Boxoffice-March.24.1951

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COVER STORY: 

QUARTERLY FIRST RUN REPORTS 

. . . See Page 14 

Entered u sKond-clats matter at the Post Office 

at Kanus City, Mo., under tlie act of (March 3, 1879. 

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE EDITION 

Including tha Sectional Nevfs Pages of All Editions 

MARCH 2 4, 1951

Spring at 1540 Broadway 

• • • IN THE SPRING, a young man's fancy may, as Alfred Lord 

Tennyson wrote in his "Locksley Hall," turn to thoughts oi love, but in 

the den of Friendly Leo, the Lion, vernal thinking is 

more concerned with 

those lovely grosses that bloom in the Spring, tra la. . . . And with the 

pictures which earn 'em, . . . And the campaigns which assure—or 

should Phil M say insure?—that said grosses will be earned, to the 

satisfaction of all concerned, down to and including John Q. Public. 

T T T 

• • • DURING THE NEXT FIVE MONTHS, Metro will be sending 

out a total of 18 features, and you don't need to be an Einstein to 

figure that means almost four pictures each month. . . . What's more, 

eight of the big ones will be in Technicolor. . . . And you don't have 

to be told the box office potential of Technicolor. ... Or that John Q's 

interest in color, per se. has been stimulated not a little o' late by the 

rhubarb over rainbowed television systems, . . . But Phil M is digressing 

—this little homily draws its inspiration from some of the promotional 

activities presently under way at 1540 Broadway. . , . And. as someone 

surely has remarked ere this, one thing at a time. 

T 

• • • FOLKS AT 1540 are especially excited these mid-March 

days over "Father's Little Dividend," which will be going into release in 

April, and "Go for Broke," scheduled for availability the following month. 

. . . And, of course, there's the continuing drum-beating for "Quo Vadis." 

. . . (They will tell you, and proudly, too, "THIS is the year of 'Quo 

Vadis'.") . . . They think rather highly of "Father's Little Dividend" at 

Metro, and it wouldn't Surprise them at all if the picture shaded "Father 

of the Bride" at the box office. . . . Which admittedly would be quite a 

feat. . . . Metro and its agency, Donahue & Co., have come up with a 

swell newspaper teaser ad campaign for the picture. ... It comprises 

a series of cute baby photos, with text restricted to the three words of 

the title, lettered on the tyke's training panties, as they're known in the 

infants' 

wear trade. 

T T T 

• • • THE TEASERS WILL BREAK in some 150 newspapers of 

large circulation in 75 important cities, . . . Donahue & Co. estimates 

that over the course of the advance build-up the title of the picture 

thus should receive a circulation of 55,000,000 per insertion, or for 

the entire campaign something in the neighborhood of 250,000,000 

impressions. . . . That, you will admit, is newspaper's pre-selling with a 

vengeance. . . . Metro is not slighting the notional magazines, of course. 

. . . The first copy already has broken in some April issues, and by the 

time the last ad appears in May issues some 32 mags, will be represented 

in the campaign. . . . It's Phil M's guess this means an aggregate 

circulation of upwards of 62,000,000. . . . Promotional tie-ups for the pic 

by the way, are figured at Metro as accounting for a further astronomical 

670,000,000 

readership! 

T 

• • • AS FOR "GO FOR BROKE," Metro's "Battleground" successor, 

Phil M caught a glimpse of some of the roughs for the magazine 

ad campaign the other day. and they're corking. . . . They know how 

to key copy to picture content at 1540. . . . Meanwhile, "Quo Vadis" is 

in motion in a big way tie-up-wise. . , . Already some 40 manufacturers 

are set to turn out a varied array of products from a special set of 

200 "Quo Vadis" patterns developed by the Knickerbocker Textile Corp. 

T 

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K|;»-,,M.«-' 

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"The q fO^$6^

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THE M-G-M STORY' IS THE 

GREATEST THING THAT 

HAS HAPPENED TO SHOW 

BUSINESS IN YEARS!" 

—says Charles P. Skouras, Pros,, 

Fox West Coast Theatres 

• • • THE BEST PLACE, IT WOULD SEEM, to sell pictures, is 

irom the point of initial audience impact and that is from the screen. 

. . . And that, also, is not news. . . . But the way M-G-M does it in 

"The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Story" is something else again. . . . With 

Dore Schary and Lionel Barrymore seen and heard, the parade of 

coming Leo attractions—25 of them—is on view in black and white and 

in Technicolor. . . . Also, there are 58 members of MG-M's player list 

on parade including many newcomers who will be seen for the first time. 

. . . The narration by Barrymore and Schary reflects a great deal of 

enthusiasm for the lineup of forthcoming entertainment and thot, too, 

is as it should be. . . . This is an entirely new version of the item that 

was first shown last year during the TOA convention in Texas for 

showmen. . . . Here the comment is slanted for the general public. . . . 

It runs 60 minutes and may be booked for free, gratis, nothing—from 

the area exchange. 

T T T 

• • • HERE IS THE PROGRAM. . . . "Across The Wide Missouri." 

"An American In Paris," "Calling Bulldog Drummond," "Excuse My 

Dust," "Father's Little Dividend," "Go For Broke," "The Great Catuso," 

"Inside Straight." . . . Plus "It's A Big Country," "Kind Lady," "King 

Solomon's Mines," "The Magnificent Yankee," "Mr. Imperium," "Pandora 

and the Flying Dutchman," "People In Love," "Painted Hills." , . . 

And including, of course, "Quo Vadis," "Red Badge Of Courage," "Rich, 

Young and Pretty," "Royal Wedding," "Showboat," "Soldiers Three," 

"Teresa." "Three Guys Named Mike," and "Vengeance Valley." 

THE FASTEST BOOKING HIT 

IN FILM HISTORY! 

Timely! 

Immediate Dating! 

Ask M-G-M Today!

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Way you say Goodnight 

ond ten other top tunes 

ON THE AIR/ IN THE 

PAPERS/INTHESTDRES' 

IN THE NEWSREELS/ 

BALDWI N Musical Direction by Ray Heindorf ^1^ 

Chairman: DORIS DAY'S DAY 

WARNER BROS. PICTURES 

321 WEST44THST., N.Y.C. 

TELEPHONE CIRCLE 6-1000

fKIUKC 

OF THE 

WEEK 

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Strong 8tuff for the fans is this powerful art approach being used on 20th Century-Fox's "Rawhide." 

top outdoor action thriller starring big names Tyrone Power and Susan Hayward. Big saturation campaigns 

in the West and Mid-West have started the picture off to top grosses everywhere. Its a boxoffice 

winner for May! 

(Advertisement)

« 

THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY 

Published in Nine Sectional Editions 

BEN SHLYEN 

Editor-in-Chief and Publisher 

lAMES M. lERAULD Editoi 

NATHAN COHEN.-.Executive Editor 

[ESSE SHLYEN Managing Edito. 

IVAN SPEAR Western Editor 

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lOHN G. nNSLEY..Advertising Mgr. 

Published Every Saturday by 

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Member Audit Bureau of Circulations 

Entered as Second Class matter at Post 

Office, Kansas City, Mo. Sectional Edition. 

»3 no ner year; National Edition, $7.50 

MARCH 2 4, 1951 

Vol. 58 No. 21 

c. 

STORY WITHOUT END 

-OMES now an exhibitor who thinks that 

those thousands of people who voice objection 

to film stories dealing with crime, violence and 

murder actually want stories of that type. A 

sort of "vote dry but drink wet" situation. 

This 

view is given in a letter from Philip Cohnstein, 

of the Midway Theatre, Perrine, Fla., which appears 

elsewhere in this issue. Mr. Cohnstein 

makes his point with a statement that national 

network radio "parades program after program 

of murder, crime and violence . . . with untold 

millions of avid listeners." He cites the sponsorship 

of these programs by "the largest and 

wealthiest manufacturers" as confirmation of 

their wide public acceptance. 

Doubtless there is an audience—and a big one 

—for stories of this type. 

Motion pictures based 

on such themes would not be made, if there 

were not a "demand" for them. But, the point 

of objection is that they are being overdone and 

bunching them on releasing schedules gives accentuation 

to such feeling, even though their 

ratio to the total feature output may be no 

greater for this season than in previous years. 

The same condition obtains for westerns. And 

it has applied to other types of stories with 

which the market has been surfeited to a point 

of limiting the public's choice and thereby losing 

its patronage. 

It may seem that radio has program after 

program of crime stories, on one network or 

another. Radio works the same formula with 

music, comedy, etc. But it doesn't happen on all 

networks at the same time, let alone on the same 

night. 

So those who don't want crime stories can 

tune them out and get something else. It isn't 

that easy when it comes to choosing motion pictures. 

In the smaller towns the choice is limited 

to 

the one, two or three theatres in those towns; 

in the larger cities the choice is narrowed by the 

extensive operation of day-and-dating policies. 

When a cycle of crime stories comes along, it 

can run for several weeks, due to releasing schedules 

and clearance set-ups. 

Mr. Cohnstein lays the blame for the "lost 

audience" on too much of movies altogether, 

saying they have become a glut on the market. 

"Seven days, seven nights, 52 weeks a year." So 

he advocates cutting down on the number of 

pictures and days of operation. Thus, he believes, 

the public would look forward to seeing 

movies—and not take them "for granted like 

piece of household furniture." 

a 

We don't envision many exhibitors, let alone 

distributors, falling in line with any such "remedy" 

for the condition that is the cause of so 

much complaint. Still, it has often been declared 

that "fewer and better" pictures would bring 

about improvement in public appreciation and 

increase attendance. And, of course, there is the 

advocacy of cutting down on the volume of picture 

fare by eliminating the double-feature addiction. 

Making the public "look forward to seeing 

movies" is something else again. But the way 

to achieve that is not by cutting down on days 

of operation and limiting the opportunity of 

seeing pictures. Rather, it would seem, the thing 

to do is to make going to the movies AN EVENT, 

which can be accom])lished first, through a 

betterment of product; secondly, by better programming 

(that means not to dissipate good 

product by ridiculous combinations of top A 

pictures) ; thirdly, by lengthening of runs, 

coupled with showmanship that sparkles, presentationwise 

and promotionwise. 

For many years producers and distributors 

have been saying that double-featuring is the 

curse of the industry. But, even where the same 

management was in control of extensive theatre 

chains, the lead was not taken to set the good 

example; to 

prove through the courage of their 

convictions that well-balanced single-feature 

programs would attract more people to theatre 

boxoffices. And, speaking of product dissipation, 

the examples set in some of these affiliated 

situations would be laughable, if they were not 

so utterly harmful to the industry's best interests 

—even though they catch a 

few quick bucks. 

Perhaps one of the basic troubles has been 

that remedies for the problem have been "expedient," 

rather than for the long pull. Thus, 

unless a change in policy was an immediate 

"sensation," it was quickly dumped for reversion 

to old policies, 

despite any shortcomings. 

How can the public be made to believe that 

picture quality is up, when the policy of quantity 

"bargains" is continued? How can the 

public be expected to have confidence in picture 

offerings, when the "weak-knees" buckle at the 

first drop in a ticket line? 

Well, it's an old story—and it's getting kind 

of long. 

Like the weather, everybody talks about 

improving picture business, but not much is 

being done about it. 

J

A/, y. GROSSES TAKE A WALLOP 

FROM KEFAUVER'S TV DRAMA 

/TV 

but there were enough calls for the regular 

films to leave him in doubt, so he turned off 

0S3MMM 

the TV. 

Tremendous Draw Focuses 

Industry Attention on 

Future of Newsreels 

By J. M. JERAULD 

NEW YORK—Let there be no mistake 

about it, star names—or personalities, as 

some prefer to call them—can put on a 

show in any medium—stage, films, the 

political platform, or television. 

Former Mayor William O'Dwyer of New 

York proved it Monday (19) and Tuesday 

(20). He may also have proved that televised 

newsreels are a must for theatres, if 

the standard reels are to survive the new 

TV receiver competition. 

This does not necessarily mean unedited 

newsreels taken directly off the air; it may 

mean air or wire delivery of news for use as 

film while the news is hot in key cities. There 

has been a lot of discussion of this in recent 

months. 

SURVEY THEIR GROSSES 

Exhibitors in the entire metropolitr.n district 

ruefully surveyed their grosses for Monday 

and Tuesday and couldn't agree whether 

the dip was due to weak Holy week films or 

OT>wyer on television. In about 20 other 

cities reached by the telecasts the story was 

the same. 

One thing all of them in the New York 

area agreed upon was that they had encountered 

the most violent competition in 

many years. 

Four theatres in New York City and one 

in Albany carried the large-screen television 

pictures. Two Century Circuit houses put 

them on free up to 6:30 p. m. as a public 

service and served lunches in addition. The 

Fabian Fox in Brooklyn carried short excerpts, 

as did the Paramount, Manhattan. 

The latter ran for about 10 minutes. The insert 

system was also tried in Albany. 

The Pulton Theatre, Pittsburgh, which demonstrated 

its new tube-to-film machine 

Monday night, ignored the Kefauver committee 

and used the Golden Glove boxing 

contests from New York. The RKO Fordham 

TV screen projector was being overhauled 

and could not be used. It was put back into 

commission Tuesday and was used an hour. 

It was used again Wednesday. 

STORE BUSINESS IS DOWN 

In the meantime, what happened outside 

of theatres? New York department stores 

reported business was off 27 per cent. Taverns 

were Jammed. Even some of the high-priced 

night clubs were crowded for hours with customers 

sitting In front of television sets. In 

several schools whole classes were allowed to 

sit in front of receivers. Public libraries in 

Yonkers and Stamford, Conn., Installed receivers 

for the occasion. 

Hooper estimated that between 27 and 30 

per cent of all television receivers were in use 

all day both days. 

Exhibitors and home office distribution 

executives were among the watchers. 

Fred J. Schwartz, vice-president of the 

f 

_FREE TO THE PUBLIC 

DIRECT TELECAST DP 

KEFAUVER INVESTiSATIOM 

OH GIANT T V SCREEH 

The Queens Theatre in Jamaica, L. I., 

a Century circuit house, opened its doors 

to all who wanted to see the crime hearing 

on big screen television. One effect 

was that hundreds for the first time saw 

television on a large screen and the comparison 

with "life size" 17-inch screen 

images was obvious. 

Century Circuit, New York, put on the only 

free theatre shows because he considered it 

a public service and he was frank in pointing 

out that the Federal Communications Commission 

has already stated that if theatres 

are to have any claim to exclusive wave 

lengths they must prove they can perform a 

public service. 

Schwartz opened the 2,075-seat Queens 

Theatre at 9:30 a. m. The usual opening hour 

is 12:30 p. m. He advertised the shows in 

the newspapers and had 40x60 lobby signs. 

He also put it on the marquees. About 500 

per.sons went in at the start and the peak 

was well over 1,000 during the day, with people 

coming and going at intervals. When 

the hearing adjourned at noon, coffee and 

sandwiches were served on the mezzanine and 

a 20-inch television receiver was turned on 

there. The television continued until 6:30 

p. m., when the boxofflce was opened and 

the regular film program went on. 

At the Marine, a 2,200-seat house in 

Brooklyn, pretty much the same routine was 

carried out. Chinese food from a nearby 

restaurant was served during the noon recess. 

The house was over three-quarters full most 

of the time. 

Queens and Brooklyn have more home television 

sets than any of the other New York 

boroughs. The density is said to be the greatest 

in the United States. 

At the Fox Theatre, Brooklyn, where admissions 

were charged for the regular film 

program, Lou Levy, the manager, put his 

television show on from 11 a. m. to 12 m. 

Then he asked the audience if It wanted to 

see more. There were loud calls for more. 

I 

The audience seemed to be intensely interested, 

Levy reported. 

At the Paramount Theatre the tube-tofilm 

system was used tor ten minutes after 

the regular Paramount Newsreel in the first 

show and again in the late afternoon and 

evening, both Monday and Tuesday. Business 

was not good. It rarely is the week before 

Easter, but the audience reactions were remarkable. 

In the meantime BOXOFFICE reporters, 

as well as reporters from all the New York 

papers, looked in on mid-Manhattan and outlying 

taverns. They were all crowded. 

An RKO executive said the competition 

was like a "double-header World Series 

game." 

MIGHT AGE NEWSREELS 

What of the future? This question was 

asked of a number of circuit heads. They 

had no answer, except to say that anything 

that had been seen by 30,000,000 or more 

persons might be old stuff when it reaches 

screens in the regular newsreels. 

There never has been competition like this, 

but it could happen again. 

What the telecast proved, according to a 

Loew executive, was that colorful personalities 

could stage real-life drama that rivaled 

the carefully staged fictional drama of tradition. 

The Kefauver committee knew it had a 

star personality in O'Dwyer and the innuendoes 

that accompanied the buildup gave 

the impression that his political future was 

at stake. It may have been. Restaurant and 

street corner debaters disagreed on that point. 

The one thing they agreed on was that 

O'Dwyer was a skilled antagonist on the 

witness stand and the general impression 

was that O'Dwyer did more damage to Senator 

Tobey's standing than Tobey did to his 

(O'Dwyer's) 

All the exhibitor thinking about television 

in the recent past has been along the lines 

of introducing athletic contests into theatres 

as added attractions. Now they are 

wondering what this historic broadcast will 

bring. It is obvious now that debates, 

struggles for political power, or just publicity, 

or other things that might catch the public 

fancy, can either fill or empty theatres. 

There will be advance advertising the next 

time. 

SPONSORED BY TIME 

Wednesday night the senate committee left 

for Washington and the American Broadcasting 

Co. announced that it would continue 

the telecasts over the ABC network under 

the sponsorship of Time, Inc. Hearinas were 

held Saturday (24) and are ."scheduled for 

Monday and Tuesday. New York theatres 

were undecided on whether to continue showing 

them. Fabian Theatres executives were 

so well pleased with their recent closed circuit 

telecast of a college basketball game that 

they tried a second show in the Palace Theatre 

Thursday (22) night. 

( 

8 BOXOFFICE March 24, 1951

Pittsburgh 

TV Exclusive 

On Screen Via 16mm 

PITTSBURGH—The second closed circuit 

television pictures ever shown in a 

film theatre and the first through a 

16mm tube-to-film apparatus were presented 

here at Shea's Fulton theatres 

Monday (19). 

The showing was done under the most 

adverse conditions, with snow and sleet 

p>elting the town, but the orchestra seats 

were filled to capacity and the balcony 

was about three-quarters full. The pictures 

were of the Golden Gloves boxing 

contest in Madison Square Garden, New 

York, and were brought into Pittsburgh 

over the telephone company's coaxial 

cable and flashed on a 21xl6-foot screen 

with a 129-foot throw from the projector 

in 60 seconds. The program continued 

until 11:30 with the audience frequently 

cheering the boxers. 

Due to the widespread interest in the 

Kefauver hearings telecasts, John Walsh, 

manager of the theatre, and General Precision 

Laboratory, Inc., makers of the 

projector, tried to make arrangements 

for showing some of the hearings eis part 

of the opening program, but could not 

secure clearance from WDTV, DuMont 

station here. 

There was general interest in the demonstration 

among theatremen, because 

General Precision claims its 16mm machine 

can be operated at one-fourth the 

cost of either 35mm tube-to-film or direct 

television apparatus. 

Gerald Shea, Andrew Grainger and 

Carroll Lawler of the Shea circuit, 

Nathan Halpern, television adviser to 

Fabian Theatres and other groups. Jay 

Rabinovitz of United Paramount Theatres, 

Blair Foulds of General Precision, 

and Capt. Thomas Hamilton of the University 

of Pittsburgh, and a member of 

the National Collegiate Athletic Ass'n, 

were present. 

David Korman to Convert 

TV Lounge Into Theatre 

DETROIT—Motion pictures have chalked 

up a neat victory over television in the decision 

of David Korman, independent circuit 

owner, to reconvert his television lounge into 

a picture theatre. The 210-seater is located 

in the former second auditorium of the old 

duplex Carver, formerly the Catherine, and 

is located in an east side Negro neighborhood. 

Business in the lounge has been fair, with 

the revenue from the popcorn, hot dogs and 

other refreshments making a welcome addition 

to the theatre revenue. Admission was 

secured through the theatre boxoffice and 

was free to all theatre patrons. However, experience 

showed that the television lounge, 

after the novelty appeal wore off, appealed to 

big crowds only on nights of fights and 

the like. 

Actual reconversion has not been ordered, 

pending a study of equipment prices and 

availability, but Korman is taking steps to 

switch it back to a duplex—the only one to 

be operated inside the city for about 25 years. 

The Catherine, built as a duplex, became a 

one-auditorium house in actual operation 

years ago. 

STATION PROGRAMMING HIT BY SHORTAGE: 

TV Using Films Too Fast; 

1,300 Discards in 2 Years 

By SUMNER SMITH 

NEW YORK — Television stations are 

faced with a shortage of motion pictures. 

That is particularly true of those in the 

smaller cities which depend for revenue 

on tieing in local advertising with their 

programs. They can't afford live shows. 

Some stations which have repeated films 

they had shown as recently as three 

months before have received complaints 

from their audiences. Their situation could 

become acute in a few months. 

About 1,300 films originating from the 

film industry were shown on television 

during 1949 and 1950. They were old films 

played out so far as theatres are concerned. 

The number coming from the same source 

is dwindling rapidly. The probability is 

that many of those continuing to reach 

television will be foreign product. 

SEEK NEW SOURCES 

There are a number of reasons for the 

coming shortage, but first let's see what new 

supply may become available. One source is 

films made especially for television which is 

now, except in a few instances, experiencing 

labor pains. There are still technical problems 

to be ironed out, some scripts are said 

to be weak and cost in relation to potential 

income will remain high until the Federal 

Communications Commission lifts its station 

freeze and station buying power is numerically 

increased. Also, the smaller stations won't 

get these films immediately, and any films 

shown by the networks aren't considered 

good risks when repeated by local stations. 

Another source of films to meet the emergency 

is the film industry itself as represented 

by the major companies and the 

independents. In that connection it is Interesting 

to note that at least two of the 

majors — Paramount and Columbia — have 

been wondering whether to use their old 

films to get some revenue out of television. 

Warner Bros., MGM, RKO, 20th Century-Fox 

and United Artists are said not to be interested. 

The obstacles to any such deal with 

television are considerable for several reasons 

which will be described later. There is 

no certainty that one will be attempted. 

WHO PROVIDED FILMS? 

Where did those 1,300 films mentioned 

above come from? They came from foreign 

sources, from independent producers and 

from the major companies. In the last two 

instances, the owners of the original rights 

sold the rights to small dealers who had the 

foreign market in mind. Their idea was to 

locate countries in which a film had not been 

shown and sell it there. Then television came 

along and the dealers began reaping a harvest. 

In order to get started, television had 

to have program material and films were the 

immediate answer. 

The played-out films had been sold under 

old five-to-seven-year theatre contracts 

which did not mention television, but did 

stipulate that the films were to be used "for 

theatrical purposes only." There has been 

talk from time to time of testing the legality 

of selling them to television, but the decision 

was reached that it would be an expensive 

process because the matter would ultimately 

reach the Supreme Court. Prices paid for 

the films by the dealers ran about one-quarter 

of each dollar of negative cost. Independents 

sold a lot of them. 

The dealers—there have been a lot of them, 

but now the business is mostly concentrated 

in four firms—made up catalogs of films and 

arranged package deals with the bigger stations. 

Some employed salesmen who visited 

local stations throughout the country and 

sold the packages for local advertising tieups. 

Rentals rose until they reached an average 

of $250 a showing for a feature. Incidentally, 

that figure does not apply to the Los Angeles 

territory where there is no coaxial cable. 

There a feature rental may hit $2,000. 

SELLING IS EXPENSIVE 

The dealers who could afford salesmen and 

traveling expenses soon learned that it was a 

mistake to sell to a network because it could 

ruin a local market. Furthermore, some of 

the networks such as that of the National 

Broadcasting Co. have been decreasing the 

number of films used in favor of the stiff 

competition for top live talent. WNBT, the 

NBC television station, presented just 53 

films, and only four of them features, during 

February. For one short it paid only $10. 

The top rental paid was $150. The films were 

shown mostly afternoons and some Sundays, 

according to Stanton M. Osgood, assistant 

director of network operations. He said television 

needs are for films with an entirely 

new approach, entertainment unlike the productions 

of the stage or current motion pictures, 

and that it isn't likely to develop on 

a sufficient scale for a couple of years. 

In the meantime, if there are to be many 

films on television, where are they to come 

from? The majors are heeding exhibitor 

warnings that their films are not to go to 

television until completely played out by the 

theatres. There is the possibility that some 

majors may try bulk producing direct for 

television, but that could incur exhibitor ill 

will and it is said sufficient revenue won't be 

forthcoming until the FCC permits many additional 

stations. When you consider Hollywood 

studio costs, the margin of profit right 

now is about non-existent. 

All film men, like other business men, want 

to make money. They like the feel of it in 

their own wallets and they have stockholders 

to consider. If sufficient profits can be made 

out of television, that source of income will 

tempt distributors and producers now giving 

it the cold shoulder. Gael Sullivan, executive 

director of the Theatre Owners of America, 

has said as much to exhibitor members. But, 

as said above, the major companies have a 

big obstacle to surmount before they can sell 

to television. That obstacle is James C. Petrillo, 

president of the American Federation 

of Musicians. 

(Continued on page 17) 

BOXOFFICE March 24, 1951

Allied States Board to Meet 

In Kansas City May 14-15 

Scheduled to coincide with national equipment 

show and drive-in theatre owners' convention 

May 15-17 at the Phillips hotel, 

Abram F. Myers announced. 

Exposition Group Meets, 

But No Date Decision 

Plan for promoting film industry event at 

the Grand Central Palace discussed in New 

York at meeting presided by Fred J. 

Schwartz of Century Theatres; another 

meeting later. 

Stronger Antitrust Measure 

Again Faces Congress 

House judiciary sub-committee trying to 

boost the maximum fine for monopoly violations 

from $5,000 to $50,000; house passed 

such a bill before, but the senate did not act. 

Bill Banning N. Y. Tax Jumps 

Now Up to Governor Dewey 

Measure aimed to prevent cities of less than 

25,000 from imposing taxes until July 1962; 

bill was supported by industry leaders at 

recent session. 

Subscriber-Vision System 

Demonstrated for FCC 

Skiatron's new boxoffice television is 

viewed in New York; to seek permission to 

conduct test in the New York area similar 

to Phonevision in Chicago. 

< 

Columbia Division Chiefs 

Hear About New Product 

Plans for 17 features, seven in color, for 

coming six months, are discussed at New 

York gathering, led by A. Montague, general 

sales manager, early in the week. 

* 

Warners District Managers 

WiU Meet March 28. 29 

Ben Kalmenson, vice-president in charge 

of distribution, calls two-day conference at 

the home office; spring and summer releases 

will be discussed. 

Britain May Ask Long-Term 

Anglo-U.S. Film Agreement 

Harold Wilson, Board of Trade president. 

Intimates he seeks abandonment on oner year 

pacts; says 30 per cent quota on first features 

and 25 per cent on second will remain. 

Industry Leaders to Honor 

Richard Walsh April 10 

Dinner to be given by film executives at 

21 club in New York for president of International 

Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes 

and Motion Picture Operators. 

Columbia, Kramer Sign 

$25,000,000 Pact 

HOLLYWCX)D — Cited by Harry Cohn, 

president of Columbia, as "the most important 

deal we have ever made," signatures 

have been affixed to a $25,000,000 contract 

calling for the Stanley Kramer Co. to deliver 

30 top-budget features during the next 

five years for Columbia release. The commitment 

has been in the negotiation stages 

for several months. 

Cohn called it the first arrangement "of 

this kind" ever to be concluded "between a 

major corporation and a completely selfoperating 

independent organization." 

The Kramer firm, at present headquartering 

at Motion Picture Center studios, will 

move intact to Columbia with 12 properties 

already purchased and in preparation. These 

include: 

Three Broadway stage hits, "Death of a 

Salesman," "The Happy Time" and "Member 

of the Wedding." 

A best-seller, "My Six Convicts," by Donald 

Wilson. 

"Four Poster," a stage play by Jan de Hartog 

Ȧ Taylor Caldwell novel, "The Wide House." 

A children's fantasy by Ted Geisel, known 

as "Dr. Seuss," cartoonist and humorist. 

"High Noon," an original by Carl Foreman. 

"Four Shades in Blue," by Irving Reis. 

"The Cyclist Raid," a Harper's magazine 

story by Frank Rooney. 

Robert Louis Stevenson's "Markheim." 

An untitled original by Foreman. 

Since he entered independent production 

ranks, Kramer has filmed "So This Is New 

York," "Champion," "Home of the Brave" 

and "The Men," all for United Artists release, 

and "Cyrano de Bergerac," currently 

being roadshown through Kramer's distribution 

setup. This will be turned over to 

UA for general showings some time in 1952. 

Kramer still owes UA one picture to wind up 

his commitment, which probably will be 

"High Noon." 

Columbia will finance and share in the 

profits, with Kramer's company to make six 

pictures annually. The initial sextet will be 

"My Six Convicts," "Death of a Salesman," 

"The Cyclist Raid," "The Happy Time," 

"Four Poster" and "Member of the Wedding." 

Kramer has expanded his organization by 

Stanley 

Kramer, 

young producer of 

"Cyrano de Bergerac," 

"Home of the 

Brave," "Champion" 

and other hit films, 

who this week signed 

a $25,000,000 

production 

pact with Columbia 

Pictures 

Corp., calling for 30 

top pictures over a 

five-year period. 

signing Fred Zinneman, Hugo Pregonese and 

Joseph Losey to directorial contracts and 

Hugo Butler, John Houseman, Samuel Taylor 

and Eve Odell to writing tickets. The 

Kramer unit is headed by him and Sam 

Katz, chairman of the board: George Glass, 

vice-president; and Writer Carl Foreman. 

With them are Rudolph Sternad, production 

designer; Dmitri Tiomkin, composer-conductor; 

Harry Gerstad, film editor; and Clem 

Beauchamp, production manager, all of whom 

will continue to function in those capacities. 

Kramer declared his company's operational 

policy will remain the same except for stepping 

up its pace. 

Monogram Reports Profit 

For Last Half of 1950 

HOLLYWOOD—Monogram Pictures 

Corp. 

showed a net profit of $163,312 for the 26 

weelcs ending Dec. 30, 1950, stockholders were 

informed in a letter from Steve Broidy, company 

president. Broidy explained that no 

provision for federal income taxes was required 

because of losses during the preceding 

two years, which can be carried forward 

in reduction of taxable income for the current 

year. 

Gross income from film rentals, sale of 

accessories, etc., for the 26 weeks was $3,- 

937,810. Expenses, including amortization of 

released films, participation of outside producers, 

selling, administration and interest, 

amounted to $3,774,498. 

In his letter to the stockholders Broidy 

called attention to the financial statement 

which accompanied the annual report for the 

year ending July 1, 1950. and which pointed 

out that no provision had been made for 

pwssible losses on two pictures that were being 

distributed by United Artists. At the request 

of the Securities and Exchange Commission, 

Broidy said, an accountants' report 

on the two films has been revised. A special 

amortization of $400,000 has been provided 

for the two features by charge to income account, 

increasing the consolidated loss for 

the year ending July 1, 1950, from $263,342 to 

$663,342, and the deficit account from $704,- 

826 to $1,104,826. At the same time the inventory 

of released product was reduced 

from $2,953,269 to $2,553,269. 

( 

U) 

BOXOFFICE 

: 

: March 

24, 1951

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-H. Y. newspaper 

ANOTHOtOUNa 

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FORTY FEATURES SET FOR APRIL 

AS MONTHLY TOTALS INCREASE 

Of Five in Technicolor, 

Two Are Biographies; 

Comedies Increased 

By FRANK LEYENDECKER 

NEW YORK — Forty features will be 

available to exhibitors for April release, a 

total exceeded only by March, which had 

42 features released by the 12 major companies. 

These monthly totals show a continuing 

increase in the number of features 

released, in contrast to the five months of 

the 1950-51 season, when the totals ranged 

from only 22 released in December 1950 to 

38 released in January 1951. 

ONE IS A REISSUE 

However, only five of the 40 April releases 

will be in color, in contrast to nine 

for March, which included the Easter 

period. One of the 40 is a reissue, to make 

a total of only nine for the 1950-51 season 

to date, a sharp drop from last season's 

figures. 

The five Technicolor features for April 

release are: "The Great Caruso," a musical 

biography; "Valentino," a romantic biography; 

"Quebec," an adventure film; "Santa 

Fe," a western, and "Double Crossbones," a 

comedy. The reissue is "King of the Wild 

Horses." 

In addition to "Valentino" and "Quebec," 

the important dramas for April will be: "The 

Bullfighter and the Lady," "Only the Valiant," 

"Raton Pass," "The Scarf," "He Ran 

All the Way," "Queen for a Day," "Follow 

the Sun," "Fighting Coast Guard," "Kon- 

Tiki," "I Was an American Spy," "The Long 

Dark Hall," "The Thing," "Oliver Twist" and 

"When I Grow Up." 

More than the usual number of comedies 

in addition to "Double Crossbones," will include: 

"Soldiers Three," "Father's Little 

Dividend," "You're in the Navy Now," 

"The Lemon Drop Kid," "Molly," "I Can Get 

It for You Wholesale," "Ma and Pa Kettle 

Back on the Farm," "Up Front," "Skipalong 

Rosenbloom" and "Ghost Chasers." "Footlight 

Varieties" is a musical revue and the 

balance are either action films or westerns. 

LINEUP BY COMPANIES 

Broken down by companies, the April releases 

will be: 

COLUMBIA—"Valentino," in Technicolor, 

starring Eleanor Parker and Anthony Dexter 

with Richard Carlson, Patricia Medina, 

Joseph Calleia and Otto Kruger; "Sante Fe," 

In Technicolor, starring Randolph Scott, 

JanLs Carter and Jerome Courtland; "Fury 

of the Cargo," starring Johnny Weissmuller 

with Sherry Moreland, William Henry and 

Lyle Talbot; "Flame of Stamboul," with Richard 

Denning, Lisa Ferraday and Norman 

Lloyd; "Whirlwind," starring Gene Autry 

with Smiley Burnette and Gail Davis, and 

"King of the Wild Horses," a reissue starring 

Rex. the wonder horse, and William Janney. 

12 

EAGLE LION CLASSICS—"Oliver Twist," 

Academy Awards Night 

Set For This Thursday 

HOLLYWOOD — Filmdom's 

glamor 

contingent will mingle with industry executives, 

trade and lay press representatives 

and the autograph-hunting public 

when the 23rd annual Awards of Merit 

presentation ceremonies of the Academy 

of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences are 

staged Thursday (29) at the Pantages 

Theatre here. 

The event is under the direction of 

Scenarist Richard I. Breen and will be 

broadcast both via the American Broadcasting 

Co. network and the Armed Forces 

Radio Service, while Station KFWB will 

air a special forecourt program preceding 

the ceremonies. 

President Charles Brackett of the 

Academy will be the host of the evening 

and will make the opening address. 

Nominees for Oscars or citations in virtually 

every film achievement category will 

be among the guests. 

Public sale of seats began Monday (19) 

through the Academy's general offices 

and at the Pantages boxoffice. 

a J. Arthur Rank production, starring Robert 

Newton, Francis L. Sullivan, Alec Guinness 

and John Howard Davies with Kay Walsh 

and Henry Stephenson; "The Long Dark 

Hall," a Peter Cusick production, starring 

Rex Harrison and Lilli Palmer; "Skipalong 

Kosenbloom," starring Maxie Rosenbloom and 

Max Baer; "When I Grow Up," an S. P. 

Eagle production, starring Bobby DriscoU, 

Martha Scott and Robert Preston, and "Badman's 

Gold," a Jack Schwarz western. 

LIPPERT — "Danger Zone," with Hugh 

Beaumont and Richard Travis, and "Pier 23," 

Hugh Beaumont and Ann Savage. 

METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER—"The Great 

Caruso," in Technicolor, starring Mario Lanza 

and Ann Blyth, with Jarmila Novotna, 

Blanche Thebom and Dorothy Kirsten of the 

Metropolitan Opera; "Father's Little Dividend," 

starring Spencer Tracy, Elizabeth 

Taylor and Joan Bennett, with Don Taylor 

and BlUie Burke, and "Soldiers Three," starring 

Stewart Granger, Walter Pidgeon and 

David Niven, with Robert Newton and Greta 

Gynt. 

MONOGRAM—"I Was an American Spy," 

an Allied Artists production, starring Ann 

Dvorak and Gene Evans; "Ghost Chasers," 

with Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall and the Bowery 

Boys, and "Canyon Raiders," a Whip Wilson 

western with Fuzzy Knight. 

PARAMOUNT—"The Lemon Drop Kid," 

starring Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell with 

Lloyd Nolan, Jane Darwell and Andrea King; 

"Quebec," a LeMay-Templeton in Technicolor, 

starring John Barrymore jr. and Corinne 

Calvet with Patric Knowles, Barbara 

Rush and Nikki Duval, and "Molly," starring 

Mrs. Gertrude Berg with Philip Loeb and 

Barbara Rush, set back from March. 

RKO-RADIO — Howard Hawks' "The 

Thing," with Margaret Sheridan, Jim Arness 

and Kenneth Tobey; "Kon-Tiki," a Sol Lesser 

production photographed on Thor Heyerdahl's 

Pacific voyage; "Footlight Varieties," 

a vaudeville revue with Jack Paar, Red Buttons, 

Wendy Waldron and Liberace, and 

"Saddle Legion," a Tim Holt western with 

Dorothy Malone. 

REPUBLIC—"The Bullfighter and the 

Lady," starring Robert Stack with Joy Page 

and Gilbert Roland ; "Fighting Coast Guard," 

starring Brian Donlevy, Ella Raines and Forrest 

Tucker with John Russell; "Thunder in 

God's Country," a Rex Allen western with 

Mary Ellen Kay, and "Wells Fargo Gunmaster," 

an Allan Lane western with Mary Ellen 

Kay. 

TWENTIETH CENTURY-FOX—"You're in 

the Navy Now" (formerly "U.S.S. Teakettle"), 

starring Gary Cooper, Jane Greer, Miilard 

Mitchell and Eddie Albert; "I Can Get It 

for You Wholesale," starring Dan Dailey, 

Susan Hayward and George Sanders, and 

"Follow the Sun," starring Glenn Ford, Anne 

Baxter, Dennis O'Keefe and June Havoc. 

UNITED ARTISTS—The first 

batch of releases 

from the reorganized company will include: 

"Queen for a Day," Robert Stillman 

production based on the popular radio-TV 

program, composed of three stories, "Horsie," 

by Dorothy Parker; "The Gossamer World," 

by Faith Baldwin, and "High Diver," by John 

Ashworth; "He Ran All the Way," a Bob 

Roberts production, starring John Garfield 

and Shelley Winters, and "The Scarf," I. G. 

Goldsmith production, starring Emlyn Williams, 

Mercedes McCambridge, John Ireland 

and James Burton. 

UNIVERSAL - INTERNATIONAL — "Up 

Front," based on the Bill Mauldin stories, 

starring David Wayne and Tom Ewell with 

Jeffrey Lynn and Marina Berti; "Double 

Crossbones," in Technicolor, starring Donald 

O'Connor and Helena Carter, set back 

from February, and "Ma and Pa Kettle Back 

on the Farm," starring Marjorie Main and 

Percy Kilbride. 

WARNER BROS.—"Only the Valiant," a 

Cagney production, starring Gregory Peck 

with Barbara Payton, Ward Bond. Lon 

Chaney and Gig Young, and "Raton Pass," 

starring Dennis Morgan, Patricia Neal, Steve 

Cochran and Dorothy Hart. 

Retitle 'First Legion' 

NEW YORK—"Deep in Your Heart" has 

been set as the new title of the Douglas 

Slrk production made for UA release under 

the title, "The First Legion." 

BOXOFFICE 

: 

: March 

24, 1951

Solon Praises Parks 

For Telling Trufh 

WASHINGTON—Rep. Harold H. Velde 

(111.), ranking Republican on the house 

un-American activities committee, Thursday 

(22) praised screen actor Larry Parks 

for admitting that he had once been a 

Communist and testifying about his experiences 

while a party member. 

Velde said, however, that he would ask 

that actor Howard DaSilva and actress 

Gale Sondergaard be cited for contempt 

of Congress for refusing to tell the committee 

about their alleged Communist 

affiliations on the grounds of self-incrimination. 

In a speech to the house, Velde said he 

felt it "not only a duty but a privilege 

to commend a fellow-American, Larry 

Parks, on the testimony that he gave 

yesterday 

." 

. He said Parks was the 

. 

first member of the acting profession who 

"told the truth about the treacherous 

techniques that are used by the enemies 

of constitutional government. 

"His courage in admitting that he had 

been a member of the Communist party, 

although he knew that it would bring 

unfavorable publicity to him, is to be admired. 

His willingness to cooperate with 

the un-American activities committee 

shows that he is a loyal and true American." 

SAG Will Not Protect 

Communist Players 

HOLLYWOOD—Although the Screen Actors 

Guild will "fight against any secret 

blacklist created by any group of employers," 

it will not offer protection to any player who 

"by his own actions outside of union activities 

has so offended American public opinion 

that he has made himself unsalable at 

the boxoffice." 

That is the considered opinion of the SAG 

board of directors, voiced in formal reply to 

actress Gale Sondergaard, who in a letter to 

the directorate which also was published in 

paid advertisements in the local tradepress, 

expressed indignation that she was among a 

group of Hollywood personalities which had 

been subpenaed to appear before the house 

un-American Activities committee in its new 

hearings designed to reopen a probe into 

alleged Communist infiltration in the film 

capital. 

The SAG attitude was promulgated at a 

board meeting at which the directorate went 

on record as rejecting "the quoted typical 

Communist party line" which brands the 

congressional hearings as a "warmongering, 

labor and freedom-busting . . . witch-hunt," 

and said it recognized "its obvious purposes 

of attempting to smear the hearings in advance 

and to create disrespect for the American 

form of government." 

Miss Sondergaard was Informed, in part: 

"The deadly seriousness of the international 

situation dictates the tone of our reply . . . 

we believe that a 'clear and present danger' 

to our nation exists. The guild board believes 

that all participants in the international 

Communist party conspiracy should be exposed 

for what they are." 

BOXOFFICE March 24, 1951 

Reveals He Was a 

Communist for Several Years 

No Party Line in Scripts, 

Larry Parks Tells Solans 

WASHINGTON—Screen actor Larry Parks 

admitted in Washington (21) he had been a 

member of the Communist party from 1941 

to late 1944 or 1945, but declared he had left 

the party, was no longer a member, was 

in no way sympathetic with its present 

objectives, and, in reply to questioning, stated 

emphatically that he would bear arms against 

the Soviet Union "without question" if this 

country should become involved in war with 

Russia. 

Parks was the opening witness in the new 

hearings by the House un-American Activities 

committee on the extent of Communist 

infiltration into the entertainment professions 

in Hollywood. 

NO ATTEMPTS MADE 

He was equally emphatic in telling the 

committee that the Communists have not 

been able to insert propaganda into Hollywood 

films, and that it would be impossible 

for them to do so if they tried, but added 

that so far as he knew, no such attempt has 

been made. 

Asked by Rep. Francis Walter (D., Pa.) 

whether he had ever been instructed, while 

a member of an actors' Communist party cell, 

"to attempt to influence the thinking of the 

American people" through his acting, Parks 

said he had not received any such directions. 

"If you go to the movies," he stated, "it is 

almost evident that this was not done in 

pictures." 

Walter then asked whether such action 

had ever been discussed while he was still 

in the party, or whether any attempt had 

been made to "set up a hard core" within 

the group whose job would be to slant film 

product to fit the party line. 

"Not to my knowledge," Parks replied, 

"but as a person close to the industry, I feel 

it would be impossible—and it is impossible 

for an actor to do so. However, I was never 

asked or instructed to do so." 

TOO MANY SEE SCRIPTS 

Asked by committee chairman John S. 

Wood (D., Ga.) whether a script writer would 

be able to inject Communist propaganda into 

his material. Parks said he didn't believe it 

could be done. "The script passes through 

too many hands—unfortunately, because I 

believe a script should be written and directed 

by one man — special writers, associate 

producers, producers, etc. 

"I believe it would be an impossibility, and 

I do not believe it has ever happened." 

The hearings, which will not get into full 

swing until April 10—only three of some 30 

or 40 prospective witnesses were on hand for 

today's session—were held in the small committee 

hearing room, which can accommodate 

only some 50 spectators, in addition to 

20 press seats. But there were at least 40 

press and radio reporters, including the chief 

of the Washington bureau of Tass and some 

representatives of British, Canadian and 

other foreign papers, so the halls were filled 

with people waiting for a seat. In addition, 

the four radio networks and some independent 

broadcasters had pooled on wire-recording 

facilities for rebroadcast. 

Parks was accompanied by his New York 

attorney, Louis Mandel. 

Parks resisted all attempts by committee 

counsel Frank Tavenner to get any information 

from him in open session concerning 

others in his Communist cell, but later did 

divulge some names in closed session, according 

to one committee member. He didn't 

know many, this member disclosed, and those 

that he did already were known to the committee. 

Parks was completely cooperative, the member 

said, and will not be called back for 

further testimony. Parks himself would make 

no statement to the newsmen, but did say 

that he plans to stay in Washington for the 

present. 

TWO REFUSE TO TES'nFY 

Before calling Parks into the closed-door 

session, the committee heard actor Howard 

DaSilva and actress Gale Sondergaard refuse 

to testify concerning their alleged Communist 

activities and membership in so-called "front" 

organizations on the grounds that answering 

the questions put to them might tend to 

incriminate them and they were protected 

from self-incrimination under the Fifth 

amendment. 

Both declard flatly that, in their opinion, 

the committee's objective was to "tie them in" 

with organizations labeled subversive and "in 

disfavor with the committee" and thereby 

"deprive (them) of (their) means of livelihood." 

Prior to their appearances, attorney 

Robert V. Kenny in each instance placed on 

the record a motion to quash the subpoena 

on the grounds that the witness was being 

called not as a witness, but in reality as a 

defendant "charged with political heresy in a 

proceeding which can result in deprivation of 

livelihood." Therefore, the motions contended, 

they were not properly called, because no one 

in this position can be compelled to testify 

against himself. 

DaSILVA IS BELLIGERENT 

Miss Sondergaard, wife of Herbert Biberman, 

screen writer just released after serving 

five months in jail for contempt of Congress 

as an aftermath of the 1947 hearings, 

when he too refused to answer committee 

questions on alleged Communist affiliations, 

was quiet and soft-sp>oken, and courteous to 

the questioners, but no less uncommunicative 

than DaSilva, who adopted a belligerent attitude, 

and took advantage of every possible 

opportunity to harangue the committee in a 

maimer reminiscent of John Howard Lawson 

in 1947. 

DaSilva said that he would not answer the 

pertinent questions on the basis that the 

"First and Fifth amendments—and all the 

of Rights—protect me from inquisitorial 

Bill 

examination designed to incriminate me . . . 

An answer might, according to the standards 

of the committee, tend to incriminate me." 

13

-4RTERLY FIRST RUN REPORTS 

23 FEATURES REACH HIT CLASS; 

LESSER PICTURES DOING BETTER 

62% of Season's Product 

Hits Average or Better 

In Key Situations 

The top money pictures of the second 

quarter were "Born Yesterday" (Col) , "At 

War With the Army" (Para.) and "Kim" 

(MGM) —the big boxoffice clicks in a feature 

schedule which produced 14 films in 

the hit class. 

In direct contrast to the trend of the last 

several years, the top pictures did not draw 

so heavily at the boxoffice that they left 

little for the lesser product. Since the boom 

postwar era, a smaller and smaller percentage 

of feature releases have been doing average 

business or better while the top product has 

been taking the financial cream off the patron 

dollar. In the last three months, December 

through February, this trend came to an 

end. The top three films did not take quite 

as much of the business and more of the 

so-called lesser product did average or better 

at the ticket window. 

TREND STARTED IN 

PAUL 

Actually this trend started last fall, but 

became more clearly defined as the season 

rolled along. In the first quarter, 56 per cent 

of 80 features were reported as doing average 

business or better. By the end of February, 

62 per cent of 157 pictures were doing average 

or better. This compares with 46 per cent of 

148 films in the same period a year ago. That 

is approximately 16 per cent above the figure 

reported by BOXOFFICE in its first run 

reports in March 1950, when the low point of 

the post war era was reached. At the peak 

85 per cent of all features were doing better 

than average business. 

On the other hand, there were not as 

many pictures in the hit class—a hit being 

a feature reported doing 120 per cent or more 

in its key run dates. There were 23 hits in the 

first six months, compared to 25 hits in the 

first two quarters last season. While, in 

numbers, this was not much off the total of 

a year ago, the top three films were not 

showing the same strength as the first three 

a year ago. "Born Yesterday," "At War With 

the Army" and "Kim," while doing a very 

respectable business at an average of 147 

per cent, were not even close to "Battleground," 

"Sands of Iwo Jlma" and "Francis" 

which had a combined average of 171 per 

cent—nor up with last quarter's top grossers, 

"King Solomon's Mines," "Black Rose" and 

"Summer Stock." They stood at a combined 

average of 157 per cent. 

TWO AT UPPED PRICES 

Besides the top three, "Halls of Montezuma" 

(20th-Pox), "Operation Pacific," 

(Warner) and "Harvey" (U-I) were among 

the big grossers. Stanley Kramer's "Cyrano de 

Bergerac," which UA Is distributing at an 

advanced price, roadshow policy, recorded 178 

per cent In its first half dozen dates and the 

foreign im()ortation, "Bitter Rice," playing 

art houses generally and most always at 

upped admissions, was doing 179 per cent. 

Since neither was playing at regular prices, 

All 

Top Hits of the Season 

(September 1950 through February 1951) 

About Eve (20th-Fox) 

At War With the Army (Para) 

Black Hose, 

The (20th-Fox) 

Born Yesterday (Col) 

Dallas 

(WB) 

Fancy Pants 

(Para) 

Halls of Montezuma (20th-Fox) 

Harvey (U-I) 

I'll 

Get By (20th-rox) 

King Solomon's Mines (MGM) 

Kim (MGM) 

Mr. Music (Para) 

My Blue Heaven (20th-Fox) 

Operation Pacific (WB) 

Pagan Love Song (MGM) 

Payment on Demand (HKO) 

Prehistoric Women (EXC) 

Rio 

Tea for 

Grande (Rep) 

Two (WB) 

To Please 

Toast of 

Tomahawk (U-I) 

a Lady (MGM) 

New Orleans (MGM) 

West Point Story, The (WB) 

PERCENTAGES 

they were not included in the "top hits" listing, 

which includes only those features which 

play at the normal admission scale. 

Following is a listing of all features released 

since September 1, on which a sufficient 

number of playdates to determine 

boxoffice draw have been obtained, in reports 

from 21 key first run cities to the 

BOXOFFICE Barometer: 

: 

COLUMBIA: 

Al Jennings of Oklahoma 

Between Midnight and Dawn.. 

Born Yesterday _ — 

Chain Gang 

Emergency Wedding 

Faust and the Devil 

Flying Missile, The 

Fuller Brush Girl, The.. 

Great Manhunt, The 

Harriet Craig 

He's a Coclceyed Wonder.. 

101 

103 

„ 149 

100 

102 

117 

_ _... 94 

110 

103 

_...106 

..„...108 

killer That Slanted New York, The 96 

Last of the Buccaneers —~.. ?1 

Petty Girl, The HO 

Pygmy Island —_..- . 97 

Revenue Agent ..- - 98 

Rookie Fireman - - -• 97 

Stage to Tucson - 101 

Texan Meets Calamity [one, The — 95 

Tougher They Come, The — — 101 

When You're Smiling 97 

Yank in Korea, A 93 

EAGLE UON CLASSICS: 

Eye Witness 

High Lonesome 

101 

_ 98 

„100 

..._.•, 120 

101 

96 

Korea Patrol _.. 

Prehistoric Women 

Rogue River 

Second Face, The.. 

Sun Sell at Dawn, The 108 

Two Loet World* 95 

120 130 140 150 175 200 210 

LIPPERT PRODUCTIONS: 

Bandit Queen 98 

Return of Jesse James, The 93 

Steel Helmet, The Vh 

Three Desperate Men 96 

METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER: 

Cause for Alarm 

Devil's Doorway 

90 

103 

Dial 1119 

97 

Grounds for Marriage... 

King Solomon's Mines... 

95 

176 

Kim 

146 

Life of Her Own, A.. 

lit 

Magnificent Yankee, The 

108 

Miniver Story, The _ oo 

Mrs. O'Malley and Mr. Malone 91 

Next Voice You Hear . . ., The....- 94 

Pagan Love Song - 

J25 

Right Cross - '02 

Stars in My Crown .——. 

~"""iSo 

To Please a Lady -.: j22 

Toast of New Orleans — 122 

Three Guys Named Mike 

—.UO 

Two Weeks With Love 112 

Vengeance Valley - - - - 19 J 

Watch the Birdie HO 

MONOGRAM! 

.. 

Blues Busters .— - - 96 

Bowery Battalion 

Father's Wild Game.. 

..106 

90 

Hot Rod 

98 

Modem Marriage, A.. 

92 

Rhythm Inn 

97 

Short Grass ~~ 

-109 

Sierra Passage 

..118 

Soulhside I-IMO 

-101 

94 

Vicious Years, The.. 

PARAMOUNT: 

At War With the Army... 

Branded - - -. 

Cassino to Korea — 

(Continued on page 16) 

lli; 

. 86 

14 

BOXOFFICE 

: 

: March 

24, 1951

THE MATING 

SEASON ^ 

/ Cecil B. DeMille . 

SAMSON AND 

DELILAH 

Color by Technicolor 

PARAMOUNT'S BOXOFFICE SPRIHG7.. 

Watch spring grosses spring up and up, as 

these four start heading the best boxoffice 

news from now thru May—and beyond. 

"The Mating Season" is the springtime's 

most talked-about comedy (what they're 

talking about most is Thelma Ritter as 

Mother of the Groom), And "Samson and 

Delilah," now in general release, continues 

to be The Greatest Grosser of Our Time. 

Hope's new show, "The Lemon Drop Kid," 

is funnier Runyon than "Sorrowful Jones." 

And Ladd, hotter than his own gun since 

"Branded," is due soon as a U. S. Mail crime 

fighter 

in "Appointment With Danger." 

All these in Paramount's boxoffice spring 

. . . followed by a succession of ticketselling 

merchandise scheduled for release 

right thru your Paramount summer. 

.«**». 

if it's a Paramount picture, it's the best show in town . .

20th-Fox Decree Near; 

Loew's Due to Follow 

NEW YORK—Department of Justice and 

20th Century-Pox agreement on the terms of 

a consent decree is possible but not entirely 

certain before April 1, the latest deadline for 

filing set by the New York statutory court. 

Legal talent on both sides have been gradually 

finding solutions to various problems involving 

the separation of 20th-Fox theatres 

from the distribution and production end 

of the business. 

EXPECT BRIEF EXTENSION 

The fact that Charles Skouras, president of 

National Theatres, met with the government 

during the week was taken by some to indicate 

that the matter was about wrapped 

up, but there still remained a couple of 

unsolved problems that may call for an extension 

of time by the court. However, it 

would be a brief extension, probably only a 

month. 

The previous deadline for filing set by the 

court was March 5. It was extended to April 

1—actually April 2 because that is the next 

working day—when 20th-Pox asked for a little 

extra time and showed it was anxious 

to cooperate fully with the government. 

If the Department of Justice follows the 

precedent it established in the Warner Bros, 

decree, details of that finally reached with 

20th-Fox will be made public at its Washington 

headquarters before the document is 

offered the New York court by Philip Marcus, 

assistant attorney general handling the antitrust 

cases against the industry. The reason 

given was that any persons wishing to appear 

in court in opposition to it should have the 

details at the earliest pxjssible moment. 

Next will come the consent decree splitting 

up Loew's. That had an original Dec. 

30, 1950, deadline which was extended to 

January 31 and then March 31. Another extension 

Is certain. 

HUGHES DECISION AWAITED 

These are not the only industry antitrust 

matters pending before the New York 

statutory court, however. That body has still 

to rule on the dispute between Hughes and 

the government whether Hughes should have 

unlimited time in which to sell the RKO 

Theatres stock he has trusteed. It also may 

receive a report from the government on 

complaints that there has been no clear 

divorcement of Hughes' interest In 

the RKO 

picture company from his Interest in the 

theatre company through domination by 

Hughes of the board of the theatre company. 

The Department of Justice has been looking 

into the complaints for several weeks. 

Reduces WB Stock Holding 

NEW YORK—Albert Warner, vice-president, 

treasurer and a director of Warner 

Bros., made gifts of 3,800 shares of WB common 

stock during February, according to a 

report to the New York Stock Exchange 

under regulations of the Securities and 

Exchange Commi-ssion. The gifts reduced his 

direct holdings to 434.000 .shares. He also has 

an indirect interest in 21,000 shares. 

To Honor Arthur Loew 

With 'Teresa' Drive 

William F. Rodgers, MGM vice-president 

and general sales manager, congratulates 

Arthur M. Loew (L.), president of 

Loew's International, on his 30th anniversary 

in the industry. 

NEW YORK—Domestic and international 

sales and distribution forces of Loew's, Inc., 

are to join in a campaign for "Teresa" in 

celebration of Arthur M. Loew's 30th year in 

the industry. Loew produced the film in New 

York and Italy with Pier Angeli and John 

Ericson co-starred. 

This will be the first time that a film personally 

produced by the top executive of the 

overseas organization will be distributed by 

the company's domestic branches. In the 

foreign branches there will be a competition 

for the best national campaign. 

There will be no competition in the domestic 

branches, but William F. Rodgers, vicepresident 

and general sales manager, has 

sent letters to all branch managers urging 

them to get t>ehind the picture. The opening 

date will be at the Trans-Lux early in April. 

Gradwell Sears Kicks Off 

NineWeek UA Cconpaign 

NEW YORK—Gradwell Sears has sent out 

a letter to all branches and to district managers 

as a kick-off of the Grad Sears drive 

which will start April 1, with $10,000 in prizes. 

Sears wrote: " I am more interested in the 

success and future of United Artists than I 

have been in my ten years of association 

with this company." 

Max E. Youngstein's advertising and publicity 

departments are preparing special promotional 

material. Some of it âs already 

been sent out. Among the items are a 12- 

foot silk banner, a four and one-half foot 

banner, ten bannerettes, featuring film titles, 

and a special blow-up. The drive will run to 

June 2. 

Eagle, Huston to Africa 

LONDON—S. P. Eagle, producer, and John 

Huston, director, left Thursday (22) by plane 

for Nairobi, Kenya, to pick final sites for 

filming "The African Queen." 

First Run Reports 

(Continued from page 14) 

Copper Canyon 105 

Dark City _ _.. gg 

Fancy Pants _ 124 

Great Missouri Raid, The „ _ 100 

Let's Dance _ 112 

Molly _ _ 114 

Mr. Music „ „ 133 

Redhead and the Cowboy, The 

~.!...!!.!..!""~."ll9 

September Affair 104 

Trio 

lis 

Tripoh 103 

Union Station 104 

RKO RADIO: 

Border Treasure 100 

Bunco Squad 100 

Company She Keeps, The _ 104 

Cry Danger 98 

Double Deal _ _ _.. 97 

Edge of Doom _ _...101 

Experiment Alcatraz _ 94 

Gkimbling House _ 93 

Hunt the Man Down „ 103 

Joan of Arc „ _ _ _ 89 

Mad Wednesday „ 98 

Never a Dull Moment _ _ 98 

Outrage 99 

Payment on Demand 127 

Vendetta 109 

Walk Softly, Stranger 93 

Where Danger Lives _ 103 

REPUBUC: 

California Passage 99 

Hit Parade of 1951 84 

Lonely Heart Bandits _ „ 96 

Macbeth _ 113 

Pride of Maryland 96 

Prisoners in Petticoats ,...101 

Rio Grande 

'....120 

Surrender „ 101 

20th CENTURY-FOX: 

All About Eve _ _ 129 

American Guerrilla in the Philippines...- 113 

Black Rose, The 155 

Call Me Mister _I09 

Farewell to Yesterday - 87 

Fireball, The - 94 

For Heaven's Sake „ „ - 119 

Halls of Montezuma - ;....I42 

I'd Climb the Highest Mountain - 94 

I'll Get By. - 125 

_ 

lackpot, The __ 107 

Man Who Cheated Himself, The _ 98 

Mister 880 _ 116 

Mudlark, The 117 

My Blue Heaven _....125 

No Way Out : 1 13 

Panic in the Streets 108 

I3th Letter, The 100 

Two Flags West 108 

UNITED 

ARTISTS: 

If This Be Sin _ 93 

Three Husbands 97 

UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL: 

Bedtime for Bonzo 

Deported - 

Frenchie 

Harvey 

101 

98 

_ 109 

138 

Kansas Raiders ...- - - 108 

Milkman, The 100 

Mystery Submarine 93 

Operation Disaster - - -... 87 

Saddle Tramp _ - 1 12 

Shakedown — - 100 

Sleeping City, The _ - - — 99 

Target Unknown - _.... 1 13 

Tomahawk - —120 

Under the Gun. - — 88 

Undercover Girl ~~—- 89 

Woman on the Run 96 

Wyoming Mail — 92 

WARNER BROTHERS: 

Breaking Point, 

Breakthrough , 

Dallas 

The.. 

103 

..„„ 116 

„137 

_ ; 114 

„.._.._ 105 

. 

Enforcer, The 

(Ixlass Menagerie, The. 

...„ „ ._ „ 106 

^ 

Highway 301 

Lightning Strikes Twice ,..yj. 94 

Operation Pacific . ^..m,.*. 135 

Pretty Baby t .v -••.-• 97 

Rocky Mountain ..— ..»...— «i*Â" |06 

Storm Warning _... — -.-.., -106 

Sugarfoot -Jv. 102 

Tea for Two - -- 127 

Three Secrets - ~ -103 

W«8t Point Story, The - 123 

Goldwyn Signs Dozier 

NEW YORK—Samuel Goldwyn has signed 

William Dozier as his assistant and story 

editor for the company.- Dozier will start 

work on the coast April 2. 

I 


^^ '^!^. 

(Continued ?°:t°5^ 

from page 9) 

An agreement dated April 1, 1946, relating 

to television exhibition of films was signed 

by them with the AFM. The basic agreement 

was that regarding films "heretofore made 

or which will be made prior to the expiration 

of this agreement" no television use will 

be permitted "during the life of this agreement 

and thereafter" in the absence of an 

agreement with the AFM. It has been extended 

each year. Early this year, with television 

in mind, the AFM said it wanted to 

correct an apparent "widespread misinterpretation" 

of the agreement. It repeated that if 

a film was produced after the 1946 date, it 

Is subject to the agreement. It also said that 

a film owned or acquired on or after the 

1946 date by a signatory to the basic agreement, 

even though produced prior to 1946, 

was subject to the agreement. 

AFM SIGNING INDEPENDENTS 

What about the independents as a source 

of films for television? They were not included 

in the original agreement, but the 

AFM is now busy signing up as many of them 

as possible. Among those which have already 

signed are Gene Autry, Horace Heidt and 

Snader Films. The AFM expects others in 

the near future. 

If it should become known that any of the 

majors are approaching Petrillo regarding a 

new agreement permitting television use of 

films, that would be a clear indication of 

which way the wind is blowing. 

Now, as to those approximately 1,300 films 

telecast during 1949 and 1950. The total is 

based on a number of estimates and is pretty 

accurate. A breakdown shows comparatively 

few films that were once distributed by the 

majors. Leading the list numerically are 

played-out Monogram films with a total of 

278. Old Producers Releasing Corp. films total 

185 and old United Artists films total 126. 

That's 589 out of the 1,300—a big representation 

for just three companies. Some of the 

original releasing dates of the films go back 

as far as 1929, many are in the 1930s and 

1940s. There is only one 1949 film known. 

That is a British film originally released by 

Eagle Lion. 

139 FILMS SINCE JANUARY 1 

From January 1 to March 9, 139 additional 

films were shown by television stations. Of 

them, 33 were PRO releases, 22 were Monogram 

and only four United Artists. Eagle 

Lion, which had hardly figured in the past, 

was represented by ten. It has sold the rights 

to some old films to Flamingo Films, which is 

re-selling them to television. 

John Mitchell, who handles special television 

advertising production for United 

Artists, told the writer a little over a year 

ago: 

"Selling these old films to video is a dying 

business. When a station gets rid of them, 

it is just like getting rid of a worn-out suit 

of clothes." 

He said the same thing the other day, only 

more so. 

Fairly current films for television may be 

obtainable in the European market, and the 

search for them is becoming keen. Irvin 

Shapiro, president of Standard Television 

Corp., one of the bigger dealers supplying 

television, sailed Wednesday (21) for an extended 

tour of the European market. Later 

he will go to Hollywood to see independents. 

FCC Announces New Plan 

To Increase TV Channels 

Myers Asks Distributors 

To Re-Examine Policies 

WASHINGTON—Allied States board 

chairman Abram F. Myers this weekend 

called on the individual distributors to 

"re-examine their present selling policies 

so as to abate existing hardships" or face 

"an epidemic of protest meetings, the like 

of which was never seen before." 

An increasing number of complaints 

are being received from exhibitors, Myers 

stated, that, despite the continuing slump 

in boxoffice receipts, "they are being confronted 

with demands for higher film 

. . . 

rentals and more onerous terms 

"The exhibitors feel that the distributors 

are seeking to saddle on them all 

losses resulting from the current slump," 

he declared. 

The exhibitors are no more to blame for 

the attendance decline than the producer-distributors, 

Myers said, and the 

"hardships should be shared by all. For 

many years the producer-distributors 

have preached that 'we are all in the 

. . . 

same boat.' Now is an excellent time for 

them to practice what they preached." 

New COMPO Bylaws Get 

Approval of MMPTA 

NEW YORK—Metropolitan Motion Picture 

Theatres Ass'n ratified the revised bylaws 

of the Council of Motion Picture Organizations 

at a meeting of its board of directors 

Wednesday (21 ) . Edward N. Rugoff , 

president, 

presided. The only groups outside of exhibitor 

ranks which have not yet acted are the 

Society of Independent Motion Picture Producers 

and the tradepress. SIMPP ratification 

is assured, according to Ellis Arnall, 

president. If no meeting is set soon, he will 

poll the members by telephone. 

Nine regional units of Theatre Owners of 

America have ratified, with that of southern 

California deferring action. The national 

board of TOA will discuss COMPO at its 

April 4-6 meeting in Washington. Although 

the eastern Pennsylvania unit of National 

Allied has deferred action, other units and 

the national board are almost certain to 

ratify. 

13. 

Rocky Mountain Allied did so March 

MPAA Board to Re-Elect 

Johnston as President 

NEW YORK—Eric Johnston will be reelected 

president of the Motion I*icture Ass'n 

of America at the annual meeting of the 

board of directors to be held Tuesday (27) 

at the New York headquarters. There will 

be reports by the various MPAA departments 

and committees. 

In the absence of Johnston, who is U.S. 

director of economic stabilization, Joyce 

O'Hara, his assistant, acting MPAA head, 

will 

preside. 

BULLETIN 

Washington—Hearings on theatre television 

will be started immediately after 

the newly scheduled hearings on TV 

broadcast allocations are concluded. The 

allocation hearing starts May 23. No major 

FCC proposals will be allowed to intervene 

and thus delay theatre TV hearings. 

The opinion was expressed here 

that the proposed UHF schedule kills off 

the proposal of Trueman Rembusch, Allied's 

president, to make current commercial 

channels available for theatre 

television. 

The plan d(3es not include theatre TV, 

WASHINGTON—The Federal Communications 

Commission Thursday (22) made public 

its new plan for allocating TV channels, 

which will make it possible for some 2,000 

broadcasting stations to go on the air eventually. 

which involved a different part of the spectrum. 

The commission says that hearing on 

theatre TV "will be scheduled at a later 

date." 

WHAT THE PROPOSALS ARE 

The plan, which replaces one proposed in 

September 1949, calls for from 65 to 70 ultra 

frequency channels for TV broadcasting, 52 

of which will be assigned. The remainder 

will be reserved for "flexible, supplemental, 

and experimental TV broadcast use." These 

52 new channels, added to the 12 existing 

very high frequency channels, will make a 

total of 64 channels available for regular TV 

broadcasting. The new UHF frequencies 

cannot be received on present TV sets, but 

commission sources indicated that manufacturers 

are ready to produce devices which 

will convert present models. Two hundred 

and nine stations are reserved for noncommercial 

educational use under the new 

plan. 

Hearings on the plan have been set for 

May 23, and meanwhile the commission is 

considering a partial Ufting of the freeze. 

This will not mean new stations on the air 

in the United States before the May 23 hearings 

have been concluded and ruled on, 

however. But the FCC would like to lift the 

freeze on applications and will announce a 

date later for this. It also wants to allow 

stations in Alaska, the Hawaiian Islands, 

Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands to go on 

the air on VHF channels, although no applications 

have been received from these places 

yet. Also, it would like to act on some applications 

for increased power which do not interfere 

with the proposed rule. A deadline of 

April 23 for filing objections and May 8 for 

replies has been set. 

TO BE ONE CLASS OF STATION 

This is the extent to which the freeze has 

been lifted. Earliest date for lifting the general 

freeze is still given by Chairman Coy as 

October 1. Under the proposed plan, 31 of the 

109 existing TV stations would have to 

change frequencies. 

There will be only one class of station in 

the new plan, with power determined by the 

size of the community and anterma height. 

BOXOFFICE March 24, 1951 17

TKcKÛtd Sf^'^Ht^' 

•By JAMES M. JERAULD 

GeiiinqSiaiiQd 

pRACnCALLY all the ideas that have 

been suggested from time to time for a 

Council of Motion Picture Organizations 

program, plus a lot of new ones developed 

by advertising and publicity men of the 

film companies, are embraced in the plan 

for a public relations and business stimulation 

drive in New York City. 

In addition, a public relations counsel 

with a staff will be secured. 

A special fund will be raised among exhibitors 

in New York and the distribution 

companies. 

The New York backers of 

One of the outstanding features will be 

an exhibition in Grand Central I>alace. If 

COMPO starts functioning, this exhibition 

will be offered to it. If not, it will be held 

anyway. 

this plan include 

major company executives, and leading 

members of both the Metropolitan 

Motion Picture Exhibitors Ass'n and the 

Independent Theatre Owners Ass'n. It is 

planned to operate it on a continuing basis. 

Even if a large number of the proposed 

projects are eliminated, it still will be the 

most elaborate venture ever attempted in 

this industry. If it is successful, it could 

set a national pattern that could make 

COMPO a going venture. 

There is no reason why it should not be 

successful. The backers are important 

and united in their purpose. 

ATeniiicKicli 

QUARTET" and "Trio" set a new fashion 

in picture production—combinations of 

short stories—which Robert Stillman has 

adopted and has fashioned into an exploitable 

production with tremendous emotional 

impact. 

The exploitation possibilities are tied to 

the "Queen for a Day" radio and television 

show on the Mutual network. The first 

story of the three is Faith Baldwin's "The 

Gossamer World," the tale of a young 

boy's imaginings, told with delicacy and 

understanding and winding up with a 

near-tragedy. The second, John Ashworth's 

"High Diver," is melodramatic and 

gripping. The third, Dorothy Parker's 

"Horsle," is a masterpiece. 

Two players, Edith Meiser, as a frustrated 

old maid nurse who has tended 

new-born babies for 30 years, and Dan 

Tobin, as the father of a child who is 

completely bored by the nurse in his home 

for three weeks, but conceals it under a 

mask of kindness, are outstanding. The 

final scenes leave men gulping and women 

openly wiping their eyes. 

First night audiences will put this picture 

over. Exhibitors should not get the 

Idea it is an "art" picture; it's down-toearth 

boxoffice everywhere. 

More on Loose Talk 

THE warning sent out by Arthur B. Mayer 

for the Council of Motion Picture Organizations 

about loose talk among theatre 

employes was the second time that this 

problem has come to general notice In the 

past year and a half. It's important. 

Industry relations begin where the public 

has its closest contacts with the business 

in theatres. Ushers, doormen, projectionists 

can be goodwill ambassadors. 

Critical comments by theatre staffs, especially 

on new pictures, spread like all wordof-mouth 

advertising and affect grosses. 

Managers and their assistants should 

point this out frequently, especially to new 

employes. 

Drive-Ins Organizing 

JÔRE and more regional groups of driveins 

are organizing into booking combines 

or circuits. This is especially true in 

the eastern section of the country and in 

New England. In the south and southwest 

many drive-ins have had circuit affiliations 

from the start. 

There probably will be few new drive-ins 

until the war emergency is over, a minimum 

of two years at least. Working together, 

they may be able to get some of 

the better product. 

The competitive situation between driveins 

and closed houses is apparently due for 

a period of stabilization. 

Outstanding Record 

THOSE ultra conservatives who still regard 

film stocks as a "risk" investment 

probably read J. Robert Rubin's review of 

the Loew's, Inc., dividend record with surprise. 

Rubin said that during 27 years the 

company had never failed to pay a quarterly 

dividend and not once during that 

period had there been an unprofitable 

year. The company earned $239,000,000, 

after taxes, during that period. 

Some quick figuring shows that 27 years 

goes back to 1924 and includes the entire 

depression period. This is a record to stir 

pride in any organization. 

Police Rescue Jack Kirsch 

From Three Bandits 

CHICAGO—Jack Kirsch, president of the 

Allied Theatre Owners of Illinois, was rescued 

by park police early Friday (16) from 

three bandits who had kidnaped him in his 

car. The bandits had robbed him of $45 and 

beaten him with a pistol butt until blood 

streamed down his face. 

Kirsch said the bandits jumped into his 

car at Wabash avenue and Roosevelt road, 

where he was stopped at a light. It was his 

blood-stained face that drew the attention 

of two policemen riding in a squad car. 

Fully recovered from his injuries, Kirsch 

was back on the job at the Allied office Friday 

noon. 

Anthony Dexter on Tour 

NEW YORK—Anthony Dexter, star of Columbia's 

"Valentino," started a 12-city personal 

appearance tour in Memphis Tuesday 

(20). Other stops scheduled: Pittsburgh, 

March 22-23; Cleveland, March 24-25; Des 

Moines, 28; Minneapolis, 29; St. Paul, 30; 

Sioux City, 31 ; Cedar Rapids, April 1 ; Davenport, 

April 2; Richmond, 4; Washington, 6-7. 

FILM EXECUTIVE HONORED 

HOLLYWOOD — Y. Frank Freeman 

(center). Paramount vice-president in 

charge of studio operations, was honored 

by more than 80 civic and industrial 

leaders at a testimonial dinner marking 

the beginning of his 10th term as a top 

officer of the Ass'n of Motion Picture 

Producers. Freeman is shown here with 

Mayor Fletcher Bowron (left) of Los 

Angeles, and Louis B. Mayer, former 

AMPP president, who was toastmaster at 

the dinner. 

A plaque signed by the AMPP directorate 

carried an appropriate message of 

the board's appreciation of Freeman's 

efforts as chairman of the industry body. 

He was also presented a gold-embossed 

gavel. 

Freeman's leadership of the producers' 

group began in 1940 when he was elected 

president, a position he held for five 

years. In 1947 he was named board chairman 

and has remained in that post ever 

since. 

Sloan Foundation Finances 

'Fresh-Laid Plans' Series 

NEW YORK — "Fresh-Laid Plans," the 

cartoon film which has stirred some lively 

reactions in the farm belt and in Washington 

because it is considered an attack on 

the Brannan plan for government aid to 

agriculture, was produced with the financial 

support of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, 

Inc. 

The picture was made by John Sutherland 

for Harding college, and is one of a series 

that began about 1945. MGM has released 

some of them, but has no contract. It chooses 

whatever film it wants. 

Dr. George S. Benson, president of Harding 

College, which is located at Searcy, Ark., 

says he expected the films to draw fire from 

"those who believe in socialism or communism." 

The pictures cost about $80,000 

each and run for ten minutes. 

Bank Night No Longer Draw 

So Harris Circuit Drops It 

PITTSBURGH—Tlie Harris Theatre chain 

here has all but closed the books on bank 

night, now as much of a millstone as once it 

was an attraction. Officials of the Harris 

Amusement Co. confirmed that last week's 

drawing was the last for virtually all of its 

houses. The weekly giveaway had weathered 

blasts from the clergy, public officials and 

the Better Business Bureau. But it succumbed, 

at last, to the certain lethal blow In 

the show business—lack of interest. 


The Fjr^ Pictures to 

be Presented 

•DHUMs /« r. 

-THE BAREFOOJ MAILMftN 

in 

'According to World-Wide Sampling of 

Soles Potential, Color adds 50% to 

the World Market Gross for Film." 

...Hollywood Reporter 

TO. A. Convention in Houston, unanimously 

'Demands" All Pix in Color.' 

...Daily Varieiy 

THE CINECOLOR CORPORATION

. . 

*i¥oU^cuocct êfoont 

Goldwyn to Make Comedy 

On Baseball for RKO 

Emphasis on the comedy aspects 

of baseball 

continued to occupy the attention of 

Hollywood filmmakers as Producer Samuel 

Goldwyn added to his upcoming slate, for 

RKO Radio release, "The Great American 

Pastime," an original by actor Robert Keith 

and megaphonlst Norman Poster. The Goldwyn 

acquisition swells a list of horsehide epics 

which already included "Angels and the 

Pirates," new tag for the MGM property formerly 

known as "Angels in the Outfield," 

20th Century-Fox's forthcoming "The Dizzy 

Dean Story," and the pending Warner remake 

of Ring Lardner's "Elmer the Great." Goldwyn's 

"Pastime" is as yet uncast; Paul Douglas 

has the topline in "Angels" and "Dizzy 

Dean" is being prepared as a starring subject 

for Dan Dailey . . . Only other story 

purchase during a very slow period was Republic's 

acquisition of "Plight Prom Fury," an 

expose of the slot machine racket by Milton 

Raison, who was booked to develop the 

screenplay thereof for production by William 

T. Lackey. 

David Selznick Remaking 

'Gone to Earth' for U.S. 

Inactive on the production front in the 

recent past, David O. Selznick is back in the 

picture-making groove with an opus titled 

"Gone to Earth," originally made in London, 

and of which Selznick is re-making about 

one-third for U.S. release. 

Selznick obtained American distribution 

rights to the film from Sir Alexander Korda, 

for whom it was co-produced and co-directed 

by Etaeric Pressburger and Michael Powell. 

The extensive retakes are being megged for 

Selznick by Rouben Mamoulian and starring 

Jennifer Jones, David Farrar and Cyril 

Cusack, all of whom are currently in Hollywood. 

Present advice is that Selznick will switch 

the tag to "Gypsy Blood" for domestic distribution. 

It will be released by Korda on 

the continent as "Gone to Earth." 

RKO Pact to Alan Young; 

Gets 'Androcles' Role 

What probably was the most interesting 

morsel of casting news to bob up during the 

period was RKO Radio's signing of Alan 

Young, the film, radio and TV comedian, to 

a nonexclusive, multiple-picture contract under 

which his first assignment will be the 

role of Androcles in Producer Gabriel Pascal's 

"Androcles and the Lion." Young apparently 

is going to need a su[)ercharged bicycle 

to fulfill all of his various assignments, 

since he also stars in a weekly TV comedy 

show and was recently booked to a multiplepicture 

deal by Paramount, where he will do 

"Aaron Slick Prom Punkln Crick" before 

reporting to RKO Radio for "Androcles" . 

Robert Taylor, once earmarked for the title 

spot in MOM'S "Ivanhoe," then replaced 

therein by Stewart Granger, Is back on deck 

as the star of the costumer, which will be 

By 

IVAN SPEAR 

. . 

produced in England this year by Pandro S. 

Herman . Gene Evans, who attained stardom 

in Lippert's "The Steel Helmet," was 

signed at Warners for "Force of Arms," while 

the same studio inked Mari Aldron, stage and 

radio actress, to a term ticket and assigned 

her the femme lead opposite Gary Cooper in 

United States Hctures' "Distant Drums" . . . 

Character actors Porter Hall and Barton 

MacLane were tagged for roles in RKO 

Radio's "The Half-Breed" . . . Victor Jory 

will be the menace in "The Cave," outdoor 

opus starring Macdonald Carey at Universal- 

International. 

MGM Sends Morgan Hudgins 

On Tour for 'Quo Vadis' 

Inaugurating its long-range national publicity 

and exploitation camapign on "Quo 

Vadis," the multimillion-dollar opus lensed 

in Technicolor in Italy, MGM has dispatched 

drumbeater Morgan Hudgins on a six-week 

tour of 32 key cities to discuss the production 

with civic and press groups, exchange 

personnel and exhibitors. Hudgins, who was 

with the "Quo Vadis" company abroad, will 

employ a special projector to show footage 

featuring Robert Taylor and Deborah Kerr 

and scenes depicting the thousands of players, 

massive sets and outdoor backgrounds. 

Leo's saturation exploitation campaign is 

geared for the use of mobile exhibits of costumes, 

sketches, jewelry and props, as well 

as transcribed recordings for radio stations 

and personal appearance tours by personalities 

connected with the venture. 

"Quo Vadis," produced by Sam Zimbalist 

and directed by Mervyn LeRoy, is scheduled 

for release next fall. 

Paramount Signs Pat Duggan 

To Long Producer Pact 

. . . 

First major producer to be signed to a 

long-term ticket since Don Hartman became 

supervisor of production at Paramount is Pat 

Duggan, who will report to the Marathon St. 

lot late next month. For the past eight years 

Duggan has been vice-president of Samuel 

Goldwyn Productions, with industry experience 

including story and scenario editorships. 

He at one time operated his own literary 

agency here and in the east . . . Delmer 

Daves was handed a new, exclusive threeyear 

ticket as a writer-director at 20th 

Century-Pox. He is currently scripting an 

untitled story with a Balinese background 

The same studio hoisted its option on 

the directorial services of Lloyd Bacon for 

another year. His next will be "The Golden 

Girl," 

to be produced by George Jessel. 

As their initial major assignments, Henry 

Berman and Don Weis have been selected as 

producer and director, respectively, of MGM's 

"Banner Line," a newspaper yarn, 

Kamb 

which 

rolls late next month . . . Kail was 

booked by Warners to write the screenplay 

for "Operation Starlift." which will be 

produced' by Robert Arthur . . . Producer 

Walter Mirisch booked William Beaudine to 

meg "Rodeo," a Cinecolor special, at Monogram. 

RECEIVES CIRCUIT AWARD 

HOLLYWOOD—On behalf of 20th 

Century-Fox, Producer Lamar Trotti 

(center) receives the first annual Fanchon 

& Marco-St. Louis Theatres' "Box 

Office Winner" citation, honoring 

"Cheaper by the Dozen" as 1950 top 

grosser in the chain's 34 midwestern theatres, 

from Marco Wolff (right) and Miss 

Fanchon, circuit toppers. Trotti, who 

produced the film, and the stars thereof 

—Clifton Webb, Myrna Loy and Jeanne 

Crain—and Director Walter Lang also 

received personalized silver coin reproductions 

of the plaque. 

The circuit presented a similar, special 

award earlier this month to Technicolor, 

citing it and its president and 

general manager, Dr. Herbert T. Kalmus, 

"for immeasurable contributions 

to the motion picture industry throughout 

the years." 

Scrivener Activity Rises; 

WB Leads With Three 

Activity among the film capital's writing 

colony hit a sudden upsurge, paced by the 

addition of three scriveners to the Warner 

Bros, roster to pen as many scripts. George 

Zukerman is working on "Darby's Rangers," 

while Leonard F>raskins was inked to develop 

"Here Come the Girls" and Charles Marquis 

Warren went on the payroll to write "Springfield 

Rifle" ... At Republic Norman Reilly 

Raine was signed to script "The Iron Master" 

and Irwin Gielgud warmed up his typewriter 

to prepare a screen treatment on "The Fabulous 

Nellie Bly" . . . Charles Hoffman is doing 

a polish job on "The Day They Gave Babies 

Away" for Producer Edmund Grainger, who 

will film it for RKO Radio release . . . Two 

Tim Holt oaters at RKO Radio are being 

written by Arthur Orloff — doing "Road 

Agent" — and Adele Buffington, on "Overland 

Telegraph." 

Three Directors Assigned; 

Twô at Fox and One, U-I 

Among three new megaphoning assignments, 

20th Century-Fox accounted for two 

with the disclosure that Henry King will 

next pilot "The Way of a Gaucho," which 

. . . 

will be personally produced by Darryl P. 

Zanuck, and Robert Wise will hold the reins 

on Producer Julian Blanstein's science-fiction 

entry, "The Day the Earth Stoofi Still"' 

Over at U-I, Douglas Sirk wjis named to 

direct "The Lady Pays Off," the Albert J. 

Cohen production topllning Linda Darnell 

and Stephen McNally. 

20 BOXOFHCE March 24, 1951

sevceKA 

Eagle Lion to Sell by Mail 

< < ^â^ded In Move for Economy 

INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR (Rep)—Here 

is cops-and-robbers fare cut to the standard 

pattern for program entries which emphasize 

action in its more melodramatic 

facets. The opus is paced at a sufficiently 

rapid tempo to ensnare and hold audience 

interest and, booked into the supporting 

niche for which it patently was fabricated, 

should pay out satisfactorily. Richard Denning, 

Audrey Long, John Eldredge. Directed 

by George Blair. 

I WAS AN AMERICAN SPY (Mono-AA)— 

Because this is predicated upon a factual 

personal experience and one which was 

widely publicized and singularly honored, 

the photoplay possesses merchandising 

possibilities which can make it a profitable 

booking venture in situations where showmen 

take full advantage of its exploitability. 

Ann Dvorak, Gene Evans, Douglas 

Kennedy. Directed by Lesley Selander. 

KON-TIKI (RKO)—Thor Heyerdahl, author 

of the popular book, does the commentary 

in amplification of the footage which he 

and his brave companions exposed while 

aboard their ocean-crossing raft. Much of 

the photography is vague and obviously 

amateurish, but there are moments of high 

adventure that vrill please seekers of this 

type of screen fare. 

MY FORBIDDEN PAST (RKO) —If Ava 

Gardner, sultry and sexy, carrying a torch 

—hotter than a bowl of Mexican chili—for 

Robert Mitchum doesn't bring in the 

shekels of the femme fans who seek torrid, 

romantic screen entertainment, then 

Hollywood might as well stop making boymeets-girl 

pictures. The offering shows 

solid performances, careful attention to productional 

details and the sexual temperature. 

Robert Mitchum, Ava Gardner, 

Melvyn Douglas, Janis Carter. Directed by 

Robert Stevenson. 

SADDLE LEGION (RKO)—This entry In the 

Tim Holt western series measures up to 

the general average of its predecessors, 

which indicates that its destiny as a contribution 

to the supporting niche is subsequent 

runs and/or the Saturday matinee 

trade Is pretty accurately predetermined. 

Tim Holt, Richard Martin, Dorothy Malone. 

Directed by Lesley Selander. 

SCARF, THE (UA) — Whether the general 

run of audiences will accept this heavily 

dramatic entry, which has an abundance 

of psychiatric overtones, with any great 

degree of enthusiasm is a bit difficult to 

predict. Undeniably it is, for pictures of 

its type, well done but the mood for the 

most part is somber and the overall pace is 

leisurely because of the evident desire to 

develop offbeat characterizations at the 

expense of tempo and movement. John 

Ireland, Mercedes McCambrldge, James 

Barton. Directed by E. A. Dupont. 

NEW YORK—Eagle Lion is introducing a 

number of new economies into its distribution 

system. Exchanges are to be reduced 

from 28 to 20. 

Direct mail advertising and selling is being 

tested in the Atlanta and Denver territories. 

A card will be inserted in the envelopes 

giving the price of the picture. The contract 

contains 400 words. Standard contracts have 

4,000. The exhibitor is to fill in the empty 

spaces. If he doesn't fill them, a salesman 

may call latar. Pressbooks have been eliminated. 

Central billing operated out of New York 

is planned with the use of machines from 

the International Business Machines Corp. 

A test is being made in one branch. The 

billing shift will be made over a period of 

months, exchange by exchange, and duplicate 

clerical staffs will be eliminated. 

The company may start more suits against 

circuits to get what it considers a fair share 

of playing time. 

"This aggressive policy has already started 

to bear fruit . . . Witness our action on the 

old problem concerning the treatment accorded 

independently produced pictures by the 

larger circuits," reads a statement issued in 

pamphlet form in connection with the new 

policy. 

"This policy has always been the subject 

of a lot of conversation," the pamphlet continues, 

"but unfortunately little action. It 

was Eagle Lion that did something about it. 

As you know, we instituted a suit last year 

in New York City against the large distributors 

who control that most lucrative of all 

markets. We expect to obtain from the 

court—since no one has been able to obtain 

it in any other way—fair treatment for the 

independent producer and distributor. 

"If we succeed here—or any place else 

where we may be required to take the same 

action—the primary beneficiary will be the 

independent producer." 

The statement was signed by William C. 

MacMillen jr., president. 

Salesmen Open Meetings 

For Larger Salaries 

NEW YORK—Negotiations are under way 

at the Hotel Astor here between the Colosseum 

of Motion Picture Salesmen of America 

and the Industry Negotiating committee 

for a wage hike going beyond the 10 per 

cent increase allowed by the Economic Stabilization 

Administration. 

The union, which represents 1,000 film 

salesmen, plans to meet daily with the committee 

headed by Bernard Goodman of Warner 

Bros. David Beznor, Colosseum general 

counsel, refused to say how much of an increase 

the union is requesting. 

These reviews will appear in full in 

a forthcoming issue of BOXOFFICE 

Ads like this ire ippeailng in 58 Nations! Magazines and 93 Sunday Neospaper Supplements totaling 185,761,000 circulation. 


25 Third Run Detroit Theatres Join 

To Advertise Their Films Via TV 

DBTTROIT—A cooperative television campaign 

aimed at direct selling of pictures will 

be launched about April 1 by approximately 

25 key (third run) local houses over WXYZ- 

TV, to run 13 weeks. The program will use 

a five-minute nightly show, set at the crucial 

dinner period. Trailers will run on current 

attractions, punching the message home 

with strong selling copy and with individual 

naming of the theatres participating. 

Subsequent plans call for extending the 

promotion to include other theatre groups, 

working on a different run or combination 

of films than the day-and-date group included 

in the original setup. 

Sparkplug for the venture is Harold Sandelman, 

onetime salesman for MGM, who 

promoted the 123-theatre cooperative Movie- 

Quiz contest here last fall. Sandelman was 

then with the W. B. Doner Agency, but has 

since launched out on his own, establishing 

the Allied Advertising Agency in the PUm 

Exchange Bldg. He is working out all arrangements 

for the project through Allied. 

The new move is a bold venture by local 

exhibitors to use the proven strength of 

video to draw its audience right back into 

the theatres. Experience with the various 

media available in the contest last fall gave 

exhibitors here solid proof that it is an 

advertising medium they cannot afford to 

neglect, regardless of personal feelings 

toward a major competitor. 

Latest figures available show 420,000 sets in 

the area—estimated to reach regularly about 

half of the population. This figure, assuming 

one listener to a set, which is probably too 

low, is practically equivalent to the circulation 

of any of the three daily papers—top 

weekday figure is 457,000—and likely to exceed 

all of them within the next 30 days. 

With the heavy investment individual listeners 

have made in television receivers, it is 

able to deliver an audience that brings it 

right to the fore as an advertising medium. 

Stockholders of Universal 

Elect Thirteen Directors 

WILMINGTON—stockholders of Universal 

Pictures, Inc., elected 13 directors at the annual 

meeting held here last week. 

They were: Robert S. Benjamin, N. J. 

Blumberg, Preston Davie, John G. Eidell, 

Albert A. Garthwaite, William J. German, 

Leon Goldberg, R. W. Lea, John J. O'Connor, 

J. Arthur Rank, Budd Rogers, Daniel 

M. Sheaffer and G. I. Woodham-Smith. 

Approval was given to a five-year contrEict 

between the company and Blumberg. 

This was negotiated July 1, 1950, to take 

effect Jan. 1, 1951. 

Stockholders were told that the first quarter 

of the current fiscal year will show a 

profit greater than a year ago. Pinal figures 

are expected to be available shortly. 

Cleveland Contest 

Proves Good Draw 

CLEVELAND—The Showmen's 

Committee 

of Cleveland has just concluded what members 

call "the most successful project launched 

here to bolster theatre attendance." The 

promotion was a 21 -day $1,000 Movie contest 

in which all local theatres and the 

Cleveland News cooperated. Entries averaged 

2,000 a day or a total of 42,000. 

Committee members said the contest, which 

closed this week, "has developed a habit not 

only among the contestants but among all 

newspaper readers to read the amusement 

pages." ESccept for the opening front-page 

contest announcements, all promotion material 

on the competition was carried on the 

paper's amusement page. Contestants were 

asked to identify titles, stars and players 

from a series of stills appearing daily in the 

News over a three-week period. No pictures 

prior to December 1950 were included in the 

contest series. Each contestant wrote a letter 

stating why he liked his favorite picture. 

Judges have been going over the letters 

to pick 26 winners who will share in cash 

awards ranging from a $300 first prize to $10. 

Those judging the entries are Mrs. C. H. 

Brewer, president of the Motion Picture 

Council of Greater Cleveland; Mrs. Norma 

Wolff, member of the Cleveland board of 

education and Albert Young, public relations 

director of the Cleveland public library. 

Marilyn Erskine will make her screen debut 

in MGM's "Westward, the Women." 

PLUS-PROFITSFOR THEATRES 

More than 24,000 clients are currently using Alexander 

theatre screen advertising campaigns . . . displayed in 

over half of the nation's theatres. 

This wide acceptance testifies to the audience-appeal of 

top-quality movie-ads by Alexander. 

Why not join the thousands of smart showmen who are 

earning regular added profits through displaying Alexander 

Photograph above was made recently at the Alexander 

Film Co., where production of a new series of 

movie-ads was completed for the Phiico Corporation. 

The sparkling Phiico series features the humorous 

movie-ads a few minutes daily. Alexander ads cost you 

nothing . . . pay you plus-profits the year around. 

— WRITE TODAY FOR FULL INFORMATION — 

antics of an appealing family of puppet mice . . . With 

many miniature sets, 

such as the one pictured above, 

the natural color movie-ads by Alexander are already 

proving to be great favorites with theatre audiences 

across the nation. 

COLORADO SPRINGS 

Branch Offices: New York -:- Chicago -:- Dallas -:- San FranciKo 

22 BOXOFFICE 

: 

: March 

24, 1951

20ih-Fox Will Release 

20 Films in 6 Months 

NKW YORK—Twentieth Century-Fox has 

set seven features for release during July and 

August to make a total of 20 features to be 

released during the next six months, according 

to Andy W. Smith jr., vice-president and general 

sales manager. Included in the 20 will 

be Darryl F. Zanuck's personal production in 

Technicolor, "David and Bathsheba," starring 

Gregory Peck and Susan Hayward, 

which will play its first dates in August. 

Five of the 20 films will be in Technicolor 

and one in SuperCinecolor. Two of the pictures 

are independent productions. The lineup 

for six — months follows: 

« 

M.^RCH "Bird of Paradise," in Technicolor, starring 

Louis Jourdan and Debra Paget; "The Sword 

of Monte Cristo," in SuperCinecolor, George Montgomery 

and Paula Corday, "Lucky Nick Cain," 

George Raft and Coleen Gray, and "Of Men and 

Music," concert music. 

APRIL You're in the Navy Now Gary Cooper 

and Jane Greer; "I Can Get It for You Wholesale," 

Susan Hayward and Dan Dailey. and "Follow the 

Sun," Glenn Ford and Anne Baxte: 

MAY — "Fourteen Hours," Paul Douglas and Richard 

Basehart; "Rawhide," Tyrone Power and Susan 

Hayward, and "On the Riviera," in Technicolor, 

Danhy Kaye and Gene Tierney. 

JUNE — "Half Angel," in Technicolor, Loretta Young 

and Joseph Gotten; "House on Telegraph Hill," 

Richard Basehart and Valentina Cortesa, and "Just 

One More Chance." 

JULY — "Will You Love Me in December?" Monty 

Woolley, Thelma Ritter, David Wayne and Jean 

Peters; "No Highway," James Stewart and Marlene 

Dietrich, and "The Frog Men," Richard Widmark, 

Dana Andrews and Gary Merrill. 

AUGUST—"The Secret of Convict Lake," Glenn 

Ford, Gene Tierney, Zachary Scott and Ethel Barrymore; 

"Take Care of My Little Girl," in Technicolor, 

Jeanne Grain, and "Decision Before Dawn," produced 

by Anatole Litvak in Germany with Richard 

Basehart, Gory Merrill, Oskar Werner and Hildegarde 

Neff, and "David and Bathsheba," Gregory Peck 

and Susan Hayward. 

'Queen for a Day' to Open 

At Waycross, Ga„ Apr. 14 

NEW YORK—United Artists will stage the 

world premiere of "Queen for a Day" at 

Waycross, Ga., in the Lyric Theatre, a Lucas 

& Jenkins house, April 14. 

Waycross won a "Queen for a Day" contest, 

with WAYX, local radio station, and city 

officials leading the effort. The city voted 

32,640 for itself. Over 1,500,000 postal card 

votes were sent out. The population of the 

town is 18,842. A total of 540 cities participated 

in a three-week period. 

Jack Bailey and Jim Morgan of the radio 

show, and a contingent of Hollywood personalities 

will take part in the program. 

Book 450 'MGM Story' Prints 

NEW YORK—All of the 450 prints on "The 

MGM Story" have been booked solidly the 

first month. Among the circuits are Interstate, 

Great States, Butterfield, Loew's and 

Warner Bros. In addition to the 56-minute 

film, which is being circulated without cost, 

the company is making available a four-page 

pressbook, trailer and other accessories. 

OUTDOOR 

REFRESHMENT i 

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from Coast 

to Coast 

over '/4 Century 

SPORTSERVICE CORP. 

SPORTSERVICE BLOC. • BUFF. 

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DRIVE • IN 

THEATRES 

RKO Sets Big Campaigns 

For Three Spring Films 

NEW YORK—Elaborate campaigns have 

been set up by RKO on three films to be released 

in April, May and June, according 

to Robert Mochrie, vice-president and general 

sales manager. The films are: "The 

Thing," "Tokyo File 212" and "Jungle Headhunters." 

The campaigns will be coordinated by S. 

Barret McCormick, director of advertising; 

Terry Turner, exploitation director, and Don 

Prince, eastern publicity director. 

"The Thing" is being advertised heavily 

in Life, the Saturday Evening Post, Collier's, 

Look, Coronet, Redbook, American, Cosmopolitan, 

Mechanix Illustrated, Popular Mechanics, 

Popular Science. Open Road, Boys' 

Life; the Thrilling Fiction group of 11 magazines, 

the Popular Fiction group of 15, Argosy, 

True, all the fan magazines and the 

Independent Sunday Magazine group of ten 

supplements. Parade group of 33, American 

Weekly group of 22 and This Week group of 

28. 

Contests are being set in key cities for 

newspapers and radio on "What Is the 

Thing?" 

For "Tokyo File 212" a group of 16 Geisha 

girls will make appearances in key cities. 

A cocktail party will be given May 1 in Washington 

under the auspices of the Japanese- 

American League prior to the May 2 opening 

in Keith's Theatre. Look magazine will cover 

this. This picture will open in Philadelphia 

and Boston May 9. 

"Jungle Hunters," a Sol Lesser production, 

will have 12 Ecuadorian tribesmen out in 

advance, and Lewis Cotlow, explorer and 

adventurer, making personnal appearances. 

A four-page tabloid herald in color is being 

prepared. The openings will be during June. 

Legion Denies Complaint 

Against 'Desert Fox' 

NEW YORK—James W. Hilton, commander 

of the Chipilly, Chicago, post of the 

American Legion, has flatly denied that the 

post had authorized published reports implying 

boycott action against "The Desert 

Fox," to be produced by 20th Century-Fox 

from a biography of the late Erwin Rommel, 

German field marshal. He said the post does 

not prejudge anything, and that the complaint 

had been made by a former member of 

the post who lacked the right to represent it 

or 

the Legion. 

NOTICE! 

DBIVE-IN THEATBE OWNEBS 

THEATRE SUPPLY DEALERS 

RADIO REPAIR SHOPS 

Cash For Old Speakers 

WE WILL PAY 50 CENTS EACH FOR ANY 

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BOXOFFICE : 

: March 

24, 1951 

23

Northwest Variety Club Is Honored 

For Its 

Heart Hospital Project 

MINNEAPOLIS — The Northwest Variety 

Club was signally honored this week for 

bringing to successful fruition its University 

of Minnesota heart hospital project. International 

Variety Clubs' heads, film stars, 

educators and state and city officials joined 

to pay tribute to the club for its accomplishment. 

The occasion was a dedication dinner, 

arranged by the university, to mark the 

opening of the hospital, the only one in the 

United States devoted entirely to treatment 

that field. 

of heart ailments and research in 

The affair actually was a testimonial to 

the entire film industry of which Northwest 

Variety Club members are a part because. 

PORT HOLE BLOWERS 

Ncccss.iry in ANY projection booth to keep 

bugs, dust and greasy lint off delicate coated 

lenses. Eliminates optica) glass. Clearer proiection. 


729 Baltimore 

:»njas Cily. Mo 

although it singled out a particular project, 

it also evoked a laudation for similar philanthropies 

being carried on by other industry 

branches throughout the nation, Art 

Anderson, Northwest Variety Club chief 

barker, pointed out. 

Speakers at the dinner, outside the industry, 

emphasized that its members have 

made a name for themselves through public 

spirit, the part they have played in assisting 

worthy causes at all times and their contributiohs 

to civic welfare. University of 

Minnesota educators declared that the heart 

hospital reflected great glory on the ndrthwest 

film industry and obligated the entire 

nation to it because the institution will be 

available to residents of other sections, too, 

and its research work should bring medical 

blessings to ailing people everywhere. 

Built and equipped at a cost of $1,500,000, 

of which sum the Northwest Variety Club 

raised $500,000 and has pledged itself to an 

additional annual contribution of at least 

$25,000 a year, the heart hospital, presented 

to the university by Chief Barker Anderson, 

HOLLmomy's-rmsvTE 

COUNTRY BOy 

is one of the most glamorous such institutions 

in this section. Special features include 

hand rails along the corridors to help the 

patients steady themselves, a built-in oxygen 

supply for acute patients, a river-view play 

deck at the end of the children's floor, fireplaces 

in the lobby and a sun-filled solarium, 

fluorescent lighting throughout the building, 

a special section for occupational and physical 

therapy and a schoolroom for youngsters. 

Representing International Variety Clubs 

at the dinner were its top officers:—John H. 

Harris, Pittsburgh, "big boss"; R. J. O'Donnell, 

Dallas, Texas, "ringmaster"; Marc J. 

Wolf, Indianapolis, Ind., "chief barker," and 

William McCraw, Dallas, the organization's 

executive director. Hollywood sent to the 

dinner Loretta Young and Vera-Ellen. 

Among the speakers were President L. D. 

Coffman of the University of Minnesota and 

U.S. Senator E. J. Thye. Bill Elson, past 

Northwest Variety Club chief barker and a 

director, introduced McCraw who took over 

as master of ceremonies. There also were 

talks by Chief Barker Anderson, for the 

Northwest Variety Club; O'Dormell, Wolf, 

Miss Young and Dr. H. S. Diehl, the lastnamed 

dean of the University of Minnesota 

medical school. 

Radio Station WCCO, local CBS unit 1, 

carried the broadcast of the dinner which was 

reminiscent of a Hollywood first night. Music 

at the affair was provided by an 18-piece 

WCCO orchestra. George Grim, Minneapolis 

Tribune columnist and an ace radio news 

analyst and announcer, prepared the radio 

script for the special radio broadcast which 

was produced by Ed Viehman. 

On the night preceding the university 

dinner, the Northwest Variety Club was host 

to its members at a dinner in the clubrooms 

honoring the International Variety Clubs' 

heads who had come to Minneapolis to participate 

in the heart hospital affair. At the 

club dinner Wolf, in his capacity of International 

Variety Clubs' chief barker, inducted 

Anderson and other 1951 Northwest Variety 

Club officers for 1951. 

I 

IeRE at hallmark, our "»l«»ei," "choifwormcfi, " 

mni "»h«»*

i 

LETTERS 

To Be Looked Forward To 

To BOXOFFICE: 

In your editorial "The Public Be Pleastd," 

you indirectly pose the question of what the 

public wants in motion pictures. When 

catering to a fickle public, the question is 

about as easy to find as a needle in the 

ocean. 

It is a well known, indisputable fact, that 

despite thousands and thousands of people 

who voice strong objections to so many pictures 

of crime, violence and murder—these 

same people sit home night after night and 

listen to radio programs of that exact nature. 

Glance at your national network programs 

and see the parade of murder, crime and 

violence programs which follow each other 

over the air waves with untold millions of 

avid listeners. 

And all of these programs are sponsored by 

the largest and wealthiest manufacturers of 

soap powders, cigarets, drug products, etc. 

Could it be that their success in capturing 

such huge audiences lies in the knowledge of 

what the public wants? If so, then it's quite 

a paradoxical situation. 

I believe that the constant quest, worry 

and alibis over "lost audiences" is futile. 

The countless excuses being offered, such 

as "cycle pictures," day-and-date bookings, 

crime, violence and murder pictures, failure 

to modernize every year, etc., are not the true 

reasons for lost audiences. 

Let's face it—honestly. The major reason, 

that no one seems to dare mention, is the 

cold, obvious fact that movies today have 

become a glut on the market. Seven days, 

seven nights, 52 weeks a year! 

Movies are as 

much taken for granted by the public as 

the air they breathe. 

How many times have you heard the expression 

from our dear public, to wit: "Well, 

nowhere to go tonight, may as well go to the 

movies." I have heard it countless times. Too 

much of anything loses its appeal and interest. 

Movies should be made to be looked forward 

to by the public—not to be taken for 

granted like a piece of household furniture. 

And by cutting down on the number of 

pictures and days open, I believe we would 

take a great stride in re-creating public 

desire in the movies. 

PHILIP COHNSTEIN 

Midway Theatre, 

Perrine, Fla. 

Wants Shorter Features 

To BOXOFFICE: 

Your editorial, "Count the Blessings," of 

February 17 is very good and every word is 

true. 

However, since the "Double Feature" era 

and the lack of consideration on the part of 

the producers as to the length of the features, 

most always the exhibitor, whether first 

or subsequent run, finds himself in the predicament 

of either running a lengthy program 

or omitting the most valuable subjects 

that help sell our industry. 

It may be a blessing if the producers would 

DRIVE-IN RAMP LIGHTS 

Combination Rflmp Identif icotion LiRht 

and Driveway FloodtiRht 


BOXOFHCE March 24, 1951 

limit feature length to 80 minutes or less and, 

if the subject warrant it, make it an even 

100 in extreme cases. 

Comet Theatre, 

St. Louis, Mo. 

THOMAS JAMES 

UA to Release 'Disc Jockey' 

HOLLYWOOD — Release through Allied 

Artists was secured for "Disc Jockey," musical 

to be produced by Maurice Duke, which will 

go before the cameras early next month with 

Will Jason directing. Clark Reynolds wrote 

the script, which will feature the Weavers 

(folk singers), Lenny Kent, Russ Morgan, 

Les Brown, Herb Jeffries and 22 disk jockeys 

including Martin Block, Bill Anson and Gene 

Norman. 

Jack Kirsch Is Re-Elected 

Illinois Allied Head 

CHICAGO — Jack Kirsch 

was re-elected 

president of the Allied Theatres of Illinois at 

the 21st annual meeting held last week at 

the Congress hotel. His term will be for three 

years. The following officers and directors 

were chosen for a one-year term: 

Van A. Nomikos, vice-president; Benjamin 

ISanowitz, secretary-treasurer; and directors: 

Arthur Davidson, Richard Salkin, James 

Gregory, Verne Langdon, Ludwig Sussman, 

John Semadales, Bill Charuhas, Oscar Brotman, 

Saul Lockwood, Howard Lubliner, 

Charles Lindau, Nate Slott, Joseph Stern, 

Robert Harrison. Harris Nepo again was appointed 

to the post of sergeant at arms. 

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Kroger Babb Holding 

Regional Confabs 

KANSAS CITY—Kroger Babb, president of 

Hallmark Productions, conducted the second 

in a series of zone managers meetings here 

Saturday and Sunday (17, 18) at the Ambassador 

hotel. The local meeting followed one 

held the previous week in Beverly Hills and 

preceded sessions scheduled for this weekend 

(24-26) in New York and later in the 

month in CincinnatL 

Purpose of the meetings was to iron out 

problems in selling and exploiting Hallmark 

productions. Babb said he believed the regional 

meetings would help him get closer 

to the problems confronting zone managers 

and exploitation men. 

Attending the local confab were Bill Burger 

and exploiteer Bud Banniza, Dallas; George 

Foreman and advance men German Poreman 

and Charles Mohler, Kansas and Missouri; 

Duane Hatfield, Chicago and Indianapolis; 

Lew Andrews, Memphis and New Orleans; 

Roy O'Keefe, new Denver and Salt 

LEike City zone manager, and western unit 

supervisor Bob Little. 

Babb went on from here to New York where 

meetings were to be held at the Astor hotel. 

Attending those meetings were Joe Salomon, 

Philadelphia; Jack DeVoss and advance man 

Ray Tipton, Washington and Charlotte; 

DRIVE-IN SCREEN COATING 

Also Maskinf! and Complete Paint Line 


...TARGET. 

, 

••! » * • 

^w:.^'?. 

Mil 

29 Baltimore 

^li\°'!.'!,T 

insas City. Mo 

•». 

Larry Craig, Boston and New Haven; Bob 

Wood, Albany and Buffalo, eastern unit 

supervisor Earl Erwin and Jack Thomas, vicepresident 

and general manager. 

On March 31 -April 1 Babb will conduct a 

meeting at the Gibson hotel in Cincinnati 

with zone manager Claude Alexander, Cleveland 

and Cincinnati; T. J. Bain, Atlanta, 

advance man Harry Haigler, and Sy Symons, 

Detroit zone manager. 

Attending the earlier meeting in Beverly 

Hills were Jack Mitchell, Seattle and Portland, 

advance man Johnny O'Connor and 

Sam Liggett, Los Angeles manager. 

World Health Organization 

Offers Data to Hollywood 

HOLLYWOOD—Filmmakers were offered 

a wealth of human interest story material 

and background data on the activities of the 

World Health Organization, a tTnited Nations 

agency, for possible incorporation into 

upcoming product when Joseph Handler, 

WHO'S public information director, paid a 

brief visit to the film colony. 

Headquartering in Geneva, Switzerland, 

Handler during his stay conferred with such 

industry representatives as Dore Schary, 

MOM production chief; Scenarist Helen 

Deutsch; Producer Julian Blaustein of 20th 

Century-Fox; Robert Stillman, independent 

producer releasing through United Artists; 

Ida Lupine's Filmakers unit; and Director 

Andrew Marton, among others. 

Handler disclosed his agency's files are 

open to cinema craftsmen and that topics on 

which WHO has available information include 

research medicine and worldwide efforts 

to combat death-dealing diseases. 

TUBERCULOSIS! 

''^'^.• 

-mm- 

A 

I II. •l».. ... -ULi 

' 

ll ll ' 

The Variety Clubs—Will Rogers Hospital at 

Saranac Lake, New York. This famous sanatorium for the 

care and treatment of chest diseases, operated free of 

charge, serves the people of the Motion Picture and Allied Amusement 

Industries. Industry people from all parts of the United States are 

eligible for admission. 

For information contact your nearest Variety Club Tent or Write: 

Variety Clubs—Will Rogers Hospital 

1313 Paramount Building, New York 18, N. Y. 

CLEARING HOUSE 

(Continued from inside back cover) 

THEATRE SEATING 

Patch-0-Seat cement. Patching clotb, solvent, 

etc. Fensin Seating Go.. Chicago 5. 

Tighten loose chairs with Permastone anchor 

cement. Fensin Seating Co., Chicago 5. 

Chair supplies. Everything for theatre chairs. 

Fensin Seating Co., Chicago 5. 

Used chairs, guaranteed good. Advise quantity 

wanted. Photographs mailed with quotation. Fensin 

Seating Co., Chicago 5. 

No more torn seats: Kepalr with the original 

Patch-A-Seat. Complete kit, {6. General Cbalr 

Co., Chicago 22. 111. 

Chair Parts: We furnish most any part you require. 

Send sample for price, brackets, backs 

and seats. General Chair Co., 1308 Elston Ave., 

Clilcago 22. 111. 

Several thousand used opera chairs now In 

stock. Can furnish any amount you request. Full 

upholstered back, Insert panelback, boxsprlng and 

spring edge seat. Write for photo and state 

amount and Incline. We also manufacture new 

chairs. General Chair Co., 1308-22 Elston Ave., 

Chicago 22. 111. 

Many years In the seating business Is your 

guarantee. Good used chairs are not too plentiful 

but we have the pick. Full upholstered, panel 

back and many other styles. We furnish proper 

slope or level standards to fit your floor. All 

size 18x21-lnch chairs. Our prices are lowest. 

Write for exaot photo and price. We furnish parts 

for all makes. Send sample. Good quality plastic 

coated leatherette 2Sx26-lnch, all colors, S5c ea. 

Chicago Used Chair Mart, 829 South State St., 

Ctiicago 5. 111. 

No more loose chairs: Get "Flrmastone" Anchor 

cement. $5 per box. General Chair Co.. Chicago 

22, 111. 

Parts for all ciialrs. Send sample for quotation. 

Fensin Seating Co., Chicago 5. 

Complete seating service, sewn cushion and back 

covers. New cushions, parts. Chairs rebuilt In 

vonr theatre without Interruption. Theatre Seat 

Service Co.. 160 Hermitage Ave.. Nashville. Tenn 

American 168 air cushioned 19-lneh seats, 

velour ba(*s. Cheap. LUIl* L. Haltberg, Oarrison 

Tlieatre. Garrison. Worth Dalwta. 

Theatre ehairs, many reconditioned: screens, projectors. 

State requirements. Lone Star Film Co., 

Box 1734. Dallas. Texas. 

Our stock of used chairs at $3 each means yrai 

cHn save up to 60% when you buy from us. We 

offer the best at a very reasonable profit. Call, 

write or wire today. .Mbany Theatre Supply Co.. 

443 North Pearl St.. Albany. N. Y.. 5-5055. 

1,500 Heywood-Wakefield upholstered back 

spring cushions. Excellent rnndllion. $3.50 each. 

F.O.B. New York City. Call, write or vinre: Jack 

McGrath. P. 0. Box 13fi, West Albany. N. Y. 

Phone 2-4309. 

Chair values galore at S.O.S. 223 rebuilt late 

International fullv upholstered with spring edge 

cushions, $8.95: 1.400 Ideal sUdebacks. like new. 

$13.95. Send for latest chair bulletin. Dept. C, 

SOS. Cinema Supply Corp.. 602 W. 52nd St.. 

New York 19. 

BUSINESS STIMULATORS 

Binqo die-cut cards, two colors. 75 or 100 numbers. 

$3.26 per M. Blneo screen dial. $30. Premium 

Products. 339 W. 44th St., New York 18. 

N. Y. 

Dartaway: Two sensational new theatre game" 

of skill. Fill those empty seats. Don't waitstart 

now. Over 200 theatres now using our games ' 

No theatre too big or too small. Write or wire 

Dartaway Enterprises. Inc.. Shawnee. Kas. 

Incomparable proven Patronage Builders. 800 

card sets, die-cut 75 Number Bingo. $3 per thousand. 

Also other unique games. Novelty Games 

Co.. 1434 Bedford Ave.. Brooklyn 16, K. Y. 

Giveaway New 1951 car. No cost to theatre, 

towns 5.000 population or over. Merchant Advertising 

tleup. Interstate IVatre Service, 1116 

E.i5t Armour, Kansas City, Missouri. 

Giveaways: Masks, $16 per 1.000; comic books: 

low pri»d novelties. F.O.B. New York. Prices 

and samples on request. Herbert Hecht. 3074 

Park Ave.. New York 51. N. Y. 

Comis boolts available as premiums, giveaways 

at your kiddy shows. Large variety, i.itest newsstand 

editions. Comics Premium Co.. 412B. Greenwich 

St.. N. Y. C. Publications for premiums 

(exclusively) since 1939. 

THEATRICAL 

PRINTING 

Window cards, programs, heralds. Photo-Offset 

Printing. Cato Show Printing Co.. Cato. N. Y. 

MORE CLASSIFIED ON 

INSIDE BACK COVER 

26 BOXOFFICE :: March 24, 1951

CHESTER FRIEDMAN 

EDITOR 

HUGH E. FRAZE 

PRACTICAL IDEAS FOR SELLING SEATS BY PRACTICAL SHOWMEN 

o 

ProareSA 

Last week, Century circuit came 

up witli a new public relations idea 

in two Brooklyn theatres equipped 

witii large-screen television. As a 

public service the theatres were 

opened Monday at 10 a. m. with free 

admission for those interested in 

seeing the Kefauver senate crime 

hearings. The big star of the show 

was the former mayor of New York, 

William O'Dwyer. 

When 

Z 

the telecast concluded, the 

i 

audience was invited to remain for 4 

upon the new enterprise. 

— Chester Friedman 

the film program as guests of Century. 

The audience appreciated that. 

Century's idea was to familiarize 

the public with the advantage of 

large-screen television over the conventional 

home model. 

There never has been a medium 

that could sell a product as effectively 

as a free sample. 

* * * 

The persistent efforts of Manager 

Dick Peffley of the Paramount Theatre, 

Fremont, Ohio, is largely responsible 

for the repeal of a 3 per 

cent city tax on admissions which 

becomes effective April 1. 

The tax, levied on theatres, 

schools and the county fair, has had 

the usual effect of discouraging patronage. 

Last June, Peffley lined up 

support from the superintendent of 

schools and the secretary of the 

county fair. The trio went before 

the city council and pleaded that I 

the tax was discriminatory and 

harmful to their business. 

On March 12, the city council 

voted to repeal the tax. All local 

theatres will benefit because of Peffley's 

initiative and the logic of his 

arguments. 

4: « * 

The theatre industry loses a good 

showman next week, when Herb 

Graefe leaves the Door Theatre, 

Sturgeon Bay, Wis., to take over the 

management of a new radio station 

in the community. This department 

will miss Graefe's interesting 

innovations in exploitation techniques. 

No doubt there are many readers 

of this section who share the sentiments 

of the writer in wishing 

Graefe "the mostest and bestest of 

everything good," as he embarks 

Indians Brave Laughter 

To Assist 

Jack Mitchell, manager of the Weslin Thetre, 

Massillon, Ohio, promoted a lobby guessing 

contest in cooperation with a local jewelry 

store in behalf of "Tomahawk." A large 

glass jar was filled with soil, an accompanying 

sign reading: "Black dirt from the Black 

Hills of Dakota where 'Tomahawk' was 

filmed. Guess the weight. The person coming 

closest to the correct weight of the jar 

will receive a $25 gift from C. J. Duncan's 

Jewelry shop." The contest created excellent 

word-of-mouth publicity. 

Mitchell obtained three Indian costumes 

and had his ushers and doormen wear them 

with streamers giving the title and playdate. 

For a lobby display, a wigwam was erected 

and one of the costumed ushers sat in the 

entrance next to a sign reading, "Ugh! Me 

sit here so can be first to see 'Tomahawk.' " 

When the usher was not there, a sign pinned 

to the wigwam announced, "Out to lunch." 

This got excellent attention and provoked 

amused coinraents from theatre patrons. 

Two days before opening, one of the u.

16mm Machine in Store Window 

Screens Trailer for yesterday 

Bob Morris, manager of the Town Theatre 

in Baltimore, used a self-repeating projector 

and a 16mm trailer to arouse interest in 

"Eorn Yesterday." The trailer was run continuously 

in the machine which was located 

in a prominent downtown jewelry store specializing 

in home projector equipment. Stills 

from the film were grouped about the projector, 

a sign calling attention to the Town 

playdates. 

One of the principal department stores in 

Baltimore tied in picture credits in four 

separate departments. The store's soda fountain 

concocted a "Born Yesterday" sundae 

and advertised the theatre playdates via 

counter signs. 

An eight-foot sign was erected in the 

store's dress department, linking the fact 

that all dresses on the rack were "Born Yesterday" 

and were of the latest fashion design. 

A window display of "Born Yesterday" 

Models Enhance Dairy 

'Milkman' Selpiece 

Redlck Hamer, manager of the Wyandotte 

(Mich.) Theatre, used an elaborate display 

and promotion deal on "The Milkman." 

Throwaways were distributed throughout the 

community, advertising the tleup with a local 

dairy in which children were admitted free 

to the Saturday matinee upon presentation 

of two milk bottle tops. The dairy reimbursed 

the theatre at the regular admission price 

for the free admissions. 

A large scale display was prepared for the 

lobby, using a life-size uniformed figure of 

a milkman In front of a large background 

filled with posters and stills advertising the 

picture. Across the bottom of the display 

were colored and Illuminated shadow -box type 

(Usplays of dairy herd scenes, models of cows, 

and bottles of various milk products. Signs 

set forth the value of milk. 

As another novelty, a milk bar was set up 

In the lobby. 

fashion inspirations rounded out the tieup. 

Morris used live trailers to good advantage. 

For several days prior to the picture's opening, 

some of Baltimore's top radio personalities 

took turns appearing on the stage immediately 

following the screen trailers, making 

a personal pitch to the audience. 

The Arthur Murray dance studios aided 

the general ballyhoo by supplying a pair of 

instructors who gave dance exhibitions on 

the mezzanine floor of the theatre. Display 

ads and theatre credits were carried in the 

daily newspaper ads for the studio. 

Twenty-five branch stores of the drug 

chains carried large blowups of Broderick 

Crawford, co-star of the picture, endorsing 

a popular cigarette lighter. The Town Theatre 

and playdates were included in the copy. 

Excellent newspaper cooperation and contests 

planted in two local shopping guides 

further helped to publicize the booking. 

Milk Chocolate Is Given 

To Kids for 'Milkman 

For "The Milkman," Pearl Bryant, manager 

of the Federal at Federalsburg, Md., secured 

from a local dairy a two-column, eightinch 

co-op ad announcing the giveaway of a 

bottle of milk chocolate to every youngster 

who attended the Saturday matinee show. 

The dairy supplied the drinks and placed 

cards In stores retailing milk products with 

copy plugging the playdates. 

For "All About Eve," the Federal manager 

mailed 500 postcards to patrons imprinted 

with a personal endorsement of the picture. 

Sets Free Easter Show 

Toby Ross, manager of the Fox Theatre, 

Corning, N. Y., sold an Easter vacation kiddy 

show to a local dairy for March 27. The 

dairy has rented the entire theatre and will 

give free tickets to home-delivery customers. 

The stunt assures the theatre of a capacity 

morning crowd. The scheduled program will 

consist of a western and cartoons. 

National Guard Holds 

'Steel Helmet' Drive 

For Enlistments 

The opening of "The Steel Helmet" at the 

Wicomico Theatre, Salisbury, Md., launched 

a citywide celebration officially proclaimed 

by the mayor as National Guard "Steel 

Helmet" Drive week. National guard officers 

supported the recruiting tieup. 

A parade was arranged on opening night 

through the main street to the theatre. In 

tlie line of march were national guard units, 

the local high school band, and a band representing 

the Veterans of Foreign Wars. 

On the day before opening, a newspaper 

story broke on "The Steel Helmet" drive, 

giving complete details about the parade and 

the opening night stage activities. 

Manager Manny Winston of the Wicomico 

arranged with the Walter Reed hospital in 

Washington to secure additional leave for 

Lieut. J. W. Pope, local boy wounded in 

Korea, recently returned to recuperate. The 

army officer was interviewed on the theatre 

stage by Amos W. W. Woodcock, news commentator. 

The 15-minute interview was tape 

recorded and rebroadcast. Woodcock also 

plugged the picture on advance newscasts, 

along with various items concerning the 

mayor's proclamation, the parade, etc. 

A 12-foot oilcloth banner was displayed 

above the steps leading to the armory a week 

in advance. Paul Nichols, assistant to Winston, 

painted two, seven-foot steel helmet 

cutouts in oil which were displayed on the 

guardhouse lawn with copy promoting the 

playdates. 

The national guard underwrote the cost of 

2,000 circulars and set up an enlistment booth 

outside the theatre. 

Kid Color Contest Used 

On Publicity for 'Mines' 

Bill Hulbert, manager of the Kent (Ohio) 

Theatre, planted a coloring contest with the 

local newspaper for "King Solomon's Mines."' 

On several successive days, the paper ran 

illustrations of scenes from the film and invited 

youngsters to color them. The ten best 

qntries received passes for the Saturday 

matinee show at the Kent. 

Talent Show Is Launched 

With Merchant Sponsor 

Herman Kopf, manager of the Waller Theatre, 

Laurel, Md., recently launched a series 

of weekly talent shows called "Stars In the 

Making." Series calls for weekly eliminations 

and a grand final with $270 in cash prizes 

for the winner and two runnersup. The shows 

are sponsored by a local advertiser who puts 

up the prize money and ad costs in return 

for theatre advertising. 

Gets Church Praise 

Eugene Plank, manager of the Rltz Theatre, 

Reading, Pa., invited the Greater Reading 

Council of Churches to a screening of 

"Prince of Peace." The group sent a letter 

to the local paper, heartily recommending 

the film as a must-see picture. The paper 

published the complete story. 

28 — 66 — BOXOFFICE Showmandisor :: March 24, 1951

t 

Merchant Tieups Put 

To Good Use by Hipp 

At Syracuse, N. Y. 

At Hippodrome, tieups with local merchants 

are helping Lou Mehrenbloom, manager of 

the Hippodrome, Corbin, N. Y., exploit coming 

attractions. On "Watch the Birdie," Mehrenbloom 

persuaded the manager of the fiveand-dime 

store to display a window full of 

canaries with tie-in copy plugging the Hipp 

dates. He also borrowed two parrots from 

friends for lobby displays, with copy highlighting 

the comedy angles of the film. 

When "Branded" was booked, a sporting 

goods store cooperated by sponsoring a guessing 

contest. A bowl in the store window 

was filled with bullets and passersby guessing 

the correct number received free theatre tickets. 

The window was filled with posters and 

signs plugging the "Branded" playdates. The 

contest ran five days prior to opening and 

attracted such wide attention that the store 

owner kept it going during the current showing. 

For "The Milkman" Mehrenbloom got the 

local milk company to put large signs on all 

Its delivery trucks. The company paid for the 

signs and advertised the theatre attraction on 

its regular radio broadcasts every day beginning 

a week prior to the opening. During 

these broadcasts, records of the song hits 

heard in the film production were played 

continuously. Window cards, heralds and special 

lobby displays helped create additional 

interest in the picture two weeks prior to 

opening. 

Recruits Take Oath 

At 'Halls' Opening 

Tony Abramovich, manager of the Des 

Moines (Iowa) Theatre, arranged mass induction 

ceremonies on the theatre stage for 

a group of 15 marine corps recruits, as part 

of his campaign for "Halls of Montezuma." 

The 15 recruits remained to see the picture 

and were feted at a dinner at the Hotel 

Savery. A boys' choir of more than 50 voices 

participated in the colorful ceremonies. The 

promotion resulted in a big opening night 

for "Halls of Montezuma," a three-column 

break in a local paper and news coverage 

during the evening radio broadcasts. 

Color Stills Enhance 

'Vengeance' Setpiece 

Abe Ludacer, manager of the Valentine in 

Toledo, used an 8x8-foot display board in the 

lobby on "Vengeance Valley" two weeks prior 

to opening. On one side of the board, 

Kodachrome prints of scene stills from the 

film were arranged, with illumination from 

the rear to produce a shadow-box effect. 

Litho cutouts, catch copy and star names 

were lettered on special plaques and placed 

against a colorful background. 

Dairy Tieup Milks 

'Milkman' Publicity 

Excellent business was reported by Dick 

Peffley, manager of the Paramount Theatre, 

Fremont, Ohio, during "The Milkman." Newspaper 

advertising was increased, and the local 

Havenshire dairy took additional space 

on co-op advertising. The dairy also posted 

one-sheets and theatre snipes on both sides 

of all trucks servicing the territory. 

An unusual window display was set up in 

which the public had an opportunity to meet 

Linda, much publicized grandniece of Elsie 

the Cow. 

The display of a live cow intrigued 

the public. The bovine was exhibited in a 

stall bordered with ruffled drapes and included 

a vanity dresser with cow toilet articles. 

Background for the display was a 24- 

sheet, and catchlines included humorous copy 

such as, "Holy cow! . . . What a moo-vie! 

. . . Homogenized 

hilarity," etc. 

Sells 'Mines' Ad 

Harry Yette, manager of the Riverside 

Theatre, Buffalo, promoted 3,000 co-op heralds 

to ballyhoo "King Solomon's Mines." 

Baltimore News Post 

Puts Stage Nuptials 

In 'Royal' News 

A stage wedding tied in with the Fred Astaire 

dance studio and the Baltimore News 

Post was the highlight of a campaign for 

"Royal Wedding" at the Century in Baltimore. 

Promotion was handled by Jack 

Sidney, publicity director for Loew's Theatres 

in that city. 

Sidney first lined up a couple who consented 

to be married on the stage. The groom 

is the director of the dance studio, a fact 

which lent itself firmly to the tieup. Sidney 

contacted a number of local merchants who 

donated gifts for the couple in return for 

advance lobby advertising. 

He then contacted the publisher of the 

News Post and explained that the stage 

wedding was an honest and simple publicity 

stunt, but pointed out that it had a lot of 

human interest. The publisher gave the green 

light and consented to a series of stories and 

pictures, explaining how the couple met, why 

and when they decided to get married on the 

stage, a picture of the couple at the license 

bureau, an interview with the bride concerning 

her trousseau, and a pictorial layout 

of the actual stage ceremony. 

Participating merchants used full window 

displays tieing in the "Royal Wedding" playdates 

at the Century with an exhibit of their 

gifts. The Fred Astaire studio circularized 

its 2,000 dance students with an invitation to 

see "Royal Wedding." Additional throwaway.=; 

in the form of an invitation received careful 

door-to-door distribution. The studio's newspaper 

ads carried picture plugs and copy announcing 

the stage ceremony, and all local 

radio stations extended full cooperation in 

exploiting the event. 

Navy Sound-Vision Projector Set 

Up in Lobby for 'Operation Film 

Veterans Get Medals 

At 'Halls' Opening 

Victor Morelli, manager of the Bristol 

(Conn.) Theatre, arranged a novel stage 

presentation in connection with the opening 

of "Halls of Montezuma." Campaign medals 

for wartime service were awarded local 

marine veterans on the theatre stage. The 

stunt was responsible for extensive newspaper 

publicity and radio plugs. 

Heralds Sell 'Mountain 

Keith Wilson, manager of the Roxy, 

Brampton, Ont., arranged heralds for "I'd 

Climb the Highest Mountain," made up to 

resemble the front page of the Peel Gazette 

and filled with stories, pictures and ad cuts 

advertising the picture. 

Ralph Tully, manager of the State, Portland, Maine, came up vrilh a honey of a 

tie-up for "Operation Pacific." The navy loaned him a sound-vision machine and 28- 

minute submarine film called "Silent Service." He spliced on the ISmjn trailer 

for the feature film and had it in continuous operation in the lobby and out front 

for a swell crowd-stopper. Picture ran ten days and stood up for a moveover date 

at the Maine Theatre. Navy A-boards and radio saturation plugs kept interest 

at high ebb. 

BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :: March 24, 1951 — 67 29

SHOWMANSHIP AND INGENUITY 

BUILD CANADIAN PATRONAGE 

Odeon circuit theatre managers in Canada, 

facing a shortage of top Hollywood product 

which goes to the opposition, are constantly 

called upon to make up with showmanship 

what they lack in big names and titles. Both 

in the booking and exploitation of pictures 

which play their houses, they have managed 

to maintain boxoffice grosses which are highly 

satisfactory when considered in terms of 

getting the mostest under difficult conditions. 

A substantial pwrtion of the pictures which 

play the Odeon theatres are from England. 

Jack Gibson, manager of the Glebe Theatre 

in Ottawa, presented an unusual musical 

program a few months ago with tremendous 

success. The program offered music lovers an 

opportunity to enjoy the National Film Board 

award-winning production, "Children's Concert," 

featuring Eugene Kash and the Ottawa 

children's concert series. Kash is recognized 

as an outstanding musician and is director of 

the Ottawa Philharmonic orchestra. His appearance 

in the short subject was supported 

by a p)ersonal appearance on the stage to 

introduce the series to Glebe Theatre patrons. 

NOTED PIANIST APPEARS 

Gibson booked "The Eternal Melody," based 

on Puccini's "La Boheme," as the feature film 

in conjunction with the "Children's Concert," 

and arranged for the personal appearance of 

Irene Woodburn, distinguished Canadian concert 

pianist, who presented a short recital on 

the stage at each evening performance. 

This distinctive type of entertainment was 

sold specifically to a discriminating adult 

audience throughout the city. Gibson used 

tasteful displays and newspaper ads, and had 

support from the local radio station. The 

program received an excellent buildup from 

the local press, and the show was reviewed by 

the drama critics as well as the movie reviewers, 

winning accolades from all. 

An additional treat was offered matinee 

patrons through the presentation of a recorded 

concert preceding each afternoon performance, 

featuring highlights from "La 

Boheme." 

The program was further sold by means of 

letters addressed to members of the Ottawa 

Music society, and through personal contacts 

in the Ottawa public schools. Window tieups 

with music shops further advertised the show. 

Business throughout the engagement was 

good, and comments from patrons indicated 

that those people who appreciate good music 

will support such worth-while endeavors in 

the motion picture theatre. 

ILLUSTRATED CAST MEMBERS 

The Odeon theatremen have developed a 

keen intuitive sense In anticipating their patrons' 

desires. When Wannie Tyers, manager 

of the Odeon in Toronto, played "The Mudlark," 

he foresaw that there would be many 

Inquiries regarding the cast. Accordingly, he 

prepared a colorful program listing the individual 

players, the characters they portray, 

and illustrations of each as seen in the film. 

Tyers sold the space on the back page to 

Yardlcy of London. 

Recently, Tyers developed a novel lobby 

Lobby displays look distinctive to impress 

music-appreciative patrons of the Glebe Theatre, 

Ottawa, with the fine-music program 

booked by Manager Jack Gibson. 

contest which created tremendous advance 

interest in "The 13th Letter." The public was 

invited to participate in a "13th Letter" Lucky 

Draw contest. A 60x80 display was placed in 

the theatre lobby, adjoining a desk with a 

supply of envelopes and pens. Folks were invited 

to address an envelope to themselves 

and deposit it in a nearby container. Each 

day, beginning two weeks prior to opening, 

the envelopes were taken from the container 

and every 13th name was selected to receive 

a guest ticket for "The 13th Letter." The stunt 

was so successful, it was circularized to all 

Odeon theatres by Arch Laurie, public relations 

director for Odeon, with the suggestion 

that it be adapted in all situations. 

Al Jenkins, manager of the Vogue in Vancouver, 

is another circuit showman who takes 

every pyossible advantage of getting his attractions 

publicized through unusual channels 

rather than the ordinary facets of promotion. 

When he played "Harriet Craig," Jenkins contacted 

the fashion editor of the Vancouver 

Daily Province and promoted a half-page 

pictorial layout featuring the tailored and 

formal apparel worn by Joan Crawford in the 

picture. The film title was mentioned five 

times and the layout included two fourcolumn 

cuts, completely dominating the page. 

This novel promotion reached thousands of 

women who might normally overlook the 

amusement pages but who are regular readers 

of the fashion features. The result of Jenkins' 

enterprise was reflected in the predominantly 

female audience during the engagement 

of "Harriet Craig." 

Billie Popham, manager of the Tivoli Theatre, 

Saskatoon, is yet another Odeon manager 

who believes in getting every possible bit 

of publicity out of his screen attractions. 

For "The Milkman," he sold the Purity 

Dairy Co. the idea of serving a buffet supper 

to a number of Saskatoonians who attended 

a Sunday night preview of the picture. Dairy 

products were served exclusively. Following 

the preview, the guests, including the mayor 

of Saskatoon, civic prominents, representatives 

of the press and officials of the dairy 

firm, adjourned to the theatre foyer where 

the buffet was served. 

The Saskatoon Star-Phoenix took photos 

and published them the following day. The 

dairy gave further assistance in publicizing 

"The Milkman" through large newspaper 

co-op ads, signs on all milk trucks, and diecut 

heralds which were fitted over the tops 

of milk bottles and serviced to all home 

deliveries in the area. 

Popham again came up with the "unusual" 

in newspaper co-op ads when he played "The 

Petty Girl." First he arranged for the Nash 

(Continued on next page) 

Lucky Draw contest gets smart lobby promotion by Wannie Tyers, manager of the 

Odeon, Toronto. 

Every 13th name was owarded passes. 

30 — 68 BOXOFTICE Showmandiser :: March 24, 1951

10 

Dairy Gives Passes 

To 'Milkman' Show 

For Bottlecaps 

A. C. Kubiak, general manager for the S. E. 

Heller Theatres, Grand Rapids, Minn., arranged 

with the Itasca Dairy Co. for a free 

admission gimmick at the Rialto Theatre, 

enabling youngsters to see "The Milkman" 

gratis at a Saturday morning performance. 

The dairy advertised in the local papers 

that 15 milk bottlecaps or an equal number 

of creamery tops would entitle children to 

free admission. The picture was well advertised 

in the copy. The dairy reimbursed 

the theatre for all admissions, paid for the 

cost of newspaper advertising and displayed 

cloth banners on all delivery trucks. 

For "Comanche Territory," Kubiak had all 

theatre employes wear Indian costumes a 

full week prior to opening. A large wooden 

Indian, borrowed from a novelty shop, was 

displayed in the theatre lobby. 

For "Broken Arrow," Boy Scout troops 

were invited to set up a display in the lobby 

consisting of a tent, a simulated camp fire, 

and some samples of their arts and crafts. 

Groups of Boy Scouts were in attendance 

during theatre hours. 

Store Sponsors Contest 

For 'Woman No Name' 

D. H. Vaughan, manager of the Roxy 

Cinema, Blackheath. England, made an effective 

tieup with Wilson's grocery and provision 

store to exploit "A Woman With No 

Name." The store sponsored a contest and 

distributed several thousand circulars on 

which contestants were invited to give six 

reasons why they feel the "Woman With No 

Name" would rely upon Wilson's for all her 

shopping. 

The merchant gave 10 pounds in prizes for 

the winners. The contest circular included 

prominent picture and theatre credits on one 

side, and an ad mat on the other. In addition, 

the store used a full window display 

advertising the contest. 

Vaughan promoted window displays in five 

other stores, and reports that the extra exploitation 

expended on this picture was reflected 

in increased receipts. 

Canadian Showmanship 

Increases Patronage 

(Continued from preceding page) 

dealer to provide him with a new car which 

he put to use as a street ballyhoo, properly 

bannered. On opening morning, the car was 

exhibited in front of the theatre, next to a 

huge cutout display, and photographed below 

the marquee attraction sign. The photo was 

made into a cut and reproduced in a co-op 

ad the following day. The theatre thus had 

the benefit of presenting the theatre front 

and a strong plug for "The Petty Girl" to the 

attention of newspaper readers. 

Henry McNeil, manager of the Roseland 

Theatre, New Glasgow, N. S., promoted a citywide 

search for Winchester rifles, in his campaign 

for "Winchester '73," in which he had 

the assistance of the New Glasgow Evening 

News. The newspaper ran advance stories 

beginning a week prior to playdate. Rifles 

located in the community were exhibited in a 

prominently located window, with tie-in copy 

and posters advertising the film. 

Theatre-Police Deal 

Sets Up Boys Club 

In cooperation with the local chief of 

police, Rufus Neas, manager of the Dixie, 

Scotland Neck, N. C., has launched a local 

Boys club. 

The boys elect their own officers and meet 

at the Dixie every Friday afternoon. Each 

week, they are assigned certain duties and 

are urged to accept responsibilities at home 

Members who achieve a satis- 

and in school. 

factory record each week receive a free ticket 

for a weekday show at the Dixie. 

Every 90 days, a prize will be given to the 

boy making the best record in his activities. 

The police department and the Dixie manager 

are setting up a summer schedule of picnics 

and outings. The club has received wide 

local publicity in the press. 

One of the chores assigned to the boys is 

the weekly distribution of circulars for the 

theatre. 

One-Arm Bandit Hypos 

Interest in 'Jackpot' 

For "The Jackpot," Konick, manager of the 

Manos, EUwood City, Pa., obtained a slot machine 

which he placed on a stand in front of 

the theatre. Passersby were invited to try 

their luck, free of charge, to hit the jackpot. 

Lucky jackpot winners received passes to 

see the picture. The device caused special 

commotion due to the fact that the city's 

district attorney had recently made a cleanup 

drive to eliminate all slot machines from 

the city. 

Schools, Libraries 

Exploit 'Yankee' 

After Screening 

Sid Kleper, manager of the College, New 

Haven, placed strong emphasis on school 

and library tieups to exploit "The Magnificent 

Yankee." An advanced screening was 

held for 200 prominent people in the community, 

followed by a press luncheon attended 

by high school editors, educational 

directors, etc. 

The appearance of James Whitmore, Arlene 

Dahl and Phyllis Kirk in the city was 

responsible for extensive radio promotion and 

newspaper publicity from the various editors, 

and high school journalists were invited to 

interview the stars. 

Five thousand cards were distributed in 

the high schools, imprinted: "I have seen 

'The Magnificent Yankee,' at the College 

Theatre." These were collected by teachers 

and the children were given special study 

credits. Libraries distributed bookmarks and 

displayed art posters advertising the theatre 

playdates. 

Kleper tied up for theatre plugs on soda 

fountain streamers, merchants shopping bags, 

paper doilies and menu cards. Ushers wore 

high silk hats and white gloves a week in 

advance to provoke comment, and the first 

100 women who attended the opening matinee 

received corsages tagged, "From 'The Magnificent 

Yankee,' " through the courtesy of 

a local florist. 

Screens 'Mountain' for GO 

George Freeman, manager of the Poll Theatre, 

Springfield, Mass., invited some 60-odd 

clergymen, newspaper people and radio news 

commentators to a screening of "I'd Climb 

the Highest Mountain." Comments collected 

after the preview were used as part of his 

campaign. 

Paula Gould, publicist for the Capitol Theatre 

in New York, proves that the big-city folk 

take an interest in street ballyhoos. The attractive 

models toured Times Square to get 

the public conscious oi "Three Guys Named 

Mike." 

Kids Get Free Gifts 

Arnold Kirsch, manager of the Zenith Theatre 

in the Bronx, has tied up with a neighborhood 

shoe store to sponsor free gifts for 

every child who attends a special show on 

Good Friday. With schools closed for the 

holiday, Kirsch decided to go after the juvenile 

trade to stimulate what is normally a 

poor business day. Every child will receive a 

gift from the sponsor, with the latter paying 

for lobby displays, a trailer and circulars in 

return for aimouncements in all advertising.

' 

Ad~apting Ads 

On Local Levei 

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Quest for Milk Queen 

Launches 'Milkman' 

In Sturgeon Bay 

Herb Graefe, manager of the Door Theatre, 

Sturgeon Bay, Wis., and three-time winner of 

a BOXOFFTCE Bonus for exceptional showmanship, 

came up with another humdinger 

of a tieup in his campaign for "The Milkman." 

The deal took on national proportions when 

he sold the local dairy association on the idea 

of selecting a Milk Queen. 

The project got under way with a search 

to discover a "queen" in the local high schools. 

Additional interest was whipped up when 

Graefe persuaded U-I to have the Milk 

Queen up for consideration in their casting 

department. 

With the full cooperation of the dairy association, 

a roving cameraman was dispatched 

to the local high schools to take photographs 

of contestants. The photos were then displayed 

in the most prominent drug store in 

town, with full credits for the theatre and 

the picture. 

The Future Farmers of America were 

brought into the promotion, and when the 

winner had been selected, she was crowned by 

the secretary of the organization and presented 

flowers and gifts provided by the dairy 

association. 

All milk trucks carried banners advertising 

the playdates, newspaper co-op ads plugged 

the picture, and the newspaper was especially 

cooperative in publicizing the contest and 

"The Milkman." 

Graefe reported that this campaign was 

his final effort in behalf of motion picture 

promotion. He is giving up his managerial 

job to become manager of a new radio station 

in Sturgeon Bay. 

Scotsmen Circularized 

For 'Bonnie Prince' 

Norman Duncan, manager of the Strand 

Theatre, Vancouver, B. C, mailed postcards 

to all citizens of Scotch descent announcing 

"Bonnie Prince Charlie." The Hudson Bay 

department store devoted a full window to a 

display of tartans, with stills and posters 

from the film. The inside of the theatre lobby 

was decorated in the clan colors. A Scotch 

piper outside the theatre attracted the attention 

of passersby, and a pipe band accompanied 

by a local Scotch society marched to 

the theatre opening night. Theatre usherettes 

wore Scotch hats a week in advance, 

with lajjel cards announcing the opening. 

'Breakthrough' Herald 

Financed by Car Renter 

Bernie Depa, manager of the Strand, Lexington, 

Ky., sold the back page of a herald 

campaign on "Breakthrough" to a car rental 

firm. 

Prom the national guard he obtained an 

equipment exhibit for the lobby, and borrowed 

military uniforms, which were worn by all 

members of the theatre staff a week before 

opening. He planted two five-minute star interviews 

with the most imoprtant radio station 

in Lexington, and promoted a contest 

among war veterans who related humorous 

experiences while in service. The contest was 

held during a VFW dance, with winners 

selected by audience applause. 

NUGGETS 

Abe Ludacer, manager of the Valentine 

Theatre in Toledo, covered all lobby walls 

with trellises painted white and trimmed with 

artificial spring flowers and foliage. Over the 

top of the trellis he placed a sign reading, 

"Spring comes early to Loew's." Poster frames 

were filled with 40x60s advertising some of 

the outstanding spring hits booked for the 

Valentine. 

Leslie Brown, manager of the Rex Cinema, 

Stratford, London, England, tied in with the 

national contest sponsored by the distributors 

of Whisk products, to select local talent for 

participation in the district finals. Eliminations 

were staged at the theatre and winners 

received cash prizes plus an opportunity to 

compete in the finals. Grocery stores handling 

Whisk products distributed 10,000 entry 

forms. Brown reports that added stage attraction 

helped to swell normal boxoffice 

receipts. 

Bob Newhook, publicity manager for the 

State and Orpheum theatres in Boston, promoted 

an effective plug for "Born Yesterday" 

by tieing in department store full-page ads 

boosting the sale of television sets. All TV 

sets pictured in the ads showed scenes from 

"Born Yesterday" on the scanning screen, 

with credits. 

Bar Association Aids 

'Yankee' Publicity 

Arnold Gates, manager of the Stillman 

Theatre, Cleveland, received wonderful cooperation 

from the Cleveland Bar Ass'n in 

publicizing "The Magnificent Yankee," following 

a screening of the picture for leading 

members of the group. The screening was 

publicized by stories in the local dailies. 

A tieup was made with Stratton Motors for 

a street ballyhoo several days prior to opening. 

A large two-sided sign was placed over the 

top of a new Mercury, with copy recommending 

"the year's greatest film production 

and the great new Mercury car" as the two 

best buys in the city. The car was driven 

through the main shopping sections and 

outlying districts. 

Premiere of 'Air Cadet' 

Is Studded With Brass 

The world premiere of "Air Cadet" at the 

Majestic Theatre in San Antonio was 

climaxed by a full day of civic activities and 

demonstrations sponsored by the army air 

force. 

Participating in television and radio interviews 

from a stand in front of the theatre 

were high ranking army officers including 

seven generals. The interviews were carried 

over station KABC and KEYL-TV. 

The air force Famous Names band was 

flown to San Antonio from Washington and 

entertained the premiere audience from the 

theatre stage. More than 15,000 guests were 

invited to nearby Kelly Field to watch the 

performance of an acro-jet team of air force 

aces. 

'Music' Tel-U-Grams 

Are Sent to Homes 

In Toronto Area 

Tiff Cook, manager of the Capitol Theatre 

in Toronto, used a number of effective 

lobby stunts to exploit "Mr. Music," and 

then concentrated on outside ballyhoo. 

Two weeks prior to opening, musical notes, 

bars and staff plus the picture title and star 

names were lettered on the floor of the lobby. 

This was covered with colorless shellac for 

protection, and attracted marked attention 

from incoming patrons. Ushers and doormen 

wore circular cardboard disks on their 

uniform blouses, with teaser copy. 

For a mailing piece. Cook devised a Tel-XJ- 

Gram, simulating a regular telegram, which 

was imprinted with copy inviting the theatregoer 

to help celebrate Bing Crosby's 20th 

year in show business, etc. Five thousand of 

these were mailed to all householders in 

nearby districts. 

The upper marquee attraction signs were 

covered with transparent boards on which 

the star and title were cut out. Fifty window 

cards were spotted in prominent stores 

in the north Toronto area. 

Cook invited Mrs. B. Music, a Toronto resident, 

to pose with a picture of Bing (Mr. 

Music) Crosby, and planted the photo with 

the local press. 

A giant postcard was installed in the lobby, 

addressed to Mr. Music in Hollywood and lettered 

with an anniversary greeting which 

Capitol patrons were invited to sign. Several 

thousand grocery bags and paper napkins 

were rubber-stamped by ushers, with copy: 

" 'Mr. Music' at the Capitol, etc." 

Cook reports that the campaign helped 

the picture to gross the fifth largest take at 

the Capitol in the last three years. 

Windows on 'Singing' 

Window and merchandising tieups helped 

exploit "If You Feel Like Singing" for S. E. 

Pascoe Williams, manager of the Ritz Cinema, 

Woking, England. Displays were set 

with shoe shops, a wool shop, a wine store, 

stationers, gown shops, hairdressing establishments, 

chemist and music stores, tieing 

in the various product over the title: "Tf 

You Feel Like Singing' shop here and buy, 

etc." 

BOXOFFICE Showmandiaer :: March 24, 1951 — 71 — 33

Circuit Plan for Mothers Day 

Engages Community Sentiment 

Almost everyone is a sucker for sentiment 

where "the gal who married dear 

old dad" is concerned. Mother's day is 

one day of the year when everybody is 

happy and unabashed at expressing their 

joy in one way or another. They are wide 

open for a sentimental approach. Reach 

their hearts, and they will reach for their 

pocketbooks. 

Arch Laurie, public relations director for 

Odeon Theatres in Canada, decided that 

most theatres fail to capitalize on this 

sentiment. Last year, he prepared a bulletin 

outlining a plan for Mother's day, 

which circuit managers followed out with 

notable success. With Mother's day now 

approaching, exhibitors might like to study 

the plan and adapt it for their own use. 

The Odeon objective was to find the 

oldest mother in each community and 

honor her on the theatre stage. First, the 

manager in each situation approached the 

mayor and town council to obtain official 

sanction and cooperation, with the mayor 

given an opportunity to appear on the 

Newspaper Sponsors 

'Mountain' Preview 

Eddie Bonns, manager of the Imperial 

Theatre, Griffin, Ga., conducted a screening 

of "I'd Climb the Highest Mountain" nine 

days prior to opening. Through the Spalding 

County Times, Bonns invited school and government 

officials, clergymen, officers of civic 

clubs and businessmen to be his guests. The 

newspaper sponsored the showing and paid 

for the invitations in addition to running 

page-one stories announcing both the screening 

and the regular engagement of the film. 

A local radio station went overboard with 

free publicity and made tape recordings of 

the guests' comments following the screening. 

These were later used as spot announcements, 

both gratis and paid. 

The influence exerted by the Spalding 

County Times through its large circulation 

was directly responsible for the successful engagement 

of the picture, according to Bonns. 

Griffin has a population of 13,000 and the 

Imperial played to almost 11,000 persons during 

the four-day booking. 

Bonns also believes that the theatre benefited 

by playing the film five days after its 

world premiere at the Paramount in Atlanta 

and thus capitalized on citywide publicity. 

Carrot Corsaqes Worn 

By Staff for 'Harvey' 

Cass Smith, manager of the Music Box, 

Tacoma, had all theatre usherettes wear 

carrot corsages tagged with the starting dates 

of "Harvey," to exploit the show a week before 

opening. The stunt aroused curiosity 

and provoked questions from patrons, resulting 

in oral publicity for the picture. For street 

ballyhoo, a theatre employe wearing a bunny 

costume circulated In the downtown area, 

with a sign announcing the theatre playdates. 

stage and officiate at the ceremony. In 

many cases, the mayor proclaimed 

Mother's day and included an announcement 

that the community would pay homage 

to the oldest mother on the theatre 

stage. This became the signal for the 

theatreman to contact merchants and line 

up suitable gifts, and to acknowledge the 

cooperation of organizations and clubs 

throughout the area in nominating and 

selecting a representative mother. 

In most cases, arrangements were made 

with an automobile agency to send a car 

for the guest of honor, in which she was 

taken to a beauty parlor for primping, to 

various shops for fittings, and finally to 

the theatre following a special dinner in 

her honor. 

Presentation of the gifts on the stage 

provides a sentimental buildup in which 

the mayor, or possibly the church pastor, 

eulogizes the honored guest in a brief recital 

of her background, personal life, etc. 

In most cases, it was possible to line up 

cooperation from the press and radio. 

Newark, N. J., 

Airline Aid on 'Mike' 

State Gets 

Murray Sharf, manager of the State, Newark, 

N. J., obtained American Airlines assistance 

on "Three Guys Named Mike." Several 

thousand brochures advertising the picture 

were distributed through travel agencies and 

mailed to the airline's leading accounts. Three 

airline stewardesses were interviewed over 

radio station WNJR on the Carl Ide program. 

American Airlines furnished model planes 

for exhibition in the theatre lobby, and displayed 

picture advertising in windows. 

A co-op ad ran in the Newark Daily News 

which gave the theatre 150 extra lines of free 

newspaper space. 

Odeon circuit theatremon conBiBtently make 

use of their marquee attraction signs to sell 

their current shows to passersby. Vic Nowe. 

manager of the Hyland in Toronto, demonstrates 

how cutouts and special art treatment 

give extra selling punch to this medium. 

Local Problems Pose 

Contest Questions 

For 'Secrets' 

For "Three Secrets" for Kenneth Hall, manager 

of the Savoy, Wolverhampton, England, 

asked citizens to offer their solution to "three 

secrets" of local interest. One portion was 

devoted to a quiz on the status of the local 

football team. The second portion involved 

opinions on the removal of a large bronze 

statue of the prince consort which has been 

located in the main square for more than 

50 years. A civic movement was launched 

to remove the statue, as part of a modernization 

plan for the city. 

The third "secret" also had local flavor, 

relating to a workman who fell into a six-foot 

cellar last December while breaking up the 

road surface in the square. Existence of the 

cellar had hitherto been unknown and dates 

back more than 100 years. 

To promote the contest. Hall distributed 

3,000 leaflets inviting participation and including 

provocative advertising copy for the 

film. 

In his campaign for "The Miniver Story," 

Hall tied up several downtown shop windows 

for attractive displays announcing the playdates. 

He promoted bottles of perfume from 

a manufacturer and presented them to women 

patrons at the evening performance on 

St. Valentine's day. Presentation of the perfume 

was made on the basis of the most attractive 

Valentines submitted by patrons to 

the theatres. This competition was publicized 

through advance lobby displays and a trailer. 

Perfume Co-Op Obtained 

On New Haven 'Husbands' 

Local dealers handling Faberge perfumes 

sponsored a newspaper co-op ad on "Three 

Husbands" at the College Theatre in New 

Haven. Manager Sid Kleper also planted 

a limerick contest with the Journal Courier, 

with guest tickets offered winners. Merchandising 

tieups were set for window displays 

in costume jewelry, dresses, furs and beauty 

treatments. 

Station WHNC ran a Model Husband contest 

on the Sid Jaffe record show. Kleper 

prepared a novel teaser throwaway, with copy, 

"For Men Only . . . For Women Only," which 

were distributed in small envelopes. 

For a street ballyhoo, a boy carried a suit- 

. . See 

case lettered, "Why men leave home . 

'Three Husbands,' etc." 

Disk Jockey Uses Quiz 

In Behalf of 'Music' 

Larry Hyatt, manager of the Arcade Theatre, 

Cambridge, Md., F>ersuaded a local disk 

jockey to plug tunes from "The West Point 

Story," with mention of the theatre playdates, 

for a week prior to opening. The same 

platter-turner sponsored a "Who is this 'Mr. 

Music' " contest. 

Hyatt sold a co-op newspaper ad to a local 

dairy to publicize "The Milkman." The dairy 

used signs on delivery trucks. 

A peepbox device was used to promote "At 

War With the Army." Catch copy invited the 

public to look at the "thing." Inside the box 

were stills from the film, with directions on 

"the thing to do," etc. 

34 — 72 BOXOFTICE Showmandiser :: March 24, 1951

New Boxofiice Video 

Viewed by FCC 

NEW YORK-The Federal Communications 

Commission witnessed a series of demonstrations 

Tuesday (20) of Subscriber- 

Vision, the television system developed by 

Skiatron Electronics & Television Corp. The 

first was a closed-circuit demonstration at 

the WOR-TV transmitter at North Bergen, 

N. J., which has been issuing experimental 

telecasts for several months with FCC permission. 

The second was at the Skiatron 

laboratories, where they saw an over-the-air 

telecast from the same transmitter in the 

afternoon. The press saw the same demonstration 

on a set at the Hotel Pierre. 

TO REQUEST TEST PERIOD 

Krim and Staff Optimistic 

About Future of UA 

Fred Meyers Goes to UA 

As Eastern Sales Chief 

NEW YORK—Fred Meyers has been 

named New York metropolitan district manager 

and circuit sales head of United Artists 

by William J. Heineman, 

vice-president In 

charge of distribution. 

He starts on the new 

job March 26. 

Meyers entered the 

industry in 1929 with 

RKO Theatres. In 1938 

he became general 

manager of the RKO 

Film Booking Corp. 

and chief buyer for 

the RKO circuit. In 

1941 he went to Universal 

- International 

as eastern sales man- 

If the FCC, which authorized the Zenith 

Phonevision tests now going on in Chicago 

shows interest in the Skiatron system, request 

will be made for the same type of tests 

m the New York area via Skiatron. The same 

number of sets—300—as in the Phonevision 

tests would probably be equipped for it. 

At the Skiatron laboratories the commission 

members saw the operation of decoders 

with the use of perforated punchcards which 

clear up 

Fred Meyers 

the scrambled image. No telephone 

wires are used as in the Phonevision system. ager, a post he held until 1949. 

Decoders are installed in the set and punch 

cards supplied for unscrambling purposes 

from time to time. A Skiatron official said 

that Consolidated Edison, New York power 

company, had shown an interest in acting as 

collection agency. 

William Benton Dies 

Of Attack in Florida 

NEW YORK—Reporting on his first month 

as president of United 

Krim said Friday (23) 

Artists, Arthur B. 

that he and his associates 

were full of optimism 

and expected to 

put the company into 

the profit column by 

next year. 

The tide of losses 

has been stemmed, he 

said, and all of those 

connected with the 

new management are 

grateful to exhibitors 

for their assurances of 

support and to the Arthur B. Krim 

tradepress for its cooperation during a very 

"trying" period, as he described it. 

TEN RELEASES NOW SET 

Since taking over the company, the new 

management has lined up ten pictures, six 

more are in sight, and within a short period, 

Krim said, he expects to raise the 

total to 20. Next year the goal will be 24, 

released at the rate of two a month. 

The first problem was to convince producers 

United Artists could return to its 

old position of prestige, the second to get 

more playdates and liquidation of product in 

release and the third to get new product. 

Beginning next year, the company will 

choose product carefully and limit itself to 

top A pictures. Three of these in sight, 

he said, are "Another Man's Poison," with 

Bette Davis and Gary Merrill, which will 

be made in England, "African Queen," in 

Technicolor, with Humphrey Bogart and 

Katharine Hepburn, and "High Noon," which 

will be the last Stanley Kramer film under 

his contract with the company. 

Krim also gave details of the arrangement 

under which he and his associates took 

over after arranging for $2,000,000 in financing. 

Of this. $1,500,000 has already been 

committed, and the company has been able 

to get commitments for additional financing 

so that it can aid independent producers in 

raising funds. 

PAY FOR DECODING CARDS 

ALBANY—Film circles learned with sorrow 

Subject to FCC 

of 

approval, 

the death in 

subscribers Miami 

would 

Monday morning of 

pay for the decoding 

William E. 

cards and 

Benton, 

see 59, 

special 

president of Benton 

programs unavailable 

Theatrical to other 

Enterprises of set owners. 

Saratoga. He was 

These could 

found 

include 

dead in the 

special McAllister 

films, sporting 

apartment hotel 

events and when his 

other 

wife 

amusements, 

returned from according 

a shopping trip, 

to 

Arthur according 

Levey, to word 

president. 

here. 

A choice 

In poor 

of 

health for 

programs 

two 

waits 

years, 

on FCC he went to 

approval 

Florida 

of 

with 

the proposed 

New Benton late in 

Mrs. 

York tests. 

February. 

Since Phonevision 

He had been away 

from 

finally 

the office 

obtained several 

films times 

for 

for long periods, 

its tests, Skiatron 

assumes 

but before leaving for 

it will be able 

Florida 

to do had been 

likewise. 

at his 

The 

office for demonstration seen 

an hour daily. by the press worked 

Death was 

attributed to 

smoothly. The 

a heart attack. 

FCC would permit the use of Benton 

decoders 

was widely 

and punchcards 

known as a theatre 

only at 

operator, 

its private 

showing, 

businessman and 

so 

politician. 

for the press 

He owned 

demonstration the the New 

scrambling 

Worden hotel in 

and Saratoga, 

unscrambling was 

headed 

handled at a company operating 

the 

the 

transmitting Grand 

end. 

Union hotel 

until its sale a year ago and had an interest 

in an automobile agency. The Benton circuit 

comprises six houses in northeastern 

Universal Board Re-Elects 

Full 

New York. Its 

List main office is In 

of 

the 

Officers 

Congress 

TOTAL OF 16,000 

Theatre, 

SHARES 

Saratoga. 

NEW YORK—All officers of Universal- Benton served The 

as company 

president 

has 

of 

International 

the 

16,000 shares, 

were 

Motion 

aU of which 

re-elected at the first Picture Owners have been 

of 

meeting 

Northern placed in 

of the new 

New York 

escrow 

and 

with the Chemical 

Bank 

board of directors held as a national director of 

at 

the 

the home MPOA. 

& Trust Co. Krim and his associates 

office Thursday (22). 

Benton long served 

can 

as They chairman name three 

are: 

of 

members 

President, 

the 

of a board 

Nate J. Blumberg; Republican of 

county 

voting 

committee, 

trustees, 

vice-president 

resigning 

with 

and 

from 

Charles Chaplin and 

general counsel and secretary, 

this post nine months 

Mary Pickford 

ago 

Adolph 

because 

naming one each. 

of 

If the 

ill 

company 

Schimel; vice-president and health. He numbered Gov. 

shows 

treasurer, Leon Thomas a profit in 

E. 

1952, 

Goldberg; 

Dewey 

1953 or 1954, 

vice-presidents, among his friends. 

John J. O'Connor, 

He 

Krim 

had 

can take over 

been 

50 

Alfred 

an 

per 

exhibitor 

for 

cent of the shares' 

E. Daff, David A 

at 

30 years. 

a nominal figure, and this arrangement 

Lipton and Edward Muhl; controller and He was 

will 

a generous 

assistant 

donor 

continue for 

to Catholic 

ten years. 

treasurer, 

causes, 

Eugene S. Walsh; assistant 

being 

his most recent gift 

treasurer, George $5,000 to the 

Douglas; assistant secretaries, 

Anthony council's Pette, 

Knights of Columbus Saratoga building 

fund. 

Walsh, Percy Guth 

TV in Washington Keith 

and He lived in 

Morris 

a beautiful 

Davis; home outside 

executive, Blumberg 

NEW YORK—Installation 

Saratoga. 

of 

chairman; 

His son James 

RCA largescreen 

Daniel 

E. jr. 

M. 

has been 

Shaeffer, Preston Davie, 

television 

managing equipment in 

the 

Robert 

Benton 

the RKO 

S. 

Enterprises, 

Benjamin with 

and 

Frank 

Goldberg. 

Keith Theatre, 

Williams 

Washington, will 

as 

Universal 

buyer-booker, begin April 

for 

Pictures 

two years. 

Co. and subsidiaries report 

a 

2 and be completed 

James 

by May 1. 

E. Benton 

net 

and 

The 

William 

Keith 

profit 

F. 

of 

Benton, 

$107,130 after 

has 

provision 

over 2,000 seats. 

sons, flew 

of 

to Miami William 

Monday Howard, RKO 

$55,000 for 

to 

federal 

join their 

income taxes, Theatres 

for the 13 

vice-president, 

mother 

weeks 

and will 

return be in 

ended 

north charge 

January 

with her 27. This 

by train. 

compares 

of the with 

programming. 

Other The 

a 

survivors 

RKO 

net 

include 

profit a 

Fordham 

daughter 

of Fern. 

$12,924 for the corresponding 

Theatre here is the only 

The body 

other 

period was 

RKO theatre 

of the 

returned to 

previous Saratoga for 

fiscal year. 

with TV. Howard said TV will 

burial. 

be installed in 

other theatres In the chain. 

BOXOFFICE : : March 24, 1951 

N 

35

BROADWAY 

r K. O'Shea, vice-president of Paramount 

Film Distributing Corp., has two sons in 

. . Mrs. 

the service now that James H., former air 

force captain and fighter pilot, has been recalled 

to active duty. E. K. O'Shea jr., a marine 

lieutenant, is now in Korea . 

Sylvia Wilder, wife of Leo Wilder of the 

Warner home office publicity department, 

gave birth to a baby boy named Robert 

Michael at the French hospital March 16 . . . 

Emanuel D. Silverstone, vice-president of 

20th Century-Fox International and Inter- 

America Corp., returned from a six-weelc trip 

to branches in Great Britain and South 

Africa. 

Emeric Pressburger, co-producer with 

Michael Powell of "Tales of Hoffmann" and 

"The Red Shoes," Mrs. Pressburger, Kenneth 

Hargreaves, director of 20th Century- 

Fox, Ltd., and his family, and P. F. Leahy, 

producer for Walt Disney, arrived from London 

on the Queen Elizabeth. The same liner 

returned to England with Robert Goelet, producer 

of "Rapture" for Eagle Lion Classics; 

Richard Broolcs, MGM director who will make 

"The Light Touch" in Europe, and John Lefebre 

of 20th-Fox and wife. 

David Diamond, producer of "I Was an 

American Spy" for Allied Artists, sailed for 

London on the Liberte to produce "Women of 

Britain" in London . . . Charles E. Kurtzman, 

Loew's Theatres director, sailed with his 

family on the Mauretania for a 14-day 

cruise to the West Indies and South America. 

. . . Leon Bamberger, sales promotion manager 

for RKO, left for Oklahoma City to 

address the annual convention of the Theatre 

Owners of Oklahoma March 26-27 . . . 

John Joseph, MGM publicity head in the 

east, got back from a coast visit . . . Phil 

Gerard, Universal eastern publicity manager, 

left for Holljfwood, where he will be joined 

by Charles Simonelli, executive in charge of 

national exploitation, who will arrive from 

Texas, for a week of conferences with studio 

executives on promotion plans for forthcoming 

pictures. 

John Payne, who recently completed "Passage 

West" for Pine-Thomas, arrived for 

television appearances . . . Odette Sanson 

Churchill, whose career as a British agent 

during the war is the subject of the Herbert 

Wilcox film, "Odette," arrived from London 

to attend the New York opening March 27 

. . . Jane Russell came in from Hollywood 

for publicity in behalf of "His Kind of 

Woman," accompanied^ by Perry. Lieb«r, RKO 

CANT BE BEAT 

for SPEED & 

QUALITY .' 

y 

CHICAGO 

1327 S. Wabash 

NEW YORK 

619 W. 54th St 

FILM RECEIVES CHURCH AWARD— 

Paul Graetz, producer of "God Needs 

Men," is shown holding the award of the 

Catholic International film office presented 

him by Father Charles Reinert, 

vice-president of the organization. The 

French , film, which premiered Monday 

(26) at the Paris Theatre in New York, 

was considered to have contributed the 

most to the moral and spiritual uplift of 

humanity this year. 

studio publicity director . . . Jerome Courtland, 

Columbia contract player, is here on 

a leave from the studio to play the lead 

in the new musical, "Flahooley," in which 

Yma Sumac, Mrs. Peter Rathvon's protege, 

will star. 

Jack Broder, chairman and president of 

Realart Pictures, arrived for a series of 

meetings with franchise holders. Carroll 

Puciato, Realart general manager in charge 

of exchange operations, got back from a 

two-week tour of midwest exchanges . . . 

Morgan Hudgins of the MGM studio publicity 

department arrived to start a six-week tour 

of 32 cities in connection with the long-range 

campaign on "Quo Vadis" . . . Halsey Raines 

of the home office publicity department returned 

the same day from Washington, where 

he did special work on "Go for Broke." 

H. M. Richey, assistant to William F. Rodgers, 

got back from a Florida vacation . . . 

Jules Lapidus, Warner division sales head, 

got back from a Pittsburgh and Cleveland 

visit . . . Mercedes McCambridge, Academy 

award winning star for 1949, arrlvfed for 

publicity in connection with "The Scarf," 

which United Artists will release in April. 

James Barton, featured in the same film, is 

here making per.sonal appearances and doing 

radio shows plugging the picture. 

Bert Lahr, Maxie Rosenbloom and Joyce 

Matthews, all featured in "Mister Universe," 

which was filmed in New York, made personal 

appearances at the Palace March 22, 

opening day of the film. Robert Alda, another 

featured name, is currently starring In 

"Guys and Dolls," Just down the street. Loufe 

Jouvct'S" latest French film, "Lady Paname," 

opened at the Playhouse on 55th street the 

day following his stage appearance In "School 

for Wives" at the ANTA Playhouse March 18. 

Music Hall's Easter 

Program Tops N.Y. 

NEW YORK—The combination of Holy 

week and the free show of the Kefauver 

investigation on daytime television took its 

toll at most of the Broadway first run 

houses and business was off, especially on 

Monday (19) and Tue.sday, when former 

Mayor O'Dwyer testified. 

The holdovers suffered the most with patrons 

waiting until the theatres brought in 

new Easter attractions. Leading the field, for 

the second week, was the Radio City Music 

Hall, which had "Royal Wedding" and the 

annual Easter stage pageant, for a gross 

that approached the high opening week. Next 

was the Strand, where. Josephine Baker's 

widely publicized stage appearance as an 

adjunct to "Storm Warning," again drew 

crowds for a third consecutive week. The 

entire program was held over three more 

days until March 26. 

(Average Is 100) 

Astor—Fourteen Hours (fOth-Fox), 2nd wk 108 

Bijou—Cyrano de Bergerac (UA), 17th Wk. of twoa-day 

88 

Capitol—Inside Straight (MGM), plus stage show..l05 

Criterion The Groom Wore Spurs ((J-I) 96 

Fifty-Filth Street—Little Ballerina (U-1), 3rd wk 75 

Globe—No Orchids for Miss Blandish (Renown), 

4th wk 90 

Loew's State—Tomahawk (U-I), 5th wk 95 

Mayfair—GambUng House (RKO) 105 

Palace Quebec (Para), plus vaudeville 105 

Paramount Molly (Para), plus stage show, 2nd 

wk - 95 

Paris—The Magnet (U-I), 4th wk - 85 

Park Avenue—Of Men and Music (20th-Fo5[), 5th 

- 

wk 100 

Radio City Music Hall—Royal Wedding (MGM), 

plus Easter stage show, 2nd wk 135 

Rivoli—The 13th Letter (20lh-Fox), 4th wk 85 

Roxy—Bird oi Paradise (20th-Fox), plus Easter 

stage show -- 120 

Sutton—Trio (Para), 23rd wk 85 

Strand—Storm Warning (WB), plus stage show, 

3rd wk _ - — 118 

Trans-Lux Madison Avenue Chance of a Lifetime 

(Ballantine) --.. 95 

Trons-Lux 52nd Street Seven Days to Noon 

(Oxford) , 13th wk 85 

Victoria—Born Yesterdoy (Col), 13th wk Ip2 

Holy Week, Bad Weather 

And Fair Shows Hurt 

BUFFALO—Holy week, bad weather and 

just fair shows all added up to poor twxoffice 

results. "The Steel Helmet" at the 

Buffalo and "Redhead and Cowboy" at the 

Paramount did a little business, but elsewhere 

audiences were thin. "Dodge City" and 

"Virginia City" enjoyed a good opening at 

the Center but failed to hold up. "I'd 

Climb the Highest Mountain," in its moveover 

showing at the Teck dropped below 

average. 

Buffalo—The Steel Helmet (LP) 85 

Center—Dodge City (WB); Virginia Cily (WB), 

reissues - - 80 

Century Salerno Beachhead (Realart); The 

Fighting SuUivans (Realart), reissues 80 

Cinema—Major Barbara (Clark) reissue - 75 

Lafayette—Al Jennings of Oklahoma (Col)...- 85 

Paramount—The Bedhead and the Cowboy (Para) 85 

Teck—I'd Climb the Highest Mountain 

(20lh-Fox) 80 

Kefauver TV Showr Cuts 

Philadelphia Boxoffice 

PHILADELPHIA — The combination of 

Lenten season and the stay-at-home drawing 

power of the Kefauver televised crime investigations 

cut deeply into boxoffice grosses 

here. 

Aldine—If This Be Sin (UA) 80 

Boyd—Bom Yesterday (Col), 8th wk *

. . Dale 

Columbia Discusses 

Six-Monlh Product 

NEW YORK—A. Montague, Columbia general 

sales manager, presided at a three-day 

meeting that opened Monday (19) at the 

Hotel Warwick and was attended by division 

managers, several branch managers, a representative 

of the Canadian corporation and 

home office sales executives. 

Seventeen films, seven in color, to be released 

during the next six months, came up 

for discussion. They are: "Born Yesterday," 

"Valentino," "The Brave Bulls," "Saturday's 

Hero," "Sirocco," "The Whistle at Eaton 

Falls," "Her First Romance," "Santa Fe," 

"Two of a Kind," "Never Trust a Gambler," 

"Pickup," "Lorna Doone," "Sunny Side of 

the Street," "Remember That Face," "The 

Texas Rangers," "Hurricane Island" and 

"When the Redskins Rode." 

The home office contingent included- Rube 

Jackter, assistant general sales manager; 

Louis Astor, Weinberg and Irving Wormser, 

circuit sales executives; George Josephs, 

assistant to Montague; Maurice Grad, short 

subject sales manager; H. C. Kaufman, manager, 

exchange operations department; Joseph 

Freiberg, manager, sales accounting department; 

Seth Raisler, manager, contract department; 

Harry Kosiner, sales executive in 

charge of independent domestic and foreign 

road show and art theatre attractions; Irving 

Sherman and Sydney Singerman, assistant 

managers, exchange operations department; 

William Brennan, manager, print department, 

and Irving Moross, attorney. 

Eranze Presides at ELC 

Home Office Sessions 

NEW YORK—B. G. Kranze, Eagle Lion 

Classics vice-president in charge of distribution, 

and Milton Cohen, general sales manager, 

presided over the series of two-day regional 

sales meetings at the home office for 

division, district and branch managers. The 

eastern division met March 19, 20, and the 

midwestern, southern and the western divisions 

in the order named. 

Among the ELC executives who addressed 

the first three meetings were William C. Mac- 

Millen jr., president; Howard LeSieur, director 

of advertising, publicity and exploitation; 

David Melamed, treasurer; Joseph Sugar, assistant 

to Kranze, and Charles Amory, head 

of the new special art film sales 

WB District 

unit. 

Managers 

To Meet March 28, 29 

NEW YORK—Ben Kalmenson, vice-president 

of Warner Bros, in charge of distribution, 

has called a two-day conference of 

district managers at the home office for 

Wednesday (28) and Thursday (29). Spring 

and summer releases will be discussed. 

Among the pictures on the agenda are: 

"Only the Valiant," "I Was a Communist for 

the FBI," "Goodbye, My Fancy," "Along the 

Great Divide," "Inside the Walls of Folsom 

Prison," "Strangers on a Train," "Fort 

Worth," "Captain Horatio Hornblower," "Jim 

Thorpe—All American" and "A Streetcar 

Named Desire." 

Kodak Promotes R. M. Wilson 

ROCHESTER — Richard M. Wilson has 

been named superintendent of the film emulsion 

coating division at the Eastman Kodak 

Park plant. 

Along New York's Filmrow 

THE executive committee of the United 

Jewish Appeal amusement division, headed 

by Sam Rosen of Fabian Theatres and 

A. Schneider of Columbia, will meet March 

28 at the Astor hotel to develop plans for the 

industry's campaign to meet overseas Jewish 

needs 

. . . Montague Salmon, managing director 

of the Rivoli Theatre, got back from a 

Hollywood vacation in time to exploit the 

opening of "Rawhide" March 23 . . . Robert 

Weitman, vice-president of United Paramount 

Theatres, returned to his desk after 

an influenza attack. 

Fred Mayer, Universal booker and vicepresident 

of the Motion Picture Bookers club, 

is sponsoring a show by the Queens college 

and Newton high school players at the 

Bryant high school auditorium, "She Loves 

Me Not," to be given March 30-31 . . . The 

Motion Picture Bookers club, which had a 

business meeting March 19, discussed plans 

for the theatre party for "A Tree Grows in 

Brooklyn" May 21, which will replace the annual 

dinner dance . . . Jack Bowen, MGM 

district manager for New York-New Jersey, 

is back at his desk following an illness which 

kept him away some time. He completed his 

convalescence in Florida. 

The Hopkinson Theatre, Brooklyn art 

house, has been taken over by S. Showplace, 

Inc., A. E. Shanley, president . . . The Playhouse 

Theatre, Bellmore, L. I., is now operated 

by the Wilson Amusement Corp., Sam Baker, 

president . . . The Avon Theatre, Newark, 

owned by Harold Eskin of Amusement Enterprises, 

which reopened February 22, closed 

March 7 The . . . Hudson Playhouse on 

Christopher street, Manhattan, closed March 

12. 

Harry Goldstone of Famous Pictures has 

closed a deal with Jack Berkson of Screencraft 

for three Pine-Thomas pictures formerly 

released by Paramount, "Forced Landing," 

"Flying Blind" and "Power Dive," all 

starring Richard Arlen . . . Lou Solkoff, 

formerly with Bell Pictures, has joined the 

RKO booking department . . . Arthur Davis, 

foreign film distributor, has gone to Detroit 

and Chicago to set up bookings for his Ger- 

. By FRANK LEYENDECKER . 

man import, "The Joseph Schmidt Story," 

which recently played at the Stanley Theatre. 

Among the exchange and Filmrow people 

who are back at their desks after battles with 

influenza or colds are Arnold Jacobs of Discina 

International, Arnold Michalson, Warner 

Bros. New Jersey booker; Harry Newman, 

supervisor for Bonded Film Storage, and Ben 

Levine, New York booker for UA . . . Frank 

Muscato of Century Theatres is on a threeweek 

vacation in Florida Lou J. Kaufman, 

Warner Theatres 

. . . 

home office, is also 

in Florida and will return early in April . . . 

Joan Roche, secretary at UA, will be back 

from her Florida vacation March 26. 

Joseph Steiner, manager of Reade's Park 

Avenue Theatre who recently married Dorothy 

Waring, has resigned . . . Ruth Feinstein, 

wife of Sylvan Scheim of Centiyy Theatres, 

has resigned to become a housewife. Her 

successor is Esthelle Lampel, formerly with 

Prudential . Clarkson, selected as the 

"Up Front" girl by members of the Stars 

and Stripes Mediterranean Ass'n, toured 

Loew's Brooklyn, Bronx and Queens" theatres 

during the week. 

Fraud Warning Issued 

NEW YORK—Sargoy & Stein have issued 

a warning that a man posing as a priest has 

obtained 16mm prints from local dealers by 

representing that they will be shown to religious 

youth groups and has disappeared. 

The 

police have been notified. If the films are 

exhibited or sold, according to Sargoy & 

Stein, the FBI may be called in because of 

copyright infringements. 

Granddoughter to George Seed 

COHOES, N. Y.—A girl was born Saturday 

(17) to Morton E. and Mrs. Hollander. 

The mother formerly was Lillian Seed, 

daughter of George Seed, city manager of 

Fabian Theatres here. 

A Barrymore in 'Barmer Line' 

Lionel Barrymore will have a character 

lead in the MGM film, "Banner Line." 

^t(/

Buffalo License Chief Attempts ALBANY 

To Prove Theatre Is Bingo Hall 

BUFFALO—Jacob Jacobson, counsel of the 

Old Vienna Theatre, asserted that a hearing 

before John P. RoUek, city license director, 

may last three years if the city insists on 

bringing in testimony as to the rental price 

of films shown there. 

RoUek opened hearings on the annual 

amusement licenses of the Old Vienna and 

the Academy theatres. Bingo is played in 

both and the city is conducting a campaign 

against the game, as well as pinball machines. 

Jacobson made his assertion after Matt 

Sullivan, manager of the Warner Bros, exchange, 

testified that about 15 WB pictures 

were exhibited in Old Vienna during the 

last six months for rentals of $20 to $35 

for two showings. When the same pictures 

were shown at first run houses, they brought 

$1,200 to $5,300 for a week, he said. 

"But I can't see where this has anything to 

do with the matter before you," Jacobson said. 

"It seems to me we are confined here to 

a simple question: Is bingo legal or isn't it?" 

Rollek overruled Jacobson's objection, explaining: 

"We are trying to derive this difference 

between what was paid when the 

films were first shown and what the Old 

Vienna paid for them." 

Jacobson also objected strenuously when 

Rollek said he would take judicial notice 

of the fact that the admission charges in 

first run houses here are between 40 and 

75 cents. 

"Why, I'm surprised at you for that," said 

Jacobson. "It's simply not true and I know 

it's not true. I object to taking judicial 

notice of such a thing." His objection was 

overruled. 

Representatives of six distributors are 

among the witnesses subpoenaed by Rollek. 

Howard W. McPherson, Monogram salesman, 

testified that he rented "Blue Grass of 

Kentucky" and "County Fair" to the Old 

Vienna during the last six months at $22.50 

a showing. 

Alvin J. Franklin, assistant corporation 

counsel, asked McPherson whether he 

thought that "Blue Grass of Kentucky," 

which had not done so well at a first 

run theatre, could be expected to draw 

crowds to another theatre which charged 

higher prices unless there was some other 

attraction at the second theatre. As the 

witness started to answer, Jacobson objected 

on the ground that "this man is not an expert." 

"I'll sustain that one," said Rollek. 

"Isn't it possible," Jacobson asked, "that 

mature, intelligent, decent, sober people who 

do go to the Old Vienna do so because they 

like the theatre and because they don't have 

to wait in line for the next feature but can 

go downstairs and wait in solid, comfortable 

chairs?" McPherson admitted that might be 

the case. 

During the hearing Jacobson introduced 

pictures of Basil's Genesee Theatre which 

he said advertises bingo games in addition, 

identified the pictures but said he had not 

seen the theatre on Saturday, the day when 

the pictures allegedly were taken. The pictures 

were admitted in evidence over the 

objection of Franklin. 

Last week three bingo hall licenses were 

revoked by Police Commissioner Noeppel and 

the hearings before the license director are 

on the theatre licenses now held by the Old 

Vienna and Academy which run until May. 

Albany, Buffalo Meetings 

Set for Hospital Drive 

NEW YORK—Two more field 

conferences 

are to be held on behalf of the Will Rogers 

Memorial hospital fund raising campaign, 

according to Nicholas J. Matsoukas, campaign 

manager. 

The first will be in Albany Monday (26). 

It has been arranged by D. R. Houlihan of 

20th Century-Fox; Charles Smakwitz, Warner 

Bros. Theatres, and Sam Ullman of 

Fabian Theatres. Matsoukas will speak, the 

11-minute short, "The Germ and I," which 

shows the work done at the hospital, and a 

theatre-collection trailer produced by MGM 

will be shown. 

The second conference will be held in Buffalo, 

with Elmer Lux, general manager of 

Darnell Theatres, as chairman, the following 

day. 

. . . 

JJarry Lamont was to open the Sunset Drivein 

at Kingston and the Overlook at 

Poughkeepsie Saturday (24), a week earlier 

than last year's opening. He had not yet set 

the opening dates for Vails Mills, Rotterdam 

Junction, Middletown and Leeds drive-ins. 

Chris Pope, Schine booker, spent several 

days on Filmrow . . . National Theatre Supply 

installed new Simplex projection and sound 

equipment in the Mount McGregor veterans 

rest camp outside Sarotoga, Manager Ralph 

Mauro reported. The institution is operated 

by the state. NTS also installed equipment 

in the new Kallet Theatre at Solvay, suburb 

of Syracuse. 

Fred Piel and William Donato will operate 

the Rustic Drive-In at West Sand Lake this 

season in the absence of their partner, Joe 

Jarvis jr., now serving with the army. A new 

screen will be built to replace the one torn 

down in last November's hurricane. Poles 

will be used. The Rustic is scheduled to 

open about May 1. It was placed in operation 

last July . . . Sylvan Leff plans to open the 

Black River Drive-In near Watertown late 

in 

April. 

"Clarabelle," the clown of the Howdy Doody 

television program, drew to the Palace a 

standee audience of children at a Saturday 

morning performance. There were 400 over 

capacity, according to reports on Filmrow. 

The clown also did big business at Proctor's 

in Schenectady, following the show here. 

. . . 

The Uptown, Rensselaer, closed Tuesday 

and reopened Saturday before Easter . . . 

Fabian's Grand dualed "Holy Year 1950" with 

"The Mudlark" for Holy week . . . The National 

Catholic Invitation Basketball tournament 

drew 14,000 admisisons to the State 

Armory, Promoter Tommy Thomas announced. 

It ran from Tuesday through Saturday 

. . . William C. Smalley, president of 

Smalley Theatres, was reported improved 

after treatment in Mary Imogene Bassett 

hospital at Cooperstown The Family 

Rosary Crusade headquarters here announced 

that Loretta Young, Rosalind Russell, 

Ann Blyth, Irene Dunne, WiUiam 

Lundigan, Christopher Lynch, Nan Merriman 

and Licia Albanese will appear on the 

Triumphant Hour Easter broadcast over the 

Mutual network from 9 to 10 p. m. "Hill No. 

1," an hour telecast of the Resurrection, will 

be presented on all major networks and Independent 

stations Good Friday, Saturday 

and Easter Sunday. It will feature Ruth 

Hussey, Joan Leslie, Gene Lockhart, Jeanne 

Cagney, Leif Erickson, Roddy McDowall and 

Regis Toomey. 

MOLLY ENTERTAINS NKWS.MKN—Gertrude Berg, star of 

Paramount's ""Molly," 

was hostess in Buffalo recently for press and radio representatives during an 

exploitation trip there in behalf of her starring vehicle. Among those shown above 

are Mrs. Dorothy Schank, of station WEBR; James H. Eshelman, Paramount city 

manager; Eli Jacobs, editor of the Jewish Review; Mrs. Fanny Merrill, secretary to 

Mrs. Berg; Clement, Paramount Theatre manager; Charles B. Taylor, Paramount 

Theatres advertising manager; Dick Kemper, Dipson circuit, and Sid Mesibov, 

Paramount exploitation manager. 

Bernie Broolis, chief buyer and booker for 

Fabian Theatres, checked in Monday for huddles 

with Saul J. Ullman, Upstate general 

manager, and others. He attended the Variety 

Club dinner that night with Ullman, 

Joe Saperstein, area buyer and booker for 

Fabian, and Leo Rosen, area drive-in manager 

. . . Bill Shirley, here to promote 

"Cyrano de Bergerac" for a two-week run 

at the Colonial, also attended the Variety 

dinner. The recent evening preview of the 

film at the College drew 350 educators and 

civic leaders. Jack Olshansky reported he 

would manage the theatre, with Milton 

Kravitz as house chief . . . Leon Duva, Morrisville 

exhibitor, was a Filmrow visitor. 

38 BOXOFFICE : : March 24, 1951

Booth Health Bill Dies 

After Late Flareup 

ALBANY—Industry leaders had goose 

pimples when the senate unexpectedly passed 

the Condon booth bill on March 16, adjournment 

day, but they regained composure when 

the assembly rules committee did not report 

it out. With three other measures sponsored 

by Senator William F. Condon of 

Yonkers, the projectionists' proposal was sent 

back to the senate "dead." 

Charles A. Smakwitz, Warner zone manager, 

who had forwarded a verbal protest to 

the rules committee, stayed in the assembly 

chamber until the committee filed its final 

report at midnight. He conferred with Assemblyman 

Samuel Roman, co-sponsor, and 

other legislators, pointing out the possible 

"tremendous" cost. The bill would have 

authorized the state board of standards and 

appeals to fix minimum "health and comfort" 

in theatre projection booths. 

Governor Dewey has before him for action 

in the 30-day period following the legislature's 

adjournment the senate rules committee 

bill suspending until July 1, 1952, the 

right of cities with less than 25,000 population 

to levy an admission tax. The moratorium 

will expire July 1 this year unless Dewey 

signs the measure. It is favored by motion 

picture interests. A measure by Senator 

Nathaniel T. Hellman of the Bronx to end 

the exemption immediately failed to get out 

of committee. 

The Republican-controlled legislature, a 

few hours before adjournment, approved a 

bill increasing the New York City sales tax 

from 2 to 3 per cent, after defeating a Democratic 

proposal that a 1 per cent payroll tax, 

to be paid by employer, be substituted. 

The joint legislative committee on comic 

books, in a preadjournment report calling 

for the comic bookr industry to establish at 

once a national self-regulatory association, 

with an independent administrator—under 

threat of state action if it failed to do so 

praised the motion picture business for establishing 

the Hays office, now generally known 

as the Johnston office. The report, which 

the legislature accepted by voting an extension 

of the committee's life for a year, said 

the film industry through voluntary establishment 

of that office "has done much on 

its own initiative to improve standards." 

"The motion picture and radio industry," 

the report pointed out, "is on the alert to 

guard against programs and films which are 

offensive to public decency and which do 

not meet with public approval from the viewpoint 

of morals, theme, presentation or subject 

matter. The newspaper and magazine 

industry likewise abides by certain self-imposed 

standards, in order not to offend public 

decency." 

BUFFALO 

prancis "Bud" McDonough, booker at Monogram, 

has been elected president of Local 

F-9 of front office employes. He started in 

the industry as a shipper 

in the RKO exchange 

in 1939. During 

World War II he 

served in the army in 

North Africa, Sicily 

and Italy, then returned 

to the RKO 

office as a booker 

where he remained until 

last September, 

when he joined Monogram. 

"Bud" recently 

middle-aisled it with 

Francis McDonough vvilma Powell of the 

RKO staff. Other new officers of Local F-9: 

Bertha Kemp, WB, vice-president; Josephine 

Genco, 20th-Fox, business agent; Anne Wagner, 

U-I, recording secretary; Margarite 

Onions, MGM, financial secretary; Richard 

Carroll, ELC, sergeant at arms, and trustees 

Barbara Hartman, Mildred Block, Gertrude 

Nigro and Florence Kiley. 

The Kieinhans clothing store, in an effort 

to get people downtown to shop, is running 

a series of institution ads. One of them in 

the Evening News featured a view of the 

front of Shea's Buffalo, new upright sign 

and all. The copy read : "An outstanding feature 

of Buffalo is Shea's Buffalo Theatre currently 

in its 25th year of serving western 

New York with outstanding entertainment. 

As part of downtown Buffalo, Shea's Buffalo 

joins with 13 theatres, 343 stores, 67 

restaurants, 16 banks and 21 hotels to bring 

you better quality, greater selections and 

finer values than you'll find anywhere." 

Murray Whiteman, chief barker of Variety 

Tent 7, returned after a month in Hot Springs 

in time to attend the St. Patrick's party 

in the club's headquarters last Sunday night 

... A bird of paradise may be added to the 

animal collection at the zoo. As part of the 

promotion of the picture of the same name, 

20th-Fox representatives are planning to present 

one of the rare birds to the zoo with 

accompanying fanfare. The picture will open 

April 6 at the Center . . . Ben Serlin was 

in from California to work on "Lullaby of 

Broadway." 

Joe Lebworth is now acting as field man 

in New York, Buffalo and Albany for 20th- 

Fox, with headquarters in New York City. 

He was here last week working on "Bird of 

Paradise" . . . For "The Mating Season," 

at the Palace in Jamestown, Gerry Germain 

promoted a Hallicrafters television set which 

was put up as the first prize in an essay 

contest on "What Is Your Idea of the £est 

Mating Season?" 

. . . Mrs. 

Joseph B. Clements, manager of the Paramount 

Theatre, sneaked in a preview the 

other evening of Bob Hope's "Lemon Drop 

Kid," and added greatly to the gross for 

the last performance of the week. Large 

ads attracted a capacity house 

Elizabeth McFaul, mother of Vincent R. Mc- 

Faul, general manager of the Buffalo and 

Niagara Falls Shea circuit, is in the Deaconess 

hospital suffering an injured hip, the 

result of a fall in her home in Anderson 

place. She is 85. 

Paul A. Vogt, 54, a stage electrician at 

Shea's Buffalo for the last 25 years, died 

in the Veterans hospital where he had been 

hospitalized six weeks. 

When Mrs. Edward Fitzgerald, wife of the 

Paramount manager, was entertaining for 

Mrs. Edward J. Wall, wife of the Paramount 

field representative, the other day, Mr. Wall 

received a telegram stating that his wife's 

brother, Thomas Carrell, had been killed in 

an a

PHILADELPHIA 

. . . Marie 

Otanley-Warner Monday (26) will raise its 

aamission prices in almost all its theatres 

this area . . . Sidney E. Samuelson, president 

in 

and general manager of Allied, is on 

vacation . . . Anthony Waltrich, formerly a 

head clerk at Independent Poster, has been 

called to the colors and is now getting his 

boot training in Michigan . . . Anthony Dexter, 

who plays Valentino in the film of the 

same name, was in Saturday (24) to appear 

at the Goldman where the film opened. 

Gertrude Berg will be the main guest at the 

annual donor luncheon of the Kain Moses 

group of the American Cancer society at the 

Bellevue-Stratford April 9 . . . Motion Picture 

Associates will conduct a trip down on the 

Delaware on a chartered Wilson liner June 

5. The trade is invited to attend . . . Paramount 

Redecorating Co. will redecorate 

Nathan Pasco's Westway Theatre in Baltimore 

. . . Leonard Mintz, former manager 

for UA at Pittsburgh, is now handling "Seven 

Days to Noon" in this territory. This film 

will first run at the Palace. 

. . . Samuel 

George Schwartz, former U-I manager, is 

handling foreign film in this area . 

Beresin, Berlo Vending Co., 

. . Jack 

was one of the 

persons appointed by Mayor Bernard Samuel 

to the volunteer emergency stabilization 

cooperation committee to work with the regional 

price stabilization board 

R. Wax, brother of Morris, Nelson and Mo 

Wax and Phoebe Rubin and Beth Stoffman, 

died. Sam was associated in the operation 

of the Stratford and Joy theatres. 

Ted Schlanger, manager of S-W theatres, 

and Jay Emanuel, exhibitor, were among 25 

prominent citizens appointed by Rear Admiral 

Logan C. Ramsey, retired, to serve 

as sponsors for the 1951 cancer research fund 

crusade . . . Dave Moliver has shuttered his 

distributorship called Principal Films. 

Almost all of the distributors are trying 

to make percentage deals with the drive-ins. 

The ozoners are holding out for better deals, 

and many have product only for the first 

week. Many of the under-the-star operations 

are also claiming that under the Boulevard 

Drive-In decision they are entitled to better 

runs. 

Joe Conway arranged with Emedlo Angelo, 

Philadelphia Inquirer cartoonist, to display 

his cartoons in the foyer of the Wayne . . . 

Herman Margoles, connected with Stiefel 

Blumberg for many years, has resigned . . . 

Leonard Casey, RKO salesman, has resigned 

to enter the television business in the south 

Schaeffer, 20th-rox booking department, 

visited in Boston . . . Eleanor Krasney 

of the 20th-Fox staff weekended in Atlantic 

City . . . Janet Haller, Lippert-GuUd, 

was off sick. Viola Honig, cashier, was on 

vacation. 

W. D. Beck's Route 45 Drlve-In at BerlinsvlUe 

has been added to the Allied Booking 

For GOOD Chair — 

Af o GOOD Price — 

Buy IRWIN 

JOHN P MORGAN CO., INC. 

117 N I3lh SI. Pbila. - LO 0226 

. . . Columbia 

and Buying Service, making a total of 11 

ozoners for which Allied books and buys . . 

. 

James P. Clark has purchased the old Bergdoll 

brewery at 29th and Pennsylvania avenues, 

and intends to convert it into a truck 

transfer and shipping center 

salesman Ben Felsher has married Ryta 

Ban- ... Ed McHugh, for 22 years with Triangle 

studio, is now associated with the Rich 

sign and display studios. 

Father James Keller, author of the book 

and film featurette, "You Can Change the 

World," which is in its fifth week at the 

Midtown, spoke at the Bulletin Forum here. 

This featurette is being distributed in this 

territory by Ben Han-is' American Films. Harris 

said the subject was booked to start in 

several de luxe theatres during the Easter 

holidays. 

. . . 

Charles Green has succeeded Robert De- 

Fino as manager of the Stanley-Warner 

Plaza. DeFino was shifted to the Earl . . . 

Gerald W. Myers, assistant manager of the 

Arcade, Waynesboro, has entered the army 

as a second lieutenant William C. 

Hunt was awarded the second annual B'nai 

B'rith Citizenship award. Guy Hunt received 

the award for his father, who was away on 

a 'f'lorida vacation. William C. Hunt, exhibitor, 

is one of the pioneer businessmen in 

Larry Woodin has been appointed 

Wildwood . . . 

contest director for the Miss Amer- 

ica pageant for West Virginia and Pennsylvania. 

TV Booking Company 

Headed by Mayers 

NEW YORK—Unity Television Corp. has 

been organized to serve as a national booking 

organization for producers and owners of motion 

picture television rights, it was announced 

by Arche Mayers, president of the 

new company. 

The new TV organization, with executive 

offices in the Paramount Bldg., 1501 Broadway, 

New York, has appointed Robert Wormhoudt 

national sales director and Connie 

Lazar as national program director. Mayers 

and Wormhoudt will leave shortly to establish 

regional booking offices for Unity Television 

and will visit all the TV stations now 

operating in the United States. Unity has 

now for immediate release over 300 features, 

60 westerns, 35 serials, 200 cartoons, 75 sport 

subjects and 26 musicals. 

Pecora Toins Law Firm 

NEW YORK—Ferdinand Pecora, Democratic 

candidate for mayor in the last election 

and before that a Judge of the state 

supreme court, has joined the law firm of 

Schwartz & Frolich. Pecora was federal district 

attorney in New York for 11 years and 

achieved fame as counsel for a senate banking 

and currency committee investigation of 

big business. 

Whitestone House Burns 

NEW YORK—The Rialto Theatre at Whitestone, 

L. I., was badly damaged by fire early 

Sunday morning (18). Seats, carpets, draperies 

and the screen were ruined by smoke 

and water. The house Is owned and operated 

by PhiUp Shafter. 

MEETS WILLIE — Tom Ewell, left, 

who plays Willie in the U-I army comedy 

based on Bill Mauldin's "Up Front," 

meets Walter Schoenfeld, who served 

with Mauldin in the famous 45th Thunderbird 

division during World War II. 

Ewell was in New York on advance promotion 

for the film which world-premiered 

at Loew's State March 24. Schoenfeld 

is proud of the fact that he was 

Mauldin's squad commander and the inspiration 

for the cartoons of Willie during 

the African and Sicily campaigns. 

Report Denied of Closing 

SIMPP New York Office 

NEW YORK—Disagreement among members 

of the Society of Independent Motion 

Picture Producers over the necessity of maintaining 

a New York office resulted first in 

the statement that it will be closed when the 

lease expires April 30 and then in a statement 

from the coast that it will be retained. 

The first statement came early in the week 

in writing from the local SIMPP office. Then, 

Wednesday (21), Gunther Lessing at a coast 

meeting denied that the quarters will be 

vacated. He was presiding in the absence 

of Ellis Arnall, president, who was in Georgia. 

According to the first statement, William B. 

Levy, worldwide sales supervisor for Walt 

Disney Productions and a member of the 

SIMPP executive distribution committee, will 

represent SIMPP at the U.S.-Italian film 

talks set for March 28-April 5 in this city. 

The reason given was that Arnall would be 

attending a meeting of the SIMPP board on 

the coast at that time. 

Later, Arnall said in Atlanta after telephone 

talks with coast officials that SIMPP 

now plans a Washington office in addition 

to that in New York, but that part of the 

present New York space will be given up. 

He added that he might be able after all to 

attend the British film talks with Levy. 

Ampa Publishers' Rally 

Postponed Till April 12 

NEW YORK—The Ass'n of Motion Picture 

Advertisers has postponed its proposed salute 

to tradepress publishers from March 28 to 

April 12 because Si Seadler, luncheon chairman, 

will have to leave shortly for the coast 

with William P. Rodgers, who was scheduled 

as the main speaker. Ampa members will 

tour the Herald Tribune plant March 28 as 

the guests of the management. 

Directs 'Golden Sage' 

Fred Brannon will direct the Republic 

picture, "Rangers of the Golden Sage." 


WASHINGTON Fete Producer at Washington Luncheon 

ytrarner Theatre notes: Wade Skinner jr., 

a member of the naval reserve, has been 

ordered to report for duty at Willow Grove, 

George Crouch, James Root, Lew 

Pa. . . . 

Ribnitzki and George Werner attended the 

cocktail party at Paramount for Thelma Rit- 

ter . . . Frank Marshall, home office, was in 

Ruby Smith, booking department, has 

George Page, manager of the 

been sick . . . 

Beverly, became the father of a baby boy 

. . . Mrs. Faye Redwine, cashier at the Penn 

Theatre, frightened away a would-be bandit 

last Friday by her screams. 

Sidney Lust opened his 949-seat Allen Theatre 

on New Hampshire avenue and Ethan 

Allen road at Takoma Park, Md., last Saturday 

Manager Glenn Norris and his 

. . . family motored to North Carolina to spend 

Easter with relatives . . . Bill Ewing, assistant 

to Frank LaFalce, director of publicity and 

advertising for Warner Theatres, has resigned 

after 32 years with the company. He 

going to become a farmer. 

says he is 

A $31,246.64 check was given to Edgar 

Morris, local March of Dimes chairman by 

A. Julian Brylawski, president of the MPTO 

of Washington. The Warner Theatre, for 

the fourth consecutive year, ran a co-op 

drive with veterans and Yellow Cabs. Fares 

were taken anywhere in the city and the remittance 

donated to the polio drive. Making 

arrangements for the promotion were Frank 

Ward Besanson 

LaPalce and Fred McMillan . . . 

has joined the ELC sales force . . . Bob 

Grace, office manager, went into a hospital 

for minor surgery. 

An item in this column last week gave 

the incorrect impression that Tony Muto, 

20th Century-Fox studio representative, is 

from Hollywood. Muto, of course, is stationed 

permanently in Washington. 

'Modern Arms' Screened 

For Washington Group 

and 

WASHINGTON—Government officials 

a delegation of Time, Inc., and March of 

Time representatives attended a showing of 

the new feature, "Modern Arms and Free 

Men," based on the book by Vannevar Bush. 

The film was produced under the sponsorship 

of the Committee on the E>resent Danger, a 

nonpartisan group of private citizens interested 

in (Jefense. 

The screening was in the Carnegie Institution, 

of which Dr. Bush is president, Wednesday 

(21). 

Those who attended from New York were: 

Roy Larsen, president of Time, Inc.; Charles 

Stillman and Howard Black, executive vicepresidents 

of Time, Inc.; James Linen, 

publisher of Time magazine; Larry Hoover, 

Time, Inc.; Dan Longwell, Life Magazine; 

Richard DeRochemont, producer; Arthur 

Murphy, general manager; Dy. Bradshaw, 

associate producer; Frank Shea, Brandt Enos, 

Ted Wear, Jack Bush, Marjorie Harker, Phil 

Williams, Robert Ogden and Alfred Berger, 

all of March of Time. 

'Odette' to Open March 27 

NEW YORK—"Odette," British film based 

on the story of a British military intelligence 

service agent, Odette Churchill, will open 

at the F>ark Avenue Theatre March 27. 

The Washington Variety Club honored 

Hollywood producer James S. Burkett recently 

with a cocktail party and luncheon 

recently at the Willard hotel. Burkett, 

in association with Jack Schwartz, has 

produced such low budget pictures as the 

Charlie Chan series, "I Killed Geronimo" 

and "Korea Patrol." Burkett is on a cross- 

Muzak Music Installed 

At Astor in Syracuse 

SYRACUSE—The Astor Theatre here, 

managed by Ed Linder, has taken another 

step toward making it a top de luxer. The 

theatre, a City Entertainment Corp. house, 

has just finished installation of Muzak into 

the lobby and lounge. The piped-in music 

was set up by Allied Broadcasting Co. of 

Syracuse. 

Installation of the additional patron convenience 

was completed in time for the 

Syracuse opening of "The Mating Season" 

which will start its run at the Astor March 

29. The Astor is the first de luxe house in 

central New York to use Muzak service. 

country tour in behalf of the latter film. 

At the luncheon was Max Cohen, Washington 

manager of Eagle Lion Classics; 

Mrs. Sara Young, BOXOFFICE correspondent; 

George Crouch, Warner general 

zone manager; Morton Gerber, Variety 

Club chief barker; Victor Orsinger, 

Lopert Washington Theatres; Jack Fruchtman; 

Bill Hoyle, District Theatres publicity 

director; Frank Marshall, Warner 

home office; Sam Roth, Roth circuit; 

John Broumas, Roth general manager; 

Frank Stover, Alexandria Amusement Co.; 

Tom Mudd, Lust Theatres booker and 

buyer; Ed Martin, Walsh organization; 

Clark Davis, District Theatres; Nat Rosen, 

and Frank M. Boucher, Kogod-Burlia Theatres 

general manager. 

Shown in the top photo, back row, are 

Frank Stover, John Broumas, Jack Fruchtman 

and Sam Roth. Seated are George 

Crouch, Max Cohen, James Burkett and 

Morton Gerber. In the bottom picture 

standing are Tom Mudd, Edward Brown, 

Fred Klein and Milton Lipsned. Seated, 

Bill Hoyle, Victor Orsinger, Burkett and 

Clark Davis. 

RKO White Plains House 

To Offer Stage Shows 

NEW YORK—William W. Howard, vicepresident 

of RKO Theatres, has arranged 

with Mrs. Julian Olney of White Plains for 

the presentation at the RKO Keith Theatre 

there of stage attractions and concerts sponsored 

by Mrs. Olney. A piano recital by Jose 

Iturbi Tuesday (27) will be the first of a 

series of concerts. Other attractions will include 

Marian Anderson, Sadler's Wells ballet, 

the Hurok production of "Die Fledermaus" 

and the Paul Gregory presentation of "Don 

Juan in Hell," with Charles Boyer, Charles 

Laughton, Agnes Moorehead and Sir Cedric 

Hardwicke. 


Japanese Theatres Gain, 

But Attendance Drops 

WASHINGTON—Although the number of 

motion picture theatres in Japan has grown 

steadily, attendance has declined, according 

to figures released by the Department of 

Commerce. Attendance in 1950 was estimated 

at 540,000,000, compared with 620,000,000 In 

1949 and 660,000,00 in 1948. At the same time 

the number of motion picture theatres grew 

from 2,380 in 1949 to 2,410 in 1950, and the 

number of feature films shown increased 

from 307 in 1949 to 396 in 1950. 

Japanese produced features outnumbered 

Imported films in 1950 for the first time. A 

total of 216 Japanese films were shown in 

1950, compared with 180 imports. 

The drop in attendance figures was explained 

by the growth of competitive amusement 

facilities. 

ITALIAN PRODUCTION INCREASED 

It was also reported Italian producers 

made 105 feature films in 1950, at an average 

cost of $128,000, and around 100 documentaries. 

This compares with 95 Italian 

features filmed in 1949 and 50 in 1948. 

About 440 foreign features were imported 

into Italy during 1950, of which 333 were 

passed by the censors. Of these, 286 were 

American productions. During the same time, 

Italian producers sent around 800 prints 

abroad, mainly to the United States, England, 

Argentina and Brazil. The Italian government 

entered into a series of agreements with other 

European countries for co-production and 

exchanges of films. 

Boxoffice gross for the year is estimated to 

be from 88 to 93 million dollars, including a 

30 per cent government excise tax, and total 

admissions are estimated at $600,000,000, the 

report states. Total number of theatres at the 

end of the year was 7,800 and seating capacity 

reached three and a half million. 

In Bermuda, 367 feature films were shown 

In the period from September 1949 to December 

1950, according to the Department of 

Commerce. Of the group, 322 were American 

productions, and 15 were British. The Colony 

has 12 houses with a seating capacity of 

4,954, and average weekly attendance is estimated 

at twenty thousand. 

School age children are barred from movie 

houses on school days, and children under 

14 are admitted on non-school days only 

if accompanied by adults. Additional measures 

to control the films seen by children are 

being studied by a government committee to 

fight Juvenile delinquency. 

SOUTH AMERICAN SITUATION 

In the Union of South Africa, there are 

now 413 commercial motion picture theatres 

showing 35mm films the Department of 

Commerce reported. The total seating capacity 

is from 250,000 to 300,000. 

Drop in boxoffice receipts reflect the increased 

cost of living and greater audience 

selectivity, according to the report. 

About 70 per cent of the films shown In 

South Africa are of American origin, 20 per 

cent are British, and the remainder are Indian 

and European. This is a drop for American 

films from 81 per cent reported for 

1949, and though American films still lead In 

popularity, British fUms are now being very 

well received. 

Ultra High Frequency TV 

Sender Developed by GE 

NEW YORK — The General Electric 

Co. 

claims to have developed the world's most 

powerful ultra high frequency television 

transmitter. 

The announcement was made at the annual 

meeting of the Institute of Radio Engineers. 

GE has requested permission from 

the Federal Communications Commission to 

operate the transmitter on an experimental 

basis, with UHF receivers in the field. 

UHF frequencies have been set aside by 

the FCC to provide additional channels for 

future expansion of television. All present 

transmitters operate on the very high frequencies 

which are limited. 

There is space in the UHF spectrum for 

large numbers of stations and the film industry 

has been hoping to get allotments in 

this field for theatre use. 

The new GE transmitter has been given 

preliminary tests at the Electronics Park 

plan in Syracuse. Development work started 

before 1950 and a new tube has been in 

laboratory operation since last summer. 

Columbia Broadcasting System demonstrated 

its color television system during the 

four days of the institute meetings. One of 

the spectators was Al Boudouris, president 

of the Ohio Drive-In Theatre Ass'n, and 

owner of Theatre Equipment Co. 

'Harvey' and 'Solomon's 

Have Openings Abroad 

NEW YORK—"Harvey," Universal-International 

release, will open simultaneously at 

Easter in 47 key cities abroad, according to 

Al Daff, director of worldwide sales. MGM's 

"King Solomon's Mines" has set new records 

in 24 out of the 28 overseas cities it 

has played in March, according to Morton 

A. Spring, first vice-president of Loew's International. 

The countries which have set Easter bookings 

for "Harvey" are: Australian, Belgium, 

Brazil, Burma, Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, Holland, 

Hong Kong, India, Italy (in 20 different 

cities), Mexico, Norway, Panama, Peru, Philippines, 

Puerto Rico, Sweden, Switzerland and 

Venezuela. 

"King Solomon's Mines" opened in 17 

MGM theatres in Australia, South Africa, 

South America and Europe over the March 

17 weekend. 

Birmingham-New Orleans 

Cable Link Nears Finish 

NEW YORK—Another link in the coast-tocoast 

coaxial cable through the south and 

southwest is nearing completion and the 

American Broadcasting Co. has placed an 

order with the American Telephone & Telegraph 

Co. for use of the facilities between 

Birmingham and New Orleans. This will provide 

a direct television connection between 

the east and the Gulf coast region. 

Stale Dept. Praises Aid 

To Uruguay Festival 

NEW YORK—Edward G. Miller jr., assistant 

secretary of state, has expressed appreciation 

of American participation in the 

Uruguayan film festival in a letter to John 

G. McCarthy, vice-president in charge of international 

affairs, Motion Picture Ass'n of 

America. Miller, who attended the festivities, 

praised the American contributions as being 

a decisive factor in making the affair a success, 

and mentioned Joaquin Rickard as ably 

representing MPAA. 

"In particular," he wrote, "I would like to 

say that the members of the U.S. delegation 

conducted themselves in a manner which 

could not help but bring credit to the U.S., 

and they were undoubtedly the star attraction 

of the occasion." 

The American stars included Joan Fontaine, 

Evelyn Keyes, Lizabeth Scott, Patricia 

Neal, Florence Marly, John Derek, Wendell 

Corey, June Haver and Ricardo Montalban. 

Other industry representatives were 

Phil Reisman, RKO foreign manager; Norton 

V. Ritchey, president, Monogram-Allied 

Artists International; Edward Schellhorn 

and W. C. Bishop, studio foreign publicity 

heads of Paramount and 20th Century-Fox, 

respectively; Hugo Fregonese and Dan Russell. 

Congressman Proposes 

House Debates on TV 

WASHINGTON — Jacob Javits (R.-Lib., 

N.Y.), in a speech before the house Tuesday 

(20) said that the great popularity of televised 

broadcasts of the senate crime committee's 

hearings is proof that televising and 

broadcasting of 

important Congressional debates 

would be equally successful. 

Javits has placed a resolution before the 

house to permit broadcasting of debates at 

the discretion of the speaker. He said that 

the 40 per cent who do not vote can have 

their interest in government "awakened" by 

making them a part of it as TV is doing in 

New York today. 

Reports from New York state that telecasts 

of the senate crime committee hearings have 

gripped the imagination of the public even 

more than the World Series. Popular interest 

has been labeled a "social phenomenon" 

with audience estimates running between 15 

and 20 million. 

SMPTE to Discuss War Use 

Of Films at Convention 

NEW YORK—Industrial, medical and military 

uses of films and television will make up 

the program for the 69th semiannual convention 

of the Society of Motion Picture and 

Television Engineers to be held at the Hotel 

Statler April 30 to May 4. 

More than 50 technical reports on new 

equipment and techniques will be presented, 

according to William C. Kunzmann, convention 

vice-president. 

Morning, afternoon and evening sessions 

will be held from Monday afternoon to 

Friday afternoon, with the exception of 

Wednesday evening, when the semi-annual 

banquet and dance will be held. 

The program chairman is W. H. Rivers of 

Eastman Kodak and the papers committee 

chairman is E. S. Seeley of Altec Service Co. 

42 BOXOFHCE March 24. 1951

NEWS AND VIE>VS OF THE PRODUCTION CENTER 

(Hollywood Office— Suite 219 at 6404 Hollywood Blvd.: Ivan Spear, Western Manager) 

Republic to Release 

12 Films by May 27 

HOLLYWOOD—Paced by "Oh! 

Susanna," 

which has just gone into distribution, Republic 

has scheduled ,12 features for national 

release in the period ending May 27. 

Following "Oh! Susanna" in March are 

"Insurance Investigator," March 23, and 

"Heart of the Rocicies," a Roy Rogers starrer, 

March 30. The April lineup includes 

"Thunder in God's Country," Rex Allen western, 

April 8; "Bullfighter and the Lady," 

April 15; "Fighting Coast Guard," starring 

Brian Donlevy, April 26, and "Wells Fargo 

Gunmaster," an Allan "Rocky" Lane western, 

April 30. 

The May output will comprise "Buckaroo 

Sheriff of Texas," May 1; "In Old Amarillo," 

toplining Roy Rogers, May 15; "Fugitive 

Lady," May 19; "Million Dollar Pursuit," May 

27, and a world premiere, early in the month, 

of "Honeychile," starring Judy Canova, and 

filmed in the new three-tint Trucolor process. 

Katherine M. Flannigan 

Files Suit on 'Mrs. Mike' 

HOLLYWOOD—On the assertion she is the 

original character upon which the novel and 

subsequent motion picture, "Mrs. Mike," was 

based and that $25,000 is still due her on an 

alleged agreement involving the making of 

the film, Katherine Mary Flannigan filed a 

federal district court action against Regal 

Films, Nassour Studios, the Production Surety 

Corp., Producer Samuel Bischoff, Huntington 

Hartford, Edward Gross, Dick Powell, 

agent Laura Wilck, the Bank of America and 

Benedict and Nancy Freeman, who authored 

the book. 

Frank Copra Concludes 

Contract at Paramount 

HOLLYWOOD — By mutual agreement, 

Producer-Director Frank Capra is winding up 

his term contract at Paramount when he has 

completed the final editing on his latest picture 

for the studio, "Here Comes the Groom," 

Starring Bing Crosby and Jane Wyman. 

Capra's future plans were not disclosed. 

He Joined the studio two years ago when 

Paramount acquired Liberty Films, the independent 

unit which Capra formed in partnership 

with Samuel Briskin, George Stevens 

and William Wyler. The latter three are still 

with Paramount. 

Ann Blyth has been borrowed from U-I to 

replace Constance Smith as the femme star 

of 20th-Fox's "House on the Square." 

MPIC Manpower Group 

Will Aid Government 

HOLLYWOOD—First report of a manpower 

committee created by the Motion Picture 

Industry Council to assist in coordinating 

requests from governmental agencies for 

personnel to assist in film programs was presented 

Wednesday night (21) at the MPIC's 

regular monthly meeting. 

All requests from government departments 

for consultants and advisors will channel 

through the committee, of which Buddy Adler 

is chairman. The membership also includes 

Fred S. Meyer, John Farrow, Ralph 

Clare, I. E. Chadwick, Bonar Dyer, Bill Jan- 

.sen, Valentine Davies, George Davis and 

Wayne Pennebaker. 

Para. Completes Trailer 

For Cerebral Palsy Ass'n 

HOLLYWOOD—To aid in sparkplugging 

the forthcoming annual fund-raising drive 

of the United Cerebral Palsy Ass'n, which 

starts in April, the Paramount studio trailer 

department has completed a Technicolor 

short, "The House on Any Street," starring 

producer-director Cecil B. DeMille, who also 

serves as commentator. The subject will be 

booked into theatres throughout the country. 

In addition to DeMille, three Paramount 

players—Joan Taylor, Mary Murphy and 

Michael Morehouse—and five children from 

the orthopedic hospital are in the cast. 

Executive Val Lewton, 46, 

Stricken in Hollywood 

HOLLYWOOD—Services were held Friday 

(16) in Pacific Palisades for Val Lewton, 46, 

novelist, scenarist and production executive, 

who died after a short illness. He entered 

the industry in 1935 as an MGM scripter, held 

an executive post with David O. Selznick, and 

produced for Paramount, MGM and U-I. At 

the time of his death he was associated with 

Stanley Kramer Productions. 

Form Lyman-Arthur Firm 

HOLLYWOOD—A new independent production 

unit has been formed by Harry C. 

Arthur III and Thomas G. Arthur, of the 

Fanchon & Marco circuit, and Abe Lyman, 

veteran orchestra leader, who has been 

named president. Known as Lyman-Arthur 

Productions, the company has purchased 

"Pretty Polly," a detective comedy by Charles 

Colmes, and will place it before the cameras 

in July. The project will be completed before 

national distribution plans are arranged. 

Lippert Films Pays 

Us First Dividend 

HOLLYWOOD—Formed a year ago to finance 

a group of pictures under the Lippert 

Productions banner, the Motion Picture Financial 

Corp., organized by Robert L. Lippert, 

has declared its first dividend. 

The company, 

Lippert declared, has shown a net profit of 

10 per cent before taxes and, based on the 

present rate of earnings, the profit is expected 

to be doubled by October. 

Productions in which the MPFC has had 

an interest are "Rocketship XM," "Hollywood 

Varieties," "Operation Haylift," "I Shot Billy 

the Kid," "Gunfire," "Border Rangers," 

"Bandit Queen," "Pier 23" and "Little Big 

Horn," the latter two of which are soon to go 

into release. 

Planned Selling Pattern 

Set Up by Jerry Pickman 

HOLLYWOOD — Closer coordination between 

Paramount's east and west coast advertising, 

exploitation and advertising departments 

as a means of more effectively 

merchandising company product is in the 

process of development, it was disclosed by 

Jerry Pickman, new national advertisingpublicity-exploitation 

director, prior to his 

departure Wednesday (21) for his New York 

headquarters after a stay for a week at the 

studio. 

Overall efforts will be sharpened to attain 

maximum results on every release, Pickman 

declared, through a "planned pattern" of 

selling from preproduction through theatre 

openings, both in key and smaller situations. 

While here, Pickman huddled with Y. Prank 

Freeman, vice-president in charge of studio 

operations, and Norman Siegel, studio advertising-publicity 

director. He also viewed a 

number of completed pictures for which 

merchandising campaigns are now being 

drafted. 

John Beck Enters TV Field 

HOLLYWOOD—Recently signed to a producer's 

contract at RKO Radio, John Beck 

also has entered the video film field with a 

package titled "Medicine on the March," a 

new TV series on which his associates are Dr. 

Joel Pressman and Dr. John Egan, chief of 

staff of St. John's hospital in Santa Monica, 

Calif. The weekly panel show, which will be 

distributed by United Television Programs, 

will feature four doctors from the hospital 

staff plus a screen personality, with proceeds 

from the program to be used for new hospital 

facilities. 


• 

HUGH 

STUDIO PERSONNEUTIES 

Barnstormers 

Columbia 

ANTHONY DEXTER, tille-roler in 'Valentmo," and 

PATRICIA MEDINA, leatured in the cast, planed east 

tor appearances in Minneapolis, Pittsburgh and other 

cities in connection with openings of the Edward 

Small production. 

RKO Radio 

LEX BARKER, star of Producer Sol Leaser's Tarzan 

series, appeared Thursday (21) at the Golden Gate 

Theatre in San Francisco at the western premiere 

of "Tarzan's Peril." 

Blurbers 

Independent 

Howard G. Mayer & Associates, public relations 

firm, has changed its name to Howard G. 

Mayer and Dale O'Brien. The latter, formerly advertising 

and publicity director for the Encyclopedia 

Britannica, became associated with the firm last 

July and is now a partner. 

Briefies 

Columbia 

A new Screen Snapshots reel, '^Jimrny McHugh's 

Song Party," produced and directed by Ralph Staub, 

is being plugged by Capitol Records, which is calling 

the short to the attention of some 1,500 disk 

jockeys and ballyhooed on the counters of more 

than 39,000 music stores. 

RKO Radio 

Leon Errol will recreate his Lord Epping character, 

which he portrayed in the Mexican Spitfire 

series a decade ago, in a new two-reel comedy, 

"Lord Epping Returns," the script for 

been completed by Charles Roberts. 

which has 

Cleffers 

Columbia 

Composer GEORGE DUNING was handed a new 

two-year contract. 

Independent 

Hallmark Productions, headed by Kroger Babb, 

inked ALBERT GLASSER to write the score for 

"Secrets of Beauty." 

Lippert Productions 

RAY KENNY and the CHORAL ISLANDERS 

set for "Savage Drums." 

were 

RKO Radio 

Dance sequences for "The Half-Breed" 

staged by FLORENCE PEPPER. 

will be 

20th Century-Fox 

Musical numbers for "Chuck-a-Luck," a Fidelity 

Pictures production, are being written by KEN 

DARBY. EMIL NEWMAN was signed as musical 

director. 

Loanouts 


Borrowed from U-I, ANN BLYTH replaces Constance 

Smith as the femrae star of "House on the 

Square," scheduled for production in England. Miss 

Smith was forced by illness to withdraw from the 

cast of the Sol C. Siegel production. 

Meggers 

RKO Radio 

Producers Jerry Wald and Norman Krasna booked 

ALFRED WERKER to pilot "High Heels." 


Hoisted for another term was Director LLOYD 

BACON, whose next assignment is "The Golden 

Girl" for Producer George Jessel. 

"The Way of a Gaucho," film version of a novel 

bv Herbert L. Childs, will be directed by HENRY 

KING, It will be personally produced by Darryl 

F. Zanuck. 

ROBERT WISE will direct Producer Julian Blau- 

•tein's "The Day the Earth Stood Still." 

Universal-International 

"The Lady Pays Off," the Albert J. 

Cohen production, 

win be directed by DOUGLAS SIRK. 

"Fine Day," the Leonard Goldstein production 

which will feature Josephine Hull and Ronald Reagan, 

will be piloted by JOSEPH PEVNEY. 

Options 

Columbia 

PAUL CAVANAOH and GAVIN MUIR were tlck- 

•t*d for 'Son of Dt. Jekyll, ' starring Loul« Hay- 

ward. CLAIRE CARLETON also was inked for the 

picture, being megged by Seymour Friedman. 

Eagle Lion Classics 

ALLENE ROBERTS was signed for the femme lead 

opposite Lawrence Tierney in Producer Jack 

Schwartz- "The Hoodlum," while MYRON HEALEY, 

LIZA GOLM, STUART RANDALL and O. Z. WHITE- 

HEAD also joined the cast. Max Nosseck directs. 

Set for the film were EDWARD TIERNEY and 

MARJORIE RIORDAN. TOM HUBBARD was cast as 

a detective. 


Set for Producer-Director Ron Ormond's "Yes, Sir, 

Mr. Bones" were SLIM WILLIAMS, AMMETT MILLER, 

COTTON WATTS, CHES DAVIS and NED HAVERLY. 

Metro 

JOHN LUPTON, Broadway actor, was inked to a 

long-term ticket. 

Broadway actress MARILYN ERSKINE will make 

her screen debut in "Westward, the Women," which 

is being megged- by William A. Wellman as a 

Robert Taylor topliner. HENRY NAKAMURA, Japanese 

actor, was signed for the picture, which is 

being personally produced by Dora Schary. 

A comedy lead in "Belle of New York," starring 

Fred Astaire and Vera-EUen, was assigned 

KEENAN WYNN. Charles Walters will meg the 

Arthur Freed production. 

Set for the Ezio Pinza-Janet Leigh topliner, "Strictly 

Dishonorable," 

was KATHELEEN FREEMAN. 

KEEFE BRASSELLE and SALLY FORREST will 

topline 

the Henry Berman production, 

to be megged by Don Weis. 

"Banner Line," 

ROBERT TAYLOR has been assigned the title role 

in "Ivanhoe," which will be produced in England 

by Pcmdro S. Berman, with Richard Thorpe 

directing. 

JANET LEIGH will co-star with Paul Douglas in 

Producer-Director Clarence Brown's "Angels in the 

Outfield." Joining the roster was KEENAN WYNN. 

Added to the cast of the Spencer Tracy vehicle, 

"The People Against O'Hara," were ARTHUR 

SHIELDS and HENRY O'NEILL. REGIS TOOMEY was 

booked for the film being directed by John Sturges 

for Producer William H. Wright. Added to the cast 

was EDUARDO CIANELLI. 

J. CARROL NAISH and SPRING BYINGTON were 

inked for "Banner Line." 

Monogram 

GEORGE NOKES, juvenile actor, was signed by 

Producer Peter Scully for "Fother Takes the Air," 

starring Raymond Walburn. BARBARA BROWN and 

M'LISS McCLURE were inked. 

Paramount 

A comedy lead in "Aaron Slick From Punkin Crick" 

was handed ADELE JERGENS. The William Perl- 

AITEND PHOENIX OPENING — The 

benefit opening of Paramount's "Trio" at 

the Palms Theatre in Phoenix turned out 

to be a gala social affair attended by 

many notables, including the governor of 

Arizona and the New York Yaniiee baseball 

team. The event was sponsored by 

the Cerebral Palsy Ass'n. Shown aliove, 

left to right: Julien DeVries, Phoenix 

Press club secretary; Bill Sale, Palms 

manager, and Roy Hanson, advertising 

manager for Phoenix Paramount theatres. 

berg-George Seaton production, to be megged by 

Claude Binyon, stars Alan Young and Dinah Shore. 

Set for Producer-Director William Wyler's "Detective 

Story," starring Kirk Douglas and Eleanor 

Parker, was GERALD MOHR. Added to the cast was 

character actress CATHERINE DOUCET. 

RKO Radio 

ALAN YOUNG, film, radio and TV actor, has 

been inked to a nonexclusive multiple-picture deal 

and handed the starring male role with Jean Simmons 

in "Androcles and the Lion." Young also 

has a multiple-picture ticket at Paramount and stars 

on his own weekly video program. 

CHARLES LAUGHTON will have a co-starring role 

with Jane Wyman in the Wald-Krasna production, 

"The Blue Veil." 

Tagged for featured roles in the Wald-Krasna production, 

"Behave Yourself," were MARGALO GILL- 

MORE and ALLEN JENKINS. 

Cast in "The Half-Breed" were CHIEF THUNDER- 

CLOUD, CONNIE GILCHRIST, REED HADLEY, 

DAMIAN O'FLYNN and LEE MAC GREGOR. 


Given supporting roles in Fidelity Pictures' "ChuckajLuck," 

starring Marlene Dietrich, Arthur Kennedy 

and Mel Ferrer, were LANE CHANDLER, ED CAS- 

SIDY, 

STANLEY BLYSTONE and WES HUDMAN. 

ZERO MOSTEL, radio and nightclub comedian, was 

inked to a term ticket and assigned a role in the 

Clifton Webb starrer, "Mr. Belvedere Blows His 

Whistle," being directed 

ducer Andre Hakim. 

by Henry Koster for Pro- 

CARY GRANT was inked to a three-picture acting 

deal. He will star in "Mabel and Me" after completing 

his current assignment in "The Dr. Pretorius 

Story." 


O'BRIEN was signed to a term contract 

and spotted in a featured role in "The Cave." Principal 

heavy in the Macdonald Carey-Alexis Smith 

topliner will be VICTOR JORY. William Castle directs 

the Leonard Goldstein production. 

Assigned a featured spot in "Oh, Baby!" comedy 

starring Ethel Barrymore, was RICHARD EGAN. 

Leonard Goldstein produces. Also booked were 

ROYAL DANO and HARVEY LEMBECK. 

Character actor ALBERT SHARPE was tagged for 

"One Never Knows." 

Warners 

MARI ALDON, stage and radio actress, was inked 

to a term contract and assigned the femme lead 

opposite Gary Cooper in United States Pictures' 

"IDistant Drums." RICHARD WEBB, Broadway stage 

and radio actor, was booked for a feature spot. 

Role of an army sergeant was handed RAY TEAL. 

Inked for Producer Anthony VeiUer's "Force of 

Arms," which Michael Curtiz will direct, were 

GENE EVANS and DICK WESSON. Also cast was 

ANNA DEMETRIO. 

Scripters 

Paramount 

Teamed on the Pine-Thomas production, "Carib 

Gold," are CURTIS KENYON and MORTON GRANT. 

John Payne will star. 

RKO Radio 

Producer Sol Lesser signed the writing team of 

HANS JACOBY and SHIRLEY WHITE to work on 

"Tarzan the Hunted." 

Republic 

JOHN K. BUTLER is penning "Utah Wagon Trail" 

as a forthcoming Rex Allen starring western. 

"Fair Wind to Java," a novel by Garland Roark, 

is being adapted by RICHARD TREGASKIS and will 

be produced and directed by Joseph Kane. 

"The Iron Master," an original by Charles 

Marquis Warren, is being developed for Producer- 

Director Joseph Kane by NORMAN^REILLY RAINE. 

IRWIN GIELGUD is writing a screen treatment of 

"The Fabulous Nellie Bly,' which John H. Auer 

will produce and direct. 

Warners 

"Springfield Rifle," Civil War action drama, is 

being written for Producer Louis F. Edelman by 

CHARLES MARQUIS WARREN. 

LEONARD PRASKINS is penning "Here Come the 

Girls," comedy with music, which will be produced 

by Robert Arthur. 

GEORGE ZUKERMAN is teamed with James Altieri 

on "Darby's Rangers," World War II drama, which 

Rudi Fehr will produce. 

Story Buys 

Columbia 

"The Chaplain of Company C," a Saturday Evening 

Post story by William Chamberlain, was pur- 

'chased and assigned to Jerry Bresler to produce. 

Francis Cockrell is writing tbe screenplay. 

Independent 

Michel Kraike, former Universal-International producer 

who has set up his own unit, purchased "A 

Man Can Be a Motner, ' ' an American magazine 

article by John O'Donnell. 

Metro 

"The Slory of David Marshall Williams," a biog-' 

44 BOXOFnCE :: March 24, 1951

aphy of the inventor of the carbine used by GIs in 

World War II, has been added to the studio's production 

slate. Williams will function as a technical 

adviser when the film goes before the cameras. 

RKO Radio 

Producer Samuel Goldwyn acquired a baseball 

comedy, "The Great American Pastime," written by 

Robert Keith and Director Norman Foster. 

Republic 

"Flight From Fury," an expose of the slot machine 

rackets by Milton Raison, was purchased for production 

by William T. Lackey. 

Technically 

Metro 

Lensing chore on "Banner Line" was handed 

HAROLD LIPSTEIN, with GEORGE RHEIN set as 

assistant director. 

HELEN ROSE and GILE STEEL were set as fashion 

designers on "Belle of New York," on which HUGH 

BOSWELL will function as unit manager. 

GEORGE FOLSEL will photograph "Come Again 

Another Day." 

Monogram 

"Father Takes the Air" will be photographed by 

WILLIAM SICKNER, with ED MOREY JR. as assistant 

director and DAVID MILTON as art director. 

Paramount 

Crew asigned to "My Son John" includes WILLIAM 

FLANNERY, art director; MARVIN COIL, film editor, 

and EDITH HEAD, costume designer. 

RKO Radio 

MAJ. PHILIP KIEFFER was set as technical adviser 

on Apache uprising sequences in "The Half- 

Breed." 


Crew assigned to "The Dr. Pretorius Story" includes 

MILTON KRASNER, camermon; GASTON 

GLASS, unit manager; BARBARA McLEAN, film 

editor; GEORGE DAVIS, art director, and HAL 

KLEIN and BRUCE FOWLER, assistant directors. 

Fidelity Pictures' "Chuck-a-Luck" is being photographed 

by HAL MOHR, with OTTO LUDWIG as 

supervising editor and LEON CHOOLUCK as second 

assistant director. 

GENE BRYANT was set as production manager on 

"The Day the Earth Stood Still," with ART LUEKER 

as assistant director and ADDISON HEHR as art 

director. 


Costume design assignments include BILL THOM- 

AS, "One Never Knows" and "The Cave," and 

ROSEMARY ODELL, "Fine Day." 

Unit production manager assignments include 

DEWEY STARKLY, "One Never Knows"; JACK 

GERTSMAN, "Fine Day"; EDWARD DOODS, "The 

Cave," and MACK D'AGOSTINO, "The Lady Pays 

Off." 

Camera assignments on upcoming pictures include 

MAURY GERTSMAN, "One Never Knows"; CHARLES 

BOYLE, "Fine Day"; IRVING GLASSBERG, "The 

Cave"; CARL GUTHERIE, "Ohl Baby," and WILLIAM 

DANIELS, "The Lady Pays Off." 

Warners 

Assistant director chores on "Fire Power" will be 

handled by MEL DELLAR. 

"Distant Drums" will be edited by FOLMAR 

BLANGSTED. 

Title Chcmges 


"That's Show Business" to YES SIR, MR. BONES. 

Metro 

"Come Again Another Day" to RAIN, RAIN GO 

AWAY. 

"Angels in the Outfield" to ANGELS AND THE 

PIRATES. 


"Journey to the World" to THE DAY THE EARTH 

STOOD STILL. 


"You Never Know" to ONE NEVER KNOWS, 

"One Fine Day" to FINE DAY. 

Warners 

"Fighter Command" to FIRE POWER. 

"They Took Manila" to HERE COMES THE GIRLS. 

"Painting the Clouds With Sunshine" to GOLD- 

DIGGERS IN LAS VEGAS. 

Jus Addis Joins U-I 

HOLLYViÔOD—Added to the U-I production 

staff as an assistant to Producer 

Leonard Goldstein was Jus Addis, former 

stage producer and director. Addis' most recent 

film activity was with the Robert Stillman 

Independent production unit, where he 

functioned as a story editor, dialog director 

and assistant director. 

eOLLYWOODIANS continue to play 

right into the hands of the headlineseeking 

opportunists who specialize in 

making a whipping boy of the motion picture 

industry. Witness the current revival of 

that threadbare perennial, communism in 

Cinemania, with the house committee on 

un-American activities again functioning 

as the impresario. 

During recent weeks the press, both lay 

and trade, has been bursting at the column 

rules with items out of Washington about 

the new probe, which It was expected would 

get under way in the nation's capital on or 

about March 21. Those yarns have dealt in 

detail with various facets of the situation. 

Including the alleged presence here of investigators 

for the committee, assertedly 

armed with a plentiful supply of subpenas; 

disclosures that Uncle Sam had issued invitations 

to such filmites as Edward G. Robinson, 

Larry Parks, John Garfield, Sterling 

Hayden, Jose Ferrer, Gale Sondergaard, 

Howard DaSilva, Victor Kilian, Fred Graff 

and Anne Revere—all of the acting colony 

and two scenarists, Waldo Salt and Robert 

Lees; and comments anent the Inquisition, 

stemming both from the active participants 

and by-standing observers. 

Reactions to the revived probe—at least 

those which found their way into print 

were widely varied and were obviously controlled 

by the political complexions and 

respective positions of the individual and/ 

or organizations that rushed to air their 

views. The conservatives took their characteristic 

"sic-'em" attitude, the liberals beat 

the drums in deploring the silence with 

which official Hollywood treated the threats 

of the upcoming witch-hunt. There was the 

usual assortment of charges and countercharges, 

explanations, defiance and namecalling; 

the established quota of warnings 

against the dire consequences which lurk in 

"blacklisting" and "intimidations." 

And again there was not a whit of evidence 

of a Hollywood solid front to protect 

the innocent against character assassination 

—that solid front which has been much 

talked about in the past and which one and 

sundry agree must be established and vigorously 

defended for the overall good of the 

film capital and its public relations. 

In fact, quite the contrary seems to prevail, 

as Is indicated by the unfortunate case 

of Jose Ferrer. 

Just as soon as it was announced that 

Ferrer had been subpenaed by the house 

committee, that actor declared via tradepaper 

advertisements that "I attest, and will so 

swear under oath, that I am not, have never 

been, could not be, a member of the Communist 

party; nor, specifically, am I a 

sympathizer with any Communist aim, a 

fellow traveler, or in any way an encourager 

of any Communist party concept or objective." 

Despite which vehement declaration of Innocence, 

Ferrer was made the victim of an attack 

sparkplugged by Ward Bond, a fellow 

actor, and a member of the executive committee 

of the Motion Picture Alliance for the 

Preservation of American Ideals, that far-tothe-right 

organization which has been jousting 

with the left-of-centerers for many years. 

In his indictment of Ferrer, however. Bond let 

it be known that he was acting as a private 

individual and not in his capacity as an official 

of the MPA. 

Bond was quoted as making it bluntly clear 

that he does not believe Ferrer's protestations 

of Innocence of any Communist taint. His 

anti-Ferrer campaign already has apparently 

been instrumental in the cancellation of a 

proposed award to the latter, which was to 

have been presented him by the California 

Teachers Ass'n for his performance In Stanley 

Kramer's "Cyrano, de Bergerac," but 

which was scratched after Bond assertedly 

protested to the teachers' group—â protest 

barbed by an alleged threat that two syndicated 

columnists, Westbrook Pegler and 

George Sokolsky, would both blast the situation 

if Ferrer received the kudos. 

Further, Bond was quoted as having 

launched a personal campaign to mitigate 

Ferrer's chances of winning another tribute 

for his "Cyrano" portrayal—the Oscar for 

which he has been nominated in the upcoming 

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and 

Sciences awards sweepstakes. In this connection. 

Bond, it was averred, would regard 

the Academy membership as suspect in the 

event Ferrer should receive the "best actor" 

citation. 

Here, then, is a strange and inexplicable 

manifestation of Hollywood democracy at 

work. It is a fundamental of all democratic 

procedure that every man shall be presumed 

to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

Despite which. Bond, an active leader in an 

organization which blazons as its credo "the 

preservation of American ideals," apparently 

has tried and found Ferrer guilty; well in 

advance of his day in court. At the same 

time, his attitude points an accusing finger 

at any member of the Academy who might 

vote for Ferrer's "Cyrano" as the year's best 

portrayal by an actor. And that's far from 

being in keeping with the democratic, majority-rule 

principles upon which the Academy 

theoretically operates in bestowing its 

annual awards. 

The forthcoming Washington hearings will 

answer the question regarding Ferrer's guilt 

or innocence. Because he had the benefit 

of as good public relations brains (one George 

Glass) as the film capital can provide, it 

seems inconceivable that the actor would 

have so unqualifiedly declared his innocfnce 

unless he were completely certain that it 

would stand up under the probing of the 

house committee. 

But regardless of the ultimate outcome of 

the two above-listed proceedings, a certain 

amount of irreparable harm has been done 

to Ferrer's reputation. 

As long as Cinemania and its official organizations—such 

as the Motion Picture Industry 

Council—^stand still for such situations, 

just so long will Hollywood continue 

as a whipping boy for the opportunist headline-seekers, 

of whom there seem to be a 

fair share within its own ranks. 

BOXOFFICE : 

: March 

24, 1951 45

^tfWW ê^kont 

JJOPE OF TAX REDUCTIONS this year on 

cinema seats vanished when a deputation 

from the Cinema Exhibitors Ass'n was told 

bluntly by Sir Wilfrid Eady of the Treasury 

that the country could not afford any loss 

of revenue at all. On the contrary, he told 

the deputation, the exchequer is looking 

for increases and if the exhibitors made out 

a case for a rise in seat prices to cover their 

advancing costs, the government must have 

its share of that rise. 

The deputation put forward a scheme 

that seats over one shilling should be increased 

by a further penny and that the industry 

itself, exhibitors and producers, should 

share that revenue, but this was turned down 

by the Treasury on the argument that it 

would completely alter the tax range. It was 

made clear that if " a further increase was 

granted it would have to be split on the present 

Eady plan basis of half to the government 

and a quarter each to the exhibitors 

and producers. 

It is more than likely that the trade bodies 

will agree on a scheme to increase the Eady 

plan by raising seat prices another penny and 

splitting with the Treasury as outlined above. 

Revenue to producers from this year's Eady 

payments is likely to be in the region of 

$3,000,000 and the addition of another penny 

on seat prices would double that figure. At 

the moment there seems to be no such 

thing as an average picture and most British 

films either make a substantial profit or an 

equally substantial loss. Two million jjounds 

a year spread over the whole British production 

field would mean that a poor picture, and 

every producer makes one sometime, would 

at least break even on its budget. At present 

one bad picture to two good ones can see a 

production company in the red. 

No reduction in tax can be looked for, even 

if a Tory government is returned at the next 

election. That was stated by Oliver Littleton, 

the Conservative M.P., who was a guest 

at the annual dinner of the CEA at the Grosvenor 

House last week. In the course of his 

speech he said: "The times in which we live 

are so menacing that I think any government 

will be loath to cut down any source of revenue. 

I know that you have already faced 

that grim prophecy. We, like any other government, 

will be obliged to take a large whack 

out of your profits to defend our country 

against its enemies . . . but in placing these 

burdens on the taxpayers we must be careful 

to see that we do not kill more of the 

geese that lay the golden eggs than we can 

help." 

* * • 

AFTER A SUCCESSION of good but not 

scintillating films, the J. Arthur Rank Organization 

came back into the prestige field 

as sponsors of an Anthony Asquith film, "The 

Browning Version." This will not only take a 

great deal of money, but should also be a 

candidate for one of next year's Oscars. "The 

Browning Version" is based on Terence Rattigan's 

successful play of that name and was 

produced by Teddy Baird and directed by 

Asquith. The stars are Michael Redgrave, 

Jean Kent and Nigel Patrick. 

This Is a pathetic and deeply moving story 

of an elderly, pedantic schoolmaster who Ls 

loathed by his pupils and despised by his wife 

who is deceiving him with a younger master 

By JOHN SULLIVAN 

at the school. The film opens on his forced 

retirement through ill health from the school 

at which he has taught for 18 years. Everyone 

is glad to see him go except one boy who 

sees through the hardened exterior to the 

kindly man that he was and asks him to 

accept as a parting gift a small book, the 

Browning version of a Greek play. This tiny 

present sets off an explosive train in his 

mind which causes him to throw off his 

worthless wife and to retire from the school 

after a speech which endears him to his 

pupils and, incidentally, which reduced a 

hard-boiled preview audience to tears. 

After a succession of poor pictures "The 

Browning Version" will re-establish Michael 

Redgrave as one of Britain's finest actors and 

should see him prominent in next year's 

award lists. Miss Kent as the wife also turns 

in a fine performance as does Patrick as her 

lover. The picture has opened to fine notices 

here and undoubtedly will do big business. 

For the United States it seems not only a 

natural for the art house, but a fair bet for 

the larger neighborhood houses. 

* 

NEWS OF DEVELOPMENTS within 

Eros 

Films was given by Phil Hyams to assembled 

salesmen and branch managers at the Eros 

spring convention held last week. He said 

Eros, which started off as a small house 

concentrating on reissues, has moved into 

the major league and will have 50 big pictures 

to sell this year. The agreement signed 

with Eagle Lion will give Eros all that company's 

product, including many in color, and 

they also intend to continue their policy of 

financing independent British films. 

The Hyams brothers certainly seem to have 

almost a monopoly of good co-feature pictures, 

not quite big enough to stand up alone, 

but certainly very useful supports in a double 

bill with an American picture. This week 

they showed their latest effort, "The Quiet 

Woman," which was shot in the beautiful 

Romney Marsh country around the British 

coast. Starring two popular artists this one 

will draw in at least half the customers from 

any double bill and shows what can be done 

with a modest budget. 

* • * 

UNITED ARTISTS came up with a good 

and very acceptable promotion idea this week. 

Accompanying the press show ticket of 

"Clochemerle," a French film which they are 

handling here, was a half-bottle of red wine, 

presumably from the area in which the picture 

was shot. A sharp rise in the popularity 

of the film distributors can be foreseen if 

the idea is copied and pictures about Scotland 

accompanied by the wine of the country 

with American films seen through a mist of 

rye or bourbon. 

With present censorship restrictions in 

force, "Clochemerle" is unlikely to be seen 

in its present form in the -U.S. With typical 

Gallic exuberance it deals with the happening 

in a small village when the town council 

decides to erect a public comfort station 

against the wall of the church. 

Nat Perrin Quits Columbia 

HOLLYWOOD—Ending an association of 

more than two years, Nat Perrin has checked 

out of his berth as a writer- producer at Columbia. 

He did not disclose his plans. 

'Queen for Day' Debut 

Set for Waycross, Ga. 

HOLLYWOOD — Tlirough a nationwide 

contest marking the kickoff of an extensive 

film-radio cooperative promotional campaign, 

"Queen for a Day," produced by Robert Stillman 

for United Artists release, will have its 

world premiere in Waycross, Ga., April 14. 

That southeastern Georgia community was 

selected for having mailed 32,650 postcards 

requesting that the premiere be staged there 

in response to a contest conducted by the 

Mutual radio network. 

Beginning in Chicago April 9, Jack Bailey 

and the "Queen for a Day" radio troupe will 

tour ten American cities, including a stopover 

in Waycross for the premiere of the picture. 

* * • 

With proceeds to go to the John Tracy 

clinic, a benefit premiere of MGM's "Father's 

Little Dividend" will be held April 5 at the 

Egyptian Theatre here. Funds will be utilizd 

for the construction of a new building 

for preschool deaf children. The program 

also will include a screening of the new Walt 

Disney-RKO short, "Listening Eyes," and 

Fernando Lamas, MGM player, will sing. The 

motion picture committee for the event is 

headed by Esther Williams. 

* * * 

MGM's "Go for Broke!", which was 

screened for the tradepress here at midweek, 

was given an earlier and private showing for 

President Truman and members of 

his staff 

while the nation's chief executive was on 

holiday in Key West, Fla. Plans are being 

worked out for a "global" premiere of the 

World War II drama, including possible openings 

in Tokyo and Honolulu as well as in the 

U.S. 

* « * 

"Ma and Pa Kettle Back on the Farm," 

third in the U-I comedy series starring 

Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride, will be 

world-premiered Friday (30) at the Chicago 

Theatre in Chicago. Kilbride and Beverly 

Tyler, U-I starlet, will make personal appearances, 

following which the picture will 

begin runs in more than 200 midwestern situations. 

* * * 

Eagle Lion Classics has set seven test engagements 

of "When I Grow Up," produced by 

Sam Spiegel's Horizon Pictures, during Easter 

week. Op>enings—all in cities of less than 

250,000 population—include Rockford, 111.; 

Pittsfield, Mass.; Brainard and Duluth, Minn.; 

Evansville, Ind.; Charlotte, N. C, and Bay 

City, Mich. 

* * * 

Scheduled for April 3 at the United Artists 

Theatre here is a benefit premiere of U-I's 

"Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man," 

with proceeds going to the Los Angeles Examiner 

fund for wounded veterans of the 

Korean conflict. Abbott and Costello will 

headline an allstar stage show which will 

feature Nancy Guild, Adele Jergens and 

others. 

* * • 

"Quebec," produced by Alan LeMay and 

George Templeton and being released by 

Paramount, will be given its Canadian premiere 

Friday (30) at the Capitol Theatre in 

Quebec. Much of the Technicolor film, starring 

John Barrymore Jr. and Corlnne Calvet, 

was filmed in and around that city. 

Invited to attend the debut were civic and 

governmental dignitaries and military brass. 


Los Angeles Theatre 

Sues Fox West Coast 

LOS ANGELES—Violation of federal antitrust 

laws is charged in a federal district 

court suit brought by Selma Steiner and 

Frida Siegelman, owners of the Larchmont 

Theatre here, against Fox West Coast. 

The plaintiffs allege, through Attorney 

Benjamin P. Schwartz, that FWC obtained 

a long-term lease on the Larchmont, running 

through 1962, at a "grossly inequitable low 

rental," and charge the circuit threatened to 

construct a competing theatre in the neighborhood 

unless its demands were complied 

with. 

Triple damages, for an amount not disclosed 

in the action, are sought. 

Eight Majors Are Sued 

By Leimert Partners 

LOS ANGELES—Damages of $1,600,000 are 

sought in a federal district court suit fUed 

against eight major distributors by Dave 

Bershon, J. W. Kennedy and Vivian Koerner, 

partners in operating the Leimert Theatre 

in the Leimert Park district here. 

The plaintiffs charge discrimination of 

clearances in violation of antitrust laws in 

favor of "certain affiliated and unaffiliated 

theatres" in the neighborhood. Listed as defendant 

are Paramount, RKO, Loew's, Inc., 

Warners, 20th Century-Fox, Columbia, United 

Artists and Universal-International. 

Sound Technicians Union 

Put Under Trusteeship 

HOLLYWOOD—Acting on charges of irregularities 

in the management and operation, 

the sound technicians Local 695 has 

been placed under trusteeship by the lATSE 

until a complete investigation has been made 

of its financial affairs. The action was taken 

by the local's executive board with the approval 

of Roy M. Brewer, lATSE representative 

in Hollywood. 

Reportedly two officers of Local 695 have 

been suspended pending completion of the 

probe. The local's executive board, in a statement 

announcing the action, did not disclose 

any specific charges. 

* • • 

Still another kudos came the way of 20th- 

Fox's "All About Eve" when the Screen Directors 

Guild voted its quarterly award for magging 

achievement to Joseph L. Mankiewicz, 

who piloted the Bette Davis starrer. Mankiewicz 

is the SDG president. 

William Dozier Joins 

Sam Goldwyn Staff 

HOLLYWOOI>—William Dozier has joined 

Samuel Goldwyn Productions as Goldwyn's 

executive assistant and story editor, effective 

April 2. Dozier, during his industry experience, 

has served in story and production capacities 

at Paramount, RKO, Universal-International 

and Columbia and at one time 

headed an independent production unit releasing 

through U-I. 

Drive-In Has Easter Start 

RAWLINS, WYO. — Bob Adams plans to 

open his Skyline openairer on Easter Sunday, 

March 25. The outdoorer is located east 

of Rawlins on US highway 30. 

C'X^zcuiUje. 

East: Albert Deane, manager of the department 

of censorship and editing for Paramount 

International, left for Gotham after 

a stopover at the studio following his arrival 

from Australia, where he attended a sales 

conclave of the company's personnel in 

Australia and New Zealand. 

* * * 

West: A week-long series of meetings between 

U-I studio and home office publicity 

and promotion heads got under way Monday 

(19) at the valley film plant under the guidance 

of David A. Lipton, vice-president in 

charge of advertising and publicity. Arrivals 

from the east to participate included Charles 

Simonelli, in charge of exploitation, and Phil 

Gerard, eastern publicity manager, who huddled 

with Lipton, Al Horwits, studio publicity 

director, and Archie Herzoff, studio advertising 

manager. They viewed new product 

and discussed merchandising plans thereon. 

* * * 

East: Raoul Walsh, Warner director, took 

for Florida to scout locations for a Gary 

off 

Cooper starrer which he will meg for the 

United States Pictures unit. 

* * * 

West: Harry Popkin, president of Cardinal 

Pictures, was expected in from New York 

after conferring with United Artists distribution 

executives on release plans for future 

Popkin pictures. 

« * * 

East: Joseph Ha.zen, associate of Producer 

Hal Wallis, returned to his Manhattan headquarters 

after a two-week stay here, conferring 

with the filmmaker on his schedule for 

Paramount release. 

* • * 

East: Perry Lieber, RKO studio publicityadvertising 

director, planed out for New 

York and Baltimore to handle promotional 

appearances of actress Jane Russell in the 

two cities. 

"^S^SSS^SSs^SSSSS^^î^SîiS 

^n4j4jjeleA^ 

West: Joseph Bernhard arrived from Manhattan 

for conferences with production associate 

Anson Bond on their picture-making 

schedule for the next few months. The 

Bernhard-Bond unit currently has a film 

before the cameras for 20th Century-Pox release. 

• * * 

East: Jack Gross, who recently checked out 

of his berth as a U-I producer to enter the 

ranks of independent filmmaking, left for 

New York on a business junket in connection 

with his upcoming production plans. 

« * * 

West: Expected in at week's end were 

Arthur Krim, new president of United Artists, 

and board member Matty Pox, who planned 

a stay of a week or more. They were to 

confer with producers anent the flow of film 

that can be scheduled for UA release during 

the next several months. 

« • * 

East: Lewis Milestone, 20th-Pox director, 

returned to the studio after spending seven 

months on location in Australia megging a 

Technicolor feature starring Maureen CHara 

and Peter Lawford. 

* * • 

East: James R. Grainger, Republic vicepresident 

in charge of sales and distribution, 

wound up ten days of studio conferences 

and left for his New York headquarters, 

scheduling stopovers in Denver and Chicago. 

May License Drive-Ins 

OGDEN, UTAH—Maurice Richards, county 

attorney, is studying the legality of licensing 

drive-ins in this area. The matter was 

brought to his attention by a member of the 

Riverdale town board. Riverdale is charging 

50 cents per automobile stall at drive-ins 

within the city limits but drive-ins in the 

country are going license free. 

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SAN FRANCISCO 

^ Contoct BOXOFFICE, Excellent Proposition Available to Anyone Selling to Bxhibitors 

March 4. The completely reconditioned building 

provides a first-class motion picture 

1009 Fox Bldg, Detroit 1, Mich. Phone Woodward 2-1100 

'Ralon Pass' With 200 

•phe Vecino Theatre in Chico donated to not announce his future plans . . . Producer Leads Denver Trade 

the Boy Scout campaign fund 50 per cent Nat Holt, former San Franciscan, and assowill 

use a Sonora 

DENVER—"Raton Pass" with "Eye Witness," 

and "I'd Climb the Highest Mountain" 

of the proceeds from an entire day's receipts ciate Harry Templeton 

. . . Richard Conte was flown from here to setting for the location shooting of "High with "Sierra Passage," each bill showing at 

Hollywood when he suffered injuries during Vermillion" . . . Dorothy Logelin is the new three houses, turned in the grosses of the 

the filming of a street scene . . . Barry Fitzgerald 

was guest of honor at the St. Patrick has been associated with United Paramount 


manager of the State in San Francisco. She week. 

banquet of the Irish Literary and Historical Theatres for about ten years, coming here Aladdin, Paramount, Tabor—Raton Pass (WB); 

society here . . . Another top spring social from Mobile, Ala. 

Eye Witness (ELC) 200 

Broadway—Vengeance Valley (MGM), 3rd wk 80 

fete of the Northern California Variety Tent 

Denham—Molly (Para) 

The 

50 

newspaper frolic at the Civic auditorium 

here April 14, will feature 

32 was the annual St. Patrick's day celebration. 

Sponsored 

Denver, Esquire, Webber—I'd Climh the Highest 

such 

by the Blumenfeld 

headliners 

as George 

Mountain (20lh-Fox); Sierra Passage (Mono) 190 

brothers, 

Orpheum—Magnificent Yankee (MGM) 100 

Abe. Joe, Nate 

Burns 

and 

and Gracie Allen, 

Jack, the Hibernian dinner 

dance was 

Rialto—The Steel Helmet (LP), Rhythm Inn (Mono), 

Margaret Whitting and 

the most 

Jack Smith 3rd d.t. wk 125 

. . . 

recent in a series of 

Vogue—Marriage ol Figaro (Central Cinema) ....100 

Herbert Kaufman of 

internationally favored Goodman & Kaufman 

social events being 

was in 

presented by Variety. A 

town a few days . . . Boris Skopin, 

previous event was 

Motion Picture Service, is 

the French "Montmartre 

the 

night," conducted 

papa 

Los Angeles First 

of a 

Runs 

by 

baby girl . . . Ralph 

Darrell 

Amacher, ELC manager, Continue Subnormal 

Pischoff. 

and James Hendel, division manager, went LOS ANGELES—First run revenues continued 

on the anemic side, with most entries 

Cliff Giesseman resigned as manager for to New York for a sales meeting . . . Jack 

the Blumenfeld circuit in Oakland. He did Katz is the new salesman at ELC, up from lagging below the normal mark and the lack 

the ELC Los Angeles office. 

of business being attributed to the Lenten 

season, a serious flu epidemic and warm 

Una Herrington, recently from Ireland, is 

spring weather. Best of the week, at 110 per 

the new availability clerk at WB . . . Max 

cent, was a dualer, "September Affair"—in 

Bercutt, publicist for WB, is ill in Los Angeles 

its second stanza—coupled with the opening 

. . . Frank Vail, Pathe News cameraman, returned 

from Albuquerque, where he covered 

week of "The Redhead and the Cowboy" in 

two day-date situations. 

the world premiere of "Raton Pass" . . . C. J. 

Chinese, Los Angeles, Loyola, Uptown, Wilshire 

Crowley, UA salesman, left St. Mary's hospital 

and is home recuperating after a series 2nd wk '..._ 

Rawhide (20th-Fox); Cuban Fireball (Hep), 

HATE 

80 

Egyptian, Loew's State—Inside Straight (MGM) .. 75 

of operations. 

El Rev—Seven Days to Noon (Maylux), 4th wk. 70 

Fine Arts—Cyrano de Bergerac (UA), 17th wk 90 

Ernie Gibson returned from northern California 

and southern Oregon territory where Hollywood, Down Paramounts—September Aiioir 

Hillstreet, Pontages—Vendetta (RKO); Giasoline 

Alley (Col) ..» 100 

he reports that real heavy winter weather (Para), 2nd wk _ 110 

Orpheum, Hawaii—Vengeance Valley (MGM) 100 

still was prevailing . . . Mary Ellen Knight, United Artists, Culver, Studio City, Ritz, Vogue 

secretary to the UA manager, planed to Bedtime for Bonzo (U-1); Mask oi the Dragon 

(Lippert) 85 

Denver after she received a call that her father 

suffered a serious heart attack City (WB); Virginia City (WB) 90 

Warners Hollywood, Downtown, Wiltem—Dodge 

. . . 

George Glosser, UA 

Thot 

booker, has been promoted 

to office manager and Lloyd Joseph Target' Wins Top Honors 

is horrible word . . . The world 

Is full of it . . . We dislike to use it . . . 

has joined the UA staff as booker. 

At Frisco With 190 

BUT we HATE to remind you that your 

SAN FRANCISCO — "Target Unknown" 

ten and fifteen-year-old Theatre Equipment 

Ralph Peoples Buys Part opened at the Orpheum Theatre with a 19 

will not last another ten or fifteen 

for 

Of Delta, Colo., Theatre Second spot honors went to the ninth week 

years. Let us re-equip your theatre now DELTA, COLO.—Ralph Peeples has bought of "Born Yesterday," a continuous top spotter 

here. 

with fine, durable projection and sound by out the Max Story interest in the Delta Theatre 

here. Clarence Lowery retains his interest. 

W. W. Swalley is the new acting man- 

Himself (20th-Fox) 175 

Fox—Raton Pass (WB); The Man Who Cheated 

Golden Gate—Cry Danger (RKO); Massacre Hill 

ager. 

(SR) _ 125 

Oroheum—Target Unknown (U-I); Operation 

Disaster (U-1) _ 190 

Contractors Win Suit 

Paramount—The Man From Planet X (Mid Century 

Films); Mister Universe (ELC) 110 

DENVER—Following a jury trial in the 

St. Francis—The Enforcer (WB), 3rd wk 100 

United Artists—Born Yesterday (Col), 9th wk 180 

district court at North Platte, Neb., Cartwright 

& Wilson, Salt Lake City drive-in Wicked City (ELC), 2nd wk 160 

United Nations—The 13th Letter (20th-Fox); The 

Wariield—Three Guys Named Mike (MGM), 

contractors, were awarded $2,500, claimed by 2nd wk 90 

per cent high for top honors the week. 

them to be due on the building of the Pawnee 

Drive-In at North Platte in 1948 from W. L. 

'Born Yesterday' Winds Up 

Smith, owner of the drive-in. Smith had 

filed a counter claim for $8,000, alleging improper 

workmanship in the erection of the SEATTLE — "Born Yesterday," now in its 

8th Seattle Week at 150 

theatre, but this claim was denied by the 8th and final week at the Fifth Avenue, is 

jury. 

still way out in front with 150 per cent. 

TJtetoÊOUIPMENrCQ 

Blue Mouse—Outrage (RKO) -... 65 

337C0LDENGATEAVE.'HE 1-8302. 

Coliseum—The Great Manhunt (Col); The Killer 

SAN 

Managers 

FRANCISCO 2.CALir. 

See Tradeshowing 

Thot Stalked New York (Col) 100 

Filth 

HAGERMAN, IDA.—Mr. and Mrs. Don Avenue-Bom Yesterday (Col), 8th wk. 150 

Liberty—Vengeance Valley (MGM), 2nd wk 100 

Mendenhall, owners of the local theatre, went Music Box—Trio (Para), 3rd wk 100 

to Boise for a recent tradeshowing. 

Music Hall— Lightning Strikes Twice (WB) 65 

Orpheum—Raton Pass (WB) 70 

Paramount—The Great Missouri Redd (Para) 

9 days 90 

DETROIT OFFICE OR DESK SPACE TO RENT New Theatre Opened 

With or Without Furniture 

DILLON, MONT.—The new 500-seat Roberta 

Theatre held its grand opening here 

CONVENIENT • CENTRALLY LOCATED • GOOD ADDRESS 

house for the area's patrons. 

48 BOXOFFICE : 

: March 

24, 1951

In 

LOS ANGELES 

Going on the circuit's retirement list is 

Harry Marx, who for the last 16 years 

has managed de luxe local first run Fox 

West Coast theatres including the Fox WUshire 

Loew's State, Grauman's Chmese, 

Carthay Circle and Westwood Village. Last 

at the Wilshire, he has been replaced there 

by George Kane. Before joining FWC, 

Marx was with Balaban & Katz and the 

Publix Theatres chain . . . W. D. McClmtock, 

operator of the Park in Huntington 

Park, entered the hospital for a physical 

checkup. 

Fire of undetermined origin caused heavy 

damage to the Village Theatre in Rodger 

Young Village. The quonset hut showcase 

had been operating on a three-day-a-week 

basis and will not be rebuilt, accordmg to 

Manager Lee Naify . . . Harry Stern, special 

sales representative for Azteca Films, returned 

after a stay of nearly eight months 

in New York. 

Returning from a ten-week swing around 

the territory was Ben Fish, western division 

sales representative for Samuel Goldwyn 

. . . Matt Freed, operator of the 

Cinema Theatre here, checked in after a 

business trip to Fresno . . . 

Visitors from 

Carlsbad were exhibitor Dode Samuels and 

his wife—the former on a booking and buying 

spree, the latter to do some Easter 

shopping. 

The flu virus which has been running 

rampant hereabouts got as far away as 

Palm springs, where it forced Earl Streebe, 

operator of the Plaza and Village theatres 

from Denver, where National 

to bed 

. 

Screen Service held a three-day sales session 

were Lloyd Ownby, manager of the 

local NSS branch, and salesmen Bundy 

DRIVE-IN 

•THEATRES—— 

WELCOME 

For 

INSTRUCTION 

REFRESHMENT 

And All 

SPECIAL SERVICE 

TRAILERS 

Order From 

THEATRE /ALE/ 

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For FRIDAY the 13TH Today 

-],i5î5irPICTURFSERVICE CO 

125 Hyde Street 

San Francisco 2, Calif 


Smith, Harry Plunkett and Jack Hessick 

Jimmy Walker has been appointed 

manager of the Mount Vernon Drive-In in 

San Bernardino, operated by the LaVere Co. 

SherriU Corwin, head of the Metropolitan 

circuit and an officer in Theatre Owners 

of America, returned from a business trip 

to New York, where he journeyed to discuss 

major releasing deals for an independent 

picture which he recently acquired ... 

Visitors from San Francisco included Ellis 

Levy of the Tele-News Theatre and Bess 

Emanuel, operator of the Sutter. 

Among the booking and buying visitors: 

Mason Siler, operator of the Mesa in Costa 

Mesa and the Balboa in Balboa; Daryll 

Johnson, Strand Theatre, Ocean Beach; Ben 

Bronstein, Sun- Air Drive-In, Palm Springs; 

A. T. Rowe, central division manager for 

Manley Popcorn, and his wife en route back 

to Kansas City after a Honolulu vacation. 

They headed north to meet Herb Turpie, 

western division chief, in San Francisco before 

returning to Rowe's midwestern headquarters. 

Harold Wirthwein, western sales chief for 

Monogram and Allied Artists, returned from 

a trip to San Francisco setting up booking 

dates in the bay region . . . 

Charles P. 

Skouras, president of National Theatres and 

Fox West Coast, accompanied by NT executives 

John Bertero and John Lavery, planed 

out for Washington to attend Department of 

Justice hearings anent a possible consent 

decree involving the circuit and 20th-Fox. 

Para, to Premiere 'Gorge' 

On Train in Colorado 

DENVER—Arrangements are being made 

by Paramount for the first world premiere 

of a film aboard a moving railroad train. 

The film, "Royal Gorge," will be made at 

Canon City and the nearby Royal Gorge will 

be used for many of the scenes. The film 

will deal with the 1880 fight between the 

Denver & Rio Grande Western and the Santa 

Pe railroads to see which would put their 

tracks through the scenic wonder, with the 

Rio Grande winning. 

The film will be initially unwound in a 

special car attached to the Rio Grande's 

crack train, the "Royal Gorge." 

Salt Lake City Roundup 

Will Be Held June 13-15 

SALT LAKE CITY—The sixth annual Exhibitor-Distributor 

Roundup will be held here 

June 13-15. The affair, annually the biggest 

motion picture organizational event in the 

area, will consist of the golf tournament, 

meetings of the Utah-Idaho unit of the 

PCCITO banquets and dinners. The golf 

tournament is scheduled for Fort Douglas. 

Members of the committee planning the 

event are Clyde Blasius, Harry Swonson, Shirl 

Thayne, Nevin McCord and John Krier. 

Benjamin I. 

Winzeler, 

Tremonton, Utah, Dies 

TREMONTON, tJTAH—Benjamin F. Winzeler 

veteran showman of the intermountain 

area, died recently while on a vacation 

to California. Winzeler, 65, operated the 

Liberty Theatre in Tremonton prior to his 

recent retirement. He also had operated a 

farm during much of his life in UUh. 

DENVER 

United Artists will world-premiere "New 

Mexico" at the Kimo in Albuquerque 

May 3 . J. R. Grainger, Republic vicepresident 

and general sales manager, and 

P A Bateman, district manager, were in 

calling on major accounts and conferring 

with Gene Gerbase, local manager . . . 

Elsie 

Knox of service Theatre Supply served on 

the jury while husband Ted took a sales trip 

south. 

George Smith, Paramount division manager, 

conducted a sales meeting at the local 

branch At the meeting were Frank Smith, 

Salt Lake City manager; Ward Pennington, 

Denver manager, and Denver salesmen John 

Vos, Paul AUmeyer and James Mooney. 

The Variety club was packed for both the 

St Patrick's party and the square dance 

party The St. Patrick's party was put on 

by the Irishmen in the club, with Pat Mc- 

Gee as general chairman, while Dick Stafford 

managed the square dance Floyd 

. . . 

Brethour, ELC booker, and Bobby Spahn, 

Monogram manager's secretary, were married 

Saturday at St. James Catholic 

church . . . Robert Sweeten, general manager 

of the Tom Murphy theatres and other 

properties in Alamosa, was in for a few days. 

Cameramen are in Colorado working on 

four Grantland Rice Sportlights to be released 

by Paramount. Among the subjects 

being covered are skiing and basketball. Indications 

are these prints will be in wide 

demand in the territory . . . Harry Thomas. 

New York, president of Essex Pictures, was 

in talking to friends and transacting some 

business. 

Lelia Arnot has been added as billing clerk 

at ELC and this exchange, as are some 

others, still looking for more stenographic 

aides. Almost every week some of the 

stenographers are quitting for jobs with 

more money. Marian Booth, MGM, is the 

latest to leave the industry for that reason 

M R Austin, ELC manager, is heading 

for New York to attend one of the divisional 

meetings. 

Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Wardell, New York, 

were in to help her brother, Dick Stafford, 

ELC office manager, celebrate his birthday 

Filmrow visitors included Robert Smith, 

Steamboat Springs; Elden Menagh, Fort 

Lupton; Kenneth Powell. Wray; Dorrance 

Schmidt, Bridgeport; Burl Lingle, Estancia; 

Neal Beezley, Burlington; Mrs. Mane Goodhand, 

Kimball; Leon Coulter, Loveland, and 

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hall, Akron. 

FlUUC 

CAN'T BE BEAT 

for SPEED & 

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CHICAGO . NEW YORK 

1327 s. Wabash * 619 W. 54th St 

49

I MI 

SALT LAKE CITY AFL Janitor Strike SEATTLE 

TJarry GIttelson, assistant western sales 

manager for KKO; Al Kolitz, western 

division manager, and Giff Davison, local 

manager, addressed the local sales staff . . . 

Exhibitors along Filmrow included A. W. 

Barrott of Blackfoot, Ida.; and Hugo Jorgenson 

of Rigby, Ida. . . . William Farnum, former 

screen star, was scheduled to portray 

"The Master Is Coming" in a dramatic presentation 

in the Tabernacle Easter Sunday. 

Producer Micha«I Todd, stopping briefly 

last week, disclosed plans for third-dimensional 

films. He said the first reels using 

this type of technique will be shown in New 

York City October 15, and that it will be an 

adventure film of the Par East . Shirl 

. . 

Thayne, U-I salesman, was bemoaning the 

loss of a new overcoat, stolen while he was at 

lunch recently . . . Bob Quinn, Paramount 

field man, was here to set up a campaign for 

"Samson and Delilah" at regular prices at 

the Lyric. An art contest, in which regional 

winners will comjjete for national prizes, 

makes up one phase of the exploitation. 

The Park-Vu and Auditorium were the 

first drive-ins to open for the season here. 

They have been operating for more than a 

week, braving some cold weather and bad 

storms. Others are expected to reopen this 

week . . . Harold Chesler arranged a twohour 

cartoon festival at the Mario Theatre in 

suburban Sugar House. 

Four Denver Drive-Ins 

Open With a Splash 

DENVER—Pour drive-ins here, the East, 

West, North and South, opened March 14 for 

the new season. At the West Drive-In Manager 

Jack Wodell says a merry-go-round will 

be installed there soon. At the East, facilities 

have been expanded to Include a new 

ferris wheel ride. On opening night here. 

Dale Morgan, radio interviewer, talked to 

patrons attending. At all four outdoorers 

miniature Hawaiian orchids were flown from 

the islands and presented to the first 150 

women at each theatre. 

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types of theatres, large and small, indoor 

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Inquiries Answered Immediately 

Write Irv Bowron, Sales Mgr. 

FRED B. LUDWIG, Realtor 

4229 N. E. Broadway « Portland 13, Ore. 

S(*tf^. 

CMm aa «nlvi« S, Ortoon 

At Frisco Theatres 

SAN FRANCISCO—AFL janitors went out 

on strike at 21 San Francisco theatres last 

Saturday (17) and indications were that the 

tieup might spread to other houses. Picket 

lines were formed around three first run 

downtown theatres, the Paramount, St. Francis 

and State, all owned by Paramount Theatres, 

and 18 other houses. The theatres remained 

open and members of the AFL boothmen's 

union and theatrical employes Local 

B-18 went to work through picket lines. 

Floyd R. Billingsley, business agent for 

the operators, said the janitors had not given 

his union enough notice before walking out. 

"We will hold a meeting of our members 

at midnight Monday to decide what to do. 

We will keep working until then." 

Twenty-one East Bay theatres were scheduled 

to be picketed on Saturday night and 

two San Mateo county theatres were picketed. 

All the theatres involved are in the 

Paramount, Golden State or Nasser chains. 

Fox West Coast Theatres, according to George 

Hardy, international vice-president of building 

service union, had requested negotiations 

in Los Angeles and the union agreed not to 

picket its houses until after the meetings. 

However, Spencer Leve, northern California 

manager for FWC, said his group did not engage 

in separate negotiations. 

The janitors are asking a flat 10 per cent 

increase. They now receive $12.75 a day. 

George Bowser to Frisco 

On Strike Situation 

LOS ANGELES—Although the Fox West 

Coast circuit has not yet been affected by a 

janitors strike in a number of theatres in 

the San Francisco area, George Bowser, FWC 

general manager, and Joseph Tuohy, labor 

relations director, planed north Tuesday (20) 

for huddles with the chain's northern California 

personnel and officials of the maintenance 

workers union there. 

It was reported approximately 170 janitors 

had walked out of theatres operated in the 

bay area by Paramount, Golden State, Nasser, 

the Naify Brothers and the T&D circuit. The 

strike was called, it was said, in an effort to 

secure a 10 per cent wage boost over the present 

scale of $12.75 a day. 

Vinnicof Houses Stage 

Roy Rogers Club Events 

LOS ANGELES—With plans to make it an 

annual event, seven theatres in the Vinnicof 

circuit here staged an Easter week promotion 

Thursday (22) with the Roy Rogers 

Riders club. Participating and booking 

Rogers films were the Arlington, Regent, 

Temple, Madrid, Strand, Centro and Eagle 

theatres, all neighborhood houses. The matinee 

showings were heavily attended by 

Juveniles, who were out of school for Easter 

vacation. 

Rogers addressed the children via transcriptions 

played in each showcase, and 

Rogers merchandise was distributed as gifts 

and prizes. 

A Roy Rogers Riders club group was inaugurated 

Saturday (24) at Pox West Coast's 

Stadium Theatre, where 1,200 children have 

registered for the matinee parties. It is the 

first FWC showcase to feature the club's 

activities. 

•Phe girls at 20th-Fox gave a dinner party 

last week (13) at the Norslander restaurant 

for Prances Seeger, cashier, who has 

left to be with her husband Bill, who is back 

in the navy at the naval base in Tacoma. 

She has been replaced by Margaret Calasuro, 

formerly assistant cashier. 

Bud Brodie, manager at National Screen 

Service, gave a surprise party for Bill Shartin, 

manager of Eagle Lion Classics, Saturday 

night (17). Most of Seattle's Filmrow executives 

attended the event which was in honor 

of Shartin 's new home across the lake in 

Medina. 

. . 

Harry Lewis, Lippert salesman, returned 

from an eastern Washington selling trip . . . 

Walter Thayer, former head shipper at Paramount, 

has moved up to booker, replacing 

John Bateman who has resigned to manage 

the Fife Drive-In near Tacoma for Bill Forman 

. Edward Strongin, division manager 

for the Northwest Automatic Candy Corp., 

was in from Portland last week for a sales 

meeting with Phil Blake, Seattle manager, 

and staff. Plans are now being completed 

for distribution in Oregon, Washington, 

Idaho, Montana, and Alaska of concession 

equipment manufactured by Cinesnax Corporation, 

San Francisco. 

Mercedes Cleveland, booker for Lippert, was 

home with the flu . . . Visitors at 20th-Fox 

included Norman Clyde of the Clyde Theatre, 

Langley; G. O. Spencer, Proctor Theatre, 

Tacoma; Albert Fernandez, Clallam Bay; Mr. 

and Mrs. E. A. Darby, from Naches, whose 

Top-Hi Drive-In at Toppenish reopened 

March 24 . . . Katherine Rex, stenographer 

and biller at Republic, has resigned. She is 

being replaced by June Taranina. 

Out-of-town exhibitor visitors at Lippert 

include Junior Mercy, Yakima; Mike Barovic, 

Tacoma; and El Keyes, Walla Walla . . . 

Bill Shartin, ELC manager, left for a New 

York meeting March 26 and 27 . . . Seen 

out on the Rainier golf course on a sunny 

Sunday afternoon were several picture folk, 

including Roy Brobeck, Kilt Robinett, and 

Mr. and Mrs. George deWaide. Brobeck is 

with B. F. Shearer Co., Robinett is local manager 

for 20th-Pox, and DeWaide is U-I 

branch manager. 

Manager Merrill Dunlop 

Quits Astoria Liberty 

ASTORIA, ORE.—A. Merrill Dunlop, manager 

of the Liberty Theatre here for the past 

19 years, has resigned. J. J. Parker Theatres, 

owner of the house, has named no successor 

to Dunlop as yet. Dunlop will continue to 

make his home here where he has served as 

president of the Rotary club, been a director 

of the chamber of commerce for years, has 

been chairman of the Community Chest campaign 

and treasurer of the Red Cross drive. 

Open Parkrose, Ore., Drive-In 

PARKROSE, ORE.—Spring weather upped 

the opening date of the Sandy Boulevard 

Drive-In here to February 21. Manager R. L. 

Mills has high hopes for the coming season 

because he says "most of the pictures coming 

out of Hollywood now seem to be of better 

quality." 

SO BOXOFTICE :: March 24, 1951

Many Film Missouts 

In Minnesota Snow 

MINNEAPOLIS—Another of the winter's 

many blizzards, hitting the area the past 

weekend, resulted in a record number of 

missouts for the territory. Film trucks found 

the roads impassable for days. Even passenger 

trains were held up for as long as 48 

hours. Many exhibitors were forced to 

keep their theatres closed or repeat pictures 

because of nondelivery of film. 

U-I last Thursday shipped film by truck 

to Pipestone. Minn. As of last Monday the 

shipment still hadn't arrived. The film comprised 

the show which was to have opened 

on the preceding Sunday. 

On Monday operators of film trucks notified 

all Minneapolis exchanges to make their 

film shipments by express during at least the 

early part of the week. Train schedules in a 

number of instancs were considerably delayed 

and in some cases the runs weren't 

made for two days. 

This has been the severest winter in the 

territory's weather annals. One heavy snowstorm 

has followed another and temperatures 

have continued low for months, ranging to 

45 degrees below zero on more than one 

occasion. In Minneapolis neighborhood sections 

the snow now has reached a six-foot 

depth. The fact that spring now is supposed 

to be here and there's still no letup in 

the winter makes the situation all the more 

aggravating. 

Fargo Theatre Reopened 

After $65,000 Program 

FARGO, N. D.—Following alterations and 

improvements costing $65,000, the former 

State and now the New Town Theatre here 

opened on a first run policy with "Royal 

Wedding." The house had been acquired by 

Gordon Asmuth, circuit owner, when the 

Minnesota Amusement Co. relinquished it 

in accordance with the Paramount consent 

decree. 

Reel Fellows Plans Dance 

MINNEAPOLIS — When the 

Minneapolis 

Reel Fellows club of film salesmen holds its 

annual shindig at the Hotel Nicollet, March 

31, Charles Green will be the master of ceremonies. 

There'll be the usual big show as well 

as a dinner and dance. Don Anderson heads 

the committee in charge. 

Had to Keep Smiling 

NORTON, KAS.—It may have been something 

of an effort at times but Hazel Dowty, 

cashier at the Norton Theatre, had to keep 

smiling all week recently. If Miss Dowty 

failed to smile at each ticket buyer Manager 

Frank Kennedy passed out a free pass 

to the patron. 

Alva Hopper, Manager 

At Humboldt, Leaves 

HUMBOLDT, IOWA—Alva A. Hopper, 

manager of the Humota Theatre here, has 

passed his physical examination and will 

leave March 27 for Camp Pendelton, Oceanside, 

Calif., for active duty with the marines. 

He will be a motor transport shop chief. Hopper 

had been a marine reservist subject to 

recall. His family will remain here for the 

present. 

Hopper introduced his successor, Fred 

Meyer of Clarion, from the stage of the theatre 

the other night. The new manager is 

a high school teacher at Clarion who has 

resigned his teaching job to take over at the 

Humota. The Humota is owned by Mrs. Virginia 

O'Hare of California and three Des 

Moines partners. 

Isis Theatre, Lucas, Kas., 

Is Gutted by Flames 

LUCAS, KAS. — The Isis Theatre here, 

owned by Lawrence Gilbreath, was gutted 

by fire last weekend. Cause of the fire was 

undetermined. Gilbreath started reconstruction 

of the house immediately and planned 

to have it open in about 30 days. He purchased 

new RCA seats, sound and projection 

equipment and carpeting from L. J. Kimbriel, 

manager for Missouri Theatre Supply, Kansas 

City. 

Big Lamphouses Installed 

HUTCHINSON, KAS.—The Ayr-Vu Drivein 

here has been reopened for the season 

after installations of new National Excelite 

lamphouses- with 16^--inch reflectors which 

have increased screen illumination tremendously. 

The Ayr-Vu is managed by Chuck 

Embick and is under the supervision of Jay 

Wooten, who also operates drive-ins at Hoisington. 

Liberal and Lyons and El Dorado, 

the latter in association with Ben Adams. 

Installation of the lamphouses at the Ayr- 

Vu was supervised by Jim Killian of National 

Theatre Supply's Kansas City branch. 

Director Lloyd Bacon has been signed for 

another term and will have as his next assignment 

20th-Fox's "The Golden Girl." 

Fox Midwest Adjusts 

Prices in 103 Spots 

KANSAS CITY—The Fox Midwest Theatres 

circuit has adjusted admission prices 

in 103 theatres, with the last of the price 

changes coming within recent weeks. First 

run tickets were upped ten cents in Kansas 

City and Topeka and five cents in the remaining 

situations—although total adjustments 

in all theatres showed only a onehalf 

cent per average admission boost. 

Circuitwide price hikes were started last 

June when FMW increased admissions by 

five cents in 60 houses. Most increases, according 

to Senn Lawler, publicist for the circuit, 

were in small towns. The boosts, he 

said, were effected primarily to bring theatres 

in comparable size towns up to comparable 

prices. In January 1951, 43 more increases 

were made, all by five cents, except 

in Topeka and Kansas City, where prices 

were upped ten cents, to equal the price at 

the Orpheum here, which opened last year 

with a 75-cent admission. 

Lawler said that increases were gained in 

some instances by eliminating matinee prices 

or making night prices apply on Saturday 

and Sunday. In other situations, where adult 

prices were raised, admissions for children 

were lowered from 14 to nine cents. Lawler 

said children's admissions have not been increased 

in any situations. 

BOWLING 

KANSAS CITY—Standings remained unchanged 

in the Filmrow Bowling league. In 

the women's division individual high ten of 

215 was scored by Gene Fitten, while Mary 

Heueisen scored 552 for individual high 30. 

Men's league standings: 

Team Won Lost Team Won Lost 

Finton lones 45 30 Film Delivery 38 37 

MGM 43 32 20lh-Fox 34 41 

Michael's .40 35 Diablo 33 42 

Fox Trotters 40 35 Shreve 33 42 

NSS 38 37 Fox Terriers 31 44 

Women's league standings: 


Allstars 50 25 Columbia Gems. 33 42 

WB Starlets 47 28 Fox O-of-T 28 47 

Fox Vixens 41 35 Riv-side Scamps 27 48 

Mrs. Percil Stephenson Dies 

'FAIRMONT, MINN.—Mrs. Percil E. Stephenson, 

49-year-old operator of the Nicholas 

Theatre, died from a heart attack. The 

daughter of the late Bill Nicholas, veteran 

showman, Mrs. Stephenson was the last of 

her family. A brother Herb, who had operated 

the showcase for his father, died in 

1946. His father died a year later. 

AT XU-BAXTER REOPENING—The Nu-Baxter Theatre at Baxter Springs, Kas., 

has been reopened by Commonwealth Theatres after being closed for six months for 

complete renovation. Improvements at the house include a new front and concession 

stand. Pictured at the opening, left to right: Charlie Tryon, who supervised new decorations 

for the house; Dick Orear, engineer for the circuit; Fred Muhmel, in charge of 

concessions for Commonwealth, and Bob Reeves, manager of the Nu-Baxter. Others 

from the home office who attended the reopening included M. B. Smith, division manager, 

and Roy Tucker, assistant to Orear. 

BOXOFFICE March 24, 1951 MW 51

. . . Don 

KANSAS CITY 

r* H. Badger, general manager of Stebbins 

Theatre Equipment Co., is a grandfather. 

His daughter, Mrs. David B. Eckleman of 

Wichita, is mother of a son, her first child 

. . . E. C. Wiley, Cape Girardeau, engineer 

for RCA Service Co., was in town visiting 

with E. D. Van Duyne, RCA district manager 

. . . Mrs. Eunice Snider of the Ellis 

at Oakland, Kas., was on Filmrow this week. 

Mrs. Arthur de Stefano, wife of the National 

Theatre Supply head, is recuperating at Trinity 

Lutheran hospital here after an operation 

. . . Her husband said he celebrated his 

39th birthday, despite the fact that he has 

been in the equipment business for 32 years. 

He was entertained on his birthday at a small 

dinner at the home of Lou and Gertrude Patz 

of National Screen Service. 

F. L. Lowe of Lebanon was in town booking 

for his Sterling, Kas., house . . . W. L. 

I>resley of the Till at Hamilton was on Filmrow 

as were Dale Danielson of the Dream 

and Mecca, Russell, and John Medlock, new 

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POPPIRS SUPPLY COMPANY 

114 W. 18th St. Kansas City, Mo. 

owner of the Plaza, Appleton City, Mo. The 

latter was booking for a March 23 opening 

Davis of the RCA Theatre Sales 

division, back from a trip through the territory, 

was exhibiting the latest addition to his 

collection of antique gold watches, a large 

pocket watch, purchased in Kansas. Davis 

has about 100 watches in his collection, a 

hobby which he has been carrying out for a 

number of yeai-s. 

Bob Shelton, general manager of Commonwealth 

Theatres, reported a number of managerial 

changes in the circuit. Lee Wright, 

formerly with the circuit and for the last 

few years a manager in the southern U.S., has 

returned to Commonwealth as manager of the 

Ritz at Garden City under Ray Holmes, city 

manager. Dale Stewart, formerly at the Ritz, 

has been shifted to the Goodland drive-in, 

and Charley Fudge has joined the staff in 

Great Bend in charge of the Plaza. 

Clarence Schultz of Consolidated Agencies 

was to leave for Iowa over the Easter holidays. 

Schultz said he would check all circuit 

houses in that state, since heavy snows 

have been reported to be damaging roofs 

. . . Harry Simons, auditor for MGM, was 

at the local office . . . The 

MGM staff 

gave a farewell luncheon Monday (19) at 

the President hotel for Eddie Golden, city 

sales manager, who has resigned to operate 

his own booking and buying agency at 

1717 Wyandotte. The staff will give another 

luncheon Monday (26) to introduce William 

Gaddoni. who will take over as branch manager 

on that day, replacing Al L. Adler, 

who is being relieved at his doctor's request. 

Bessie Buchhorn, head inspector at Warners, 

was in Bethany hospital recuperating 

after an operation. A former Warner 

cashier, Nellie Maye Smith, is in the same 

hospital, also recovering after surgery . . . 

Mildred Harris, booker for Commonwealth 

drive-ins, which are scheduled to open here 

Friday (23), was unhappily watching cold 

and snowy weather earlier in the week . . . 

The Electric Ass'n of Kansas City reported 

that there were 107,919 television receivers in 

the Kansas City area on March 1, an increase 

of 7,319 over February 1. 

Fred Souttar, district manager for Fox 

Midwest in the St. Louis territory, and his 

wife are vacationing in Florida . . . Woody 

Latimer of L&L Popcorn Co. said this week 

that new pillow-type drive-in theatre pop- 

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Room 455, Paul Brown Building Chestnut 4499 St. Louis, Mo. 

corn bags, described at the recent KMTA 

drive-in meeting by Joe Caffo of Dallas, are 

catching on fast. He said sales already had 

. . Mario Lanza, 

topped the 1,000,000 mark . 

concert singer under contract to MGM, will 

appear at the Forum in Wichita April 19, and 

the Music Hall here April 22. The local 

MGM office plans to hold a party for him. 

The Electric Theatre at Browning, Mo., was 

destroyed by fire recently. Cause of the fire 

was unknown. Kenneth Crooks operates the 

house . . . Stanley Durwood, general manager 

of Durwood Theatres, was to leave Friday 

(23) for a three-week vacation in Colorado. 

. . . Bayard Grand, vice-president of Durwood 

circuit, is father of a baby boy. 

J. H. States Retires; 

35 Years in Industry 

KANSAS CITY—J. H. "Jim" States, book- 

manager at Paramount and a 

ing and office 

veteran of 35 years in 

the film industry, has 

/^ 

Ik 

resigned effective April 

1. He plans to move 

f -am to Mena, Ark., where 

t ItttMtl^m. ^^ ^'^^ operate a 

motel on Highway 

Am^^^^^^ 

71. 

States started in the 

film business with the 

^^L^^P^HkC Kansas City Feature 

^^^^ M ^^H Film Co., distributor 

^HHk » ^Hi of Paramount pictures, 

in 1916 as a stenog- 

J. H. States rapher. Later he w£is 

transferred to the ad sales department, then 

promoted to assistant booker. At the time 

of his promotion the corporation name was 

changed to Famous Players Lasky Corp. 

In 1918 he was transferred to the Omaha 

branch as booking manager, and one year 

later he entered the sales department. He 

returned to Kansas City in 1920 as booking 

manager, just one week before the film building 

at 17th and Main was damaged by fire. 

He was promoted to office and booking manager 

in 1950. 

States is a member of the Paramount 100 

Per Cent club and a charter member of the 

25-Year club. He is married and has a 

daughter living in Enid, Okla. 

Industry friends will give a farewell luncheon 

for States at the Muehlebach hotel here 

April 2. Reservations for the luncheon may 

be made through Arthur Cole. 

Emil Swenson Dies 

ESKRIDGE, KAS.—A pioneer Kansas theaterman, 

Emil Swenson, died recently. He 

operated the old Crystal Theatre here and 

also the Allen Airdome. 

Paramount is bringing Francis Sullivan, 

English stage and screen actor, back to Hollywood 

for his first American assignment in 

four years in "My Favorite Spy." 

SELL 

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Telephones: EM 0238 • EM 7489 

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'Next Voice' Gels 140 

To Pace Kansas City 

KANSAS CITY — -The Next Voice You 

Hear . . 

." in its second week at the Kimo 

topped local first runs with 140 per cent. 

"Born Yesterday" ended a two-week run with 

eight days at the Midland, grossing 115 per 

cent, then moved out to make room for 

"Royal Wedding," which opened Saturday. 

"Cyrano de Bergerac" opened at Kimo Saturday 

after a good advance ticket sale. 


Esquire—Bombardier (RKO); China Sky (RKO), 

reissues 70 

Kimo—The Next Voice You Hear . . . (MGM), 

2nd wk 140 

Midland Bom Yesterday (Col); Revenue Agent 

(Col), 2nd wk., 8 days 115 

Missouri—Lightning Strikes Twrice (WB); Bo-wery 

Battalion (Mono) -- - 110 

Paramount The Redhead and the Cowboy 

(Para) _ 105 

Tower, Uptown and Fairway Rawhide (20th- 

Fox); ret Parade ot 1951 (Rep), at Tower only 120 

Minneapolis Gross 

Smothered by Snow 

MINNEAPOLIS—Again the past week the 

weather put the kibosh on grosses. A fall of 

nearly a foot of snow, accompanied by nearblizzard 

conditions, on Sunday, the best boxoffice 

day ordinarily, was the crowning blow. 

Zero temperatures followed. Such newcomers 

as "Vengeance Valley," "Lightning Strikes 

Twice," "The Dancing Years" and "Of Men 

and Music" naturally suffered. Holdovers, all 

in their second week, were "Tomahawk," 

"Trio" and "Kansas Raiders." 

Century—The Dancing Years (Stratford) 90 

Gopher—Kansas Raiders (U-I), 2nd wk. ...- - 85 

Lyceum—Of Men and Music (20th-Fox) 90 

Lyric—Tomahowk (U-I), 2nd wk 120 

Pix—King Solomon's Mines (MGM), 2nd' run 90 

Radio City—Vengeance Valley (MGM) 90 

RKO Orpheum—The Flying Missile (Col); Killer 

Thot Stalked New York (Col) 85 

RKO-Pan—Virginia City (WB); Dodge City (WB), 

reissues — 85 

State—Lightning Strikes Twice (WB) 100 

World—Trio (Para), 2nd wk _ 100 

Heaviest Winter Snovr 

Hits Omaha Grosses 

OMAHA—Heaviest snow of the winter, following 

sleet and ice, damaged grosses in 

Omaha theatres. "Kansas Raiders" and 

"Under the Gun" at the Orpheum barely 

beat par. "The Steel Helmet" held for a 

second week at the State. 

Omaha—Highway 301 (WB); County Fair (Mono) 

85 

Orpheum Kansas Raiders (U-I); Under the Gun 

(U-1) _ ...105 

Paramount September Aiiair (Para) 90 

RKO-Brandeis—The Eniorcer (WB) 95 

State—Steel Helmet (LP), 2nd wk 95 

Town ^Mule Train (Col), 2nd run; Girls Town 

(SR), reissue; Gambling Daughters (SR), reissue 

— -... 95 

: y>t 7/04^ Svuuct SUice tS99 

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Gladys Green Meets Star 

Gladys Green, house manager of the 

Paramount Theatre, Kansas City, returned 

from a vacation on the west coast, during 

which she was photographed with Bob 

Hope at the Paramount studio in Hollywood, 

where Hope took time out from his 

starring appearance in "My Favorite Spy," 

to greet youngsters afflicted with cerebral 

palsy. Miss Green and Hope discussed 

plans for the United Cerebral Palsy Ass'n 

campaign, of which Hope is national 

chairman. 

Miss Green visited Jerry Zigmond, city 

manager for Paramount Theatres in San 

Francisco and a former manager in Kansas 

City. She went through the theatres in 

that city, then went on to Los Angeles 

where she toured both the Warner and 

Paramount studios, met a number of film 

stars and talked with Al Finestone, WB 

publicist in Hollywood. She said that upon 

arriving in Hollywood she found a big 

bouquet in her hotel room with a placard 

reading, "Welcome to Hollywood." Miss 

Green said she also spent a day at Palm 

Springs and attended the races at Santa 

Anita. 

J. W. Spielman, Ed Henrich 

Buy Olathe, Kas., Theatre 

OLATHE, KAS.—J. Ward Spielman, owner 

of the Gem Theatre at Baldwin City, Kas., 

and Mr. and Mrs. Edward G. Henrich of 

Long Beach, Calif., have purchased the Andrews 

Theatre here from Mrs. S. C. Andrews, 

who has operated the house since the death 

of her husband in the 1930s. The new owners 

closed the theatre Monday (19) for extensive 

improvements. 

Improvements at the house, which was 

built in 1920, were furnished by National 

Theatre Supply and included Simplex sound 

and projection equipment. The chairs were 

rebuilt under NT's chair renovation plan and 

new Crestwood carpet was installed in the 

auditorium and foyer. 

The Andrews has a seating capacity of 

847 and the name has been changed to the 

Towne. Reopening is scheduled for April 1. 

The house operates in opposition to the 

429-seat Dickinson, owned by the Dickinson 

Theatres circuit. 

Henrich, athletic coach at Bonner Springs, 

Kas., high school from 1938 to 1941, will 

manage the theatre. 

Charge Youths With Arson 

In F. O. Calvin Home Fire 

KANSAS CITY—Johnson county officials 

last week arrested three youths on a charge 

of arson in connection with the fire which 

destroyed a suburban residence owned by Forrest 

O. Calvin about ten months ago. Calvin 

is president of the Calvin Co., producers of 

film trailers and other motion pictures. 

Calvin had purchased the home in February 

1950 and had intended to remodel and enlarge 

it. It had remained vacant, but Calvin 

said that that house obviously had been used 

for wild youthful parties, since evidence of 

vandalism abounded before destruction of the 

house last May 12. The house was boarded 

and padlocked after acts of vandalism. At the 

time of the fire Calvin, his wife and Lloyd 

Thomas, vice-president of the Calvin Co., 

and his wife were on a tour of Europe. They 

returned May 25 and learned of the fire loss. 

Building Will Be Resumed 

On Superior, Neb., Theatre 

SUPERIOR, WIS.—Work will be resumed 

next week on the new theatre under construction 

here for Commonwealth Theatres. 

Bob Shelton, general manager for the circuit, 

said the opening has been slated tentatively 

for July 1. Construction was started last 

fall, but was halted when winter weather 

set in. Shelton said that all equipment for 

the house is on hand. 

Allied Convention May 8, 9 

MINNEAPOLIS—North Central Allied directors, 

meeting here this week, limited their 

discussions to plans for the annual convention 

to be held in Minneapolis May 8, 9. Invitations 

will be extended to distributor executives 

and national Allied States to attend. 

DE VRY and WENZEL 

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lis W.. 18th Kansas City 8. Mo. 

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BOXOFFICE : : March 24, 1951 

53

DBS MOINES 

TITeather continued to be the main topic of 

conversation and worry for Filmrowers 

last week. New snow had traffic completely 

stopped for a couple of days and exhibitors 

were unable to get film. The car of Henry 

Peterson, RKO salesman, was smashed in an 

accident here. Several Row employes were 

snowbound. 

"Pop-Mor" 

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I2S Hyde Street 

San Francisco 2. Calif. 

niece has made the journey every year since 

having polio as a child. 

Floyd Street, RKO booker, has a sideline 

job—he sells sterling silver for a well-known 

company, and will be glad to show his wares 

any night . . . Columbia's student booker, 

Donald Lee, will not be leaving after all. The 

army has rejected him after his recent physical 

.. . Berniece Dykstra, U-I cashier, is 

planning her annual trip to Iowa City for a 

checkup and adjustment on her braces. Ber- 

. . . 

Eddie Howland, U-I publicity man, is currently 

working with the Tri-State advertising 

department on promotion for "Up Front" 

The Ti-i-States theatre managers in Des 

Moines held a stag party at the East Des 

Don Hicks, Paramount manager, 

Moines club . . . 

has returned from a sales meeting in 

Carl Olson, ELC manager, was 

Chicago . . . 

in New York City all last week attending a 

managers' meeting . . . M. M. Gottlieb, district 

manager, and P. M. Blake, division 

manager, were at U-I. 

Spring- cleaning has started at the ELC 

with a wall washing job . . . Jake Schlank 

braved the bad roads to drive in from Muscatine 

. . . M. M. Rosenblatt, RKO manager, 

is recuperating from a throat operation but 

cannot use his voice for another couple of 

weeks . . . Raymond McKittrick, RKO salesman, 

was away from the office several days 

while he recovered from a painful reaction 

to 

penicillin. 

R. L. Honeyman Opens 

Bruner, Mo., Drive-In 

BRUNER, MO.—R. L. 

Honeyman plans to 

open the Alvin Airway Theatre between 

Bruner and Sparta on Highway 14 about 

April 1. The airdome-type operation will 

have a parking area for cars and benches 

for patrons, since not all cars will be able 

to park in advantageous spot to 

see the picture. 

Honeyman's home is in Springfield. 

Springview, Neb., House Ups Prices 

SPRINGVIEW, NEB.—Don Gibson, manager 

of the Niobrara Theatre here, hiked 

adult admissions from 40 to 50 cents. Six 

years ago the showcase raised from 35 cents 

to 40 cents. 

ORDER YOUR POPCORN SUPPLIES FROM US 

White Japanese Hulless Popcorn Per 100 lbs. $11.50 

South American Yellow Hybrid Per 100 lbs. 10.00 

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Liquid "Popsit Plus" Seasoning Per Case 19.75 

(Packed 6 gallons per case) 

"Seazo" Coconut Oil Seasoning Per 50 lbs. 19.75 

Morton's Popcorn Salt Per Case 2.95 

10c Popcorn Boxes, 2 ounce Per 1000 10.95 

10c Popcorn Boxes, P4 ounce Per 1000 10.25 

1 lb. Popcorn Bags, flat bottom, brown Per 1000 1.80 

1 lb. Popcorn Bags, flat bottom, white Per 1000 2.20 

¥2 lb. Popcorn Bags, flat bottom, brown Per 1000 1.20 

IVi lb. Popcorn Bogs, pinch bottom, brown Per 1000 1.75 

Special Softex Va lb. Bags, white Per 1000 2.00 

Printed Sacks, 1 lb. flat bottom, white Per 1000 3.10 

Printed noiseless, 1 lb. pinch bottom Per 1000 4.15 

Prices Subject to Change Without Notice 

DES MOINES THEATRE SUPPLY CO. 

1121-23 High St. Des Moines, Iowa 

Pannos Group Buys 

Davenport Uplown 

DAVENPORT, IOWA—Ernie Pannos of 

Iowa City and his associates, James Stopulor 

and James Sullivan, have purchased the Uptown 

Theatre here from Julius Geertz. The 

purchasers have been operating the Coronet 

Theatre since January 12 for showing of 

foreign-made films of artistic merit. They 

will transfer these activities to the Uptown, 

which they renamed the Coronet, as soon as 

remodeling operations can be completed. It 

was expected this will take place by Easter 

Sunday. 

Meanwhile the present Coronet will be renamed 

and operated by Pannos and his associates 

for the exclusive showing of films designed 

for children. Details of the policy to 

be followed now are being worked out. 

"At the Uptown, or new Coronet, we will 

have nearly double the seating capacity, so 

that patrons will no longer be inconvenienced 

by standing in line," Pannos said. "We feel 

that we have proved that the Quad Cities 

needs and wants pictures of the types we have 

been showing, and we will continue at the 

newly acquired theatre the policy that we 

have been following since we opened the 

Coronet." 

This includes adorning the lobby with 

paintings lent by Davenport Municipal Art 

gallery, and serving coffee to patrons between 

performances. Geertz had owned the Uptown 

for 19 years, and said he was disposing 

of it because he wished to be free of the 

responsibilities its operation entailed. 

Cumberland Theatre 

In Iowa to Remodel 

CUMBERLAND, IOWA—The Cumberland 

Theatre will be remodeled. Improvements 

are to include a new floor, a cryroom for 

mothers, a popcorn and candy booth in the 

north section of the lobby and a new screen. 

At present the management of the theatre 

is conducting a contest to rename the theare. 

Ocheyedan Theatre Sold 

OCHEYEDAN, IOWA—L. C. Shoemaker 

and R. H. Pelton have purchased the Mound 

Theatre here from Mr. and Mrs. Bud Monjar. 

Monjar and Joe Taylor purchased the 

Mound about four years ago with Monjar 

later buying out his partner's interest. The 

new owners have the Ocheyedan Furniture 

Co. here and will operate both businesses. 

Monjar has taken an examination at Fort 

Sheridan, 111., for officers candidate school. 

IS IT ACTION YOU WANT? 

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offices in the areas in which we operate than 

most other mediums combined. No listing 

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SAVEREIDE THEATRE BROKERS 

Largest Zxclusire Theatre Brokers in America 

54 BOXOFFICE :: March 24. 1951

. . 

Spring KMTA Rally 

Slated for April 25 

KANSAS CITY—The board of directors of 

Kansas-Missouri Theatre Ass'n met at the 

Phillips hotel here Wednesday (21) and discussed 

plans for the annual one-day spring 

meeting to be held at the Phillips April 25. 

Dale Danielson, president, appointed Ed 

Kidwell, TEI, Lawrence, Kas., as chairman 

of the committee to arrange the meeting. 

Members of the committee include Pred 

Meyn, Park Theatre, Kansas City, Kas.; J. 

Leo Hayob, Mary Lou and North Street, 

Marshall; Senn Lawler, Fox Midwest publicist, 

and Elmer Rhoden jr.. Commonwealth 

Theatres. 

The next board meeting will be held on 

April 24, immediately preceding the spring 

meeting, according to Gladyce Penrod, executive 

secretary. 

Among those attending the Wednesday 

meeting were Danielson; Shelby Armstrong, 

Milan; George Summers, Unionville; Glen 

Hall, Cassville; Elmer Bills, Salisbury; Meyn; 

Virgil Harbison, Tarkio; Frank Weary, Richmond; 

Jay Means, Kansas City; Hayob; R. 

R. Biechele, Ed Kidwell and Stanley Durwood. 

Thief Disappointed at Loot 

OLATHE, KAS.—The youthful bandit who 

held up and robbed Mrs. S. C. Andrews, ojjerator 

of the Andrews Theatre here, probably 

was a disappointed thief. The purse snatching 

occurred just outside Mrs. Andrews' home, 

She said the bandit probably supposed she 

was carrying the night's receipts with her; 

however, there was only about $30 personal 

money in her purse. 

F. H. Ricketson Invited to Rodeo 

HOT SPRINGS, N. M.—P. H. Ricketson, 

president of Fox Intermountain Theatres, 

Denver, here recently to visit with local 

Manager Bernie Chancellor, promised local 

officials he would make a special effort to 

attend the April 1 rodeo and Ralph Edwards' 

TV and radio show. Ricketson complimented 

Chancellor on the cleanliness of the El 

Cortez and El Rio. 

Install Sound Equipment 

OMAHA—The Ballantyne Co. has made 

the following new installations in this territory: 

Complete sound and projection for 

Elmer Wulf, Kingsley, Iowa; lamps and complete 

sound, Rudolph Stastney, Hooper Theatre, 

Hooper; complete sound and projection 

at the St. Joseph hospital here. 

JMW 

CAN'T BE BEA-[ 

for SPEED & 

QUALITY ^ 

plant* 

CHICAGO . HEW YORK 

1327 S. Wabash * 619W.$4thSt 

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OMAHA 

\Z7UIiain Gaddoni, MGM manager, left for 

his new KansEis City job wearing a de 

luxe sportshirt. a gift from the office force 

at a i>arty at the Paxton hotel. Bill also was 

feted at a Saturday Variety Club luncheon 

at the Paxton. His family will remain in 

Omaha until school is out . . . Herb C. Jensen, 

who has the theatre at Walthill, Neb., 

also is superintendent of light and parking 

D. A. Thacker jr., 

meters at Sioux City . . . 

son of the South Sioux City exhibitor, underwent 

surgery and was expected to leave the 

Methodist hospital, Sioux City, during the 

week. 

All three United Artists salesmen had to 

be hauled out during the rough week of 

weather. Carl Reese rolled over in his auto 

and landed in a ditch. Eddie Rostermundt 

and Larry Hensler both got stuck . . . Mrs. 

Fred F^jfar, wife of the MGM salesman, went 

to see her mother who is ill in a Mitchell, 

S. D., hospital . . . Singer Mario Lanza will 

give an Ak-Sar-Ben appearance here April 

24. Ivan Puldauer, MGM exploiteer from 

Des Moines, was in town to help with arrangements 

for the star. 

Mr. and Mrs. Howard Kennedy, Broken 

Bow exhibitors, came in for the "Mr. Roberts" 

show. When the cast missed its first appearance 

due to the storm, they had to stay over 

to see the show . . . Oscar Hanson, independent 

booker, left on a vacation in Houston 

. . . Jim Burrus and son Howard were 

In and reported that Jim's granddaughter 

Jinx, Miss Nebraska of 1950, is in California. 

Tuesday night Film Transport and Pierce 

Transport trucks were both waiting to try to 

get into the snowbound South Dakota territory 

. . . Paul Back, RKO salesman, has 

sold 100 per cent of his possibilities on "You 

Can Beat the A-Bomb" . . . Tillie Becker, 

RKO inspector, has been home taking care 

of her mother who has been ill. 

Visitors along Filmrow included: Tom 

Sandberg, Ravenna; Raymond Brown, Harlan; 

Woody Simek, Ashland; H. O. Qualsett, 

Tekameh; Harry Hummell, Scribner; 

Mr. and Mrs. Waldo Waybill, North Bend; 

Irving Beck, Wilbur; Phil March, Wayne; 

George Monroe, Kearney; Arnold Johnson, 

Onawa; Mr. and Mrs. George Haals, Harlan; 

Oliver Schneider, Osceola; Prank Cook, David 

City; Eddie Kugel, Holstein; Fred Miller, 

Broken Bow and Maynard Nelson, Fremont. 

Theatre Is Remodeled 

AINSWORTH, NEB.—R. R. Bailey, owner 

and manager of the Royal Theatre here, 

shuttered the house for a redecorating Job. 

Lent Services at Theatre 

OMAHA—Services spon.sored by the Omaha 

Council of Churches and the Omaha Ministerial 

Ass'n were held each noon at the 

Orpheum Theatre, a Trl-State Theatres 

house, Monday through FYiday prior to 

Ea.ster. 

Children's Night Offered 

CORWITH, IOWA—The Corwlth Theatre 

admitted all children under 12 free and gave 

each a bottle of cola Saturday night recently. 

$150,000 to Lawyers 

In Brookside Suit 

KANSAS CITY—Attorneys who represented 

the Brookside Theatre Corp. in its recent 

antitrust suit against the major film companies 

have been awarded a fee of $150,000 

by Judge Richard M. Duncan of district 

court. In addition to the $150,000 fee tlie 

three lawyers, William G. Boatright, Arthur 

C. Popham sr., both of Kansas City, and Nick 

C. Spanos of Los Angeles, were awarded 

$7,987 for expenses incurred in the preparation 

and trial of the suit. 

Aside from the court award, it was revealed 

by one of the lawyers that the case 

was taken under a contingency contract 

with the Brookside firm under which the attorneys 

will share in the $1,125,000 triple 

damages awarded to plaintiffs W. D. Fulton 

and Stanley Schwartz after a jury trial which 

lasted seven weeks. 

Judge Duncan earlier in the month denied 

a motion for a new trial and the defendant 

film companies appealed the judgment. 

William Lymi Slated 

For The Silver Whistle' 

PROVIDENCE—This city, and surrounding 

area, 

which has turned out many celebrities 

in the entertainment field, including the late 

George M. Cohan, Ruth Hussey, Pierre Watkin, 

Eddie Dowling, Barton Churchill, Van 

Johnson, and a host of others, has sent another 

local son to Hollywood. 

William H. Lynn will soon repeat his original 

stage role in the movie version of "The 

Silver Whistle." After graduation from Brown 

university, Lynn appeared in musical and 

dramatic stock in the Providence Opera 

House, Majestic and Modem theatres. For 

a time he also was in vaudeville. This will 

be his third screen engagement. 

United Film Service Co. 

Sales Gain 18 Per Cent 

KANSAS CITY—Volume of sales for 1950 

for the United Film Service, Inc., shows an 

increase of 18 per cent over 1949, according 

to A. F. Bradley, treasurer. Billings for the 

same period showed an increase of 17.7 per 

cent, Bradley said, following completion of 

the annual audit. 

"The fact that this establishes a new alltime 

record for our firm fails to excite me," 

he said. "We have set such new records for 

each of the last seven years." 

Booth Fire at Danbury, Iowa 

DANBURY, IOWA—Fire in the projection 

room destroyed a film and damaged equipment 

at the Dana Theatre here. Firemen 

with chemicals quickly extinguished the 

blaze. Manager of the Dana is Lloyd Einfeldt. 

Show Proceeds to Hospital 

SPEARVILLE, KAS.—Lotta and Wayne 

McMahan, managers of the DeLuxe Theatre, 

donated all proceeds from a recent Sunday 

night performance to the Perkins hospital 

here. 

El Dorado, Kas., Theatre Redone 

EL DORADO, KAS.—The El Dorado Theatre 

will soon have the "new look" says Max 

Davis, manager, who is in the midst of a 

30-day redecorating program. 

RESEARCH BUREAU 

for 

MODERN THEATRE PLANNERS 

ENROLLMENT FORM FOR THE INFORMATION 

The MODERN THEATRE 

PLANNING INSTTTUTE 

325 Van Brunt Blvd. 

Kansas City 1, Mo. 

Gentlemen: 

3-24-51 

Please enroll us in your RESEARCH BUREAU 

to receive inlormalion regularly, as released, on 

the following subjects for Theatre Planning: 

n Acoustics n Lighting Fixtures 

n Air Conditioning q Plumbing Fixtures 

n Architectural Service 

n Projectors 

n "Black" Lighting 

n Projection Lamps 

Building Material 

n Seating 

n Carpets 

n Coin Machines 

n Signs and Marquees 

n Complete Remodeling Sound Equipment 

n Decorating D Television 

n Drink Dispensers D Theatre Fronts 

Drive-In Equipment Q Vending Equipment 

n Other Subjects 

Theatre 

Seating Capacity.. 

Address 

City 

State 

Signed 

Postage-paid reply cords for your further convenience 

in obtaining information ore provided in The MODERN 

THEATRE RED KEY SECTION (Nov. 18, 1950). 


HOW TO HANDLE THE SHOWING 

OF GOOD FILMS TO CHILDREN 

Cooperation of Community 

Necessary to Success, 

Says Council Head 

NEW YORK— A detailed description of 

the operation of Mamaroneck-Larchmont, 

N. Y., Motion Picture Council, which handles 

theatre showings of films for children, 

has been supplied by Mrs. Claude L. Seixas! 

council president, to satisfy many requests 

for information. These requests grew out 

of an article, "My Children and the 

Movies," written by Mrs. Leslie C. Smith, 

president of the local Parent-Teachers 

Council, which appeared in a recent issue of 

BOXOFFICE. As a result of it, the local 

exhibitors, the National Board of Review 

and both councils have received letters from 

such widely scattered places as New Hampshire, 

Idaho, Wisconsin and California. 

ACTIVE COUNCIL NECESSARY 

Mrs. Seixas said that the letters ask how 

parents and exhibitors should undertake the 

showing of good films to children, and how 

the public can be persuaded to "see the better 

pictures that are being made now." She 

finds that an active Motion Picture Council 

is the answer. Many such councils have 

been set up under National Board of Review 

auspices all over the country and are doing 

a realistic job in community service. 

The Larchmont undertaking originally had 

difficulties. Twenty years ago, when selected 

shows for children and young people were 

inaugurated, it was a weekly affair sponsored 

by Reed Albee, theatreman, who lived there, 

and was held in a local church. Admission 

was 50 cents. Eventually the novelty wore 

off, the films were "pretty bad," attendance 

dropped and the experiment was tried of 

moving Into the schools. There, with entertainment 

supplied by the theatre, performances 

were put on,' but the residents, while 

knowing films should be "selected," did not 

know how to go about making selections. 

CHURCH AND SCHOOL INSUFFICIENT 

One fact stood out. That was that neither 

a church nor a school can satisfy children 

as a place of entertainment. According to 

Mrs. Seixas, "it's just one more usual place 

to return to occasionally." So under Parent- 

Teachers Ass'n auspices, local groups gathered 

to hear Mrs. Bettina Gunczy, motion 

picture council secretary of the National 

Board of Review, describe the operations of 

the councils. One was set up locally with 

the added assistance of Mrs. Marie Hamilton, 

chairman of the schools motion picture committee 

of the National Board of Review. 

"The cooperation of our local theatre managers 

didn't come over night," Mrs. Seixas 

reports, "but when it did appear, it never 

wavered. One of our most obdurate managers 

is now our best booster. After a year 

or so, the National Board of Review was so 

impressed with our success that it invited 

the general manager of the theatre chain to 

speak at its spring conference. 

"Having won over the managers to our 

BOXOFFICE : 

: March 

24, 1951 

New Customer Service: 

Snow Is Brushed Off 

MINNEAPOLIS—With snowstorms an 

almost dally occun-ence the past several 

months and currently, some local Loop 

theatres, including the Minnesota Amusement 

Co.'s State and Lyric, are offering 

a new service for customers. It's snow 

sweeping. 

Ushers are lined up and await the patrons 

as they enter the theatre. With 

their brooms these ushers sweep the 

snow off the customers. It helps to dry 

the latter and make them more comfortable. 

It also saves theatre carpeting 

and seats from possible damage. 

"As June rolls around each year, we gather 

in the lobby of the theatre and in an atmosphere 

of friendliness and understanding discuss 

our program for the coming year. Attending 

this meeting are the chairman and 

co-chairman for each theatre, appointed by 

the council; the children's film library chairman, 

the council president, the managers 

and any other interested parent or member 

who cares to attend. The council offers a 

carefully selected list of titles and recommended 

shorts which we have culled from the 

children's film library and from the lists of 

shorts and cartoons compiled by the schools 

motion picture committee. We also set dates 

for the year's program. 

"Submitting our lists and getting the pictures 

are not always synonymous. There 

still is much to be desired in the way of good 

movie fare for children. A few years ago 

this fact was woefully true. Today, while 

suitable pictures are far from plentiful, there 

is a better supply, and that supply is within 

our reach through the children's film library. 

"The Motion Kcture Ass'n of America has 

secured the cooperation of the producers in 

retaining in its library prints of recommended 

children's films after they have made 

the circuit of the theatres. The chairman 

of the library, Mrs. Marjorie Dawson, has 

devised a 'wiggle test' for appraising a picture 

by charting the reactions of the youngsters 

as they view the film. This is an almost 

perfect method of evaluation, and we 

have found that these pictures are equally 

weU-received in both our theatres. 

"One theatre is a largB, double-feature 

house, while the other is a smaller, singlefeature 

one. We give the children in the 

double-feature house a little longer matinee 

show, perhaps an extra short or cartoon. 

The show runs about two and a half hours 

in the larger theatre and two hours in the 

smaller one. Admission is 25 cents for each 

matinee. 

COUNCIL STAFFS THEATRES 

"The council offers splendid opportunity 

for community participation. A chairman 

and co-chairman are appointed by the council 

to each theatre, and they in turn select 

their committees. They staff the theatres 

for each performance with mothers as hostesses. 

Girl Scouts and Cartp Fire Girls as 

polnt-of-view, ushers. we set out 

We love 

to prove 

having the girls. 

to them 

They 

that we could both 

take 

be 

themselves and their 

successful—the 

responsibilities 

council 

seriously. 

and the theatre. We promised 

The children take 

that 

orders 

our committees 

would good 

from them 

function 

naturedly, 

fully 

orders that 

each and 

we know 

every 

would 

time we had a show, 

be considered 

and that we 'too bossy' if 

would 

coming from 

understand adults. 

the theatre manager's position 

and respect "Police 

it, and not 

and fire 

expect 

protection 

him are provided 

to rearrange 

his schedule 

both inside and 

to 

outside 

suit the 

the 

whim 

theatres for 

of a 

few. We were every 

to have 

performance. 

complete The theatre 

supervision 

managers 

of the programs have their 

selected complete 

for 

staffs 

the Early 

on hand for the 

Bird 

matinees on Saturday mornings. 

matinees—not too easy 

We when 

would 

you have closed 

do two shows the 

a month, 

theatre at 

alternating 

midnight the 

between 

night before. 

the two theatres 

And of 

in our 

course 

town. 

there must 

Six 

always 

years 

be a good 

ago, 

our first Early Bird 

supply of 

show popcorn, etc. 

appeared, 

It is 

and 

amazing how 

from' 

October to May they 

many a 

have 

small crisis may 

continued 

be averted 

ever 

by a 

since. 

drink or a bar of candy. Just as with adults, 

there is no trouble when we have a good 

PLAN A YEAR AHEAD 

picture. 

"We find each performance must be considered 

a unit by itself. Never can we relax, 

sit back and say: 'This show will sell itself.' 

It does not. For each performance, the 

mothers on the council theatre staff enter 

a few days before each show, make announcements 

in classrooms or assemblies, use 

the public address system and give out heralds 

which have been printed by the theatre. 

OUTSTANDING COOPERAITON 

"Since we also put on a series of live plays 

or real stage shows, we use the schools quite 

frequently too. And we have fine cooperation 

down the line there, from the Board of 

Education and school superintendent down 

to the custodians who have lots of extra 

work to do for us after a performance. 

"Outstanding, too, is the cooperation between 

the theatres and the council—good 

community relationship materially supported 

by dependable, pleasant service rendered. 

We feel that the children's tastes in movies 

No 

are improved since we started our work. 

longer are they satisfied with an inferior 

picture or an all-cartoon show. 

"Of course we wish that children under 

six could be kept out of the theatre. There 

are no pictures made for children under 

school age, but they come with older brothers 

and sisters and we have the problems. 

During the showing of 'The Wizard of Oz,' 


57

International Variety 

Leaders 

Laud Achievement of Tent 12 

R. J. O'DONNELL 

MINNEAPOLIS—Here for a dedicatory 

dinner Tuesday (20) for the Northwest Variety 

Club's heart disease hospital on the University 

of Minnesota campus, heads of the 

Variety Clubs International tossed bouquets 

to the local tent for its achievement. The 

dinner was held in the clubrooms preceding 

the formal dedication in the university Men's 

Union building. 

Bill Elson of the Minneapolis tent introduced 

Marc Wolf, International chief barker; 

R. J. O'Donnell, ringmaster, and William Mc- 

Craw, executive director. 

"I am thrilled at the Minneapolis tent's 

challenge to service," said Wolf. "It has been 

cited to other tents as an example. I feel that 

its heart hospital is the greatest of all Variety 

Club projects to date and an inspiration 

for all the tents, revealing what can be done 

in the way of philanthropic endeavor and 

community served. 

"Although the Northwest Variety Club's 

membership is not the largest and its membership 

does not include the largest number 

of wealthy men, it has demonstrated that 

where there's a will there's a way, and it 

makes me proud to be the head of an organization 

that makes manifest that the entertaimnent 

industry is dominated by heart 

as weU as mind." 

The hospital will endear the Northwest 

Variety Club and the entertainment industry 

to everybody in the northwest, declared 

O'Donnell. The project should make its members 

proud to be a part of the entertainment 

industry, he said. The hospital is one of the 

finest things of a fine and inspiring industry, 

according to O'Donnell who also took occasion 

to commend the work that Wolf has 

done and what COMPO is accomplishing. 

"But," said O'Donnell, "nothing can do as 

much for the industry's good public relations 

and elevation as this heart hospital is doing." 

The hospital is a testimonial to the Northwest 

Variety Club's great leadership and the 

great public relations they have built as evidenced 

by the fact that such a great educational 

institution as the University of Minnesota 

Joins with it in an enterprise, asserted 

McCraw. He, too, declared that Northwest 

WILLIAM C. McCRAW 

Variety Club is the No. 1 tent in point of accomplishment. 

Both Wolf and O'Donnell adjured members 

against pessimism regarding their film industry 

because of television. Pointing out that 

television also is damaging other industries. 

Wolf advised exhibitors call this to the attention 

of members of such industries and, in 

reference to TV, to take a constructive instead 

of destructive attitude. They also 

called upon all to be Variety Club members in 

deeds as well as name by becoming active 

in their organizations. 

Selznick to Distribute 

French-Language Film 

NEW YORK—The Selznick 

Releasing Organization 

will distribute "The Joyful Pilgrims" 

(Les Joyeux Pelerins), which is now 

in 

production at the Buttes Chaumont Stu- 

The musi- 

dios, Paris, throughout the world. 

cal, which was co-financed by Selznick's 

French company, SRO, s.a.r.l, and by Union 

Cinemategraphique, Lyonnaise, stars Aime 

Barelli and his orchestra. Coco Asian and 

Fred Pasquali. Pasquali also directed. 

The residual selling on Selznick's last two 

features, "The Third Man" and "The Fallen 

Idol," is being handled by Eagle Lion Classics. 

Another British-made feature, "Gone to 

Earth," which was co-produced by Alexander 

Korda and stars Jennifer Jones and David 

Farrar, will have added scenes filmed in 

Hollywood before being released in the U.S. 

by SRO. 

Aneta, N. D., Club Buys Theatre 

ANETA, N. D.—Deprived of film entertainment 

when the Aneta Theatre was closed 

this town again has shows. The theatre was 

purchased by the Commercial Club. 

Japanese Actor Signed 

Japanese actor Henry Nakamura has been 

signed for MGM's "Westward, the Women," 

being personally produced by Dore Schary. 

How to Handle Films 

For Juvenile Shows 

(Continued from preceding page") 

which packed our theatre, there was a definite 

uneasiness during the witch sequences, 

and we found ourselves out in the lobby holding 

a child who proved to be only two and 

a half years old. When we telephoned the 

mother, she said she thought the baby would 

enjoy the picture. Another time we had 

some upset children on our hands when the 

horse in 'Black Beauty' seemed threatened 

with extinction in the fire scene. Keep the 

tots home, send the older children to specially 

selected pictures, and as an adult try to encourage 

and support the making of good 

films by going to your local theatre to see 

them. 

"We find the children are pretty good 

sports. Their behavior is noisily normal but 

controllable. They expect the heroes to be 

starkly white and the villains black. They 

want to see the villains get their 'comeuppance' 

every time. They look for and respond 

to integrity in a picture. They are 

very distressed when animals are mistreated. 

They like plenty of action and suspense (not 

tension), and they think love on a screen is 

a waste of film. Each Saturday we interview 

some of the children to get their reactions. 

They enjoy having their opinions 

asked and we are guided by them for future 

shows. 

"Through our Mamaroneck Daily Times 

and by means of bulletins we rate the good 

pictures for all ages. When a picture with 

outstanding educational value appears on the 

regular theatre schedule, such as 'Christopher 

Columbus' or 'The Secret Land' we go 

into the schools and tell the children about 

it. The schools have always supported our 

recommendations. 

"Each fall we have a membership tea 

when we outline our program briefly and 

have an informal speaker and a nice tea 

party. In the spring we have our big day 

a picture in the morning at our local theatre 

—something that would not be likely to appear 

on a regular run—a discussion following 

the showing, then luncheon and an informal 

speaker. We enjoy this day very much. 

"Six years of working in this field have 

proved in many ways the worth of the council 

as a community project. Our plans for 

the future are many, and our enthusiasm 

grows as we progress. We hope that many 

more communities will form their own councils 

and that together we may achieve a 

greater degree of 

success." 

Considering Candy Sales 

In All NBC-TV Studios 

NEW YORK—A candy-popcorn concession 

deal is said to be under consideration by the 

National Broadcasting Co. for all of its television 

studios and legitimate theatres being 

used for the top TV attractions. The idea Is 

to extend the use of vending machines already 

installed for employes to the general 

public and to make new installations in all 

other instances. The income from this source 

will contribute considerably to narrowing the 

present gap between program cost and sponsor 

income, according to TV executives, 

many of whom look upon this angle as more 

important than the public relations value 

of the new Installations. 


Drive-ins in Alabama 

Opening New Season 

BIRMINGHAM—More and more Alabama 

drive-ins are reopsning for the season. 

The Park-Vue Highland Park at Muscle 

Shoals reopened with two free shows on the 

first night. Kiddies were given favors. 

A free ten cent bag of popcorn with each 

ticket purchased on opening night was the 

attraction at King's Drive-In at Russellville. 

This theatre will open each Saturday and 

Sunday night during March and April. 

The Hub on the Robertsdale-Foley highway 

reopened last week (14). 

It's 

Drive-In Opening 

Time in Memphis Area 

MEMPHIS—Warm weather arrived and it's 

drive-in time again down south. 

Malco opened its North Little Rock Airer, 

last week. 

J. C. Mohrstadt announced April 1 as 

opening date for his 61 Drive-In at Hayti, 

Mo. 

Robert B. Lowrey opened the Skyvue at 

Jonesboro, Ark. last week. 

Malco opened the Audubon at Henderson, 

Ky., Friday (23). 

C. R. Green opened his Prescott at Prescott, 

Ark., last week. 

Don Doherty, manager, opened the White 

River at Batesville, Friday (23). 

H. T. Crawford opened his Big Four at 

Benton, Ark., last week. The Skyvue in Fort 

Smith also 

opened. 

Two new drive-ins, finished during the 

winter, set opening dates. The new 300-car 

65 Drive-In at Conway, Ark., owned by Mc- 

Clure & Montgomery, a partnership, will 

open March 29, Lonnie McClure said. Alton 

Sims of Robb & Rowley Tneacras said the 

Malvern (Ark.) Drive-In was opened last 

week. 

Reopen Alexandria, La., Theatre 

ALEXANDRIA, LA.—The Paramount Theatre 

here, closed several weeks for repairs, 

has been reopened with newly appointed 

Manager Fred Richards in charge. He has 

been in show business more than 20 years. 

Mississippi Airer Reopens 

PASS CHRISTIAN, MISS.—The 

Moonlite 

Drive-In, located on the beach near the east 

city limits on U.S. 90, has reopened for the 

season. 

New Drive-In at Daytona 

Prepares for Opening 

SOUTH DAYTONA—The $250,000, 

750-car 

No. 1 Drive-In, under construction here for 

the past six months, is nearing completion, 

and was expected to open soon. The builders 

are Nat and Bob Bernstein of Miami and 

Chicago, operators of other drive-ins in the 

middlewest and east. The showcase is streched 

over six and one-half acres leased from 

Charles Geiser, president of Florida Land 

Estates. 

Sporting a four-lane boxoffice entrance, 

the new outdoorer will feature king-size 

speakers, mosquito control, a 50x23 foot 

glassed-in concession house with seating facilities 

for 200 persons and a 29-foot highway 

sign costing $8,000. Later the owners 

plan to add a patio with umbrella chairs. 

Wometcos New Gateway 

Opens in Ft. Lauderdale 

Former Judge Sees 

First Talkie at 101 

St. Petersburg—Tall, grizzled 101- 

year-old Robert A. Early admitted he 

hasn't been living up to his name as he 

strolled into the Florida Theatre here 

March 12 to see his first talking picture. 

The former Corbin, Ky., judge, who was 

a special guest of the theatre, chuckled 

as he squinted in fascination as "Born 

Yesterday" unrolled upon the screen. 

After viewing the comedy, Early said 

"it was real good." He described Judy 

Holliday as a "pretty sharp little bird, 

after all." He thought it was a little late 

for him to start being a movie fan, although 

most of his 10 children, 27 grandchildren 

and 43 greatgrandchildren are 

rabid theatregoers. The still active centenarian 

lives here with his daughter, 

Mrs. A. V. Copes. 

'Mailman' Florida Debut 

May Be at Boca Raton 

BOCA RATON, FLA.—There's a strong 

possibility that this town may get the state 

premiere of "The Barefoot Mailman." Jack 

Cohn, sr., executive vice-president of Columbia 

Pictures, said recently while vacationing 

here "a premiere at Boca Raton would be 

ideal as it is the home of the author Theodore 

Pratt and also Mrs. J. Myer Schine, who 

gave me the inspiration to produce it last 

winter while I was here." 

Cohn's son Robert, who is the producer of 

the motion picture, is arranging a world premiere 

for Hollywood. 

Theatre Bandit Is Given 

18-Year Prison Term 

SHREVEPORT—A 22-year-old bandit who 

held up the Majestic Theatre here January 

18 and fled with $71 was sentenced to 18 

years in the state penitentiary. After holding 

up Mrs. Mattie Garrigus, Majestic cashier, 

Arthur Wren wounded a police officer in a 

gun battle that preceded his arrest. 

Theatre Hosts Benefit 

MIAMI — The Harlem Theatre here, a 

Wometco unit, was host on March 6 to a 

benefit show for Leroy LaFleur, a Miami 

policeman slain by a gunman recently. Emceeing 

the affair was Walter Winchell who 

introduced such stars as "Sugar Ray" Robinson, 

Billy Daniels and members of the Larry 

Steel's revue at the Cotton Club. The stage 

show was followed by the screening of "I'd 

Climb the Highest Mountain." 

Bike for Kiddy Clubbers 

HUNTSVILLE, ALA.—A free Donald Duck 

bicycle is being given away each Saturday 

morning at the Lyric Theatre Kiddie club 

"meeting." Fourteen local merchants are cooperating 

and distribute free coupons. 

MIAMI—Wometco's newest luxury house, 

the Gateway, which opens Saturday (24), is 

the largest theatre between Miami and 

Jacksonville, almost the length of the state. 

It has some 1,500 seats of the same type as 

in Wometco's Miami Beach Carib, recently 

opened and attracting nationwide attention 

for many novel features. 

The smoking loge is equipped with 300 

Heywood-Wakefield rocking chairs, upholstpred 

in foam rubber and spaced 43 inche.

HART 

jy^Y FRIEND V. D. HUNTER, who has been 

in Orlando 16 years, now as city manager 

for Florida State Theatres, reported he 

got a real editorial 

from the local paper 

after screening "I'd 

Climb the Highest 

Mountain." It even included 

a mention of 

the playdates. Hunter 

said receiving BOX- 

OFFICE is just like 

having a visit from an 

old showman friend 

every week. 

The Roxy was reopened 

recently at Orlando, 

after having been shuttered for many 

months, with a tab and vaudeville show 

called "The Continental Vanities of 1951." 

The four opening day performances, plus 

"Belle Le Grand," played to good audiences. 

R. M. Saunders was moved over from the 

Grand to manage the house. 

F. C. Bowman, manager of the Rialto in 

Orlando, had been home with pneumonia 

but was back on the job. 

« * * 

E. A. "Dad" Howe, who manages the Orlando 

Lincoln, said that business "was satisfactory." 

Howe makes friends with everyone, 

which may account for his steady business. 

W. J. Wilson, who manages the Beacham 

in Orlando, commented on the new Promotion 

section of BOXOFFICE, saying "it is 

the greatest exhibitor helper any tradepaper 

has ever published." He said he did very 

well with "Call Me Mister." 

Manager J. E. Thrift of the Colony in Winter 

Park recently played a roadshow attraction 

at advanced prices and reserved seats 

in a tieup with the local college. Mrs. Thrift 

was visiting her father at West Palm Beach. 

T. T. "Tony" Harper of the advertising 

and publicity department of Florida State 

Theatres in Orlando said that it kept one 

busy nowadays figuring out angles to draw 

the public in. 

Laurence K. Maas and son-in-law John R. 

BEATS 

Sutton, who took over the Vogue neighborhood 

house Christmas day, have had a lot 

of bad luck with their marquee. About two 

weeks ago a truck collided with a car and 

ripped off the Vogue marquee, forcing using 

of the side exit until the marquee could be 

rebuilt. Maas hails from Minneapolis, but 

Sutton, former assistant manager at the 

Vogue, is a native of Orlando. Air conditioning 

and a new candy bar is being installed 

and minor repairs are being made 

in the 700-seat house. Maas has moved his 

family to Orlando and expects to sell his 

theatre at Minneapolis in the near future. 

* * 

At the Orlando Drive-In Manager A. F. 

Horton played "Kim" to a very nice audience. 

Joe Lipsom, manager of the Winter Park 

Drive-In, recently had the mumps but was 

about over them. I found both men busy 

with ground maintenance as both are sticklers 

for cleanliness. 

Bob Partlow, manager of the Kuhl Avenue 

Drive-In, was greeting each patron personally. 

He formerly managed the Cook Theatre 

in Dayton, Ohio, where he learned that 

friendliness with patrons pays off. He booked 

"King of Kings" for Palm Sunday. 

* -* * 

J. R. Partlow and partner L. H. Andrews 

of the Prairie Lake Drive-In near Orlando 

were working on their books, and like everyone 

else complained about the cold winter 

hurting business. 

At the Ri-Mar Drive-In, Orlando, Mr. and 

Mrs. George Mai-tin were getting ready to 

open for the evening. They have ponies, 

boat rides, swings and miniature chairplanes 

as attractions for kiddies, plus a miniature 

firetruck. The restrooms and the concession 

stand were being enlarged to provide more 

storage space for candy and supplies. The 

Martins raise gamecocks as a hobby. Their 

entry won the Orlando stag derby recently. 

This contest attracts nationwide attendance 

to Orlando every year. The Martins are 

friendly people who naturally attract patrons 

to their drive-in. They operate the concession 

business themselves. 

All of the drive-ins in the Orlando area 

are using a combined program listing the 

attractions of all for a week. They are distributed 

to patrons. 

* * 

C. B. Shirard of the Sanford Auto Theatre 

booked "The Prince of Peace" for March 

20, 21. He was starting an eight-week giveaway 

program sponsored by local merchants 

on the weekend (23) offering 30 major prizes. 

Shirard is another operator that had found 

his concession stand too small, and is now 

enlarging it and has installed a large hotdog 

bunwarmer as well as a doughnut machine. 

Stopping at the Ritz Theatre in Sanford, 

I found my old friend Bob Harris busy enlarging 

the candy bar so that more items 

could be handled. He has painted the stand 

and foyer and installed glass service doors 

opening to the street so that sales can be 

made from either the theatre lobby or street 

side. He plans to sell fan magazines as he 

says there are many calls for them. Bob has 

been with the company for the last 22 years. 

* * * 

The new Boulevard Drive-In about a mile 

south of De Land was being readied for a 

March 15 opening. It will handle about 400 

cars and is RCA equipped. The projection 

both on top of the concession stand has a 

throw of 430 feet. The entrance lanes are 

about 700 feet long so that cars can be gotten 

off the highway. The airer is owned by 

LeRoy Johnson and C. B. Redmond of Knoxville, 

Tenn. Johnson is a native of Florida 

and will manage. He is well known in 

theatrical circles as he used to work for the 

Lam circuit at Rome, Ga., and recently was 

employed as projectionist at drive-in theatres. 

Manager Joe Fleishel of the recently remodeled 

Athens at De Land made a tape recording 

of comments when he screened "I'd 

Climb the Highest Mountain" to be broadcast 

with the opening. He also set up a display 

at the local college that featured a painting 

by Norman Rockwell of a scene from 

"Samson and Delilah." 

-•f * * 

Bill Tyson was not in at the Dreka when 

I called but had his displays looking very 

nice. Bill stayed on with Talgar when that 

circuit took over the theatre in De Land. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ralph E. Hawker of the De 

Land Drive-In were still repairing damage 

caused by last fall's hurricane. The screen 

tower was blown down, which kept them shut 

down for four months. A new steel screen 

was erected and the theatre now is operating 

again. A son named Clifford was born 

to the Hawkers in January. Mr. and Mrs. 

Hawker live in a trailer parked on the 

grounds. They plan to beautify the grounds 

this spring. 

* * * 

_,Xr,^ 

W. D. H. Huttig, left, Is mana|;er and treasurer of the Neptune Drive-In at Daytona 

Beach, and LeRoy Johnson, right, is manager and co-owner of the Boulevard 

Drive-In which opened March 15 near De Land, Fla. 

W. D. H. Huttig, manager and secretary 

of the 460-car Neptune Drive-In at Daytona 

Beach, which opened last December, is proud 

of his refreshment counter of stainless steel 

and aluminum with built-in refrigeration, 

popcorn popper, etc. The gleaming counters 

are easy to keep clean and attractive. The 

theatre has a beautiful location with a river 

on one side of it and an ocean on the other, 

giving it a mean summer temperature of 

about 78 degrees. 

Guy Spangler of Urbana, Ohio, who opened 

the 420-car Salem (Ohio) Drive-In last summer, 

had been helping Huttig operate the 

Neptune Drive-In during the winter, but is 

returning to Ohio to get the Salem ready 

to reopen about April 15. He said he had 

gained a lot of experience this winter and 

will put on a Farm night once a week at the 

Salem, promoting prizes and mercha:idise 

60 BQXOFFICK ;: March 24, 1951

from farm dealers in the trade area. He 

also plans on having an auction each Saturday 

afternoon at the drive-in, where farmers 

can bring tools, furniture and livestock to 

sell. There will be no charge to the farmer 

for the service, as he will promote a local 

auctioneer for each sale. Spangler believes 

that placing one's theatre ahead of profits 

will be rewarded with top attendance. He 

asserted service is the keynote to good relations 

with one's neighbors. 

* * * 

Mark Dupree, city manager for Florida 

State Theatres in Daytona Beach, showed 

me the pushback chairs being installed at the 

Daytona Theatre. He was opening the house 

with the southern premiere of "Royal Wedding." 

Richard Crossley recently was transferred 

from the Florida Theatre in Gainesville to 

manage the Daytona. My old friend C. S. 

Humphrey was not in at the Florida in Daytona 

Beach when I called. Ditto J. L. Cartwright, 

district manager for Florida State, 

who headquarters in the Empire. 

Bill Nearing, who manages the Empire, said 

that "Of Men and Music" was a wonderful 

picture, and that he was having Tex Beneke 

and orchestra on the stage for one day. He 

recently played the tab show, "Continental 

Vanities of 1951," for a three-day stand. The 

No. 1 Drive-In at Daytona Beach was rapidly 

nearing completion as they were sodding and 

landscaping. 

CHARLOTTE 

C. Gifford, editor of the Hickory Daily 

J 

Record, paid high praise to the motion 

picture industry in a recent editorial, noting 

that one out of every seven films produced 

last year achieved a "best film" rating, 

Gifford said the industry is measuring up 

to its slogan that Movies Are Better Than 

Ever. 

. . . 

Everett Olsen, Paramount publicist, was 

Hank 

in New Orleans and Memphis 

Hearn, local theatreman, was the subject 

of an article in a recent issue of the Observer. 

Hearn described his hobby-magic 

and the difficulty he has in baffling children 

. . . Mike Honeycutt, 6, critically ill with 

leukemia in a hospital near his home in 

Kannapolis, N. C, received a letter and 

photographs from Roy Rogers . R. L. Wilburn, 

. . 

operator of the Buffalo (S. C.) Thea- 

tre, has taken over operation of the Pacolet 

Theatre from Tom Harmon. 

Three members of the Variety Club will 

attend the convention of the Variety-International 

in Philadelphia May 9. They will 

be Frank Beddingfield, Scott Lett and Don 

Graham. The Variety Club has resumed 

its Saturday night entertainment schedule 

in the Charlotte hotel clubrooms. A buffet 

supper is served members and guests and a 

three-piece orchestra furnishes music. 

Wilton Clark, star of "Oklahoma!" was 

here last week as guest of friends . . . The 

Family Drive-In is fast becoming the family 

theatre, L. L. Theimer, district manager of 

Dixie Drive-ins, said in a story in the Charlotte 

News last week. 

Scientist in Picture 

Gerry Gwynne of the Engineering department 

of UCLA has been loaned to Paramount 

to assist in the George Pal production, 

"When Worlds Collide." 

Theatre Managers in 

When BOXOFFICE representative 

Harry Hart was in the Orlando, Fla., area 

recently calling on theatremen he made 

good use of his camera with the above 

results. Shown in the top photo, left to 

right, front row, are V. D. Hunter, city 

manager of Orlando for Florida State 

Theatres; Roy C. Bowman, manager of the 

Rialto, and E. A. "Dad" Howell, manager 

of the Lincoln. Back row: R. M. Saunders, 

manager of the Roxy; J. E. Thrift, 

manager of Colony; W. J. "Billy" Wilson, 

manager of the Beacham, and T. T. 

"Tony" Harper, advertising manager and 

publicity man for the theatres. All are of 

Orlando except Thrift, of nearby Winter 

Park. 

Sentenced in Theatre Robberies 

SHREVEPORT—Henry Fletcher, 25, and 

his 19-year-old wife received sentences for 

two burglaries of the Venus Theatre here 

which netted them $170 and a flashlight. 

Fletcher was sentenced to six years in the 

state penitentiary. His wife, the mother of 

a 15-month-old child by a former marriage, 

was given a suspended sentence of two years. 

Orlando Area 

In the lower left photo are J. R. Partlow 

and L. H. Andrews, owners and managers 

of the Prairie Lake Drive-In and 

also the Kuhl Avenue Drive-In at Orlando. 

Pictured at the upper right beneath the 

large picture are John R. Sutton jr. and 

Laurence K. Maas, new operators of the 

Vogue in Orlando. They took the house 

over last Christmas day. Maas hails from 

Minneapolis and Sutton, who is a native of 

Orlando, was formerly assistant manager 

of the theatre. 

At the lower right is Joe Lipson, manager 

of the Winter Park Drive-In, and 

A. F. Horton, manager of the Orlando 

Drive-In for Dixie Drvie-In Theatres. 

Marriage at Shreveport 

Unites Two Managers 

SHREVEPORT—W. A. Wingo, manager of 

the Don Theatre here, and Mrs. Hazel Sapp, 

manager of the Davis Theatre in Bossier, 

were married in a church ceremony Sunday 

(11). Bossier is just across the Red river 

from Shreveport. 


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MIAMI 

Phe Roosevelt theatre, which opened as 

a motion picture house and then switched 

to a straight show policy, had success with 

its first production, "Borscht Capades of 

1951," which had a seven-week run. The 

theatre remains closed for a short period before 

opening with another revue, "Bagel 

Scandals." Seats are reserved. 

. . . The 

Gary Cooper was here briefly in connection 

with his part in "Distant Drums," which 

Warners is making near Naples on the edge 

of the Everglades. Other locales will be 

Silver Springs and St. Augustine 

Cinema, a neighborhood, had the first Greater 

Miami showing of the American Yiddish 

revue, "Monticello, Here We Come." 

The Nicholas Schencks of MGM fame, 

residents here, are expecting their daughters 

Joanne and Nicky home from Finch and 

Miss Walker's, respectively, for the Easter 

holidays. Eric Johnston, former MPAA 

head, also is expected as a visitor. Daughter 

Martha is rehearsing an English play that is 

scheduled for Broadway late in the spring. 

Mrs. Schenck, who is acquiring a racing 

stable the hard way, purchased a brood mare 

who has produced two fillies, latest only a 

few days old. 

The Boulevard Drive-In recently gave customers 

a jackpot double bill with "Mr. Music" 

and "Storm Warning," both comparatively 

hot off their first runs here . . The opening 

. 

of "I Can Get It for You Wholesale" was 

billed at the Carib and Miracle theatres as 

a world premiere, but minus klieg lights and 

parades. 

Bob Daugherty, manager of the Olympia, 

presented as a climax to the theatre's silver 

jubilee celebration weeks a stage presentation 

titled "Fashions of Yesterday and 

Today." For "yesterday" he picked 1926, the 

year the Olympia opened, and for "today" 

1951 fashions. In a tie-in with Hartley's 

store, today's fashions were shown, using 

Greater Miami Coronet models. By courtesy 

of Paramount studios, who dug deep into 

wardrobe vaults, fashions of 1926 were displayed. 

Eve Tellegen was the commentator 

for the showing. The Les Rhode band 

furnished the music. 

Good timing by the Colony Art Theatre 

made possible the showing of "Toast of 

New Orleans," starring Mario Lanza, at the 

time when the singer filled a concert engagement 

here that sold standing room in 

Miami Beach's new large auditorium. Colony 

ads read: "If you cannot hear Mario Lanza 

in his Miami Beach concert appearance you 

can enjoy his golden voice and magnetic personality 

in MGM's Champagne of Musicals." 

Lanza remained for a ten-day vacation. 

Another good bit of timing was Wometco's 

showing of "Call Me Mister" at the same 

time Danny Thomas, who plays a part in the 

film, filled a club engagement in Miami 

Beach. Thomas made a personal appearance 

at the Lincoln, a large easel in the lobby 

heralding the event. 

Actor John Payne got sand in his shoes 

during his recent filmmaking stint for Paramount 

at Homosassa Springs, and has purchased 

a home there. 

Servemaster Installed 

MEMPHIS—National Theatre Supply here 

has installed a new Hollywood Servemaster 

popcorn warmer in the Twin Drive-In, West 

Helena, Ark. 

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Ebb 

. . Rufus 

Georgia Ass'n in Call 

To Film Producers 

» 

ATLANTA—More than 100 showmen attending 

the monthly meeting of Motion Picture 

Theatre Owners and Operators of 

Georgia here adopted a resolution to urge 

Hollywood to produce more films in Georgia. 

The open invitation was introduced by J. R. 

Thompson, president of the group. 

Three films, "I'd Climb the Highest Mountain," 

"Swamp Water" and "The Biscuit 

Eater," all shot in Georgia, were top grossers 

in the state. 

The resolution will be presented at the 

annual TOOG convention meeting in Atlanta 

May 13-15. A speaker at the monthly 

meeting was William Lester, special assistant 

to Charles D. Redwind, state revenue commissioner. 

Lester briefed the theatremen 

on the upcoming 3 per cent sales tax which 

goes into effect in Georgia April 1. 

Georgia Theatre Co. Adds 

$18,830 to Dimes Fund 

ATLANTA—Georgia Theatre Co. President 

William K. Jenkins last week (15) had turned 

over $18,830 to the Georgia chapter of the 

National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. 

That amount was taken up through audience 

collections in the 1951 March of Dimes by 

the theatre under Jenkins' direction. 

"The Georgia chapter is delighted with 

the success of the 1951 theatre collections," 

said Charles F. Palmer, state director of this 

year's campaign, in receiving the Georgia 

Theatre Co. check. "We hope that the Georgia 

Theatre Co. will carry on year after year 

in this great humanitarian movement." 

Jenkins, who pioneered in bringing southern 

theatres into the first March of Dimes, 

had urged his managers to cooperate with 

increased zeal to help meet the heavy increase 

in polio in recent years and the financial 

plight of the Georgia chapter. He 

considers the annual "March" as the industry's 

leading humanitarian project and its 

most potent public relations gesture. 

Picks 'Voice' as Top Film 

GREEN'^riLLE, MISS. — Robert Woodard, 

projectionist at the Lake Theatre here nine 

years, has seen 2,288 motion pictures during 

the 11 years that he has been in business. 

That fact was brought out in a feature 

story, accompanied by a two-column cut 

which the Delta Democrat-Times ran on 

Woodard, who came here from Greenwood, 

Miss. Woodard says that "The Next "Voice 

You Hear ." 

. . is one of the most outstanding 

film he has even shown. 

'Cyrano' to Move to Golden 

At End of Its 20th Week 

NEW YORK—"Cyrano de Bergerac" wiU 

move from the Bijou Theatre to the Golden 

Theatre April 4, the day after it completes 

the 20th week of its run. George J. Schaefer, 

president of the Stanley Kramer Distributing 

Corp., has made the arrangement with Maurice 

Maurer, vice-president of the City Entertainment 

Corp., because Lopert Distributing 

Co., which has an arrangement with the City 

Investment Co., wants the theatre for another 

picture on that date. 

ATLANTA 

TIT E. Green, president of National Theatre 

Supply Co., Oscar S. Oldknow, vicepresident, 

and branch managers and salesmen 

from Atlanta, Charlotte, New Orleans, 

Memphis, Dallas and Oklahoma City at- 

Davis 

tended a district session here . 

of Martin-Davis Theatres, Dothan, Ala., was 

here several days. 

On the Row were Ed Beach, Ilan Theatre, 

Fernandina, Fla.; Neil Edwards, Lithonia. 

Ga.; Hap Barnes, Montgomery; Roy Mitchell, 

Stone Mountain; Mrs. Wallace Smith, Barnesville; 

Tommy Thompson, Martin-Thompson 

Theatres. Hawkinsville ; Duncan, CarroUton; 

E. J. Hunter, Colquitt: J. R. Roberts. 

Thomaston; John Peck, Eatonton; M. W. 

Peck, Sparta; Nat Williams, Thomasville; 

Rufus Getzen, Griffin, and W. M. Snelson, 

Co-At-Co Theatres, Toccoa. 

. . . The 

Elizabeth Wallace, National Screen booker, 

vacationed in West Palm Beach 

Penthouse Theatre closed this week for an 

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indefinite period ... A parade of 1,000 men 

from Dobbins air force base at Marietta, a 

50-piece band and other military units 

ushered in the southern premiere of "Air 

Cadet" at Loew's Grand here. The parade 

was led by Betty Burkeen, selected by Atlanta 

airmen as Miss Air Cadet of 1951. 

Theatre and City Locked 

In Property Dispute 

NEW ORLEANS—The city of New Orleans 

has charged Leeco, Inc., and T. A. Pittman, 

owner of the Pitt Theatre at Elysian Fields 

and Hibernia, with using city property in its 

operations. The city council action alleges 

Leeco and Pittman are violating an ordinance 

relative to "using public streets and public 

places for private purposes." Officials have 

discussed possible sale of the city property 

to the theatre but the council said the owners 

have not approached the city in this 

connection. 

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MEMPHIS 

T ong & Woods has purchased the Joy Theaatre 

in Saltillo, Tenn., from Marvin Deaton 

and will book and buy out of Memphis, 

Harry L. Long, of the partnership, said . . . 

Mrs. Emma Rater has bought the Vicksburg 

(Miss.) Drive-In. She also operates the Camden 

Drive-In in Ark. . . . Joe Wofford, Jomac, 

Eupora; Leon Roundtree, Holly, Holly Springs; 

A. N. Rossi, Roxy, Clarksdale; C. J. Collier, 

Globe, Shaw; T. E. Williams, Tyson, Clarksdale, 

and J. A. Owen. Amory, Amory, were 

among Mississippi exhibitors on Filmrow. 

First run Memphis business continues better 

than the same period a year ago . . . Women 

of Variety staged a style show and buffet 

dinner at club headquarters. Mrs. Leonard 

Shea was general chairman, Mrs. Gus Haas3 

chairman of models, Mrs. Graden Todd decorations 

chairman and Mrs. F. J. Kaiser was 

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INVITED 

in charge of ticket sales. Models included 

Ruthie Hartie, Mrs. Al Rothschild, Mrs. Neil 

Blount, Mrs. Kemmons Wilson, Mrs. Henry 

Hammond, Mrs. Tate Baker, Mrs. Fred Myers, 

Mrs. C. L. Rounsaville, Katherine Randle, 

Mrs. Gus Haase, Mrs. Edward Sapinsley, Mrs. 

G. L. Brandon, Mrs. Nathan Reiss and Mrs. 

Elliott Johnson. 

Benny Bluestein, entertainment chairman 

for Variety, was elected first assistant barker, 

and Edward Sapinsley, Malco official, second 

assistant. Chauncer Barbour, Ellis Auditorium 

manager, was elected to the board. 

R. L. Bostick, elevated to chief barker recently 

when Ed Williamson was transferred 

to Dallas, was re-elected chief barker for 

a full term. 

. . J, C. 

Mrs. R. L. Bostick returned from Mayo's 

clinic, recovered after an operation . 

Mohrstadt, Joy, Hayti, and A. D. Fielder, 

Steele, Steele, were in town from Missouri. 

Fielder has been ill in the hospital and his 

friends were glad to see him fully recovered 

and back on Filmrow. 

Aubrey Webb, Webb, Ripley; M. E. Rice jr.. 

Rice, Brownsville; R. B. Gooch, Ritz, Selmer; 

Guy Amis, Princess, Lexington; Louise Mask, 

Luez, Bolivar; Onie Ellis, Mason, Mason, and 

N. B. Fair, Fair, Somerville, were exhibitors 

booking from Tennessee. 

From Arkansas came Paul Shafer and 

Robert Bradley, Poinsett Drive-In, Marked 

Tree; W. R. Lee, Gem, Heber Springs; C. R. 

Gray, Skylark Drive-In, Newport; J. W. 

Crabtree jr., Merlu, Clarendon; K. H. Kinney, 

Hays, Hughes; J. R. Keller, Joiner, Joiner, 

Jim Singleton, Tyro, Tyronza; Pinky Tipton, 

New, Manila; Zell Jaynes, Joy, West Memphis; 

Robert Lowrey, Skyvue Drive-In, Jonesboro; 

O. W. McCutchen, Roxy, Blytheville, 

and W. L. Landers, Landers, Batesville. 

Mrs. Perry McCown has closed her Joy 

Theatre, Blue Mountain, Miss., indefinitely. 

Hoffberg Acquires Series 

Of 12 Symphonic Shorts 

NEW YORK—Hoffberg Productions, Inc., 

has acquired a series of 12 ten-minute 

ballet and symphonic films for distribution 

in the western hemisphere. They feature the 

Vienna Symphony orchestra under the direction 

of Robert Stolz, the Vienna Staatsopera 

ballet and the Vienna Chamber chorus. 

Seven of the films have been completed, 

including "Mass in G Major," "Gypsy 

Baron," "The Blue Danube" ^nd "Salzburg 

Fiesta." The other five are scheduled for 

production during April and May. 

Cornell Co. Organized 

For Documentary Films 

NEW YORK—Cornell Film Productions, 

Inc., headed by Milton J. Salzberg, has been 

organized to make Industrial social sciences 

films. Salzberg recently produced the short 

subject, "Pattern for Survival," telling what 

civilians should do In an atomic attack. 

Cornell has started work on its first production, 

"Target: U.S.A.," a two-reel documentary 

in color. Herman Boxer, former 

MGM writer, is In charge of production. 

Bob Wilby Day Slated 

April 3 in Selma, Ala. 

Selma, Ala.—April 3 will be Bob 

Wilby day in Selma. That's the date 

that Selma Rotarians have chosen to 

honor R. B. Wilby, Wilby-Kincey circuit 

executive and a native of Selma. 

Cooperating in the arrangements is 

Roger Butler jr., manager of the Wilby 

Theatre here. He's offering $10 for a 

copy of the Selma Times of April 3, 1911. 

That's the date that Wilby is believed to 

have made his formal bow in the theatrical 

world at the old Academy Theatre. 

Faye Emerson Show 

Set for Variety Event 

PHILADELPHIA—Arrangements have been 

concluded for Faye Emerson to do her television 

show from the roof garden of the 

Bellevue-Stratford hotel as part of the entertainment 

for the 15th annual convention 

of Variety Clubs International May 9-12. The 

television show will be followed by a reception, 

buffet supper and dance, according to 

Victor H. Blanc, general chairman. 

Among other events scheduL-d by the entertainment 

committee are a sea food dinner 

at Bookbinder's restaurant, famous in local 

history for nearly 100 years; the Variety Club 

Handicap at the Garden State race track, 

at which Mrs. Marc J. Wolf, wife of the international 

chief barker, will give a trophy to 

the owner of the winning hcr-ê, and a cocktail 

party, luncheon and fashion show for 

the women, at which Morton Downey will 

sing. 

Saturday evening a grand banquet will 

climax the convention, when Ken Murray and 

his cast will present an hour-long television 

show based on the history of the Variety 

Clubs and the Humanitarian award will be 

presented. During the banquet, women will 

be entertained at a cocktail party and dinner 

at the Latin Casino, one of this city's swankier 

night spots, with a floor show especial'.y prepared 

for them. 

During the convention as time permits 

there will be personal tours to the historic 

spots in and about the city. 

To Pay License Fees 

AMBRIDGE, PA. — Local theatres, which 

originally paid license fees of $200 to $300 

prior to passage of the borough's mercantile 

tax law, have been returned to the original 

fee. Ambridge officials, informed that the 

theatres have been paying from $25 to $50 

each for licenses under the mercantile tax 

law, said the theatre owners will be directed 

to pay the $200 or $300 fees as stipulated in 

the 1951 ordinance, based on seating capacity. 

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64 BOXOFTICE March 24. 1951

$35,000 Fire Sweeps 

Sumter, S. C, Lyric 

SUMTER, S. C—A recent early morning 

$35,000 fire gutted the Lyric Theatre here. 

Origin of the blaze is not known. Isadore 

Denmark and J. Lawrence Goldsmith, operators 

of the theatre, estimated their loss at 

near $10,000. The building was owned by the 

Liberty Holding Co., and Sam Weinberg, 

president, said the structure loss would run 

near $25,000. 

Gconbling War at Wabash 

Brings Halt to Bank Night 

f'.'oni Central Edition 

WABASH, IND.—A sweeping antigambling 

war in the city and the county has made 

bank night a casualty in the two local film 

houses. Both Mayor Eward Timmons and 

Sheriff Cecil Reynolds announced that bank 

night, in operation here a dozen or more 

years, no longer will be tolerated. Clubs, 

which have been playing bingo weekly, also 

stopped those games. 

This action was taken when some members 

of the city council said the drive was 

"half-hearted" and should extend to bank 

night, 

bingo and raffles. 

Pal Amusement to Build 

Hinesville, Ga„ Drive-In 

VIDALIA, GA.—The Pal Amusement Co. 

here, operator of a chain of theatres, is 

building a drive-in at Hinesville near Camp 

Stewart. 

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HUBERT MITCHELL Industries 

Hartselle, Alabama 

Chipley,Fla., Will Try 

Again on Theatre Tax 

CHIPLEY, FLA. — City councilmen, who 

were turned down last month by the Florida 

supreme court in their attempt to legalize 

a theatre admission tax here, now plan to 

seek the legal authority through the state 

legislature. 

In a suit originally brought by Martin 

Theatres on behalf of its Chipley house, the 

high court reversed a circuit court decision 

and ruled the city's tax ordinance unconstitutional. 

Similar suits brought by the same 

chain in Port St. Joe and Panama City were 

decided for the plaintiffs in circuit court. 

War Aid Appearances 

Total 80 in February 

From Hollywood Edition 

HOLLYWOOD—Film players made 80 appearances 

during February to cheer wounded 

GIs or otherwise aid the armed forces, it 

was disclosed by the Hollywood Coordinating 

Committee, which handles all such events. 

On Operation Starlift, in which thespians 

make weekend trips to the Travis air base 

hospital, 34 players entertained there during 

the month, while the HCC reported a total 

of 157 appearances by Hollywood talent for 

all approved functions, an increase over the 

137 appearances chalked up in January. 

Raybond Trying Passbook 

Plan in Nine Theatres 

From Eastern Edition 

NEW YORK—David Weinstock, president 

of Raybond Theatres, has signed a deal with 

Harry Schooler, head of the Metropolitan 

Passbook Plan, to use it in nine houses of 

his circuit. Under this arrangement a patron 

gets $15 worth of free admissions, free 

dinners, free beauty treatments, automobile 

lubrications, free laundry and dry cleaning 

and other things for $1.98. 

the Bronx—Rose- 

Two Raybond houses in 

dale and Globe; three in Queens—Mayfair, 

Earle and Strand; two in Brooklyn—Colony 

and Rogers; one in Paterson—State, and 

one in Newark—Rialto—will honor passbooks 

good for five admissions each. 

This plan was recently tried out by Interborough 

circuit. It has been in use in some 

coast cities for about eight years. The patron 

buys the book by mail. The theory is that 

if he goes to a theatre he will take somebody 

with him and may become a regular patron. 

Censor Praises Industry, 

But Argues Control Need 

From Eastern Edition 

NEW YORK—Dr. Hugh M. Flick of the 

New York state censor board told a Parent- 

Teacher Ass'n audience that while 90 per 

cent of the films shown throughout the U.S. 

have production code seals, 40 per cent of 

those his division processed in 1950 lacked 

them. 

Theatre Has Unusual Screen 

HOT SPRINGS, ARK.-W. Clyde Smith, 

city manager for Malco Theatres here, says 

the downtown Malco is one of the few theatres 

in the country with the new J. R. Clancy 

Simpleform contour curtain. The showcase 

was opened in February 1946. 

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gg BOXOFFICE :: March 24, 1951

OKLAHOMA ASS'N CONVENTION 

STARTS AT OKLAHOMA CITY 

Talks by Variety Leaders, 

Style Show for Women 

Are Features 

OKLAHOMA CITY—Top industry leaders 

will vie for attention with Hollywood star 

Debbie Reynolds, door prizes and an eyecatching 

style show at the Theatre Owners 

of Oklahoma convention opening Monday 

(26) at the Biltmore hotel here. 

Among the speakers Morris Loewensteln, 

TOO president, has slated to address the 

convention is Herman Levy of New Haven, 

Conn., general counsel for Theatre Owners 

of America, who talks Monday noon. 

The Tuesday luncheon speaker will be Robert 

W. Coyne, New York, special counsel for the 

Committee of Motion Picture Organizations. 

Leon Bamberger, RKO public relations executive 

in New York, will speak on "Censorship 

vs. Self-Regulation." Also booked to 

speak are H. M. Richey, MGM, and Jack 

Jackson, NSS, both public relations officials. 

EQUIPMENT EXECUTIVE TO TALK 

The business sessions will include general 

discussion on industry problems, with emphasis 

on auction bidding, legislation, trade practices, 

concession and television. Also participating 

in the convention program will be 

Ray Colvin, executive secretary of the National 

Equipment Dealers Ass'n of St. Louis. 

On Sunday (25) the board of directors 

meets at the Variety Club in the Black hotel. 

The annual election of officers will be held 

Tuesday afternoon. Besides President Loewensteln 

other current officers are C. B. Akers, 

Tulsa, first vice-president; Max Brock, Lawton, 

second vice-president; Ralph Talbot, 

Tulsa, secretary-treasurer, and J. C. Hunter, 

Tulsa, chairman of the board. 

DEBBIE REYNOLDS ATTENDS 

Highlight of the convention will be the dinner 

program Tuesday night. In addition to 

MGM star Miss Reynolds, other special guests 

and speakers will be R. J. "Bob" O'Donnell, 

Dallas, Interstate Theatre circuit official; W. 

C. McCraw, Dallas, executive director of Variety; 

Marc Wolf , Indianapolis, Variety International 

head, and the Rev. W. H. Alexander, 

Oklahoma City revivalist. 

Prior to the banquet Mr. and Mrs. J. Eldon 

Peek of Oklahoma Theatre Supply will be 

hosts for a cocktail party and reception at 

the Biltmore. 

As an added attraction Loewenstein has 

arranged for several "super" door prizes. National 

llieatre Supply has a $145 Webster 

wire recorder for some lucky person, Goldfarb 

will give jewelry, Manley has offered 

two $25 merchandise awards, Oklahoma Theatre 

Supply will give a record player and 

United Film Service of Kansas City is donating 

$75 in four cash awards. 

An event planned by Mrs. Loewenstein 

with wives of the delegates in mind is the 

style show set for Monday night in the Biltmore 

hotel civic room. Miss Reynolds will 

emcee the fashion parade which will 

feature the latest styles from Peyton-Marcus. 

Entertainment for the style show will fea- 

( Continued on next page) 

San Antonio Acclaims 'Air 

SAN ANTONIO—In typical Texan fashion 

San Antonians put over the world premiere 

of Universal-International's "Air Cadet" at 

the Majestic Theatre in hangup shape. After 

a day of civic activities and jet plane demonstrations, 

thousands overflowed the streets 

in front of the theatre Wednesday night 

Cadet' 

(14) to greet top-ranking military officers 

and Peggie Castle and Richard Long, stars of 

the picture. Prominent military men participated 

in radio and television interviews. 

A reception at the Gunter hotel for civic 

leaders and military men preceded the premiere. 

Among the host of high-ranking officers 

in tow'n for the occasion were Maj. Gen. 

Robert W. Harper, chief of the air training 

command; Brigadier General McClain, commander 

at Randolph Field; Col. T. A. Lee, 

Colonel Spencer and Captain Williamson of 

the navy. Also in town for the opening were 

Frank O. Starz, Interstate advertising-publicity 

chief, Dallas; Julian Bowes, U-I public 

relations director, Dallas, and H. W. Carrington, 

cameraman-producer for Nationwide Pictures, 

Dallas. 

Shown at the reception in the photo above 

are, seated, left to right: Maj. Gen. Harper. 

Miss Castle, Brigadier General McClain. 

Standing: George Watson, city manager of 

Interstate Theatres; Charles Simonelli, U-I 

executive in charge of national exploitation; 

Starz, Mayor White, Captain Williamson and 

Lynn Kreuger, manager of the Majestic Theatre. 

^^^r Once having Motiographs, a theatre- 

^^ man never buys any other projector . . . actu- 

W ally becomes hostile when anyone suggests that he 

change. What can you do with people like that? Thinking 

it 

over, Motiographs must be quite satisfactory. 

W. R. HOWELL 

Theatre Supplies & Equipment 

n South Walker Ave. Phone 3-1961 Oklahoma City 4, Okla. 

BOXOFFICE March 24, 1951 sw 67

Center at Kailleen 

Opened by R&R 

KAILLEEN, TEX.—The new Center Theatre 

was opend by Robb & Rowley here 

Thursday (22). Kailleen is near Camp Hood. 

The Kailleen Herald ran a special section 

of advertisements and stories Sunday (18) 

preceding the opening. 

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Oklahoma Ass'n Opens 

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ture Mrs. Claude York, wife of the ELC manager; 

Mrs. Shirley Conrad and Mrs. V. N. 

Brown. Models for the affair will be Mrs. C. 

A. Gibbs, Mrs. Paul Rice, Mrs. York, Mrs. 

Conrad, Mrs. Paul Cornwell, Mrs. C. H. 

Weaver, Mrs. Russell M. Gaus, Mrs. Michael 

Comer, Mrs. Olen Nuckols, Mrs. Molly O'Day, 

Miss Barbara Ann Gregg and Miss Barbara 

Dean Johnson. 

After the style show, which will be preceded 

by a buffet supper, there will be a reception 

in the Variety Club for International 

Chief Barker Wolf. After an address by Wolf 

there will be free bingo games with the cash 

awards furnished by downtown Tulsa theatres 

and station KRMG of Tulsa. 

Miss Reynolds will visit Tinker air force 

base in behalf of the Red Cross fund drive 

and the veterans at Will Rogers Memorial 

hospital. During her three-day stay in Oklahoma 

City she will also make radio appearances. 

Three Dallas Drive-Ins 

Hold Easter Egg Hunts 

DALLAS—Three Claude Ezell & Associates 

drive-ins here, the Buckner, Chalk Hill and 

Northwest Highway, will hold Easter egg 

hunts for children. 

More than 2,000 candy eggs will be hidden 

at each drive-in, and there will be 12 special 

prize eggs entitling finders to a large bunny. 

The hunts will begin at 5:45 p. m., preceding 

the night's showings. The area will be under 

guard and will be roped off for the safety 

of the children. 

OKLAHOMA CITY 

Oeorge Fisher, former Dallas salesman for 

MGM, took over as MGM manager here 

Monday (19). Russell Gaus, whom he succeeded, 

left the ensuing Wednesday for Atlanta, 

where he becomes manager. Among 

those present at a party given for Fisher and 

Gaus at the Skirvin were John Allen, regional 

sales manager, Dallas, and J. C. Hunter 

and Ralph Drewry, Tulsa. Mrs. Gaus remained 

here to sell the family home. 

Representatives of local exchanges and 

film truck companies conferred at TuUia, 

Tex., last week with exhibitors in the lower 

part of the Panhandle on whether film service 

should be transferred from Dallas to this 

city . . . Seen at the Variety buffet were 

Mr. and Mrs. Homer Jones of Alva and Watt 

Long of Hollis. 

Tlie Advertiser reprinted the article written 

by Mitchell Wolfson, co-owner of Wometco 

Theatres, Miami, in defense of Hollywood 

against charges of communism. The weekly 

also reprinted a column written by Ernie 

Schrier on "Movies Are Movies and TV Is 

TV," which was submitted to the editor by 

Morris Loewenstein, TOO president. The latter 

received It from Sydney Lust, head of 

Lust Theatres, Washington. 

J. H. Harris Elected V-P 

Of Theatre Enterprises 

J. HAROLD HARRIS 

DALLAS—J. Harold Harris, former independent 

exhibitor in a number of Missouri 

towns and long associated with H. J. Griffith 

amusements interests, has been elected vicepresident 

of Theatre Enterprises, Inc. 

Harris, at one time a Houston banker, is 

an expert in finance and business administration. 

He will continue as executive assistant 

to Griffith, pi-esident of TEI. 

'Sugarfoof Gross Heads 

Week's List at Dallas 

DALLAS— "Sugarfoot" went ahead of all 

attractions, getting 125 per cent at the Rialto. 


Coronet—The Flesh Is Weak (Dist.); Tainted 

(Dist.) _ 90 

Dallas—Cyrano de Bergerac (UA), 3rd wk _ 65 

Majestic—Air Cadet (U-I) 90 

Melba—A Yank in Korea (Col) _ _... 65 

Palace—The Men (UA) 65 

Rialto—Sugarfoot (WB) _ 125 

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Telephones: EM 0238 - EM 7489 

CONFIDENTIAL CORRESPONDENCE INVITED 

BUFFALO COOLING EQUIPMENT 

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. . Johnny 

SAN ANTONIO Salute Armed Forces 

•The Redhead and the Cowboy" which 

. . . Nelson Eddy will give 

. . . 

played the Aztec Theatre here, has been 

booked into more than 40 Texas theatres 

in this territory during the next four weeks 

by Paramount 

a recital in the Auditorium here March 31 

The best display of war weapons of the 

month was that attractive sidewalk eyecatcher 

put on by the Majestic to exploit 

"The Steel Helmet." On the stage was the 

Texas Volunteer guard unit, crack drill men 

I of the Texas 141st infantry, San Antonio's 

finest. 

Eva Joe Allpress, concert pianist and organist, 

entertained at the Hammond Novacord 

in the Josephine Theatre between the 

showings of "Cyrano de Bergerac" . . . Dotty 

Klrsten was back in town following a visit 

to old Mexico ... A belated spring "norther" 

that blew in here seemed to help theatre 

business. 

The only two exhibitors in town last week 

to book Latin-American product at the film 

exchanges were Senor Salas, Luna Theatre, 

Crystal City, who is acting head of the cooperative 

which operates and owns this house, 

and Jose Grarcia, National Theatre, Asherton. 

Igrnacio Torres of Zaragoza Amusement Co. 

has lined up two new sex roadshow pictures 

. . Russell 

. . . Evangeline 

for that house for early showing. They include 

"Gigi" and "The Wench" . 

Burke has joined the navy 

Piper, blond Majestic boxoffice cashier, is 

nursing two broken ribs sustained when she 

slipped and fell at home the other day. She 

returned to work the next day. 

. 

. 

The Roxy Drive-In has reinstated buck 

night every Wednesday . . Rollie Moore, 

formerly on the staff of the State Theatre, 

has been appointed manager of the Broadway 

in Alamo Heights Dennis, 

projectionist at the Aztec Theatre, was struck 

by a car recently and sustained a fractured 

leg. 

Al Dallas 'Men' Bow 

DALLAS—In special ceremonies here last 

week in behalf of the showing of "The Men," 

the armed services were saluted on the Palace 

Theatre stage. Civic and veteran groups 

participated and a proclamation by Mayor 

Wallace H. Savage naming the day as 

"Men of Courage" day in Dallas in honor of 

the soldier veterans of the city was read. 

Organist Charles Evans played, and Francis 

Barr, publicist of Interstate Theatres, acted 

as master of ceremonies. The mayor's proclamation 

was read by W. L. Larvinson, commander 

of the local Buddies chapter of the 

Disabled American Veterans. Mrs. Clarence 

Echols, president of the city motion picture 

reviewing board, spoke highly of "The Men.': 

$165,000 Osage Drive-In 

Opens at Corpus Christi 

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEX.—The new $165,- 

000 Osage Drive-In was opened Friday (16) 

by Chester W. Kyle and Lester Miller. The 

ozoner covers 12 acres and has a 650-car 

capacity. RCA recording and sound equipment 

has been installed. All of the car parking 

space is paved. Featured is a kiddy 

lounge with toy equipment. Two granite 

water fountains, lighted at night, have been 

erected at the front entrance. 

Kyle is part owner of other drive-ins at 

Kingsville, Tex. 

Bernie Rosenthal Obtains 

Alexandria, La., Theatre 

ALEXANDRIA, LA.—The Silver City Theatre, 

headed by Mrs. C. L. Hayne, has been 

sold for $29,000 to Bernie P. Rosenthal. The 

theatre will be remodeled and redecorated, 

and will be operated by Rosenthal's sons, 

Arnold J. and Bernie F. 

Joseph Kane will produce "Fair Wind From 

Java," a novel by Garland Roarke for Republic 

release. 

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24, 1951 63

DALLAS 

Tack Sosebee of the Chalk Hill Drive-In was 

recovering from a broken leg. He fell as 

he was walking down the courthouse steps 

here . . . Stormy Meadows of the Blevins 

Popcorn Co. returned from a trip to New 

York and Chicago . . . Phil Isley has enlarged 

his offices on Fllmrow. 

Exhibitors on the Row included George 

Chatmas, Chatmas Theatres, Hearne; Tom 

Hoosier, Hoosier Theatres, Seymour; B. B. 

Spurlock, Hawk, Hawkins; W. E. Phillips, 

Hi-Vue Drive-In, Sulphur Springs; C. O. 

Simmons, Plaza, Denton; W. E. Cox, Tower, 

Seminole; Johnny Blocker, Abilene; Ralph 

BuUington, Twin Falls and Scottic drive-ins, 

Wichita Falls; Jack Webb, Sunset Drive-In, 

Temple; Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Capps, Hi-Ho, 

Gainesville; Bob Clemmons, Fort Worth; Ray 

Parnell, Dixie, Athens; Carl Tanner, Roxy, 

Houston, and John Whipple, Rig, Post. 

Bill Wilkinson is the new manager at the 

U-I, succeeding Hy Martin who was named 

division manager. Wilkinson comes from 

Memphis . . . Charles Darden of the Darden 

Popcorn Co. and Leon Perry, secretary-treasurer, 

flew to Houston on a short trip. Darden 

Westerns-Features-Serials 

Tower Pictures Co. 

HAROLD SCHWARZ 

302 S. Harwood St. Dallas 1, Texas 

Phones C-7357 and R-3998 

earlier had attended the opening of the 

Park-Air Drive-In in Fort Worth, owned by 

T. C. Tidball. Darden praised the unique 

two-story concession stand at the new theatre. 

B. G. Partin of the Etex Theatre in Gushing 

The 681st air force band 

was a visitor . . . of Perrin air base in Sherman presented an 

hour-long concert on the street in front of 

the Majestic Theatre as "Air Cadet" opened. 

It was directed by William F. Baker, chief 

warrant officer. Earlier, a squadron of F-84 

Thunderjets from the 181st jet squadron of 

the Texas air national guard flew over the 

Majestic at 500 miles an hour . . . Bill Morrow 

of the Colonial Drive-In, P. V. Williams 

of the Roxy in Munday, and Jack Adams of 

the Carber and Harlem in Austin were in 

town. 

. . . Jack 

Hal Norfleet, handicapped by a sprained 

ankle the last two weelcs, has discarded his 

cane . . . Jimmie Allard, manager of the 

Palace, has written a new song, "Don't You 

Pull That Pistol." Chill Wills, movie actor, 

has taken it to Hollywood where he expects 

to use it in a picture . . . C. A. "Pappy" 

Dolson, assistant chief barker of the Variety 

Club, reports that spring gardening is in 

full force at the Boys Ranch 

Pickens, Rio Grande theatre owner and 

ranchman, was here visiting friends. 

P. A. Warner will open his Port Theatre at 

Port Aransas, Tex., March 31. The Port is 

one of the few theatre-type airdomes with the 

sky for a roof left in this section of the 

country . . . The monthly Saturday night 

show held at the Variety Club (17) was one 

of the best in many weeks. Talent, arranged 

by Vincent Lee, actors representative in this 

section, included Burns and White, Raymund 

Carne, and the Radio Rogues, who in real 

life are Jimmy Hollyway and Herbie Sell. 

Tommy Melody, the master of ceremonies, 

kept the audience in stitches with his stories 

and gags. Dink Freeman opened the show. 

The local musicians union furnished the 

music. 

. . 

Charlie Freeman of Interstate Theatres entertained 

friends at Variety Club Saturday 

night party . The Variety Club's next big 

interest is the annual golf tournament which 

comes up early in May . . . Bobye Splawn 

of the Theatre Ad Agency visited friends in 

Sherman. 

Arch Boardman now is managing the 

Arlington Drive-In for the Lester Dollison 

Arthur Leonard, independent 

Theatres . . . 

producer of New York and Hollywood, visited 

here . . . The State Pair of Texas announced 

six shows, each to run two weeks, for the 

Starlight Operetta season here opening June 

11. Shows this year move from the outdoor 

Casino to the Fair Park auditorium. They 

will be "Where's Charley?" "Song of Norway," 

"Texas Li'l Darlin'," "I Married an Angel," 

"The Merry Widow" and "Miss Liberty." 

Mr. and Mrs. Dave Lutzer were in Hot 

Springs, Ark., for the races . . . Julius Gordon 

of the Jefferson Amusement Co. in Beaumont 

visited here . . . Ray "Smokey" Whitley, RKO 

western player, made personal appearances 

on the stages of two suburban theatres, the 

Major and Crest. 

Grapevine, Tex., Drive-In 

Has Fireworlcs Display 

GRAPEVINE, TEX. — The new Mustang 

Drive-In, erected here last year, was opened 

recently with a giant fireworks display. The 

Mustang was named for the local high school 

football team. Bill Gust, who has the Palace 

Theatre here, operates the 400-car outdoorer. 

New Queen Reopened 

HEARNE, TEX.—The rebuilt Queen Theatre, 

gutted last year by fire, held its formal 

reopening here February 26. Owner of the 

house is George Chatmas of the Chatmas 

Amusement Co. The 454-seat house is managed 

by E. L. Williams. 

Dalhart Drive-In to Open 

DALHART, TEX.— J. C. Parker of Dalhart 

has set May 1 as the opening date for his 

new 350-car, $65,000 drive-in here. 

WE HAVE 

CHAS. E. 

DARDEN & CO., INC. 

SOUTH HARWOOD DALLAS, TEXAS 

BOX 2207 PHONE RIVERSIDE 6134 

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New Clyde Open Soon 

In Ft. Wayne Center 

PORT WAYNE—The new Clyde Theatre 

on the north side of Bluffton road near the 

Oakdale bridge will open about April 12. It 

will seat 1,800 and have a parking lot for 

patrons. 

The Clyde will be operated by Quimby 

Theatres as a first run house. It is the first 

new theatre built in Fort Wayne since the 

Paramount was opened in 1930. The Clyde 

Lis the first of several similar houses planned 

'by Quimby for various proposed shopping 

centers, and is located in Quimby's Southwest 

Village, a large commercial and residential 

development. 

Four Chicago Drive-ins 

Open Season March 16 

CHICAGO—Pour drive-ins in the area 

opened for their spring season Priday (16). 

The Twin Open-Air at 87th and Cicero 

avenue and the Waukegan at Golf and Waukegan 

roads opened with "September Affair." 

The Waukegan started its tenth season and 

the Twin its fourth. The Double Drive-In, 

three blocks west of 74th street and Western 

avenue, started the season with "The Enforcer." 

The Double inaugurated an "early 

bird" cartoon show to precede the main feature. 

At the Staxlite Drive-In, 95th and Ridgeland 

avenue, a western "Sugarfoot" opened 

the season. Children under 12 are being 

admitted free at the Starlite which has installed 

a kiddy play park. 

Grantsburg Grand Sold 

GRANTSBURG, WIS.—The Grand Theatre 

here has been sold by Mr. and Mrs. P. 

J. LeMay to Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Walter of 

Winner, S. D. The LeMays have operated 

the 308-seat house since June 1950. The theatre 

was built in 1936 by Arvin Olson, who 

sold it in 1945 to Winslow Kelly of Minneapolis. 

Subsequently, it was operated by Art 

Luscombe, then Joe Murray of Kenmore, N. 

D., and by Sidney Sigurdson of La Crosse, 

who sold out to the LeMays last June. 

Bill Brown Named 

EVANSVILLE, IND.—Bill Brown has taken 

over as manager of Loew's Majestic here. He 

formerly managed the 1,500-seat Bijou Theatre 

in New Haven, Conn., for seven years. 

He started his theatre career 34 years ago. 

Brown replaces Warren Weber who resigned 

to go into defense work. 

New Cars Being Parked 

On Kenosha Drive-Ins 

Kenosha, Wis.—Due to a boxcar shortage, 

Nash Motors is driving new cars on 

the grounds of several drive-ins In this 

vicinity. According to E. W. Burmitt, 

plant manager, about 50 railroad cars 

are loaded with Nash cars each day, but 

now that railroad cars are short, the 

autos are being parked temporarily at 

drive-ins, the airport and other vacant 

sites. 

Avers Motion Pictures 

Help Juvenile Morals 

ST. LOUIS—Motion pictures have held 

down juvenile delinquency instead of causing 

it, Tom W. Edwards, president of the St. 

Louis area MPTO, asserted at a session last 

week (16) of the Better Films Council of 

Greater St. Louis. 

"Motion pictures also have discouraged 

adult wrongdoing," he said. "I believe they 

have strengthened the institution of marriage, 

have contributed importantly to education 

and international understanding, have 

inspired ambition and progress and have 

served importantly in the cause of democracy. 

I am proud to be in the motion picturs 

business." 

STARTED CINEMA YOUTH CLUBS 

The council, reputedly the first organization 

of its kind in the world, also initiated in 

1945 the Cinema Youth clubs, a movement 

which since has spread to many states and 

several countries. Edwards praised the Cinema 

Youth clubs, saying: 

"Motion picture exhibitors must cater to 

the masses and not to the classes," he said. 

"But through the great work your organization 

and the thousands of Youth Cinema 

clubs are doing throughout the world the 

motion picture audiences of the masses will 

become the classes by their support of fine 

outstanding pictures. Sincerely, I am proud 

of the movement and its accomplishments 

for the motion picture industry. 

"Many organizations in the country set 

themselves up to tell the children what they 

should and shouldn't see, and then do not 

take enough interest to study the pictures. 

Instead of being a board to recommend 

pictures, they set themselves up to condemn 

them, and this even before they have seen 

them or even read reviews on them. 

"These same people blame Hollywood for 

all the juvenile delinquency, and practically 

everything else that is wrong with the world. 

They are a lot like the man who hadn't 

kissed his wife for six months, but shot 

another man who did." 

LITTLE CATTLE RUSTLING NOW 

Edwards recalled that in .the old days of 

the west before motion pictures hundreds 

of persons were hanged for rustling cattle, 

but in this era, with cattle rustling a familiar 

theme on the screens of the nation, the 

crime of rustling is practically nonexistent. 

Likewise, he brought out that the James 

boys, notorious for their train robberies, 

never saw a film, but today with their crimes 

dramatized in the film theatres everywhere, 

there are no train robberies in their old 

stamping grounds. 

"To me the charge that motion pictures 

have increased delinquency is no more valid 

than would be the outlawing of the sulfa 

drugs because they have produced harmful 

reactions in new patients," he said. 

"Would you condemn sugar because it is 

bad for diabetes, or exercise because it might 

strain an ailing heart? 

"The great majority of juvenile delinquency 

cases may be traced directly to parents 

who are too lazy or too indifferent to 

Tom Edwards, St. Louis area MPTO 

president, addressing a session of the 

Motion Picture Council of St. Louis. 

teach their children right from wrong, and 

fail to give them proper home training. 

"I reached within my own exp>erience to 

bring you the cattle rustling and Jesse James 

comparisons, but I do not pretend to be an 

expert on the cause of juvenile delinquency. 

Therefore, with your indulgence, I would like 

to quote opinions of recognized experts in the 

field." He then gave quotes from some of 

these experts as follows: 

Capt. Rhoda Millikin, head of the women's 

bureau of the Washington ix)llce department 

— "I have yet to find a child who got into 

trouble with the police from what he saw 

in the movies." 

Judge Camille Kelley, Memphis, juvenile 

court judge— "There are not as many as half 

a dozen cases in the 45,000 I have tried where 

movies have been brought into the case as a 

contributing factor to the behavior problem." 

Dr. George D. Stoddard, president of the 

University of Illinois—"There is little evidence 

that the motion picture has much 

effect upon the behavior of children and 

youth. When a healthy high school Woy 

chooses to spend three hours on a sunny 

Saturday in a world of make-believe, the 

trouble is not in the motion picture, but in 

the quality of home and neighborhood Ufe. 

Frequently it is conspiracy between frustrated 

parents and frustrated children: Neither 

knows what to do with the other." 

Tom C. Clark, U.S. Supreme — Court justice 

and former attorney general "I do not be- 

Ueve that today any but a few would characterize 

a motion picture performance as an 

instigator of a crime, and I do believe that the 

general trend in motion pictures is to have 

an effect of dissuading people from committing 

crimes." 

Joseph — Fishman, formerly U.S. inspector of 

prisons "In a remarkable experience with 

boys, continuous during the past 33 years, 

Frederick C. Helbing, superintendent of the 



. . . Don 

ST. 

LOUIS 

iVX'crton S. Gottlieb, manager for Joe Hornstein, 

reports that the Columbia and 

Roxy theatres here and the Midtown in 

Woodriver, III., have signed equipment service 

contracts . . . The father-in-law of Eddie 

Rosecan of Hannibal, Mo., owner of the 

Rlalto there, and Victor Klarsfeld, who with 

Rosecan owns the Rialto in Cape Girardeau, 

is ill in Cape Girardeau. 

Exhibitors seen along Pilmrow included 

Marion Osborn, Skyway Drive-In, Mattoon; 

Herman Tanner, Vandalia; Tom Edwards, 

Farmington; Charles Weeks, Dexter; Tom 

Bloomer, Belleville; Leo Young, manager, Altwood 

Drive-In, Woodriver, and his son Donald; 

Tilden Dockson, Crystal City; Joe Goldfarb, 

Alton; Gus Boemler, Upper Alton; 

Charles Beninati, Carlisle; J. Hirth, Pacific; 

Frank X. Reller, Wentzville; Paul Schroeder, 

Lebanon; Forrest Krtle, Jerseyville; Mrs. 

Regina Steinberg, Madison; John Rees, 

Wellsville, and Bernie Palmer, Paducah. 

Hall Walsh, district manager for Warner 

Bros., was in Kansas City . . . Lester Bona, 

St. Louis manager, called at the Prisina offices 

in Springfield and on Caesar Berutt at 

Rolla, Mo. . . . Jimmy Frisina, buyer for 

Frisina, was in New Orleans for a golf tour- 

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nament . . . Marvin Goldman, s.on cf Mr. and 

Mrs. Charles Goldman of St. Louis, was married 

in New Orleans March 17. Goldman is 

part-owner of the Lyric, Senate, Carver and 

several other theatres in this area. 

Leon Jarodsky, Paris, 111., theatre owner, 

still is confined to his home by a fractured 

leg, suffered in a fall on ice several weeks 

ago . . . Paul Krueger, co-manager of the 

Wehrenberg circuit, has been confined to his 

home in St. Louis county by illness. He 

hoped to get back on the job this week . . 

. 

Leo Keiler of the Columbia Amusement Co., 

Paducah, Ky., who has been confined to the 

Cedars of Lebanon hospital in Los Angeles, 

hoped to return home this week. 

The Princess here has been closed indefinitely 

.... The Macklind, which has been 

operating on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 

for some time, now has closed entirely . . . 

The Roxy Theatre in East St. Louis also is 

dark. Other interests are said to be seeking 

the lease, perhaps to convert the building to 

other use . . . The King Bee was closed March 

19-23 for repairs and repainting, according to 

Ben Pautler, owner. 

The Better Films Council will give a Film 

Festival on the three fine arts at the Apollo 

Theatre April 3. Herbert Jackson will speak 

Davis of Kansas City, representative 

for RCA theatre quipment sales, was a recent 

visitor, calling on Arch Hosier of the St. 

Louis Theatre Supply Co. . . . National Theatre 

Supply recently sold a Hertner generator 

and a Walker screen to Christ Zotos for his 

Roosevelt Theatre. 

Bill Earle, manager. National Theatre Supply; 

Bill Earl jr. and Harry Hoff of the sales 

staff, flew to Atlanta for a recent three-day 

regional sales meeting at the Ansley hotel 

. . . Tom Bloomer of Belleville has purchased 

a stock interest in the Mount Vernon (Ind.) 

Drive-In and will handle its booking and buying 

. . . Anthony L. Matreci of the Uptown 

and Crest theatres and his wife are vacationing 

in Florida. 

J. V. Walker, for the last two years doorman 

at the Fox Grand in Du Quoin, 111., has 

been appointed manager of the Plaza at 

Mount Vernon, 111. Charles Dickens jr. is the 

new doorman for the Du Quoin house. Both 

theatres are in the Fox Midwest circuit . . . 

The Hope Theatre, Elkville, 111., is broadcasting 

its weekly program over radio station 

WCIL, Carbondale, each Friday between 6:45 

and 7 a. m. and again between 5 and 5:15 

p. m. 

An adverse NPA ruling has definitely sidetracked 

plans for a new theatre in the Hampton 

Village section of south St. Louis, which 

had been planned by the late Sam Komm 

for lease to the St. Louis Amusement Co. 

The building would cost about $550,000. 

To Sell at Stoninglon, 111. 

STONINGTON, ILL.—Miss Lyle Epling, 

owner of the Roxy Theatre, a 300-seat house 

on Main street, has entered into negotiations 

looking to the sale of the theatre to new 

owners at an early date. 

Ann Del Valle, assistant to Irving Rublne, 

was sent to San Francisco to handle the 

opening of "The Sound of Fury" for United 

Artists. 

Says Pictures Help 

Juvenile Morals 


House of Refuge for Boys at Randall's Island, 

New York, has not found a single instance 

in which a boy's delinquency was traceable 

directly or indirectly to the movies." 

"These and other like opinions expressed 

by 50 noted psychiatrists, educators, jurists 

and criminal sociologists have been compiled 

in a booklet form under the heading 'Exploding 

a Myth,' and copies may be obtained by 

writing COMPO, 1501 Broadway, New York 

City," Edwards pointed out. 

Theatres in St. Louis that have Youth 

Cinema clubs include the Avalon, Kingsland, 

Lafayette, Manchester, Shaw, Rio. Tower, 

Maffitt, Maplewood, Pageant, Richmond, 

Wellston, Savoy and Kirkwood. FYom 35 to 

more than 50 per cent of the enrolled children 

attend the special Saturday shows. The 

programs usually include selected pictures, 

including shorts and other special stage entertainment, 

birthday cake-cutting for the 

children whose birthday it happens to be, 

and other special events such as toy collections, 

Valentine and Christmas parties. 

Brotherhood week programs, etc. 

Panther Will Publicize 

'Freaks' in St. Louis Area 

ST. LOUIS—The recently organized Crescent 

Amusement Co., with temporary headquarters 

in Wellsville, is planning special 

exploitation for "The Freaks," a picture combining 

the usual sideshow human oddities 

into a story. 

The company formed by John F. Rees, 

owner of the Regal Theatre in Wellsville, 

and Bill Weiss, former Republic salesman, 

has acquired distribution rights for the picture 

in Missouri, Kansas and that portion of 

Illinois south of Springfield. 

As an opening publicity gun for "The 

Freaks," Crescent has obtained the mounted 

body of the panther which early this year 

terrorized citizens of St. Charles county in 

Missouri. The stuffed animal, which was 

killed by a state conservation deputy, will be 

on display in the front window of the Joe 

Hornstein, Inc. office here. George Vierheller, 

St. Louis zoo director, said he has 

never seen anything to match the panther in 

his 40 years of dealing with wild animals. It 

appears to be a cross between a mountain 

lion, a panther and a Russian wolf. The 

animal will be displayed in the lobby of each 

theatre running "The Freaks" and all local 

newspapers will be provided with stories and 

photos. 


Snow and Lent Cut 

Chicago Averages 

CHICAGO—Snow plus Lent kept grosses 

here down. "Three Guys Named Mike" 

opened around average at the State-Lake 

and another new entry at the Roosevelt, 

Br "Redhead and the Cowboy" plus "Flame of 

^F Stamboul," did average. "Cause for Alarm" 

plus "Federal Man" opened up weak. 

» 


Chicago The Eniorcer (WB), plus stage show, 

2ncl wk 95 

Grand—Bedtime for Bon20 (U-I), 2nd wk 95 

Oriental Vengeance Valley (MGM), plus stage 

show, 2nd wk 100 

Roosevelt The Redhead and the Cowboy (Para); 

Flame of Stamboul (Col) - 100 

Selwyn Cyrano de Bergerac (UA), 8th wk Good 

State-Lake—Three Guys Named Mike (MGM); The 

MGM Story (MGM) 100 

United Artists Target Unknown (U-1); Ohl Susanna 

(U-I), 2nd wk 95 

Woods—Bom Yesterday (Col), 8th wk 110 

World Playhouse Bitter Rice (Lux), 10th wk 115 

Ziegfeld—The Mudlark (20th-Fox), 3rd wk Ill) 

MILWAUKEE 

Basketball and Lent 

Hurt at Indianapolis 

INDIANAPOLIS — Grosses at first run 

houses were slightly off last week. The 

Lenten season, and Indiana state basketball 

tourney attracted more attention than other 

amusements. 

Circle—Vendetto (RKO); Destination Murder 

(RKO) 80 

Indiana—The Eniorcer (WB); Kangaroo Kid (ELC) 100 

Keiths—Tomahawk (U-I); Eye Witness (ELC), 

2nd d.t. wk 85 

Loew's—Born Yesterday (Col), 2nd wk 95 

Lyric—Gambling House (RKO); Rider From Tucson 

(RKO) 90 

Isle at Cumberland, Wis., 

Remodeled and Reopened 

CUMBERLAND, WIS.—When the Isle 

Theatre was reopened recently after remodeling, 

patrons found an almost new building. 

Virtually everything had been torn out 

and rebuilt. All equipment was replaced and 

the boxoffice, formerly in the center of the 

entrance, was moved to the left side. Patrons 

entered the building through glass 

doors set at an angle to the sidewalk. Moving 

of the boxoffice also provided more lobby 

room. 

Lounges were installed and new lighting 

fixtures, rugs and decorations were put in. 

A new air conditioning and heating system 

and new seats were installed also. Herbert 

Robinson is manager of the Isle. 

Join Civil Defense Plan 

DECATUR, ILL.—Theatre managers met 

at the Lincoln here to outline plans for civil 

defense under the supervision of Col. W. Lutz 

Krigbaum, director of Decatur defense. 

Sunrise Services at Drive-In 

HERRIN, ILL.—The Rev. Henry F. Gerecke 

of Chester, 111., will speak at the third annual 

Easter Sunrise services to be conducted in 

the Egyptian Drive-In near here. The services 

will be sponsored by the Lutheran 

churches of this area. 

CARPET?

. . Herman 

. . John 

INDIANAPOLIS 

IJerman Morgan has succeeded Daniel J. 

McCarthy as city salesman at ELC . . . Mc- 

Carthy started a booking service. His clients 

include the drive-in at Oakland City, the 

East 30th Drive-In on Tilman road and several 

drive-ins at Port Wayne and Shelburn 

. . . Mrs. Audry Stonehouse is the new secretary 

to Gene Tunick, ELC manager . . . The 

annual dinner dance of the local loge of 

Colosseum of Motion Picture Salesmen will 

be held June 2 in the Indianapolis Athletic 

club . Black is general chairman 

of the affair . . . Ray Thomas, U-I salesman, 

The Warner Bros, office 

was home sick . . . 

staff was hard hit by a siege of influenza. 

. . . 

After a month's absence Bess Thomas has 

returned to the Republic contract department 

Loraine Toney, managers secretary at 

Columbia, was stricken by a heart attack 

while at work . . . Manager Sam Oshry, 

Frank Warren and Moe Esserman, U-I salesmen, 

attended a dinner at the Cincinnati 

Variety club honoring Peter Rosian (Monday 

12). 

Joe Bohn, Realart Pictures, visited the 

Alliance circuit office . . . Carroll Puciato, 

Realart home office, stopped off here en 

route to St. Louis on business . 

B. 

McCuUum, conservation director of the Motion 

Pictures of America, spent Monday here 

at 20th-Fox exchange. 

Harry Schochet, auditor for Lippert Pictures, 

has left for his Chicago headquarters 

after several weeks here . . . William Mc- 

Govern, operator of the Ritz at Loogootee, 

has his fishing tackle all ready for the first 

theJwê equipment 

442 NORTH ILLINOIS STREET 

INDIANAPOLIS 

INDIANA 

spring day . . . James and Harry Kornblum 

and wives, operators of the Rosedale in 

Evansville, have returned from a Florida 

vacation . . . Bruce Kixmiller, operator of 

the Colonial and Indiana at Bricknell, is on 

a South American cruise. 

James Franklin, 20th-Fox booker, is down 

Mrs. Barbara 

with a virus infection . . . 

Roehling, of Indiana Film Transit, is the 

mother of a baby boy, born March 7 . . 

. 

Exhibitors visiting Filmrow: R. L. Norton, 

Key, Red Key; Al Borkenstein, Wells, Port 

Wayne; Floyd Morrow, Shivley, Ky.; Arthur 

Stanish, Hartford, Hartford City; E. E. 

Smith, Devon, Francisville and John Austin, 

Austin, Versailles. 

Talent Show Is Sellout 

At Marinette, Wis., Fox 

MARINETTE, WIS.—Proof that a properly 

handled amateur show means money in 

the 

bank is Ranee Mason's 13-week promotion 

being staged every Thursday night at the 

Fox Theatre here. A publicity-wise showman. 

Ranee first approached Marinette radio station 

WMAM with an outline of his plan and 

the entire promotion developed out of the 

combined efforts of the theatre and the 

radio station. Six merchants were lined up 

as sponsors. The station advertises over the 

air for contestants, holds auditions in the 

studios and furnishes an announcer to emcee 

when the show takes to the air on Thursday 

nights from the Fox Theatre stage. 

The theatre advertises the program in 

the newspapers, furnishes a screen trailer 

and lobby poster listing the sponsoring merchants 

and offers $25 a week as cash prizes. 

Wirmers from each of the weekly shows will 

compete in the grand finals with a $60 wrist 

watch to be awarded as the top prize. The 

results in Ranee Mason's own words are 

these: "Needless to say the boxoffice results 

are excellent. Have run five sessions so far 

and sold the house out completely for all 

shows." 

Screenplays 'Nellie Bly' 

Irwin Glelgud is writing the screenplay 

treatment of "The Fabulous Nellie Bly" for 

Republic release. 

HANDY SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM

LCUtecht to Direct 

Manor Advertising 

CHICAGO—Vern R. Langdon, president 

of the Manor Amusement Co., operating the 

Manor Theatre on the northwest side of 

Chicago, announces the appointment of 

Leonard C. Utecht, 

veteran theatreman of 

the Chicago area, as 

advertising and promotional 

director. 

Utecht also will handle 

advertising and publicity 

for six houses, 

of which Langdon is 

affihated in the Chicago 

area. 

Utecht, formerly 

with Essaness Thea- 

resigned re- 

tres Corp , 

Leonard C. Utecht cently because of ill 

health. He now is on the road to recovery, 

and feels he can handle the assignment. 

Among some of the theatres he will direct 

in advertising and promotion are the Alvin, 

Hub, Alamo, Famous and the York in Elmhurst, 

in addition to the Manor Theatre. 

The Manor, now under private ownership, 

is now in the state of remodeling and will 

reopen on Saturday, March 24, with plenty 

of fanfare. Vern Langdon is managing director 

of the theatre with Jack Lynch as 

house manager. The theatre is having new 

sound, projection and screen installed, besides 

the remodeling of the lobby and foyer, 

and installation of new candy counter and 

other concession equipment. 

'ABomb' Unreeled Free 

BEAVER DAM, WIS.—Schools, 

churches, 

clubs and other special groups were given an 

opportunity to see a civil defense film, "You 

Can Beat the A-Bomb," free of charge at the 

Wisconsin Theatre here. Manager David 

O'Neill offered to show the film at any time 

outside of regular show hour;;, upon request. 

The motion picture was also run as part of 

the regular program at the Wisconsin. 

Union Theatre Redone 

UNION, MO.—A remodeling and modernization 

program is under way at the Williams 

Theatre, owned by Bill Williams. 

Theatre Hosts Cooking School 

HINSDALE, ILL.—Starting April 11 and 

running through May 9, the Hinsdale Theatre 

will throw open its doors to the annual spring 

cooking school sponsored by the Hinsdale 

Junior Infant Welfare society. The sessions 

will be held at the theatre each Wednesday 

morning. 

Dance Revue at Lee Theatre 

AUGUSTA, ILL. — Mrs, William Schoonover 

presented her students in a dance revue 

at the Lee Theatre on a recent midweek evening. 

The Lee is owned by Emmett Huston. 

Drive-ln Theatre Equipment 

JOE HORNSTEIN hos 

3330 Olive LUcas 2710 St. Louis 

it. 

Charles Nygaard, Viroqua Showman, 

Started With Itinerant 

VIROQUA, WIS.—Charles Nygaard, manager 

of local theatres since last October and 

a Norwegian by birth, found his early years 

of motion picture exhibition difficult and, in 

some cases, unrewarding. Nygaard, who was 

born in Dramnen, Norway, came to North 

America when he was 15 years old and settled 

in Canada with his father, mother and 

six other children. 

His first job was on a cattle ranch 

where he did everything from riding herd to 

repairing fences and where he soon mastered 

the English language. Nygaard worked on 

ranches until 1915 when he enUsted in the 

Canadian army as an infantryman and was 

sent overseas, staying until 1919 and seeing 

some of the bloodiest battles of the war. He 

saw action on Vimy Ridge and the Somme as 

well as taking part in the last allout offensive. 

OPENED THEATRE IN CANADA 

Canada and, 

After the war he returned to 

with a cousin, started a small theatre in a 

rural community. The idea was good, he 

said, but the investment was not and the 

partners got out of the business when its 

economic seams began to show signs of 

bursting. 

Nygaard then started a round of odd jobs 

and eventually left Canada for the U.S. But 

he found the States were not quite the land 

of opportunity he had been told about. He 

finally landed a job as operator of a freight 

elevator in a Milwaukee industrial building 

with a salary of $80 a month. He went on 

from that job to others as driver-salesman 

for a bakery, driver for a construction company, 

employe of a drop forge company and 

eventually handyman for a Milwaukee funeral 

home. He stayed with the funeral home 

for ten years, working up to a licensed funeral 

director. 

Finally, he left his job as a funeral director 

and advertised for a partner "with small investment" 

to enter theatre business. The 

partners purchased a small projector and 

other equipment and left for the upper peninsula 

country of Michigan where they 

showed films in small towns not big enough 

to support a regular theatre. They followed 

a regular circuit, hitting each town about 

once a week. Business was good, but not 

good enough since patrons couldn't afford 

even the ten-cent admission price in those 

depression days. 

KEPT PLUGGING ALONG 

One half of the partnership finally quit, 

but Nygaard kept plugging along, making 

several other excursions into the back country 

and eventually making a go of it. When 

the 16mm projector came into its own, Nygaard 

was forced out of business. 

He then leased a building in Iron River, 

Wis., built it into a fine theatre and sold it a 

year later at a $5,000 profit. From that Nygaard 

turned to barnstorming the country 

with a film import from Finland and later 

he directed visual aids for the Townsend 

Plan with headquarters in Chicago, then 

spent seven years with his present employer 

as manager of the theatre in Sun Prairie. 

He became an equipment salesman for the 

DeVry Corp. of Chicago and came here from 

that position. 

He was married in 1930 and has two daugh- 

Shows 

CHARLES NYGAARD 

tres, both now married. 

Nygaard has made quite a name for himself 

locally with his willingness to cooperate 

on almost every civic project brought to his 

attention. He recently was the subject of a 

feature story in the Vernon County Broadcaster, 

in which the paper sought to acquaint 

its readers with men "who have distinguished 

themselves in our community's life." 

DRIVE-INS/ 

Place Orders NOW for 

\\f 

In-The-Car 

TECA 

n 

SPEAKERS 

Teca's broad line affords a speaker 

to fit your budget! There is a model 

for every situation. Hurry! Place 

your order today to assure delivery! 

Teca spealcers were the sensation of 

the 1950 convention, where they functioned 

perfectly 

steam tonic. 

Write for 

under the punishing 

FREE LITERATURE 

Thehtre EquiPmEnT Co. 

muHicnn 

ADAMS 8107 


CHICAGO 

The Commodore Theatre, operated for the 

last 20 years by Nate Gumbiner, has been 

taken over by Nate Slott and associates. They 

have also purchased the building. Gumbiner 

will go to California for a rest . . . Sam 

Levinsohn of the Chicago Used Chair Mart 

has gone to Miami for a two-week vacation 

. . . Irving Mandel, Monogram manager, returned 

from a winter stay in Miami 

Woods Manager Jack Belasco is back from a 

two-week jaunt in Miami Beach. 

Lee J. Hruby, formerly of the Essaness 

Theatre circuit and now with the cosmetic 

firm of Beautycraft Co., has tied in on a 

promotion campaign with the Manor Theatre 

and the Irving Davis Co., who handles 

concessions for the showcase. L. Utecht, 

Manor promotion manager, has arranged 

with Hruby for the distribution of 1,000 

bottles of Beauticraft perfumes at the grand 

reopening of the Manor April 1. 

Lilyan Paolost, formerly of Warners and 

20th-Pox office staffs, is now secretary to 

Jack Kirsch, Allied president, replacing Lou 

NOISELESS 

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AUTOMATIC POPCORN CARTONS 

RUSH 

HOUR POPCORN 

GOLDEN HULLESS POPCORN 

SILVER HULLESS POPCORN 

Send for price list of our full line of 

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PRUNTY 

POPCORN 

DIVISION 

620 North 2nd St. St. Louis 2, Mo. 

In our 77th year. 

m^^'^. 

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DRIVE-IN 

You'tl find every 

comfort and top 

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ADKtVE-IN THCATRE 

ON THE SOEEN 

TOMORROW NITE 

Abramsohn who resigned. Kirsch and Basil 

Charuhas contributed to the La Rabida Jackson 

Park sanitarium in memory of PieiTe 

Chrissis, son of D. J. Chrissis, who died in 

Korea . . . The Variety Club donated to 

La Rabida in memory of the late Henry 

Stickelmaier, B&K executive, and Bernard 

E. Goldberg, father of E. I. Goldberg, Paramount 

sales depeirtment. 

Mexican film magnate Santiago Reachi, 

president of Posa Films, stopped in Chicago 

en route to New York . . . j. s. Markstein, 

screeno mogul, is touring Mexico and reports 

theatre business very good with many new 

showcases being built. 

. . Ilya 

The H. & E. Balaban circuit in the north 

side will publish a bimonthy art magazine 

to interest patrons in their art theatres. Theatres 

are already offering art shows, piano 

concerts, coffee and cigarets, and using a 

co-op plan among patrons to select special 

Al Simon and his 

films and featurettes . . . 

wife are touring in Mexico 

greetings to Al 

. . . Birthday 

Golden, Max Berenson, Jack 

Irving, Al Raymer and M. J. Yahr . 

Lopert, head of a chain of theatres and operator 

of the local Ziegfeld, spent two days here 

with Ziegfeld Manager Art Steagall talking 

over future attractions. ^ 

Lincoln Gets New Marquee 

DECATUR, ILL.—John Wendell, manager 

of the Lincoln Theatre here, has torn down 

the house marquee using two attraction 

boards on either side of front entrance. The 

lobby will be redecorated later. 

Admit All Pats Free on St. Pat's 

SPRINGFIELD, ILL.—The Irish got special 

recognition at the Esquire Theatre on St. 

Pat's day. All Pats, Patricks and Patricias 

were admitted free. 

Installs Popcorn Warmer 

RANTOUL, ILL.—The Home Theatre here 

has installed a new Hollywood Servemaster 

PKjpcorn warmer. The theatre is owned by 

Kerasotes Theatres, Springfield. 

Up Fares at Rodgers Theatre 

CARBONDALE, ILL.—The adult admission 

price at the Rodgers Theatre of the Rodgers 

circuit was advanced from 30 to 35 cents, 

including tax. Jack Bizzell is manager. 

DRIVE-IN PROFITS 

start with 

ADLER AD MATS 

write today for od proofs or 

Send $10 for Assortment of 15 One-Column 

and Two-Column Mats—Enough for the Whole 

Season— Plus Bonus Variety of Cartoon Eye- 

Catchers. 

BEN ADLER MATS 1501 Broadway, Niwrirk IS, N.Y. 

Williomsport, Ind., Folk 

Fulfill Theatre Dream 

WILLIAMSPORT, IND.—When residents 

of Warren county flocked to the grand opening 

of the new $70,000 Warren Theatre here 

March 8 they saw the result of their own 

hard work and harder-saved pennies and 

dollars. For the new modern Warren described 

as "the finest theatre in western 

Indiana" really belongs to the people of 

Warren county. It is the climax of their 

dream to have their own theatre in Williamsport. 

The dream first began to take shape in 

the spring of 1949 with the organization of 

the Warren County Theatre Corp. with 

Desmond Abel of Williamsport as president 

of the board of directors and Rainey Shannon 

as secretary-treasurer and resident 

agent. The 88 active stockholders in the 

corporation began to raise money for the 

400-seat showcase by selling bonds to the 

people of Warren county. 

Selected to manage the house were Mr. 

and Mrs. C. A. Christy who have been the 

motivating force behind the project and who 

own the ground on which the showcase was 

built. They have operated the Williamsport 

Theatre for a number of years. 

Marjorie Dawson Speaks 

Before Canadian Group 

From Canadian Edition 

TORONTO— A large turnout of the Canadian 

Film Library committee and the film 

industry heard an address by Mrs. Marjorie 

G. Dawson of New York at the University 

Women's club on the selection of films for 

juveniles. Mrs. Dawson, who is the chairman 

of the children's film division of the Motion 

Picture Ass'n of America, said that features 

with a happy ending were particularly 

appropriate for juveniles. 

"It is good for our children to be brought 

up in the belief that right always wins out 

in the end," declared Mrs. Dawson. 

Mrs. E. R. Sugarman of Toronto, chairman 

of the Canadian committee, said that a branch 

of the organization had been established at 

Winnipeg under the leadership of J. M. Taylor. 

A similar group was organized at Regina, 

Sask. 

Good 1951 Is Foreseen 

By Fitzgibbons of FPC 

From Canadian Edition 

MONTREAL—J. J. Fitzgibbons. president 

of Famous Players Canadian Corp. said in a 

New Year's review: 

"Motion picture producers now more than 

ever have a full appreciation of the fact that 

the high cost of living, inflation and taxes, 

together with television, have made the purchasers 

of theatre tickets more selective. 

The pictures completed which we have ali-eady 

screened and the announced schedules 

of production for 1951, the government's 

announcement of large expenditures in defense 

programs, plus the unusual industrial 

expansion Canada is experiencing, give us 

every reason to believe that 1951 will be as 

good a year or better than 1950 in our Industry 

in Canada." 

Roxy to Show First Runs 

ST. CHARLES, MO.—V. J. Helling, manager 

of the Roxy Theatre here, says the 

showcase will show first runs. The theatre 

has recently been redecorated inside and out. 

76 

BOXOFFICE :: March 24, 1951

Si. Louis MPTO Rally 

In Hannibal April 19 

ST. LOinS—Eddie Rosecan, owner of the 

Rialto at Hannibal and resident chairman 

for the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of 

St. Louis, eastern Missouri and southern Illinois 

meeting at the Mark Twain hotel in 

Hannibal April 19, met here with Tom 

Bloomer of Belleville, 111., and Paul Krueger, 

co-manager of the Wehrenberg circuit, 

members of a committee in charge of the 

program for the meeting. Russell Armentrout 

of Louisiana, Mo., chairman of the 

program committee, did not attend, since he 

is in Colorado. 

Tentative arrangements call for a screening 

of a feature film in the Rialto Theatre. 

Later at the hotel meeting, Russell Bovim, 

St. Louis manager for Loew's Theatres, will 

discuss advertising and exploitation of the 

film shown. Morton S. Gottlieb of Joe Hornstein, 

Inc., will discuss developments in the 

field of third dimension films and coordinated 

sound. He recently studied advancements 

in that field on a trip to New York 

City. 

G. F. HALLORAN TO SPEAK 

Gordon F. Halloran of 20th-Fox also will 

speak. Tom Edwards of Farmington, president 

of MPTO, will preside. A large motorbus 

will carry exhibitors and others from 

St. Louis to the meeting. The bus will leave 

from the front of the Empress Theatre. 

Exhibitors in southern Illinois and Missouri 

who want to ride the bus may do so by 

making arrangements through Myra Stroud, 

managing secretary of MPTO. 

Plans for the Hannibal meeting also were 

discussed at a meeting of the board of directors 

and officers held in the Ansell Theatres 

offices recently. Tom Edwards was unable 

to get to St. Louis because of ice on 

the highways. He was forced to turn back 

at Festus, where highway patrol and state 

highway department men said conditions between 

there and St. Louis were too dangerous. 

Charley Weeks of Dexter, another director, 

also had a rough time reaching St. Louis. 

His car slid off the road and went into a 

ditch twice en route from Dexter, once near 

Dutchtown and again not far from DeSoto, 

about 118 miles from his home. Advised 

that the going would get tougher between 

DeSoto and St. Louis he decided to take 

the chance, since it then was only about 50 

miles to the meeting spot and 118 miles back 

home. He stayed in St. Louis for a couple 

of days and in the meantime road conditions 

cleared up so that he had no trouble 

on the return trip. 

ADVISES ON KID TAX 

At the board meeting a letter received 

from the collector of internal revenue was 

read, advising that where theatres admit 

children free of charge if accompanied by 

parents the federal admission tax must be 

paid if other children must pay a cash admission 

price to see the show and if the 

fixed rate for children is ten cents or more. 

The possibilities of a national industry 

public relations advertising campaign, including 

use of television trailers for leading 

productions and institutional advertising in 

newspapers and magazines, were discussed. 

President Edwards, who is a director of the 

TOA, will present the suggestion at the 

meeting of the TOA board early in April. 

Mofion Pictures— The Greatest 

And Most Versatile of All Arts' 

From Southeast Edition 

RALEIGH, N. C—Praise of motion pictures, 

written by a reader, Deane Morrison 

of Rocky Mount, N. C, and headed 

"The Greatest Form of Art," was published 

in the People's Forum section of 

the Raleigh News and Observer recently. 

It 

follows: 

GREATEST FORM OF ART 

To the Editor: 

I hate to admit it, but it is the truth: 

Most of the happiness that I have personally 

experienced in this world, in my 

own lifetime, has been that encountered 

in the semidarkness of the cinema house. 

I have worked; I have loved; I have 

read; I have written; I have eaten, and 

have had adventures unparalleled and 

unbelievable with the human heart. I 

have gone to wars, starved, suffered, 

traveled, known intimately the famous 

and infamous, and done all sorts of 

things. I have slept and dreamed dreams 

of wonder and magic. I have trusted, and 

been betrayed, and trusted again. I have 

known suicide, and death, and destruction, 

and great beauty, and poetry, and 

Abe Kramer's Daughter 

Signed for Film Role 

From Mideast Edition 

CLEVELAND—Hope Kramer, daughter of 

Abe Kramer, one of the officials of the Associated 

circuit, has been signed by Warners 

to play a part in a thriller based on the story 

"I Was a Communist for the FBI." Miss 

Kramer has had dramatic training in the 

east and at the Pasadena Playhouse. 

Teacher Buys Theatre 

CLINTON, ILL.—George Kidd, former 

coach and history teacher at Wapella high 

school, has purchased the Rialto Theatre in 

Pekin. 

Remodeled Theatre Is Opened 

BLOOMINGTON, IND.—The Roxy Theatre 

was reopened recently after a five-week shutdown 

for remodeling. Doyle Carter is manager. 

Three Set for Adults Only 

CHICAGO—The Chicago censor board reviewed 

81 pictures (395,000 feet of film) last 

month. None were rejected and three Mexican 

pictures were classified for adults only. 

Fashion Show at Theatre 

BATAVIA, ILL.—The Geneva Theatre here 

will be host to the sixth annual fashion 

show sponsored by the Community hospital 

auxiliary. The show will be given April 18. 

Lyric Family Night a Bargain 

GILLESPIE, ILL.—The Lyric, a Prisina 

theatre, is offering a bargain family night 

every Thursday evening, admitting all members 

of a family for 60 cents. 

literature, and art, and genius. 

But, in the end, nothing has equaled 

the great thing that is the cinema. 

I cannot say it with the words. There 

is no articulation to express adequately 

the wonderland that the motion picture 

film can bring to the individual, so cheaply, 

so consistently, so certainly, so vividly. 

Already, I have lived a thousand lives. 

I have been inside the hearts of men, 

women and children. I have lived in 

sunny climes, rich and poor, beautiful 

and ugly, and done all the things a 

human being could do, ever. There is no 

end to the supply, no ceasing to the demand, 

no tiring of the visual and auditory 

delight. 

The cinema is the greatest form of art 

that man has ever designed. It is cheap 

and priceless. It is articulated. There is 

nothing that it cannot convey. There is 

no story that it cannot better tell than 

any other method. There is no land, or 

heart or city it cannot penetrate. It has 

every advantage. 

DEANE MORRISON 

Rocky Mount, N. C. 

Florida Fights to Keep 

'Mailman' Film Title 

From Southeast Edition 

MIAMI—Florida has taken a proprietary 

interest in the forthcoming picture, "The 

Barefoot Mailman," by native son Theodore 

Pratt. The announced intention of the producers 

to change the title has caused no 

little uproar in the state. Latest to take up 

cudgels in the cause is John Pennekamp, 

associate editor of the Miami Herald, who 

spoke out on the editorial page recently. 

"Theodore Pratt, the Boca Baton author, 

has been carrying on a single-handed fight 

to have Columbia Pictures retain the title 

'The Barefoot Mailman' for the picture they 

have made of his book by that name. The 

studio is reported to be looking for an 'action 

title.' Pratt has a horror they might come 

up with something like 'Lust in the Everglades.' 

"And so, at the risk of being charged with 

a few more copies of the book 

helping to sell 

(its sales have passed half a million), this 

is written to line up on his side. Anyhow, 

it won't hurt anybody to be introduced into 

the fascinating appeal of this Florida classic. 

"Pratt isn't arguing for the title to sell 

more of the books. He refused to sell the 

rights to make a picture of it to another 

company because they would not agree to 

shoot it in Florida, the actual scene of its 

moving drama. Columbia got the book when 

it met this objection. 

"Pratt said that Boca Raton has petitioned 

Columbia to retain the title. He also 

said that Florida theatre managers have announced 

that no matter what Columbia calls 

the picture, on their theatre marquees, posters 

etc., they will use 'The Barefoot Mailman.' 

To Build Concession Stand 

URBANA, ILL.—The Virginia Theatre has 

obtained a building permit for construction 

of a $2,500 concession stand in the lobby. 


THoocc^ /tneSetteftVUHSt^.^MOyN ABOUT YOUR THEATRE? 

lo win public favor, your theatre needs: 

PATRON 

COMFORT 

CHARM of COLOR 

HARMONY of 

DESIGN 

Improvement 

" PAYS... "' 

Do It 

NOW! 

MODERN 

THEATRE 

Theatre improvements are reported 

in detail in the monthly 

Modem Theatre section oi 

BOXOFFICE. The hows and 

whys are detailed and pictured 

to moke them easy for you to 

use in your own theatre, for 

your own local needs. 

Be sure to read this big, wellplaimed 

section, issued the 

first Saturday of each month. 

The information offered is invaluable 

for any progressive 

exhibitor. 

Improvements are on investment that pays. 

Many a closed house lacks only the extra appeal 

of color, design and patron comfort. 

Thousands of passive ticket buyers can be 

changed into enthusiastic supporters by extra 

eye appeal, comfort appeal of an improved 

modern building. 

BOXOFFICE, from every angle, gives you 

information you need and inspires you with 

courage to do as others are doing to make 

your business hum. 

Keep up with the times—ahead of the demands. The 

public is flocking back to pictures, disappointed with other 

forms of entertainment. Is your house clean and wholesome, 

attractive at all times? 

Always out front 

with leadership* 

plans— methods 

I 

OXOFFICE 


Curtailed Air Cooling 

Threatens in Detroit 

DETROIT—Air conditioning and refrigeration 

of theatres in this area may have to be 

curtailed because of water scarcity, despite the 

presence of an apparently unlimited source 

of water in the Great Lakes, according to 

John C. Rehard, chief safety engineer of the 

city department of buildings and safety 

engineering. The amount of refrigeration 

capacity in the city increased about 75 per 

cent from 1946 to 1950 and is given responsibility 

for an important part of the increase 

in the use of city water. Pumping and sewer 

capacity, rather than available water supply, 

is the immediate limiting factor, Rehard indicated. 

Theatres were not specifically named, but 

the increase in air conditioning in shows has 

been continuous and has played its part in 

the total picture. Theatres are especially 

vulnerable in a time of critical shortage, because 

of the fact that conditioning equipment 

may not be considered an essential. 

Corrective measures to prevent waste in 

refrigeration are fairly easy to apply, Rehard 

said. 

Michigan Booking Agents 

Selects Ray Gorrell 

DETROIT—Ray Gorrell has been elected 

president of the Michigan Theatrical Booking 

Agents Ass'n, with Peter J. lodice of 

Amusement Booking Service as vice-president. 

Other new officers are Mabel Duggan, 

secretary; Jules Klein, treasurer; agentdirectors, 

Mike Falk and Glenn Jacobs; associate 

directors, Harry Lee, Del Delbrldge and 

Val Campbell. 

EMna Ray was named chairman of the 

committee to arrange the annual banquet, 

with Bill O'Halloran and Howard Bruce. 

Other appointments were: entertainment, 

Howard Bruce, chairman, with Edna Ray and 

Bill O'Halloran; membership. Buddy Fields, 

chairman, with Billee Hammond and Val 

Campbell, and grievance, Peter lodice, chairman, 

with Del Delbridge and Mike Falk. 

Detroit Downtown Closed 

By Balaban Interests 

DETROIT—The Downtown Theatre, first 

run house operated by the Balaban interests, 

closed Friday (16) for Holy week, and is expected 

to remain dark for several weeks. 

Managing Director Meyers is lining up a 

series of special attractions, including exploitation 

pictures and will reopen as soon 

as bookings and campaigns are lined up. 

Meyers is also in charge of the first run 

Adams, which remains in full operation. 

Last attraction at the Downtown was a 

special Lenten booking of Hallmark's "The 

Prince of Peace," which did fair business, 

but faced the handicap of previous engagements 

at suburban houses in the Detroit 

area. 

Detroit Greenwood to Close 

DETROIT—David Korman, circuit owner, 

will close the Greenwood Theatre about May 

1 for about four months. The Greenwood is 

affected by major highway construction nearby, 

cutting off accessibility from the east. 

Supreme Court In 

Voids 'Charity 

CLEVELAND—The Ohio supreme court 

this week declared the Cleveland bingo licensing 

ordinance illegal, upholding the ruling 

of common pleas Judge Prank J. Merrick and 

the court of appeals. 

But far from settling the status of bingo 

in the county, a controversy has arisen between 

Mayor Thomas A. Burke and a group 

of city council members who aim to circumvent 

the court rulings by substituting registration 

instead of licenses for bingo operators. 

Immediately following announcement of 

the supreme court ruling Mayor Burke recalled 

all bingo licenses, said to total 39, 

and ordered cessation of all bingo operation. 

The operators then defied the Mayor's order 

and continued operation. 

ALL BINGO SPONSORED 

Bingo has operated under a city ordinance 

which provides it is legal when conducted for 

charity. The bingo parlors are all sponsored 

by some organization. However, in previous 

hearings the license commissioner, Stanley 

Nemec, testified that only about 3 per cent 

of the estimated $10,000,000 annual take has 

been turned over to charity. 

Mayor Burke seeks to push through the 

city council action on an antibingo ordinance 

which carries with it penalties of imprisonment 

and fines for violators, but has intimated 

he will use other means to close the 

bingo parlors if he does not get council 

support. Judge Merrick claims that state 

anti-gambling laws can be used against the 

bingo operators. 

This supreme court ruling voids the bingo 

ordinances only in the eighth appellate district 

(Cuyahoga county), but it is concluded 

that similar laws would be upset 

wherever they are challenged. 

The local controversy centers on interpretation 

of Ohio General Code section 13064, 

enacted in 1943, which provides penalties for 

persons operating a lottery or scheme of 

chance for personal profit. The city council 

enacted an ordinance permitting the licensing 

of bingo for charitable purposes. 

RULES BINGO ILLEGAL 

In hearings of the suit challenging the 

legality of the city ordinance instituted by 

two Cleveland lawyers, Myron D. Malitz and 

William J. Kraus, Lee Howley, city law director, 

claims the city license ordinance is legal. 

Judge Merrick ruled in favor of Malitz and 

Kraus, who argued that bingo was illegal 

whether played for charity or not. 

William J. Kraus, described as a Cleveland 

taxpayer, filed the suit to outlaw bingo in 

April 1949. That summer the suit was thrown 

out of court by Judge James C. Connell, who 

said there was no cause of action. The case 

was then taken to the court of appeals which 

reversed the trial court and reinstated the 

suit. Thereupon the city of Cleveland appealed 

to the Ohio supreme court which refused 

the city's plea to throw the case out again. 

Back in common pleas court, the case came 

to trial before Judge Merrick who ruled 

against the city. Once more the lawsuit went 

to the court of appeals. 

Bingo 

Ohio 

It is indicated that Mayor Burke's antibingo 

ordinance will be opposed by Councilman 

Jack Russell, majority floor leader, and 

that Councilman Bronis J. Klementowucz 

would introduce legislation to control the 

game through "registration" rather than 

through licensing, now forbidden. 

Suburbs of Cleveland differ in their interpretation 

of the law. Roland A. Baskln, 

solicitor of Brook Park, is quoted as believing 

bingo to be legal if operated for charity. 

Lakewood's law director wants more time to 

study the supreme court ruling. No bingo 

except where all proceeds go to charity will 

be permitted in Brooklyn, according to Mayor 

John M. Coyne. Newburgh Heights' Mayor 

Dan Jablonski said his suburb would have no 

bingo whatsoever. 

Local newspapers have editorially expressed 

approval of the supreme court ruling against 

bingo. "Let's rid the city of this game which 

in the long run amuses nobody and profits 

nobody except sticky-fingered racketeers," 

commented the Plain Dealer. "This newspaper 

is delighted to see the Cleveland city 

government's partnership with a racket dissolved"—Press, 

March 15. 

Theatre owners have been notified by the 

Cleveland Motion Picture Exhibitors Ass'n to 

remove all bingo announcements from their 

marquees to conform with the law. It is the 

contention of theatre owners, however, that 

as employed in theatres, bingo and similar 

cash games do not fall under the classification 

of lottery because there is no admission 

charged to participate in the game. Theatre 

admissions are the same on bingo nights 

as on all other nights. 

Bingo Games Stopped 

In Jefferson County 

STEUBENVILLE, OHIO — A ban on the 

operation of bingo games in Jefferson county 

has been ordered by Prosecutor James 

Borokowski. In letters to Sheriff Clarence 

Eberts and Police Chief Ross Cunningham 

Borokowski said: 

"This is to advise you that I have held 

that carrying on of bingo games, whether for 

charitable purposes or not, is illegal and you 

are requested to notify the operators to discontinue 

same. Otherwise they will be fully 

prosecuted under the law." 

Approximately 20 bingo operations conducted 

in the name of church, veterans and 

fraternal groups are affected. 

Ohio Exhibitors Asked 

To Luncheon Meeting 

COLUMBUS—Ohio exhibitors have been 

invited to a protest luncheon meeting at 

noon Thursday (29) at the Deshler-Wallick 

hotel here by P. J. Wood, secretary of the 

Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio. Wood 

said he called the meeting in the face of 

continuing high rentals in a period of declining 

boxoffice grosses. Wood said that 

figures from 2'' Ohio cities showed a 19 per 

cent drop in admission taxes in January 

1951 over January 1950. "We are informed 

that February 1951 is much worse than January," 

Wood said. 

BOXOFFICE March 24, 1951 ME 79

. . Last 

PITTSBURGH 

TlUtt Bros. Theatres, with headquarters on 

Filmrow here, has named Donald Baecher 

as manager of the Chautauqua and Lakewood 

drive-ins in the Chautauqua area in 

New York . . . This circuit's 

East Aurora, N. Y., now is 

new Aurora in 

managed by Tom 

Bello jr.. former manager of the Lakewood 

Drive-In . . . John Bello has been transferred 

by the Blatts from Albion to Mercer as manager. 

Tom jr., and John are sons of Tom 

Bello, Blatt manager at Nanty Glo . . . Mrs. 

Rose .Benn, former cashier and assistant 

manager at the circuit's unit at Albion, now 

is manager there . . . Mr. and Mrs. James 

Jansen, formerly of Corry, have established 

their home in Erie where Jansen is an auditor 

with International Harvester Co. His bride 

of recent date is the former Mary Ellen Blatt, 

daughter of Mr. and Mrs, John Blatt of 

Corry. 

Nancy, daughter of the Gilbert Cookes of 

Greenville, and Herbert DuMars were married 

March 22 ... J. R. Stefanon, manager 

of the Roaring Spring at Roaring Spring, 

has been vacationing in Florida . . Sybil 

. 

. . . 

Merritt, who stars with Tommy Cook in "The 

Vicious Years," is the daughter of the George 

Aldermans, formerly of this city, and is a 

niece of Milton and Peter Alderman, also 

formerly of Pittsburgh. Pete was a veteran 

city exhibitor, now residing in Los Angeles 

Sam Gould, manager of the Manos at 

Greensburg, assisted Seton Hill college's 

French week by screening "Joan of Arc" for 

the Sisters of Charity and student members 

of Le Cercle Lisieux. The exhibition at the 

Drive-In- 

Refreshment Equipment and Supplies 

EQUIPMENT: Popcorn Machines, French Fryers, 

Bun Warmers, Griddles, 

Steamers, Drink Dispensers, Potato 

Peelers and Cutters, Bean 

Pots, Coffee Makers. 

SUPPLIES: Popcorn, Seasoning, Boxes and Bags, 

Syrups, French Fry Oil, Candy, Potato 

Chips, Salt. 

PAPER GOODS: Cups and Lids, Carry-Out 

Trays, French Fry and Bean 

Dishes, Towels, Napkins, 

Straws, Toilet Tissue, Sandwich 

Paper, Spoons. 

Theatre Candy Co., 

400 Dinwiddie Street 

Pittsburgh 19, Pa. 

(telephone—ATIontic 1-8503) 

Inc. 

Complete Sound and Projection Service 

ATLAS THEATRE 

SUPPLY 

Gordon Gibson, Mgr. 

425 Van Braam SI. GRant 1-4281 Pittsburgh, Pa. 

MOTIOGRAPH — MIRROPHONIC 

SAM FINEBERG 

TOM McCLEARY 

1705 Blvd. of the Allies 

PITTSBURGH 19, PA. 

Phone EXprest 1-0777 

Mo»iw Art Brtltf Than E>«r Haw's Your Egiiipmitt 

college's Sullivan hall was a mark of esteem 

for Sister Marie Elise Blouin, head of the 

French department at the college. 

Mrs. Harry Fleishman of the Brighton on 

the northside has been in Allegheny General 

hospital for almost two months, with a slight 

heart ailment . year Jeannette coun- 

. . . The 

cil enacted a one-half of 1 per cent wage tax, 

and last week the school board there matched 

Bart Dattola, New Kensington exhibitor, 

it . . . 

who was confined to bed at Johns 

Hopkins hospital in Baltimore for a number 

of weeks, has returned to home 

Ladies store at Butler presented a spring 

fashion revue at the Butler Theatre . . . 

Strand at Aliquippa featured "Ward-Shah" 

at $1 top admission. This was the initial 

mideast exhibition of the Egyptian film. 

New Kensington city council has named 

Fred Serrao of the Circle Theatre as one of 

three members of its recently established 

fact-finding commission. This new panel 

now is examining the proposed ice skating 

Clarence Bell was exploiting 

rink lease . . . 

Columbia's "Valentino" . . . Pennsylvania's 

1951 primary election date has been signed 

The city of 

into law as of July 24 . . . 

Meadville received $26,692.68 in admission 

The John H. Harrises 

taxes in 1950 . . . 

(She is Donna Atwood. star of 'Ice Capades') 

and their year-old twin sons Denis and Donald, 

and Johnny jr., are residing in Hollywood 

until July. 

Dr. Lewis Urling's Brighton at New Brighton 

and the Tusca Drive-In on Tuscarawas 

road near Beaver now are licensed and booked 

by Vincent J. Corso's Star distributing 

agency. The outdoor theatre was completed 

and opened very late last season . . . Colosseum's 

second annual dinner dance will be 

held the evening of May 6 at the Roosevelt 

hotel. The film sales representatives will 

publish a program in connection with the 

event . . John Perry, Belle Vernon exhibitor, 

. 

reports that his eldest son Jim has returned 

to the air force and is stationed in Florida 

... At the kiddy Easter party in the Circle 

at New Kensington gifts and awards included 

live and chocolate bunnies, baby chicks and 

candy chicks, eggs, baskets and nuts . . . 

The bill in the Pennsylvania legislature 

which would permit Sunday civic light opera 

in Pittsburgh was not called up for second 

reading in the lower house as the result of 

opposition members who stanchly support 

the commonwealth's old blue law system. 

Sadsbury School Board 

Levies 10 Per Cent Tax 

MEADVILLE, PA.—A resolution levying a 

10 per cent amusement tax in Sadsbury township 

was adopted at a special meeting of the 

school board. Exempt from the tax are entertainments 

presented by school groups, firemen 

and charitable organizations. The 

amusement admission tax will cut into attendance 

at the Lake Side Drive-In, owned 

and managed by F. Elmer Hasley and Samuel 

Yakish. 

The same evening that the school board 

enacted the tax, community businessmen 

held a meeting to discuss how to bring more 

people into the township. 

Set for 'Savage Drums' 

Ray Kenny and Choral Islanders have 

been set for Lippert Productions' "Savage 

Drums." 

WEST VIRGINIA 

\JiTest Virginia's Democratic 50th legislature 

adjourned after adopting a budget bill 

providing $165,658,000 in general fund appropriations 

for the next two years, beginning 

July 1. This represents, for a second 

straight time, a new record in spending from 

the general fund. The total is eight times 

greater than that approved under the last 

Republican administration in 1931. The 

Mountain state lawmakers provided for payment 

of the $90,000,000 veterans bonus by 

adding a one-cent tax on a pack of cigarets, 

upping the beer barrel tax and increasing the 

price of whiskey. Another two-cent tax was 

placed on a pack of cigarets, the West Virginia 

tax now being 4 cents per package. The 

legislature also placed a one cent tax on a 

bottle of pop or glass of soda water and removed 

the 50-cent exemption on food purchases. 

Every purchase, come July, will become 

subject to the 2 per cent consumer's 

sales tax. 

Ralph Raspa, manager 

of the State Theatre 

of Rivesville, obtained 

his A.B. degree 

in journalism at the 

Fairmont State college 

here in January. 

Raspa now has a fulltime 

job as a reporter 

on the Fairmont paper 

but will also continue 

his work at the theatre 

where he has 

been associated so 

long with his father, 

Frank Raspa. 

Ralph Raspa 

Ringling circus will not appear in Wheeling 

on June 2 as anticipated as agents could 

not find a tract of land in the area large 

enough to accommodate the three-ring affair. 

Dissolution of Wilmer Co. 

Asked by Richard Brown 

PITTSBURGH—Dissolution of the Wilmer 

Amusement Co., which operates theatres in 

Glassport, Millvale and Wilmerding, was 

asked in common pleas court by Richard E. 

Brown sr. of Pittsburgh, one of five partners 

in the enterprise. Son of the late Harry 

Brown of the old Nixon, Dick Brown charged 

that his four associates were dominating the 

business, had forced his removal as manager 

of the Grant in Millvale, and had only recently 

threatened to deprive him of his 

partnership interest and accept a division of 

the assets. 

He named as defendants three brothers, 

James, Alexander and John J. Jaffurs jr., 

and William Anast, all of Wilkinsburg. He 

said the original partnership was formed 

March 27, 1937. Brown asked the court to 

appoint a receiver for the firm with the corporation 

as operating agency, pending final 

dissolution of the partnership. Two months 

ago seven film distributors entered fraud 

actions in federal court here against the 

Wilmer theatres. 

George E. Potts Named 

TARENTUM, PA.—New manager of the 

local Manos is George E. Potts, who came 

here from the Manos at Hollidaysburg. An 

airforce veteran. Potts has been with the 

Manos circuit for the last seven years, starting 

in his native Indiana, Pa. 

80 BOXOFFICE March 24. 1951

. . 

Shea's at Youngstown 

Remodel Paramount 

I 

YOUNGSTOWN—Shea's Paramount here 

has been remodeled at a cost of $150,000. The 

work included the inner lobby and mezzanine, 

new seats and carpeting, and redecorating of 

the foyer and auditorium. Jack Hynes is 

manager. The remodeling was planned by 

Frederick Stritzel, Columbus, architect, and 

supervised by Gerald Shea, vice-president of 

the Shea Theatres Corp. Heller-Murray Co., 

Youngstown, was general contractor. 

A new floor with sound-absorbent characteristics 

was laid when the new seats were 

installed. The heating and cooling system 

was completely renovated. Installation of a 

new water spray for the roof and new precipitators, 

adding to the capacity of the cooling 

plant, permits faster and more constant 

regulation of temperatures. New ducts were 

installed for a more even distribution of cold 

and hot air. 

A new soundproof wall was built to separate 

the mezzanine runway from the auditorium. 

The office walls were moved to 

provide space for larger lounging area for 

the restrooms. 

Walls of the auditorium were covered in a 

sound-absorbent spun glass fabric blending 

with the coral and Kentucky green decorations 

of the ceiling. Austrian draperies resembling 

Venetian blinds close off the sound 

between the lobby and auditorium. New 

draperies of Wedgewood blue and cloth of 

gold extend from the organ boxes on each 

side of the proscenium arch to the ceiling. 

Same colors are also used for the Austrian 

shades above the standee rail. 

Paramount is the third house in the United 

States to install the new Marlux type of 

lighting, which is used in the outer lobby. The 

ceiling of the lobby is built of corrugated 

white plastic below flourescent lights, giving 

the effect of turning the entire ceiling into 

an electric lamp. 

A new soundproof concession stand has 

been incorporated in the design for the inner 

lobby. Other improvements in the building 

include the complete remodeling of the third 

floor to provide office space, locker rooms, 

and restrooms for employes. 

Paramount Mideast Men 

Hold Pittsburgh Confab 

PITTSBURGH — Paramount's mideastern 

sales division personnel met here Saturday 

(17) at the William Penn hotel to discuss 

product and sales plans laid out at the recent 

gathering in New York of division sales manager. 

Howard G. Minsky, mideastern division 

manager, presided. 

Branch managers who attended were William 

Meier, Cincinnati; Harry Buxbaum, 

Cleveland; Mike Simon, Detroit, and John 

Himmelein, his assistant; Ulrik Smith, Philadelphia; 

Herb Gillis, his assistant; David 

Kimelman, and the full sales and booking 

staff of the Pittsburgh exchange; Bob 

Caskey. Kimelman's assistant; Al Benson, 

Washington manager, and Herb Thompson, 

his assistant. 

Sid Mesibov, exploitation manager, represented 

the home office. Mike Weiss. Milt 

Hale and Hal Marshall, field men, also attended. 


CINCINNATI 

I^rs. J. S. Abrose, wife of the Warner manager, 

headed the committee in charge of 

the benefit card party given by the Ladies 

Tenthree Society. Proceeds will be used for 

the Variety Club foundling home project. 

Mrs. M. D. Dennis is president of the group. 

Other members of the committee were Mrs. 

Vance Schwartz, Mrs. William Onie, Mrs. 

Joseph Rolling and Mrs. Harry Nemo. 

More than S500 was stolen from a safe 

of the Hippodrome Theatre recently, along 

with the keys to the food concessions. 

Charles P. Carr is manager of the theatre. 

He informed police that although the money 

was taken from a locked safe in the office, 

the combination had not been tampered with 

. . . Four Hollywood stars—Charles Boyer, 

Charles Laughton, Sir Cedric Hardwicke and 

Agnes Moorehead—presented a one-act play, 

"Don Juan in Hell," by George Bernard Shaw, 

at the Miami university in Oxford. 

Bud Gilliam, former booker for Warner 

Theatres, Cleveland, for the last 16 years, 

has joined Belpik Corp., Cincinnati, a Schine 

affiliate, as booking manager. He replaced 

Murray Baker, who now is affiliated with 

Harold Raives, 

Northio Theatres Corp. . . . 

the Schine Ohio division manager, divides 

his time between the Cleveland and Cincinnati 

offices. 

Mary Ann Grace is secretary to Jack 

Keegan of Cooperative Theatre Service. She 

formerly was with RKO . . . William and Al 

Thalheimer were in town, as was Frank Allara 

of Matewan and Delbarton, W. Va. Allara 

suffered a broken wrist from a fall in Matewan 

recently. 

. . . Al Glaubinger, 

Jack McCuUough of the Motion Picture 

Ass'n held a meeting in the 20th-Fox screening 

room, when he addressed office managers, 

head bookers, head shippers and head inspectors 

of all exchanges on conservation and 

handling of raw stock 

manager, ELC, attended a sales meeting in 

New York for district and branch manager. 

William Gamer, former West Virginia 

salesman for ELC, has resigned, and will devote 

his time to the operation of a drive-in 

in Virginia Beach, in which he is interested. 

Joseph A. McKnight, Lexington, Ky., will 

represent ELC in West Virginia. McKnight 

was for many years Kentucky salesman for 

RKO . . . Jack Finberg was confined to his 

home for a few days with a severe cold. 

Charlotte Bosskopf, Columbia secretary, 

who underwent an operation a number of 

weeks ago for a broken hip suffered when 

she fell on icy pavement, still is confined in 

the Good Samaritan hospital . . . Joan 

Rusche, secretary at RKO, has resigned. 

. 

Seen on the Row were F. E. Gross, Crooksville; 

Ted Pekras, Columbus; Ray Law, 

Lebanon; D. D. Brakefield, Sabina; Mike 

Chakeres and Ray Frisz, Springfield 

Carroll Lawler of the Shea New York office 

accompanied the Shea Ohio managers to the 

Midwest Theatre Supply installed 

exchanges . . . 

new RCA sound and RCA projectors 

in the Monte Vista Theatre here. 

William A. Meier, branch manager, Paramount, 

attended a division meeting in Pittsburgh 

March 17-19. It was conducted by 

Howard G. Minsky, division manager . 

. . 

Irene Loew, former secretary in the U-I district 

office here, has resigned. The district 

office has been moved to Atlanta, since the 

transfer of Peter G. Rosian to Cleveland. 

C. E. Huprich, who operates the Skyway 

Drive-In, South Zanesville, was a visitor as 

were Mr. and Mrs. Biedecker of the Maple 

Drive-In, Zanesville . . . Rube Shor now is 

affiliated with William Borack in the Tri- 

State Theatre Service. Offices of the newly 

formed company are adjoining Shor's office 

in the Film building. The company now is 

servicing approximately 30 theatres. One of 

the recent exhibitors to join Tri-State is 

Ross Filson, operating the Park and State 

Theatres, Point Pleasant, W. Va., and the 

Mason Drive-In, Mason City, W. Va. 

Toledo Variety Moves Up 

TOLEDO—Variety Tent 30 is moving its 

clubrooms from the main floor to the fourth 

floor of the Willard hotel. 

George Folsey will photograph "Come 

Another Day" for MGM release. 

DRIVE-INS/ 

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FREE LITERATURE 

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AOAMS 8107 


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DETROIT 

prank Stuart, former manager of the Midway 

in Dearborn, is winding up his first 

vacation in years and will announce a new 

theatre connection shortly. Arthur F. Brock, 

who succeeded him, went to the hospital for 

treatment of a leg trouble and his son-in-law 

is pinch-hitting 

Row veteran 

for him . 

and Garden manager, 

Garner, 

is taking 

things easy after his long illness . Sam 

. . 

Seplowin, Republic chief, was in Pittsburgh 

for a conference . . . Bill Bishop and Warren 

Slee, transferred to MGM's Chicago staff, 

are new directors of the Publicity club there. 

William B. Zoellner, MGM short subject 

chief, visited here as did Vivian Aumock from 

Wyandotte . . . Ray Gorrell is back on the 

job after a month in the hospital . . . Louis 

Bujak, who has been managing the Martha 

Washington for Mrs. Martha Manteuffel in 

Hamtramck, has taken a leave of absence 

because of ill health. Charles T. Danke has 

taken over for him . 

. . Ernest Pelson, visiting 

here from the Columbia home office, says 

he has his new plastic film reel about perfected 

. . . Sid Golos of S&G Premiums made 

a quick trip down to visit trailer man Pete 

Simon . . . Eunice Nammberg has joined the 

Allied Theatres office staff. 

James Best of Lapeer, operator at the Gem 

in Flint, is in Ford hospital here, recovering 

from a stroke . . . Charles Simpson of Central 

Shipping bureau has his leg out of a cast . . . 

William Kimmel of the West End says he 

likes this exploitation business after a workout 

on "The Milkman" . . . Joseph Lee, Fox 

manager, is back from Florida . . . Cecil Cox 

has moved over from the Piccadilly to the 

Ace replacing Harold T. Stephens, who became 

a televiser ... Wally Mazur, manager 

of the Ace, has recovered from his flu attack. 

. 

. . . Ralph 

Joseph LaRose, veteran manager of the 

Eastown, was sick with George Pittsley of 

the Roosevelt doing double duty in his absence 

Gus Nicholas, operator at the now 

. . . closed Forest, has moved into the Azteca 

booth Beers has moved from 

the Fenkell to the Rainbo replacing Earl 

John Crissman has 

Franklin Woodling . . . 

transferred from the Fenkell to the Oakman, 

replacing Richard Wren as manager . . . Bill 

Canter is the new appointee at the Fenkell 

with Ed Wenclasky, who used to be at the 

Hoover, moving into the booth 

Raskin has booked a dish deal into the 

Campau in Hamtramck. 

. 

. 

Casper J. Bendy, former operator, has enrolled 

at the University of Detroit . . . Henry 

Berry is looking forward to putting the balcony 

of the Lancaster in River Rouge back 

in service after Lent Gremel, 

manager of the Ramona, did a super-special 

job of cooperation on Girl Scout week . . . 

Frank Tlernan jr. Is moving from the Arc, 

while Frank sr. remains snugly at the Ramona 

. . . Juan M. Morales and Rudolph 

Schneider have taken over the Model, formerly 

run by Ben Helfman. Morales will be 

active manager, assisted by his sons. Ronald 

Newton moved into the booth, replacing 

Charles L. Anderson Mosckos of 

the Royal is In Henry Ford hospital for extended 

observation, with Bernard Coveleskl 

pinch-hitting for him. 

Geortre Walter, sales engineer, and Ed 

Lacbman, president of Lorraine Carbon Co., 

were local visitors from New Jersey . . . Carl 

Mingione is putting in the first of the new 

Stub-A-Timers, measuring device designed to 

prolong the use of carbons 

and Milt Hale of 

. . . 

Paramount 

Mike Simon 

headed for 

Pittsburgh for a sales conference over the 

weekend, returning here to host Thelma Ritter 

at a cocktail party Tuesday, in advance 

of "The Mating Season." 

Ted Rog-voy is doing some home-building 

for the first time in years . Tucker, 

Republic star, dropped in en route west to 

start production of "Wings Across the Pacific" 

John P. Curtin, new Republic district 

. . . manager, was busy getting acquainted 

on his first official visit . . . Henry Mayer, 

office manager, and Eilene Mahoney, biller, 

both of Warners, were out with the prevalent 

flu . . . Lee Ward of Mount Pleasant came in 

for 

a visit. 

The Tatu & Metes circuit has registered 

its basic operating company, the Nortown- 

Casino Theatre Co., with John and Mary 

Tatu, Marie and John Metes, and John Tatu 

jr. as the partners . Tatu jr. is celebrating 

the recent birth of his son, Raymond 

John Tatu . H. FMnk, former assistant, 

has taken over management of the 

Great Lakes, family-operated west side house. 

Prank Leonard resigned to go to Florida. 

John Mayfield acts as relief manager on 

Thursday nights . . . George Flucksa, partner 

in the Cameo, is on the job after a bout of 

heart trouble and flu . . . Raymond E. Moon, 

Fox executive, was in town visiting Jack and 

Mae Krass. 

Increceed Foreign Film 

Schedule for Detroit 

DETROIT — The Azteca, formerly the 

Brooklyn, operated by Victor Lopez Hererra, 

is switching to seven days of foreign films, 

two changes a week, from one four-day 

change. The city is slated for its heaviest 

schedule of Spanish and Mexican films. 

Recently the Model went from four to seven 

days of Spanish screen fare. About 20 per 

cent of the new films screened in the city in 

January and February were Spanish. Demand 

for Spanish films should show a sharp increase 

over this high proportion with the 

doubling of number of features shown. 

Departing from his recent roles Edmund 

Gwenn is portraying a priest in Paramount's 

"Peking Express." 

niluc 

CAN'T BE BEA-J 

for SPEED & ^ 

QUALITY 

^m '^ 

CHICAGO 

1327 S. Wabash 

NEW YORK 

619 W. $4th St 

82 BOXOFFICE ;: March 24, 1951

SPRINGFIELD 

JIH managers of Chakeres theatres here in 

addition to Michael H. Chakeres, president 

of the Springfield Theatre Co., and Frank 

Collins, general manager of Chakeres Theatres, 

Inc., attended the funeral of Ray 

Brown, 57-year-old veteran showman and district 

manager for Warner Theatres in southern 

Ohio, who suffered a fatal heart attack 

while watching a film in the Ohio Theatre in 

Lima . . . Frank Collins called in all Chakeres 

Ohio managers for an exploitation meeting. 

Plans for spring and summer promotion 

stunts were discussed. 

George Bauer, manager of the Regent, 

screened "I'd Climb the Highest Mountain" 

for all ministers and their wives in Clark 

county. About 135 attended and heard Bauer 

explain the merits of the picture before it 

was run. The Regent manager also mailed 

out heralds to all rural boxholders telling of 

the movie. He covered all towns in a radius 

of 25 miles from Springfield with large window 

cards. Bauer said it was unprecedented 

for him to exploit the picture to such an 

extent since it is playing a week before Easter 

when business usually is poor. But, he said, 

since it is a religious film, he felt the move 

was Justified and it also may result in better 

business. 

. . . John Huffman, 

Woodrow Owens, manager of the Pairbanks, 

plans to start his annual Kiddy club 

soon after Easter. Children in the club are 

given free membership cards and attend 

shows each Saturday during the summer. 

By being a member in good standing, each 

child holding a membership card is admitted 

free at the last Saturday presentation. The 

club operates for 12 weeks 

manager of the Majestic, passed 

out 

5,000 heralds to all office girls in the city 

and all stores promoting the film "Outrage." 

George Bauer, manager of the Regent, arranged 

for 5,000 postcards to be sent local 

residents from the St. Moritz hotel in New 

. 

York, plugging "Born Yesterday." The cards 

were sent by the Columbia exploitation department 

. . "Kodachrome Time," a new 

15-minute program, will be presented at the 

State Theatre in cooperation with a local 

camera store every Tuesday evening starting 

March 27. The program includes two-bytwo 

color transparent slides taken by area 

camera fans of their travels, holidays and 

home scenes. The slides will be projected on 

the screen and accompanied by organ music 

of Oliver Nicklas, State manager. A running 

commentary will be made by Axel Bahnsen, 

well-known photographer from Yellow 

Springs ... A Bugs Bunny Birthday Party 

was held at the State, Majestic and Pairbanks 

theatres March 24. 

'Kings' Show at Akron 

AKRON — The Akron Ministerial Ass'n 

sponsored showings of "The King of Kings" 

at local theatres during Holy week. The 

theatre operators donated the houses at 

specific hours without fee. Persons who saw 

the film contributed toward the rental of the 

film and the pay of the projectionists. Theatres 

showing the film were the Goodyear, 

Copley, Paramount, Boulevard, Thornton, 

Falls, Ideal, Palace and Highland. 

Grosses at Deroit 

Move Downward 

DETROIT—The prevailing business trend 

was downward, with no outstanding exceptions, 

either up or down. 

Adams September Affair (Para), 2nd wk 90 

Cinema Cyrano de Bergerac (UA), 5th wk 135 

Downtown The Prince of Peace (HP) 70 

Fox—The I3lh Letter (20th-Fox); My True Story 

(Col) 85 

Madison Salerno Beachheo'd (Realart); The 

Fighting Sullivans (Realart) _ 95 

Michigan Vengeance Valley (MGM) 90 

Palms-State—The Steel Helmet (LP); Rhythm Inn 

(Mono), 2nd wk 105 

United Artists—Payment on Demand (RKO); Short 

Grass (Mono), 3rd wk _ 95 

Payment' Bows at 120 

As Cleveland Leader 

CLEVELAND—Consistently foul weather, 

alternating between rain and snow, and 

coupled with pre-Easter observance failed to 

hurt boxoffice grosses here as badly as was 

expected. "Payment on Demand" led the 

town with 120 per cent in its opening at the 

Palace. "Three Guys Named Mike" grossed 

110 in its third week, playing at the Ohio. 

Allen—The Sword of Monte Cristo (20th-Fox) 90 

Esquire Bitter Rice (Lux), 12th d.t. wk 70 

Hippodrome Lightning Strikes Twice (WB) 80 

Lower Mall Cyrano de Bergerac (UA), roadshow 

._ No Average 

Ohio—Three Guys Named Mike (MGM), 3rd d.t. 

wk 110 

Palace Payment on Demand (RKO) 120 

State Grounds for Marriage (MGM) 75 

Stillman—The Groom Wore Spurs (U-I) 105 

Tomahawrk' Leads Cincinnati, 

Otherwise Grosses Are Off 

CINCINNATI—"Tomahawk" at 140 led the 

downtowners and was held over for a second 

week. The double bill at the Lyric, "Prehistoric 

Women" and "Two Lost Worlds," 

took second place at 120. On the whole business 

was down with attendance lower than 

in 

many recent weeks. 

Albee—Cause for Alarm (MGM) 80 

Capitol—The Groom Wore Spurs (U-I) 100 

Grand Magnificent Yankee (MGM) 60 

Keiths—Tomohawk (U-1) 140 

Lyric Prehistoric Women (ELC), Two Lost 

Worlds ( ELC) 120 

Palace—Lightning Strikes Twice (WB) 80 

'Call Me Mister' Beats 

Par at Pittsburgh 

PITTSBURGH—Only "Call Me Mister" 

registered over average at downtown theatres. 

Fulton—Steel Helmet (LP) 95 

Harris—Call Me Mister (20th-Fox) 105 

Penn—Three Guys Named Mike (MGM) 75 

Stanley—The Enforcer (WB) _ 65 

Warner—Gambling House (RKO) 60 

Critics Pick 'Mudlark' 

CLEVELAND — "The Mudlark" was the 

Cleveland Critics Circle selection as the best 

picture released downtown during February. 

Gertrude Berg in Buffalo 

BUFFALO—Gertrude Berg, star of screen, 

radio, TV and stage, was here recently to 

aid in the promotion of her new picture, 

"Molly" currently at the Paramount. Mrs. 

Berg was kept on the jump from early morning 

until late at night by a full program of 

activities lined up for her by James H. 

Eshelman, Charles B. Taylor and E. J. Wall. 

Collects $701 for "Dimes' 

EAST LIVERPOOL, OHIO—This city's 

March of Dimes campaign was given a $701 

boost from collections among Columbia Theatre 

patrons. 

LOUISVILLE 

llccording to the monthly report of state 

revenue compiled by the departments of 

finance and revenue, taxes combined on 

amusements for January 1951 were $3,833.14 

higher than for a similar period in 1950. 

Revenue for July through January 1950-51 

on combined amusements were $17,877.94 less 

than for a similar period in 1949-50 . . . Frank 

Collins, general manager of Chakeres Theatres, 

Springfield, Ohio, operator of theatres 

in Kentucky and Ohio, was here recently 

visiting the Row and renewing acquaintances. 

With the coining of summer, it is anticipated 

that 16mm" operations again will 

flourish in various sections of the state giving 

headaches to the regular motion picture exhibitors. 

During the winter the 16mm operations 

fade somewhat, but with summer, the 

16mm circuit again runs in competition to 

the regular theatre . . . Otto Ornstein, father 

of Eddie L. Ornstein, head of Ornstein Theatres, 

Marengo, Ind., operating Kentucky 

and Indiana theatres, has been confined to 

the Jewish hospital here. 

Ford Tracey, executive director of the Ohio 

Theatre here, spent several weeks in Florida 

. . . Exhibitors seen on the Row recently included 

C. O. Humston, Lyric, Lawrenceburg 

George Jaeggers, Majestic, Seymour, Ind.; 

Mrs. Clyde Marshall, Columbian, Columbia; 

Luther Knifley, Art, Knifley; Mr. and Mrs. 

Gene Lutes, Capitol, Frankfort; Mr. and Mrs. 

E. L. Ornstein, Rialto, Marengo, and Ralph 

Quarles, Majestic, Springfield. 

. . . Joining with the 

As a special inducement for children's patronage 

at the special kiddy matinee at the 

Crescent Theatre here, free candy was offered 

to all children 

Cozy and the Crescent theatres in the presentation 

of special children's matinees was 

the Vogue Theatre in St. Matthews, managed 

by Ira Allen. 

The subsequent run downtown Savoy here, 

under the executive direction of Gratia Locke 

and managed by Peg Stevens, are offering 

regular stage shows on weekends . . . The 

Kenwood Drive-In here offered a four-feature 

program on a recent Saturday, with a 

scheduled midnight show if the temperature 

was over 40 degrees. 

Introduce Bill to Ban SRO 

HARRISBURG — "Standing room only" 

eliminated in amusement 

would be virtually 

houses or public meeting places in Pennsylvania 

under a bill introduced by Rep. 

Russell E. Reese, (D.) West Brownsville. 

His measure proposes that owners, operators 

or employes be prevented from selling tickets 

over 5 per cent of the seating capacity. Violators 

of the proposed legislation would face a 

maximum $500 fine and three month's imprisonment. 

OUTSTANDING 

CRAFTSMANSHIP AND ENCINtCRINC 

BOXOFFICE : 

: March 

24, 1951 83

. . The 

RESEARCH BUREAU 

for 

MODERN THEATRE PLANNERS 

ENROLLMENT FORM FOR THE INFORMATION 

The MODERN THEATRE 

PLANNING INSTITUTE 

825 Van Brunt Blvd. 

Kansas City 1, Mo. 

Gentlemen: 

3-24-51 

Please enroll us in your RESEARCH BUREAU 

to receive information regularly, as released, on 

the following subjects for Theatre Planning: 

D Acoustics 

Air Conditioning 

D Architectural Service 

D "Black" Lighting 

n Lighting Fixtures 

n Plumbing Fixtures 

Q Projectors 

D Projection Lamps 

n Seating 

n Signs and Marquees 

n Building Material 

D Carpets 

D Coin Machines 

D Complete Remodeling Sound Equipment 

D Decorating D Television 

D Drink Dispensers D Theatre Fronts 

D Drive-In Equipment Vending Equipment 

D Other Subjects 

Theatre 

Seating Capacity 

Address : 

City 

State 

Signed 

Postogepoid reply cordf for your further convonitnc* 

in obtaining information ore provided in The MODEttN 

THEATRE RED KEY SECTION (Nov. 18, 1950). 

Neshannock Township 

Will Vote on Blue Law 

NEW CASTLK, PA.—Whether or not Sunday 

films will be legalized in Neshannock 

township may be the subject of a vote in the 

November election. Will A. Eakin, chief 

clerk of the county election board, who has 

been questioned on the matter, said that 

such a vote cannot be taken in the primary 

election but must be done at the general election. 

Referendums on the liquor and beer 

question are taken in primary election. 

The newly constructed Hi-Lander Theatre 

was opened recently in Neshannock township. 

It has been operating Sundays, but Theodore 

Altman, constable, has been swearing out 

weekly informations against the proprietors 

and Justice of the Peace Everette C. Anderson 

has fined them $50 and costs of $4.25. 

COLUMBUS 

T ee J. Hofheimer and Al Sugarman of H&S 

Theatres have organized a new central 

Ohio film distributing organization. Motion 

Picture Sales Organization, with headquarters 

in the Champion Theatre, 1064 E. Livingston 

Ave. The new firm has the central 

Ohio rights to Realart reissues. The firm 

will handle both domestic and foreign films. 

This is the first film exchange here since 

the Paramount exchange closed about 15 

years ago. 

National Auto Theatre of the Academy cir- 

. . . 

cuit is the first local drive-in to open for 

the season. The West Broad street openairer 

opened March 16 . . . Walter I. Monaghan 

has been appointed manager of the 

Uptown subsequent run house, it was announced 

by Hunt Theatres, Cincinnati. 

Monaghan has been manager of theatres in 

Dayton and Columbus for the last ten years 

The Palace is reseating its lower floor 

and rebuilding its balcony seats. 

Three local Mikes—Mike Flesch, Mike Dunn 

and Mike Tatem—greeted Kip Lambo, 

American airlines stewardess, on her arrival 

here in advance of the Ohio showing of 

"Three Guys Named Mike." Miss Lambo, 

chosen "Miss Jackson, Michigan, of 1948," appeared 

on several local radio and TV shows. 

Photo broke in the Dispatch. The tieup 

with Ken Friscor of American airlines was 

arranged by Walter Kessler and Fred Oestreicher. 

Charles Sui:arman, manager of the World, 

booked the two leading Academy contenders, 

"All About Eve" and "Sunset Boulevard," 

on a dual bill the week before the announcement 

of the Oscar winners . . Norman 

. 

Nadel, theatre editor of the Citizen, 

has invited comment from theatre owners 

on his proposal for last showings of the main 

features in neighborhood houses to begin 

about 8:30. "That would enable the average 

parents to finish supper, do the dishes, put 

the kids in the sack, pick up a baby sitter 

and get to the theatre," said Nadel. "They'd 

be out by 10:30 if the main feature were all 

they wanted to see. Those who prefer double 

bills could arrive around 7 o'clock or catch 

the late show. This arrangement might not 

benefit them, or hurt them either, but It 

would be an asset for the large number of 

filmgoers who aren't especially interested In 

the secondary screen fare." 

Dance sequences for RKO's "The Half- 

Breed" will be staged by Florence Pepper. 

Film Star on 'Vacation' 

Keeps Busy Schedule 

CLEVELAND—It's no vacation for Warner 

star Dorothy Hart when she comes home to 

visit her parents, who live in Shaker Heights. 

No sooner does she arrive than the Warner 

publicity department puts her to work giving 

out information on her newest pictures. Currently 

they are "Raton Pass" and "I Was 

a Communist for the FBI." 

Here is her recent "vacation" program: 

Eleven radio appearances in 3 days from 

12:30 p. m. to 12:15 a. m. 

A Press stunt at the Cleveland Playhouse, 

her former training school with 

photos of herself and Playhouse stars. 

Appearance at a donor station of Red 

Cross blood bank for interviews by Cleveland 

Plain Dealer reporters on coast work 

with returned war veterans, plus shots 

with veterans and donors plugging Red 

Cross drive. 

Art shot at Playhouse Square bowling 

alley for kickoff of Cleveland Bowling 

Council's annual charity tournament for 

cancer fund. 

News-sponsored reception at Carter hotel 

with interviews by 50 high school newspaper 

editors. 

J. Knox Strachan, Warner Theatres publicity 

director, was the guy who figured out 

this quiet vacation for the star who had 

planned to spend most of her time with her 

mother who has been ill at Lakeside hospital. 

More Pittsburgh Items 

Irving Berlin's "Miss Lit>erty" will be the 

opening attraction of the new season of civic 

light operas in Pitt Stadium . Film- 

. . . 

row Bowling league will close its season with 

a banquet the evening of May 5 . . . John 

Boles is appearing here at the Carousel 

Bernard H. Buchheit and George Pursell, 

Manos circuit executives, were in Philadelphia 

last week on business . . . The Cathedral at 

New Castle will exhibit "Trzy Serca" (Three 

Hearts) and "Ksiazatko" (Princess) Easter 

Monday (26). 

The Hanna Theatre Service now Is licensing 

and booking for J. P. Benedek's Highland 

at Natrona Heights ... A number of 

lightning-arrester rods have been installed on 

the roof of the Paramount exchange build- 

. . . 

ing, which has been struck several times in 

recent years Many Filmrow employes 

were absent from duties this week due to 

Sky-Hi Drive-In at 

colds, flu and viruses . . . 

Cranberry will reof)en April 6. Manager Ray 

Woodard and his wife have t)een vacationing 

at Sun Valley as guests of MGM. 

Outer lobby of the Cheswick at Cheswlck 

was turned into a bakery shop one day recently. 

The Boy Scouts were holding a bake 

sale . . Sol Bragin, Warner circuit booker, 

. 

Harry Stahl, 

is vacationing in Florida . . . 

Sharon exhibitor, is recuperating at home 

after being hospitalized for a number of 

weeks as the result of a heart attack . . . 

Reopened this week for a new outdoor season 

was the Evergreen Drive-In, located two miles 

south of Mount Pleasant. 

A. P. Way, pioneer showman, returned from 

St. Petersburg this week, flying here before 

heading for his home in DuBols. Mrs. Way 

returned in an automobile with friends. 

84 BOXOFFICE : : March 

24, 1951

Detroit-Cleveland Teams 

To Open Tourney April 3 

CLEVELAND—Two teams of the Motion 

Picture Operators Bowling league expect to 

go on a "strike" rampage at 1 p. m. April 3 

when the first of a two-set bowling match 

with the Detroit operators of the Nightingale 

club will get under way in the Alhambra 

bowling center here. Following this Cleveland 

match, the Cleveland team will go to 

Detroit April 17 to play the deciding match 

for the championship. 

This is the annual battle for the William 

Kramer Trophy which each city has won 

once and which is now in the possession of 

the Cleveland team. 

Participating in the contest will be Tom 

Smart, league president; Paul Gibbons, Clarence 

Kramer, Earl Gehringer, Andy Zill, Paul 

Collins, Gordon Bullock, Frank Favor, Johnny 

Noonen, Joe Zill, Joe Buzek and Larry Shafer, 

league secretary-treasurer. 

DETROIT—McArthur Theatre Equipment 

helped its bid for the Nightingale club leadership 

by beating Altec Service three points 

at the same time hitting new team marks 

of 941 and 2,602. Brenkert won three from 

Local 199, Lorenzen won three from Ernie 

Forbes and National Carbon split with 

National Theatre Supply. 

Standings: 


Altec 53 39 Brenkert 47 45 

Not'l Carbon 52 40 NTS ,...44 48 

McArthur 50 42 Local 199 39 53 

Ernie Forbes 48 44 Lorenzen 34 58 

High games; Goossen 223, Andrews 219, R. 

Gagnon 205, Swistak 203, Cox 202, Thompson 

202. 

Boothman Says Hard Work 

Key io Theatre Gross 

DETROIT—"The exhibitor who is exercising 

some showmanship and putting some 

real work into running his show is not doing 

too badly today," despite complaints of falling 

boxoffice, according to Clyde C. Haskill, 

projectionist, who has been making an inside 

Cook's tour of local shows, working in 

various booths. Formerly stationed at the 

now closed Sheridan Theatre, he was the 

author of at least two articles on projection 

and showmanship published in Modern Theatre 

some time ago and has studied comparative 

operation of houses as he has visited 

them. 

He cited the case of an important local 

exhibitor who challenged the prevailing estimate 

that business is off by 40 per cent from 

a year ago and found that this had dropped 

only 13 per cent. An examination of this 

particular man's operation shows some of 

the most carefully operated houses in the 

city. 

Irregular operation was cited by Haskill 

as one reason for poor business on the part 

of some exhibitors—a policy that has become 

increasingly frequent. In contrast, he 

urged "starting the show at a regular time, 

giving two complete programs, and making 

an effort to let the public know what time 

they will be out." It has become a practice 

by some exhibitors to run about IV2 shows a 

night, with widely varying closing times resulting—and 

it has been largely this same 

class of exhibitor who has complained most 

about poor business. 

INDUSTRY HOSTS BUD GILLIAM—Some 60 industry members paid tribute 

to 

George "Bud" Gilliam at a farewell dinner in Cleveland. Gilliam, who started with the 

Warner circuit 15 years ago as an office boy, left to become buying and booking manager 

for the Schine circuit in Cincinnati. Toastmaster for the occasion was J. Knox 

Strachan, Warner publicity director, and among the special speakers were Dick Wright, 

Warner division manager, and Nat Wolf, Warner Ohio zone manager. Shown in the 

photo above are Julius Lamm, right, Strachan, Wolf, Gilliam, Mrs. Gilliam and Joe 

Weinstein, Warner theatre department head booking manager. 

Theatre Critic Requests 

Improvements at Cinema 

DETROIT—Absentee control of theatres 

came in for a friendly but telling attack by 

Helen Bower, film critic of the Free Press, 

upon the Cinema Theatre, stating flatly that 

"it's about time the eastern owners did something 

for the Detroit patrons ... It took a 

near crisis last month to get projection and 

sound replacement with something more 

modern than 1928 museum pieces." 

Referring to unconfirmed reports that the 

seating would be increased from 457 to 500 

for this first run art film house which has 

long enjoyed a de facto monopoly in its field 

downtown, Miss Bower rated it as one of the 

best money-makers in town, and urged the 

owners to consider remodeling "in a scheme 

less dingy than the Black Hole of Calcutta" 

as a good piece of showmanship. Going into 

specific details, she 'said that "smart money 

would tear out the whole inside, especially 

those breakneck steps up to the foyer." 

New Roof Is Installed 

CORAOPOLIS, PA.—A new roof has been 

installed at the Coraopolis here, which was 

purchased recently by the Sewickley Amusement 

Co. headed by William R. Wheat III. 

The theatre is being remodeled and modernized. 

Joseph O'Donnell Dies 

At Home in Detroit 

DETROIT—Joseph O'Donnell, well known 

on Filmrow for 30 years, died last week (16) 

at his home here following several weeks of 

illness. He came to Detroit about or shortly 

after World War I from Canada, becoming 

manager of the old PRC exchange. Subsequently 

he was on the sales staffs of various 

companies, and for about the past 20 years 

had managed theatres in the area. His last 

post was at the Arcade. 

O'Donnell was one of the quietest personalities 

in the Row. 

Fire at McKeesport Liberty 

McKEESPORT, PA.—Several hundred patrons 

filed out of the Liberty here last Saturday 

evening when fire broke out in the 

basement, apparently from an electrical connection. 

One of two of the Weiss theatres 

here, the Liberty auditorium was filled with 

smoke when firemen arrived. Jack Kelly, a 

firefighter, was overcome by smoke in the 

basement, but he responded to treatment at 

the scene. Two fire companies that answered 

the alarm caused a major traffic 

tieup on Fifth avenue. Patrons had departed 

from the theatre in an orderly fashion 

as there was only a small crowd and the 

balcony was closed. 

HANDY SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM 

Emil Newman has been signed as 

musical 

director on Fidelity Picture's "Chuck-a- 

Luck," a 20th-Fox release.

NOW! 

BIGGER BETTER FINER 

The Always-Popular 

MODERN 

THEATRE 

MONTHLY EQUIPMENT SECTION 

LET 

the new Modern Theatre section 

of BOXOFFICE open new vistas for 

you—new ways to better profits and real 

satisfaction from being an exhibitor] 

More illustrations . . . more 

features . . . 

more ideas on building, decoration, 

lighting, refreshment service — as well 

as protection, maintenance, etc. 

The Modern Theatre is the outstanding 

leader in the increasingly important field 

of theatre betterment — a vital subject in 

these days of higher and higher costs. 

Let it serve you. 

BOXOFFICE 

The Exhibitors' Favorite Tradepaper 


I 

I 

most 

I 

should 

I he 

Briiish Film Worker 

Praises U.S. Films 

HARTFORD — "The American movies 

have it all over the English film productions," 

according to a 

former British film 

company employe. In 

an interview with Allen 

M. Widem, Hartford 

Times theatre 

editor and columnist, 

Norma Robin of London, 

England, said: 

"Your pictures are 

more colorful, contain 

more entertainment, 

and, what's more, 

when there's a morbid 

Norma Robin theme the producers 

have the good sense to intersperse the 

tragedy with a laugh once in a while." 

Miss Robin, who is visiting relatives in 

Hartford, was for two years secretary to 

C. B. Newbery, Continental manager for 

Republic Pictures International Corp., with 

headquarters in London. 

"The production effects of the American 

film," she commented, "seem to be more impressive 

than the average noted in British 

motion pictures. The average suburban or 

neighborhood theatre in this country is really 

something to see. They're designed for 

comfortable relaxation." She said the British 

film tastes correspond with the likes and 

dislikes of the American filmgoer. 

She added: "My friends enjoy your cowboy 

stories as much as the American audiences. 

The best part about the American 

cowboy film, however, is the crooning by 

the assorted cowhands." 

Miss Robin will return to England some 

time this spring. 

Charles Bruscato Goes 

To East Providence Post 

EAST PROVIDENCE, R. I.—Charles Bruscato 

has been named house manager of the 

Hollywood Theatre here. He succeeds Joseph 

Jarvis who is now with the navy. 

Bruscato began his theatre career 37 years 

ago at the Star in Bristol. Later he went to 

Portland, Me., to become associated with the 

New Portland Theatre of the E. M. Loew circuit. 

There he was associated with the Uptown, 

Liberty and the old Columbia theatres. 

Later he was with the Graphic Theatres 

circuit handling one of their Bridgeton, 

Me., houses. In 1946 Bruscato returned to 

Rhode Island and was associated with the 

Narragansett Amusement Co. A year later 

he went with the Elmwood Amusement Co., 

operator of the Hollywood, Liberty and 

Jamestown theatres. 

In other changes at the HoUjrwood, Raymond 

Enos has been promoted to chief projectionist 

and Harold O'Brien has been upped 

to acting assistant projectionist. 

Herman Levy at Two Conventions 

NEW HAVEN—Herman M. Levy, TOA 

counsel and executive secretary of the Connecticut 

MPTO, was expected to return to 

his office this week after attending the 

Southern California Theatre Owners of 

America business meeting in Los Angeles and 

the Oklahoma Theatre Owners convention. 

(^^^ p^^]^ Under Common 

Under Way by March 30 

Shippan Point Drive-In 

To Be Opened April 14 

NEW HAVEN — The 510 Shippan Point 

Drive-In, completed recently by Bill Sobel, is 

scheduled to open April 14. 

Phil Cahill expects to reopen his Post 

Drive-In, East Haven, March 30 or April 6, 

for Friday. Saturday and Sunday operation. 

The New Haven Drive-In, North Haven, 

which suffered considerable hurricane damage, 

has not yet announced an opening date. 

The Waterford Drive-In, Waterford, and 

the Pike Drive-In, Newington, were the first 

in the territory to open March 9, with a 

parttime policy. 

Sam Rosen's South Norwich Drive-In, 

construction of which was started last year, 

is 

expected to be completed soon. 

Public Relations Drive 

Due at Jamestown, R. I. 

JAMESTOWN, R. I.—Management of the 

Jamestown Theatre here, which will reopen 

for the spring and summer season on Easter, 

is planning a heavy public relations program. 

The campaign scheduled by Charles Brinkworth, 

manager, includes the use of feature 

pictures and special tape recordings of 

programs with local interest. The Jamestown 

is a member house of the Elmwood 

Amusement Co. circuit. 

Submarine Base to Be Used 

HARTFORD—The submarine base at New 

London soon will be used by Monogram Producer 

Lindsley Parsons for a film, "Submarine 

School," starring Wayne Morris, 

slated to go into production in May. 

BOSTON—Construction of the big public 

garage under Boston Common will start before 

March 30, according to Bernard Goldfine, 

chairman of the board of Motor Park 

Corp., general contractor. The garage will 

accommodate 4,000 cars and can also be used 

as a huge bomb shelter to house 270,000 persons. 

Theatremen in downtown Boston have 

long been interested in the development of 

this parking project as a definite boon to 

business. The plans call for the garage to 

be built with three subterranean levels linked 

with Commonwealth avenue and Arlington 

street by tunnels. 

Motor Park Corp. has received a $9,000,000 

loan from the Reconstruction Finance Corp. 

The federal government has removed all restrictions 

on steel and other materials. 

Said Goldfine: "The clearing of our narrow 

and blocked streets in our Hub city will 

induce thousands of people to come to Boston 

regularly, which is bound to result in 

more business in our stores and our theatres." 

LGR Gives Farewell Party 

For William Daugherty 

HARTFORD—Some 40 persons associated 

with Lockwood-Gordon-Rosen Theatres in 

Connecticut attended a farewell party honoring 

William Daugherty, resigning manager 

of the Plaza, Windsor, at the Webb Playhouse, 

Wethersfield. 

Daugherty has resigned to enlist in the 

air force. He is succeeded by his assistant, 

William Howard. 

Guests at the party included Douglas 

Amos, Hartford division manager, LGR; Jack 

O'SuUivan, Danbury Drive-In, Danbury. 

Waterford Drive-In Reopens 

HARTFORD—The Waterford Drive-In has 

resumed operations for the season. 

Width More Than Depth Impresses 

Exhibitor at 3rd Dimension Test 

BOSTON—Stanley Sumner of the University 

Theatre, Cambridge, attended a 

screening given in Long Island of third 

dimensional films for a group of exhibitors 

last week. 

the width — 61 feet 

across — but it's the 

last word in development 

of this sort. The 

sound interested me 

of all. It emanates 

from the spot it 

come from. It's 

"It was really a fascinating 

experience," 

said. "The depth of 

the projection didn't 

impress me as much as 

Stanley Sumner a great improvement 

over the supersound structure of the roadshow 

engagement of 'Fantasia' a few years 

back, for this really gives the proper illusion. 

"The lighting needs improvement, but 

some of the films we saw were as much 

as four years old. Certainly, when this 

project opens to the public it will be 

widely discussed, and when Lowell Thomas 

and Mike Todd make an interesting 

full-length film it should have instantaneous 

success as a roadshow engagement. 

"But from the point of view of the regular 

theatre owner, until the manufacturer 

can minimize the expense of installation 

and operation, the proposition seems 

impractical. Incidentally, it is interesting 

to remember that this system cannot be 

duplicated or copied for home television 

sets for many years to come. It bears 

close watching for its commercial value." 

BOXOFFICE March 24, 1951 NE 87

. . The 

BOSTON 

Congratulations to the Lionel Irwins, Palace 

Theatre, Penacook. N. H.. on the birth of 

their first child, a daughter named Jane 

Evelyn . . . John Waldron, booker at Warners, 

was involved in a seven-car skidding accident 

on his way to work one morning, but 

suffered no injuries although his car was 

demolished . . . Irving "Mac" Farber and 

Edward Ruff of Regal Pictures Corp. of New 

England have moved from their 48 Melrose 

St. quarters to new offices at 246 Stuart. 

Shipping will be handled by Boston Film 

Service. 

Irving Dunn, Granite Square Theatre, Manchester. 

N. H., has started Saturday matinee 

Pay days, in which every boy and girl receives 

a pay envelope containing from one 

cent to 50 cents. Flyers announcing the 

project were handed out to the children leaving 

the public schools. The gag cost Dunn $8 

the first week but it paid off by filling the 

house of 300 seats. In most cases the kiddies 

turned their "pay envelopes" back into the 

candy stand . . . When Van Heflin, star of 

"Tomahawk" here for a personal appearance, 

was escorted around town by John McGrail, 

U-I publicist. Van asked McGrail to accompany 

him to England as his agent but John 

turned it down. 

The lease of the Premiere Theatre, Lawrence, 

has been transferred from Frank Baschetti 

to Adolph and John Piore of Lawrence, 

who will operate . . . Barbara Condry 

is the new secretary to Arthur Lockwood and 

Louis Gordon . . . Florio Simi has been promoted 

from shipper to booker at Columbia 

replacing Betty Shevrin who resigned 

The Copley Theatre has closed its 

. . . 

doors 

after several attempts to play foreign and 

English films. 

In line with the company's policy of rotating 

their salesmen, Columbia has switched 

Leonard Appel, formerly covering Maine and 

New Hampshire, to Vermont and Western 

Massachusetts; Carl Myshral, formerly Vermont 

and Western Massachusetts, to Rhode 

Island; Saul Simons, formerly in Rhode Island, 

to the city of Boston; and FVed Bragdon, 

who had the Boston territory, to Maine 

and New Hampshire . . . The Cinema club 

will hold its 14th annual dinner party the 

evening of May 6 at the Latin Quarter where 

Danny Thomas will be the headline attraction. 

Abe Barry, Columbia, is in charge of 

reservations. 

For "The Mating Season," Arnold Van Leer, 

Paramount publicist, is seeking the longest 

married couple in New England, who will 

receive passes to the Metropolitan Theatre 

FILMAC 

CANT BE BEA-J 

'm 

for SPEED & ^ 

QUALITY 

CHICAGO 

n27 S. Wabash 

NEW YORK 

619 W. 54th St. 

as well as wedding bands and a diamond 

ring from Rogers jewelry store. The picture 

will open April 6. 

Edward Bradley, salesman at Paramount, 

has been promoted to office and booking 

manager. He joined Paramount in 1917 as 

a booker in the Portland, Me,, office shortly 

after his graduation from high school. When 

Paramount closed the office there he traveled 

the Maine territory as salesman. He is 

planning to move his family to this area and 

is looking for a house for his wife and two 

daughters, one of whom is a teacher at a 

private school in Jamaica Plain. Bradley 

succeeds Gasper Urban as office manager. 

Urban re-entered the marine corps this week 

as a lieutenant. It is expected that John 

Kane, salesman in the New Haven territory 

for Paramount, will return to Boston 

to take over the Maine sector. 

The Publicist club will hold its first annual 

dinner dance April 13 in the Vendome hotel. 

Ralph Banghart, RKO publicist, is in charge 

of the arrangements. 

H. M. Bessey, executive vice-president of 

Altec Service Corp., was in town for a few 

days visiting exhibitors and circuit heads 

. . . Ann Giles, daughter of the John 

Giles, managing director of the Giles circuit, 

was married to Richard O. Fischer of 

St. Louis. After a wedding trip they will live 

in Richmond Heights, a St. Louis suburb. 

Spero Latchis, president and treasurer of 

the Iiatchis circuit which oijerates 12 theatres 

in Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, 

will move his family in April to a 

new home he has purchased in Brattleboro. 

He has a daughter who is a junior at 

Wheaton college, a son at Dartmouth college, 

another son at Wilbraham academy, N. 

H., and a younger son who is a senior at 

Brattleboro High school. Spero and his partner-brother, 

Peter, have air-conditioned their 

first-run houses in each city, and are planning 

to add two more cooling units this 

spring, the Avon in Springfield, Vt., which 

he recently acquired from Joseph Mathieu, 

and the Milford in Milford, N. H. Others already 

equipped for air conditioning are 

the Latchis, Brattleboro, Vt.; the Latchis, 

Keene, N. H.; the Windsor, Vt.; the Latchis, 

Newport, N. H., and the Metropolitan in 

Leominster, Mass. He also owns and operates 

the Brattleboro Inn, which was also air 

conditioned. 

Sam Horenstein, New England distributor 

of Manley popcorn machines, reports Stadium 

model machines have been installed at 

the Bristol Drive-In, Bristol, Conn.; Pairhaven 

(Mass.) Drive-In; East WindsorCConn.) 

Dr!ve-In; Norwalk (Conn.) Drive-In; Fresh 

Pond Drive-In, Cambridge, Mass., and the 

West Boylston Drive-In, Worcester, Mass. 

Manley Aristocrat models have been installed 

at the Pike Drive-In, Newington, Conn.; Park 

Theatre, Chester, Vt.; General Stark Theatre, 

Bennington, Vt.; Strand, Jackman 

Station, Me., and the Colby, Bingham, Me. 

Dan Angell of Jarmak, Inc., wholesale carpeter, 

has supplied the General Stark Theatre, 

Bennington, Vt., with new Crestwood 

carpeting throughout. The theatre, owned 

by the Hart estate and formerly operated by 

Mrs. Buckley and her .son, was closed two 

weeks for redecorating. Herbert Brown, 

owner of the Victoria at Greenfield, is handling 

the buying and booking . operators 

of the new Fresh Pond Drive-In at 

Cambridge have appointed Paul McBeath 

managing director. He was manager of the 

Skyview at Brockton last season and during 

the past winter managed E. M. Loew's Center 

in Brockton. The Fresh Pond was built 

by the White Construction Co. and will open 

in April. 

Joe Levine, president of Embassy Pictures, 

has acquired the New England distributional 

rights for "The Big Fix," a timely story of 

the basketball racket, which has been dated 

in Loew's Theatres of New England spots. 

The film opened at Loew's State and Orpheum 

theatres here March 15. 

A/£\y 

HAVEN 

f%tto Teffs has given up operation of the 

494-seat State, New Britain, and State 

Management Corp. has taken over. Amalgamated 

Booking and Buying will do the booking, 

buying and general management. Amalgamated 

also is booking and buying for Lou 

Anger's Barnum, Bridgeport. 

E. X. Callahan, 20th-Fox district manager, 

was at the local office . . . White Way Theatre 

is now under the supervision of Ralph 

Civitello on a three-change-a-week policy 

. . . Lou Brown, Loew's Poll publicity chief, 

was called to Washington by the illness of 

his mother . . Al Pickus, operator of the 

. 

Stratford, now has his civil defense office in 

the Town Hall and is doing much lecturing 

and demonstration of construction of home 

bombproof shelters. 

Some exhibitors are talking of starting 

shows early on TV fight nights to permit full 

program before fights go on . . . Sam Hadelman 

of the local Grand Theatre has entered 

defense manufacture, and was in Washington 

last week on business . . . Joe Faith of 

Unionville and other ". . . villes" returned 

from his vacation in Florida. He visited the 

Tim O'Tooles, formerly of Columbia, in Fort 

Lauderdale. 

Walter Wilson, assistant at the Paramount, 

joined the 1-A draft class . . . "Three Guys 

Named Mike" broke the recently adopted noholdover 

policy at the Poll and went from 

that theatre to the College for a second week 

. . . The Dr. J. B. Fishmans went to Wellesley 

to celebrate daughter Janet's birthday . . . 

New Haven railroad's show train, offering 

special fare for a day in New York with 

Broadway show reservations, was the longest 

yet on March 27, comprising 16 cars and three 

refreshment cars. 

. . 

The Whalley, Westville, and Whitney 

tried a new stunt selling 89-cent values 

in RCA, Victor, Columbia and Decca records 

for 10 cents, plus regular admission . . . Leon 

Jakubson, MGM office manager, will vacation 

as of March 18 and will do jobs of painting 

around home . Micky Katainik, formerly 

of MGM, visited with the local exchange 

on a short vacation from his Wall Street job 

... In honor of Ray Cairns' first anniversary 

with MGM here, the exchange is readying 

a shorts drive April 15-30. 

Draws Comedy Lead 

Pat Buttram has drawn the comedy lead 

in the Gene Autry starrer, "Silver Canyon," 

a Columbia release. 

88 BOXOFFICE : : March 

24, 1951

Top Boston Showing 

Is Scored by 'Fair' 

BOSTON—Below average grosses were registered 

in many spots. "Born Yesterday" was 

held for a fifth week and "Payment on Demand" 

for its fourth. "Operation Disaster" 

was withdrawn at the Boston after four days, 

but "So Long at the Fair" opened strong at 

the Exeter. 


Astor— Payment on Demand (RKO) 3rd wk 110 

Boston Operation Disaster (U-1) split with two 

reissues - 80 

Exeter Street—So Long at the Fair (ELC); It Hoppened 

in Europe (Lopert) 130 

Memorial I'd Climb the Highest Mountain (20th- 

Fox), Hue and Cry (Fine Art) 90 

Metropolitan Lightning Strikes Twice (WB); 

Cuban Fireball (Rep) 100 

Paramount and Fenway The Redhead and The 

Cowboy (Para): Mssing Women (Rep) 100 

State Grounds for Marriage (MGM); He's a 

Cockeyed Wonder (Col) 90 

Orpheum—Bom Yesterday (Col) 4th wk 115 

New Haven First Runs Slump; 

'Lightning' High at 96 

NEW HAVEN—All the first runs were slow 

last week, what with the approach of Easter 

and unseasonably cold weather. Nearest 

average take was "Lightning Strikes Twice" 

and "The Blue Lamp" at the Roger Sherman. 

College The Fighting Sullivons (Realart); Salerno 

Beachhead (Realart) Reissues 75 

Loews Poll—Three Guys Named Mike (MGM); 

Flame of Stamboul (Col) 80 

Paramount—loan ol Arc (RKO); The Titan (UA) 

75 

Roger Sherman Lightning Strikes Tvrice (WB); 

The Blue Lamp (ELC) _ 96 

Chalks Up Time 

'Mister' 

Gross at Hartford 

HARTFORI>—"Call Me Mister" chalked up 

a second week at the 

an impressive gross in 

Palace. 

AUyn The Redhead and the Cowrboy (Para); 

Mask oi the Dragon (LP) 100 

E. M Loew—Girls of the Road (Col); Girls Under 

21 (Col) 90 

Poli—Vengeance Valley (MGM); The Big Fix 

(Embassy) 120 

Palace—Call Me Mister (20th-Fox); tossing 

Women (Rep), 2nd wk 145 

Regal—Bombardier (RKO); China Sky (RKO) 75 

Strand—Virginia City (WB); Dodge City (WB) 100 

Lieut. Gov. McKieman 

Made Chief Little Earth 

PROVIDENCE — Chief American Horse, 

head of the combined Sioux Indian councils, 

comprising over 55,000 members, and 

90-year-old Chief Sitting Bull recently visited 

this city as guests of Albert J. Clarke, manager 

of the Majestic Theatre, incidental with 

the opening of "Tomahawk" at the local 

house. Dave Miller, widely known painter 

and authority on Sioux life, was also in the 

party. The group visited Lieutenant Governor 

McKieman in his capitol office and 

adopted him into the tribe as "Chief Little 

Earth." 

Hattie M. Newton Dies 

HARTFORD—Mrs. Hattie M. Newton, 90, 

oldest resident of suburban Bloomfield, died 

last week. William A. Newton, her husband, 

who died In 1907, owned Hartford's first theatre, 

called Newton's Varieties. 

Hartford Star Reopens 

HARTFORD-The 1.800-seat Star Theatre, 

operated by the Community Amusement 

Corp., has resumed operation following a 

two-week shutdown. 

Theatreman Leo Brotman Operates 

Film Delivery North of Boston 

BOSTON—One of the busiest managers 

in this area is Leo Brotman of the Park 

Theatre. Everett, who not only handles the 

exploitation and routine functions of the 

theatre, but also owns and operates a onetruck 

film delivery service for theatres north 

of Boston. He became a projectionist shortly 

after his graduation from high school and 

later .started a film delivery service as a 

sideline. He attached a small trailer to his 

car on which he posted placards reading 

"Patronize Your Neighborhood Theatre." 

His present new truck, pictured here, is a 

familiar sight on Boston streets. He is a 

firm believer in institutional advertising. 

Since he became manager of Irving Green's 

Park Theatre in Everett, he has been a 

heavy user of such advertising in local newspapers. 

Even his letterheads are stamped 

with "Movies Are Best Entertainment." 

In his managerial capacity he makes it 

a point to know more than half of his patrons 

by name and believes that the personal 

contact with filmgoers is advisable for 

all managers. His popularity with younger 

patrons is made known when on Saturday 

afternoons he steps onto the stage of the 

Park to hand out the weekly prizes. "Hi. 

Leo," is the enthusiastic greeting he receives. 

During World War II, Brotman brought the 

"Tars and Spars Revue" to the Park stage, 

the first theatre in the country to play host 

This is the film delivery truck operated 

by Leo Brotman, which is liberally 

bannered with institutional copy. 

NEW HAMPSHIRE 

nt the annual Lancaster town meeting 

voters approved Sunday afternoon motion 

picture shows. Sunday night shows have 

been permitted for a number of years at 

other town meetings over the state. Several 

communities voted for a continuance of 

beano games, although there has been action 

in the present legislature to ban or restrict 

their operation . . . Two films. "Classroom 

Tactics" and "Behavior Problems," obtained 

through the audio-visual education department 

of the University of New Hampshire 

in Durham, were shown recently at the 

Goffstown Parent-Teacher Ass'n. 

Ralph Osterman, an employee of the Scenic 

in Rochester and an oldtime trouper, was 

more than proud when his 12-year-old grandson, 

Lennie Osterman of Portsmouth, won a 

talent contest at the Dover trade fair. The 

LEO BROTMAN 

to the show, tieing it in with the local war 

bond drive. Twice a week he visited Everett 

schools to write up war bonds or to sell 

savings stamps to the students. 

The Park was the first theatre in Everett 

to be air conditioned. New seats in the 

orchestra were installed, a brilliant marquee 

and a large refreshment counter were added 

at his instigation. Despite all these measures, 

he feels that top feature pictures are not being 

presold to the public properly. 

"If producers ballyhooed pictures as they 

did in the old days, some of our fine films 

would not be just another picture hitting 

town. Every picture worth doing business 

should be ballyhooed. Apparently more 

money is spent by producers selling pictures 

to the exhibitors than to the public. During 

the last year there has been a definite upswing 

in national publicity between Hollywood's 

producers and the national magazines 

and periodicals. At least we are on the right 

roa4." 

youngster was to go to New York for an 

audition for the Ted Mack Amateur show. 

The public works and highway department 

has notified a number of Nashua businesses 

that their roadside billboards will have to be 

moved back or torn down. A majority of the 

signs are located along the Daniel Webster 

highway, where the thoroughfare has a right 

of way 100 feet wide and the signs must be 

at least 35 feet back from the edge of the 

concrete. This was the first step by the highway 

department in its program to eliminate 

unsightly roadside signs. 

BOWLING 

BOSTON—New England Theatres and the 

Independents continued their first place tie. 


NET 28 6 MGM 15 17 

Independents 26 6 ATC U 18 

Harry's 18 18 AffUiatcd 9 22 

Legion IS 17 HKO 7 25 


. . . William 

HARTFORD 

n 1 

Schuman, general manager of the Hartford 

Theatre circuit, and his wife are 

back from a vacation stay in Miami Beach 

. . . Also back from vacations: Albert Shulman, 

Shulman Theatres, and his wife, who 

went to Guatemala on a cruise; Sal Adorno 

sr., general manager of the Adorno-Middletown 

Theatres, and his wife, back from a trip 

to West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale. 

Bill Benn, projectionist at the Webster, has 

been recuperating from illness . . . Harry 

Sweet, stage manager. Strand, is out of St. 

Francis hospital . . . Lou Rogow of the Pike, 

Prive-In, Newington, and Pine Drive-In, 

Waterbury, and his wife were sojourning in 

Florida . . . Floyd Fitzsimmons, MGM, and 

Dick Stephens, Columbia, were among exploitation 

men in the city . . . The Lyric and 

Rialto, part of the Hartford Theatre circuit, 

are running weekly amateur nights, reports 

circuit executive EIrnie Grecula. 

William Gilwech, projectionist, is marking 

his 20th year in the local Poli booth ... 

James V. Fensore, Poli projectionist at 

Bridgeport, recently entered Connecticut 

Veterans hospital, Rocky Hill, for treatment. 

J. A. Simons, formerly manager of Loew's 

Poli, Hartford, and Loew's State, Providence, 

now is managing the Barry, Pittsburgh, Pa. 

. . . Richard Chapman, 4-year-old son of 

the Allyn maintenance man, went into Hartford 

hospital . . . Harry Hoff of the Strand 

is looking forward to summer and a longsmticipated 

fishing trip. 

Russell Shane is new chief of service staff 

at the Strand . . . John Gilberto, projectionist, 

E. M. Loew's, was on the sick list . . . 

David Brown is new maintenance manager, 

E. M. Loew's . . . Frank Verhagan and 

Jim Shorten of E. M. Loew's service staff 

were on the sick list with virus infections 

. . . Frank Dighino of the Newington was 

called to Washington, D. C, by his daughter's 

illness. 

Sol Karp, State, was in New York . . . John 

Raia has joined the staff of Loew's Poli for 

grooming as management executive . . . Ray 

McNamara, Allyn, planned extensive promotion 

on the new Bob Hope comedy, "The 

Lemon E>rop Kid," booked for March 23 . . . 

Bernie Levy and Lou Ginsburg of Amalgamated 

Buying & Booking Service, New 

Haven, were in Hartford. 

New pocket comb vending machine has 

been installed in the men's room at the 

Colonial . . . Charlie Lowe of Warner Bros, 

was in Norwich . . . Bernie Stevens, assistant 

|BOOK IT 

WAHOO if 

NOW!!! 

the world's most thril- 

I 

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f Hollywood Amusement Co. 

$ DIPT. B 

$ 831 S. Wabash Avenue, Chicago 5, III. 

90 

manager at the Princess for several years, 

has resigned to go into defense work. At one 

time he managed the Astor, East Hartford. 

No replacement was named at the Princess. 

Ernie Dorau, formerly with the Middletown 

Theatres, was on vacation, with his new industry 

affiliations reportedly to be announced 

upon his return . . . Tony Masella, 

manager of the Palace, Meriden, put on a 

special Saturday morning kiddy show, featuring 

western films, under sponsorship of the 

Lions club, with proceeds for Lions charity 

William Spencer is the new assistant 

fund . . . 

manager at the Meriden Theatre, 

Meriden . . . Mike Adorno has been named 

assistant to his brother Sal sr.. manager of 

the Palace and Capitol, Middletown. 

President Glassman 

Picks Committees 

BOSTON—Independent Exhibitors, Inc., of 

New Eiigland held its first monthly meeting 

under its newly elected officers. A directors 

meeting called by President Norman Glassman 

preceded the luncheon session at the 

Town House. 

President Glassman has chosen the following 

committees: 

Membership and dues: Leonard Goldberg, 

chairman, with Mrs. Ella Mills, Edwin Pideli, 

Nat Hochberg, G. Albert Roy and Marie 

Bruno. 

Legislative: Irving Isaacs, chairman, with 

Katherine Avery, Ted Rosenblatt, Ansel Sanborn, 

Andrew Tegu, Philip Smith, Frank Le- 

Page, Meyer Stanzler, Warren Nichols, Joseph 

Mathieu and Nathan Yamins. 

Finance: Melvin Safner, chairman, with 

Walter E. Mitchell, W. Leslie Bendslev. 

Grievance: Samuel Resnik, chairman, with 

Francis Perry, Maurice Safner, Daniel Murphy, 

Morris Pouzzner. 

LYNN 

JJIa,na,ger James Davis of Paramount went 

all out for "The Halls of Montezuma." On 

opening night there was a street parade, a 

reception for Korean veterans, induction of 

recruits who had enlisted during a lobby 

campaign and the exhibition of war relics . . . 

Maurice Sidman, who succeeds Leonard Barrack 

as manager of the Colony, had to close 

down four days shortly after his arrival because 

of a broken water main in the theatre 

boiler room. 

James A. Field, manager of Salem's Paramount, 

is new vice-president of the Naumkeag 

Theatres, Inc., and father of a newly arrived 

bouncing baby boy . . . Three of the Salem 

Paramount staff are now in the armed forces 

Flynn and Ralph Osgood are in 

the air force and Joseph Healy is in the navy. 

Elmer Remon is studying for examinations 

for master sergeant in the national guard 

Louis Morency, stage manager, has returned 

from a New York 

. . . 

trip. 

Mrs. Lucy Paxcia Is 111 

HARTFORI>—Mrs. Lucy Paxcia of the 

Strand in Wlnsted was confined to her home 

last week with the flu. 

Jack Greenhalgh is lenslng "Savage 

for Llppert Productions. 

BRIDGEPORT 

. . . 

f^harles P. Gaudino, manager of the Hippodrome 

for the last three years, has 

resigned to rejoin Loew's Theatres. He expects 

to be assigned to the Poli in Springfield 

as assistant manager Annmae Zgola, 

cashier at the Astor, is back from Philadelphia 

where she was called by serious illness 

of her father . . . The current wave of sickness 

not only is hitting film grosses, but also 

is taking a crippling toll of theatre personnel. 

Harold Tabackman, owner-maanger of the 

Bostwick Theatre, celebrated a birthday on 

J. Gillick, stage- 

St. Patrick's day . . . James 

hand here for many years, died . . . Irene 

Caco, secretary at Loew's Majestic, is a year 

older. 

Marjorie M. Blasko has been promoted from 

usherette to chief of service at Loew's Majestic 

. . . Stage and screen actress Barbara O'Neill 

is building a house in Greenwich . 

of St. Patrick's day shows on Saturday night 

did not help theatre houses . . . Loew's Poli 

booked in "The Big Fix" to take advantage of 

the basketball fix scandal. 

. . . 

Manager Harry A. Rose of Loew's Majestic 

was in Atlantic City on vacation 

Thomas Colwell, projectionist at the Hi-Way, 

celebrated a birthday . . . Frankie Carle's orchestra 

did only fair in a one-day stage appearance 

at Loew's Globe . . . Phil "Roxy" 

Oliver, former manager of the Strand, did a 

song in the Hallen Fathers club show. 

Loew's Poll and Majestic have shifted from 

a Thursday to Friday opening . . . The Carmichael 

Corp.'s lease on the Black Rock 

Theatre runs for ten years with option for 

renewal . . . John Archer, doorman at Loew's 

Poli, is a year older . . . Myron Levy, projectionist 

at the Black Rock, and his wife 

Ann celebrated a wedding anniversary. 

Rhode Island Theatres 

Add $20,301 for Dimes 

PROVIDENCE—Rhode Island theatre owners 

and operators raised a total of $20,301.44 

in the recent March of Dimes campaign, according 

to the report recently released. 

In Providence, Loew's State Theatre, with 

$2,645.78 collected from audiences, led all 

houses. Strand Theatre patrons donated 

$2,279.46, while RKO Albee's $2,152 gave them 

third place in a very close race. 

In Pawtucket, the Strand reported $608.60 to 

lead all houses in the Blackstone Valley area. 

The Leroy patrons donated $482.72, while 

the suburban Darlton Theatre, surprisingly 

enough, with $303.65 captured third spot, nosing 

out, among others, the downtown Centre 

Theatre. 

The Stadium led all Woonsocket theatres, 

with $530.37. In a tight finish for second 

place, the New Park Theatre with $363.37 

beat out the Bijou which garnered $320.57. 

The Palace, in Cranston, with $404.35 led 

all houses in that area, while the Newport 

Opera House with $802.79 took honors in the 

city by the sea. The $444.80 donated by patrons 

of the United Theatre, in Westerly, 

was tops for the South county section. A 

total of 56 theatres throughout the state took 

part in the drive. The Rhode Island Theatre 

Owners Ass'n sponsored a good-sized display 

advertisement, in the local press, announcing 

the resjilts of the campaign. 

BOXOFHCE March 24, 1951

Tax Cut in Ontario 

Effective April 1 

TORONTO—Gratification for the second 

annual reduction in the Ontario amusement 

tax by Premier Leslie M. Frost, the latest 

being from 15 to 12^2 per cent, was expressed 

by H. C. D. Main, chairman of the tax committee, 

Motion Picture Theatres Ass'n of 

Ontario. 

"It is encouraging," he said, "to find the 

Ontario government still conscious of the 

necessity for reducing nuisance taxes paid 

by the public. Any adjustment which exhibitors 

make in their admission scales will have 

to be made in the light of this new reduction. 

In view of this further instance of the 

government's understanding of our business 

and its operating problems, we again emphasize 

the need for caution in any price 

adjustments after April 1." 

No immediate announcement has been made 

by theatres in Ontario regarding price 

changes when the tax cut becomes effective 

April 1. The Ontario exhibitors gave the 

guarantee a year ago that prices would not 

be increased for a period of 12 months in acceptance 

of the 1950 tax reduction from 20 

to 15 per cent. The promise has now ended. 

J. J. O'Neill, director of the Ontario hospitals 

tax branch, which handles the 

revenue from the ticket levy, has prepared 

a new tax schedule for the guidance of exhibitors 

on the amount to be collected on 

tickets in each admission bracket above 

16 cents. 

Canadian Budget Slash 

May Delay TV Again 

OTTAWA—The slashing by 40 per cent of 

the 1951-52 estimates for the Canadian 

Broadcasting Corp. by the federal government 

has led to the belief that the introduction 

of television in the Dominion, scheduled 

for next fall, will be further delayed because 

of the pressing munition requirements. The 

belief persisted despite a denial by A. Davidson 

Dunton, general manager of the government 

radio corporation, that the television 

broadcast plans were being dropped. The 

CBC estimates for the next 12 months total 

$1,928,000, compared with the $3,292,361 voted 

for the year which closes March 31. 

Dunton offered the comment that the 

smaller amount would enable the CBC to get 

some programs on the air this year, saying 

"we hope to have some programs on TV in 

1951." 

The first two television outlets in Canada 

will be at Toronto and Montreal. Meanwhile 

Famous Players Canadian Corp. and 

several other applicants for licenses for TV 

broadcasting on a private commercial basis 

continue to be empty-handed. 

TV Sales to $18,255,658 

MONTREAL—Canadian television manufacturers 

sold nearly $2,000,000 worth of television 

sets during January. All told, the industry 

sold 3,809 sets at a list value of 

$1,979,075 the Radio Manufacturers Ass'n 

reports. Since television production began in 

Canada, TV makers have sold 41,632 units at 

a value of $18,255,658. The Windsor area has 

taken 18,907 sets, or 43 per cent of the total. 

Toronto and Hamilton have bought 36 per 

cent. 

Eight Winnipeg Theatres Unite 

In 

Citywide Promotion Deal 

WINNIPEG—Eight theatres here have 

joined forces in a citywide promotion stunt 

that is already jamming houses each Wednesday 

night with increased business. The 

seven chain houses and one independent are 

backing a weekly cash giveaway tagged 

Foto-Nite which began eight years ago in 

Vancouver and is now operating in 300 theatres 

across Canada. The promotion opened 

on the Dominion stage in mid-March. George 

OuUahan, Foto-Nite representative, Toronto, 

emceed the initial program. 

Combining in the deal are Bill Minuk of 

the Corona, Harry Prygrocki of the King 

and Classic, Mesho Triller of the Dominion, 

Cy Brownstone of the Elm, Bob Hurwitz of 

the Fox, Ben Sommers of the State and Mort 

Calof, manager of the Vogue Theatre. 

Premier Warns Showmen 

On Admitting Youths 

MONTREAL—A stern warning to theatre 

operators in Quebec that they face cancellation 

of permits, prosecution and fines 

if they continued admitting youths under 16 

years of age, has been issued in the legislative 

assembly by Premier Maurice Duplessis. 

Duplessis sounded the warning at the 

opening of the house when he said he had 

received numerous complaints from church 

authorities and citizens in Quebec City. 

"In virtue of the provincial law, the government 

may prosecute theatre owners or 

cancel their permits for an undertermined 

period if they violate regulations," the Premier 

said. Duplessis said he hoped that motion 

picture operators would not force the 

government into drastic measures. 

"If this warning, which I am not obliged 

to give, goes unheeded, I will not hestitate 

to cancel the permits," he said. 

Six Theatres Use 'Movie of Week' 

TORONTO—Booked by six Famous Players 

theatres on their pre-Easter "Movie of the 

Week" program were "I'll Get By" and "Two 

Flags West." The neighborhood units were 

the Alhambra, Beach, College, Parkdale, St. 

Clair and Village. 

To qualify for the cash offer a patron 

must be registered and be in one of the 

eight theatres on any Wednesday. Before 

the first show got rolling over 200 canvassers 

were employed to visit homes and 

obtain the names of all adult residents. Registration 

was also carried on in the eight 

theatre lobbies ten days prior to the first 

giveaway. The entire campaign was supplemented 

by heralds to householders, window 

cards, newspaper ads and writeups, etc. 

In the accompanying photo Oullahan is 

shown signing the contract with the eight 

Winnipeg houses. Standing are Prygrocki, 

Sommers, Calof, Minuk, Somer James of 

Photo-Nite, and Nick Blanchard. Seated: 

Hurwitz, Hyman and Mesho Triller, Oullahan 

and Brownstone. 

William 'Joke' Whitebone, 

Versatile Showman, Dies 

ST. JOHN, N. B.—Few persons had a more 

diversified field in the entertainment world 

than did William "Jake" Whitebone who died 

here recently after a brief illness. He had 

managed stage and film shows at the Opera 

House, ran a bill-posting service for local 

theatres, had his own magic and animal act, 

ran a small carnival in the maritimes and 

was a roadshow stock player. He also teamed 

up with his son Russell in a father and son 

act for maritimes theatres. 

One brother, James, is a veteran projectionist 

and labor official now at the I»aramount, 

St. John. 

No Late Toronto Shows 

Over Easter Weekend 

TORONTO—The Motion Picture 

Theatres 

Ass'n of Ontario did not request a p>ermit 

from the Toronto board of police commissioners 

for permits to hold midnight shows 

over Easter weekend, including Good Friday, 

because of religious observances. The local 

law provides permission for midnighters on 

statutory holidays. Good Friday and Easter 

Monday are legal holidays in Canada. Toronto 

theatres generally refrain from Christmas 

eve shows, as well, because of midnight 

church services. 


K 91

MONTREAL 

•The new theatre being constructed in Lachute, 

Que., by Maxchand Bros., owners 

of the Vic in Brownsburg, and Tom Trow, 

owner of the Imperial in Three Rivers, has 

been named the Lachute. Ultramodern, the 

new theatre's plan was copied from California 

theatres. It will seat 600, be 95 per cent fireproof, 

be of all-cement construction and air 

conditioned with five exits. 

Four FUmrow executives were subpenaed 

as witnesses in long-drawn-out litigation involving 

the System Theatre Operating Co. 

After approximately ten appearances they 

were finally called. The judgment favored 

the theatre manager. The witnesses were 

Harry Cohen, Montreal manager of RKO; 

Sam Kunitsky, manager for UA; Hilly Cass, 

MGM manager, and Grattan Kiely, Warner 

manager. 

RKO here, headed by Harry Cohen, has 

retained the lead in the Canadian Ned Depinet 

drive since the first of the year . . . 

The Pilmrow Bowling league soon will enter 

the season's playoffs . . . RKO shortly will 

distribute a new Bette Davis hit, "Payment 

on Demand," whose success in the U.S. was 

spearheaded by a long showing at Radio City 

Music Hall, New York . . . "The Steel Helmet," 

Cardinal Films action picture of the 

Korean war, will be given its Montreal premiere 

April 20 . . . Warners is distributing 

two French-language reels, "Coeur de Paris" 

and "La Terreur de la Jungle." 

Two new theatres recently opened are the 

Mackayville, owned by C. Jansen of Mackayville, 

and the Viau, owned by H. David in 

Pont Viau . . . George Ganetakos, president 

of United Amusement Corp., has bought a 

new car . . . Jose Oupcher, 11 -year-old daughter 

of Jo Oupcher, UA salesman, won second 

prize for a book review at the Arts and 

Letters festival in Notre Dame de Grace . . . 

Paul Pellerin, accountant at Montreal Poster 

Exchange who resigned recently, has been 

replaced by Joe Rimer . . . Francois Morin, 

shipper at International Films, was to be 

married March 31 . . . Larry Druxerman, Toronto, 

SARO sales representative, visited 

FUmrow. 

Ameen Lawand, booker at Confederation 

Amusement, is on a three-week holiday at 

Daytona Beach, Fla. . . . Fehcia Jansen, assistant 

booker at 20th-Fox, left recently to be 

married, and has been replaced by Robert 

Stein formerly with Columbia . . . Larry 

Sheehan of the advertising department of 

United Amusement Corp. spent the balance 

of his holiday skiing in the Laurentian mountains 

. . . Nora Tinhof, accountant at United 

Amusement, is spending a three-week vacation 

in the mountains, and Mrs. Rogers, 

switchboard operator there, is spending three 

weeks In Florida. 

Easter hoUdaymakers include Lois Currie, 

booker's stenographer, Columbia, traveling by 

plane to Halifax; Denlse Poirler, secretary to 

William Trow at Montreal Poster and Quebec 

Cinema Booking, flying to New York for four 

days with Kay Sheehy, secretary to Grattan 

Kiely, manager at Warners . . . George Koppelman, 

salesman for Eagle Lion, visited his 

family in New York City . . . Jeanne Paquln, 

manager of the J. Arthur Rank 16mm Co., 

spent a few days on business in Quebec City 

. . . Adrlen Lapierre of the Capitol, Beauharonis, 

visited the film exchanges, after a 

brief illness. 

Charles Madison joined Eagle Lion as assistant 

booker there . . . R. Weekly of Toronto, 

Empire-Universal auditor, was at the 

local branch ... A new subscriber to BOX- 

OFFICE is Mrs. Juliette Lachapelle, reviser 

at MGM . 

. . John Boles, singing star of 

film, stage and concert hall, made a personal 

appearance at the Seville . . . Jacqueline 

Gilbert, Miss Cinema of the province of 

Quebec, visited the festival of St. Hyacinthe, 

organized by former students of the Ecole 

Sas'nt Dominique. 

Variely Village Show 

At Imperial April 16 

TORONTO—The annual Variety benefit 

show for the Variety Village vocational school 

for crippled boys will be presented AprU 16 

at the Famous Players' lmp)erial. Included 

on the program will be the premiere of a 

special picture. 

Since many of the wives of the tent have 

never had an opportunity of visiting the 

village, a special tour was conducted this 

week under the supervision of Mrs. Edna 

Bushnell. 

Other special programs arranged for the 

auxiliary under the chairmanship of Mrs. 

Sam Wacker included the St. Patrick's day 

box social and a bingo party March 30 and 

a sherry party and tea May 1. 

At a business meeting, reports were received 

on the women's activities from committee 

chairmen Mrs. Florence Chisholm, 

ways and means; Mrs. Ester Davidson, Variety 

Village needs; Mrs. Zetela Summerville, 

on birthdays of Variety Village students, and 

Mrs. Bushnell, telephone. 

France Film Head Fined 

On Currency Charge 

MONTREAL—A fine of $5,000 and cost has 

been imposed by Judge T. A. Fontaine on 

Joseph Alexandre DeSeve, president and general 

manager of France Film Co., for violation 

of foreign exchange regulations involving 

$43,000. 

In pronouncing sentence, Judge Fontaine 

said that DeSeve had used U.S. currency 

which he failed to declare, and observed that 

fines in similar cases in the past had been 

set at 10 per cent of the total amount involved. 

CORRECTION 

ST. JOHN—Under the heading of "Maurice 

Elman Starts St. John Booking Office" in the 

issue of March 10, it was erroneously stated 

that International and Cardinal Hlms had 

combined in St. John under the managership 

of Lou Michaelson, former manager at United 

Artists. 

A letter from Leslie A. Allen, Cardinal 

Films, Ltd., Toronto, advises that Michaelson 

has been engaged by Cardinal Films to 

be their St. John manager and that Michaelson 

has no connection whatsoever with International, 

which has not been combined with 

Cardinal. 

Mr. Allen further states that International, 

headed by Prank Murphy, booker, takes care 

of the physical distribution of Cardinal Films 

out of St. John. 

TORONTO 

When they re- 

Cponsored by Manager Stan Gosnell of the 

Uptown, president of the Motion Picture 

Theatre Ass'n of Ontario, Arch H. JoUey, 

executive secretary, was guest speaker at 

the luncheon of the Bay - Bloor Businessmen's 

club in the Babloor hotel. Among the 

62 members present were Manager Florence 

Simmons of the Towne Cinema and Fred 

Trebllcock of the Famous Players' University. 

. . . After a stage appearance at the Odeon, 

members of the Chlco Valle's Latin American 

band left their instruments at a concert 

studio on McGill Street. 

turned they found the instruments had been 

destroyed by vandals. The police could find 

no motive. 

Ontario exhibitors were thrilled to learn 

Mayor Arch J. Mason of SprlnghlU, N. S., 

secretary of the Motion Picture Industry 

Council of Canada, will give the formal reply 

to the speech from the throne in the Nova 

Scotia legislature . . . Clubrooms of Toronto 

Variety Tent 28 were closed on Good Friday 

(23) because of religious observances. This 

was the first time such action had been 

taken . . . Manager Stan Gosnell of Loew's 

Uptown has placed rubber nosing on the 

edge of 24 steps leading into the theatre. 

This is the first time in Canada for this 

safeguard in a theatre, it was stated. 

Mr. and Mrs. Henry C. Bilsborough have 

sent out invitations for the opening of their 

342-seat Garson, a quonset-type theatre, at 

Garson Mine, Ont. They are also the owners 

of the Audlon In Capreol . . . Mrs. Yvonne 

Taylor of the International Cinema has 

booked "Cyrano de Bergerac" on a twicedaily 

reserved-seat policy, similar to the arrangements 

adopted several years ago for the 

premiere of "Henvy V" which ran many 

weeks . . . Manager Len Bishop of Shea's 

has been steaming up a revival engagement 

of "Samson and Delilah" which previously 

had a long engagement at the Victoria and 

Eglinton here. 

. . . 

Vice-President Gary Hogarth, owner of the 

Roxy at Kingsville, presided at a luncheon 

meeting of the Southwestern Ontario Theatres 

Ass'n at the William Pitt hotel In Chatham. 

The next meeting was scheduled for 

Windsor . . . Gordon Llghtstone, general 

manager of Paramount Pictures in Canada, 

has again been elected president of the 

Canadian Motion Picture Distributors Ass'n. 

The board of motion picture censors has 

given adult grading to three features, "The 

Steel Helmet," "Devil's Weed" and "Sound of 

F\iry." 

Color Contest for Kids 

HALIFAX, N. S.—In behalf of "Bonnie 

Prince Charlie," a London Film Productions 

offering. Manager Murray Lynch, at the 

Capitol, Halifax, promoted a coloring contest 

for boys and girls under 14. First prize 

was six books of tickets and the second prize, 

three books. The deadline for entries was 

the fourth and final day of the run. Special 

advertising was carried in local papers containing 

the drawing to be colored and a 

coupon for name and address of the entrant. 

Glenn Anders and Sheldon Leonard were 

cast as gangsters in RKO's "Behave Yourself." 

92 

BoxbmcE March 24, 1951

. 

'Yesterday' Records 

Five Toronlo Weeks 

TORONTO—The week before Easter 

brought a recession in business for Toronto 

theatres with the high mark appearing to be 

average because of the general observance of 

Holy week. "Born Yesterday" rounded out 

the fifth week of its engagement at the Imperial 

while "Vengeance Valley" at Loew's 

was the only other holdover. 


Biltmore-Koren Patrol (EL); I Killed Geromnvo 

'"" 

(£L) 

Fairlawnô Long ot the Fair (EL); Banjo on 

My Knee (SR), reissue 

Hylcmd—Your Witness (EL) ..-....-.. --.-- »= 

tapenal—Born Yesterday (Col) 5th wk 80 

Loews-Vengeance Volley (MGM) 2nd wk 90 

Odeon—Al Jennings of Oklahoma (Col) , 

MU 

Sheas—Lightning Strikes Twice (WB).._. -- as 

Tivoli and Capitol—September Aifoir (Para); 

Crime Over London (SR) _ - • ; 

ynsV im 

University and Nortown—Three Husbands iUA).-lUO 

Uplown—The Groom Wore Spurs (U-I) ,-^-, q? 

Victoria and Eglinton—Gamblmg House (KK.U).... S3 

Break in Icy Weather Aids 

First Runs at Vancouver 

VANCOUVER—Theatres were helped by 

the end of snow and ice and grosses showed 

an improvement over the last few weeks. 

"Harvey" remained solid in its third week. 

Capitol—Call Me Mister (20th-Fox), 

2î wk 

Average 

Cinema—The Magnificent Yankee (MGM); Pagan 

Love Song (MGM). .^^. ......^ ^: . Fair 

Dominion—Branded (Para); Watch the Birdie 

(MGM), 2nd d. t. wk .- - Good 

Hastings—Modem Marriage (Mono), plus 

stage show g°°5 

.^-,-;v 

Orpheum—Vengeance Valley (MGM)^......- Good 

Paradise Sweet and Lowdown (20th-Fox); 

H I'm Lucky (20th-Fox), reissues - Poor 

Plaza and Fraser—Saraband (EL); I See o „ , 

Dork Stranger (EL), reissues - Good 

,., 

Strand—Storm Warning (WB) Very good 

Studio Mourning Becomes Electro 

(RKOl 

r air 

Vogue—HaaTey''(U-l)',3r'd'wk7.'.r.:.'. _ Excellent 

Iniluenza and Lent Combine 

To Hit Wiimipeg Grosses 

WINNIPEG—Influenza and Lent contributed 

equally to spotty business in Winnipeg 

theatres. Foto-Nite was inaugurated into 

eight houses, the majority of which turned 

away patrons early in the evening. 

Capitol—Call Me Mister (20th-Fox). Very Good 

Gaiety—Born to Be Bod (RKO) Good 

Garrick—Wyoming Moil (U-1) ....—--- —-..^-.-Good 

Grand—North of the Greot Divide (Rep); Pnde 

of Maryland (Rep) -• -Fair 

Lyceum—The Steel Helmet (Card) Very Good 

Met—loan of Arc (RKO) 

Good 

Odeon—Harvey (U-1), 3rd wk — _„..Good 

'City Lights' Gets Long Run 

In Edmonton Suburb 

EDMONTON — Charlie Chaplin's oldie, 

"City Lights," Isn't too old so far as Edmonton 

is concerned. The suburban Varscona, 

managed by Ed Pomerleau, brought in the 

Chaphn epic for a four-day stand recently 

and found he had a two-week holdover on 

his hands. 

Despite subzero temperatures and the distance 

of his house from the city center. 

Manager Pomerleau had lineups to contend 

with at initial runs. He received a full 

column's comment in the Edmonton Journal 

(circ. 75,000) from a feature writer who 

found Chaplin and his silent a refreshing 

change from today's epics. 

Another good puller here was MGM's 

"Kim" that opened at FPC's downtown Capitol, 

managed by Walter P. Wilson. After a 

week's run there it moved over to another 

downtown FPC house, the Strand (R. F. Kell) 

Both houses reported sellouts with big lineups 

blocking sidewalks outside the Capitol. 


VANCOUVER 

Jimmy Davie, RKO manager, returned here 

* 

from a Winnipeg sales meeting . . . Victims 

of the flu were Harry Woolfe, UA manager; 

Norman Duncan, Strand manager, and 

Betty Wynne, Odeon district office . . . 

Nick 

Brenton of the Paradise was promoted to 

assistant manager at the Odeon in Victoria. 

John Cooshek of the Plaza replaced him at 

the Paradise and, in turn, was succeeded by 

Bob Myers from the Gamble. Shirley Wilson, 

maintenance manager for Gaumont-Kalee, 

has returned from a trip through Calgary, 

Edmonton and Trail. He reported that Jack 

Barron's new 1,200-seat Odeon was opened 

March 19. 

Vicky Lobb, assistant manager at the 

Vogue, left for Clinton, Ont., to visit her 

husband, a member of the Canadian air 

force. Betty Singerman, Vogue secretary, 

is pinch-hitting for Vicky for two weeks 

. . 

Norman "Scotty" Wallace, who started m 

show business at Greenock, Scotland, and 

who now is projectionist at the Colonial here, 

is a new member of the Canadian Picture 

Pioneers here . . . Perry Wright, Empire- 

Universal manager, is away visiting interior 

exhibitors ... Lou Segal of Monogram is off 

on a three-week selling trip. 

CharUe Doctor, Capitol manager, won the 

award in a national exploitation campaign. 

Four outdoor theatres have reopened, two 

near Vancouver and two in the Okangan district 

of the interior . . . 

Amusement Enterprises 

"Hamlet" is back in town, playing two 

Odeon theatres day and date at regular 

prices. They are the suburban Varsity and 

Park. They will play matinees daily for students 

from the university and high schools. 

... A film entitled "Drunk Driving" proved 

so popular with the public during 1950 that 

it is going to be kept here for more showings 

this year. A total of 3,000 persons attended 

18 showings of the film by the Vancouver 

Traffic & Safety Council. 

Managers of Vancouver film exchanges report 

increased use of shorts by theatres in 

the smaller towns and rural district. They 

say it is different in Vancouver, where, owing 

to the twin-bill situation, exhibitors have 

little time left for shorts, at times eUminating 

even the newsreel. 

BiU Wilson, manager of Famous Players 

Garneau in Edmonton, was elected president 

of the Edmonton Theatres Ass'n, replacing 

Roland Keil, manager of the Strand, who 

was elected an officer . . . Elected secretarytreasurer 

was William Pedoruk of the Gem. 

New directors are Arnold Entwisle, Famous 

Players; Jay Lieberman, Rialto; A. Staniland 

and Walter Wilson of the Capitol, who al£0 is 

vice-president of the Alberta Theatre Ass'n. 

Gordon West, who has been showing 16mm 

films at his Sechelt Theatre upcoast from 

here, is changing over to 35mm and will 

play three programs weekly in the 200-seat 

theatre. Population of Sechelt is 600. West 

will continue his 16mm circuit in other 

towns . . . The Roxy here is closed for a 

complete face-lifting job both exterior and 

interior. New owners Mr. and Mrs. Hopfner 

also will build a new front. 

Members of projectionists local 348 and 

representatives of provincial theatre owners 

sat before a special committee of the legislature 

to discuss whether two projectionists 

are needed in theatres. Cecil Steele, member 

for Omineca in northern British Columbia 

and a theatre owner himself, had raised the 

issue in the house claiming two projectionists 

are no longer needed because present-day 

films are noninflammable. No decision has 

been made to date. 

The Children's Film Library committee has 

arranged with Famous Players and Odeon 

for the showing of specially selected films for 

young people at most of the district theatres 

Three Vancouver Famous Players 

. . . 

employes, Maynard Joiner, supervisor; Bill 

Gillespie, Orpheum theatre engineer, and Ike 

Longhurst, maintenance supervisor, became 

members of the Famous Players 25-year club 

this month . . . Jimmy Davie, RKO manager, 

was elected president of the Vancouver Fihn 

Board and Jack Reid, Eagle Lion manager, 

was named secretary. 

OTT AW A 

poUowing the purchase of the Winchester 

by National Theatre Services, an affiliate 

of Canadian Odeon, Clarence Chamberlain 

has been appointed manager, replacing 

H. T. Meldrum, a former partnership owner. 

Chamberlain was formerly assistant manager 

of the Center at Kingston and previously 

was at the Center in Peterborough 

. . . T. R. Tubman, supervisor for Famous 

Players and manager of the Capitol, and 

wife returned from a vacation in Florida 

. William H. Hartnett, business manager 

of the Ottawa projectionists union, left 

Civic hospital after another period of treatment. 

Morris Berlin, owner of the Somerset, and 

wife have been holidaying In Acapulco, Mexico 

.. 

. "Ti-Coq," the French-Canadian 

stage show headed by Gratien Gelinas as 

Pridolin, is scheduled to play two weeks in 

Ottawa, probably at the Glebe, after runs in 

Toronto, Hamilton and London. The presentations 

will be in English for half of the 

performances . . . Casey Swedlove of the 

Linden presented an appropriate St. Patrick's 

day stage show of five acts last Saturday, 

in addition to the screen program. 

Canadian Theatremen 

Rate 'Dozen 'as Best 

TORONTO—There was a sharp variance 

of opinion between Canadian exhibitors and 

film critics as to the best picture of 1950. 

Acting on the basis of boxoffice gross, the 

theatremen picked "Cheaper by the Dozen." 

The critics gave first choice to "All About 

Eve," with "Sunset Boulevard" a close second. 

The exhibitors named Bing Crosby as the 

first star, Betty Grable drawing second place 

On 

after being seventh in the previous year. 

the other hand, the reviewers in the poll, 

conducted by Canadian Film Weekly, called 

Bette Davis the best star; Gloria Swanson 

finishing in second place. Roy Rogers rated 

first among the western stars. 

Among the critics' best ten films were 

three British pictures, "The Third Man," 

"Tight Little Island" and "Kind Hearts and 

Coronets." Only two features, "Twelve O'clock 

High" and "Father of the Bride," were in 

the ten films picked by both exhibitors and 

critics. 

93

MARITIMES 

•pwo years ago, while summering at Yarmouth, 

Raphael David Blau, Hollywood 

writer, started scripting "Bedtime for Bonzo." 

Now Manager Ernie Hatfield of the Capitol 

there has secured the maritime premiere of 

the picture for March 26-27. Hatfield, who 

has invited Blau to attend the opening, is 

promoting the event from the summer visitor 

angle . . . Despite objections from film 

exhibitors, the Biller Bros, circus is getting 

sanction from town and city councils 

for a summer tour through the maritimes. 

Ed Haskins, manager of the State at Calais 

for Lockwood & Gordon, is authority for 

the statement that Sunset Carson of the 

saddle sagas was the first film player in 

a personal appearance in Maine-New Brunswick, 

border theatre in 17 years. Carson and 

his troupe showed for one matinee and night, 

at 42 cents top afternoon, and 50 cents, 

night . . . Prom taking a post-graduate course 

at Acadia university, Wolfville, N. S., Syd 

Yarmouth has switched to active soldiering. 

He has joined the army pay corps, as an officer. 

While managing the Community, he 

was an officer in the artillery reserve, and 

in the World War II, had been an officer in 

the air force. 

Louis Lee of Milltown, N. B., has acquired 

the "Thimble Theatre" from Darrell Mac- 

Pherson and is establishing a rotary route of 

one nighters on the Canadian side of the 

border, and mostly within Charlotte county, 

which abuts Washington county, Maine, on 

the boundary. Lee is offering a single bill, 

plus some stage fare ... Ill health has forced 

the retirement of H. M. Armstrong, Fredericton, 

a New Brunswick fire marshal. It 

was he who upset the plans of Famous Players 

to allot the stadium section in their new 

Paramount, St. John, for the first smoking in 

maritime theatres. He took the ban through 

the courts successfully. 

The Boston Marine building, in Yarmouth 

at the terminal of the Boston-Nova Scotia 

steamer Une, was the scene of the first film 

exhibition in southern Nova Scotia. It was 

titled "Wonderland," and the pioneer exhibitor 

was the late Syd Kerr, who deviated 

from operating a commercial school in St. 

John to establish and operate the film house. 

Kerr, whose widow is a sister of Fred G. 

Spencer, founder of the Spencer chain, sold 

out to Spencer, who was succeeded at Yarmouth 

by a local group headed by Stan 

O'Brien. This group sold out to Odeon several 

years ago, and the erstwhile Opera 

House, later the People's and finally the 

Capitol, is one of the two Yarmouth film theatres. 

The other is the Community, converted 

from a church, and a link in the 

Franklin & Herschorn chain. 

A top sin^fle price for a skating show prevailed 

at the St. Andrews arena for two 

nights and one matinee of Barbara Anne 

Scott. The only admission rate for nights 

was $2.50, and for the matinee $1. Scott had 

Michael Kirby of Montreal as her partner, 

with Dick Nutter and Andre Perron as 

stunters. Klrby was a partner of Sonja 

Henle in a picture . . . The Lyceum, 50-yearold 

roadshow house, burned by an arsonist at 

Sydney, was first managed by the late Ron 

Macadam, owner of the Halifax Casino. 

Richard Egan has been signed a featured 

spot In the Universal comedy, "Oh, Baby!" 

Alberta Censors Eye 

Mixed Programs 

EDMONTON—Alberta film censors are 

going to have a closer look at double bills 

being offered in provincial houses. In the 

legislature last week (16) a Calgary member 

asked how it was some exhibitors were offering 

a "family" film on the same bill as 

one classed as "adult." 

Pi-ovincial Secretary C. E. Gerhart, whose 

department administers film censorship in 

the province, said the matter will be "looked 

into" and operators advertising a double bill 

as "entertainment for the entire family" will 

have to make sure in future that their features 

are either all "adult" or all "family" 

and not a combination of both. 

"It is certainly within our powers to make 

certain that a theatre's entire bill is one or 

other," he said. 

Acquit George Prehalos, 

Montreal Theatreman 

MONTREAL—Following a hearing before 

the criminal court, George Prehalos CPanos), 

manager and director of the System Theatre, 

was acquited by Judge Gustave Marin 

of a charge of stealing $15,212 from the theatre 

between May 1, 1940 and Dec. 31, 1946. 

The judge ruled that there was no proof of 

theft. He declared that Prehalos as theatre 

manager had continued a bookkeeping system 

introduced into the firm about 25 years 

ago and employed by every manager since. 

Prehalos explained that every check withdrawn 

had a note attached to it indicating 

the purpose of the withdrawal or reason for 

its use. He pointed out that the System 

Theatre Operating Co. was the operator of 

the theatre but not the owner, although the 

same group of persons owned shares in the 

company and the theatre. Much confusion, 

he added, resulted from the fact that the 

theatre owners were never paid rent directly 

but instructed the operating company to pay 

the building fixed charges in lieu of rent. 

College Students Urge 

Ban on 'Steel Helmet' 

VICTORIA—Members of the 'Victoria 

branch of the National Federation of Labor 

Youth are handing out pamphlets asking 

theatre patrons to ban the Korean war film, 

"The Steel Helmet," now showing at the 

Capitol Theatre. Enfly, as it is commonly 

dubbed, is said to be communistic. 

Police halted proceedings at first, but 

since there is no bylaw which says pamphlets 

cannot be handed out peaceably, they have 

since continued unmolested. 

is 

Victoria college student Archie McGugan 

head of the Victorian Enfly group and has 

protested to the city council that the film 

"promotes racial hatred against Asiatic 

jjeoples, glorifies Inhuman atrocities and violates 

Brotherhood week and the principles 

of the United Nations." 

The pamphlets ask citizens to write to the 

provincial censor of motion pictures and to 

the theatre manager and protest the film. 

Manager Jock M. Robertson of the Capitol 

said the distribution of pamphlets has not 

hurt attendance—In fact it might stimulate 

it. Police took names of those distributing 

the pamphlets. 

WINNIPEG 

Jânager of the Met, Eddie Newman, garnered 

receipts by emphasizing his current 

attraction, "Joan of Arc," over the local 

French radio station ... A farewell stag 

party was held for Ted Huber, Paramount 

booker, who will go to Toronto in a similar 

capacity ... J. J. Fitzgibbons jr., general 

manager of Theatre Confections, is visiting 

the local office . . . The new shorts booker 

at RKO is Herb Black, at one time SARO 

booker and recently supervisor of the miniature 

golf course at the Northmain Drive-In. 

Completing: an eight-year stint as manager 

. . 

of the Grand, Sam Swartz has decided to 

return to the distribution field as branch 

manager here for International Film Distributors, 

according to General Manager 

Douglas V. Rosen . Famous Players neighborhood 

houses have arranged with the T. 

Eaton Co., merchandiser of Hopalong Cassidy 

kiddies togs, to help advertise the showing 

of Hoppie films at Saturday matinee in circuit 

houses. A contest for Hoppie apparel 

supplied by the Eaton Co. is conducted by 

the houses in connection with 100 per cent 

matinee attendance as punched weekly on 

special cards held by the kiddies . . . Easter 

week both the Capitol and Met featured Cartoon 

jamborees for children. 

Accompanied by the picture of an upper 

dental plate and headlined "Found: One 

Upper Plate" the following ad placed by Cy 

Brownstone of the Elm in Winnipeg's dailies 

drew considerable comment: "Will the lady 

who lost her upper plate at the Elm Theatre 

Saturday night while laughing so hilariously 

at Bob Hope in 'The Great Lover' please 

claim same at manager's office. Thank you. 

'The Great Lover' and 'Colorado Territory' 

also are showing today and Tuesday." 

Featuring a large three-column photo of 

his family and telephone officials. Joe Harris, 

Empire-Universal head booker, was in the 

limelight as the Winnipeg Free Press related 

the story of Harris receiving the 100,000th 

telephone in greater WinniE>eg. Government 

officials, telephone company officials, installers, 

linemen, newsmen, cameramen and 

radiomen crowded the Harris living room to 

participate and watch the ceremonies. There 

were radio broadcasts, speeches, flowers, dolls, 

handshakes, congratulations as everybody admired 

the specially made ivory phone trimmed 

with silver. After waiting over three years 

for a phone, hard to get in West Klldonan, 

one of the first calls to come over this ivorysilver 

instrument was an urgent call from 

an out-of-town exhibitor, who wanted to 

cancel a playdate. 

Visitors to the film exchanges were: P. J. 

Lowe, Legion, Cartwright, Man.; Charlie 

Krupp, who just returned from visiting his 

sister in Texas; Mr. and Mrs. Irving Zaitzow, 

Melville, Sask,; Sam Karby, Regina: Nate 

Bresver, Oak, Brandon, returning from Toronto 

en route to his home town, and Eldon 

Flynn of the Globe, La Fleche, Sask. 

Western Theatres is discontinuing its own 

poster service and has signed a contract with 

Somer James Theatre Poster Service for complete 

advertising accessories for all the circuit 

houses, including new banners which slide 

into the chrome-fluted frames. The majority 

of the Independents also have signed up. 


BOXOFFICE BAROMETER • EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY 

FEATURE CHART • REVIEW DIGEST • SHORTS CHART 

SHORTS REVIEWS • FEATURE REVIEWS • EXPLOITIPS 

BookinGuide 

BOXOFFICE 

FIRST RUN REPORTS 

This chart shows the records made by 

pictures in five or more of the 20 key cities 

checked. 

As new runs are reported, ratings 

are added and averages revised. 

,..^.SM.Jlhfi>iX*,> A.f- 

BAROMETER 

TOP HIT 

(Not 

OF THE WEEK 

an Average) 

The Next Voice You Hear— 

Kansas City 180 

Computed in terms of percentage in 

relation to normal grosses. With 100 

per cent as "normal," the figures 

show the percentage above or below 

that mark.

EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY 

ABOUT PICTURES 

Just at the Barometer page stiotoa nrst run reports on current pictures, this 

devartment is devoted toi the most port to reports on subseQuent runs, made 

by exhibitors themselves. A one-star contributor is new, two stars means the 

exhibitor has been writing in for six months or longer, and a three-star contributor 

is a regular of one year or more. All exhibitors welcome. Blue Ribbon 

pictures are marked thus w. 

COHJMBIA 

And Baby Makes Three (Col) — Robert 

Young, Barbara Hale, Robert Hutton. This 

cute little comedy did average business for 

us on a very stormy Wed., Thurs. It is good 

for any small town. Weather: Snow and ice. 

—Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Bigley, Princess Theatre, 

Humeston, Iowa. Small town and rural 

patronage. 

* * 

Beware of Blondie (Col)—Penny Singleton, 

Arthur Lake, Larry Simms. I played this 

with a feeling of regret that it was the last 

of this series, but I was amazed at how many 

walked out on it. Those that like Blondie 

certainly could find nothing wrong with this 

one. My crowd seemed to come to see "No 

Sad Songs for Me," and that was all they 

wanted. Played Sun., Mon., Tues. Weather: 

Snow Monday.—Bob Walker, Uintah Theatre, 

Fruita, Colo. Small town and rural patronage. 

* * * 

Gasoline Alley (Col)—James Lydon, Scotty 

Beckett, Susan Marrow. This is a good 

comedy which pleased the kids and many 

grownups on Fri., Sat. Those who read the 

comic strip will love it. While it is a small 

budget picture, it will do well if played on 

the right days. Weather: Good. — E. M. 

Freiburger, Dewey Theatre, Dewey, Okla. 

Small town patronage. • * * 

Harriet Craig (Col)—Joan Crawford, Wendell 

Corey, K. T. Stevens. This is a dividedcomment 

picture that is definitely not for 

the small towns. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: 

Good.—M. W. Long, Lans Theatre, Lansing, 

Iowa. Small town and rural patronage. * * 

MiUtary Academy (Col)—Stanley Clements, 

Myron Walton, Gene Collins. This is strictly 

program fanfare that we doubled with "No 

Sad Songs for Me," to sad grosses. Played 

Wed., Thurs. Weather: Rain.—Harland Rankin, 

Rankin Enterprises, Chatham, Ont. General 

patronage. 

' ' * 

EAGLE LION CLASSICS 

Fighting Stallion, The (ELC) — Bill Edwards, 

Doris Merrick, Forrest Taylor. After 

reading an adverse report on this in BOX- 

OFFICE, I kicked this around and about 

cancelled it. I'm glad I didn't. It is not a 

western In the usual shoot-'em-up-er style, 

but it is a very pleasing show for everyone 

men, women and children. I doubled it with 

the Bowery Boys in "Lucky Losers" (Mono) 

to average business for the change. Played 

Thurs., Fri., only. Weather: Sleet all three 

days.—M. W. Long, Lans Theatre, Lansing, 

Iowa. Small town and rural patronage. • * 

Gnilty of Treason (ELC)—Charles Bickford, 

Paul Kelly, Bonlta Granville. This has 

excellent acting and a story full of suspen.se 

and entertainment. This has a natural appeal 

for Catholics, but every man, woman, 

boy and girl should see it. The priest again 

announced it In church and a large number 

of Catholics attended. On Sunday we had 

14 nuns in a group.—Jim Mote. Friendship 

Theatre, Sterling, Okla. Small town patronage. 

LIPPERT PRODUCTIONS 

Hostile Country (LP)—Jimmy Ellison, Russ 

Ha'yden, Raymond Hatton. This is our first 

of this new team of Ellison and Hayden. It 

gave our cowboy fans just what they wanted. 

Our print on this, though, was in bad shape, 

with much of the dialog off sync. Played 

Fri., Sat. Weather: Good.—Jack Hammond, 

Shastona Theatre, Mount Shasta, Calif. 

Small lumber town patronage. • * * 

METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER 

Asphalt Jungle, The (MGM) — Sterling 

Hayden, Louis Calhern, Jean Hagen. This 

is a good cops-and-robbers that drew well 

the first night, but when word-of-mouth told 

that it wasn't a real jungle picture, they 

stayed away in droves. Why can't we have 

titles that mean what they say? Played Tues., 

Wed. only. Weather: Good.—M. W. 

Long, Lans Theatre, Lansing, Iowa. Small 

town and rural patronage. * • 

Crisis (MGM)—Gary Grant, Jose Ferrer, 

Paula Raymond. We have repeatedly found 

the test of a picture is how it holds up the second 

night. Well, this dropped over 80 per cent, 

so we don't feel it was a good picture. Played 

Wed., Thurs. Weather: Cold.—Harland Rankin, 

Rankin Enterprises, Chatham, Ont. General 

patronage. * • * 

Duchess of Idaho (MGM)—Esther Williams, 

Van Johnson, John Lund. In my opinion, 

MGM has what it takes. The company 

never skimps on any of its pictures. This 

feature, along with the stars and the color, 

was very well received and enjoyed. Business 

was a little above average. Played Sun., 

Mon., Tues. Weather: Rain.—John N. Allison, 

Vivian Theatre, Carlisle, Ind. Small town 

and rural patronage. 

• * • 

Did Business With This 

In Spite of Odds 

piGHTING MAN OF THE PLAINS 

(20th-Fox) — Randolph Scott, Bill 

Williams, Victor Jory. It takes old Scotty 

to pack 'em in. We played this to above 

average business, bucking the county 

basketball tourney. Talk about having 

your share of it—first the county, then 

the sectional, and last but not least, the 

district basketball tournament! Almost 

any day we expect to hear that they are 

going to bring the state tourney to 

Humeston, but we are going along with 

them, holding our own. Some day they 

will be back. Our town is small, about 

1,000, and we feel sort of happy to think 

that our town is live enough to attract all 

of this activity. 

We have been wondering lately about 

cash night—if many towns of our size 

put up their own cash as bank night, or 

do they have a merchant-sponsored cash 

night? How about a few comments, fellows?—Mr. 

and Mrs. Curtis Bigley, Princess 

Theatre, Humeston, Iowa. Small town 

and rural patronage. * * 

Advertising Around Them 

Good for Small Towns 

gLUE BLOOD (Mono) — Bill WilUams, 

Jane Nigh, Arthur Shields. A picture can 

be too new in a small town. Some complained 

they hadn't heard of it. Business 

was fair but they do better when they've 

been advertised in surrounding towns. 

Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Cold.—Jim 

Mote, Friendship Theatre, Sterling, Okla. 

Small town patronage. * * * 

^Father of the Bride (MGM)—Spencer 

Tracy, Joan Bennett, Elizabeth Taylor. This 

is a very good comedy and was well received 

by those who were able to see it. It did just 

average business in very bad weather. Played 

Sun., Mon., Tues. and had snow, rain and 

mud.—Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Bigley, Princess 

Theatre, Humeston, Iowa. Small town and 

rural patronage. • • 

Happy Years, The (MGM)—Dean Stockwell, 

Darryl Hickman, Scotty Beckett. I believe 

the trailer is what brought them in, 

although I still say it didn't go far enough. 

We didn't do a big business, but just a little 

below average. If you haven't anything better, 

this will go on a Sunday date. Played Sun., 

Mon. Weather: Sun. excellent, Mon. fog.— 

Howard C. Bayer, Iowa Theatre, Schleswig, 

Iowa. Farm patronage. • • 

OKing Solomon's Mines (MGM)—Stewart 

Granger, Deborah Kerr, Richard Carlson. 

This picture is fine of its type. It hardly 

rated tops, however, as it seemed to be a 

man's (and of course, children's) picture. 

Any picture must have appeal for both men 

and women to rate top boxoffice. Played 

Sun., Mon. Weather: Warm, foggy and rainy, 

—e. W. Ritenour, Milford Theatre, Milford, 

111. Rural patronage. • • • 

Life of Her Own, A (MGM)—Lana Turner, 

Ray Milland, Tom Ewell. This is definitely 

not a small town picture. Too much drinking 

and other things, and both leads seemed to 

ham their roles throughout the picture. Business 

was fair Sunday but died Mon.. Tues. 

Weather: Fair and cold.—Jack Hammond, 

Shastona Theatre, Mount Shasta. Calif. 

Small lumber town patronage. • * • 

Mystery Street MGM)—Ricardo Montalban, 

Sally Forrest, Bruce Bennett. This is 

a well made mystery, which pleased average 

business on Fri., Sat., but a good western will 

outdraw it. Weather: Good.—E. M. Freiburger, 

Dewey Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small 

town patronage. 

• • • 

Nancy Goes to Rio (MGM)—Jane Powell, 

Ann Sothern, Barry Sullivan. We passed this 

and played it midweek to above normal business. 

Everyone enjoyed this and musicals 

have come back in my town. It is a fine 

picture from Metro. Don't pass it, as it Is 

okay. Played Tues., Wed. Weather: Cold.— 

Ken Christiansen, Roxy Theatre, Washburn, 

N. D. Small town patronage. • • • 

To Please a Lady (MGM)—Clark Gable, 

Barbara Stanwyck, A'dolph Menjou. Topnotch 

entertainment, is the way I would 

classify this fine show. The car racing sure 

does pack a wallop. The love angle Is not 

overdone, and I can recommend this for 

smaller towns. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: 

Fine.—I. Roche, Vernon Theatre, Vernon. 

Fla. Small town and rural patronage. • • • 

To Please a Lady (MGM)—Clark Gable, 

Barbara Stanwyck, Adolphe Menjou. Business 

was below average on this story of 

race drivers and the Indianapolis speedway. 

BOXOFFICE BookinGuide March 24, 1951

My patrons think Clark Gable and Barbara 

Stanwyck are getting a little old to play lovesick 

swains. No argument. Played Sun., 

Mon. Weather: Good.—E. M. Freiburger, 

Dewey Theatre, Dewey, Okla. SmaU town patronage. 

• • « 

MONOGRAM 

GunsUngers (Mono)—Whip Wilson, Andy 

Clyde, Reno Browne. We doubled this with 

"Thunder in the Pines" (LP) to a little above 

average business, but we were bucking the 

sectional basketball tourney. We believe that 

Whip Wilson would do pretty well here if 

not served too often. One thing for sure, you 

can buy these right, and "Thunder in the 

Pines" (with George Reeves and Ralph Byrd) 

was very well received.—Mr. and Mrs. Curtis 

Bigley, Princess Theatre, Humeston, Iowa. 

Small town and rural patronage. • * 

Hidden City, The (Mono)—Sue England, 

Damian O'Flynn, Leon Belasco. This is one 

of the Bomba series that customers seem to 

be tiring of. We tried to bill it as the top 

half, due to the film rental, and it laid an 

egg. Doubled with "Operation Haylift." 

Played Fri., Sat. Weather Good.—Jack Hammond, 

Shastona Theatre, Mount Shasta, 

Calif. Small lumber town patronage. * * * 

PARAMOUNT 

UFancy Pants (Para)—Lucille Ball, Bob 

Hope, Bruce Cabot. This is another Bob Hope 

farce. Personally, it had nothing to offer the 

patrons along the lines of good acting, and 

the humor had a rotten pun odor. Hope is 

done for unless he comes up with something 

new and good. The audience reaction was 

way below par. I cannot say anything about 

it as far as the boxoffice receipts go, as they 

were okay. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: 

Good.—Virgil Anderson, C-B Theatre, Bucklln, 

Mo. Rural patronage. * * 

Mr. Music (Para)—Bing Crosby, Nancy Olson, 

Charles Coburn. This is not as good as 

some of Bing's pictures. The big radio plugs 

etc. on it really helped on the draw, though, 

and the audience reaction was, good. It 

should hold its own in any spot used. Played 

Sun., Mon. Weather: Arizona's best.—D. W. 

Trisko, Ritz Theatre, Jerome, Ariz. Mining 

patronage. • • * 

TrlpoU (Para) — Maureen O'Hara, John 

Payne, Howard DaSilva. This did not draw 

so well. The comments on it weren't very 

favorable. Personally, I just do not think 

it is a small town picture. The people in my 

home town don't read the Bible from Fri. 

till Mon., but they also do not go to movies 

unless they are comedies or musicals. Played 

Sun., Mon. Weather: Nice.—Marcella Smith, 

Vinton Theatre, McArthur, Ohio. Small town 

patronage. * * • 

RKO RADIO 

Our Very Own (RKO)—Ann Blyth, Farley 

The trailer could have 

Granger, Joan Evans. 

been better and could have shown some of 

funny spots, but they just didn't put it in. 

Wants This Reissued 

Every Five Years 

QUNGA DIN (RKO) — Reissue. 

Gary 

Grant, Victor McLaglen. This Is an 

epic that should be reissued every five 

years. It has stars, action, scope, adventure 

and laugh upon laugh. Business was 

good for midweek. The audience ate it 

up. Played Tues., Wed. Weather: Cold.— 

Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, RivesviUe, 

W. Va. Rural patronage. » * » 

BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: March 24, 1951 

The show was excellent and we had no complaints. 

Advertising stressed the comedy and 

we had a cutout on this one and hung it 

from the ceiUng, with a spotlight hitting 

in during the previews. The stunt paid off 

as we did more than average business on 

this one. By the way, our print was clear as 

a bell and the sound was perfect. Played 

Sun., Mon. Weather: Sun., warm; Mon., snow 

and zero.—Howard C. Bayer, Iowa Theatre, 

Schleswig, Iowa. Farm patronage. 

* • • 

Tall in the Saddle (RKO)—John Wayne, 

Ella Raines. Although this played the house 

a few years back, i used it as a trade-off and 

repeated it, playing it under "Our Very Own." 

"Tall in the Saddle," being a fine western, 

it took care of the male trade, while the 

women "weeped" their way through "Our 

Very Own." Played Sun., Mon. Weather: 

Pair but cold.—Don Donohue, Novato Theatre, 

Novato, Calif. Small town and rural patronage. 

• » 

Wagonmaster (RKO) — Ben Johnson, Joanne 

Dru, Harry Carey jr. After a slow 

start, this got off to some good action. If 

you live in Mormon country, this should be 

'Knew' It Couldn't Draw 

But He Got Fooled 

Ô SAD SONGS FOR ME (Col)—Margaret 

Sullavan, Wendell Corey, Viveca 

Lindfors. My friends, if you haven't played 

this weeper, you've got a surprise coming. 

I knew it was good but figured it couldn't 

draw, so I put a Blondie with it as"a lure. 

Chump Walker guessed wrong again. We 

had an excellent Sunday and they walked 

out on Blondie. We had snow Monday and 

strong competition, but it was above average. 

Tuesday the weather was good and 

more rough competition, but stiU business 

was good. One lady came out bawling 

Monday and said, "Bob, don't ever slip 

one over on me like that again—I wasn't 

in the mood for it." Tuesday she was the 

first in line—she was in the mood for it 

that night. The women came back the 

second and third times. — Bob Walker, 

llintah Theatre, Fruita, Colo. Small town 

and rural patronage. • • * 

your dish, as the story deals with the trek 

of some Mormons across the plains of the 

west. Rural communities should eat this 

up as there is some good old-fashioned music, 

singing and dancing in it. It is not worth 

percentage, though. Played Wed.. Thurs. 

Weather: Warmer.—I. Roche, Vernon Theatre, 

Vernon, Fla. Small town and rural patronage. 

* • • 

REPUBLIC 

Flame of the Barbary Coast (Rep)—Reissue. 

John Wayne, Ann Dvorak. I tried to 

sneak this oldie by on my giveaway night 

and got caught. Business was 20 per cent 

below average. Played Tuesday. Weather: 

Clear. — Don Donohue, Novato Theatre, 

Novato, Calif. Small town and rural patronage. 

' 

Snnset in the West (Rep) 

• • 

— Roy Rogers, 

Estelita Rodriguez, Penny Edwards. This Is 

a most interesting picture and one that will 

pull in the kids as well as the grownups. This 

should go over fine in any small town or city. 

Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Pair. — James 

Lansden, Lansden Theatre, Clairfield, Tenn. 

Small mining camp patronage. 

• 

Cnder MexicaU Stars (Rep) — Rex Allen, 

Dorothy Patrick, Roy Barcroft. This is a good 

western packed with singing, clowning and 

The Public Never Tires 

Of 'King' Clark Gable 

jJEY TO THE CITY (MGM) — Clark 

Gable, Loretta Young, Marilyn Maxwell. 

Welcome back, Clark. This is Gable's 

best picture in many years. As long as 

the "king" is given pictures of this type, 

he will never grow old and the public will 

never tire of him. There is still only one 

Clark Gable. I recommend this to small 

towns for any day of the week. Get out 

and sell it—you won't be sorry. Played 

Sun., Mon. Weather: Fair. — Carl F. 

Neitzel, Juno Theatre, Juneau, Wis. Local 

and surrounding area patronage. * * * 

acting greater than ever before. I think Allen 

has done wonders for show business and I 

hope he continues to make such great pictures. 

Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Pair. — 

James Lansden, Lansden Theatre, Clairfield, 

Tenn. Small mining camp patronage. * • 

Village Barn Dance (Rep)—Reissue. Richard 

Cromwell, Doris Day. The guy responsible 

for making this picture ought to be given 

a medal. The show is a small town winner if 

there ever was one. It is a program picture 

that should be played on Fri., Sat., but in 

rural situations, it can't miss. Even with 

lousy weather, business was average. One 

farmer plowed open his driveway just to get 

in town to see the show. Played Fri., Sat. 

Weather: Blizzard.—Carl P. Neitzel, Juno 

Theatre, Juneau, Wis. Local and surrounding 

area patronage. 

* » • 

20th CENTURY-FOX 

Jackpot, The (20th-Pox)—James Stewart, 

Barbara Hale, James Gleason. New Year's 

Eve celebrations around town beat me on 

this one. However, don't be afraid of It. 

It is ideal family entertainment.—Don Donohue, 

Novato Theatre, Novato, Calif. SmaU 

town and rural patronage. 

• 

Jackpot, The (20th-Fox)—James Stewart, 

Barbara Hale, James Gleason. The story, 

cast and production were great on this but 

somewhere along the line it missed out being 

a big comedy. Business was below average for 

weekends. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Good. 

—Jack Hammond, Shastona Theatre, Mount 

Shasta, Calif. Small lumber town patronage. 

• » * 

Love That Brute (20th-Pox)—Paul Douglas, 

Jean Peters, Cesar Romero. We overpaid on 

this one. It's a good comedy and was liked 

by all. The trailer was a letdown, and therefore 

all advertising stressed comedy and 

money back guarantee if they didn't like it. 

Played Tues.,, Wed. Weather: Excellent.— 

Howard C. Bayer, Iowa Theatre, Schleswig, 

Iowa. Farm patronage. • • • 

Pinky (20th-Fox)—Jeanne Grain, Ethel 

Barrymore, Ethel Waters. This is a very 

good picture that was worth playing. Don't 

be frightened of it. Plajêd Mon., Tues. 

Weather: Cold.—Rankin Enterprises, Plaza 

Theatre, Tilbury, Ont. General patronage. 

• * • 

Wabash Avenue (20th-Pox)—Betty Grable, 

Victor Mature, Phil Harris. I would have 

been much better off not to have bought 

this! My operator saw it and warned me, but 

Betty Grable is supposed to be next to the 

top in boxoffice draw. Not here in pictures 

like this, though. The mayor was in the first 

night and X thought he was going to close 

me up! The picture is pretty raw for small 

towns. I did 50 per cent business on Sun., 

(Continued on page 4)

Exhibitor Has His Say 

(Continued from page 3j 

Men. Weather: Warm, with light drizzle.— 

M. W. Long, Lans Theatre, Lansing, Iowa. 

Small town and rural patronage. * • • 

When Willie Comes Marching Home (20th- 

Fox)—Dan Dailey, Corinne Calvet, Colleen 

Townsend. Considering the weather, this 

oldie did very well at the boxoffice. Dan 

Dailey did an excellent job in this one and 

left the want-to-see-more-of-him feeling. 

Comments were good but the Pox rental was 

too high. More comedies like this would be 

welcomed. Played Tues., Wed. Weather: 30 

below zero.—Ken Christiansen, Roxy Theatre, 

Washburn, N. D. Small town patronage. * • • 

UNITED ARTISTS 

Big Wheel, The (UA) — Mickey Rooney, 

Thomas Mitchell, Michael O'Shea. This was 

a complete fizzle as far as being a grosser 

is concerned, as business was way below 

average. "Three Husbands," also UA, was 

CO- featured. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: 

Clear.—Don Donohue, Novate Theatre, Novate, 

Calif. 

Small town and rural patronage. 

« « 

Jigsaw (UA)—Franchot Tone, Jean Wallace, 

Myron McCormick. Luckily, this played 

only one night. It isn't even a good mystery, 

and the cast, including the brief shots of the 

guest stars, was pitiful to watch. Small towns 

are better off without this one. Played Tuesday. 

Weather: Fair.—Carl F. Neitzel, Juno 

Theatre, Juneau, Wis. Local surrounding 

area patronage. * • * 

Love Happy (UA) — Marx Bros., Ilona 

Massey, Vera-Ellen. This is a slap-happy 

comedy that did below average business at 

the boxoffice. The laughs were constant 

through the picture and wherever the Marx 

Bros, are popular, the picture should do well. 

The print I had was so butchered up that a 

lot of the story was lost. In fact, my print 

ran ten minutes short of the stated playing 

time. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Cold and 

fair.-Fred G. Weppler, Colonial Theatre, 

Colfax, 111. Small town and rural patronage. 

* * * 

Three Husbands (UA)—Emiyn Williams, 

Eve Arden, Howard DaSilva. This is a lively 

comedy farce that turned out to be just that 

at the boxoffice—our poorest midweek for 

some time. It was doubled with "Blues Busters" 

(Mono), with the Bowery Boys. Still 

no business. This is strictly bottom-half material, 

with top-half allocation. Played Tues., 

Wed., Thurs. Weather: Fair.-Jack Hammond, 

Shastona Theatre, Mount Shasta, Calif. 

Small lumber town patronage. • * • 

UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL 

Christopher Columbus (U-I) — Fredric 

March, Florence Eldridge, Francis L. Sullivan. 

If you'll take my advice, you'll just give them 

the film rental, and forget to play the picture. 

In the long run, you'll be way ahead on 

this. People stayed away on this one in 

droves. If you have a class A house or can 

use it for a benefit, then you might make your 

film rental. Enough said. It has a very poor 

trailer. Played Saturday only. Weather: 

Good. — Howard C. Bayer, Iowa Theatre, 

Schleswig, Iowa. Farm patronage. • * ' 

Curtain Call at Cactus Creek (U-D—Donald 

O'Connor, Gale Storm, Walter Brennan. This 

one has a perfect cast, but there are too many 

sequences showing the old-time stage plays 

and the whole thing bogs down, so it misses 

fire and no one will get very excited about it. 

The terms weren't exorbitant, but business 

wa« only 80 per cent of normal for a change. 

Played Prl., Sat. Weather: Warm. — Bob 

Walker, Uintah Theatre, Frulta, Colo. Small 

and rural patronage. * * * 

Winchester '73 (U-I) — James Stewart, 

Shelley Winters, Dan Duryea. Lots of action 

for our town in this, and it is worthy of your 

screen. Played Thurs., Pri., Sat. Weather: 

Snow. — Rankin Enterprises, Plaza Theatre, 

Tilbury, Ont. General patronage. * • * 

Woman on the Run (U-D—Ann Sheridan, 

Dennis CKeefe, Robert Keith. This gave us 

the best Friday night gross in over two years 

(probably longer, got tired of looking) and a 

good Saturday gave me the best business I've 

had in months. The feature seemed to please. 

Played Pri., Sat. Weather: Cool—Ralph 

Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. Rural 

patronage. * * * 

Wyoming Mail (U-D—Stephen McNally, 

Alexis Smith, Howard DaSilva. Here is an 

excellent picture for Pri., Sat.; although it 

didn't fare nearly as well as "Kansas 

Raiders," it pleased the crowd that came. 

"Shakedown" supported it and business, was 

average, so no complaints. Played FYi., Sat. 

Weather: Clear.—Don Donohue, Novate The- 

Western Fans Liked This 

Though English Dialog 

JfISS THE BLOOD OFF MY HANDS 

(U-I) — Joan Fontaine, Burt Lancaster, 

Robert Newton. I slipped this in 

as part of a double bill on Fri., Sat. to see 

how my western fans would take it. 

They did! There is enough action on it 

to appeal to action-lovers; there is a 

good love angle in it to appeal to the lady 

patrons; the scenes of the zoo and of the 

horse race inject human interest and add 

variety. The camera work is tops for 

shots from different angles. The English 

dialog is overcome by the fine work of 

Burt and Joan, who soften it up a bit. 

Print, sound and terms were okay. Played 

FrL, Sat. Weather: Rainy and warm. 

I. Roche, Vernon Theatre, Vernon, Fla. 

Small town and rural patronage. * * * 

atre. Novate, Calif. Small town and rural 

* 

patronage. 

WARNER BROS. 

Inspector General, The (WB) — Danny 

Kaye, Walter Slezak, Barbara Bates. The 

comment I got was that if you sit through 

the first reel and can stand that, you might 

as well leave because you have seen the 

shew. Danny Kaye just isn't funny to the 

people here . . . P.S.—I made money, though. 

Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Pair.—George 

Pace, Post Theatre, Igloo, S. D.—Ordnance 

worker patronage. * * 

Perfect Strangers (WB)—Ginger Rogers, 

Dennis Morgan, Thelma Rltter. This played 

midweek to average business, doubled with 

"The Golden Twenties," which is a very interesting 

review of the jazz age. Played Wed., 

Thurs. Weather: Snow. — Jack Hammond, 

Shastona Theatre, Mount Shasta, Calif. Small 

lumber town patronage. 

* * ' 

Return of the Frontiersman (WB)—Gordon 

MacRae, Julie London, Rory Calhoun. If 

ever Technicolor film was wasted in a picture. 

It Is here. Everything was corny, the 

story and the acting. However, In all fairness 

to Warners, it did near average business. 

"Eye Witness" (ELC) was co-featured 

and this helped quite a bit. Played Sun., 

Mon. Weather: Clear.—Don Donohue, Novate 

Theatre, Novate, Calif. Small town and rural 

patronage. * * 

Tea for Two (WB)—Doris Day, Gordon 

Star Was Unpopular, But 

He Managed to Proiit 

A LL ABOUT EVE (20th-Fox) — Bette 

Davis, Anne Baxter, George Sanders. 

We were able to buy this picture right. 

Although Bette Davis doesn't go over 

here, I wanted to prove to myself that 

I could make a profit on one of her films. 

I took the biggest newspaper ad ever and 

got a 6-sheet and put it in front of the 

theatre. The ads stressed that film critics 

voted this picture the best picture of the 

year. Needless to say, we did our average 

and a little above on this film—and needless 

to say, Sunday we had very bad 

weather. Played Sun. (with matinee), 

Mon. Weather: Sun., heavy rain; Mon., 

excellent.—Howard C. Bayer, Iowa Theatre, 

Schleswig, Iowa. Farm patronage. ** * 

MacRae, Gene Nelson. This show did excellent 

business, which is unusual for us 

with a musical, but it really pulled them in. 

The comedy element helped a lot, I know. 

Played Sat., Sun. Weather: Good. — Bob 

Diefendorf, Irene Theatre, Irene, S. D. Rural 

and small town patronage. * * 

Three Secrets (WB) — Eleanor Parker, 

Patricia Neal, Ruth Roman. I was stuck for 

something to play on this Sunday and I'm 

stuck worse than if I had closed. The picture 

was not bad but oh, what a poor draw! 

Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Fair.—C. W. 

Ritenour, Milford Theatre, Milford, 111. Riu'al 

patronage. * * * 

Two Guys From Texas (WB) — Dennis 

Morgan, Jack Carson, Dorothy Malone. 

This is good light comedy in Technicolor 

that should please almost any type of patronage. 

We had many favorable comments. 

Played midweek.—C. E. Bennewitz, Royal 

Theatre, Royalton, Minn. Rural patronage. 

* * * 

West Point Story, The (WB)—James Cagney, 

Virginia Mayo, Doris Day. Cagney portrays 

seme of the better parts in a well made, 

well received musical. The entire cast is 

well handled and the dance routines are tops. 

The signing is in very capable hands. Played 

Sun., Mon. Weather: Cool.—D. W. Trisko, 

Ritz Theatre, Jerome, Ariz. Mining town patronage. 

* * * 

MISCELLANEOUS 

She Shoulda Said No (Hallmark)—Lila 

Leeds, Alan Baxter, Lyle Talbot. This is a 

barely passable program picture, first reviewed 

as "Wild Weed" (Eureka Productions) 

and later adopted by Hallmark, which garnished 

it with an epilog and prolog, the 

usual thorough advertising campaign and a 

hint of the sensational. At Prairie Grove, in 

good weather, we shewed to an SRO crowd. 

The next night, at Lincoln, in a sleetstorm, 

we made about $6 above expenses, but doubtless 

would have had a sellout if the weather 

had cooperated. We appraise this offering 

as one which has advertising produced by 

Hallmark which promises the sensational 

and the sexy. When the patron sees the 

show he sees neither, so he is disappointed 

and the exhibitor assumes the aura of a 

money-mad shyster. We think the advertising 

deceives the patron, which is bad. Although 

the picture may make you money, it 

can cause much harm in your community 

because it does not deliver as promised. The 

advanced admission price (15c over regular) 

just made us feel guiltier.—William J. Harris. 

Crown Theatre, Lincoln, Ark. (Also 

Beverly at Prairie Grove) . Rural, small town 

patronage. 

BOXOFFICE BooldnGuids March 24, 1951

Alphabetical Picture Guide Index and 

REVIEW DIGEST 

Is 

^ 

1168 Abbott and Costello in the 

Foreion Leoion (82) U-l 7-22-50 

1239 Abbott and Costello Meet the 

Invisible Man (82) U-l 3-17-51 

1185 Across the Badlands (55) Col 9-16-50 

1093 Adam and Evalyn (93) U-l 11-26-49 

1143 Admiral Was a Lady, The (85) UA.. 5-13-50 

1233 Air Cadet (93) U-l 2-24-51 

1224 Al Jennings of Oklahoma 1-20-51 

(79) Col. . . 

1186 All About Eve (138) 20-Fox 9-16-50 

1202 American Guerrilla in the PhiliDpints 

(105) 20-Fox 11-11-50 

1134 Annie Get Your Gun (107) MGM.. 4-15-50 

1142 Arizona Cowboy, The (67) Rep 5- 6-50 

Arizona Territory (56) Mono 

1157 Armored Car Robbery (67) RKO 6-17-50 

1142 Asphalt Jungle. The (112) MGM.. 5-6-50 

1120 Astonished Heart. The (92) U-l 2-25-50 

1213 At War With the Army (93) Para. .. 12-16-50 

1160 Avengers, The (90) Rep 6-24-50 

B 

1209 Bandit Queen (70) LP 12- 9-50 + 

1123 Barricade (75) WB 3-11-50 -|- 

1133 Beauty on Parade (66) Col 4-15-50 + 

1223 Bedtime for Bonzo (83) U-l 1-20-51 + 

1236 Belle Le Grand (90) Rep 3- 3-51 + 

1203 Between Midnight and Dawn 

(89) Col 11-18-50 + 

1131 Beware of Blondie (66) Col 4- 8-50 ± 

1170 Beyond the Purple Hills (70) Col... 7-22-50 + 

1126 Big Hangover, The (82) MGM 3-18-50 -f 

1138 Big Lift, The (120) 20-Fox 4-22-58 ++ 

Big Timber (73) Mono 

1239 Bird of Paradise (100) 20-Fox 3-17-51 + 

1178 Black Rose. The (119) 20-Fox.... 8-19-50 ++ 

1201 Blazing Sun, The (70) Col 11-11-50 -f 

1224 Blue Blood (72) Mono 1-20-51 + 

1198 Blues Busters (64) Mono 10-28-50 

-f- 

1159 Blue Lamp. The (84) ELC 6-24-50 + 

1115 Bodyhold (63) Col 2-U-50 + 

Bomba and the Hidden City 

(71) Mono 

1156 Bond Street (107) Mono 6-10-50 ± 

1213 Border Outlaws (58) ELC 12-16-50 -f 

1190 Border Rangers (57) LP 9-30-50 + 

1181 Border Treasure (60) RKO 9- 2-50 + 

U79 Born to Be Bad (94) RKO 8-26-50 ± 

1206 Born Yesterday (103) Col 11-25-50 ++ 

1234 Bowery Battalion (69) Mono 2-24-51 -f 

1205 Branded (95) Para. U-25-50 + 

1184 Breaking Point, The (97) WB 9- 9-50 

-J- 

1199 Breakthrough (91) WB 11- 4-50 ± 

U49 Bright Leaf (110) WB 5-27-50 -H 

1158 Broken Arrow (93) 2C-Fox 6-17-50 +f 

1219Buckaroo Sheriff of Texas (60) Rep.. 12-30-50 + 

1178 Bunco Souad (67) RKO 8-19-50 ± 

c 

1141 Caged (97) WB 5-6-50 -|- 

1214 California Passage (90) Rep 12-23-50 -f 

1217 Call of the Klondike (67) Mono. .. .12-23-50 + 

-1225 0311 Me Mister (95) 20-Fox 1-27-51 -f 

U20 Captain Carey, U. S. A. (83) Para.. 2-25-SO -f 

1139 Captive Girl (74) Col 4-29-50 + 

1132 Capture, The (91) RKO 4- 8-50 ± 

U31 Cargo to Capetown (80> Col 4- 8-50 -f 

1166 Cariboo Trail. The (81) 20-Fox 7-15-50 + 

1109 Cassino to Korea (58) Para. 9-30-50 + 

1225 Cause for Alarm (73) MGM 127-51 -r 

1195 Chain Gang (70) Col 10-21-50 ± 

1116 Champagne for Caesar (99) UA 2-11-50 ff 

1130 Cheaper by the Dozen (86) 20-Fox 4- 1-50 # 

Cherokee Uprising (57) Mono 

1130 City LighU (85) UA 4- 1-50 -f 

1146 Code of the Silvo- Sage (60) Rep... 5-13-50 — 

1154 Colorado Ranger (55) LP 6-10-50 = 

U41Colt .45 (76) WB 5- 6-50 — 

1134 Comanche Territory (76) U-l 4-15-50 i 

1220 Company She Keeps, The (82) RKO. 12-30-50 + 

1146 Congolaise (68) ELC 5-13-50 ± 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

1116 Conspirator (87) MGM 2-11-50 

ff-

++ Very Good: + Good; ± Fair; — Poor; = V«rf Poor. In the summary i^ is rated as 2 pluses, — as 2 minuses. 

f g 5 I 

«! 

i 1 S 

& P K a I 

GC 

llOS Glass Mountain, The (97) ELC... 1- 7-50 

U29 Golden Twenties, The (6S) RKO 4- 1-50 

1152 Good Humor Man, The (82) Col. . . 6- 3-50 

1149 Good Time Girl (81) ELC 5-27-50 

1159 Great Jewel Robber. The (91) WB.. 6-24-50 

1210 Great Missouri Raid, The (85) Para. 12- 9-50 

1191 Great Manhunt. The (Reviewed as 

State Secret (97) Col 10- 7-50 

1230 Groom Wore Spurs, The (81) U-l.. 2-10-51 

1214 Grounds for Marriage (90) MGM .. .12-16-50 

1171 Gunfire (59) LP 7-29-50 

1140 Gunfighter, The (84) 20-Fox 4-29-50 

Gunslingers (55) Mono 

H 

1215 Halls of Montezuma (113) 20-Fox .. 12-23-50 

950 Hamlet (155) U-l) 7-10-48 

1150 Happy Years, The (UO) MGM 527-50 

1133 Harbor of Missing Men (60) Rep... 4-22-50 

1197 Harriet Craig (94) Col 10-28-50 

1198 Harvey (104) U-l 10-28-50 

1166 Her Wonderful Lie (86) Col 7-15-50 

1195 He's a Cockeved Wonder (77) Col.. .10-21-50 

1177 High Lonesome (80) ELC 8-19-50 

1208 Highway 301 (83) WB 12-2-50 

1163 Hi-Jacked (66) LP 7-8-50 

1165 Hills of Oklahoma (60) Rep. 7-15-50 

1198 Hit Parade of 1951 (85) Rep 10-28-50 

1164 Hoedown (64) Col 7- 8-50 

1193 Holiday Rhythm (59) LP 10-14-50 

1188 Holy Year at the Vatican, Tlw 

(66) Astor 9-23-50 

U49 Hostile Country (60) LP 5-27-50 

1239 House on Telegraph Hill (93) 20-Fox 3-17-51 

U98 Hot Rod (61) Mono 10-28-50 

U29 House by the River (88) Rep 4- 1-50 

1215 Hunt the Man Down (68) RKO 12-23-50 

I 

1223 I'd Climb the Highest Mountain 

(88) 20-Fox 1-20-51 

1244 I Can Get It for You Wholesale 

(91) 20-Fox 3-24-51 

1167 If This Be Sin (72) UA 7-22-50 

1177 1 Killed Geronimo (63) ELC 8-15-50 

1189 III Get By (83) 20-Fox 9-30-50 

U48 In a Lonely Piece (94) Col 5-20-50 

1208 Indian Territory (70) Col 12-2-50 

1237 Inside Straight (87) MGM 3-10-51 

1154 Iroquois Trail, The (85) UA 6-10-50 

1173 1 Shot Billy the Kid (59) LP 8- 5-50 

1155 It's a Small World (74) ELC 6-10-50 

1134 I Was a Shoplifter (74) U-l 4-15-50 

+ 

+ 

+ 

H 

H 

1% 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

Ei 

+ -f -H ++ 

e 

E 

L 

1165 Lady Without Passport, A (72) MGM 7-15-50 + 

1240 Umon Drop Kid, The (91) Para... 3-17-51 ff 

1194 Last of the Buccaneers (79) Col 10-14-50 + 

1220 Law of the Badlands (59) RKO. .. .12-30-50 + 

Law of the Panhandle (55) Mono 

1132 Uwless, The (82) Para. 4- 8-50 + 

1177 Let's Dance (112) Para. 8-19-50 H 

1214 Lightning Guns (55) Col 12-16-50 -|- 

-I- 

•H- 

-t- 

-I- 

± 

+ 

+ •H- 

-1- 

4+3- 

8+2- 

± 7+3- 

+ 4+5- 

± 8+4- 

7+1- 

8+ 

± ± ± —- i: ± 7+6- 

+ H + -t- + + 8+ 

± -t- ± . 4+2- 

++ tt -f + tt U+ 

± ± 2+2- 

+ 

4- 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

-f- 

H- H 

tt 

-f •ft 

-t- + 

H 

H- 

-I- 

-f 

+ 

W tt 13+ 

H- 

•H 

+t 14+ 

9+1- 

&f2- 

+ 11+1- 

4+ 12+ 

-t- 

± 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ ± ± 

± ± 

-I- ± 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

-f 

+ -f « tt ++ # 

+ 

+ 

± 6+4- 

7+5- 

7+5- 

7+3- 

5+6- 

5f2- 

fr+5- 

3+5- 

5+2- 

± 

3+ 

^3- 

5+3- 

± 7+3- 

-I- 

+ + 7+3- 

-1- 5+2- 

i(H- 

3 

1147 Jackie Robinson Story, The (76) ELC 5-20-50 + 

1192 Jackpot, The (85) 20-Fox 10-7-50 -|- 

1127Jiggs and Maggie Out West (66) Mona 3-25-50 + 

982 Joan of Arc (145) RKO 10-30-48 ff 

1162 Joe Palooka in Humphrey Takes 

+ 

4+ 

a Chance (62) Mono 7- 1-50 -f 

Joe Palooka in the Squared Circit 

(63) Mono 

1161 Johnny One-Eye (78) UA 7- 1-50 ± 

1174 Jungle Stampede (60) Rep 8- 5-50 + 

K 

Kangaroo Kid, The (73) ELC 

1203 Kansas Raiders (80) U-l 11-18-50 ± 

1189 Kill or Be Killed (68) ELC 9-30-50 ± 

U72 Killer That SUIked New York, The 

(Reviewed as Frightened City) (77) 

Col 7-29-50 ± 

1137 KHI the Umpire (78) Col 4-22-50 -|- 

1210Kiin (113) MGM 12-9-50 -H 

U4S Kind Hearts and Coronets (106) ELC 5-13-50 ± 

1213 King of the Bullwhip (59) 

Western Adventure 12-16-50 ± 

1190 King Solomon's Mines (105) MGM.. 9-30-50 # 

1168 Kits Tomorrow Goodbye (103) WB.. 7-22-50 + 

1222Kori» Patrol (57) ELC 1-13-51 - 

1230 Lightning Strikes Twice (91) WB. . 2-10-51 ± 

U76Ufe of Her Own, A (108) MGM... 8-12-50 -H 

1181 Lonely Heart Bandits (60) Rep 9- 2-50 ± 

6

++ Very Good: + Good- ± Fcrir; - Poon = Very Poor. In the summary ff is rated as 2 pluses, = as 2 minuses^ 

"i i i .5 .1 

a-' P K a i 

11S3 Petty Girl, The (87) Col 9- 9.50 

1124 Please Believe Me (87) MGM 3-11-50 

1225 Prairie Roundup (53) Col 1-27-51 

1219 Prehistoric Women (74) ELC 12-30-50 

1212 Prelude to Fame (78) U-l 12- 9-50 

1171 Pretty Baby (92) WB 7-29-50 

1221 Pride of Maryland (60) Rep 1-13-51 

11S7 Prisoners in Petticoats (60) Rep... 9-23-50 

1203Pyiimy Island (69) Col 11^18-50 

+ 

is 

11 

E E 

Q 

1238 Quebec (85) Para 3-10-51 

1244 Queen for a Day (106) UA 3-24-51 

1121 Quicksand (79) UA 3-4-50 

R 

1200 Raiders of Tomahawk Creek 

(55) Col U. 4-50 + 

Ranje Justice (57) Mono 

1135 Rapture (79) ELC 4-15-50 

1235 Raton Pass (84) WB 3- 3-51 

± 

± 

1238 Rawhide (86) 20-Fox 3-10-51 ++ 

1214 Redhead and the Cowboy. The 

(82) Para 12-16-50 — 

1187 Redwood Forest Trail (67) Rep 9-23-50 + 

1124 Reformer and the Redhead. The 

(90) MGM 3-11-50 4- 

1148 Return of the Frontie.jman (74) WB 5-20-50 ± 

1184 Return of JessT James, The (75) LP 9- 9-50 + 

1216 Revenue Ajent (72) Col 12-23-50 -f 

1230 Rhythm Inn (73) Mono 2-10-51 + 

1157 Rloer from Tucson (60) RKO 6-17-50 + 

1106 Ridinii Hioh (112) Para 1- 7-50 ff 

1232 Ridin' the Outlaw Trail (55) Col 2-17-51 ± 

llSORijht Cross (90) MGM 8-26-50 + 

1201 Rio Grande (105) Rep 11-11-50 +f 

1204 Rio Grande Patrol (60) RKO 11-18-50 -f 

1142 Rocketshif XM (78) LP 5-6-50 + 

1158 Reckinp Horse Winner, The (90) U-l 6-17-50 

-f- 

1142 Rock Island Trail (90) Rep 5-6-50 + 

1192 Rocky Mountain (83) WB 10-7-50 + 

1229 Rough Riders of Durango (60) Rep... 2-10-51 + 

1217 Rogue River (79) ELC 12-23-50 + 

1161 Rogues of Sherwood Forest (80) Col. 7- 1-50 -f 

1185 Rookie Fireman, The (63) Col 9-16-50 ± 

1229 Royal Wedding (93) MGIM 2-20-51 ^ 

1135 Run tor Your Money, A (83) U-l . . 4-15-50 ± 

1206 Rustlers on Horseback (60) Rep.. .11-25-50 + 

S 

1182 Saddle Tramp (76) U-l 9- 2-50 ff 

1130 Salt Lake Raiders (60) Rep 5-27-50 ± 

1084 Samson and Delilah (130) Para 10-29-49 ^ 

1163 Savage Horde, The (90) Rep 7- 8-50 ±: 

1213 Second Face. The (72) ELC 12-16-50 + 

1226 Second Woman, The (91) UA 1-27-51 + 

1140 Secret Fury, The (85) RKO 4-29-50 + 

1195 September Affair, The (103) Para. .. 10-21-50 + 

1168 711 Ocean Drive (102) Col 7-22-50 ++ 

1127 Shadow on the Wall (84) MGM... 3-25-50 it 

1180 Shakedown (80) U-l 

" 

8-26-50 ± 

1211 Short Grass (82) Mono 12-9-50 ± 

1182 Showdown, The (86) Rep 9- 2-50 + 

1157 Sideshow (67) Mono 6-17-50 ± 

1103 Side Street (83) MGM 12-31-49 ± 

1141 Sierra (83) U-l 5-6-50 ± 

1217 Sierra Passage (80) Mono 12-23-50 ± 

1094 Silent Dust (82) Mono 11-26-49 ± 

1211 Silk Noose. The (68) Mono 12- 9-50 ± 

Silver Raiders (55) Mono 

1144 Skipper Surprised His Wife, The (86) 

MGM 5-13-50 — 

1183 Sleeping City. The (85) U-l 9-9-50 -f 

1169 Snow Doj (63) Mono 7-22-50 + 

1226 So Lono at the Fair (90) ELC 1-27-51 + 

1152 So Young, So Bad (91) UA 6- 3-50 + 

1243 Soldiers Three (92) MGM 3-24-51 + 

1209 Sound of Fury, The (93) UA 12- 9-50 + 

1194 Southside 1-1000 (73) Mono 10-14-50 

1229 Spoilers of the Plains (67) Rep 2-10-51 

-f 

± 

. 1154 Spy I Hunt (74) U-l 6-10-50 + 

Square Dance Katy (76) Mono 

j 1122 Stage Fright (110) WB 3- 4-50 -f 

1 1218 Stage to Tucson (82) Col 12-23-50 -f 

'1121 Stars in My Crown (90) MGM 3- 4-50 -f 

1153 State Penitentiary (66) Col 6-10-50 ± 

1222 Steel Helmet, The (84) LP 1-13-51 + 

1168 Stella (83) 20-Fox 7-22-50 ± 

[1214 Storm Warning (91) WB 12-16-50 + 

1 1175 Streets of Ghost Town (54) Col 8-12-50 + 

11228 Sugarfoot (80) WB 2- 3-51 ± 

1 1175 Summer Stock (109) MGM 8-12-50 ++

FEATURE CHART 

release date. Production number is at right. Number in parentheses is running time, at 

iunushed by home otiice oi distributor; cneckup with local exchange is recommended 

H—18 review date. PG—is Picture Guide page number. Symbol W indicates BOXOFFICE 

blue RibAou Award Winner. Symbol 'i' indicates color photography. 

Wetk

REPUBLIC 

CHECK RUNNING TIME WITH LOCAL EXCHANGES 

FEATURE CHART

FEATURE CHART 

CHECK RUNNING TIME WITH LOCAL EXCHANGES

CHECK RUNNING TIME WITH LOCAL EXCHANGES 

FEATURE CHART 

REPUBLIC

SHORTS CHART 

Short subiects, listeo Cy company, in oraer oi release, nunning iime loiiows 

title. First date is national release, second the date of review in BOXOFFICE. 

Symbol between dates is rating irom the BOXOFFICE review. ++ Very Good. 

+ Good. — Fair. — Poor. = Very Poor. O Indicates color photography. 

Columbia 

Prod. No. Titit 

Rel. Date Rating Rn'il 

+


Prod. No. Titit Rel. Date Rating Rn'd 

MARCH OF TIME 

Vol. 16. No. 

(16) 

2 The Male Look 

• Maj. + 8 

Vol. 16, No. 3 Where's the Fire? 

(19) April H 20 

Vol.16, No. 4 Beauty at Work 

(18) June -H 17 

Vol. 16, No. 5 As Russia Sees It 

(16) AuB. tt 2 

Vol. 16, No. 6 The Gathering 

Storm (17) Sept. + 7 

Vol. 16. 7 March 

(18) No». 

No. Schools On 

+ 18 

Vol. 16, No. 8 Tito— New Ally? 

(171/2) 12-22 

1951 SEASON 

Vol. 17. No. 1 Stratejy for Victory 

(17) 2-2 # 2-10 

MOVIETONE ADVENTURES 

2051 ©Pattern of Prosress (8) Apr. -f 

MOVIETONE SPECIALTIES 

8002 New York Philharmonic 

Orch. (10) July 

8003 Music of Manhattan (10) July ^ 

MOVIETONE MELODIES 

7003Skitch Henderson & Orch. 

4-29 

4-29 

(10) Aug. -f 7-8 

7004 The Fontaine Sisten (8) Oct. ± 9-16 

MOVIETONE NEWS 

(Released Twice Weekly) 

SPORTS 

3003 Diyinq Maniacs (9) Hay + 7-8 

3004 Shooting the Salmon Rapids 

(10) May + 5-6 

and Reel 

(10) June 7-15 

3005 Winning Form (10) July 9-9 

3007 Bowlers' Fair (8) Sept. + 9-16 

3006 Action With Rod 

3008 Football Pay-Off Plays 

(10) Sept. 4- 10-28 

3009 Circus on the Campus 

(10) Oct 11-4 

3010 Tee Girls (10) No». + 11-4 

LEW LEHR 

(Reissues) 

9001 Monkies Is the Cwasiest 

People (10) Aug. ... 

9002 Monkey Doodle Dandies 

(9) Aug. 

SPECIAI^-3 REELS 

7101 Why Korea? (30) Jan. + 1-27 

TERRYTOONS 

(Technicolor) 

5023 Orphan Duck (7) 

(reissue) 

May 

5006 Dinky in the Beauty Shop 

(7) Apr. 

May 

5007 The Talking Magpies in 

a Merry Chase (7) . . . 

5008 Dream Walking (7).- May 

5024 Just a Little Bull (7) 

(reissue) 

ff 

June 

4-29 

5009 Mighty Mouse in Law and 

Order (7) June 

5010 The Red Headed Monkey 

(7) July 

5011 Dingbat in All This and 

Rabbit Stew (7) July 

5012 The Dog Show (7) Aug. 


King Tut's Tomb (7). Aug. 

5014 Little Roquefort in Cat 

Happy (7) Sept. 

5015 If Cats Could Sing (7). Sept. -f 

5016 Little Roquefort in Mouse 

and Garden (7) Oct. 

5017 Mighty Mouse in Beauty 

on the Beach (7) Oct 

5018 Gandy Goose in Wide Open 

Spaces (7) Nov. 

5019 Dingbat in Sour Grapes 

(7) Dec. 

4020 Mighty Mouse in Mother 

Goose's Birthday Party 

(7) Dec. + 11- 4 

1951 SEASON 


Rival Romeos (7) Jan 

5102 Nutsy in Squirrel Crazy 

(7) Jan. + 

5127 The Lucky Duck (7), 

(reissue) 

Jan. 

5103 Little Roquefort in Three 

Is a Crowd (7) Feb. 

5104 Woodman Spare That Tree 

(7) Feb. 

5128 The Bird Tower (7), 

(reissue) 

Feb. 

5105 Half Pint in Stage Struck 

(7) Mar. 

5106 Mighty Mouse in Sunny Italy 

(7) Mar, 

5107 Gandy Goose In Songs of 

Erin (7) Mar. 

5129 Shipyard Symphony (7) 

(reissue) 

Apr. 


Bulldozing (7) Apr. 

5109 Gandy Goose in Spring 

Fever (7) Apr. 

THE MOVIES AND YOU 

9702 Screen Writer (91/2) Nov. 

SHORTS CHART

SHORTS REVIEWS 

Opinions on the Current Short Subjects 

Bungled Bungalow 

Columbia (Mr. Magoo) 7 Mins. 

Good. That nearsighted Magoo man is a 

delightfully befuddled cartoon character and 

his latest adventure is again an amusing one. 

This time, Hot-House Harry, who makes a 

practice of stealing whole houses and transplanting 

them to other lots for resale, starts 

to lift Magoo's house with the owner inside. 

The nearsighted gent thinks the noise is 

being made by termites so he starts off to 

buy another house—of course, he buys his 

own house in its new location. 

Innocently Guilty 

Columbia (All Star Comedy) 16 Mins. 

Fair. Bert Wheeler stars in another marital 

mixup, mildly amusing at best. His jealous 

wife follows him on a business trip to Los 

Angeles, where Bert innocently tries to help 

the wife of his business client. The client 

then gets suspicious of Bert and there is a 

wild chase, etc. The finish finds Bert hiding 

in a baby carriage when the mother comes 

along and doses him with castor oil by 

mistake. 

Three Arabian Nuts 

Columbia (Stooges Comedy) 16 Mins. 

Fair. Moe, Shemp and Larry Indulge in 

their crude slapstick, which always gets 

laughs from neighborhood patrons. Shemp 

finds a magic lantern and rubs it to make 

the Genie appear. A pair of violent Arabs, 

out to recapture the lantern, give the boys 

a wild chase but they fail to get it back. In 

the end, the Three Stooges have a million 

dollars and three beautiful harem girls. 

Mice Paradise 

Paramount (Noveltoon) 7 Mins. 

Good. There are many laughs In this tale 

of a fierce little mouse, who keeps all the 

cats shivering in terror. In answer to a 

hurry call from a mouse hole-in-the-wall. 

Holman, the fiery mouse, arrives and leaves 

the greedy cats bruised and bleeding. The 

mice go to a South Sea isle and are safe 

from cats, especially when the ferocious 

Hoiman is around. 

Springboard to 

Fame 

Univ.-Int'l (Variety View) 9 Mins. 

Fair. Sports lovers will best appreciate this 

short made up a series of diving exhibitions 

by a group of California-trained youngsters 

and a succession of shots of graceful dives by 

Vicki Draves, 1948 Olympic diving champion, 

and her husband, Lyle, who is also a diving 

expert. This is not as good as other recent 

diving shorts. 

Woody Dines Out 

Univ.-Int'l (Technicolor Cartune) 7 Mins. 

Good. A reissue of one of the more amusing 

Woody Woodpecker cartoons. In this. 

Woody is unable to find a restaurant that is 

open until he sees a sign, "We Specialize in 

Stuffing Birds." He tries to order a meal 

without realizing that the place is a taxidermist 

shop. The taxidermist, who has an order 

for a king-size woodpecker, stuffed, tries to 

operate on Woody, but the obstreperous bird 

gets the best of him. 

Tex Williams' Western 

Varieties 

Univ.-Int'l (Name Band Musical) 15 Mins. 

Fair. Tex Williams, who has starred in a 

series of 25-minute musical western featurettes 

for U-I, is the star of a short composed 

of a half-dozen musical production numbers, 

probably clipped from some of the longer 

films. They include "Tulsa Trot," "Alimony," 

"Tiger Rag" and a medley of "Arkansas 

Traveler" and "Mississippi Soya," sung by 

Williams and his Western Caravan, a folk 

song, "Butterfingers," by Bucky Tubbs and a 

acrobatic dance by Vic and Adio. It will 

appeal to lovers of western or hillbilly music. 

HANDY

Opinions on Current Productions; Exploitips 

FEATURE REVIEWS 

(FOK STOBT SYNOPSIS ON EACH FICTUBE, SEE BEVESSE SIDK) 

i 

I Can Get It for You Wholesale T 

°""" 

j 20th-Fox (111) 91 Minutes Rel. April, '51 

: Good acting by screen favorites and good lines that range 

: from ttie comic to dramatic make this satisfactory standard 

: entertainment for all theatres except those that cater to arty- 

; about an ambitious girl in the garment industry who enj 

counters romance at a time when she is seeking only wealth 

• and fame, but the work of Susan Hayward, Dan Dailey, 1 

\ George Sanders, Sam Jaffe and others give it point and 

*'"^ 

meaning. The presence of such stars makes the film ex- 

: ploitable. Of special interest to women will be the elaborate 

: gowns and dresses, and of special interest to men the models 

who wear them. After a jerky start, the plot builds up smooth- 

• ly, and though the end is never in doubt, Michael Gordon, 

: the director, has managed a considerable emotional buildup. 

: Adapted from Jerome Weidman's novel. 

Susan Hayward, Dan Dailey, George Sanders, Sam Jalfe, 

: Marvin Kaplan, Harry Van Zell, Vicki Cummings. 

^ 

^'^^

. . 

FEATURE REVIEWS 

Story Synopsis; Adiines for Newspaper and Programs 

THE STORY: 

"Soldiers Three" 

Walter Pidgeon. a retired British general in World War I, 

^minisces about his active days as a colonel of a regiment 

.;eeping the peace in India before the turn of the century. 

Three privates, Stewart Granger, Robert Newton and Cyril 

Cusack, have been getting into trouble for 18 years but they 

dislikes. When some guns are stolen, Pidgeon's captain, 

David Niven, takes a troupe and gets them back, although - 

they lose their clothes in the process. Later, when Niven and 'rts I 

50 men are trapped inside an Indian fort, Granger manages 

to get a message out and Pidgeon disobeys AUenby's orders 

and comes to the rescue. Pidgeon is made a brigadier general 

and the three soldiers are reunited in the ranks. 

CATCHI.INES: 

Stewart Granger, Handsome Star of "King Solomon's 

Mines," in His Latest Skirmish With War and Women . 

Rudyard Kipling's Lovable Fighting Trio Come to Life on the 

Screen . . . They Stuck Together, Through Thick and Thin and 

Through Fighting and Laughs.

I 

oi4Uainv:r UAic: ivionaay noon preceaing puoiicanon aaie. oena copy ana ansvrers to 

• Box Numbers to BOXOFFICE, 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City 1, Mo. • 

HELP WANTED 

Need extra cash? Manager, operaiors—daytime, 

ell your neighborhood merchants advertising Blfts, 

calendar^:, pencils, matches, etc. ATerage order 

earns $25. Free -samples. Klncole, S916 Llnwood, 

Detroit. Mich. 

Screen advertising salesmen: New company; liberal 

commissions: protected territory. Must have 

then! re hiisintN« or serpen advertising experience. 

Safely .Srrfen Advf^rtislnt:. Box 6, San Antonio, 

Applications now being taken for managers for 

drive-in theatres in Wisconsin. Employment 

arranged all year around. Prefer men who live 

In Middle West states. Boxoffice. 4195. 

Dri.e-jn theatre operator, manager wanted. Perinanent 

job for right man. Write details. Paul 

Rothman. 824-21st St., Denver, Colo. 

Wanted— Experienced managers for drive-in theatre 

chain located in upper New York State. 

Send qualifications and experience. Box 31, 

Boxoffice, 9 Rockefeller Plaza. New York 20, 

New York. 

Wanted: Combination sign artist and assistant 

manager. Lansing Drive-In Theatre, Lansing, 

Mich. 

Wanted: Manager for small town circuit. Permanent. 

State qualifications, age, family and 

salary expected. K. Lee Williams Theatres, Inc., 

323^ West Broad. Texarkana, Texas. 

Wanted: Operator, reliable, sober, with good 

references. Should be able to do general maintenance 

work. Good working conditions. Also 

could use live wire assistant manager with good 

background. State salary, army and family status. 

Prefer middle-aged Texas man or from adjoining 

states as this job is in Texas town of 20,000. 

close to Dallris and Fort Worth. Boxoffice. 4219. 

Hth 

mi 

lei 

r 

Assistant Manager: Large Kansas City suburban 

heatre. Prefer young man interested in theatre 

anagement as career. Give fUIl particulars in 

etter including age, education, experience and 

ihotograph. Boxoffice, 4225. 

Wanted: Projectionist that knows booth opera- 

'tion. Ex'.^llent salary. Location, Southwestern 

Virginia. Air mail special delivery qualifications. 

Boxoffice. 4223. 

POSITIONS WANTED 

Motion Picture executive with 13 years experience 

operating o\Fn theatres in New England seeks 

position in assistant or executive capacity. Knows 

booiiine, buying and administrative worli. Boxoffice. 

4191. 

Theatre manager with 8 years experience. 

Desire.i position within driving distance of 

Kansas City, Missouri or will re-locate tf future 

possibilities are visible. Boxoffice, 4199. 

Projectionist at Liberty. Single, 28 years old, 

4-F, 10 years experience. Prefer New Mexico. 

$50 weelily. Not less than $40 weekly. Boxoffice, 

4208 

Theatre executive. 14 years experience. Circuit-Individual 

booking, buying, administrative. 

Confidential. References furnished. Boxoffice, 

4201. 

Maintenance, sound and projection engineer. 

Thoroughly experienced executive and supervisor, 

"ioxoffi.'a. 4222. 

Man and wife experienced 33 years. Man: manhgemont, 

projectionist and maintenance. Woman: 

fashier or office routine. Sober, reliable and 

fiependable. Write H. C. Johnson, General Delivery, 

Oklahoma City, Okla. 

STUDIO AND PRODUCTION 

EQUIPMENT 

New Auricon 4CK)' magazine sound cameras, 

single system, complete $995: new 400' magazines 

for present Auricons, $375: New wall 35mm rackover 

camera, single system sound, Akeley Gyro 

Tripod. 6 magazines, battery and synchronous 

motors, Mitchell finder, 4 Baltar lenses, matte 

box, amplifier, galvanometer, WB mike, power 

supply, worth $15.000—$9,995; Houston KIA 

16mm reversal processor, incomplete, requires repairs 

$995: MR 2,000 watt spots on stands, 

$151.51; Prestoseal 16mm hot splicer, wortJi 

$500—$350; new 35mm continuous sound and 

picture printers, $995; sensational new Bridgamatlc 

Jr. 16mm developing machines (incl. tax) 

$1,175; DePue reduction printer 35/16mm sound 

with motor generator set, floor pedestal, worth 

$7,500—$2,995; Ejemo 35mm spider turret 

news cameras, $495. We pay cash for used equipment. 

Dept. C, S.O.S. Cinema Supply Corp., 602 

W. 52nd St., New York 19. 

GENERAL EQUIPMENT—NEW 

Terrific savings at Star! White plastic coated 

creens 33c foot; Rectifier bulbs, 1,500 hour 

iuarantee, $4.75; Wire reels $1.98; Film cabinets 

52.75 section; Automatic rewinders $69.50; What 

io you need? Star Cinema Supply, 441 West 

[i Oth Street. New York 19. 

Save 40% on new equipment at S.0 S. Complete 

'H.I. outfits up to 1,000 seats, $3,295; up to 600 

I cars, $4,295. Time deals and trade, too! Send 

for details. Dept C. S.O.S. Cinema Supply Corp., 

I 

1602 W. 52nd St., Ne\v York 19. 

Here are unusual values! New plastic flame- 

Iproofed and fungusproofed screens. SO^^c sq. ft.; 

Irectlfier bulbs, 6 amp.. $2.95; 15 amp., $4.59; 

tempered ma.sonlte letters (any color), 4"—35c; 

"" —50c; 10"—60c. Attractive lighting fixtures, 

*5% off. Dept. C, S.O.S. Cinema Supply Corp., 

B02 W. 52nd St., New York 19. 

GENERAL EQUIPMENT—USED 

Nobody but nobody undersells Star! Hall- 

Motiograph 115 ampere lamphouses, excellent 

new 16" reflectors, $675 pair; DeVry XD projectors, 

3,000' magazines, complete, rebuilt, $585 

pair; Simplex rear shutter mectianisms, latest 

features, rebuilt, $279.50; Knitron 60 ampere 

rectifiers, 8 tubes, ammeters, slightly used. 

$275 pair; Strong IKW lamphouses, rebuilt, 

$350 pair; Thousands other bargains. Star 

Cinema Supply, 441 West 50th Street, New 

York 19. New York. 

Looks New—Operates New. That's the S.O.S. 

rebuilt equipments. Holmes educators, $605; De- 

Vry XD $655; DcVry ESF $435. All dual outfits 

including 2,000' magazines, lenses, amplifier 

and speaker. Time deals invited. Special: 

rebuilt dual Simplex Acme with Strong 45 

amp. H. I. arcs, $1,795. Dept. C, S.O.S. Cinema 

Supply Corp., 602 W. 52nd St., New York 19. 

We have several army surplus theatre cooling 

and heating units. High pressure and low pressure 

boilers, stokers for same and water coolers, 

American blowers, all controls. Arnett b Co., 

Box 962, Gunnison, Colorado. 

For Sale. Pair late model rebuilt rear 

shutter Simplex mechanisms $700. New Holmes 

and DeVry Projectors, Strong Mogul HI Arc 

lamps like new $600 pair. Howard Sales, Hanley, 

Sask., Canada. 

For Sale: 12 only theatre chairs, full upholstered 

in mohair. Spring back. Very good condition, 

$5 each, FOB Cleveland. National Theatre 

Supply Co.. 2128 Payne Ave., Cleveland, Ohio. 

Victor 16mm sound projectors. Model 40, complete, 

$175. Holmes 35mm pair with or without 

arc lamps, new condition. Bell & Howell sound, 

16mm, $200, complete. Russell Schlecbt, 1840 

.Morse Ave., Chicago, HI. 

Complete Equipment from theatre just closed; 

2 Simplex projectors. Strong low lamps, rectifiers, 

Ballantyne Sound Master. 200 like new, fully upholstered 

International chairs, Manley popcorn 

machine, screen, display frames, aisle carpet. 

Kelvinator water cooler. Come look, best offer 

gets It. Davis Theatres. West Plains, Mo. 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE EQUIPMENT 

Drive-Ins—S.O.S. is your headquarters. Complete 

35mm equipments from $1,595 (available on 

time payments): screen paint. $6.50 gai.; No. 

14-2 underground cable, $65 M; marquee letters. 

35c up. Dept. C, S.O.S. Cinema Supply Corp., 

602 W. 52nd St., New York 19. 

Speaker stands fabri-Mted to speclilcation in 

our own plant. Immediate delivery, any gu.intitly. 

Wire, write or phone. Long Distance 1624 

or THatcher 9243. Sonken-Galaraba Corp.. Second 

and Riverview, Kjuisas City 18. Kas. 

Popcorn machines, half price. Wiener. Hamburger, 

Sno-Cone, Peanut Roasters, Bun Warmers. 

Poppers Supply, 179 Luckle. Atlanta. Ga. 

Miniature Streamline Train—Powered by Onan 

g

FIVE distinctly 

DIFFERENT FRAMED and 

Showmanized patron-provoking DISPLAYAWAY 

styles . . . that go out and sell your attractions from 

Store Windows and Counters . . . Hotel Lobbies and 

Terminals . . . wherever there are PEOPLE who 

should be coming to your theatre! 

Colorful DISPLAYAWAYS in beautiful, speciallybuilt 

FRAMES! An innovation in away-jromtheatre 

showmanship . . . that will pay off at the BOX 

OFFICE! 

• See fhem of your nearesf N.S.S. exchange 

or ask your N.S.S. so/esmon. 

i

Boxoffice-March.24.1951

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