55.
In regard to "The King and I," Skouras
said, "We are giving the exhibitor this second
55mm Cinemascope attraction—one of
the biggest budgeted musicals in history—in
regular prints and scheduling the release for
the Fourth of July so that this great attraction
w^ill be available at the height of
the season."
The exceptional exploitation budget earmarked
for "The Sixth of June" will be tied
in with a national release date over the
Decoration Day weekend.
The 14 pictures scheduled to go before the
cameras in the next three months are:
"Bus Stop." "The Last Wagon," "One in a
Million." "The Day the Century Ended."
"The Best Things in Life Are Free." "Solo."
"Anastasia," "A Room Full of Roses." "Bernadine,"
"Boy on a Dolphin," "The Wayw'ard
Bus," "Can Can," "The Chasanow Story"
and "Iris."
Einleld Goes to Europe
To Plan Wide Promotion
NEW YORK—Charles Einfeld. vice-president
of 20th Century-Fox. flew to Paris Friday
1131
promotion on an international scale of six
major CinemaScope productions, five of which
will be filmed in Europe. He will also meet
to start long-range plaruiing for the
with European industry leaders and executives
of the 20th Century-Fox International
there he also will develop plans for "Can
Can." to be filmed entirely in Paris, and
"Boy on a Dolphin." a Samuel G. Engel production
to be filmed in Greece.
After attending the Cannes Film Festival,
Einfeld will meet in London with producer
Andre Hakim on "Sea Wyf" and "The Black
Wings," two Sumar productions to be started
later in the year.
Einfeld also will add publicity personnel to
the current foreign staff. He will return to
New York in about three weeks.
BOXOFFICE April 14. 1956 23

Paramount
Spring
Torrent
Of
Hits
IS SENDING
GROSSES
SOARING TO
NE>AA HIGHS
i
Z^IMYTHING
Starnng
(^OES
^
bing(^;^crosby
donald ^o'connor
JEANMAIRE^#
MITZI^GAYNOR
PHIL^HARRIS
vistaVision and technicolor
Music and Lyncs by Cole Porter . Produced by Robert Emmett Dole
Directed by Robert Lewis • Screen Story and Screen Play by
Sidney Sheldon • From the Play by Guy Boston and P.G. Wodehous
(Revised by Howard Lindsay < Russel Cn
Five magnetic stars singing great
Cole Porter tunes -in the picture that's
delighting the crowds from coast to coast.
OHMART
TOMi^TRYON ^-
9'
NAT "KING" COLE
Produced and Directed by Michael Curtiz
JODY V^id^LANVRANCE
Screen Play by Rip Van Ronkel. Frank Tashlin an
John Meredyth Lucas
vistaVision
Showmen, here's the answer to your
S.O.S. for new talent. Three Michael Curtiz
star-discoveries in a chiller of a thriller.

^ ^^ .^
Grace Kelly
THE
GEORGE GOBEL
MITZI GAYNOR AYr
starring
DAVID^^^NIVEN
vistaVision and technicolor
Co-starring
REGINALD GARDINER • FRED CLARK
Produced by Paul Jones
Directed by Nornnan Taurog
Screen Play by
Sidney Sheldon and Preston Sturges
Based on a Story by Monckton Hoffe
George Gobel's boxofflce tour of selected
first dates is building up nationwide interest
— while the title song soars to popularity.
Todays Headline Star
IN 4 Top Pictures
a Perlberg-Seaton Production • Starring BING CROSBY
GRACE KELLY • WILLIAM HOLDEN • Produced by
VA^illiam Perlberg • Written for the Screen and Directed
by George Seaton • From the Play by Clifford Odets
ALFRED HITCHCOCK'S
TO CATCH A THIEF
Starring
CARY GRANT and GRACE KELLY • with Jessie Royce Landis
John Williams • Directed by Alfred Hitchcock • Screen Play
by John Michael Hayes • Based on the Novel by David Dodge
vistaVision and technicolor
ALFRED HITCHCOCK'S
THE [Leather
^aint/
starring
^gjj,
PAUL^^DOUGLAS
JOHN c^ DEREK
JODYi^^' LANA/RANCE
CESAR t-^ ROMERO
starring ERNEST TRUEX . RICHARD SHANNON • with Ricky Vera
Produced by Norman Retchin • Directed by Alvin Ganzer
Story and Screen Play by Norman Retchin and Alvin Ganzer
vistaVision
This one's dating fast! Word is out
that it's a "Going My Way" type of story,
headed for the same type of business.
Starring JAMES STEWART • Co-starring GRACE KELLY
WENDELL COREY • THELMA RITTER • with Raymond Burr
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock • Screen Play by John Michael
Hayes • Based on the Short Story by Cornell Woolrich
TECHNICOLOR
JAMES A. MICHENER'S
Perlberg-Seaton Production • Starring WILLIAM HOLDEN
GRACE KELLY • FREDRIC MARCH • MICKEY ROONEY
with Robert Strauss • Charles McGraw • Keiko Awaji
Produced by William Perlberg and George Seaton
directed by Mark Robson • Screen Play by Valentine Davies
From the Novel by James A. Michener
TECHNICOLOR
AND
save that Decoration Day date for
ALFRED HITCHCOCK'S
DdNEW "TToo R^IUCH
vistaVision and technicolor
starring
JAMES STEWART • DORIS
Directed by ALFRED HITCHCOCK
Screenplay by JOHN MICHAEL HAYES
Based on a Story by Charles Bennett and D. B Wyndham-Lewis
DAY

, .
'Carousel' (20th-Fox) Is Winner
Of March Blue Ribbon Award
By VELMA WEST SYKES
^JTINNER of the March BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon Awaj-d is the rollicking fantasj
"Carousel." with which 20th Century-Fox introduced its Cinemascope 55 process
Thii film version of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, based on Ferenc Molnar's
classic "Liliom," was able to add unusual color spectacle to the poignant story of a braggart
barker whose tender love for the gentle Julie made him ashamed of his inadequate
prevision for her welfare and happiness. His tragic end has a sequel when he is allowed
to return to earth to help his young daughter. Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones play
Ihf leads with singular charm and the dancing has carnival gaiety and sparkle.
This is the fourth time the Liliom story adult situations.
has appeared on the screen, MGM made a Comments from NSC members on their
silent called "A Trip to Paradise" in 1921 of postcard ballots included these:
the Benjamin F. Glazer adaptation originally
pioduced by the Theatre Guild. Bert was an easy decision.—Sawyer Falk, Syra-
"Carousel" wins by a country mile. Mine
Lvtell was the star. Then Pox produced it cuse (N. Y.) University ... A really fine
in 1930 under its own title, starring Charles movie with lovely music, authoritative performances
and exhilerating dances. It is a
Fan el and Rose Hobart, with Frank Borzage
dnecting. The same company released
m 1935 the film produced in France by Erich
Pommei directed by Fi-itz Lang and starring
Chai les Boyer with Madeleine Ozeray,
BOXOFFICE carried a feature review in
.
"Carousel" wins my vote for the wonderful
Its issue of February 18 which said in part;
The tale has many moving moments and a music, exuberant choreography of Rod
quality which endears it to women patrons, Alexander, singing of Gordon MacRae,
w ho w ill shed tears at its touching finale. In Shu-ley Jones. Barbara Ruick—and delightful
addition to the Maine backgrounds of sailboats
scenery.—Mark Nichols, Coronet Maga-
and a rocky coast, which have teiTific zine.
eve appeal.' and the half-dozen .songs, which "Carousel" is topys in every way and will no
will be familiar to everyone, the highlights doubt be with us for a number of weeks.
include some of the best and most original Dean Burnett, Indianapolis Group, NSC
choreography, by Rod Alexander, seen on "Carousel" is good entertainment. 'Vance
the screen to date ..."
Chandler, Authenticated News Service,
At the boxoffice, key city reports on first
"Carousel" impressed me the
Hollywood . . .
runs show a gross of 232 per cent of average
business and it was still doing better than
most with its unforgettable Maine water
average business in its sixth week at the
Roxy in New York City. National Screen
Council members select the Blue Ribbon winner
on the basis of its quality and its suitability
for the whole family to see together.
Certainly there is entertainment in it which
appeals to all ages and Henry King's direction
showed taste and delicacy in handling
milestone for Hollywood.—Harold L. Call.
Portland (Me.) Press Herald-Express ... A
wonderful picture—it has everything.—Mrs
Emory W. Cowley, State Council of Women,
scenes, the feeling of depth, colors and lovely
songs made an exoellent picture.—Mrs. Paul
Gebhart, Cleveland Cinema Club.
This is why I say it is for the whole family:
My 4-year-old daughter enjoyed it
immensely. In fact, she would like to see
it three or four more times.—Mrs. Ruth
Thomas, American Legion Auxiliary, Glendale,
Calif.
Gordon MacRae
Billy
Julie
Shirley Jones
Jigger
Cameron Mitchell
Carrie Barbara Ruick
Cousin Nettie
Claramae Turner
Mr. Snow
Robert Rounseville
Starkeeper
Gene Lockhart
The Cast
Production Staff
Mrs. Mullin
Audrey Christie
Louise
Susan Luckey
Heavenly Friend William Le Massena
Mr. Bascombe
John Dehner
Louise's Dancing Partner
Jacques D'Amboise
Captain Watson Frank Tweddell
Executive Producer Darryl F. Zanuck Color Consultant
Leonard Doss
Produced by
Henry Ephron Director of Photography
Directed by
Henry King
Charles G. Clarke. A.S.C
Screeiiplay by Phoebe Ephron. Art Direction Lyle R. Wheeler
Henry Ephron
Jack Martin Smiti.
Music by
Richard Rodgers Set Decorations Walter M. Scott
Book and Lyrics by..Oscar Hammerstein II
Chester Bayhi
Choreography by Rod Alexander Special Photographic Effects
Music Supervised and Conducted by
Ray Kellogg
Alfred Newman Film Editor William Reynolds, A.C.E
Associate
Ken Darby Wardrobe Direction Charles Le Maire
Orchestration Edward B. Powell. Costumes Designed by Mary Wills
Herbert Spencer, Earle Hagen, Nelson Assistant Director Stanley Hough
Riddle, Bernard Mayers, Gus Levene Sound
Bernard Freericks,
Color by
De Luxe
Harry M. Leonard

''Highest Rating! Impact
and suspense!"
-N. y. DAILY NEWS
'A-1 movie! Absorbing!
Fascinating! Powerful!"
-N. Y. DAILY MIRROR
"Powerful stuff! Highly
dramatic!" -boxoffice
'Powerful drama!"
-N. y. TIMES
'Should be a top
boxoffice grosser!"
-HARRISON'S REPORTS
'Fine picture
making!
Intensely
gripping!"
-VARIETY
SET THE
"PATTERN
'Superior!"
-n.y.post
'Excellent! Emotionally
powerful!"
-SHOWMEN'S T. R.
VAN HEFLIN
TTS RW
...OF ROWER!
and featuring
Sk
EVEREH SLOANE- ED BEGLEY • BEATRICE STRAIGHT • ELIZABETH WILSON
Original & Screenplay by Rod Serling
• Director of Photograptiy Boris Kaufman, AS.C. • Directed by Fielder Cook
m
Produced by Michael Myerberg
A Jed Harris & Michael Myerberg Presentation

Grace Kelly and Alec Guinness, at left, are starred in MGM's "The Swan" with,
from the left, Jessie Royce Landis, Brian Aheme and Louis Jourdan featured.
FEATURE REVIEW
'The Swan'
Mefro-Goldwyn-Mayer
By FRANK LEYENDECKER
THE most publicized girl in the world, Grace
Kelly, has an ideal setting for her cool
blonde regal beauty in this leisurely, yet interest-holding,
romantic drama. With Miss
Kelly on every important magazine cover and
in news headhnes almost daily through her
forthcoming marriage to Prince Rainier of
Monaco, this MGM picture is being released
at a time when practically every feminine
moviegoer, and many of the males, will want
to see the star at her best—as she is in this
film.
Add to these tremendous values, the first
Hollywood film appearance of Alec Guinness,
the handsome appeal of Louis Jourdan and a
hand-picked cast of outstanding character
players—and the result should be one of the
year's boxoffice winners.
The comedy-drama by Ferenc Molnar.
which was a stage success starring Eva Le
Gallienne, a silent film and then an early
talkie starring Lillian Gish in 1930. retains its
charm and basic appeal to the ladies in this
CinemaScope-Eastman Color version. MGM is
not trading on Miss Kelly's current news
headlines, except for the ad-line "The Love
Story of a Princes.?," but exhibitors fortunate
to play it when news of the April 18 royal
wedding is fresh should benefit enormously
from the reams of publicity.
Lavishly produced by Dore Schary with
many of the scenes photogi-aphed on a palatial
estate in North Carolina, the picture has
been .splendidly directed by Charles Vidor,
who retains the old world, mythical kingdom
atmosphere of the original play but adds many
delightful satirical and comedy touches. Many
of these amusing bits are contributed by Alec
Guinness, as the very eligible Prince Albert
who prefers sleep or play rather than paying
attention to the beautiful princess Alexandra,
and by Estelle Winwood (remembered from'
"The Glass Slipper") who is engagingly pixillated
as Aunt Symphorosa, who "hates the
20th Century."
Miss Kelly plays the sedate young princess
with the proper dignity and poignancy while
Jourdan is da.shing and hot-headed as the
tutor who falls in love with her. Jessie Royce
Landis, as Miss Kelly's voluble, excitable
mother, and Agnes Moorehead, as Albert's
domineering Queen Mother, add their expert
histrionics and Brian Aheme has several
fine dramatic scenes as the understanding
Father Hyacinth, but he also makes the
character an intensely himiian and likable
one. Even two of the smaller roles, the palace
majordomo and the Prince's aide, are in the
expert hands of Leo G. Carroll and Robert
Coote, both of them fine actors.
The story all takes place in a castle in
Hungary in 1908, where an impoverished
Princess Jessie Royce Landis) elated that
f is
the future King, Prince Albert (Alec Guinness)
Ls to pay her a visit to meet her eligible
daughter (Grace Kelly). The young princess,
a shy but lovely girl, is instructed to play up
to the Prince but, when he arrives, he spends
more time sleeping and playing with the two
boy princes than paying attention to Grace.
On the night of the farewell ball, Jessie decides
to use her boys' handsome tutor, Louis
Jourdan, as a tool to pay court to Grace
and thus arouse the Prince's jealousy. But
Jourdan is really in love with Grace and she
falls in love with him. The scheme almost
backfires, but Grace is made to realize that
she cannot marry a commoner and the Prince
finally notices that the lovely girl is like a
graceful swan—an ideal future Queen.
MGM Presents
"THE SWAN"
In Cinemascope. Photographed in Eastman Color.
Ratio: 2.55-1
Running Time: 112 Minutes.
THE CREDITS
Directed by Chorles Vidor. Produced by Dore
Schary. Screenplay by John Dighton, From the
play "The Swan" by Ferenc Molnar, Music by
Bronislau Kaper. Directors of photography
Joseph Ruttenberg and Robert Surtees. Art Directors,
Cedric Gibbons ond Randall Duell Set
Decorations, Edwin B. Willis and Henry Grace.
Color Consultant, Charles K. Hogedon, Women's
costumes by Helen Rose. Film Editor, John Dunning.
Recording supervisor. Dr. Wesley C. Miller.
Assistont director, RIdgeway Callow. Hair styles
by Sydney Guilaroff. Makeup created by William
Tuttle.
THE CAST
Princess Alexandre
Grace Kelly
Alec Guinness
Prince Albert
Dr. Nicholas Agi Louis Jourdan
Queen Maria Dominika Agnes Moorehead
Priricess Beatrix Jessie Royce Landis
Father Hyacinth Brian Aheme
Symphorosa Estelle Winwood
Cesar Leo G. Carroll
Captain Wunderlich
Robert Coote
and Van Dyke Parks, Doris Lloyd, Christopher
Cook and Edith Barrett.
UPA Buys Old Cartoons
From Columbia for TV
NEW YORK—-United Productions of America,
producers of "Mr. Magoo" and other cartoons
for Columbia release, has purchased
the TV rights to these old cartoons from Columbia
for use on a new UPA program for
the CBS-TV network in the fall of 1956. However,
UPA wUl continue to make new "Mr.
Magoo" cartoons for Columbia release, according
to Steve Bosustow, president of UPA.
Purchase price of the old UPA cartoons
was $200,000 and at least 26 of these will be
shown during the 52-week TV program. Each
half-hour program will also consist of two
six-minute featurettes and several threeminute
segments, all cartoon style. It will be
the first all-cartoon TV program. Disney's TV
program is part cartoon and part live-action.
The TV program will have an advertising cost
of $1,638,000 annually, Bosustow said.
UPA is currently producing the TV featurettes
at its Burbank Studios in California
and has 78 finished and 20 more in the planning
stages. The studio also is continuing to
make cartoons for theatre release, as well as
TV spot commercials and industrial and educational
films, according to Bosustow.
The revenue from TV commercials exceeds
that of the revenue from theatre cartoons by
four to one, according to Ernest Scanlon, UPA
vice-president and treasurer.
Schwalberg Will Handle
Sales for Gold Medal
NEW YORK—Artists-Producers Associates
will supervise all sales, distribution and advertising
activities of Gold Medal Productions,
organized several weeks ago to produce features
and special subjects for theatres.
A. W. Schwalberg, president of APA, has
been elected a member of the board of Gold
Medal, of which Martin H. Poll is president
and William B. Jaffe general counsel. Gold
Medal will release through the major disti'ibuting
companies. Schwalberg said he had
reached an agreement in principle with at
least one company.
Poll said Gold Medal will draw on television
for talent and techniques to supplement
its motion picture personnel. Creative
talent will receive a share in the profits in
addition to normal or required minimum salaries.
The company owns some commercial
properties and is seeking others. While current
activities will be directed at the theatre,
TV is not excluded from consideration
later. Poll said.
Schwalberg was formerly president of Paramount
Film Distributing Corp. Poll was executive
producer of Theatre Network Television.
He also has produced films. The two companies
will .

7Va^Ai«tfto*i
a NEW way of technically determining
whether a corporation, or its parent company,
qualifies for National Labor Relation
Board jui-isdiction, under its own rules, has
been unveiled by a trial examiner of the
NLRB. This new way likely is going to be
pleasing to employers, but it undoubtedly
will be used by the unions to implement their
belief that the NLRB, in effect, has become
an instrument of the employers since the
Eisenhower administration took office.
The case involved the Hollywood Theatre in
Portland, Ore., whose labor policies are set
by Evergreen State Amusement Corp.. although
the corporation itself is controlled by
its parent, National Theatres.
The trial examiner's decision, upheld by the
NLRB, was to dismiss the case, because
Evergreen is not a chain grossing more than
$10,000,000 a year, and, therefore under the
NLRB's new rules adopted last year, is not
subject to NLRB jurisdiction. Incidentally,
there has been quite a bit of labor union
opposition to the new rules themselves.
Labor unions have pointed out that Montgomery
Wai-d, Sears, or even big industrial
companies, could set up dummy corporations
to operate each of their local outlets, or farflung
subsidiaries, and, no matter how much
business the parent company does, no part
of it would be subject to NLRB jurisdiction,
because the various dummy corporations controlling
each unit would not be doing $10,-
000,000 worth of business.
The trial examiner, in this case, said that
Evergreen, not National Theatres, its parent,
sets the labor policies for the chain, and
that Evergreen does not gross $10,000,000
annually.
Tlie NLRB general counsel (charged with
enforcing the act), had contended that National
Theatres set all the management policies
of the chains it controls. Exceptions were
filed to the examiner's decision, which then
went to the full NLBB. Two NLRB member.s—both
Democrats—dissented from the
decision.
In his original decision, the trial examiner,
William E. Spencer, cited as support for his
ruling a case that won plenty of labor union
condemnation last year, just as the instant
case probably will. It involved the Florida
State Theatres, Inc., in which the NLRB refused
to take jurisdiction over a number of
Florida Theatres, although they were owned
by corporations which, in tui-n, were wholly
owned subsidiaries of American Broadcasting-Paramount
Theatres, which does far more
than $10,000,000 business annually. The board
held that the theatres were "managed locally"
and that there was no "operational integration,"
although union spokesmen and the
union press ridiculed this, pointing out that
the control of all the corporations, and theatres
in them, clearly led to American Broadcasting-Paramount
Theatres and that this
is the same as saying that the president of a
company has no control over the janitors.
In the Oregon case just decided, a worker
filed unfair labor practice charges against
Local 159 of the International Alliance of
Theatre Stage Employes, in cormection with
employment at the Hollywood Theatre.
-0-0-0-
THE charges that this is a "do nothing"
Congress, being heard with increasing
^cfrcnt
By LARSTON D. FARRAR
vigor from White House and Cabinet circles,
are serving to arouse the Democratic leadership
to some extent from the legislative
lethargy that seemed to be a characteristic
of the first part of this session.
The Democrats respond, "Wait and see,"
when greeted with charges that this is a "do
nothing" Democi-atic-controlled body.
The chant of the Republicans may backfire
against them. The Democrats may take action
that will cause loud bleats of pain, and
even some cries of "politics," to roll across
the Mall.
The Democrats, for instance, likely will
drive through the social security amendments
legislation, which the Eisenhower administration
(With the help of the U. S. Chamber
of Commerce) now is fighting actively. This
passed the House of Representatives by a
whopping vote last year, but has languished
in Senate committee, due mostly to administration
and business pressure.
The Democrats, too, may start out reducing
excises right and left, giving relief not
only to the motion picture industry, but to
other groups that have been exerting pressure
for either repeal of specific excises,
or drastic
reduction.
On the movie excise taxes. Representative
Noah Mason (R. 111.) and many another rambunctious
Republican, will join with the Democrats
to reduce, or repeal, the tax.
Since Secretary of the Treasury George M.
Humphrey maintains such reduction of an
excise tax would open up "a pandora's box"
of reductions for many groups, it is evident
that the Republican White House is hoping
the Congress will "do nothing" about excises.
The same thing is true on many another
legislative project. The Republicans—who
actually want the Democrats to "do nothing"
—nevertheless are using the "do nothing"
theme against the Democrats. Could this be
political?
Actually, something even more signifisant
than the Republican jibes is driving the
Democrats on toward a body of legislation
before Congress adjourns—and that may not
be as quickly as some have thought. A
Presidential election is up ahead and the
Democrats have hopes of winning it, whoever
their candidate may be. A lot of them are
determined to put through several bills important
to specific voter-groups in order to
brighten their chances.
•THE Small Business Administration, which
is the administration's answer to Democratic
charges that this is a big business administration,
continues to announce an unusually
large amount of loans to small businesses.
There were no new regular loans to motion
picture firms in the latest batch announced
here, but several disaster loans that previously
had been revealed. One wa.s a disaster
loan of $192,000 to the Watertown
Drive-In Theatre of Waterbury, Conn., and
others were to the State Tlieatre of Torrington.
Conn., for $10,000; the Kenmike Theatre
of Waterbury, Conn., for $5,000 and the
Strand Theatre of Winsted, Conn., for $40,000.
Wendell B. Barnes, SBA director, has reported
"a steady improvement in the position
of small business, as smaller firms con-
CALENDARiEVENTS
APRIL

. . James
. . Richard
'i^oUcfCi/KMd ^cfiont
George Pal Buys Novel
With Mexican Locale
Adding another property to the independent
schedule which he plans under the banner
of his newly formed Galaxy Pictures, filmmaker
George Pal acquired "Yesterday." a
novel by Jose Luis Morales about the pre-
historic era in Mexico. Pal intends to shoot
it on location south of the border . . . MGM
picked up a galloper, "Tlie Mystery of Misty
Creek," a Saturday Evening Post novelette by
Marvin DeVries. It will be produced for the
studio by Nicholas Nayfack . . Also in the
sagebrusher category is a Columbia purchase,
"The White Squaw," a novel by
Larabie Sutter. The opus is being scripted
by Les Savage jr. and has a May 15 starting
date with Wallace MacDonald as the producer
. B. Harris and Stanley Kubrick,
who have a United Artists releasing
commitment, acquii-ed "Love in a Dry Season."
a novel by Shelby Foote. Kubrick will
do the screenplay and direct, and Harris will
function as the producer.
George Murphy to Cannes
For the Film Festival
Short takes from the sound stages; George
Murphy, head of MGM public relations, will
be the official U. S. government representative
at the ninth international film festival
in Cannes. France, which begins Monday (23
. . . H. Lee Van Hoozer, who has been assistant
secretary and assistant treasurer of C. V.
Whitney Pictures since its formation 17
months ago, has been given added duties with
his appointment as executive aide to Merian
C. Cooper, vice-president and production
Samuel Goldwyn jr. boosted Richard
C. Brown, his assistant for the past two
years, to a vice-presidency of Goldwyn's Formasa
Productions . . . Following the completion
of editing on "Friendly Persuasion,"
which he produced and directed for Allied
Artists, William Wyler will leave for London
Lon Chaney Life Story
To Be on U-l Agenda
Old-timers will recall with a touch of
nostalgia two of the silent screen's outstanding
horror classics, "The Hunchback
of Notre Dame" and "The Phantom
of the Opera." a pair of the late Lon
Chaney's greatest successes, both filmed
under the Universal banner.
There's a sense of appropriate logic,
therefore, in the disclosure that Universal-International—on
which valley lot
the cathedral set for "Hunchback" still
stands, and where the stage housing the
giant theatre used in "Opera" is known
as the "Phantom" stage—has arranged to
produce "The Man of a Thousand Faces,"
Chaney's life story.
The property originally was packaged
by Ralph Wheelwright, MGM public relations
executive, who wrote it, and
James Cagney, who will essay the part
of Chaney.
By
IVAN SPEAR
in June to work with British writer Bridget
Boland on the script of "L'Aiglon." based on
the play by Rostand, which will be Wyler's
next Independent venture. He will make it
in Europe . Egan took a day off
from his starring assignment in RKO Radio's
"Tension at Table Rock" to plane to Omaha
Tuesday (10). where he was a guest of honor
and keynote speaker at the Omaha Community
Playhouse banquet, marking the opening
of its fund-raising drive.
Allied Artists Drops Plans
To Co-Produce 'Medic'
One TV-to-feature-films liaison dropped
by the wayside when Allied Artists disclo.sed it
has abandoned plans for a co-production
liaison on "Medic," slated as a full-length
version of the weekly video show. The property,
scripted by James Moser and listing
Worthington Minor and Fi-ank La Tourette
as producers, will be submitted elsewhere.
There was no indication from AA as to its
decision to withdraw.
Meantime, however, AA reaffirmed its partnership
arrangement on another televisionspawned
project, "Racket Squad," which is
now set for a May start under the aegis of
Hal Roach jr. with AA participating in the
financing and scheduled to handle distribu-
It will be produced by Owen Crump and
tion.
will have Reed Hadley. star of the video
series, in the stellar role.
George Jessel to Produce
Jointly With War-wick
Here and there in the Hollywoodlands:
Under the banner of Warwick Pictiu-es, which
has a multiple-film releasing commitment
with Columbia, George Jessel is going to produce
"An Englishman in Las Vegas," starring
Norman Wisdom, one of England's ciu'-
rent top-ranking comedians. Warwick, headed
by Irving Allen and A. R. Broccoli, will lens
the musical comedy partly on location in the
Nevada spa and partly in London . . . The
Associates & Aldrich Co., independent unit
masterminded by producer-director Robert
Aldrich. will be the bankroller and coproducer
of "Tlie Ride Back." an Anthony
Quinn starrer w-hich will be made by a group
composed of William Conrad. Allan Miner and
Anthony Ellis. Being aimed for an early
camera start, the galloper will be directed by
Miner from a script by Ellis.
MGM Completes Short
On 'Lust for Life'
MGM has completed a two-reel short,
"Darkness Into Light," which in effect con-
Kirk Douglas Will Film
stitutes a trailer for its upcoming "Lust for
Life," the film biography of artist Vincent
Van Gogh.
Studio head Dore Schary personally recorded
a 17-minute narration for the short,
which dramatizes the filming—in France
and Holland—of the Kirk Douglas-Anthony
Quinn starrer, produced by John Houseman
and megged by Vincente Minnelli.
Lensed in Europe while "Life" was being
shot. "Darkness" is in Cinemascope and color.
It is scheduled for bookings in theatres,
schools and on TV.
WB Signs Release Deals
With Two Independents
Expansion of Its releasing schedule over
a period of several years was effected by
Warner Bros, with the simultaneous inking
of commitments involving the output
of two independent units.
A six-year contract was signed with
Mansfield Pi-oductions, headed by Joshua
Logan, veteran stage and screen megaphonist,
calling for an undetermined
number of features during that period.
Logan will make his first after he has
completed megging "Sayonai-a," a forthcoming
William Goetz production, which
also will be for Warner release.
At the same time a deal was completed
for Warners to present "Three Leaves of
a Shamrock," now being piloted in Ireland
by John Ford for Four Pi'ovinces
Productions. Tills one, based on a script
by Frank Nugent and with an all-Irish
cast, is being produced by Lord Michael
Killanin.
Ford, it will be remembered, co-directed
with Mervjni LeRoy "Mister Roberts," a
Leland Hayward production, for Warners,
and also megged "The Searchers," the
initial presentation of C. V. Whitney
Pictures, also a Warner release.
The Way Back' Is Next
For Audie Murphy
Designed as a sequel to Its high-grossing
"To Hell and Back." film version of the World
War II experiences of Audie Murphy, Universal-International
has scheduled "The Way
Back" as a forthcoming Murphy starrer, thus
reuniting the actor-producer (Aaron Rosenberg)
team which made the succe.ssful earlier
subject.
"The Way Back." now being penned by
David McClure. w^ill concern the return of
GI veterans to civilian life and the obstacles
and difficulties they encounter in readjusting
to peacetime.
Frank Capra to Produce
Feature for Columbia
Marking his return to the studio where,
during a lengthy tenure, he turned out a
series of hits including the memorable "Lady
for a Day," "It Happened One Night" and
"Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." Frank
Capra—inactive on the production scene for
the past several years—has been inked to a
one-picture deal by Columbia.
Spokesmen at the film foundry reported
the vehicle to be undertaken by Capra has not
been selected as yet.
'Deliver Us From Evil'
With filming scheduled for late fall, Bryna
Productions, headed by Kirk Douglas, acquired
screen rights to "Deliver Us Prom
Evil," a true-life story of Lieut. Thomas A.
Dooley, a Navy doctor who cared for more
than a half-million refugees fleeing from
Communist-dominated areas in Asia. Douglas
will portray Dooley in the opus, which
will follow Bryna's "Spring Reunion,"
scheduled for United Artists release, and
"King Kelly," to be distributed by MGM.
BOXOFFICE 31

Harry C. Arthur Believes in Movie Bargains
Practices What He Preaches
In
preaches.
Holding the Price Line
Last week in New York, Harry C. Arthur "for just the cheap stuff."
Arthur is one theatre executive who practices
jr. told the tradepress exhibitors ought to
cut prices, to keep movie fare in the realm
what he preaches. He has held out
of family entertainment. Boxoffice asked against raising prices for the bigger pictures,
Louis correspondent to follow against the most persuasive pressures, and
its St.
through and report on how the Arthur theatres
has yet to yield. When 20th Century-Fox introduced
Cinemascope in "The Robe," the
practice what the general
manager
By DAVID F. BARRETT
ST. LOUIS—At the 3,800-seat fii'st run St.
Louis Theatre, "Carousel" is playing at regular
prices—90-cent top for adults, 51 cents for
teenagers, and children under 12 admitted free
if accompanied by a parent or guardian.
At the edge of town, at the four-screen St.
Ami Drive-In. a carload of passengers is admitted
for $1 every night in the week.
These two theatres are operated by the
Fanchon & Marco-St. Louis Amusement Co.
The top executive is Harry C. Arthur jr., who
last week told exhibitors that high movie
prices are keeping patrons from going to the
theatre. "The exhibitor who keeps admission
scales is his own worst enemy," he said in
a tradepress interview. He recommended
bargain rates as one way to fill theatres, and
urged these rates for top product and not
cii'cuit declined to up the admission scale at
the St. Louis Theatre. Arthur and his brother,
Edward B. Arthur, general manager of the
Fanchon & Marco Service Corp., took the
position their cash customers were paying
regular prices for pictures as they became
available and should not be required to pay
more when an especially outstanding film
came along.
Harry C. Arthur has contended for years
that at popular prices, the St. Louis Tlieatre
will gross more on scale than if prices are
raised to $1.25 or $1.50, and he has boxoffice
checks to prove it. Not long ago. he produced
the figures for pictures playing first run in
St. Louis theatres over a two-year period to
show that the top six grossers were played at
regular prices, and that of the first 20 top
grossing features, only three had been scaled
at increased admissions.
In other words, argues Arthur, when you
HARRY C. ARTHUR JR.
up your prices, fewer customers come to see
the picture.
The greatest asset of the motion picture is
its appeal as mass entertainment, and the
way to keep the customers coming back regularly
is to keep the price at a popular level,
he says. Even without the Buck Nite appeal,
drive-in theatres have won their way into
prominence because they make it possible for
the entire family to go to a show once or twice
a week and still stay within the family budget.
Indoor theatremen must operate on this
theory, too, he contends. This operations pol-
COLUMBIA PICTURES ANNOUNCES
THAT PRINTS
OF THE FOLLOWING
PICTURES ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN
GLENN FORD
ERNEST BORGNINE
ROD STEI6ER
Introducing
VALERIE FRENCH- FELICIA
with BASIL RUYSDAEL • NOAH BEERY, Jr.
FARR
Screen Play by RUSSELL S. HUGHES and DELMER DAVES
Based on a Novel by PAUL I WELLMAN
Produced by WILLIAM FADIMAN • Directed by DELMER DAVES
CINemaScoPS Color by TECHNICOLOR
OUR EXCHANGES FOR SCREENING
JOSE TREVOR
FERRER HOWARD
i«
ClNEMaScoPE
TECHNICOLOR
Screenplay by BRYAN FORBES and RICHARD MAIBAUM
Executive Producers: IRVING ALLEN and ALBERT R. BROCCOLI
Directed by JOSE FERRER
A WARWICK PRODUCTION

: AprU
Albert
spending
icy, of course, doesn't always win cheers from
the producers and distributors, and holds
down the scale at the subsequent houses when
such top films as "Carousel," "Mister Roberts"
and "The Robe" come along.
Fanchon & Marco has a suit pending in federal
court over a playdate it allegedly lost
because it refused to play a picture at an
increased admission.
For years, the St. Louis Theatre, operating
through the St. Louis Amusement Co., and
Loew's State have been alternating on Columbia
Pictures product. Under this rotation "The
Caine Mutiny" was to be shown at the St.
Louis, but instead the picture went to Loew's
State and was shown there. As a result, the
St. Louis Amusement Co. filed an antitrust
damage suit in the United States district court
here seeking to restrain Columbia, Loew's,
Inc.. and LoeWs Dayton Theatre Co. from
exhibiting the picture at Loew's State. The
petition also sought $7,000 actual damages
or a total of $21,000 under the Clayton and
Sherman antitrust laws. The petition charged
that when Columbia, following an inquiry,
learned that the St. Louis Theatre wouldn't
its raise regular price scale for "The Caine
Mutiny." demanded a percentage of the gross
"that was so exorbitant the plaintiff could
not accept it." The antitrust petition then
charged that Columbia entered into an arrangement
to show the picture at Loew's
State with the provision that the adult admis-
.-lon rate would be raised from 75 cents to $1.
The federal court did not issue the injunction
sought by the plaintiff, so Loew's State Theatre
went through with the engagement to
exhibit the film, charging the $1 top. The
case on its merits, however, as to the damage
sought, is still on the docket and presently
is set for the June term.
Arthur's argument isn't that there is not
a place for the advanced price picture. The
point, he says, is that the advanced price
film is no longer the occasional picture. What
happens now is that patrons become accustomed
to thinking in terms of "good pictures"
with advanced prices, and that the
scheduling of a feature at the regular scale
is an indication that the management itself
does not regard the picture as being very good.
The only way to revitalize the moviegoing
habit of millions is to maintain a regular price
schedule, and make the patron feel that the
top entertainment he gets is a bargain at the
price, declared Arthur.
National Telefilm Reports
Six-Month Gain in Income
NEW YORK—National Telefilm Associates,
the company which bought television rights
to ten David O. Selznick films and a large
number of British films, reports gross film
rentals of $1,494,888.21 for the six months
ending Jan. 31, 1956, and a net profit for the
period of $145,051.34, and an earned surplus
of $89,243.35.
The company set aside $230,432.80 for
amortization of film costs, distribution and
film rights and print costs. These costs are
amortized over a three-year period—40 per
cent the first year. 35 per cent the second
year, and 25 per cent the third year. Positive
prints are amortized over a period of two
years.
Of exhibition contracts receivable January
31. $258,679.37 was due and receivable under
the terms of the contracts; the remainder,
$2,993,387.21 includes $625,000 which is due
after one year.
Says Too Many Exhibitors
Letting Others Do the Job
Detroit—Too many exhibitors are depending
on Filmrow services, such as
buying and booking cooperatives, to run
their theatres for them. Max Gcaler,
supervisor of Associated Theatres circuit,
said at the Michigan Allied convention
here last week. As a result they arc losing
contact with their own business, he
said.
"We have lost that close interest," he
declared. "We have a good father who is
providing for us. Everything is being done
for us today.
"All we have in mind—and this is true
for about 90 per cent of exhibitors—is
how much our film is going to cost."
This, he commented, is the reason for
lack of greater personal assumption of
responsibile interest in industry matters.
He is in favor of buying and booking organizations,
but some method must be
worked out, he said, whereby members
can be brought more closely into the
workings of the service, to restore that
lagging personal interest.
Wilcox Will Produce
For MGM, Columbia
NEW YORK—Herbert Wilcox, British producer,
will make three features for MGM
and one for Columbia within a year, all in
England, he reported Friday (6). The cost
will exceed $3,000,000 and the profits will be
put back into British production.
The three MGM pictures will be "Eastern
Approaches," a war adventure story by Victor
McLean; "The Battle," a remake of a successful
French film, and one to be selected by
Wilcox. The picture for Columbia will be
"The Sitting Duck." the story of the British
frigate Amethyst which escaped after capture
by the Communists in the Yangtze
River in China.
Wilcox brought with him "My Teenaged
Daughter." starring Anna Neagle. his wife,
and a 17-year-old girl unknown to films.
George J. Schaefer will arrange distribution.
The producer said he had arranged for
Noel Coward to present Miss Neagle on a
live television color spectacular in the fall.
Wilcox returned to London Saturday (7)
after what he called his "most fruitful" trip
to the U. S.
"In my two weeks here I found no antagonism
against British pictures." he said. "If
they are good, they are welcomed here just
as good U. S. pictures are welcomed in England."
He said he had met many top American
executives and had received a warm reception
everywhere.
Wilcox said he will exchange production
ideas and talent with Michael Balcon, who
also
has an MGM contract.
National Theatres Dividend
LOS ANGELES—A quarterly dividend of
12 '/a cents a share on outstanding common
stock was voted by National Theatres at a
meeting of the t>oard of directors. The dividend
is payable May 3 to stockholders of
record at the close of business Thursday (19).
Ed Thorne to Direct
Sindlinger Contacts
RIDLEY PARK, PA.—Ed Thorne, past
president of United Theatre Owners of Oklahoma,
and for many years city manager of
Cooper Foundation
Theatres in Oklahoma
City, has Joined Sindlinmr
& Co. as head of
1 nr-.v client service de-
IMitment, it was an-
^^ ^^
nounced this week by
^^k J^ E. Sindlinger,
\
president of the busi-
^^^^^^
ness analyst firm.
^^^^^^^^
^^^^^C^^ Thorne has been
I the past
^^^^^^^^^
week
^^^^^^^^A. J
with Sindlinger and
staff
Ed Thome
at the headquarters
of the Sindhnger
company here, observing at first-hand the
methods and procedures used to gather and
tabulate Sindlinger data each week. Thorne
will conduct clinics with Sindlinger clients
througliout the coimtry. He will service Sindlinger's
TV station and .sponsor clients, publishing
clients, as well as movie exhibitor and
producer clients.
The Motion Picture Audience Action Index,
which Sindlinger conducts, was started in
Oklahoma City last year with the first issue
dated April 9. 1955. Thus. Thorne joins the
company exactly one year after the inauguration
of this weekly service. During the past
year, the service has expanded to cover 23
states. By June 1 of this year, Sindlinger &
Co. is contracted for 48-state coverage.
The Sindlinger staff in Ridley Park now
numbers 34 full-time people in the tabulating
and statistical departments, while the field
staff numbers 112 persons who now interview
every day of every week in 84 counties
in 23 states.
This week's Motion Picture Audience Action
Index, for example, was based upon 8,621 personal
interviews. The service now reports data
separately each week for the southwest, midwest,
east and south. Interviewing on the
west coast will be reported in May. with the
northwest to start in June, which will make
the Sindlinger service nationwide.
AD MATS
^WINDOW CARDS
CALENDARS
's.n,;u>^\
(^(^\ HERALDS
BOXOFFICE :
14. 1956

Broidy Beams As He Views
AA Prospects for 1956
NEW YORK—Allied Artists' profit for the
39 weeks ended March 30 has already exceeded
the gross for the 52-week period of
the preceding fiscal year, according to Steve
Broidy. president.
Domestic billings for the 39-week period
per cent above the 39-week period in
are 42
1955. Broidy said, as proof that the promises
made last year for more important AA product
have been fulfilled. Among the pictures
responsible for the business upturn were
"Wichita" and "At Gunpoint." both in Cinemascope,
and "Invasion of the Body Snatchmeaus
peripheral vision
"-^fri
ers," among othere. This upturn should continue
for the final quarter of the current
fiscal year with "The First Texan," in
Cinemascope, and "The Come On," "Crime
in the Streets" and "Three for Jamie Dawn"
in that period.
"Our biggest and best plans are yet to
come," according to Broidy, who listed four
block-busting features for release during the
1956-57 season, starting with "Friendly Persuasion,"
William Wyler's production starring
Gary Cooper and Dorothy McGuire, which
is completed, but will not be ready as originally
planned for July release. It will be
shown in early fall. John Huston will start
"Typee," to star Gregory Peck, some time in
July and Billy Wilder
will start "Ariane." to
star Gary Cooper and
Audrey Hepburn, ui
Paris in August Already
in work in Pai-is
is the tentatively titled
"Notre Dame of Pans
starrmg Gina Lollobngida
and Anthony
Qumn. Later, probably
m. September, will
is forced to spend thousands unnecessarily
making up briefs and defending these cases.
of
^r
!RIEFIN*E STANDARDIZES
THE WIDE SCREEN
OUVl SUPERSCOPE PROVIDES ANAMORPHIC
RELEASE PRINTS FROM STANDARD "FLAT" NEGATIVES
PRINTS BY TECHNICOLOR OR IN BLACK AND WHITE
tures, headed by Joe Levine; Washington by
Wheeler Films, Sam Wheeler, president; Los
Angeles and San Francisco by Morris Safier,
and New York by George Waldman.
2:5S SCREEN ASPECT RATIO WITH MAGNETIC SOUND
54
BOXOFFICE :
: April 14, 1956

Kodak Stockholders
Double in Number
ROCHESTER, N. Y.— Eastnuui Kodak Co.
stockJioldeis have more than doubled in ten
years, A Kodak survey has found that in December
1955 there were 89.668 owners of the
18.277,260 shares of common stock outstanding,
compared with 42,055 owners at the end
of 1946. The increase is 113 per cent.
The survey also showed that in October
1955 the 61,657 shares of preferred stock were
held by 1,308 stockholders.
The number of small stockholders is increasing,
according to the survey. In October
1955, 67.9 per cent held le.ss thaji 100 common
shares. In 1953, the percentage was 66.6. In
1951 it was 65.5 and in 1947 it was 59.3 per
cent. No individual owns as much as one per
cent of the out.standing common shares.
Women stockholders were 45.2 per cent of
the total, men were 31.4 per cent and joint
tenants were 12.5 per cent. The balance was
made up of trusts and estates, institutions,
including universities and hospitals, and insurance
companies, investment trusts and
others.
The number of shares of common stock has
increased by 902,763 in two years, largely as
the result of payment of a five per cent common
stock dividend in March 1955. Kodak has
stockholders in every state of the Union, the
District of Columbia, all U. S. territories and
at least 33 foreign countries.
Decca's Earnings Outlook
Good, Rackmil Declares
NEW YORK—Earnings prospects for Decca
Records are excellent and dividend rates will
be maintained, Milton R.ackmil, president,
told the annual meeting of stockholders Tuesday
UOi. The 1955 net, including earnings
from Universal Pictures Co., was $3,794,585,
or at the rate of $2.27 per share.
John J. Gilbert, who has become famous
for his regular appearances at stockholders'
meetings and his insistence that directors
should be elected by cumulative voting, asked
numerous questions. His proposal that Decca
switch to cumulative voting was defeated,
1,045,000 to 71.384.
Directors re-elected were: Rackmil, Leonard
W. Schneider. Robert W. Lea. Harold L.
Thorp and Samuel H. Vallance.
Officers re-elected by the board were:
President—Rackmil; executive vice-president
—Schneider: vice-pre.sident and treasurer
Louis H. Buchner; secretary—Samuel Yamins;
assistant secretary—Isabelle Marks: assistant
treasurer—Irving E. Wiener.
Three Executives of UA
Return to West Coast
NEW YORK—Joseph Gould, United Artists
advertising manager, Leon Roth, west coast
publicity coordinator for UA, and George
Glass, executive of Hecht-Lancaster, returned
to Hollj-^vood April 12 following a series
of home office conferences.
Gould, whose headquarters are in New
York, and Roth, who operates from Hollywood,
will survey the west coast situation as
regards advertising and publicity plans on
forthcoming UA releases. Glass was in New
York to confer with UA executives on "Trapeze,"
the Cinemascope made in Europe, which
will
be a June release.
BOXOFFICE :
Albany Reactions Varied
On Kefauver Report
ALBANY—Reactions varied In the Albany
area to the report by the Kefauver Senate subcommittee
to investigate juvenile delinquency,
which criticized overemphasis on brutality,
violence and sadism in motion pictures.
Some of the persons interviewed remarked
that the questions raised were complex and
difficult to answer, while most indicated they
did not want to be put in a position of casting
verbal stones. The most outspoken exhibitor
was Harry Lamont, president of Lamont
Theatres, who said no organizations or individuals
had complained to him of brutality
and violence in films. He did not think the
brutality theme was out of line.
PUTS BLAME ON PARENTS
"We had gangster pictures 40 years ago.
and it isn't any worse today than it was
then," he commented. "If it is worse, motion
pictures are not responsible—not in one iota.
The parents are 90 per cent or more re-
.sponsible for juvenile delinquency. Life isn't
all pretty: violence is a part of it."
While he knew of no objections by his
drive-in patrons, the veteran theatreman said
that in operating an indoor theatre at the
Catskill mountain town of Greenville, "I don't
book terror shows because the people thereabouts,
many of them fai-mers, will not attend
such pictures." In small towns, if they disapprove,
the practice is to stay away, Lamont
pointed out.
Several sources reported that complaints of
violence and brutality are more apt to be
registered in high-class neighborhood situations
and in suburban spots than at downtown
theatres. Saturday matinee and weekend performances,
where children and teenagers turn
out in numbers, require care and caution in
selecting acceptable pictures.
One well-informed source gave this succint
answer: "Local PTA's and other parental
groups have objected to violence and brutality
in motion pictures, particularly on Satm-day
or Sunday playtime, but not on sluff
time or midweek. Exhibitors usually do not
play such featui-es. except in situations where
product is needed. Try to discourage distributors
from making these types of attractions.
Such releases are getting fewer, parents
object."
MOTHERS STUDY RATINGS
Mrs. Mary K. Jarvis, owner of the Delmar
in Delmar, said she watched FYiday-Saturday
bookings: realized that "mothers study
the ratings lists, read advertisements, and
otherwise acquaint themselves with the type
of pictures." They either indicate disapproval,
when phoning to inquire the weekend attraction,
or keep their youngsters away if they
believe the bill not suitable.
Herself a mother, Mi-s. Jarvis tries to
hold the violent off the screen Fridays
and Saturdays, and set such films at
midweek or other times when only adults attend—if
the films must be played. Youngsters
are fundamentally clean, she commented,
but they often seem to enjoy violence in pictures—
"what it does to them, I can't positively
say." Parents do not appear to mind
their children viewing "scarey scientific
films." She disapproved of violence in certain
type westerns, commenting the "fighf
scenes are too drawn out and too gory. A
western does not have to be violent, in her
opinion, and cited "High Tor."
A law enforcement man asserted: "No child
from a well-guided and firmly controlled
home should be adversely affected by any
motion picture. It is different where the home
is rough and the children are treated accordingly.
A brutal or violent picture probably attracts
such youngsters; may make them a
little rougher or tougher outside the theatre,
if not in it. The key to the situation is the
family life and parental control."
Several informants said parents and other
community leaders usually object quicker
and louder to objectionable sex angles in motion
pictures than they do to brutality and
violence.
Johnny Gardner, owner of Turnpike Drivein
at Westmere said he did not think there
had been too much violence and brutality on
the screen. "On the Waterfront" and other
pictures with such themes had proved among
his best grossers; there had been no complaints,
Gardner said.
Walsh AFL-CIO Election
To Be Feted by lATSE
NEW YORK—The election of Richard F.
Walsh, president of International Ass'n of
Theatrical Stage Employes, to the executive
council of the American Federation of Labor-
Congress of Industrial Organizations will be
celebrated May 5 at a banquet to be given
Walsh by District Ten, lATSE, at the St.
George Hotel, Brooklyn.
The theme will be "Labor, Management and
Government—Working Together." Russell V.
Downing, managing director of the Radio
City Music Hall, will be guest of honor representing
management. District Ten is
Walsh's home district.
Rodgers and Hammerstein
Are Honored by Columbia
NEW YORK—Richard Rodgers, composer,
and Oscar Hammerstein. lyricist, have received
the Alexander Hamilton medal, the
highest alumni award of Columbia University.
It is given annually "for distinguished service
and accomplishment in any field of human
endeavor." They have been responsible for
such hits as "Oklahoma!" "Cai-ousel," "The
King and I," "Allegro," "Me and Juliet" and
the current "Pipe Dream."
Another Censor Bill
HARRISBURG—The legislature, in the
15th month of its 1955 session, received another
censor measure, bill 1076, introduced by
Senator Lane (Dem.), Washington County,
authorizing disapproval of any film which is
obscene or incites to crimes of violence. The
lawmakers, however, have indicated their
hopes are dwindling that a film censorship
bill will be passed this session. Senate legislative
leaders recently concluded that several
bills now in the legislative grist mill
probably are unconstitutional.
: April 14. 1956 35

«|^
Broadway Grosses Fall After Easter,
But 'Man Who Never Was Opens Big
NEW YORK—Broadway first run business
took the expected drop from the near-record
highs of Easter week, with its vacationing
schoolchildren. The rainy Saturday (7) and
queror," second at the Criterion; "Meet Me in
Las Vegas," fourth at the Astor; "Anything
Goes," third at the Paramount, and "On
the Threshold of Space," second week at
.
the Globe.
"Carousel" completed a fine eighth-week
run at the Roxy April 11 and was followed
by the invitation opening of "The Man in
the Gray Flannel Suit."
"Cinerama Holiday" completed a 61-week
two-a-day run at the Warner Theatre Sunday
with a big flurry of business and was
followed Tuesday by the third Cinerama feature,
"Seven Wonders of the World," which
has a big advance sale, according to Stanley
Warner. "Oklahoma!" started its second six
months of a two-a-day run at the Rivoli.
(Average Is 100)
Astor Meet Me in Los Vegas (MGM), 4th wk. J 35
Baronet The Return of Don Comillo
(IFE), 2nd wk 120
Biiou III Richard (Lop,) 5th wk of 115
two-a-day
Capitol—Alexonder the Greot (UA), 2nd wk..,160
Critcnr.n—The Conqueror (RKO), 2nd wk 170
Fine Artv -Diobolique (UMPO), 19th wk 130
St bSth Citiien Kane (RKO), reissue, 7th wk...l20
Globe- On the Threshold of Spoce (20th-Fox),
lid—Touch and Go (L
I), 3rd wk
tie Carnegie Don Ji
ew's State Mirocle ir the Roin (WB), 2nd''
lyfair Patterns (UA), 2nd
)rmandie Fontosio (BV), ri
lace—The Come On (AA)
ramount Anything Goes (
3rd wk
ris—The Ballet of Romeo and Juliet (T<
Dza—The House of Ricordi (Manson), 4th
idio City Music Hall Serenade (WB), plu;
stage show, 3rd w
ousel (20th-Fox), pk
on—The Ladykiilers (Conti
52nd Doctor
'
Q—The Man Who Never
r—Cinerama Holiday (SW)
Id— Dork Ri' (Tin 5), 7th
•Carousel' With $1.25 Top
Leads Buffalo
BUFFALO—"Carousel," with a $1.25 admission
topped the field turning in a big
200 at the Century. "The Man in the Gray
^UGETALLlHKtf
SPEC\M
TRMLERS
llmack
Flannel Suit" continued to attract excellent
business at the Center, where a 160 wa.s
reached on the second stanza. "Alexander
the Great" was off a bit in Shea's Buffalo.
snowy Sunday (8) also hurt the usually
strong weekend grosses.
Two new pictures, one in an art house, did Century Carousel (20th-Fox)
5th mc
Lafeyette Benny Story (U-l),
Cinema Guys and Dolls (MGM),
Goodman
business. They
sensational opening week
were "The Man Who Never Was" at the 2nd wk, 5 days
Paramount Anything Goes (Pora), 2nd
Victoria and "The Ballet of Romeo and
Juliet," Russian film which received rave
'Conqueror' and "Alexander'
reviews, at the small Paris Theatre.
Best among the holdovers was "Serenade," Strong in Baltimore
combined with the annual Easter stage pageant,
— Although post-Easter
BALTIMORE
which had a cause cheers
terrific third week at
grosses were not sufficient to
among first run exhibitors, they were strong
the Radio City Music Hall. Also doing fine
business, although down from the smash
Easter week were "Alexander the Great," in
where major attractions are showing. Holdovers
barely were average. The boxoffice lines
its second week at the Capitol; "The Con-
for "Alexander the Great" and "The Conqueror"
were still lengthy. "Forbidden Planet"
was drawing ample business.
Century-Corousel (20th-Fox), 5th wk 90
Film Centre Oklahoma! (Mogna), 5th wk 200
Hippodrome Song of the South (BV) 80
Don Juan (Times) '00
Little
Mayfair—The Conqueror (RKO), 2nd wk 200
New—Alexander the Great (UA), 2nd wk 200
Town—Forbidden Planet (MGM) 125
Prisoner (Col), Playhouse—The 5th 90
wk
Stanley Anything Goes (Para), 2nd wk 95
The Cinema— Hill 24 Doesn't Answer (Confl) 100
"Flannel Suit' Grosses
Well at Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH—Best gros.ser was "The
Man in the Gray Flannel Suit" at the John
P. Harris Theatre. The second week of "Carousel"
at the Pulton and the third week of
"The Rose Tattoo" at the Stanley brought in
satisfactory receipts, but "Anything Goes"
was disappointing at the Penn.
Fulton—Carousel (20th-Fox), 2nd wk 125
Harris The Man in the Groy Flannel Suit
IjO
(20th-Fox)
Penn Anything Goes (Pora)) -85
Rose (Para), Stonley—The Tottoo 110
3rd wk
Japan-Italy Consuls
Sponsor 'Butterfly'
NEW YORK—General de Ferraris Salzano,
Italian Consul General Jun Tsuchiya,
Japanese consul-general, will .serve
as for the co-chairmen American opening
of "Madame Butterfly" at the Baronet
Theatre April 23 for the benefit of the Hospitalized
Veterans Service of the Musicians
Emergency Fund,
A preview of "Madame Butterfly," being
released in the U.S, by IFE Releasing Corp.,
was held April 11 for representatives of 150
women's clubs in the metropolitan area, arranged
by Arthur DeBra. director of the
MPAA Community Relations Department.
Another preview will be held April 17 at the
Museum of Modern Art for 400 members of
the Music Teachers Ass'n and 100 key representatives
of the National Federation of
Music Clubs.
Valdes Joins TNT
NEW YORK—John T. Valdes has jomed
the Tele-Sessions division of Theatre Network
Television in an executive sales capacity.
He was formerly an account executive
for Batton, Barton, Durstine & Osborn
and Product Services.
HECHT HONORED FOR 'OSCAR —
Harold Hecht, right, whose United Artists
release, "Marty," won the Academy
Award for best picture of 1955, is guest of
honor at a press reception at the "21"
Club in New York. Chatting with Hecht
are, left to right: Edward Arnold, who is
co-starred in UA's forthcoming "The
Ambassador's Daughter," with Mrs.
Arnold, and Mort Nathanson, UA publicity
manager.
Peck, Miss Pavan Attend
'Gray Flannel' Opening
NEW YORK—Gregory Peck and Mai'isa
Pavan, two of the six stars of "The Man in
the Gray Flannel Suit," were among the notables
who attended the opening of the 20th-
Pox Cinemascope picture for the benefit of
the March of Dimes Thursday (12) at the
Roxy Theatre. Eagle Clothes sponsored the
telecast of the event over WPIX from 8:30
to 9 p.m. Peck's bride, the former Veronique
Passani, and Jean Pierre Aumont, who married
Miss Pavan two weeks ago, also were
pre.sent, as were Celeste Holm, Shirley Jones,
Nicole Maurey, Linda Darnell, Polly Bergen,
Barbara Ruick and Audrey Meadows.
The sum of $22,000 was raised tor the March
of Dimes at the Roxy opening. A similar
program was staged at the Grauman's Chinese
Theatre, Los Angeles, the same night.
One hundred and 30 announcements
on "The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit"
were directed to television audiences
in the metropolitan area for the eight-day
to period prior the April 12 March of Dimes
benefit opening of the 20th Century-Fox
Cinemascope picture at the Roxy Theatre.
Hitchcock in Queens Court
NEW YORK—Alfred J. Hitchcock took over
one of the Queens County courthouse trial
rooms Saturday and Sunday (7, 8i for filming
of scenes for "The Wrong Man" for Warner
Bros. The story is based on the actual experiences
of Christopher E. Balestrero, night club
musician, who was tried there for robbery of a
Prudential Insurance Co. office, but was released
after a mistrial when a man arrested
in another case confessed.
Regent to Become Studio
NEW YORK—The Playhouse Operating Co.
has sold the Regent Theatre on Third Ave.
to Nicholas Parkas who will convert it into a
studio for the production of films for theatres
and television. Berk and Krumgold, in conjunction
with O'Gara & Co., handled the
transaction.
BOXOFFICE April 14, 1956

. . Charles
. . William
. . . James
. . Richard
. . Stephen
. . Joan
. . Harry
. .
Charles Handel Joins IFE
As Publicity Manager
NEW YORK—Cliarlcs Handel, formerly
newspaper and syndicate contact for United
Artists, where he spent seven yeai's, has been
named publicity manager of IFE Releasing
Corp. by Seymour Poe. executive vice-president.
He replaces Sam Friedman, who recently
resigned.
Handel, who will take over his new post
April 16. left UA in 1954 to join the public
relations firm of Carl Ei-be, remained there
until he opened his own office in 1955. Handel
is ciu-rently working on a special phase
of the national publicity campaign for "The
Bold and the Brave" for RKO release. He recently
completed publicity assignments on
•The Man With the Golden Arm" and
"Trapeze," both for UA release.
Martin Friedman Leaves
Paramount for New Post
NEW YORK—Martin Friedman has resigned
as head of the Paramount home office
playdate department to take another
position in the industry. He said he would
announce it after a short vacation.
Friedman was executive assistant to E. K.
O'Shea. now vice-president of Magna The-
Skouras to Head Group
In UJA Fund Campaign
NEW YORK—SpjTos P. Skouras will be
chairman of the corporate gifts committee of
the motion picture and amusement division
of the United Jewish Appeal. Leon Goldberg,
vice-president of United Artists, is chairman
Loew Jr. Stays in N. Y.
NEW YORK—Arthur Loew jr., producer
of MGMs "The Rack." has extended his New
York visit for matters pertaining to his recently-formed
independent producing organization.
He will leave for the west coast later
in April and return east again in May to
confer with publishers and authors to line
up story material.
Charles Muller Dead
NEW YORK—Services for Charles Muller.
64. chief projectionist of Radio City Music
Hall for many years, were held at the Roman
Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Miraculous
Medal. Brooklyn. Tuesday. He died in
Elmont. L. I., April 5. He is survived by
his wife Mae and two sons. George and Joseph,
and a daughter. Mrs. Hazel Barr.
Stratford Opens Office
NEW YORK—The new John G. Stratford
Film Corp. has taken office .space in the
Steinway building at 113 West 57th St. The
company supplies film sequences for film and
television producing companies.
B R O A D \N
Qpyros P, Skouras. who returned to New York
from the west coast last weekend, left
again for Hollywood Wednesday (UK Alex
Harrison, general sales manager, and W. C.
Gehring, vice-president, also got back to
New York following the two-day sales meeting
in Los Angeles . Nutt, RKO
west coast story editor, came on to New York
for a week of conferences with Don Moore,
eastern story head ... J. J. Cohn. MGM
studio executive, arrived Saturday il4) for a
four-day visit to New York . . . Herb Steinberg.
Paramount national exploitation manager,
went to San Antonio to accompany George
Gobel on "The Birds and the Bees" tour.
Kim Novak, Columbia star, arrived from the
coast Tliursday and sailed Saturday (14) on
the He de France to attend the Cannes Film
Festival. Anthony Quinn. who will make
"Notre Dame de Paris" for Allied Artists in
Europe, sailed April 11 on the Queen Mary.
Jack Small, theatrical producer, was on the
same boat . L. Casanave. president
of the Fred Astaire Dance Studios, left for
Los Angeles for business conferences with his
west coast directors . . . Arthur Silverstone,
20th Century-Fox assistant general sales man-
atres Corp.. when O'Shea was sales head of
ager, is back in Mount Sinai Hospital for
Liberty Films and went to Paramount with
several days.
him. He started in the industry with Warner
Bros, in New York in 1929. later serving Departing for Hollywood: Steve Broidy,
that company for several years as Cleveland AA vice-president: Arthur M. Loew. president
booker-salesman.
Loew's, and C. C. Moskowitz and How-
ard Dietz, for directors meeting April 12, 13:
Charles L. Glett. RKO executive vice-president:
Herbert J. Yates, Republic president,
and William Saal, assistant; Foster M. Blake.
U-I western sales manager and James R.
Velde, UA general sales manager.
Arnold M. Picker, United Artists vice-president
in charge of foreign distribution, arrived
on the Cristoforo Colombo after com-
fices . . .
of the division. The UJA is the fund raising
agency in the metropolitan area for the pleting a one-month tour of European of-
United Israel Appeal, the Joint Distribution
Maurice "Red" Silverstein. regional
Committee, the New York Ass'n for New director of Latin America for Loew's International,
returned following an inspection
Americans, the National Jewish Welfare
Board and the American Jewish Congress. tour of MGM offices in his territory . . . Reg-
BOXOFFICE
inald Ai-mour, executive vice-president of
Republic Pictures International, and H. Victor
Green, who will take over as director
of sales in Great Britain, left for London on
AT ALLIED ARTISTS SALES MEET—
Morey R. Goldstein, left, vice-president
and general sales manager of United
Artists, with Steve Broidy, president, who
holds a brochure on "Crime in the
Streets," at the national sales conference
in Chicago as Ed Morey, vice-president,
looks
on.
Ay
the first leg of a Inj) to Asia and Australia
E. Perkins, executive vice-president
of Paramount International, returned from a
Latin American business tour.
Otto Preminger, producer-director of "The
"
Man With the Golden Arm for United Artists
release, sailed on the Liberie for Europe,
accompanied by S. N. Behrman, playwright,
who will write the screenplay for "Bonjour
Tristesse," which Preminger will film in
France this summer. Lena Home and her husband.
Lennie Hayton. musical director, were
on the same boat . Lee Danziger,
producer and owner of the Elstree Studios in
London, came in from Europe on the United
States.
Jocelyn Brando left for Hollywood for a
featured role in Columbia's "Nightfall." her
first picture in several years. Shepperd
Strucwick also went to Hollywood for a leading
role in RKO's "Beyond a Rea.sonable
Doubt" . Denning flew to England
to make a picture in London.
William K. Everson, for the past six years
foreign publicity manager of Allied Artists,
has joined the Paul Killiam organization as a
writer-producer for the "Movie Museum" TV
series. Everson also is the guiding light of
the Theodore Huff Memorial Film Society,
which gives monthly showings of silent film
classics—next "Merry-Go-Round." the Eric
Von Stroheim film of 1923 . . . Arthur Rosen,
son of Samuel Rosen of Stanley Warner Corp..
is the father of Ruth Lena, born to Mrs.
Rosen at the Flower Hospital Easter Sunday.
Janet Rodriquez. former secretary to Dorothy
Day. MGM fan magazine contact, is the
mother of Christopher John, born at Madison
Avenue Hospital March 23. Al Rosenberg,
head of Warner Bros, contract department,
became a grandfather for the first time
when Mi-s. Harold Rosenberg gave birth to
Ann Liza at Wellesley-Newton Hospital. Newton,
April 2.
Sailing on the United States for Monaco
and the Grace Kelly wedding were Barney
Balaban. Paramount president, with Mrs.
Balaban . Bosustow, UPA president,
and Leslie Bush-Fekete, stage and
screen playwright, were on the same boat
Lillian and Dorothy Gish, Frances Starr. Virginia
Hammond. Regina Wallace, Peggy
Wood. Ann Andrews. Margalo Gilmore and
Katharine Cornell were among the stage and
screen notables attending the first American
appearance of Tore Segelcke. Norwegian actress,
as presented by Guthrie McClintic at
Town Hall April 8.
Ginger Rogers, who just completed RKO's
"The First Traveling Saleslady." arrived April
9 and will appear on the Perry Como TV
show and promote the picture before going
to Europe . Crawford, star of Columbia's
"Autumn Leaves," came in . . . Leslie
Caron. star of MGM's "Gaby," left for
London, on leave from MGM, to star in
"Gigi" on the stage there.
Rothafel to See Editors
NEW YORK—About 175 student editors of
public, parochial and private school publications
will interview Robert C. Rothafel,
managing director of the Roxy Theatre, April
17 at 4:30 p.m.

. . . Mrs.
. . . John
. . . Eddie
.
.
. . . The
. . Art
. . Every
:
April
. .
ALBANY
TJarry Lament reported the Riverside Drivein,
Rotterdam, enjoyed a good opening
on the 8th. Lament expected to reopen the
Sunset at Kingston in about another week.
The reopening of Vail Mills near Gloversville
will be delayed because of snow. Sylvan
Leff'.s Black River Drive-In, Watertown,
reopened on the 8th
Jack Goldberg:, MGM manager, will canvass
Pilmrow for prize donations to the annual
Variety Club golf tournament at Shaker
Ridge Country Club June 25, while Joe Sheber,
a buyer for McManus & Riley, will do
likewise in the downtown business district.
One or two acts of entertainment will be
booked for the golf dinner ... A benefit matinee
performance for the new Albany Babe
Ruth Baseball League drew a capacity house
at the Madison. In addition to a screen show.
Zippy the television monkey was presented
Mary K. Jarvis, owner of the Delmar
in Delmar, became a grandmother again
when a son was born to Capt. and Mrs.
Joseph Jarvis at Lowry Air Field, Denver.
The couple have five other children.
The unpredictable spring weather brought
snow up to two inches Sunday in the Albany
area; 25 inches in one lower Catskills
spot. At Unadilla, where Johnny Gardner is
building a drive-in to be operated with Al
La Flamme as partner, 16 inches fell. Oneonta,
15 miles distant, had 10 inches .
"The Man Who Knew Too Much," an Alfred
Hitchcock production, was the film
sneak-previewed at the Palace on the 3rd.
The title was omitted in the previous BOX-
OFFICE report.
Jerry Schloss, new eastern division manager
for Berlo Vending Co. and for several years
its chief construction-designing engineer,
huddled here with Manager Jack Hamilton.
Berlo has made several area changes for the
outdoor season. They include the appointment
of Bernie Shawn as concession manager
at Alan Iselin's Auto-Vision, East Greenbush;
the transfer of D. C. Chamberlain
from stand manager at Fabian's Saratoga to
the circuit's Mohawk Drive-In; the promotion
of Bill Cook from assistant to manager
of concessions at the Saratoga; Ruth Leto
and Ruth Schmidt to co-managers of concessions
at Thacher State Park, and Lou
Drost advanced from assistant to stand manager
at the Rockland Drive-In, Spring Valley.
He succeeded Arthur Miller, now Berlo
district man in Cleveland and Detroit.
Alan Iselin informed Filmrowers that he
had a "surprising" attendance for a Tuesday
opening of the Auto-Vision, East Greenbush
and Peter Marotta reopened the
Carman Drive-In, Guilderland, on the 6th
Fabian caught the final performance
of "Rock-a-Rama" at the Strand the
first day. "It's a good show, and clean." commented
the Fabian Theatres top echeloner,
who had as companions Elias Schlenger, division
manager, and Fred Haas, construction
engineer. The bulk of the audience, in Albany
and at the Avon in Utica, were teenagers.
Walter Brown Gets Lomb Medal
NEW YORK—Walter R. J. Brown, research
Iihysicist in the Kodak Reseaixh Laboratories.
Rochester, has received the Adolph Lomb
Medal for 1956 from the Optical Society of
America.
LUCK ON STREET—VVTien "Hot
Blood" was shown at the Paramount
Theatre in Buffalo, Manager Eddie Miller
put a girl on the street dressed in a g.vpsy
costume, similar to that worn by Jane
Russell in the picture, to pass out lucky
playing cards imprinted with theatre date
and attraction. Above is Arline Sylka, a
member of the theatre refreshment booth
staff, who impersonated the gypsy, presenting
a lucky card to Mrs. Lee Gross
Adams, booker in the executive offices of
the Buffalo Paramount Corp.
Foundation to
Attempt
Erlanger Stage Policy
BUFFALO—Two men who are saving a
theatre from becoming a parking lot have
called upon western New Yorkers and Ontario,
Canada, neighbors, to help support
their enterprise. William Raikin. 32, and
R.
Peter G. Becker, 29, founders of the Foundation
for the Preservation of the Legitimate
Theatre of Western New York, which will
take over the Erlanger, Buffalo's only legitimate
house, July 1. are bubbling over
with enthusiasm about their new project.
The Erlanger, which had been operated
by the Dipson circuit of Batavia for several
years, was sold recently by that company to
Ike Gordon of Rochester, who it is understood,
has made a very lenient deal for a
year with the foundation, which will have
a dictorate of three—Raikin, Becker and, it
is expected. Elmer F. Lux, present chief
barker of the Variety Club.
Becker, who is the son of Al Becker, well
known theatre supply executive, will manage
the Erlanger. Young Becker started in
the theatre business as an usher at Shea's
Buffalo. He now heads the Becker Theatre
Enterprises, Inc. He has managed several
community theatres and the Cinema here,
and currently is at the Abbott.
Raikin, general counsel for the new foundation
said, "The foundation will be a private,
nonprofit foundation analogous to the type
their enterprise: Jane Keeler, Nathaniel B.
Barren, Dr. H. Ten Eyck Perry, Ardi.s Smith.
Gary L. Cohen and Joseph Abeles.
BUFFALO
/^harlie Kurtzman, division manager for Loew
Theatres, was here for conferences with
Carl Rindcen and Edward F. Meade at the
Shea offices. Kurtzman was accompanied by
his son. A large audience of prominent citizens
attended the Hollywood-type premiere
of "Carousel," at the Century Thursday (5)
Central Drive-in on Long Pond road
near Rochester opened the 6th featuring a
new "superspeed snack bar." This is the
Central's tenth year of operation. Other Rochester
area outdoorers now open include the
Starlite, Rochester and Empire. Buffalo area
drive-ins, which are booked by Cooperative
Theatres, now open include the Aero, Broadway,
Buffalo, Lake.shore, Niagara, Park, Star
and Wehrle.
Ray Biehler, son of the late George Biehler
who owned the Palace in Hamburg, N. Y., for
many years, had a trained dog act in the
Shrine circus in Memorial Auditorium .
The Rialto in East Rochester has resumed
a fulltime schedule, three changes of program
each week . woman was presented
a string of pearls when the Empire
Drive-In on Empire boulevard near Rochester
opened. The stunt was advertised as "the
most amazing opening .souvenir ever!" . . .
An alleged bomb threat brought the Town
Casino and its current attraction, the Mc-
Guire Sisters some front page publicity. As
usual in these cases, no bomb exploded.
Photos showed the famous Godfrey-promoted
trio holding their fingers in their ears, with
Buffalo detectives doing the same thing In
the background.
White Cloud, an Indian knife thrower and
a girl assistant will be here and in a group
of Western New York towns to do some tubthumping
for "Mohawk," which opens at the
Center April 27 . . . Joe Lebworth, 20th-Fox.
was in conferring with Arthur Krolick, Ben
Dargush and Charles Taylor on the promotion
. . . Mrs. Lee Gross Adams, booker at the
executive offices of the Buffalo Paramount,
was due back Monday ('16) from a vacation
in Florida . Moger of Warner Bros.,
was in Buffalo to confer with Arthur Krolick
and Charles B. Taylor at the Paramount
Theatres offices on promotion plans for "The
Searchers," and the personal appearance of
John Wayne.
Stagehands Picket Airer
And Boothmen Stay Out
ALBANY— Picket,s showed up at the 1956
premiere of Fabian's Mohawk Drive-In. Stage
employes Local 12 established a picket line
because the Mohawk had not reengaged a
stage hand, and the projectionists Local 324,
decided to observe it. Left without boothmen.
the 1.000-car airer pressed a veteran employe
mto projecting service, and the show went on.
Filmrow heard that the theatre was about
of organization upon which the Buffalo Philharmonic
half full for the Saturday teeoff.
Orchestra depends for its
The employment of a stagehand at the Mo-
existence.
In other words this is a civic enterprise, pure hawk had been in controversy since midsummer
and simple."
of 1955, when the assigned man quit
The theatre will open on July 1 if a satisfactory
show is available. The new operators
hope to light up the house 32 weeks during
the year. The partners list the following area drive-in was required to employ one.
Buffalonians as "among the advisers" for The union held that its agreement with Mohawk
provided for a stagehand. With the
new season, Mohawk decided to forego his
employment.
to take up other work. The drive-in management
claimed a replacement should not
be engaged; none was needed and no other
BOXOFFICE
:
14, 1956

. . Ben
. . Harry
. . Sam
. . Allen
PHILADELPHIA
T ocal 77 of the musicians union has removed
Stanley Warner Theatres from its "unfair
list." The union and the theatre chain
had been at loggerheads over the failure to
hire a full orchestra at the Mastbaum for
Liberace's personal appearance early in 1956.
A quick settlement was made between the
parties now that a rock and roll show Is
scheduled for the SW Camden and Chester
theatres.
A woman called 20th-Fox's distribution offices
here to request information as to when
"The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit" was
opening in Philadelphia. Hal Marshall, division
representative, told her that the film
opens at the Viking Theatre on the 18th and
he asked why she was so interested. It seems
her husband, a library employe, is named
Geoffrey Wilson, brother of Sloan Wilson,
author of the book on which the picture is
ba-sed.
CYD CHAKISSE, who was in Philadelphiu to promote "Meet Me in Las Vegas," was a
surprise guest at a farewell party for Harry Bache given by his co-workers at the MGM
exchange there. He was promoted to branch manager at St. Louis. Among tho.se who
attended were, left to right: Vince Conforti and Mike Manchio, shippers; Lou Formato,
district manager; Frank Jelenko, salesman; Miss Charisse; Max Bronow and Frank
Smith (behind Max), bookers; Bache; Wesley Watson. Atlantic City exhibitor; Bill
Hopkins and Frank Sculli, salesmen; Dave Titleraan. head booker; Charles Kaselman,
office manager; Ben Glatz, cutter and projectionist; Jim Dowling, shipper, and William
Madden, branch manager.
Helen Rose, who won an Academy Award
for her costumes in "Interrupted Melody" and
who also designed Grace Kelly's wedding gown,
was in town to help in exploitation of "The
Swan" . "Lefty" Lewis, local night
club comic, had a bit part in "Shakedown on
Biscayne Bay" while he was in Miami Beach.
He also acted as stand-in for Edward Arnold.
Lewis' bit part was in a gambling sequence.
"I had to do a lot of acting," he
claims. "I'm a big winner in the scene, and
that never has happened to me!"
Melvin C. Geller, former co-owner of
Brandywine Drive-In near Wilmington, Del.,
is now operating Drive-In Screen Service,
which furnishes a ten-minute screen clock
which is flashed on screen to inform patrons
as to amount of time remaining for intermission
Norman Falk is new booker
. . .
for Universal. He hails from Buffalo . . .
Max Gillis, Allied Artists manager, returned
from the Chicago convention . . . Larry
Mackay, who was manager of Arcadia Theatres
for 25 years and more recently managed
the Suburban Theatre in Ardmore, Pa., died.
people, it was rebuilt on the same site as the
Ambassador, and he served as its manager
until two years ago, when he retired.
Dell Theatre Corp. has been formed to
take over operation of Dell Theatre, which has
been purchased from William Fishman and
George Resnick. It is reported that principals
of the new corporation are Merton Shapiro
and Bermard Shapiro . Stiefel has
bought the Vogue Theatre . Trading
Corp.. owned by Harris Goldstein and Stanley
Squaresky, has acquired the New Broadway
. Harris of American Films and
his son Jack of Screen Giuld have mended
their
differences.
Fox Regional Meetings
Develop Sales Plans
NEW YORK—Twentieth Century-Pox held
a series of regional meetings durliig the week
to work out details of sales and promotional
plans devised at a meeting of division managers
held by Alex Harrison, general sales
manager, the previous week in Los Angeles.
Discussion centered on 14 pictures completed
or in production by the end of June
as announced by Spyi-os P. Skouras, president:
Buddy Adler, executive producer, and
Harrison in Los Angeles. Special attention
was paid to "Tlie King and I," "The Man in
the Gray Flannel Suit" and "The Sixth of
June."
The division meetings were conducted by
Martin Moskowitz in the Atlantic division;
T. O. McCleaster, central: Al Levy, northeast:
M. A. Levy, midwest: Harry G. Ballance,
southern: Paul S. Wilson, .southeast:
Mark Sheridan jr., southwest: Herman Wobber.
western, and Peter Myers Canadian.
Nicole Maurev Flies In
To Promote RKO Film
NEW YORK—RKO flew Nicole Maurey,
Robert Etris, retired Washington theatre
manager, died in Yeadon at the age of 82. He
was in business with the Lubin Manufacturing
Co. for more than 12 years both here
featured in Irving Levin's "Tlie Bold and the
and in Betzwood in Montgomery County. He
Brave," from Paris April 12 in a bathing suit
was connected with a number of motion picture
companies and film exchanges in the
to promote the picture.
Miss Maurey was the first woman to fly
city. He helped in filming of "Birth of a
acrass the Atlantic wearing a single garment.
Nation," parts of which were made in Fairmount
Park. He later became manager of
She will devote two-and-a-half weeks to making
appearances on TV and radio and giving
the Knickerbocker Theatre in Washington.
magazine and newspaper interviews.
After the building collapsed in 1922, killing 97
Mickey Rooney, star of "The Bold and the
BOXOFFICE
Brave," arrived in New York April 10 for
conferences with RKO officials on the release
of the film. The picture had a statewide
opening In Michigan April 7, 8, following
its first date in Detroit.
Jacob lavits to Speak
NEW YORK—Jacob K. Javlts, attorney general
of New York state, will speak at the
Cinema B'nai B'rith presidents luncheon at
the Sheraton Astor April 24. Robert M. Weitman
is luncheon chairman. Members can
bring their wives. The luncheon is in honor
of Max E. Young.stein, retiring president, and
Robert K. Shapiro, incoming president.
David Supowitz Is Feted
At Theatrical AJA Rally
PHILADELPHIA—David Supowitz, architect,
was given a testimonial dinner by the
theatrical division of
the Allied Jewish Appeal
Monday (9) at the
Bellevue-Stratford Hotel.
William C. Gehr- ^^^
ing, vice-president of wp
20th-Fox, spoke. Jack
Beresin and Howard
G. Minsky. co-chairmen
of the division
with Supowitz, declared:
"The award is in
recognition not only David Supowitz
of his architectural
talents, but of his insight and compassion
which has aided countless of the helpless and
forlorn of all races and creeds through his
intensive and unselfish communal and philanthropic
work."
Supowitz has remodeled or built almost
500 theatres along the eastern seaboard since
1921. chief of Past barker Variety Tent
13. he designed the present Variety Club
Camp for Handicapped Children.
Among the industry folk attending were
A. R. Boyd. Boyd Theatres: Ted Schlanger,
zone manager for Stanley Warner Theatres:
Jack Beresin, president of ABC Vending Co.:
Melvin Fox, Fox Theatres: Leo Posell, builder
and close to 300 others.
Variety Epilepsy Drive
To Be Launched Sunday
NEW YORK—The Variety Club Foundation
to Combat Epilepsy will start its annual
drive for funds Sunday (151. William J. German
is president of the foundation which is
establishing and will support the Variety
Club clinic for children with epilepsy at the
Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Bronx
Municipal Hospital Center. Some 20.000 coin
boxes will be placed in the metropolitan area.
There is an urgent need for a new clinic,
German said, because an ever-increasing
number of persons are now seeking therapy.
Several local clinics have been established
and more are required.
'

. . The
.
. . Jack
. . Dorothy
. . Floyd
. . The
. . The
. .
John
. .
KKi^ssffiraas
p ITTSBURGH
•JUTrs. Michael Manos, wife of the circuit exhibitor
who now is at her Greensburg
home after spending the winter with her husband
at their Miami residence, is prepared to
depart for a vacation in Europe. Mike is expected
to remain at the Surfside home
throughout the spring and summer. His
health is much improved
. . .
Louis Hanna jr.,
eldest son of the Stearn-Hanna Co-Op executive
underwent an appendectomy in Mercy
Hospital and he has been recuperating very
well . . . Mi-s. Fi-ank. Biordi of the Ellwood
City theatre family has been installed as
president of the Girl Scout Leaders Ass'n
there.
Jay Frankenberry, who assisted Ken Woodward.
Uniontown city manager for the Manos
circuit, now is managing the Moonlite Drivein
nearby, recently acquired by Manos from
Steve Danke. Jay directed operations for
Manos last year when the circuit purchased
two drive-in theatres at Allentown.
George Eby of the John H. Harris enterprises
and the Variety Club: Tom Johnson,
Larry Israel, Don Lott and William Adler have
purchased television station KEYD, channel
9 in Minneapolis Maple Drive-In
.
.here is being graded to add 500 new parking
areas to bring the total capacity to 1,300 . .
Collapse of a bridge near the Sunset Beach
Drive-In near Claysville has necessitated rerouting
of traffic to the rear of the area, according
to owner C. M. Ducray.
Removal of equipment at The Gardens has
ended the last hopes of saving the sports
arena. The long lease held by John H. Harris
expires April 30 and dismantling started
last weekend. Equipment and fixtures are
being taken to the Harris office-warehouse
on Bigelow boulevard. Pittsburgh will have
no hooky, ice shows or arena events until the
lower hill arena is constructed and opened,
probably in 1959. This city will have the first
removable-roof arena.
vacation in Las Vegas.
Theatres in Pennsylvania, particularly
drive-ins, were eating concessions and cafeterias
account for much of the business, are
collecting the new state 3 per cent sales tax
on foods sold, just as restaurants . . . Charles
Dortic, Columbia Pictures salesman, checked
into Mercy Hospital this weekend for a possible
operation . . . James Geibel is a busy
Better ThM Ev

. . . Republic
. . Hazel
. . George
. . Sympathy
. . Mrs.
. .
. . Frank
WASHINGTON
J^rs. Ben (aplon, ;i4. wife of the manager
for Columbia here, died on Tuesday at
Sibley Hospital following an operation for
a tumor. Doctors said she died of shock. Besides
her husband, she is survived by two
daughters. Lynn, 16, and Jill, 14; her father.
John R. Beckley. 80, and four sisters . .
The annual conference of the Federation of
Motion Picture Councils, Inc., convening in
St. Louis on April 19. 20, will be attended
by the president of the District of Columbia
Motion Picture and Television Council, Mrs.
Vii'ginia RoUwage Collier. Ei-ic Johnston,
president of the Motion Picture Ass'n of
America, and Cecil B. DeMille will deliver
the major addresses at the convention, which
will deal primarily with evaluating motion
pictures, the Production Code, and the U. S.
and foreign markets for motion pictures.
event . . .
Saturday night was a big night in the
Variety clubrooms when Tent 11 saluted the
Washington Senators baseball team with
Norman Kal acting as chau-man for the
Chief Barker Orville Crouch urges
all who contemplate attending the convention
of Variety International in New York
May 9-12 to get their registration fee in as
quickly as possible. Make out checks to Variety
Tent 35 and mail to Miss Kolinsky,
secretary, Willard Hotel, Washington .
Hirsh De La Viez, chairman of the entertainment
committee, has sent out notices for
another teenage jukebox dance to be held in
the clubrooms on Friday night i20i.
. .
.
WOMPI of VVashingrton held a luncheon
meeting in the Continental Hotel Tuesday.
Annabelle H. Kent, director of the Children's
. Frank
Convalescent Home, spoke
Dervin. assistant to Ed Walton, was at the
RKO exchange Sullivan has resigned
as manager of the Elks Club boys
band, a post which he held for many years
Manager Jake Flax returned
to his desk after several weeks in Johns Hopkins
Hospital . . . Milt Lipsner, Allied Artists
manager, attended the sales convention in
Chicago . Downs, Warner Bros., is
a new WOMPI member.
United Artists booker Lucille Traband is
making a series of visits to the dentist . . .
Mrs. Lillian Pratt, wife of the Warner Theatres
executive, is ailing . . . Paramount exploiteer
Mike Weiss was in . . . Manager
Herb Bennin was in Baltimore . Ben
Lust, Ben Lust Theatre Supply Co., went up
to Atlantic City for a few days, accompanied
by her sister, Ella Klein . to the
family of David Barney, Petersburg, who
died. Barney owned the Idle Hour and Barney
theatres in Petersburg, both of which are
operated by his son Moe. Also to Mr. and
Mrs. Green. Laurenceville, Va.. exhibitors on
the death of their only son.
DC Technicians Favor lA
NEW YORK—In an election
conducted by
the National Labor Relations Board, employes
of BjTon, Inc., film laboratory and
studio at Washington, D. C, during the week,
decided to be represented by the lATSE
as collective bargaining agent. Included in
the balloting were laboratory technicians, film
editors, art depaj'tment employes, cameramen
and other film technicians. Bargaining
negotiations are to be started soon.
ATTEND PITTSBURGH TR.\DESCRE£N1NG—"Birds and Bet's,' featuring the
introduction of comedian George Gobel on the screen, has attracted many exhibitors
at tradescreenings over the country. Top photo shows a group in the lobby of Loew's
Penn Theatre in Pittsburgh, left to right: Ben Amdur, Garden Theatre; Darid Kimelman.
Paramount manager; Bert Stearn. Stearn-Hanna Cooperative Theatres; Mike
Winograd, Oriental, Rochester, Pa,; Vince Corso, Star Distributing Agency; Louis
Hanna, Cooperative Theatres; Ted Grance, Outdoor Theatres, and Robert Caskey,
Paramount Pittsburgh salesman. Bottom photo, at the Logan Theatre, Philadelphia;
Bill Humphrey, Paramount Manager Ulrik Smith, and Sandy Gottlieb.
BALTIMORE
The Variety Club's Women's Guild held a
luncheon party last week and featured
NEW YORK—Universal-International has
withdrawn its objections to a few details in
a formula for allocation of foreign import
a guest speaker. Mrs. Marian Becker, president,
presided . . Isador M. Rappaport, licenses and the Motion Picture Export A.ss'n
.
owner of the Hippodrome, Town and Little, will put the formula into effect soon. It will
and wife returned from a holiday at White
Sulpher Springs . . . Jack Whittle, owner of
be used
licenses.
first in connection with Japanese
the Avenue, and wife returned from a Florida
vacation.
The final hitch was over a definition of
what constitutes an American picture. The
question arose as to whether foreign pictures
The Plaza at Lexington Park is featuring
marketed here by American distributors and
an Auction night every Thursday evening.
co-productions filmed abroad should be included.
T. L. Haarrison jr. is manager . Hurley,
U-I
yielded in the interest of unity.
treasurer at the Film Centre for "Okla-
Felix Sommer of U-I notified the MPEA of
homa!" attended the Vagabond Theatre's
the decision at a meeting Tuesday (10). The
opening of "Gigi." . . . Sydney R, Traub,
meeting also discussed the embargo on film
former chairman of the Maryland board of
shipments to Spain, now several months old.
motion picture censors, has been transferred
as a lieutenant-colonel of the Air Force Reserve
to the reserve retired list after reaching
the age of 60.
Jack Sidney, former city manager for
Loew's and the Century Theatre who was
transferred to Norfolk when the Century was
sold, has retiu-ned to Baltimore and plans
to open his own advertising and publicity
offices here.
Import License Formula
Gains Final Approval
Richard C. Brown Promoted
NEW YORK—Richard C. Brown has been
named a vice-president of Formosa Productions
by Samuel Goldwyn jr., president.
Brown, who has been assistant to the producer
for two years, will continue to hsjidle
story and talent for Formosa.
Traveling Unit Will Plug
'Mohawk' for Three Weeks
NEW YORK—A travehng unit
from Hollywood
will visit 29 cities in the Mohawk Valley
starting April 16 as a promotion stunt for
Edward L. Alperson's "Mohawk."' color film
being released by 20th Century-Fox.
Stops will be made at Lockport and Batavia.
16; 17; April Rochester. Buffalo. 18; Canandaigua
and Newark. 19; Elmira. 20; Binghamton.
21; Amsterdam. 23. 24; Albany, 25;
Gloversville, 26; Little Palls, Herkimer and
Ilion, 27; Utica, 28; Syracuse, 29; Oswego,
May 2; Geneva and Auburn, 3; Cortland, 4,
and Watertown, 5,
BOXOFFICE

. . Val
. . Stephen
.^eHcU«t ^cfront
THE campaign for entertainment tax relief
received a slight setback following the
meeting between the All-Industry Tax Committee
and the new films committee of the
Socialist party. The Socialist representatives,
while impressed with the trade's case, wanted
to know exactly how much the AITC was
asking from the Chancellor and requested an
actual figure of relief regarded as necessary,
both to help small exhibitors and to make a
larger return to producers. The deputation,
which included John Davis, R. G. Leach, Sir
Henry French, representing the producers
and E. Hinge and Ellis Pinkney the exhibitors,
were unable to give the Socialist MPs
a clear answer. They were next asked if they
had agreed on any proportion of relief grant
to be alloted between the exhibitors and producers.
Again the AITC was unable to
satisfy the MPs with their reply. The meeting
ended with the Socialist MPs expressing
sympathy at the aims of the deputation, but
without a promise of any official support.
Associated British Picture Corp. will be very
much in evidence at the Cannes Film Festival
as its film, "Yield to the Night," starring
Diana Dors, looks like being the sole British
feature entered for this ninth international
film festival. Thousands of photographic
blowups of ABPC films and artists now are
ready to flood Cannes; photographs and
stories of the studios participation in the festival
have been distributed to every European
magazine and newspaper; while the special
British Film Producers Ass'n stand at the
Festival has been designed by ABPC art director
Terence Verity, plus a number of
panels for display along the "Croisette,"
Cannes main promenade.
The contingent from Elstree will be the
biggest ever sent from this studio. It is
headed by Robert Clark, executive producer,
accompanied by his wife; Mario Zampi, who
produced and directed ELstree's "Now and
Forever"; Kenneth Harper and J. Lee
Thompson, the producer and director of
"Yield to the Night"; Michael Anderson, who
directed the Associated British film, "The
Dam Busters," and more recently "1984" and,
of course, the star of the British film entry-
Miss Diana Dors. Practically the entire list of
ABPC contract artists will be there, headed
by Richard Todd, Janette Scott, Yvonne
Furneaux, Guy Rolfe, George Baker and
Vernon Gray. Leslie Frewin, director of
studio publicity, is traveling with the party
and will be assisted by publicist Bob Webb,
cameraman Bob Penn.
Tom Wiseman, one of the most readable
of the Fleet Street columnists, returned from
a six-week visit to Hollywood on behalf of
Lord Beaverbrook's Evening Standard. During
his U. S. tour Wiseman sent back to his
paper some excellent profiles of film stars
and directors currently in the news. Last
week he concluded his series with a profile
on Hollywood as a city. It was not, he found,
a city of sin, decadence and corruption.
"Hollywood." said Wiseman, "was a nation
of shop talkers and gossips with a middleclass
morality and an upper-class income.
It has four deadly sins: First, it is a town
full of frustrated story-tellers and gossip is
a condition of survival. Secondly: It suffers
—By ANTHONY GRUNER
from money snobbery ... A person's worth
is judged by how much he earns and that is
judged by liow much he spends. The thu-d
sin is sycophancy, there are many people
in Hollywood with vague, undefined talents
who occupy positions of power. Usually they
owe their positions to their innate talent for
flattery. This is a real and necessary talent
here. The fourth sin is shop-talk: Whenever
people switch off their television sets and
indulge in the luxury of conversation they
Theatres is £258,881, compared with £242,920
last year. In his annual statement, chairman
Sidney Bernstein devotes most of his comments
to television as against the film industry.
He does, however, mention that of
his net profit no less than £168.253 had been
set aside to meet income tax and profits
tax, apart from the entertainment duty which
takes £35 out of every £100 paid in at the
boxoffice. On television Bernstein declares
that his Northern region station (Granada
TV network) will serve a population of some
13,000,000, an increase of 3,000,000 compared
with his forecast in last year's annual report.
Granada will have two transmitters:
the first wUl go on the aii- in May, and will
cover a population of approximately 7% million,
and the second will be ready by the
autumn and cover 5'- million people.
Bernstein is thoroughly enthusiastic about
the future of commercial television in Britain
and has this to say about its potential profitability:
"If, when Independent Television covers
some 70 per cent of the population of Great
Britain—as it wOl be the end of the yearit
is allocated only 10 per cent of the national
advertising budget, its success is
assured. I have no doubt that the value of
the medium to British industry will justify
an even greater allocation than this.
"It will be our object from the start to
blend the claims of entertainment and social
responsibility into a program which will attract
the interest and respect of the British
public. It will take time for the advertisers
to learn how best to sell their goods through
our powerful medium. I have no doubt that
commercial television has a great future."
Sir Laui-ence Olivier's "Richard III" now
has confounded all the critics by its staggering
boxoffice progress throughout the country.
After a successful 15-week run in the
West End, its prerelease engagements in the
key towns and cities throughout the British
Isles has produced staggering figures in areas
where Shakespearean films have always been
the kiss of death. In cities like Newcastle,
Leeds, Derby and York, not prone to favor
"British films" as against Hollywood productions,
the results have been just as surprising
with many house records broken. Many
of these engagements were carried out during
the intense cold spell in February and March
and owing to its length of 158 minutes, "Richard
III" was usually limited to three performances
a day. Yet the gross was unaffected
compared with the returns of other top features
playing at four performances at the
same time in opposition theatres. It is quite
clear that in Britain at least, "Richard III"
will be one of the biggest money-making films
of 1956.
Paramounfs Tony Reddin deserves
talk about films. There is no
an
other topic of
accolade for the way he has presented Oreste
conversation. The outside world might not
Kirkop to the British public.
exist." Wiseman
Bearing in
did discover to his surprise
mind that until five weeks ago this great
that Hollywood had abolished the old-fashioned
"mogul." "The men who
Maltese tenor was practically unknown. Reddin
has secured great publicity with Oreste
used to be
known as the Tsars of all the Rushes have
by the skillful use of the
been overthrown
Paramount trailer
and the system that operates
in Hollywood today
on BBC television. A number of other important
television dates for the singer
is a dictatorship of
the proletariat: And
have
it is the richest, most
been secured, including "Sunday
comfortable
Night at
and the most aristocratic proletariat
in the world."
the Palladium," Val Parnell's show for Associated
Television. Results of Reddin's labor:
a splendidly successful premiere of
The annual report of Granada
"The
Theatres
Vagabond King" at the Plaza Theatre, attended
by every important personality in
shows that the circuit has enjoyed a record
business year
the
with a trading surplus of
British musical profession.
£401,043, an
As usual,
increase
Paramount's
publicity chief gave it his personal
of £28,769 over the
previous year. The net profit of Granada
touch with a 35-piece orchestra accompanying
Oreste on the stage before the film. Now
the word-of-mouth reports of the "Voice"
have reached the public and the Plaza is
packing them in.
Another premiere launched successfully in
London last week was the Warwick production
of "Safari" at the Empire Leicester
Square. This was the world premiere of the
Victor Mature, Janet Leigh film, dealing
with the story of an American hunter who
revenges himself on the Mau Mau after they
have killed his son. On the stage was George
Melachrino and his orchestra (who was associated
with the theatre during the period that
MGM held nightly stage shows under the
production of the late Nat Carson). Guests
at the premiere were given the atmosphere
of the film through lounge exhibits from
Central Africa, including skins and heads of
lions and other animals captured while on
safari. Most of the diplomatic corps in London,
including representatives of Commonwealth
territories of Africa attended this premiere,
planned by Warwick's Euan Lloyd in
cooperation with Columbia's publicity department.
News in brief: A late entry for the Cannes
Film Festival is "Seven Years in Tibet," a
full-length color feature based on the novel
of the same title by Heinrich Harrer . . . The
British Film Producers Ass'n and the Ass'n
of Cine Technicians have signed a new wage
agreement whereby union members with
salaries under £27 are to receive an increase
of £1 per week . Parnell will present
"64,000 Question" on Associated Television,
the commercial television network for London
and the Midlands. M.C. will be Jerry Desmonde.
In Britain the winners will be paid
in sixpences instead of dollars as in the
original U. S. show Bosustow,
president and executive producer of UPA Pictures,
Inc., was due in London this week for a
business-cum-social visit before travehng to
42 BOXOFFICE :
Italy.
: April 14, 1956
w!i-im-vf^v,CTw^

12
VIEWS PRODUCTION CEINTER
5«04 Houvwooa Blvd.: I van SveaT, Wesit
'Scarlet Hour' Debut
Is Held at Salt Lake
HOLLYWCK5D—In-the-flesh star appearances
at premieres of their features loom high
in the exploitation plans on several upcoming
celluloid efforts.
Paramount, for example, dispatched starlet
Carol Ohmart to Salt Lake City for the
Thursday 1 1 debut of her first picture, "The
Scarlet Hour." which bowed at the Capitol
Theatre there. Met by Gov. J. Bracken Lee
of Utah and Mayor Adiel F. Stewart of Salt
Lake City, the player made appearances, did
TV. radio and newspaper interviews and rode
in a street parade marking her return to
her hometown after a five-year absence. "The
Scarlet Hour." produced and directed by
Michael Curtiz. also features Tom Tryon and
Jody Lawrance.
A day earlier, on Wednesday (11), "Good-
Bye. My Lady." a Batjac production being
released by Warners, was world-premiered in
Albany, Ga.. where the picture was filmed.
On hand for the two-day civic celebration
were Walter Brennan. star of the opus, as well
as William Hopper. Karen Sharp and Roxanne
Ai-len. It was directed for the Batjac
unit by William A. Wellman.
Producer Edmund Grainger and cast toppers
Virginia Mayo, Robert Stack and Ruth Roman
will trek to Denver for the May 16 bow of
Grainger's "Great Day in the Morning," an
RKO Radio release. Promotional blueprints
include a "Great Day in the Morning" tieup
with the Denver Post and Rocky Mountain
News, while the premiere itself will be given
TV, radio and newsreel coverage.
MGM's "Tribute to a Bad Man," a Sam
Zimbalist production starring James Cagney,
will open locally May 2 in 11 Los Angeles
area theatres, the State downtown, the Hawaii
in Hollywood, the United Artists in Pasadena,
the Picwood and seven drive-ins. In Cinema-
Scope and color, it was directed by Robert
Wise.
"The Vagabond King," the Paramount
musical starring Kathryn Grayson and the
European tenor Oreste wa,s accorded three
British openings early this month, prior to
its U. S. release. The offering, a Pat Duggan
production megged by Michael Curtiz, had
its world premiere Thursday (5) at the Plaza
Theatre in London, followed by engagements
in Leeds and Manchester.
Industry luminaries who have been associated
with Darryl F. Zanuck during the letter's
30 years in films were among the firstnighters
when the Zanuck production for 20th
Century-Pox, "The Man in the Gray Flannel
BOXOFFICE :
: April 14, 1956
Suit," was given its glamor-studded west coast
premiere Thursday (12) at Grauman's Chinese
Theatre. The Gregory Peck-Jennifer Jones
starrer, based on Sloan Wilson's best-selling
novel, opened simultaneously in New York.
Among the guests were Buddy Adler, 20th-
Fox executive producer; Lew Schreiber, executive
manager; Sid Rogell, executive studio
manager; Pi-esident Spyros Skouras; Nunnally
Johnson, who wrote and directer "Suit,"
and the
following:
Shirley Temple Gregory Peck
Fi-edric Mai-ch Gary Cooper
Groucho Marx Flobert Mltchum
Robert Cummings Clifton Webb
Dinah Shore Sheree North
Paul Hem-eid Paul Douglas
The local premiere was given TV coverage
via Steve Allen's NBC Tonight show.
Industry Leaders to Fete
Alfred Wallenstein
HOLLYWOOD—Musical artists and civic
and motion picture leaders will honor the
Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra and its
conductor Alfred Wallenstein at a Thursday
(191 testimonial luncheon at the Biltmore
Hotel prior to the orchestra's departure, under
State Department auspices, on a ten-week
tour of Japan and other free nations in Asia.
Johnny Green. MGM musical director, and
George Murphy, the studio's public relations
head, will act as masters of ceremonies at
the luncheon.
Comedian Jerry Lewis and George J. Heltzer,
southland industrialist, were given Heart
of Gold awards at the recent 13th annual
dinner dance of the Mount Sinai Hospital
Men's Club. The presentations w'ere made by
Y. Frank Freeman, Paramount studio head,
and Ernest J. Loebbecke. insurance executive.
Lewis, a member of the hospital's board of
directors, has been active in fund-raising
campaigns for the organization. Heltzer has
been president of the Mount Sinai Hospital
and clinic for the past three years.
Kickoff Gifts $250,000
HOLLYWOOD— Contributions of $250,000,
an increase of 40 per cent over last year,
were forthcoming at the Monday i9) dinner
launching the United Jewish Welfare Fund
drive for 1956, it was reported by Jerry Wald,
chairman of the campaign's motion picture
division.
Elvis Presley Signed by Wallis
HOLLYWOOD—Elvis Presley, new singing
star, has been signed to a term contract by
Producer Hal Wallis. Presley is a regular on
a CBS network show and has a recording
contract with RCA Victor.
Canteen Gifts Include
UCLA Medical School
HOLLYWCX)D^ules Stein, in behalf of
trustees of the Hollyw^ood Canteen, which
entertained more than 3,000,000 members of
the armed forces during World War II,
disclosed
a group of donations, including $100,-
000 to the School of Medicine at UCLA. Stein
is chairman of the Hollywood Canteen Foundation.
The donations were derived from
funds set aside when the canteen closed.
The UCLA contribution is to be used as
a revolving fund for needy and promising
medical students, with preference to be given
veterans or children of veterans. Other
authorized expenditures include:
A fund of $25,000 for continued purchases
of TV sets and other entertainment equipment
in veterans hospitals, over and above
$20,000 already spent during the last year
for
similar purposes.
Completion of a $6,000 contribution to the
Portals, an organization which provides a
home and professional career guidance for
veterans after their dismissal from psychiatric
hospitals.
Serving with Stein as canteen trustees are
Bette Davis, Carey Wilson, Mason Morris,
Baron Morehead, Ralph Clare and John
TeGroen.
MGM contractee Anne Francis will be an
honored guest Friday (20) at the annual
charity ball in Dallas, spoiLsored by that
community's Fashion Group in association
with the Dallas News and R. J. O'Donnell of
the Interstate circuit. Her Texas visit will
be tied in with promotion of "Forbidden
Planet," in which she stars with Walter
Pidgeon.
Bill Perlberg Defends
Scenes About Military
ALAMEDA, CALIF.—Attacks on the industry's
output of pictures with military themes
were answered Tuesday (10) by William
Perlberg of Perlberg-Seaton Productions at
Paramount in an address at the annual Navy
public information seminar here. Perlberg
the public relations values to be gained
listed
by the mutual cooperation between the armed
services and the film world in rebuttal to
headhnes of an article recently printed in a
nonofficial service magazine— "Is Hollywood
Deliberately or Accidentally Distorting Navy
Life?"
The filmmaker called upon the services to
judge each feature as a whole, and not on
the basis of an individual scene or characterization.

STUDIO PERSONNELITIES
Cleffers
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
BRONISLAU KAPER will compose the score for
Somebody Up There Likes Me."
Independent
C. V. Whitney Pictures, Inc., booked MAX STEINER
to write the musical score for its contemplated new
version of "Chang."
Paramount
WALTER SCHARF will adopt and conduct the
musical score for the Hal Wallis production, "Hollywood
or Bust."
Loanouts
Universal-International
3IE REYNOLDS has been borrowed from MGM
in "Tammy," a romantic drama in Techniwhich
will roll lote this month as a Ross
production. Joseph Pevney will direct.
Meggers
20th Century-Fox
Replacing Dick Powell, who will undertake another
commitment for the studio, HENRY KING will pilot
the Heni-y Ephron production, "Con-Can," based on
the stage musical by Cole Porter and Abe Burrows.
United Artists
Russ-Field Productions signed RAOUL WALSH to
pilot the upcoming Clark Gable storrer, "The Last
Man in Wagon Mound," scheduled to roll within
C^cecu-Uae
Options
AUied Artists
the William Broidy F. Casting on production,
"Yaqui Drums," was completed with the signing of
KEITH RICHARDS, G. PAT COLLINS, JOHN MER-
RICK and DONALD KERR. Being directed by Jean
Yarbrough, the action drama stars Rod Cameron,
J. Carrol Noish and Mary Castle.
Columbia
JEFF DONNELL, most a
ently
dienne, will undertake a
"Guns of Fort Petticoat." Character actress
MAC MAHON was booked for the Audie
ALINE
Murphy
starrer, o Horry Joe Brown production which George
Marshall directs.
ADDISON RICHARDS was cost as a lynch trial
ludge in "Reprisal," starring Guy Madison, which
George Sherman megs for Producer Lewis Rach-
J.
Metropohton Opera star SALVATORE BACCALONI
will have one of the leading roles—a comedy part
in "Full of Life," upcoming Judy Holliday starrer,
will which Richard Quine meg for Producer Fred
Kohlmor.
Independent
SALLY FRASER, BEVERLY GARLAND and LEE
VAN CLEEF loined Peter Graves in the topline cast of
"It Conquered the World," science-fiction entry being
produced and directed by Roger Corman for American
Releasing Corp.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Absent from the screen for several years, ALAN
MARSHAL resumes witrh a featured role in "The Opposite
Sex," Comedienne CHARLOTTE GREENWOOD
^^taae/e^d
stars June Allyson, Dolores Gray, Ann Miller and
Joan Collins under direction of David Miller.
German stage-screen star ELIZABETH MUELLER
will hove the temme lead opposite Robert Toylor in
the Nicholas Nayfock production, "The Power and
the Prize," to be directed by Henry Koster.
Broadway actress NORMA CRANE was added to
the cast of "Tea and Sympathy," the Pondro S.
Bermon production, starring Deborah Kerr under the
direction of Vincente Minnelli.
Paramount
NELSON LEIGH drew o real-life role—that of onetime
Mayor Kelly of Dodge City— in "Gunfighf at
the OK Corral." Producer Hoi Wallis inked TED
DECORSIA to portray a bad man in the Burt Loncoster-Kirk
Douglas vehicle, which John Sturges is
piloting.
Given a contract renewal was actress JODY LAW-
RANCE.
ling.
RKO Radio
Cast 05 an attorney in the Bert Friedlob production,
"Beyond a Reasonable Doubt," was CARLTON
YOUNG. Starring Dona Andrews and Joan Fontoine,
the drama is being directed by Fritz Long.
United Artists
Seltzer Films inked DOE AVEDON ond WILLIAM
BISHOP for toplines the John Payne "The
in starrer,
will Boss," which Byron Hoskin direct.
Producer Robert Goldstein booked RAYMOND
BURR and NANCY GATES for leads with Hugh
O'Brion in the galloper, "The Brass Legend," which
Gerd Oswald will direct.
Universal-International
Femme lead in "Gun for a Coward," starring Fred
MacMurray and Jeff Hunter, went to JANICE RULE.
The Technicolor western, a William Allond production,
IS being megged by Abner Bibermon. JOSE-
PHINE HUTCHINSON wos handed o character lead.
Cast as a donceholl girl wos BETTY LYNN. Cost as
a heavy was JOHN LARCH.
DEAN JAGGER snagged one of the leading roles
in "The Greot Man," starring and being directed by
Jose Ferrer for Producer Aaron Rosenberg. JIM
BACKUS and his wife, HENNY, drew character leads.
Drawing o character lead in the John Agar vehicle,
"The Mole People," was ALAN NAPIER. The
West: Les Kaufman, advertising-publicity
director for UPA Pictures, returned from a
three-week business trek to New York.
West: Kenneth McEldowney, who produced
"The River" for United Artists release several
seasons ago, checked in from Gotham to reactivate
his Oriental International Films,
drafting a three-picture schedule during the
next two years.
East:Director Andre DeToth will check out
for Denmark in mid-May to pilot "Hidden
Fear," an upcoming United Artists release
which will be made in association with a
Danish company. Palladium Studios.
West: Steve Broidy, president of Allied Artists,
returned from an eastern junket, during
which he attended a three- day national sales
conference in Chicago and held business huddles
in New York.
East: Don Hartman, who recently established
his own independent unit, releasing
through Paramount, will head for London at
mid-month to attend the opening there of
"The Chalk Garden," the new Enid Bagnold
stage play, which he will film. Accompanying
Hartman will be John Michael Hayes,
currently writing the script.
East: William Nutt, west coast story editor
for RKO, left for Gotham for a week of
conferences with Don Moore, ea.stern story
head, on new properties and the completion
of plans for coordination between the two
departments. Meantime, Charles L. Glett,
vice-president in charge of studio operations,
•A-as due back from a series of Manhattan
Imddles with Thomas O'Neil, board chairman,
and President Daniel T. O'Shea.
West: Harold Hecht of Hecht-Lancaster
checked in after a week's stay in New York,
during which he conferred with United Artists
executives on release plans for H-L's
"Trapeze."
West: Ai'thur Krim, president of United
Artists, and Robert Benjamin planed in from
New York for west coast huddles.
East: Concluding a series of conferences
with studio executives, including Edward
Muhl, production chief, Milton R. Rackmil,
president of U-I, planed out for New York.
West: R. J. O'Donnell, vice-president and
general manager of the Interstate circuit,
checked in from Dallas for a swing around
the studios to gander new product.
West: Producer Leland Hayward returned
from Cuba after sur>ervising final preparations
for launching the filming there of "The Old
Man and the Sea," Spencer Tracy starrer for
Warner release. To be directed by Fred Zinnemann,
it will begin camera work Monday (23)
in Havana.
East: Lee Katz, newly appointed European
production representative for Allied Artists,
headed for New York en route to Paris to
establish headquarters.
East: Joseph and Irving Tushinsky, president
and vice-president of Superscope, planed
out for London to complete expansion plans
in Europe for their anamorphic process.
They will install Superscope equipment in the
British Technicolor plant, which will serve
as the centralized agency for Superscope
processing
abroad.
IS being megged by' Virgil Vogel. ROBIN HUGHES
drew a featured role.
Warner Bros.
Cast OS a flight surgeon in William Holden's Toluco
production, "Toward the Unknown," was DICK CUT-
TING. With Holden in the starring role, the aviavyn
LeRoy.
NATALIE WOOD will team with Tab Hunter in
"The Girl He Left Behind," a romantic comedy
which David Butler has been set to direct for Producer
Frank Rosenberg.
Scripters
20th Century-Fox
JAY DRATLER wos booked to develop "Fraulein,"
bosed on the recently purchased novel by James
G. will McGovern, which Samuel Engel produce.
Story Buys
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
ture story by Marvin DeVnes, published as a Saturday
Evening Post novelette, was purchased and
assigned to Nicholas Noyfack to produce.
Paramount
"Joey," o teleplay by Louis Peterson, recently
presented on NBC's TV Ployhouse, was purchosed and
assigned to Robert Emmett Dolon to produce. It will
star Anthony Perkins, who created the part in the
video version. Author Peterson was booked to work
United Artists
"Love in a Dry Seoson," a novel by Shelby Foote,
was purchased by James B. Horns and Stanley Kubrick.
The former will produce and the latter will
Technically
Metro-Gold'wyn-Mayer
ARTHUR E. ARLING was assigned to photogroph
Paramount
C. C. "BUDDY" COLEMAN will
director on the Hal Wallis producti
Bust."
Warner Bros.
"The Girl He Left
STANLEY FLEISCHER.
BOXOFFICE
:
: April 14, 1956

. . fashion
TV Production Code
To Video Producers
HOLLYWOOD—In preparation since last
October, a television code similar in concept
to the production code administered by the
Motion Picture Ass'n of America has been
submitted to TV producers and the Academy
of Television Arts and Sciences for study.
Comments have been requested on the selfregulatory
document, which may be amended
is before a final draft turned over to the
ATAS. scheduled to act as the administrator.
The code propounds respect for religion,
marriage, race and nationality, cautions
against indecent exposure, sexual passion, violent
crime and any apparently desirable effects
of the use of narcotics, discourages suicide
as the solution to a dramatic problem and
taboos such subjects as seduction, rape and
prastitution.
Chairman of the drafting committee is
Martin Leeds, executive of Desilu Productions.
From Madrid came word that Stanley
Kramer, now lensing "The Pride and the
Passion" there for release by United Artists,
is setting up a department with Dick Condon
in charge to produce, write and photograph
TV footage concerning the filming
chore. The celluloid is for use by UA exploiteers
and will also be offered to networks
for use on such shows as "Adventure"
and "Omnibus."
Screen Gems, Columbia's TV subsidiary,
booked Sterling Hayden to star in "The
Traveling Companion," a half-hour entry in
the Falstaff Celebrity Playhouse series, and
Mary Ellen Kay and Dan Barton to share
the honors with Thomas Mitchell in "Remembrance
Day," which is for the Ford Theatre
series.
Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis have
narrated five-minute TV featurettes for booking
nationally in connection with the upcoming
distribution of Hecht-Lancaster's
"Trapeze," starring Lancaster, Curtis and
Gina Lollobrigida. The feature is for United
Artists release.
Para. Signs Zinnemann
To Produce, Direct Three
HOLLYWOOD—Paramount has signed Fred
Zinnemann to a three-picture producer-director
commitment, effective when he has completed
megging the upcoming Leland Hayward
production, "The Old Man and the Sea," at
Warners.
It was expected Zinnemann would get his
first picture under the Paramount deal under
way this fall. No property has been selected
as yet.
To Distribute 'Lassie'
HOLLYWOOD — Columbia, which already
has arranged to distribute "Lassie." a theatrical
version of the TV series, has also arranged
to produce "The Rin Tin Tin Story." stemming
from another telefilm series. Both canine
entries will be in Cinemascope and color.
"The Rin Tin Tin Story." based on a book
by James W. English, will be produced for
Columbia by Bert Leonard. "Lassie'' is a
Robert Maxwell production.
JUST
in case anyone suspects that opportunism
is a lost art among the magi of
motion picture production and distribution,
let him give a thought to what is being
done in connection with THAT marriage.
Mighty MGM. through its publicists, has
declared that the happy—and undoubtedly
highly commercial — coincidence that the
blushing bride, Grace Kelly, is .staiTed in
"The Swan" will not be luridly exploited and
will be treated with utmost dignity. Rendering
the coincidence all the more striking and
tempting is the well-known fact that the
Ferenc Molnar play, in which the forthcoming
feature finds genesis, treats with the royal
romance of a princess, Miss Kelly, and a
prince, Alec Guinness, in a Graustarkian
middle-European nation.
In view of which, Leo's drumbeaters have
up to this writing, at least—manifested admirable
restraint in carrying out the we-mustbe-dignified
policy. If ever there was a situation
into which blurbers could sink their teeth,
this is it. But so far the Culver City flacks
have merely nibbled at the edges thereof.
Of course, the coincidence is carried one step
further because "The Swan" will be going
into release just about the time when La
Kelly trips down the aisle to become the
Princess of Monaco.
Not so conservative Is Paramount brass,
from which has come announcement that its
sales department is making available, to showmen
who are desirous of booking or reboolung
them, the four pictures in which Miss
Kelly appeared for that company— "The
Country Girl," "The Bridges at Toko-Ri,"
"Rear Window" and "To Catch a Thief."
Which goes in spades for Allied Artists,
that outfit having secured reissue dates for a
Bowery Boys epic, "High Society," patently
to cash in on the upcoming MG>I entry of the
same title, which stars IVIlss Kelly with Bing
Crosby and Frank Sinatra. It is understood
that AA gave Leo the okay to use the tag
on the Tatter's film.
And be not surprised if e'er the Rainier-
Kelly wedding bells cease echoing, AA announces
plans to produce "The Bowery Boys
in Monte Carlo"—which isn't too bad an
idea, at that.
Speaking of AA. John Flirm. chief adjective-agitator
for that organization, recently
hosted a cocktail party and press conference
for a group of 15 Swiss film exhibitors during
their visit to Hollywood while on a U. S. tour.
With characteristic hospitality, a bounteous
buffet was served.
But to jovial Johnny's everlasting shame,
not a single morsel of Swiss cheese was to be
found on the groaning board.
Not yet had the ink dried on the overabundant
reports of the 1955 Oscar Awards,
when Bill Hendricks, blurbery bailiff for the
Brudem Warner, wasted postage on a handout
stating that the "pitch is already under
way on potential 1956 winners," and that
"Miracle in the Rain" is so treated in a review
in Books and Authors, hailing the Jane Wyman
starrer as a "dramatic presentation that
should rate Academy Awards In many departments."
So the early worm herewith gets a resounding
bird.
Screen Gems, Columbia's busy-bee TV subsidiary,
bids for attention with a yarn purporting
to show that canine star Rin Tin Tin
is just as much of a hero in real life a-s he
is in the video series in which he shares
the thespian honors with one Lee Aaker.
While on location recently, according to the
Screen Gems scribe, a runaway mustang dislodged
a heavy rock which started to roll
swiftly down a steep hill at the bottom of
which the unsuspecting Aaker stood.
However, Rinty "spotted the oncoming rock
and in typical . knocked his friend
out of the rock's path."
Better Rinty should have stood aside and
let the boulder batter the press agent who
dreamed up this one.
In Informing that John Wayne has been
signed by RKO Radio for the topline in the
forthcoming "Pakistan," the studio's drumbeaters
declare that the company has "been
searching for some time for a starring picture
for Wayne of sufficient stature ..."
How about "Jet Pilot"—or is that one now
grounded permanently?
From Arthur Jacobs, catch-as-catch-can
spacesnatcher, intelligence that the Phoenix
Corp., independent unit headed by Julian
Blaustein and Daniel Taradash, is joining
with John Huston in the production of a feature
based on the life and career of Sigmund
Freud. With Huston to meg, the opus will be
adapted from a just-purchased tome, "FYeud,
Master and Friend," according to the Jacobean
communique.
At long last, arduous Arthur might wind up
with a couch. And thereon he could join "The
Sleeping Prince," projected initial subject to
be made by Marilj-n Monroe Productions for
Warner distribution, and which is another of
Jacobs' flacking ventures.
Among reasons for the south to rise again
is the gesture made by producer Y. Frank
Freeman jr., who, according to Paramount's
praisery, presented his stars on the opening
filming day of "The Loves of Omar Khayyam"
with "a jug of wine, a loaf of bread" and a
copy of "The Rubaiyat,' inscribed "To
thou ..."
And nary a Coke!
Having worn out— literally and figuratively
—his hearse routine, Charles Moses, tubthumper
for Bel-Air Productions, now devotes
his attention to scorpions. Moses raves
that two such live poisonous creatures—one
a "stand-in"—were recruited for the current
Bel-Air brainchild, "Pharaoh's Curse,"
on location in Death Valley.
The script, avows the blurber, calls for one
of the scorpions to "sneak up on the heroine
and cause some havoc."
What a delightful chore—sneaking up on
glamor gals and causing havoc.
BOXOFFICE 45

I
CHIC
I
-ew
^here
Here arc exhilutors ar ling for screenings of "Birds and the l?ees" at t»c. s, rceiiings
in the northwest— Sa Francisco and Seattle. Top photo, from Frisco, sliows, left
to^righf Jack Stevenson. Paramount manager there; Peter Vigna and George Milner,
Fox West Coast: D. Henning of Lippert Theatres; Julian Harvey, Village Theatre,
Sacramento, and Charles Doty. FWC. Bottom, at Seattle: Harry Haustein, Paramount
manager; Will Connor, Hamrick Theatres; Bud Saffle, Saffle Theatre Service; Doug
Forbes, Hamrick, and Glen Spencer, Tacoma.
Arizona Repealing
Nonresident Levy
PHOENIX—At the same time that Buddy
Adler. executive producer of 20th Century-
Fox, was predicting a film production boom
for Arizona, providmg the state income tax
withholding requirement for nonresidents
were repealed, the state legislature was taking
action to correct the situation. The
Senate passed a measure exempting nonresidents
from withholding tax provisions of
the state income tax law. Governor McFarland
is expected to sign the bill, which previously
had been approved by the House of
Representatives.
Introduced by Rep. Robert Hathaway to
make conditions more attractive for film com-
f ^;sn^ Defy lo AFM Board
"^.'f" ' Al Local 47 Trial
HOLLYWOOD—Arthur Goldberg, counsel
Smith. Arizona Republic columnist.
"Our production chart shows no time lost
to weather," Adler pointed out. "the first time
this has happened in my experience. The
Phoenix area and Arizona in general are unrivaled
as location sites. In addition to great
.scenic beauty, Arizona has the quality of
freshness. Film companies, who pour thousands
of dollars into Arizona annually, would
pour in a lot more if the state gets rid of
the ruling requiring income tax returns from
all persons employed on the picture, even if
they work in Arizona just two days."
Meanwhile. Paramount started filming
"The Maverick" In the Superstition Mountain
area. Columbia is looking for a location near
Phoenix to film a Biblical picture. The next
feature to be shot in Tucson will be "The
Petticoat Brigade," an Audie Murphy starrer,
with a cast of 20 young women.
panies to shoot their pictures in Ai-izona, the
measure would apply to all nonresidents, tt frmnril nntltinueS
Film companies and their employes have UniOIl L^OUIlCll V-^nilllUeb
objected to the withholding tax, even though
Jjg BoVCOtt Oil 'BoOne
the withheld taxes were refunded.
HOLLYWOOD-Turning thumbs down on
optimistic outlook for Arizona film
Adler's
personally by Producer Al
production and his criticism of the tax law ^^
.
^^^^ j^.^ Baker. Republic vicewere
expressed in an interview with Patricia
^^^^.^^^^; ^^^ Hollywood AFL Film Council
on Tuesday (10) voted unanimously to continue
its boycott against "Daniel Boone," a
SERVICE TSHOWMANSHIPT QUALITY] theatrical feature made by Gannaway and to
^— be distributed by Republic.
^^^^^- ALL THREE The AFL group charged "Boone" was lensed
YOU

. . . Undergoing
: April
. . Bill
. .
. .
LOS ANGELES E. R. Munger of Helena, Mont, Shows
Through arranfrenicnt with the city fathers
of Burbank. W. R. Forman, president of
Pacific Drive-Iiis, and Harry Rogers, who
manages Pacific's San Val ozoner in that
community, are making the showcase available
as an open-area shelter in case of civic
emergencies. The welfare and mass-care
division of the civil defense department will
work with the Red Cross, in the event of
an emergency, to feed and shelter citizens
and the San Val in such cases can accommodate
an estimated 400 to 500 ears without
crowding.
After several years as manager of Fox West
Coast's Uptown. Jerry Shur is leaving to
join United Artists as manager of that circuit's
UA downtown. He succeeds Danny
Rochin. transferred to the United Artists in
Pasadena. Taking over at the Uptown is
Walt Reis.
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Y. Berman of Aladdin
Enterprises are in New York on a pleasure
trip . . . Fire damaged the interior of Mort
Wexler's Linda Lea Theatre on Main street,
but repairs are under way and the Japaneselanguage
house is expected to reopen soon
. . . Milt Frankel, booker at Favorite Films.
was upped to a post in the sales department
surgery at St. Vincent's Hospital
was Tom Quinn, booker for the Vinnicof
circuit . . . Lou O'Brasky. booker for Azteca,
checked out of the hospital after an
operation . . . Bill Little, who handles the
screen directory for the Los Angeles Examiner,
celebrated a birthday.
The Ladies of Variety Tent 25 met Monday
(9 1 to install new officers including Mrs.
M. J. E. McCarthy, president; Mrs. Robert
Kronenberg. first vice-president; Mrs. Stan
Brown, second vice-president; Mrs. Bernie
Wolf, recording secretary, and Mrs. Roy
Reed, corresponding secretary. The luncheon
also honored Mrs. Morton Scott, retiring
president . Scholl, United Artists
exploit«er, headed for Portland . . . Bill Zimmerman,
co-owner and manager of the Arden
in South Gate, and Mrs. Zimmerman
took off on a European vacation . . . Joanne
Katz, Favorite Films secretary, returned
from a holiday In San Francisco.
Lester Tobias of Manhattan Films headed
for Chicago to join his boss Robert Kronenberg
at a TV conference dealing with the
sale of old theatrical features to video
Back from a 10-day business junket to New-
York were Lou Fredericci and Sol Cohen
of the Cinema and Sunset theatres . . . Jack
Sherriff. Kranz-Levin salesman, left on a
swing through the Arizona territory ... A
booking-buying visitor was Joe Bianchi of
the Roadium down Paramount way
Bill Wasserman, United Artists salesman, is
rehearsing like crazy, having been tagged
for the leading role in a musical comedy to
be presented at month's end at the Wilshire
Ebell Theatre as a benefit for Temple Isaiah.
NPP Previews Gobel Film
CHANDLER—Paramount previewed "The
Birds and the Bees" at the Parkway Theatre
for the National Press Photographers Ass'n
convention at the San Marcos Hotel here.
The film was previewed at the local Parkway.
George Gobel and Mitzi Gaynor made personal
appearances.
Willpower Can Sub for
HELENA, MONT.— E. R. "Chub" Munger,
Montana drivr-in theatre owner-operator,
is a fine example of how to be successful in
the theatre business despite complete lack
of experience.
Munger, who was sheriff of Lewis and
Clark County at the time, became fascinated
with the idea of an outdoor motion picture
theatre after witnessing the erection of the
first Montana outdoor theatre in Missoula.
He made several casual inqueries concerning
cost of construction and arrived at a very
modest estimate of approximately $5,000.
LAND COST $5,000
"It did not take long for me to realize that
my $5,000 estimate was but a wild dream as
it cost me that amount for the land alone,"
said Munger. "It was indeed hardly enough
for a down payment on the necessary modern
equipment I was soon to need. However. I
was determined to own an outdoor theatre
even though I might have to close my eyes
to the dollar signals along the way!"
In 1948 Munger purchased ten acres of
land from St. Joseph's Orphanage just one
mile from Helena proper and just within the
city limits. He visited many out-of-state
drive-in theatres and theatre equipment offices
where he gathered much helpful advice
on building, then drew up his plans for his
own drive-in theatre, the Sunset. He supervised
all of the construction, and as a semiprofessional
carpenter, did considerable work
himself.
The original screen was 40x60 feet with a
large wing projecting out on either side. The
entire back of the wooden tower was enclosed
to provide a large protected work and
storage area. In 1955, the screen w-as enlarged
to 80 feet to allow for proper projection of
the new techniques.
The field was wired for 500 speakers
mounted on strong steel posts .set in cement
blocks.
The fence, made of heavy aluminum sheeting
to take a heavy beating from terrific
winds, soon presented the biggest problem
in maintenance. Facing north and east, the
fence became an easy target for seasonal
winds and had to be set and reset almost
continuously. Munger finally set it w-ith steel
in cement as a last resort and plans are now
under way for
a new type of ventilated fencing.
KNOTTY PINE FINISH
A sturdy cement structure, finished in
popular knotty pine, housed the snack bar,
projection booth and restrooms. The snack
bar was stocked with the usual refreshment
items plus all up-to-date equipment. Although
it has always been partially self
service, Munger likes the friendly contact
of waiting on customers.
Munger now devotes all of his time to the
theatre. He does his own buying and booking
of pictures and sometimes enjoys giving the
film salesman a "bad time."
Constant remodeling and landscaping have
increased the attractiveness of the Sunset
Drive-In and each year the painted surfaces
get a new coat of paint. Gray is the favorite
basic color as it seems to be more Immune
to frequent duststorms. It also provides a
neutral basic background for the brighter
Experience
woodland colors of the snack bar.
A complete friendly cooperation between
employes and employer combined with the
attractiveness of the drlve-in are two of the
best public relations tools he has, Munger
feels.
A past master in the promoting field, Munger
has used many clever advertising gimmicks
and specialties. He always manages to
have a surpri.se for patrons on special holidays.
The highlight of the year, every year
for the last five, has been a car giveaway.
Local merchants are contacted and asked to
sponsor the car giveaway by contributing
money for screen advertising. Free chances
are distributed by these merchants and delivered
to the drive-in. The night the car
(always a Chevrolet) is to be given away
and the two days preregistration find the
Sunset field filled to overflowing.
As an example of the value of dependable
employes beyond the call of duty Munger
hkes to recall an incident which took place
a year ago.
FIRST BAD ACCIDENT
The Yellowstone Pipe Line Co. had finished
a ditch to house the pipe across the entrance
to the drive-in. Shortly after, an extremely
hard rain softened the ditch soil, causing
the ditch to cave in. taking the first car of
patrons for the night show with it. The
Mungers were out of town but ingenious employes,
undaunted by the catastrophe, set up
card tables for ticket selling at the exit
gates and phoned for a WTecker to assist in
rescuing the sunken car. An usher was posted
by the ditch for the remainder of the evening
to prevent further mishaps,
"There's no business that is completely
trouble-proof." says Munger. "In my drive-in
business there is alw'ays a car to be pulled,
a tire to be fixed, a speaker stolen, a post
uprooted, a film break or sound trouble but
these are but minor disturbances as compared
to the thrills of movie business .
the thrill of a capacity crowd, especially for
a comedy, when you can walk through the
field and know from the laughter that folks
are really enjoying themselves."
Although recently associated with Vigilante
Theatre in Helena and the Ridgeway.
in Butte. Munger is now devoting his entire
time to the Sunset. His plans for the future
call for a modern, attractive new indoor
theatre to be placed near the Sunset.
If asked what publicity stunt he believes
to have been the most successful since the
opening of the Sunset, Munger will chuckle
and say: "I think it wa-s the rooster project.
I simply released a bunch of roosters for the
audience to catch with the understanding
that once caught, the roosters belonged to
the catchers. The show put on by the audience
that evening outdid the attraction on
the
screen."
Tim Considine to TV
HOLL'YWOOD—Tim Considine, 15-year-old
actor, was inked by Walt Disney for one of
the stellar roles in his forthcoming TV the
Hardy Boys series. The 20-episode program,
being megged by Charles Haas, will be seen
daily via ABC-TV beginning next fall.
BOXOFFICE
:
14. 1956 47

Gaby Los Angeles Opening Grosses
200, While Cinerama Stays Strong
LOS ANGELES—A solid 200 per cent rating
in its opening week pushed "Gaby" to the
top of the first run heap. New attractions
were in short supply and. among the holdovers,
the 175 per cent garnered by "Cinerama
Holiday" in its 21st canto outdistanced
the competition.
(Average Is 100)
Chinese— Carousel (20th-Fox), 8th wk I 30
Downtown Paramount Meet Me in Los Vegos
(MGM), 2nd wk 1 60
Egyptian, United Artists Oklohomo! (Magna),
2Ist
-Doctor at Seo (Rep) 150
Arts Patterns (UA), 2nd 100
Fine wk
Four Stor Goby (MGM) 200
Wilshire Alexonder the Great (UA), 2nd wk. 170
Fox
Hawaii— Forbidden Planet (MGM), 2nd wk 125
Los Loyola, Angeles, Uptown, Hollywood Comanche
(UA);
High Society (AA), 2nd wk 80
Hillstreet Gri Gri (Defense Films) 75
Pontages, Orpheum Anything Goes (Pa
2nd .140
Pora Hollywood The Court Jester (Pa
Beverly ^Picnic (Col), 7th wk,
Warners Downtown, Wiltern, Fox Hollywi
Next Spring (Rep); Hidden Guns (Rep)
Warners Hollywood Cineramo Holiday (Cir
All Denver Theatres
But One Play Holdovers
DENVER—Business was down last week
IURE'EMano
^(^ KEEP 'EM COMING with

. . . Jesse
. . Sam
. .
SEATTLE
A large promotion for the increased sale of
ice cream bonbons was held at Sterling's
Gateway in Kirkland and the Bellevue Theatre,
Bellevue, with an attractive girl dressed
as a bonbon promoting the product to theatre
Pilmrow visitors included Al
patrons . . .
Fernandez of Clallam Bay; Howard McGhee.
Walla Walla: Kenneth Kinzer, Ritz. Ritzville.
who has also taken over the operation
the Auto View in Selah from Jim Griffin,
of
and Peter Barnes, who has recently taken
over the John Lee circuit in Ephrata in addition
to his other interests.
'Face of Lincoln' Begins
Sub Run at FWC El Rey
LOS ANGELES— After a fir.st run at Fox
West Coast's Iris Theatre in Hollywood, followed
by a moveover booking in the Bruin in
Westwood, "Face of Lincoln," adjudged the
best two-reel short of 1955 in the recent
Academy Awards presentations, began a subsequent
run Friday i6) at FWC's El Rey. The
date was set by Harvey Pergament, president
of Cavalcade Pictures, which is handling domestic
and foreign release of the subject.
William E. O'Neill Dies,
Oakland Theatre Manager
OAKLAND—William Enrite O'Neill, manager
of the Tower, died recently of a heart
attack suffered while en route to a banquet.
Credited as being the dean of local theatre
managers, O'Neill became assistant manager
of the United Artist in Berkeley in 1944
after being discharged from the army. He
subsequently managed the California and
Campus theatres in Berkeley and the Grand
Lake in Oakland. He also served as a public
relations man for Fox West Coast Theatres.
Charles Pincus Named
Tax Repeal Chairman
SAN FRANCISCO— Charles Pincus, man-
Stars of 'Trapeze' to Tour
Nation This Summer
HOLLYWOOD—Two special railroad cars
attached to a transcontmental train will
carry Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis and Gina
Lollobrigida, stars of Hecht-Lancaster's
"Trapeze," on a nationwide tour prior to the
picture's release by United Artists this summer.
Besides housing the three stars, accommodations
will be provided for press members
who will be picked up along the way, each
fourth-estater to travel part of the distance
for interview purposes.
SAG Okays New Pact
HOLLYWOOD—By a vote of 4.226 to 59.
members of the Screen Actors Guild have
approved a new collective bargaining contract
with the major producers. The secretballot
mail referendum approved terms of a
five-day work week, an average wage increase
of approximately 30 per cent, and other improvements
in working conditions.
BOXOFFICE April 14, 1956
E" A. Darby, opemtor of tlu' Darby. Natchez,
iVA.ev of the E.squire in Sacramento for the
and the Top-Hi, Toppenish, was injured
recently when the plane he was flying hit
Blumenfeki circuit, was named chairman of
the 11th congressional district motion picture
some wires and then crashed while he was tax repeal committee.
engaged in crop dusting near Yakima. Darby
escaped with only minor injuries ... Ed
Pincus
mittee goal
stated
is to
that the
obtain repeal
nationwide
of the
com-
10 per
Cruea. Allied Artists manager, returned from cent theatre tax installed as a wartime
a three-day sales meeting in Chicago.
measure and continued since.
"There are 20,000 theatres and 5,000 driveins
in the country," Pincus said, "and more
than 10,000 of them are in trouble. The war
emergency is over, the tax should be repealed."
20th-Fox Wins Lawsuit
Over 'In the Navy' Title
HOLL'^WOOD-A ruling for the defendant,
20th-Fox, was handed down by the California
district court of appeals in a $200,-
000 action brought against the studio by Arthur
Curtis, author of the novel, "Hey, Mac!
You're in the Navy Now." Curtis had accused
20th-Fox of unauthorized use of the
book's title in its film, "You're in the Navy
Now."
The appeals court upheld a jury verdict
granted earlier which ruled that the picture's
tag did not constitute unfair competition
with the Curtis tome.
Motion Picture Service
Marks 21st Birthday
SAN FRANCISCO—Motion Picture Service
Co., headed by President Gerald Karski, celebrates
21st birthday this month. The company
its
produces screen trailers at its modern
two-story building at 125 Hyde St. in the
heart of Filmrow. The organization is continually
expanding its facilities and adding
new equipment in order to improve service for
its clientele. Many employes have been with
the company for years. Boris Skopin, cameraman,
is one of the original staffers. Harold
Zell, TV production head, has been associated
with MPS for seven years.
Morris Will Distribute
Four WB Video Series
HOLLYWOOD — The William Morris
agency has been appointed exclusive sales
representative for four half-hour telefilm
series to be produced by Warners' TV division
under the executive guidance of Jack
M. Warner. Pilot films have been made for
"Amazon Trader," starring John Sutton;
"Ninety-Six William Street," toplining Lee
Bowman as an insurance investigator; "Joe
McDoakes," a group of comedies featuring
George O'Hanlon; and "Port of Call," with
John Ireland as the captain of a cargo ship.
Phoenix Sombrero Theatre
To Schedule Art Films
PHOENIX — The Sombrero Theatre, its
legitimate season having closed Sunday i8i.
will show art films until the playhouse season
opens again. Instead of leasing the theatre,
Ann Lee, manager, will book all the
films herself. In the past the theatre was
leased to Louis Leithold, who now has his
own art theatre, the Kiva, in Scottsdale.
DENVER
tJoberl Smith, partner in the Chief at Steamboat
Spimgs, was elected mayor of the
city, and the next day
his wife gave birth to
a six-pound son named
Robert Jerome .
Fred Helwig, Buena
Vista auditor who
headquarters here
went to Salt Lake
City and Butte, to
check the offices there
Chinich,
western sales manager
for Buena Vista,
and Marvin Goldfarb, Robert Smith
district manager, made
a visit to each of the exchanges in Goldfarb's
district which includes Denver, Salt Lake
City, Omaha, Des Moines, Kansas City and
St.
Louis.
Frank Monaco, booker at Universal, became
father of a baby son named Frank
Joseph jr. . . . William Claiborne has decided
on Vista View as the name of the drive-in
he is building south of Colorado Springs . . .
Lester Zucker, district manager for Universal,
conferred with Mayor Monsky, branch manager
. Langwith, president of Western
Service Supply, was taken ill just as he and
Mrs. Langwith were about to start on a
Sam was at St. Luke's Hospital.
trip.
Mrs. Harry Cherness of American Theatre
Advertisers was in checking matters at the
headquarters office here. After a few days
she returned to Los Angeles, where Harry
was working. She reports continued success
with their premium deals . . . Jack Berwick,
recently house manager of the Esquire,
who has also held other jobs with Fox Intermountain,
has been named publicity and
advertising manager for Columbia Pictures
here.
Tom Knight, theatreman in Riverton, Wyo.,
flew another of his mercy flights from Riverton
to Denver when he used his ambulance
plane to bring a man, suffering from blood
poisoning, to Denver hospitals . . . Theatre
folk seen on Filmrow included C. E. Mc-
Laughlin, Las Animas: Neil Beezley, Burlington;
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hall, Akron; C. G.
Diller, Ouray; Lloyd Greve, Eagle; Frank
Barnes, Crawford, Neb.: Glen WitUstruck,
Meeker, Colo.: W. C. Winning, Boulder.
Allen H. Miner Signed
HOLLYWOOD—Leland Hayward, currently
producing the Spencer Tracy starrer, "The
Old Man and the Sea," for Warners, has
signed Allen H. Miner to a personal fourpicture
directorial contract. Miner, who
megged the documentary, "The Naked Sea,"
will first function as an associate director
under Fred Zinnemann to meg fishing sequences
in the Tracy vehicle.
Improve at Portland Guild
PORTLAND — A wider entrance, a new
marquee and a lounge are being constructed
at the Guild Theatre as part of a reconstruction
program. Manager Nancy Welch
said the lounge is being built behind the
screen.

EDWIN J. THOMAS by. Fabian Bachrach
added over 20,000 employees
to The Payroll Savings Plan."
"The Savings Bond Program— like any other program in
a corporation — will succeed only if it has the complete
support of top management. Recently the Goodyear
Tire & Rubber Company added over 20,000 employees
to the Payroll Savings Plan, attaining an overall participation
of over 71%. While the drive itself was successful
I feel the job is only half done. Now we are
installing a program to maintain this high peak of participation.
Such a program will constantly keep the
merits of the program before each employee, encouraging
him to provide his own security through this
efiFortless plan of saving."
EDWIN J. THOMAS, President
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Inc.
What is the percentage of employee participation in
your Payroll Savings Plan? If it is less than 50%, get in
touch with Sa\ings Bond Division, U.S. Treasury Department,
Washington, D. C. Your State Sales Director
will be glad to help you increase your participation to
60% or higher. A phone call, telegram or letter to
Savings Bond Division, U.S. Treasury Department will
bring a prompt response.
The United Stales Governm u does not pay jor this advertising. The Treasury Department
thanks, jor the
patriotic donation, the Advertising Council and
BOXOFFICE
BOXOFFICE :
: April 14, 1956

I
Four New Bills Take
Chicago Lead Spots
CHICAGO— Four u,\v,onu'is were well out
in front of the buNi'liin Imoup. Much was
expected of the oix-nins; nt "Alexander the
Great" at the Chicago Theatre, and it came
through with substantial grosses. Ditto "The
Man in the Gray Flannel Suit" at the Oriental,
"Backlash" at the Roosevelt, and "Miracle
in the Rain" at the United Artists.
"There's Always Tomorrow" did so well in
a second week at the Monroe that it was
held over. "Picnic" was strong even after
eight weeks at the State Lake. At the Cinema,
on the near north side, "No Place for Jennifer"
scored very satisfactorily.
(Averoge Is 100)
Carnegie The Rose Tattoo (Para) 200
Chicago—Alexander the Great (UA) 280
Cinema No Place tor Jennifer (Stratford) 200 ....
Eitels Palace—Cinerama Holiday iCineroma),
46th wk 350
Grand The Creature Wolks Among Us (U-l);
(U-l), The Price of Feor 2nd wk 215
Loop Song of the South (Buena Vista), reissue
3rd wk 195
McVickers Oklahoma! (Magna), 15th wk 275
Monroe There's Always Tomorrow 2nd 210
(U-l), wk.
Oriental The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit
;20th-Fox) 230
Roosevelt Backlash (U-l); The Steel Jungle (WB) 210
State Lake— Picnic (Col), 8th wk 230
United Artists-Miracle in the Rain (WB); Our
Miss Brooks (WB) 215
Woods Forever, Darling (MGM), 3rd wk 195
World Playhouse—The Prisoner wk...I80
(Col), 5th
Z.egfeld Diabolique (UMPO), 16th wk 190
INDUSTRY PROFILE
Don Burnett, New KMTA President,
Says Showmanship Is Main Goal
KANSAS CITY—The new pie.sident of
the Kan.sas-Missouri Theatre A.ss'n, Don
Don Burnett
E. Burnett of Larned,
Kas., feels
that the recently
retired officers of
the organization
have presented a
challenge to the
new officers and
board of directors
who took over at
the late convention.
A showman since
1938 when he
started operating
the State Theatre
in Larned, Burnett believes exhibitors
should take theu- cue from this 1956 convention
and begin concentrating on exploitation
and showmanship.
Burnett built his New State Theatre in
1949, his Larned Drive-In in 1950 and
purchased his only opposition, the historic
Burnett is active in many community organizations.
He is a past president of the
Larned Chamber of Commerce and of the
Kiwanis Club, ex-chairman of the Community
Hospital Committee, a trustee of
the Presbyterian church, an ex-councilman,
and chairman of the zoning board
and planning commission. His hobbies include
golf, traveling, reading and the
movies.
His wife Helen shares many of these
interests with him as well as some of the
theatre chores. His son Donald L. is in
law school in Kansas University.
"Boxoffice pictures are the answer to
the so-called ills of this industry," Burnett
said in an interview following his
election to office. "Here's hoping many
more will be released in the next few
months. I believe all of us exhibitors
should approach the problem of grosses,
television and pictures with a positive attitude,
looking forward rather than backward.
With a little hard work to back
Electric Theatre, from Ted Irwin in 1955.
It was closed during the summer. up faith in our entertainment field, our
Like most forward-looking exhibitors. efforts will be rewarded."
Slow Theatre Week
At Kcmsas City
KANSAS CITY—One of the worst weeks
recorded recently in first run theatres prevailed
over the whole city. Actually, holdovers
did better business than those playing
the first week, but even the holdovers in most
spots slumped. "Carousel," which chalked up
250 in its first week, did only average business
in its second week, showing a disappointing
word-of-mouth reaction. "The Harder They
Fall" at the Midland seemed to indicate that
either fight pictures on TV have surfeited
the public or else it is not interested in an
expose of the racketeers in the business.
Weather conditions were unfavorable, too.
Glen— Devil in the Flesh (AFE), 3rd wk 75
Kimo Diabolique lUMPO), 3rd wk 180
Midland-The Harder They Foil (Col); The
Houston Story .Col] 75
Missouri Miracle in the Rain (WB); The Brain
Mochine (RKO) 100
Paramount Anything Goes (Pora), 2nd wk 90
Roxy—Carousel (20th-Fox), 2nd wk 100
Tower, Uptown, Fairway and Granada Backlash
(U-l); The Naked Down (U-l) 90
Vogue Doctor at Sea (Rep), 3rd 120
wk
School Vacations Help
Indianapolis Grosses
INDIANAPOLIS—Four of six attractions
here last week were playing profitably in extended
runs, helped to some extent by spring
vacation in the schools. The one new arrival,
"Meet Me in Las Vegas," was going big at
Loew's. Reissues of "30 Seconds Over Tokyo"
and "A Guy Named Joe" were getting good
results at the Lyric. "Carousel" wound up
a four-week run at Keith's Tuesday. "Song
of the South." at the Circle, and "Anything
Goes," at the Indiana, both in their second
weeks, continued strong.
Circle— Song of the South (BV) 125
Eiqu.re Morty UA), 3rd wk 85
Indiana—Anything Goes (Para), 100
2nd wk
Kei-hs—Carousel (20th-Fox), 4fh wk 90
Loc* s—Meet Me in Las Vegos (MGM) 200
Lyric 30 Seconds Over Tokyo (MGM); A Guy
Nomed Joe (MGM) 100
Kansas City MPA Names
New Directors and V-P
KANSAS CITY—Hardy Hendren jr., president
of United Film Service, and Richard
Wiles, co-owner of the Heart Drive-In, were
elected directors of the Motion Picture Ass'n
of Greater Kansas City at the monthly meeting
of the board at the Muehlebach Hotel
Monday (9>. They will serve the unexpired
terms of the late William Gaddoni, and Robert
Shelton. E. C. Rhoden jr., president of
Commonwealth Theatres, was named first
vice-president of the association, which post
had been held by Gaddoni.
Saturday, May 26, was chosen as the date
for the spring social event, a dinner dance to
be held at Milleman's restaurant.
The campaign to repeal the federal admissions
tax was discussed. Senn Lawler. regional
chairman for this area, urged that the as-sociation
and its members lend every effort
to make the campaign a success. He stressed
the need for individual members to solicit
the support of their representatives in Congress,
Midway Airer Purchased
LILBOURNE, MO.—The Midway Drive-In
between here and New Madrid has been
purchased by William Fitzpatrick from Dr.
H. A. Poe. Fitzpatrick has made arrangements
with Andy Dietz of Cooperative Theatres.
St. Louis, to book and buy for the drive-in
during the 1956 season. It opened for the
new season on Easter Sunday.
Reopens at Burlingame
BURLINGAME. KAS.—The Ritz
Theatre,
which has been closed for several weeks, is
being reopened by Mrs. Dean Rice. It was
formerly operated by Leroy and Joyce Hitchings
of Osage City.
Films Councils Session
In St. Louis; Expect 400
ST. LOUIS—Upwards of 400 members of
Better Films Councils throughout North
America are expected to attend the annual
convention of the Federation of Motion Picture
Councils, Inc., at the Sheraton-Jefferson
Hotel here April 19, 20.
The Better Films Council of Greater St.
Louis, the first organization of its kind in
the world, will be the host council. Mrs. A. F.
Burt, founder of this council, is vice-president
of the federation. Mrs. Gustav F.
Goetsch. a past president of the local council,
is the convention chairman.
Mrs, Max Williams of Detroit, president of
the federation, will preside at the opening.
There will be a luncheon at noon at which
the discussion will be on how to evaluate a
motion picture. That afternoon the theme
will be, "How to Improve Your Council."
G. Griffith Johnson, vice-president of the
Motion Picture Ass'n of America, will speak
Friday on "American Films in the Foreign
Markets." In the afternoon there will be
a symposium on "The Changing Audience
and the Motion Picture Production Code."
The moderator is to be Mrs. A. F. Burt of
St. Louis, with Geoffrey Shurlock. director.
Production Code Administration. HoUj-wood;
Bosley Crowther. motion picture editor. New
•Vork Times, and Leonard Spigelgass, screenplay
writer, Hollywood, on the panel.
Change at Chandlerville
CHANDLERVILLE. ILL.—The Chandlerville
Theatre, formerly the Chan, now is
being operated by Mrs. Beulah Kohne and
Mrs. Frances Shoemaker, who recently took
it over from Floyd Taapken of Tallula, who
gave up after two weeks because of "too
much traveling."
BOXOFFICE
;
: April 14, 1956
51

. Louis Exhibitors Bid One MGM Manager Goodbye and Greet His Successor
Manager Harry Bache is introduced to leading St. Louis exhibitors
at a luncheon. Reading clockwise they are: Les Knopp, Wehrenberg
circuit; "Ski" Yovan, Loew's Orpheum; Frank Henson, Loew's
State; Bill Williams, Williams Theatre and president of MITO; Russ
Bovin, Loew's Theatres division manager; Izzy Weinsheink, Publix
Great States Theatres; David .-Vrthur, St. Louis Amusement Co.;
Bache; John S. Allen, southwestern sales manager; Paul Krueger
(standing behind Bache I, Wehrenberg circuit; Clarence Kaimann
(standing behind Allen), Kaimann circuit; Tom Bailey, who was
promoted from St. Louis manager to Kansas City manager; Bernard
Evens, field press representative; Dave Barrett, BOXOFFICE Magazine;
John J. Meinardi, Fox Midwest Theatres; Joseph C. Ansell,
Ansell circuit; Howard Zulauff, Zulauff circuit; Eddie Arthur, St.
Louis Amusement Co.; Lou Jablonow, Jablonow-Komm circuit; Andy
Dietz, Cooperative Theatres, and Howard Speiss, Smith Drive-In
Theatres.
ST. LOUIS—Some 200 friends and acquaintances
of Thomas E. Bailey, recently
transferred to Kansas City as manager there
for MGM, attended a farewell luncheon in
the Chase Club of Hotel Chase. His successor
is Harry Bache, who had been with
MGM at Philadelphia since 1925. The testimonial
luncheon was sponsored by the Variety
Club and the Missouri-Illinois Theatre
Owners, with David G. Ai-thur serving as
toastmaster. At the head table were Tony
Peluso, Prank Henson, John Meinardi, Joseph
Ansell, L. J. Williams, Tony Blusl. Tommy
James, and Lester R. Kropp. All attending
signed a beautifully embossed scroll expressing
their esteem.
Bailey also was presented with an executive
case, and roll of money that stretched
clear across the Chase Club and then some.
It was composed of one dollar bills joined
end to end with Scotch tape, which work
was done by Myra Stround, executive secretary
of MITO, and Jimmy James, who
helps his father Tommy operate their Comet,
Douglass and Strand theatres. Dave Arthur
gave Mrs. Bailey one end of the roll and
asked her to
walk away from the head table
so that the "Michigan bankroll" could be revealed
to those present. Tom was given
the other end when the last dollar was
reached.
At the meeting, Tony Peluso reported on
the Variety Club's Festival of Music. May 26,
which is to include music for dancing, etc.,
by Blue Baron and the Crew Cuts, a fine
stage show and a number of carnival booths
that will give Barkers of Tent 4 an opportunity
to spiel at their very best in full regalia.
There also will be square dancing.
WANTED AT
ONCE
by ORVILLE C. WELLS
General Manager
THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO.
200 Theatre Equipment Customers. No experience
necessary. We will train you to buy
the best ot the lowest possible cost.
THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO.
DETROIT OFFICE
Film Exchange BIdg. 2310 Cass WO 3-5962
MAIN OFFICE
1206 Cherry CH 3-8107 Toledo, Ohio
National Theatre Supply
Consolidates Operation
KANSAS CITY—Consolidation of the
operation of the National Theatre Supply
Co. in Omaha and Des Moines with the
Kansas City office is being worked out.
Arthur de Stefano, who heads the supervision,
said all the accounting and billing
now is being done from the Kansas City office.
The Des Moines operation, with W. R.
Davis in charge, will continue at 1120 High
St. Complete stocks of carbons, concessions
and emergency equipment units will be
handled there.
Glen K. Slipper will headquarter after May
15 with the Walt Disney Pictures exchange,
607 N. 16th St., Omaha, and continue to
handle as sales engineer the projects for both
Iowa and Nebraska.
According to de Stefano, customers will
have the advantage of a larger inventory of
supplies, available through this
consolidation.
Dark at Ashland, 111.
ASHLAND, ILL.—The Ashland, a 250
seater, was closed indefinitely April by 2
Mrs. Minnie Lewis.
Improve at Effingham
EFFINGHAM, ILL.—The Rustic Starlight
Drive-In on Highway 40 east of town, a unit
of the Frisina Amusement Co. circuit of
Springfield, was given a face-lifting in
preparation for its reopening on Easter Sunday.
The 52-foot-wide screen was widened to
92 feet, making possible the showing of widescreen
pictures. New arc lamps and projection
lenses have been provided, John Sturm,
manager, said. The Effingham Theatre, one
of the two Pi'isina houses here, was to close
for the summer Saturday OD. The Heart
will remain open.
Al Goldson Sells Plaza
CHICAGO—Ai-thur Gomez has taken over
the Plaza, formerly owned by Al Goldson.
Gomez, owner of the Tampico, which features
Spanish films, also will show them at the
Plaza. He plans stage shows at times. Extensive
remodeling of the Plaza has already
started. Operations will continue throughout
the modernization period. Goldson, who sold
one of his other theatres, the Ideal, to Paul
Herman, hopes to reside in Phoenix, Ariz.
BOXOFFICE
:
: April 14. 1956

:
April
AIR MART .
. . OnhoJUu^ei
L"_!_A'" .^PN^'T'ONER THAT BUILDS
INSTALL WORTHINGTON
NOW— SAVE MONEY
BOXOFFICE RECEIPTS
YOUR BUSINESS
AIR
DESERVES THE
BEST
CONDITIONING
That's just what you get in o
Worthington Packaged Air Conditioner!
IT GIVES YOU:
* S-dimensional draft-free
circulation
* new quietness
* care-free operation
* million dollar compressor
with 5-year warranty
* "years-ahead" good looks
KIMO Theatre, Kansas City, Mo. Air Conditioned by
WE INVITE YOUR
INVESTIGATION OF
AIR MART'S RECENT
INSTALLATIONS
IN THESE THEATRES
Orpheum, St.
Joseph, Mo.
Air Mart, Winter of '55.
Read What AAr. Glen Dickinson
Aztec, Shawnee, Kos.
State, Jefferson City,
Has to Say:
We are distributors for
WORTHINGTON
The World's Most Complete Line
Mo.
Glen, Joplin, Mo.
Roxy, Kansas City, Mo.
Rialto, St.
Sierra,
Joseph, Mo.
Alamogordo,
N. M.
Owen, Branson,
Mo.
We are very happy with our Air Conditioner in our
Kimo Theatre and feel its comfort has brought us
many additional customers.
Signed
GLEN DICKINSON
d
We Handle the Complete Job . . . Anywhere
in the United States
DESIGN . . . ENGINEERING .
Call Us for
Comfort Cooling
Within Your Budget
. . INSTALLATION
.
AIR
. . FINANCING
MART
2533 Indiana Kansas City, Missouri
^ WAbash 3-0404
BOXOFFICE :
14, 1956

. . Stebbins
. . Syd
. . . Lauren
. . Finton
. . Bud
. . The
. . H.
. . Joann
. . . RKO
. . Closing
. . Betty
: April
KANSAS CITY
/^harley Potter, who with Harold Lux owns
the Frontier Drive-In at Atchison, says
they are cautious about early drive-in openings
but not superstitious. So they had Roscoe
Cook, manager, open the Frontier Friday
the 13th .... Another late drive-in opening
is that of the Ranch 50 at Syracuse, Kas.,
operated by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Northrup.
It is scheduled for May 3 . . . Chris Bean of
Servemaster reports six Roto-Grilles being
shipped to Sweden . Levy, salesman
for National Screen Service, is on a twoweek
trip. He will take his vacation in New
York attending the Variety Club convention
May 8, visiting sisters in Indianapolis and
in Washington, D. C, en route.
Joe Neger, 20th-Fox manager, attended
the managers meeting in Minneapolis on
Wednesday. M. A. Levy, division manager,
who presided, had just returned from an executive
meeting on the west coast. E>orothy
Seager of the cashier department was back
to work after a week's illness. Irene Sharpe,
inspector, who is business agent for her union,
spent two days at the national convention
held here . Ttieatre Equipment Co.
furnished a pair of Bausch & Lomb CS lenses
and a pair of Kollmorgen projection lenses
to Frank Weary III for his Henrietta airer.
'pte

56
. . The
. , On
day and Harry Gaffney insisted he was
going crazy trying to operate without her.
That afternoon he had calmed down but
daughter Dixie was lending a hand . . . Kansas
exhibitors on the Row recently included:
John Bashain. Topeka; Lily Welty, Hill City:
Elvin Lambert. Lindsborg; Paul Ricketts. Ness
City; Hank Doering, Garnett. Missouri visitors
mcluded: Harley Fryer, Lamar; J. Leo
Hayob. Marshall; Bill Silver. Cameron; Si
Meek. Maysville. Walter Talbott was in from
Rogers. Ark.
Shreve Theatre Supply reports furnishing
a new widescreen and lenses to Conception
Abbey Theatre at Conception Junction. Mo.,
as well as repairs to equipment. Keith Blackburn,
sales representative, returned from
a trip in southern Kansas and Missouri,
touching on northern Ai'kansas. New projection
lenses went to the Silver Star Drivein
at Kirksville, operated by Day Mangus.
and to the Hillcrest Drive-In at Osage
City, Kas., operated by Mr. and Mrs. LeRoy
Hitchings.
BOWLING
KANSAS CITY—PUmrow League team
.standings after the games Friday (6) are
reported as follows:
72 62
Shreve's 66 50 Monley Poppers 54 36
Manley 60 56 Manley Inc. 50 40
Pop
Thriffway 59 57 Heart Drive-In 47 43
Mode O'Day 60 Borg & Kim 44 46
Filmrow ?? 54 62 Hartman's 43 47
Alley Rats 51 65 Mode O'Doy 36 54
United Film 46 70 101 Ser' 24 66
Burglars Get Nothing
ST. LOUIS—Burglars who broke into the
concessions building and office of Ronnie's
Drive-In Friday (30) night did a lot of hard
work for nothing. Utilizing sledge-hammers,
a pinch bar, iron punch and a blowtorch they
found stored in a closet of the office the
mtruders finally opened one of two safes to
discover that it was empty. The other safe
was disfigured by hammer blows, but it remained
unopen. That safe contained about
SI,000, St. Louis County police reported.
Ronnie's Drive-In is a unit of the Fred
Wehrenberg circuit.
May Reopen FMW Roxy
WEST FRANKFORT, ILL. — The Roxy
Theatre, a unit of the Fox Midwest circuit,
dark since January 25, may be reopened about
April 25. It is understood the picture situation
is improving sufficiently to wan-ant the reopening
of this house. Fox Midwest also operates
the Strand on West Main street.
Widen Airer Screen
JACKSON, MO.—The screen tower of the
Parkview Drive-In on Route 25, owned by
J. C. Crites and Harry McDonald, is being
widened for Cinemascope and VistaVislon.
The tower is constructed of concrete blocks.
ST. LOUIS
•Phe l.OOOth performance of "Cinerama Holiday"
occurred at the Ambassador Theatre
here at the matinee Saturday (14t in the
60th week of its engageemnt. The run will
end the night of April 24. The next Cinerama
production. "Seven Wonders of the World,"
will open at the Ambassador on the 26th with
a benefit sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.
The premiere will be put on in true
Hollywood style complete with the red carpet.
two bands playing outside the theatre, spotlights
slanting to the sky and television and
radio interviews in the lobby and on the
sidewalks adjacent to the entrance.
The Delta Drive-In at Sikeston was struck
by a tornado the afternoon of April 2. Andy
Dietz of Cooperative Theatres, who books
and buys for the airer, was advised by the
ow-ners, Geraldine Twitty and Earl Ferrell.
There was extensive damage to the screen
tower, the concession and projection building,
etc. . . . The McCarty Theatre Supply Co.
here has filed a voluntary petition in bankruptcy
with the U. S. court, reporting assets
of $5,938.47 and liabilities of $22,029.26, including
$20,948.42 in unsecured claims. A
couple of days before the U. S. Revenue Service
had filed a tax lien against the McCarty
company for $232.98 in withholding taxes.
National Rejectors Co.. manufacturer of
devices tliat throw out slugs put into coinoperated
merchandising machines, etc., has
awarded a contract to the Murch-Jarvis Construction
Co. for another addition to its fac-
tory and office group. This is the latest of
several expansions to the plant in the past few
years . board of the Missouri-Illinois
Theatre Owners met Tuesday (10) at the
Paramount screening room
Schweitzer, Allied Artists manager, returned
from a meeting of exchange managers at
Chicago.
Louis Kerasotes jr. of Kerasotes Theatres
has been ill with a virus infection . . . Myra
Stroud, executive secretary of MITO, was one
of the five plump Carmens featured at the
annual gridiron dinner of the Women's Advertising
Club. These "ton-teens" shared a
ten-foot red rose to accentuate their act.
Mrs. Paul Krueger, wife of the general manager
of the Fred Wehrenberg circuit, was
one of the angels for the dinner at $60 plus,
proceeds of w-hich went to cancer relief.
The Variety Club's round-robin bridge
tournameiit will be staged Friday i20i for
Mr. and Mrs., or mixed couples or choose
your own partners. The entry fee of $5 includes
a buffet dinner. There will be a
loving cup for the winners and runnersup.
Robert Housfater Is chairman of the bridge
club committee . a recent trip to California,
Jim Arthur, counsel for Fanchon &
Marco, planned to visit his .son, a student at
Stanford University in Palo Alto. But Jim
jr. had just left to visit his home in St. Louis.
Oscar Zahner won the Variety Club's recent
gin rummy tournament. Second was Edward
B. Arthur, while Doc Rathert grabbed
the door prize. Zahner and Arthur received
their prize cups at the club's testimonial
luncheon to Tom Bailey , , , Jack Ross, formerly
with Fanchon & Marco and more
(Continued on following
page)
A.A. THEATRE CONCESSION
SUPPLY CO.
John Joseph Sleeter Dies
ST. LOUIS, MO.—John Joseph Sleeter, a
member of film exchange employes Local B-1
died recently. In recent years he had been
a steamfitter at the Rexall drug plant but
prior to that had worked in film offices here.
His sister-in-law, Molly Corry, who works
for National Screen, is recording secretary
of Local B-1.

. . Joe
. . Hal
ST, LOUIS Salt Lake Tent Moves
(Continued from preceding pagei
recently in charge of 16mm distribution for
Republic Pictures here, has moved to San
Francisco, ending a residence in St. Louis of
25 years . Reynolds, a Variety Club
barker, has hit the big time as a warblist
by voicing a successful platter of "Am I Still
the Guy" for MGM Records. The recording
was backed by the orchestra and chorus of
Jacques Belasco. Joe, a former Cleveland
High School student, has been a singer with
the St. Louis Municipal Opera chorus. "Am I
Still the Guy" was written by his teachermanager,
Rosemary Brinson, wife of Variety
Club member, Jim Brinson.
Among exhibitors seen on Filmrow were
Paul Horn and Forrest and Warren Pirtle.
Jerseyville; Stewart Cluster, Johnston City;
Elbert Butler, Hillsboro; Adolph Meier. Cuba,
and William Collins, DeSoto . Walsh,
WB district manager, was back on the job
following an illness . . . Hugh Nesbitt, Universal
city salesman, and wife vacationed at
Hot Springs.
To New Headquarters
SALT LAKE CITY—Variety Tent 38
officially closed its headquarters at 26 E St.,
which have housed Variety and its predecessor,
the Salt Lake Motion Picture Club,
for more than ten years. The final meeting
was conducted Monday. Hereafter,
Va'riety headquarters will be at the Newhouse
Hotel downtown.
Members of the club also laid the groundwork
for a huge fund-raising activity, Helldorado
Night, to be held May 4 at the Newhouse.
The affair will consist of carnival
acts, western games, music, dancing and fun.
The event will help Variety meet expenses
of moving and enable the tent to increase
the amount in the Heart Fund.
The latter phase of the tent's activities will
be expanded, according to plans discussed at
the final meeting in the old quarters.
Directors
of the Salt Lake General Hospital were at
the meeting to
laud Variety for contributions
it already has made to the well-being of
several patients at the hospital.
i^P
Linda Darnell, Joe DiMaggio and Mitzi
Gaynor will appear at the benefit premiere
at the Fox Theatre the night of April 16 of
"Anything Goes" for Boys Towns of Italy.
Another added starter will be Msgr. John
Patrick Carroll-Abbing, founder of Boys
Towns of Italy. Mrs. George Skouras of New-
York City, at the personal request of Pope
Pius XII, is directing the fund-raising activities
for Boys Towns in Italy in the United
States. Mrs. Bess Schulter, owner of the
Columbia Theatre, heads the St. Louis campaign.
Buys Murray Drive-In
MURRAY, KY.—Charles Bowles of Russellton.
Ky., has purchased the Murray Drive-In.
Farina, 111., Airer Sold
FARINA. ILL.—The 37 Drive-In just south
of the city limits, which was opened in July
1953 by Louisville, 111., business interests,
has been pm-chased by R. L. Davis, who
opened it for the 1956 season on March 30.
Bernard Wachholz managed the drive-in
last
year.
seater, owned and operated by Sol Banks of
University City, will close permanently April
8 and may be dismantled. Banks' son Marvin
has been booking and buying for the theatre
in recent years.
300-car capacity from W. F. Sykes and his
brother. Bowles, who also operates a number
of other drive-ins and conventional theatres
in the Cincinnati and Indianapolis film
exchange areas, plans to reopen the Murray
for the 1956 season March 30.
Ed Lynch to Build Airer
BOONVILLE, IND.—Ed Lynch will begin
work about May 1 on a new drive-in north of
here. An early summer opening is planned.
Named Manager of Twilite
BAXTER SPRINGS, KAS.—Wendell Pack,
formerly with the Fox Midwest Amusement
Corp. and later employed as manager of a
drive-in in Arkansas City, Kas., for the last
four years, has been named manager of the
Twilite Drive-In here, succeeding Joe Hearn.
who now is connected with a business in
Arkansas City. The Twilite is operated by
Stein Enterprises.
Close Vandalia Star
VANDALIA, MO.—The Star Theatre, 500-
James Gill Operates State
SHAWNEETOWN, ILL.—The State Theatre
here has been taken over by James Gill,
who assumed the management of the house
on Easter Sunday. The theatre for many
years had been operated by D. O. Lanham.
Dismantle Perry, Mo. House
PERRY, MO.—The Mark Twain Tlieatre,
formerly operated by C. K. Paisley and closed
on February 26, has been dismantled and the
building probably will be converted to other
TOP QUALITY POPCORN
In 50-lb. or 100-lb. bags
$350
per 100 lbs.
F.O.B. St. Louis
iiolTS? ^iPiup Como/iii
Morehouse Dillon Closed
MOREHOUSE, MO.—The Dillon Theatre,
owned by W. H. Dillon, and managed by his
daughter, Mrs. Shirley Hamaker, has been
closed since March 25 and will remain dark
indefinitely.
Widescreen at Elsberry, Mo.
ELSBERRY. MO.—Widescreen equipment
is being installed in the Senate Theatre,
formerly the Orpheum, owned by State
Senator Edward V. Long of Clarksville and
Bowling Green.

RESEARCH BUREAU
for
MODERN THEATRE PLANNERS
ENROLLMENT FORM FOR FREE INFORMATION
The MODERN THEATRE
PLANNING INSTITUTE
825 Van Brunt Blvd.
Kansas City 24, Mo,
Gentlemen:
Please enroll us in your RESEARCH BUREAU
to receive information regularly, as released, on
the following subjects for Theatre Planning:
D Acoustics

. . Jerry
. . "No
. . Katy
. . Bob
. . The
:
April
CHICAGO
TX/itli the expiration March 31 of the lease
which Balaban & Katz held on the Tower
Theatre, the Tower Building Corp. officials
indicated they will try either to sell the
property "as is" or they may give consideration
to a well-qualified person to operate the
theatre for them. Although B&K shut down
the Tower three years ago, it has been rehabilitated
and maintained in accordance
with the terms of the lease. According to the
owners, the theatre is in good shape for immediate
opening. They said the major part
of their income was derived from the stores
and apartments located in the building, and
that in the case of a final sale, these properties
w'ill be included.
Herb Steinberg of Paramount was here to
plan George Gobel's personal appearances at
the premiere of his "Birds and the Bees" May
2 at the State Lake ... It didn't seem possible
that there was a theatre left in the city without
Cinemascope. However, when Harry
Brown took over the Bugg April 1, he
promptly had a widescreen installed . . . Abraham
Gomez, wlio became the new owner
of the Plaza on April 1. has changed the
name to Teatro Plaza. The new name of the
Gomez organization is Gomez Enterprises
Corp. Gomez is reported to be negotiating
for other theatre properties.
The Belmont organ has been put into condition
for use. The revival of favorite musical
selections has become part of the regular
Belmont program . Place for Jeiinifer,"
new English film, is having its first run at
the Cinema on the city's near north side . . .
Jimmy Stewart and liis wife checked in at
the Ambassador East. Mrs. Stewart will undergo
surgery here.
Cyd Charisse planed in from Hollywood to
help Tony Martin wind up his engagement
of two weeks at the Chez Paree. At the same
time she will do some plugging for "Meet
Me in Las Vegas," which will open at the
Loop April 20 . . . Additional exploiteering
for "The Harder They Fall," which opened
at the Woods April 10. was done by ex-champ
Jersey Joe Walcott . Jurado and Tony
Quimi, enroute to New York for location
shooting, made a short stopover here.
For the convenience of housewives and
school children attending the afternoon performance
of "Oklahoma!" McVickers Theatre
management has changed the starting time
to 1:30 p. m. Monday through Thursday.
This allows them to avoid the heavy rushhour
traffic . Field has joined U-I
as assistant to Ben Katz. Field succeeds Harold
Perlman, who resigned from U-I to take
a post on the B&K publicity staff.
Jack M. Schwartz and wife postcard they
are spending two months at the Allison Hotel
at Miami Beach.
Aonm^
Five Theatres Reopened
In Kansas-Missouri
HALSTEAD, KAS.—The Ideal Theatre,
which lias been closed for several months, is
being reopened by the Merchants' Ass'n.
MACKVILLE, KAS.—The Rothrock Theatre,
operated for about 43 years by G. W.
Rothrock, is being reopened by him after
being dark since early December.
GALENA, KAS.—The Maywood, closed for
several months, has been reopened on weekends
by Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Holland. The
building has been completely cleaned and
all seats have been repaired. N. W. Huston
is the owner.
LEONARDVILLE. KAS.—The Royal Theatre
has been reopened laere by the Chamber
of Commerce.
LANCASTER, MO.—James B. Russell jr.
has reopened the Strand Theatre after several
weeks when it was dark and redecorating
was done.
Cooling System Replaced
CAMBRIDGE, ILL.—A new air conditioning
system was installed early this month in
the Palace Theatre by Roy Klavine of Geneseo.
The local theatre has had air conditioning
for several years, but the new system
will be a big improvement according to the
owner, Merdith Themer. It is a 15-ton system
with three refrigerating units, two placed
in the front of the theatre and one in the
rear so that the temperature can be kept uniform
in all parts of the house.
Buys Ft. Wayne Eastern
FORT WAYNE—Gene G. Himelstein has
purchased the Eastern Theatre, neighborhood
house at 1101 East Creighton Ave., from
Kenneth F. and Forest G. Hibler, who owned
and operated the house for the past four
years. The house is air conditioned, and
seats more than 500 persons. Himelstein has
leased the theatre to Charles M. Hackley,
a local tax accountant, who plans to opearte
it on a seven-day-a-week basis, starting early
in
April.
Winfred Garner Buys
DEXTER, MO.—Winfred Garner, who has
been operating the Midway Drive-In about
a mile south of here, which was opened early
in 1954, has recently closed a deal for the
Family Drive-In a mile and a half east of
the city limits. The seller was Mi's. C. L.
Godwin, a daughter of the late State Senator
Yewell Lawrence of Bloomfield, Mo., who
opened this drive-in on June 24, 1950. Mrs.
Godwin had been operating the drive-in the
past several seasons.
Greater Crater Ar
MAXIMUM LIGHT
INDIANAPOLIS
jV/Turray Devaney, Columbia manager, resigned
as first assistant chief barker of
Variety and was elected second assistant.
Dale McFarland was upped from second to
first assistant in his place. Devaney, pleading
the press of business and industry drives,
also resigned as member.ship chairman. Herman
Black was named to that post . . . Ray
Schmertz, 20th-Fox manager, left Monday
to attend a conference in Cleveland . . . Ken
Dotterer, 20th-Fox salesman, and wife left
on a vacation in Hawaii.
Claude McKean, WB manager, returned
from a vacation in Florida . . . The Variety
Club will hold its Monte Carlo party at the
clubrooms April 21. Its annual 500 party, preceding
the Indianapolis Speedway race, is
scheduled for May 26.
Reuben L. Chambers has sold the Jewel at
Jamestown to a poultry firm. Built in 1947,
it was beheved to be the smallest town thea-
tre in the state operating seven nights a
week. It closed April 8, to be used for an
egg candling room . Harned anct
Keach McAllister have begun their tenth season
at the Twin Drive-In north of Jeffersonville
. . Kenneth and Forest Hibler, who
operated the Eastern at Fort Wayne., the
past four years, have sold it to Gene G.
Himselstein, who plans to lease the 500-
seat house to another party.
Benjamin F. Brumley, 65, a 50-year projectionist
who worked at most of the downtown
houses, died recently. He was last in
the booth at Loew's . auxiliary of
Variety has set up a schedule for transporting
children to and from the cerebral palsy
clinic for treatment.
Persons Over G5 Guests
RUSHVILLE. ILL.—Lloyd Pearson, owner
of the Lloyd Theatre, March 28, 29 extended
a .special invitation to all persons "65 years
young" and over to be his guests at the showing
of "The Robe."
THEJayTRE EQUIPMENT
442 N. ILLINOIS ST., INDIANAPOLIS, IND.
"Everything for the Theatre"
jSERVICE^HOWMANSHIPTQUAUTY]
^ GET ALMHKbf
i?HEN YOU ORDER
SPECIAL
TRMLERS
Mo.—CENTRAL SHIPP. & INSPECTION, Kansas City—Grond 2094
NATL THEATRE SUPPLY, St. Louis—Jefferson 1-6350
Konsas—THEATRE SERVICE Co., Inc., Topeka— Tel 3-7225
Illinois— KAYLINE COMPANY, Chicago—Tel. Webster 9-4643
NATIONAL THEATRE SUPPLY. Chicago—Wabash 2-8266
BOXOFFICE
:
14, 1956

:
April
I
FST Makes Three-Way
Policy Shift in Jax
JACKSONVILLE~The city's second largest
theatre— the downtown first run Palace
which opened its doors to the public 37 years
ago on April 6. 1919. as a vaudeville housewas
closed indefinitely the night of April 1
by Florida State Theatres. Its policies as a
first run house were moved immediately into
the Imperial Theatre which borders it on
the west across the space of a private alley.
After a lapse of four days, the Imperial policies
as a subsequent run location were
shifted to the nextdoor Empress Theatre
w'hich had been shuttered indefinitely in
1954.
Mark DuPree. PST maintenance executive,
and Robert Heekin, FST district manager,
had a large crew of carpet layers, painters,
electricians and cleaners in the Empress
working around the clock to refurbish it for
the April 6 reopening under John Thomas,
former Imperial manager, who moved his
entire .staff to the Empress. In turn. George
Krevo, Palace manager, shifted his staff and
first run operations into the Imperial in
record time without the loss of a single program.
He also had a crew at work improving
facilities at the Imperial. M. A. Shaaber,
Wil-Kin Theatre Supply technician, supervised
the installation of a new Cinemascope
screen at the Empress.
Charleston, S. C, Pembroke
Is Destroyed by Fire
CHARLESTON, S. C—The Pembroke Theatre
at Spruill avenue and Echo street here
was destroyed in a fire recently. Firemen,
answering an alarm received at 8:35 p. m.,
battled flames that were whipped by 30-milean-hoiu-
winds, with gusts up to 45 miles an
hour.
Fii-e Chief J. Herman Pooser described the
theatre as a total loss. "The front of the
building fell out and the roof caved in," he
said. The theatre, which was ten years old,
has not been in operation since 1954. The
seats and some equipment had been removed
from the building, firemen said. John M.
Pembroke, owner of the theatre, said the
building had been broken into on several occasions
since it was closed. He theorized the
fire might have been started by intruders.
FST Will Build New Luxury Theatre
To Replace Fire-Destroyed Empire
DAYTONA BEACH—Louis J. Finske, president
of Florida State Theatres, announced
plans for immediate construction of a beautiful
new theatre to replace the Empire, which
was completely burned to the ground shortly
after it had been closed for the night April 1.
A landmark in the Halifax Country, as this
area of Florida is known, the Empire was
originally called the Vivian and has been a
popular movie center for about 35 years. It
had a seating capacity close to 1,000.
The site of the new theatre, Finske said,
will probably be selected from one of three
downtown locations now owned or controlled
by the company, although two additional
sites are under consideration. A definite announcement
as to the site finally selected
will be made in about two weeks.
The blaze which demolished the Empire apparently
originated from cau.ses unknown in
or near the stage area of the theatre. Also
leveled in the fire was the 100-room Orange
Hotel from whicli all guests were safely
evacuated. Nearby shops and several parked
automobiles also were destroyed. Loss was
estimated at a half million dollars, placing
it among the ten worst fires in this city's
history.
The fire was discovered by Empire Manager
Lynn Goodyear in the course of his
routine check of the theatre before leaving
for the night. The blaze might have been
brought under control had not a water
main burst soon after firemen began their
battle, rendering theh hoses usele.ss. They
shifted hoses and began pumping water out
of the Halifax River, a block and a half
away, 40 minutes after the water main had
burst, but too late to do any more than halt
the fire's spread.
Mark DuPree, former PST city manager
here who is now an assistant to Finske in
Suffering an irreplaceable loss in the fire
was J. L. Cartwright, FST district supervisor,
who had a suite of offices in the Empire
building from which he directed the
operations of theatres In nine northeast
Florida communities. His personal office was
filled with plaques, pictures, documents,
testimonials, gifts from employes and associates,
books and other highly prized memorabilia
that bespoke his distinguished career
of 40 years in show busine.ss. All were
lost, including his famed collection of miniature
elephants. Goodyear, who left for
south Florida to take over management of
the Warner Theatre at Fort Lauderdale, also
suffered the loss of personal effects.
Southeast Exhibitors
To Meet May 27-29
ATLANTA— Plan.s are being laid for the
joint annual convention of the Motion Picture
Theatre Owners and Operators of
Georgia, and the Alabama Theatres Ass'n
at the Dinkier Plaza Hotel May 27, 28 and 29.
J. H. Thompson, president of the Georgia
group, and R. M. Kennedy, president of the
Alabama association, expect a record attendance
of exhibitors from Georgia, Alabama,
Florida, North and South Carolina
and Tennessee.
Main theme of the convention will be
"gold mining in your concession stand."
Concessions will be covered in all phases.
Model installations of candy bars and snack
bars will be featured by equipment dealers,
and there will be individual clinics and
counseling for exhibitors. All phases of exhibition
will be covered, with glamor and
excitement provided in addition to the serious
side of the convention.
Jacksonville, has arrived to complete plans
for dismantling the Empire's burned-out W. I. Boden Opens Sundown
shell and for clearing the property.
McKENZIE, TENN.—W. I.
Boden recently
opened his Sundown Drive-In on the Paris
highway for the spring and summer season.
$1,600 From Tampa Airer
Stolen on Way to Bank
TAMPA—A Fun Lan Drive-In employe wa>
the victim of a $1,600 armed robbery which
took place in broad daylight. The victim was
driving along a busy street in a light pickup
truck, headed for a bank where he was going
to make a deposit. The money was in five
bags containing weekend theatre and concession
money. R. G. Wright, the driver of the
car. said a gunman wearing dark glasses and
a straw hat, hopped into tlie truck in heavy
traffic, and ordered him to drive off. Several
blocks later the bandit grabbed the five bags
and made Wright leave the truck.
Wisconsin Showman Is Guest
ISLAMORADA, FLA.— E. R. Brennan and
wife were guests at the Coral Cove fishing
camp. Brennan is district manager for Standard
Theatres of Wisconsin at Green Bay.
MEMPHIS VVOMPI TWO YEARS OLD—A birthday dinner party was held at the
Chisea Hotel by Memphis WOMPI recently to celebrate its second birthday. Membership
numbers 47. Joe Young, manager at Warner Bros., spoke praising the work of WOMPI
with Variety Club's Home for Convalescent Children. Seated at the head tabic, left to
right: Shirley Kilgore, Maico, second vice-president; Leia Pierce, Republic, corresponding
secretary; Lois Evans, Strand Enterprises, president; Manager Young; Catherine
Baker, Colonial, director; Helen Van Bulpen, Warners, first vice-president; Margaret
Irby, Paramount, treasurer.
BOXOFFICE :
14, 1956 SE 59

. . . Harold
. . . Mrs.
. . Paye
.
.
Easter Sunrise Services in Alabomo MEMPHIS
A sunrise Laster serMce, spoiiMtrcd b> the Dtiatur Mi listerial Ass'n was held the
first time at the BowUne Dr.ve-In at Decatur. Ala. Manager Carlton H. Mann reports
the turnout was excellent and the comments were "wonderful." Above shows the Rev.
George Hubbard and the choir atop two truck beds. Bottom is a scene of the drive-in
area looking forward toward the truck beds showing some of the 500 cars present. A local
music store loaned the piano on a small truck.
New Belmonl Theatre
Opens at Smyrna, Ga.
SMYRNA, GA.—The new Belmont Theatre
in the Belmont Hills Shopping Center made
its formal debut here March 31. This is the
first shopping center theatre to open in this
area, a new field being opened by ShoppLiig
Center Theatres, Inc.. headed by Edward H.
Stevens. The company has options on several
other shopping center sites.
The Belmont Hills Shopping Center is
located in city the limits of Smyrna and
consists of about 30 stores, many of them
with national chain affiliations.
The theatre accommodates 608 persons and
IS equipped with RCA four-channel stereophonic
sound and Cinemascope. There is
parking space in front of the theatre for
about 3.000 cars.
One feature of the house is a large lounge
in the front, which is open to the shopping
center even when the theatre auditorium is
closed. The opener was "Guys and Dolls."
Nice Words for Theatremen
JACKSONVILLE, FLA.—John L. Crovo.
former manager of the Arcade Theatre, was
presented an inscribed copy of an Optimist
resolution thanking the motion picture industry
for contributing to Jacksonville living.
The occasion was a regular meeting of
the Optimist Club.
ATLANTA
Worthy Successor to
cHAR*LOTTE Rock'ii Roll Rcvue!
JACKSONVILLE
MEMPHIS
NEW ORLEANS
:£":it>F^^-^
.
n dolph Baker, city manager for Malco Theatres
at Owensboro, Ky., where Malco
operates the Malco and Strand became father
of a baby daughter named Rebecca Ann
Baker Lamb, owner of the Ritz,
Reyno, Ark., which was destroyed by fire
recently, will rebuild from the ground up
Thomas, Malco manager. Jackson,
Tenn.. was a visitor at the home office.
Mrs. Grace Sanford, former inspector, and
Beverly Graig, former stenographer, now
both living in Texas, called at the local 20th-
Fox office . . . Lyle Richmond. Richmond.
Senath, Mo., was in town, as were Alabamans
Whyte Bedford, Marion. Hamilton, and Mr.
and Mrs. H. A. Ligon, Mary Drive-In, Cherokee.
From Tennessee came N. B. Fair, Fair,
Somerville; W. F. Ruff in jr., Ruff in Amusements
Co., Covington: Louise Mask, Luez,
Bolivar, and Amelia Ellis, Millington Drivein,
Millington .
. . Mississippians in were C.
J. Collier. Globe, Shaw; Mrs. J. C. Noble,
Temple, Leland; Bert Bays, Grenada, Grenada;
R. B. Cox, Eureka, Batesville; Leon
Rountree, Holly, Holly Springs; C. N. Eudy,
Houston. Houston; Frank Hurd, Lee Drive-ln,
Tupelo, and Bern Jackson, Honey, Indianola.
In from Arkansas were William Elias, Murr,
Osceola; Moses Sliman, Lux, Luxora; K. H.
Kinney. Hays, Hughes; Alvin Tipton, Tipton
theatres in Caraway, Manila and Monette;
Gene Boggs, 70 Drive-ln, Hot Springs,
and Orris Collins, Capitol, Paragould .
Additional drive-in openings announced: Lee,
Tupelo, Miss., owned by Frank Hurd; Lake,
Waverly, Tenn.; 67 at Corning, Ark., owned
by Mrs. Ann Hutchins; Bel- Air, Booneville,
owned by E. W. Savage: Jaxon at
Ai-k.,
Jackson, Tenn.. owned by Doug Pierce;
Jacksonville at Jacksonville, Ark., owned by
B. M. Gray: Airvue at West Helena, Ark.,
owned by J. L. Anderson; Skyway at Forrest
City, Haven at Wynne, and Starlite, Brinkley,
all owned by Lou Haven jr.; Cardinal at
Mayfield, Ky., owned by Ned Greene; Sunset
at Paragould, Ark., owned by Orris Collins,
and Marshall County, Benton, Ky.,
owned by Jack Wright.
Clayton Tunstill, United Theatres, has
closed the Grand Theatre at Conway, Ark.
George Willett is the new owner of
the Lindy Theatre, Linden, Tenn. Alfred
. . .
Bishop has closed the Houlka Theatre,
Houlka, Miss., for the summer.
Alabama Receipts in Gain
BIRMINGHAM — December theatre receipts
m Alabama showed a jump of 8.3 per
cent over those of November, according to
the University of Alabama Bureau of Business
Research. The figures are based upon
sales tax collections. The same report
showed that the December 1955 receipts were
6.9 above those of December 1954.
Fire Destroys Melroy Theatre
TAYLORSVILLE. MISS. — Damage was
estimated at $75,000 when fire destroyed the
Melroy here. The owner is Leroy Mcintosh.
Firemen from Laurel put out the fire
before it could spread through the business
block.
BOXOFFICE Apr; 14, 1956

. . . Hazel
. . Sonny
. . The
. . M.
CHARLOTTE
.
gob Kidd of Queen City Booking Agency
placed third in the recent speech contest
held at the Johnson Memorial YMCA
by Toastmasters International . . Scenes
from "Picnic" were shown on WBTV here
by John Newfield of Columbia during an
interview on Bob Beam's Backstage Studio
show . Kincey, home from the U.
of North Carolina, attended the races at
Camden with several college friends.
Sj-mpathy to Seline Martin on the RKO
staff in the death of her mother . . . The
Charlotte Junior League sponsored a morning
matinee at the Manor Tlieatre Easter Monday,
with admission being a bundle of clothing
or household articles for the league's
thrift shop.
WOMPI items: Ruby Robinson, Margaret
Thomason, Shu-ley Bell and Dottie Glenham
modeled spring hats at the Easter
Bonnet Parade held at the March meeting
Miller and Billie Harris captain the
two attendance teams . club voted to
assist Gail Latchworth of the Thompson
Orphanage through high school by providing
a minimum of $5 a month . . . Lois Summers
and Evelyn Robinson were added to the
nominating committee to select officer candidates
for the May election. Previously selected
were Betty Beatty, Blanche Carr and
Hazel Miller . . . Sadie Smith undenvent an
operation at Mercy Hospital.
M&T Transfers Paul Goss
To Hawkinsville, Ga.
HAWXINSVILLE, GA. — Paul Goss has
been named manager of the Thompson Theatre
and M&T Drive-In here. He succeeds
Emmett Grimsley, who resigned recently to
go into advertising work. Goss has been
a.ssociated with Martin & Thompson Theatres
for about 12 years.
Mrs. Pat Cowan has been named assistant
manager of the Thompson Theatre and
Charles Whittington, former assistant manager
of the Thompson, has been promoted to
manager in training for Martin & Thompson
Theatres. McSiT General Manager L. M.
Stockton announced the promotions.
Lee B. Clark, 59. Dies
EL DORADO. ARK.--Lee B. Clark, 59-yearold
part-owner of the Clark-Williams Enterprises
and manager of the company's four
theatres in El Dorado, died recently in a local
hospital. Clark had lived in El Dorado all
his life and was an early leader in the theatre
business here.
Prizes at Easter Party
DECATUR, ALA.—Fifteen prizes donated
by a service station were awarded when the
Bowline Drive-In gave a free Easter party.
The drive-in reopened its playground and
passed out free ice cream, popcorn and cold
drinks.
Tlanei' and 'Carousel'
Are Memphis Leaders
MEMPHIS — Loew's State, with MGM's
"Forbidden Planet," and Loew's Palace, showing
20th-Fox's "Carousel," set the first run attendance
pace with twice average business.
(Average Is 100)
Maico Rock Around the Clock (Col) 100
Palace—Corousel (20th-Fox) 200
State— Forbidden Plonet (MGM) 200
Strand- The Court Jester (Para) 140
Warner- - Miracle in the Roin ( W8) I 30
Changes By Florida State
In St. Petersburg Area
ST. PETERSBURG— Walter Tremor, city
manager for Florida State Theatres, announced
several changes in personnel. Dan
Sangaree has been appointed manager of the
Fourth Street Drive-In, replacing Ezry Kimbrell.
Sangaree has had more than 20 years
experience operating Suncoast theatres, and
comes to St. Petersburg from Bartow where
he managed the Ritz. He opened and operated
the DeSoto in Arcade for Florida State.
Kimbrell, who managed the Fourth Street
Drive-In for several years, goes to Sanford
as manager of the Ritz.
Dick Leonard, who was manager of the
Ritz in Sarasota, has been appointed advertising
manager for Florida State in St.
Petersburg.
Mississippi Airer Chartered
JACKSON, MISS.—The Secretary of State
has issued a charter to the Beverly Drive-In
Theatre Corp. of Hattiesburg. Capital stock
was listed as $20,000.
NEW ORLEANS
T J. Burke of the Beach Walk-In. Fairhope,
Ala., will reopen the theatre about May
4 . . . H. H. Moreau has reopened the Tiger
Drive-In, Marksville . A. Connett Theatres
will reopen the Ritz Drive-In, Forest,
Miss., April 16 ... W. Bray will reopen the
82 Drive-In. Stamps, Ark., April 6 for the
summer.
C. M. Waterall is making plans to reopen
the Chatom Theatre, Chatom, Ala. The theatre
has been shuttered for .some time . . .
D. B. Fiske has reopened the Lake Drive-In,
Lake Providence, La.
In buying and booking were Weldon Limmroth,
Giddens & Rester Theatres, Mobile,
Ala.; J. Harrell. Martin Theatres, Atlanta;
Al Morgan, F. T. McLendon Theatres, Union
Springs, Ala.; F. G. Prat, Prat Theatres.
Lockport; Bill Lighter, St. Mary's Drive-In,
Berwick, and L. Ezell, Ritz and Pix. Pascagoula.
Miss.
Spring Promotions at Airer
RUSSELLVILLE. ALA.— The King Drive-
In is now open for spring on a six nights
each week schedule and is giving free pony
rides. The drive-in also is giving a free
ticket on the last night of each month for the
return of the month's calendar program.

. . The
. . F.
. . Richard
. . Mrs.
. . The
. .
L.
Pity the
Poor
Woiking^:
She sits on her . . .
office chair all day.
When she goes to the
movies at night, she wants
real relaxation and comfort
or she simply doesn't go! To attract
the working girl—and her boy
friend and mother and father and
sister and brother—let us repoir or
replace worn, uncomfortable seats.
We'll do it in a jiffy ... for a pittance
. . . without interrupting your
show. Wanno know how much?
WRITE, WIRE or PHONE
ALpine 5-8459
theatre sent
seruice ca.
160 Hermitage Ave.
Nashville,
Tennessee
SHOWMANSHIP] QUALITY^
To\y GET ALL THREE
_ WHEN YOU ORDER
'f^M SPECIAL TRMLERS
,^ Trow -W^m
NEW VORK
Ml
COMPLETE LINE
THEATRE EQUIPMENT and
CONCESSION SUPPLIES
TRI-STATE THEATRE SUPPLY
Si 320 So Second Memphis, Tenn.
ATLANTA
John Stembler, president of Georgia Thea-
' tres, and his family have returned from s
vacation in Miami. The Stemblers viewed
the races at Gulfstream Park from the Turf
Club as guesU of Mrs. Stembler's mother,
Following the Easter
Mrs. W. K. Jenkins . . .
holiday, Loew's Grand had a special morning
show, "Challenge to Lassie" and five Tom
and Jerry cartoons, the theatre acting as
baby sitter while mothers relaxed.
"Alexander the Great" enjoyed exceptional
business during two weeks at Loew's. David
Ffolkes, who designed clothes worn by more
than 6,000 persons in the movie, was in Atlanta
telling how the job was done. He estimated
nearly $750,000 was spent on costumes
Garden Hills was showing "Gone
With the Wind" this week, a farewell to the
picture for another eight or ten years, as the
great film is being taken out of distribution.
The Havala Drive-In, Haleyville, Ala., celebrated
its first anniversary March 30. Bal-
loons, candy and other souvenirs were distributed
and Bobby Cobb, owner, reported a
tremendous crowd .
Young, manager
of the Dale Drive-In, Tuscaloosa, Ala.,
was passing out cigars recently. The Youngs
have a baby girl Mary Brockett,
booker for Crescent Amusement for many
years until she resigned recently, was visiting
friends in Springfield, Mo.
N. C. . . .
Film Booking Office took over the buying
and booking for the Kingsport (Tenn.)
Drive-In April 15, according to Al Rook. This
is drive-in owned by Max Wilson, Lenoir,
Fred MoLendon, owner of a circuit
headquartering in Union Springs, Ala., returned
from a business trip to Puerto Rico.
Exhibitors visiting Filmrow were E. D.
Strange, Jewell, Gordon, Ga.; C. W. Webb,
Bocanita, Scottsboro, Ala.; J. E. Jones, Rialto
and Swan Drive-In, Blue Ridge, Ga.: Louis
Worthington, Auto Movies, Bessemer, and
Varsity Drive-In, Tuscaloosa: Jay Solomon,
Independent Theatres, Chattanooga: Tom
Brett, Arcade, Sandersville, Ga.; Bobby Cobb.
Cobb circuit. Fayette, Ala.
The Grove Drive-In, Demopolis, Ala., which
has been closed for the winter, will reopen
about April 15 . . . Mrs. Raleigh Clark, Toez.
Brooklet, Ga, is now doing her own buying
and booking. The theatre was formerly handled
by agent Norris Stephens.
At the Variety Club luncheon April 9 the
guest speaker was Clyde King, manager of
the Atlanta Crackers. Earl Mann. Crackers
Man in the Gray Flannel Suit" finished a
two-week stay at the Fox.
WOMPI news: The April meeting of board
members and committee chairmen was held
at the Variety Club Tuesday with Stella
Poulnot. president, presiding. Plans were discussed
for participating in Old Newsboys'
Day on May 18 and for a bingo party at
Battle Hill Haven for the Aged the last week
in April. At the Sadie Hawkins dance at the
Variety Club April 6. Stella Poulnot was
named WOMPI of the Year and presented
a trophy by Laura Kenny. The winner of this
amiual award is elected by popular vote of
the membership. Other highlights of this
affair was the fashion show staged by Filmrow
"lovelies," Bob Tarwater. Mack Grimes,
Eddie Brauer. Sid Whiteman, Bernie Shapiro
and Jack Poulnot. Mistre.ss of ceremonies
was Jacke Cowart. Guests were
shown a color film of the glamorous Mardi
Gras ball made at the convention in New
Orleans last fall. Proceeds of the dance wUl
help defray the expense of the 1956 WOMPI
convention to be held in Atlanta Septem-
The recent annual house and garden tours,
sponsored by the Garden Club of Georgia.
Inc., included landscaped gardens of Mr. and
Mrs. R. B. Wflby. Wilby, of Wilby-Kincey
Theatres, is famed for his camellias ... On a ber 28. 29, 30.
recent visit to the Row. Non-is Stephens announced
that the Grand, Sylvania, would be A. P. Allen, owner and operator of the
operated on Saturdays only, effective immediately
DanDee Drive-In. Columbia, Tenn., was
. H. Timmons, Star. Goodletts-
killed instantly in an automobile collision
Prichard Hobson
ville, Tenn., closed the theatre March 31 and near Nashville recently . . .
is the new office manager at Astor
has been converted to a furniture store.
it
Tom Jones was the agent for this situation. Pictures. Hobson was connected with Ed
Stevens in the 16mm film and equipment
business for several years as booker and
salesman. He also was booker for Republic
Pictures. He is assistant scoutmaster of
Troop 70, sponsored by the Kirkwood Methodist
Church, and visual educational director
for the church.
Cecil Grimes, Druid, Tuscaloosa, spent several
days in Jasper, Ala. . . . Mrs. Mary Ellen
Adair, former secretary for United Artists,
visited with friends on the Row. proudly introducing
her young daughter Christy .
Crescent Amusement reports that the Old
Hickory. Old Hickory. Tenn.. has been closed
and dismantled.
The Northport (formerly Disney), Northport,
Ala., has been closed again following
a short time of operation, according to R. C.
Cobb . birthday club of United Artists
feted Marcelle Davis with a luncheon at
Emile's Friday (6i ... Betty Landers. United
Artists boxoffice statement clerk, has resigned.
She has accepted a position as secretary
with the Georgia Theatre Co.
New Calera, Ala., Ozoner
Opened by T. E. Watson
CALERA. ALA.—The new Rebel Drive-In
was opened March 29.
Owner of the theatre, half-way between
Alabaster and Calera on Highway 31. is T.
E. "Eddie" Watson, who also has the Strand
at Montevallo. The manager is Hubert Yon.
Capacity is approximately 440 cars.
Remodel Gulfport House
GULFPORT. MISS.—The Bay View Theatre,
which has seating capacity for nearly
president, was also a guest. Plans were discussed
for Old Newsboy's Day on May 18. 900, has closed for remodeling. The house
Pi'oceeds will go to Atlanta's cerebral palsy was opened by Douglas Smith ten years ago
school . . . "Picnic" has finished an eightweek
stay at the Rialto. "The Man With the later operated by Joe Sullivan and Charles
and later was sold to E. V. Landiache, and
Golden Ai'm" opened Thiu-sday (12). "The Levy, who has been managing the operation.
BOXOFFICE
:
: April 14, 1956

: April
. . Edmond
. . Janice
Four Martin Managers
Receive Promotions
CARTERSVILLE, GA.—Four managers connected
with Martin Theatres of Georgia have
been promoted recently, with the changes
affecting both of the showhouses here—the
Grand Theatre and the Starlite Drive-In.
John E. Clark, who has been manager of
the Grand the last four years, is being promoted
to the managership of the Martin
Theatre at Americus, Clark had managed
the Coosa Theatre at Childersburg, Ala., for
ten years before taking over the Grand here.
Erwin P. Cox, who has been with the
Strand Theatre at Marietta for some time,
is taking over the managership of the Grand.
A native of Woodstock, he spent two years
as a sergeant with the Corps of Engineers
in Okinawa. Korea and in the States,
Burriel R. Coleman of Eufaula, Ala., has
arrived here to assume the managership of
the Starlite Drive-In Theatre, recently vacated
by Lloyd Reddish. Coleman comes here
from the Sunset Drive-In Theatre at Americus,
which he managed. For more than three
years, he served as airman second class in
Special Services. U. S. Air Force.
Lloyd Reddish, who lived in Cartersville
seven years, first being associated with the
Legion Theatre and later managing the Starlite
Drive-In, was recently promoted to the
managership of the Carol Theatre at Albertville,
Ala.
• QUALITY • SERVICE
and
• SATISFACTION
when you entrust your business to:
THE QUEEN FEATURE SERVICE, Inc.
Complete Theatre & Drive-In
& Supplies
1912-Vi
Morris
RECONDITIONED
Equipment
BARGAINS
1 Echols oil electric 1 Stor Peanut Rooster
ATLANTA POPCORN SUPPLY
146 Wolton, N.W. Atlonto, Go-
MIRACLE WHIRL
Playground Equipment
ROY SMITH CO.
TAMPA
JACKSONVILLE
LOST LEASE!! . . . CLOSEOUT
Complete Bquipt Conventional Theatre
• 50-lon Carrier Air • Altex Sound
Conditioner
• Simplex Heads • American Seats
Will sell all or separately . . Contact
JOHN WILLIAMS
,
•
^ „
Slate Theatre Jackson. Mississippi
JACKSONVILLE
John SiM-iirlinR, well-known projectionist and
longtime leader in lATSE union matters,
underwent a succe.ssful emergency appendectomy
in a local hospital. Hundreds of friends
were wishing him a speedy recovery . . . Fred
Hull's MGM office staff Is expected to move
into a fine new company building at the
corner of Forsyth and Washington streets
about May 15. At present, the MGM film is
being handled by Benton Bros, on M>Ttle
avenue, but the new building will have space
and equipment for storage, inspection and
shipment of film in addition to greater office
space.
MGM booker and WOMPI president .
The first anniversary of the founding of
the WOMPI chapter here will be celebrated
at a gala party the night of April 20 in Fred
Abood's restaurant, announced Sarah Keller,
. . Variety
Tent 44 held a gay "spring fun frolic"
at the Lakewood Woman's Club, with a large
attendance by members of the amusement
industry, including WOMPI members who
assisted in the sale of tickets.
FST President Louis J. Finske was host at
a luncheon in the Studio Theatre honoring
three persons in the FST home office whose
birthdays fall in April. They are Bea Christ,
Ken Barrett's assistant; Harvey Garland,
circuit film buyer, and Tom Gerard, booker
for south Florida. Invited were members of
the home office staff and managers of all
local film distribution offices. Ann Dillon,
Vice-President LaMar Sarra's secretary,
served as chef and mistress of cuisine, with
Edith Smith handling decorations.
Visitors included Carl Floyd of Haines
City, here to confer with his circuit booker,
Joe Thrift: Dave Prince, RKO district manager
from Atlanta who was here to visit
R. Cam Price, RKO's Florida manager; and
exhibitors Harry Dale, Lake Butler; William
Lee, Keystone; Adeline Gawthrop, Palatka,
and J. M. Wells. Klngsland, Ga. . . . J. J.
Deitch. FST executive, left for field work in
the Miami district. He was accompanied by
French Harvey. FST director of advertising
and publicity, who planned to spend a fewdays
in the area .
Claxton. eastern
director of WOMPI, returned to her desk as
Fred Hull's secretary at MGM after being
ill with bronchial pneumonia . . . Charley
Toy, elderly stagehand at the Palace when
it closed indefinitely on April 1. has newspaper
clippings to show that he was also employed
there when the theatre first opened 37
years ago.
Both "Alexander the Great" at the Five
Points and "The Conqueror" at the St.
Johns have extended runs against opposition'
from the opening of "Carousel" at the
Florida Vincent Cole and Harry
.
Jacques Revier, Cole Film Enterprises, began
the production of a jungle serial in
nearby Nassau County at the Florida Wild
Animal Farm. Revier, co-producer and director,
first originated the Tarzan series and
produced "The Lost City" . . .
Speaking of
originals, the Roy Smith Co. has added a
new "pinkee lemonade" to the company's
line of uncarbonated tropical fruit syrups
which it distributes to indoor and drive-in
theatres of the southeast.
Russ Morgan, orchestra leader, has been
cast in U-I's "The Great Man."
Cole Bros. Buy Drive-In
Near Oak Ridge. Tenn.
OAK RIDGE. TENN.- Burclifuld Drlve-In
Theatre near hero has been .sold by Ed
Burchfield to John and William Cole, brothers
who already operate drive-in theatres at
Clinton and Loudon. Burchfield built the
theatre three years ago and has operated it
since. Recent heavy winds damaged the
screen and demolished Burchfield's apartment
inside the structure. It is now being
rebuilt and the Cole brothers plan to reopen
the theatre as soon as possible.
good
They add up to
pictures
comfortable
temperatures
"home-comfort" seating
and International
Theater Seats
give your
patrons
that "homecomfort"
relaxation
When seating or reseating your
theater with Internationals, you
win two ways — in lower installation
costs because Internationals
are factory assembled and save
time and labor — and in maintenance
because all-steel construction,
hingeless seat suspension and completely
interchangeable seats and
backs require less maintenance.
For complete information on International
theater seats in the Southeast
area, write, wire or phone —
Theater Seat Service Co.
160 Hermitage Avenue
Nashville, Tennessee
Phone 5-8459
or—
%teniatioTiar
^ SEAT
DIVISION OF
UNION CITY BODY COMPANY, INC.,
UNION CITY, INDIANA
BOXOFFICE
:
14, 1956

. . Jack
Here's
Your Chame
to get in the
BIG
MONEY
Be Sure
fo Play
As a screen
game, Hollywood lakes
top honors. As a boxoffice attraction,
it is without equal. It has
been a favorite with theatregoers for
15 years.
Write today for complete details!
Be sure to give seating or car
capacity.
HOLLYWOOD
AMUSEMENT
COMPANY
831 South Wabash Avenue
Chicago 5, Illinois
MIAMI
1V/rcCoiiias' Tropicaire Drive-In presented
a "Westathon." a program of four western
features . . . Johnny Johnston appeared
on stage at the showings of "Rock Around
the Clock" at the Cinema, Paramount and
Coral theatres. A 38-hour music marathon
was another feature. "Cat£ and "gators" were
invited to come any time of the day or night
during the 38 continuous hours of showing.
Aileen Kaye, a secretary at Mount Sinai
Hospital, won the local "Miracle in the Rain"
contest and a four-day trip to Hollywood . . .
"The Swan" is scheduled to open at Loew's
Riviera on the same day its star, Grace
Kelly, marries In Monaco Caplan
.
of the Roosevelt recalls that he flew Judith
Anderson, currently at the Grove Playhouse,
from Hollandia to a tiny island called Biak
in 1944. She went there to entertain the
soldiers and was the first white woman ever
on the island. But the show wa^ canceled because
of three air-raids.
Wometco ads for "Meet Me in Las Vegas"
left a large blank boxed space headed: This
space is left for the wonderful comment you
yourself will make when you see it ... A
"Memo from Wometco to Patrons. Re: 'On the
Threshold of Space,' " occupied most of the
large ad space the circuit used for the above
picture playing the Carib and Miami theatres.
The memo stated: "You need a whole new vocabulary
to describe this picture," and went
on to give a detailed idea of what was to be
seen ... As part of the promotion for "Forbidden
Planet," Claughton's Trail had a stack of
Bantam Book copies of the story waiting for
the first 100 adults entering the theatre
opening day.
The time capsule buried in the Carib Theatre
lobby contains a prediction that George
Smathers, not a senator then, would one day
be vice-presidential timber ... If you can
estimate the number of silver
dollars on display
at a Miami Beach bank, you can win a
trip to It's Las Vegas. promotion for "Meet
Me in Las Vegas" playing here at Wometco
houses .... The Sunday News Magazine
quoted a Savannah, Ga., theatre manager,
taking someone to task for calling TV free
entertainment. "Don't you pay for seats,
power, servicemen and a little more for
articles sponsored on TV? Free? No, sir. It's
a rather costly thing when you add it all
up."
IRESEARCH BUREAU
for
{modern THEATRE PLANNERS
READ BOXOFHCE WANT ADS! 1
m BOOIG Office
Experience — Industry — Integrity
ALBERT E. ROOK, Owner
160 Walton st. n.w.
^^ st«^cou»*f*
tel. alpine 8314 s^^-'^f^S'lo^jr'
^^?'^'*'^
P.O. box 1422
^n^. tsstt
atisnta, ga.

Phone:
38-Hour Rock 'n
In Politics But It
MIAMI—In connection with the showing
of "Rock Around the Clock" at the Paramount.
Coral and Cinema theatres. FST advertised
a 38-hour rock-and-roll music
marathon at the first mentioned downtown
house. Showings were continuous and all
"cats and 'gators" were invited to come at
any time of the day, night or "early bright."
The start of the event was at 10 on Friday
morning, continuous thi-ough the night and
on to midnight Saturday.
ON FRONT PAGES
The innovation was front-paged in the
Miami Daily News, the story stating that the
marathon, advertised as "the very end,"
might indeed wind up that way before it
even got a good start. Steadman Stahl jr..
a candidate in one of the peace justice races,
was said to have taken steps to prevent teenage
hepcats from attending the jazz session
at hours when they should "be at home and
asleep."
Stahl put in a protest to the Paramount's
management, stating he felt no child under
17 should be admitted during the night. The
theatre might rock around the clock, he said.
but bobbysoxers should not be urged to do
so. If the theatre refused to agree. Stahl
said, he intended to petition the mayor's
office for a special policeman to stand guard
at the theatre entrance.
A former assistant county solicitor. Stahl
said he felt a good deal of the trouble law
enforcement agencies have with teenagers
is a result of their staying out late at night.
Stahl also .said he had not so far been able
to talk to FST executives.
Saturday's Herald said that hundreds of
Miami "cats and 'gators" with "the most"
kept the theatre lively all night Friday and
even past breakfast time. Despite protests
from " a few parents" and a "raised eyebrow"
from Mayor Flandall Christmas, the marathon
went on as scheduled.
Mayor Christmas told the Herald, "I don't
believe business people should encourage
juveniles to attend functions which will keep
them out all hours of the night. But to the
best of my knowledge there is no law in
Miami that would prevent the theatre from
doing this."
DEFENT) JA3IBOREE
According to the Herald, officials of FST
stanchly defended the 38-hour jamboree.
Harry Botwick said it was no more than an
extension of a regular midnight movie. "An
ordinary midnight showing," he declared,
"does not end until 2 or 3 in the morning,
and we open every morning (except Sunday i
at ten."
Up to Saturday morning there had been
no reports from police of any disturbance
at the theatre.
A special writer assigned by the News to
report on the 'round the clock affair, said
that by Saturday noon more than 5,000
"cats," mostly in jeans and T-shirts, had
joined in the marathon. There was a cappacity
crowd by 1 o'clock. The show lasted
until two Sunday morning.
Assistant Manager William Morrison said.
"The kids get a little excited, but that's
about all." A few of the "unexcited" demonstrated
the latest jitterbug steps in the
aisles from time to time.
Roll Marathon Gets P!!Z"ls_°"^l!J:^5?f°?.
Packs Theatre
At 7 a. m. the theatre's management served
coffee and doughnuts to the scattered rockand-roll
devotees who were still sitting it
out. Earlier, the hot dogs went like—hot
dogs. The rest of the diet was filled out with
cold drinks and candy bars.
Manager Charles Whittaker commented.
"We're just letting the kid have a good
time and yell their lungs out. They're only
young once, and maybe the fad of rock-androll
will last only as long as Davy Crockett."
The show cost a dollar a head at the theatre.
Just to make sure that everything remained
between bounds, off-duty Miami
pohcemen were stationed inside the theatre.
E. M. Loew Boat Excursion
Ends With Spill in Bay
MIAMI—E. M. Loew, owner and operator of
the Miami Drive-In and the new Gulfstream
Drive-In, unexpectedly made newspaper
headlines when a boat trip he hosted ended
when the craft tipped over, spilling many of
the guests in Biscayne Bay.
Loew, who has just closed the Macfadden
Deauville Hotel gave employes the boat trip
as a farewell outing. All 56 aboai'd were
rescued, although five were injured, none
seriously. A fishing boat picked up those
tossed overboard.
The double-decked pleasure boat turned
over on its side because too many people
jammed one side of the rail, the skipper
said. Hughie Barrett, orchestra leader,
quickly herded the passengers to the opposite
of the Phantom and she righted herself.
Frank Fish, another employe, broke a window
of a cabin with his camera and grabbed
life jackets for passengers both in and out
of water. Loew said Fish then jumped into
the water and helped those who couldn't
swim.
Beaut-y at Cocoa Drive-In
MERRITT ISLAND, FLA.—Al Scruggs,
manager of the Cocoa Drive-In, reports the
airer is beautiful at this time of the year
with the many blooms and spring foliage.
Walter Wanger and Eugene Frenke have
obtained the screen rights to "The Empress."
HANDY SUBSCRIPTION
MACON, GA.—An application has been
filed with Bibb county commissioners for a
license to operate a drive-in theatre at the
site of the old Slarlite Drlve-In Theatre on
New Columbus road. The petition was filed
by Bernard M. Parker, Thomas Parker sr.
and M. W. Patton.
riorido's FIRST Supply House
NEW ADDRESS .
206 MEMORIAL HIGHWAY
TAMPA, FLORIDA
NEW PHONE 8-5189
NEW CONVENIENT PARKING
for Our Customers
Visit us at our new building
NOW with TWO convenient locations lor
BETTER than EVER jervice «o you
DIXIE
THEATRE SERVICE
& SUPPLY COMPANY
YOUR BALLANTYNE DEALER
95 Walton StrMl. NW
1010 North Slagpey Dflti
P. 0. P. 0. Bo« 771 Box 858
Albany, Gcorfla Atlanta. Gtorgia
.'hone: HEmlock 2-2846 WAInut 4118
COMPLETE THEATRE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES
Prompt. Courteous Service 'Round the Clock
SPECIAL TRAILERS
Quolity and Serrice
Serving theatres in ttie South for 31 yan.
12 cents per word
Lowest cost anywhere
STRICKLAND FILM CO.
220 Pharr. Road, N. E. Atlonto

7fU

:
April
Houston Realty Firm
Buys Kirby Theatre
HOUSTON—Interstate Theatres has sold
the Kirby Theatre to the McKuiney Avenue
Realty Co. Although the new owners have
not announced their plans, theatre employes
were given two weeks notice shortly after the
deal was completed. It has been rumored
that the new Thrillarama process would find
a home at the Kirby and hold the world premiere
of "Thrillarama Adventure" in tJie
Main street house in May. That has been
neither confirmed nor denied.
The Kijby was opened Aug. 12, 1927, by
Publix Theatres and played as its opener
the silent picture "Beau Geste." starring
Ronald Colman, Mary Brian and William
Powell. During the depression the Kirby,
along with the Metropolitan, was taken over
from Publix by Karl Hoblitzelle's Interstate
Theatres. Mdie Bremer became manager.
Under Eddie, the Kirby was one of the first
theatres to hold "bank nights" and morning
"kiddy shows."
Several well-known actresses made their
stage debut at the Kirby, including Nan Gray,
who is Mrs. Prankie Laine; Gale Storm and
Ann Miller.
During Interstate's regime the Kirby has
had only four managere: Bremer, who went
from there to the Majestic during World War
II and now is in the public relations office:
Ray Hay, now manager of the Metropolitan;
John Arnold, present manager of the Majestic;
Buddy Gould, the last Kirby manager.
Jessie E. Hogue, film projectionist, is the
only staff employe who was with the Kirby
throughout its 29 years of continuous operation.
BOWLING
DALLAS—Eddie Darling, president of the
bowling league, copped the men's high single
with 215 and the three-game high with 529.
Rasemary White, Metro, had a high 158
single, and Doris Browning, Evans, a threegame
high of 421. The Evans team rolled
the 642 and 1,867 highs. The standings:
Teom Won Lost Teom Won Lost
Fox 74 42 Tower 58 58
Evons 70 46 Rowley 57 59
Metro 67 49 Paramount 54 62
Rangers 63 49 Blazers 50 66
Rustlers 62 54 Interstate 50 66
Liberty 59 53 Warners 30 86
Shamrock, Tex., Boothman
Hero of Theatre Fire
SHAMROCK, TEX.- A H-year-old projectionist
was the hero of the day when a fire
swept through the Texas Theatre April 1,
causing an estimated $20,000-$25,000 damage.
Eddie Miller was credited by police and firemen
with organizing a prompt, orderly evacuation
of the theatre.
Seibert Worley. theatre owner, said the fire
began in the ceiling of his upstairs office.
Lokss was only partly covered by insurance.
The theatre won't be rebuilt. Worley added,
unless prospects for a good crop year In the
Texas Panhandle improve.
Miller discovered the fire about 6;45 p.m.
when he looked out of the projection booth
and saw the office ceiling in flames. There
were approximately 30 persons in the theatre.
Miller pulled the switches, shut down
the machines, closed the projection booth
door and ran past the fire, down the steps
into the lobby. He told an usher to turn on
the house lights. Then he walked on the
theatre stage and announced:
"Ladies and gentlemen, we're having some
trouble in our projection booth and don't
believe we can fix it tonight. Will you please
leave the building?"
The patrons filed out, not knowing until
they saw the blazing front that the theatre
was on fire. There were no injuries.
Sontone Housewife Wins
Free Trip to Mexico City
SAN ANTONIO—Mrs. J. M. Hager triumphed
over some 4,000 other South Texans
to win a trip for two to Mexico City—the top
prize in a jumbled words contest sponsored
by the San Antonio News and Interstate
Theatres. The contest promoted "Backlash"
at the Majestic Theatre. Contest entrants
were asked to compile lists of words using
letters contained in each of a list of 12 words
connected with the film, with the longest
winning.
list
Altec, Cooper Sign Deal
NEW YORK—Altec Service Corp. has
signed a new contract with Cooper Foundation
Theatres, Oklahoma City, for the Criterion,
Harbor, Plaza and Tower theatres.
The agreement was handled by C. J. Zern.
southwestern division manager.
Daylight Time Killed
ByFaslUTOOAcHon
OKLAHOMA CITY—Opposition from theatre
owners and other groups caused a proposal
for daylight savings lime to be dropped
Monday (9) without going before the city
council for a vote. However. United Theatre
Owners of Oklahoma .still faced the DST
problem at Muskogee, where city councllmen
were to vote on its adoption later in the week.
The time plan backed by merchants would
have made Oklahoma City a virtual "island"
for DST. Oklahoma does not Intend to move
its time ahead an hour during summer
months.
The UTOO organization machinery moved
fast last week to oppose local adoption of
daylight savings time after the UTOO board
of directors went on record against the proposal
on April 1. Bulletins were sent to all
exchanges, theatres and theatre owners. The
bulletin urged members to call their Chambers
of Commerce, city councilmen and .state senators
and express opposition to daylight savings
time.
UTOO members also are working with the
National Cowboy Hall of Fame drive, In procuring
both advance and junior memberships.
Red Slocum, UTOO executive director, said
plans of action are being formulated for the
group's tax relief committee, which he heads.
Once the plans are under way. the committee
will meet every two weeks to report on progress
made in getting Congressmen on record
favoring elimination of the remaining 10 per
cent tax on movie tickets.
UTOO members also have under consideration
a proposal for producing an Oklahoma
state newsreel covering Oklahoma industries
and events and to be released once a month
to theatres throughout the state. The suggestion
came from Elwin Hatfield of the
Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce.
Seibert Worley Elected
Shamrock, Tex., Mayor
SHAMROCK, TEX.—Seibert Worley. local
theatre owner, was elected mayor of Shamrock
April 3 in a three-man race. It is his
first
entry into politics.
Worley, who owns Shamrock's Texas. Liberty
and Pioneer Drive-In theatres, conducted
no active campaign for the post.
jrf^
Shown at their .\pril board meeting are members and guests of
the United Theatre Owners of Oklahoma. Left to riglit. at left of
picture, are Henry Simpson, Bristow; Molly Goerke, Canton; Benson
Dean. Ardmore; C. F. Motley, Oklahoma City. Middle group: Dave
Hunt and Athel Boyter. Oklahoma City; Johnny Jones, Shawnee;
E. R. "Red" Slocum. John .\. Johnson, Oklahoma City, and Bernard
McKenna, Norman. Group at right: Charlie Proctor, Muskogee;
H. D. Cox, Binger; Eddie Jones. Tulsa; Paul Stonum. Anadarko;
Earl Snyder jr., Tulsa; Dirk Thompson, Oklahoma City. Also present
were R. Lewis Barton. OIlie Brownlee and Mr. and Mrs. Jep Holman.
BOXOFTICE
;
14, 1956

.OSf-/NG
THROUGH
Tack Arthur of the StephenvlUe theatres told
' us a story concerning a theatre development
in his town that registered mirth amid
its grimness. And it is a true one, too. Undoubtedly,
it has happened in many such
towns: sometimes it has even been fulfilled.
As Arthur said, "A fool and his money are
soon parted." His story bears this out.
A man decided to build a drive-in near
Stephenville and discussed the brainwave
with another Stephenville citizen, who later
passed the information along to Arthur. The
citizen was in a position to see the fallacy
of such a move, since there was already one
drive-in in the town of 7,155 population, and
at one time previously there had been two.
The citizen asked, "Have you had any
previous theatre experience?"
The answer was "No."
"Then why do you want to build a drive-in
here?"
"Because," the man countered brightly,
"my wife thought it would be nice to have
something to do after supper."
The citizen was aghast. "The construction
of a drive-in requires a substantial investment,"
he pointed out. "After you get it open,
supposing it doesn't pay. What will you do
then?"
"We'll just sell it to Jack Ai-thur!" came
the earnest reply.
We got a chuckle from Arthur's tongue-incheek
report, as did Bob Dunn, the Paramount
salesman, who was also present. We
Central & West Texas
-By EARL MOSELEY.
three readily agreed that many theatres are
born under such innocent circumstances
and usually die before the innocence has had
a chance to wear off.
Fortunately, Arthur's almost opposition was
sidetracked by the cold facts of business operation
and the new drive-in never came
about. Score one for the home team!
He took us acros.s the street from his office
into the Majestic Theatre auditorium and
displayed the foam rubber seating. Since
February 1, he and some of his staff had
painted and reconditioned each one, entirely
in their spare time. The results were impressive.
The backs had been done in a light color
and the patron had no difficulties seeing
them in the darkness. During preshow time
they brightened the decor of the building immensely.
Of course, the patron's comfort is
not to be overlooked.
Aside from the Majestic, Jack Arthur also
has the Ritz and Starlite in the home of John
Tarlton College and is partner in the Majestic
and Sun Drive-In at Comanche. During his
five and a half years as an area exhibitor he
has received a BOXOFFICE Showmandiser
Award, which he proudly displays in his office.
M. A. Hardee replaced his 40x60 front poster
board at the Alvarado Theatre with a onesheet
frame surrounded by 8x10 still molding
sets. And it has rewarded him by providing
more sidewalk traffic attention.
Hardee reported that the large poster rated
only a casual glance from the passerby in his
situation, but the new arrangement brought
many of them to a halt. Most of them give
the stills careful scrutiny and make remarks
about the stars and scenes while doing so.
He feels they have definitely paid for themselves.
He especially commented on the opening
day attention created by the new rack for the
recent Alvarado run of Paramount's 21-year
old classic. "The Trail of the Lonesome Pine."
After looking over the paper and stills, several
of the townspeople had come to him
asking if it was the same picture they had
seen years ago—and told him they would
be back to see it again.
While such a change may not be feasible
for every theatre, it certainly pays the exhibitor
to change his front and lobby poster
sizes and format until he discovers which
one gains the most attention. Nor does it
hurt to repeat the test occasionally to make
sure the original choice still holds its charm.
Variety plays a large part in the eye appeal
too.
No other projectionist to our knowledge has
been given a chance to see part of his own
daughter's life portrayed on the screen. Nor
is there another showman who lives in the
swank Western Hills Hotel in Fort Worth.
But Claude M. Fox can make claim on both
counts. He is projectionist at Interstate's
Ridglea Theatre, near the famous hostel.
Fox's oldest daughter Valerie is married to
the World famous golfer, Ben Hogan. When
20th-Fox made "Follow the Sun" in 1951,
Anne Baxter played her part. Glenn Ford
was Hogan in the biography.
JOB WANTED
Hours: Unlimited • Week: Full 7 Days
Calls made on the Man Who Buys when he's in his mellowest mood. It makes
your selling very simple: He wants to buy. You want to sell. So you get together
and make a deal. You moke many deals as the days go by . . . NOW
is a good time to . . .
to
Mr. BOXOFFICE . .
TELL IrZ, -d SELL
YOUR PRODUCT
OR SERVICE
DISPLAY and
CLASSIFIED Advertising
BOXOFnCE
:
: April 14, 1956

: AprU
. . George
. . Jimmy
. .
. . Mrs.
Pox was given a surprise birthday celebration
recently by his friends and the hotel
staff, commemorating his 67th year. It was
also the beginning of his 50th year in show
business.
He came into the projection room the hard
way. While working as an assistant manager
in a Mineral Wells theatre in 1907, thp
regular projectionist left town suddenly and
F\3X was called upon to try his hand in the
booth. After successfully cranking off the
projector in a dry run he continued in that
jjosition.
Seven years later. C. M. Fox affixed hi.'~
signature to the charter of the Fort Worth
projectionists Local 330. lATSE. Preceding
that date, and for several years after, he
worked in several of that city's theatres.
Later, he worked in El Pa.so and made several
booth installations over the area. In 1933. he
came into Cleburne to relieve a projectionist
for one month and stayed there just
short of iwenty-two years! He wears a ring
awarded him by Video Theatres (originally
the R. E. Griffith Amusement Co.) for his
length of service in the Palace, Yale and
ine Corps., then attended SMU in Dallas,
TCU in Fort Worth and John Tarlton in
Stephenville. At the present, he lacks only
24 semester hours for his Bachelors degree
in business administration. He has been
projectionist for Video nearly six years, having
started in the Chief Drive-In.
The 18-minute short subject. "Copters and
Cows." which had its world premiere at Interstate's
Plaza Theatre in Vernon during
March, presented novel ideas which Fred
Palmer promoted for the event. The basis
of the two-reeler was the famed Waggoner
estate ranch, which is nearby. Featured in
It are a helicopter's usefulness around the
spread, a Fort Worth trip, and shots of the
Army helicopter square dance team.
Palmer arranged a raffle for helicopter
rides to spur the festivities, a^ well as a
barcecue and an old-fashioned hoedown in
a roped off section of the Vernon square. Also
included was a bus load of Bell Aircraft
officials and employes from Fort Worth, some
of whom had appeared in the short.
Prior to his promotion to city manager
of the Vernon theatres. Palmer managed the
Lyric in Brownwood and assisted at the Palace
and National in Breckenridge.
J. J. Freiburger, 90. Dies
DEWEY. OICLA.—J. J. Freiburger, father
of E. M. Freiburger. owner of the Dewey
Theatre here, died Monday (9) in Bartlesville.
He was 90 years old. a retired merchant
and a 33rd degree Mason,
AT DRIVE-IN INAUGURAL—Dallas Filmrow was well represented at the opening
in Richardson. Tex., recently of the new 350-car .4rapahoe Drive-ln by Mr. and
BOXOFFICE :
14, 1856
P. Morgan sr.. W. P. Morgan jr.. Morris Levine.
R. J. O'Donnell, Kendall Way. Lee
Peizman, John Rowley, O. A. Woody and
Jack Bryant. Registered individually are
Harry Myers. Wallace Walthall and Abe
Weinstein.
John Rowley, his wife and three children,
left by plane for San Francisco, where they
took a boat for the Hawaiian Islands. They
were to be back in Dallas in 21 days .
Evelyn Neely. secretary to Charles Weisenburg,
is home after an operation in Baylor
Hospital . Pabst, New Orleans district
manager for United Artists, was at the
local exchange . Sippy, formerly
with RKO, is the new salesman for UA in the
Valley.
W. R. Wilkinson, U-I manager, affirms his
staff is planning to close the sixth annual
C. J. Feldman drive with a record volume of
business . . . Bill Routt, U-I shipper, was still
in the hospital . . . Warner publicity director
Kevin Genther was due back from Oklahoma
City.
P. A. "Bob" Warner, Manley, was in the
Medical Arts Hospital for a checkup . . . Seen
along Filmrow were Jack Arthur, Majestic,
Stephenville; Bill Creigh, Trail Drive-In,
Breckenridge; Grover McDonnell, salesman.
20th-Fox, Houston: C. R. Bailey jr., Ritz,
Nocona; Mrs. J. B. Roberts, Ritz, Richardson:
Pat Murphree, Texas, Waxahachie.
C. D. McCrosky, general sales manager,
is Astor Pictures, back from a trip through
west Texas and reports that business is
.\Irs. J. T. Roberts. "Hot Blood" was previewed for the inaugural audience. Left to
right: Duke Clark, Mr. and Mrs. Roberts, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Weisenberg, Clyde
Rembert jr. of MP.\ and Mrs. Duke Clark.
Esquire.
During this time, he was steward for the
Cleburne projectionists and chief operator.
But. more than a year ago, he returned to
Fort Worth and DALLAS
fairly good in spite of the severe drouth and
duststorms that are taking place . . Mr.
his present position.
and Mrs. Ted Toddy. Toddy Pictures. Atlanta,
visited in Dallas and were guest* of
Naturally, we were interested in his personal
•phe Variety Club is promoting a large delegation
Mr. and Mrs. McCro.sky . John Jenkins,
reaction to "Follow the Sun."
of barkers and their wives who will
Astor, is serving on jury duty.
"Frankly," Fox admitted, "I thought was
it
travel via train, plane and motor to the
Variety International convention in New Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Berber drove to Austin
the best picture I had ever seen."
He had been invited to the world premiere York May 7-10. Roy Kanter, chairman of the 35th anniversary honor year weekend
for
when it was held in Fort Worth and had the convention committee, is urging all members
for the class of 1921 at Texas University. It
met the producer, the director and other
happened that on the same Sunday afternoon
who are interested to register immedi-
an open house homecoming was held at the
picture at his
celebrities. Later, he ran the ately so as to assure choice accommodations
own theatre job in Cleburne.
in the Waldorf Astoria. Among those already Creedmoor grammar school which Herber attended
registered (with wives) Chief Barker Clyde
as a youngster. Herber of Herber
Dezil E. Baxley, who has a swing job betw^een
the Cleburne's Esquire and Yale pro-
Ben Gold, Wardwell Jones, Roy Kanter, W.
Rembert, Don Douglas. Louis Freed, Ed Gall, Theatre Equipment Co., needed an oil field
drilling tool recently and had the idea of converting
jection rooms, served four years in the Mar-
L. Marshall. Ronald Martin, Fred Morley, W.
an old Simplex pedestal into a drilling
tool. Dan Hulse sr. in the machine shop
made the necessary minor changes. It worked
out fine in place of a $200 oil field drilling
tool . . . Phil Isley and his wife returned
from Hollywood after spending the Easter
holidays there.
HIGHEST QUALITY and PROFITS!
Serve delicious
CHILI DOGS
America's besttastin'
dressing

EASTERN OKLAHOMA
By ART LAMAN
raster has come and gone and our hometown
of Tulsa is now very beautiful in its
new spring dress of green trees, flowers and
decorated lawns. We have lived in many
cities but none is more attractive in the
springtime than Tulsa.
In the March 24 BOXOFFICE. there was
an editorial about Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Otts of
Waskom, Tex., who are building a new theatre
after fire destroyed their old one. The
editorial points out that it takes a lot of
courage for persons past middle age, like
the Otts, to start all over again. This writer
who has passed the middle-age mark, realizes
fully the truth in this statement. It seems
this is a young people's world, and most
larger companies will not hire persons who
are past 40, making it rough on many older
people who have the know-how, who have
spent their lives in some or many parts of
show business and who could do a darn good
job for many years to come.
There isn't much else that people past the
middle-age mark can do but put their knowhow
to work and try to make it pay off.
More power to Mr. and Mrs. Otts and others
like them.
In Muskogee the Proctors are making
ready for the summer season. George Proctor
was telling us recently about the time some
40 years back when he and Hugh Marsh
went into Muskogee without a dime. They
leased and bought their way into the old
Broadway Theatre, going into debt to the
tune of $40,000, and proceeded to make a lot
of money! They obtained the Broadway from
a Mr. Turner who was owner—and he. Turner,
let the boys have the money to open
the boxoffice on the first day of operation.
Times have changed since then. Theatres
are closed or closing in many towns in this
area. We think there are many good showmen
who, with their personal supervision,
could make a go of some of these spots, but
try to get them from the owners— they want
a good-sized fortune to let go of what they
cannot operate at a profit! Yes, sir! Things
have changed since the Proctor and Marsh
combine took over in Muskogee.
Jack Davis has just opened a new theatre
in Owasso, Okla. It seats 300, has a widescreen,
12H'X25 feet; Cinemascope and air
conditioning. It's a real neat job all over for
a town of the size of Owasso. Lois, Jack's
wife, is helping with the operation. They
intend to keep open seven nights a week.
Dick Grumpier, theatre owner of Checotah,
has widened the screen at his 69 Drive-In.
He has been made chairman of the Eufaula
Dam Ass'n, and is spending much time attending
meetings and in working out plans to
create more interest in this very worthwhile
project.
Palmer Proctor has obtained an interest in
a used metal plant in Muskogee and is busy
these days hustling up scrap metal. If he's
not careful he'll make himself a gob of
money.
Alex Blue, headman at the Admiral Twin
Drive-In, Tulsa, is getting both sides open
for the season. The formal opening of the east
side was Thursday (12). The working help
was losing a lot of hand tools at this spot,
so a check system was put into effect—when
a tool is taken, the worker leaves his numbered
check in the place the tool was removed.
This has cut the loss to zero. The
twin has a new vacuum ramp cleaner, which
saves time and a lot of back bending.
Taylor Joyce, theatre owner of Pryor, is
installing a new wide-angle screen to replace
one which burned.
Gene Welsh, manager of the Delman,
Tulsa, reports very good business on "Backlash,"
which proves when you have a Delman,
with good location, ample parking and
good public relations, you do not always need
those high cost fUms to obtain a good flow
of customers to the boxoffice. Oh, yes, "Backlash"
is a darn good picture.
Our good friend Buck Jones, city ramrod
for Rowley United at McAlester, is promoting
a number of new ideas for the summer.
J. C. Duncan, city manager, reportis all
the Video drive-ins are open in Tulsa. He is
Fastest Switch In Soft Drink History
63% more theatres now vending Pepsi than one year ago.
And here's why Pepsi is the right choice for your theatre.
iViORE
iVIORE
DRINKS PER GALLON
PROFIT PER DRINK
Pepsi profit tops all nationally advertised and nationally
available cola syrup lines. Pepsi's syrup price is
the lowest of any nationally advertised cola—far
lower than the nearest comparable cola. Add extra
profits from Pepsi's extra drinks—128 drinks per
gallon, compared with 115 for the nearest comparable
cola.
PEPSI IS AMERICA'S FASTEST
GROWING COLA DRINK
Write for full details. We'll be around to discuss
this important subject with you.
Sterling Sales & Service, Inc.
Theatre Equipment Supplies & Service
Phone PR-3191 • 2019 Jackson Street • Dallas, Texas
BOXOFFICE
:
: April 14, 1956

: April
. . . Rumor
. . The
. .
. . Another
making some plans for extra promotion at
the drive-ins as soon as the weather gets
settled.
Eddie Jones, manager of the Sands Springs
Drlve-In, is having some new paint work
done on the back of th« tower which faces
the highway. A number of bright color
ideas will be introduced into the job. Eddie
again will have fireworks for the 4th of
July.
Earl Snyder has the Bellaire and Apache
drive-ins open. He has just installed a new
attraction board at the Bellaire that can be
seen from the main highway, which has a
very high traffic count.
The stage shows recently produced at the
Rialto Theatre by this writer had a very
short life, lacking business right from the
start. There were too many people working
it in the .show who have given away on TV.
Late in '53 and early in '54 we built a packed
house with unknowns who had not appeared
on TV. Still think that such a policy would
go in this area if given time to build a following.
Ralph Drewry's daughter Toni is back home
after a stay of about three weeks in the hospital
with a very bad neck injury suffered
when she was thrown from a horse. Toni
hopes to ride in the Tulsa horse show this
year providing she recovers okay.
"Picnic" is setting something of a record in
Tulsa. It was in its fourth week after being
moved from the Orpheum to the Majestic
for the last of its downtown run.
Easter Sunday we were at the opening of
Lakeview amusement park where thousands
enjoyed their first big outing of spring. 'We
think that people this season will spend more
time visiting outdoor spots where the children
and adults can enjoy different types
of entertainment.
Charges of showing lewd movies at a recent
stag show sponsored by AmVets have
been dropped against Henry C. Sowders jr.
who was hired to operate the picture machines—but
had nothing to do with obtaining
the film.
Wesley Walker Is Building
Drive-In Near Ranger
RANGER, TEX.—Work is under way on a
new drive-in theatre near here to serve the
Ranger. Olden and Eastland area. The theatre
is being constructed on a 23-acre site
three miles west of the Ranger city limits
and four and a half miles east of the Eastland
city limits. The new drive-in will be
owned and operated by 'Wesley 'Walker of
Ranger.
To be named the Midway, the $50,000 drivein
will accommodate more than 250 cars and
will have a 72-foot screen. The theatre will
also have a large conce^ion building and
playground for the children. 'Walker said he
hopes to have the project completed about
June 10.
Joe de Santis, stage-TV actor, will play a
character lead in RKO's "Tension at Table
Rock."
HOUSTON
JO'ewcst drive-ins where Southwestern Theatre
Equipment Co. has installed equipment,
according to sales manager Alex Mc-
Kinzie and store manager Tom Vincent, include
the Twin Pines at Longview, whose
owner is Jimmy Wyche, and T. J. 'White's
at Burnet. Both owners installed all RCA
equipment. The new Bandero at San Antonio
also has all RCA equipment, including
Bausch & Lomb anamorphic lenses and Model
II Dynarc lamp. This theatre installed a
Manco-Vision aluminum screen, one of five
such screens in Texas, said Vincent . . . The
Ti-ail Drive-In at Aransas Pass has rebuilt its
week at the Majestic, "Alexander the Great"
remains at Loew's State, and "Marty" continues
at the River Oaks. "Jubal," which was
scheduled for the Metropolitan, has to wait
a while.
Valerie French, the English lovely who stars
in "Jubal" with Ernest Borgnlne, was here
for press conferences and the like. At a
press breakfast in the Jade Room of the
Rice Hotel, postponed from Thursday to Friday
morning, were Columbia's PR man from
Dallas, John Thompson, with Houston's John
WinbeiTy and Jim Hudgens. From KGUL-
TV were Jack Eisele and Henry Atkinson,
and Interstate Theatre's Art Katzen. George
Moore of Eastern Airlines was a guest, as
was Charlotte Phelan, woman's editor of the
Houston Post. From here Miss French will
criss-cross the country in connection with
"Jubal."
Jim Hudgens is going to Jacksonville, Pla.,
for a week to get acquainted with his newest
grandbaby, the eighth one and the only girl
has it that Interstate Theatres
will close the Almeda after the Kirby's demise.
The March 27 announcement that all
Kirby employes had been given two week-s
notice has been followed by an announcement
that the theatre has been sold.
"Anything Goes" Is the second film that
has played on stage in Houston at the same
time it was shown on screen. Unlike the
other one. which ran for weeks at Theatre,
Inc., while it was jumping from screen to
screen around town. "Anything Goes" folded
at Theatre, Inc., after all too few performances.
Claimed the movie cut too much Into
its attendance.
A special guest at the monthly meeting of
screen and enlarged it. The other screen
was burned about six weeks ago. Manager is
the Houston Independent Theatre Ass'n was
Tom Davis . Pine Grove Drlve-In at Truman J. Tarlton, representative of the
Navasota is equipped for Cinemascope and National Hot Rod Ass'n, whose headquarters
widening its screen. Hilux 264 anamorphic
guest was city
is in Los Angeles .
lenses are being installed by Southwestern. detective R. D. McClelland 'Willie Ratcliff,
Epsom Drive-In, who
owner of the Boulevard Theatre's Lowell Bulpitt, president
of Houston Independent Theatre Ass'n,
offered land for a Houston hot rodders drag
Bob
to be In operated cooperation with the
strip,
spent his day off trailing Allied Artists'
theatre group, said if the city does not take up
Bowers around Galveston while he worked .
his offer to u.se the land, he will build and
Variety Boys Club members began celebrating
National Boys Club 'Week and the 50th anniversary
operate a private drag strip.
organize and take over management. Detective
Tarlton will
of Boys Club Monday afternoon at
McClelland stated that "Hot rods are
Montie Beach Park. More than 250 balloons
here," explaining that as it is kids u.se the
were released. An addressed envelope was attached
"red light
to each balloon; persons finding the
city streets at night for their
drags." Most people who are horrified at
balloons were asked to mail the cards. A prize
the mere name of "hot rod" are not aware
win be forwarded to the boy whose card is
that supervised drag strips are really a safety
mailed back from the farthest point. Open
measure and help train better and safer
house was held daily at the Variety Boys Club
drivers, he added. "Shot rod" is the term he
and the Red Shield Boys Club. A pet show
used to describe the junkers many teenagers
was held Saturday in Variety Boys Club
use. He said such cars would never be allowed
gymnasium and a field day Thursday at
on a real hot rod drag strip.
Montie Beach.
There are more holdovers than new pictures
town at major houses. "Miracle in the
Mrs. Art Katzen is back from a visit with
her parents in Rock Island, III. Art is
in
Rain" comes to the Metropolitan. "The Man new publicist at Interstate.
in the Gray Flannel Suit" will stay another
Edward Fadal Remodels
Lobby at Texas in Waco
WACO, TEX.—A remodeling Job to enlarge
the lobby and provide a larger and more
complete concession stand has been completed
at the Texas Theatre here by owner
Edward W. Fadal.
The concession stand, recessed into the rear
of the auditorium and permitting the doubling
of lobby .space. Is finished In Ught green,
and features straighted plywood fixtures. The
large back-bar mirror panel is flanked on
either side by 14-inch-square comedy and
tragedy masks of brass.
The enlarged stand also permits an increased
stock of concession items, including
hot dogs, pickles, ice cream and fruit juices
in addition to the staple popcorn, candy and
cold drinks.
U. S. Films Dominate in Denmark
United States films dominate the market
in Denmark, accounting for more than 50 per
cent of the receipts.
Jcn^ioM
MAXIMUM LIGHT
Evenly Di%tributed
-STERLING SALES & SERVICE, Dallas—Tel. Prospect 3191
TEXAS PROJECTOR CARBON, Dollas— Riverside 3807
)ma-OKLAHOMA THEATRE SUPPLY CO., 628 West Grand
Ave., Oklahoma City 2, Oklahomo
BOXOFFICE
:
14, 1956

. . Fran
. . . Shopping
. . Herbert
. . Beulah
:
April
OKLAHOMA CITY
p" K. "Red" Sloeum, executive director of
United Theatre Owners of Oklahoma,
was in Dallas recently to confer with legal
counsel and officers of the Dallas theatre
owners association regarding theatre matters
and trade practices . . . Dalhart Theatres, Inc.
has bought the El Rancho Drive-In and
Mission Theatre in Dalhart, Tex., from J. C.
Parker . . . Jerrel Malone has moved from the
shipping department at Columbia to become
a booker. Replacing him in the shipping department
is Cecil Smith.
George Wauhob reports his Booker Theatre.
Booker, Tex., is installing Cinemascope
effective May 1 . . . Barbara Janowiak, PBX
operator at Paramount, spent a week of her
vacation at home . Johnson, Paramount
contract clerk, is back at work after
a week's absence with pneumonia.
Exhibitors in town included Dana Ryan,
Pawnee; E. B. Anderson, Ardmore; Clint
Applewhite, Carnegie; Bill Jones, Sand
Springs; Bob Walker, Broken Arrow; L. W.
Stewart, Porum; Irwin Tucker, Pauls Valley;
Mrs. Bess M. Wilkie. Harrah; Henry Simpson,
Bristow; H. S. McMurray, Dumas, Tex.;
Amos Page. McLean, Tex.; A. O. Scott. Tahlequah;
Volney Hamm, Lawton; Bill Slepka,
Okemah; A. W. Bell, Jones, and Truman
Ellerd, Blanchard.
Contest at Kilgore. Tex.
KILGORE, TEX.—The Kilgore Drive-In
and the New Herald sponsored a contest
asking local residents to complete the sentence,
"I like a drive-in theatre because ."
. .
in 50 words or less. Contestants were asked
to use a coupon printed in the paper for
their entries. Prizes included a $25 savings
bond, a three-month pass to the Kilgore
Drive-In for two, and ten additional prizes
of two passes for one performance at the
drive-in.
LURE 'EM AND
f^(,^ KEEP 'EM COMING Willi
^M Timely Event Shows
PLUGGED WITH
Sp^^TRAILERS
FROM THAT 'KNOWHOW COMPMV
BUFFALO
3409 Oak Lcwn, Room 107
11^
Texas Owners Protest
Odessa Coliseum Use
ODESSA, TEX.—Local theatre owners have
registered protests with Ector County Coliseum
directors against use of the Coliseum
building by private individuals booking in
attractions in direct competition to the theatres.
Theatre people present at the meeting included
T. A. Collins, who acted as spokesman
for the group; M. J. Nameken, Bill, Maggie
and W. A. Scott.
"Odessa has seen three theatres closed in
the last year," Collins said, "and It may see
others close if something is not done."
The theatre owners singled out weekly
wrestling matches and a monthly hillbilly
show as the most damaging to theatre business.
"We don't blame private individuals for
taking advantage of the Coliseum as long
it's as for lease." Collins said. "We built our
own buildings and feel that private individuals
should build their own buildings. It
doesn't seem fair for the county to use tax
money to build a $600,000 building at the
expense of the taxpayers.
"At the time of the bond issue, it was our
understanding that the Coliseum was being
built for community activities and we were
But had we known the Coliseum was
for it.
going into direct competition with us, we
would have tried to defeat it."
Fred Gage, chairman of the board, said
the group would study the problem and then
make recommendations to the court. He said
a copy of the board's recommendations would
go to the theatre owners.
Sooner Directory Lists
245 Theatres, 57 Airers
OKLAHOMA CITY—An up-to-date list
theatres in Oklahoma and surrounding states
served by Oklahoma City exchanges now is
being offered by the United Theatre Owners
of Oklahoma.
The hst, according to Red Sloeum, UTOO
executive director, is available to anyone in
UTOO will revise the list
the theatre business. Cost is $5. plus postage.
For an additional $1 every three months,
by adding new theatres,
additional closings and changes of
ownership.
The list is divided into several parts. First
section shows theatre, town and exhibitor's
name for 245 theatres and booking agencies
in Oklahoma. Listing is alphabetically by
town. The second section lists 52 theatres
the Texas area served by Oklahoma City.
in
Chain-owned theatres, such as Thompson,
Video Independent, Robb & Rowley, K. Lee
Williams and Barton Theatres, are listed
separately.
COOLING
Another section lists drive-ins, giving name
and location of 57 Oklahoma drive-ins, 17
Texas and one Arkansas drive-in. The directory
al.so shows 68 theatres on its "closed"
list and gives the population of counties,
county seat towns and other larger towns in
Oklahoma.
EQUIPMENT
BUFFALO ENGINEERING CO., INC Dallas, Texas
of
SAN ANTONIO
IJ V. Kinchen is the manager and owner of
the Avon, Poteet, and not M. Amaya,
who has his own theatre there. This is to
correct two recent mixups of the theatre
names in this column . Greene,
Interstate cashier here, now is doing extra
duty in the boxoffice at the Texas and State.
Her regular post is at the Aztec . . . The
Bandera Road Drive-In now is featuring complete
fried chicken dinners at the snack bar
at Equipo Sales & Service were
Maurilio Amaya. Teatro Amaya, Poteet; G. R.
TrevLno, Melba, Sinton; A. Lopez, Cuero, and
A. Ponce, Salon Ponce, Three Rivers, Tex.
Each woman attending the early morning
matinee of "I'll Cry Tomorrow" on opening
day at the Aztec was treated to a breakfast,
including coffee, courtesy of the management.
Admission was 70 cents including the meal
and show . Mills, boothman at the
Texas, has high hopes of marketing his new
invention soon. The gadget forewarns of any
trouble in the film projecting machine . . .
William Blankenship now is managing the
Josephine.
Capt. Paul Straw, commanding officer of
TANG. Brooks Field, will have a part in U-I's
"Battle Hymn," now before the cameras on
location in Nogales. Ai-iz. . . . George Gobel
was here for press, radio and television interviews
and a press breakfast at the Flamingo
Hotel here. He also made stage appearances
at the Majestic Wednesday for
the opening of his picture. "The Birds and
the Bees."
Gustavo Lavenant, Haydee. Dilley, has
added a new business to his string of enterprises—that
of a beer garden, which he has
opened in San Antonio. Lavenant visited the
exchanges to book pictures for his Dilley Theatre
. . . Others in town buying and booking
Mexican pictures were John Flache. Alameda
and Fiesta. Lamesa. and Charro Drive-In.
San Antonio; Hector Benitez, Benitez circuit.
Weslaso. who reported that his circuit
would build a new drive-in for Mexican films
just outside of Edinburg on the Pharr highway.
It will have a 700-car capacity.
New Drive-In Widescreen
Is Securely Anchored
MEMPHIS, TEX.—A new 72x34-foot wide-
-screen is on display at the recently reopened
Tower Drive-In here, operated by Bill Boren.
Boren explained that careful attention was
given to erecting the enlarged screen frame.
Three heavy one-inch steel cables were
anchored in nine feet of concrete, and extra
steel and wood bracing was used throughout
the screen frame. This is a precaution taken
where high winds buffet the big screens,
Boren said.
Each speaker in the parking area has been
completely factory reconditioned and the concessions
stand has been enlarged and remodeled.
Remodeled in Quitman, Miss.
QUITMAN, MISS.—The remodeled Majestic
Theatre here was jampacked on two
formal opening days last week. The theatre
was completely remodeled after its recent
purchase by A. L. Royal sr. and jr. of
Meridian.
BOXOFFICE ;
14, 1956

V. A. Scott Sells Theatre
To Bokchito, Okla., Man
BOKCHITO. OKLA.—V. A. •'Okluhomu
Scotty" Scott has sold his Hollywood The-
five other a

: AprU
•SM
1. This is the story of an ordinary man
. . . worked from 9 :00 to 5 ;00 . , . raised
hamsters in his spare time . . . steered
clear of doctors.
2. Oliver did twenty push-ups every
morning . . . took long bracing walks
in the fresh air . . . made sparing use of
condiments and stimulants.
3. Then one day while he was shavmg,
he noticed a small lump. An icy hand
reached out and clutched at his heart
. . .This was it-CANCER!
4. Overnight Ohver became a changed
man. Hegave his hamsters to a neighbor,
bought a small harp and a booklet entitled
"Harp-playing for Beginners."
5. Instead of taking long bracing walks,
he tottered into his lawyer's office, cut
two nephews out of his will and hastily
added a couple of codicils.
6. His lawyer, a man of real intuition,
knew that where there's a will there's a
way. and firmly bullied Dancer into
seeing a doctor.
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
^
Wiz
7. A complete checkup showed he was
m perfect health, except for a minor
tone deafness that would preclude much
skill with the harp.
8. Dancerwas so overjoyed he promptly
went home and made out a very large
check to the American Cancer Society,
and that's what you should do, too.
9. (MAIL TO: CANCER, c/o your
town's Postmaster.) Help others and
help yourself. Fight Cancer with a
checkup and a Check.
Through the Courtesy of
BOXOFFICE
BOXOmCE
:
14, 1956

:
April
'Cry' at Omaha State
Near Record 230%
OMAHA—The State Theatre came near its
alltime record with the showing of "I'll Cry
Tomorrow." according to Ralph Goldberg,
owner of the Ralph Goldberg Theatres. The
gross was 230 per cent. Weekday prices until
5:30 were 80 cents; nights, $1.10: Friday and
Saturday after 5:30 it was $1.25: Sunday.
$1.25 after 2 p.m. The Brandeis was a shade
under 200 per cent with 'The Man With
the Golden Arm." Next best was 130 for
"Carousel" at the Orpheum.
(Average Is 100)
Adnural-Chief Red Sundown (U-l); The Beast
With 1,000,000 Eyes (ARC) 100
Brandeis—The Man With the Golden Arm (UA). .200
Omaha Invasion of the Body Snotchers (AA);
The Indestructible Man (AA) 100
Orpheum—Carousel (20th-Fox) 130
I'll State- Cry Tomorrow iMGM) 230
Twin Cities Boxoffices
Score Over Weather
MINNEAPOLIS—Even weekend near-blizzards,
much snow and unseasonable cold
couldn't
_
prevent newcomers "Backlash,'
"Meet Me in Las Vegas" and the "Battle Stalions"-"Apache
Ambush" twin bill from racking
up nice grosses. Also, holdovers "Carousel"
and "The Rose Tattoo" were very much in
the big money, the former in particular coming
through with a hefty second week.
in Gopher Meet Me Las Vegos (MGM) 125
Lyric— Robber's Roost (UA), Storm Feor (UA),
split with Three Bad Sisters (UA); Timetoble
lUA) 80
Rodio City—Corousel (20th-Fox), 2nd wk 150
RKO Orpheum— Backlash (U-l) 130
RKO Pan— Battle Stations (Col); Apoche
Ambush Col) 110
State Anything 85
Goes (Para), 2nd wk
World—The Rose Tattoo Para), 6th wk 100
First Twin Cities Airer
Opens to Bad Weather
MINNEAPOLIS—The drive-in season got
off to a bad start here Friday (6) when the
NavaiTe. stealing a march on the other 11
nvin Cities area ozoners, opened to miserable
weekend weather.
On opening night the temperature dropped
to the 20s and the next day there were intermittent
near-blizzards, several inches of snow
and still lower thermometer readings. The
Navarre, however, refused to close, even
temporarily. Other Twin Cities area ozoners
postponed their scheduled openings this week.
Similar action had been taken by a number
of outstate and North Dakota drive-ins
which had planned April 6 getaways. In South
Dakota, however, several went through with
early April openings.
Despite the fact that this territory's outdoor
season is extremely short and there's much
unfavorable weather even during the summer,
the new season will witness the arrival of approximately
15 new ozoners, bringing the
grand total to around 100.
Reopens at Iron River, Wis.
IRON RI-VER, WIS.—The Rex Theatre has
been reopened here after being dark for some
time. Owner Ernest Chentelois installed a
Cinemascope screen during the winter and
expects to have the proper lenses and other
equipment installed and serviced within a
week or two.
Ida Grove King Reopened
IDA GROVE, IOWA—The King Theatre
here has been reopened after being closed
for the last few weeks.
AT MILWAUKEE PREVIEW—Exhibitors attendinu the screcninK of Paramounfs
"The Birds and the Bees" at the Riverside Theatre, Milwaukee, included, left to right:
Joe Reynolds. Towne Theatre manager; Gerry Franzen, general manager. Cinema.
Inc.; Russ Mortenson, Standard circuit buyer; Irving Clumb, manager of the Riverside
Theatre, and Gene Ling, Standard circuit executive.
Investigate Two Fires
At Des Moines House
DES MOINES—Two fires occurred witWn
an hour recently at the Orpheum Theatre
here and a joint investigation was ordered by
fire and police officials. Both fires were put
out by hand extinguishers without the aid of
firemen. There was no alarm among persons
in the theatre audience. Many theatre patrons
were surprised to see firetrucks when
they came out of the theatre.
The first fire was discovered shortly after
7 p.m. backstage in a wooden rack where
marquee sign letters are stored. About 8 p.m.
a second fire broke out in a large wastebasket
in the men's restroom. Fh-emen were notified
but not summoned to the theatre after
the first fire. Two fire engines were dispatched
to the theatre when the second fire
was discovered. The flames were out when
firemen arrived.
Theatre Manager Matt Plunkett said the
firemen, by exhausting the smoke through a
side door off the lobby, kept the smoke from
alarming persons in the auditorium.
Fire Capt. George Soderqui.st said the fires
could have been accidental and their occurrence
within an hour could have been a coincidence.
"Unless you know definitely, there
is always the possibility of any fire being set,"
he said. Police Detective Robert E. Welchman
said there was "nothing to prove
that either one was set." Both fires were
extinguished by an usher, James Fogg, 25.
Another usher, William Neeley, 17, first noticed
smoke from the first fire, Fogg said.
Two Nebraska Drive-Ins
Leased by L. W. Petry
MITCHELL, NEB.—L. W. Petry has leased
two western Nebraska drive-in theatres from
Nigren and Copen, the owners—the Mitchell,
here, and the Oshkosh in Garden county.
Last season, the Mitchell operated for the
first time after being closed for several seasons,
with Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Brooks of
Casper, Wyo., managing.
Petry has done considerable werk at the
drive-in here during the past few weeks, although
repairs were slowed to a walk by
unfavorable weather. He announced he would
open with a free show, inviting the public to
"load up your car, come as you are."
Five Theatres Relight
In Minneapolis Area
MINNEAPOLIS—Area theatre reopenings
are starting to outnumber shutterings. During
recent weeks houses were relighted at
Montgomery, Minn.; Hillsboro. N. D., and
New Effington, Timber Lake and Wessington,
S. D.
Lone closings reported on Filmrow here
were the Welworth circuit's Hollywood, one
of two houses at Devils Lake, N. D., and the
Kulm Theatre, Kulm, N. D.
At St. Charles. Minn., the Commercial Club
took matters in hand when the town's lone
theatre threatened to shutter. It ran large
newspaper ads urging better public support
of the showhouse and patronage increased
sufficiently to cause the owner to stay on
the job. If the only theatre at Hinckley,
Minn., fails to reopen this spring, the local
merchants association probably will take over
and present films.
National Theatre Supply
Consolidates Operation
KANSAS CITY—Consolidation of the
operation of the National Theatre Supply
Co. in Omaha and Des Moines with the
Kansas City office is being worked out.
Arthur de Stefano, who heads the supervision,
said all the accounting and billing
now is being done from the Kansas City office.
The Des Moines operation, w-ith W. R.
Davis in charge, will continue at 1120 High
St. Complete stocks of carbons, concessions
and emergency equipment units will be
handled there.
Glen K. Slipper will headquarter after May
15 with the Walt Disney Pictures exchange,
607 N. 16th St., Omaha, and continue to
handle as sales engineer the projects for both
Iowa and Nebraska.
According to de Stefano, customers will
have the advantage of a larger inventory of
suppUes, available through this consolidation.
Opens Early at Moruoe, Wis.
MONROE, WIS—The Sky-Vu Outdoor
Theatre near here ha,s already opened for
the summer season. It is owned by Goetz
Theatres.
BOXOFFICE :
14, 1956 NC 75

. . Ray
. . Mrs.
. .
. . Comedian
_|«|«|
HHHi
MILWAUKEE
pen Marcus of Marcus Theatres was on a
vacation in California ... All of the outdoor
theatres in the Milwaukee vicinity are
open and most of the airers the state will
reopen by the end of April . .
20th-Fox held
.
a sneak, preview screening of "The Man m
the Gray Flannel Suit" at the Wisconsin
April 4 . . . Fox's Wisconsin was in the fourth
week of 'Carousel," being the first theatre in
Wisconsin to show this production Don
. . .
Deakin of the Dells and Outdoor, Wisconsin
Dells, was a visitor on Filmrow.
.
Herb Greenblatt of RKO home office, visited
the local RKO office .
Mat Donhue.
formerly of Chicago, is the new salesman
. .
for paramount .
Lentz. owner of the
Pastime, advises that he has reopened his
.
theatre with Cinemascope equipment
Mr. Frackan of Republic was home recuperating
after minor surgery at Mount
Sinai Hospital Morstad. secretary
to Manager Harry Oshan of Columbia, was
vacationing in
Florida.
mm SPEClftL
TRWLERS
NEW YO«K 341 W. «ll> ST.
Jf iMlttO[Cn
that date with "Oklahoma!" The theatre now
is equipped with Todd-AO.
Eddie Gavin and Bob Batey. Republic, were
on their way to Rochester, N. Y., for the
ABC bowling tournament . . . Helen Dolinar,
secretary to Fox Wisconsin's Al Camillo walks
down the aisle with Robert Hook June 23.
The newlyweds will head for Niagara Falls
and New York for the honeymoon. The returning
Mrs. Hook plans on resuming her
duties at Fox.
Bob Guiterman, Capitol Theatre, Manitowoc,
was on Filmrow here for the first
time in over a year. He's been on the sick
list. Bob has the juvenile problem licked in
Manitowoc : appoints a half dozen high school
students as guest ushers at the theatre. Instead
of calling their attention to any of
their shortcomings in the management of
violence or disorders, he sort of shames them
into holding the fort. Says this approach is
far more effective, and in the long run, nobody
gets hurt.
Variety Club members and associates bid
a fond farewell to Eddie Vollendorf, one of There was a reason for that big crowd out
the real oldtimers in the business, at a luncheon
at the Knickerbocker Hotel Monday (9>. Manager Harry Boesel was holding a real
in front of the Palace Theatre last week.
Eddie is moving to Florida . . . Estelle Steinbach
did a landoffice business in presenting Children dressed in Indian costumes were
old-fashioned pmdwwow for "Comanche."
"Rock 'n' Rollarama" at the Garfield Theatre.
But Friday. May 4, becomes her red tumes. Once the powwow in the lobby was
admitted free, with prizes for the best cos-
letter day. as she has been appointed managing
director at the Strand, which opens on
over, he packed the house to the rafters!
Buck Herzoff, the Milwaukee Sentinel's
amusement editor, is on another of his annual
jaunts to Hollywood Frank
.
McHugh will star in "Three Men on a Horse"
for the final play at the Fred Miller Theatre
here . . . Murl Deusing. curator at the
Milwaukee public library and museum will
be guest at the next Better Films Council
meeting. He will show his pictures taken on
his recent safari to Africa. The film he
took was for 'Zoo Parade" which appears on
TV every Sunday. Deusing has taken many
of the pictures which Walt Disney has incorporated
in some of his films. Members of
Optical Cinemascope Booth Equipment Seats
Profitable
whatever you need for a more
Theatre Operation
You'll get it from WESTERN . . . authorized representatives
for economical, dependable
RCA
EQUIPMENT and SUPPLIES
Prompt Service and Quality Parts for All Types of Theatre Equipment
the council (three bus loads) will trek to
Chicago May 7 to see Cinerama. Another
group is slated for a trip May 14.
Budget Director George C. Saffran has
asked the city attorney's office to draft an
ordinance "reconstituting" and giving official
status to the city motion picture commission.
A report for the mayor is being prepared on
the operations of the commission. Recommendations
will include five appointments
instead of the present nine; also that the
commission duties be defined. The commission
at present has no official status. Conflicting
opinions concerning some recent films
appearing here seem to have provoked this
situation. "Man With the Golden Arm." for
example, which created mingled emotions
with the BFC. the commission and the police,
opens at the Palace April 18.
Lysinger Bros. Again Own
Grand at Ravenna, Neb.
RAVENNA, NEB.—Dick Lysinger. who until
recently owned the Loup Valley Transfer Co.
in Loup City, and his brother Nick of Grand
Island have purchased the Grand Theatre
here from Tom Sandberg. A home built by
Mr. and Mrs. Dick Lysinger at Loup City went
to Sandberg in the transaction, and the Lysingers
are moving to Ravenna to operate
the theatre themselves. Said Dick, "There
have been a lot of changes since we last had
the theatre."
The Lysinger brothers owned the theatre
until eight years ago when they sold it to
Sandberg. Nick Lysinger operates the Rapid
Film Service in Grand Island and will be a
financial partner in the enterprise. Dick was
in Omaha recently buying-booking films for
their .spring
schedule.
Stand Up and Be Counted.
Berger Tells NCA Folk
MINNEAPOLIS— Exhibitors them.selves are
blamed for their present 'deplorable economic
plight" by Ben Berger, North Central
Allied president, in the current NCA bulletm.
Berger's message urges attendance at the
annual convention here May 15. 16.
The average theatre is losing $700 a year
and 70 per cent of them are being kept alive
only by concession stand sales, according to
the NCA president, who quoted from a national
survey.
"If you are interested in making sure that
your theatre is not destroyed it is imperative
that you attend your convention . . .
There
is no other chance of saving your lifetime's
investment," he wrote.
New Manager for Drive-In
POND DU LAC. WIS.—Robert H. Spannbauer
has been appointed manager of the
Lake Park Outdoor Theatre here. After working
as an assistant manager here he was
transferred to a theatre chain in Indiana,
later becoming manager of a drive-in theatre
for
that organization.
WESTERN
THEATRE SUPPLY CO.
Everything in
Theatre
Equipment
and
Supplies
Theatre Closes at Peru, Neb.
PERU. NEB.—Owner Gilbert West has
closed his Peru Theatre here. He says that
unless he can sell or lease the building and
equipment to be operated as a motion picture
theatre in the near future he will sell off
the equipment and seats and use the building
for
other purposes.
BOXOFFICE
:
:
April 14, 1956

. . Also
. . Lou
.
DPQ M ri I M F Q
High Winds Hit Screen
t O Irl ^y I f V L ^ DAVENPORT, IOWA HiKli winds
•Thelnia Washburn, RKO office manager and
head booker; Dorothy Pobst, UA booker,
and Alice Weaver, Realart booker, are organizing
the first meeting of Women of the
Motion Picture Industry for Des Moines. A
luncheon and meeting will be held April 18
at the YWCA at noon . Levy. Universal
manager, was out in the territory on a
business trip . . . A. C. Brown, auditor, currently
is working at the Paramount exchange
... A special screening of "Diabolique" was
held for the press April 5 at the Paramount
projection room. The film is playing at the
Uptown in its fii-st Des Moines showing with
one performance nightly.
Russ Fraser, manager of KRNT Radio Theatre,
has booked "The Teahouse of the August
Moon," starring Larry Parks. May 3-5 at the
theatre . scheduled for Iowa's Capital
City this month is the Sports and Vacation
Show. April 13-18 at the Veterans Memorial
Auditorium and a production of "Carousel"
by the Des Moines Community Playhou.se.
Jim Ricketts, Columbia booker, is spending
a week's vacation in Indianapolis . . . The
Boone Drive-In opened its 1956 season with
a free admission open house on Thursday
i5i. S. N. Fangman. manager, said new projection
equipment and a remodeled concession
stand are ready for the new season .
Other drive-in theatres which had early
April openings were the Hillcrest in Cedar
Falls and the Corral in Webster City.
Actress Mona Freeman was in Des Moines
Sunday on her first trip to Iowa. She was
here for Mona Freeman Day at Newton. The
purpose of the visit was to promote a shipment
of Maytag merchandise, valued at
nearly $3,000,000 to the west coast. She made
an appearance at a teenage dance at the
Val-Air Ballroom, a television appearance
and then left for Newton.
DAVENPORT. IOWA High winds damaged
a recently coii.stiucti'd screen at the
Bel-Air Drivo-In lu'ic rerently. The center
section of the screen remained Intact and
the schedule of films was not Interrupted
by the accident. Repairs will begin immediately.
Frank Woskie Sells Theatre
COLBY. WIS.—Frank Woskie, who has
been in the show business in the Minneapolis
territory for 43 years but who now resides
Florida, has sold his Colby Theatre here to
J. F. Cross, a local resident.
Theatre Sale at Mora, Minn.
MORA, MINN.—The Paradise Theatre here
has been sold by Ben Krawiecki to Bertha
Johnson. Latter is a resident of Milaca, Minn.
in
Omaha Film Golf League
To Start Play April 28
OMAHA- The Filmrow Golf League is all
set to open April 28, reported George Regan.
20th-Pox manager and spokesman for the new
film Industry circuit. At present the membership
roster is expected to be about 16 players.
The league will play Saturday mornings at
Dodge Park in Council Bluffs. It is open to
any golfer connected with the film busine.ss,
including exhibitors in the area.
Blaze Damages Marquee
RED WING. MINN.—Damage estimated at
$4,000 was caused to the marquee of the Chief
Theatre, a Welworth circuit house, by an
early morning fire. A short circuit was believed
responsible for the blaze which did not
prevent the shows from going on as usual.
Telephone Quiz Is Used
To Promote Programs
BEDFORD, IOWA—Mr. and Mrs. Dutch
Young, owners and operators of the Hardin
Theatre here, have started a "telephone
game." Here's how it works:
They select a telephone number at random,
call it and ask the name of the show that
will be at the theatre on a certain day. It
already has been advertised. The person
telephoned wins two free tickets and two
free meals at the Skylark if he answers correctly.
Manages at Kewaskum
KEWASKUM. WIS.—The Kewaskum Theatre
here was recently taken over by Wayne
Heiskanen. The theatre had been operated
for a short time by local businessmen, to keep
it going until a new manager could be found.
Heiskanen hails from Milwaukee, and is new
to show business, having been a supermarket
manager there, and. earlier, a salesman and
sales supervisor for a wholesale food company.
His sister has owned a theatre and
will be Heiskanen's "right hand." Local businessmen
have promised the new manager all
the help he needs to boost the theatre, which
is owned by the Kewaskum Theatre Corp.
BOXOFFICE
:
: April 14. 1956

III)
. . Ev
. . "Picnic"
. . The
. . The
. . . Shirley
. . Norman
MINNEAPOLIS
.
Central Allied president, is back after addressing
the Michigan Alhed organization at its
annual convention in Detroit . . . Minneapolis
neighborhood fine arts Avalon newspaper advertising
Qircuit owner Sol Fisher was in New York
for its current attraction, the
French "Riviera," a Twin Cities first run,
lining up pictures for his fine arts
Campus . marks one of the few adds "for adults only" Volk Bros,
local de luxe neighborhood Riverview gave
times that the Minnesota Amusement Co.'s
ace neighborhood house the Uptown has been away free perfume to the first 200 women
playing a picture day and date with the independent
patrons and free candy to the kiddies on the
St. Louis Park, w'hich is competi-
occasion of the formal unveiling of its $50,000
improvements.
tive in the same area. The two theatres
usually bid against each other for the choicest
pictures in the same earliest 28-day clearance
slot. "Picnic" has been running at the
same time at the Edina, which is in the same
general district as the Uptown and St. Louis
Park.
Two of the city's neighborhood art houses
under different ownership, the Campus and
Avalon, have made a deal for first run of the
Japanese prize-winning picture, "Samurai."
Other pictures soon to go into the Campus
for their Twin Cities first runs are the Italian
"House of Ricardi" and the Mexican "This
Strange Passion" . . . Helen Fiegel, Warner
Bros, biller, was vacationing in Florida . . .
Ted Mann, cii'cuit owner, is back from a
New York business trip.
Managers for 20th-Fox from Minneapolis.
St. Louis, Milwaukee, Kansas City, Omaha
and Des Moines met here for a sales meeting
called by M. A. Levy, division manager, who
returned last week from a Los Angeles division
managers confab . . . After being closed
since last summer, the Paramount screening
room has been reopened, following an agreement
between the company and the projectionists
union on terms for a two-year contract.
Circuit owner Martin Lebedoff is vacationing
at Hot Springs, Ark. . . . L. E. Goldhammer.
Allied Artists western sales manager,
came in from New York to set up his company's
forthcoming releases. He will take a
three and a half week European vacation
trip in May . Navarre, Twin Cities area
outdoor theatre, chose "The Tender Trap"
for its season opener.
Valerie French, Columbia's "Jubal" star,
was here in person for the picture's Twin
Cities RKO Orpheum openings . . . Warner
Bros, exploiteer Don Walker came in from
Kansas City to beat the drum for "Serenade,"
which opens at the Minneapolis and St. Paul
Orpheums day and date April 25 . . U-I
sneak previewed "Toy Tiger" at the Orpheum
here
. Seibel, Minnesota Amusement Co.
advertising and publicity head, in is St.
Barnabas Hospital for ulcer treatment.
Harold Field, circuit owner, came back from
a Florida vacation . . . Ben Berger, North
THE BEST ,
Advertising Method ... is
PROGRAMS!
FREE! - Sample Kit! - FREE!
Theatrical Advertising Co.
2310 CASS AVE. DETROIT 1, MICH.
Phone: Woodward 1-2158
MIIIWIHII—IIIH—Mi^^—^B—
Independent Film Names
Lehrman Sales Manager
MINNEAPOLIS—Don Swartz, owner of Independent
Film Exchange, has appointed Ray
Lehrman, formerly of the United Artists sales
staff, to take over the newly created post of
sales manager.
It has become necessary for Independent
to have a sales manager, Swartz said, because
of the stepped-up number of independent releases,
many of which his company will distribute
in the Minneapolis and Milwaukee
territories. Within the next three months, he
says. Independent will be distributing 14 features
in Superscope, including those of American
Releasing, DCA and Astor.
Lehrman has been a United Artists sales
staff member for three years and has been
covering Minnesota. Pi-eviously he was a
Minneapolis exhibitor.
Intern'l Falls Drive-In
Opens Friday the 13th
INTERNA-nONAL FALLS, MINN.—Confidently
looking forward to a good season, owner
Eugene A. Tacke set Friday, April 13, as the
opening date for his Paul Bunyan Drive-In
Theatre on Highway 53 in South International
Falls. This will be the thh-d season for
the outdoor theatre.
Mr. and Mrs. Tacke returned here recently
after spending the winter at their home in
Warrenton, Mo., a suburb of St. Louis. The
proprietor announced plans for presenting
two complete shows each evening, the first
show starting at dusk. The drive-in has
parking facilities for about 400 cars, constituting
an audience of about 2,000 persons.
To Repair Storm-Damaged
Airer, Sulligent, Ala.
From Southeast Edition
SULLIGENT, ALA.—The screen, fence and
boxoffice of the Twixt Drive-In on the
Sulligent-Vernon highway were destroyed by
high winds recently.
Harold Jones, owner, announced plans to
rebuild and said that the last show of the
night ended only 25 minutes before the storm.
TV Writer Incomes Up
From Western Edition
HOLLYWOOD—Income for scriveners In
the video field has hit a record high, it was
reported by Writers Guild of America, West,
which declared that during the past ten
months earnings have jumped to more than
$4,500,000, as compared to approximately
$1,440,000 in the previous ten-month period.
In February of 1955, said the WGA, the largest
number of scripters employed in TV was
79, while in February of this year the index
had jumped to 276.
OMAHA
J^orman Grlnt, operator of the Sun Theatre
tre at Sargent, is home after an appendectomy
. Nielsen, RKO head, is
back on the job, but with one leg propped
up on a chair. Norman had an operation
on the veins of his leg and also underwent
surgery on the passages of his nose . . . The
Twin Drive-In at Sioux City is operating on
one side.
Jack Renfro of Theatre Booking Service is
recovering from a gallstone operation at
Methodist Hospital. Mrs. Renfro is carrying
on operations, under difficulties. Donna Orton
of Sidney, TBS assistant, was in a wreck
leaving Mrs. Renfro without assistance. So
Darlene Nelson Force, formerly with TBS,
came back to pinchhit. Darlene and her husband,
Brandeis Theatre Manager Ed Force,
recently bought a house in Benson.
Ron Rosseter, co-manager at FEPCO, said
the company is adding a Davidson offset
MGM office has received a
press . . . The
blanket invitation to the wedding of Darlene
Coburn. daughter of Viola Coburn of
the inspection department. Darlene and
George Robbins will be married May 5 at
9 a.m. at St. Bridget Catholic Church. Another
May 5 wedding for MGM will be that of
Shirley Baker at Ida Grove. Iowa.
The Republic bowling team has surged into
the first division of the Filmrow Bowling
League and the race is tightening with about
three weeks to go, under a doubleheader
schedule of six games a week. Co-Ops still
hold first, with Film Tran.sport, Republic
and Warner Shorts bunched close behind
Bogatz is back at MGM after a
week's vacation remodeling her new home.
Walt Bradley, exhibitor at Neligh who
gave up his position as mayor because of a
heart ailment, was back home after hospitalization
. . . Opening plans for drive-ins were
jan-ed in northern Nebraska by last week's
snow and ice storm, particularly in the Burwell,
Broken Bow and North Loup area.
Filmrow visitors included lowans Harry
Lankhorst, Hawarden; Bob Krueger, Sioux
City; Bob Harriman, Alton; Bob Fridley,
Ida Grove; Vernon Carr, Sioux City; Nate
Sandler, Fairfield and Missouri Valley; Frank
Good and Dick Johnson, Red Oak. and Nebraskans
Arnold Meierdirks. Pender; Mel
Kruse, Pierce; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Schuler,
Humboldt; Millard Rethswich, Tilden; Ollie
Schneider, Osceola, and Sid Metcalf, Nebraska
City.
Theatre Building Is Sold
From North Central Edition
DEVILS LAKE, N. D.—Harold J. Kelly has
purchased the Hollywood Theatre building
here from E. R. Rubin, president of the Welworth
Theatre Corp, The theatre at 417
Fourth St. adjoins Kelly's store on the west.
Kelly said he will take over the theatre building
later this spring but plans for its future
occupancy are indefinite.
Show 'Richard'
Ted Mann to
MINNEAPOLIS — The British "Richard
III" will make its Twin Cities debut at Ted
Mann's Minneapolis and St. Paul World theatres.
BOXOFFICE
:
: April 14, 1956

ALLIED SPEAKER CHALLENGES
PROMISES ON FLAT RENTALS
Says Prices to Smaller
Theatres Are Based on
Percentage Dates
DETROIT— High film rentals came in for
major criticism from Alex Schreiber, partner
in Associated Theatres now a resident of
Los Angeles, at the 37th annual Michigan
Allied convention here Thursday (5).
•'All the distributor is interested in is film
rental." Schreiber said. "If the exhibitor can
get a fair rental, all this equipment he has
to buy wouldn't matter. The public doesn't
care what kind of equipment you have. They
just want good pictures.
"The exhibitor's problem is film rental.
Fox has been a great leader with Cinema-
Scope. They spent millions, and the exhibitors
did too."
CHALLENGES 'FINE SPEECHES'
However, after buying a special screen and
other equipment, Schreiber said, he has to
pay 50 per cent for films, "take it or leave
it." He challenged the "fine speeches" of
distribution leaders on special concessions for
theatres grossing under $1,000. When the
exhibitor goes into the exchange for a flat
rental, he charged, it is based on several
months of percentage dates and is obviously
unfairly high.
Schreiber discussed "first runs"—corre-
.sponding to second runs in this territoryafter
a long run at a prerelease house in Los
Angeles. Some 11 houses, he said, will be
awarded bids to play day and date with a
minimum guarantee of thr-ee weeks' playing
time and percentage terms running 60, 50 and
40 per cent in succeeding weeks. The exhibitor
must further give a guarantee of
grosses and a guarantee of advertising expenditures
and then bid for the picture, he
said.
The discussion of film rentals followed the
Thursday opening session speech by Joseph
J. Lee. 20th-Fox manager, on Cinemascope 55.
"Our company," said Lee. "was toying with
the idea of not releasing any more optical
prints with the advent of Cinemascope 55.
But the exhibitor has been very slow in
domg what was best for him. There is a
lot of pressure on the company to release 'The
King and I' and 'Carousel' in optical."
PRIDE IN KIDDY SHOWS
He pointed with pride to "another Fox
first, to bring back the smallfry into the theatre,
as well as the adults," the package deals
on special shows for children, to give them
a complete afternoon, available at about
$20-25.
"Some of you fellows go after the kiddies
with cartoons alone," he said. "This is a
new idea, complete with Cinemascope."
"There is another side to magnetic sound,"
Milton London, Allied president-elect, interposed.
"Many small theatres cannot show an
aspect ratio of more than approximately
2;55 to 1, on account of size limitations. We
cannot gain in that way; by the beautiful
photographic process, yes. Magnetic sound,
as far as the public is concerned, would not
Pictured at the Allied of Michigan convention in Detroit last week are, top
photo, left to right: Joseph P. Uvick, former Allied president; Jolin Tatu, Nortown
Theatre; Mrs. Tatu; Milton London, Booth and Midtown theatres and new Allied
president; Mrs. Milton London; Mrs. Julius London, mother of Milton and Widow of
the circuit founder. Bottom photo: Dan Lewis and Sam Barrett, Cooperative Theatres
executives; Del Ritter, Rivola and Rialto theatres; Bill Hurlbut, former publisher
of the Michigan Film Review.
be stereophonic in a small theatre. If there
w^ere three horns, they would have to be
close together.
"The small exhibitor must, then, make an
additional investment (for ClnemaScope 55)
with no hope of getting additional return.
If he is going to have to make this investment
to get, -say. Fox pictures, there will not
be enough big pictures to justify it."
"I know you can make more than the price
of your equipment in a short time if you use
your showmanship, your ability, your initiative,"
Lee counseled. "You've got to go out
and sell. You should be very happy to have
something different to sell."
The format switched to a panel discussion
with Lee: Ernie Forbes jr., Forbes Theatre
Supply; Gene Duffield. National Theatre
Supply Co.. and Orville C. Wells, Theatre
Equipment Co.
"In some houses with good acoustics, optical
sound may be all that you need," Allied
President Alden Smith said. "It is a process
of education. Today your people are more
sound-conscious. It is very possible people
will come to demand improved sound."
But. because of physical limitations of
many theatres, said Irving Belinsky, East Detroit
exhibitor, "we are going to have Cinemascope
55, but we're not going to be able
to deliver it."
Lee pointed to the possibility, strongly
stressing that it was not a threat, that some
companies might decide to discontinue optical
prints. Some local exhibitors, he said, have
served notice on distributors that they required
stereophonic prints, or they would not
play their pictures, and companies have delivered
accordingly, because they want to do
business.
Don McKenzie, owner of the little Richard
Theatre at Flint, who has installed stereophonic
and much other special presentation
equipment, interjected, "I'm a subsequent run,
and I have trouble getting pictures on availability."
So, with his new equipment, he
said, he is able to play about any kind of
print that is available for him.
William Wetsman made the point that
"Cinemascope 55 has not been sold to the
public. It sounds like last year's product."
Suggesting that the industry may have
"gone overboard on big pictures," Wells said:
"Today I'm selling a few lenses to theatres
who are converting back to smaller prints.
How many people sit in the front row? The
picture has become too big."
Duffield noted that Elton V. Samuels,
owner of the Pontiac Drive-In, has tried
to promote new processes to the public. When
Cinemascope came in, he gave a 90-minute
talk over the public address system, explaining
its characteristics.
"You don't have to tell people about good
sound. They know- it," Samuels said. He has
a "complete library" of lenses now. "because
I tried everything." He had a 1:85 to 1
aspect ratio, and cut back this year to 1:66
(Continued on following page)
BOXOFFICE :
: April 14, 1956 ME 79

Flat Rental Promises
(Continued from preceding page)
to 1 and reported tliat the public is much
better pleased and the whites are no longer
gray. On CinemaScope, he uses 2:35 instead
of last year's 2:55 to 1, and a much better
picture results.
Mike Simons. MGM director of customer
relations, urged exhibitors to pay close attention
to business today because the industry
requires personal, not absentee, operation.
Opening the afternoon session, Treasurer
William Wetsman showed that Allied had
grown from 80 members a year ago to 295
today, a growth of about 240 per cent.
Past President Ray Branch, speaking from
three decades of experience, said that IVIichigan
had had no adverse legislation in 27
years, attributing this favorable situation
largely to organization activity. In contrast,
he cited a midwestern state where 22 adverse
bills were recently introduced, and where
members pay about ten times the Michigan
Allied dues per seat.
Typical, as cited by President Smith, was
the presentation of the exhibitor's concern
when daylight saving legislation was sought
in Detroit, a condition, he said, which would
have spread through the state. This plan was
Challenged
"You have nothing to lo.se by this fight."
Brown said. "It gives you a chance to raise
your admission a nickel or dime, without
giving most of it to the government."
"We would all like to see the admission
tax off," President Smith said.
The convention voted by a big majority to
support the tax elimination program.
A resounding attack on monopoly, historically
and currently, was delivered to the
closing session by Benjamin Berger, Minneapolis,
longtime president of the North Central
Allied.
"Why not sell pictures to smaller theatres
on the ability to pay?" Berger demanded,
"instead of leaving them in cans. There is
no reason theatres under $1,000 a week should
pay percentage."
Berger referred to the history of percentages.
Manager and district managers have
said, "Who's going to know what you take
in?" presumably encouraging false reports
"They knew the exhibitor was going to do
some squeezing. Then they have challenged
these returns and have gone to law about
them."
The convention opened Wednesday with a
Sidelights on Michigan Allied Convention
DETROIT—Alden Smith, Co-Op executive,
was cheered when he announced there would
be "no luncheon speakers, including myself."
John Himmelein. longtime Paramounteer
and lately with Clark Tlieatre Service, said
he is booking for two Mount Clemens independents—the
Emsee, which was operated by
Hyman Gordon, and the Macomb, Fred Kendrick,
president.
Orville C. Wells, chief of the newly opened
Theatre Equipment Co.. was around distributing
souvenir pencils. Despite the emcee's announcement,
his name is not "Turk." That
goes for his associate Clarence Rowston.
Bill Wetsman of W&W Tlieatres said his
dad, pioneer Frank Wetsman, was due back
from a two-month stay in Tucson on Tuesday.
Bill Kentz, who has the Riviera at Port
Huron, has reopened the Royal at Bay City
for weekends only and is managing the house
himself.
Irene Carter of the Detroit Convention
Bureau pleasantly assisted at the registration
desk.
Ralph Forman and Earl England started
out bravely minus topcoat* for the opening
luncheon, then had to turn back, leaving
foresighted Hem-y Zapp to head the Co-Op
delegation alone.
Jake Gross was seen stalking by the Tiiller
door unmindful the convention was starting.
Our table had the largest delegation of
ladies: Mrs. Lillian Stembaugh of Hartford:
Mrs. Joseph P. Uvick, Grosse Pointe, and Mrs.
John Tatu of Detroit. Mrs. Tatu confirmed
that the Casino is being converted into a public
hall, following their sale of the house.
Ernie Conlon, Allied secretary, was so busy
arranging activities that he and a few others
had to eat downstairs after the luncheon.
Eunice Nammberg was doing her usual
efficient job keeping the records and tickets
straight.
Art Herzog said he is putting in his spare
time working on a novel.
Your scribe's tablemates at luncheon also
included Judge Joseph P. Uvick, Del Ritter,
son of the late James C. Ritter, oldtime
Allied States president, and Vincent Laica,
New. New Baltimore. Al Grasgrin. former
Michigan Allied Elects
2nd Generation Showmen
Detroit—Michigan Allied, a leader of
exhibitor activities for 37 years, for the
first time turned the active direction of
the organization over to the second generation
of show business families at the
1956 convention. Three of the four new
officers are sons of Detroit showmen who
have left the imprint of their leadership
upon the local industry during the last
three decades or more.
New president Milton London is the son
of the late Julius D. London, a scholar
and a thinker in the serious sense as well
as an exhibitor. Secretary Bernard "Bud"
Kilbride jr. bears the name of a stUI active
exhibitor father whose quiet but
effective personality has been familiar for
decades. Williams Wetsman. re-elected
is treasurer, the son of Frank Wetsman,
big-hearted leader of many industry
charity activities and still very active.
owner of the New, is reported doing well in
the oil business in Tulsa.
Wesley Benac and H. E. "Tot" Totten took
minimum of set programming for the first
a few days off to visit the meeting and confer
Benac
day. The convention committee was headed
defeated, with exhibitors taking a leading role.
with their booker Floyd Chrysler. Harold H. Brown, president of United Detroit
Theatres, who is state chairman of the
by Alden Smith and included Irving Belinsky
and Milton London, independent Detroit
and Totten are readying their Thunder Bay
Drive-In at Alpena for opening for its second
federal tax campaign, presented the history
the present program. He noted that 53
area exhibitors: Carl Buermele, head of General
season on April 20.
Theatre Service: William Wetsman, Frank Kolar was on hand to represent busy
Wisper & Wetsman Theatres: William Clark. Ed Long of Long Sign Co.
of
per cent of theatres, charging 50 cents or
Clark Theatre Service, and Ernest T. Conlon,
less, are not now paying the tax. and that
Dillon M. Krepps. managing director of
to Artists the United Theatre, was host the
this price level blocks any price increase, executive secretary of Allied.
since a nickel increase (to 55) would, in effect, Wednesday evening the annual banquet, conventioneers on the opening afternoon at
major social event of the Allied year, was
all go to the government. He said that only
a screening of "Oklahoma!" Harold Brown,
about 100 theatres in the U. S. operate at
United Detroit president, did the honors at
held in the Skyroom. Ernest Conlon officiated
as toastmaster, and Mike Simons spoke
$1 or over.
"We would like to have your help," Brown
said, noting that he had assurance of support
on "Getting Close to Your Audiences."
Ben Berger was headline speaker at the
the Michigan Theatre following the banquet,
with a screening of Universal's "Toy Tiger."
Attenders looked forward to Tuesday night
from the Butterfield circuit and others. banquet and spoke strongly on the need for
at the Elmwood. featuring Hildegarde.
He suggested that the next couple of weeks organization to fight monopoly.
Ray Cloud, Columbia salesman, was busy
would be very important, in view of the resumption
of session by Congress, and urged
that exhibitors personally contact their representative
to present the industry's position.
Following the banquet, the conventioneers
went to the Michigan Theatre for a screening
of "Toy Tiger," while others went to the adjoining
Variety quarters for a social evening.
table-hopping and was facetiously accused of
"making a deal" in off hours.
Max Gealer, supervisor of Associated Theatres,
reminisced with Ben Berger of Minneapolis
for the first time since 1923, when
Max lived in Berger's home and had his tab
show in the opera house in Grand Forks,
N. D., for two months. Max brought memories
to oldtimers as he develops into a double
for the late former Allied leader Henderson
M. Richey.
Garrett Tuck came in from Kansas City
to represent United Film Service at the meeting
because of the absence of popular Tom
Allen. Tuck supervised the presentation of
door prizes, the first of which was won by
your scribe.
Alexander Film Service maintained an
oasis of hospitality for thirsty visitors.
Duke Hickey, U-I exploiteer. was on hand
for the opening of the 23-house day and date
first run.
Waunetta Chrysler, too rarely seen these
days, renewed old acquaintances and said
Skipper is just inches short of being taller
than his mother now.
Jack Sturm found one of his first duties as
new city salesman for 20th-Fox was to
arrange the printed material on Cinema-
Scope 55 for boss Joe Lee's chat with the
trade. Lee himself says his speeches differ
according to his audience, with a special style
when ladies are present.
BOXOFFICE :
: April 14. 1956

: April
. . Floyd
. . Columbus
Alex Schreiber. veteran of 38 years in local
exhibition and an oldtime battler in many
causes, returned from Hollywood to attend the
convention. He still Iceeps his active Detroit
interests.
President Alden Smith asked. "What about
terms on Cinemascope 55?" Joe Lee replied,
"Everyone knows Fox is the cheapest deal in
town," to the audience's delight.
Elton Samuels claimed his former Perrien
Theatre was as small as they come. "There
wasn't room even for the rats to get between
the screen and the wall."
Mrs. Gladys Pike, president of Film Truck
Service, won the grand door prize from United
Film Service.
Mike Simon of MGM told about the exhibitor
couple getting a divorce—neither one
would take the theatre.
Jack Zide to Distribute
Product of Dudelson
DETROIT—Di.stribution of all independent
theatrical product handled by Dudelson Enterprises
in this territory has been taken
over by Jack Zide. owner of Allied Film Exchange.
Offices formerly in the Fox Theatre
building, under the management of Jack
Share for Dudelson, have been closed. Stan
Dudelson. former head of the company, now
is heading a television film distributing organization
here.
DETROIT—Zison Enterprises has been
chartered as a Michigan company with offices
at room 700, 2310 Cass Ave., to distribute television
films. President of the new firm is
Jack Zide. owner of the Allied Film Exchange,
with which Zison will share offices in the
Film building. Mickey Zide. his son. is manager
of the firm.
Zison will distribute in Michigan, Ohio,
Kentucky, Indiana and part of West Virginia.
W. M. Curtis Is to Manage
Still Unnamed Drive-In
SHELBYVILLE, KY.—W. M. Curtis, formerly
of Lexington and now a resident of
Shelbyville, will be manager of the new drivein
theatre located on Highway 55 about four
miles from town, when it opens this month.
There will be a refreshment stand of sandwiches,
soft drinks, candy, popcorn: playground
for the children and a 72-foot widescreen
equipped for regular and "scope" pictures.
Children under 12 will be admitted free.
The winner of the contest to name the new
theatre will be announced about April 20.
Julius Frankel Dies
COVINGTON. KY.—Services for Julius
Frankel, owner of the Hippodrome Theatre.
Newport, and the Ambassador Theatre. Oakley,
were held recently in Los Angeles.
Frankel. a partner also in the Frankel Realty
Co.. moved to Beverly Hills. Calif., ten years
ago because of ill health. He died in a hospital
in Santa Monica. He was 58 years old.
Surviving are his wife Ruth, a son and a
daughter and four grandsons.
IFE Opens in Detroit
DETROIT—IFE Releasing Corp. is following
the new trend of independents locally by
opening an office in the north end at 150
West Euclid St., instead of in the downtown
Film exchange center. Move coincides with
the appointment of Lee Goldsmith, former
salesman for U-I, as manager.
Film Truck Service
Elects New Board
DETROIT-Tlu' .second elftlion ul a board
of directors for Film Tiuck Service, which
.serves most of the theatres in Michigan as
film carrier, except in the Detroit area, has
been held, replacing the newly elected board
recently announced.
The stockholders meeting and second election
were held as the result of Mrs. Gladys
B. Pike and her sister Jane Robinson, principal
stockholders, exercising their options in
a portion of a contract entered into -sometime
ago with Ray Branch, who was for many
years president of Michigan Allied, according
to a statement by Mrs. Pike. She explained
that the contract provided that a certain
amount of the .stock held by the two sisters
was to be sold to Branch by a certain date,
that only a small portion was sold, and that
the contract accordingly went into default,
and Branch retired as Film Truck president,
NEW DIRECTORS NAMED
New directors elected are Mrs. Pike, Miss
Robinson; William Clark, Clark Theatre
Service: Ernest Conlon, executive secretary of
Michigan Allied; Ralph Marsden, Kit Clardy
and Emmett Roche.
The directors elected Mrs. Pike as president,
returning her to her old post. Also
elected were William Clark, vice-president;
Jane Robinson, treasurer, and Ernest Conlon,
secretary.
Mrs. Pike announced a firm policy of improving
service to exhibitors and maintaining
a cost as low as possible under existing
conditions.
It is understood that $35,000 of the stock
is dispersed among 60 Michigan exhibitors.
The history of the company, closely tied in
with the development of the Michigan film
industry, was cited by Mrs. Pike.
"The company has, since its inception,
rendered dependable scheduled delivery and
will continue to do so. Criticism of the service
has been negligible and, where justified,
attempts were made to overcome such criticism.
CONTINUE GOOD SERVICE
"It is my earnest desire to service the exhibitors
of Michigan with the same degree
of conscientiousness as has been practiced by
members of my family since the days when
my father and myself started the company.
The wishes and desires of our customers shall
continue to be our first consideration, and we
shall work to the end that the service
rendered will allay any possible personal
condemnation.
"I feel that the board of directors are excellent
businessmen and will tackle the problem.s
of the company with the same degree
of understanding they activate in the interests
of their own business. I feel that they
are broad-minded, sympathetically understanding
and that they will consider well all
phases of this business with the ultimate in
mind that all concerned will benefit.
"I am not unmindful that this nor any
other business can be operated efficiently
without the full confidence and cooperation
of all engaged in the company and those
benefiting from its service. I solicit indulgence
on the part of our customers and ask
only that they give the same consideration
to me in my humble attempts to provide good
service that they expect from others."
COLUMBUS
•The Easter week booking of "Carousel" at
Loew's Broad resulted in one of the biggest
weeks there in recent months. The
Cinemascope 55 feature was held for a second
week . Gooding, carnival operator
with many friends on the local rlalto,
has purchased the 15-acre Zoo Park opposite
Columbus Zoo. The park formerly was
operated by the late Leo Haenleln and his
brother Elmer. Gooding plans installation of
new rides, enlargement of the picnic area
and general renovation of the outdoor amu.sement
center.
. .
Manager Robert Little of the Bexley has
recovered from a painful case of poison ivy
. Manager Walter Kessler of Loew's Ohio
arranged for the presentation of a wrist
watch to the Sweetheart Queen of AZA.
junior organization of B'nai B'rith. from Cyd
Charisse and Dan Dailey. stars of "Meet
Me in Las Vegas" . theatre editors
have been invited to attend the premiere
of 20th-Fox's "On the Threshold of
Space" at Dayton. Ohio. The picture has
been booked to open April 20 at Loew's Broad
here.
To Manage at Central City
CENTRAL CITY, KY.—James Par.-ley of
Manchester. Tenn.. is the new manager of
the 62 Drive-In Theatre. He has been with
the Rockwood Amu.sement Co. for the last 12
years, having worked in Tennessee, Kentucky
and Alabama. Mr. and Mrs. Parsley have
two sons, ages 3 and 6.
WIDE SCREEN and
CINEMASCOPE
Equipment of All Kinds
MID -WEST THEATRE
SUPPLY CO.,
1638 Central Parkway
INC.
CINCINNATI 10, OHIO
CHerry 7724
Whatever You Need-
We Can Supply It.
BOXOFFICE
:
14, 1956

. . Walter
DETROIT
Trring Belinsky, owner of the Eastwood in
East Detroit, is dividing his time between
his theatre and his several drug stores . . .
Wally Baker, theatre manager, and Bernard
Samuels of Clark Theatres Service made an
Easter visit to the latter's mother in Highland
Park Sunday. Accompanying them was
Bernard's daughter Barbara, formerly on the
staff of Brooks Theatres, who was home on
vacation from her school at Nazareth . . . Elton
Samuels is planning some important new
additions to his playground setup at the
Pontiac Drive-In . J. Norris, advertising
director of Butterfield Theatres, is
completing his swing around the big circuit
in weekly segments.
Carl Dross of Detroit Popcorn Co. is back
from a three-week vacation in Florida. He
took in the recent TESMA convention . . .
Your scribe's recent 9,000-mile .southern
jaunt was not a vacation, but a working tour
that produced some 35 feature stories, some
• MOTIOGRAPH
SOUND SYSTEMS
THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO.
106 Michigan St., N.W.
Grand Rapids 2, Mich.
4-885J-Nights t Sundays 3-2413
D
ENCINCERINO
RCA
Dealer
depend on RCA
quality.
214 W. Montcalm
Woodward 1-1122

,
dramatics
. . . Exchanges
. . Tom
. . Alan
. . Joe
. . Newest
WB),
. .
Theatre Equipment Co.
Opens Detroit Office
DETROIT—A new theatre supply firm has
entered the local field with the opening of
a branch at 700 Film Exchange Building by
Theatre Equipment Co. of Toledo. Clarence
"Turk" Rowston, formerly with the National
Theatre Supply Co. here, has been appointed
store manager.
Al Boudouris, Toledo exhibitor, is president
of the company. Orville C. Wells, who
was active head of the firm in Toledo, has
moved to Detroit to become manager here,
and Justin Knopp. who has been with the
company for about a year, has been promoted
to manager at Toledo, which will be
operated henceforth as a branch, with gen-
Co-Op Chain Books First
Runs in 23 Theatres
DETROIT—Cooperative Tlieatres' unique
experiment in buying U-I product for 23
houses to play day and date on a first run
basis will have a repeat engagement. "Backlash"
has been brought for a full week, opening
Wednesday din, accompanied by "World
in My Corner."
This is believed to be the largest number
of first runs ever to play a day and date
engagement. The idea was started here with
"Never Say Goodbye" and "Day of Fury" booked
for the same 23 houses for seven days
opening Wednesday (4i.
Opening was slow, as the area was swept
by adverse weather, and distributors and
exhibitors alike looked forward to the weekend
to tell the story on the unusual booking.
George Manos Building
Canton, Ohio, Drive-In
CANTON. OHIO—George Manos. head of
the Manos circuit, and his son Thomas have
broken ground for a new drive-in in Canton
on Route 153. Space for 1.000 cars is
provided, and it is expected to be completed
in May.
Motiograph equipment will be installed by
the Ohio Theatre Supply Co. Contract calls
for Motiograph projectors, Motiograph sound,
bases, magazines, generator. Strong Super
135 arc lamps, Motiograph in-car speakers
and junction boxes.
Screen Cancer Film
DETROIT—Some 50 Detroit area theatres
are cooperating in presenting the American
Cancer Society's new release on brea.st cancer,
according to Edward Tuescher. executive
.secretary of the ACS southeastern Michigan
branch. Local houses generally will not solicit
separate funds, since the program is included
in the city's united charity campaign, the
Torch Fund. Theatres in Wayne, Macomb and
Oakland Counties are cooperating in the
screenings.
CLEVELAND
^^intcr Florida vacationists arc bcuiniiiiiR
their return trip. Last week Henry
Greenberger, president of the Cleveland Motion
Picture Exhibitors Ass'n, and his wife
checked in after a three-month vacation
stay. Also back are the Paul Gusdanovices
and 20th-Fox Manager I. J. and Mrs.
Schmertz. Still there are Jerry Steel of the
Apollo Tlieatre, Oberlin, the Abe Schwartzes
and the Jack Shulmans, all of Cleveland.
BOXOFFICE
M. B. Horwitz. head of the Washington
circuit and his wife left Tuesday (IQi for
Suit (20th-Fox) 145
Lower Moll—Too Bod She's Bad (Getz-Kingsley) 105
Florida . Parrell, MGM salesman, Ohio—The Rose Tottoo (Poro), 5th wk 80
eral headquarters for sales purposes
was partied by his fellow salesmen before Palace Backlash (U-I) 115
in
State— Anything Goes (Pare) 80
leaving
Detroit.
to take over his new assignment Stillman—Alexander the Greot (UA) 300
in
With opening of the new Detroit
the Cincinnati branch . Krenitz.
store.
WelLs announced the installation of equipment
in the new 1,000-car drive-in to be
Republic salesman, lost and found his automobile
last week. He lost it when
Detroit First Runs Rise;
it was
stolen
called the Commerce in Commerce township
during his visit with Bob Postma at
northwest of Detroit, for Bud Harris & Associates.
Equipment includes Century pro-
the Norka Theatre, Aki'on. It was found
several days later slightly the worse for
jectors and sound. EPRAD speakers. Strong
wear.
day meant good motoring and shows suffered.
Extended engagements, however, enjoyed
a welcome post-Lenten spurt.
Super 135 lamps and screen tower by Ohio
Herb Horstemeier is buying and booking for
Fabricators.
the Tower Drive-In, Elyria. now solely owned Adams— I'll Cry Tomorrow (MGM), 4fh wk 200
Broadway Capitol—The Killer Is Loose (UA);
has installed Motiograph Cinemascope (20th-Fox) 175
Madison— Picnic (Col), 4fh wk 200
equipment in his Eastlake Drive-In. Instal-
Michigon—Anything Goes (Pora); Our Miss
by William Whiting, who bought out Al
Sam Greenberger
Timetoble (UA) 85
Fox—The Mon in the Gray Flannel Suit
Boudouris' interest . . .
lation, including screen, lenses, apertures,
etc.. was made by Ben L. Ogron of Ohio
Theatre Supply Co. . . . Junior department:
Dick Jones, son of Leo Jones of Upper Sandusky,
completing his fre.shman year at
Notre Dame University, plans to take special
speech courses this summer with an eye to
. Sogg, son of MGM Manager
Jack Sogg was elected president of Phi
Delta Epsilon fraternity at the Cincinnati
University medical school where he is completing
his senior year.
Youngstowii and Akron theatre owners report
Easter business was under that of the
previous year ... It is reported that Jim
Dempsey. formerly affiliated with the Telegraph,
Starlite and Parkside drive-ins of
Toledo, has acquired two theatres in Danville.
Ky., one a skytop and the other a hardtop
. . . Every member of the Columbia
branch is straining to book a Columbia picture
into every house in the territory during
the week of June 22-30 to climax the Jack
Cohen sales drive. Any Columbia picture,
feature or short, will help put the local
branch on top.
Malva Rosenblatt of Allied Artists is back
from two weeks in Florida . member
of the film colony is Sandra Shaw at
Cooperative Theatres of Ohio . . . Sam Galanty.
Columbia eastern division manager, was
here on a routine visit ... A week to remember.
May 6-16 is Sam Schultz week at
Allied Artists. It marks his 20th anniversary
with AA and its precedessor Monogram.
Disney's "The Great Locomotive Chase," in
Technicolor and Cinemascope, starring Fes.s
Parker and Jeff Hunter, will be available to
key runs as a Fourth of July attraction, said
Ted Levy, area Buena Vista sales manager
have been notified by Selected
Theatre that the Lorain Theatre, Lorain,
and the Bedford Theatre, Bedford, are on
weekend operating policies until further
notice. Poor midweek attendance is the
reason for the curtailed policy.
'Alexander' Grosses
300 at Cleveland
CLEVELAND—"Alexander the Great" was
the big boxoffice news, with a continuous
lineup from opening to closing. A close .second
for popular appeal was "The Man In
the Gray Flannel Suit," which had a very
good opening and consistent support all
week. "Backlash" registered above average
and "Carousel" had a very good third week.
(Average Is 100)
Allen— Carousel (20th-Fox), 3rd wk 115
Hippodrome—The Mon in the Groy Flannel
Holdovers Are Best
DETROIT -Business was good, but not
spectacular, locally. Good weather on Sun-
Brooks : 2nd wk 1 20
Palms—The Lost Hunt (MGM); The Steel
Jungle (WB) 120
Detroit Office Opened
NEW YORK—John Sutherland Productions
has opened a Detroit office in the
Stephenson building, 6560 Cass Ave., under
the direction of Ross M. Sutherland, execuutive
vice-president. It will provide counsel
in the film communications field, particularly
regarding production and distribution costs
of business films.
DRIVE-IN THEATRES!!!
Get Your Popcorn, Boxes, Bags, Salt
Seasoning and Barbecue Beef
-Hires Root Beer, Mission Orange —
Popcorn Machines and
at
Beverage Machines
Concession Headquarters
NATIONAL THEATRE SUPPLY COMPANY
Clock
Trailers
CASH GUARANTEE
$300.00 to $3,000.00
20 Years
Cleveland;
bock ot c'
thcotrc promotion busii
be here TOMORROW t(
deal wc moke TODAY.
New DINNERWARE .
.... BANKO Cord Games
Write, Wire or Phone NOW for
Details
JACK L. GERTZ ENTERPRISES
- 2300 Payne Warner BIdg.
Phone Cherry 1-7559 Cleveland, Ohio

f.
AT BIRDS' SCREENING—Photographed in the lobby of Keiths Theatre,
Cincinnati, before the screening of Paramount's "The Birds and the Bees," are, left
to right: Joseph Joseph, Distinctive Theatres; William Borack, Tristate Theatres;
Ed Salzburg, Cincinnati exhibitor; Allen Moritz, Louisville. Ky.; E. C. DeBerry,
Paramount manager; Carl Ferrazza, Shor Theatres; William Onie, Oxford Amusement
Co.; William .•\. Meier. Paramount branch sales manager, and Vance Schwartz.
Distinctive Theatres.
Ben Wallerstein Once
Manager in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD — Funeral services were
motion picture house in the city hall since
1929, agrees in the lease to repair the roof
of the building immediately and to repair
the front of the building as well. The company
will pay a yearly rental of $5,250 to the
held in Hollywood Sunday i8) for Ben Wallerstein.
former manager of the Regent Theatre
city, the same amount it has been paying
Wallerstein, associated many years in the past. In addition, the company agrees
here.
with Stanley Warner Management Corp. in to be responsible for the upkeep of the building.
Hollywood, died March 28 aboard a ship
bound for France. A native of Springfield, Mayor Robert C. Yount pointed out that
he managed the Regent from 1933 to 1935 the lease gives the city the right to sell the
when the theatre was jointly operated by building to the company for $100,100 at any
Chakeres and Warner Bros. He represented time it desires within the next two years.
Warners here.
Money from this sale would be used together
In 1936 Wallerstein was transferred to with the amount promised by the Frankfort
Electric & Water Plant for a city hall.
Lorain, Ohio, where he managed a Warner
theatre for two years. From there he went
to Los Angeles as assistant to Lou Halper,
who at that time was in charge of all Warners
Feast or Famine Is Basis
theatres on the west coast.
Of Current Operations
A native of Buffalo, N. Y., Wallerstein and CLEVELAND—"Our busuiess is now running
his wife Ruth resided at 1327 North Crescent
Heights Blvd., Los Angeles.
on a feast or famine basis," Ray
Essick
Chakeres Seeks 20-Year
Lease in Frankfort. Ky.
FRANKFORT. KY. — An ordinance leasing
a section of the Frankfort City Hall to
the Chakeres Theatres Co. for the next 20
years was passed on its first reading by members
of the city council at their regular
weekly meeting.
Tlie Chakeres Co.. which has operated a
HANDY
of the Modern Theatre circuit comments.
"We either have a big picture that plays to
big attendance or we have an average picture
that does no business at all." The hills, however,
do not compensate for the valleys, he
concludes.
Essick named the pictures that have done
best in his circuit houses, including "Marty,"
"The Rose Tattoo," "Forever Darling," "but,"
he concludes, "there are too few of them,
and they are spaced too far apart to establish
a regular theatre habit."

. . Walter
. . According
. . Among
. . Foster
Film Critic Marsh Wins
Industry Tributes
CLEVELAND—More than 125 members representing
all of the motion picture branches,
assembled in the Carter Hotel Monday (9»
for a dinner to honor W. Ward Marsh, as
dean of motion picture critics here. The
occasion marks his 40th anniversary as motion
picture editor of the Plain Dealer.
Prom Hollywood came George Murphy, who
was emcee for the event. Jerry Wald, Columbia:
Barrett Kiesling. Howard Strickling
and Frank Whitbeck of MGM: Rufus Blair
and Teet Carl. Paramount: Joseph Reddy.
Walt Disney studios, and Harry Brand, 20th-
Fox, wired congratulations, regi-etting their
inability to be present.
From New York came William Altshuler
and John Curtain. Republic: Charles Mc-
Carthy. COMPO: Ernest Emmerling. Loew's;
MorrLs Ki-ushin, United Artists, and John
Royal, onetime manager of the local Palace,
and lately president of NBC.
Ohio Gov. Frank J. Lausche and Cleveland
Mayor Anthony Celebrezze were among the
speakers, as also were the Plain Dealer executives
Sterling Graham, editor in chief:
Wright Bryan and Paul Bellamy.
Among the guests at the stag affair was
Marsh's son Roger, an authority on ballistics
and author of several books on the history
of guns.
Marsh took home with him three mementoes
of the occasion, said to be the first testimonial
the motion picture industry ever held
for a film critic. They were a plaque containing
a resolution passed by the Cleveland
city council commending him for his contribution
to the cultural life of the city; a
resolution of commendation on parchment
from the Independent Theatre Owners of
Ohio, and a copy of a tabloid newspaper depicting
the highlights of his career, which
was distributed among the guests.
One of the entertainment features was the
showing of some films of the vintage of 1912.
One was a travelog and another. "New York
Chat," co-starred Mary Pickford and Lionel
Barrymore.
Pine-Thomas Organizes
Telefilm Department
HOLLYWOOD— Branching out into television,
F>ine-Thomas Productions has organized
a new video department, supervised by
Paul Monash. and is preparing two telefilm
series. Outpost and Torrid Zone.
Novelist-scenarist Frank Gruber is penning
the pilot for Outpost, a western anthology
series, and will function as WTiter and story
editor
thereon.
Shorten "Persuasion' Title
The title of AiUed Artists' "The Friendly
Persuasion" has been changed to "Friendly
Persuasion."
CINCINNATI
prank Wfitzi-I. uho operates a bookins and
buying .service, and his wife celebrated
their silver wedding anniversary on Palm
Sunday. The Weitzels held open house in
honor of the occasion . . . The auxiliary of
the Variety Club will sponsor a buffet supper
at the Variety Club for members of the
men's and women's groups Saturday night,
April 21. Mrs. Herman Hunt, president, has
appointed Mrs. Robert Jacobs to the board
of directors to replace Mrs. Sam Weiss, who
moved to Cleveland.
Recent high water caused extensive damage
to the Muncy-owned drive-in at Wooten,
Ky. The projection booth was completely
under water. The fence around the theatre
withstood the flood but w-as torn down by
high winds. All damages are now being repaired,
and the drive-in will be opened within
the next two or three weeks . Lane,
exhibitor of Williamsburg. Ky.. who is convalescing
after an operation, has a new
granddaughter. This is the first baby in the
family for 20 years.
Charles E. Williams, formerly affiliated
with Lloyd Rogers in operation of the thea-
tre at Welch, W. Va., has taken over the
laeger (W. Va.i Drive-In from J. M.
Whaley Lewis of the Palace, Hyden,
Ky.. was in Florida for a vacation of
several weeks . to reports from
theatres in Kentucky and West Virginia,
many of the towns have been hard hit because
of the mechanization of the coal mines.
One of the towns most affected is Wallins
Creek, Ky.
Don Reda, former exhibitor of London, Ky..
was still enjoying an extended vacation in
Sarasota, Fla.. with his wife and children . . .
The Lyric, Beckley, W. Va., which was taken
over by G. C. Porter, who also ow-ns the
Palace in the town, has been completely
redecorated. It was reopened recently . . .
Floyd Bonaficio has leased the Mount Hope
iW. Va.i Theatre from the Keesling circuit.
Bonaficio now operates both theatres in that
town.
HuETh Gooding of the Ripley at Ripley, was
here visiting with Herman Hunt. They are
joint owners of the theatre in Ripley . . .
Frank Weitzel is now booking and buying for
the Corning in Corning, which reopened on
April 1. Lewis H. Orey purchased this theatre
from C. E. Davie. Weitzel is also handling
the Fountain. Smithers. W. Va.. which reopened
March 30. W. T. Ellswick operates
this house, as well as the ones in Belle and
Powellton, W. Va. . exhibitors on
the Row were Ralph McClanahan, Irvine.
Ky.; Moe Potasky. Springfield: Jack Needham.
Columbus; Tom Alley, Cleveland.
Miss Edna Ossege, secretary at MGM for
approximately 30 years, resigned, effective
April 13. She started as secretary to Manager
Jack Stewart, and continued with Manager
Edwin Booth. Her position will be filled by
Mrs. Sam Cirin, former secretary at U-I. who
left Filmrow .several months ago.
20th-Fox has a new switchboard operator,
Pauline Adams, who replaces Betty Oppenheimer,
resigned . . . Sam Sherman, office
manager, U-I, left the company as of
March 30. and moved to Florida . . . Tom
Farrell, former MGM salesman in Cleveland,
was transferred to Cincinnati to cover the
West Virginia territory. He replEices Art
Adams, who recently went into another line
of
business.
Install New Equipment
CLEVELAND -Ohio Theatre Supply Co.,
headed by Ben L. Ogron, has made the following
recent installations; new Cinema-
Scope screens in the Richmond and Heights
Art theatres: complete Motiograph Cinema-
Scope equipment in the Carter, a local downtown
sub run house; Motiograph equipment
in the Eastlake Drive-In.
To Manage Roaden Airer
GRAYSON. KY.— A. H. Reeves, for several
years manager of the Gray and Clark theatres
here, is being transferred to a drive-in theatre
owned by O. G. Roaden. Reeves said he
did not know yet which Roaden theatre he
is to manage.
IFE Detroit Appointment
NEW YORK—Lee Goldsmith has been
named IFE sales representative in the Detroit
exchange area by Seymour Poe. executive
vice-president. Goldsmith has covered
the territory for several years. He recently
resigned from Universal-International.
Blazon Stock Split G for 1
AKRON, OHIO — Stockholders of Blazon,
Inc., large producer of outdoor gym equipment
for children, have approved a six for
one stock split. Directors also approved appointment
of Herbert L. Jackson as treasurer.
Joseph Sterling, central division sales manager
for Blazon, has been appointed general
sales manager.
Seltzer Films has booked Gloria McGhee,
a stage-TV actress, for one of the leads in
United Artists' "The Boss."
< \f ^^Z/rtW^^
t^OONTON, N. J.
MAXIMUM LIGHT
E^*'''y D;«fnt«feJ
m Michigan— NAT'L THEATRE SUPPLY, Detroit—Woodword 1-2447
in Kentucky—STANDARD VENDORS of LOUISVILLE—Wobosh 0039
BOXOFFICE
:
; April 14, 1956 82-C

Fortran by Fabian Bachrach
"Hershey Employees
cited for
Payroll Savings Plan..."
wholeheartecllv recommend that all business executives
activate this plan in their respective companies."
R A. STAPLES. Chnim.an of Board ami President,
Hershpy Chocolate Corporation
"We, the officials and employees of the Hershev Chocolate
Corporation of Hershev, Pennsylvania, are proud
of the citation recently presented to us for outstanding
participation in the United States Treasury's Payroll
Savings Plan for the purchase of Savings Bonds.
"We all realize fully the importance of sound money
to the economy of our country and our community. I
If your company has the Payroll Savings Plan, your
State Sales Director will be glad to help you organize
a Person-to-Person Canvass that should increase employee
participation to 50%, 60% or more. If you do not
have the Plan, he will show you how easy it is to install
one. Write to Savings Bond Division, U. S. Treasury
Department, Washington, D. C.
The llnile,! Stales G.
thanks.
this iidrtTtising. The Treasury Department
the Advertising Conncil and
BOXO FFI C E
BOXOFFICE

I
Renovated strand
Reopens at Winsted
By ALLEN M. WIDKM
WINSTED. CONN.—Show business returned
to this flood-ravaged northwestern
Connecticut community
recently. Lockwood
& Gordon Enterprises,
operator of both indoor
and outdoor situ-
Doug Amos
ations, relighted the
1 o n g-dark Strand
Thr;iir,.
fnlhuving a re-
esti-
$55,000
damaged
ilieatre,
managed by Mrs.
Hazel Florian, was extensively
during the August 1955
floods, and had been closed since.
Doug Amos is the circuit general manager.
The theatre decorating concern of William
Riseman Associates handled the designing.
The front is of stainless steel and
glass, presenting virtually a "new look" to
Main street of this community of 7,500 persons.
The lobby is finished in a modern
decor with mahogany side walls and trim.
In the inner lobby, one finds a modern refreshment
stand in blue.
The theatre auditorium itself boasts new
foam rubber seats. lavish stage setting, nylon
carpeting, the latest in acoustical wall coverings,
with an overall pattern of coral, blue
and grey.
An innovation in theatre seating in this
region is the staggered arrangement of chairs
allowing clear and unobstructed vision from
any section. The auditorium contains 850
.seats.
A new air conditioning system has been
added.
Operating schedule calls for evening performances,
Mondays through Fridays, with
showings starting at 2 on weekends. Prices
are 50 cents adults. 35 cents students at
matinees, and 50 and 40 cents, evenings.
Children 25 cents all times.
Amos said the circuit, realizing the need
of reduced admission for teenagers, is introducing
a new price schedule for schoolage
youngsters called the Strand Student
Club. Mrs. Florian is providing walletsized
a
identification card for a service
charge
of 50 cents, entitling the bearer to a special
admission price, as noted above.
Newington, Conn., Theatre
Post to Ernest Dorau
HARTFORD—El-nest Dorau. former manager
of the Middletown theatres for the
Pouzzner interests and more recently in the
drive-in field, has been named manager of
the Newington by Paul Tolls. He succeeds
Walter T. Kordek. who has resigned. Kordek
was previously associated with exhibition at
New Britain.
Peter G. Perokos Honored
HARTFORD—Peter G. Perakos. president
of Perakos Theatre Associates, owners and
operators of indoor and outdoor theatres in
Connecticut, has been named recipient of
1956's Man of the Year award by the Press
Club of nearby New Britain.
Exhib'itors Enter Pleos
Against Pay Hike Order
BOSTON -The proposed state minimum
wage order was aired at a public hearing at
the State House recently, with a large group
of exhibitors, theatre managers and circuit
heads in attendance to protest the new
schedule as set up by the minimum wage
commission of the Department of Labor and
Industries. Chairman for the hearing was
Chester Skibinski, with Benjamin Hull representing
labor and Pluri R. Piazza representing
industry. Speaking in favor of the
order was Kenneth J. Kelly of the Massachusetts
Federation of Labor who said that
the 90 cents per hour asked by the order,
with 80 cents for ushers, was, in his opinion,
a fair rate, but that it should be even higher.
He urged enactment of the order into law.
CAN'T STAND INCREASE
Speaking in opposition to the order, which
would hike wages from 75 cents hourly to 90
cents and ushers from 65 cents to 80 cents.
Attorney E. Curtis Mower gave figures showing
why theatres could not stand the increase
at this time.
"I am representing Allied Theatres of
New England, representing more than 50
per cent of the seating capacity in the Commonwealth.
If this wage order becomes
mandatory, it will have a profound effect
on the industry. I am speaking for a sick
industry. In 1948. movie admissions were
90.000.000 and in 1955 that figure dropped almost
50 per cent to 50.000.000. In 1948. there
were 400 theatres operating in the state. Today,
there are about 280 and some of these
are wobbling on the fringe of demise. Yet,
during this period, this country has enjoyed
its greatest prosperity, and personal incomes
have increased immeasurably.
"Prior to April 1 of this year, rates for
ushers were set at 65 cents per hour and
other parttime workers at 70 cents per hour.
Sundays, all minimums were brought up to
75 cents. But this new wage order now under
discussion, broken down into percentages,
means an Increase of 26 per cent for help.
Theatres cannot stand that bite in view
of the competition the industry is under today.
Another possibility that we must face
is that if this order becomes law. there could
be a general pjTamiding of wages to those
working above the parttime workers, thus
forcing the economic structure of theatres
all out of proportion."
FEW FULLTIME WORKERS
Breaking down one circuit of 12 theatres
representing some key city situations and
some smaller theatres. Mower stated that
out of 118 employes classified as doormen,
ushers, cashiers, candy girls, cleaners, matrons
and utilatarians, only 20 were fuUtlme
workers; 28 hold other positions: 51 are students
trying to earn extra money for furthering
their educations; 11 are housewives and
8 are on pensions.
"Thus," he said, "we are not dealing with
workers depending on these jobs for their
livelihood. Between 1952 and today, the cost
of living has gone up about one-half of 1
per
cent. Why should a fair minimum wage be
upped from 65 cents to 80 cents per hour?"
He ended his appeal by saying: "Frankly,
we don't know what theatre owners will do
if this proposal becomes law. This minimum
wage order sets the pattern. In due course
it will affect all other workers in the theatres.
What can we do to keep our doors open? We
can't raise our admission prices, that is economically
un.sound in a sick Industry. Theatre
owners will have to pare their usher.s to
the bone and many will have to close."
Carl Goldman, executive director of Independent
Exhibitors of New England, representing
a group of 100 theatres in the Commonwealth,
went on record as opposing the
order and introduced Edward Lider, president
of the organization, who said, "In behalf
of Fall River Theatres, of which I am
general manager, I wish to state that I
concur heartily with the remarks of Mr.
Mower and am opposed to the proposed wage
order."
George Roberts, general manager of Rlfkin
Theatres, said: "A few years ago, our
circuit had six neighborhood hou.ses. One by
one these have been forced to clo.se until
today we have only two small theatres open,
and they are on the fringe of disaster. If this
order becomes mandatory, we will be forced
to close them."
James Mahoney, general manager of Interstate
Theatres Corp., representing 17 theatres
in the Commonwealth, said: "We would
like to be in a position to agree to this proposed
raise, but w^e realize that if it goes
through, we will have to clo.se several of our
theatres. I would like to have the commission
remember that in several of our situations,
it is only the good years behind us that
are keeping us alive today."
COULD FORCE CLOSINGS
William T. Powell, head of advertising and
publicity for Smith Management Co., said:
"We want to go on record as opposing this
raise. In my opinion, this raise could easily
affect all other employes and force some of
our theatres to close."
Ray Canavan, assistant to E. M. Loew,
representing 23 situations in the Commonwealth,
said: "In several small-town situations
it is doubtful if we can remain open,
but if this order goes through we will be
forced to shut down those situations."
David Hodgdon, president of Princess
Amusement Co. of Wakefield, said: "I operate
two small-town houses today, but we
did have four theatres in operation. If this
order goes through I will have to reduce my
general staff, mostly my ushers, who count
on their salaries for college careers."
Winthrop Knox, vice-president of Middlesex
Amusement Co., also opposed the issue.
Francis Perry jr., operator of the Orpheum,
Foxboro, said: "I have 12 employes, all parttime.
My wife sells tickets, my daughter sells
candy. If this salary increase is approved,
I will have to lock my doors."
Two Mass. Drive-ins Open
SOUTHBRIDGE. MASS.—Both the Quinebaug
and Sturbridge drive-ins which serve
local patrons have reopened for the season.
BOXOFFICE April 14, 1956 NE 83

. . The
. . MGM's
J,
. . Tony
. . The
. . Zvi
BOSTON
puis Gordon, New England representative
for Continental Films, has moved his
to 20 Winchester St., where he has
office
taken first floor space in the building recently
purchased by Joseph E. Levine for
Embassy Picture Corp. "The
Swan," in which Grace Kelly plays the
role of a princess, has been booked into
Loew's State and the Orpheum to coincide
with the star's wedding to Prince Ranier in
Monaco . . . Barry Jones, who plays Aristotle
in UA's "Alexander the Great," spent
two days in town for press, radio and TV
interviews. He was escorted around town
by Joe Mansfield, UA publicist . . . Maurice
"Fishy" Green, director of Middlesex Amusement
Co.. has returned from a vacation in
Florida.
Malcolm Green, head booker for Interstate
Theatres Corp., will be laid up for
several months due to a skiing accident in
which he fractured his leg in five places.
Ted Fleisher. president of the organization,
has stepped in to take over the booking for
the circuit . . . Ken Dimmock, Nugget, Hanover,
N. H., is on a ten-day vacation, driving
through New York with a stopover in Boston
and Filmrow
. engagement has been
announced of Richard R. Green, son of
Maurice Green of Middlesex Amusement Co.,
to Barbara Buckstein of New York, a graduate
student at Harvard University. Richard
is a graduate student at MIT, after serving
two years overseas in service.
The world premiere of John Huston's
"Moby Dick" will be held June 27. It will take
place simultaneously in three theatres in
New Bedford, Mass., the State, Empire and
New Bedford. Warners Bros, considered New-
Bedford the fitting locale for the public unveiling
of the Technicolor picturization of
Herman Melville's story, as it is the home
port of the "Pequod," the vessel which sailed
halfway around the world in chase of the
white whale, Moby Dick. Gregory Peck stars
in the role of Captain Ahab. The three
theatres chosen for the premiere are owned
by the Zeltz brothers of New Bedford and
have a capacity of more than 5,000 seats.
Albert Swerdlove Dies;
Boston Exchange Head
BOSTON — Albert Swerdlove. 58, who
headed the exchange here distributing Screen
Guild of New England, Classics of New England
and Federal Film Co., died April 3 in
New York of a heart attack while having
a late snack.
Swerdlove entered the industry several
years ago as a salesman for RCA and later
was in the theatre premium business. He
had headed the exchange on Piedmont street
for the past ten years. Surviving are his wife,
the former Mollie Haase. and a brother,
Jules Swerdlove of Montreal. Funeral services
were held April 5.
Name George Roberts
HeadofBnaiB'rith
BOSTON—George Roberts, treasurer of the
has been unanimously elected
Rifkin circuit,
president of the Bos-
Council
Cton
for B'nai
X B'rith, becoming the
\ first member of the
I film industry to be
' / elected to this position.
The election was held
J _^^^ at the annual meeting
^B
-
of the council, which is
^^^ /^ composed of 30 lodges
1^^ -y^J^ and 21 chapters in the
Boston area, with a
I ^^ A
N m jm§
HHHHl combined membership
(;iM,r«f Roberts °^ °^er 10,000 men and
women.
Roberts has spent untold hours working for
his favorite charities. He is a past president
of Sentry Lodge of B'nai B'rith, the theatrical
lodge; he is on the executive committee
of the New England board of the Anti-Defamation
League: he is membership chairman
and on the advisory committee of the Jewish
Vocational Service; he is a director of
Temple Emanuel of Newton and a director of
Temple Emanuel Brotherhood: he is head of
the Newton Little League: he is property
master of the Variety Club of New England
and a past president of the Cinema Club of
Boston. In the past he has been publicity
director for the Community Chest of Newton
and has held countless untitled positions in
the community and the industry.
Bercal Hartford Offices
To Parsons Building
HARTFORD—Bercal T'heatres. operator of
the Parsons and Star, Hartford; Manchester
Drive-In, Bolton Notch, and Plainfield, Plainfield,
have moved from the Star building
1255 Main St.. to the Parsons building, 1087
Main St. The offices are situated in the
backstage dressing room area of the former
legitimate playhouse.
The Parsons now is operated as a first
run motion picture house by Bercal, in which
Bernie Menschell and John Calvocoressci are
principal
partners.
Fire Destroys Theatre
vnNOOSKI, VT.—-When a fire started in
a local restaurant, a block of stores and the
Strand Theatre burned to the ground. Gordon
Jarvis, operator of the Strand, estimated
his loss at $30,000. Nothing was salvaged.
Total damage to the block, on a
major corner of the busmess section, was
placed at $65,000. The Winooski volunteer
fire department received assistance from units
from Burlington, Colchester. Malletts Bay
and the Ethan Allen Air Force Base.
Myron Healey will play a featured lead in
Allied Artists' "House on Lookout Mountain."
HARTFORD
Toe Heidt, Columbia exploiteer, conferred
with George E. Landers, division manager
for E. M. Loew's Theatres, on "Rock Around
the Clock" ballyhoo .
. . Mrs. Joe Dolgin, wife
of the Pine Drive-In film buyer-booker,
served as stage manager of the seventh
annual Hartford festival of Jewish music at
Weaver Auditorium Kolitz, producer
of the Israeli film, "Hill 24 Doesn't Answer,"
addressed 1,000 persons at the Emanuel
Synagogue . Masella, Palace, Meriden,
promoted a Saturday morning kiddies
party, sponsored by a Pontiac dealer in
city.
that
John Scanlon sr. of the Warner, Torrington,
distributed cake to the first 800 children
attending a cartoon show . . . Day-and-date
bookings continue on occasion in smaller
Connecticut cities. Latest included Paramount's
"Anything Goes" into Lord's Midtown,
Norwich, and Lord's Indoor-Outdoor,
Plainfield, and UA's reissue package of
"Marty" and "Apache" into Bob Schwartz'
Lake Drive-In, Route 6A, and Ville, Waterbury.
The Starlite Drive-In, Stamford, reopened
for the season with newspaper ads proclaiming:
"Every visit . . . a family treat!" . . . Deputy
Attorney-General Joseph A. Adorno of
Middletown has been named a member of a
Republican state central subcommittee considering
issues for the fall election campaign
party platform . Music Box, New
Britain, booked in a one-day showing of
Spanish films. Similar attractions are a
Wednesday evening policy at the 1,800-seat,
subsequent run Star here, operated by Bernie
Menschell and John Calvocoressci, Bercal
Theatres.
George E. Landers, E. M. Loew's Theatres,
reports Lew "Bozo Kelly" Rich, the clown, has
returned to the Milford Drive-In for his
eighth season. Rich provides nightly entertainment
all summer, starting at 6:30 p.m. . .
Perakos circuit reopened the Southington
Drive-In ... Ed O'Neill, district manager for
Brandt Drive-In Theatres, staged a Family
night at the Portland (Conn.) Drive-In April
3 at $1 a carload.
L&G Airer Assignments
Announced by Doug Amos
HARTFORD—Managerial assignments for
the 1956 drive-in season have been announced
by Doug Amos, general manager. Lockwood
& Gordon Theatres.
The drive-ins and managers include Danbury.
Danbury, Don McPhee; Pix, Bridgeport,
Robert Duffy, promoted from assistant
manager of the East Windsor Drive-In, East
Windsor; Norwalk, Norwalk, William Daugherty;
East Windsor, East Windsor, Harry Sullivan;
Sky-Vue and Torrington, Torrington,
Vince Youmatz.
1 Moss.—MASS. THEATRE EQUIP. Co., Boston-Liberty 2-9814
Connecticut—NAT'L THEATRE SUPPLY, New Hoven-Stote 7-5829

MGM)
. . . Adults
. . Jim
. . New
. . Upcoming
. . Harold
. .
. .
. .
. .
'Conqueror' Opening
In Boston Hits 325
BOSTON—The Conquoioi-." barked by a
stronR TV c-ainixuun .\nd newspaper budget,
took top honor- in the post-Easter parade
Fall" at the State and Orpheum was a disappointment.
(Average 100)
Is
I'll Astor— Cry Tomorrow ,MGM), 4th wk 140
Hill Beacon Oiobolique (UMPO), 6th wk 100
Boston Cinerama Holiday (SW), 31st wk 125
E\eter Street Doctor of Sea (Rep), 4th wk 100
Ivenmore The Night My Number Come Up
(Cont 4th wk I), 115
Memorial—The Conqueror (RKO) 325
Metropolitan The Mon in the Groy Flannel Suit
;20th-Fox) 175
Paromount and Fenway Anything Goes (Pora);
World in My Corner (U-l) 115
State and Orpheum—The Horder They Fall
Col). Blackjack Ketchum, Desperado (Col) . 85
'Anything Goes' Hits 145
As Hartford Holdover
HARTFORD—Only one new film opened
here, with either holdover or revival bills
dominating the downtown scene. Added seasonal
competition made its appearance in
reopening of several large amusement parks.
In recent years latter locations have stepped
up entertainment activity through offering
of free acts, featuring nationally known recording
personalities.
Allyn Forbidden Planet (MGM); Sudden
( Danger AA) 1 GO
Art—Doctor in the House (Rep), 3rd wk 85
E. M Loe*— Picnic (Col), 5th wk 135
Palace Anything Goes (Para), 2nd wk 145
Parsons The Ladykillers (Cont'l), A Blueprint
1 for Murder (20th-Fox), reissue, 2nd wk 30
Poll The Conqueror (RKO), 2nd wk 120
Strand Mister Roberts (WB), Rebel Without a
'Conqueror' and 'Planet'
Are Ne^v Haven Favorites
NEW HAVEN— All four major downtowners
had "big ones" for the Easter trade, but
the ticket -buying public again showed its
fickleness. "The Conqueror" and "Forbidden
Planet" did extremely wtII. On the other
hand. "Meet Me in Las Vegas" boosted the
Poll's receipts by only 5 per cent and "Anything
Goes." to everj'one's surprise, got a disappointing
reception.
College Forbidden Planet (MGM), Bitter Creek
(AA) 150
Paramount Anything Goes (Paro); Last of the
Desperadoes Associated Films) 80
Poll Meet Me in Las Vejas 05 I
Conqueror (RKO) 1 75
Roger Sherman The
Fred R. LeVarge Dies;
Electrician 57 Years
HARTFORD—Fred R. LeVarge, an electrician
in the entertainment field for 57
years, died March 31 at St. Francis Hospital.
LeVarge served as stage electrician at the
Bushnell Memorial Auditorium for 14 years.
Prior to that, he was a circus electrician and
toured Europe. He spent 17 years with the
Theatre Guild. New York.
LeVarge was a member of Local 84. lATSE.
of Hartford.
NEW HAVEN
XXrhat is believed to be an area record for
simultaneous second run showings was
set here when U-I's "Marty" played In eight
neighborhood theatres in New Haven and
several of the immediate suburbs. Business was
of new priidurt. This John Wayne stan-er
nearly equalled the week's figure set by so good that the Whalley and West Haven's
"Carousel" only five weeks previously. Both Forest held over the much-shown picture.
Ernest Borgnine's family lives here . . . Denny
SW
films set a new attendance figure, although
"The Robe" is still the highest grosser at Rich, manager of the Cameo, Bristol, is
Keith Memorial. "The Robe" admission was back at his post after a three-month illness
$1,80. while "Carousel" and "The Conqueror"
paid 90 cents in the afternoon and
were ticketed at $1.25. Second on the boards
Man
$1.25 at night to see the Rockarama rock and
roll show when for the week was "The in the Gray
it gave four performances
Flannel Suit." which opened on Good Friday
on the stage of the SW Roger Sherman .
at the Metropolitan. "The Harder They Frank Carter, doorman at Loew's Poll, has
resigned because of ill health.
Condolences to Matt Saunders, manager of
Loew's Poll in Bridgeport, on the death of
his mother in Chicago . Nelson,
manager of the SW Empress, Danbury, has
announced plans to wed in November .
Bucky Harris, U-I's new publicity man for
the Boston-New Haven territory, replacing
transferred John McGrail. was in to confer
with exchange manager Alec Schimel .
Alec Guinness's latest, "The Ladykillers,"
chalked up what the Connecticut circuit said
was the biggest first week in the history of
its 300-seat Lincoln. The art house near
the Yale campus had the SRO sign up continuously
the first week. A run of at least
four weeks is anticipated by Len Sampson
and Bob Spodick.
A "Popeye's Birthday" matinee packed the
Roger Sherman. Twenty cartoons, mostly
Popeye releases, were shown, and Irving
Hillman promoted 2,000 cake giveaways .
Amalgamated is now booking and buying
for the Niantic . carpeting has been
installed in the rotunda of Loew's Poll, over
a sponge rubber base. Carpet company employes
and Ted Holt, maintenance chief for
the chain, completed the big job in one night.
U-I lias a new salesman, Howard Rosen,
formerly assigned to the home office in the
eastern division contract department. He
.
.
succeeded Ray Squer. who was shifted to
Detroit Bracken, contact manager
at the New England zone office, was
SW
bedded by grippe attractions
at the local Shubert include the world premiere
of "Shangri La." with Martyn Green
and Lew Ayres (April 21-28) and "Bus
Stop." starring Peggy Ann Garner (May
2-51.
HANDY
New Haven Suburb Fights
Proposed Loew Drive-In
NEW HAVEN—Opixisltion to the drive-in
which the E. M. Loew organization plans to
build in this city has developed on another
front, this time In the suburb of Woodbrldge.
Although the ozoner it-self would be located
in New Haven, the site borders the Woodbridge
line and a road in the latter town
would be used as an exit road.
Gilbert Martin, zoning enforcement agent
in Woodbridge, has written State Police
Commissioner John C. Kelly, protesting the
Loew plan on several grounds. Martin
claimed the project would require greater
upkeep and maintenance of town roads near
the open air theatre and that Woodbrldge
would have to provide more police protection.
He also declared that the town would
have to pay for widening of an egress road
located in Woodbridge. while New Haven will
get municipal tax revenue from the theatre.
Martin's letter was taken under advisement
by the state traffic commission, of
which Commissioner Kelly Ls a member. The
traffic commission is currently considering
Loew's petition to operate a drive-in.
New Haven is battling Loew in court. The
city has a petition before the state supreme
court of errors, attempting to reverse a superior
court decision ordering the local building
inspector to give Loew a permit.
Brian Hutton, New York stage and television
actor, has been signed to an exclusive
contract by Paramount.
SERVICE^HOWMANSHIPXQUALITY^
^ GET ALMHkbt
WHEN YOU ORDER
SPECIAL
TRAILERS
Uimack
IMAGE & SOUND SERVICE CORP.
'T/)e Bei^ Value In Sound Service'

Rt. 1 ) i
VERMONT
The Strong Theatre in Burlington had a
return engagement of the Oscar-winning
fihn. "Marty," while the State in that city
announced repeat performances for "There's
No Business Like Show Business." Ttie State
also offered Burlington's first run of "The
Return of Jack Slade."
There have been two echoes from the recent
spectacular fire which destroyed the
Strand Theatre in Winooski. The city council
acted on a move to install a new traffic
light at the street intersection where the theatre
was located. The old light, which was
supported by the theatre building, was lost
in the blaze. Another aftermath of the fire
was the illness of Police Capt. Arthur Gay.
who was reported to have suffered a heart
attack after strenuous duty when flames destroyed
the theatre.
About 150 children attended an Easter
show at the Ethan Allen Air Force Base
Theatre in Burlington.
When the Vermont-made Alfred Hitchcock
film, "The Trouble With Harry," was
shown at the Flynn Theatre in Burlington,
local newspaper advertising stressed the "native"
flavor of the Paramount production.
"Vermont's rolling hills never looked better,
and Hitchcock never made a funnier picture,"
a layout read, adding, "What a combination,
Vermont and Hitchcock!"
Nathan Yamins Interests
Acquire Nashua Ozoner
NASHUA, N. H.—Transfer papers have
been passed for the Nashua Drive-In from
Bronstein, Kessler and Lifman to the Nathan
Yamins circuit. The deal constituted outright
purchase of the property. Accommodating
500 cars, the theatre was built about
five years ago and has been operated by Joe
Bronstein.
Under the Yamins ownership, major improvements
will be made and a new playground
area added. A late April opening is
scheduled.
This acquisition marks the seventh openair
theatre under the Yamins banner, the
third in New Hampshire.
Drive-in's Special Dish
Is Homemade Pizza Pie
MALDEN, MASS.—The Saugus Drive-ln,
located on the Newburyport Turnpike i
has reopened for the season. A complete children's
playground and a free bottle warming
service are being featured as patron "extras."
The — snack bar's specialty "best homemade
pizza on the North Shore"—heads the full
line of good things to eat. There will be extra
cartoons every night and children under 12
are always admitted free.
Thief Shows Little Sense
From Southwest Edition
WALLER, TEX.—The Horn Drive-In Theatre
here was broken into one night recently,
but nothing was taken, apparently, but a few
parts from one of the movie projectors.
Nelson Horner, owner, said he did not know
why anyone would take the parts, as they
would be of no benefit.
U-I Keeps New Haven
As Branch Location
NEW HAVEN—At least one of the nine exchanges
scheduled to vacate their premises
here within a year for highway construction
will definitely remain in New Haven. U-I has
made arrangements for a new branch in this
city. The location has not been disclosed.
It was also learned that representatives of
several other major distributors have been in
town looking over prospective sites. Thus,
with half of the film companies already
actively working on plans for new branches
in New Haven, it appears that the remaining
firms will make the same decision. Many
investors have been trying to interest the
firms in a new "film center," keeping all
companies in one building or group of buildings,
as is the case at the present time.
Work will have to be stepped up as the
State Highway Department has sent formal
notices to virtually all of Pilmrow, directing
the companies to move by December 31. The
properties are needed for a new cross-city
highway, connecting with the $400,000,000
Connecticut turnpike, now under construction.
Companies which have to vacate include
U-I, MGM, Columbia, Republic, RKO, UA,
AA. Warner Bros, and Paramount. The fate
of the 20th-Fox building is still in doubt.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
r\uring a recent two-day period, the State
Theatre in Manchester set up a stock of
canned clam products in its lobby which were
distributed free to all patrons. The same
theatre also presented a "Mickey Mouse Club
Party" for youngsters. An all-Disney show,
with 12 cartoons, was staged. The admission
price for all seats was 25 cents.
The Rex Theatre in Manchester offered a
Sunday afternoon "bargain hour," with a 20-
cent admission charge for all who attended
the show. Beneath the caption in a newspaper
advertisement was the movie title, "All
That Heaven Allows."
Falls City Oil Theatre
Opens After Renovation
From North Central Edition
FALLS CITY, NEB.—The Oil City Theatre
here, which had been closed several weeks
for renovating, has been reopened by Oscar
Johnson, new owner and manager. Johnson,
former owner of the Oil City and Breezy Hill
Drive-In theatres, recently reassumed the
ownership of the two local properties from
Jack Cook.
During the several weeks it was closed, the
Oil City has been redecorated and new equipment
added. All seats have been painted and
re-covered. Another feature designed for the
comfort of patrons has been the removal of
several rows of seats and the respacing of
the remainder of the seats.
TV Actress in 'Pharaoh's Curse'
Diane Brewster. TV actress, will star with
Mark Dana and Ziva Shapir in United Ai'tists'
"Pharaoh's Curse."
RESEARCH BUREAU
for
AAODERN THEATRE PLANNERS
ENROLLMENT FORM FOR FREE INFORMATION
The MODERN THEATRE
PLANNING INSTITUTE
825 Van Brunt Blvd.
Kansas City 24, Mo.
Gentlemen:
Please enroll us in your RESEARCH BUREAU
lo receive information regularly, as released, on
the following subjects lor Theatre Planning:
n Acoustics
n Air Conditioning
D Architectural Service
D "Black" Lighting
U Building Material
D Carpets
a Coin Machines
n Complete Remodeling
D Decorating
D Lighting Fixtures
Plumbing Fixtures
rj projectors
n Projection
° Seating
Lamps
Signs and Marquees
Sound Equipment
D Television
D Drink Dispensers D Theatre Fronts
n Drive-In Equipment Q Vending Equipment
n Other Subjects
Theatre
Seating Capacity
Address
City
State
Signed
Posfage-paid reply cards for your further convenience
in obtaining information are provided in The MODERN
THEATRE Section, published with the firsf issue of
each month.
BOXOFFICE :: April 14. 1956

:
April
One-Man Booth Okay
In B. C. Pay Contract
VANCOUVER—One-man-in-a-booth operation
in British Columbia theatres of Famous
Players Canadian and Odeon Theatres circuit
was a major point of agreement in the new
contract between the circuits and Local 348
after six months of negotiation. Settlement
of the dispute came on the eve of a scheduled
strike by the 100 projectionists In 36 Vancouver
and Nanaimo area theatres.
The union won its demand for a retirement
plan for operators over 65 years of
age. F>i-ojectionists over 70 will be retired as
soon as the pension plan is in work. Those
boothmen who are 69 will be retired in 1957.
Sixteen oldtimers are on the list to retire.
One question remaining to be decided is the
effect the union retirement plan will have on
the federal old age pension. The pension plan
will be supported by circuit funds, with the
union also paying a share.
Wage scale decided upon calls for $4.05 for
one-man operations in de luxe houses, and
$3.94 in suburbans. This represents a slight
cut from the former contract.
Hamilton Palace Show
Sunday to Aid Tent 28
TORONTO — Variety Village Vocational
School for Handicapped Boys, chief project
of Toronto Tent 28. will receive the proceeds
from the annual benefit screen and stage
performance at the Palace in Hamilton Sunday
night (15) under the auspices of the
Hamilton Theatre Managers Ass'n. headed by
Manager Al Ford of the Palace.
The headliner for the vaudeville program
will be Juliette, star of the CBC television
network at Toronto, and the emcee will be
Doug Romaine, Toronto, who has replaced
Marty Hall, a former Toronto barker who is
now in New York City.
Chief Barker Dave Griesdorf has announced
that arrangements have been completed for
the annual benefit baseball game and stage
show at the Toronto Stadium Friday night.
June 15, when the opposing teams will be
Toronto Leafs and Richmond of the International
League. This dat€ is much earlier
than in previous seasons and the barkers have
been urged to step lively in the drive for advertising
in the souvenir program which forms
a substantial portion of proceeds for Variety
Village.
Hamilton Airers Open,
But Dark at Toronto
TORONTO—Although the reopening of the
drive-in season has been delayed here, it is in
full swing at both Hamilton and London where
three airers were opened despite somewhat
unfavorable weather.
At Hamilton the Scenic Drive-In, constructed
last year, opened AprU 5, to be followed
by the Hamilton on the next night, to
make three in that area following the opening
of the Clappison. The three in operation at
London are the Sunset. T^vilite and Star-Top.
Incidentally, Famous Players sold its Skyway
at London last year and the site is to be used
for a suburban supermarket. Windsor also
has another drive-in in operation in the reopening
of the St. Clair.
Manitoba Exhibitors Ask
Fair Play on Bingo Games
WINNIPEG—Exhibition seized the opportunity
last week to strike a blow against the
ever-growing, ever-competitive bingo, rampant
in greater Wimiipeg, by pointing out to
the public, and the attorney general of the
province, that this form of innocent-looking
gambling has gone a little bit too far to the
detriment of the medium-waged public as
well as the motion picture industry.
It started with a front page story headlined
"City Theatres Are Warned About
Bingo." The story read in part: "Theatre
owners were warned by Magistrate M. H.
Garton today that he wasn't setting a precedent
by imposing a small $50 fine against the
manager of a city theatre for operating a
bingo game. Fines will be heavier if other
theatres carry on bingo games similar to the
one conducted by this theatre . . . This is the
first case of this nature to appear on the
docket and it will serve as a warning to
all
theatre people."
GIVEN GOOD SPACE
Immediately upon the appearance of these
stories in the local newspapers MMPEA Secretary
Ken Beach called upon the editors of
the respective papers to give exhibition an
opportunity to make a statement about bingo
in relation to the motion picture industry.
Both newspapers gave prominent space and
boldface headlines to the MMPEA interview
which is hoped may start the ball rolling in
the direction where bingo will be outlawed
entirely.
Blazoned across the top of the Winnipeg
Tribune this headline greeted readers; "Charity
Racket in Bingo Charged by City Motion
Picture President."
Some bingo games are operating under the
subterfuge of charity, it was charged by B. H.
Sommers. president of the Manitoba Motion
Picture Exhibitors Ass'n, in asking for fair
play in the entertainment business. He was
commenting on the recent warning given by a
magistrate that theatres must not operate
bingo games. The warning followed the conviction
of a theatre operator on a charge of
operating a game.
"Why should the theatre be singled out and
warned against operating bingo when practically
ever hall in the city of Winnipeg is
running it?" Mr. Sommers asked. "In many
cases bingo is being used to raise funds for
bona fide charities. It is common knowledge,
however, that in other cases the word "charity'
is a mere subterfuge.
THREAT TO FAMILIES
"Bingo has reached great proportions in
Winnipeg, and in some cases the manner
and scale of which it is being operated is a
threat to family necessities. The theatre is
harmless in this respect. Where bingo has been
operated in a theatre it has been free and
harmless amusement."
Sommers said in the interview: "Theatres
in Winnipeg alone pay $175,000 each year in
real estate taxes, business taxes and license
fees, and all amusements paid more than
$1,000,000 in amusement taxes to the provmce
of Manitoba. But bingo operators get off
free. How long can other amusements and
entertainments continue against a competitor
such as bingo under conditions where they
must pay real estate taxes, business taxes, 11-
cen.se fees to the city as well as amusement
taxes to the provincial coffers while bingo
operators pay none of the.se?
'If bingo i.s going to be permitted to operate
on the scale it has now reached in Winnipeg,
let's have fair play."
Exhibition here hopes that the attorney general
may take drastic measures against bingo
operations, since it has been learned through
the grapevine that he has asked one service
ciub to restrict its gigantic bmgo games to a
maximum of three a year. Coupled with the
fraudulent outcome of a recent Alberta bingo
payoff and the attitude of the suffering motion
picture industry, exhibition has high
hopes that the tide w^ill turn and bingo will
revert to operations within the strict requirements
of the criminal code.
An aftermath of this exchange of statements
in the newspapers came the very next
day when the Winnipeg Free Pi-e.ss headlined
a story, "You Tell Us. and We'll Get Them,
Replies Taft." and the story reported that
the police chief said he would take action
against noncharitable bingo operators in
Winnipeg if the MMPEA gives him the necessary
information. After referring to the stories
of the previous day, Chief Taffs comments
were: "If Mr. Sommers will cooperate with
the police and provide us with the information
he must have in order to make such a statement
about the existence of noncharitable
bingo of a major nature, we will be pleased
to take action."
Dominion Government
Eyes TV-Radio Control
OTTAWA—The question of non-Canadian
investment in radio and TV has been under
official discussion here as a result of an
application received by the board of governors
of the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.,
which controls the Dominion's air waves, of
an application for transfer of common shares
of the Western Ontaj-io Broadcasting Co.,
Windsor, to the RKO Distributing Corp. of
Canada.
The CBC board recommended government
approval of the transfer of the block of stock
which represents approximately one-third interest
in the Windsor company, which operates
both television and radio stations in the
Ontario city opposite to Detroit, Mich.
David Dunton, chairman of the CBC board,
has announced, however, that it is the hope
and desire of the board to keep "such foreign
control" to an absolute minimum, and suggested
that the government set a limit on
broadcasting investments by non-Canadian
interests.
RKO Distributing Corp. is the Canadian
subsidiary of a V. S. corporation. Also pointed
to was the interest held by Famous Players
Canadian Corp. In TV stations at Kitchener
and Quebec City.
Dunton explained that the CBC board had
asked the government to take steps to control
foreign investment in Canadian TV and radio
outlets so
that a problem would not develop.
BOXOFFICE :
14, 1956 87

. . Broadway
. .
Harold
. . With
: April
Relief in Ticket Taxes
Granted in Manitoba
WINNIPEG—A consistent, vigorous campaign
by the Manitoba Motion Picture Exhibitors
Ass'n has induced Provincial Treasurer
Ron Turner to revise the amusement
tax structure in this province.
Previously as high as 17^4 per cent on
higher priced admissions, the levy has been
cut to a maximum of 10 per cent with a
slightly larger relief on lower priced admissions.
Complete tax exemption now extends to the
admissions up to 30 cents; between 30 and
45 cents a flat reduction of one cent a ticket,
above 45 cents. 10 per cent.
Listed below is a comprehensive analysis of
the present and new tax structure which
goes into effect May 1:
.25
Tax
Scale
The amusement tax committee that
planned strategy and waged the tax revision
fight with the cooperation of all exhibitors
in the province consisted of Harold A. Bishop,
public relations chairman; Secretary B. K.
Beach and President B. H. Sommers. "Although
we appreciate the government's consideration
by granting amusement tax relief,
we are hoping for. and need more, of the
amusement tax weekly remittance," stated
President Sommers. "Nevertheless, this tax
cut would not have been possible without the
unselfish concerted cooperative effort put
forth by the many small-town exhibitors
throughout this province who pitched in to
help the campaign when they were called
upon to do so. I want to take this opportunity
to thank the many persons who made this
FOR SALE S
YES! 10,000 LATE MODEL
USED OR RECONDITIONED
Also new British-Luxury
THEATRE
Spring edge steel
fuJly upholstered b<
Carpeting,
aspholl
Chairj availabi*
CHAIRS
torn seat cushions and
—spring back types olso.
ubber. Vinyl tiles and
WE ARE FACTORY AGENTS-
AT BARGAIN PRICES
photograph*
and full informatu
"LA SALLE
RECREATIONS, Ltd.
Iff
Thtalre Chain. Carptt. Linoltum anit Tilt Oiililon.
945 GRANVILLE ST., VANCOUVER
MARINE 5034-5428
small victory possible."
Winnipeg newspapers pointed out to the
public that "movie prices are likely to stay
as they are."
In reducing the amusement tax, said
Turner, the government had been "anxious
to pay particular attention to the position
of the smaller theatre operators," adding
that "at the same time it has been appreciated
that the operators of larger theatres
are also facing serious difficulty."
In slicing the tax on theatre admissions,
the government is relinquishing $215,000 from
provincial revenues.
"It is unlikely there will be any immediate
reduction in theatre admission prices,"
Bishop said.
In a brief letter to Treasurer Turner, President
Sommers expressed appreciation for
the tax cut on behalf of all the exhibitors in
the province, and left the door slightly ajar
for future increased demands should the
downward trend in theatre receipts continue
as they have in the last few months.
Jacques Sauriol Resigns
From Que. Censor Board
MONTREAL—Jacques Sauriol has resigned
last September.
Referring to his new affiliation, Sauriol
said: "Our first task will be to push the
to pursue economic, political and social activities
in the municipal field."
Sauriol was convicted and fined $500 on a
complaint by Armand Courval, .suspended
morality squad head. The defamatory libel
appeared in the weekly, Nouvelles et Potins
realization of low-price housing plans that
were launched by the previous civic administration
and shelved by the DesMarais-Drapeau-Plante
group. We also will pursue
efforts to raise the morale of the police force
of Montreal which has been seriously affected
by the presence of Pax Plante, imposed as
director of police.
"We also will give particular attention to
taxi drivers who have become the victims
of interests that dominate city hall.
"I have sacrificed my seat with the bureau
of censors so that with complete political independence
I can make sure that a good cause
will triumph. Our movement will be above all
political parties and will appeal to all the
citizens of Montreal."
VANCOUVER
•red Ross is back on Filmrow after being
with Myers Enterprises for the last four
years. He joined International Film Distributors
as booker and office manager, replacing
Jimmy Davie, who now is 16mm manager and
salesman at IPD cashier Dolly
.
Johnstone has been associated with Frank
Gow in a number of theatres in Vancouver
for over 40 years and now is in the boxotfice
of the Broadway Warren. FPC
.
partner in three theatres and a drive-in in the
Alberni area of Vancouver Island, was here
on a booking and buying trip.
.
Warwick Johnson, Orpheum assistant, is
leaving Vancouver for a six-month visit to
Hollywood before returning to his native
Australia. He was with FPC and Odeon here.
He was succeeded at the Orpheum by Ai-t
Lorimer, former manager of the now closed
Kitsilano Theatre the resignation
of Brian Willard, assistant at the FPC Capitol
who is leaving for Kitamat in northern
British Columbia to join a construction company,
fom- changes in assistant managers were
made by the chain. Dennis Killip from the
Strand replaces Willard at the Capitol. Ted
Bielby from International Cinema goes to
Bielby was replaced at the Cinema
the Strand.
by Clarence Palmquist, former doorman
at the Orpheum who started in show business
at Drumheller, Alta.
The Odeon Oak at Burnaby was held up by
a masked bandit who robbed cashier Catherine
Taylor of $176. The holdup occuiTed
from his post as censor with the province of
while the theatre was crowded, and the gunman
escaped. A Vancouver Island TV station
Quebec board of censors. Sauriol. a former
newspaperman and at one time a mayoral
has offered Ivan Ackery, Orpheum manager,
candidate, recently was convicted and fined
the job of publicity manager and director of
for defamatory Ubel in a French-language
the station. Ackery, who is a longtime manager
of western Canada's largest theatre, the
weekly.
Sauriol, commenting, said: "The reason for
3,000-seat Orpheum, has not made his decision
to date. Expectations are that Ack will
my resignation is that I have just accepted a
position with a publishing group which intends
remain with FPC at the Orpheum.
Join Ontario MPTA
TORONTO—Latest to join
the Motion Picture
Theatres Ass'n of Ontario are Aubrey
Winch. Rio. Eganville; R. E. Maynes, Plaza.
Marmora, and Louis Fox. Royal, West Lome.
Ont.
Elaborate plans are being made by Famous
Players for the showing here of "Oklahoma!"
installing a monster screen projecting right to
the proscenium edge on both sides of the
Strand. All seats will be reserved, with two
showings daily. No price scale has been set
The coui-t of appeals has reserved
yet
judgment on an appeal by the owners of the
Star Tlneatre property which was expropriated
by the city for the police building. The city
offered $40,000. The owners asked $75,900,
and an arbitration board awarded them
$52,000.
Party for WOMPI Officers
TORONTO—Jean MacLennan entertained
the executives of the Women of the Motion
Picture Industry club of Toronto in honor
of Anne Kaplan, who is leaving for New York.
Miami Beach and the West Indies. Attending
were Mi's. Willard Kadey. Gladys Rawnsley.
Olive Copleston, Mrs. Kitty Fisher, Audrey
Duke. Florence Long. Ruth Frankson, Lillian
Pooley. Mrs. Olga Roden and May Levandusky.
Reopening at Williamsburg
WILLIAMSBURG, ONT. — The Picadilly
Theatre—now featuring a new Cinemascope
screen and a fresh, new interior—had its
grand reopening here recently.
BOXOFFICE
:
14, 1956

. . , Sam
. . Robert
'
.
Easter Bills Headed
By 'Goes' at Toronto
TORONTO—Eight first run palaces enjoyed
substantial but not sensational patronage
on Easter attractions. The leading
grossers included "Anything Goes" at Shea's,
"I'll Cry Tomorrow" at Loew's and the Uptown
and "The Lieutenant Wore Skii'ts" at
the Odeon.
(Averege Is 100)
Eglinton, University The Greot Waltz (MGM)
Hylond—The Ladykil'lers (JARO)', 2nd wk. '.'.'.'.'.'.) \0
3rd wk 110
Imperial Corousel (20th-Fox),
I'll Loew's, Uptown Cry Tomorrow (MGM),
2nd wk 125
iCol), Nortown Picnic 2nd wk 105
Skirts Odeon The Lieutenant Wore (20th-
Fox), 2nd wk 115
Sheas Anything 130
Goes (Pora), 2nd wk
Towne Geordie iBr), 2nd wk 110
'Outlaw' and 'Picnic' Pace
Vancouver First Runs
VANCOUVER — The holiday weekend
bolstered trade in most spots, but the aftereffects
gave most theatres only an average
week's business. "The Littlest Outlaw," "Picnic"
and "Anything Goes" led the parade.
WINNIPEG
Cam Pearlnian, manager at Columbia, has
been elected president of the Winnipeg
Film Board for the 1956 season. Others
elected: Barry Meyers, RKO. vice-president;
Len Norrie, Empire-Universal, secretary;
Frank Davis, Warner Bros., fire marshal,
and Stewart McQuay, J. Arthur Rank, assistant
fire marshal.
The March Foto-Nite award was won by
Manager C. Bahrynowski, Royal, Port William,
who received a cash prize from Foto-
Nite chief George Oullahan. Bahrynowski arranged
for Fort William Carnival Queen
contestants to appear on his stage week a
before the opening of the carnival. The audience,
by applause, decided the winner of the
Foto-Nite prize for the evening. A photograph
of the girls taken in the Royal lobby
appeared as front page four-column spread
in local newspapers . . . Porrey Plum, of the
Olympia, Assiniboia, who is former Foto-
Nite award winner, received honorable mention
for his tie-in with the spruig oratorical
contests there. Plum arranged with the local
educational authorities to select contestants
to appear on his stage and give a short
speech or recite poetry. He ran the contest
for four weeks—then had the four winners
compete in a special contest on the fifth
week.
Capitol Carousel (20th-Fox), 2nd wk Average
Orpheum Anything Goes (Para) Good
Ploza, Circle and Olympia The Kettles in the
Ozarks (U-l) Fair
Strand The Littlest Excellent
Outlaw (BV)
Studio Richard III (IFD), 3rd wk Average
Vogue Picnic iCol) Very Good
MONTREAL
^
recipient of the main prize, sponsored by 45
H. Theroux. who has been operating the
theatres in greater Winnipeg, was one out of
Asbestos Theatre in conjunction with
Quebec Cinema Booking, has taken the theatre
over on his own. QCB transferred the
lease and all rights in this theatre to him .
Nick Petrovs is a new addition to the UAC
art department . Murphy, manager
Paramount, spent the Easter weekend in
for
Carlyle Allison, editor in chief of the Winnipeg
Tribune, presented Mrs. J. J. Donner
the keys to a new Oldsmobile which she won
with her prize-winning essay on "Marty." The
60 contestants who came through with perfect
scores on the Academy Awards results.
All successful guessers were required to write
an essay of 100 words or less on "Why I
selected the picture of my choice as
the best
picture of the year." The contestants received
passes to various theatres in the city.
On hand to congratulate winners were the
co-chaii-men of the Academy Awards contest;
Harold A. Bishop, Manitoba district
manager for Famous Players, and Harry
Hurwitz, general manager of Odeon Morton
Theatres.
Members of Winnipeg's school safety patrols
were given a special Easter treat one
recent Saturday morning when they were
guests of the Free Press at the opening of
"The Lone Ranger" at the Garrick.
Bingo has been dropped by the few theatres
in greater Winnipeg who were dabbling
in it . . . The latest bulletin issued by Secretary
Ken Beach of the Manitoba Motion
Picture Exhibitors Ass'n contained a detailed
questionnaire on the Academy Award contest,
the latest Canadian Estimates of Entertainment
Films, and a reprint from the
bulletin of the Motion Picture Theatres
Ass'n of Ontario on the theme; "Why have
an exhibitors association?" Manitoba exhibitors,
of course, know full well the answer
to that one, since without the aid of the
MMPEA, the recent tax cut would not have
materialized.
James Edwards, Negro actor, will have a
featured role in Universal's "Battle Hymn."
Toronto and visited the home office . .
Claire Clavet, secretary to Archie Cohen,
Warner Bros, manager, is on sick leave. Jean
Paul Rickner, son of Raoul Rickner of Mount
Royal, owner of the Alouette Theatre at
L'Assomption, recently was married to Renee
Belair. Following the wedding the couple
left by car for Miami, Fla. For some years.
Jean Paul was a shipper at RKO and his
brother Roger is a shipper at Alliance Films
Jacobs, salesman for Allied Artists,
has returned from a sales trip to Shawinigan
Falls and district . . . Eloi Cormier,
salesman for IFD, is doing business in the
Three Rivers district . . . Eddie Grossman,
booker at United Artists, spent the Easter
weekend in New York City.
The prize winners in the Gazette's Oscar
contest were announced Tuesday ilO). The
62 winners were chosen out of 400,000 entries.
Contestants received letters advising them of
their- success. The ballot conditions provided
that in the event of a tie or ties an oral or
written tie-breaker will be submitted to
those
tied, with settlements to be announced later.
Since the event closed March 21, the judges
have been going through the thousands of
entries in an effort to choose winners. The
decision of the judges is considered final.
French Picture Policy
COATICOOK, QUE —Harold Bell, owner of
the Opera House Theatre here, has switched
to a French-language picture policy.
SINGLE CHANNEL MAGNETIC SOUND
Simplex XL-101 is the most modern of single track sound equipment. Its compact
grouping of oil units provides greater operating efficiency. The tight
loop system used in the Magnetic Sound Head has been used and proved by
all major studios — eliminates all gears and belts. The System Selector Box
gives optical sound, single-film mognetic sound, dual film magnetic sound
. . whichever you want, merely by pushing a button! Let our experienced
engineers survey and install your sound system. Services from coast to coast.
GENERAL THEATRE SUPPLYCOMPANY
I
L I M T e o
HEAD OFFICE: 861 BAY ST. TORONTO, ONTARIO
BOXOFFICE
:
: April 14,

. . After
. .
The
. .
|gg_g t^amam^am 1 IHI
. . Most
. . Chief
OTJ AW A
Oandwiched in the engagement at the Odeon
of "The Benny Goodman Story." held for a
second week, a special children's show was
conducted by Manager Jim Chalmers
Saturday morning (7) when every youthful
patron received a free drink, ruler and pencil.
The program consisted of "Spoilers of the
Plains" and "Texans Never Cry" . . . The
Rialto, owned by R. E. Maynard, ran a cartoon
show to end all cartoon shows last Saturday
afternoon when an announced 40 short subjects
were screened throughout the matinee
for a general admission price of 25 cents.
The first drive-in theatre to get under way
in the Ottawa Valley this year was the Auto-
Sky near here, operated by Ben Freedman,
which made its start this week final
.
film performance in the Ottawa Film Society
series started last October will be presented
Sunday afternoon (15) at the FPC Regent,
managed by Bill Cullum. The feature will be
"Hallelujah," produced in the United States
by King Vidor back in 1929.
Two theatres, the Plaza and Oasis, have
been closed at Buckingham, a town of 6,000.
One house, the Buckingham, operated by
P. Matte and C. McLennan, continues .
Pierette Pa

ltlf%
• ALPHABETICAL INDEX
• ADLINES & EXPLOITIPS
• BOXOFFICE BAROMETER
• EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY
• FEATURE RELEASE CHART
• FEATURE REVIEW DIGEST
• REVIEWS OF FEATURES
• SHORTS RELEASE CHART
• SHORT SUBJECT REVIEWS
• SHOWMANOISING IDEAS
THE GUIDE TO$BETTER BOOKING AND B U S I N E S S - B U I L D I N G
hMisB^-i
Impressive floats are being used in behalf of
early openings of
"Alexander the Great." Above,
models in Grecian costumes ride o float at
Los Angeles for the premiere at the Fox Wilshire.
Twin Coast Premieres
Get All-Media Backing
The premieres on both coasts for "Alexander
the Great" were rich in exploitation
and promotion achievement, setting the
stage for lengthy runs in key engagements.
With the home office ad-pubUcityexploitation
forces right at hand, tne opening
at the Capitol in New York set the
stage for the biggest and costliest local
campaign ever marshalled by United Artists.
Here's what the film company claimed
for the event:
Double-truck and other big newspaper
ads totalling 36,000 lines.
Intensive cooperative support from
1,900 retail outlets.
A barrage of 300 radio spots.
A spectacular street bally of elephants,
floats and racing chariots.
A school tie-in designed to alert
more than 1,000,000 students to the
educational aspects of "Alexander the
Great."
Both the Capitol benefit premiere and
the Los Angeles opening at the Fox Wilshire
were telecast "live" and on film over
Steve Allen's Tonight program. Taped re-
- -vcordings were broadcast over a 300-statlon
"^Mutual network and over the 200-station
NBC Monitor hookup.
Among the manufacturers and distributors
who helped place tie-in material in retail
outlets were Dell Publications, Bantam
Books, Shields Jewelrj', Burma-Bibus Ties
and Wat-A-Kote Rainwear.
SCHOOLS, HOCKEY STARS, ELEPHANTS,
GRECIAN MODELS GO ALEXANDER
Wrestlers, Greek warriors, hockey players,
beautiful Grecian models, a street pa-
wire. Two wrestlers from the University
thus one up, and it went out on the AP
rade, elephants, in fact, almost every of Buffalo wrestling team, dressed in Greek
known gimmick in the ballyhooman's bag warrior costumes, staged an exhibition in
Lafayette Square at noon on Saturday
preceding the opening.
It was a field day for co-op ads. with
of tricks was used by Eddie Meade, Ii-vlng
Shiffrin and Bill Shirley to hail the coming
of "Alexander the Great" to Buffalo.
The latter two are on Mori Krushen's
traveling staff of tubthumpers.
It was one of the most extensive campaigns
ever seen locally, being carried
on for a full month in advance and spiced
by the personal appearances of four UA
personalities on tour. The latter were given
the full treatment by newspapers, radio and
television so that by opening time at Shea's
Buffalo at 3 p.m. on Good Fi-iday there
probably wasn't a soul within earshot that
hadn't heard about "Alexander."
To whet the appetite of the youngsters,
Meade, publicist for the Buffalo, went right
into the schools with Pictorial Guides, bulletin
board material and personal letters
to every school principal urging that class
discussions be held.
One of the visiting personalities, David
P^olkes, costume designer for the film, gave
a slide talk at Fosdick Mastern Park Girls
Vocational High School. He also used a
couple of local models to display some
original costumes at Oppenheim-CoUins
fashion show, which was plugged in windows
and newspapers. Early in March
Ramsey Ames went on TV, radio and in
the newspapers via interviews. Barry Jones,
on March 30, 31, starred in a half-hour
TV show staged by the Buffalo Museum of
Science on WBEN-TV. Three full-sized
elephants breezed into town on the 26th,
en route to the New York Capitol Theatre
premiere, and were promptly bannered and
paraded through the downtown streets and
also appeared on WGR-TV when they made
a hurried visit to Helen Neville at the studio
Eight contests on radio, with every station
in town getting into the swing of
things, had the airlanes literally flooded
with "Alexander" talk. Radio and TV columnists
joined all these angles also.
An "Alexander the Great" trophy was
presented to the season's highest scorer on
the Buffalo Hockey team by a brunette
Grecian model between halves at the Men)orial
Auditorium. It netted stories with
full credits in both local papers. Radio
and TV sports commentators also picked
BOXOFHCE Showmondiser :: April 14, 1956 — 101
N. L. Kaplan furrier coming through with
48 inches; Serge hair stylist, who created
an Alexandra coiffure for the occasion, 15
inches: Delgato appliance store, 60 inches:
Cooley Motors, 30 inches, and a dairy company,
co-op, featuring a photo of Richard
Burton.
Both news magazine distributing agencies
had their fleet of trucks, 22 in all,
canT banners and distribute cards to
stores and newsdealers on the Bantam book
and Dell comic book. Rfty taxicabs carried
cards throughout the run, and posters
were used in bus terminals, hotels and
other heavy traffic spots. Features and
art broke roto three times.
Ames visited the Buffalo and Erie County
public library and presented to Joseph B.
Rounds, director, the first Information
Folder on "Alexander." This resulted In
fuU.coperation in the main library and 30
branches throughout the county, using special
displays and bookmarks.
Grecian warriors staged a mock duel in Lafayette
Square in downtown Buffolo to hail the
coming of "Alexander the Great" to Shea's Buffalo.
Grecian beauties, with their new Alexandra
coiffures, lend color to the scene as interested
spectators.
Warriors were Buffalo U. students.

iiH
Monster Film Tarantula Inspires Display Builders
Imaginafion and Work Main Ingredients of
'Masterpieces' Made by Several Showmen
Gene Fowler, manager of the Edna (Tex.) Theatre,
figures 200 hours of labor were spent in
constructing the above display for "Tarantula,"
which had moving legs and blinking eyes.
:w^-^«l«Bs^-
Jack Lightner arranged one of his most ambitious
promotions for "Tarantula" at the
LaPorte Theatre in LaPorte, Ind., which *as
built around his homemade monster, used in the
lobby, out front and on a trailer.
Glen L. Holl of the Hall Theatre at Cassville,
Mo., used hair made from rope strands on a
body of chicken wire to moke his tarantula.
Other materials were hardware cloth, cheesecloth
and black spray with a flasher to make
the eyes "blink." The legs were attached on
hinges so they could swing. In the photo are
Bonnie Dee Ennis ond Dole Osborn, staffers.
This is the story of a display—not an
ordinary display but the one of a lifetime
a crowning effort of showmanly industry
and inventiveness.
Gene Fowler, manager of the Edna Theatre
in Edna, Tex., was looking over a
pressbook on "Tarantula" and noted the
drawings of the woolly monster portrayed
in the film and the suggestions for constructing
a replica. The thought occurred
to him he, too, could build one.
The result, after many hours of labor
200 he figures—surprised even himself.
Based on remarks of townsfolk and the results
at the boxoffice, Fowler judges his
creation is the masterpiece of the hundreds
of displays he has built in the more than
16 years he has been a theatreman.
COST IS ONLY $3.80
"Considering the low cost, $3.80, I sincerely
believe this to be not only my best,
but could be rated among the best anywhere,"
he says.
Fowler relates he started with wire and
made a complete figure, then wanting some
moving parts to attract attention, he put
the two antennas or feelers on hinges, so
that their own weight would drop them
down, and used a motor to lift them. The
tusks were made out of ram horns, with a
spring to push them apart and the same
motor to pull them together, making it
seem like the tarantula was eating. To increase
the effect, he took the hand of a
female manikin and attached it between the
tusks; of course, the hand was spotted with
red paint to simulate blood.
Four of the eight legs were attached to
the motor so that they moved very slowly.
Then he placed two small lights in the
head behind where the eyes were to be.
Next the complete wire frame was covered
with papier-mache, then sprayed flat black.
The legs were six feet, four inches long,
which gave it an over-all spread of a little
over 14 feet.
HAIR FROM BEAUTY SHOPS
All the five beauty shops in town saved
hair for Fowler and his aides. First he tried
men's hair from barber shops but it was too
short, so he tried women's hair and it was
perfect. The complete body was covered
with hair, the tusks were covered with white
chicken feathers, and a top crown for the
head was made out of horse hair. The eyes
were made out of two small, clear, plastic
covers, painted yellow, green and red.
The lobby of the theatre has a 35-foot
ceiling. The tarantula was suspended about
15 feet from the floor with 50-pound-test
fishing line, invisible to onlookers, making
it appear like the monster was suspended
in midair.
A srnall speaker was placed inside the
body playing a tape recording of gruesome
noises. Fowler relates he made a 30-minute
tape in about three days of his children's
English bulldog chewing chicken bones. He
held the mike right at the dog's mouth and
not only received the sound of the dog
crushing bones but also his heavy breath-
ing.
"With this sound coming out of the
tarantula after being amplified several
" Fowler commented.
The tarantula was left in the lobby for
two weeks then moved outside two days
before and during playdate. Long Theatres
thought so much of it that they had it
moved around over the circuit for other
playdates.
A comment from one 9-year-old boy.
"Mr. Fowler, how did you all catch it?"
Jack Lightner, manager of the LaPorte
(Ind.) Theatre, built his monster of chicken
wire, covered with burlap and sprayed with
black paint. He used it in the lobby, out
front and mounted on a jeep-pulled trailer
for street ballyhoo.
A full-fledged promotion was worked
around the huge spider for his double
bill of "Tarantula" and "Running Wild."
Included were stickers on jukeboxes in res- ^^
taurants, taverns and soda shops; teaser
ads well in advance, lobby hangers cut out
from one-.sheets and mounted and hung on
rubber bands so they would move with the
slightest movement of the air, and A-board
mounted on a 1956 Buick, windows in music
and other stores four weeks in advance
cards on all city busses, and radio spots.
Buffalo Steak Dinner
Is Promoted for 'Hunt'
For "The Last Hunt," E. J. Clumb, managing
director of the Riverside Theatre,
and Lou Orlove, MGM publicist, whooped
up a buffalo steak dinner at Mader's restaurant
for the press. So pleased was
George Mader, proprietor, that he. too, got
into many of the festivities, which included
a real powwow engaged in by a half dozen
"redskins" and a few pretty maidens in full
regalia. Mader provided his staff with all
the finery in token of the stunt. It made
all the papers.
After the dirmer, the group was transported
to the Riverside for a preview of
the film.
Picnic in Lobby
When "Picnic" bowed in at the Embassy
in Reading, Pa., manager Gene Plank threw
a picnic in the lobby, using food and paper
goods promoted from a local food store, a
bakery and a soft drink bottler. The public
was invited to drop in for a picnic snack.
— 102 BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :
: April 14, 1956

Treasure Chest Ballyhoo
Pays on 'Pancho Villa'
A small steamer trunk, which Manager
Lew Bray jr. of the Queen Theatre. Mc-
AUen, Tex., borrowed from a friend, served
THERE'S MONEY IN THIS LIST OF IDEAS
Showmen at Luncheon Report on Profit Makers
Manager Lew Bray jr. of the Queen Theatre,
McAllen, Tex., is shown standing beside the
"treasure chest" used to promote "Treasure of
Pancho Villa "
as the promotional angle for "Treasure of
Pancho Villa" when it played the Queen.
The trunk was bannered with copy reading:
"The chest that held the 'Treasure of
Pancho Villa,' etc." Dates on the ti-unk
were wrong and Bray offered passes to people
who called his attention to that fact.
•
More than a dozen people noticed the error,
) which Bray said drew more attention than
if the dates had been right.
The "treasure chest" was displayed for
two days behind the boxoffice in the foyer,
then in front of the boxoffice for five days
in advance.
On the playdates, the "treasure chest"
was placed at the side against the building
and next to one of two three-sheets on the
picture. The second three-sheet was hooked
to a 40x60 on the opposite side of the front.
Results on the picture, Bray said, were
excellent. McAllen has a population of
about 25,000 and the Queen is a 650-seat
sub run, competing with an "A" house in
the next block, two Mexican houses on
another street and one drive-in on each of
three sides of town.
Fun Festival for Kids
Is Offered by 20th-Fox
A Cinemascope "Fun Festival for Small
Fi-y" idea has been produced in the 20th-
Fox offices in Chicago to promote attendance
by youngsters at theatres. The program
comprises eight units, each consisting
of a top feature selected because of its
high rating, plus five cartoons with educational
value. Films highlighting the package
—^are The Robe, King of the Khyber Rifles.
*^Prince Valiant, Broken Lance, Twelve-Mile
Reef, Hell and High Water, Demetrius and
the Gladiators and White Feather. Slogans
slanted toward promoting the shows included:
"Educate the kids to go to the
show! They'll keep the habit as adults, you
know."
Exhibitors at a recent luncheon meetins:
sponsored by the Mi.s.souri-IUinois Theatre
Owners Ass'n at Louisiana, Mo., exchanged
promotions which they have found profitable.
Among showmen on the panel were
Dave Jones, Springfield, 111., Kerasotes
Theatres; Paul Krueger and lister Ki-opp,
Wehrenberg Theatres, St. Louis; Pete
Gloriod, Rodgers Theatres, Poplar Bluff,
Mo.; Pete Medley, McCutcheon Theatres.
Sikeston, Mo.; Nick Karakas, Roxy and
Ivanhoe, St. Louis; Caesar Berutt, Rolla,
Mo., and James Napote, Fi-isina circuit,
Springfield,
HI.
BOTTLE CAP AUCTIONS
Jones recommended the kiddy show bottle
cap auctions sponsored by local dairies.
Tops from milk bottles and other dairy
products are used by the attending youngsters
to bid at the auctions for attractive
prizes. This plan works well for the dairy
people. In fact, he said in one town the
owners of a competing dairy insisted that
the theatre give them the opportunity of
a similar kiddy show deal.
Other money ideas:
Arrange with the Humane Society on a
dog for adoption in connection with a picture
that stars a dog.
Invite members of the Boy Scouts, Girl
Scouts and Little Baseball Leagues and the
like to the theatre when they have won
honors for outstanding work in their own
organizations.
Stage a Hollywood premiere to give the
young folk an opportunity to dress up like
the big picture stars and appear at their
favorite theatre.
Juries to pass on the merits of a forthcoming
picture. This is a teaser plan carried
through several days or so. The finale
finds the jurors selected and their personal
views about the picture are then presented
to the public.
Art Movie nights go over in some towns.
Jones recommended telling in ads in 15
words just what the picture is all about,
since most persons cannot tell from the
A morning preview for stenographers.
The girls are served hot coffee and doughnuts.
Of course, they like to talk about the
picture they previewed with everyone who
comes into the office for several days. A
somewhat different but an effective slant
title.
Charley Beninati of Carlyle, HI., recommended
bathing beauty contests, a jute box
in front of the theatre to plug musical pictures,
have a girl sell a dollar for 73 cents
or so (usually Is good for a front page
newspaper story), a girl
sleeping on a bed
in a prominent store window, lobby displays
of merchandise of local merchants
BOXOFFICE Showmandiser : : April 14, 1956 103 —
and free movie nights spon.sored by merchants.
The Wehrenberg theatres In St. Louis
send out baby passes to all new mothers In
St. Louis and St. Louis County Inviting
them to attend the show at the first opportunity.
This is a great goodwill builder
for drive-ins, Krueger said.
Rodgers Theatres of Cairo, 111., sends out
baby books to all new mothers in a tieup
with six local concerns. Including a dairy
and a bank. These books cost 50 cents each
and are considered well worth while.
Gloriod has found the Man on the Street
radio stunt is always a success. The circuit
sells tickets to art shows in blocks of eight,
but plans to hmlt the blocks to four since
a person has less chance of missing a show.
A drive-in calendar idea from Brown
Bigelow calls for the theatre managers or
assistants to ring door bells to pass out
the calendars, which cost 23 cents each.
The free ticket offer is placed in the middle
of a grocery ad but the customer must
purchase certain Items from the grocer to
get the pass. Gloriod found that 73 per cent
of the tickets put out are redeemed.
Gloriod recommended the birthday card
idea if it is sent to the child by name, not
just care of the parents.
3,700 AT KIDDY SHOW
A plan for special shows for school children
for certain pictures works well. Under
this arrangement the teachers pick out the
children who can't afford to come, so they
come as guests of the theatre. He said that
3,700 kiddies came to see "Living Desert"
in two days.
Medley told how he used 12 merchants In
a cooperative plan. Each merchant pays
$10 and gets a supply of tickets to pass out
to customers. The merchants give one
ticket for each $1 of merchandise sold to
a customer but there is a limit of 15 tickets
to one person.
Berutt, the Rolla, Mo., exhibitor, told of
.some interesting experiences with newspapers.
In one Instance a newspaper was
given theatre tickets to pass out to readers
who found errors in the paper. The re-
w^as only 30 pa.sses were used, not too
is amateur reviews of a motion picture sult
with prizes for the best presented review. great a cost for the newspaper space obtained.
The
newspapers in Rolla pay ten
ART MOVIE NIGHTS
cents for theatre tickets they pass out when
subscriptions are renewed. By using a pass
coupon in five weekly papers with a total
circulation of some 5.000 he found that
only 36 were used in a week, so he found
the papers apparently didn't have too much
boxoffice pull and reduced his advertising
budget accordingly.
Anniversary pa.sses are popular. He said
that from 50 to 100 such passes are used
every night there Is a program change
but each was accompanied by a paid patron.
He has found baseball parties for
the Little Baseball League very effective.

Kelly Films Capitalizing on Wedding Fanfare
THfAFPAlR"of§6/
Many Media Make City
Conscious of 'Picnic'
A full-page illustrated feature in the
Providence Sunday Journal was one of several
achievements registered in behalf of
"Picnic" by Manager William J. Trambukis
of Loew's State in Providence. The page
UlJl
led off the amusement section. The following
Sunday, which fell about a week before
the film opened, the Journal followed up
with a two-column art piece. The Pawtucket
Times used a three-column art story
the day before the opening. Brown University's
campus paper sponsored a "Picnic"
crossword puzzle, with the first 25
winning entries awarded guest tickets to the
theatre.
Two models for the Town Chef, a wellknown
luncheonette distributed 2,500 sandwiches
in transparent imprinted bags
around the city. All downtown soda fountains
hung up overhead signs stressing their
businessmen's luncheons and plugging the
film. Men's clothing and haberdashery
stores, along with dress shops, beauty salons
and other merchants, were serviced with
22x28 cards making use of tie-in stills and
copy.
Colonial Motors had three 1956 bannered
Oldsmobiles touring the city three days in
advance, and the Silverstein News Agency
bannered six trucks plugging the Bantam
book and the film starting ten days in advance
and current. This agency also placed
50, 11x14 cards and a like number of 22x28
sheets in all retail stores and newsstands
serviced throughout the area.
In addition, 2,500 bookmarks were distributed
among the eight main Providence
public library branches.
Drive-In Ideas Given
Pilmack Ti-ailer Co. is distributing its
1956 catalog on trailer ideas for drive-ins.
Free copies can be obtained by writing to
the company.
Tomorrow I
Showmen are putting in
some of Grace Kelly's recent
pictures to profit
from the tremendous
news coverage being
given her wedding,
hierewith is an example
of the advertising, a
layout by Dale Thornhill
of Centralia, III.,
which was picked up and
sent out over the Fox
Midwest circuit.
Others
of her pictures are
"Mogambo," "Green
Fire," "Dial M for Murder"
and "Country
Girl."
Youths Crowd Theatre
For Midnight Chiller
A crowd of teenagers, and some adults,
estimated at 2,500, milled around in front
of the Olympia Theatre in Miami as the
result of newspaper ads publicizing a Saturday
midnight spook show. At times the
crowd brought traffic to a halt. The shouting
was deafening and a police officer tried
to tone down the noise the young people
were making, but with little success. No
untoward incident occurred.
The advertisements were decorated with
horror drawings and promised "hideous
apparitions" would roam the theatre.
There was one stage performance only of
the horror show and tickets were sold at
the boxoffice in advance. Such phrases as
"He brings back the dead . . . Beauties at
mercy of Inhuman monsters" were
sprinkled through the ad. Girls were
"dared" to sit through the show and to
"bring your boyfriend and learn if he's a
man or a mouse." Girls with "nerve to sit
through it all" were given bracelets.
In addition to the stage show, "Son of
Dracula" was shown on screen.
Gambling Paraphernalia
Cues 'Phenix' Window
A variety of gambling items made up an
appealing window arrangement for "The
Phenix City Story" in a well-known restaurant
in Chatham, England. Manager
G. C. Williams of the Regent had playing
cards, an assortment of dice and similar
gimmicks strewn across a wooden baseboard,
with colorful tieup card at either end. Copy
on each card said: "Here they are as used
in harmless games. In Phenix City they
meant corruption—sin—death. See the
shocking story of Phenix City at the Regent,
etc."
Another "shocker" used was a sandwich
board man parading aroimd town with the
following copy: "See Phenix City. Shocking,
yes. But it had to be made."
^HE baseball season is upon us, and that
means competition from night gam:s,
either "live" or on television in many areas
of the country. It's just one of those things
that means the theatre operator must make
his movie house that much more attractive
to the public. In addition to keeping the
theatre a pleasant place to spend an evening,
the smart showman will turn up the
volume on excitement, enthusiasm and publicity,
capitalizing on that big, big screen
wherever possible.
There'll also be competition from
night trotting in some localities. Here,
however, you can very often put the
popularity of the harness races to work
for you as an adjunct to your exploitation
campaigns on film product. The
management at most race tracks is
happy to work out cooperative stunts
which can benefit both parties. A special
i>ace or trot named for one of your
upcoming attractions is sure to get good
publicity, and gimmicks involving admissions
to either movie house or race
track can be worked out.
*
You've probably used the postcard contest
at some time or other, or at least read
about 'em. You know, the stunt where contestants
must write the name of a movie
as often as possible on the card. Well, for
"Picnic, " Bob Turner of the Paramount in ^y
Seattle and Kenny Hughes of the Oi-pheum
in Portland, Ore., received cards with 6,000
"Picnics" on them. Can anybody top that?
*
We like the move inaugurated by
20th-Fox in the company's pressbook
starting with the campaign manual on
"Hilda Crane" in April. Each book will
contain capsule descriptions of the picture,
so that theatre cashiers and other
personnel answering phone calls or personal
queries at the boxoffice can talk
about the coming attraction intelligently.
These little summaries can be
clipped easily and kept "at the ready"
by managers, cashiers and doormen.
*
Wometco Theatres down Florida way are
using a good gimmick to dress up display
frames, and it can be put to good use in
your situation if you have a silk screen
specialist in town. Wometco has such a
man in its own art department: James
Loomis. Jim created an assortment of
decals featuring top cartoon characters,
with space left for copy in "balloons." The
decals, in full color, ranges from 6 to 11
inches high. The "balloons" are interchangeable,
and include such remarks as
"Phooey on the feature—everybody comes
to see me," "I'm Here, Too!" and "Bet you
know who the star of this program is."
These decals not only dress up the display
frames, they also act as "clinchers" in getting
in the customer who spots his favorite
cartoon, be it
Bugs, Magoo or Woody.
—LARRY GOODMAN
pj.
— 104 — BOXOFFICE Showmandiser : : April 14, 1956

'
SHOWMANDISER INDEX:
FEATURE AND SHORT SUBJECT DfflECTORY
Jan. 1 ^
56
itln(r\
n, .m
^ AFRICAN LION, THE 2, IS
AIDA 92
ALEXANDER THE GREAT
10, -16, •41,64
ALL THAT HEAVEN ALLOWS .. 31, 43
ARTISTS AND MODELS 5, 42
BENNY GOODMAN STORY,
THE
*4, 30, '42,32,82
BIRDS AND THE BEES, THE *8S
BOTTOM OF THE BOTTLE, THE 75
CAROUSEL
'2,57
COCKLESHELL HEROES 77
COME NEXT SPRING 55, 83,91
CONQUEROR, THE 65,70
COURT-MARTIAL OF BILLY
MITCHELL, THE... 4, 19,46,75,90
DEEP BLUE SEA, THE 22
DIABOLIQUE 52
DIANE 64
ACADEMY AWARDS
Contests 74, 87
ADULTS ONLY POLICY 91
ADVANCE SCREENINGS 33
ADVERTISING
Clossified 5
Cooperative 27
New Layouts 83
ART EXHIBITS 43
ART THEATRE OPERATION 61
AUDIENCE AWARDS POLL
Prize-winning Campaigns 8
BALLYHOOS
Boxers 35
Gambling Stomp 63
Goot 19
Indian Head Penny 33
Infrored Photos 52
Street Donee 91
BENEFIT SHOWS 24
BIRTHDAY PARTIES
Children 59
Residents 51
12th Birthday Party 38
BOXOFFICE HONOR ROLL. . 25, 52, 75
CHRISTMAS
Gift Books 16
FOREVER DARLING.
(Asterisk * dorwtes notlonol ticup)
38,45, -67 KISMET
GIRL IN THE RED VELVET
SWING, THE 40
GIRL RUSH, THE 2
GLORY 26,31,39,81
GOOD MORNING, MISS DOVE 5, 48, 84
GUYS AND DOLLS
13, 19, 31, 43, 63, 79, 87
I'LL CRY TOMORROW
* 1 7, 83
INDIAN FIGHTER, THE 19,33
INSIDE DETROIT 27, 35
INTERRUPTED MELODY 33
INVASION OF THE BODY
SNATCHERS 70
LADY GODIVA J
LAST FRONTIER, 62
THE
LAST HUNT, THE 60
LITTLEST OUTLAW, THE 38
THING
MAN IN THE GRAY FLANNEL
SUIT, THE -35, 58, '66
MAN WHO LOVED REDHEADS,
THE 18
MAN WHO NEVER WAS, THE.... 90
MAN WITH THE GOLDEN ARM,
THE 51,87
MEET ME IN LAS VEGAS *79
NAKED SEA, THE
NAT 'KING' COLE MUSICAL
STORY, THE (Short Subject).
GENERAL EXPLOITATION DIRECTORY
Poultry Giveaways 12
Reindeer in Visits 5
CHURCH COOPERATION 17
CONTESTS
Beauty 32,60,84
City Names in Titles 27
Find the Money 26
Greatest Movie 24
Jingle 82
Letter Writing 3, 18, 26
Models 26
Moviegoer of Month 73
Pony 42
Rug Cleaner 60
COOKING SCHOOLS 64
DRIVE-IN REOPENING 56
DRIVE-IN SWAP SESSIONS 89
FRIDAY THE 13TH
33
Photograph 27
Poultry 12
Selection of 40
Shillelagh 68
GUEST BOOKS 41
IDEA FILE
Birthday
Club.
Crozy Night Pr
Index of Patron Interest 93
Movie-of-Month Club 93
Selling Tickets to Dentists 93
Tope Recorder 93
Using Wont Ad Pages 93
Wallpaper as Herald 93
ITALIAN PROMOTIONS 34
MERCHANT COOPERATION

BOXOFFICE BAROMETER
This chart records the performance of current attractions in the opening week of their first runs in
the 20 key cities checked. Pictures with fewer than five engagements are not listed. As new runs
are reported, ratings are added ond averages revised. Computation is in terms of percentage in
relation to normal grosses as determined by the theatre managers. With 100 per cent as "normal,"
the figures show the gross rating above or below that mork.
2 i i i i i i i i i i i 1 I i i
i
i
^ 3
120 115 150 100 150 120 175 200 200
Apache Woman (ARC) 100 90 100 100 96 ;>
Backlash (U-I)
Battle Stations (Col) 100 200 128
1 Beast With 1,000,000 Eyes, The (ARC)

:
Shack
1
©King's
I
©It's
I
Tender
.
D
OFFICE Blue Ribbon Awon
story type: (C) Comedy; (D)
(Complete key on next po
s Supcrscopc. Symbol
U
Bl
Feature chart
ALLIED ARTISTS I
COLUMBIA
M-G-M
PARAMOUNT
RKO RADIO
(14] Phcnix City Story, Ttie
©Bring Your Smile Along
(100) D..5525 (S3)
M..803
Itlchard Kllcy, Kutliryn Grant, Frankle Lalne. Kccte Brasselle
John Mclntlre
©Man From Laramie, The
(104) © W..801
mcs Stewart, Cathy O'Donnell
Thief, The
[Jjl Benoazi (78) S) Ad..51<
Itkhitrd Cnnle. Carlson
(103) (V) CD.. 5414
Uk'hard
Victor MeUglen
Bugait, Joan Bennett,
iirophrey
©You're Never Too Young
(102) ® C..5415
Martin & Lewis. Lynn
Diana
9J Return of Jack Slade, The
(79) ® W..5528
John Ericson. Marl Blanchard
gS Bobby Ware Is Missing
(66) 0..5532
Neville Brand. Jean Wllles
Apache Ambush (67) W. .804
1 WlUIams. Richard Jaeckel
©Footsteps ill the Fog (90). 0.. 802
Stewart Granger. Jean Simmons
O Gun That Won the West
(71) W..809
Dennis Morgan. Paula Itaymond
Night Holds Terror (86)
. . . . D. .807
Jack Kelly. HUdy Parks
Special Delivery (86) C..806
©Count Three and Pray
(102) © 0D..S11
V.m Heflln, Joanne Woodward
Devil Goddess (70) Ad. .805
Johnny Wclssmuller. Angela Stevens
Duel on the Mississippi (72). D. 808
Lex Backer. Patricia Medina
U©My Sister Eileen
(102) © MC..810
Janet Leigh. J. Lcmmon. B. Garrett
Always Fair Weather
(102) © M..601
Cone Kelly. Dan Dallcy.
Cyd Cliarls.sc
IB Trial (109) D..604
Glenn Ford. Dorothy .McGulre,
Arthur Kennedy
HH ©Quentin Durward
(101) © Ad.. 607
Robert Taj'lor. Kay Kendall,
Robert Morley
as ©Tennessee's Partner
(87) ® W..(
John Payne, lUionda Fleming,
llonald Reagan
©Treasure
1 of Pancho Villa
(96) m 0D..6(
llury Callioun, Gilbert Roland,
Shelley Winters
Trap, The
(111) © C..608
Debbie Reynolds, Frank Sinatra,
Celeste Holm, Darid Wayne
Desperate Hours, The
(112) ® D..5509
Humphrey Bogart, Fredrlc March
m ©Paris Follies of 1956
(73) M..5534
Forrest Tucker, Whiting Sisters
Out on 101 (80) . . D. .5535
Terry lloore, Frank Lovejoy,
Keenan Wynn
m ©At Gunpoint (80) ©, ,W. .5531
Fred MacMurray. Dorothy Malone,
Walter
Brennan
Invasion of the Body Snalchers
(80) ® SF..56
Kevin McCarthy, Dana Wynter,
King Donovan
Three Stripes in the Sun
(93) CD.. 820
Aldo Hay. Mltsuko Klmura,
Phil Carey
SiUst Frontier, Tile (98) ©.W. .812
Victor Mature. Anne Bancroft,
Guy Madison
Battle Stations (81) D..82S
J. Lund. Wm. BondLt, K. Brasselle
Fury at Gunsioht Pass (68). W.. 817
David Brian, NevUle Brand
Houston Story, The (79) .... D .. 821
Lee J. Cobb, B. Hale, Edw. Arnold
Joe Macbeth (90) D..B22
Paul Douglas. Butb Romas
©Picnic (115) © D..826
Wm. Holdeo, B. Russell. K. Novak
U©Guys and Dolls (149) ©. M. .614
Marlon Brando. Jean Simmons.
Frank Sinatra. Vivian Blaine
a ©Kismet (113) © M..613
H. Keel, Ann Blyth. Vic Damone
S©lt's a Dog's Life
(88) © CD.. 603
(Reviewed as "TTie Bar
Sinister" 8-27-55)
Edmund Gwenn. Jarroa Lewis
® ©Diane (UO) © D..616
Lana Turner. Pedro Armendarl2.
Marlsa
Pavan
m Ransom! (104) D..617
Glenn Ford. Donna Keed,
Leslie
Nielsen
S ©Last Hunt. The
(108) © 0D..621
Robert Taylor. Stewart Granger.
Debra Paget
©Meet
1
Me in Las Vegas
(112) © M..622
Dan Dalley, Cyd Charlsse,
Paul Henreld
©Artists and Models
(109) ® MC..5510
Martin & Lewis, Dorothy Malone
©Trouble With Harry, The
(100) ® CD..55C
Edmund Gwenn. John Forsythc.
Shirley
MacLalne
Anna Magnani. Burt
at] ©Glory (100) ® D..605
Margaret O'Brien, John Lupton.
Waller Brennan, Charlotte (Jreeowood
jj Postmark for Danger (77) . . .606
Terry Moore, Robert Beatty
I Cash on Delivery (82)
. . . .C. .607
Shelley Winters, John Gregson
[©Slightly Scarlet (99) ®.0..6(
Rhonda Fleming, John Payne.
Arlcne Dahl
H ©Conqueror, The (Ul) ©.D. .610
John Wayne. Susan Hayward
Pedro
Armendarli
m ©World Without End
(80) © SF..5607
Hugh Marlowe, Nancy Gates
[U Thunderstorm (81) D..5S04
Linda Christian, Carlos Thompson,
Cliarles Korvln
a Mother-Sir! (83) D..5611
Joan Bennett, Gary Merrill.
Shirley
Yamaguchl
m Crime in the StreeU (91) . Cr . . Jun
John CT-«avetes, James Whitmorc
JU ©Naked Hills. The. .. .00. .Jun
David Wayne, Keenan Wynn
13 King of the Coral Seas D. .Jun
Chips Rafterty, Rod Taylor
a ©First Texan, The © W. .Jul
Joel McCrea, Felicia F,vr
El ©No Place to Hide (72).. D.. Jul
David Brian. Marsha Hunt
m Hold Back the Night 0. .Jul
John Payne. Mona Freeman
gl Magnificent Roughnecks. . .CD. .Jul
Jack Car.son. Mickey Rooncy
[D ©Canyon River © W. .Aug
George MontgomCTv. Peter Graves
51 Three for Jamie Dawn .... D .. Aug
Laralne Day. Rlcardo Montalban
Blackjack Ketchum. Desperado
(76) W..831
Howard Duff. Maggie Mahoney
Harder They Fall. The (109). D.. 827
Humphrey Bogart. Rod Stelger,
Jan Sterling
Over-Exposed (80) D..835
Cleo Moore. lUcbard Crenna
Rock Around the Clock (77). M.. 838
J ohnny Johnston. Bill Haley
©Cockleshell Heroes © 0..813
Jose Ferrer. Trevor Howard
©Jubal (101) © W..
Glenn Ford, Ernest Borgnlne,
Rod Steiger, Felicia Farr
Storm Center (. .) D.
Bette I).Kls, Kim Hunter.
Brim Keith
©Safari © Ad.. Jun
Victor Mature, Janet Lelgb
©Storm Over the Nile ©...D..Jun
Anthony Steel, Laurence Harvey
©Eddy Duchin Story, The ©.D..Jul
Tyrone Power. Kim Novak
Solid Gold Cadillac C.
Judy UolHday, Paul Douglas
1984 D .
Edmond O'Brien, Michael Redgrave
Gamma People D..
Paul Douglas, Patricia Medina
©Port Afrique D.
Pier Angell, P. Carey, D. Price
©Zarak Khan (©
D..
Victor Mature, .\nUa Ekberj
Autumn Leaves D..
John Crawford. Cliff Bobertiion
i ©Forbidden Planet
(106) © SF..625
Walter PIdgeon, Anne Francis,
Leslie Nielsen
I ©Tribute to a Bad Man
(95) © M.
James Cagney, Irene Papas
I'll Cry Tomorrow D..
(Special release)
Susan Hayward. Eddie Albert
Catered Affair, The CD
B. Davis. D. RejTiolds. B. Borgnlne
©Bhowani Junction © Ad..
Ava Gardner. Stewart Granger
©Living Idol, The © D.
Steve Forrest, L. Montevcccbl
©Lust for Life © D.
Kirk Douglas, A. Qulnn. P. Brown
©High Society © M.
B. Crosby, 0. Kelly. Sinatra
F.
©Invitation to the Dance M
Fastest Gun Alive W. .
Glenn Ford. Jcinne Oaln
©Opposite Sex, The © M .
June Allyson, Joan Collins
©Anything Goes (108) ®..M..5513
Blilg Crosby. Donald O'Connor.
Mltzl Gajiior, Jeanmaire
Scarlet Hour, The (95) ®. .D. .5514
(^rol Ohinart. Tom Tryon,
Elaine Strltch, Jody
©Birds and the Bees
(94) ® C..5515
George Gobel, Mltzl Ga>Tior,
David Nlven, Reginald Gardner
Leather Saint ® W.
John Derek, Jody Lawrance
©Man Who Knew Too Much ® . D
James Stewart. Doris Day
©That Certain Feeling ® C.
Bob Hope. Eva Marie Saint
©Pardners ®
Dean Martin. Jerry Lewis
©Mountain, The ®
Spencer Tracy. Claire Trevor
©Proud and Profane, The ®..
Deborah Kerr, William Hold-
©Vaoabond King, The ®
KalMryn Grayson, Oreste
©Ten Commandments. The ®..
C. Heston. Y. De Carlo. A B:
©Maverick, The ®
Charlton Heston. Anne Bailer
in Way Out, The (90) D..

FEATURE
REPUBLIC
CHART
1 a
The Kay to letters and earabinotions thereof indicating stery type: (Ad) Adventure-Drama; (Ac) Action-
Drama; (An) Animated-Action; (C) Comedy; (CO) Comedy-Drome; (Cr) Crime-Drama; (DM) Drama
Music; (Doc) Documentary; (D) Drama; (F) Fontosy; (FC) Force-Comedy; (Ho) Horror-Dromo; (Hi)
Historicoi-Droma (M) Musical; (My) Mystery; (OD) Outdoor-Dromo; (SF) Science-Fiction; (W) Western.

Lyes
SF.
.
.
Doc.
.
. , D
.
. Sep
. Mar
May
. Feb
"
764
I by
, , ,Sc|i
, . , Nov
Sep
M.lr
FEATURE CHART
^HORTS CHART
INDEPENDENT
vn^
AMERICAN RELEASING
OSimba-Terror the Mau Mau
OAMclio Wom.iM iS3) W.. Sep 55 (99) D. Sep 55
l.M, ; r, , . , Tuylor
nirk UuiMrile, VIrelnIa McKennii
Be.ii .1 i
(78) . .Oct 55
LOUIS d«ROCHEMONT
OiT.jti :i V.,,,,, ,../'*"; Doc. Oct 55
.Vrni' Siick.silorff, Anders Norburit
D.V) i'he"wo'il'ii Elided C80) ®..SF..Dk55 Helen Keller in Her Story (formerly
Kii'li.iiil IVniiini!, Lort Nelson
"The Unconquered") (55) . Apr 56
Phiintom From 10,000 Leagues
Nariatetl by KatbcrUu' Curne.l
(80) SF..0tc55
Kent I'.iylnr, Cathy Donn.s
MAGNA
Oklahoma! (150) T-AO DM. Oct 55
ARLAN
llordoii Macllae, Slilrley Jones
Li»iiio North, The (74) Doc
.
Filmed lii L:iplajid: natl\e cut
. Dec 55
.1 imi'S t'raii;. .Margla Dean
T»oGun UHy (76) W.. Dee 55
I'l'tsic CJLslle, Wllllani Talman
Wild Dakotas (73) W.. Feb 56
llill Wniams, Coleen Gray. Jim Dails
Blonde Bait (71) D.. Apr 56
Hcverly Michaels. Jim Davis
Three Outlaws, The (..) W.. May 56
Ni-illle Br.ind, Bruce Bennett
ASTOR
liisrid Bergm-ui, Mathias Wleman
BANNER
OWctbacl(s (86) AC .
Lloyd Bridges, Nancy Gates
©Davy Crockett and the River
Pirates (..) Ad. Jul 56
Fess Parker, Buddy Ebsen
CONTINENTAL
Hill 24 Doesn't Answer (100) D. .Nov 55
.Michael Wager. Haya Uararlt
(Knglish dialog)
CARROLL
Princess Cinderella (72) F..
Sih.iiia Jachino, Roberto VUla
(D'llihed in ESiglish)
Camera (95) C.
Han
GIBRALTAR
GFury in Paradise (77) D..
I'fter Thompson, Rea Iturblde
Silent Fear (66) 0..
.\ii.l:t'a King. Peter Adams
Great Adventure. The (72) Doc .
TRANS-LUX
Lovers and Lollii
l.orl March. G
VISUAL DRAMA
BUENA VISTA
UQAfrican Lion, The (73) . . . . Doc, Oct 55
QLittlest Outlaw, The (75) D . . Feb 56
IV'dro Armendariz, .\ndres Velasquez REISSUES
©Great Locomotive Chase © D..Jun56
Kcss Parker, Jeff Hunter
BUENA VISTA
HOFFBERG
Vengeance of the Black Eagle,
The (..) Ad..
Rossano Brazzi. Gianna Maria Canale
(Filmed in Mexico; English dialog)
HOWCO
Lum and Abner Abroad (72) C. Feb 56
Lum and Abner, Jill Alls
©M'naija (..) Ad. May 56
Sabu
IFE
Lease of Life (93) D . Jan .
56
Robert Donat, Kay Walsh
(Enclish dialog)
©Lost Continent (95) © Doc.. Feb 56
Travelog of Indonesian Islands
(English
LIPPERT
narration)
Lonesome Trail. The (73) W. Jul 55
Wayiie Morris. John Agar
©Fantasia (81)
(Superscope added, with 4-
stercophonic sound.)
©Song of the South (95)
.
KuUi Warrick. Bobby Drlscol
COLUMBIA
Walk a Crooked Mile (91). .
l.ouis ll.iyvvard. Dennis O'l
HOWCO
©Outlaw Women (80)
.Marie Windsor, liichard U
(Slates Rielits)
55
•
Windsor, f. Malhetts
Waoes of Fear (106) D
.
. Feb 56
^Ms Miiitand. Charles Vanel
Green Dolphin Street (141) D . Oct 55
.
Please Murder Me (76) D.. Mar 56
Lima Tumor, Van Hetlin. Donna Reed
.\n.;> 1.1 Liiiisbury. Raymond Burr
Philadelphia Story (112) CD. Oct 55
Jedda the Uncivilized (..) D.. Mar 56 tary Grant. Katharine Hepburn
N ir;a Kunoih. Robert Tuda Wall
Guy Named Joe, A (120) .. Nov 55
Frisky (98) CD.. Apr 56 Spencer Tracy. Irene Dunne, Van Johnson
Gina Lollobrlgida. Vlttorio De Sica
Woman of Rome, The ( . ) D 30 Seconds Over Tokyo (138) .... D .. Nov 55
. . . May 56 Spencer Tracy. Van Johnson, P. Tlia.\tcr
Gina Lollobrigida, Daniel Gclln
©Billy the Kid (95) W.. Dec 55
Robert Taylor. Brian Donlevy
EDEN
Honky Tonk (105) D .
. Dec 55
One Way Ticket to Hell (65) .... D .. Feb 56
"
Clark Gable, Lana Turner. C-
Stratton Story, The (106) ..D.. Feb 56
James Sleuart, June Allyson
©Three Musketeers (126))
. . D . . Feb 56
Lana Turner, Gene Kelly, Vii 1 Heflin
©Northwest Passage (126) . . .
. 56
FILMAKERS
Spencer Tracy, Robert Yi Rulh Hii.sey
r56
Mad at the World (72) D.. Jul 55
Frank Lovejoy, C!athy O'DonneU
FINE ARTS
PARAMOUNT
Strangers (SO) D-- ©Shepherd of the Hills (98) . . D. .Oct 55
In^irid Bergman, George Sanders
John Wayne. Betty Field. Harry Carey
©Trail of the Lonesome Pine (99). D. Oct 55
Henry Fonda. Fred MacMurray
©Unconquered (146) D
. Oct 55
.
Gary Cooper. Pauietle Goddard
©White Christmas (120) M . Oct 55
.
Bine Crosby. Danny Kaye. Rosemary Clooney
©Streets of Uredo (92) W. 56
.
William Ilolden. Macdonnld Carey
Two Years Before the Mast (98) D . . . . May 56
Alan Ladd. Brian Donlevy, William Bcndix
©Whispering Smith (89) W.. May 56
Alan Udd. Robert Preston, B. Marshall
RKO
One Minute to Zero (105) D. Mar 56
llnbcrl Mltchum. Ann Blyth
Bio Sky. The (112) 00 .. Apr 56
Kirk Douglas. Deuey Martin. E. Thre:iil
©Flying Leathernecks (102) D.. May 56
John Wayne. Robert Ryan, JanLs Carler
Lusty Men (113) D . May 56
.
Susan Hayward. Robert MUchum
20th-FOX
Nightmare Alley (111) D.. Oct 55
Tyruiie Power, .loan Blondoll, C. Cray
Th eves' Highway (94) D.. Oct 55
RiclLird Conle. Ue J. Cobb. V. Corle

Dec
. . . Dec
.Aug
SHORTS
CHART
Short subiects, listed by company, in order of release. Running time follows title. First is national release
month, second the date of review in BOXOFFICE. Symbol between dates Is rating from 80XOFFICE
review, ff Very Good. + Good. ± Foir. — Poor. = Very Poor. Photography: Color ond process as specified.
.1 .l~
P14-6 Poop Goes the Weasel
(6) Jul 55 ± 10-22
(1955-56)
P15-1 Rabbit Punch (6) Sep 55 + 12- 3
P15-2 Liltle Audrey Riding Hood
(6) Oct 55 12- 3
P15-3 Kitty Cornered (6) Dec 55 + 1-21
. .
PACEMAKERS
K14-4 Five Hundred Horses
(10) May 55 9-17
K14-5 Florida Aflame (9)..Jun55 10-22
in K14.6 Walk the Deep (10) Jun 55 + S-20
POPEYE CARTOONS
E14-7Gift of . . .
.
(Technicolor)
Gag (6) . May 55 8-6
-f
E14-8Car-azy Drivers (6) .Jul 55 -f 10-22
.
(1955-56)
E15-1 Mister & Mistletoe (6) Sep 55 + 12- 3
El5-2Cops Is Tops (6I/2) . Nov 55 -f 1-21
E15-3 A Job for a Gob (6) . Dec 55 + 1-21
E15-4 Hillbilling & Cooing
(6) Jan 56 -f 1-21
TOPPERS
M15-1 Three Kisses (10)... Oct 55 12- 3
in M15-2 Reunion Paris (10) Nov 55 + 1-28
M15-3 Animals a la Carte
(10) Jan 56 ± 1-21
M15-4 There's Gold in Them
Thrills (10) Mar 56 - 3-31
VISTAVISION
SPECIALS
V14-3VV Visits the Sun Trails
(16) May 55 ff 12-10
V14-4 VV Visits Hawaii (17) Jul 55 + 12-31
V14-5 VV Visrts Japan (17) .Aug 55 -f 1-7
UNICEF SPECIAL
T14-4 Assignment Children
(19) Mar 55
REPUBLIC
SERIALS
5483 Panther Girl of the
Kongo Jan 55 ....
(12 Chapters)
5484 Jesse James Rides Again Mar 55 ....
(13 Chapters) (Reissue)
of the Carnival. .Jun 55
5485 King
(12 Chapters)
THIS WORLD OF OURS
(Trucolor)
8-6
5388 Venezuela (9) Mar 55 -f
RKO RADIO
BROWN. KIRKWOOD REISSUES
53.601 Heart Troubles (16).Sep55
63.602 Put Some Money in the Pot
(17) Nov 55
DISNEY
CARTOONS
(Technicolor)
54.112 Flying Gauchito (8). Jul 55+ 8-27
54,114 Beezy Bear (7) Sep 55 + 10-22
(Technicolor
Reissues)
54.109 Pedro (8) May 55 6-11
54,U0 El Gaucho .Jun 55 + 8-27
Goofy (8)
54,111 Aquarela do Brasil
+ (8) Jun 55 8-20
54.113 Bearly Asleep (7).. Aug 55 ff 10-22
EDGAR
KENNEDY REISSUES
63.501 No More Relatives
(18) Sep 55
63.502 How to Clean House
(18) Oct 55
63.503 Dig That Gold (17). Nov 55
63.504 Contest Crazy (17) . . Dec 55
GIL LAMB REISSUES
63.301 Groan and Grunt (17) Sep 55
63.302 Bashful Romeo (16) . Oct 55
LEON
ERROL REISSUES
63.701 Wife Tames Wolf (17) Sep 55
63.702 Dad Always Pays
(IS) Oct 55
63.703 Spook Speaks (19) . . Nov 55
53.704 In Room 303 (17) . 55
MY PAL
REISSUES
(1955-56)
54.201 Gold (IOI/2) Sep 55 + 11-26
54.202 Black Cats and Broomsticks
(8) Oct 55 + 12-10
Make 54.203 Mine Memories
(8) Nov 55
64.204 Teenagers on Trial
+ (8) Dec 55 1-14
64.205 Her Honor, the Nurse
(8) Jan 56
64.206 Fortune Seekers (8). Feb 56 -f 3-24
SPECIALS
53,107 Operation Icecap
+ (19) May 55 6-11
(1955-56)
63.101 The Future (s Now
(15) Sep 55
63.102 Golden Glamour (15). Oct 55 -f 12-10
53.103 Sentinels in the Air
(15) Feb 56
SPORTSCOPES
54.310 Everglades Posse (8). May 55 8-6
54.311 Downhill Yachts (8). Jun 55 + 8-20
54.312 Bowling Boom (8).. Jul 55+ 8-29
54.313 Tanbark and Turf (S) . Jul 55 + 9-3
(1955-55)
Sep 55 10-22
64.301 Game Warden (8)
54.302 Gym College (8) .Sep 55 + 11-26
64.303 Bonefish and Barracuda
(8) Oct 55 12-10
Canadian Nov 55 1-14
54.304 Carnival (8)
54.305 Headpin Hits (8) . . Dec 55 + 1-14
64.306 Island Windjammers
+ (8) Jan 56 3-24
SPORTS SPECIALS
63,901 Football Headliners
+ (I51/2) Dec 55 1-14
THEATRE OF LIFE
53,301 Devil Take Us (21) . .Jun 55 H 6-4
WILDLIFE
ALBUM
(Technicolor)
53.001 The Whitetail Buck
(271/2) Oct 55 + 11-12
20th CENTURY-FOX
CINEMASCOPE SPECIALS
(Color)
7511-9 Colorado Holiday
(10) May 55
7512-7 Children of the Sun
+ (7) May 55 8-27
7514-3 Sorcerer's Apprentice
(13) May 55 + 8-6
7507-7 Tears of the Moon
(10) Jun 55 H 8-27
Land Jun 55 ff 7-23
7506-9 of the Nile (9)
7517-6 Volcanic Violence (9) Jun 55 ff 8-20
7516-8 Winter Jamboree (10) Jul 55 + 8-6
7515-0 Naughty Mermaids
(7) Aug 55
7519-2 Survival City (10) Aug 55 + 8-20
7518-4 That Others May Live
(10) Sep 55
Gods 7520-0 of the Road
(..) Sep55
7521-8 Desert Fantasy (8).. Sep 55 +1-7
7513-5 Clear the Bridge ( .
. ) Oct 55
7522-6 Water Wizardy ( .
. ) Oct 55
7523-4 Carioca Carnival ( .
. ) Nov 55
7525-9 Queen's Guard (17). Dec 55
(1955-56)
7601-8 Lady of the Golden Door
(9) Jan 56
7602-5 A Thoroughbred Is Born
(9) Jan 56
MEL ALLEN
SPORTS
3501-4 Topsy Turvy Thrills
+ (8) Jun 55 8-27
SEE IT
HAPPEN
6501-1 Man vs. Nature (9) Jun 55 + 8-27
TERRTTOONS
5501-3 Phony News Flashes
(7) Jul 55 +1-7
5511-1 Foxed by a Fox (7) Aug 55 + 1-14
5512-9 Last Mouse of Hamlin,
(7) Sep 55
(1955-56)
UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL
CINEMASCOPE FEATURETTE
(Technicolor)
2500 The Nat "King" Cole
Musical Story (IS) ff 12-10
COLOR
PARADE
1385 King Salmon (9) . . . .Jul 55 8-27
13S6SwingHI-Swing Lo (9) Aug 55 8-27
1384 The Big Test (10) . . . .Jun 55 + 10- 8
1387 Dream Island (9) . . . .Sep 55 ± 11-19
1388 Against the Stream (9) Oct 55 + 1-28
(1955-56)
2571 Pacific Sports (8) .... Nov 55
2672 Fighters of the Lakes
(9) Jan 56
2673 Blue Coast (9) Feb 56 H 1-28
MUSICAL FEATURETTES
1309 Roundup of Rhythm
+ (16) Jul 55 8-27
1310 Eddy Howard and
His Orchestra (14).. Aug 55 + 8-27
1311 The Ink Spots (15) . .Sep 55 + U-19
1312 The Sauter-Finegan
Orchestra (18) Oct 55 + 11-19
(1955-56)
2601 Mambo Madness (15) Nov 55 + 11-12
2602 Ralph Marterie & His
Orchestra (15) Nov 55 + 11-26
Melodies by Martin
2652
(16) Dec 55 + 1-28
2653 Lionel Hampton & Herb
Jeffries (15) Jan 56 + 2-18
VARIETY
VIEWS
Brooklyn 1345 Goes to
Cleveland (10) Jul 55 10- 8
1346 Monkey Shines (9) . .Aug 55 + 11-26
1347 Brooklyn Goes to Las Vegas
(9) Sep 55 + 3-31
1348 Small Wonders (9).. Oct 55+ 3-31
WALTER UNTZ CARTUNES
(Technicolor)
(7) Oct. 55 12-10
1333 Bunco Busters (7) .... Nov 55 + 1-7
(1955-56)
2511 The Tree Medic (6) .. Oct 55 11-12
2612 Pigeon Holed (5) Jan 56 3-3
2613 After the Ball (6) Feb 56 + 3-3
2614 Get Ust (6) Mar 56
WALTER LANTZ REISSUES
1354 Kiddie Koncert (7).. May 55
1355 Pixie Picnic (7) Jun 55
1356 Wacky Bye Baby (7) Jul 55
WARNER BROS.
BLUE RIBBON HIT PARADE
(Technicolor
Reissues)
3301 Doggone Cats (7) Sep 55
3302 Rattled Rooster (7).. Oct 55
3303 Fair and Wormer (7) Nov 55
3304 Mousemerized Cat (7) Nov 55
3305 Foghorn Leghorn (7) . Dec 55
3306 Bone. Sweet Bone (7) Jan 56
BUGS BUNNY SPECIALS
(Technicolor)
2729 This Is the Life (7).. Jul 55
2730 Hyde and Hare (7).. Aug 55 + 10-22
(1955-56)
3723 Knight-Mare Hare (7) Oct 55
3724 Roman Legion- Hare
(7) Nov 55 1-28
3725 Bugs Bonnets (7) Jan 56 + 3-31
3726 Broonrstick Bunny (7) Feb 56
3727 Rabbitson Crusoe (7) .Apr 56
.
CLASSICS OF THE SCREEN
3004 They Seek Adventure
(19) Jan 56 +
3005 Ou the Desert (19). Feb 56 ff
JOE McDOAKES COMEDIES
2405 So You Want to Run a Model
Railroad (10) Aug 55 + 10-:
(1955-56)
3401 So You Want to be a Vice-
President (10) . . . . Oct 55 + 12-;
3402 So You Want to be a
Policeman (10) .
55 + 1-:
3403 So You Think the Grass
Is Greener (10) Jan 56 + 3-
MELODY MASTER BANDS
(Reissues)
3801 Jan Savitt & Band
(10) Sep 55
3802 Artie Shaw & Orch.
(10) Oct 55
3803 Ozzie Nelson & Orch.
(10) Dec 55
3804 Carl Hoff & Band (10) . Feb 56
3805 Borrah Minevitch (10) .Apr 56
MERRIE MELODIES—LOONEY TUNES
(Technicolor)
3701 Dime to Retire (9).. Sep 55 ff 1-:
3702 Speedy Gonzales (7).. Sep 55+ 1-
3703 Two Scents Worth (7) Oct 55 + 1-:
3704 Red Riding Hoodwinked
(7) Oct 55
3705 Heir Conditioned (7) . . Nov 55 + 3-
3705 Guided Muscle (7) Dec 55
3707 Pappy's Puppy (7) . . . . Dec 55 + 2-:
3708 One Froggy Evening
(7)
3709 Too Hop to Handle
(7) 156
3710 Weasel Stop (7) Feb 56 ± 3-:
3711 High & the Flighty (7). Feb 56
3712 Rocket Squad (7) Mar 56
3713 Tweet & Sour (7).... Mar 56
3714 Heaven Scent (7) . . . . Mar 56
3715 Mixed Master (7).... Apr 56
3716 Gee Whiz-z-z-z (7) ... May 56
SPORTS
PARADE
2507 Riviera Revelries (10) May 55 + 7-:
2508 Rocky Mountain Big Game
(10) Apr 55
Italian Jul 55
2509 Holiday (10)
2510 Aqua Queens (10) 55 + ll-!
(1955-56)
WARNER VARIETIES
3601 An Adventure to Remember
(9) Oct 55 + 1-:
3602 Shark Hunting (9) Nov 55
3603 Faster and Faster (9) Dee 55
3504Neckin' Party (9)....Mar56
3605 I Never Forget a Face
(..) Apr 56
WARNERCOLOR SCOPE GEMS
(Two Reel)
3211 Journey to the Sea
(18) Sep 55 H 3-
(One
3220 Heart of an Empire
Reel)
(9)
3222 Ski Valley (9)
Sep 55 ±
Sep 55 +
2-:
2-1
3221 Springtime in Holland
(9) Dee 55
INDEPENDENT
s^ice :.:;:::.;:::..
63.201 Dog of the Wild (21) Oct 55
63.202 Pal, Canine Detective
(22) Nov 55
RAY WHITLEY
REISSUES
63.401 Musical Bandit (16)0ct 55
63.402 Bar Buckaroos (16) . Dec 55
SCREENLINERS
54.210 Staff of Life (8) May 55 8-27
54.211 Rest Assured (8) Jun 55 + 8-27
54.212 Safety Is Their Business
(8) Jul 55 -f 9-17
54.213 Film Fun (9) Aug 55 -f 8-6
5601-0 The Clockmaker's Dog
(7) Jan 56
TERRYTOON-CINEMASCOPES
(Technicolor)
5531-9 Willie the Walrus in An Igloo
for Two (7) May 55 8-20
5532-7 Good Deed Daly (7) Jul 55 + 12-3
5533-5 Bird Symphony (7) Aug 55 ff 12- 3
5534-3 Little Red Hen (7). Sep 55 +1-7
(1955-56)
5631-7 Park Avenue Pussycat
(7) Jan 56
COLOR
SPECIALS
Nov 55
2010 Wave of the Flag (19). May 55 ff 7-30
2011 Adventures of Alexander
Selkirk (17) Jun 55 +8-6
2012 Uranism Fever (:^).. Jul 55
(1955-56)
3001 Movieland Magic (19). Oct 55
3002 Golden Tomorrow (17). Nov 55 +1-7
3003 Behind the Big Top
(18) Dec 55
10

;
ketball.
'*
Van
ALLIED ARTISTS
Finger Man (AA) — Frank
Lovejoy, Forrest Tucker, Peggie
Castle. We ran into a lot of
opposition here, skating and bas-
Good picture, but we lost
) at the boxoffice. Played Thurs.
Weather: Fair.—A. Madril, La
Plaza Theatre, Antonito, Golo.
Pop. 1,255.
Phenix City Story, The (AA>—
John Mclntii-e, Richard Kiley,
Kathryn Grant. This missed the
boat here. I understand it's been
doing okay, but "no dice" in
England, Ark. Played Sun., Mon.
Weather: Rainy and cold.—Terry
Axley. New and Best theatres,
England, A:-k. Pop. 2,136.
Vierilante Terror (AA)—Wild
Bill Elliott, Mary Ellen Kay, Myron
Healey. Played this with
"Battle Cry," and a good thing
we did. Can see these things on
TV any day for nothing, so why
pay? P. S. Not too many of them
did. Played Wed.-Sat. Weather:
Cold.—Harold Bell, Opera House,
Coaticook, Que. Pop. 6.341.
COLUMBIA
Battle of Rogue River (Coli—
George Montgomery, Richard
Denning, Martha Hyer. Plenty of
action, but too many Indiansi.
Scenery and color excellent. Drewaverage
despite cold weather.
Played Sat. Weather: Cold.—D.
W. Trisko, Runge Theatre, Runge,
Tex. Pop. 1.055.
Count Three and Pray (Col)—
Heflin, Joanne Woodward,
Raymond Burr. Here is an excellent
picture from every angle.
This one will keep them glued to
their seats and when they leave
the theatre, they will tell you
how much they liked it. I am
sure I liked it, as it is the only
picture played this year that
made money. Played Thurs. -Sat.
Weather: Good.—W. L. Stratton,
Lvric Theatre, Challis, Ida. Pop.
728.
Long Gray Line, The (Col)—
Tyrone Power, Maureen O'Hara.
Robert Francis. Nothing but
grief! Cold as the North Pole
and just before the show started
on Sunday my furnace blower
went haywire. I might as well
have saved the trouble of getting
it running that night, as no one
came but the few who would be
there if the tow'n were under ten
feet of water. In two nights I
didn't get film rental, and that's
the worst business on record here.
Of course, Columbia offered me
an adjustment—in a pig's eye!
Played Sun., Mon. Weather:
Frigid.—Frank R. McLean, Roxy
Theatre, Coulterville, 111. Pop.
Return of October, The (Col)—
Reissue. Glerm Ford, Terry
Moore, Albert Sharpe. Like good
wine and all that sort of stuff, the
ride pictures seem to be getting better
''"'
with age. Maybe that's why they
stay and watch the oldies in the
parlor shadow box. This wonderful
hit laid a boxoffice egg first
time around and then with the
help of an aging Tarzan drags in
more paying customers than the
biggest, w-idest, most completely
stretched, tinted print we've used
all- month. Played Fri., Sat.
Weather: Lovely.—Bob Walker,
Uintah Tlieatre, Fruita, Colo.
Pop. 1,463.
Three Hours to Kill (Col) —
Dana Andrews, Donna Reed, Dianne
Foster. Okay Technicolor
mesquiter with Dana Andrews
as a misunderstood hombre who
comes back to settle accounts.
Doubled with "Fire Over Africa"
to make less than expenses.
Played Thurs., Sat. Weather:
Mild northerly.—Lew Bray jr..
Queen Theatre, McAUen, Tex.
Pop. 20,068.
Need Own Talent
The just average business
we did on the expected smash,
"The Lone Ranger," may be
further proof that the movies
are better off to forget TV
properties and dig up their
own stars, stories and promotions.
People will come to see
great stories brought to life
on a movie screen, but they
don't want to come to see
what they already have seen
on their TV screens free!
Yes. we can now offer color
and a larger screen, but we
must offer something more
original, more spectacular,
more intriguing, more satisfying.
TV screens now have
color. What're we going to do
when they get "wall size"?
There's plenty of great talent
around. The late James Dean
has brought many more patrons
to my theatre tlian any
TV personality. Let's find
more star material. TV is
doing it—so well, in fact, that
we needed a TV writer to give
us the Academy .\ward winning
best picture! It's difficult
for me to understand
why a multimillion dollar industry
like ours can't find its
own talent.
"UNCLE" GEORGE MARKS
Grove Theatre,
Beech Grove, Ind.
METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER
It's Always Fair Weather
iMGM)—Geiie Kelly, Dan Dailey,
Cyd Charisse. Again quoting a
patron, "I like musicals, but this
one doesn't make sense to me.
The only good number is the
roller skate scene."
Thiu-s. Weather:
Played Wed.,
Fair.—Michael
Chiaventone, Valley Theatre,
Spring Valley, 111. Pop. 5,123.
Last Hunt, The (MGM)—Robert
Taylor, Stewart Granger.
Debra Paget. A w-ell made action
picture, beautifully photographed
in Cinemascope. Personally did
not think it deserved a top
bracket allocation. Business average.
Played Sun., Mon., Tues.—
Marion F. Bodwell, Paramount
Theatre, Wyoming, 111. Pop. 1,496.
Quentin Durward (MGM) —
Robert Taylor, Kay Kendall,
Robert Morley. Played Tuesday-
Wednesday-Thursday with "They
All Kissed the Bride" (Col). Did
better than average for midweek,
but not enough for drlve-ln theatres
in cold weather, even with
heaters for autos and indoor seats
XHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY
'S-
ABOUT PICTURESI
on the fir.sl four ramps. Weather:
Cloudy, clear and cold.—Arden
A. Richards, Craigsville Year-
Round D r I V e-I n, Craigsville,
W. Va. Farm, timber and coal
patronage.
San Francisco (MGM) — Reissue.
Spencer Tiacy, Jeanette
MacDonald, Clark Gable. There
is a saying "Give me the old
shows." Then, there is another,
"Shows are better than ever." I
belong to the latter tribe. I played
this picture 15 years ago and I
thought it was one of the best
pictures I had ever seen, and I
think, so did everyone else who
came to see it. That was a good
many people. I played this as my
opening show after the New Year.
Small crowd on account of bad
weather. Just the same, the picture
was not considered the outstanding
picture that it was when
I played before. played a
it I
good many better pictures in the
last year. It is still a good picture,
but not the outstanding
picti:re that it was back in the
gone by. So, don't be fooled with
the good old stuff. Everything has
advanced and pictures haven't
lagged behind.
Weather: Cold
Played Fri., Sat.
and stormy.—F.
L. Murray, Strand Theatre,
Sptritwood, Sask. Pop. 355.
Tarzan Escapes (MGM)—Reissue.
Johnny Weissmuller, Maureen
O'SuUivan. What a nosedive!
Really unexpected. Didn't take in
half the gross that repeat of
"Tarzan the Ape Man" took in
last September. The chimp stole
the show. Played Sun., Mon.
Weather: Cold.—Ralph Raspa.
State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va.
Pop. 1,343.
Trial (MGM) — Glenn Ford.
Dorothy McGuire, Arthur Kennedy.
Good drama with a courtroom
scene which was very fine.
Business was poor, due to cold
weather. Played Sun., Mon.
Weather: Very cold.— E. M.
Freiburger, Dewey Theatre,
Dewey, Okla. Pop. 2,513.
Wizard of Oz, The (MGM)—
Reissue. Judy Garland, Ray Bolger,
FYank Morgan. The perfect
picture for the kids, and the
young at heart. Flocks of youngsters
opening night. Their folks
showed up the second night.
Frank E. Sabin, Majestic Theatre,
Eureka, Mont. Pop. 929.
PARAMOUNT
Country Girl, The (Para) —
B i n g Crosby, Grace Kelly,
William Holden. After passing
this up a couple of time, I finally
let the salesman talk me into
playing it. I lost my shirt, and
judging from the muttering and
grumbling from the few who
came to see it, I probably lost
some friends. Academy Award
performances don't do a thing
for an exhibitor in a situation
like mine. My patrons prefer
entertainment. Played Sun., Mon.
Weather: Fair.—Frank R. Mc-
Lean, Roxv Theatre, Coulterville,
111. Pop. 1,160.
Desperate Hours, The (Para)—
Humphrey Bogart, Fredric March,
Martha Scott. Very good picture,
but film rental too high, as usual,
on Paramount, so I am not happy
with the results. Played Sun.,
Mon. Weather: Cold.—W. L.
Stratton, Lyric Theatre, Challis,
Ida. Pop. 728.
Lucy Gallant (Para) — Jane
Wyman, Charlton Heston. Claire
Trevor. Good picture, poor business.
What is getting any money
anymore? I believe in our town
we are fully TV-ized now. Played
Fri., Sat. Weather: Fair.—
Michael Chiaventone, Valley Theatre,
Spring Valley, 111. Pop. 5,123.
Rose Tattoo, The (Para)-Anna
Magnani, Burt Lancaster, Marisa
Pavan. A great pictm'e. Anna
Magnani was superb as was Burt
Lancaster. It did not take color
and gorgeous costumes to make
this great show. Played Sun.-
Tues.—Ken Gorham, Town Hall
Theatre, Middlebury, Vt. Pop.
3,614.
To Catch a Thief (Para)—Gary
Grant, Grace Kelly, Jessie Royce
Landls. Played Friday midnight
show to practically no one. This
excellent VistaVision cops and
robbers a la French Riviera is
funny, serious, tense, enjoyable
and downright good entertainment
and was well accepted by
everyone, except the 24,950 people
who didn't see it. So, who got
up early, stayed late and didn't
make any money? Just too darn
many school activities conflicting!
Played Fri. midnight show.
Weather: Lousy.—Lew Bray jr..
Queen Theatre, McAUen, Tex.
Pop. 20.068.
We're No Angels (Para)—Humphrey
Bogart, Joan Bennett, Aldo
Ray. Good little comedy. Fair
draw. Everybody had a smile
when the patrons came out.
Played Wed. Weather: Good.—
Harold Smith. Dreamland Theatre,
Carson, Iowa. Rural patronage.
Solid Comedy
If they like MarUyn Monroe,
they'll have the time of
their lives at this grand comedy,
"The Seven Year Itch."
Too many women don't care
for M.M., so boxoffice wasn't
extra. But it was good.
There was laughter aplenty
and many comments on the
undies in the icebox. Solid
entertainment.
KEN CHRISTI.WSON
Roxy Theatre,
Washburn, N. D.
RKO RADIO
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
(RKO)—Reissue. John Wayne,
Joanne Dru. John Agar. Slow on
starting, but will hold the interest
of young and old. Good story,
plenty of action and comedy all
rolled into another great John
Wayne story. Played Thurs., Fri.,
Sat. Weather: Snow and cold.—
Ray Kincade, Kesner Theatre,
LeRoy, Kas. Pop. 695.
Tennessee's Partner (RKO)
John Payne. Rhonda Fleming.
Ronald Reagan. Ronald Reagan
never fails to please my action
(Continued on following
page)
BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :
: April 14. 1956

Janine
.Patrick
EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY
(Continued from preceding page)
lovers and in this nice little semiwestern
he's ably supported by a
cast that does an excellent job.
The story Is different enough to
make it a welcome relief from
the usual western. It deserved
good business, but with my farmers
the brokest I've ever seen
them, it did good business for
the slump I find my boxoffice
wallowing in, but not enough
tickets were purchased to justify
the bracket RKO placed it in.
Played Fri.. Sat. Weather : Lovely.
—Bob Walker, Uintah Theatre,
Pruita, Colo. Pop. 1,463.
REPUBLIC
Man Alone, A (Rep> —Ray Milland,
Mary Murphy, Ward Bond.
Not as big as I was led to believe,
but still good entertainment.
Played Thiu-s., Pri., Sat. Weather:
Fair.—M. W. Long, Lans Theatre,
Lansing, Iowa. Pop. 1,536.
Twinkle in God's Eye, The
(Rep)—Mickey Rooney, Coleen
Gray, Hugh O'Brian. Good modest
budget picture that should
do fair business wherever played.
I double-billed it to fair business
for this time of year. Played Fri.,
Sat. Weather: Cold and clear.—
Terry Axley, New and Best theatres,
England, Aj-k. Pop. 2.136.
20fh CENTURY-FOX
Good Morning, Miss Dove
(20th-Poxi — Jennifer Jones.
Robert Stack, Kipp Hamilton.
Very good. Will please all who
see it. This one picked up business
on the third day to better than
average business. Played Tues.-
Thurs. Weather: Okay.—W. L.
Stratton, Lyric Theatre, Challis
Ida. Pop. 728.
Prince of Players (20th-Fox)—
Richard Burton, Maggie Mc-
Namara, John Derek. Thank you.
Fox, for a most wonderful movie!
It must be a matter of deep concern
to the studio to find that
when they make such wonderful
exquisite films like this, they flop
at the boxoffices. This film met
with the same reception in South
Africa. When I booked it, I knew
it would meet with the same reception.
Knowing the patrons in
this part of the world, I decided
to advertise it differently. I
warned my patrons that "Pi-ince
of Players" was only for the discriminating
filmgoers, but that
they would most probably never
see better acting on the screen.
No filmgoer wants to be told he
is not discriminating, so we killed
two birds with one stone. We
brought in crowds of people—kept
the cowboys away—so that those
who came could enjoy the show.
Not one walkout did we have. In
addition. I was very proud to
stand in the foyer and receive
more hanaishakes for this one
than I received for any other film
I can remetnber. The film is an
excellent one. The story, which
should have more appeal to
American -audiences, was of historical
Interest. Color and acting
were excellent, with the film
moving all the time. Granted lots
of Shakespeare is thrown in, but
this is done so beautifully, so well
timed, that to condemn a film
because it has passages from
some of Shakespeare's finest
works is plain boxoffice murder. I
found two glaring faults, however;
not with the film, but with
its producers. The title (and
heaven knows how often we asked
the top brass to watch the titles)
and the very poor trailer. Word
of mouth is the only thing that
will bring them in. Title and
trailer definitely will keep them
away. We did not lose any money
with this one. Didn't come up
to our usual weekend standard,
but it gave me a lot of satisfaction
playing it. Played Thurs. through
Sat. Weather: Fine.—Dave S.
Klein, Astra Theatre, Kitwe-
Nkana, Northern Rhodesia,
Government, mining and
Africa.
business patronage.
UNITED ARTISTS
Battle Taxi (UA) — Sterling
Hayden, Arthur Franz, Marshall
Thompson. Played with "World
for Ransom" (AA). Both were
military type, but "Battle Taxi"
was the one they came to see
and liked. Being midweek,
though, even with good weather
it wasn't worth the trouble even
for three nights. Next winter if
we operate midweeks at all, we'll
use cheaper corn. It does as well.
Played Tues., Wed., Thurs. Weather:
Fair and nice mostly.
Arden A. Richards, Craigsville
Year-Round Drive-In, Craigsville,
W. Va. Farm, timber and
coal
patronage.
Top Gun (UA)—Sterling Hayden,
William Bishop, Karen
Booth. Another one of the
westerns that gladdened our
hearts at the boxoffice. There are
many ways we small-town exhibitors
so
can exploit westerns
without a prohibitive overhead.
National Screen does a good job,
too, when the movie gives them
a chance to put some real action
in the photographs, on the banners
and the posters.—C. J. Otts,
Wakea Tlieatre, Waskom, Tex.
UNIVERSAL-INTERNAT'L
Private War of Major Benson,
The (U-D—Charlton Heston,
Julie Adams, William Demarest.
Tiger and the entire cast of
juveniles supply many a humorous
angle. Plenty of comedy, with
appeal to the entire family. Pictijre
did only average and I can't
figure why. Played Sun., Mon.,
Tues. Weather: Okay.—D. W.
Trisko, Runge Theatre, Runge,
Tex. Pop. 1,055.
WARNER BROS.
Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell,
The (WB)—Gary Cooper. Ralph
Bellamy, Charles Bickford. A
very good picture with some of
the most realistic court scenes
you'll ever see, and that Steiger
.seemed to steal the show so far
as our patrons were concerned.
We hit about average gross for
these times, but this picture deserves
standout business. Everyone
should see it. Price was in
line with the gross, so we stayed
in the black.—Mayme P. Musselman,
Roach Theatre, Lincoln,
Kas. Pop. 1,636.
McConnell Story, The (WB) —
Alan Ladd, June Allyson, James
Whitmore. Good show. Alan Ladd
is a good draw here. Played Sat.,
Sun. Weather: Good.—Harold
Smith, Dreamland Theatre, Carson,
Iowa. Rural patronage.
FOREIGN
FEATURES.
Foreign-language productions by native country listed olphabeticalty
by title, followed by running time. Dote shown is issue of BOXOFFICE
in which review appeared. Nome of distributor is in parentheses.
ARGENTINA
Dark River (88)
(Tiroes). -H. [lel CarrU. A. Benetti
AUSTRIA
©Don Juan (90)
(Times)
.
-Cesare Danova. Josel Melnrad
BRITAIN
Alias John Preston (71)
(ix.minanl) . ..\lex Knox, Betta St. John
Reviewed
Angel Who Pawned Her Harp (73)
(IKiniiniuit) . .Wane Cilento. PelLx Aylmer
Appointment in London (96) 12-31-55
(.\ssuc. Artists)..!). Bogarde, Dinah Sheridan
Belles of St. Trinian's, The (90).. 4-30-55
(.\ssoc. Artists) . .Alastair Sim. Joyce Grcnfell
Chance Meetino (94) S-27-55
(I'acemakei) . .Odlle Versols, David Knlglit
©Cocktails in the Kitchen (83)
(Stratford) . .Dirk Bugarde, Dennis Price
Court IVIartial (105) 10- 1-55
(Kingsley) . .David Niven, Margaret Leighton
Cure for Love, The (97) 11-26-55
(Assoc. .Vrtists) . .R- Donat, Renee Asherson
©Dance Little Udy (87) 12-24-55
(Trans-Lux) . .Mai Zetterling, Mandy MUler
Eight O'clock Walk (87) 8-20-55
l.\sso. ;\rts)..R. Altentwrough, C. O'Donnell
Four Against Fate (84) 9-10-55
(Assoc. Artists).. A. Neagle, Michael Wilding
Front Page Story (95) 7-23-55
(Assoc, Artists) . .Jack Hawkins, Eva Bartok
©Fuss Over Feathers (84) 1-29-55
(.Usoc. Artists) . .John Gregson, Muriel Pavlow
Game of Danger (88) 11- 5-55
(.\ssoc. Artists) . .Jack Warner, Veronica Hurst
Green Scarf. The 4-23-55
(Assoc. Arllsls). ..M. Redgrave. A. Todd
Heart of the Matter, The (100)
.
. . .12-25-54
(Assoc. Artists) . .Trevor Houard, Maria Schell
His Excellency (84)
(Brenner) . .Eric Portman, Ocll Parker
Innocents in Paris (103) 2-19-55
(Tudor) ..Claire Bloom, .Ua-slair Sim
Inspector Calls, An (SO) 1- 8-55
( .\.ssoc. Artists) . . Alstalr Sim. Eaieen Moore
Intruder, The (84) 2-12-55
(.\ssoc. .\rtists) . .Jack Hawkins. Dennis Price
©Make Me an Offer (88) 4- 7-56
(Iiominant) .Peler Finch, Adrienne CottI
Midnight Episode (78) 9-17-55
(line Arts) . Stanley Holloway, Leslie Dwyer
Room in the House (98)
((aiiridter) . Barr, .Marjorie Rhodes
Scotch on the Rocks (77) 7-31-54
(Kingsley) . .Donald Squire, K. Ryan, 8. Shaw
Teckman Mystery, The (90) U-19-55
(.\ssoc. Artists) . ..Margaret Leighton, J. Justin
Three Cases of Murder (99) 5-21-55
(.\ssoc. Artists) . .Orson Welles. John Gregson
©To Paris With Love (78) 4-30-55
(Continental) . .Alec Guinness, Odlle Versols
True and the False, The (80) 4-23-55
(Ili-lene Davis) . .Signe Hasso. Wm. Langford
©Will Any Gentleman? (84) 11- 5-55
(Stratford) . .George Cole. Veronica Hurst
EGYPT
FRANCE
Adorable Creatures (108) 1- 7-56
(Cunfl His) . .Martine Carol, E. Feuillere
Ballet de France (83)
(Leuis) . Charrat, Milorad Miskovitch
Caroline Cheric (US) 8-14-54
(Daris)..M. Carol, P. Cressoy. J. Dacqmine
Companions of the Night (104) . . 8-28-54
(.\rlan) . .Franoolse Arnoul, Raymond Pellegrin
Diabolique (107) 3- 3-56
(UMPO) .Simone Meurlsse
Signoret, Paul
Diary of a Country Priest (95) .... 7-31-55
(Brandon).. C. Laydu, N. Maurey, X. (Juibert
Dr. Knock (102)
(Lewis) . Louis Jouvet, Jean Brochard
Earrings of Madam De, The (105) . . 8- 7-54
(Allan).. C. Boyer, D. Darrieux, V. de Slca
©French CanCan (93)
(niPO)..Jean Cabin, Francolsc .\rnoul
French Touch, The (84) 9-Z5-54
(Times) . .Fernandel, Renee Devillers
Game of Love, The (108) 2-19-55
(Times)
. .Pierre- Michel Beck, Edwige Feuillere
Heartbreak Ridge (86) 6-11-55
(Tudor) . .Real French troops to Korea
Reviewed
Holiday for Henrietta (103) 5-21-55
(.Vrdee) . .Dany Robiu, Michael Auclalr ,
In a Girls Dormitory (102) ^
(Ellis) . .Jean Marals. Francolse Arnoul
Le Plaisir (90) 7-31-54
(Kingsley) . .Danielle Darrieux. Jean Gabin
Letters From My Windmill (116)
(Tolian) . .Da.xely. Henri Vilbert. Rolls
Mr. Hulofs Holiday (85) 10-30-54
(GBD Infl) . .Jacques Tati, Nathalie Pascaud
One Step to Eternity (94) 1-28-56
(Hlis)..D. Darrieux, M. Auclalr, C. Calvet
Red Inn, The (100) 9- 4-54
(Davis) . .Fernandel, P. Rosay, Lud Germain
Sheep Has Five Legs, The (93) ... .11-26-55
(I'.MPO) . .Fernandel, Francolse ;\rnoul
GERMANY
Forester's Daughter, The (105)
(Casino) . Johanna Matz, Will QuadfUeg
No Way Back (87) 7-30-55
(Jacon)..L Desny, R. Niehaus
Sergeant's Daughter, The (97)
(Casino) Johanna Matz. Jan Hendriks
Sunderin (80) 1-22-55
. (Prod. Reps) .lUldegarde Neff, 0. Froehllch
GREECE
Barefoot Batallion (89) 6-26-54
(Brandt) ..Maria CostL Nlcos Fermas
ITALY
Alone in the Streets (80)
(Carroll). .Story of street waifs
Bed, The (101) 8-13-55
(Getz-Kingsley) . .R. Todd, Dawn Addams
Bread Love and Dreams (90) 10-23-54 ^
(IFF). Cina LoUobrlgida. Vlttorio de Sica
Four Ways Out (77) 1- 1-55
(Carroll). .Gina LoUobrlgida, Renalto Baldtol
Girls Marked Danger (75) 7-17-54
( IFE) . . Bleanur Rossi Drago, V. Gassman
Hello Elephant (78) 1-29-55
(Arlan) . .Vlttorio de Sica, Sabu
©House of Ricordi (112)
(Manson).. Paolo Stoppa, .MarU Toren
©Madtlalena (90) 10- S-55
(U-'B) . .M,irta Toren, Gtoo Cervl, J. Sernas
Mademoiselle Gobette (78) 4- 9-55
(IFB)
. .Sihana Pampanini, Luigi Pave.se
Return of Don Camillo (115)
(1KB) . .Fernandel, Gino Cervl
Too Bad She's Bad (95) 1-21-56
(Getz-Klng,sley) . .Sophia Loren, V. De Sica
Umbcrto D. (89) 12-31-55
(FMw. Harrbion)
. .C. Battista, M. Casilio
JAPAN
©Gate of Hell (Jigokumon) (S9) . . 1- 8-55
(Harrison & Davidson) . .M. Kyo, Hawgawa
©Golden Demon (95)
(Harrison)
. .Fujlko Yamamoto, Jun Negami
Hiroshima (85) 7-30-55
(Confl Dis. ) . . Istizu Yamada, M. Tsukida
Impostcr, The (89) 11-26-55
(Br.andon) . .Utaemon Ichlkawa,.Chlkako Mltagl
©Samurai (100) 11-19-55
(Jacon). .Toshlro Mifune, K. Yachlgusa
Ugetsu (96) 9-25-54
(Harrison) Machiko Kyo, Masaytikl Mori
RUSSIA
©Boris Godunov (105)
(.Utklno) . .A. Pirogov, G. Nellep
©Romeo and Juliet Ballet (96)
(Tohan) . Gallna Ulanova, Yuri Zhdanov
SWEDEN
Naked Night. The (82)
(Times) . .Harriet Andersson, Ake (Jroenberg
One Summer of Happiness (92) 7-16-55
(Times-Film) . .Ulia Jacobaon, Folke Sundqulst
12 BOXOFFICE BookinGuide : : April 14, 1956

UA
DeRochemont
An interpretive analysis o» loy and Irodeprois reviews. The pius and minus signs indicate
degree of merit. Listings cover current reviews, brought up to dote regularly. This deportment
serves also as an ALPHABETICAL INDEX to feoturo releases. Symbol M denotes
BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon Award Winner. Photography: O Color; C CinemaScope; ¥ Vlsto-
Vision; ^s Superscope. For listings by company, in the order of release, see Feature Chart.
Review
digest
AND ALPHABETICAL INDEX
Very Good; + Good; — Fair; - Poor; = Very Poor. In the summary H is rated 2 pluses, " as 2 minuses.
1763 Abbott & Costello Meet tlie Mummy
(79) Comedy U-l 5- 7-55
1784 ©Adventures of Sadie (86) Com. .20th-Fox 6- 4-55
1821 U®African Lion (73) Documentary BV 8-13-55
Misbehavin' ... 1780©Aint (81) Musical. Ul 5-28-55
195S ©Alexander the Great (141) # Drama UA 4- 7-56
M
A'^l\
'5ll:.E
-
1868 ©All That Heaven Allows (89) Drama. U-l 10-29-55 t+ H H -H H
1916©Anylhino Goes (lOS) iV
1824 Apache Ambush (67) Wester
1857 ©Apache Woman (83) Westi
1875 ©Artists and Models (109)
Para 1-21-56
Col 813-55
ARC 10-15-55 :
Para 11-12-55
1891 ©At Gunpoint (90) © Western AA 12-10-55 +
©Away All Boats (. .) ® Drama. .
—B—
. U-l
1941 ©Baciilash (84) Western U-l 3-3-56 +
1931 Battle Stations (81) Drama Col 2-18-56 ±
1847 Benoazi (78) si Adventure RKO 9-24-55 ±
1S9S (JOBenny Goodman Story (116) Mus. U-l 12-17-55 ++
1927 Betrayed Women (70) Melodrama AA 2-11-56 ±.
1808 Bij Bluff. The (79) Drama UA 7-16.55 +
1845 Bij Knife. The (111) Drama UA 9-24-55 +
1956 Birds and the Bees (95) 0? Com./Mus.. Para 3-31-56 +
1958 Blaclijack Ketchum. Desperado
(76) Western Col 4- 7-56 ±
1847 ©Blood Alley (115) © Drama WB 9-24-55 +
1876 Bobby Ware Is Missing (66) Drama... AA 11-12-55 i:
1953 Bold and the Brave (S7) ® Drama.. RKO 3-24-56 +
of 1923 ©Bottom the Bottle (88) © Dr..20-Fox 2- 4-56 +
1942 Brain Machine, The (72) 3- Drama.... RKO 3-56 ±
1812 Breali to Freedom (88) Drama UA 7-23-55 +
Smile (83) .Col 1799 ©Bring Your Along Mus.. 7- 2-55 -
1930 Broken Star, The (82) Western UA 2-11-56 +
6+4-
+f 7+3-
++ 9+1-
± 6+6-
6+
+ 12+1-
± 3+3-
+
+
H
-
+
-
H 10+
- 4+6-
+ ++ ++ d: 9+1-
++ H + + 9+
5+1-
+ ± ± + + 7+4-
+ ± ± 7+5-
++++« 14+
2+3-
- - 3+4-
- + ++ 8+1-
^
. I . ! I |i!|df!f !li'ii!f!| I
a - cc > a oceoxo:>,i..lo:asizolin
1897 ©Flame ol Iht Islands (90) Drama Rfp 12-17-55 + ± + ± + ± - 6+5-
1844 OFootsltps in tht Foo (90) Drama... Col 9-17-55 •(- ± - -f "-f H ± 7-fJ-
1949 ©Forbidden Planet (106) ©Sc.-F.MGM 3-17-56 H + + ± H 7-H-
19280Fore»er Darlino (96) Comedy .MGM 2-11-56-1- - - i: H 1+i- + H
1852 ©Fort Yuma (78) Outdoor UA 10- 1-55 -f + + +
•
± frfl-
1793 ©Foxfire (92) Drama Ul 6-25-55 -)- ± ± ± ±
-f
* + 7-f5-
1800 Francis in the Navy (80) Comedy U-l 7-2-55-1- ± ± ± * + *. 1+5-
1872 Frisicy (98) Comedy DCA 11- 5-55 H -f -h -I- 5-H
1913 Fury at Gunsiijlil Pass (68) Western Col 1-14-56 -f + + + \^ ± - 7-f-2-
1955 OGaby (97) (C, Drama MGM 3-31-56 + + + Vt 5-(-
1843 ©Gentlemen Marry Brunetlcs
(97) (6) Musical UA 9-17-55 i: H i: H = ± ± 8-f-6-
1897 Ghost Town (75) Western UA 12-17-55 -f ± ± + + + 6+2-
1859 ©Girl in the Red Velvet Swing
© ± ± (lOS) Drama 20th-Fox 10-15-55 4+ ++ ++ H +11+2-
1822 ©Girl Rusli, Tlie (85) ® Musical Para 8-13-55+ — S: ff — ± i: 6+5—
Glass (59) ±. 1920 Tomb Mystery LP 1-28-56 1+1-
1913 ©Glory (99) ® Drama RKO 1-14-56+ + + + + H 7+
1878 y©Good Mornino. Miss Dove
(107) © Drama 20lh-Fox 11-19-55 + tt ++ + H H « 12+
1957Goodbve. My Lady (91) WB 4- 7-56 H 2+
Drama
1801 Great Adventure (75) Doc. 7- 9-55 +t H H H 8+
1801 ©Green Maoic (85) Doc IFE 7-9-55+ + * H 5+1-
1805 ©Gun That Won the West (71) Wn.. .Col 7-16-55 i + :t ± — * + 6+5—
1874 uOGuys and Dolls (149) © Mus... MGM U-12-55 H H ++ H ft H ++ 14+
1933 Come On. Ttie (82) ® Drama AA 2-18-56 ++
1940 ©Conqueror, The (Ul) © Drama. RKO 3- 3-56 ++
1846 ©Count Three and Pray (102) © Dr.. .Col 9-24-55 +
1925 ©Court Jester, The (101) (8 Com... Para 2- 4-56 ++
1849 Court Martial (105) Drama Kingsley 10- 1-55 +
1890 OCourt-Martial of Billy Mitchell
(100) © Drama WB 12-10-55 +
Crashing Las Vegas (63) Comedy AA
1772 Crashout (90) Crime Filmakers 5-21-55 +
1947 Creature Walks Among Us, The
(78) Science-Fiction U-l 3-17-56 +
Creature With the Atom Brain
1792
(70) Science-Fiction Col 6-18-55 -
Crime Against Joe (69) Mystery 1945 UA 3-10-56 ±
1882 Crooked Web. The (77) Melodrama. Col 11-26-55 ±
—D—
1762 UO Daddy Long Legs
(126) Musical 20th-Fox 5- 7-55 ++
Busters
©
1797 Dam (101) Adv.-Dr WB 7- 2-55 ±
1771 ©Davy Crockett, King of the
Wild Frontier (95)Ady.-Dr BV 5-21-55 ++
1910 Day the World Ended
(80) ® Science-Fiction ARC 1- 7-56 ±
to (72) 6- 1781 Day Remember. A Comedy Rep 4-55 ±
Deadliest Sin, The (75) Drama AA
1852 ©Deep Blue Sea (99) © Drama. 20th-Fox 10- 1-55 +
1823 ©Desert Sands (87) ® Adventure UA 8-13-55 ±.
1842 Desperate Hours, The (112) (8 Dr...Para 9-17-55 ++
Devil Goddess (70) Adventure Col
1901 ©Diane (110) © Costumc-Drana. . MGM 12-24-55 +
Dig That Uranium (61) Comedy AA
1824 Divided Heart, The (89) Drama Rep 8-13-55 +
'.''^M937 ©Doctor at Sea (92) V Comedy. ... Rep 2-25-56 ±
1797 Don Juan's Night of Love (71) Drama. Rep 7- 2-55 ±
1876 Double Jeopardy (70) Action Rep 11-12-55 ±
1846 ©Duel on the Mississippi (72) Drama. Col 9-24-55 +
1954 Emergency Hospital (62) Dri
1779 ©Far Horizons. The (108) ® Adv. .. Para 5-28-55 +
1808 Female on the Beach (97) Drama. .U-l 7-16-55 +
1789 Finger Man (82) Crime AA 6-18-55 +
Five Against the House (S4) C«l 1768 Crime... 5-14-55 ±

REVIEW DIGEST
++ very Good; + Good; ± Fair; - Poor; = Very Poor. In the summary H is rated 2 pluses, = as 2 minuses.
ft + + ++ 7+
H-

Opinions on Current Productions
Symbol O denotes color photogrophy; © Is CInomoScopo; » VlstoVltlon; 6 Supc
^BATURE REVIEWS
For story synopsis on each pJcturi
A Day of Fury F
Ratio: Westtrn Drama
2-1 O
Univ.-Infl (5619) 78 Minutes Rel. May "56
An above-average western drama with two good marquee
names, this should satisfy generally and make a strong supporting
feature for almost any situation. Taking place within
a 24-hour period (a la "High Noon">, the picture is packed kv
with shooting action, colorful characters and a plenitude fj;^'[")
of romantic interest, exceptionally well handled by attractive
Mara Corday. a dark-haired newcomer who resembles Julie
Adams. Dale Robertson, who usually plays heroic roles, is
not always completely convincing as a gunfighter who refuses
to let law and order tame him—a rougher, less handsome
actor would have been a better choice for the part
but Jock Mahoney is excellent as the forceful, level-headed
sheriff and Jan Merlin is almost frighteningly realistic as
a teen-age juvenile desperado—a new type of character for
a western. Produced by Robert Arthur and well directed by
Harmon Jones, who has dressed it up with two kinds of
scenery—outdoor backgrounds which show up splendidly in
Technicolor and the local color of a frontier saloon with its
beautiful dancing girls. The story is by James Edmiston.
who also wrote the screenplay with Oscar Brodney.
Dale Robertson, Mara Corday, Jock Mahoney, Carl Benton
Reid, Jan Merlin, Sheila Bromley, John Dehner.
Saiari
Columbia (-
90 Minutes
F
R.itio:
Drama
255-1 c, O
Kel. June '56
Other than the lions that figure in Its telling, no one will
roar about this action-packed. Jet-speed African adventure
yarn in which sex, savagery and scenery vie for the unwavering
attention of the spectator. On the contrary, exhibitors
playing the feature will beat their tom-toms over the profitable
patronage it is certain to attract, while their customers
will render chants of praise over its multitudinous entertainment
qualities. Added to a standard plot concerning a trek
into the big-game country of the dark continent—complete
with the triangular situation of moneybags, his pulchrltudinous
fiancee and the big white hunter— is a paralleling
yarn about the Mau Mau. which accords the photoplay all
of the elements of an exciting Injuns-and-cavalry western.
Under adroit direction of Terence Young, performances
throughout are convincing, with hunk-o'-man Victor Mature
portraying the rugged hunter and Janet Leigh, as the femme
catalyst, di-splaylng as many curves and as much epidermis as
the censors will permit. What with Cinemascope. Technicolor
and other comparably lush trappings, the film Is
probably the biggest and best to date from Irving Allen's
and Albert R. Broccoli's Warwick Productions.
Victor Mature, Janet Leigh, John Justin, Roland Culver,
Liam Redmond, Earl Cameron, Orlando Martins, Juma.
Outside the Law F Ratio:
1.85-1
Univ.-Infl (5621) 80 Minutes Rel. June '56
Utilizing a standard cops-and-robbers formula as its story
line, this middle-bracket melodrama benefits from some
original story touches through which the gendarmes are
members of the hard-hitting U. S. Treasury Department staff
and the crooks are a reprehensible collection of counterfeiters
engaged in an ambitious plot to flood Europe with
$20 bills that aren't as genuine as might be desired. Needle.ss
to say. Uncle Sam's T-men straighten out the situation
in the generally well-paced action subject, which makes no
pretense of being anything other than a modestly-budgeted
attraction. Slotted as either the upper or lower segment of
average dual programs, the offering appears qualified to pay
its way. From the merchandising standpoint—in the event
that showmen who book it should decide to expend some exploitation
energy thereon—there isn't a great deal to work
with as concerns marquee dressing, the cast being short on
established names, but the title and subject matter constitute
springboards for local-level campaigns. Performances
are satisfactory, with Ray Danton showing promise in the
hero role and Leigh Snowden displaying curvaceous charm
as the gal. Jack Arnold directed for producer Albert Cohen.
Ray Danton, Leigh Snowden, Grant Williams, Onslow
Stevens, Judson Pratt. Jack Kruschen, Floyd Simmons.
Crime in the Streets
Ratio:
1.85-1
Drama
Allied Artists (5614) 91 Minutes Rel. June 10, '56
Adhering to the pattern established by the television play
that inspired it, and several preceding theatrical films of
similar theme, this treatise on juvenile delinquency specializes
in shock and violence. If the patronage enjoyed by some
of those predecessors is to be assumed as a measuring stick,
the current offering can look forward to generally profitable
bookings and satisfied customers, although a touch of
adroit showmanship may be necessary to sell the feature to
those seeking unadulterated escapist entertainment and
those who choose to be ostrichlike or skeptical about the
nationwide menace of youthful waywardness. But regardless
of how the individual thinks about such existence, none will
quarrel with the stark, uncompromising realism with which
producer Vincent M. Fennelly mounted his photoplay, and
which was attained through employment of austere, sometimes
depressing backgrounds and sets. Performances
throughout are convincing and praiseworthy, and should
be a potent factor in building favorable word-of-mouth
reactions. They are largely entrusted to screen newcomers,
recruited from video and respond arrestingly to Donald
Siegel's direction and Reginald Rose's script.
James Whitmore, John Cassavetes, Sal Mineo, Mark
Rydell, Denise Alexander, Virginia Gregg, Will Kuluva.
a 3
^ ,3
TheWayOut F S'i
RKO Radio (5611) 90 Minutes April 11, '56
This British film is a well-acted programmer that should
satisfy action fans because it builds up a considerable
amount of suspense and has interesting twists and turns in
the plot development. Women, too. may accept it because
it deals with the loyal, long-suffering wife of a weakling
who demands that she and her brother subordinate their
own interests to helping him escape the police after he commits
a murder. Some of the scenes showing the police being
outguessed are completely unrealistic, as are those showing
the police giving the wife and brother free rein in aiding the
murderer, but these faults are compensated for in part by
the excitement of the final chase. The film is entitled to
second position in double-feature houses. The two American
stars in it are exploitable. Gene Nelson is known for his work
in a number of outstanding films, lately in "Oklahoma!"
in which he had a sjTnpathetic role in contrast to his role
in this film. Mona Freeman is convincing as his wife.
The remainder of the cast is British and without marquee
value. Some of the police work is interesting, especially that
show-ing wiretapping and radio reporting. Alec Snowden produced
and Montgomery Tully directed.
Gene Nelson, Mona Freeman, John Bentley, Michael
Goodliffe, Sydney Tafler, Charles Victor.
The Creeping Unknown F
Ratio:
Science-
1,85-1 Fiction
United Artists (5620) 79 Minutes Rel. April '56
An interplanetary rocket, with crew of three, launched
under supervision of Quartermass (Brian Donlevy), coldblooded
English scientist determined to solve the mystery
of life in outer space, plunges back into English soil after
radio contact with it had been lost for 56 hours. Although
sealed in flight, the rocket cabin now contains only one
member of the original three-man crew. He is in state of
shock, unable to tell Quartermass, Home Office investigators
or Scotland Yard inspectors what became of his companions.
Upon this situation is built a science-fiction thriller, developed
for maximum suspense under skillful directing by
Val Guest and producton by Anthony Hinds. Brian Donlevy,
as Quartermass, is the only exploitable name for American
audiences, but the English supporting cast is superbly adequate.
This black-and-white is an excellent programmer
for fans who like science-fiction, adventure, mystery and
horror developed with novel details and believable characterizations.
The scenes in Westminster Abbey, where a TV
crew telecasting a documentary spot the creeping unknown
poised atop a steel scaffolding, bring the tense drama to a
memorable climax,
Brian Donlevy, Margia Dean, Jack Warner, Gordon
Jackson, David King Wood, Thora Hird,
The reviews on these pages moy be filed for futur. f«ferenea In ony of tho following *ys '" °"^ '•"^'Vc- J
U"""
loose-leaf binder; (2) Individually, by eompony. In any stondord 3xi card index file; or (3) In the BOXOFFICE PICTURE
GUIDE three-ring, poeket-siio binder, Tho loH.r, Including a year's supply of booking and doily business record stiaets,
may be obtoined from Associated Publications, 825 Von Brunt Blvd,, Konsas City 24, Mo„ for $1,00, postoge paid.
1962 BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :; April 14, 1956

FEATURE REVIEWS Sfory Synopsis; Exploitips; Adiines for Newspaper and Programs
THE STORY: "Safari" (Col)
Victor Mature, a white hunter, swears revenge when the
Mau Mau, of whom his trusted servant. Earl Cameron, is
revealed to be a member, slaughter his sister and young
son. Mature is hired as a guide by a lion-hunting party which
includes an influential Britisher. Roland Culver, and his
fiancee, Janet Leigh. Culver is badly mauled by a lion and --
Mature abandons his search for the Mau Mau in an effort to
rush him to a hospital. However in an all-out attack the
Mau Mau slay Culver, Mature kills Cameron, and—back in
Nairobi—Victor and Janet plan marriage.
EXPLOITIPS:
Cinemascope, Technicolor, the staitlng duo'of Victor Mature
and Janet Leigh, and the African Mau Mau background
are all worthy of marquee and advertising attention.
Tie in with sporting goods stores on displays of hunting
equipment. Arrange bookstore and library tieups on
African adventure books.
CATCHLINES:
Two Men, a Beautiful Woman and the Menace of the
Mau Mau in a Sizzling Story of African Adventure ... A
Story of Flaming Passion and Undying Revenge in the
Depths of the Dark Continent.

[ii'i^ttiri); theutrt' ii
3103 South Main. Houslu i) .' I
, Indianapolis,
RATES: 15c per word, minimum $1.50. cash with copy. Four consecutive insertions lor price
oi three. CLOSING DATE: Monday noon preceding publication dote. Send copy and
• answers to Box Numbers to BOXOFFICE. 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City 24, Mo. •
Thoroudliiy
loaliciii,
POSITIONS WANTED
experif
liowrricf.
Your speakers (cones), micropliones. driver-units
{horns) completely rebiilil. Western Electronii:s
Co.. 3:ni Houston Ave., Houston a, Texas.
WS"
POPCORN MACHINES
II m.ikis .mil styles. Remachines,
$185, 120 So
DRIVE-IN THEATRE EQUIPMENT
Drive-ln theatre tickets. Send for samples of our
spicial printed stub rod tickets for drive-ins.
Safe, ilistiiictive, easy to check. Kansas City Ticket
Co., Iient. 10, 109 W. I8th St , ••Film llovv,"
Kansas Clly S. Mo.
Cinemascope anamorphic lenses', finest
Closing out surplus stock, dealer cost, plus 10%
Hodge Equipment Co., 2324 Beechmoni,
cinnati 30. Ohio.
In-car speakers $4.25! Year vvarranty. 4"
steel case painted blue, white. Price per
speakers, junction box. $12.25. Dept. cc, 1
Cinema Supply Corp.. ClW W. 52nd St.,
GENERAL EQUIPMENT—USED
Peerless mannarcs, rvrriiin! ri,;;,lninn
condl\ionfd Ncumadi- film cbiml, 2,00(
clion; hand rewind il .Oi Hcpt. set. cc,
incraa Supply Corp.. 602 W. 52nd St.,
ork 19.
For sale; 500 used electric In-a-car ••Little
Inferno Heaters'^ In lots of 100-400 watt, 500
watt. Y'our choice $10 each. Inquire, George
Basle. Basic Theatres, Inc., 100 North Main
Street, Washington, I'enn. Terms, 1/3 down,
balance COU.
For sale. Simplex speakers, excellent conitiuii.
flexible cords, connecting lugs, completely
conditioned, refinished. wonderful tone, griaranred,
Sacrliicc, Only $2.75 each. Jay Sadow.
Bargain! Ticket machine, ••.•Vutomaticket,^^ 3
design, hand operation. Slightly used, c/o
:iil
eart r>rive-In, Kansas City, Mo.
Pair rear shutter, double bearing. Simplex
mechanisms with pedestals and magazines at a
real bargain. Boxoffice, 7119.
Matched series No. 2 lenses, used
good condition, focal lengths from 4%"
Reasonable. Bo.xoffice, 7120.
Best RCA drive-in theatre bo.
Speaker poles. Screen tower 80's67'. Frame mar
quee. Masonry block concession stand Si'' pb
wood counter. Plumbing fixTm,. ii'li,- I'-ni.
THEATRES FOR SALE
South 3rd St., LoulsvUk, Ky.
CLEIIRIOG HOUSE
West coast theatres for sale. Write for list.
Theatre Exchange, •JCO Kearny St., San Pranclscn
S. Calif.
Theatres, Texas, Colorado, ,Mlssourl, Kaasas
and .\rkansas. Ilalph Ernln, Broker, 1443 South
Trenton, Tulsa.
For sale; 200-car drlve-ln, south central Missouri,
resort area, on federal highway, $7,500 will
handle. Boxoffice. 7103.
southern California army
For lease with option to buy a very nice 250-
.seat theatre in town of 1.500 population, farming
community. $100 per month. Bo.xoffice, 7117.
300-car Florida west coast drive-ln located In
fast growing area. RCA equipment. Cinemascope,
ideal family operation. Owners have other
interests. Bargain, terms. Box 4272, Sarasota,
THEATRE SEATING
all chairs, Kensln Seating,
Professional reupholstering. Factory trained crew.
Free estimate anywhere. For sale: 5,000 good
used chairs, all types. OGLESBY EQUIPMENT
CO., 20356 Grand Itlver, Detroit. KEnwood 3-8740.
THEATRES FOR LEASE
For lease; Estate owned 650-seat modern do\>
town theatre. Area poprtlation 100,000. Opi
aled 20 years with second run product. H
Trust Co., Bay City, Mich.
EQUIPMENT WANTED
Wagner, 7-inch track. Box 977,
INTERMISSION TRAILERS
Pair Kaplan rear shutter h, ,,: \ ,,,: 1 .jr i.ii
;w! Super Simplex
3.000 magazines,
70/140 generator,
.950. .Wailable on
Supply Corp., 602
Excellent coated projection lenses, many brand
ew! Wollensiik 'Sunray" series I: 2". 3",
%. 3W
o". 5i,4'', 5^". 6'', ?%•. $35.00 pair,
upirlite 2%", 3^^, 3Vi", $150.00 pair. Trades
ik'ri. Wire or telephone order today. Dept. cc,
OS, Cinema Supply Corp., 602 W. 52nd St.,
ew York 19.
for intermission trailers to be exhibited in your
theatre. Novel contest incorporated in trailer.
50-50 split. Write: Winco Theatre liepresentatives.
Box 916. Battle Creek. Mich.
STUDIO AND PRODUCTION
EQUIPMENT
Cineflex 35mm camera vf/3 lenses, "i:
magazines, filer holders and case, si '
$B95. .\keley ero tripod, $900 .,
Bridgamatic Jr., 16mm automatii
$1,500 value, $975. Maurer 16 cam.',
magazines, syncmotor, 12V motor w/bat;.-ry, all
cases, complete $2,395. 500OW background projector,
reconditioned, $593. Bardwell McAlister
irdio floodlltes, 3 heads on rolling stand hold
i bulbs, $180 value, $29.50. Quadlite heads
ily $4.95. Stands only $19.95. Moviola 35mm
For sale, 2 used No. 105 American Blowers,
vith Horton pulleys and motors. Make offer. Ray
iValsh. P. 0- Box 29. Chanute. Kas.
ince sale, Simplex front shutter mechannplete,
$25 each. Simplex R. S. mechanh
double bearing intermittents $65 each.
iph. Model H rear shutter mechanisms
$35 each. Gcr-Bar Inc., 442 No. Hli-
Ind,
jmposite sound/picture, $495. Dept. cc, S.O S.
inema Supply Corp., 602 W. 52nd St., .\ew
York 19,
GENERAL EQUIPMENT—NEW
Play Cinemascope 'SS'^! .Magnaphonlc single
channel magnetic sound complete, $785: Cineadjustable
anamorphlcs, $375 pair: Mirroft.
Claric metallic seamless screens T5c sq, Buy
ne. Dept. cc. S.O.S. Cinema Supply Corp.,
. 19.
W. 52nd St New York 602
ermittent movements. New surplus for Srm-
$6950; DeVry. $59.50: Holmes. $24.50.
latic enclosed rewinds. $69.50. Dept. cc,
St.,
Cinema Supply Corp,, 602 W. 52nd S.OS.
Kiddyride

. the
A
__^l
YOUR
THEATRE
BiNG CR0SI3Y- DONAiD O'CONNOR
JEANMAIRiiiMiraGjmiORPHuHARRIS
]mjomciMmp
with
-^^J\
Ttie rnew mobile
banner frame for car top advertising
Every street and highway is packed
with potential patrons. And you can
reach them all with bright, colorful
banners that sell your stars and
shows.
TRAVEL-AD frames will do it.
Get them on your car. .
your staff. ..and
cooperating merchants.
cars of
on the vehicles of all
Find out how you can have an advertising
fleet on every street with the
Adaptable to low overheads!
Hang 'em from Morquee or Sign Posts!
No-Slip Clamps attach to your cor tops
v/ith
rubber-cushioned gutter-grips!
new, inexpensive TRAVEL-AD plan
your branch of
rnmrnv^^ciem service
\_J PMZfeaBr of memoasm
at
4^