Boxoffice-March.26.1949

TOTAL NET PAID CIRCULATION OP THIS ISSUE EXCEEDS 23,000 

Jhe, /*iolum (tiluM, JndwJtoj 

New Film Rentals Formula 

Being Sought by 20th-Fox 

Pag* 8 

Academy Awards Go to Hamlet', 

Jan* Wyman and Laurence Olivier 

Page 9 

4-Page Analysis of Splitup 

of Paramount Under Decree

JAN. 

WORDS 

AND 

MUSIC 

(Technicolor) 

The Happy 

New Year 

Musical 

M-G-M's 25th YEAR OF MOTIG 

FEB. 

COMMAND 

DECISION' 

Winner of Annual 

Award 

! "-redbook 

-LOUELLA PARSONS 

COSMOPOLITAN 

UP! 

MARCH 

TAKE ME 

OUT TO THE 

BALL GAME 

"Best Musical 

Comedy of 

the Month!" 

—LOUELLA PARSONS 

COSMOPOLITAN 

UP! 

M-G-M 

PERITY 

APRIL 

^LITTLE 

WOMEN' 

Picture of the 

Month! 

-LOUELLA PARSONS 

COSMOPOLITAN 

'Picture of the 

Month!" 

-SEVENTEEN 

MAGAZINE 

'Picture of the 

Month!" 

—PARENTS' 

MAGAZINE 

'The Perfect 

Movie! "-look 

MAY 

'THE 

STRATTC 

STORY 

'Picture of t 

Month!' 

-lie 

• 

BARKLEYS 

BROADW 

(Technicolo 

"Picture oft] 

Month!" 

—LOUELLA PAR 

COSMOPOLIT 

ff 

THIS 

OnM^T 

' 

odvertUing 

TURE LEADERSHIP! 

UNE 

:oming 

GARDEN , 

THE SECRET 

THc GREAT $INNER 

ORSYTE SAGA (Technicolor) 

\NY NUMBER CAN PLAY" 

HAT MIDNIGHT KISS 

(Techr color) 

JNE'S DAUGHTER 

(Techn color) 

MY 

fARD, SON' 

And More 

"THINGS ARE 

REALLY JUMPING 

AT M-G-M!" 

(Excerpts from Coast Report in Hollywood 

Reporter. 

Read Every Word!) 

TL 

•f) 

$$*> 

o? 

The sales heads who attended the M-G-M meetings 

here three weeks ago heard Louis Mayer tell them 

that M-G-M now had the greatest product it has 

had in many, many years. Then he proceeded to 

show them 'Take Me Out To The Ball Game', 'The 

Secret Garden,' 'The Stratton Story,' 'Barkleys of 

Broadway,' 'Neptune's Daughter,' Tn The Good Old 

Summertime,' 'Edward, My Son' and 'Conspirator.' 

They even saw quite a bit of footage on 'The Great 

Sinner,' 'Madame Bovary,' 'Any Number Can Play,' 

'The Forsyte Saga' and 'That Midnight Kiss;' all of 

which have since been finished. The salesmen were 

more than impressed. 

"M-G-M, with good product, is a great thing for the 

whole industry. 'As M-G-M goes, so goes the picture 

business.' The whole industry will be jumping. Good 

M-G-M product, combined with the fine 

entertainment 

being turned out by some of the other majors, 

is bound to return a successful boxoffice. It's great 

to know M-G-M is in its stride."

STEP WAY OS 

:' 

^_:=> 

—c? —a— 

' 

with WARNERift'JBR 

Musical fo& 

/

ir 

FO R t A STEfc 

IS.' 

j.; 

ALL-TIME SPRINGTIME 

WG PLA/ING TIME!^ ;: 

TECHNICOLOR 

^\CHAEL CURTI2 proou^ 

EVE 

# 

S.Z. "Cuddles" 

- 

DOZENS OF HIT TUNES Ji " J / 

INCLUDING TODAYS HIT LEADERS- . . 

J>^" 

f*MY DREAM IS YOURS" ^ * * 

^ 

I'LL STRING ALONG WITH Yp£î, 

'SOMEONE LIKE YOU"''' 

V; "LOVE FINDS A WAY'\J$f 

SELENA ROYLE-FRANKIE CARLE 

E#J 

DIRECTED BV SCREEN PLAY BY 

HARRYZ 

IVIIVjl MICHAEL IHLL CURTIZ UUIVIIZ. and DANE LUSSIER 

( "THE MOVIES AND YOU" SHORT SUBJECT SERIES THE STORY OF YOUR INDUSTRY 

AND HIS 

ORCH. 

| 1 Vy t 1 V» ' I—» I— MUSIC BY HARRY WARREN . LYRICS BY RALPH BLANE • MUSICAL DIRECTION RAY HEINDORF

THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY 

PUBLISHED IN 

NINE SECTIONAL EDITIONS 

BEN SHLYEN 

Editor-in-Chief and Publisher 

(AMES M. JERAULD Editor 

NATHAN COHEN Associate Editor 

JESSE SHLYEN Managing Editor 

IVAN SPEAR 

Western Editor 

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RAYMOND LEVY General Manager 

Published Every Saturday by 

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2952 Men-ick Rd., Elizabeth Sudlow. 

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IN 

CANADA 

CALGARY—The Albertan, Wm. Campbell. 

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Walnut 5519 

ST. JOHN-116 Prince Edward St., Wm. J. McNulty. 

TORONTO-R. R. No. 1, York Mills, Milton Galbraith. 

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V1CTORIA-938 Island Highway, Alec Merriman. 

WINNIPEG—The Tribune, Ben Lepkin. 

Member Audit Bureau of Circulations 

OXOFFICE 

MAGNIFICENT MOVE 

«. •ALES campaigns honoring a company executive 

are no novelty in this business. But the one announced 

in this issue to celebrate Steve Broidy's silver anniversary 

strikes a new note. While, as in all such drives, the purpose 

is to increase picture sales and bookings. Monogram is making 

the celebration honoring its president the occasion for 

helping an exhibitor—a little fellow—to get back into the 

The story of Jim Mote and the misfortune that befell him 

and his family when his little Gem Theatre at Sterling, Okla., 

was destroyed by fire last August, without benefit of insurance, 

is pretty well known to readers of The Exhibitor Has His 

Say department of BOXOFFICE. The manner in which a 

fellow exhibitor, located nearly 1,000 miles from Sterling, suggested 

through the columns of that department that a Jim 

Mote Fund be started with his contribution thereto, and how 

this took hold is one of the great human interest stories of the 

industry. Some of the letters accompanying contributions are 

heartwarming. 

When Steve Broidy suggested to us that he would like 

to be of substantial assistance to the Jim Mote Fund, this 

interest was, naturally, welcomed. In making Jim Mote the 

beneficiary, as it were, in the sales campaign through which 

his company is honoring him, he is doing a magnificent thing. 

BOXOFFICE feels it has been privileged to have been the 

means through which the Mote Fund was motivated. The 

credit all belongs to the good-hearted industry people, from 

the top echelons to the lowliest ranks, who, in a good cause, 

extended a helping hand to a fellow in distress. This is but 

further evidence that the motion picture industry not only participates—and 

with excellent account—in causes external, but 

that it also believes in taking care of its own. 

We felicitate Steve Broidy on the occasion marking his 

twenty-fifth year in the industry. He has come a long way 

from salesman to president of one of the leading independent 

producing and distributing firms in whose interests and progress 

he has acquitted himself well. And we congratulate and 

thank him for his generous move in extending such munificent 

aid to the Jim Mote Fund. To this BOXOFFICE will add its 

own substantial contribution. 

Monogram deserves the support of every exhibitor in this 

heartening endeavor. All good wishes, Steve Broidy! 

Entered as Second Class matter at Post Office, Kansas City, Mo. 

Sectional Edition, S3 00 per year; National Edition. $7.50 

Vol. 54 No. 21 

MARCH 2G. 1949

— 

the Ij-'ulsc t'/ the , I lotion /Ulctwce

1 mini 

207 H -FOX CALLS FOR AN END 

TO DOG-EAT-DOG FILM SALES 

New Rental Formula Asked 

By Company in Series of 

Exhibitor Conferences 

By SUMNER SMITH 

NEW YORK—A new rental formula that 

will eliminate the "dog-eat-dog" method of 

trading is being sought by Al Lichtman, 

newly named vice-president of 20th Century-Fox, 

who, Spyros P. Skouras, president, 

said March 21 will act as his chief adviser. 

For the present Lichtman will concentrate 

all his efforts on distribution 

problems. 

With Andy W. Smith, recently named 

vice-president and 20th-Fox general sales 

manager, and Sam Shain, director of exhibitor 

and public relations for distribution, 

Lichtman left New York March 22 on a national 

tour of exchange areas to meet exhibitor 

groups Boston was the first stop. 

POINTS TO BIG PROFITS 

To point up the need for a new formula, 

Lichtman said that while film companies 

have had to struggle to break even, exhibitors 

grossed $400,000,000 in 1948 and netted better 

than $200,000,000. He saw danger to the entire 

industry in a situation where there is an 

"unfair division somewhere along the line." 

Commenting on independent producers, 

Lichtman said he had heard that only one 

is still active in Hollywood of the 27 operating 

there last year, because of credit restrictions 

imposed by banks. 

Lichtman agreed with Smith that they do 

not have any "magic" formula, but through 

conversations with exhibitors will try to arrive 

at an arrangement that will mean more 

income for the company. One possible method 

may be adoption of a sliding scale of percentages 

which was tried out in 1936 and 

which some distributors and exhibitors still 

use, though not to the extent "hoped for." 

He expressed regret that the method is not 

in universal use and that in too many places 

the exhibitors prefer to trade, "as they have 

been doing since the inception of the industry." 

He told of successfully launching the 

plan with "Gone With the Wind" and said 

that it resulted in both exhibitors and distributors 

making money, but that there have 

been some instances where exhibitors could 

have paid more for their films. 

ON A PRO RATA COST 

A second possibility, Lichtman said, is apportionment 

of a pro rata cost to each theatre. 

He felt it could be worked out. A third 

possibility he called revolutionary. Admission 

tickets would be made the basis for rentals. 

If a film was thought to be worth 25 

cents a seat, or even 50 cents, to a theatre, 

the exhibitor would be charged accordingly, 

and, if necessary, the exhibitor would increase 

his admission prices. This would be in line 

with ordinary merchandising where a store 

pays a fixed amount for an article and adds 

a sum to arrive at a sales price that will supply 

a profit. Producers and distributors 

gamble in making and handling films, he said, 

and the exhibitor must take some risks him- 

Here are four 20th Century-Fox toppers who attended home office meetings this 

week: Left to right are A. W. Smith jr., rice-president and general sales manager; 

Al Lichtman, vice-president; Spyros Skouras, president, and Charles Einfeld, vicepresident 

in charge of advertising, publicity and exploitation. 

self. He pointed out that, of course, the 

company can't fix admissions. 

While he was with United Artists, Lichtman 

said, Publix Theatres guaranteed the 

company a split dollar for dollar. The old 

First National setup, with exhibitors as owners 

of the company, worked for a long time, 

he added. 

'For the good of the industry," Lichtman 

said, "the theatre must come ahead of production 

and the huge profits that exhibitors 

have been making are all to the good but 

New York ITO Blasts 

20th-Fox Proposal 

New York—The New York Independent 

Theatre Owners Ass'n Thursday 

(24), passed a resolution sharply criticizing 

the series of regional meetings 

started Wednesday in Boston and continued 

in New Haven Thursday by Al 

Lichtman, Andy W. Smith jr. and 

Charles Einfeld, 20th-Fox vice-presidents, 

in an effort to convince exhibitors higher 

rentals are necessary. 

Harry Brandt, ITOA president, said: 

"This action will serve to destroy all the 

goodwill that Spyros Skouras has endeavored 

to build up since his ascendancy 

to the presidency of the company. Lichtman 

sold Skouras a bill of goods here, 

but he will never be able to sell it to the 

grassroots exhibitors." 

The resolution used these words, "This 

membership of independent exhibitors 

condemns the unconscionable, arbitrary 

and unfair pricing of film on the part of 

20th Century-Fox." 

The resolution also invited Skouras to 

attend an ITOA 1 for open discussion 

of "their unilateral practices," and 

asked that the company present "actual 

fact and figure" to prove "that unfair 

and one-sided pricing is necessary to prevent 

the producing and distributing 

branches of 20th-Fox from taking a 

loss." 

film costs now are so terrific that it seems 

that our returns from the public are too light. 

There is danger to exhibitors in the situation, 

which could endanger the source of supply 

of good pictures." 

Charles Einfeld, vice-president in charge 

of advertising, publicity and exploitation, interposed 

the statement that production costs 

are up 200 per cent, but that they are still 

not as much out of line as other manufacturing 

costs. 

Lichtman, who spent 11 years at the MGM 

studio, termed production expenditures not 

extravagant but "terrifically economical." He 

pointed out that competition for stories and 

promising talent necessarily drives costs up, 

said that labor costs have "skyrocketed," 

found film production nowadays an "exact 

science" and praised producing groups in 

Hollywood as among the hardest workers in 

any industry. 

Smith said he wanted to make it clear that 

20th-Fox does not intend to take a complaining 

attitude with exhibitors and has no intention 

whatever of resorting to threats. A 

limited number of accounts on a sliding scale 

basis are now being sold, he said, and he 

said he felt that while the sliding scale protected 

the theatre owner, it doesn't protect 

the producer and distributor to the same extent. 

He looked forward to a better method 

of distribution under which all could live 

happily, and said that if a new formula could 

be found, Lichtman was the man to find it. 

FOR INDUSTRY RELATIONS 

Lichtman became mildly critical of the 

present-day film salesman, saying that where 

he was once an "evangelist" who aroused an 

exhibitor's enthusiasm, now he simply talks 

rentals. He thought the old spirit could be 

reinstilled. Smith told of the old days when 

he took stills of a film to a town, had the 

firebell rung to draw a crowd and displayed 

the stills. Lichtman commented that "nothing 

carries itself. There is always need for 

effort." 

Both Lichtman and Smith said a secondary 

purpose of their tour will be to aid the industry's 

public relations. Lichtman found 

them "very poor." He said too many persons 

take great delight in panning pictures. Another 

objective will be to find ways of stimulating 

theatre attendance. Einfeld will aid. 

BOXOFFICE :: March 26, 1949

, 

ACADEMY AWARD WINNERS: 

Best Picture: 'Hamlet'; 

Acting: Olivier, Wyman 

HOLLYWOOD — The Academy Award 

for the best picture of the year went to 

Laurence Olivier's production of "Hamlet," 

for the J. Arthur Rank Organization at 

the annual 'Oscar' affair Thursday (24) 

It was the first time a foreign-made motion 

picture won the top film award. 

Olivier also won the award for the best actor, 

and Oscars went to "Hamlet" for best art 

direction, set decoration and black and white 

costume design. 

For her work as the deaf mute in "Johnny 

Belinda," produced by Warners, Jane Wyman 

won the award for the best actress of 

the year. 

Oscars for the best supporting roles went 

to Claire Trevor for her portrayal of Edward 

G. Robinson's girl friend in "Key Largo" and 

to Walter Huston as the philosophical prospector 

in "Treasure of Sierra Madre." Both 

are Warner Bros, productions, keeping 

"Sierra Madre" a family affair, John Huston, 

the son, won the award for best direction 

for his work in that picture, and for 

writing the best 

screenplay. 

ACCEPTS FOR OLIVIER 

Douglas Fairbanks jr. accepted the honor 

for Olivier, but the others were present in 

person to take the bows. "I accept this award 

very gratefully for keeping my mouth shut 

once," Miss Wyman said, in acceptance. Huston 

said he once told his son that if he ever 

became a writer or director "to find a good 

part for the old man." 

The Academy, in addition to handing out 

honors for a great variety of achievements 

in film production also paid special tribute 

to four veterans in 

the industry. 

Adolph Zukor, chairman of the board of 

Paramount, won a special award for his service 

to the film industry. Walter Wanger won 

a special trophy "for distinctive service adding 

stature to the industry for his picture. 

"Joan of Arc," and Sid Grauman. veteran 

exhibitor, won a special award for his contributions 

as a showman. 

The Irving Thalberg Memorial award for 

"most consistent high quality of pictureswent 

to Jerry Wald, veteran Warner Bros, 

producer. 

A limited audience saw this year's affair, 

as the event was held in the Academy Awards 

Theatre which seats about 900 persons. Aa 

result. Academy members unable to attend 

were invited to a screening on March 27 of 

a special Awards newsreel in which all of 

the 1948 winners, plus many of last year's 

Oscar holders were slated to appear. 

Of technical interest at the affair was the 

first public use of the newly-developed miniature 

Altec microphone, to pick up the voices 

of those appearing on the program. 

LISTING OF AWARDS 

The long list of award 

already given included: 

addition to those 

Tor distinctive achievement in documentary ieatures: 

"The Secret Land." story oi Admiral Byrd. 

made by U.S. navy, released by MGM. with O O 

Dull as producer. 

Best shorts subject documentary: "Toward Independence," 

produced by Ihe United States army. 

Best screenplay: "The Treasure ol Sierra Madre." 

Best motion picture story: "The Search," David 

Wechsler, who produced it, and wrote it with Richard 

Schweizer, lor MGM. 

Eagler, I. McMillan Johnson. Russell Sherman and 

Clarence Sliler lor visual effects, and Charles Freeman 

and James G. Stewart lor audible ellects, for 

Selznick Releasing Organization. 

Best sound recording: "The Snake Pit." recorded 

by Thomas Moulton, 20th-Fox. 

Winners of Special Academy Awards 

-reel short: "Seal Island.' Walt Disney, 

ny ol 

a City." 

Best Film . . . Best Actor 

'Hamlet' and Laurence Olivier 

Best Actress 

lane Wyman in "Johnny Belinda' 

City.' 

tographer 

Best 

color 

Winton Hoch, lor Sierra Piclures-RKO. 

Best original song. "Buttons and Bows," from 

Paramount's "The Palelaco ." Music and by 

lyrics 

Jay Livingston and Ray Evans. 

Joseph Holleran Elected 

To Board of Loew's, Inc. 

NEW YORK— F. JOMph Holleran. vicepresident 

of the National City Bank of New 

Adolph Zukor Walter Wanger Jerry Nald 

These veterans of the film Industry received, special awards: Adolph Zukor, for 

his 40 years of service to motion pictures; Walter Wanger, for his contribution to 

distinctive films in "Joan of Arc," and Jerry Wald. who was given the Irving Thalberg 

award for "most consistent high quality of pictures." 

York, was elected to the board of directors 

of Loew's, Inc., Increasing the board to 11 

members. Re-elected as directors were Leopold 

Friedman. Eugene W. Leake. Charles C. 

Moskowltz. WUliam A. Parker. William F. 

Rodgers, Nicholas Schenck, Joseph R. Vogel. 

David Warfteld. Henry Rogers Wlnthrop and 

J. Robert Rubin The annual stockholders 

meeting was held March 25. 

BOXOFFICE March 26. 1949

i 

Editor's 

1 23 1 on 

Britain's Film Troubles 

Up Despite Quota Cut 

LONDON—The British Board of Trade 

this week >22> ordered a reduction in the 

film quota for first features from 45 to 40 

per cent, with no change for the 25 cent 

quota on supporting features. Parliament 

must approve this order, but no hitch is 

expected with the Labor government in 

control. 

The action throws out of the window the 

recommendation of the British Films Council 

that the quota be reduced to 33' i per cent. 

Exhibitors have been demanding a return to 

the old 25 per cent quota. 

TIMED FOB RANK ARRIVAL 

The announcement was timed for the arrival 

of J. Arthur Rank in New York on the 

Queen Elizabeth Wednesday morning. Why 

so. probably will become clear during 

Ranks stay in New York, because government 

moves in conpection with the film industry 

usually coincide with his trip to the 

United States. 

It was shortly after Rank went to New 

York a year ago that the 75 per cent ad 

valorem import tax was imposed. It was less 

than three months after the agreement settling 

this tax that the 45 per cent quota was 

imposed. Rank professed surprise at the 

former and came out with statements approving 

the latter. He went so far as to say 

that in his theatres he would observe a 65 per 

cent quota. 

Events moved swiftly thereafter. Bank 

credit dried up. 

At the time the 45 per cent quota went into 

effect Oct. 1. 1948, it was estimated that British 

theatres required 350 American films annually 

and that the new quota would make 

it necessary for the British to supply 157 

films per year. They set out to do this with 

a goal of 60 films from their own studios, plus 

reissues. 

Rank's studios will produce, he says, 40 

films during the year ending October and 

will produce between 49 and 50 during the 

1. year ending Oct. 1950. even though only 

two Rank studios are now operating and 

American units are idle. Costs have been 

going up and output has been going down. 

NEED 140 UK FILMS 

Under the proposed new 40 per cent quota 

it is estimated that British production will 

have to reach 140 features per year. Some 

American films made in Great Britain will 

count toward this quota, but no prospect of 

reaching anywhere near 140 is foreseen. 

A report is current in London now that 

Rank will, starting in April, confine his production 

activities to two studios with one 

company. All other production units will be 

eliminated, according to this report, and the 

new company will be under the direction of 

Sydney Box, Earl St. John and George Archibald. 

Note—Rank was asked about 

this on his arrival in New York Wednesday 

and his comment was: "You hear all 

sorts of silly reports."! 

British reactions to the five per cent quota 

reduction are that Harold Wilson, president 

of the Board of Trade, has yielded to pressure 

The International 

At the Boiling 

Pot 

Point 

NEW YORK—Within 24 hours after 

the arrival of J. Arthur Rank, the Anglo- 

American film pot began to boil, and out 

of the steam came various hints and 

veiled threats. 

1. In London Harold Wilson, head of 

the Britsh Board of Trade hinted at a 

Film Producers' Ass'n luncheon that the 

American selling of films over there by 

entire programs was a "restrictive" practice 

and might be investigated by the 

government. He did not say that the reason 

this plan was put into effect was because 

the leading British producer had 

announced he would show American features 

as the second half of dual bills under 

British product. 

2. Also in London it was hinted that 

while Foreign Minister Ernest Bevin is 

in Washington March 31 he might be induced 

to discuss the film situation at 

cabinet level. 

3. In Washington, Sen. William Knowland 

of California said he might offer 

amendments to the ECA and reciprocal 

trade agreements extension acts to insure 

equal treatment for American films in 

Great Britain. 

4. No American film executive, including 

Eric Johnston, would make any comment 

on the British quota reduction for publication. 

Privately their descriptive adjectives 

ranged from "meaningless" to 

"silly." 

from producers and unions even though it is 

apparent that not enough films can be produced 

to meet the quota. 

Exhibitors here are openly critical. They 

will take their objections to Parliament, but 

the odds are believed to be against them. 

They will point out that at least 2.700 of the 

4,000 theatres in Great Britain have had to 

apply for exemptions from the 45 per cent 

quota because of lack of British films, and 

that 

the five per cent reduction will have no 

appreciable effect. 

Foreign Minister Ernest Bevin will be in 

Washington March 31 to sign the Atlantic 

security pact, but film discussions probably 

will not be on his agenda. 

Rank will be in Washington April 21 for a 

meeting of the Anglo-American Advisory 

Council. 

The British cabinet next week probably 

will consider an increase in the capital of the 

Film Finance Corp. It may be doubled from 

the present figure of 5.000,000 pounds which 

will be available in the form of loans for British 

production. A belief on the part of producers 

that this money will solve their production 

problems may have influenced the 

slight drop in the quota which will become 

effective October 1. 

J. Arthur Rank Here, 

In a Cheerful Mood 

NEW YORK—J. 

Arthur Rank said he was 

••quite happy" to learn that the British Board 

of Trade would ask 

Parliament for a reduction 

in the film 

quota from 45 to 40 

per cent. He made 

the statement on his 

arrival Wednesday 

the Queen 

Elizabeth. He said he 

hadn't received the 

news aboard ship. 

Rank expressed confidence 

that the Brit- 

have no difficulty in 

. 

J 

' 

. . 

Arthur Rank 

ish industry would 

holding up its end. During the current quota 

year ending October 1. he said, his enterprises 

will produce 40 features as against 24 

for 1948, and he expects them to turn out 

slightly less than 40 the coming quota year. 

To indicate an ascending production scale, 

he said the figure for 1945 was nine, for 1946 

it was 11 and for 1947 it was 20. 

Queried about the April 21. 22 meetings of 

the Anglo-British Advisory Council in Washington. 

Rank would say only that those participating 

would sit around the table and 

talk over all problems in a spirit of cooperation 

and goodwill. 

HIS USUAL CALM SELF 

Rank is no gold mine of information for 

the trade press. He was his usual calm, courteous 

and suave self on this arrival in the 

U.S., as he has been years past. The trade 

press boys who went by cutter to meet him 

down the bay had their difficulties. The 

hour set for them to interview him somehowpassed 

without anything happening, and it 

was only after he was intercepted after 

luncheon that he submitted to questioning. 

Later, while customs men were going through 

his baggage on the pier, he answered some 

more questions. In each instance, his interviewers 

found him, as of yore, an old hand 

at evading leading questions. 

Rank said that the 600 theatres he controls 

have been meeting the 45 per cent quota 

without difficulty. Asked why British exhibitors 

were voicing complaints against it 

and had recommended a cut to 25 per cent, 

he said that they naturally wanted available 

the greatest number of films possible. He 

estimated that the business in his own theatres 

is down only 10 to 15 per cent below the 

1946 peak. During the last six months, he 

added, they have been playing "good, medium 

and poor" British films along with American 

films and the British product has averaged 

higher than the best American film. 

Returning to the subject of quota, Rank 

said that some American films to be produced 

in England will qualify to be included 

in it. Told that Walt Disney will make one 

over there, he nodded and said it would be 

one of those included. 

A question about a possible nationalization 

of the industry elicited the reply that there 

is no chance "at all" of its happening. Regarding 

a study of the industry by the Portal 

committee, he would say only it is due to 

report about the end of April. As to television, 

the government is looking into its 

possible later use in theatres. 


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"Roll Out Your Best Carpet, 

Dust Off Those Chairs and 

Light Up That Marquee, 

Because You're Going To 

Get A Real Whopper From 

Paramount." —M. P. Herald 

r. 

BlfteCRQSB/ 

Ktonda f/eming 

William Bendix 

SirCedricHardWicKe 

H\arkTvains 

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Murvyn Vye 

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Henry Wilcoxon 

Produced 

Virginia Field 

by Robert Fellows 

Directed by TAY GARNETT 

Songs by Johnny Burke and James Van Heuson 

Screenplay by Edmund Beloin 

Yankee 

Color toy 

IZCHMCQIOR. 

• .

The Happy Easter 

Attraction at Radio 

City Music Hall— preceded 

by national 

magazine double 

spreads reproducing 

this full-color art. 

t 

King Arthur* Court

+ 

Yes, It's 

Absolutely 

EVERYTHING 

That 

Everybody 

Wants for 

BING

' 

STEVE BROIDY SALES CAMPAIGN 

TO BENEFIT THE JIM MOTE FUND 

Monogram Will Celebrate 

Chief's 25th Anniversary 

In Unique Campaign 

Again demonstrating the motion picture 

industry's traditional custom of "taking 

care of its own,'' herewith is announced 

a campaign unique in the annals of a business 

which often deviates from the purely 

commercial approach. 

A producing company and a trade publication 

— Monogram Pictures Corp. and 

BOXOFFICE—are combining their resources 

to render aid to a small-town exhibitor 

who recently was the victim of misfortune. 

HAS A TWOFOLD PURPOSE 

The twofold purpose of the campaign is 

partially explained by its title: 

THE STEVE BROIDY 25TH ANNIVER- 

SARY DRIVE 

MOTE FUND. 

FOR BOXOFFICE'S JIM 

Recently the 210-seat Gem Theatre, owned 

and operated by Mote in Sterling. Okla.. was 

completely destroyed by fire—and there was 

no insurance. Mote definitely was out of 

business as an exhibitor, with no prospect 

of being able to resume. 

A few days later, BOXOFFICE published a 

news item concerning the Gem Theatre fire 

and the circumstances surrounding it. And 

then a remarkable thing happened, something 

that reaffirmed the fact that show 

business has a heart and soul: 

One theatre operator, reading of Mote's 

plight, forwarded a one-dollar bill to BOX- 

OFFICE with the remark that if every one 

of the more than 23,000 BOXOFFICE subscribers 

in the U.S. and Canada would contribute 

the same amount, it would not take 

long to "help Jim and his wife back into 

show business!" 

The idea caught on. Contributions began 

to pour in from people in all branches of the 

of which on March 31 is announced in this 

industry, all eager to help in alleviating the issue, an explanatory footnote as concerns 

the campaign and its genesis is necessary. 

plight of the theatreman. Money was received 

from actors and theatre employes as The Jim Mote Fund is not being started 

well as those connected with exhibition and from scratch at this point. As regular BOXdistribution, 

until the Jim Mote Fund OFFICE readers are aware, contributions to 

amounted to approximately $2,000. 

COMPANY OFFERS HELP 

the fund have been coming in ever since September 

1948. only a few weeks after an unlucky 

Thus was born the idea for the present 

Friday the 13th blaze in August de- 

campaign. 

stroyed Mote's 210-seat Gem Theatre in Sterling. 

To give concrete form to the wide interest 

Okla. To refresh memories and to bring 

already manifested in the rehabilitation of the fund's history up to date, here are the 

Jim Mote as an exhibitor, President Steve 

Broidy of Monogram and Allied Artists suggested 

highlights: 

Early in September Mote, in a contribution 

BOXOFFICE'S The Exhibitor Has His Say 

to Ben Shlyen, editor and publisher to 

department, sent his fellow showmen a reluctant 

of BOXOFFICE, a plan whereby Broidy's 

companies would raise the major part of the 

farewell message, disclosing that his 

funds necessary for the rebuilding project. theatre had burned to the ground. Said 

Monogram's billing and collections drive, Mote: 

in celebration of Broidy's 25th "I don't see any chance of rebuilding so I 

as indicated, is 

year in the motion picture industry, and will guess we're out of business." 

run for 13 weeks, beginning March 31. The A prompt two weeks later came an entirely 

company will allot to the Jim Mote Fund a 

spontaneous contribution from W. H. 

percentage of the increase over normal estab- 

Hoffman, operator of the Lamar Theatre in 

111., Arthur. who enclosed $1 and suggested 

lished for every exchange center in the 

United States, and has guaranteed a minimum 

of $5,000 as its contribution. 

BOXOFFICE will turn over a percentage 

of the amount received for advertising in 

Campaign Highlights 

The .Medium: 

STEVE BROIDY 25TH ANNIVER- 

SARY DRIVE FOR BOXOFFICE'S JIM 

MOTE FUND. 

The Beneficiary: 

Exhibitor Jim Mote, whose Gem Theatre 

in Sterling, Okla., was recently destroyed 

by fire—with no insurance. 

The Purpose: 

To raise funds for rebuilding Mote's 

210-seat theatre through a Monogram- 

Allied Artists billing drive. 

The Participants: 

Monogram and its sales force; BOX- 

OFFICE and its readers. 

The Duration: 

Thirteen weeks i 

March 31-June 30i. 

The Prizes: 

Big cash awards and important merchandise 

gifts to exhibitors taking part 

in the drive. 

this section and in smaller sections to follow 

weekly throughout the contest, in addition 

to the amount already received from 

readers. All funds raised will be presented 

to Mote as a gift, and it is thought that the 

I (it ^1 may reach $10,000. 

Differing from other contests of this description. 

Monogram's Steve Broidy drive will 

award prizes to exhibitors participating in the 

campaign, as well as to winning exchanges. 

Exhibitors will be divided into three classifications—circuits, 

booking combines and 

independent showmen—and prizes will be 

given in each classification in each exchange 

area, as well as other prizes awarded on a 

national basis. 

The greater part of these awards will be in 

cash, but the list of minor prizes will also include 

watches, electric shavers, sets of golf 

clubs, clgaret lighters, pen-and-pencil sets, 

humidors and other useful articles. 

The prizes will go to the exhibitors or organizations 

whose total bookings played and 

paid for during the campaign are the greatest 

in their respective areas and classifications 

A system of points will be set up for Allied 

Artists productions, and for various categories 

of Monogram product, such as topclassification 

pictures, series releases and 

westerns. 

As soon as returns begin to come in. a 

weekly tabulation of standings will be carried 

in these pages. 

On completion of the new theatre in 

Friday the 13th Theatre Fire 

Industry Into 

In amplification of the STEVE BROIDY 

25TH ANNIVERSARY DRIVE FOR BOX- 

OFFICE'S JIM MOTE FUND, the launching 

that the Motes would be able to rebuild if 

each of BOXOFFICE'S more than 23.000 subscribers 

would contribute a like amount. Exhibitors, 

explained Hoffman. "like to feel 

Sterling, 

plans call for its opening to be celebrated 

via a premiere to be attended by 

screen stars and executives, the ceremonies 

calling for participation by the Variety Clubs 

and other film organizations. 

Stirred 

Lending Hand to Motes 

that we enjoy a form of brotherhood or fraternalism 

unique from other forms of business 

..." 

Thereafter the drive gained momentum 

through the columns of BOXOFFICE'S The 

Exhibitor Has His Say department. Contributions 

ranged from Hoffman's suggested 

$1 minimum to as much as $200. They came 

from fellow-exhibitors, from representatives 

of allied industries, from equipment and supply 

firms, from Hollywood acting talent, and 

from the general public. At this writing 

BOXOFFICE is holding approximately $2,000 

in its Jim Mote Fund, with the expectation 

that through the Steve Broidy 25th Anniversary 

drive that amount will be built up 

to perhaps as much as $10,000. 

There's no doubt, incidentally, as to how 

Mote himself feels about the straight-fromthe-heart 

generosity displayed by other members 

of the far-flung show business family. 

In a recent letter to Hoffman, who started 

the whole thing. Mote had this to say: 

"You can't Imagine our feelings when we 

unexpectedly ran across your article till the 

Sept. 18 1948 issue of BOXOFFICEi: that 

people you've never met. whom you know 

nothing about, are Interested in you! 

Whether anything ever comes of it or not. 

even If yours Is the only dollar sent in. you'll 

never know how much we appreciate vour 

t hought fulness 

BOXOFFICE March 26. 1949 15

m;mm®nmmmmxi :mm-\ 

FELLOW SHOWMEN: 

By this time, you are doubtless familiar with the purpose of 

BOXOFFICE'S JIM MOTE FUND. From an initial contribution of a 

few dollars, this fund to rebuild the burned-out theatre of 

a typical small town exhibitor has swelled to a substantial 

sum. 

Heretofore, all contributions have been on an individual level. 

Today, however, it gives me great pleasure to announce a method 

whereby contributions can be put on an industry-wide basis for 

the first time. 

On March 31, Monogram will launch the STEVE BROIDY 25TH 

ANNIVERSARY DRIVE, with a percentage of all billings donated 

to BOXOFFICE'S JIM MOTE FUND. Every exhibitor booking Monogram 

product during this period will be contributing to this worthy 

cause. 

In my twenty-five years in the industry, I have seen many sales 

drives launched in honor of various company executives. To my 

knowledge, however, this is the first time any such drive has 

been dedicated to an exhibitor temporarily in financial distress, 

but otherwise so typical of the thousands who form the backbone 

of the industry as it stands today. 

For years, the motion picture world has been noted for its 

generous appeals for help of all lands from individuals or groups 

beyond its scope. Now the time has come for us to take care of 

our own. It is my earnest hope that this drive for BOXOFFICE'S 

JIM MOTE FUND, will be but the first of many future efforts 

sponsored by all the distribution companies, for similar worthwhile 

humanitarian purposes within the industry itself. 

And now, on the eve of the drive, I wish to extend my thanks and 

appreciation to the entire Monogram organization, and to the 

thousands of exhibitors everywhere who are already cooperating 

in every manner possible to insure the success of this tremendous 

undertaking. 

Sincerely, 

Sfeoe Bnaidtf 

BOXOFFICE March 26, 1949

Steve Broidy Story: Salesman at 20, 

President of His Company at 40 

A long course of training in the motion 

p.cture industry has ideally fitted Steve 

Broidy for his position as president of Monogram 

Pictures Corp. and its more recently 

formed subsidiary, Allied Artists Productions, 

Inc., whose two-year record has been marked 

by the release of many pictures in the A 

classification. 

It was 25 years ago, in 1924, that Broidy 

abandoned the study of law at Boston University 

and joined the staff of the Franklin 

Film Co. in Boston, covering western Massachusetts 

as a salesman. Later, for a period 

of five years, he handled the same territory 

lic, he continued with the new company in 

the same area. 

In 1937, when the new Monogram company 

was formed, Broidy, as head of the Boston 

exchange, created an enviable record. He 

vastly increased the company's business and 

standing in the territory, and won two nationwide 

drives for theatre bookings of Monogram 

product. During this period he was 

elected president of the Friars Club in Boston 

and also served as Chief Barker of the 

New England Variety Club. 

In 1940 Broidy was elected to the Monogram 

board of directors, and by the end of 

that year had become vice-president and 

general sales manager, with headquarters at 

the homeoffice in Hollywood. At the Chicago 

convention of the company in the spring 

of 1945, he was elected vice-president in 

charge of operations, and in November of the 

same year was elevated to the post of president, 

thus becoming one of Hollywood's 

youngest top executives. Shortly afterward 

he was made president of Monogram's various 

domestic subsidiaries, which operate exchanges 

in several American cities. 

Broidy's regime as president has been 

eminently successful, and during the period 

of his leadership the parent Monogram organization 

has made great forward progress. 

Of considerable importance was the incor- 

for Universal, and established an intimate poration of Allied Artists, whose pictures have 

acquaintanceship with exhibitors in the area. been shown in literally hundreds of first run 

Following this extended tour of duty, Warner 

Bros.—taking advantage of Broidy's com- 

product bearing the Monogram label. 

theatres which never before had booked 

plete familiarity with the territory—engaged Distribution outlets have been established 

him for a similar assignment out of their 

Boston office. Broidy, who had come to know 

western Massachusetts as well as he did his 

own back yard, remained with the Warners 

for more than three years. 

Broidy's first connection with Monogram 

came in 1933, when he joined the staff of the 

Boston office, enlarging his territory to become 

a salesman operating in Massachusetts 

and Rhode Island. Two years later, when 

Monogram merged temporarily with Repub- 

BTEVB BROIDY 

in cities around the globe, giving both AA 

and Monogram Important playing time In 

practically every country in which U.S. films 

may be shown. The foreign market la handled 

by the Monogram International Corp. 

FROM THE BROIDY FAMILY ALBUM—These snapshots show the Monogram 

president in his early days. At the left, young Steve, 4'^ years old, poses with his 

father, Julius; his mother, the late Mrs. Lena Broidy; and his sister, Edyth, then tM, 

now Mrs. Edyth Sherwin. Center photo shows young Broidy at 16, graduate of 

Chelsea high school, Chelsea, Mass., while at the right is Broidy, in 1927, when he 

was selling films for Universal. 

His 

Unlucky Day Becomes A Lucky One 

Jim Mote was beginning to consider Friday 

the 13th, and for good reason, as the unluckiest 

of days—until he learned of the bigness 

of the heart of show business. 

It was on Friday, August 13. 1948 that his 

Gem Theatre in Sterling, Okla., burned to 

the ground, a total loss. That was the day 

he considered his career as an exhibitor at 

an end: the financial loss involved In the 

fire was too great to overcome. So Jim took 

the first job that came along, drilling water 

wells for a contractor in a nearby town. 

Drilling wells was a new experience, but 

hard work was not. He was born on a Texas 

farm, near Tampa, one of eight children, and 

he found out what it was to put in a good 

day's work at an early age. The farm days 

were full for Tom and OUle Mote, the parents, 

and their three boys and five girls. Jim 

stayed on the farm until 1921. when he was 

eleven years old. and his folks moved to 

Oklahoma. By the time he was 14. he had 

lis i list paying job--ln the combined grocery 

store and postoffice of Cox City— working 

after school and in summer months. 

After he finished his high school education, 

Jim worked at a service station, drove 

a truck and. by the time he married his girl 

friend. Helen Barbarick. In 1933. he was the 

lessee of a service station In Sterling. He 

operated this business until 1941 when he sold 

out and went to Tulsa to become an aircraft 

technical Inspector at the Spartan School of 

Aeronautics. He remained In Tulsa until 

1945. Returning to Sterling in the summer 

of that year, he bought the Gem Theatre, a 

210-seat operation which had used 16mm 

equipment and little else. He remodeled, 

bought himself 35mm projection, prettied up 

the house, tried to learn all he could about 

; 

merchand sing motion pictures, began contributing 

to the "The Exhibitor Has His Say" 

department of BOXOFFICE. and making his 

little theatre a force In community life 


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wmfrwsGwromvs. 

ALLIED ARTISTS SMASHES CLEANING-UP EVERYWHERE! 

BAD 

BOY 

BAD MEN 

TOMBSTONE 

10 TRIED AND PROVEN ALLIED ARTISTS MONEY-MAKERS! 

THE DUDE GOES WEST • PANHANDLE • STRIKE IT RICH 

SMART WOMAN • THE GANGSTER • SONG OF MY HEART 

THE HUNTED * BLACK GOLD • IT HAPPENED ON 5th AVENUE 

IVE YOUR MONOGRAM SALESMAN A BIG HAND

LINE-UP IN MONOGRAM HISTORY! 

TOP-GROSSING MONOGRAM FIRST-RUN SPECIALS! 

THE 

JUNGLE BOY 

Un Sepio Tone) 

TUNA CLIPPER 

16 FATHOMS DEEP 

(In 

Ansco Color) 

MOST POPULAR SERIES ON THE MARKET TODAY! 

WEEK-AFTER-WEEK MONOGRAM DELIVERS THE PROFITS! 

HENRY, THE RAINMAKER • TEMPTATION HARBOR INCIDENT 

MICHAEL O'HALLORAN • KIDNAPPED • MUSIC MAN • ROCKY 

I WOULDN'T BE IN YOUR SHOES • STAGE STRUCK 

WHIP 

WILSON 

ANDY CLYDE 

JOHNNY 

MACK 

BROWN 

I * 

c* 

JIMMY 

WAKELY 

Cannonball 

TAYLOR 

ND PUT THE JIM MOTE FUND OYER THE TOP!

Let's Go, You Exhibitors 

in the Oklahoma City Exchange Territory! 

Let's show the entire nation how we help a good neighbor and 

fellow showman out of a tight spot. 

Let's honor a great executive, Steve Broidy, with the most sensational 

sales drive he's ever seen in his twenty-five years in the 

motion picture industry! 

MONOGRAM DISTRIBUTING 

704 West Grand Street 

CORP. 

Oklahoma City 2, Okla. 

MILTON LIPSNER, Branch Manager 

Congratulations. STEVE BROIDY- 

—on the Silver Anniversary of your entrance into the motion picture industry. 

Twenty-five years of fair dealing and cooperation with exhibitors everywhere. 

Congratulations. BOXOFFICE— 

— for your inspired leadership in the organization of the JIM MOTE FUND 

show business way of helping one of its own in time of need! 

Congratulations. EXHIBITORS— 

— for the whole-hearted spirit of cooperation you have already shown in pledging 

yourselves to make the STEVE BROIDY 25th ANNIVERSARY DRIVE FOR BOX- 

OFFICE'S JIM MTE FUND — the outstanding event of 

the year! 

MONOGRAM DISTRIBUTING 

630 Ninth Avenue, New York, N. Y. 

CORP 

L E. GOLDHAMMER, Eastern Division Mgr. 

NAT FURST, Branch Manager 


Sales Force of Veterans Active in Broidy Campaign 

Enthusiasm keynotes the viewpoint of 

the 

entire sales personnel of Monogram Pictures 

Corp. as the day approaches for the launching 

of the STEVE BROIDY 25TH ANNIVER- 

SARY DRIVE FOR BOXOFFICE'S JIM 

MOTE FUND. 

Over-all direction of the campaign is in 

charge of Maurice R. "Razz" Goldstein, general 

sales manager, with headquarters In 

New York; L. E. Goldhammer, western sales 

chief; Sol Francis, midwestern district manager; 

James A. Prichard, southwestern district 

supervisor; and Mel Hulling, west coast 

sales manager. Vice-President Harold J. 

Mirisch, operating from the studio in Hollywood, 

will coordinate the activities of the 

homeoffice in the drive. 

Also active in the campaign will be a group 

of well-known executives in the distribution 

field who hold Monogram-Allied Artists 

franchises. Included are Arthur C. Bromberg. 

operating branches in Atlanta, New Orleans, 

Charlotte and Memphis; Howard Stubbins. 

with exchanges in Los Angeles. Portland and 

Seattle; Lon T. Fidler, who maintains 

branches in Kansas City, Denver and Salt 

Lake City; Irving Mandel, with offices in 

Chicago and Indianapolis; Herman Rifkin, 

head of exchanges in Boston and New Haven; 

and H. L. Berkson, with branches in Albany 

and Buffalo. 

Other franchise holders are Charles W. 

Trampe, operating the Milwaukee exchange; 

William Hurlburt, owner of the Detroit 

branch; Nate Schultz, of the Cleveland territory; 

Ben Williams, Pittsburgh; Mel Hulling, 

San Francisco, and George West, Cincinnati. 

Exchange managers who will be active participants 

in the drive are M. H. Starr. Detroit; 

Nut Furst. New York: Ben Elsenberg, Chi- 

The Jim Mote Family 

The Jim Motes celebrated their 16th 

wedding; anniversary earlier this month. 

Jimmy, 14, won an American Legion 

medal for bravery displayed the night of 

the theatre fire. His sister Arsann is 11 

years old. The Motes were married March 

11, 1933. Mrs. Mote was Jim's hometown 

sweetheart. 

cago; N. R. Dickman. Albany: Ben Abrams. 

Boston; M. J. E. McCarthy, Los Angeles; 

Jim Prichard, Dallas; Max Gillis. Philadelphia; 

Jack Safer, Washington, D. C: Hal 

Jordan, Charlotte; S. J. Francis, Des Moines; 

Ralph Morgan, Kansas City: Irving Marks. 

Minneapolis; Carl Harthill, Indianapolis; H. 

Glover, New Orleans; Milton Llpsner. Oklahoma 

City; R. Rosenblatt, St. Louis; James P. 

San Francisco; B. Pritchard, Memphis: 

Johnny Pavone, New Haven; Larry C. 

Portland; Abe I. Wetner. Pittsburgh; 

Jack Shwidelson, Omaha: Milton Gurian. 

Cincinnati; J. D. Hobbs, Atlanta; Ralph Abbett. 

Seattle, and Don V. Tibbs, Salt Lake 

City. 

Additionally, the Jim Mote drive will 

enlist 

vices of a large number of salesmen, 

tag from every Monogram branch in 

the United States. 

Kentucky Projectionist 

Sends in Contribution 

His love of show business and aspim' 

theatre owner himself "some day," 

stirred Bill Eakins, projectionist and 

ant manager at the Kentucky Theatre in 

South Shore, Ky., to contribute to BOX- 

OFFICE'S Jim Mote Fund. Eakins declared 

he is "not an exhibitor or even a full-fledged 

manager." but "right now I want Jim Mote 

to have his. so here is my check for a dollar." 

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF FAIR DEALING!

Exhibitors, Exchange Personnel to Share Campaign Prizes 

An imposing list of cash awards, to be 

given as prizes both to exhibitors and exchanges 

participating in the STEVE BROIDY 

25TH ANNIVERSARY DRIVE FOR BOX- 

OFFICE'S JIM MOTE FUND, is now being 

drawn up. Supplemental awards to showmen 

also will include various articles of 

merchandise, ranging from watches to sets 

of golf clubs. 

Theatre operators will be given points for 

all Monogram and Allied Artists pictures 

played during the period of the drive. March 

26-June 30, under the following system: 

A playdate for any Monogram picture released 

prior to the 1947-48 season will count 

as two points. 

A playdate for any Monogram picture of 

the 1947-48 season, .is well as the 1948-49 season, 

will be given one point. 

A playdate for "Panhandle," "The Babe 

Ruth Story," "Bad Men of Tombstone," 

"Strike It Rich," "The Dude Goes West" or 

"Bad Boy" will be given one point. 

A playdate for "Song of My Heart." "The 

Hunted." "Smart Woman." "The Gangster," 

"It Happened on Fifth Avenue" or "Black 

Gold" will be given five points. 

An exhibitor with one theatre will have 

just as much opportunity of being declared 

a winner as a circuit head, for in computing 

points every theatre will be counter as an 

individual situation. 

A complete list of prizes to be awarded 

will be announced in a forthcoming issue of 

BOXOFFICE. 

Maurice Goldstein Directs 

One of the motion picture industry's top 

sales executives is Maurice "Razz" Goldstein, 

general sales manager for Monogram, who 

will head the coming drive for BOXOF- 

FICE'S Jim Mote Fund. 

Originally Goldstein had intended to enter 

MAURICE GOLDSTEIN 

Sales Drive 

the practice of law, but abandoned this intention 

following completion of his academic 

education at Northeastern Law school. He 

began his career in the film industry as an 

assistant shipper for Goldwyn Pictures, later 

becoming booker for the same organization. 

Afterward, in the same capacity, he joined 

the Boston staff of the Franklin Film Co., 

New England franchise holder for Warner 

Bros. 

Subsequently Goldstein became associated 

with MGM as a booker and later as a salesman, 

and in 1940 was appointed branch manager 

of the MGM exchange in New Haven. 

He joined Monogram as eastern sales manager 

in May 1945, and early in the following 

year was appointed to his present position as 

general sales manager. 

Goldstein is a member of the Masons, the 

Variety Club of Boston, and the Picture Pioneers. 

Patrons Also Contribute 

Extending even beyond the confines of the 

industry itself, BOXOFFICE'S Jim Mote Fund 

in one instance was the recipient of a donation 

collected among the movie-going-public 

—the patrons of the Alfred Campus Theatre 

at Alfred College, Alfred, New York. 

Everything's Bigger in Texas 

That's why we say that the STEVE BROIDY 25th ANNIVERSARY 

DRIVE FOR BOXOFFICE'S JIM MOTE FUND will be the biggest 

thing in the history of the Dallas exchange territory! 

A great tribute to the exhibitor's best friend! 

A great program to put a typical exhibitor back on his feet! 

MONOGRAM PICTURES 

OF TEXAS 

CORP. 

304 S. Harwood Street 

Dallas, Texas. 

JAMES PRICHARD, Southern District Manager 

22 BOXOFFICE :: March 26. 1949

PARAMOUNT FORMULA EVOLVES 

FOR DEALING WITH THEATRES 

Officials Are Examining 

Partnership Contracts 

For Guidance on Deals 

A four-page analysis of the Paramount 

theatre structure and the effect of the 

consent decree on these holdings begins 

on page 26. 

NEW YORK—Paramount officials are 

re-examining their partnership contracts 

for guidance in setting the proper evaluation 

on the theatres they have to sell or 

may buy under the consent decree. 

As Leonard H. Goldenson. head of the present 

theatre operations and prospective head 

of the new theatre company, told the threejudge 

court, these partnership agreements 

provide three general forms of transfer. 

BASIC TRANSFER FORMS 

1. A formula price to be determined 

from the book value plus a stipulated 

number of totals of the annual earnings 

over a period of years. 

2. A price which the prospective seller 

has been offered by a third party or 

stranger. 

3. A price which one partner may fix 

and at which the second partner must 

then chose to sell his stock or buy the 

stock of the first partner. 

However, he also told the court that Paramount 

would have to be protected from forced 

sales, because, when most of these deals were 

made during the depression, the burden was 

placed on the partner who wanted to sell. As 

an example he cited the contract with E. V. 

Richards jr., which would cost Paramount 

$1,000,000, if it sold its stock at the terms provided 

for in the agreement. 

The situation for the wholly-owned circuits 

is less complicated. Paramount has to sell 

69 of its 449 wholly-owned theatres. Here it 

is a matter of fixing a price and bargaining 

with the prospective buyer. The price may 

be determined in any of the ways fixed for 

partnership houses. 

Some idea of the price for wholly-owned 

theatres was indicated recently by Paramount 

directors who said the current market value 

of the theatres in one circuit, was as much 

as ten times the book value. 

all but a few with investors must be terminated. 

The consent decree worked out with the 

Department of Justice and approved by the 

court protects Paramount against forced sales 

at depression prices or purchases at inflationary 

values by providing for receiverships 

as a means of ending deadlocks. 

The decree also nullifies provisions of the 

partnership contracts that restrict the right 

of one or the other partners to open or buy 

into a competitive theatre. 

It permits Paramount to buy out the part - 

ners in maximum of 270 theatres. 

Insofar as the agreements do not conflict 

TOA to Hire Executive 

For Full-Time TV Study 

NEW YORK—The TOA will hire a consultant 

or salaried employe to Investigate the 

costs and general practicability of widescreen 

television for theatres, Arthur H. 

Lockwood, president, said after an executive 

committee meeting Thursday (24). No individual 

has yet been selected. 

All distributors and trailer manufacturers 

will be urged to make trailers available for 

television use as potent advertising devices. 

Companies which have issued trailers to date, 

which have been shown in practically all 

stations, according to Lockwood, are Paramount, 

20th Century-Fox, United Artists, 

Monogram and Republic. The TOA also recommends 

that the trailers be timed for 30 

seconds or in multiples of 30 seconds up to 

four and one-half minutes. There was no 

talk of exhibitor ownership of TV stations. 

Executive Director Gael Sullivan and Robert 

W. Coyne were named a committee to 

with the decree, both Paramount and its 

partners are expected to live up to their provisions. 

These provisions contain numerous variations 

within the three general sales procedures 

outlined by Goldenson for the court. 

However, it is assumed that where specific 

terms exist, as in the contract for Alabama 

Theatres, Inc., they will serve as a guide for 

negotiations where the contract terms are 

more general. 

The Alabama contract was signed in 1931 

between Paramount and the Wilby-Kincey 

interests. Paramount has a 50 per cent Interest 

in this circuit which operates 33 theatres 

in Alabama. 

The agreement states that "no stockholders 

can sell or dispose of his shares except to the 

stockholder of the same class unless he or 

she shall first offer such stock In writing to 

the stockholders of the other class for 60 days 

OVER 100 AGREEMENTS 

at a price equal to the book value of such 

Paramount has more than 100 partnership 

stock, plus its proportionate share of good- 

agreements, covering 955 theatres, of which 

will value computed at three times the average 

net earnings for the five years immediately 

preceding the sale." 

If the offer Is not accepted within 60 days, 

the partner who is offering the stock shall 

then be free to sell his shares without restriction. 

In this circuit. Paramount is permitted by 

the decree to buy 18 of the 33 theatres. 

In another Wilby-Kincey partnership situation, 

the Liberty Theatre. Darlington. S. C. 

the contract specifically considered the possibility 

of an antitrust decree. Paramount 

was given an option to buy the entire block 

of 1,000 shares of A stock at cost. $82,500. plus 

seek information on Phonovision from telephone 

companies. The same two and Ted R. 

Gamble, chairman of the board, were asked 

to meet either March 25 or 29 with the distributor 

committee and offer a new plan 

but said he believed It would be satisfactory 

to the other side. 

Complaints about the admission of civilians 

to army and navy theatres have been 

discussed with distributors, and they are expected 

to report back shortly. There have 

been no complaints in the last month. It also 

was announced that boxofflce reports to 

members through TOA headquarters will 

start in two or three weeks. The reports will 

be in the form of percentages and will be 

mailed regionally. 

Committee members attending, besides 

those mentioned, were Herman M. Levy, general 

counsel: Stanley PrenoslI, assistant 

executive director; Mitchell Wolfson, S. H. 

Fabian and Julian Brylawski. 

a percentage of the quarterly fiscal year 

gross. 

As it turned out, Paramount has to sell Its 

25 per cent share. There are no provision for 

this sale. 

Negotiations with partners have been under 

way for some time. Paramount sold its 

interest in 45 theatres operated by the former 

Mullin & Pinanski operating company 

to Sam Pinanskt for a price many times above 

its original Investment. The remaining 57 

M&P theatres were retained by Paramount. 

Progress has been slow in Michigan, where 

Paramount has been negotiating with the 

representatives and heirs of the W. S. Butterfield 

and Butterfield Michigan Theatres Co., 

which operate 11: theatres. Goldenson has 

admitted that he nnd the Butterfield Interests 

have been unable to set a price for Paramount 

"s 25 per cent interest In one circuit 

and 33' :. interest in the other. 

He also has efused to confirm a report 

that Paramount has agreed on a price for the 

sale of Its 51 per cent Interest in Dominion 

Theatres. Inc., which operates 15 theatres 

through five subsidiaries in Virginia. The 

decree permits Paramount to acquire three 

of these houses. 

Schussel Gets M-B Post 

NEW YORK -Seymour Schussel. who reresigned 

as New York district manager 

for Eagle Lion, has been named general 

manager for Mayer-Burstyn, Inc. Prior 

to EL. Schussel was eastern manager for 

Film Classics and for many years was associated 

with Columbia Pictures. 

BOXOFFICE March 26, 1949 

23

JTT 

ENSATIONAL PICTURE YOU'VE 

FLASH 

00 BIG, NATIONWIDE KEY-

READING AND HEARING ABOUT! 

10 Savage Minutes Ripped 

rom A Man's Battered Body and a 

Woman's Tortured Soul— Unmasking 

With Thrill, Shock, Amazement The 

Cind of People In The Crooked 

ght Racket— Raw Realism, 

ierved Straight! 

Starring 

ROBERT RYAN 

AUDREY TOTTER 

with 

GEORGE TOBIAS . ALAN BAXTER * WALLACE FORD 

Produced by RICHARD GOLDSTONE • Dir.cted by ROBERT WISE 

Screen Play by ART COHN 

OADWAY WORLD PREMIERE 

ITERION THEATRE MARCH 29! 

For every scar 

on his face, she 

wore two on 

her heart! 

For $30 — smashed 

in the ring, hunted 

in the alley! 

mane MARCH 30!

THE PARAMOUNT BREAKUP 

Here for the first time is told the intricate corporate setup of the world's 

largest theatre circuit and how the consent decree will affect its holdings. 

By J. M. JERAULD 

in several circuits, most important of which 

NEW YORK—The new Paramount theatre 

are Florida States, Balaban & Katz and 

company may come out of the di- 

Minnesota Amusement Co., which will be re- 

vorcement proceeding with 650 theatres, a tained by the new theatre company. Of 

drop of 774 theatres from the 1,424 in these, 69 in 58 towns must be dropped, leaving 

which the picture company had an interest 

on the date the decree was signed, March a total of 380. 

Paramount proposed to the government, 

and the proposal was accepted, that Paramount 

3, 1949. 

The total may be less than this and may 

not be known definitely for two years. The 

unknown quantity lies with the partners 

be permitted to take a certain num- 

ber of the theatres from the partnerships instead 

of selling out its interests or of buying 

who now share ownership in 955 theatres. out all the partners' shares. The government 

The new theatre company can acquire 257 

agreed that this would introduce com- 

of these, leaving 698 for the partners. petition into a large number of situations 

Paramount has beneficial interests in 20 where it does not now exist. This method 

theatres with investors who are not potential also makes it possible to reach agreements 

on the value of hundreds of theatre properties 

exhibitors, five in Maine, three in Vermont, 

one in Massachusetts, eight in Minnesota 

and will probably cut the capital gains 

and two in Tennessee. Of these, it can taxes substantially. 

acquire 13. The new company can buy nine The company also contended successfully 

Two Showcases . . . 

1 

' 

vD 

III ill 

Radio City in Minneapolis 

that this would avoid dissolution of values. 

Five corporations operating 238 theatres 

were owned 100 per cent prior to the 1933 

Paramount bankruptcy and the company 

sought unsuccessfully to retain these. 

These companies are: Johnson City Enterprises, 

Inc., Tenn., two theatres; Iris Amusement 

Corp., the Iris Theatre, operated by 

Balaban & Katz; Haverhill Operating Co., 

Mass., two theatres; Maine & N. H. Theatres 

Co., 26; Dominion Theatres, Inc., Va., 15 

houses; Penncom Corp., Pa., Comerford, 69 

theatres; Western Mass. Theatres, Inc., 19 

theatres; Tri-States Theatres Corp., Iowa, 

54 theatres, and Paramount-Richards, Louisiana, 

Florida and Mississippi, 81 theatres. 

HOLD SOME THEATRES 

Under the terms of the decree Paramount 

can acquire some theatres in each group. 

A Paramount co-stockholder in these 

groups can be required to fix an upset price 

at which the company can buy or sell. The 

Paramount-Richards agreement is the most 

complicated. Under the 1933 bankruptcy 

agreement E. V. Richards jr. had an option, 

which also has been written into the charter 

of the new theatre company, which provides 

that up to April 29, 1950, Paramount may request 

Richards to fix a base price for sale of 

are the State-Lake and Chicago, Chicago; 

Paramount, Los Angeles; Metropolitan, Boston; 

Paramount and State, San Francisco; 

Florida, Jacksonville; Florida, St. Petersburg; 

Olympia, Miami; Radio City Theatre, Minneapolis; 

Paramount, New York. It may acquire 

the Rivoli, New York, in addition. The 

Paramount, Kansas City, is a wholly-owned 

house. There is a provision, too, for taking 

over the lease of the Royal, Detroit, but this 

must be dropped later. 

Among other cities of regional importance 

where the new company can acquire theatres 

are: Birmingham, Memphis, New Orleans, 

Des Moines and Omaha. 

Among the so called wholly-owned houses 

146 are owned outright and the remaining 

303 are held on lease. 

In the partnership circuits 320 are owned 

outright and 635 are held under lease. It is 

. . . Paramount Will Keep 

Chicago Theatre, Chicago 

of these 13 and continue joint ownership in all of his stock or for the purchase of all of in this group of theatres that 257 can be 

Paramount's stock. After he has fixed this acquired, but the choices and the prices will 

four. Seven must be dropped. 

Up to the time of the agreement on the 

be subject to negotiation. 

price Paramount has a right to buy all of 

decree some negotiations for selling out Paramount's 

Some of the processes of divorcement be- 

Richards' stock at 50 per cent of the base 

interest in certain circuits had been price, or to require Richards to purchase from came effective several weeks ago. One was 

stymied by some partners' belief that Paramount 

Paramount all of its stock at 150 per cent, wound up Dec. 30, 1948, and others are in 

had to sell and they could name their plus, in either case, one-half of the undistrib- 

progress. 

own prices. Since the signing of the decree uted consolidated earnings of the corporation Paramount broke up the Mullin & Pinanski 

Paramount has a definite trading advantage. and its subsidiaries. Paramount was given circuit of 101 theatres on Dec. 30, 1948, by 

Partners who refuse to buy will become partners 

this option because Richards acquired his 50 selling the Netoco Theatres Corp. and dis- 

of a trustee to be named by the court, per cent interest in 1933 at a very small price. solving it. Sam Pinanski and his associates 

and the trustee will be able to sell out the 

former Paramount interests to a third party. 

Some progress has been made in negotiations 

on some of these circuits, but nothing 

took over 45 houses in Connecticut, Massachusetts 

and Maine and is now operating 

This leaves the partners with a choice of has been made public on the standing of the these independently under the title of American 

buying all the Paramount interests or of Paramount-Richards negotiations. Richards 

Theatres Corp. 

transferring 257 theatres to the new company 

Martin J. Mullin took over 56 houses 

is a director of Paramount Pictures, Inc. If 

by negotiation. If they buy out Paramount, he chooses to acquire stock in the new theatre 

owned by Netoco in Connecticut, Maine, 

they can retain their circuits intact. Otherwise, 

company, he will be required under the Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Is- 

they may find themselves with competition 

terms of the decree to give up his Paramount land and Vermont and is operating them as 

from new theatre company or from the Pictures stock. 

New England Theatres, Inc. This is a Para- 

purchasers of approximately half their holdings 

who will be selected by the trustee. 

Some of the wholly-owned houses include 

important large city first runs which can be 

mount 100 per cent subsidiary. 

Negotiations for separation of Paramount 

Paramount has 449 "wholly-owned theatres used as regional showcases. Among them 

(Continued on page 281 

26 BOXOFFICE March 26, 1949

dfiiifi7^>v 

dldatap/- 

SHE'S GIVING EVERYONE 

THE BUSINESS - NORTH - 

SOUTH-EAST and WEST! 

IT'S "A LETTER TO THREE 

WIVES'' -"SITTING 

PRETTY 

and "WHEN MY BABY SMILES 

TECHNICOLOR 

ALL ROLLED INTO ONE - 

a showman's best 

friend is"MOTHBR

i 

Paramount Breakup 

Continued fr 

Who Gets Which? 

the interest of Paramoi 

lotte. N. C; one first 

Columbia, S. C; 

first run in Spartanburg 

tanooga, mooga, Tenn., and two first runs in Knoxville, Tenn. 

Of the present holdings Paramount's new theatre 

and RKO from the W. S. Butterfield Theatres, 

Inc., and Butterfield Michigan Theatres 

Co., a circuit of 112 theatres in Michigan, 

have been under way for several months. 

These negotiations on the present time schedule 

have to be completed by Nov. 8, 1949, but 

Leonard H. Goldenson reported to the court 

in December that difficulties had been encountered 

because of uncertain economic conditions 

and the problem of dealing with three 

sets of heirs. 

Under the terms of the consent decree 

Paramount* new theatre company can 

acquire eight of these theatres located in 

the following towns—Ann Arbor, Battle 

Creek, Flint, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, 

g, Pontiac and Saginaw. Negotiations 

are to be resumed as soon as the Paramount 

stockholders approve the new corporate setups. 

Considerable progress has been made in 

disposing of the joint interest of Paramount, 

Loew's, Inc., and Vincent McFaul in 13 theatres 

in the Buffalo area. Ten are in Buffalo 

and one each in Niagara Falls, Kenmore and 

Lackawanna. The new theatre company will 

acquire a 100 per cent interest in five on 

March 31, 1949. and it has until Dec. 31, 1949, 

to dispose of a joint interest in one house. 

Negotiations with Wilby-Kincey, Robb & 

Rowley, Malco, Paramount-Richards, Lucas 

& Jenkins, Tri-States, Interstate, Comer - 

ford-Publix, Jefferson Amusement Co., arid 

Western Mass. Theatres, Inc., are in various 

stages. These are partnership circuits. 

Disposals of theatres from the whollyowned 

circuits, Florida States, Balaban & 

Katz and Publix-Great States, a B&K subsidiary 

and Minnesota Amusement, simply 

involve direct negotiations with would-be independent 

purchasers. 

Following is a presentation of Paramount 

holdings and what happens to them under 

the decree. 

SOUTHEASTERN GROUP 

Includes Publix-Lucas. Wilby-Kincey. Dominion Theatres. 

Inc.. Malco Theatres. Inc.. Arkansas Amusement 

Co.. Paramount-Richards Theatres. Inc.. Florida 

Statos Theatres. Inc.. and Publix-Bamiord operating 

in Virginia. North and South Carolina. 

Georgia. Florida, Tennessee. West Virginia. Alabama. 

Arkansas. Louisiana. Mississippi and Texas. 

PUBLIX-LUCAS THEATRES 

Four companies with offices in Augusta and Atlanta 

headed by William K. Jenkins operate 46 theatres 

in Georgia. The companies are: Publix-Lucas, 21 

theatres, owned 50 per cent by Paramount, 25 per 

cent by the estate of Arthur Lucas and 25 per cent 

by Jenkins; United Theatre Enterprises, Inc., same 

ratio of ownership; Augusta Amusement Co.. 50 

per cent owned by Paramount, 25 per cent by the 

estate of Frank [. Miller, 12"/ 2 by William K. Jenkins 

and 12'/ 2 per cent by the estate of Arthur 

Lucas; Savannah Theatre Co., 50 per cent Paramount, 

33^ per cent by Margaret C. Lucas, and 

16% per cent by the estate ol Arthur Lucas. 

Publix-Lucas has 21 theatres as follows: Athens, 

five; Brunswick, three; Buford, two; Elberton, one; 

Gainesville, four; Lexington, one; Macon, three. 

United Theatres Enterprises, Inc., has 15 as follows: 

Barnosville, one; Columbus, six, Macon, two; St. 

Simons Island, one; Waycross, three; Covington, 

two. Augusta Amusement Co. has lour theatres in 

Augusta. Savannah Theatre Co. has six in Savan- 

In this group Paramount can acquire one undesignated 

run theatre in each of the following cities; 

Augusta, Brunswick, Columbus, Gainesville, 

Macon, Waycross, and one first run and one subsequent 

run in Savannah This is a total of nine It 

must give up one lirst run in Atlanta. 

MALCO THEATRES. INC. 

Malco Theatres operates 54 theatres in three 

states—Arkansas. Tennessee and Kentucky—divided 

as follows: Arkansas— 16 towns; 39 theatres; Ten- 

A typical divorcement problem is represented 

in these two Des Moines theatres, 

ace first runs, owned 50 per cent 

each by Paramount and Tri-States. The 

question is, with Paramount permitted to 

acquire six of 11 theatres, two of which 

may be first runs, how will these top 

theatres be divided? Or will Tri-States 

want to sell its interest in either one? 

r.essee—three towns; six theatres; Kentucky— four 

towns, nine theatres. 

It has three principal subsidiaries: Malco Memphis 

Theatres. Inc., 100 per cent owned; Van 

Inc., Buren Enterprises, also 100 per cent owned, 

Inc., in and Ozark Enterprises, which Malco has a 

of 50 per cent interest and various members the 

Sonneman family own the other 50 per cent. 

Stock in the main operating company, which has 

headquarters in Memphis and is headed by M. A. 

is Lightman, divided into two classifications—participating 

voting and participating nonvoting. Paramount 

owns 50 per cent of each of these classifications. 

Ol the remaining half ol the voting stock, 

M. A. Lightman owns 28.01 per cent, M. A. Lightman 

jr., 2.25 per cent and Celia S. Lightman, .05 per 

cent—a total ol 30 31 per cent. The remaining 19.69 

per cent is divided between M. S. McCord, M. ). 

Pruninski, E. P. Sapinsley, Marcus Kohn and Herbert 

Kohn. 

M. A. Lightman jr., Celia S. Lightman, Richard 

L. Lightman and Jean May Lightman own 57.54 

per cent ol the nonvoting stock. 

fourteen theatres are wholly owned and the re- 

3Sed. 

The theatr 

City

x 

. 1 

2/l Per cen 'vl"liel L. Rowley. 

?fi/, £r F«r r»5? cent t£ Tr,,s group u 

has been operated as 

'\ 

part of the Robb 5 Rowley which has circuil theain^ 

Arkansas. Oklahoma and Texas. 

— 

f 

Of the 

lew theatre 

ne subsequ 

theatres in Little Roc k, Paramount^ 

impany can acquire one first run and 

The tabulation folio 

DOMINION THEATRES. INC. 

Dominion operates 15 theatres through five subsidiaries 

in Virginia. Paramount owns 51 per cent 

of the parent ..«.ent c( company. Hunter Perry has 46>A per 

cent; Jack :ck Katz, 

1 per cent, Willis W. Grist jr., IA 

per cent, W. A. Thompson jr., 'A per cent and 

James R. Booth, l/ 2 P ' 

2 per cent. 

Of these, the new theatre company can aemiire- 

CHARLOTTESVILLE-one undesignated vjiiuiau run; LYNClf: LiiNi^r 

BURG—one undesignated NEWPORT NEWSone 

undesignated run. 

La Salle ... 

Moline 

Oak Park... 

FLORIDA STATE THEATRES. INC. 

This wholly-owned circuit was headed up to a 

few years ago by Frank Rogers. Its headquarters 

are at Jacksonville. Leon Netter, vice-president of 

Paramount Theatres Service Corp., has just been 

named as executive vice-president of the circuit 

It includes several subsidiaries, some of which 

own groups of theatres. Four of these subsidiaries 

were bought out about a year ago. 

The circuit operates 111 theatres in 44 towns and 

c '" es _, Twenty-four towns are closed towns, meaning 

that Florida States operates all the houses in these. 

The decree requires that 30 houses must be sold 

t has 61 theatres in towns of 25.000 or less. 43 

first runs and 18 subsequent runs. Twenty of these 

must be sold. In cities of 25,000 to 100,000 it has 

26 theatres, ten of which are first runs and 15 

are subsequent runs. Of these, seven must be sold 

In cities of 100.000 to 500.000 it has 24 theatres; 

eight of which are first runs and 15 sul 

runs. Of these, three must be sold. 

One theatre held with a partner which is not 

identified in the decree must be sold, makina the 

total 31. 

The theatres which must be sold follow: 

First Sub Undesignated Closed 

City Run Run Run Town 

Bradenton . 

x 

Clearwater x x 2 

Daytona Beach x x 1 

Deland x x 1 

Fort Lauderdale 1 1 

Fort Myers (Ritz Theatre) 

Gainesville 1 

Hollywood (Not in Hollywood Hotel) 1 x 

Jacksonville 

11 13 x 

Lakeland x x 

Lakeworth x x 1 x 

Ocala x x x 

x 

Orlando 

Plant City 

St. Augustine x 

St. Petersburg 

1 1 x 

x x 1 

x x 1 

.13 x 

x x Sanford 1 X 

West Palm Beach 1 x x 

Winter Park x x 1 x 

Totals 9 9 13 9

Claire . 

x 

J 

' 

(Continued from page 29) 

u and one subsequent run- It must.give up 

one oi these. In cities o! 25.000 to 100,000 it has 

three houses. twi one subsequent 

run. Oi these, it must give up one. 

In South Dakota it has 16 theatres. In towns oi 

25 000 c- rt runs and iour 

subsequent runs. Oi these, it must give up three. 

In towns of 25.000 to 100,000 it has five, three first 

runs and two subsequent runs. It can retain 'hese. 

In Wisconsin it has five theatres, in towns of 25.000 

to 100,000. three first runs and two subsequents. 

Of these, it must give up one in Eau Claire. 

The theatres which must be sold follow: 

City 

Austin 

Mankato .. 

Minneapolii 

St. Cloud 

St. Paul ... 

Aberdeen 

Huron 

Watertown 

Paramount Officials 

Looking Over Malco 

MEMPHIS—Robert M. Weitman. vicepresident 

of Paramount Theatres Service 

Corp., and Hal Perreira and Sid Markley 

of the home office are spending a week 

here inspecting Malco theatres in four towns 

in Arkansas and one town in Tennessee. 

They conferred with M. A. Lightman, head 

of the Malco circuit, in which Paramount 

owns a 50 per cent interest. 

Under the terms of the consent decree 

Paramount is permitted to buy out Lightman's 

interest in 15 of the 54 theatres operated 

by Malco in Arkansas, Tennessee and 

Kentucky. Five of these theatres are located 

in Hot Springs and Jonesboro. Ark., and in 

Jackson, Tenn., which are on the Paramount 

group's 

itinerary. 

18V* per cent; R. J. O'Donnell. 10 per cent; John 

R Moroney. 31/2 por cent. 

There are three drive-ins in this group. Sam Dembow 

jr. owns 10 per cent in each and Alida Depinet 

owns 10 per cent in each. 

The Interstate theatres which Paramount's new 

theatre company can acquire if Hoblitzelle doesn't 

buy Paramount's 50 per cent are: 

First Undesignated 

State City Run Run 

New Mexico—Albuquerque . x 1 (Int) 

Totals. 

TRI-STATES THEATRES CORP. 

CENTRAL STATES THEATRE CORP. 

Both of these circuits are headed by A. H. Blank 

with offices in Da «e« is owned 50 

per cent by Paramount and the other half is divided 

betwei i A. H. Blank, Anna Blank and two trusts, 

'. 

with 5 per cent owned by Florence Branton. 

Tn-States operates 54 theatres through ten subsidiaries 

with five in Illinois. 36 in Iowa and 13 

'"Central States is owned 50 per cent by Paramount. 

A. H. Blank, members of the family and 

seven family trusts own the remaining 50 per cent. 

This company has five subsidiaries. All its theatres 

are in Iowa. 

This totals to 92 theatres. 

Paramount's new theatre company can acquire 

five first runs and 16 undesignated runs. Central 

States remains intact. 


theatres from Tri-States as follows: 

Illinois 

Undesignated 

First 

City Hun Run 

Moline 

x 

Rock Island 1 1 

. 

Iowa 

Cedar Rapids * 

Davenport 

1 

Des Moines 2 4 

Sioux City -x 

Waterloo 

1 

Nebraska 

Fairbury 

x 

Falls City 

Hastings 

J 

Grand Island 

Omaha x 2 

NEW ENGLAND GROUP 

Includes Western Massachusetts Theatres. Inc.. Maine 

and New Hampshire Theatres Co.. Mullin & Pinanski. 

American Theatres Corp.. New England Theatres. 

Inc.. operating in six states. 

WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS THEATRES. INC. 

All but one of the 19 theatres of this circuit are 

located in western Massachusetts. One. the Paramount, 

is in Brattleboro. Vt. Two, the Strand in 

Ware and the Strand in Palmer. Ore leased to an 

independent. 

Paramount owns 52 per cent of this circuit and 

Samuel Goldstein controls the remaining 48 per 

cent. Paramount can elect half the directors and 

Goldstein the remaining half. 

The company owns 14 houses as follows: Paramount, 

Brattleboro: Rivoli. Chicopee: Garden, Greenfield: 

Victory, Holyoke: Richmond (through a subsidiary). 

North Adams: Calvin and Plaza, Northampton,- 

Capitol, Colonial and Palace, Pittsfield: Broadway, 

Springfield: Strand, Westfield; Strand, Ware, 

and Strand, Palmer. It leases the following: Bijou 

and Strand, Holyoke; Paramount, North Adams; 

Strand, Pittsfield; Paramount, Springfield. 

If Western Massachusetts does not buy out Paramount's 

share of Paramount, the new theatre company 

will be able to acquire undesignated houses 

as follows: 

Holyoke. one; North Adams, one; Northampton, 

one; Pittsfield, one; Springfield, one. 

MAINE & NEW HAMPSHIRE THEATRES CO. 

This circuit operates in Maine. Massachusetts and 

New Hampshire and has 24 theatres. It is ownefl 

50 per cent by Paramount and I. I. Ford owns the 

other half. It operates through 12 subsidiaries. 

Paramount can acquire one undesignated run in 

Lewiston, Me., one undesignated run in Concord, 

N H., and one undesignated run in Portsmouth. 

N. H. It must give up one undesignated run in 

Lewiston, Me., one in Concord and one in Portsmouth, 

N. H. 

MULLIN & PINANSKI 

Mullin & Pinanski was an operating corporation 

with 102 theatres mostly in Massachusetts and a 

few in Maine, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Fiftysix 

Publix-Netoco houses were transferred to New 

England Theatres. Inc., a wholly-owned Paramount 

subsidiary with Martin Mullin at the head. Publix- 

Netoco goes out of existence. Forty-five houses went 

to American Theatres Corp., headed by Sam Pinanski. 

This is now an independent company. One 

house was retained by Paramount and is owned 

SOUTHWESTERN GROUP 

acludes Interstate Circuit, Inc.. Texas Consolidated 

Theatres. Inc.. Jeflerson Amusement Co. and Paramount-Nace 

Theatres. Inc.. operating in Texas. 

New Mexico. Arizona. 

JEFFERSON AMUSEMENT CO. 

Paramount owns 50 per cent of this circuit and 

the other half is divided in fractional amounts between 

the estate of Julius H. Gordon and seven 

others, one of which is the estate of Carrie Lynn 

Gordon. The circuit operates 71 theatres, all in 

Texas, through seven subsidiaries. It has two 

drive-ins. 


theatres as follows: 

Undesignated 

Town 

First 

Run Run 

Beaumont 

x 

Orange 

x 

Port Arthur x 1 

PARAMOUNT-NACE THEATRES, INC. 

Paramount owns 95 per cent of the stock in this 

company and its 32 theatres, with one exception, 

a drive-in at Phoenix, remain in the circuit. Harry 

L. Nace is general manager with headquarters in 

The company has two subsidiaries not wholly 

owned. One, Studio Theatre, Inc.. which operates 

the Studio Theatre at Phoenix, is owned 50 per cent 

by Paramount-Nace. In the other. Phoenix Drive-In 

Theatre. Inc.. which operates a drive-in, the Paramount-Nace 

interest is only 30.59 per cent. The new 

Paramount theatre company is permitted 

•hi? 

INTERSTATE CIRCUIT. INC. 

TEXAS CONSOLIDATED THEATRES. INC. 

Interstate and Texas Consolidated, both headed 

by Karl Hoblitzelle and operated out of Dallas, are 

the biggest single entity in the Paramount setup. 

They operate 165 in Texas and New Mexico. Paramount 

owns 50 per cent of each. 

There may be no change m this setup as Karl 

Hoblitzelle has announced he is ready to buy out 

Paramount's holdings. 

Interstate, with ten subsidiaries, seven of which 

are drive-ins, has 82 theatres in Texas. The ownership 

is divided as follows: Paramount, 50 per cent; 

Karl Hoblitzelle, 18.25 per cent; Hoblitzelle Foundation, 

18.25 per cent; R. J. O'Donnell, 10 per cent; 

John R. Moroney, 3.5 per cent. 

The seven drive-ins are comparatively recent developments 

sponsored by W. G. Underwood and 

Claude Ezell. In oil except one, Interstate owns 50 

per cent. In each of these Sam Dembow jr. has 10 

per cent and Ned E. Depinet or Alida Depinet own 

10 per cent. 

Ownership of Texas Consolidated which operates 

83 theatres, ten in New Mexico and 73 in Texas, 

is divided as follows: Paramount, 50 per cent; Karl 

Hoblitzelle. 18>/ 4 per cent; Hoblitzelle Foundation.

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Theatre Shiits 

QNE of the surprising features of the current 

excitement over consent decrees is 

the widespread belief that large numbers 

of theatres are to be thrown on the market. 

This will turn into a disappointment for 

many men who contemplate forming new 

circuits in competition with old ones. 

Paramount has been disposing of theatres 

since June 11. 1946 and the total has 

already reached 171. 

Only the shrewd operators familiar with 

regional conditions will be able to form 

new circuits out of old ones. In Texas, for 

instance, if Karl Hoblitzelle buys out Paramount's 

share of Interstate, there will be 

practically no changes. In Florida there 

may be opportunities for some independent 

to build a new circuit because Paramount 

must drop 31 houses. 

In New England the company separated 

its Netoco operations for Mullin & Pinanski 

so fast that competitors were surprised. 

There may be some important changes 

in the Michigan area, because the huge 

Butterfield circuit, in which Paramount 

and RKO both had shares, may be broken 

up. Paramount's new theatre company 

can acquire eight houses. The Butterfield 

interests, which include some estates, are 

expected to receive independent offers for 

important segments of their holdings. 

Nobody knows yet what will happen to 

the 20th Century-Fox theatre holdings. 

The company has, however, offered to give 

up a number of jointly-owned houses, and 

has already withdrawn from operation of 

theatres with other defendants. 

The last public announcement was that 

20th-Fox, like Warner Bros., would go into 

court prepared to carry their cases through 

to a decision, rather than by consent decrees. 

Similar announcements were made 

by RKO and Paramount from time to time. 

The Loew's settlement is expected to be 

comparatively simple, because most of the 

company's present theatre holdings were 

formerly operated by a separate theatre 

company. The theatres were obtained as 

vaudeville houses and even some of the government 

lawyers admit there is practically 

no monopoly element involved since the 

company began to adhere to the new trade 

practices ordered by the three-judge court. 

Since the Paramount decree the Schine 

interests have decided to drop their fiveyear 

old struggle and negotiate for a consent 

decree. 

UA Sale Hangs Fire 

THERE are many persons in the United 

Artists organization and many more 

ootside of it who predict that after the 

current negotiations are suspended the 

company will still be owned by Mary Pickford 

and Charlie Chaplin. 

It Isn't merely a matter of temperament, 

as some insist; a unique situation is involved. 

Both Miss Plckford and Chaplin 

helped create and build this company; they 

take pride in it. They don't need money. 

In fact, if they make any more of it, the 

.By JAMES M. JERAULD 

government's share will increase. That is 

why some of the observers, after adding up 

all the factors pointing to a sale and all 

those pointing against it, come to the conclusion 

nothing will happen. 

Raibourn on Television 

DAUL RAIBOURN, Paramount vice-president, 

has a happy faculty for taking 

the bunk out of research. He told the Investment 

Bankers Ass'n in Chicago in detail 

about studies the company had made 

of the effects of television on film attendance 

and said frankly he still didn't know 

the answers. The New York area is the 

only one where there are enough television 

sets to make any effective study possible, 

and even here the proportion of set owners 

to the population is extremely small. 

Raibourn ventured into the realm of 

prophecy when he said television probably 

would eliminate B films. Perhaps! Television 

programs to date have been very 

much B, C and D. After they have all come 

up to a level comparable to B films, the 

producers who shoot for 100 per cent A 

films will probably miss the target with 

the same regularity they have always 

missed it. 

FCC Still Coy 

THE heading might be considered a pun. 

but it wasn't intended to be so in spite 

of the fact that the Federal Communications 

commission chairman is named 

Wayne C. Coy. Every effort of film men 

to find out the commission's policy on 

granting station licenses to this industry 

has fallen flat. 

The obvious reason is that the FCC 

doesn't know yet how many stations there 

are going to be and what wave lengths 

they will operate on. Moving up into higher 

frequencies can be a serious business for 

set owners and manufacturers. 

On top of all this the commission seems 

to feel it necessary to inquire into the 

antitrust angles of the film business. Most 

of these probably will be ironed out in a 

few months. Many new theatre companies 

will be eligible to make applications 

for station licenses, but they will keep on 

hestitating to do so until the FCC gets 

ready to make its policy plain. 

SIMPP Belligerent 

PLUS G. ARNALL, president of the Society 

of Independent Motion Picture 

Producers, likes to rush into print. His 

latest outgiving includes the information 

that he will seek court actions wherever 

closed situations continue after the antitrust 

decrees have been signed. 

During the ten years of the Paramount 

defense there were only 16 closed situations 

involving 39 theatres in ten states maintained 

by this company and its affiliates. 

There were many others that were nearly 

closed, because the independent houses 

were subsequent runs of small size. 

TRUMAN'S 'OSCAR'—President Truman, 

who was voted "best" by the White 

House News Photographers Ass'n for the 

newsreel story in which he imitated a 

well-known radio commentator, receives 

his special "Newsreel Oscar" from George 

Dorsey, manager of the Washington bureau 

of Warner-Pathe News. Dorsey was 

inducted as president for the fourth term 

of the photographers association at a 

banquet in honor of the President 

March 19. 

Jones, Bell and Golding 

Get New 20th-Fox Jobs 

NEW YORK—A number of 

reassignments 

of personnel at 20th Century-Fox have occurred 

without public announcement. Lem 

Jones, former assistant to Spyros P. Skouras, 

president, is now assistant to Al Lichtman, 

new vice-president. Ulric Bell, eastern publicity 

manager, has become director of information. 

David Golding takes over Bell's 

former post. 

The reassignments have occurred since the 

arrival of Lichtman and of Charles Einfeld 

as vice-president in charge of advertising 

publicity and exploitation, the elevation of 

Andy W. Smith, general sales manager, to 

a vice-president and the appointment of 

Jonas Rosenfield as advertising manager. 

Sam Shain remains d'rector of exhibitor 

and public relations for distribution, and 

Rodney Bush remains exploitation manager. 

Harold Beecroft Named 

EL District Manager 

NEW YORK—Harold L. Beecroft. assistant 

to Jack Lorentz, 20th Century-Fox midwestem 

district manager for the past six years, 

has been named Eagle Lion district manager 

in charge of the Dallas, Oklahoma City, St. 

Lou's, Omaha, Des Moines and Kansas City 

exchange territories. He will headquarter in 

Dallas. 

Grover Parsons, southern district manager, 

who has been in charge of the Atlanta, Charlotte 

and New Orleans territory for EL, also 

will take over the supervision of the Memphis 

exchange. 

Matt Sullivan Named Head 

Of FC Buffalo Branch 

NEW YORK—Matt Sullivan, branch manager 

of the Film Classics Milwaukee exchange, 

has been transferred to Buffalo by 

B. G. Kranze, vice-president and general 

sales head. Sullivan, who will serve as branch 

head with supervision over Albany, succeeds 

Joe Miller, resigned. 

Eddie Gavin has been promoted from salesman 

to branch manager in Milwaukee. 

32 BOXOFPICE March 26, 1949

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CAPITOL THEATRE 

NEW YORK CITY 

IS DOING TREMENDOUS BUSINESS!

UA Lines Up 10 Features 

For April-August Release 

NEW YORK—Including two pictures set for 

April release and two ready for May, United 

Artists has ten completed pictures delivered 

by independent producers during the past 

six weeks. The advertising, publicity and exploitation 

departments are working on these 

pictures which will be released before the 

start of the 1949-50 season. 

The April releases are: •'Impact," a Harry 

Popkin production starring Brian Donlevy, 

Ella Raines and Helen Walker, and "The 

Crooked Way," a Benedict Bogeaus production 

starring John Payne, Ellen Drew and 

Sonny Tufts. The May releases are "Champion," 

the Stanley Kramer production starring 

Kirk Douglas and Marilyn Maxwell, 

which is getting a $500,000 ad campaign, and 

"Outpost in Morocco," Sam Bischoff production 

starring George Raft with Marie Windsor 

and Akim Tamiroff. 

THE FIVE MONTHS' LINEUP 

For release during June, July and August 

are: "Too Late for Tears," Hunt Stromberg 

production starring Lizabeth Scott, Dan 

Duryea and Don DeFore; "Black Magic," 

Edward Small production starring Orson 

Welles and Nancy Guild; "Africa Screams," 

Nassour Brcs. production starring Abbott and 

Costello with Frank Buck and Clyde Beatty: 

"Love Happy," Lester Cowan production starring 

the Marx Brothers with Marion Hutton 

and Ilona Massey; "The Great Dan Patch," 

W. R. Frank production starring Dennis 

O'Keefe and Gail Russell, and "The Gay 

Amigo," second Cisco Kid picture starring 

Duncan Renaldo and Leo Carrillo. 

Also completed but not yet delivered are: 

"Twilight," Robert and Raymond Hakim production 

starring Laraine Day, Dane Clark 

and Franchot Tone; "Indian Scout," Edward 

Small production starring George Montgomery 

and Ellen Drew, and "Daring Caballero," 

a third Cisco Kid western. "Home of the 

Brave," a Stanley Kramer production with 

James Edwards, and "Red Light." Roy Dei 

Ruth production starring George Raft and 

Virginia Mayo, are now in work. 

THREE NOW BEING LENSED 

The only pictures ready for filming during 

the next few weeks are "Quicksand," 

Rooney-Stiefel production; "Mrs. Mike." Sam 

Bischoff production, and "Runaway," Paul 

Henreid production. 

In addition, United Artists has several other 

films in release which have had few key city 

bookings to date. They are: "Don't Trust 

Your Husband," which had a few first run 

dates under its original title, "An Innocent 

Affair," "High Fury," a British-made release 

under the Buddy Rogers-Ralph Cohn 

label; "Just William's Luck," another British-made: 

"Siren of Atlantis," Seymour Nebenzal 

production; "Jigsaw," Danziger-Tower 

film, and "The Valiant Hombre," first Cisco 

Kid western. Except for the first-named, 

none of these have played in New York City. 

'Night' Tradeshow Date 

NEW YORK—Warner Bros, will tradeshow 

"Night Unto Night," starring Ronald Reagan 

and Viveca Lindfors, April 18. It will be released 

the week of May 14. 

No Interest in UA Buy, 

Says Edward Nassour 

New York—Edward Nassour, who owns 

Nassour studios in Hollywood with his 

brother, William, scoffed at reports that 

he was here to discuss a possible purchase 

of United Artists control from 

Mary Pickford and Charles Chaplin. 

Every film industry' figure who wants 

some publicity claims he is "interested in 

buying United Artists," Nassour said. 

Nassour is a cousin of James E. and 

George Nasser, producers and owners 

of the General Service studio and operators 

of the Nasser Bros, circuit in California, 

whose financial representative, 

Sam Wiesenthal, is in New York to discuss 

current condition of UA with Gradwell 

L. Sears, president. 

RKO Sues UAio Stop 

'Champion' Release 

HOLLYWOOD—Seeking general damages 

of $500,000 and an injunction to prevent the 

distribution of "Champion," produced by 

Screen Plays, Inc., for United Artists release, 

RKO Radio filed a federal court action 

charging infringement of copyright on the 

grounds that certain sequences in "Champion" 

are similar to scenes in RKO's prize 

fight opus, "The Set-Up." 

Named as defendants are Screen Plays, 

Inc., UA, Mark Robson, who directed "Champion," 

and several John Does. 

The complaint charges that "Champion"— 

which is based on a story by the late Ring 

Lardner—was "copied largely from and based 

upon" RKO's Robert Ryan starrer. Neither 

film has yet gone into release. 

Federal Judge Campbell E. Beaumont set 

April 4 as the date for oral argument on 

RKO's request for an injunction. "Champion" 

is slated for its world premiere in New 

York April 9. 

Stanley Kramer, president of Screen Plays, 

contended the RKO charges are "entirely 

unfounded" and that his organization did 

not "propose to change a single frame in the 

film." The Kramer declaration came in response 

to a letter received by him from Gordon 

Youngman, RKO vice-president, notifying 

Kramer that RKO planned to seek an injunction 

against the distribution of "Champion." 

Any infringement on "The Set-Up" was 

also emphatically denied by Samuel S. Zagon, 

Screen Plays' counsel. 

Kramer described RKO's "unwarranted 

stand" as "nothing more than an effort by 

a wealthy and powerful major studio to impose 

its might and will on an independent of 

limited resources . . . This will establish a 

pattern for just how hard an independent is 

willing to fight to insure his dignity, integrity 

and independence." 

Schine to Exchange 

Proposals April 1 

NEW YORK—The Schine and Department 

of Justice lawyers will exchange rough drafts 

for a proposed consent decree on or about 

April 1. They will then work on final proposals 

to be submitted to Judge Knight of 

the U.S. court for the Buffalo area April 18. 

The proposals were discussed in Washington 

March 22 based on the tentative agreement 

reached between the Justice department 

and the circuit lawyers last week after several 

months of negotiations. 

Considerable progress has been made 

toward an agreement covering the number 

of theatres Schine must drop. The circuit 

operates more than 180 theatres in New 

York, Ohio, Kentucky, Delaware and Maryland. 

is 

It reported that theatres will be 

dropped in approximately 38 cities and towns 

in which Schine has complete monopoly 

(closed towns i or a dominating position. 

Although little has been said about injunctive 

trade provisions for the forthcoming consent 

decree, attorneys for both sides expect 

to be guided by the Paramount case decisions 

and recent RKO and Paramount consent decrees. 

The recently signed Paramount decree prohibits 

formula deals, master agreements, price 

fixing, profit sharing agreements and pools. 

It prohibits film buying for theatres in which 

the defendant does not have an interest. 

G&P Amusement Co. Files 

$525,000 Antitrust Suit 

CLEVELAND—A buying and booking cooperative 

was linked with four distributors as 

defendants in a $525,000 antitrust action filed 

in federal court here this week by the G&P 

Amusement Co., lessor of the Moreland Theatre, 

1,500-seat neighborhood house, and its 

lessees, Sam Mendelson and Henry Baruch. 

The defendants are Co-operative Theatres 

of Ohio, 20th Century-Fox, Warners, Columbia, 

Universal-International, and Paul Gusdanovic, 

owner of four neighborhood theatres. 

The defendants are alleged to have "unlawfully 

conspired to put the Moreland Theatre 

out of business." The plaintiffs ask damages 

plus an injunction to halt the allegedly exclusive 

sale by the four distributors involved 

of their product to the Regent Theatre which 

Gusdanovic owtis. 

Samuel T. Gaines, attorney for the G&P 

Amusement Co.. brought the action under 

provisions of the federal antitrust laws. The 

petition of complaint asserts that "the alleged 

conspiracy started in 1938 when the 

Moreland Theatre, previously operated by 

Gusdanovic, was leased to the G&P Amusement 

Co. at which time the owner of the 

Regent theatre owner averred that nobody 

in competition with the Regent would operate 

the Moreland successfully or obtain sufficient 

product to permit its profitable operation." 

This threat, it is claimed, was fostered and 

assisted in the organization of Cooperative 

Booking agency shortly after the Moreland 

began competing with the Regent. The 

Moreland Theatre charges that the large 

scale buying of Cooperative Theatres of Ohio, 

gave competitive advantages to the Regent. 

It is further claimed that the distributors 

named in the suit refused to negotiate or 

deal with the Moreland owners on "a fair, 

free and genuinely competitive basis." 

34 BOXOFFICE :: March 26, 1949

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Portrait 

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for the ADVANCED price engagement of Portrait ofJennie

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By 

Republic Western Lineup 

For Year Raised to 24 

Republic has never been one to scorn 

the sturdy sagebrusher as dependable marquee 

bait. The company under whose guidance 

both Gene Autry and Roy Rogers rose 

to their present heights as boxoffice lures 

now discloses that with the recent signing of 

Rex Allen as a new cowboy star, the number 

of series westerns to be produced yearly on 

the valley lot has been upped to a record 24. 

As it stands now, Republic will turn out 

four starring Rogers, eight with Allan 

•Rocky" Lane, six with Monte Hale and six 

with newcomer Allen, a former radio singer. 

Furthermore—and although their contributions 

are not tallied among the 24—William 

Elliott and Rod Cameron will star in at least 

two each in the so-called "super" western 

category. 

Lancaster and Hecht Get 

Long-Term Pact With WB 

IVAN SPEAR 

Continuing its drive to augment the studio's 

list of acting and production talent, Warners 

has booked Burt Lancaster to a long-term 

non-exclusive contract on a deal which also 

includes the services of Harold Hecht, Lancaster's 

partner in the independent Norma 

Productions. Details of the commitment have 

not been worked out, but it is understood 

Lancaster will star in at least three films 

directly under the Warners banner and will 

appear in several others to be co-produced 

by him and Hecht as a sharecropping unit. 

Lancaster also has a long-term acting 

ticket with Producer Hal Wallis and is committed 

to Universal-International for several 

films. 

Screen Guild to Produce 

Eight Films April-June 

Rounding out his filmmaking commitments 

to Screen Guild Productions after having 

secured financial backing from several San 

Francisco banks, Robert L. Lippert has set 

starting dates for eight pictures to roll In 

April, May and June. 

The schedule includes "Come Out Fighting," 

a prizefight yarn co-starring Don Barry 

and Tom Brown, with Ron Ormond as associate 

producer, and two outdoor action features 

toplining Barry, also to be produced by 

Ormond; "Cross Currents," melodrama of international 

spies, with Cy Roth producing': 

"Grand Canyon," toplining Richard Arlen 

and Mary Beth Hughes, which Carl K. Hittle- 

Four Overseas Productions Charted 

By MGM, 20th-Fox and Lasky Unit 

Evidence is at hand that MGM's brass 

wasn't talking into a dead mike when, at 

a recent Hollywood conclave of the company's 

top eastern and western executives, 

both long and loud were the proclamations 

that big things could be expected 

from Leo the Lion during the 

next year or so. At that parley Dore 

Schary, the studio's production chief, 

placed great emphasis on the elaborate 

plans being drafted for filming "Quo 

Vadis" abroad this year, which plans now 

have been completed by Schary and Louis 

B. Mayer. 

To be launched in June, "Vadis" will 

be made at the Cinecetta studios in 

Rome, Italy, on a budget said to be the 

highest in MGM's 25-year history. Functioning 

as business manager for the project. 

Henry Henigson has been in Rome 

for the past month or more completing 

arrangements for launching the Arthur 

Hornblow jr. production, which John 

Huston will direct. 

Casting will get under way immediately, 

with more than 30 top speaking roles 

to be filled. The studio will pursue the 

policy of selecting top Hollywood players 

for most of the important parts, while 

supporting portrayals will be entrusted to 

European thespians. 

A demonstration of the magnitude on 

which the historical opus will be filed 

is contained in the discosure that a majority 

of the exteriors will be filmed in 

the story's actual locales, such as the Colosseum 

in Rome—but that if the Colosseum, 

which is in a sorry state of repair, 

cannot be used, MGM will construct a 

replica of the structure. 

Another major outfit, 20th Century- 

Fox, also is finalizing plans for the overseas 

production of two high-budgeted 

efforts this year. "The Black Rose," based 

on Thomas Costain's best-seller, will go 

before the cameras on location in Morocco 

next month as a Tyrone Power 

starrer, with Louis Lighton producing 

and Henry Hathaway set to direct. The 

film will be made under the supervision 

of 20th Century-Fox's British headquarters, 

with the cast to include both American 

and English players. Lighton currently 

is in London polishing the script, 

while Hathaway has been scouting locations 

in North Africa. 

Additionally the Darryl F. Zanuck company 

will launch production in Germany 

this summer on the tentatively titled "The 

Air Lift Story," to be made in cooperation 

with the war department. Written and 

to be megged by George Seaton, who 

recently spent several weeks in Berlin and 

Frankfurt gathering material, the opus 

is on William Perlberg's productional 

agenda. 

Another overseas venture is that 

charted by the independent production 

team of Jesse L. Lasky and Walter Mac- 

Ewen, who have booked Joan Fontaine 

and Anton Walbrook to co-star in a new 

version of "Trilby," and which will go into 

work in Britain in June. No release has 

been set, although the Lasky-MacEwen 

firm previously has distributed through 

both RKO Radio and Warners. 

man will produce; a William Stephens production, 

"Skyliner"; "Treasure of Monte 

Cristo," which Leonard Picker will produce, 

and another Hittleman production, "The 

Baron of Arizona," based on the life of the 

fabulous swindler, James Reavis. 

MGM Assigns Sam Wood 

To Direct 'Ambush' 

"Ambush," the Armand Deutsch production 

at MGM, will be megged by Sam Wood 

Enright's next megging assignment 

at Warners will be "The Return of the 

Frontiersman" . . . Dramatist Zoe Akins is 

scripting "Harvest" for Samuel Goldwyn, who 

has set Dana Andrews to star . . . William 

Beaudine will direct Monogram's "Forgotten 

. . . 

Women" . for Publication." upcoming 

Pine-Thomas production for Paramount, 

is being screenplayed by Whitman Chambers 

Mate has been booked by Producer 

Harry Popkin to meg "Sheila," his next for 

"Quarantine" will be 

United Artists . . . 

directed for 20th Century-Fox by Robert 

Wise as the first picture under his new contract 

Republic's 

with that company 

"Flaming Fury" will be under the directorial 

guidance of George Blair. 

Columbia Elevates Simon 

To Executive Producer 

Columbia elevated Producer-Director S. 

Sylvan Simon to executive producer status, 

working directly under President Harry Cohn. 

Simon will supervise the pictures to be 

turned out by Producers Alex Gottlieb and 

Buddy Adler, in addition to personally producing 

several others . . . Warners ticketed 

Everett Freeman to a new contract as a 

writer and producer . C. Roy Konkright 

. . 

has been appointed chief accountant at Monogram, 

filling the vacancy created by the 

recent resignation of Albert F. Martin. 

Paramount's roster of producers was augmented 

through the signing of Jules 

Schermer. Not yet handed an assignment, 

Schermer was last at Universal-International, 

where he made "Illegal Entry," and 

previously turned out two pictures for Columbia. 

Wheat Financier to Enter 

Film Production Field 

Marking the entry into production of a 

financier from still another field of American 

business endeavor—the wheat market—plans 

are being completed for an early starting 

date on "Johnny Holiday," with R. W. Alcorn 

heading the independent unit which will film 

it and Willis Goldbeck as his associate producer. 

The topline goes to Wallace Beery, MGM 

contractee, who is going on loanout for the 

first time in nearly 15 years. Much of the 

yarn, a reform school story, will be filmed 

on location in Indianapolis. There's been 

no announcement as to distribution plans. 

Three Dog Stories Added 

To Monogram Schedule 

To the Monogram schedule for the coming 

year have been added three dog stories, to be 

turned out for the company by Lindsley Parsons, 

who has completed arrangements to 

produce film versions of a trio of James Oliver 

Curwood novels. Kicking off in April will be 

"Tentacles of the North," followed by "The 

Wolf Hunters" and "The Captain's Courage." 

A white German shepherd dog, name 

of Harvey, is set for the canine lead in each. 


Senator Not Worried 

About Tele Trust 

WASHINGTON — Anybody who wants 

to go into television should be able to 

do so if he is financially and otherwise 

qualified, according to Sen. Edwin C. 

Johnson, chairman of the powerful senate 

interstate commerce committee. Johnson 

told BOXOFFICE this week he is 

not worried about monopoly in television 

provided the Federal Communications 

commission acts quickly to provide more 

channels. 

The way things are today he is very 

much concerned, he said, since "there 

is only room for about 140 stations in the 

country to operate without interference 

on the channels present available." Unless 

the additional channels in the ultrahigh 

frequency are opened up, he said, 

he is very much concerned about who 

gets into television. 

He thinks broadcasters should be given 

every preference today. Their rights to 

TV licenses are much clearer than those 

of exhibitors or film producers, Johnson 

thinks, because the impact of TV on radio 

will be much greater and more immediate 

than on the film theatre business. 

In addition, there is the matter of 

"historical right." the fact that broadcasters 

have done an excellent job in 

radio and that they have been more 

active in the development of the art. 

But because the several dozen UHF 

channels will have to be added to the 

12 present channels "very soon," Johnson 

is not greatly concerned about the comparative 

claims of 

broadcasters and picture 

people for TV licenses. 

Five More Legislatures 

Quit With No Film Laws 

WASHINGTON — The legislatures of Arkansas, 

Indiana, New Mexico. Utah and West 

Virginia have adjourned without enacting 

legislation inimical to the industry, bringing 

the total this year to 11, according to Jack 

Bryson. MPAA legislative representative. New 

Mexico legalized bank night. 

Among the bills that died in committee in 

West Virginia were those proposing state 

censorship, a 2-cents-a-ticket admission tax. 

a 2 per cent reel use tax and dog racing. 

Nevada is not expected to vote for a 2 per 

cent general sales tax, including theatre admissions. 

Legislatures in 33 states are still 

in session. 

Arthur H. Levy to Direct 

Cincinnati Co-op Setup 

PITTSBURGH—Arthur H. Levy has resigned 

as Pittsburgh branch manager for 

Columbia Pictures, effective April 16, to become 

general manager of Cooperative Theatre 

Service of Cincinnati. This cooperative 

buying and booking organization is affiliated 

with the Pittsburgh co-op setup. Levy win 

handle all buying for the Cincinnati office 

which currently has 50 accounts. George 

Tice is succeeding Levy as Columbia manager 

here with Jack Judd stepping up from 

main line salesman into Tice's post of city 

representative. 

TMatifaHgttot 

JÂST WEEK'S DEBACLE in the senate, 

with the administration forces laid so low 

no one can say how much recovery I 

sible, calls for some serious review of the 

legislative outlook for this year. Administration 

lawmakers who three months ago were 

speculating only upon how long it would take 

them to push through the entire Truman 

program are today musing about the possibility 

of putting through half the program 

during the remainder of this session and next 

year. 

It may be that just as three months ago 

the optimism was completely unwarranted sc, 

today the extreme defeatism is also unjustified. 

But possible to recapitulate 

it is 

somewhat on the prospects for the major 

legislative planks of the Truman platform 

which are most liable to affect the nation's 

theatre owners. 

Repeal of the admission tax will not receive 

any serious cons'deration, but reduction 

of the levy to 10 per cent remains a 

possibility. It is not a probability, despite 

strong GOP pressure in the house for the 

reduction of this and the excise taxes with 

which it is bracketed to their prewar rate. 

Since there is not much chance for any 

substantial increase in other taxes, it Is likely 

that even if the unexpected should happen 

the reduction bill would run into a veto at 

the White House. 

The labor picture remains very uncertain 

Some alteration of the Taft-Hartley act is 

certain, but at this time It is not possible 

to write what the new law will be. Film 

exchanges and circuits and theatres grossing 

half a million dollars annually may for the 

frist time be made responsible for compliance 

with the federal wage-hour law. As It 

stands today, the house labor committee has 

voted to include them among employers who 

must pay a minimum wage of 75 cents per 

hour, but two things can happen: Inclusion 

of these "service" establishments may be 

knocked out in the full house or in the 

senate and/or the 75-cent figure may be 

lowered. 

While many exhibitors already have state 

laws on the same ground to contend with 

and would- not be affected by federal laws. 

a number of theatre probably would find 

their hiring practices affected—particularly 

their hiring of minors and women cleaners 

There Is a pretty fair chance still that film 

salesmen and other commission workers who 

were blocked from payroll Insurance coverage 

last year may be taken back. 

: 

GEN. PHILIP FLEMING, federal works 

administrator, touched upon a problem of 

prime importance to exhibitors the nation 

over when he appeared Monday to tell the 

annual Conference of Mayors here about the 

importance of moving traffic from the cen- 

,-ltles to outlying areas. Traffic congestion 

in downtown areas, he pointed out 

means that more and more drivers simply 

refuse to go downtown unless It Is absolutely 

necessary, and "more and more downtown 

stores, restaurants, theatres, factories and 

even business offices are moving out to suburban 

communities where people can park " 

Offering a plan for relief of downtown congestion. 

Fleming declared that "modern high- 

< apable of carrying large volumes of 

êfront 

By ALAN HERBERT 

traffic swiftly and safely through congested 

urban areas are no longer a luxury; they are 

a necessity." 

The problem is one which is causing increasing 

concern, with a strong feelinu In 

some quarters thai it will eventually mean 

a complete readjustment in the first run 

release pattern. The downtown de luxe house. 

in many cities, may soon have to aba 

first run privileges with one or two m 

trim new suburban houses. Then tli. 

those who are scratching their heads and 

talking of playing features in tneatn 

closed television circuits 

But It Is generally conceded that these 

changes are some years off, and in the 

meantime exhibitors faced with downtown 

traffic troubles might do well to line up 

along with other businessmen in 

similar difficulty 

to plump for, as General Fleming put 

it. "development of an urban 

j ten >t 

arterial routes—a wheel patter composed of 

a hub not too tightly circumscribing the 

central business district and spoke routes 

radiating toward the outer residential and 

industrial sections." 

Of course, Fleming pointed also to the need 

for expansion of off-street parking facilities, 

better use of the potential street parking 

space in downtown areas and improvement ol 

rapid transit systems. 

The mayors heard a good deal about local 

admission taxes, too, and there were numerous 

proposals before them for the reaching of 

an understanding among federal, state anfl 

local tax authorities which would leave 

theatres as a source of local taxation only. 

Mayor David Lawrence of Pittsburgh, who 

called for a "Marshall plan" to aid cities, 

spoke the mind of many of those present 

when he included the local admission tax 

as one of the important sources of municipal 

revenue. 

Since the Pennsylvania legislature okayed 

this collection In 1947. he said. 165 communities 

in the state have adopted local 

boxoffice levies— Including the 10 per cent 

tax in Pittsburgh. Speaking with enthusiasm 

of the importance of this tax. Lawrence called 

for adoption of federal and state governments 

of "a self-denying ordinance—a clear-cut determination 

of policy that will take them 

out of certain imapproprlate taxing areas 

and leave such resources to the cities." 

National Tax Meeting 

Scheduled April 21 

Washington—Sc< rrtar\ of thr Trrasurv 

John Snwler this u i-t-k HUM I conference 

of tax officials for \pril 

go over the possihililv of straightening 

out the lav domains of federal, state and 

local governments, binders c.ill followed 

Pri-sidrnl 

such a session 

Truman's announcement 

WMM l>e I ailed. 

that 

\s tin- d.b i anfentu • at Hayon added 

to the pressure for such a session. SnynVr 

called u|M>n it. tin- \mcriian Municipal 

\ssn. the Governors ( onferem • anil 

Council of State Covcrnninitv thr National 

\ssii of t.,\ Xclministratom and 

the Federation of T.i\ \clministrntors to 

srnd rrprr-.cnt.ith ix to the meet. 

BOXOFFICE March 26. 1949 37

Theatre Construction, Openings and Sales 

CONSTRUCTION: 

Denver—Work to start about April 19 an 950-seat 

theatre in Park Hill district for unnamed builder. 

Denver—Federal Theatre, $75,000 remodeling job, 

planned by Civic Theatres, Inc., 2144 Champa, 

Denver—Gothic Theatre, $100,000 remodeling job, 

g'.anned by Atoz Amusements, Inc., 2165 Broadway, 

enver (Atlas Corp. subsidiary). 

Denver—New theatre planned at 14th and Kearney 

by Dave Cockrill ol the Denham Theatre, 635 18th 

St.. Denver. 

Denver—Downtown theatre in early planning stages 

by Fox Intermountain. 

Englewood. Colo.— 1.000-seat theatre planned by 

Atoz Amusements, Inc., 2165 Broadway, Denver. 

Hayward. Calif. — $100,000 theatre under way. 

spring opening set. lor Golden State Theatres, 995 

Market St., San Francisco. 

San Diego. Calif.—New drive-in under way for 

Ward Fitzpatrick. 

San Diego—New theatre planned, 630 seats, for 

Rumi Swanson. Walter See, architect. 

Beverly Hills. Calif.— 1,300-seat theatre under way 

tor Alex Schreiber 

Hichland. Wash.— 1,200-seal theatre for Midstate 

Amusement Corp. planned at atomic bomb project. 

Dallas. Tex.— 1.500-seat theatre, costing $175,000- 

$200,000, to open in July or August lor Interstate 

Theatres, under way or. Forrest avenue. 

Brownsville, Tex.—Majestic Theatre, I 450 seals 

costing $175,000-$200,000. under way for Interstate 

Theatres, to open in September. 

Arlington. Tex.—Construction under way on 1 000- 

seat, $150,000 theatre for Interstate Theatres. 

Waterford. Conn.— Dnve-in, 750 cars, under way 

by Waterford Theatre Corp., Michael Radin, president; 

William Rabinowitz, vice-president, both ol 

Hartlord. To be completed by May 15. 

Bloomiield, Conn.—New drive-in in early planning 

Mid-spring opening planned. 

Brockton. Mass.-Tentative April start planned on 

$700,000 renovation ol City Building .to theatre-super 

market lor Main Street Realty Corp., Morris Pouzzner 

ol Boston William Riseman Associates, Boston, 

Plainlield. Iowa—Legion Hall, renovated, remodeled 

lor theatre by Mrs. Florence Mason and Son 

Robert 

Marshalltown. Iowa—H N. Schrodt has taken 

over construction ol 500-car drive-in started by fatherin-law 

A. A Jones 

Dubuque. Iowa—600-car drive-in planned by Tri- 

States Theatre Corp. 

Pipestone. Minn.—$100,000 drive-in to start soon 

lor Pipestone Amusement Co., subsidiary ol Manslee 

Harrisburg. Pa.—Ground broken for Mark Rubinsky 

circuit house to open in September. B. A. 

Starr, architect. 

Morenci. Mich.—Skyline Drive-ln, 200 cars, under 

way lor D Lee McLain ol Morence. To open in June 

Fairmont. W. Va.--Twilight Drive-In, 300 cars unon 

route 73, lor E. G. Reynolds. 

Fairmont. W. Va—500-car drive-in planned by Ted 

Laskey ol Brownsville and Uniontown Pa. 

Ulfington W Va.-90-car drive-in on route 73 for 

Woodrow Lemley ol Core. 

Memphis. Tenn.— Application filed for permission 

For Rent, 

Or Sale 

Lease 

to build $100,000 brick theatre on Macon road by 

Manny Delugach. 

Cartersville. Ga.— Drive-in, 200-300 cars, under 

construction by J. W. Harris. 

Douglas. Ala.—New 500-seat theatre planned here 

by Amusement Enterprises, Inc., ol Alberlville, Ala. 

Architect, Charles H. McCauley, Birmingham, Ala. 

Jacksonville. Fla.—Drive-in under way lor Central 

Amusement Corp. 

Albertville. Ala.—500-car drive-in, costing $75,500, 

for Marshal Drive-In Theatres, Inc., near completion. 

Owners are Cullen B. Goss, A. W. Hammonds and 

W. W. Hammonds jr. of Fylle, Ala. 

Cambridge. Ohio—Drive-in, 500 cars, on route 216 

lor CSB Amusement Co., in planning stage. 

Hoganville. Ky.—Stadium-type theatre, 750 seats, 

under way lor Andy Anderson, Hartford, Ky., B. F. 

Churchill & Son, Knoxville, architect. 

Franklort. Ind.— 500-car drive-in under way for 

Harry W. Ziegler between Frankfort and Lebanon. 

Opening set for May 1. 

OPENINGS: 

Tyler. Tex.—Drive-in, 400 cars, opened March 25. 

Athens. Ohio—Valley Drive-In, to open April 15 

lor Frank Nolan. 

Bakersfield, Calii.—9 Drive-In, 700 cars, $200,000, 

opened by Lloyd Miller, Joe and Bill Gannon and 

Owen Clark. 

Kaslo, B. C—Musicland Theatre, 150 seats, opened 

by Tom Herrington. 

Menominee. Wis.—State Theatre, opened by George 

Miner ol Miner Amusement Co. and Harold Chiamson. 

Eustis, Fla.—Movie Garden Drive-In, 440 cars, 

opened by Golden Triangle Enterprises. E. J. Wirfs 

and Lloyd Hossler of Eustis, W. F. Austin and W. F. 

Austin jr., and E. A. Austin of Umatilla. 

SALES: 

Nanton. Alta.—Broxy The Archibald, 

Newmarket, Ont.—Strand, 400 seats, to Canadian 

Wallaceburg. Ont.—Alexander to Allen Premiere 

Theatres. 

v 

Kansas City, Mo.— Central Theatre to A. C. Wooten 

by Arthur Burke. 

Page, Neb.—Page Theatre, sold effective April 15, 

to R. V. Fleming, owner ol Lynch, Neb., theatre, 

by James Voehl. 

Pine Bluff. Ark—Alamo Theatre to L. E. Woodfield 

by W. G. Clarke. 

Denton. Tex.—Plaza Theatre to C. O. Simmons by 

R. B. Dicus. 

Faust. N. Y.—Adirondack Theatre to Francis Goddard 

by Harry Savett. 

New York, N. Y.—New Europe, First Avenue and 

79th street, bought by Ida Levay and Morris Kelter. 

Baltimore. Md.—Watersedge Theatre to Oscar Boccuti 

by Eddie Perotka. 

Irondale. Ala.—Princess Theatre to Hoyt L. Scott by 

W. Ha 

Fisher. Ark.—Fisher Theatre 

H. Pestor by 

Paul Glenn. 

tss, to Fred T. 

McLendo 

jr., Hazelhurst, Miss., by Douglas Thrall. 

White Hall. La.—White Hall Theatre to E. J. 

Picore by J. A. Loupe jr. 

Zwolle. La.—Mack Theatre to L. V. Jameson by 

Mack Jarrett. 

Brantlord. Ont.—Drive-in to A. C. Cowan and 

Associates of Toronto by Sunset Theatres. 

Preston, Ont.—Drive-in to A. C. Cowan by Sun- 

Defiance. Ohio—Defiance Drive-in to Willie rmd 

Elsie Logan by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Brinkn 

Albany. Ind.—Albany Theatre to Dr. Puterbaugh 

by Dr. Hurley, local physicians. 

Newark. N. J.—Strand Theatre to Theodore Krasner 

by Lucian Feldman. 

Kingsberg, Hughes 

Discuss RK0 Deal 

NEW YORK—Malcolm Kingsberg, president 

of RKO Theatres, said he discussed the 

purchase of Howard Hughes' 24 per cent interest 

in the new theatre company with 

Hughes while he was on the coast. 

Under the terms of the consent decree to 

be voted on by the RKO stockholders in 

Delaware March 28. Hughes must surrender 

his shares in either the new picture or new 

theatre company. He will dispose of the theatre 

shares. 

Kingsberg said he has been trying to reach 

an agreement with Hughes for himself and 

"some friends." He did not say who the 

friends were. 

When Hughes bought the RKO stock from 

Floyd Odium of the Atlas Corp. last summer, 

he gave Odium an option to meet the 

best price offer that will be made for the 

theatre shares. Odium has an option to buy 

the stock for $4,500,000. if no better offer 

is made. 

So far, Kingsberg said price has not been 

discussed. This will come up after the reorganization 

plan has been approved by the 

stockholders. At that time he also may name 

his associates in the negotiations. 

Kingsberg added that if a deal is made, 

the circuit will be kept intact. There have 

been reports that several New York exhibitors 

are interested in acquiring the 40-odd 

theatres operated by RKO in the metropolitan 

area. The decree will permit RKO to 

run a wholly-owned circuit of approximately 

108 theatres after it sells its interest in 230 

theatres now operated with partners. Nearly 

half of these are with the Butterfield interests 

in Michigan. 

Monogram-AA Net Drops; 

Gross Is Increased 

HOLLYWOOD—Monogram and Allied Artists 

showed a consolidated net loss of $264,- 

892 for the 26-week period ending Jan. 1. 

1949, it was reported by President Steve 

Broidy. who is currently in New York on 

company business. The loss was computed 

after incorporating the estimated refund of 

prior years' federal income taxes under the 

loss-carryback provisions of the internal revenue 

code. 

Figure compares with a net loss of $31,569 

for the 26 weeks ending Dec. 27, 1947, computed 

on a similar basis. 

Monogram-AA's gross income, after eliminating 

inter-company transactions, for the 

26 weeks ending Jan. 1, 1949, amounted to 

$5,647,503, as compared with $4,493,218 for 

the 26 weeks ending Dec. 27, 1947. 

Now operating as first-run house. 

New England theatre, large city, 

main street, air conditioned, 800 

seats. Box 315, BOXOFFICE, 

9 Rockefeller Plaza, New York 20, 

N. Y. 

EL Has 400 'Tulsa' Dates 

NEW YORK—Eagle Lion has set more 

than 400 day-and-date engagements for 

Walter Wanger's "Tulsa" in the southwest 

during the week following its opening in 

Tulsa April 13. The number will probably 

be increased by other circuit and independent 

houses tied into the regional openings, 

according to William J. Heineman, 

vice-president in charge of distribution. 

Screen Guild Home Offices 

Now in San Francisco 

HOLLYWOOD—Effective March 21, the 

homeof f ices of Screen Guild Productions were 

transferred to San Francisco from their previous 

headquarters here. President Robert 

L. Lippert said that F. A. Bateman, general 

sales manager, and Jack Leewood, director 

of advertising and publicity, will continue 

their operations at their present Hollywood 

offices. 

BOXOFFICE :: March 26. 1949

CHESTER FRIEDMAN 

EDITOR 

HUGH E. FRAZE 

Associate Editor 

PRACTICAL IDEAS FOR SELLING SEATS BY PRACTICAL SHOWMEN 

Z-ion and Z-coo 

Two incidents which have come 

to our attention during the past 

week point up the tremendous job 

of public relations which is a daily 

routine for theatremen. They also 

point up the steadily increasing- part 

theatres play in the welfare of the 

community. 

Joe Rembrandt, manager of the 

Center Mayfield Theatre, Cleveland 

Heights, Ohio, has Brotherhood as 

well as goodwill firmly implanted in 

the minds of local theatre habitues. 

In 1947, Father H. Reginald Mc- § 

Cormick asked Rembrandt if the 

theatre auditorium could be used for 

Sunday masses until the parish 

could build its own church. The 

answer was a hearty affirmative 

plus the assurance that no payment 

would be accepted for the privilege. 

Four masses have been conducted 

at the theatre every Sunday for the 

last two years. The church editor 

of the Cleveland Press, commenting 

in his column recently, stated: "The 

theatre makes an admirable church. 

I arrived early and found the playhouse 

in immaculate order. The 

management provides extra lighting 

fixtures and the house had all the 

dignity of a place of worship, including 

a temporary' altar on the stage 

surrounded by draperies of good 

|| 

Neiman-Marcus Merchandising Aid 

Makes Red Shoes' Dance in Dallas 

Jim Preddy, manager of the Telenews Theatre, 

Dallas, developed a full scale exploitation 

campaign for "The Red Shoes." Preddy 

arranged an excellent tieup with the exclusive 

department store, Neiman-Marcus. The 

store ran two large co-op ads, one advertising 

its specially designed Ballerina handkerchief 

doll, the other featuring the Stevana 

line of jewelry inspired by the title of the 

picture. The store devoted one of Its prominent 

windows to the picture booking at the 

Telenews and featured several Interior displays 

of red shoes, jewelry and handkerchief 

dolls. 

During the entire run of the picture, manikins 

who appear at the store's weekly fashion 

luncheons wore articles of apparel suggested 

by the picture, with the theatre coming in for 

prominent plugs before hundreds of Dallas 

women. 

Neiman-Marcus also planted stories and 

art in 150 retail trade publications which 

helped to exploit national as well as local 

playdates. 

Preddy tied up with Sanger Bros, for a 

full-page two-color newspaper ad which Included 

still reproductions and selling copy 

for the Telenews engagement. The same 

store used a quarter-page ad in the local 

dailies on Ballerina perfume, with theatre 

credits. One window and two large counter 

displays further helped publicize the playdates. 

W. A. Green & Co. used a full-page newspaper 

ad, a full window and two counters as 

the result of a tieup. Volk Bros, tied in with 

a 7-column ad, and several other leading 

stores were promoted for window displays and 

newspaper co-op ads. 

Preddy scored an official first with the 

Dallas public library which permitted window 

cards and leaflets to be displayed on Its 

counters and on the bulletin board. Similar 

leaflets and cards advertising the Telenews 

engagement were placed in local schools. 

Theatre Guild subscribers, cultural groups, 

women's clubs, music clubs, teachers and 

PTA units received announcements of the 

engagement through circular letters. Preddy 

also tied up for the distribution of 25,000 student 

tickets at colleges, high schools, grade 

schools and dancing schools. 

All Interstate houses affiliated with the 

Telenews ran cross plug trailers. Preddy 

erected a 14-foot cutout of legs wearing red 

shoes atop the Telenews marquee. Liberal 

radio plugs were obtained from radio commentators 

over local outlets. The Morning 

News and Daily Times Herald each ran two 

separate feature stories on "Red Shoes." 

Another tieup which contributed to the 

general success of the campaign, and to boxoffice 

business, was the distribution of leaflets 

containing mail order forms for ticket 

reservations. These were inserted in programs 

distributed at the Dallas Symphony 

orchestra concerts and at the Melba Theatre 

during the run of "Man and Superman." 

The other incident is reported from 

Oklahoma City where city officials 

were faced by the dilemma of a zoo 

without an elephant 

Donations to replenish the elephant 

supply were slow coming in. 

Being a Warner Theatre executive. 

Marcel Brazee realized how important 

the youngsters of today are as 

potential future theatre patrons. He 

proposed a special kid show to implement 

the elephant fund, and offered 

the Midwest Theatre. 

The show was successful. The fund 

was exceeded. The kids will now get 

to see an elephant at the zoo. And 

Brazee has reason to believe that 

the memories of the youngsters for 

years to come will be as unforgettable 

as the pachyderm which his 

own thoughtfulness has helped 

supply. 

Woman Manager Is in Community Swing 

Inspired by theatremen in so many communities 

throughout the country who serve 

in political, charitable and civic organizations, 

Mollle Stickles, manager of the Loew- 

Poli Palace, Merlden, Conn., has been actively 

participating in local community affairs 

and advantageously serving to publicize 

her theatre. 

During Brotherhood week. Miss Stickles 

served as honorary co-chairman with Mayor 

Howard Houston of Merlden. She Is an active 

member of the Junior Women's club and 

handles publicity for the Merlden Community 

Theatre, also serving on the group's executive 

board. 

Miss Stickles played an Important role in 

the recent Chamber of Commerce membership 

drive, earning front-page stories in both 

the Record and the Journal, attesting to the 

fact that it was the first time a woman had 

served actively for the Chamber of Commerce. 

During the recent March of Dimes drive. 

Miss Stickles served as special activities cochairman. 

She Is on the board of directors 

of the local YWCA as teen-age advisor, and 

serves as advisor to the senior class of the 

Merlden High school. During Girl Scout 

week, she handled all details of the celebration 

In the city. 

Her extracurricular activities In these various 

affairs have built up a tremendous 

amount of goodwill In the community and. 

as Miss Stickles points out, have been Instrumental 

in helping to hold up theatre 

receipts.

: March 

Creative Talent in Canadian Ads 

^mhAMonBAmJ 

JOAN FONJAW 

JAMES. STEIKIftr 

-XOOCOIT4 

STAY wwr 

• 

- EDDIE ALBERT «u« . _ .- 

OTaarao TCM&njiOvri 

When Larry Graburn returned Irom the war, he confided to the Showmandiser editor 

that he came back with some new thoughts on what display ads should look like to 

attract greater readership and interest. As director of advertising for Odeon Theatres 

in Canada. Grabum has attracted wide attention because his layouts are usually 

different. The illustrations above indicate that he imparts an individual perspective 

to his campaigns. Odeon managers are unanimous in their opinion thai his ideas 

and ads have been instrumental in getting extra revenue for their attractions. 

Stage and Screen Star 

Appears With 'So Evil' 

Ralph Saunders capitalized on the timely 

presence of Leo G. Carroll in Winter Park, 

Pla., to help exploit "So Evil, My Love" in 

which the noted actor is featured. Saunders, 

manager of the Colony Theatre, noticed that 

Carroll was appearing in a stage play at 

Rollins college. He approached the star with 

the idea of making a personal appearance 

on the stage of the Colony. Carroll consented 

and a picture was taken which appeared 

in the college Animated magazine. 

The president of the college also mentioned 

"So Evil, My Love" and the Colony each time 

he introduced Carroll. 

National Air Guard Unit 

Ties Up for 'Squadron' 

When "Fighter Squadron" played at the 

Riverside in Buffalo, Manager Harry Yette 

tied up with the National Air Guard and received 

a fine newspaper story. The story 

explained that a recruiting booth had been 

set up in the Riverside lobby and that guardsmen 

were on hand to provide information and 

enroll new members. Readers also learned 

that they might become more familiar with 

tactics and operations of the unit by seeing 

the picture. The air guard provided signs 

at the Buffalo airport announcing the theatre 

dates and had announcements made at 

public schools. 

High Society Is Given 

Top Attention at 

'Saraband' Bow 

The American premiere of "Saraband" at 

the Playhouse in Washington was handled 

as a class society event by Manager Gerry 

Wagner, leaning heavily on the society pages. 

The premiere showing March 10 was attended 

by social and diplomatic leaders and was covered 

by the Washington press as well as wire 

services and foreign press represenatives. 

As the result of a tieup with the Arthur 

Murray dance studios, several Washington 

hostesses entertained at "Saraband" parties 

following the premiere. The parties were inspired 

by the Arthur Murray version of the 

"Saraband" dance which was demonstrated 

on the half-hour television show over the 

DuMont station and in exhibitions throughout 

the city. 

Hildegarde made a personal appearance in 

conjunction with the opening, and the popular 

songstress plugged the picture during her 

appearance at the Statler hotel, where she 

was currently featured. 

A tieup with the British information service 

provided an opening for the display of 

stills and posters in all British government 

agencies, clubs and organizations. Eight 

thousand selected from the BIS mailing list 

received special mailing pieces. Cross trailers 

were used on the screens of the Little 

and Dupont theatres. 

Art critics for the Washington papers used 

feature stories and picture breaks in the 

main news sections of the portrait of Joan 

Greenwood, star of "Saraband," which was 

painted by Brian Stonehouse. The painting 

was unveiled at the premiere. 

Store tieups played an important part in 

publicizing the premiere. A "Saraband" 

fashion show was presented at the Statler 

hotel under the guidance of Helene Williams, 

fashion editor for the Washington Star. Radio 

publicity also played a prominent part 

in the campaign. The premiere broacast 

from the theatre lobby was handled by Hazel 

Merkel of WTOP, and the picture received 

numerous free plugs over WRC, WMAL. 

WINX, WOL, WWDC, WQQW and WPIK. 

Additional publicity stories concerning the 

premiere were used on the music pages and 

fashion pages of all local papers. 

Hookup With Red Cross 

Is Profitable for 'Sun' 

Larry Levy, manager of the Colonial. Reading. 

Pa., made an effective tieup in conjunction 

with the Red Cross drive which helped 

promote his playdates on "The Sun Comes 

Up." Three hundred 11x14 cards were imprinted 

with copy, " 'The Sun Comes Up' for 

somebody somewhere when you give to the 

Red Cross." These were distributed by members 

of the local Red Cross chapter. 

Gets Space Worth $1,300 

A ten-day serialization of "Three Musketeers" 

with full art illustrations was promoted 

in the Hamilton Spectator, by Bob 

Maynard, manager of the Palace Theatre in 

Hamilton, Ont. The publicity broke In advance 

of the opening in daily installments. 

At current ad lineage rates, Maynard estimates 

the tieup netted more than $1,300 in 

free 

publicity. 

40 —90— BOXOFFICE Showmandiser 

: 

26, 1949

: 

March 

Syracuse U. Selects 

Freshman Queen as 

'Mother' Stunt 

As much as four months before the booking 

of "Mother Is a Freshman" at the Paramount 

Theatre in Syracuse, Dick Feldman, manager, 

planted a three-column lead story In 

the Herald-Journal entitled: 

"Loretta cashes 

in on cussing," with a large cut of Loretta 

Young and her husband. To keep the town 

conscious of the impending engagement of 

the picture, Feldman two weeks later promoted 

a three-column lead story in the same 

paper with a large photo of the star. Newspaper 

breaks continued right up to playdate 

and through the picture's run. 

A contest to find the freshman queen of 

Syracuse University was started with publicity 

in the Daily Orange, college paper, and 

continued with front-page breaks up to the 

end of the competition, The winner appeared 

on television station WHEN four days 

ahead of crowning, and she was interviewed 

on radio station WSYR three days prior to 

playdate. The contest was plugged in radio 

and press, with the picture title coming in 

for an abundance of mentions. 

The big event, the crowning of the queen 

on the stage of the Paramount, was quite an 

affair, with a predominantly college audience 

crowd. "Her Highness" received six valuable 

gifts, promoted from local merchants, and 

the seventh gift was a surprise; Feldman 

had arranged for the girl's mother to visit 

her from New Jersey, and she was brought 

up on the stage where her daughter broke 

into tears when she saw her and pandemonium 

broke loose in the audience. 

Numerous co-op newspaper ads, gratis 

plugs on radio and television, window cards 

and increased newspaper advertising kept 

the campaign at a high pitch, with excellent 

business at the boxotfice as a result. 

Ads Accent Live Talent Offerings 

Daily Newspaper Column 

Bally for 'Rainmaker' 

Ed Scully, advertising and publicity manager 

of the Midway Theatre, Allentown, Pa., 

gained columns of newspaper space in connection 

with "Henry, the Rainmaker" because 

of the fact that he and his brother 

John, operators of both the Midway and 

Transit theatres, are brothers of Peter Scully, 

the producer of the picture. Newspapers went 

allout with stories of the family. 

Scully has been using a daily column in 

the local papers under the heading, My 

Brother Says. Coming and current attractions 

are plugged in this column in an impersonal 

manner, along with comment on local 

items and some of Scully's own philosophical 

viewpoints on such events as Brotherhood 

week and the March of Dimes. 

Herald Big Style Show 

Ben A. Dyer, manager of the Leon Theatre, 

Pleasanton, Tex., distributed heralds to 

advertise a gigantic style show to be held 

on the theatre stage. The program featured 

50 girls, modeling some $15,000 worth of 

clothing, one of the largest theatre stage 

style shows to be attempted in the Pleasanton 

area. The program included "So Well Remembered" 

on the screen. 

BOXOFFICE Showmandiner i 

26, 1949 

With vaudeville again making its appearance in many theatres across the nation. lay 

Wren, ad head lor Paramount Adams in Newark. N. J., obliges with a number ol recent 

ad layouts showing how stage shows were sold upon their reappearance at the Adams 

Theatre. 

Bank Robbery Provides 

'Sisters' Copy Angle 

Recently, when the Little River bank was 

robbed at Miami, Stan Neibert, manager of 

the Little River Theatre, capitalized on current 

newspaper publicity to exploit the engagement 

of "Sainted Sisters." 

Neibert ordered window cards and heralds 

with special "Wanted" copy and distributed 

them around town with an offer of $1,000 

for information leading to the conviction of 

"Sainted Sisters." The words. "Wanted . . . 

Little River," and the reward offer were In 

bold type which gave the effect of being 

connected with the bank robbery. Closer inspection 

revealed the Little River playdates 

ot "Sainted Sisters." 

—91— 

Brotherhood Campaign 

Enrolls 271 Members 

Myron Pelthelmer, """f* of tne Shore 

Road Theatre. Brooklyn, enrolled 271 members 

during the recent Brotherhood week 

campaign. Feltheimer and his staff carried 

on a direct approach campaign with many 

hundreds of members of (he community. 

Neighborhood newspapers were cooperative 

l 

in carrying: itorii used a photo 

of Carol Bruce, stage and screen star, enrolling 

as the first member In the Shore 

Road drive. 

Members of the theatre staff addressed local 

organizations on Brotherhood, including 

the Parent-Teacher Assn. Boy Scout troops 

and student classes at Fort Hamilton High. 

41

Wonders in Windows 

Left, R i t z Theatre. 

Gainesville, Ga., Bill 

Davis, manager. 

Music tiein, left, arranged 

by Ray Gingell, 

manager, Hiser 

Theatre,' Bethesda, 

Md. 

Merchants' window 

space is a useful and 

effective method of 

exploiting theatre attractions. 

The most 

common method of 

acquiring space is 

via the direct method 

of tying in the storekeeper's 

product as 

Manager Bob Hynes 

did. above. 

BaliyHints 

Book tieups account for hundreds of attractive window displays each week. Gordon 

Spradley. manager of the Capitol, Miami, connected with Kress to sell a recent 

horror bill. The store displayed fuU stock of mystery and horror books. 

Neon-illuminated sound truck ballyhoo was used 

to exploit "Gallant Blade" for dual opening at 

Cameo and Capitol theatres, Miami. 

At right. "Miss Tatlock" 

street ballyhoo 

provoked amusement 

and comment for 

Harry Starr, manager 

of the Daytona, Daytona 

Beach, Fla. 

Left, jeep distributor 

provided this ballyhoo 

for "Foreign Affair" 

for L. P. Charlton, 

manager of the 

Oxiord. Halifax. N. S. 

42 —92— BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :: March 26, 1949

Two-Page Ad Contesi 

On Tap Roots 1 

Heads 

U-I Event Entries 

Newspaper and radio breaks formed the 

bulk of the campaign conducted for "Tap 

Roots" by Peter Nepote, manager of the 

Arcadia, Olney, 111. Startingoff with a fivecolumn, 

15-inch tabloid page in the Daily 

Mail, a teaser campaign followed on the 

"Susan Hayward All Occasion Wardrobe" 

theme. Fashion mats were planted featuring 

Miss Hayward in today's styles as compared 

to that of the period depicted in the 

film production. These were begun well in 

advance, and publicity breaks were run blind 

until ten days before opening when they 

were explained, utilizing large ads which 

continued through to opening day. 

OBTAINS DOUBLE TRUCK 

A double truck, entirely paid for by merchants 

in the community, was landed by 

Nepote. With the aid of the local county 

superintendent of schools, pictures were obtained 

from various old residents within the 

county which were incorporated into the ads, 

tied in with a contest on the city's "Tap 

Roots." Merchants donated cash prizes, with 

the theatre awarding passes. 

Two weeks in advance. Nepote met with 

the county board of supervisors at the court 

house and received permission to plant a 

tree on the court house lawn. Through a 

contact with the Richland County Farm Bureau, 

Nepote obtained a young sycamore tree 

for planting, at no cost to the theatre. The 

editors of the Daily Mail and the Olney 

Times were invited to take part in the ceremonies, 

with resultant front page breaks in 

both papers featuring a photo of the planting. 

The air was hit a week prior to opening, 

with two spots daily over station WLVN. The 

station devoted time during news broadcasts 

to plug the playdate. In all, 14 spots were 

obtained, 

gratis. 

COSTLESS RADIO TIEUP 

A radio tieup at no cost was made with 

the King Furniture Co., which sponsors a 

man-on-the-street program. A question pertaining 

to Olney's "Tap Roots" was posed to 

passersby, with passes awarded for the correct 

answer. The stunt prevailed for five 

days before opening, with plugs for picture 

and theatre dates. 

In addition to regular 30x40 and 40x60s, a 

National Screen neo-art was used effectively 

in the theatre lobby. More than 2,000 special 

heralds were distributed in the rural 

areas, and the picture was announced in 

weekly house programs for three weeks before 

opening. 

Model Ship Is Displayed 

To Hypo 'Red Witch' 

An unusual lobby display did a good 

advance selling job for Mark DuPree, manager 

of the Empire Theatre. Daytona Beach, 

Fla.. in connection with "Wake of the Red 

Witch." A section of the lobby floor was covered 

with white beach sand. Cutout letters 

of the title in black metallics was placed in 

the sand and a heavy rope was used to border 

the display. In the background a model of 

a large sailing ship was set before a litho 

cutout showing the stars, title and illustrative 

art. 

BOXOFFICE Showmandiser ! : March 

26. 1949 

Oh How Patrons Yell 

For the Dinner Bell 

People like to eat. That's the conclusion 

of John Oswalt, manager of the Ohio 

Theatre, Ravenna, Ohio, following a new 

type of giveaway he instituted recently. 

Oswalt tied up with ten downtown eateries 

to supply him with two free dinners, 

one night a week for six weeks. To let 

the public know what it was all about, 

he had cards in each participating restaurant 

window proclaiming, "Win-a- 

Dinner Night Every Thursday at the 

Ohio." Heralds and newspaper ads on a 

co-op basis also plugged the idea as well 

as lobby cards and a trailer. 

The first night Oswalt appeared on 

the Ohio stage to give away the free meals 

he was dressed in a chef's outfit. A dinner 

bell ringing periodically gave the 

gimmick additional atmosphere. The 

stunt is surefire, according to Oswalt, who 

reports he had never realised M mam 

people are looking for a free mc.il. 

Cafe Menu Inspires 

Layout on 'October' 

A. R. Clausen, manager of the New Adler 

at Marshfield, Wis., picked up an idea from 

a restaurant menu to draw attention to his 

regular newspaper advertising for "The Return 

of October." On top of the regular ad 

suggested by the Columbia publicity department, 

Clausen put an insert with a picture 

of an ostrich head. 

Copy read: "You may think we are sticking 

our neck out, but we are so sure that 

you'll like 'The Return of October' that we 

will guarantee it for you! If you don't like 

it when you see it Sunday just tell us, and 

you'll be our guest for a performance at any 

future film of your choosing you would like 

to 

see." 

Together the ads made a good team and 

garnered plenty of attention. 

At the Relda Theatre, another Adler Theatre 

Co. situation, W. Berkley, advertising 

manager for the circuit, jumped on the bandwagon 

of the city Harvest festival to call 

attention to coming shows, all of which were 

in Technicolor. A front display was built 

for the Harvest festival week with large 

leaves cut out of a sign card and with the 

titles of the pictures on each leaf, under a 

heading of "Harvest of Hits." 

The Relda created favorable comment also 

when it tied in "I Remember Mama," which 

had run earlier, with the running of "Life 

With Father." The newspaper ad was 

headed: "Tomorrow is the day father comes 

to 

Marshfield and he has Mama with him." 

Hits Target on 'Thieves' 

Allen Richardson, manager of the Dosta 

Theatre. Valdosta, Ga., promoted a full window 

display with the local Kress store to help 

exploit "Prince of Thieves. " The store used 

litho posters plugging the picture and playdates 

and surrounded this with a full line 

of bow and arrow sets. 

—93— 

Salt Lake Newspapers 

Support Kiddy Club 

At Utah Theatre 

A Mickey Mouse club started at the Utah 

Theatre in Salt Lake City by Manager 

Charles Plncus is packing the house every 

Saturday morning and resulting in daily publicity 

breaks through a tieup with the Salt 

Lake Tribune-Telegram. 

Spelling bees are held on the stage for 

Which the kids have to clip a coupon from 

the newspaper In order to participate. The 

other gimmick is a cartoon coloring contest 

in the paper which pays off with prizes 

awarded at the Saturday morning shows. A 

program of special film fare especially suitable 

for children is selected. 

Another tieup with the local papers effected 

recently centers around a special stage 

show conducted at the Utah. Talented musicians 

and amateur performers selected 

through tryoutl in different regions in the 

mteniimiiitam area are brought to Salt Lake 

City to perform on the stage of the Utah. 

Stories have appeared in the Tribune every 

Sunday following the special show, and dally 

publicity breaks in both papers. The newspaper 

angle is in saluting the various regions 

from where the performers hall. 

Building Project Offers 

Spot for Big Banners 

Two Jumbo banners placed on a construction 

project directly across the street from 

the post office, coupled with window displays 

and bus cards, did a good Job of selling of 

"The Jolson Story" for Howard Blnns, former 

manager of the Capitol Theatre in Midland, 

Ont. 

Binns has been transferred to the Garrick 

at Halifax, N. S. 

Binns obtained card space in the Midland 

buses by emphasizing to the owner, who permits 

no advertising at all in the coaches. 

that plugs for the big Jolson musical would 

mean extra revenue for him. The trial was 

such a success, Binns says, that when he left 

Midland the bus company was willing to give 

card space on any big feature. 

Binns also sold 11 co-op ads utilizing the 

titles of the song hits from the picture, which 

ran six days instead of the usual two at the 

Capitol. 

'Words and Music' Hits 

Used to Exploit Film 

Beginning two weeks in advance and continuing 

through the current run of "Words 

and Music," Bill Relsinger, manager of Loew's, 

Dayton, Ohio, had records from the film 

played in front of the theatre with this announcement, 

"You are listening to tunes from 

Words and Music." " The same records and 

announcement were played in the lobby at 

breaks. 

An eight-foot color blowup standee of Vera 

EDen in (he dance scene, "Slaughter on 

Tenth Avenue," was set up in front of the 

theatre two weeks before playdate. Realistic 

in appearance. It drew the attention of camera 

fans who wanted to pose with the picture. 

The gadget rated a two-column break 

in the newspaper, and Relsinger reports that 

It turned out to be the biggest attraction 111 

the whole campaign. 

43

: March 

Texas Premiere of Rio Grande 

Sets Pattern for Horse Oprys 

For several years, R. M. Savini. president 

of Astor Pictures Corp., has believed that 

exhibitors can profitably apply themselves to 

the exploitation of the ever-popular horse 

oprys. That may be simply because Savini 

has been on the distribution end of so many 

horse oprys. but the fact remains, as the distributor 

points out, that most exhibitors who 

do put emphasis on exploitation are usually 

rewarded with handsome receipts. 

Savini illustrates his theory by the recent 

premiere of "Rio Grande" at the Tower Theatre, 

Bastrop, Tex. It was more than coincidence 

that the owner-manager of the Tower, 

Charles Lautem, is also the producer of "Rio 

Grande." And it was more than coincidence 

that Lautem and his wife proved to be capable 

showmen when it came to staging their 

own exploitation campaign. It was a Texas 

opening that for a small town community 

compared to any Hollywood premiere. 

Lautem the producer made "Rio Grande" 

at Bastrop with a lead cast of popular Texans. 

Lautem the exhibitor kept the two female 

stars, Evohn Keyes of Bastrop and Louisa 

Maralunda of Laredo on hand for the premiere 

so the entire community could pay 

homage. Texans love to pay homage to 

Texans. They responded nobly. 

The mayor of Bastrop and the Chamber of 

Commerce played leading roles in a two-day 

program of events to honor the stars, the 

producer and the exhibitor. 

The Bastrop Advertiser, observing its 97th 

year of news dissemination, broke precedent 

by keeping its front pages occupied with 

news and photographs of the premiere activities. 

Merchants in the town showed their enthusiasm 

by displaying window streamers 

and displays of welcome after the mayor had 

officially proclaimed a two-day celebration. 

Circulars distributed locally and in surround- 

44 

ing towns helped to attract out-of-town visitors 

to Bastrop for the premiere. 

On the day before opening, Saturday, 

March 5, everyone showed up for a western 

style parade sponsored by the Chamber of 

Commerce. Headed by the mayor, several 

hundred participants on foot, on horses, in 

cars and floats, and accompanied by the 

high school band, the LaGrange band and 

the Elgin band plus units of the national 

guard, marched through the main streets. 

Miss Keyes and Senorita Marulanda were 

the center of attraction, riding gay-spirited 

horses. 

At the opening performance on Sunday, the 

mayor headed the dignitaries who greeted the 

stars on the stage of the Tower Theatre and 

expressed the thanks of the community to 

Lautem the producer and Lautem the exhibitor. 

Klieg lights out front and a lobby 

banked with flowers from local businessmen 

gave the proceedings a festive air. The fact 

that everyone showed up in western attire 

gave the town an added touch of color. 

This, according to Savini, is an example 

of the kind of showmanship which has distinguished 

motion picture industry since it 

was born. There should be more of it, says 

he. Not every exhibitor can show a premiere. 

Not every exhibitor can produce a picture. 

But modest-budget pictures like "Rio Grande" 

are worth exploiting, because frequently the 

returns are greater and the results more effective. 

There is no mystery about being a 

showman. It's just hard work and enthusiasm. 

That combination has put many a picture 

over in great style at the boxoffice. 

—94— 

Newsboys Wear Caps 

To Bally Reissued 

'Pride of Yanks' 

Harry Anderson, manager of the Florida 

Theatre. St. Petersburg, played the first engagement 

of "Pride of the Yankees" prior 

to its impending national reissue and carried 

out an extensive exploitation campaign 

in conjunction with newspapers, book shops, 

radio sports commentators and sports writers. 

Official New York Yankee baseball caps 

bannered with the picture title were worn 

by all newspaper carriers in the city and 

theatre employes a week before opening. An 

expanded advertising and radio budget helped 

spread announcements of the playdates 

throughout the area. 

Book tieups were effected with Maas Bros. 

department store and Liggett drug outlets. 

The former devoted two complete window 

displays to books and exhibited counter cards 

in the book and sports departments. 

Radio sports commentators revived stories 

and anecdotes about Lou Gehrig, working in 

theatre announcements, and sports columnists 

on both the Times and Independent carried 

news of the Florida booking. 

The Acme News Service and the local press 

covered the presentation of a "Pride of the 

Yankees" trophy to the president of the St. 

Petersburg Chamber of Commerce by Bill 

Dickey, famous Yankee catcher. Another 

tieup had the New York Yankees ball club 

holding open house for news carriers in honor 

of the opening. 

$10 Ad Campaign Boosts 

Gross on Double Bill 

Clarence Martin, owner-manager of the 

Gem. Hugo, Colo., put on an effective advertising 

campaign in conjunction with "A 

Night at the Opera" and "Hold That Ghost," 

with the extremely modest budget of $10. 

Hugo's 852 population responded nobly, reports 

Martin. 

The $10 expenditure covered a lobby and 

outside display, 

Saturday 

and a street 

night, 

ballyhoo 

interest focused on a Pioneer 

party 

including 

three boys dressed as the 

with square dancing and 

Marx brothers 

exhibition 

numbers 

who covered the 

and entertainment. 

downtown 

Miss 

sections 

Keyes 

enacting 

a series of 

presented 

hijinks to 

one of her costumes used 

amuse pedestrians. 

in the 

The Eastern 

film production 

Colorado 

as a 

Plainsman, 

prize to the best woman 

which 

serves the entire area, 

dancer. 

used a two-column 

photo of the stunt on page one and included 

playdates. 

Martin also had 1,000 large sized handbills 

imprinted for house-to-house distribution. 

Shoe Polish and Cash Help 

Exploit 'Shoe-Shine' Date 

An unusual tieup arranged by Sam 

Hebscher, manager of the Savoy Theatre, 

Hamilton. Ont., helped exploit "Shoe-Shine," 

a foreign-language film which last year won 

acclaim as the best import for 1947. 

Hebscher contacted Best Foods, Ltd., distributor 

of shoe polish. The company made 

available 5,000 tins of polish for distribution, 

attached to a special collar carrying the theatre 

imprint. 

Best Foods also provided S75 for exploitation. 

This money was used to pay for the 

imprinted collars and for 2.000 letters which 

were mailed to persons of Italian extraction 

in the community. 

BOXOFFICE Showmandiser : 

26, 1949

promoted 

Big Civic, Radio Plugs 

Proclaim 'Red Canyon' 

Intermountain Bow 

The Utah Theatre in Salt Lake City served 

as the focal point of a 50-theatre premiere 

for "Red Canyon," with the stars of the 

film providing ample publicity breaks 

throughout a five-state area. 

Gov. J. Bracken Lee of Utah proclaimed 

"Red Canyon" week. Salt Lake City businessmen 

took advantage of the occasion to 

tie in their Downtown day, an annual bargain 

event. The merchants "welcomed" the 

premiere in their regular ads and conducted 

a contest to find the city's most glamorous 

salesgirl. The winner received an all-expense 

trip to Hollywood and Universal-International 

studios. 

The Intermountain radio network covering 

Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Nevada and Montana, 

sponsored a contest to select one girl 

from each state where "Red Canyon" premiered 

to attend the Salt Lake City opening. 

Ann Blyth and Howard Duff, stars of the 

picture, selected a Miss Intermountain Queen 

from the five entrants. 

The stars were greeted on their arrival in 

the city by the mayor and a welcoming 

committee, following which they made a 

round of personal appearances, radio interviews 

and met the press. The premiere activities 

were broadcast over station KALL 

and the Intermountain network. 

Academy Award Angle 

J Sells 'Pit' to Women 

When Arnold Gould, manager of the Capitol 

Theatre, Jefferson City, Mo., heard women 

patrons commenting that they did not wish 

to see "The Snake Pit" because of its theme, 

he developed the Academy award angle for 

his selling campaign and was gratified to find 

that it worked out far beyond his expectations. 

Newspaper ads and theatre displays carried 

special copy calling attention to critic 

quotes and offering Gould's personal opinion, 

along with the fact that Olivia DeHavilland's 

performance was being considered for 

this year's top acting honors. Cards were imprinted 

with copy headed. "You be the judge 

and we are firmly convinced ..." These 

were distributed throughout the area and 

were used as mailing pieces on rural routes. 

Radio spots also played up the award angle. 

Gould reports that the film outgrossed all 

other films in recent months by more than 

$300. 

Bicycle Giveaway 

Bob Wade, manager of the Playhouse, Canandaigua, 

N. Y., promoted a bicycle for a 

giveaway at a kiddy matinee on Washington's 

birthday, in addition to a lot of miscellaneous 

prizes. The Firestone store, donor of the 

bike, devoted an entire window to a display 

and announcement of the show. Another 

bicycle was displayed in the theatre lobby 

with a 40x60. Five extra cartoons were 

tacked on to the regular program, and a 

large audience saw the Superman serial 

trailer. 

Double Truck on 'Heart' 

Bob Case, manager of the Kingston iN.Y.i 

Theatre, promoted a double truck cooperative 

ad on "So Dear to My Heart." Fourteen 

local merchants sponsored the ad, with 

the theatre getting a major portion of the 

space gratis. 

Co-Op Ad for 'Paleface' 

Proves Heap-Big Tieup 

Leo Gohlmann, manager of the Cuba, Cuba 

City, Wis 

. a full page cooperative 

ad in the local News Herald as part of his 

campaign for "The Paleface." The page was 

topped by a four-inch box announcing, "Heap 

big laughs and heap big bargains." Each 

merchant displayed cartoon characters and 

ad illustrations from the film production, 

with humorous copy. A three-column running 

down the entire center of the page contained 

the playdates and coming attractions 

booked at the Cuba. 

According to Gohlman, despite the fact 

that Cuba City has a population of less than 

1,500, exploitation can be used advantageously. 

He reports that the co-op tleup not only 

helped the boxoffice but provided him with 

a great deal of personal satisfaction in planning 

and executing the promotion. 

Display for 'Apartment' 

Is Visible When Tilted 

A trick lobby display created excellent 

word-of-mouth publicity for "Apartment for 

Peggy" prior to its run at the Criterion Theatre, 

Poplar Bluff, Mo. The stunt was devised 

by Manager Jack Bizzell who built a 

special display board showing an apartment 

room with scene stills from the picture. He 

then borrowed a large Venetian blind and 

it rigged In front of the board. A card 

nearby invited patrons to tilt the slats so 

that they could read the hidden message. 

The display was placed to one side of the 

lobby where it was the center of attraction. 

BOXOFTICE Showmcmdiser : : March 

26. 1949 

-95—

1 

: airfare 

"" 

Balaban Switch of Last-Run Houses 

To Western-Style Is Paying Off 

CHICAGO—Imagination plus knowledge seemed to offend the least number of people, 

the picture business can work wonders. appealed to the widest audience regardless of 

of 

Harry and Elmer Balaban and Charles Kamp, age and permitted operational costs to be 

oldtime concessionaire, get the credit in this held lower than for any other types of films. 

example of initiative. 

The Balabans forgot about their Esquire 

latest 

The old Dale Theatre with its last run Theatre, thought by many to be the swankiest 

theatre 

product was having a tough time with its 

competition. Within a mile radius are nine The Dale 

in the country, 

suddenly 

and 

became 

faced 

the 

facts. 

Roundup 

theatres seating a total of 11,500, two of them Theatre and at a changeover cost of only 

with first run product and one with vaudeville 

about $10,000. It went to the other extreme 

as an added attraction. 

from the Esquire. 

Analyzing business in the neighborhood The exterior looks like a log cabin. The 

houses, the Balabans and Kamp found that attraction board is enlivened by a huge cutout 

westerns had been more consistently popular 

of a bucking broncho with rider whack- 

than any other type of picture because they ing its flanks. Patrons buy their tickets at 

boxoffice with a sign reading: "Oldtimers—50 

cents: Buckaroos—19 cents." 

a rustic 

The 

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Write NOW for full particulars 

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1647 Victory Blvd. Glendale 1. Calif. 

DRIVE-IN 

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K0IL-K0RDS for replacements on any speaker. 

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SCREEN TOWERS i-fabricated steel, amazinjly low prices. 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE MANUFACTURING CO. 

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d 

Now Specializing \ 

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DRIVE IN THEATRES / 

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[HURST BLDG. BUFFALO, N. Y. 

I 

lobby represents a stockade, with western 

murals and a blue ceiling giving the effect of 

a sky. The walls are covered with saddles, 

horsehoes, bleached steer skulls and Indian 

blankets. There's an old fashioned mutascope 

worked by hand that shows an old Tom 

Mix film. 

MEMENTOES ARE DISPLAYED 

The candy counter is a chuck wagon and 

the drinking fountain is in a barrel. There 

is a western museum replete with authentic 

mementoes of the west, including flintlock 

guns, bows and arrows, branding irons and 

two of Trigger's horseshoes sent by Roy Rogers. 

The sign over the men's room reads 

"Cowboys" and that over the ladies room 

"Cowgirls." The no-smoking signs read: 

"Hey, Pardner, No Smokin'." Behind the 

chuck wagon is a sign reading "Check Your 

Guns Here." Employes are dressed in cowboy 

and cowgirl style. The kids' eyes have 

been popping out ever since March 10, opening 

night. 

The Balabans say the response to date 

shows they can't lose. A spot check of autos 

showed that some came from as far as ten 

miles away. The owners claim that western 

rentals are bound to be moderate because 

of low production costs, that there will be 

no difficulty with bookings and no worry 

about playing a percentage product. Expense 

is ascertainable in advance. 

Two westerns and three cartoons are being 

shown on each program, which runs not over 

two-and-a-half hours, permitting two shows 

each evening starting at 6 o'clock and a closing 

hour of 11 o'clock, so children and working 

people can retire at a reasonable hour. 

Saturday afternoons a rope twirler entertains. 

CONTEST DRAWS INTEREST 

Patrons are now in the thick of 

a contest 

telling why they like westerns, with a paidup 

visit to an Arizona dude ranch as the 

prize. Premiums given away include photos 

of western favorites, small horseshoes and 

Indian beads. The Balabans hope to make 

publicity tieups with the cereal and other 

big food manufacturers who sponsor western 

stars over the air, including personal appearances. 

"We're going after people who like hotdogs, 

detective stories and like to go barefooted," 

said Elmer Balaban. "Westerns are elemental 

and offer no problems. They stress clean 

living, an active outdoor life and, important 

for the juveniles, they clearly define good 

and evil." 

CLEARING HOUSE 

(Continued from inside back cover) 

THEATRE SEATING 

425 Red Plush fully upholstered padded back 

and boxspring chairs, a beautiful lot. only $3.95; 

.llso 375 rebuilt American panel back, boxspring 

chairs, $4.75; and otbers reduced during March 

and April. Bargain seekers, here's your spot! 

Ask for Chair Bulletin 15. Dept. f SH.S 

I'mernu" Supply Corp., 602 W. 52nd 

19. 

Parts 

Sealing Co., Chicago 

Co.. Chicago 6. 

theatre 

quotation. 

chairs. 

Used chairs, guaranteed good. Advise quantity 

wanted. Photographs mailed with quotation. Fensln 

Seating Co.. Chicago 5. 

American and Heywood upholstered back, spring 

cushions. $3 each. All chairs guaranteed. Bpedal 

prices will be offered for lots of 500 chairs. 

Convenient terms can be offered. Write, wire or 

call Jack McQrath. 1046 Broadway, Albany. N. Y . 

Theatre Chairs, 3,000 In stock, $1.50 each up. 

Used spring cushioned part full upholstered back 

and part Insert panel back with spring edge and 

box spring cushions. 1,000 venei. chairs, 800 

good backs, 500 spring cushions and hinges. 

Write for prices and photographs. Immediate delivery; 

advise how many you need. We export 

chairs anywhere. Jesse Cole. 2565 McClellan Ave., 

Valley 23445. Detroit, Mich. 

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. 

Artific leather. All colors. 50 in. 

at $1.25 yd. Samples on request. Commerclaleather, 

116 Merrlmic St.. Boston. Mass. 

No more torn seats: Repair with the original 

Patch-A-8eat. Complete kit $6. General Chair 

Co.. 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-inch chairs. Our prices are the lowest. 

Write for exact photo and price. We furnish parts 

for all makes. Send sample. Good quality plastic 

coated leatherette 25x26-lnch. ill colors. 55c ea. 

Chicago Used Chair Mart. 829 South State St. 


No more loose chairs: Get "Firmastone" Anchor 

cement, $5 per box. General Chair 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.. 

Chicago 22. HI. 

2,500 good Hev-wood-Wakefield veneer opera 

all chairs, one kind and style. Cheap for quick 

sale. Chicago Used Chair Mart, 829 S, State St., 


Seat Covers: Quality pre-cut leatherette 25" 

by 26" at 65c each. Sewn covers with cloth 

skirts, from 90c Fred's Theatre Service, Vina. 

DRIVE IN OR OUTDOOR 

THEATRE EQUIPMENT 

Drive- Owners: Hop first plane to New York, 

many times'. Time Payments, 

ton! All makes in-car speakers in stock—try 'em 

before you buy 'em. Comnlete booth outfits ulth 

high intensity arcs. $1,595 un: new 500-watt 

Western Electric Booster Amplifiers. ?l>50: driveway 

entrance ami exit signs, illuminated, $22.50: 

Burial Cable. 6c ft.: Super Snaplite fl. 9 lenses 

from $125. Special Drive-In catalog section 

readv Dept. C. SOS Cinema Supply Corp. 602 

W. 52nd St.. New York 19. 

ln-a-car speakers. No. 7600. waterproof, cast 

aluminum cases. $16.75 per set. DaWo Co.. 145 

N. Erie St.. Toledo. Ohio. 

L»w cost ferteino for Drive-ins. Prefabricated 

Rustic Fence has saved wise builders thousands 

of dollars Immediate deliverv. Rustic Fence, 

'*: 1 

t V Union Minor ui.i'is Minn 

MORE CLASSIFIED ON 

INSIDE BACK COVER 

-96— BOXOFTICE Showmandiser March 26, 1949 

: :

i utpolng 

i pounds 

. civ 

Theatre Diagram Bill 

Comes to Life Again 

HARRISBURG—As the Pennsylvania legislature 

continues in its session more bills ol 

interest to motion picture folk are being presented 

and returned to committee. To date 

none has been brought out of the committee 

hearings. 

FINES ARE PROPOSED 

One of the old standbys. always introduced, 

and to date always defeated or dying 

in committee, was resurrected. It is the proposal 

that every theatre owner, lessee or operator 

be required to exhibit on the screen 

a diagram showing the interior of the theatre, 

plainly marked with exits, and to be 

accompanied by a word of caution to the patrons 

to leave quietly in case of fire. Violators 

would be fined $10 or up to 10 days or 

both, with each day to be considered a separate 

offense. 

Seeking amendment of the act of 1927 relating 

to public safety in theatres and othe 

bindings not in second class cities, a legislator 

wants to include drive-ins and theatres 

"in quarries or other depressions in the 

earth." He wants two ways of egress, equipment 

not interfering with easy ways of evacuation, 

with permits to be issued by the state 

labor and industry commission when buildings 

are remodeled for motion pictures or 

television. 

PENALIZE SUNDAY SHOWS 

Cumberland Senator George N. Wade proposes 

higher penalties for illegal operation 

of amusements on Sunday This is the same 

bill which requires gross receipts from illegal 

Sunday amusements to be forfeited to the 

state. His additions would fine violators up 

to $100 instead of $4. and provide terms of 

30 days instead of six. 

An amendment to pamphlet law regulating 

employment of females is suggested. It would 

cut from six to five days the workweek, from 

48 to 40 hours the weekly working time and 

reduce to ten hours the work period in any 

one day. It would also prohibit any girls 

under 21 years from working after 9 p. m. 

Films would be exempt from the use and 

storage tax act introduced into the house, 

and referred to ways and means committee. 

BAD BOY 

- 

IN NEW YOKK— Audio 

Murphy (ronton most cVonratoil BoMtel 

of Worid War II. .mil Mar of Allied Artists' 

"Bad Boy." chats with Edward Moroy 

loft I. vice-president, and M. R. Goldstein, 

sales manager, at the Monogram- 

Allied Artists home office in New York. 

Murphy attended the "Bad Boy" benefit 

stage - and - screen show at the Palaor 

March 22, the benefits of which went to 

Now York Variety Clubs Tent No. 35. 

Revised New York 

Code Regarded 

As 'Strict But Fair to Theatres 

Albany— substantial changes affecting 

theatres and drive-ins are made by a new 

tandaid building code winch becomes 

effective outside of New York City May 1. 

according to the first copies made available 

by the board Of standards and appeals Thursday 

(24), New York City has Its 0W1 

Industrial Commissioner Edward Coi 

dered a study ol exist! In effect 

since 1922 and modified slightly in 1941. 

to strengthen provisions tor protection of the 

public following the Cocoanut Grove fire in 

Boston and the Ringling Bros, circus holocaust 

in Hartford. A 23-member advisor} 

committee, Including representatives ol circuits 

and the iatse. conducted a two-year 

Investigation. John Coggeahall, code 

• 

assisted m rewriting of the code by the 

three-man board of standards. 

The new code, requiring 46 pages and 

index, covers every const nut ion angle for 

theatres and places of public assembly, including 

drive-ins Certificates of compliance 

with terms of the code will be valid tor two 

years after the date n become effective, 

provided that conditions under which a certificate 

becomes effective arc maintained. 

Projection booths complying with existing 

requirements prior to the date on which the 

new code becomes effective will be accepted, 

provided the conditions of compliance are 

maintained. Booths hereafter installed must 

comply with new specification 

Fire Partly Destroys 

Chelsea in New York 

NEW YORK—The Chelsea Theatre, on 

Eighth avenue between 25th and 26th streets, 

was partly destroyed by a three-alarm fire 

which ate through the second balcony and 

roof of the building shortly after the last 

audience left March 21. The fire, which was 

disc vered by a niuht watchman, was apparently 

caused by a careless smoker, accordlng 

to Martin ^cott. assistant chief fire 

marshal. 

The theatre, once known as Miner's Eighth 

Avenue Theatre in the days of vaudeville. 

has been a film theatre for the last 20 years 

It was owned by Abe Fenke. 

1 

Spyros Skouras Honored 

By Philadelphia Lodge 

PHILADELPHIA 

.Spyros P Skouras. president 

of 20th Century-Fox. accepted a special 

n for distinguished service from Samnifeld. 

head of Bnai Brtth of this 

city, at a dinner for 1.000 guests at the 

Benjamin Franklin hotel March 21 The 

award honored the cnmpanv for its contribution 

to democracy and understanding 

through the medium of such films u 

tleman's Agreement" and "The Snake Pit." 

Dairy] P. ZanUCk was similarly honored 

recently by the Bnai Brlth chapter of Beverly 

Hills which named him Man Of the 

':ni in.K hnii-s using any 

combustible or volatile thud shall be permitted 

in a lobby or foyer in any place ol 

embly, according to the new cede. 

•Combustible" or "volatile" fluids include 

any having a closed-up flash point below 

400 degrees. The latter amendmo 

serted after exhibitors protested last summei 

lie ban in the popping "t com 

Film theatres classified as major" are 

ih Be having a Beating capacity exceeding 

t>oo. with all others classified as minor, with 

fixed requirements for both. 

ion covering drive-in 

Pablan-Hellman and 

i t 

Doncombuatlbte material Tin 

to nb- 

its Bupp it nu structure must be able lo withstand 

a wlni .' 

a square 

inch. Seats m drive-ins are permitted onh 

nere there are no cars. No automobile 

shall be parked nearer than 20 feet 

'ran the screen, and then- shall be 20 feet 

nunc and 

lines ol traffit musl not 

bo th or other structure at a drive-In must 

meet requirements foi minor thi 

Provisions of the new code are considered 

by theatre operators generally to 

but fair. A special section is provided for 

summer theatres '.'inch are nol operated 

ban 12 weeks a year. 

MO Proxies Point 

To Decree Okay 

NEW YORK — Proxies mailed by RKO 

stockholders to date indicate that the plan 

of reorganization required by the consent decree 

will be adopted at the stockholders' meet - 

ing in Delaware Monday. March 28. The 24 

per cent interest held by Howard Hughes is 

already assured for the plan. 

The reorganization plan must be approved 

by two-thirds of the holders nf 3.899.913", 

-hares Otherwise the consent decree will become 

void and RKO will resume it 

as a defendant in the antitrust case along 

with 20th Century-Fox. Loews. Warners. Columbia. 

United Artists and Universal. The 

;t nation holds true for the Paramount 

Which will be voted on by the stockholders 

April 12. 

The RKO plan calls for the transfer of 

Radlo-Kelth-Orpheum Corp. picture assets 

to a new picture company, the transfer of 

theatre assets to a new theatre company and 

the dissolution of RKO Corp. after Jan. 31. 

1950. 

The stockholders also will rota to amend 

the bylaws, reducing the number of RKO 

directors from nine to seven and for the reelection 

of the Incumbent directors: Ned E. 

Depinct. Noah Dietrich. Frederick L. Ehrman. 

L. Lawrence Green. Howard R. Hughes. 

Oeorge H Shaw and J Miller Walker 

There will be no further meeting of the 

stockholders durlnR 1949 

BOXOFTICE March 26. 1949 17

i 

MGM 

• • offers 

. . William 

. . William 

. . Brian 

. . Victor 

. . 

. . 

. . Ray 

. . Paul 

. . Dan 

. . Rudy 

. . Ronald 

. . Betty 

! 

. . Kirk 

- 

RKO), 

'•'-. 

BROADWAY 

flrne Sucksdorff. Swedish director, arrived 

for conferences with Rudolph Carlson 

about a feature and a new series of shorts to 

be produced this year. The current shorts 

series is distributed by 20th Century-Fox . 

G. L. Carrington, president of Altec Service, 

and his son. Robert J. Carrington. have returned 

to the coast . . . H. M. Bessey, Altec 

Service executive vice-president, is visiting 

midwest and coast offices of the company. 

E. K. O'Shea, assistant general sales manager 

of Paramount, visited Philadelphia during 

the week . F. Rodgers. MGM 

vice-president and general sales manager, returned 

from Washington . Aherne 

arrived from the coast to consider a number 

and to make a recording with 

{Catherine Cornell of love scenes in "The 

Barretts of Wimpole Street" for the forthcoming 

Anta Album. 

Sam Wood, director of "The Stratton Story" 

p. plans to leave for the coast April 1 

after a three-week vacation here . . . Henry 

Germaine, New Haven Paramount branch 

manager, came to New York for talks with 

Hugh Owen, eastern division manager . 

Vern Caldwell. Walt Disney executive, is 

mapping advertising plans with RKO home 

office officials for "Ichabod and Mrs. Toad" 

and "Cinderella." 

( arroll Puciato, Realart general manager, 

returned from an extensive tour of midwestern 

exchanges . B. Zoellner. head of 

MGM reprints and short subject sales, returned 

from visits to branches in New Haven. 

Boston, Albany and Buffalo . Moore, 

here from California, says he is "half-retired" 

but that he expects to have his own 

television show this summer. 

. . 

William Selwyn, executive talent director 

Samuel Goldwyn Productions, says he is 

for 

looking for a New York in her early 

girl 

twenties with dramatic ability though not 

necessarily professional experience . Nat 

D. Fellman. Warner Bros, theatre department 

executive, and Harry Kaplowitz visited Cleve- 

Try Us and You'll Agree 

FILMACK 

SPECIAL TRAILERS 

Are "Best By Test . . . 

Quicker than the Rest!" 

CHICAGO -1327 S.Wabash, 

NEW YORK - 619 W 54th St 

"Voice of Theatre Speakers" 

JOE HORNSTEIN has them! 

Ramp Identification Lights 

SAVES TIME — ELIMINATES CONFUSION 

DRfVE IN THEATRE MFG. CO.—K. C. Mo. 

land during the week . Berger. MGM 

southern sales manager, and Jerome Adams, 

Washington manager, have returned to 

Washington . Short, who produced 

"Bad Boy"

i 

ivern-on-the-Green. 

. . Selma 

. . Jenne 

. . Maurice 

. . Schwalberg 

25 » . The 

. . 

Rank Plans No Change 

In U.S. Distribution 

NEW YORK—Upon receiving word Friday 

that "Hamlet" had been voted the 

best picture of 1948 in the Academy award 

balloting, J. Arthur Rank telegraphed his 

thanks and said he was "proud of the 

great sportsmanship demonstrated by the 

membership of the Academy." 

NEW YORK— J. Arthur Rank, who arrived 

in New York this week, said he does 

not plan to establish his own distributing 

company in the U.S.. explaining, "I haven't 

the dollars." He said he is satisfied 

with present distribution here. About 

the future of his film enterprises, he said, 

"I'll cross that bridge when I come to it." 

Sir Henry French, he said, plans to arrive 

March 28, but he did not know when Sir 

Alexander Korda will come. Then, having 

discovered his golf clubs hadn't reached customs, 

he devoted his attention to instituting 

a search for them. 

With Rank on the voyage over was his 

wife and his general counsel, G. I. Woodham- 

Smith. They were met by Arthur B. Krim. 

president of Eagle Lion: Robert S. Benjamin, 

president of the Rank Enterprises in this 

country; Joseph H. Seidelman, head of tin 

foreign division of Universal-International 

and Jock Lawrence and Jerry Dale of the 

American publicity staff of Rank. 

IN U.S. FIVE WEEKS 

Rank will be in the United States five 

weeks. He will remain in New York until 

March 31, in the meantime attending a meeting 

of the Universal-International board of 

directors and the Overseas Press club benefit 

opening of his film, "Quartet," March 28 

at the Sutton Theatre. From March 31 to 

April 6 he will be guest of Robert R. Young, 

railroad industrialist who is part owner of 

Eagle Lion, at Palm Beach, Fla. Two days 

later he will meet with Charles H. Percy, 

president of Bell & Howell, in Chicago, then 

leave for Los Angeles to visit his daughter. 

Mrs. Fred M. Packard, until April 17. 

Rank will be in Washington April 20 to attend 

the opening of "Scott of the Antarctic." 

Two days later the meeting of the Anglo- 

American Advisory Council will begin there. 

with Rank, Korda and French facing Eric 

Johnston, MPAA president; Nicholas M. 

Schenck. MGM president, and Barney Balaban, 

Paramount president, across the table. 

Rank will sail for England April 28 on the 

Queen Elizabeth. 

NO JOHNSTON STATEMENT 

Efforts to reach Johnston March 23 to 

obtain a statement on the reduced British 

quota failed. His offices here and in Washington 

said he would have no statement to 

make, but there was the possibility he might 

change his mind. 

On the Queen Elizabeth with Rank m 

Winston Churchill, arriving to speak at the 

Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Eric 

von Stroheim, who will go to Hollywood to 

play in "Sunset Boulevard." to be produced 

by Charles Brackett and directed by Billy 

Wilder for Paramount, and Henry Henigson 

of the MGM studios in London. 

Along New York's Filmrow 

WALTER WALDMAN. 

"J»HE FIRST annual dinner-dance of New 

York Loge 29, Motion Picture Salesmen 

of America, was a sellout March 21. Approximately 

550 industry representatives packed 

The affair wa 

highlighted by the presentation of u watch 

to Charles Penser of RKO, the In i 

uent of Loge 29. The presentation was made 

by Harry LaVine of Monogram, his recentlyelected 

successor. 

Among those present were the other Loge 

19 officers: Harry Fellerman of U-I. vicepresident; 

Lee Mayer of Warners, secretary, 

and Howard Levy of MGM, treasurer. Also 

present were members of the entertainment 

and journal committee: Leo Greenfield of 

U-I, chairman; Robert Finkel of Eagle Lion. 

Meyer Solomon of Monogram, Jules Reiff of 

Columbia and Lee Mayer of Warners, cochairmen, 

and the following membci 

me Bell of Paramount, Dave Black of Republic. 

Dave Burkan of UA, E. Coolies of 

Hoffberg, Harry Decker of Film Classics, Bob 

lillsworth of MGM. Bob Fannon of Republic 

and Robert Greenblatt of Screen Guild. 

The remaining committee members present 

were: Jerome Herzog, Phil Isaacs of Paramount, 

Leo Jacobi of Warners, Lou Kutinsky 

of RKO. Julius Levine of Principal. Jack 

Meadow of Eagle Lion, Manny Meyer and 

Dick Perry of UA, Eddie Richter of MGM. 

Michael hesnick of Artkino, Tony Ricci of 

Republic. Sam Rifkin of UA, Irving Rothenberg 

of Warners. Willie Schutzer of UA, Jack 

Sokoloff of Columbia. John Wenisch of Columb.a 

and Phil Winnick of U-I. 

The distributor guests included: Jack 

Bowen. Jack Byrne, Ralph Pielow, Lou Allerhand, 

Harry Margolis and Moe Rose of MGM. 

Phil Hodes and Len Gruenberg of RKO, Dave 

Levy and Nat Goldberg of U-I. William Murphy 

of Republic, Seymour Florin of 20th-Fox 

and Lou Wechsler of Eagle Lion. 

The exhibitor group included: Adam A. 

Adams of Essex Amusement, Herman Becker 

of Rugoff & Becker, Eugene Picker and Milton 

Arnswalder of Loew s. Ben Weinstock of 

Kaybond Theatres. J. J. Thompson of Eastern 

Drive-in Theatres. Harry Klein of the 

J. J. Theatres. Rudy Kuehn of the Aldon circuit, 

Isadore Zatkin of Lane Theatres, Jules 

Liggett and Sonny Steifel of Liggett-Steifel, 

Nat Harris and Irving Pinsker of the Island 

circuit. Max Fellerman of Paramount. Bernie 

Brooks and Bernie Myerson of Fabian, Jack 

Hams of Walter Reade Theatres, Dave Rosenzweig 

of Combined Bronx Amusement. Wilbur 

Snaper of the David Snaper Theatres, 

Larry Morris of B. S. Moss. Ed Lachman of 

the State Theatre. Boonton; Al Daley ol 

Skouras, Ralp Lager of Century, Oscar Lager 

of the Moses circuit and Maury Miller ol 

Harry Hecht Theatres. 

Maurice Maurer. operator of the Astor, 

Victoria and Bijou theatres, is now In Hollywood 

previewing new product . Dennett 

was given a surprise party Wed: 

to celebrate her recent marriage to Robert R 

Jacobs. She is head of the Republic booking 

department . Klelnfeld. secretary 

to John A Cassldy of the RKO Theatre-- 

publicity department, was married to Arnold 

Hackmycr. and is honeymooning upstate . . . 

Sol Sorkin. manager of RKO Kelt! 

ing, was one of the winners of the circuit 

showmanship awards for February. 

Hi in.v Randel and Myron Sattler, Paramount 

district and branch managers, respectively, 

attended the home office sales meeting 

held by Alfred W. Schwalberg, general 

sales manager, last week . discussed 

his recent studio trip and the effects 

of divorcement on the new picture company 

Dave Snaper is vacationing at Hot Springs. 

Ark. . . . Dave Weinstock of Raybond is In 

Florida . Brown of the Sheldon 

Theatre has returned from Lakewood . 

Dave Klein of MGM and Mrs. Klein recently 

vis. ted Hyde Park. 

Second Brandt House Now 

Day-Date With Loew's 

NEW YORK-Hany Brandt 1: 

day-and-date booking with Loeu 

here for a second theatre, the Sanders, Brook 

lyn. Loew's clearance over his Mosholu The 

atre, the Bronx, already has been eliminated 

The new policy went into effect tins week 

Product en the Loew's split includes MGM, 

Paramount. Columbia, United Artists and 

Eagle 

Lion. 

Robert Shapiro Promoted 

To Paramount Manager 

NEW YORK— Robert Shapiro, former 

house manager for the Paramount Theatre. 

Paramount Pictures Broadway showcase, has 

been promoted to manager. Robert R. Weitman 

la continuing as managing director, in 

addition to his new duties as Paramount 

Theatres rlce-presldenl in charge ol 

In Philadelphia and the 

Critics Get Cactus Candy 

As 'El Paso' Reminder 

NEW YORKCindy made from the cactus 

plant was sent to 400 film critics and editors 

to remind them of the opening of "El Paso" 

at El Paso, Tex.. Friday < sweets 

were mailed by Paramount exploitation men 

Horn El Paso. The film Is a Pine-Thomas 

production. 

Lon T. Fidler Is Dead 

DENVER— Lon T Fidler. 56. Monogram 

franchise holder for the local branch. Kansas 

City and Salt Lake City exchanges, died 

Thursday night. 

NEW MIRR0PH0NIC SOUND

. . . Jack 

. . Republic's 

. . The 

. . Mason 

. . 

. . Highway 

. Metro 

. . Mickey 

. . Martha 

WASHINGTON 

ladies' luncheon in the clubrooms early in 

Dorothy Kolinsky, Variety Club 

secretary, was to enter Doctors' hospital 

March 27 for surgery Variety Club 

St. Patrick's day party was a huge success. 

Hosts were Charlie Hurley. John O'Leary. 

Gus Lynch and Jimmy Sandford . . . George 

Seay and Jake Tunstall. Nottowa Theatre. 

Blackstone, Va., are vacationing in Florida 

while George's brother keeps things going 

Fruchtman is doing the booking 

and buying for the Green Acres Auto Theatre, 

between Newport News and Hampton, 

Va. 

Bill Snidow came in from Christianburg. 

Va.. to confer with booking agent Joe Walsh 

and to visit friends on Filmrow . . . J. H. 

Hopkins will open his newly remodeled New 

Theatre in Berlin, Md., April 1. Job cost 

about S37.000. Joe Walsh is doing the booking 

for the New Theatre . & Clark 

leased the Marva Theatre. Pocomoke. Md. 

The house was formerly operated by John 

Fox. who died recently. Mason & Clark were 

former managers of the Marva and Fox thea- 

high. 

Monogram cashier Dorothy Brookbank 

celebrated a birthday . . . Columbia's "Chick" 

Wingfield takes his job seriously. When 

he's not out on the road, "Chick" spends his 

evenings in the office getting his accounts 

into shape. . Items: Aileen Poe, formerly 

of the billing department, was given a 

beautiful necklace as a farewell gift from 

the MGM Pep club . Hodgens of 

the southern division manager's office spent 

the weekend in Harrisburg. Pa., visitins 

friends . . . Ethel Goldman is the new member 

of the Metro family . Bothwell, 

secretary to Rudolph Berger, was presented 

with a compact by the Pep club 

when she resigned. 

Leon Bamberger, sales promotion manager, 

and his staff at RKO have sent to each exhibitor 

in the U.S. and Canada attractive 

mailing pieces on "A Woman's Secret," "The 

Green Promise" and "The Pride of the Yankees." 

201 h-Fox Continues 

Video Experiments 

NEW YORK—Twentieth Century-Fox is 

continuing its experiments with films for 

perm.t applications pending for Boston. San 

Francisco. Seattle, Kansas City and St. Louis. 

The future of these applications will not be 

known until after the antitrust case is settled 

and the FCC studies the significance of 

the final 

settlement. 

New York Variety Profits 

From 'Bad Boy' Showing 

NEW YORK—The newly-formed Variety 

Tent 35 of New York realized a net of more 

than $10,000 from the sellout showing for 

the Heart fund of Allied Artists' "Bad Boy" 

at the Palace Theatre on March 22. 

Max A. Cohen, Century circuit executive 

and chief barker, introduced Audie Murphy. 

Jane Wyatt and Lloyd Nolan, stars of "Bad 

Boy," and the following AA executives: Steve 

Broidy. president; Harold Mirisch, vice-president; 

Walter Mirisch, producer, and Paul 

Short, who produced "Bad Boy." 

Milton Berle, as abbot of the Friars club, 

formally welcomed Tent 35 to New York and 

introduced the headliners in an elaborate" 

stage show. The performers included Phil 

Baker. Cab Calloway and his band. Vic 

Damone. Jane Pickens Perry Como, Gil 

Lamb. Virginia O'Brien. Jerry Colonna, Hal 

LeRoy. Janet Blair, the King Cole Trio, the 

Radio City Music Hall Rockettes and performers 

from other current Broadway shows. 

Murphy. Nolan and M'ss Wyatt also made 

personal appearances at the Palace during 

the first day of public showings of "Bad 

Boy" on March 23. 

D. C OPENING— Among those who attended the invitation premiere of "Saraband," 

I. Arthur Kank production released by Eagle Lion, at the Playhouse, Washington. 

U. ('., left to right: Elani Saks, fashion editor, Washington Star; Jock Lawrence, 

Rank Organization; < liarlcs Amorv. Fred Rohrs, EL Washington branch manager; 

Mrs. Rohrs, and (JiTrv Wagner, manager of the Playhouse. 

English Background Used 

For a French Production 

NEW YORK—"Jenny Lamour," the Frenchlanguage 

film released in the U.S. by Vog 

Films, was given a second Broadway opening, 

this time with a new English background 

process, at the Ambassador Theatre March 

25. The new process, which employs both 

male and female narrators, was developed in 

Paris for American and British audiences and 

eliminates the need for English dialog titles. 


: 

Much 

. Harold 

. . 

. . 

. . Paul 

. . 

About 400 Expected A^L B A N Y 

At Geo. Lynch Party 

ALBANY—Upward ol 4U0 are expected to 

attend the dinner party to be given at the 

Ten Eyck hotel here April 4 for George V. 

GEORGE V. LYNCH 

Lynch, who is observing 30 years with the 

Schine circuit. He now is chief film buyer. 

The committee, of which Arthur J. Newman 

is chairman, plans to have a stage, 

screen and radio personality as master of 

ceremonies. Others helping arrange the 

affair: 

Ri 

Charles Smalcwil 

lack Bullwinile 

Dan Houlihan 

Max Westebbe 

Ed Moloney 

Atki: 

Mill Schosberg 

Leonard Asch 

Gene Vogel 

Harry Alexandei 

Eddie Rull 

Saul Ullman 

Ray Smith 

Seymour Moms 

lack Goldberg 

Ed Wall 

Nate Dickman 

Floyd ruzsimmons 

Sam Galanty, Washington: Dave Miller 

and Phil Fox. Buffalo: Pete Dana, Cleveland: 

Jim Grady, Cincinnati: Sid Kallett. Syracuse; 

John May, Gloversville: Gus Schaefer. 

Boston: Ted O'Shea and Jules Lapidus New 

York, have been chosen area chairmen. 

WB Minority Stockholder 

Files Conspiracy Suit 

NEW YORK — Lawrence B. Dattenheim. 

Warner minority stockholder, filed a suit in 

U.S. district court against Warner Bros., 

United States Pictures and ten executives of 

the company charging conspiracy in behalf 

of United to the detriment of Warners. 

The su:t, which asks for an accounting on 

the production-distribution deal made between 

the two companies in 1945. is the ninth 

such action to be filed since September 20. 

SMPE Asks TOA to Become 

A Sustaining Member 

NEW YORK—The Society of Motion Picture 

Engineers has ..sked the Theatre Owners 

of America to become a sustaining member. 

Gael Sullivan, TOA executive director, 

predicts the invitation will be accepted as 

only a few TOA men are connected with the 

engineers and both organizations are working 

on television. 

mild, springlike 

J^ 

Monday brought to Filmrow: 

Hamlet." a six-week engagement of "The 

Clarence Dopp, operating theatres Red Shoes" and a week of "Monsieur Vin- 

Johnstown, Frankfort, Poland and Northville; 

in 

cent." brought in J. Arthur Rank's "Don't 

Phil Baroudi, Warrensburg and North 

Creek: Sylvan 

Take It to Heart" and "Waterloo Road" . 

Leff. conducting two houses Milt Schosberg's daughter Janice, who was 

in Utica and buying-booking for F. Chase graduated recently from Russell Sage col- 

Hathaway's drive-ins at North Hoosick and 

ment 

the local welfare depart- 

Krugman, assistant to Max 

Castleton. Vt.: Jules Perlmutter, Rivoli, 

Schenectady: Johnny Capano, State. Troy: Cohen, eastern division manager for Eagle 

Dave Willig. Auto-Vision. East Greenbush. 

The 3.650-seat Palace, after an interval of 

several years, is bringing a name band to the 

. 

Floyd Fitzsimmons, Metro exploiteer, 

hopped to Gloversville for a conference with 

Seymour- Morris, director of exploitation and 

publicity for the Schine circuit, on "Take 

Me Out to the Ball Game." The first Schine 

date for the picture will be in Auburn 

Jack Bullwinkle, Columbia manager, journeyed 

to Hancock for a meeting with Harvey 

English of the English circuit. English has 

not started to rebuilt the Opera House in 

Downsville, recently destroyed by fire. 

The 600-seat theatre, costing $130,000, under 

construction in Catskill will be called the 

Catskill. Sam Rosenblatt reports. He had 

intended conducting a naming contest in 

cooperation with a radio station in Hudson, 

but the purchase of a porcelain marquee 

forced him to make a quick decision. He 

expects to open the theatre early in May. 

Three changes weekly will be made. Rosenblatt 

said that he was keeping within the 

estimated cost of $130,000 for the new house. 

The Lake at Lake George will open in mid- 

April. Sam Rosenblatt is the operator and 

Charles Osborn is manager . . . When Jules 

Perlmutter of the Rivoli, Schenectady, was 

seen talking at length with Herb Jacobs, 

manager of the Colonial, Albany, at the Variety 

Club dinner Monday night, he was 

asked, "What's up?" Perlmutter smilingly replied: 

"There are only two things about this 

business which I have to learn—buying and 

booking pictures." 

Joe Miller and his son Sandy, who recently 

resigned as Film Classics salesmen, have become 

partners with Carl Roupp and Bill 

Thompson in the Empire Raceway Drive-in 

at Menands. The ozoner is being built in 

the parking lot of the midget automobile 

track between Albany and Troy. Miller sr. 

served as Columbia manager in Albany and 

Buffalo for 20 years. Matt Sullivan. FC manager 

in Milwaukee, succeeded Miller. 

Ernest G. Dodds. operator of the Palace. 

Lake Placid, was elected mayor of the resort 

town while he was vacationing in Florida . 

Tony Anderson, manager of Schine's Pontiac 

in Saranac Lake, was re-elected mayor there 

Sliter, zone manager for the 

Sch ne circuit in Kentucky, visited his father 

Fred G.. 20th-Fox salesman here, en route 

to a meeting in Gloversville Monday. Harold 

served at Watertown before promotion to 

his present assignment. 

A total of S3.900 was contributed by WROW 

listeners to a fund raised for Ed Walker, former 

Times-Union promotion manager and 

ex-Variety Club member, who was removed 

to Memorial hospital in New York six weeks 

ago with a serious ailment. Walker, since 

returned to his home in Troy but unable to 

work, had been an announcer and promotion 

director at WROW and WTRY. The moneywas 

turned over to his wife. 

The Colonial, after a five-week run of 

big house. Vaughan Monroe, the week of 

May 4. 

Check on Film Licenses 

Started in Albany Area 

ALBANY—A check by the state education 

department on licenses for films shown by 

theatres in the local exchange area now is 

in progress, the work being supervised by 

George Hall, investigator for the motion picture 

division. 

Educational laws of the state provide that 

all films shown in theatres must have been 

licensed, and prints must bear numbers 

which must appear on screens. Some prints 

circulated by exchanges out of the state do 

not bear the required license numbers, according 

to a bulletin mailed by Leonard L. 

Rosenthal, TOA executive director. 

In the event of an emergency difficulty, 

TOA members are urged to communicate 

with Rosenthal at his office. 

Mothers Approve Showing 

Of Albert Sex Films 

MAMARONECK, N. Y—A group of 350 

Mamaroneck and Larchmont mothers has 

voted in favor of showing Eddie Albert's two 

16mm sex films to their school-age children. 

The films, "Human Growth" and "Human 

Reproduction," have been barred from some 

schools over the country, but have been 

screened on an experimental basis in Mamaroneck 

and Larchmont schools. The parents 

voted in favor of the films March 21 

at a meeting sponsored here by the Mamaroneck-Larchmont 

Parent-Teacher Council. 

The mothers decided that "Human Growth" 

should be shown during the sixth and seventh 

grades, and "Human Reproduction" should 

be included in the high school program. 

School authorities said they would continue 

the screenings. 

Morley Is Co-Chairman 

Of Television Committee 

NEW YORK—Henry Morley, executive of 

Dynamite Films, has been named co-chairman 

of the production committee of the National 

Televis on Film Council by Melvin L. 

Gold, president. 

Morley will conduct all the activities of 

the committee during the illness of Jack 

Glenn, committee chairman and president ot 

the Screen Directors Guild. 

Gulistcm Wilton Theatre Carpet 

JOE HORNSTEIN has it! 

BOXOFTICE 

: 

26. 1949

. . Sadie 

. . Gerry 

HARRISBURG 

Tn a sudden change in booking, the film "A 

Letter to Three Wives" was pulled from 

the Colonial and shifted to the State. 

Earlier, 

a window display had been set up in a vacant 

storeroom in the State Theatre building 

. . . Ronald Bair, former State usher, 

has returned . Grubic, State cleaning 

staff, resigned . Wollaston. State 

and Fabian city manager, visited in Reading. 

Harry ('. Chubb, Hershey Community Theatre 

manager, had his hands full, publicizing 

both "The Heiress." March 18. 19 on the 

stage, and "Inside U.S.A.," which opens 

March 28 for a week. The latter is the fourth 

stage attraction in five weeks, for which 

Chubb has canceled films . . . "Paisan," 

shoved into the Senate hurriedly, got excellent 

reviews in city papers, but poor response 

at the boxoffice. said Manager Robert Sidman. 

Doris Rubinsky. Capitol Theatre, was in 

New York for a visit . . . Theatre personnel 

of the area attended the wedding of Bertha 

Sherrick. former Senate aide, to Kenneth O. 

Gebhard, Western Union messenger . . . For 

the last week all the Loew's Regent ads have 

included a little cut of a rabbit bearing the 

legend "Loew's Marches Into Spring." Sam 

Gilman has carried out the same theme in 

h s theatre decorations. 

Winchester, Va„ Drive-In 

Opening Set for March 31 

WINCHESTER, VA.—March 31 was set as 

the date for opening the Shenandoah Valley's 

newest drive-in, located one and onehalf 

miles south of Woodstock. The airer is 

owned by Roy Coffman and Fred Kingtree. 

A ten-foot deep stage across the base of 

the screen with dressing rooms beneath, will 

permit stage attractions. Seven terraces 

have been graded on the 4 '--acre tract fof 

patrons cars. A semicircular driveway permits 

entrance and exit without disturbing 

other spectators. Simplex projectors are used. 

Lux Films Moves Office 

NEW YORK—Lux Films, Inc., and Lux 

Film Distributing Corp., distributors of foreign 

films, have moved their offices to the 

Paramount building. E. R. Borgniotti is 

president and Bernard Jacon is vice-president 

in charge of sales. 

INCORPORATIONS 

Timely Productions, Inc.: To conduct a motion 

picture business in New York; capital 

stock. 200 shares, no par. 

Variety Club of New York, Inc.: Recorded 

as a change of name. 

Teleinvest, Inc.: Increased capital stock 

from 200 shares, no par, to 1,300 shares, 1,000 

preferred at $100 par. and 300 common at no 

par. 

Motion Picture Ventures, Inc.: Dissolved. 

New Buffalo Amusement Corp.: Formed In 

Wilmington. Del; 4,300 shares, 4,000 preferred 

at $100 par. 500 common at no par. 

• A FINISHED SCREEN 

• ERECTED AND 

COMPLETED 

• TILTED FOR 

PERFECT VISION 

• BUILT TO 

WITHSTAND A 

HURRICANE 

•LOW COST 

• QUICK DELIVERY 

• FAST ERECTION 

• MEETS ALL BUILD- 

ING CODES 

^•^Wlf jj 

MALEY CONSTRUCTION CO. 

Wayne Theatre Bldg Wayne, Mich. 

Phone Wayne 4580 

Macon Amusement Corp.: Reduced capital 

stock from 1,000 to 800 shares, no par. 

Richfield Operatic Films, Inc.: Increased 

capital stock from $20,000, 

$100 par value per 

share, to $50,000, 200 shares preferred at $150 

par. and 200 common at $100 par. 

Academy of Radio & Television Best Arts 

& Sciences, Inc.: Formed under the membership 

section of the corporation law. 

Koyster Drive-In Theatres: Formed to operate 

places of amusement in Poughkeepsie; 

200 shares, no par; Harry L. Royster, Theodosia 

H. Royster. Campbell Hotel. Royster 

for years has been district manager for Paramount-Publ 

x here. It was revealed he and 

associates will build a 800-car ozoner near 

Poughkeepsie. 

Sunrise Film Corp.: To conduct a motion 

picture business in New York: 200 shares, no 

Theatre Service Organization: To deal in 

theatre equipment and films in Buffalo; 200 

shares, no par. 

Flamingo Films: Motion picture business in 

New York: 100 shares, no par. 

Futurity Film Corp.: Import and export 

motion pictures; 100 shares, no par. 

Reeves Equipment Corp.: To conduct a 

sound transcription equipment business; 200 

shares, no par; Albert C. Travis jr., Eric 

Darmstaedter and Alfred Panofsky, 10 E. 

52nd St. 

5: BOXOFFICE March 26. 1949

Romance 

Reissue Date Ad Bill 

Killed by Committee 

ALBANY—A bill which would have required 

the addition of original release dates 

in all advertising for films shown more than 

one year afterwards was killed by the assembly 

codes committee. Both the MMPTA and 

the Albany TOA groups vigorously opposed 

the measure on the ground that it was impractical 

and would place a burden on small 

theatres. 

Assemblyman Leo Noonan, Cattaraugus 

county Republican who introduced the bill. 

said that his action was taken to protect 

the public from possible deception in the 

showing of reissued films. 

Orrin Judd. representing the MMPTA. 

filed a brief with the codes committee arguing 

that the bill was unnecessary. He said 

it would cast "reproach" on reissues. 

The Fino bill, which exempts motion picture 

theatres from provisions of the 1948 

law banning restriction from places of amusement 

against persons accompanied by Seeing 

Eye dogs, passed the assembly and went to 

Gov. Thomas E. Dewey for further action. 

Judd pointed out that a dangerous situation 

might be created if persons with such dogs 

attended film theatres, which are darkened 

for clearer projection of films. The New 

York Ass'n for the Blind believed that the 

present law exempted such theatres because 

of the phrase, "unless a dangerous situation 

is 

created." 

Objection has been voiced by Judd to the 

Fino-Bannigan bill which would prohibit the 

operation of public baggage lockers unless a 

male custodian at least 21 years of age is in 

constant attendance. Judd said that there 

is no need for such legislation. Several New 

York theatres maintain baggage lockers service. 

WB to Release 8 Pictures 

In England in 6 Months 

LONDON—Warner Bros, will release eight 

features in Great Britain through the end 

of August. 

They are: "Silent Dust." a British film, 

March 21; "Treasure of the Sierra Madre," 

April 4: "Queen of Spades." Pathe-British, 

April 11; "The Golden Madonna," British- 

Warner, May 30; "June Bride." June 27; "It's 

Magic" i on the High Seas), July 

25: "John Loves Mary," August 8, and "Key 

Largo." August 22. 

"Romance" has been retitled "It's Magic" 

for English and Australian release to coincide 

with the title of its hit song, which became 

popular after the American release. 

Milk Fund Will Benefit 

From 'Jennie' Opening 

NEW YORK—An invitation opening of David 

O. Selznick's "Portrait of Jennie" will 

be held at the Rivoli Theatre March 29 for 

the benefit of the Free Milk Fund for Babies, 

of which Mrs. William Randolph Hearst is 

founder and president. The regular showings 

will start March 30. 

Tickets for the event are priced from S2 

to $5 plus federal tax. Jennifer Jones and 

Joseph Cotten. stars of the picture, are expected 

back from Europe in time to attend. 

BOXOFTICE March 26. 1949 

"BEST YEARS" WINS AGAIN—Latest 

honor to be accorded Producer Samuel 

Goldwyns "The Best Years of Our Lives" 

is Denmark's Filmprisen (Film Prize), 

awarded when Danish film critics selected 

the picture as the best "foreign" picture 

shown in that country in 1948. Goldwyn 

(left) accepts the porcelain statuette 

from Ryan Grut, Danish consul in Los 

Angeles. 

Bryan Foy Not Released 

From EL Producing Pact 

NEW YORK— Bryan Foy. 

Eagle Lion producer, 

has failed to win his release from his 

two-year contract with the company in order 

to accept an offer to produce independent 

pictures for release through Warner Bros. 

Foy, who went to Palm Beach for conferences 

on the matter with Arthur B. Krim. EL 

president: Robert Benjamin, and Robert R. 

Young, controlling stockholder of Pathe Industries. 

EL parent company, must complete 

two new EL films. "Trapped" and "Port of 

New York." now in preparation for filming 

in Hollywood this spring. 

Strand, Victoria Join 

Broadway Price Cuts 

NEW YORK—The Strand and Victoria 

theatres have joined Loews State, the Criterion, 

the Globe and the Astor in the pricecutting 

trend on Broadway. The Paramount 

Theatre made the first move two years ago. 

The Strand has reduced its late show prices 

from SI. 50 to $1.25. The Victoria has dropped 

its Sunday afternoon and evening scale from 

S2.40 to SI.80, and its Saturday late show 

prices from $2.40 to $1.50. 

begin at 10 p. m. 

Late shows usually 

Four Envoys, General 

At Louis Mayer Dinner 

WASHINGTON — MPA President Eric 

Johnston was host Monday to a guest list 

which would turn any Washington hostess 

green with envy. At a luncheon to honor 

MGM production chief Louis B. Mayer were 

Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, ambassadors Sir 

Oliver Franks of Britain. Henri Bonnet of 

France. Alberto Tarchian of Italy. W. Bedell 

Smith. U.S. ambassador to Russia, and 

ECA Administrator Paul G. Hoffman. 

Universal Loss $717,535 

NEW YORK—Universal Pictures Co.. Inc.. 

has reported a loss of $717,535 for the 13-week 

period ending January 29. The company 

turned in a net profit of $134,206 for the 

same period last year. 

Coy, Sarnoff Will Speak 

At Communications Meet 

WASHINGTON—Wayne C. Coy, chairman 

of the Federal Communications commission, 

and Capt. A. A. Burke, U.S. navy, will be the 

principal speakers at a luncheon at the 

Shorehan March 28 during the third annual 

meeting of the Armed Forces Communicai 

one Ass'n. Brig. Gen. David Sarnoff, president 

of the association, and Adm. Louis E. 

Denfield, chief of naval operations, will 

speak at the annual banquet the evening 

of March 28. 

More than 500 executives of the communications 

and photographic industries and 

members of the armed forces will attend the 

exhibitions and demonstrations arranged by 

the U.S. navy for the meeting. Among those 

from the New York area, in addition to General 

Sarnoff. will be: A. W. Marriner, director 

of aviation of the International Telephone 

& Telegraph Corp.; Jennings B. Dow. 

vice-president of the Hazeltine Corp.; Carroll 

O. Bickelhaupt, vice-president of the American 

Telephone & Telegraph Co.; Fred R. 

Lack, vice-president of the radio division oi 

Western Electric Co.; Harold A. Zahl. assistant 

director for engineering research ot 

the Signal Corps Engineering Laboratories. 

Ft. Monmouth. N. J., and Dr. F. B. Jewett. 

former president of the National Academy oi 

Science. 

Darryl F. Zanuck, vice-president of 20tn 

Century-Fox; T. H. A. Lewis, vice-president 

in charge of radio. Young & Rubicam, and 

Dr. Lee DeForest. radio scientist and inventor, 

are expected from Hollywood. 

NSS Trailers Are Shipped 

Despite Express Embargo 

NEW YORK — Trailers and accessories, 

more than 90 per cent of which are produced 

here, have continued their uninterrupted distribution 

to National Screen exchanges and 

exhibitors throughout the country despite the 

express embargo which has seriously paralyzed 

shipping from New York since March 

Day and night crews, operating in National 

Screen's home office, shipping rooms, 

silk screen plant and laboratories, have routed 

these advertising items to intermediate shipping 

stations outside New York City, where 

they have been relayed to the 31 NSS offices. 

One such relay point was Philadelphia, 

which now under threat of embargo itself, 

has given way to a new depot. 

Thomas P. O'Connor Dies; 

Father of MGM Official 

CLINTON. MASS. — Funeral services for 

Thomas P. O'Connor, father of Edward F. 

O'Connor, regional director of MGM activities 

in the Far East for Loew's International 

Corp.. were held March 19 from St. John's 

church. O'Connor died March 16 at his 

home here. 

In addition to Edward O'Connor, he is 

survived by his wife, another son. Rev. 

Thomas D. O'Connor, pastor of the Immaculate 

Conception church. Baltimore: and two 

daughters. Catherine, and Mrs. Walter Enright 

of Auburndale. Mass. 

THE IDEAL THEATRE CHAIRS 

JOE HORNSTEIN has them

TV Trailers to Increase 

Film Patrons: Nassour 

NEW YORK—Television trailers will increase 

the potential market for films, according 

to Edward Nassour, who operates 

the Nassour studios on Sunset boulevard. 

Hollywood, with his brother William. He believes 

that the trailers will reach a new audience 

which will more than compensate for 

any patrons that television might take away. 

One stage of the soundproof studio will be 

equipped for television production, Nassour 

said. However, he has no immediate plans 

for producing television films himself. He 

in New York to confer with United Artists 

is 

home office executives on the release ot 

"Africa Screams." his first wholly produced 

Weekly Sales Meets 

Set by Schwalberg 

NEW YORK—Alfred A. Schwalberg. general 

sales manager for Paramount, has 

started a series of weekly sales meetings with 

department and branch executives. The first 

meeting held last week was attended by 

Barney Balaban, president. 

The purpose of these meetings, Schwalberg 

told the men. is to keep them informed about 

company policy and up-to-date on the latest 

production news. 

Balaban joined in the discussion. He repeated 

some of his statements made early 

this month at the studio meetings and 

stressed the bright future of Paramount production 

and distribution under the consent 

decree. 

Both Balaban and Schwalberg pounded 

home the idea that the new picture company, 

to be known as Paramount Pictures. Inc.. is 

dedicated to a "new. Swift, aggressive and 

nrogressive policy. It will make its own way 

in the world." 

They also praised the work of Henry Ginsberg, 

vice-president and studio head, and the 

fine team spirit of the studio stars and 

players. 

Balaban plans to attend future meetings 

whenever his schedule permits. 

Trans-Lux '48 Net Profit 

Is 33% Under 1947 

NEW YORK—The Trans-Lux Corp. has 

reported a net profit of $155,131. after taxes 

and charges, for the year ended Dec. 31, 

1948. This compares with a profit of $231,- 

679 for 1947. 

This sum is equal to 22 cents a share on 

the 689,503 shares outstanding, compared 

to 34 cents a share for 1947. 

feature. 

The studio, which was built in 1947. is the 

most modem in Hollywood and the largest 

independent now operating. Nassour said. In 

addition to "Africa Screams." which stars 

Abbott and Costello with Frank Buck. Clyde 

Beatty, Max Baer and Hillary Brooke, the 

Nassour Bros, will produce three other features 

during 1949. Among their associates 

are Donald Crisp, the actor, who makes his 

headquarters at the studio and will act as 

editorial adviser, and Bernard Luber, who 

accompanied Edward Nassour to New York. 

Motion Picture Sales Corp. is acting as producers' 

representative on the four films. 

Pine and Thomas were the first to produce 

their features at the new studio, which 

can handle close to 20 pictures a year. Roy 

Del Ruth is now shooting "Red Light." which 

stars George Raft and Virginia Mayo, for 

United Artists release and other pictures 

which will start production there soon are: 

"Daybreak." a Niven Busch picture which 

will star his wife. Teresa Wright, and Lew 

Ayres. and "Mrs. Mike," a Samuel Bischoff 

feature to star Dick Powell. Mae West has 

signed to make a feature following her 

Broadway engagement in "Diamond Lil." 

The Nassour Bros, either partly finance or 

participate in the profits of the majority o! 

the pictures made at their studio. 

Ascap Re-elects Eight 

To Directors' Board 

NEW YORK—Ascap members have reelected 

the entire slate of four writer and 

four publisher directors whose terms of 

office expired this year. There are 24 directors 

on the Ascap board. The terms of eight 

expire every 

three years. 

Those re-elected this year according to the 

system of weighted votes were: Fred E. 

Ahlert. Paul Cunningham. Oscar Hammerstein 

II and A. Walter Kramer, the writer 

members, and Louis Bernstein, Saul H. 

Bourne, Herman Starr and Gustave Schirmer. 

the publisher members. 

The writers have one vote for each $20 

of royalties earned during the preceding year 

and the publishers have one vote for each 

$500 earned during the same period. 

The balloting, which had been conducted 

by mail, was certified March 22 by Adolph 

Vogel. 

Sociologist Says Screen 

Reflects Popular Tastes 

NEW YORK—Present films reflect popular 

taste. Frances Farmer Wilder, sociologist, 

told a March 22 meeting of the east coast 

preview committee of 17 national organizations 

that preview films under MPAA auspices. 

To improve popular taste, people must 

improve the institutions that shape it. such 

as the home, school and church, she said. 

She stressed that films appeal primarily to 

the emotions. 

Bulletin for Music Field 

NEW YORK—The Music Publishers 

Ass'n 

has issued the first of a planned series of 

the MPA Bulletin, which will cover different 

phases of music publishihng and will promote 

better relations between dealers and 

publishers. 

RKO's Gross Revenue 

in u.k. stays High 

NEW YORK—The RKO 1948 gross revenue 

in the United Kingdom ran less than five 

per cent behind the peak year of 1946 and the 

first ten weeks' revenue this year was only a 

little below that of the same period a year 

ago, according to Robert S. Wolff, RKO managing 

director of the area. He said it was the 

same old story of people attending the theatre 

when good pictures are shown. 

Somewhat over $1,000,000 of the frozen 

funds of RKO will be utilized for the production 

of Walt Disney's "Treasure Island" 

in Technicolor over there for RKO release. 

Production will begin toward the end of 

June. It will be all live action. Bobby Driscoll 

will play the boy. "So Well Remembered" 

was the last RKO film to be made there. It 

was done in 1947. 

Wolff had high hopes for "Joan of Arc," 

which RKO will open at the London Pavilion 

in Piccadilly Circus April 8 with the Duke 

and Duchess of Kent in attendance and &' 

prices ranging from $4 to $40. BBC will do 

a radio broadcast of the opening. He expects 

"Joan" to at least equal the performance 

of "Best Years of Our Lives" which, he 

said, ran second only to "Gone With the 

Wind" in all-time British popularity. It 

probably will be roadshown while still playng 

in London. 

The RKO executive dodged a number of 

questions about conditions in the United 

Kingdom by saying he could not discuss anything 

that seemed political. However, he 

thought that some compromise will be made 

in the present recommended quota reduction 

from 45 to 33*:< per cent, and he said the 

British Board of Trade had the power to set 

a new quota without act of Parliament. 

Wolff called rumors there would be a 

shakeup in the RKO London foreign office 

without foundation. He was enthusiastic at 

the prospect of a Variety tent in London during 

the year as an aid to Anglo-American 

relations. He will start it off as acting chairman. 

He sails for England April 28 on the 

Queen Elizabeth. J. Arthur Rank is scheduled 

to return then on the same ship. 

MGM, Kinematograph Set 

British Showmen's Drive 

NEW YORK — MGM International 

and 

Kinematograph Weekly have completed arrangements 

for a national showmanship contest 

among exhibitors in Great Britain in 

recognition of MGM's Silver Jubilee Year, 

according to Arthur M. Loew, president of 

Loew's International. The contest will embrace 

MGM pictures on exhibition there from 

April 3. 1949 to March 31, 1950. 

Sir Alexander King, president of the CEA: 

D. J. Goodlatte. managing director of Associated 

British Cinemas: Sam Eckman jr.. 

chairman and managing director of MGM in 

Great Britain, and A. L. Carter, editor of 

Kinematograph Weekly, will serve as judges. 

The total of $2,000 in awards will be divided 

as follows: First prize, $400, and second prize. 

$200. will be awarded for the most consistent 

exploitation of MGM films during the 12 

months. 

There will also be 12 monthly prizes 

of $40 each. The winners also will receive 

engraved silver lions and runnersup will get 

engraved bronze lions. 

Presentations will be made at a luncheon 

banquet after the closing date. 

S4 


HOLLYWOOD 

PRODUCTION 

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

CENTER 

Stars to Kansas City 

For 'Kettle' Debut 

HOLLYWOOD—On hand for the March 

24 world premiere of "Ma and Pa Kettle" at 

the Uptown, Tower and Fairway theatres in 

Kansas City were Leonard Goldstein, who 

produced the U-I comedy, stars Marjorie 

Main and Percy Kilbride, and Del Chain, who 

functioned as emcee for the half-hour show 

staged in conjunction with the triple premiere. 

They were joined in Kansas City by 

Meg Randall and Richard Long, U-I contract 

players. The troupe will make similar 

appearances at openings of "Kettle" in Topeka, 

Wichita, St. Louis and Denver. 

With all proceeds going to the new Variety 

Club Tent 35, Allied Artists" "Bad Boy" 

was given its eastern premiere at the Palace 

Theatre in New York March 22. Personal 

appearances were made by stars Lloyd Nolan, 

Audie Murphy and Jane Wyatt; the producer, 

Paul Short; and other entertainers 

including Phil Baker, Jerry Colonna, Desi 

Arnaz, Janet Blair, Carl Brisson, Cab Calloway, 

Perry Como and Victor Moore. 

MGM's "The Stratton Story," starring 

James Stewart, will be world-premiered April 

21 at Loew's Stillman in Cleveland. 

"Incorrigible," Swedish film dealing with 

juvenile delinquency, made its U.S. debut 

March 21 at the Melvan Theatre in Hollywood. 

The picture, which has English subtitles, 

is being distributed by the Foreign 

Film Service Corp. 

Following its scheduled March 25 world 

premiere in El Paso, Paramount's release of 

"El Paso," the Pine-Thomas production, has 

been set to make its west coast debut at the 

Paramount Theatre in San Francisco April 5. 

The John Payne starrer is also slated for six 

other premiere openings in Texas and Oklahoma. 

S. Sylvan Simon Promoted 

To New Columbia Post 

HOLLYWOOD—Producer-Director S. Sylvan 

Simon has been elevated at Columbia to 

the post of executive producer under President 

Harry Cohn. In addition to producing 

some pictures personally, Simon also will supervise 

production units headed by Buddy 

Adler and Alex Gottlieb. 

Upcoming on Simon's own slate are "The 

Good Humor Man," "The Fuller Brush Girl" 

and "The Petty Girl." He also will function 

as executive over Adler's "My Next Husband' 

and "The Hero," and Gottlieb's "A Woman 

of Distinction" and "It's a Man's World." 

Writers Seek $150,000 

For 'Rainmaker Story 

Hollywood—Damages of $150,000 are 

being sought in a superior court action 

filed against Monogram and four other 

defendants by Howard J. Green and Raymond 

L. Goldman. Charging literary 

piracy, the plaintiffs contend a play they 

wrote and produced in 1937, "The People's 

Choice," was plagiarized in a recent Monogram 

release, "Henry the Rainmaker," 

starring Raymond Walburn. Co-defendants 

with Monogram are Producer 

Peter Scully, Director Jean Yarbrough, 

D. D. Beauchamp, who authored "Henry," 

and Lane Beauchamp, who wrote the 

screenplay. 

Norman Siegel Named 

Para Publicity Head 

HOLLYWOOD—Reportedly because of 

differences 

with the front office over publicity 

policies, George Brown, Paramount studio 

publicity-advertising director since 1940, resigned 

and was succeeded by Norman Siegel, 

Brown's executive assistant since early in 

1948. Brown did not disclose future plans. 

The new studio publicity-advertising topper 

joined Paramount in 1945 and for the last 

three years has been the Hollywood coordinator 

for the annual British "royal command" 

performance involving the appearances 

of selected Hollywood stars before 

England's royal family. Prior to his studio 

affiliation, Siegel had been with the Scripps- 

Howard newspaper chain in Cleveland for 

19 years. 

Brown formerly had been with the Warner 

studio publicity staff. Earlier, in the east, he 

functioned in advertising-publicity posts with 

Columbia and Universal. 

Third Union Joins Fray 

Over Set Decorators 

HOLLYWOOD—A new organization, the 

Screen Set Decorators Guild, has jumped 

into the battle for union jurisdiction over 

set decorators in both major and independent 

studios. The SSDG filed an NLRB petition 

seeking certification as bargaining 

agent in the independent field. This was the 

third union to seek bargaining agent powers 

for set decorators in the jurisdictional dispute. 

Last week the National Labor Relations 

Board ordered an election on the major lots 

to determine whether the painters brotherhood 

or the IATSE should be bargaining 

agent for the decorators. 

Warner Heads Draft 

Production Plans 

HOLLYWOOD—A mantle of secrecy at 

midweek still shrouded the conferences being 

held on the Warner Bros, lot in Burbank, 

with top studio and eastern executives participating, 

and out of which, company representatives 

said, would "undoubtedly" come a 

concrete announcement of Warners' production 

plans for the balance of the year. It 

also was thought likely that clarification of 

the company's far-reaching plans for entrance 

into the field of television might also 

be disclosed as a result of the east-west 

huddles. 

Recent moves to augment the Warner 

stable of thespian and creative talent have 

been regarded by observers as straws in the 

wind to indicate a pending resurgence of production 

activity at the studio, which was dormant 

for several months before its one current 

productional effort, "The Octopus and 

Miss Smith," went before the cameras early 

this month. Such deals have included the 

borrowing of David O. Selznick's entire roster 

of contract players: the signing of William 

and James Cagney to a six-picture commitment, 

and other moves to bolster the Warner 

talent roster. 

Sitting in on the huddles, expected to continue 

through the week, were home office 

executives including Samuel Schneider; Ben 

Kalmenson, general sales manager; Mort 

Blumenstock, advertising and publicity chief, 

and Herman Starr, vice-president in charge 

of Warners' Music Publishing Holding Co. 

They have been conferring with President 

Harry M. Warner; Jack L. Warner, vicepresident 

in charge of production: Steve 

Trilling, executive aide to Jack L. Warner, 

and Alex Evelove, studio publicity-advertising 

director. 

As concerns video the Warners have pending 

before the FCC a petition seeking approval 

of their projected purchase of station 

KLAC-TV, Los Angeles, as well as outlets In 

New York and Chicago. 

Murray Lerner Named 

Vice-President of SG 

HOLLYWOOD—Murray Lerner, who functioned 

as a production associate on Screen 

Guild's Robert L. Lippert production, "I Shot 

Jesse James," has been named by Lippert to 

take charge of film making operations as a 

vice-president of Lippert Productions under 

Lippert's direct supervision. 

Lerner will take over his new duties on 

the next Lippert production, "Cross Currents," 

which Seymour Roth will put the 

cameras April 11 for SG release. 

March 26. 1949 55

STUDIO PERSONNELITIES 

Barnstormers 

Independent 

|ACK BENNY will emcee the 

Guild frolic in San Francisco March 26. 

Blurbers 

Independent 

Cleffers 

rly a member of the Warner studio pubali, 

Jonah Ruddy has joined Helen Fergu- 

United Artists 

Background choral work for Screen Plays' "Home 

of the Brave" will be done by the Jester Hairston 

choir under the supervision of music director 

DIMITR! TIOMKIN, who is writing and scoring the 

Loanouts 

Columbia 

•Borrowed from Paramount, RAY MILLAND will have 

the male starring role in "A Woman of Distinction," 

to be produced by Alex Gottlieb 

Metro 

On loan from Samuel Goldwyn, GIGI PERREAU 

will portray the small girl who witnesses a murder 

in "Dealh in the Dolls House." 


Borrowed from Warners. BARBARA BATES was 

signed to play Mickey Rooney's girl friend in fhe 

Rooney-Stiefel production, "Quicksand." 

Meggers 

Metro 

Directing Pandro S Bermcm's Glenn Ford starrer, 

"Bodies and Sou's." will be CURTIS BERNHARDT 

MERVYN LEROY has been assigned to meg the 

Clark Gable and Loretfa Young vehicle, "Key to 

the City." to be produced by Z Wayne Griffin 

Monogram 

Producer Jan Grippo signed REGINALD LEBORG 

lo meg "Safety Pins," next in the Bowery Boys 

series to star Leo Gorcy. 

Republic 

GEORGE BLAIR was assigned to meg "Flaming 

Fury," semidocumentary, for Producer Sidney Picker 

20th Century-Fox 

IEAN NEGULESCO had his director's pact lilted 

for another year. Next assignment for the director 

will be "Three Came Home." 


Harry Popkin signed RUDY MATE to direct "Sheila," 

from an original by Robert St Clair 

King Bros, has signed JOSEPH H LEWIS to direct 

"Gun Crazy." 

Universal-International 

LEONARD GOLDSTEIN was set to produce a film, 

as yet untitled, based on the life of lim Bowie, hero 

who died at the fall of the Alamo, and reputed inventor 

of the Bowie knife. 

Warners 

Signed to meg the Humphrey Bogart starrei, 

"Chain liahtning." for Producer Anthony Veiller 

was STUART HEISLER. 

Optidns 

Columbia 

Set for the femme leads in "Barbary Pirate" were 

TRUDY MARSHALL and LENORE AUBERT. 

Signed as the "other woman" in the Rosalind 

Russell-Robert Cumminos comedy. "My Next Husband." 

was MARIE McDONALD GIG YOUNG joins 

the cast, to be directed by Norman Foster. 

DAVID BLAIR will play Joan Bennett's son in 

Walter Wanaer's production, "The Blank Wall" 

ROY ROBERTS will play James Mason's gangster 

associate. Max Opuls directs. SHEPPARD STRUD- 

WICK was signed lor the role of a blackmailing 

masher HENRY O'NEILL was signed for a role. 

Indian actor JAY SILVERHEELS was inked to play 

a Navajo chief in Autry Production's "The Cowboy 

and the Indians," starring Gene Autry. 

Eagle Lion 

Character actor LEONID KINSKY was signed to 

Film Classics 

Signed for Emerald Productms' "Not Wanted" were 

RUTHELMA STEVENS. MARIE HARMON and BOB 

ALLEN Sally Forrest and Leo Penn topline the 

cast, being directed by Elmer Clifton. 

Independent 

Walter Wanger exercised his option on actress 

SUSAN HAYWARD lor another year. 

Metro 

' 

Top lop role in m William H. Wright's production, "Stars 

in My Crown, goes to JOEL McCREA. 

Wellman. 

Set to star in "Father of the Bride" was ELIZA- 

BETH TAYLOR. Pandro S. Berman will produce. 

LOUIS CALHERN portrays a Russian genera! in 

Carey Wilson's production, "The Red Danube," toc- 

Unina Walter Pidaeon, Peter Lawford and Angela 

Lansbury. VICTOR WOOD, KONSTANTIN SHAYNE, 

TAMARA SHAYNE, CARROLL SAVAGE, DORIS 

LLOYD and CASIA ORZAZEWSKI are additions to the 

SUE CASEY, MARY ELLEN GLEASON and MERE- 

DITH LEEDS were added to the cast of "Annie 

Get Your Gun " 

ZACHARY SCOTT will play the role of a young 

father accused of murder in "Death in the Doll's 

House." to be directed by Pat Jackson for Producer 

Rober! 

Sisk. 

Monogram 

RENO BROWNE will play the feminine lead opposite 

Jimmy Wakely in Louis Grav's production, 

"Frontier Fear," under the direction of Oliver Drake. 

DENNIS MOORE, RILEY HILL, KEENE DUNCAN and 

TED ADAMS are additions to the cast. 

Paramount 

WILLIAM HOLDEN plays the male lead in "Sunset 

Boulevard, " to be directed by Billy Wilder for 

Producer Charles Brackett. 

MARJORIE HOSHELLE joins the cast of the Frank 

Capra production, "Riding High," toplining Bing 

Crosby. 

Sianed for Richard Maibaum's production. "Alter 

Midnight " was ANGELA CLARKE Alan Ladd and 

Wanda Hendrix star in the film to be directed by 

Mitchell Leisen. 

p,„„-Thnmr-s sianed JOHN PAGNI RAY HIKE and 

I'riTH RICHARDS for supporting roles in "Captain 

China." 

RKO Radio 

A^ded to the cast of "Love Is Big Business" were 

PASTY MORAN and RAY HARRIS. 

ANN SOTHERN was signed for the stellar feminine 

role in Harriet Parsons' production, "Come 

Share My Love." 

Republic 

JIM DAVIS, JACK LAMBERT and JAMES BROWN 

BRIDE AM) GROOM—Honored guests 

the recent Los Angeles premiere of 

at 

Allied Artists' "Bad Boy" were Audle 

Murphy (centerl and his actress-wife, 

Wanda Hendrix. shown here being 

greeted at the Carthay Circle Theatre by 

Bruce Fowler, executive of the Fox West 

Coast circuit. Murphy has the title role 

in the opus. All proceeds from the debut 

went to the local Variety Boys club, sponsored 

by Tent 25, Variety Club of Southern 

California, 

were inked to enact the three sons of Walter Bren 

; 

nan in Producer-Director Joseph Kane's "Brimstone," 

starring Rod Cameron and Adrian Booth. 

JAMES PIERCE was signed for a featured role in 

the John Wayne production, "A Strange Caravan. 


EVELYN VARDEN was added to the cast of Darryl 

F. Zanuck's "Pinky." 

Starring in "Twelve O'Clock High" will be GREG- 

ORY PECK. 

JEAN PETERS' s contract was lifted by the studio. 

MILLARD MITCHELL, currently working in "Everybody 

Does It," had his option lifted for the next year. 

ALFONSO BEDOYA and TOMMY BLAKE joined the 

cast ol the Tyrone Power vehicle, "The Black Rose,' 

to be directed by Henry Hathaway for Producer 

Louis Lighton. 


TAYLOR HOLMES was signed by Rooney-Stiefel 

Productions for the Mickey Rooney-Jeanne Cagney 

starrer, "Quicksand." 


LIEF ERICKSON was signed to portray a government 

narcotics in 

agent the Dan Duryea-Shelley 

starrer, in Winters "Partners Crime." to be produced 

bv Aaron Rosenberg and directed by William 

Castle JEFF CHANDLER was signed for a role. 

STEVEN GERAY was inked to portray a film director 

in Robert Montgomery's Neptune production 

"Come Be My Love." Negrom comedienne LILLIAN 

RANDOLPH has been cast as Robert Montgomery's 

housekeeper. JOHN RIDGELY and LILLIAN RAN- 

DOLPH were inked for featured roles. 

DENNIS DENGATE, HARRY MARTIN and ASHLEY 

COWAN were inked for supporting roles in Robert 

Buckner's "Sword in the Desert," starring Dana 

Andrews and Marta Toren. 

Warners 

DENNIS MORGAN and GINGER ROGERS were set 

to star in "Perlect Strangers," to be produced by 

Jerry Wald. 

Assigned to appear opposite Bette Davis in "Beyond 

the Forest" was JOSEPH COTTEN. Henry Blanke 

direct. 

will produce 

DANE 

and 

CLARK. 

King Vidor 

VIRGINIA MAYO, RAYMOND 

MASSEY and CLAUDE RAINS will be starred in 

to "Barricade," be directed by Peter Godfrey. 

Set to star in "Chain Lightning," was HUMPHREY 

BOGART, Anthony Veiller will produce. 

Scripters 

Monogram 

GEORGE SAYRE will screenolay "Tentacles of the 

North,' first of three James Oliver Curwood stories 

to be produced by Lindsley Parsons. 

Paramount 

WHITMAN CHAMBERS has been assigned by Pine- 

Thomas to write the screenplav for "Not for Publication," 

newspaper melodrama by Lewis R. Foster. 

RKO Radio 

Samuel Goldwyn has inked ZOE AKINS to screenplay 

"Harvest," to star Dana Andrews 

Warners 

EDITH SOMMER will screenplay "Perfect Strangers," 

to star Ginger Rogers and Dennis Morgan. 

MEL SHAVELSON and TACK ROSE were inked 

to screenplay "When Old New York Was Young," 

to be produced by William Jacobs. 

Story Buys 

Columbia 

Republic 

Purchased and slated as the sixth of the series 

ol Allan "Rockv" Lane starrers was "The Wyoming 

Bandit," original screenplay by M. Coates Webster. 

Warners 

"Wait for M=, Darling," original bv Seeleg Lester 

and Merwin Gerard, has been purchased and assigned 

by Jay Dratler for production. 

Technically 

Metro 

Assigned as technical adviser for Malayan Peninsula 

sequences in "Malaya" was DR. PAUL SINGH. 

Monogram 

Crew assignments on "Frontier Fear" include: 

EDDIE DAVIS assistant; HARRY NEUMANN, camera: 

BUDDY MYERS, sound, and JOHN FULLER, cutter. 

Paramount 

Signed to lens Pine-Thomas' "Captain China" was 

Riding High," was WILLIAM HORNBECK. 

Atty. ATUS P, REUTHER ligned as technical 

i 

Continued on next page> 

March 26, 1949

' 

— 

April Release Slated 

For 'Home of Brave' 

HOLLYWOOD—"Home of the Brave,'' produced 

on a hush-hush basis by Screen Plays, 

Inc., and dealing with the problem of racial 

prejudice, will be delivered to United Artists 

April 2 and is slated for release under the 

UA banner later in the month. Such was 

disclosed by Stanley Kramer, Screen Plays 

president, at a press luncheon. 

Contrary to the usual Hollywood procedure, 

the opus, based on a Broadway play by Arthur 

Laurents, was conceived, written, cast 

and almost completed before any publicity 

thereon was released, Kramer emphasized. 

Kramer, scripter Carl Foreman and director 

Mark Robson contacted the players directly 

instead of working through their agents, and 

swore the entire cast, crew and film laboratory 

workers to secrecy. 

These tactics were pursued, Kramer said, 

to enable Screen Plays to rush "Home of the 

Brave" into release well in advance of several 

other properties, also devoted to the antiprejudice 

theme, which are in preparation 

by various major companies. 

As previously disclosed, the Screen Plays 

entry differs from the Laurents play in that 

the former was written around an anti- 

Semitic theme, while in the film version the 

principal character is a Negro. The picture 

was shot in less than 25 days, Kramer said. 

Personnelities 

(Continued from preceding pagei 

ences in 

Hal Wallis' 

RKO Radio 

GEORGE DISKANT and PHILIP B. BRIGANDI 

handle the 

on the two- 

Ends Well." 

Republic 

Assignments on Joseph Kane's production, "Brimstone," 

include JACK MARTA, cameraman; NATE 

EDWARDS, unit manager, DICK MODER. assistant 

ARTHUR ROBERTS', film editor; FRANK 

ARRIGO, art director, and HARRY SCHARF. musical 

Cameraman REGGIE LANNING had his option 

lifted lor another year. 



BOB PRISTLEY and MEL BERNS have been signed 

as set director and director of makeup, respectively, 

on Rooney-Stiefel's "Quicksand." 

Universal- International 

Producer Aaron Rosenberg's production staff for 

"Partners in Crime" includes DEWEY STARKEY, 

unit production manager; MAURY GERTSMAN, cameraman. 

EMRICH NICHOLSON, art director; IOHN 

AUSTIN, set decorator, and TED KENT, film editor. 

Title Changes 

Monogram 

MISSISSIPPI RHYTHM is the release title of the 

limmie Davis starrer previously known as "Melody 

Roundup." 

Paramount 

WHERE MEN ARE MEN replaces "Lariat Loopas 

the title of the forthcoming Bob Hope starrer to 

be produced by Robert Welch. 


Aaron Rosenberg's production, "Contraband," was 

retagged PARTNERS !N CRIME. 

Warners 

ipersonic 

-iTNING 

Anthony Veiller's production, "Somewhere in the 

City," will be released as BACKFIRE 

O! the dove of peace at long last cometh 

lit 

|| to the Motion Picture Industry Council, 

with one wings albeit of its in splints. 

The Hollywood AFL Film Council has 

voted to participate in the activn 

MPIC. the organization established many 

months ago with brave plans to do something 

to improve the battered over-all public relations 

of Cinemania. 

Earlier the AFL Council had bolted the 

MPIC when the latter group selected Cecil 

B. DeMille as its chairman—a choice heartily 

disapproved by the AFL organization because 

of DeMille's well-known antiunion sentiments. 

These often-cited DeMille feelings 

found their genesis some years ago in a stillunsettled 

dispute between him and the American 

Federation of Radio Artists tan AFL 

affiliate, by the way) concerning his refusal 

to pay a $1 special assessment. Rather than 

kick in. it will be recalled, DeMille quit AFRA 

and withdrew as producer and commentator 

of a top dramatic airshow. 

In reversing its stand, the labor organization, 

which is composed of AFL unions and 

guilds representing 20,000 employes in the 

motion picture industry, declared: 

"The action of the Hollyw-ood AFL Film 

Council should not be construed as voicing 

confidence in the present chairman of the 

Motion Picture Industry Council. The Hollywood 

AFL Film Council abhors the antilabor 

policies and activities of C. B. DeMille. 

"The Motion Picture Industry Council is 

not concerned with labor-management relations. 

The Hollywood Film Council hopes 

that despite Mr. DeMille the Motion Picture 

Industry Council will be able to carry out 

a constructive public relations program for 

the entire motion picture industry." 

Before the mimeograph ink had dried on 

the foregoing, left-handed declaration of participation, 

came a grudging "important-mustcorrection" 

bulletin from the AFL press department: 

"In final paragraph of press release sent 

you earlier today, please strike the words 

•despite Mr. DeMille.' " 

During its several months of existence and 

despite columns of tradepaper space devoted 

to its purposes and activities, the MPIC has 

done virtually nothing to carry the ball toward 

its declared goal of improving John 

Public's opinion of Hollywood. In fact, it 

has been thrown for a loss every time it has 

undertaken a play. 

The AFL "come-home-all-is-forgiven—or 

nearly-forgiven" attitude even more solidly 

anchors MPIC behind its own goalposts. 

If there is a ray of sunshine in the above 

outlined sorry mess, it might be found in 

the fact that included therein is a departure 

from the apocryphal "Yes, Mr. DeMille" 

routine. 

There's moaning in the sagebrush these 

days. Comes word from Republic that during 

the next five years it will release one 

picture annually in which orchestra leader 

Vaughn Monroe will be starred as a celluloid 

cowpoke and which ex-bandleader Abe Lyman 

will produce. 

Thus a dangerous precedent may have 

been set. Shudder at the possibility of Monogram 

and /or Bob Lippert—not to be outdone 

—signing Phil Spitalny's all-girl orchestra 

for a comparable series—with Evelyn stalking 

the varmints with her Magic Violin. 

Musical intelligence from Blurbcr George 

Brown of Paramount contends that " 'Buttons 

and Bows' has become an international hit. 

It has even penetrated the Iron Curtain 

it is a favorite in dance halls in Soviet Jtussia." 

Under the title, 

doubt. 

"Buttons and Borscht," no 

Rumbling through the Hollywood hills are 

cries of discontent as an aftermath of millionaire 

Glenn McCarthy's glittering and tremendously-touted 

trek to Houston for the 

dual purpose of premiering his first productional 

venture, "The Green Promise," and 

opening his new Shamrock hotel. 

It seems that protocol—as concerns Hollywood's 

hungry press—was subjected to considerable 

of a beating, and if there is anything 

that the members of HHP hate to see 

pushed around, it is protocol. The muttering 

holds that some who should have been invited 

weren't: while others, whom the neglected 

ones felt didn't rate, were. Then there 

were such instances as the one in which the 

managing editor of one of Los Angeles' leading 

daily newspapers wasn't invited until 

the morning the junket was due to take off, 

with the indignant M. E. coldly declining the 

bid and, resultantly, most of the reams of 

gushing publicity matter which the colossal 

caravan engendered. 

Thus, at least some of the effectiveness ol 

the lush lark apparently was discounted 

and the resaon is rather obvious. Big, bubbling 

Blake McVeigh, to whose willing, if 

sometimes fumbling, hands McCarthy has 

entrusted the press and public relations of 

his picture-making activities, was first to 

work on plans for the junket. With characteristic 

enthusiasm, he issued verbal invitation 

to many of Cinemania's free-lunch 

snatchers. Then the undertaking was turned 

over to the Ruthrauff and Ryan advertising 

agency, where one William R. Howard compiled 

the list of those who were to make 

the trip, overlooking many who had already 

accepted McVeigh's offer. In an effort to 

straighten out the ensuing mess of confusion 

and hurt feelings, praise pundit Perry Lieber, 

ranking Rover Boy of RKO Radio, which 

company is distributing the McCarthy opus, 

was called into action, which meant that 

matters went from bad to worse, per se. 

Which is added testimony to the hackneyed 

theory that too many cooks spoil the brothno 

matter how rich the ingredients. 

March 26, 1949 

57

. . Mitchell 

. . W. 

East: David O. Selznick headed for New 

York on a business junket, planning to remain 

in the east for a month or more. On 

his agenda are conferences with Emeric 

Pressburger and Michael Powell on the development 

of a subject to star Jennifer Jones, 

which will be filmed in England this summer, 

with Selznick participating. 

West: Ben Goetz, in charge of MGM's British 

production, checked in from London for 

studio huddles on plans for forthcoming 

films to be made in Europe. On the docket 

are properties to be made abroad by Arthur 

Hornblow jr., Sidney Franklin and other 

MGM producers. 

East: Hunt Stromberg, United Artists producer, 

left for New York for parleys with UA 

eastern officials concerning a national advertising 

campaign to be set up for his latest 

film, "Too Late for Tears." 

West: Charles Einfeld, recently appointed 

20th-Fox, was expected 

advertising chief at 

East: Gradwell Sears, United Artists president, 

in at week's end for a ten-day stay. He'll 

new and 

returned to his Manhattan headquar- 

film 

look at product discuss advertising 

ters after a stay of several days in the 

member-owners 

and exploitation campaigns to be drafted 

colony. While here he huddled with therefor. 

Mary Pickford and Charles Chap- 

lin concerning offers by several outside interests 

to purchase either the Pickford or 

Chaplin holdings in the organization, but no 

conclusions were reached. 

West: Arthur Kelly, executive vice-president 

of United Artists, made a short trip to 

Hollywood but was to return to his New York 

headquarters over the weekend after talks 

with local UA officials, including production 

chief George Bagnall and member-owners 

Mary Pickford and Charles Chaplin. While 

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NEW YORK 619 W will be at the d'sposal of delegates. The 

54th Manley Popcorn Co. will be hosts at a luncheon 

the second day at the screen club. 

- St. 

the United Artists Theatre. 

The move to the theatre will make it possible 

for more than 1,000 students to attend 

the weekly broadcasts. 

Ed Rowden and his associates will open 

their first drive-in this summer using electronic 

sound control and eliminating all underground 

wiring and speaker posts. Location 

of the drive-in was not disclosed . 

Jack Carson, Marion Hutton and Robert 

Alda are scheduled to make personal appearances 

April 20 at the Golden Gate Theatre. 

On May 25, Eddie Cantor is booked at 

the Golden Gate. The revival of stage show 

policy at the Golden Gate is In part due to 

the tremendous business the theatre did when 

Red Skelton and his troupe took over for 

a week. The house did its biggest business 

of years. 

To coincide with Academy award time in 

Hollywood, the Vogue Theatre, a S. F. Theatres, 

Inc., art house, launched a special 

"Oscar Cavalcade" March 20-26. Stressing 

that nine awards were contained in the program 

of "Great Expectations," "Gentleman's 

Agreement," "The Farmer's Daughter" and 

"Miracle on 34th Street," Irving M. Levin, 

placed in the lobbies of other circuit houses, 

with screen trailers also being shown. 

Colorado ATO io Meet 

At Denver, April 5, 

DENVER—The Colorado Ass'n of Theatre 

Owners will hold its first annual convention 

April 6 at the Cosmopolitan hotel here, 

with 

5, 

such speakers as Ted Gamble, TOA 

board chairman, and R. J. O'Donnell, international 

chief barker of Variety clubs, slated 

to address various sessions. 

Preparations for the two-day gathering are 

being supervised by a committee which includes 

W. S. Agren, A. P. Archer. B. D. 

Cockrill, Dave Davis. Charles R. Gilmour, 

Bernie Hynes. Pat McGee and Larry Starsmore. 

Registration will be opened April 5 at 10 

a. m. in the lobby of the Cosmopolitan hotel, 

and the initial session will be launched with 

greetings from Gov. Lee Knous and Mayor 

Quigg Newton. Among speakers to be heard 

first the day, in addition to Gamble, will 

be Gael Sullivan, TOA executive director; 

Morris Lowenstein, Oklahoma TOA president, 

and Milas Hurley. New Mexico association 

president. A cocktail party and screening 

of a new film will close the opening day. 

Highlights of the second day will include 

a television demonstration, showing of industry 

public relations films and election of 

hotel. In addition to O'Donnell. speakers at 

the dinner will include William McCraw, ex- 

Constance Waebbenhorst wil be the official 

convention hostess, with a desk in the Cosmopolitan 

hotel lobby. Facilities of the Rocky 

Mountain Screen club. 1345 Glenarm Place, 

lyTario Menconi, who manages the Rialto in 

Willows, reports that the new theatre 

now under construction there will be called 

the Tower ... A bandit slugged the manager 

of the California in Dunsmuir recently 

and escaped with $635. Manager Phil Fourmet 

was treated at a doctor's office for injuries 

. . . The Redwood Drive-In in Santa 

Rosa reopened its doors after being closed 

for the winter. 

Monte Blue, actor, will emcee the annual 

Oakland Sports, Travel and Boat show in 

Oakland . to an unexpected studio 

assignment. Jimmy Gleason was unable to 

headline the St. Patrick's day program sponsored 

by the United Irish Societies at the 

Oakland auditorium . . . Jack Benny and 

Dinah Shore were among the headliners for 

the News Frolic in San Francisco Civic auditorium 

March 26. 

The State in Auburn has discontinued bargain 

matinees . students from a San 

Jose high school, who illegally entered the 

Strand Theatre in Gilroy, pleaded guilty to 

petty theft. Theatre Manager William Smeltzer 

charged that one of the boys purchased 

a ticket, entered the theatre and opened a 

rear door. At least 18 other students gained 

entry. Gilroy police rounded up ten of the 

boys and all were made to pay regular admission 

prices and released on their word that 

they would appear in court. 

The bride and groom contest at the Ukiah 

Theatre in Ukiah is in full swing. The contestants 

will be married on April 1 on the 

stage of the theatre ... A contest is being 

held at the St. Francis Theatre in San Francisco 

in which contestants submit their selections 

for best actor, actress and picture of 

the year, accompanied by a 25-word explanation 

of their choice. The winner will receive 

a $25 war bond with lesser prizes for other 

place winners. 

A. R. Azzaro of Santa Cruz recently sold 

land to Frank Paone of Boulder Creek and 

his partners for the Soquel highday drive-in 

Crest Theatre in Daly City has let 

a contract to Central California Construction 

Co. to enlarge the theatre seating capacity 

from 525 to 700 .. . Logan, home 

economist, conducted her "Meal Time Ideas" 

from the stage of the El Capitan Theatre 

here. The stage was set up with everything 

required for a modern cooking school. 

"Quizdown," a new and unusual program 

featuring fourth, fifth and sixth grade students 

from San Francisco schools, has outgrown 

Studio A in Radio City and will be 

Fry Us and You'll Agree 

FILMACK 



Quicker than the Restr 

BOXOFFICE :: March 26, 1949 

divisional manager of the circuit, and Stephen 

More, manager, created a full scale campaign 

for the week's showing. Special 40xl6's emblazoned 

with the Academy statuette were 

officers. The convention will end with a 

dinner dance in the Silver Glade room of the 

ecutive director of Variety International. 

George Murphy, film star, will be master of 

ceremonies. 

PHOENIX 

linn Lee's new legitimate playhouse, the 

Sombrero Playhouse, opens Tuesday (29) 

with "Born Yesterday," starring William Bendix 

and Audrey Totter. Co-producer of the 

theatre is Dick Charlton police 

. 

are on the lookout for a robber who took 

more than $300 from the safe of the Grand 

Theatre . . . W. Martin was charged in Yuma 

justice court with the theft of $214.25 from 

the Somerton Theatre, which was robbed 

March 11. Judge R. H. Lutes released Martin 

on $1,000 cash bond. 

Arizona's Chambers of Commerce are hoping 

that the copper state will be chosen as 

the location site for Paramount's forthcoming 

Technicolor production, "Copper Canyon," 

concerning a small copper mining town in 

the west. Ray Milland will star . . . The new 

drive-in in Yuma will have a new sign, an 

animated neon creation, measuring 56x60 feet. 

Local press and radio representatives sat 

in on a special Saturday morning preview of 

"The Red Shoes" at the Vista. The picture 

began its regular run Thursday on a 

two-a-day basis, with all seats reserved at 

roadshow prices. George Thomas, Eagle Lion 

representative, came in for the preview and 

will remain here. 

The Fox drew a full house for the coronation 

of Dorothy Hughes as queen of the 1949 

Phoenix world's championship rodeo. Six 

girls competed on the stage for the coveted 

which carries with it a free trip to 

title, 

Hollywood Biltmore Drive-In opened 

last week on Miracle Mile. Tucson, to offer 

competition to the Midway Drive-in, the Old 

Pueblo's only other ozoner. 

. 

Hal Daigler, Seattle and Alaska theatre 

operator, checked in to soak up the sun 

Adolph Zukor, Paramount topper, is getting 

his sunshine in Tucson at the home of 

his daughter Mildred Loew . . . 

Hollywood 

luminaries here included Clark Gable and 

Laraine Day. The latter left town when 

hubby Leo Durocher's New York Giants 

checked out for a series of exhibition games 

on the coast . . . MGM was represented here 

by Producer Edwin H. Knoft, casting director 

Billy Grady and Benny Thau, executive 

vice-president. 

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. . Jimmy 

. . Chuck 

Family Honeymoon Registers 130 

As Los Angeles Turns to Comedy 

LOS ANGELES—Comedy fare proved the 

most popular among first run patrons during 

a period when business ranged from good 

to dismal. Leading the pack with a 130 per 

cent average was "Family Honeymoon," followed 

by "Mother Is a Freshman" at 125 per 

cent. Scraping the bottom of the barrel was 

"The Lucky Stiff." which could do no better 

than 55 per cent in its first and only stanza. 

Av 130) 

Arc 13th loan ol (RKO). wk... 

elmont. Carlhay, Culver, Orpheum, Vogue 

Bad Boy [Mono); loo Palooka in the Big Fight 

Mother Is a 

Wolt and His 

Freshman (20th-Fox) The Lone 

Lady (Cz. 

wn, Hollywood Paramounts—The Red Pony 

(Rep); Angel in Ex.i 

Egyptian, Los Angeles, Wilshire— The Sun Co 

Up (MGM The Bribe MGM), 2nd 

Arts—The Red Shoes (EL), 12th 

Stiii Music Halls—The Lucky (UA); Riders 

Tour 

ol tho Whistling Pines (Col) 

Four Star—Hamlet (U-l), 21sl 

Iris, Guild, Ritz, Studio CV 

Family Honeymoon (U-I); The Valiant Hombre 

Pantages, Hillstreel Knock on Any Door (Col); 

Blondie's Big Deal (Col), 2nd wk .. 1 

Warners Hollywood. Downtown, Wlltern — South 

ol St. Louis (WB), 2nd wlc 

'Joan,' 'Canadian Pacific' 

Top Grossers in Seattle 

SEATTLE—"Canadian Pacific." dualed with 

"Joe Palooka in the Big Fight" at the Orpheum, 

registered 150 per cent to top the 

newcomers at regular prices. "Joan of Arc," 

showing at the Music Hall at advanced prices, 

set the pace with a rating of 180 per cent. 

"Mother Is a Freshman," paired with "Alaska 

Patrol" at the Paramount, also showed 

strength. 

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(RKO), advanced prices..l80 

)rpheum—Canadian Pacilic (20th-Fox); loe 

Palooka in the Big Fight i.Mono) 

aramount — Mother Is a Freshman 

150 

(20th-Fox); 

Alaska Patrol ;FC> 140 

'Pigeon.' Skelton on Stage 

Hit 200 in San Francisco 

SAN FRANCISCO—Trade at the first runs 

here continued at a high level. Personal 

appearances by Red Skelton at the Golden 

Gate, with "The Clay Pigeon" on the screen, 

sent the gross there to a mammoth 200 per 

cent. Opening at the United Nations, 

"Paisan" chalked up a 200 per cent rating 

to establish a new house record. 

Esquire— I Shot Jesse James (SG) Crime Doctor's 

Diary (Col), 2nd d. wk t. 110 

Pacilic (20th-Fox) High Fury 

ugo (UA) 

Paramount—Sergeant York (WB); Castle on the 

Hudson (WB), reissues 90 

St. Francis—Whispering Smith (Para). 4th wk 85 

State—Steamboat 'Round the Bend (20th-Fox); 

David Harum (20th-Fox), reissues 100 

United Artists—Enchantment (RKO) 175 

United Nations—Paisan (M-B) 200 

Wi:!i-U-Chicken Every Sunday (20th-Fox); Jiggs 

and Maggie in Court (Mono), 2nd wk 1C0 

Portland Grosses Up 

As Paper Strike Ends 

PORTLAND—"Canadian Pacific" took top 

honors, hitting 175 per cent at the Oriental 

and Orpheum. "Chicken Every Sunday" 

reached 140 to fill second place. The overall 

situation is much better since the newspaper 

strike broke the first of the week, giving 

everyone a break on advertising. 

Broadway — Siren of Atlantis (UA), High Fury 

;iai 

Murder (U-I), 2nd d. 

Music Box—John Loves Mary (WB), Flaxy Martin 

d. t (WB), 3rd wk 130 

Oriental and Orpheum— Canadian Pacilic (20th- 

Fox); Parole. Inc. (EL) 175 

Paramount—Chicken Every Sunday (20th-Fox); 

Night Wind (20th-Fox) 

Playhouse—Whispering 

140 

Smith (Para), Dynamite 

(Para), 3rd d. t. wk 

United Artists—Command 

120 

Decision (MGM), 3rd 

in a third round with a percentage of 150. 

Aladdin— Canadian Pacilic (20th-Fox); Blondie's 

Big Deal (Col), 3rd d, wk ISO 

' 

Broadway—An Act of Murder (U-I), Countess of 

Monte Cristo [U-I) 2n v. 90 

1 It 

My Own True Love (Para) 

Esquire, Webber — Family 

80 

Denham, Honeymoon 

(U-I); Angel on the Amazon (Rep) 175 

Far Into the Night 

3 Godfathers 

(MGM) 150 

Paramount—Whiplash (WB); Miss Mink of 1949 

(20th-Fox) 

Rialso—A Letter to Three Wives (20th-Fox); Parole. 

Inc. (EL), 4th d. wk 100 

t. 

Vogue—La Troriafa (Col) 

200 

Motor-Vu Bow Paces 

Salt Lake Drive-ins 

SALT LAKE CITY — With his opening 

tentatively slated less than a week away, 

Eric Peterson, manager of the Motor-Vu Theatre, 

this week announced extensive improvements 

on the ground and facilities at the 

ozoner. Biggest of the new features will be 

a playground, complete with swings, slides 

and an electric train. A $2,500 neon sign also 

will be installed on the back of the screen. It 

will be 20 feet by 60 feet and show two red 

hearts on either side of the screen. A cupid 

will shoot an arrow into each heart, lighting 

each separately. The "romantic" Motor-Vu 

boast carried in Peterson's advertisements will 

be further carried out with the word "romantic" 

lighting up below the two hearts as 

they go on. 

Another major improvement will be doubling 

the size of the marquee. A new-type 

boxoffice will be installed, which allows 

ticket salesgirls to slide a portion of a window 

to the door of the car to sell tickets. A 

portion of the ticket office will be of plate 

glass and the rest of glass brick. 

The Motor-Vu will be among several driveins 

in this area to open within a week if the 

weather allows. Most of the ozoners plan to 

open by April 1, and a new one will be opened 

April 15 at Green River by Russ Dauterman. 

Earl Alsop, operator of the Autorium in southeast 

Salt Lake, was an early opener. His 

ozoner started showing pictures last week— 

almost before the snow melted. 

Peterson, however, expressed the opinion 

of most outdoor theatre operators, "We look 

for a big year," he said. 

PORTLAND 

gob Wells, office manager at Columbia, has 

been spending the last few weekends in 

San Francisco . Beale and Jim 

Clark went to Pendleton and eastern Oregon 

on a sales trip . . . Sammy Seagle, Columbia 

exploiteer, has been up and down the coast 

working on "Knock on Any Door" . . . Larry 

Moran, MGM salesman, reports he expects 

his baby "boy" to arrive this weekend. If 

Larry's wishes come true the new arrival will 

'Honeymoon,' 'Angel' Lead 

be tagged Laurence Michael. 

Trade at Denver Houses 

DENVER—Return of mild weather to the 

Rocky Mountain area sent many outdors, and 

slumped somewhat. 

Barney Rose, U-I district manager, was at 

the local branch a couple days ... Ed Bramwell, 

U-I on two-week trade at local first runs 

salesman, left a trip to 

"Family Honeymoon," dualed with "Angel on 

Amazon" 

eastern Oregon . 

Film 

Wilkens, salesman 

was Oregon the day-date at three houses, registered 

for Classics, in eastern . . . 

John McKeehan is the new office manager 

175 per cent to set the pace. "Three 

Godfathers," paired with "Far Into the for Film Classics. Before coming here, he 

Night" at the Orpheum, was next best of the worked for Selznick in Seattle ... Ed Cruea 

newcomers with a rating of 125. "Canadian is the new manager for Monogram, coming 

here from Seattle. 

Pacific," showing with "Blondie's Big Deal" 

at the Aladdin, continued to show strength 

EXHIBITORS 

AT LAST ! ! I 

MANLEY Pop Corn Supplies at 

East Portland Warehouse, 79 S. E. Taylor, Portland, Ore. 

BOB WOOCK. Northwest District Manager 

March 26. 1949

LOS ANGELES 

parents of a baby girl, born at the Good 

Samaritan hospital and named Martha 

Mary, are Mr. and Mrs. James Mahon. He 

is in Fox West Coast's real estate department; 

Mrs. Mahon is the former Katherine Connors, 

daughter of Tom Connors, onetime 20th 

Century-Fox sales executive. The Mahons 

have one other child, a son, James jr. . . . 

James Brennan, who operates a string of 

theatres in the Manchester, England, area, 

was a visitor at the Warner studios in Burbank. 

W. C. "Rick" Ricord has been appointed 

co-district manager, with Dave Ross, of Fox 

West Coast's Los Angeles district No. 1. Ricord 

pinchhits for Spence Leve. who is relieving 

Dick Spier, on leave of absence, as 

northern California division manager. Other 

FWC personnel shifts: Hal Brislin moves 

over from the Criterion, Santa Monica, to 

Redondo, the former Ricord post; Jon Hall 

fills the Criterion spot, leaving the Wilshire, 

Santa Monica, to James Wyatt, a new FWC 

employe who formerly was with the Evergreen 

circuit as city manager in Eugene, 

Ore. 

Services were held for Wheeler Oakman, 

59, former actor and in recent years assistant 

manager of the El Portal in North Hollywood. 

Oakman was found dead in his home in Van 

Nuys. 

Under the new ownership of Joe Moritz 

and James Nicholson, who also operate the 

Picfair, the Marcal Theatre in Hollywood will 

be reopened shortly. It formerly was operated 

by Al Galston and Jay Sutton of the 

Hawaii ... Ed Barison has moved the offices 

of Cinema Distributors to a new location on 

the Row ... A visitor at the local Eagle 

Lion exchange was Jack Leo, sales official. 

Bob Hicks of Hallmark Productions has 

been appointed zone manager for "The Lawton 

Story." His territory covers California. 

Arizona, New Mexico and Wyoming . . . Visiting 

from San Francisco was Arthur Unger 

of Poppers Supply Co. ... A baby girl named 

Ronna Alene was born to Mr. and Mrs. Jack 

Hazen. He operates the Bill Robinson and 

Rosebud theatres. 

Jack Grossman is readying his Sherman 

Theatre in Sherman Oaks out in the San 

Fernando valley for an April 20 opening . . . 

Ben Heywood, Savoy, San Diego, checked into 

STANDEE SPEAKERS 

FOR FRONT SECTION AND REAR RAMPS 

FOR TRUCKS AND OVERFLOW 

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^>WW defiant 

By JOHN SULLIVAN 

.MENTIONED BEFORE in this column 

P± 

an interesting trend is developing in this 

country over the decision of J. Arthur Rank 

to curtail his feature production and that is 

the increasing number of independents who 

are now announcing plans to 

use part of his 

space. The latest tenant for a studio stage 

organization, although he has one picture, 

"Esther Waters," to his credit as associate 

producer. 

With Cavalcanti, Nat Bronsten and Edward 

Dryhurst, three independent producers, all 

lined up for space at Denham it seems that 

studio will be working to full capacity, for 

Two Cities alone is committed to at least 

three more pictures this year. Not the least 

consideration in admitting independents into 

Denham and Pinewood is the fact that overheads 

have been rigidly slashed by the studio 

owning company and it is rumored that 

General Film Distributors is now giving a 

very generous guarantee of distribution. 

Rose" has an all-British 

technical crew and 

a similar policy will be followed on "Inside 

Scotland Yard." In fact, answering questions. 

Engel pointed out that there was a 

definite possibility that a British director 

might be employed for this picture. 

at Denham is Alberto Cavalcanti, a director 

responsible for several good pictures in the ALSO OPENING LAST WEEK is the Sydney 

Box production. "The Bad Lord Byron." 

past. He is now in the process of signing a 

deal to produce there a film based on Charles It is produced by Aubrey Baring, directed by 

Morgan's novel. "Sparkenbroke." his producer David MacDonald and starring Dennis Price. 

on the picture being Peter Proud and was The use of a story device whereby Byron 

until recently an art director with the Rank 

is summoned before a celestial court to explain 

his life and the demands of the censor 

who has cut most of the sequences which tell 

of Byron's love affair with his half-sister 

makes the film scrappy and at times even 

irritating. Price is perfectly cast for the 

lead, but is not so well served by his supporting 

players. 

$400,000 Fox Opens 

APART FROM THE BRIGHTER aspect in 

the Rank group there are signs that other 

studios also will be busy within the very 

near future. To start with, Anthony Havelock-Allen 

will reopen Alfred Shipman's 

Riverside studios with a picture called "The 

Cord" and which will star his wife, Valerie 

Hobson, with young Richard Todd. Associated 

British contract artist as her leading 

man. Havelock-Allan's last picture, "The 

Small Voice," also was produced at. Riverside 

and it is believed that the present one is 

the first of several lined up for production 

at this studio. Another Shipman studio also 

will be busy from next week—and that is 

Southall—which has been taken over by 

Arthur Dent to make three second feature 

pictures for distribution by his Adelphi Films. 

Ltd. Apart from these two, Britain's oldest 

film studio, Nettlefold, also will open on 

Monday with an Ernest Roy production and 

there is a decided hope that the empty 

National studios will reopen the first week in 

April. The picture slated for the last-named 

studio is the Robert Donat starrer, "Cure 

for Love," which Donat also will co-produce 

and co-direct. 

THREE AMERICAN VISITORS to London 

were greeted during the past week—one being 

the child star, Margaret O'Brien, the 

second Sam Engel, 20th Century-Fox's producer 

and the third Tyrone Power who arrived 

with his bride Linda Christian. 

Sam Engel impressed everyone at his informal 

reception by his easy and jocular 

manner and Power was similarly well received. 

Both of these people are in London 

in connection with 20th-Fox's British production 

plans, for Engel is here to do the 

preparatory work on "Inside Scotland Yard" 

and Power is ready to start work on "The 

Black Rose." which Henry Hathaway is directing. 

Apart from the director, "The Black

Midcentral Allied Exhibitors at Poplar Bluff Session 

Exhibitors from four states gathered at Poplar Bluff, Mo., 

recently for the Midcentral Allied meeting. Shown above are, left 

to right, first row: T. Lewis, Lutesville; G. Carey. Caruthersville; 

O. Wallace, Belle; W. K. Dillon, Morehouse; G. Hunt, Doniphan; 

Mrs. J. Sharp. Gideon; Mrs. O. WaUace, Belle; Jeff Jefferis. Piedmont, 

all in Missouri; H. Smith. Pocahontas, Ark., and H. Hallowav, 

St. Louis. Second row: J. Bizzel, Cairo; E. Vandiver, Kennett; 

L. Richmond. Senath; W. H. Dillon, Morehouse; M. Kauth, Holla. 

Mrs. H. Graham, St. Louis; Mrs. R. Right and R. Right, Bell City; 

B. Smith, Pocahontas, and H. Ferguson, Maiden, Mo. Third row: 

J. Seay, CardwelJ, Mo.; L. Wallace, Belle; D. Stout, and E. Stout, 

Cairo; J. Sharp, Gideon, Mo.; Mrs. Jeff Jefferis, Piedmont. Last 

row: C. Swabb, Mounds, 111.; Bob Bowers, Memphis; II. (iralum, 

St. Louis; R. McGillivray and N. Sullivan. West Plains. 

Five-Month Project 

Ends at La Crosse 

LA CROSSE. WTS.—The La Crosse Amusement 

Co. recently completed renovations at 

the Rivoli Theatre here after five months 

of work during which the theatre remained 

open. Features of the remodeling job are 

Balinese dancer, shown on handprinted foyer 

wall coverings in brilliant reds and greens 

and interlaced with a fern design, and an 

enlarged freehand Dahlstrom oil painting 

of the Balinese dancers, which graces the 

wall area over the inside concession stand. 

Shades of red. green and ivory are employed 

throughout the theatre in the redecoration. 

In the lobby, red-rose and white 

neon and indirect lighting is used. Walls 

there are in shaded greens. Floors of the 

downstairs rooms, lobby, foyer and main auditroium 

are covered with deep rose and ivory 

leaf carpeting laid over a sponge rubber base. 

Bleached oak paneling and inlay fashion the 

wood of the auditorium doors and surrounding 

the doors. The doors themselves are 

covered with biscuit colored leather and 

studded with red leather. 

Cherry red, green and ivory also are employed 

in the restrooms where sectional furniture 

of muted gray-green, cherry sable and 

small stands and indirect lighting complete 

the furnishings. The powder room has gleaming 

mirrors and walls papered in red, figured 

with lacy white fans and streaming black 

garlands. Furniture there is of dark metal 

with red leather trim. 

The front doors to the theatre are of Herculean 

tempered glass with stainless steel 

handles on recessed outer doors. The inside 

full-length glass doors have plastic handles. 

Aluminum and stainless steel combine to 

make the canopy outside the theatre, which 

is lighted by neon, flood and spotlights. 

Edwin Schwalbe is president of the Lacrosse 

Amusement Co., and after renovations 

were completed, he thanked patrons 

for their patience during the long remodeling, 

and explained that work was delayed by slow 

material deliveries. 

"We appreciate the lack of complaint as 

theatregoers had to wend their way through 

mazes of scaffolding, canvas and paint pots," 

Civic Theatre Fund Drive 

Starts in Indianapolis 

INDIANAPOLIS- -A campaign to raise 

$185,000 for the Civic Theatre's Booth Tarkington 

memorial building fund was started 

here Monday. H. Jerome Noel, Eli Lilly Co. 

advertising executive, heads the executive 

committee for the drive. Money raised will 

be used to improve the theatre's existing facilities, 

including enlargement of the auditorium, 

erection of additional working quarters 

and purchase and improvement of a 

parking lot. The name of the house will be 

changed to Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre 

and will be dedicated to the Hoosier 

author. 

Enlargement of the facilities was said to 

be necessary in order to accommodate an increased 

number of playgoers and workers. 

The theatre recently completed its 34th 

season. 

Dezel Opens Ace Office 

For Indianapolis Area 

INDIANAPOLIS—Milton Kruger. sales representative 

for United Artists for the last 15 

years, has been named local manager for Ace 

Film Exchanges, owned by Albert Dezel and 

Edward J. Salzberg. 

Caroline Neece. who had charge of the 

booking and office management for Selznick 

Releasing Corp. in Indianapolis, will be 

Ace office manager and booker. Salzsberg 

will act as district manager over Cincinnati. 

Cleveland and Indianapolis and Dezel will 

supervise the Detroit. Chicago, St. Louis and 

Kansas City branches. 

The exchange will distribute Favorite 

Films. Masterpiece Productions and Astor 

Pictures product in this area. 

Theatre Head Sells Home 

MADISON. IND.—Herbert Johnson, head 

of the Madison Theatre Corp., has announced 

he has purchased a home in Los Angeles, but 

said he plans to retain his interest in the 

theatre business here. The seven-acre Johnson 

estate three miles west of the city baa 

been purchased by Major Jester of Shelbyville. 

Midcentral to Meet 

In Bloomington, 111. 

BLOOMINGTON, ILL.—Midcentral Allied 

Independent Theatre Owners will hold its 

regional meeting at the Illinois hotel here, 

starting at 10 a. m. Tuesday f29>, according 

to President Henry Halloway. The meeting 

originally was scheduled for Peoria March 22, 

but plans were changed, Halloway said. 

Trueman Rembusch president of ATO of 

Indiana and treasurer of National Allied, 

and Charles Niles, secretary of National Allied 

and director of Allied of Iowa and Nebraska, 

have been invited to talk. 

Others who will participate in the program 

will be Halloway of St. Louis; Jeff Jefferis, 

vice-president, Piedmont, Mo., and Hugh 

Graham, St. Louis, secretary-treasurer. 

Midcentral has advised its membership that 

National Allied has endorsed the one-reel 

film telling the story of disabled American 

veterans The film is being produced in 

Hollywood by DAV and will be distributed 

under the supervision of Herman Robblns, 

president of National Screen Service. 

The current issue of the Midcentral bulletin 

to members quotes a telegram from Gen. 

J. M. Wainwright. national commander of 

the DAV, to Allied President Bill Ainsworth. 

urging the support of theatremen for the 

short subject. 

9or SPECIAL SHOWMANSHIP 

MAILERS 

R10TIRR PICTURE SERVICE C 

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The crowds should be big to see "Knock on 

Any Door" April 1 at the Chicago Theatre 

after the publicity splash B&K's Eddie Seguin 

scored with a skidrow premiere. Seguin 

had author Willard Motley tour skidrow and 

pick out 30 persons to be his guests at Columbia 

screening room preview. After the 

screening. Motley and his guests were taken 

to Ricardo's for a fancy after-theatre feed. 

Local press and national picture magazines 

covered the stunt from start to finish . . 

. 

Joe Berensen of National Theatre Advertisers 

went to Florida to tell exhibitors about his 

television giveaways. 

E. G. Goldberg, Paramount salesman, and 

Ins wife went to Miami Beach for a holiday 

A Connecticut Yankee" is inked for the 

Chicago April 22, with Desi Amaz on stage. 

The bill will be followed by the appearances 

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of Frances Langford and Jon Hall . . . Humphrey 

Bogart was in town tub thumping 

"Knock on Any Door." His press confab at 

the Ambassador East was a standout. He also 

made the radio rounds, took a bow at the 

Chicago Theatre and sat on the bench with 

a juvenile court judge, all in the interest of 

boosting the film . Gamble, chairman 

of Theatre Owners of America, was a visitor. 

Jerry Weiss, former country booker for 

Eagle Lion and before that with Paramount 

sales, is now a supervisor for Schoenstadt 

. . circuit Nat Nathanson, district manager 

for UA. turned over a check for $19,852 to the 

Will Rogers Memorial fund, contributions 

from Chicago's Filmrow . usual timely 

alibis for bad business, Lent, income tax, 

vacations, are heard. But one Loop theatre 

man said: "We do a big business on Saturdays 

and Sundays, so it must be something 

else. The people are worried, but we don't 

know what they are worried about." 

A plea for a temporary injunction to bar 

Paramount from booking product into B&K's 

Marbro Theatre has been withdrawn by 

Gandel and Fink's Harlem and North avenue 

drive-ins. A hearing on the equity suit is 

scheduled for March 21 in district court . 

"Joan of Arc" will arrive on the screen at 

the RKO Grand March 23, one day before 

the wards are announced . . . Twenty-five 

man membership teams have been organized 

to spearhead Cinema lodge's drive for 130 

new members between now and April 15. Vic 

Bernstein, George Topper, Paul Marr and 

Lou Abramson have charge of the drive. 

Continuance to April 1 

In Sosna-Frisina Suit 

ST. LOUIS—Distributor defendants in the 

$450,000 antitrust suit filed by Louis M. Sosna 

of Moberly, Mo., against the Frisina Amusement 

Co. and major distributors, have been 

granted until April 1 to file answers to the 

charges in district court here. 

In the same action the Frisina Amusement 

Co. was granted an extension to April 15. 

The suit is based upon alleged losses sustained 

by Sosna in giving up the operation 

of the Sosna Theatre in Mexico, Mo., after 

inability to obtain first run pictures. He sold 

the leasehold on the Sosna to Frisina Amusement 

in 1944. 

Reinforce Quonset House 

WARSAW, ILL.—Workmen employed by 

the Great Lakes Steel Corp. have finished 

placing new braces on the top and sides 

of the quonset -type Warsaw Theatre, owned 

and operated by Justis Garard. The work 

was done without any interruption of shows. 

Great Lakes Co. has used the Warsaw to 

demonstrate an improved method of reinforcement 

for this type of steel structure. 

THEATRE CHAIRS? 

JOE HORNSTEIN INC. 

can deliver 

FR 0999 St. Louis 

— 

Chicago Weather Fair 

But Lent Is Handicap 

CHICAGO—Boxoffice grosses were feeling 

the negative effects of Lent, despite nice 

weather and swarms of visitors here to attend 

conventions. Newcomers to Loop houses 

only did fair business. "South of St. Louis" at 

the Roosevelt had a fair first week, ana 

"Family Honeymoon" plus "Leather Gloves" 

bowed in fair at the Palace. "The Red Shoes" 

was doing big at the Selwyn, and "Paisan" 

was still filling seats in a big way at the 

World Playhouse. 

(Average is 100) 

Apollo—Hamlet (U-I), 16th wk Fair 

Chicago—John Loves Mary (WB). plus stage 

Garnck—Stale Department. File 649 (FC); 

Alaska Patrol (FC), 2nd wk 

Grand—Act of Violence IMGM). 2nd wk 

90 

90 

Oriental—The Kissing Bandit (MGM), plus stage 

show, 3rd wk 95 

Palace Family Honeymoon (U-I); Leather 

Gloves (Mono) 95 

Rialto Laugh Carnival .100 

(Capitol), reissue 

of Roosevelt—South St. Louis [WB] 96 

Selwyn-The Red Shoes (EL), 12th wk Good 

State-Lake—Miss Taflock's Millions (Para). 

2nd wk 90 

United Artists—The 90 

Walking Hills (Coi). 2nd wk... 

Studio French Girls' Club ;C.ass:cl School for 

Sinners (C), 4th wk .90 

Woods—Enchantment (RKO), 

. 

3rd d. t. wk 9b 

9th 110 

World Playhouse—Paisan (M-B), wk 

of Riley' Turns in Best 

'Life 

Indianapolis Gross 

INDIANAPOLIS—"The Life of Riley" at 

the Circle topped the grosses for the week, 

with other houses ranging from fair to good. 

life of Riley (U-I); Is Circle—The So This New 

York (UA) !30 

Indiana—Rogues' Regiment (U-I); The Saxon 

Charm (U-I) 80 

Keiths—Wake of the Red Witch (Rep), 2nd 

d. wk 105 

t. 

Loews—Act of Violence (MGM); The Dark 

Past (Col) 70 

Lync Tarzan's Magic Fountain (RKO); The 

Pears (RXO) 105 

Ed Heth Sells Film Rights 

MILWAUKEE—Edward Heth of Milwaukee 

has sold the film rights to his book, "Any 

Number Can Play," to MGM for a reported 

$45,000. Mervyn LeRoy, film director, is said 

to have been responsible for the sale. Clark 

Gable is expected to play the leading role. 

The scene of the play is in Milwaukee and, 

it is reported, the show has been given an 

O. Henry ending. 

Finish Remodeling lob 

WICKLIFFE. KY.—Complete remodeling 

of the front and lobby of the Wick Theatre, 

300-seater, has been finished. Neon ana 

fluorescent lighting has been added along 

with changeable letter marquee signs. Mrs. 

Delva McElya manages the theatre which 

is owned by D. B. Stout. 

fry Us and You'll Agree 

riLMACK 





NEW YORK 619 W 54th Sh 

- 

64 BOXOFFICE March 26. 1949

. . 

. . Peter 

. . Annetta 

. . Rosemary 

. . Clydine 

ST. 

LOUIS 

Hhe funeral of Mrs. Mary F. Walsh, mother 

of Hall Walsh, district manager for Warners, 

was held at the Church of the Nativity. 

Another son Louden survives here . . . Leo 

J. Sullivan who died in San Francisco, was 

buried at Calvary here following services in 

the Little Flower church. He was bcoker at 

Columbia in St. Louis until about seven years 

ago, when he entered the construction business. 

Author Tieup Promotes 

'Bad Men' in Springfield 

SPRINGFIELD — When "Bad Men of 

Tombstone" played at the Senate Theatre 

here, John Kerasotes, manager, tied into a 

natural local angle after he discovered that 

the author of the story, Jay Monaghan, was 

a Springfield resident. 

Monaghan, who is historian for the state 

of Illinois, was greatly interested in the 

Jay Monaghan, author of "Bad Men of 

Tombstone," is shown above signing an 

autograph for little Susan Nickey, while 

her grandmother Mrs. R. O. Miller and 

Senate Theatre Manager John Kerasotes 

look on. 

adaptation of the picture from his book, 

"Last of the Bad Men" and cooperated in 

every way possible to aid the showing of the 

film. He conducted an autograph party in 

the lobby of the theatre and permitted the 

use of complimentary "plugs" in the newspaper 

ads. Monaghan is also the author of 

"Oregon Trail" and a book on Lincoln's foreign 

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MANLEY, 

'ZveMftkitUf favi tit* ^lUtiabie' INC. 

Fox Properties, Inc., awarded a contract to 

Sol Abrams & Sons for alterations to the 

store rooms adjacent to the Fox Theatre . . . 

Phillip Smith, general manager of the Midwest 

Drive-in Theatres, was here to arrange 

for the reopening of the 500-car Midwest 

Drive-In at Des Peres. He was accompanied 

along Filmrow by Sidney Sayetta, Des Peres 

manager. 

Other St. Louis county drive-ins planning 

to reopen April 1 are the 66 Park-In and 

Rennie's Drive-In, both operated by Fred 

Wehrenberg; the 99, owned by Wehrenberg, 

his son-in-law Paul Krueger and Clarence 

and Francis Kaiman, and Henry Halloway's 

1,000-car project on the St. Charles Rock 

road . . . R. R. Thompson, former manager in 

Kansas City for SRO, was named to supervise 

the district that comprises Kansas City, 

St. Louis, Omaha and Des Moines. 

Paul Broder, president of Realart, and Carroll 

Piciato, general manager, included St. 

Louis in their tour of Realart branches . 

Marty Bennett, aide to RCA's General Manager 

Jack O'Brien, and Don Davis, Kansas 

City, visited with Arch Hosier's St. Louis 

Theatre Supply Co. Bennett later went to 

New York, while Davis remained in St. Louis. 

Hillis Ward Thompson has been added to 

the sales staff of St. Louis Theatre Supply 

Co. . . . The reconstructed 500-seat Jersey 

Theatre, Jerseyville, 111., has been opened. 

This house was heavily damaged by a fire 

October 2, 1948. Paul Horn is manager. 

Lester Levy, Columbia salesman in northern 

Missouri, has returned from New York 

City where he was called by the illness of a 

sister . . . Mary O'Brien, formerly with National 

Screen Service, now is secretary and 

assistant to Andy Dietz, general manager for 

Cooperative Theatres, local booking and 

buying office . . . Exhibitors on the Row: 

Bernie Palmer, booker-buyer, Columbia 

Amusement Co., Paducah, Ky.; Harry Miller. 

Festus, Mo., and Rani Padrucci. feature booker, 

Frisina circuit. 

3138 OLIVE ST. ST. LOUIS, MO. 

INDIANAPOLIS 

JJarry W. Ziegler of the drive-in theatre, 

under construction between Frankfort and 

Lebanon has purchased Motiograph sound 

and projection equipment for the project 

The theatre will be completed late in April 

and it is scheduled to be opened soon afterwards 

. Rosian, U-I district manager, 

spent two days at the local branch with 

Ted Mendlessohn, manager. 

Edward Salsberg, district manager for Ace 

Films, was a visitor . 

Lundberg 

has assumed duties at Screen Guild as cashier 

and bookkeeper . Miller has 

been added to the bookers desk at Republic 

Pictures . Kuebler, who operates 

the Astra and Tivoli at Jasper, was a visitor. 

She had not been on Filmrow for 

months. 

Larry Jacobs, manager of the Screen Guild 

exchange, visited New York on business . . . 

"I Shot Jesse James" has been booked at the 

Strand and Lyric in Louisville and the Carlton 

in Evansville . . . Charles Rich, district 

manager for Warners, conferred with Claude 

McKean, local manager. 

Dr. Puterbaugh and Hurley have taken over 

the Albany Theatre at New Albany, Ind. The 

house is a member of the Affiliated Theatres, 

Indianapolis, bookers and buyers for the theatre 

. . . Jeannie Hunt is the new contract 

clerk at the Eagle Lion exchange ... In order 

to enlarge the office space at Eagle Lion 

and increase efficiency, the booking desk has 

been moved. 

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Missouri Aisle Bill 

Favorably Reported 

KANSAS CITY—The senate committee on 

criminal jurisprudence of the Missouri legislature 

was expected to recommend for passage 

a bill recently introduced by Senator 

Floyd R. Gibson, Independence, to modernize 

a law enacted in 1877 relating to aisle widths 

in theatres and other places of amusement, 

according to information received here. 

A delegation from the Kansas City area 

attending a public hearing on the proposed 

new safety code in Jefferson City Monday 

night (21) included Byron Spencer, lawyer; 

Joseph J. Kelly jr.. Kansas-Missouri Theatre 

Ass'n attorney; Dick Brous, Fox Midwest 

Theatres attorney; Elmer Bills, KMTA president; 

J. A. Becker, KMTA secretary; R. R. 

Biechele, KMTA legislative chairman, and 

Frank Weary, Richmond operator. 

The senate committee was told by Kelly 

that the proposed bill is based on the national 

safety code and that it has been approved 

by the national board of underwriters. 

He declared that the statute enacted in 1877 

was objectionable to theatre operators because 

it made possible the filing of "informer" 

suits. 

Under the provisions of the old law, suits 

involving large amounts have been filed in 

recent months against theatre operators in 

various parts of the state, for the first time 

since the 1877 law was enacted. Informers 

may share in any fines collected in suits filed 

under the old law. 

Kelly pointed out that the new bill would 

contribute to the safety of both the theatregoing 

public and to operators. For that reason, 

he said, both circuit and independent 

operators were in accord on the proposed 

measure. 

National Theatre Supply 

Opens Omaha Branch 

OMAHA—The new branch of the National 

Theatre Supply Co. here in the former Warner 

exchange building was dedicated with an 

open house last Monday (21). Glenn K. 

Slipper is manager. 

National Theatre Supply Co. officials present 

included W. E. Green, New York, president; 

O. S. Oldknow. Los Angeles, vice-president; 

Arthur DeStefano, Kansas City branch 

manager; A. T. Crawmer, Minneapolis branch 

manager, and Mrs. Crawmer; and Al Schuyler, 

Des Moines branch manager. 

Others present included Herb Griffin, Los 

Angeles, International Projector Corp.; W. C. 

Stahl, Los Angeles, Theatre Specialties Corp.; 

George Fox, Minneapolis, American Seating 

Co.; W. B. Toney and Herb Loeffler, Des 

Moines, Tri-States Theatres Corp.; L. E. 

Pope and H. E. White, Kansas City. Fox Midwest 

Theatres, and Al Briggs, Kansas City, 

Altec Service Corp. 

Flynn to Open Emporia 

Drive-In Easter Sunday 

KANSAS CITY — Flynn Theatres, Inc.. 

headed by William Flynn, expects to open its 

new 500-car Emporia Drive-In Theatre, near 

Emporia, Kas.. on Easter Sunday, according 

to information received here. A contract for 

installation of RCA drive-in equipment has 

been concluded by Flynn with the Missouri 

Theatre Supply Co. 


Pine Recalls His Rise to Film Fame 

TRI-STATERS ATTEND LUNCHEON—Pictured above are Tri-States executives 

attending a recent luncheon given in Des Moines for Producer William Tine. Top, 

left to right: M. E. Anderson, Paramount Omaha manager; Arthur Stoaley, district 

manager for Tri-States Theatres; Dale McFarland, booking manager for Tri-States; 

Bill Pine; Don Hicks, host at the luncheon and Des Moines branch manager; Harold 

Lyon, manager of the Des Moines Theatre, and Bob Leonard, manager of the Paramount 

in Des Moines. Bottom: Myron Blank, Central States Theatres in Des Moines. 

seated at the head table with Pine; Leo Wolcott, executive of the Allied Motion 

Picture Ass'n; host Don Hicks, and Omaha Paramount Manager M. E. Anderson. 

DES MOINES—Events from the career of 

the fabulous Gilda Gray, the dancer who 

was discovered and brought to fame in the 

'20s by William Pine, were recalled by that 

Hollywood producer in his talk with area 

theatre managers and owners at a luncheon 

in the Savery hotel here. 

"She couldn't sing, couldn't dance," Pine 

said of Miss Gray, "but she had some wonderful 

quality hard to define. We built her 

up brick by brick, made a lot of money out 

Kansas City Greets 'Kettle' 

KANSAS CITY—"Ma and Pa Kettle," the 

U-I film starring Marjorie Main and Percy 

Kilbride and with a cast which includes Meg 

Randall and Richard Long, was premiered 

at the Fox Midwest Tower. Uptown and Fairway 

theatres here Thursday (24i. Personal 

appearances of the four featured and supporting 

players on the stages of the Tower and 

Uptown theatres highlighted opening day 

showings of the film. 

Activities in connection with the premiere 

began last Tuesday when Meg Randall and 

Richard Long arrived here with Ben R. Katz, 

U-I divisional exploitation chief. They were 

met by Sy Friedman, who escorted them to 

the Muehlebach hotel for a luncheon with 

Ben Shlyen. editor-in-chief and publisher of 

BOXOFFICE. 

Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride arrived 

Wednesday with Leonard Goldstein, producer 

MW 

of her. She made a lot, too." 

Once, he said, he had to give her an expense 

account. Usually he made business settlements 

with her husband and "Gilda knew 

little or nothing about them." 

"She looked down the list till she came 

to an item: Valet. SI," he said. "She balked, 

said she wouldn't pay it. I had had an offer 

from Paramount and had turned it down, but 

I told her. 'If you won't pay that dollar, 1 

quit.' " Pine added. "She wouldn't, so I quit. 

For a dollar, I went to Paramount." 

Pine reiterated his belief that picture business 

was in good condition. He said current 

reductions in Hollywood expenditures were 

"seasonal layoff" as in any industry, rather 

than forerunners of bad times. 

and Stars 

of "Ma and Pa Kettle," and Del Chain. 

The 

party was entertained at a luncheon at the 

Women's City Club by Mrs. Ben Shlyen. and 

Mrs. Velma West Sykes of the BOXOFFICE 

staff. The Visiting players appeared Wednesday 

night at a square dance sponsored by the 

city recreation department at the municipal 

auditorium. 

Between appearances Thursday at the two 

Fox Midwest theatres, the "Ma and Pa" 

players city greeted officials and newspaper 

and radio representatives at a cocktail party 

at the Muehlebach hotel. Interviews were 

broadcast frequently during the three days 

over radio stations WDAF. KMBC. KCMO. 

WHB and KCKN. 

The group left here Thursday morning 

for appearances in Topeka and Wichita before 

proceeding to St. eastward Louis and 

other cities. 

67

ROLL TISSUE

; 

LEAK 

. . . Bertha 

. . Art 

. . Two 

KMTA Anticipates 

Large Attendance 

KANSAS CITY—Theatre operators from 

all sections of the two-state area served by 

the Kansas-Missouri Theatre Ass'n are expected 

to attend the special meeting for exhibitors 

here Tuesday (29) at the Phillips 

hotel. Replies to announcements of the 

meeting mailed recently indicate that exhibitors 

from many Kansas and Missouri 

cities and towns will attend the meeting to 

participate in discussions of problems faced 

by the modern theatre operator, according 

to Elmer Bills, Salisbury, Mo., KMTA president. 

The meeting will be called to order by Bills 

at 10 a. m. A discussion of television will be 

directed by Homer F. Strowig. Abilene, Kas., 

will be followed by a talk on clearance by 

Marcus Landau, Horton, Kas. A recess will 

be taken at noon for a complimentary 

luncheon. 

During the afternoon session, concessions 

will be discussed by Dick Orear, Commonwealth 

Theatres; legislation by Joseph J. 

Kelly jr., KMTA attorney: public relations 

and youth activities by Senn Lawler, Fox 

Midwest Theatres, and small town advertising 

and exploitation by Glen Hall, Cassvillc, 

Mo. Following a roundtable on other subjects, 

the meeting will adjourn at 4 p. m. 

There will not be any registration fee, 

Bills emphasized in extending an invitation 

to theatre owners and operators throughout 

the two-state area served by the association 

New Ticket Tax Measure 

Is Threat in Minnesota 

MINNEAPOLIS—Passage of a bill which 

would empower municipalities and other local 

units to levy admission taxes up to 20 per 

cent, in addition to the present federal tax, 

has been recommended by a committee from 

the lower house of the state legislature. 

The action was taken following a hearing 

at which the tax measure was strongly opposed 

by the North Central Allied and the 

Minnesota Amusement Co. The League of 

Municipalities, including local government 

officials, is sponsoring the bill. 

Robt. Jones, Architect, 

To Talk in Kansas City 

KANSAS CITY—Robert Edmond Jones, 

theatrical and motion picture designer, will 

speak on "The Art of the Theatre" Tuesday 

(29), at the University of Kansas City Playhouse. 

For more than three decades, Jones 

has been engaged in designing theatrical 

scenery and costumes. When motion picture 

producers first began experiments in connection 

with three-color processes, Jones produced 

"La Cucaracha." 

THEATRE SALES 

A New Proven Method Based on 

Reputation and Experience. We 

cover the U. S. Market Privately. 

Arthur 

BERT THOMAS 

Manager. Midwest Office 

Leak 

1109 Orchard Lane 

Des Moines 13. la. Phone 4-3087 

Confidential Correspondence 

MINNEAPOLIS 

The Lyceum, legitimate roadshow house, 

raised its top from 70 cents to $1.20 for 

"Blanche Fury." The Eagle Lion release gave 

a good boxoffice account of itself, while "The 

Red Shoes" at the World still was drawing 

crowds in its fourth week . . . Eddie Stoller, 

United Artists manager, was jubilant at the 

manner in which "Red River" is pulling 

neighborhood stands as it did In its Twin 

city first runs . . . Herb Greenblatt, RKO 

district manager, was a visitor. 

. 

Another new suburban theatre, that in 

Golden Valley, is nearing completion. It is 

demanding 42-day availability, the same had 

now by the St. Louis Park and Edina in the 

same area more drive-ins to be 

built in the territory are those of Anton 

Schulz near Bismarck, N. D., and the W. R. 

and Jack Hillers at Marshall, Minn. 

Charlie Jackson, veteran Warner salesman, 

was back at work after a Florida vacation 

While there he met Jack Raper, former 

Paramount manager and later with 20th-Fox 

and RKO here and now manager of a store 

in Lauderdale . . . Art Anderson, Warner 

manager and Brotherhood week chairman for 

the area, urges tardy exhibitors to send in 

their pledges to Harry B. French of the 

Minnesota Amusement Co. as soon as possible. 

Mary Aaden is the new United Artists 

cashier. She replaces Marion McErlane. elevated 

to the booking department . . . The 

local RKO branch has risen to seventh place 

nationally, its highest ranking yet, in the 

13th week of the Ned Depinet sales campaign. 

The Sioux Falls, S. D., branch is in 

sixth place . . . M. A. Levy, 20th-Fox branch 

manager, went to Chicago for a sales conference 

. Zulch, MGM office manager, 

was sufficiently recovered from an 

appendectomy to leave St. Mary's hospital 

Nauer, secretary to MGM branch 

manager W. H. Workman, was recovering 

from an operation at Deaconess hospital. 

W. L. Crouse, Eveleth, Minn., exhibitor who 

recently filed suit against major distributors, 

the old Publix company and the Minnesota 

Amusement Co. for $1,500,000 triple damages 

because of alleged conspiracy to make him 

run pictures after the Paramount circuit's 

theatres in nearby Virginia, Minn., himscll 

is defendant in a suit brought against him 

for $375 over rental for one of his shuttered 

theatres . . . A. S. Milgrim has purchased 

the DeLuxe, St. Paul 400-seat neighborhood 

house, from Louis Ditkoff for a reported 

$30,000. 

Clearance Demands 

Carried lo New York 

MINNEAPOLIS—Latest demands for 28-day 

availability in local independent theatres 

this week found Harold Field and Harold 

Kaplan, owners of the St. Louis Park Theatre, 

in New York carrying their clearance 

problem to the home offices. 

Field and Kaplan made the New York 

trip after the Friedman brothers demanded 

28-day availability for their Edina Theatre, 

a competitor of the St. Louis Park. While 

there is no 35-day clearance here, Field 

and Kaplan reportedly are proposing that 

availability for both the Park and the Edina, 

which now have 42-day availability. 

The Park, until recently, enjoyed a six-day 

clearance advantage over the Edina, and before 

the consent decree had earlier clearance 

than any other neighborhood with the 

exception of the Minnesota Amusement Co.'s 

Uptown, the only 28-day house at that time. 

In addition to the Uptown, there now are 

five local independent and suburban theatres 

with 28-day clearance. 

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Much 26. 1949 

69

. . . Add 

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Strike 

OMAHA 

U7hcn salesmen gathered here, it was a farewell 

for Harry Barker, who covered the 

Des Moines sector and who is being transferred 

to St. Louis . . . Joe Scott, 20th-Fox 

manager, left by plane for Chicago and a 

company sales meeting . . . Eagle Lion is 

awaiting its first visit from Harold L. Beecroft, 

new district manager. He headquarters 

at Dallas . . . W. C. White, who has 

taken over the Dana Theatre at Danbury, 

Iowa, is considering adding bank night to his 

midweek menu . Hannon, Warner 

Bros, manager, was a 

visitor. 

The A. H. Blank anniversary drive meet- 

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JUST FOR YOU 

ing of Tri-States Theatres managers had to 

be delayed and rescheduled due to the 

absence of District Manager William Miskell. 

who attended funeral services for his mother 

Walsh, Warner Bros, district manager, 

also was called away by the death of his 

mother . Novitsky, 20th-Fox salesman, 

hit the road again with the entrance 

of spring. Due to illness, he has been out 

since mid-November . . . UA Manager D. V. 

McLucas and his wife left for three weeks 

in Arizona and New Mexico. 

National Theatre Supply Co. had a booming 

turnout for its formal opening Monday 

Hassett, Paramount head inspector, 

is out of the hospital and is recuperating 

at home . Auditor A. Berwald 

was in the city . . . Harold Wirthwein, new 

Paramount midlands division manager, was 

to arrive during the week. He will headquarter 

at Kansas City . . . Geraldine Griesing 

replaces Marjorie Riggs as office manager's 

secretary at Paramount. 

Exhibitors were out in near-record numbers. 

Among those tabbed were Mrs. M. Lockman, 

Stuart: Eddie Kugel. Holstein: M. R. 

Jones. Red Cloud: Oliver Schneider, Osceola: 

Mrs. Laura Moorehead, Stromsburg: M. P. 

King, Shelby: Wesley Mansfield. Ida Grove. 

Iowa: Tom Sandberg, Ravenna: Raymond 

Brown, Harlan, Iowa: Mr. and Mrs. Fred 

Schuler, Humboldt: Arnold Johnson, Onawa, 

Iowa: Blanche Colbert, North Bend: John 

Fisher. Valley: Paul Tramp, Oxford; Eddie 

Gannon. Schuyler; R. V. Fletcher, Hartington: 

Frank Good, Red Oak: Elmer Swendsen. 

Alta, Iowa: H. O. Qualsett, Tekamah. 

and E. L. Bartek, Greeley. 

Several brief cold spells cut off most of the 

flood danger temporarily in Nebraska and 

Iowa . . . Marilyn Francisco replaced Mary 

Reed as Paramount biller . . . The Ballantyne 

Co., a competitor across the street, 

sent one of the largest floral displays for 

the opening of the National Theatre Equipment 

Co. office here, a six-foot horseshoe. 

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'St. Louis' Scores 125 

To Lead Kansas City 

KANSAS CITY—Trade at local first runs 

was spotty. Changing weather conditions 

from day to day hampered business generally. 

"South of St. Louis" chalked up a lively 125 

per cent following a snappy opening at the 

Paramount and rated a holdover. "Down to 

the Sea in Ships" grossed only moderately 

well at the Tower, Uptown and Fairwaj 

"Enchantment." dualed with "Blondie's Big 

Deal" at the Midland, drew average trade. 

(Average Is 100) 

Esquire— I Wake Up Screaming ZOth-Fox); 

You're a Sweetheart lU-I! reissues 

Kimc-Henry V ;UA). 2nd run. 4 days FO 

Mid'.and— Enchantment [RKO] Blondie's Big Deal 

(Col) - - ... 95 

Orpheum—Tarzan's Magic Fountain (RKO); 

Embraceable You (WB) 85 

Paramount—South of St. Louis (WB). 

1 

r:yv- Badmen of Tombstone l.!.": It 

Rich (Mono) ... . 

Tower, Uptown, Fairway—Down to the Sea in 

Ships i20th-Fox) 105 

'Three Wives' Scores 125 

To Pace Minneapolis 

MINNEAPOLIS — "A Letter to Three 

Wives." single billed at the Radio City, was 

the outstanding newcomer here with a rating 

of 125 per cent. "South of St. Louis" 

at the Orpheum also was strong. "The Red 

Shoes." in a fourth stanza at the World, 

topped the holdovers with a score of 175 per 

cent. "Command Decision," in a second round 

at the State, and "Chicken Every Sunday," 

in a second stanza at the Century, also continued 

to draw well. 

Aster—The Judge (FC); Boston Blackie's Chinese 

Venture (Col) 

. :. Chicken Every Sunday 

2nd wk - 110 

Lyceum—Blanche Fury (EL) .100 

Lyric—Wake of the Red Witch (Rep), 

3rd d. wk... 110 

t 

Pix—Die Fledermaus rArtkind .-... 80 

Radio City—A Letter to Three (20th-Fox)....125 

Wives 

RKO Orpheum—South of St. Louis (WB) 110 

RKO Pan— Tarzan's Magic Fountain (RKO) 9C 

State—Command Decision (MGM). 2nd wk 115 

World—The Red Shoes (EL). 4th wk 175 

'Smith' Gross Highest 

At 150 in Omaha 

OMAHA—"Whispering Smith" was loud at 

the boxoffice to give Paramount the best of 

a week that saw generally improved business. 

Two first runs were held over. Weather was 

generally uncomfortable with wind and a little 

snow. 

Omaha—lohn Loves Mary (WB), 2nd d t. wk.; 

The Feathered Serpent (Mono) 10C 

Orpheum—Night Has a Thousand Eyes (Para); 

Sealed Verdict (Para! 

Paramount—Whispering Smith Fara .150 

RKO Brandeis—The Boy With Green Hair iRKO); 

Boston Blackie's Chinese Venture (Col) 95 

State—Chicken Every Sunday (20th-Fox), 2nd wk.; 

The Judge

Joseph Kruel Buried; 

Detroit Exhibitor 

DETROIT—Joseph B. Kruel, circuit operator, 

died recently in St. Francis hospital at 

Hamtramck after a long illness. Born in 

Poland, he came to Detroit about 20 years 

ago after starting in the hotel business in 

Pennsylvania. About 18 years ago he entered 

the theatre business, operating the Home, 

Park and King theatres at the time of his 

death. He formerly operated the Frontenac, 

now the Ace, and the Star in Hamtramck. 

He is survived by his wife Hedwig, two sons 

Casmere and Edward, the latter associated 

with him as active manager of the Park, and 

one daughter, Mrs. Stella Rudzki, wife of 

the manager of the King. 

Samuel Rothsteins 

Open Rialto 

In Evans, Pa., Close Old House 

Fire Inspection Methods 

Up at Youngstown Parley 

YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO — Fire inspection 

procedures for theatres was discussed at a 

recent meeting of fire department officials 

with theatre managers. Chief Leroy E. Halstead 

called the meeting to work out arrangements 

for elimination of fire hazards and 

conduct of fire inspections. 

The fire chief said that inspection has been 

intensified recently following repeated reports 

of smoking in theatres. Normally theatres 

are inspected every Saturday, but in recent 

weeks fire inspectors have been making 

nightly checks. 

Halstead also cited the need for keeping 

aisles clear at all times. He said all theatre 

operators agreed to cooperate fully in eliminating 

hazards. 

Jerome, Pa.. Theatre Back 

To Steve Gironda Soon 

JEROME, PA.—The Jerome Theatre will 

return to the management of Stephen Gironda 

on April 1. Gironda operates a bowling 

alley here and is road supervisor for 

Conemaugh township. The theatre has been 

under lease several years to Charles Szewczyk, 

Boswell exhibitor, who continues to operate 

the Mary Lee and the Sheftic theatres, the 

latter formerly known as the Vernon. The 

Jerome, formerly booked by Co-op at Pittsburgh, 

will be licensed and booked by Gironda, 

who managed the theatre a number 

of years ago. 

Tent 1 

N 

Bad Boy' Bow 

Midnight April 3 

PITTSBURGH—Variety Tent l's biggest 

event of the year will be the Stanley 

Theatre premiere of Allied Artists' "Bad 

Boy,"' starring Audie Murphy. All barkers 

are alerted for the special April 3 

midnight premiere of the picture which 

was suggested by the Variety Club's Boys 

Ranch at Copperas Cove. Tex. The picture 

salutes the showman's organization 

and its 8,500 members, also salutes the 

owners of 17.000 theatres. A large stage 

show will be presented in conjunction with 

the premiere of the picture, distributed 

by Monogram, and proceeds will be contributed 

100 per cent to the Variety tent 

Snapped at the opening of the new Evans Theatre are members of the Sajnucl 

Rothenstein family, left to right: Abe, West Aliquippa; Mrs. and Mr. Samuel Kothenstein, 

proprietors of the new Evans; Mrs. Frank (Margie) Simon, Pittsburgh, Martin. 

Baden, Anna Abes, Brackenridge. 

EVANS CITY, PA.—The new Evans Theatre 

has opened here after a construction 

job of only four months. With the inaugural 

of the new theatre, the old Rialto was closed. 

The Evans is unique in construction inasmuch 

as it is attached to the residence of 

owner Samuel Rothenstein. The former auto 

driveway at the side and to the rear of the 

exhibitor's home is the site of the new front 

and lobby, the inner lobby boxoffice is constructed 

where the front porch once stood 

and a door behind the boxoffice leads into 

the exhibitor's kitchen. The auditorium is 

constructed in Rothenstein's former backyard 

garden and the door in the projection 

booth leads out to the roof of the residence. 

Adjoining the booth is a cry room which seats 

ten. The theatre front has a V-shaped marquee 

with neon outline letters spelling the 

Big Clock at Drive-In 

TRANSFER, PA.—Reynolds Drive-In has 

installed an electric clock on the large screen 

tower. This clock, facing the highway, has 

a six-foot dial, with neon-lighted hands and 

figures. Carl T. McKnight and Carl C. 

Blake, owners of the theatre, will run advertising 

lines on the clock, such as: "For Your 

Correct Time and Your Best Time Look to 

the Picture Tower of the Reynolds Drive-In 

Theatre." 

Emermcm Hearing Not Set 

ERIE, PA.—The United Exhibitors' civil 

action, aimed at film companies and affiliated 

theatres and filed for Harvey Emerman 

of the State, is not docketed for the March 

term of district court. Earlier reports in theatre 

circles were that the antitrust case would 

come up for hearing at this session. 

Hungarian Duo Offered 

JOHNSTOWN, PA. — The Hollywood at 

Cambria City exhibited an all-HungariaD 

double feature, "Valamit Visz a Viz" and 

Falu Rossza." 

name. Restrooms are in the rear of the auditorium. 

Theatre materials include concrete 

block, steel and cement. 

This small community has no newspaper 

but the chamber of commerce remembered 

the opening and surprised the exhibitor when 

a small handbill, which was published and 

distributed in the area. 

This herald extended 

greetings and best wishes for the success of 

the new Evans. 

Samuel Rothenstein has been an exhibitor 

in New York and in the Pittsburgh area for 

two score years and has three sons in exhibition 

In this area. Abe is at West Aliquippa, 

where he operates the West; Louis is at 

Cambridge Springs, where he operates the 

Rose, and Martin is at the new Baden at 

Baden. The new Evans is similar to the 

Baden, although smaller in capacity. 

Video Seen as Booster 

To Sports Attendance 

COLUMBUS—Television may boost attendance 

at sports events. W. H. Robinson jr., 

manager of the advertising division of the 

General Electric Co. lamp division, said at 

Ohio State University's television seminar 

here. He said surveys showed that TV broadcasting 

would send more spectators to the 

stadium than it would keep at home. His 

firm sponsored telecasts of Cleveland Indians' 

home games last season. The survey 

showed, he said, that 52.8 per cent of the 

population of greater Cleveland had seen a 

televised ball game despite the fact that only 

about 10.000 video sets were in use in the 

Military Services for Pilot 

CLEVELAND—Military services were held 

in Arlington National cemetery, Washington. 

March 21 for Lieut. Arnold Nathanson, 

27. army air corps, who was killed In a crash 

of his plane while on a rescue mission In 

Karachi, India in April 1945. He was with 

the local Warner Theatres office for seven 

years prior to Joining the air force. 

March 26, 1949 ME 75

. . Bert 

—— 

Parking Meter Tilt Leads to Attack 

On 13-Year Guard, Ohio, Bank Night 

GIRARD. OHIO—Peter M. Wellman, operator 

of several theatres in the Youngstown 

area, is carrying to the courts a battle on the 

legality of bank night, an operation in his 

local 

theatres for 13 years and currently said 

to have more than 25,000 persons registered 

for prizes. Girard has a total population of 

about 9.800. 

Wellman has been going ahead with bank 

night at the New Mock and Wellman theatres 

despite an order by the safety service 

director, Orlando B. Thomas, banning the 

games under the Ohio general code. Wellman 

has been holding the drawing at a point 

outside the city, with the names of winners 

telephoned to him on the stage. 

The difficulty over bank night arose after 

Wellman and a group of other businessmen 

opposed an ordinance suggested by Councilman 

George M. Vince, calling for the installation 

of downtown parking meters. 

Wellman and the businessmen requested a 

referendum on the issue and it will be submitted 

to voters at the November election. 

Meanwhile, meters cannot be installed. 

"I made a mistake on the stand I took on 

parking meters, and I am willing to admit 

it." Wellman said. "From now on, I will run 

COLUMBUS 

r"d Kennedy, promotion director of the Columbus 

Citizen, will join WLWC, Crosley 

television outlet here, April 1 in an executive 

capacity. James Foley will succeed Kennedy 

at the Citizen. 

Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio is 

supporting senate bill No. 69 which would 

return the 3 per cent admissions tax to the 

state, P. J. Wood points out in his latest 

bulletin. A hearing on the bill was held 

March 23 ... By a vote of 12-5, the house 

agriculture committee killed a bill by Rep. 

Robert R. Shaw. Franklin county Republican, 

to abolish the Ohio state fairgrounds relocation 

commission. The committee tabled the 

bill after final arguments. 

The Ohio State University board of trustees 

has given the athletic board permission to go 

ahead with plans for the proposed Ohio State 

field house, to be built near Ohio stadium. 

The multimillion dollar structure would 

house basketball and other sports and may 

have as many as 16,000 seats. Athletic Director 

Dick Larkins said it would take at 

least three years to complete. 

Construction of WRFD's new frequency 

modulation station, to be one of the most 

powerful FM outlets in the country, will start 

soon, according to James R. Moore, general 

manager. New antenna for the station will 

be erected atop WRFD's present tower four 

miles north of Worthington and will increase 

its height to 662 feet, making it the tallest 

radio tower in central Ohio. 

Mr. and Mrs. J. Real Neth are returning 

from a West Indies cruise on the Nieuw Amsterdam 

. Pletcher, operator at the 

Southern, has returned from a Miami vacation 

. . . Bernard Ginley, Southern manager, 

my business and let the politicians run theirs." 

Shortly after the parking meter issue, Wellman 

was served a warrant signed by Councilman 

Vince and charging him with operating 

a lottery. Wellman entered a plea of 

innocence and was released on $1,000 bond. 

"I'll carry the fight to the courts," Wellman 

said. "And if the courts decide bank 

night is a lottery then there will be no more 

bank night." 

Girard officials, however, are at odds as 

to whether Wellman should be tried in Mahoning 

county common pleas court or before 

the county grand jury. Maximum penalty 

in common pleas court on conviction of such 

an offense is a fine of $500 and a 90-day jail 

sentence. 

Wellman 's attorney, however, said the warrant 

under which Wellman was arrested was 

faulty because it did not charge Wellman 

with operating a lottery "for his own profit." 

Counsel argued that state law provides no 

offense was committed so long as Wellman 

was not operating bank night for his own 

profit. He further said there has not been 

any decision on the legality of bank night 

since the present state law went into effect 

in September 1943. 

is arranging a new photo gallery of stars for 

the lobby . . . The Palace will return to its 

stage attractions April 9, 10 for the Eddie 

Cantor show . . . Carl Rogers, manager of the 

Broad, reports his theatre will have the first 

local showing of "Paisan" the week of April 1. 

John McNulty, former theatre editor of 

the Columbus Citizen, sold his New Yorker 

story about a radio prize winner, "Jackpot" 

to 20th Century-Fox . . . Bud Kissel, another 

former Citizen theatre editor, is selling pulp 

fiction to Street & Smith publications. 

Judge Clayton Rose of the Franklin county 

court of domestic relations and his staff attended 

a screening of "Knock on Any Door." 

Judge Rose "sentenced" the parents of a delinquent 

boy to see the picture at the request 

of Walter Kessler, Ohio manager . . . The 

Galion, under construction at Galion, Ohio. 

is under roof and opening is expected in early 

summer, Charles Alcorn, assistant manager, 

said. 

Motion for a new trial brought by Mary 

Augustine, Bucyrus, against the Crawford 

Theatre Co. has been denied. Her first suit 

for damages was lost. She contends that the 

theatre company was at fault in allowing 

candy wrappers on the lobby floor. She fell 

and fractured her leg in the theatre lobby. 

James V. Peppe, owner of Valley Dale ballroom 

here and Variety Club member, is 

planning to develop a Florida resort in the 

Palm Springs style, according to Earl Wilson. 

New York columnist. Peppe has a winter 

home at Sarasota. 

C&B Firm Plans Drive-in 

CAMBRIDGE. OHIO—The C&B Amusement 

Co. will construct and operate a 500- 

car drive-in on route 216 between Cambridge 

and Byesville. 

'Shoes' at Cleveland 

Leads in 12th Week 

CLEVELAND—A heavy blizzard seriously 

affected the midweek openings of new products 

and although the weekend was good, 

the total was below general expectations. The 

State Theatre stage show headlining Frankie 

Laine and Connie Haines hit 120 per cent. 

"The Red Shoes" scored 230 per cent in its 

12th week. 


Allen—Mother Is a Freshman (20th-Fox) _ 85 

Esquire—The Red Shoes (EL). 12th wk 230 

Hippodrome—The Lite of Riley U-I 90 

. ._ 

Lower Mall—Four Steps in the Clouds (Distinguished 

Pictures) ..... 100 

Ohic—Frankenstein Meets the Woli Man (Realart),- 

Dracula's Daughter (Realart) 105 

Palace—A Letter to Three Wives (20th-Fox), 2nd 

wk., holdover _ 75 

The Sun Comes Up (MGM), plus 

State 

stage 

show _ 120 

Stillman—Whispering wk. 90 

t. Smith (Para), 2nd d. 

'SecretarY' Plus Duchin Stage Show- 

Brings 180 for Cincinnati Top 

CINCINNATI—With two exceptions, boxoffice 

downtown hit par and over this week. 

Top honors went to the stage attraction 

booked with "My Dear Secretary" at the 

Albee. "Family Honeymoon" gave good results 

at Keith's and is playing a second week 

there. "Wake of the Red Witch," in its second 

week at the Shubert. also did good business 

and was moved to the Lyric for an additional 

four days. "Mother Is a Freshman" 

was moved to 

Shuberts. 

Albee—My Dear Secretary (UA), plus stage show.,180 

Capitol—Adventures of Don Juan (WB), 2nd wk 80 

Grand—The Liie of Riley (U-I), 2nd wk 100 

Keith's—Family Honeymoon (U-I) _ 120 

Lyric—You're Not So Tough (U-I); Give Us 

Wings (U-I), split with Count of Monte Cristo 

(UA); Son of Monte Cristo (UA), reissues 90 

_.. 

Palace—Mother Is a Freshman (20th-Fox) 100 

Shubert—Wake of the Red Witch (Rep), 

2nd d. wk t. 110 

'Smith' and 'Incident' Bill 

Is Top Grosser in Detroit 

DETROIT—The Lenten season and belated 

winter weather combined to hamper trade at 

local first runs generally. A dualing of "Whispering 

Smith" and "Piccadilly Incident" at 

the Michigan chalked up 115 per cent to rate 

first place. "Blanche Fury." helped by a 

stage bill featuring Lional Hampton and his 

band at the Fox, registered 105 per cent. 

Grosses at other houses were spotty. 

Adams Family Honeymoon (U-I); Highway 13 

2nd wk. (SG), 100 

Cinema—La Traviata (Col) 

I 

Downtown—The Kissing Bandit (MGM); The 

115 

Feathered Serpent (Mono) 80 

Fox—Blanche Fury (EL), plus 105 

stage show 

Madison—The Boy With Green Hair (RKO); 

Jungle Goddess (SG) 90 .. 

Michigan Whispering Smith (Faro! Piccadilly 

(MGM) Incident ...115 

110 

Palms-State—loan of Arc (RKO). 4;h wk 

United Artists—The Red Pony (Rep); The Last 

Bandit (Rep! ... 95 

Whispering Smith' Draws 125 

For Pittsburgh High 

PITTSBURGH—"Whispering Smith" at 

Loew's Penn made the most noise in the 

Golden Triangle and moved over to Loew's 

Ritz. "John Loves Mary" and "A Letter to 

Three Wives" were over the top. Three moveover-holdover 

attractions were on exhibit in 

the B houses of Warners, Loew's and Harris. 

Fulton—Enchantment (RKO) 100 

Harris—A Letter to Three Wives 110 

[20th-Fox) 

Penn—Whispering Smith (Para) 125 

Ritz—Command Decision (MGM). 3rd d. t. wk 100 

Senator—Chicken Every Sunday (20th-Fox), 

d. t. 2nd wk 80 

Stanley—John Loves Mary (WB) 105 

Warner—He Walked by Night (EL). 2nd d. t. wk 80 

76 


first run availability date. 

Principal points raised for clarification 

were: 1: Does this mean, as interpreted byprincipals, 

that a first run theatre is obligated 

2. What 

to play on national release date? 

effect would an extended run, going two 

weeks or more at first run, have upon this 

situation?" 

From arguments presented, it was evident 

that "first run availability" had proved a 

confusing term, particularly when interpreted 

as being the national release date. 

'Paisan' Sets New Record 

At Strand, Youngstown 

YOUNGSTOWN—"Paisan" has set a new 

record for foreign films shown at the Strand 

Theatre here by outgrossing "Open City," the 

previous foreign boxoffice champion, for the 

first week. The film was held over for a 

second week. 

The Palace Theatre here claims an alltime 

record for children's attendance on February 

22, Washington's birthday. The doors were 

opened at 11:45 a. m. and the house was full 

by 12:30 p. m., staying that way until late 

that night. The attraction was Walt Disney's 

"So Dear to My Heart." 

Cleveland Projectionist 

Dies of Heart Attack 

CLEVELAND—William Kramer, 46, projectionist 

at Warners' Colony died suddenly 

on Thursday, March 17, of a heart attack. 

Kramer was captain of the Auto Voice team 

in the Operators' Bowling league and participated 

in the first two Detroit-Cleveland intercity 

contests for championship rating. 

Survivors are his wife Mary, his mother 

Katherine, a brother Clarence, all of Cleveland 

and a sister, Mrs. Caroline Vollmer of 

Detroit. 

GO INTO BUSINESS FOR YOURSELF! 

We hare stales RIGHTS available on several 

good 

Roadshow 

Properties 

(John) JENKINS and (0. K.) BOURGEOIS 

ASTOR PICTURES COMPANY 

Hcuwood and Jackson Streets. DALLAS 1, TEX. 

CLEVELAND 

The Harry Goldstein dinner, originally announced 

for April 4, has been set back 

one week to April 11 at the Statler hotel 

Arbiter Will Clarify 

Grand Blanc Award 

DETROIT—A hearing was held here recently 

on the 20th-Fox appeal for clarification 

of the award handed so down by 

as 

arbiter 

not to conflict with the dinner being 

David 

given 

A. Wolf in 

in 

the Grand Blanc 

Albany 

case 

April 4 for 

here 

George Lynch, 

two months ago. The arbitrator was given who is celebrating his 30th anniversary with 

until May 4 to file his clarification 

the Schine circuit. 

of the 

original award, which, it is contended, proved The local Schine office is moving out of 

confusing. 

the Film Bldg. to Chester-Twelfth Bldg. . . . 

Most significant feature of the award, Congratulations to Chuck Meyers and J. O 

which attracted national attention at the Guthrie of the Carolyn Theatre, New London 

on the arrival of a son born last week 

time, was that it sliced clearance in the entire 

Flint competition area between first and to Mrs. Charles Meyer, daughter of Mr. and 

second runs from 42 to 21 days. It further Mrs. Guthrie. 

provided that pictures be made available to 

the second runs not later than 28 days after 

Arthur Shreffler writes that his father Hal 

D. came through two operations performed 

in one week late in December, and is making 

occasional personal appearances at his Castamba 

Theatre, Shelby. It will be another 

month or so, Art says, before his dad takes 

an active part in the management of the 

theatre . . . Elie Staup of the Capitol and 

Star theatres. Delphos, entertained the film 

salesmen covering the Toledo territory at his 

home Tuesday last week. There was practically 

100 per cent attendance and reports are 

that food refreshments and hospitality were 

tops. 

Jack O'ConneU's Paulding Theatre opening 

in Paulding, Ohio, was a gala event. 

Sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce 

with all proceeds earmarked for the 

Macomber Memorial hospital, tickets sold for 

as high as $200 a piece. More than a hundred 

floral pieces sent by friends and associates 

were given to the hospitals of Paulding. 

O'Connell entertained the Paulding civic officials, 

film associates of Toledo and the Toledo 

film salesmen at a late dinner in the 

Eagle Hall after the show. 

Visitors: Joe Shagrin, Youngstown; Max 

Federhar, Akron; Bob Boyd, Leipsig . . Bill 

. 

Jennings has joined Oliver Theatre Supply 

in charge of its 16mm RCA projectors and 

accessories . . . Filmrow missed former Republic 

Manager John Joseph Patrick Thomas 

Houlihan on St. Patrick's day. Last year he 

celebrated his March 17 birthday with an 

open house party in the exchange. Houlihan 

is now Republic branch manager in Dallas. 

Word comes from the Will Rogers Memorial 

hospital at Saranac Lake that Mary Lou 

Weaver, former secretary to Warner Manager 

Jerry Wechsler, is coming along fine. Miss 

Weaver entered the hospital last August 

through the good services of Wechsler. She 

writes that as result of excellent care and 

comfortable surroundings, she is making such 

rapid strides that her cure may be effected 

by next Christmas. 

pleasure of pinning a 25-year service pin on 

salesman T. L. Irwin and presenting him a 

wrist watch. 

Allied's "Bad Boy" will be premiered March 

29 at the Allan Theatre, under the sponsorship 

of the Variety Club . . . Vivian Boniface, 

Associated switchboard operator by day and 

Knickerbocker Theatre cashier by night, 

didn't argue just before closing time the 

other night when a "customer" aimed a gun 

at her with request for the evening's till. He 

fled with about $130. 

Frank Greenwald, former Knickerbocker 

Theatre manager, postcards from Florida 

where he is vacationing as a guest of Howard 

Reif, until he takes over the active management 

of a nearby drive-in . . . Jack Essick 

of Modern Theatres (formerly Scoville, Essick 

& Reif i announces that stage shows will 

be continued at the Mayland Theatre. 

"Skitch" Henderson and his orchestra was 

the attraction last Sunday. The Arthur Godfrey 

show is booked for April 10 and negotiations 

are now under way for a one-day 

booking of Stop the Music. 

Vaughan O'Neil, manager of the Ohio, 

moved next door to the State, where he succeeds 

Maurice Druker, transferred to Loew's 

in Providence. O'Neil, who has been manager 

at the Ohio the last two years, is now 

Leo Greenberger of the Community circuit 

and his family are vacationing in Florida serving his second hitch as manager of the 

State where he was boss man some five years 

while the Henry Greenbergers of the same 

circuit are back from Miami Beach . . . Nick ago. 

Lubich of the Oliver Theatre Supply Co. 

came through four years of active duty in 

the Pacific war without a scratch, but 

M. H. Fritchle of Oliver Theatre Supply 

and wife returned from a three-week 

Co. last 

week he received two broken ribs wlien a 

jokster party pulled a chair from under 

sojourn in Florida. 

at a 

him. 

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SffiKSS- FLOODLIGHTS 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO.—K. C. Mo. 

Ritz Theatre, a colored house in Akron, Is 

slated for an April 17 opening ... In one of 

his first official acts as Paramount mideast 

division manager, Harry Goldstein had the 

THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO. OF CINCINNATI 

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. . . Manos 

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PITTSBURGH 

paul Keith, rko office manager, was in bed 

for several days with a strep infection . . . 

The Bill Finkels are vacationing in Florida 

. . . Leonard Mintz, UA manager, was in 

New York for a company meeting . . . Lou 

Hanna and George Callahan jr., were in 

Philadelphia for a National Film Service confab 

. . . Local area barrooms are offering free 

television entertainment on 5x7-foot screens 

. . . Eleventh annual Linsly Minstrel was presented 

two days at the Virginia in Wheeling 

at Ellwood City played the 

WWVA Jamboree . . . Bert C. Wild, a Warner 

manager at Butler for a decade, personally 

endorsed "A Letter to Three Wives" in 

newspaper display ads. 

J. K. "Clippie" Kaupp has announced April 

14 as reopening date for his Cuppie's Drivein 

at West Brownsville . . . Duke Hickey, 

field representative of the MPPDA, was a 

visitor . . . Ralph Mungello, former Slovan 

and Burgettstown exhibitor, died in Los Angeles. 

In addition to sons Anthony and 

Donald D. Mungello of the Mary Ann Theatre 

at Burgettstown, he is survived by four 

daughters, two of whom make their home in 

Los Angeles, and seven grandchildren. 

Antonio Herrera, 21, of Franklin, was arrested 

by police after threatening Ida Naylor, 

18, cashier at the Park Theatre in Johnstown, 

and hurrying off with $10 which she 

tossed in his direction. A commonwealth 

charge of armed robbery was filed against 

Herrera . . . While Sidney Soltz, manager 

of the Rhumba on Fullerton street, was 

showering in his Hotel Webster Hall room, a 

burglar entered and made off with the theatremans 

$750 watch and $640 cash . . . Mike 

Winograd, Rochester exhibitor, returned from 

a winter vacation in Florida . . . Bill Lipsie, 

Blairsville exhibitor, is recuperating after a 

heart attack . Koscoe, Brockway exhibitor, 

has been suffering with arthritis . . . 

Mrs. George Callahan jr., wife of the Exhibi- 

Every Kind of Successful Promotion 

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Paramount in Toledo 

Observes 20th Year 

TOLEDO—The 3,400-seat Paramount, 

largest local theatre, recently celebrated its 

20th birthday. The theatre's lease was transferred 

from Balaban & Katz to Carl G. 

Schwyn, Cygnet, Ohio, circuit operator, in 

mid-1948. B&K is planning another theatre 

here, meanwhile showcasing Paramount product 

in the much smaller Princess. 

When the Paramount made its bow on 

Feb. 16, 1929 the film attraction was Richard 

Dix in "Redskin," and the stage show 

was headed by Paul Spor and his band and 

a Publix unit called "Just Kids." Dwight 

Brown was at the console. Paul Spor later 

decided to make Toledo his home and is 

prominent in show business here, booking 

special attractions and operating a talent 

school. 

AKRON 

peggy Starr is the new amusements writer 

for the Akron Beacon Journal, replacing 

Betty French, who resigned . . . "Hamlet" 

will open at the Liberty April 16. Following 

this, the house has booked "The Red Shoes" 

. . . Jack Rentfrow, originally from Akron, 

has returned as assistant manager of Loew's, 

replacing Stuart Morin, now assistant manager 

of Loew's, Columbus. 

/ 

George W. Finch, 60, projectionist, was 

the subject of a feature story in the Cleveland 

Plain Dealer recently. Finch has worked 

in most of the theatres in Akron. He came 

to the Ohio in suburban Cuyahoga Falls 

when it opened in February 1936. Finch admitted 

that his job is vastly easier than it 

was 35 years ago but that it still has its 

agonizing moments. "Audiences today are 

not as tolerant as were those of yesterday 

when something went wrong in the booth," 

he asserted. He said the routine of projection 

work could be taught easily enough in 

several days, but the knack of spotting the 

source of trouble and fixing it in seconds 

comes only with years of experience. 

Carl Ferrazzo New Aide 

At Toledo Valentine 

TOLEDO—Carl Ferrazzo, assistant manager 

at Loew's, Akron, has been named assistant 

manager at Loew's Valentine here, 

succeeding Vincent Tripodi, now in the same 

post at Loew's Esquire. Ferrazzo renews an 

association with Abe Ludacer, manager, 

which began in 1945 when both had the 

same respective posts at the Park in Cleveland. 

Ferrazzo started his theatre career in 

Washington in 1945 as student assistant at 

the Capital. 

Jack Stamper Heads Local 

PORTSMOUTH, OHIO—The special department 

IATSE Local B-133 recently elected 

Jack Stamper as president and Elmer Hileman, 

vice-president for 1949. Other officers 

include Paul E. Williams, financial secretary; 

Goldie Abrams, recording secretary; Woodrow 

Griffith, business agent: James Atkinson, 

chairman of the executive board, and 

James Bond, sergeant at arms. 

BOXOFTICE March 26, 1949 

National Theatre Supply 

Retains Bowling Lead 

DETROIT—National Theatre Supply still 

holds a fair margin in the Nightingale club. 

Standings are: 

Team Won Lost 

National Thealre Supply 60 28 

Brenkerl Projectorss 54 34 

Projectionists Local 199 _ 47 41 

Lorenzen's Flower Shop 42 46 

Altec Sound Service 42 46 

National Carbon Co. 41 47 

Ernie Forbes Theatre Supply 33 55 

McArthur Theatre Equipment 35 S5 

High scores: Roy Thompson 201-215, Roy 

Light 209. Ralph Haskin 200, Floyd Akins 203 

and Jack Colwell 199. Percy Huebner made 

the 4-6-7-10 split, but Carl Beals, working 

for the 5-7-10 was less lucky. 

The Nightingales are working to overcome 

their handicap for the big return match with 

Cleveland, held March 22 at the Palmer Park 

Recreation, after losing the match at Cleveland 

by 54 pins. 

The Nightingales voted unanimously a resolution 

of appreciation to Fitzgerald and the 

Clevelanders for a grand time. 

DETROIT—Scharun's Premiums, tailing 

the Film Bowling league, stole the spotlight, 

rolling 2,579 for three games, to hit third 

place among season's highs. New team 

standings are: 

Team Won Lost 

Cooperative Theatres 13 13 


RKO 

27 

26 

17 

18 

Allied Films 23 21 

Monogram 20 24 

Theatrical Advertising 18 26 

Republic 16 28 

Scharun's Premiums 15 29 

The 200 Club: Bernbaum 211, Harr 209 

and 210, Malinowski 208, Goryl 202, Loye 201, 

Sheran 201, and Misch 200. 

CINCINNATI—In the Theatrical Bowling 

league, the Gayety Theatre moved into fifth 

place by taking three games from the Times 

Theatre. Clovemook moved up one notch by 

taking two from Keiths. F. Borgman and H. 

Wieman led the scoring with a 559. 

Team standings are: 

Won Lost 

Kentucky 

Westwood 

Clovemook 

This week'; 

man, 203. 

CLEVELAND—The Oliver Theatre Supply 

bowlers were the only four-point winners in 

league play here and took over fourth place 

in the standings. The Mobilton In-Car 

Speakers lost the point award for total pins 

to Alhambra Theatre when the summaries 

showed Alhambra the victor with 2,680-2,676. 

Team standings are: 

Won 

Union Federated Insurance 57 

National Theatre Supply 53 

Alhambra Theati 

Oliver Theatre Supply 

Auto Voice Speakers 

RCA Service Co. 

Ohio Thealre Supply 

Mobiltone In-Car Speake 

Set of Dishes Distributed 

HOLLIDAYSBURG, PA.—A 15-piece set of 

dishes Is being awarded as door prizes at 

the Manos. 

LOUISVILLE 

The suburban Crescent here was scheduled 

to close for five days for installation of 

seats. The theatre was scheduled to reopen 

with "Gone With the Wind," for three performances 

daily on Saturday and Sunday and 

one showing on week days. The Crescent is 

under the direction of S. D. Weinburg . 

Bob Harned has returned from an extended 

vacation in Florida and is putting his Theatair 

Drive-In, Jeffersonville, in shape for 

formal opening around April 1. 

Leaving on a vacation tour of the south, 

including a stay in New Orleans, are Mr. and 

Mrs. E. L. Ornstein, Ornstein Theatres, Marengo, 

Ind. . . . Staying over in the south is 

R. H. Robertson of the Majestic, Springfield, 

Ky. ...CO. Humston, owner and general 

manager of the Lyric, Lawrenceburg, Ky., 

stopped over for a visit enroute to Fern 

Creek for the regional basketball tournament. 

After holding out as long as possible, it 

seems that at least two downtown first runs 

are contemplating the addition of popcorn 

to their concession counters 

seen on the Row recently were: F. X. Merkley, 

Rialto, Columbia, Ky.; George Peyton, 

Griffeth, LaGrange; Robert Enoch, State and 

Grand theatres, Elizabethtown; Robert L. 

Richards, State, Crothersville, Ind.; David 

Sledge, Frankfort Starway Drive-In, Frankfort; 

Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Ornstein, Ornstein 

Theatres, Marengo, Ind.; George Lindsay, 

Lindsay, Brownsville; Oscar Hopper, Arista, 

Lebanon; Hugh Kessler, Pal, Palmyra, Ind.; 

T. M. Speer, Monroe, Monroe City, Ind., and 

James and Jack Story, Mary Agnes Theatre, 

Jamestown, Ky. 

H. S. Davidson, executive director of the 

Capitol & Shelby Theatres here, is 

the father 

of a baby boy Thomas Henry Davidson II . . . 

Mr. and Mrs. Fred J. Dolle are spending a 

vacation at the Soreno hotel in St. Petersburg. 

Fla. ... As a prologue to the opening of 

"Hamlet" at the Scoop Theatre here, the 

eight-member madrigal group of the Louisville 

Philharmonic chorus sang. 

J. E. Elliott jr., who has been associated 

with the Lincoln, Hodgenville, for a great 

many years, has been appointed general manager 

of the house, when it is taken over by 

the new- owners W. S. Gabhart of Harrodsburg 

and A. R. Milby of Danville April 1. 

According to Elliott, he will have full charge 

of the buying, booking and general operation 

of the house . . . F. X. Merkley. owner and 

general manager of the Rialto, Columbia, reports 

that the front of his theatre will undergo 

a complete remodeling. The arrangement 

of the front is to be changed and a new 

marquee will be installed. 

FREE CANDY BARS AND BALLOONS 

For KIDDY MATINEES—$35.84 value—Brock'* 

Candy Bars and Balloons Free lor KIDDIE 

MATINEE with purchase oi $34.16 worth ol 

Candy at 82c per 24 bars—prepaid. 

NOTHING LIKE IT EVER OFFERED BEFORE 

Write or wire for complete details 

UNIVERSAL SOUND MOVIE CO.

. . . Del 

. . Harold 

. . Jack 

. . Don 

. . 

DETROIT 

n Imond Sears, who pioneered in theatrical 

radiant heating at Linden, has been a 

frequent Filmrow visitor . . . Bruce Freeman 

was reported selling the Strand at Roscommon 

to a Dearborn school teacher . . . Ben 

Lefkowitz, Auto City Candy Co. returned from 

a vacation in Florida . . . Jack Cohen, district 

manager who has been acting branch 

manager at National Screen Service several 

months, will leave the organization . . . Ray 

Schreiber. Midwest head, who was stricken 

by a heart attack, was reported improved 

Ritter, who was stricken similarlylast 

month, also was convalescing. 

Barry and Elliott 

Cohen were busy ready- 

ing the Paradise for opening in April . 

I. J. Cohen has a set of interesting scrapbooks 

relating to early days of the Cohen 

circuit . Earl Franklin Woodling, projectionist 

at the Victory, is taking a television 

course . . . Harry Hiller returned from 

his home at Orlando, Fla., to take over at 

the Times Square in place of Paul Backhaut. 

Charles L. Anderson projectionist at the 

Model, reported that his eldest daughter is 

recovering from tonsillitis. Owner Manuel 

Helfman of the Model has the earliest closing 

time in the city— 10:20 p. m. . . . Julian 

Lesser, Monogram co-producer, was a visitor 

here . Bernstein, upstate circuit 

head, was stricken by a heart attack. 

Mr. and Mrs. D. Lee McLain, who operate 

the Rex at Morenci, are equipping a new 

200-car drive-in, to be called the Skyline, 

for opening about June 1 . . . Burt Bell, exhibitor 

at Manchester, was reported preparing 

to sell his house . . . Ray Cloud, Columbia 

salesman, was hampered by the return 

of winter . . . Nick George will open 

his Michigan Drive-In April 1 for its second 

season . Dickstein was chairman for 

the annual party of the Elks lodge as the 

first event at its new club house. 

Ben Johnson, former assistant at the Michigan, 

to the Madison; Arthur DeCharme and 

Harry Nott, new-comers, now- manager and 

assistant at the Royal; August Sermo from 

the Norwest to the Regent, and Herbert 

Gremel from the Alger to the Vogue, replacing 

Don Williams. Calvin Collard, former 

assistant at the United Artists, has been promoted 

to manager of the Norwest. 

L. J. McGinley, New York, sales manager 

for Prestige Pictures, was a visitor on Filmrow 

. . . Lou Rosenfeld, night manager at the 

Mayfair. and Lee Gildsmith, office manager 

at the U-I branch, were renewing a friendship 

which began when both worked in Albany. 

Later they served in the same unit 

in the U.S. army. 

Brushes to 200 Patrons 

FORT WAYNE—During the recent run of 

"The Fuller Brush Man" at the .Jefferson, 

the first 200 patrons attending received 

without charge a Fuller brush and a Debutante 

lipstick. 

McARTHURi 

IDEAL SLIDE[ BACK CHAIRS 

Phone: CAdillac 5524 

DRIVE-IN 

"HOW TO 

CONSTRUCT 

EQUIP A 

DRIVE-IN 

THEATRE" 

write for literature on 

THEATRE 

EQUIPMENT including 

• Motiograph double shutter 

projectors 

• High intensity arc lamps 

• Anti-reflection coated lenses 

• Motor generator sets 

• Rectifiers 

• 150-250 and 500 watt sound 

reproducing systems 

• In-car speakers 

• Junction boxes 

• Projection room accessories 

.fliflTJOSBflPU 

RINGOLD THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO. 

106 Michigan St. N. W. 

GRAND RAPIDS 2, MICH. 

Edward Popkins. former projectionist at 

the Kum-C, sent greetings from Montgomery, 

where he is working in a new 676-seat 

house 

. Iverson, owner of the Don 

Theatre, Lake City, was in a hospital for a 

hernia operation . . . Charles W. Snyder, 

executive secretary of Allied, reported a successful 

regional meeting of exhibitors at Lake 

City 

. . . Bernard F. Farnell will change the 

name of his firm to the B. F. Farnell Co., 

and move to a new location on the Seven 

Mile road. 

Bert Penzien, projectionist at the East Detroit 

Theatre, will open the 20th Century 

television shop in Roseville William 

. . . 

Graham, former manager of the President, 

will leave to take over management of a 

theatre at Lake Worth, Fla. Clayton 

. . 

Wilkinson is readying his 60-acre farm at 

Southfield and Thirteen Mile roads for 

spring. He and his partner Frank Sullivan 

are working full time at the Senate, where 

a new marquee is being installed. 

Managerial shifts by UDT included those 

of Rufus Shepherd from the Broadway-Capitol 

to the Palms-State; William Kozaren 

from the Cinderella to the Broadway-Capitol, 

replaced by Jack Sage from the Royal; 

Attention, Mr. Exhibitor 

BUYERS WAITING! 

LêTr I^Z^LêX ?11s111sT*Plsl^^M 

FILM EXCHANGE DRUGS 

The Showmen's Drug Store 

Drugs • Cosmetics * Prescriptions 

Personal Service from Two Showmen— 

MAX BERNBAUM JACK GALLAGHER 

Pharmacist 

Manager 

Phone CLiiiord 1527. Clifford 3694 

LONG SIGN CO. 

MARQUISE SIGNS 

MAINTENANCE SERVICE 

840 W. Baltimore. Dotroit — TR 1-5477 

FOR SALE — VIRGINIA THEATRE 

8237 HAMILTON. DETROIT. MICH. 

Price. $70,000 for building and all equipment, with $21,000 

down payment, pay balance as rent. For immediate possession, 

$5,000 extra for present lease. Two-story 45x100 

building—550 seats. $25,000 spent for remodeling few 

years ago. Building and equipment like new. J. G. Portell. 

owner., 501 S. W. 24th Road. Miami 36, Florida. 

Phone 3-3975 


. . The 

Boolhmen Enjoined 

In Toledo Job Suit 

TOLEDO—A temporary injunction has 

been granted by common pleas court Judge 

Thomas J. O'Connor in a $25,000 suit to prevent 

Local 228, Toledo Motion Picture Operators 

Union, from imerfering with the employment 

of Frank V. Vanden Eynden. 

Counsel for Eynden named all 41 members 

of the local as defendants. 

His petition alleged that the union caused 

Eynden to lose his job, which paid $86 a 

week as projectionist at the Strand Theatre. 

It alleged that Jack Rubens, operator of the 

Strand, wants Eynden to return to his job. 

Eynden, it was said, has made several applications 

for membership in the union, 

which holds closed-shop contracts with local 

theatre owners, but has been denied admission. 

O'Connor said he granted the temporary 

injunction against the union on the basis 

of the precedent set in the case of Sam 

Seligman, Toledo. An appeals court decision 

then ruled that a union with a closed shop 

agreement either had to admit a person to 

membership or. if not, it could not interfere 

with his right to work. 

Harris Dudelson Is Moving 

To EL New York Position 

CINCINNATI—Harris Dudelson. recently 

appointed metropolitan district manager for 

Eagle Lion, visited his 

family here and re- 

| ported he would move 

New 

his family to 

York as soon as he 

can locate suitable 

quarters for them. 

Prior to his connection 

with Eagle Lion 

as manager here. 

Dudelson was connected 

with United 

Artists for 20 years. 

He was manager of 

Harris Dudelson the Cmcinnati ex . 

change for 14 years, coming here from Cleveland. 

Subsequent to that, he was district 

manager for Screen Guild, with headquarters 

in Cleveland. 

Term Lease on Site 

For Canton Auditorium 

CANTON—Plans for this city's $925,000 

arena-type auditorium are going forward, 

with officials arranging a long-term lease 

with Star county commissioners for 4.6 acres 

of land to serve as the auditorium's site. 

Mayor Carl P. Klein said he would accept 

the present $234,567 bid on the old auditorium 

if the bids for construction of the 

arena did not exceed $934,000. The city already 

has a fund of $700,000 earmarked for 

the new auditorium. 

Manager Shifts at Lima 

CLEVELAND—The following managerial 

changes in the Ohio Warner circuit were 

announced by Nat Wolf, zone manager: Ted 

Davidson from the Sigma, Lima, recently destroyed 

by fire, to the State, Lima; James 

Skelly from the State, Lima, to the Ohio, 

Sidney: Douglas Craft from the Ohio, Sidney 

to the Capitol, Sidney. 

TOLEDO 

Oafecrackers who visited the Park Theatre 

March 17 got only $35 for their efforts, 

police reported. After forcing open the office 

door, the burglars knocked the combination 

off the safe and used a wire to trip the 

lock mechanism . city council refused 

to appropriate $2,500 for new curtains for 

the civic auditorium, which is rented out for 

special shows. One councilman said since 

the curtains still were hanging on the stage, 

they would be all right for a little while 

longer. 

Tom Belford, Toledo, has been named manager 

of the new Port Theatre, Port Clinton, 

which was opened March 5 . . . Marvin Harris, 

manager of the Paramount, is hoping to 

book "Oklahoma!" for Easter week, following 

the record gross for a musical comedy 

in Toledo recently set by seven performances 

of "Annie Get Your Gun." Though exact 

figures were not disclosed, the show took in 

about $40,000. No other musical show ever 

played as many performances in Toledo in a 

house the size of the 3,400-seat Paramount. 

Henry Stickelmaier, former manager of the 

Paramount and now a district manager for 

Balaban & Katz, Chicago, gave every member 

of Toledo's Golden Gloves team tickets 

to all B&K houses in Chicago recently. Another 

Toledo native, Jerry Shinbach, invited 

the visiting boxers to his RKO houses in Chicago 

. . . Nat Charnas. Toledo theatre owner, 

recently vacationed in Miami Beach . . . Steve 

Toth, former manager of Loew's Esquire, 

also spent a vacation there. 

Mrs. Flora Ward Hineline has booked the 

Ballet Theatre for the Paramount on Monday, 

April 4. Jascha Heifetz will be brought 

here by Mrs. Hineline on April 21 . . . Wedding 

bells rang recently for Vincent Tripodi. 

assistant manager of Loew's Esquire, and 

Miss Helen B. Altenbach, a librarian . . 

. 

Anna Kline (Mrs. Fred Stauber) is back at 

her typewriter for BOXOFFICE, after a 

month at Madeira Beach, Fla. 

Jack Carson Show at Wheeling 

WHEELING, W. VA.—The Jack Carson 

radio show with Robert Alda and Marion 

Hutton was featured at the Capitol. 

ANOTHER 

BLEVINS 

WAREHOUSE 

TO SERVE YOU 

BLEVINS POPCORN COMPANY 

c/o Greeley-Generol Worchouse 

Broadway & E. 15th 

CLEVELAND, OHIO 

Fast Service and Highest 

Quality at Prices That Will 

Save You More! 

Wheelersburg, Ohio. Airer 

Will Reopen April 2 

PORTSMOUTH, OHIO—John L. Carey reports 

that the Scioto Drive-In at Wheelersburg, 

east of here, is scheduled to reopen for 

the 1949 season on April 2. 

James C. Malavazos and Chares F. Donohoe 

of the Ohio Theatre. New Boston, were 

in Cincinnati booking and buying and were 

to attend the banquet of the Coliseum of 

Film Salesmen at the Variety Club there. 

While there, both men attended a performance 

of "High Button Shoes" at the Taft 

Theatre. 

A baby daughter named Nancy Jo was born 

to Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey Trent. Trent is assistant 

manager of Warner Bros. Columbia 

Theatre here. 

DELUXE 


* BRENKERT PROJECTORS 

* RCA SOUND SYSTEMS 

* RCA RECTIFIERS 

*RCA SOUND SCREENS 

* BRENKERT LAMPS 

* INTERNATIONAL CHAIRS 

MOHAWK CARPET 

* HORSTMAN MARQUEES 

ADLER LETTERS 

CENTURY GENERATORS 

KOLDRINK BARS 

STAR POPCORN MACHINES 

NEUMADE PRODUCTS 

* COINOMETER CHANGERS 

STAGE EQUIPMENT 

DRIVE-IN THEATRES OUR 

SPECIALTY 

ERNIE FORBES 

THEATRE SUPPLY 

Film Bldg., Detroit 1, Mich. 

Days 

WO 1-1122 

WO 1-1123 

Nights 

VE 7-1227 


. . Jack 

. . . Franklin 

. . Morris 

. . Jim 

. . . Ted 

. . The 

. . Art 

. . 

CINCINNATI 

pred J. Studd, formerly connected with the 

Clifton circuit in Great Britain as theatre 

manager and publicity representative, has 

moved here with his family and plans to 

make a connection with a circuit or independent 

owner . . . Keith's Theatre, of which 

Ed Riesenbeck is manager, repainted the 

women's lounge, and inner lobby. Further 

decorations are planned soon. 

Maurice Chase, local exhibitor, and his 

wife left with a number of friends for a 

three-month trip to a number of European 

countries, then Israel . . . Florence Kipp. 

manager of the RKO Paramount. Peebles 

Corner, and short subject booker for the 

RKO Theatres in Cincinnati and Dayton, has 

taken a new apartment in Walnut Hills and 

is busy furnishing and decorating it. 

A baby girl was born to Marjorie and Chester 

Hines at the Good Samaritan hospital. 

Marjorie formerly was office manager's secretary 

at RKO. This is their second child 

. . . Margaret Walker, inspector for RKO, is 

back on the job after an absence of 11 weeks 

for an operation. Margaret was hospitalized 

for 30 days, but is on the mend again. 

Leola Matthews, booker's stenographer at 

RKO, resigned due to sickness of one of her 

children Keegan, manager of the 

local Paramount Theatres office, left for a 

week in New York . . . Jesse Chinich, assistant 

manager, returned with his wife and 

baby from a vacation in New Jersey . . Al- 

. 

bert Glaubinger, manager for Eagle-Lion, is 

elated over the ranch's first place position 

in the Jack Schlaifer drive, which will run 

until June 2 . . . For the special president's 

week, April 29-May 5, Glaubinger anticipates 

a total of 500 bookings, which will be an alltime 

high in Cincinnati. 

MGM receptionist Madeline Ciuccio is 

sporting a sparkler on her left hand. She 

plans to be married in September . . . Harold 

tf* A L|D 

y

Crafts Symposium 

Held at New Haven 

NEW HAVEN—The first 

educational symposium 

of theatre crafts was held at the College 

Theatre here, sponsored by the Connecticut 

IATSE under the supervision of five 

locals and with the cooperation of Professor 

E. Wight Bakke, head of the labor and management 

center at 

Yale university. 

All branches of film and allied industries 

were invited to attend the symposium, the 

first of a series of such meetings scheduled 

to be held in key cities and to include, eventually, 

a full session on television. 

Anthony Basilicato of the College was 

chairman with Jim Darby, Paramount manager, 

as honorary co-chairman; Lou Brown, 

publicity: Sid Kleper, College manager; Ray 

Flynn, College assistant manager; Alfred 

Frazier, president of operators Local 273; 

Louis LaVorgna jr., vice-president; Erne'st 

V. DeGrosse, secretary; Edwin Boppert, treasurer; 

Matthew Kennedy, business agent, and 

Tom Smith and Tom Miller, members of the 

board. 

FIVE LOCALS COOPERATE 

The five local umons cooperating included 

Operators Local 2V3, State Employes Local 

74, Front Office exchange employes 41; back 

office Exchange Employes B-41, and TWA 

795. Harry F. Shaw, Loew's Poli division 

manager, served as emcee. 

Joseph Rourke, representative of the Connecticut 

Federation of Labor, opened the program 

with an introduction of the principals 

of the various unions in attendance. "Let's 

Go to the Movies," an RKO short, contributed 

by Barney Pitkin, manager, and an introduction 

of the nine remaining auxiliary 

charter members of Local 273, who organized 

the local before Jan. 1, 1913, when it received 

its present permanent charter, followed. Lou 

Phillips of Lou Phillips Theatre Equipment 

Co. here, and one of the auxiliary charter 

members, was host to this group at a dinner 

party at Kaysey's preceding the symposium 

CARBON SHORT PRESENTED 

National Carbon Co. presented its short. 

"Carbon Arc Projection," explaining screen 

illumination in Technicolor, with commentary 

by A. B. West, New York representative 

of the company, and Neil Croarkin, Connecticut 

resident representative. A question period 

followed. "On Stage," March of Time, 

was contributed by Ben Simon, 20th-Fox 

manager and honorary chairman of the educational 

committee of Local 273, and the 

IA history reel, announced by RCA engineer 

P. C. Humphries, were also presented. 

C. W. Keen, RCA executive from Camden, 

N. J., and William C. Scanlon, Lynn, Mass., 

IATSE representative, also addressed remarks 

to the audience. 

William Mancuso Buried; 

Former Boston Showman 

BOSTON—The Crosby funeral home was 

filled with friends at funeral services for 

William Mancuso. 61. former motion picture 

exhibitor who died of pneumonia at his 

Brighton home. At native of Italy, he operated 

theatres in Brooklyn before coming 

to Boston where he ran the old Palace 

Theatre in Scollay Square. For many years 

he owned and. operated the Manco Service 

& Supply Co., which he sold to Lester Ross. 

BOXOFFICE March 26. 1949 

April Start on $700,000 Project 

At Brockton Is 

Mike Redstone Drive-In 

Started in New York City 

BOSTON—The Boston office of Michael 

Redstone says that construction has started 

on the new Bronx Drive-In being built in 

New York City near the Whitestone bridge. 

One of the largest open-air theatres in the 

east, the project should be finished in time 

for an early summer opening. 

The proposed Redstone drive-in in Darien, 

Conn., on the Darien-Norwalk line, has been 

held up by state legislation" which woula 

prohibit the erection of open air theatres 

along heavfly traveled highways where a 

traffic hazard might result. Thus, construction 

on this ozoner awaits the outcome of 

legislation. 

Of local interest is the announcement that 

Redstone has sold the Mayfair night club in 

the heart of the film district to Rocky 

Pallidino, who operates the College Inn 

When certain alterations are finished at ths 

Mayfair, Pallidino will close the College Inn 

and will transfer the name to the Mayfair. 

Jimmy Fund Campaign 

Chairman Named 

BOSTON—Martin J. Mullin and Louis R. 

Perini have been appointed co-chairmen of 

the 1949 Jimmy fund 

drive for t he Children's 

Cancer Research 

Foundation, 

sponsored by the Variety 

Club of New 

England. Mullin, head 

of the New England 

Theatres, Inc.. will 

represent the motion 

picture industry. He 

his club in radio and advertising to benefit 

the fund. Of Italian descent, he did notable 

work in the drive to combat communism in 

Italy during that country's elections last 

April. The newly appointed co-chairmen are 

planning a group luncheon to spearhead the 

1949 drive, which last season raised over 

$230,000 for the research foundation, of which 

John J. Dervin, UA manager is president. 

Welcomes New Residents 

William Waldron. manager of the Franklin 

in Nutley. N. J., sent letters of welcome 

with passes enclosed to the residents of two 

new apartment buildings. 

Reported Likely 

BROCKTON. MASS.—Rumors around city 

hall here are that remodeling work will begin 

early in April on the old City building 

on Main street to provide a modern theatre 

building and super market. The project was 

neither confirmed nor denied by Morris 

Pouzzner of Boston, who took over the building 

a few months ago, and who operates a 

chain of theatres in Rhode Island. 

Brockton papers, however, came out with 

a front page story on the proposed structure, 

which, it is said, will cost about $700,000. The 

building now houses a theatre, formerly a 

stock house, which has been closed for many 

years. The building is listed as owned by 

Main Street Realty Corp., of which Pouzzner 

is one of the principal officers. Herry Bergson, 

Boston attorney, Is president. 

Plans for remodeling the theatre have been 

drawn by William Riseman Associates, Boston 

architects, and, it Is understood, that the 

entrance of the theatre will be by a ramp 

leading to the theatre floor, with a huge super 

market to occupy the first floor. 

Plans call for raising the present level of 

the theatre one-half story. It is said that 

the theatre will be named the Thomas A. 

Edison. 

Start 715-Car Drive-In 

Near Waterford. Conn. 

HARTFORD — Construction of a 715-car 

drive-in near Waterford, has been started by 

the Waterford Theatre Corp. of which Michael 

Radin is president; William Rabinowitz, 

vice-president; Florence Bloom, secretary, 

and Lorraine Fortier, treasurer. 

The ozoner, being erected on Clark Lane 

in the shoreline community, will be ready for 

operation by May 15, according to present 

plans. Radin said the theatre will have the 

space necessary for expansion to accommodate 

1,000 cars. 

also is a member of 

the advisory commit- 

Martm J. MuUin 

tee fQr thp Boston sec . 

tor in the National 

Conference of Christians and Jews. 

Start 800-Seat Theatre 

Pereini, president of the Boston Braves 

baseball club will lend the full facilities of 

IN-A-CAR SPEAKERS AND 

JUNCTION BOXES 

FOR REPLACEMENT JOBS 

DRIVE IN THEATRE MFG. CO.— K. C. Mo. 

Robert Gloth of Hartford will be general 

manager of the theatre. The building contract 

has been awarded to Salvatore Pope. 

Hartford general contractor. 

On East Hartford Site 

HARTFORD—Morris Keppner, suburban 

exhibitor, and Barney Tarantul. newcomer 

to the trade, are building an 800-seat theatre 

on Burnside avenue in East Hartford, and 

completion is expected by midspring. The 

two men plan to have seats scattered 

throughout the theatre equipped with devices 

for hard-of-hearing patrons. 

mflSTER monon PICTURE*

. . The 

. . Embassy, 

. . Henry 

. . 

. . Connecticut 

NEW HAVEN 

The St. Patrick frolic at Variety Club enjoyed 

a turnout of 85 persons ... Sid 

Kleper's campaign for "Joan of Arc" at the 

College was one of the biggest yet. with powerful 

backing from church groups ... At 

the Dixwell, Henry Cohan took advantage of 

the fact that winner of the French wedding 

gown from the Merci train was given to Connie 

Eaccarino. a prospective bride living a few 

blocks from the house. After considerable 

publicity in the local and state press. Cohan 

had her make a personal appearance on the 

stage of the theatre during "Every Girl 

Should Be Married." 

. . 

Six cases still remain unscheduled for hearing 

by the Connecticut arbitration board, 

and the end of March may tell the story as to 

the setup here. Warners is trying "laugh 

shows" Saturday mornings at the Palace, 

South Norwalk; Palace, Danbury; Garde. 

New London: Capitol, Willimantic; Capitol, 

Ansonia, and Palace, Norwich . Morris 

Rosenblatts were active in planning the 

recent masquerade at Temple Mishman 

. Israel Barney Pitkin of RKO was in Boston 

for a meeting ... St. Patrick's day celebrants 

included Harry Shaw, who sported 

green shirt, necktie and coat. 

Raymond Callahan, janitor at Paramount. 

STANDEE SPEAKERS 

FOB FRONT SECTION AND REAR RAMPS 

FOR TRUCKS AND OVERFLOW 


BANKNIGHT 

attended the Knights of St. Patrick dance at 

the Taft . New Britain has 

changed from Thursday to Friday opening 

and Warner Bridgeport houses from Wednesday 

to Friday . . . The Crown, New Haven 

has three first runs booked: 20th-Fox's "Unfaithfully 

Yours," UA's "So This Is New York" 

and Eagle Lion's "The October Man" . 

The Rialto. South Norwalk, has a one-day 

spot booking of "Scampolo" April 21 . . . 

"Paisan" finished a successful week at the 

Globe. Bridgeport. 

"Show Boat," legitimate show, was booked 

for the Lyric, Bridgeport . . . David Lee, former 

student at the Poli. Bridgeport, has been 

promoted to assistant manager at the Strand 

Waterbury. succeeding Joseph Gittelman, who 

has gone into other business ventures . . . 

Lou Phillips Equipment installing new RCA 

projectors and all new booth equipment in 

the Bailey neighborhood, the Whalley. 

Louis Lichtenstein, 20th-Fox auditor, was 

here . . . Also A. M. Kane, Paramount manager, 

in from Boston . Germaine 

Paramount manager, traveled to New York 

for a business meeting. 

Mary White, switchboard operator at the 

Warner Theatres zone office here, is back 

on the job . . . Leonard Sampson of the Lincoln 

and Crown was in to New York to visit 

his sister Mrs. Carl Drucker, associated with 

Over 13 Years in Business 

the 20th-Fox studio on the coast and visiting 

in the east . . . The Metro Pep club feted 

Thelma Jaffe, exchange secretary, soon to 

become a bride, and presented her a Mixmaster 

. . . Connecticut Candy Co. is now going 

in for hot dogs and ice cream, as well as 

candies and drinks as it branches out into 

drive-in concessions. One of the jobs is the 

Post Drive-In of Phil Cahill on the East 

Haven cutoff, now under construction. 

Amalgamated now is buying and booking 

for the Ville, Waterville, soon to be opened 

by Bob Schwartz . Candy has 

installed new drink machines at the State, 

Torrington, and Crown, Hartford . . . Herman 

Miller. Metro cashier was on the sick 

list . . . Harry F. Shaw, Loew's Poli division 

manager, is planning an April 14 vacation, 

probably to Miami and Havana, with Mrs. 

Shaw. 

Loew's Poli houses are having marquees 

cleaned and general spring cleaning, with 

new use of fabron, washable fireproof wallpaper 

on stair and other walls . . . The Bijou. 

New Haven, is due for a new walnut front, 

and trie Poli, New Haven, a new walnut boxoffice. 

At the Elm Street, Worcester, spring brings 

complete modernization of restrooms, together 

with redecoration . . . Whitney Theatre filled 

a neighborhood role by cooperating with the 

League of Women Voters and other organizations 

for benefit shows . . . Lois Bighinatti 

of the Warner Theatre department staff went 

to New York to hear the debut of her 8-yearold 

cousin Gary Portadin in a Towne Hall 

piano concert. 

The New Meriden Theatre, to be operated 

by Tolis-Kounaris, may have a June 1 opening 

after some delays in construction . . . 

The Connecticut Department of Labor bulletin 

continues to show drops in employment. 

GOODWILL 

THE TWO LEGAL AND PROVEN CASH GIVEAWAY PLANS 

Both Copyrighted 

We have theatres in this territory that have operated Banknight continuously for 

13 years. What better proof could you wont? 

New Theatres Starting: 

INTERSTATE CIRCUIT 

SHEA CIRCUIT 

Plymouth, Plymouth, N. H. Lawler, Greenfield 

Consiston, Newport, N. H. 

E. M. LOEWS CIRCUIT RICHMOND-STERN CmCUTT 

Hollywood, Charlestown 

Magnet, Dorchester 

Modern, Marlboro 

Orpheum, Somerville 

Don't let radio giveaways lick you. Now is the time to get going. 

Call or write us. 

ACT NOW ! ! ! 

GOODWILL ADVERTISING COMPANY 

22 Church Street Liberty 2-9305 Boston, Massachusetts 

84 BOXOFFICE :: March 26. 1949

. . . Thomas 

. . Jack 

. 

. . 

. . . Embassy 

— — 

— 

. . John 

Howard 

. . The 

. . 

BOSTON 

n rthur Frank, for nine years film buyer and 

booker at Lockwood & Gordon Enterprises, 

has resigned to go into business for 

himself. He and his wife are taking a fiveweek 

vacation in Florida, after which he will 

reveal his new interests. He is replaced at 

L&G by Jerry Crowley. Before the war, 

Crowley was with MGM and after more than 

three years of army service, he returned to 

the booking department at MGM. About a 

year ago, he resigned to join Columbia. His 

wife is the former Ruth Cummings, chief contract_ 

clerk at MGM. Meyer Fox has returned 

from the Buffalo Columbia exchange, 

where he was a salesman, to take over the 

vacancy made by Crowley's resignation. Fox 

was a Boston booker before the war and is 

well known in this area. 

Riccioli Carmine has been named assistant 

to Manager Frank Boyle at the Saxon, Fitchburg, 

newly remodeled first run owned by 

Joe Cohen, Irving Sisson and Ben Sack . 

Eunice Hanlon of the Nathan Yamin's home 

office was married to Daniel F. Sullivan of 

Readville. Helen Jaffe of the same office 

became the bride of Staff Sgt. Irving Cohen, 

and Josephine Ferrone announced her engagement 

to Willard Poe of Newton. 

Otis Page, owner of the Lincoln, Damariscotta. 

Me., made one of his rare visits here 

with his booking manager, Hy Young . 

Max Mellincoff, Warner Theatres district 

manager, displayed stills of his nephew Leo 

Penn, who plays a featured role in "Undercover," 

starring Glenn Ford. Penn, who was 

born in Lawrence, moved to California when 

he was 11, and is a graduate of Tulane University. 

He is the son of Max's sister. 

Joe Schmuck, zone manager for New England 

of Hallmark Productions, returned from 

a zone managers meeting in Wilmington, 

Ohio, and is now booking "The Lawton Story" 

for Easter Sunday release in this territory 

Walker, Prospect, Whitinsville 

and Pastime, Northbridge, was in the district 

. . . Henry Tobin, Keith, Fairhaven visited 

the Columbia exchange. 

Nathan Yamins was expected to return 

April 1 from Palm Beach, where he has been 

spending the winter with his family . . . 

John W. Gardner, operator of several theatres 

in the Albany area, was here for conferences 

with Arthur Howard, president of 

Affiliated Theatres . Riff of Film 

Poster Service has secured a franchise for 

distribution of Screen Process products in 

this 

area. 

Friday and Saturday mornings, April 1, 2, 

the Exeter Street, managed by A. Viola Berlin, 

will screen "The Search" for the joint 

benefit of the United Nations Ass'n of Massachusetts 

and the International Social Service. 

Working through public libraries, high 

schools, radio and its speakers bureau, the 

UN of Massachusetts is concerned with educating 

citizens about foreign affairs and 

making them aware of their responsibilities 

to the United Nations. The International Social 

Service, formerly the International Migration 

Service, was originated after World 

War I to help reunite war-separated families. 

The newly formed Boston Publicity club 

elected John Malloy. Chamber of Commerce 

publicity head, as its first president. Floyd 

Bell of the Hotel Statler was elected first 

ett, MGM publicist, is among the four directors. 

Lew Breyer has added the Sunset Park 

Auto Theatre, Pittsfield, and the Sky Drivein, 

Hookset, N. H., to clients for whom he 

handles buying and booking . Downing, 

RKO office manager, was elected president 

of the past commanders club of the 

Lieut. A. Vernon Macauley Legion Post 270 

Pictures gave a luncheon for 

Budd Rogers, president of Realart Pictures, 

here for conferences. 

Boston Grosses Oii 

With Lenten Season 

BOSTON—The Lenten season and lack of 

new produnct caused a general drop in 

grosses. The Boston, returning to stage shows 

for the first time in months, was better than 

average. "Portrait of Jennie" completed four 

weeks at the Esquire, but continued at the 

Mayflower. "John Loves Mary" at the Met 

was a disappointment. At the Exeter Street 

"Pygmalion" and "The Secret Land" did so 

well in their second stanzas that they stayed 

a third week. 


Asior—Joan of Arc (RKO). 5th d. t. wk. (JC 

Boston Tarzan's Magic Fountain (RKO), plus 

stage show 120 

Esquire and Mayflower—Portrait of Jennie (SR)\ 

4th wk. 90 

Exeter Street—Pygmalion (MGM), The Secret 

Land (MGM). 2nd wk 120 

Maieshc—The Red Shoes (EL) 17th wk 

Memorial— Letter to Three Wives (20th-Fox). 

The Strange Mrs. Crane (EL). 3rd wk 

, split 

with Mother Is a Freshman (20th-Fox) 100 

Metropolitan—John Loves Mary (WB) The 

Plunderers (Rep) 8b 

Paramount and Fenway Whispering Smith 

bre (UA) 

late and Orpheum—The Bride (MGM), Bad 

Men of Tombstone (Col) 

'Honeymoon' Registers 120 

To Set Pace in Hartford 

HARTFORD—Only two holdovers played 

the downtown area. The State brought in a 

stage show, featuring Art Mooney and his 

orchestra and singer Frankie Laine, with 

"Good Night, Sweetheart" on the screen. 

Allyn—Alias Nick Beal (Para) Nanoolt of the 

North (FC), reissue 110 

Center—The Red Shoes (EL) 

E M Loews—Paisan (SR) 2nd wk. 

Poll Family Honeymoon 

Palace Long Voyage Hi 

(UA). reissues .. 

Regal—Joan of Arc (RKO) 

State— Good Night. Sweetheart (Rep) 

stage show 

Strand—South of St Louis (WB), Homicide 

(WB). 2nd wk 

'Joan' Opens at 150; 

Best in New Haven 

NEW HAVEN—RKO was represented in 

all of the downtowns except the Paramount, 

which held over "Wake of the Red Witch." 

"Joan of Arc" opened to good, but not exceptional, 

weekend business at the College 

and held for a second week. 

Bijou— Last Days of Pompeii (RKO); She (RKO). 

reissues 105 

College—loom of Arc (RKO), roadshow 150 

Loews Po:.—Enchantment (RKO), Blondie's Big 

Deal (Col) 97 

Paramount Wake of the Red Witch (Rop) Duke 

of Chicago [Rei ), 2nd wk 

Roger Sherman—Blood on the Moon RK Parole. 

lie. (EL) 

WORCESTER 

vice-president and Ralph Banghart, RKO 

publicist, second vice-president. Marie Houlahan 

of station WEEI is recording secretary, 

Siebert Fahey of United Airlines is corresponding 

secretary and William Cavanaugh lyTurray Howard, new manager of the Warner, 

of Shubert Theatres is treasurer. Ken Prick- 

is commuting daily from Springf.eld, 

where he and his wife are living in 

the old homestead for a time . Rialto 

has started an ovenware giveaway ... A 

Sunday Telegram columnist wrote: "One of 

the smartest small-theatre operators is Bill 

Brown of the Park and the Greendale" . . . 

The fact that the Rialto used "The Three 

Musketeers," the Three Stooges and "Three 

Little Pigs" attracted newspaper attention. 

Jeffrey Lynn, Worcester film actor, has 

been invited by Guy Palmerton to come home 

this summer and play a week of stock . 

Walter Merkel, the Telegram's theatre critic, 

left for five weeks in Florida . . . Bruno 

Weingarten, former manager of the Olympia 

here, is handling the new Center in Brockton 

.. . Cuddy, formerly with the 

Palmer, is stationed in Hawaii with the army. 

Possible arson at the Universal in Fitchburg 

was discovered when a fire-frayed telephone 

wire flashed an alarm to the telephone 

company. Police discovered a blaze in the 

theatre, but damage was slight . . . Harold 

Kelly of the Capitol was ill . . . The Modern 

in Marlboro has begun goodwill awards every 

Friday night . . . The annual Millbury town 

meeting was conducted in the Elms as the 

town hall is still condemned for public assemblies. 

Before the Elms was built, Dominic 

Turturro staged his film shows in the 

town hall. 

Miss Mary E. Deegan of Orange was married 

to Wendell A. Edgecomb, former manager 

of the Orange and now with a theatre 

in Providence, R. I. . . . Manager Leo Lajoie 

of the Capitol reports a holdover of "Wake 

of the Red Witch" . . . Installation of 400 

new chairs in the Cumings, Fitchburg, has 

been completed. Manager Mitchael Fasano 

plans to put new seats in the balcony later. 

JbutuuUioe. Gift Wore 

For Your Lady Patrons 

"OLD EIRE" Dinnerware 

NOW AVAILABLE 

Exclusive Distributors 

Cameo Screen Attractions, Inc. 

SAMUEL J. 

DAVTDSON. President 

50 Melrose Si. Boeton. Mom. 

Telephone HAncock 6-3880 


. . John 

. . Doris 

. . . George 

. . Vincent 

. . Joe 

. . The 

. . Al 

HARTFORD 

managership of the Warner Regal. Charlie 

Obert handled arrangements. 

Bellows Falls Slate 

Ruth McCormick is the new candy girl and 

Inez Quinn the new cashier at E. M. Loew's 

peter Bayes, advance man for Eagle Lion's 

Is Leased to Circuit 

Landers, division manager for 

"The Red Shoes" has been handling exploitation 

at the Center with Manager Mike 

E. M. Loew's circuit, has been playing tennis BELLOWS FALLS, VT.—The antitrust action 

brought by State Amusements, Inc., of 

lately . . . Leonard Young returned from Albany. 

Piccirillo . . . The Center has a new marquee 

. . . 

. . 

circuit, visitors 

. . . Grace Sheehan is new cashier at the 

Howie Padowitz, formerly with Loew's theatres 

here, now is a film checker . Lesation 

of the State Theatre here under a long- 

out of court, with Interstate assuming oper- 

Center. 

sow of the Poll, Waterbury, was in town . . . term lease. 

Lill 

David Lee, student assistant at Loew's Mishkin of the State wed Joe Rosner Settlement terms were not made public, 

Poli. Bridgeport, has been promoted to asat 

the Strand, Waterbury . . . Film- 

payment was made. John E. Voudoukis, who 

of Hartford on March 27. 

but it is understood that a substantial cash 

Margaret Urben is the new candy girl at 

men looking forward to spring and resumption 

of fishing include Charlie Obert, Allyn; 

controls the State, brought the action some 

the Newington, replacing Eleanor Atwell, who 

time ago, naming the Interstate circui.t; operators 

resigned . Grimaldi is now ushering 

at E. M. Loew's . . . Mary Hicks is new 

Harry Matarese and Pete Banfield, State; 

of the Opera House here. 

and Rube Lewis, Palace . 

Schaeffer 

John F. Mahoney, general manager for 

Loew's Poli candy girl . . . IATSE Local 486 

Interstate, says the State policy will remain 

is the new usherette and Connie Hapapos the 

will hold an election soon . Crown is 

new candy girl at the Warner Strand 

the same, and that the staff will be retained 

. . . 

marking its first year under the Crown Operating 

Corp. banner. Joe Giobbia is house 

Barney Pitkin of RKO and Johnnie Pavone 

with the exception of Manager Fred Zuffante, 

of Monogram 

who has resigned. The State now is 

were visitors. 

manager . Quittner of Perakos-Quittner 

circuit was here from New York . . . Air 

under the supervision of Raymond Kinirly, 

Vickie Battalino, cashier at the Allyn, has 

district manager for Interstate Vermont theatres. 

Voudoukis, former owner, will con- 

conditioning systems are being installed at 

resigned . Patno of the Allyn and his 

the 

family were in Westerly, R. I. . . . Russ Ordway 

of the Princess. Rockville, was among 

Central and the Colonial, two HTC units 

tinue to operate a theatre in Gorham, N. H. 

. . . Bill Bevins of the Central was a patient 

He also is president of an oil company in 

at Hartford hospital. 

area independent exhibitors in the city . . . 

The Allyn staff gave Bill Moore, chief usher, In Waterbury, IATSE Local 304 has elected 

a farewell party after closing time recently, Louis Jannetty. president; Nicholas DiPietro, 

honoring his appointment to the assistant vice-president; Frank T. Carey, business Allied of New England 

agent; James F. Corrigan, recording secretary: 

Douglas Estelie, financial secretary and 

Admits Five Members 

treasurer; Harry Berger, sergeant at arms; BOSTON—At the March meeting of Independent 

Exhibitors of New England, the 

executive board, Louis Jannetty, Nicholas 

of five new members were accepted 

NOW AVAILABLE 

Sisson, 

TO ALL EXHIBITORS John Martin, business agent of the projectionists 

union at Bridgeport, has been try- 

A legislative report was given by Business 

Lowell. 

ing to sell Mrs. Martin and their daughter Manager Ray Feeley. President Daniel Murphy 

asked members to send in reports on 

Dolores on an airplane ride. The other day, 

SCREEN PROCESS 40x60s, 30x40s, 

24x60s, 24x82s, Banners 

travel. While in New York, the family saw thought to public relations. 

the legitimate attraction, "As the Girls Go,' Island unit was cited for its cooperation 

Also 1 sheets, 3 sheets, 6 sheets, at New York's Winter Garden Theatre. with the local PTA and Ray Feeley for his 

service club talks in various cities and towns. 

11x24s, 22x28s, inserts and stills 

The Allied unit endorsed the showing of 

License Fee Exemptions disabled veterans reels now being distributed 

by National Screen. Julian Rifkin, secretary, 

was authorized to represent it at the 

Considered by Solons 

eastern states Allied meeting in New York. 

Present at the meeting were John Anthony, 

12 Winchester Street 

Bendslev, Joseph Carrolo, Mrs. Rose Fasano, 

Boston 16, Massachusetts Han 6-0932 

Norman Glassman, Leonard 

James Guarino, Arthur Howard, 

committee of a bill to require licenses for the David Hodgdon, Al Lourie, Mrs. Ella Mills, 

operation of all types. 

Walter Mitchell, Daniel Murphy, Francis 

Under the new bill, licenses would be required 

on only those machines used for Rifkin. Samuel Resnik, Leonard Richter, Ted 

Lydon, Joseph Mathieu. Frances Perry'. Julian 

amusement purposes. The original measure, Rosenblatt, Maurice Safner, Melvin Safner, 

Fry Us and You'll Agree 

which Rep. 

FILMACK 

E. C._ Ferguson, Pittsfield. estimated 

would bring the state as much as Welch. 

Meyer Stanzler, Henry Sperling and Harry 

$50,000 in annual revenue, called for $1 licensing 

fee on penny machines and $5 for machines 

using larger coins. 

Thanks to Theatremen 

C. W. Seifert of Salem, who is in the soft HARTFORD—Gov. Chester Bowles has 


drink business, presented strong opposition to written to Henry L. Needles of Warner Theatres: 

Jim McCarthy of the Strand; Walter 

Are "Best By Test the original bill, stating that a levy on merchandise 

machines would amount to "taxing Lloyd, Allyn, and Lou Cohen, Loew's Poli, 

. . . 

Quicker than the Rest!" 

a method of doing business." He recalled members of the Hartford theatremen's committee 

for the reception of the French Grati- 

54th 


NEW YORK 619 W that the state supreme court in California 

in 1915 held a similar law in that state to tude train, commending them for excellent 

- St. be invalid. 

cooperation with the reception committee. 

DiPietro, Frank Carey, Frank Wysocki, Ralph 

Martin finally got his family into the ah. 

phy was co-chairmpn with E. Harold Stoneman 

for the New England territory. 

FILM POSTER SERVICE 

a new proposal which has been drafted to 

provide such fees for coin machines, following 

rejection by the house ways and means 

The E. M. Loew's manager was called 

CONCORD, N. H.—Slot machines vending 

merchandise, such as beverages and cigarets, 

Ray Feeley, 

Bellows Falls against Interstate Theatre 

to 

applications 

It was oniy from Bridgeport to New 

but Martin proudly notes the fact now that 

They 

be licensing fees 

are George Erinakes, Kent, 

Bernie Levy and Lew Ginsburg of the 

DiPietro; trustees, Nick Iannantuoni, Louis 

exempted from under 

Amalgamated New Haven, were 

East Greenwich. R. I.; 

dence, R. I.; 

their activities for Brotherhood week. 

Members 

Milton and Edward 

Joseph 

Mur- 

also 

Goldberg, 

Cohen 

were 

and 

urged 

Irving 

to give more 

that city by the illness of his mother . 

the entire family is completely sold on air 

Corp. and the eight majors, has been settled 

The Rhode 

delegates to the 

Ferrelli, Frank 

Waterbury 

Carey, Estelie and Berger. 

Grosso; 

Central 

York, 

Mrs. 

Labor 

Katherine 

union, 

Avery, 

Jannetty, 

W. 

Bomes, Liberty and Hollywood. East Provi- 

Leslie 

Saxon, Fitchburg, and Allen Theatre, 

will 


. . Edward 

Judge Orders Permit 

To Medford Drive-in 

MEDFORD. MASS.—Issuance of building 

permits for construction of a drive-in theatre 

on the Mystic Valley parkway here to Paul 

J. Longo by George H. Dunn, building commissioner, 

has been ordered by Judge Jesse 

W. Morton in Middlesex superior court. 

The ruling was made following an appeal 

by Longo filed last October with the Medford 

board of appeals following denial of permits 

The applications were denied by Dunn on 

the grounds that such an open air theatre 

would be "an ugly structure, harmful to the 

community, detrimental to property, and 

harmful to morals of young men and women, 

and a traffic hazard." Judge Morton ruled 

that such grounds were baseless. 

The Medford building commissioner has 

20 days during which to file an appeal to the 

Massachusetts supreme court. The Medford 

city solicitor must consent to such an appeal, 

however, and a notice has been sent to 

him. It is believed that Longo, who is not 

well known in the theatre business in this 

region, is 

fronting for a large circuit. 

Circle Motif Prevails 

In Claughton Circle 

From Southeast Edition 

MIAMI — When Claughton's new Circle 

Theatre opened recently in Miami Springs, 

even the advertising echoed the circle motif. 

Newest addition to the steadily growing 

Claughton family circle, the new house was 

leased from James Hook, who built the theatre 

and adjoining nine stores. 

Taking its cue for decoration from the 

circle and the circus ring, this theatre has 

carried out a circus atmosphere throughout. 

Entrance is not directly from the street, 

though tickets are purchased at the boxoffice 

fronting the sidewalk. Patrons then 

pass through an arcade and into a beautifully 

landscaped patio, including a rose garden 

and a mass of tropical plants. 

The lobby is filled with a variety of tropical 

palms in tubs, accenting the cool green 

and white color scheme. A candy stand is 

located in the lobby, and the coming attractions 

boards are illuminated in modernistic 

manner. 

The theatre itself seats 975 persons, and 

has been decorated by Palm Beach artist 

Mabel Buell, who is also responsible for the 

ranch-type interior of Claughton's Trail 

Theatre. 

The proscenium arches are painted to resemble 

gigantic candy sticks. Extending from 

the proscenium arches back along the walls 

of the auditorium, are floor-to-ceiling hangings, 

painted with balloons and other circus 

themes. Facing each other from opposite 

sides of the screen are huge clowns, with 

the traditional masks. Brilliant colors turn 

the stage center into a veritable circus ring. 

Following a policy begun with the opening 

of the Trail in Coral Gables, the Circle had 

a preopening matinee for children and admitted 

them free if they were 12 years of 

age or under. Free candy and gifts and a 

color cartoon were added to the main screen 

feature which was "Poor Little Rich Girl." 

This Shirley Temple classic was secured by 

special arrangement. 

William Holden will play the male lead in 

Paramount's "Sunset Boulevard." 

NEW HAMPSHIRE 

n nsel Sanborn, circuit operator in Carroll 

county, was a recent New York visitor. The 

exhibitor-legislator also has a new automobile 

. . . Jack Hayes, son of Mrs. Bertha G. 

Hays of Barrington, is making a name for 

himself as an actor in California, dividing 

his time among the Peninsula Little Theatre, 

Menlo Players" Guild and Palo Alto 

Community Players. 

About 600 Girl Scouts participated in a 

program marking the 37th anniversary of 

the founding of the Girl Scout movement at 

the Star in Concord ... A colored film, 

"Eighteenth Century Life in Williamsburg, 

Virginia," was shown at the Currier Gallery 

of Art in Manchester. The showing was free 

to the public, but children were not admitted. 

Speaking before the Women's club at the 

Institute of Arts and Sciences in Manchester, 

Ted Miller, artist-author, declared: "If you 

are going to censor the comic strips, you 

have got to go after motion pictures and 

the radio, which exert an even greater influence 

on our young people." 

The Strand in Dover honored the Dover 

High school basketball team at a big rally 

at the theatre before the hoopsters left for 

Manchester to participate in the Class A 

meet. The theatre management presented gold 

basketballs to the lettermen and coach. Bill 

Stearns, Dover sports writer, was master of 

ceremonies . . . Roger A. Nault, formerly with 

the Mickey Rooney and Marlene Deitrich 

roadshows and currently featured with Ted 

Herbert's orchestra in Manchester, has become 

a drumming instructor in that city. 

Gov. Sherman Adams and three New 

Hampshire boys faced cameras at the state 

house for a brief shot that will be included 

in a two-reel sound film being produced in 

connection with the Boston Children's hospital 

fund campaign . . . The State in Manchester 

reprinted an editorial from the Los 

Angeles Daiiy News as part of its promotion 

on "Enchantment." 

Percy Ikird, unit manager in production 

of the Louis DeRochemont documentary film. 

"Lost Boundaries," now being filmed in the 

Portsmouth area, was guest speaker at a 

meeting of the Portsmouth Rotary club . . . 

Edward Minkler, safety engineer for the 

HANDY 

Public Service Co. of New Hampshire, showed 

the film, "Miracle of Paradise Valley," which 

depicts accident prevention in a rural community, 

at a meeting of the Dover Lions 

club. 

Acting on what was probably the first such 

proposal ever contained in a New Hampshire 

town warrant, voters in Whitefield favored 

a racetrack and parimutuel betting, 100 to 93. 

The plan calls for appointment of a local 

committee to study the problems of constructing 

a track and arrange the necessary 

details with the state racing commission 

. . . Arthur P. Stewart, owner of the Frankling 

in Durham, has been elected to serve 

another term as town clerk in the University 

of New Hampshire community. 

Sunday shows and bowling were unanimously 

approved at the annual town meeting 

in Northumberland . J. Fahey, 

manager of the State Operating Co., says the 

musical comedy, "Oklahoma!" will be at the 

Palace in Manchester April 21-23 . . . Spike 

Jones and his City Slickers have been booked 

for an appearance at Practical Arts auditorium 

in Manchester March 30 under sponsorship 

of the Exchange club . . . The labor-restricting 

Willey bill, passed at the 1947 session 

of the legislature, has been killed. Legislation 

repealing the statute was signed by 

Gov. Sherman Adams March 11. It was 

similar to the national Taft-Hartley law. 

A feature story in a Manchester Sunday 

newspaper emphasized that a wide variety 

of amusements have always been popular in 

the Queen city, at least as far back as 1850, 

when a maximum free of $10 was charged for 

theatrical performances at city hall. Concerts 

were permitted for $6. There were no 

motion pictures and the nearest thing to them 

was a panorama called "The Chinese Family," 

which had a two-night stand there. 

The spectacle consisted of a painting. 200 to 

500 feet long, held on two wooden rollers. 

There was a screen, with a light behind it, 

and as the panorama was slowly unfurled 

it had the effect of a "moving picture." 

the newspaper reported. 

Change "Lariat Loop' Title 

The title of the Paramount picture, "Lariat 

Loop." has been changed to "Where Men 

Are Men."

. . Henry 

. . Irene 

LYNN 

n petition to rezone the water front in 

Swampscott to permit the erection of a 

motion picture theatre will appear in the 

town warrant as an article for action by the 

town meeting March 29. Residents near the 

proposed site have opened the petition at 

previous hearings. 

Warren Prescott of the Paramount staff 

has been named student manager at the 

Olympia . Misiura has left the 

Olympia to become assistant manager at 

Gloucester . Donovan has succeeded 

Barbara Quimette as cashier at the Capitol. 

Pastor Chosen for Role 

In 'Lost Boundaries' 

PORTSMOUTH, N H.—A local clergyman, 

the Rev. Robert H. Dunn, rector of St. John's 

church, has been selected to play the role of 

the Reverend Taylor in the documentary 

film, "Lost Boundaries," Louis DeRoche- 

a 

mont production, which is being filmed here. 

Dunn, who was active in dramatics as a 

youth and while rector of Trinity Episcopal 

church in Claremont. was president of the 

Community Players there, secretary of the 

Claremont Cooperative Players and a member 

of the Claremont Dramatic club. The 

rector will appear in interior settings being 

shot at the historic Sparhawk mansion at 

Kitten' Point and also in scenes to be filmed 

in St. John's church, oldest Episcopal church 

in New Hampshire. 

Femme Star of 'Paisan' 

To Wed Gastone Medin 

BOSTON—Harriet White, Winthrop girl 

who rose to fame in Italy as a star of 

"Paisan," will be married in Rome to Gastone 

M. Medin, arc director for Columbia 

The announcement came from her 

Pictures. 

parents. Dr. and Mrs. Edward P. White of 

Winthrop. Harriet worked in her father's 

dental office until five years ago when she 

left to seek a stage career. She joined a USO 

outfit and toured Europe for nine months 

in "Junior Miss." At the wars' end she was 

offered a contract with Rosseliini, playing 

the role of the American nurse. Her fiance 

was art director of "La Triviata," Italina 

operatic film. Both now are working under 

the direction of Orson Welles. She has the 

role of Emilia in his production of "Othello" 

while Medin is the art director. 

Mid-West Theatres Buys 

Pittsburgh Drive-In 

NEW YORK—The Mid-West Drive-In Theatres 

of Boston, headed by Philip Smith and 

Harold Stoneman of the Interstate Theatre 

Circuit of New England, has bought the 

ABC Drive-In, Pittsburgh area, through Berk 

and Krumgold, New York theatre realty specialists. 

The ABC Drive-In, which has a capacity 

of 1,000 cars, was completed in August 1948. 

The Mid-West chain plans construction 

changes to conform to its method of operation. 

SPRINGFIELD 

Morman Corbett is new assistant to Jim 

Cotia, manager of the Art . . . Opie Brown 

has joined the staff at the Art . . . Harry- 

Fischer, manager of the Strand at Westfield, 

addressed a meeting of the Westfield Rotaryclub. 

Fischer, who has been in show business 

40 years, talked about his entertainment 

world experiences. 

Harry Bernstein, Columbia exploiteer, has 

been beating the drums extensively in the 

interests of "Knock on Any Door." A screening 

was held at the Bijou for an invited audience 

of representatives from the Springfield 

district court and police department, the 

newspapers and radio, and religious leaders. 

Louis Richmond Is Leader 

In Heart Ass'n Campaign 

BOSTON—Louis Richmond, president of 

the Richmond-Stern Enterprises, headed 

theatre division workers during the recent 

drive conducted by the New England Heart 

Ass'n in cooperation with the American 

Heart Ass'n. 

"We could not have succeeded so well without 

the full cooperation of distributors and 

exhibitors in New England," Richmond declared 

in an address at a "victory" luncheon 

at the City club. 

Richmond recently was chosen treasurer 

of the New England Variety Club. 

Join the Widening Circle 

Send in your reports to BOXOFFICE 

on response of patrons to pictures 

you show. Be one of the many who 

report to — 

Address your letters to Editor 

THE EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY 

"Exhibitor Has His Say," 825 

Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City, 

Mo. 

) 

A Widely Read Weekly Feature of Special Interest 

BOXOFFICE 

Always in the Forefront With the News 

BOXOFFICE

Graphic Chain Shifts 

Several Managers 

BOSTON — Managerial changes in the 

Graphic circuit: 

Dana Kennan resigned from the Burns, 

Newsport, Vt., and was replaced by Larry 

Forest. 

At the Center, Dover-Foxcroft, Me. Angus 

MacNevin has resigned, with James Billings 

former manager of the Grand, Ellsworth, Me. 

taking his place. 

Merton Tolman has been appointed manager 

at the Grand. Joe Smith, who has 

been assisting at the Opera House, Millinocket, 

Me., has been transferred to the 

Strand, Old Towne, Me., as assistant. 

All the houses are starting a series of 

amateur nights with local merchants cooperating 

in the prizes of refrigerators, radios 

and TV sets. Each town will run eight such 

stage affairs, with the Graphic circuit donating 

the final grand prize to the winner, 

an all-expense trip to New York. 

Measures on Air Cooling 

Carried Over by House 

BOSTON—Two legislative measures, which 

would require an operator for each air conditioning 

unit in all places of public assembly, 

have been carried over to the next session 

in the Massachusetts house of representatives. 

The measures, both house bills, were reported 

out of committee adversely and the 

house body accepted the report. The bills 

are similar to a measure recently proposed 

in Rhode Island. Under terms of the Massachusetts 

measures, places requiring an operator 

for air conditioning units would include 

theatres, hotels, restaurants, department 

stores, apartment houses, ballroom and 

public halls. 

Seating Diagram Bill 

To Rhode Island Solons 

PROVIDENCE, R. I.—Passed by the state 

senate and awaiting concurrent approval in 

the house is a bill which would require proprietors 

of motion picture theatres to display 

on the screen at least once during each performance, 

a diagram showing the seating arrangement 

of each floor and the location 

of exits. 

The sponsor of the bill. Senator James J. 

Brady (Dem.i, Cumberland, has presented 

the legislation for several years. This year, 

he said, it has the backing of a number of 

state firemen's organizations. 

New England Theatremen 

Discuss Spring Campaign 

HARTFORD—About 20 New England Theatre 

Corp. circuit managers from Connecticut. 

Massachusetts and Rhode Island attended a 

meeting at the Providence-Biltmore hotel to 

discuss the spring campaign. Presiding were 

Martin J. Mullin, president; Ed Cuddy, vicepresident; 

Chester Stoddard, film booker: 

Jerry Govan. assistant film booker; Leonard 

Dunn, candy department, and Ben Rosenberg, 

district manager. 

Gregory Peck in Twelve O'Clock' 

Gregory Peck will star in the 20th Century-Fox 

picture. "Twelve O'clock High." 

Wintertime Fishing Film 

For New Hampshire 

LACONIA, N. H.—A new color film to be 

produced by the state planning and development 

commission might be billed as starring 

Percy Pickerel, Tommy Trout or Bobby Bass. 

The production will be to show the world 

how folks fish through the ice in New Hampshire 

in wintertime. 

The commission wants to make certain 

that some "big ones" are shown so Reid O. 

Besserer, district YMCA secretary, agreed to 

lend the photographers some of the trout 

stored in his pool. This idea ran into immediate 

censorship, however, as his fish are brook 

trout and "rainbows" and it was quickly 

pointed out that it's against the law to haul 

them through the ice. 

The producers started a talent search for 

some other type of piscatorial film star. 

Lobby Displays Ballyhoo 

Sevengala Appearance 

MIDDLETOWN, CONN.—Salvatore Adorno, 

manager of the Palace, ballyhooed a recent 

one-night performance by the hypnotist 

Sevengala with window cards, newspaper 

ads and mats, two radio spots a day on 

WCNX. a lobby display of a 40x60-inch photo 

drawing of the hypnotist with the warning, 

"Do not stare at this face too long!" and a 

special trailer complete with weird sound 

effects. 

In addition, Adorno arranged for a surprise 

personal appearance of Al Monty, 

Sevengala's master of ceremonies, in advance 

of the engagement. Topping off the campaign, 

a key to the city was presented to 

Sevengala by the mayor a day before the 

performance. 

Innovations in 

From Midwesl Edition 

MINNEAPOLIS—The Volk brothers' new 

neighborhood house, the Riverview, was the 

subject of a lengthy illustrated article by 

Will Hertz in the Sunday Tribune here. 

The small south side theatre, opened Just 

before New Year's, attracting the atten- 

is 

tion of the nation's forward-looking architects 

and architectural publications. Hertz 

said. 

Liebenberg & Kaplan, local architects, and 

chief draftsman Robert J. Piatt, designed 

the 800-seat theatre which was built at a 

cost of more than $300,000 and which is one 

of three theatres owned by the Volks, who 

are now building a new theatre-shopping 

center in Robbinsdale, Minneapolis suburb. 

"The architects had been specializing in 

theatre design for several years." wrote 

Hertz. "When they tackled the Riverview 

they decided to eliminate as many of the 

'bugs' as possible in traditional theatre layout. 

"They objected, first of all. to the 'boxiness' 

of most theatre lobbies. So they eliminated 

the walls which, in most theatres, 

separate the outer lobby from the Inner 

lobby, the inner lobby from the foyer and 

the foyer from the lounge. 

"The Riverview patron, while still in the 

street, can see through the glass doors and 

paneling into the oversized foyer and lounge. 

Citizens oi Lawrence 

To Fete Joseph Liss 

LAWRENCE, MASS.—The citizens of Lawrence 

are planing a testimonial dinner for 

Joseph Liss, former manager of the Palace, 

who was recently promoted to an executive 

position with the Warner Theatres office in 

Newark. The affair will be held in St Mary's 

hall Sunday, April 3, with 500 friends present, 

including Mayor Meehan and District Manager 

Maxwell Melincoff and his wife. 

Al Mann, officer of the Merchants Trust 

of Lawrence is in charge of the arrangements, 

which will honor Liss for his untiring cooperation 

in civic endeavors. Citizens and 

patrons of the city are promoting the affair, 

rather than theatre people. 

Sherkel in Houtzdale Pa., 

Marks 25th Anniversary 

From Mideast Edilion 

HOUTZDALE. PA.—The Sherkel Theatre 

here celebrated its 25th anniversary March 

17. This theatre is a unit of the Midstate 

Theatres, Inc., and is managed by George L. 

Sherkel. The Sherkel family has been in 

theatre business for more than two score 

years. Fred R. Sherkel, father of the present 

manager, owned and operated the old 

Opera house, located on the grounds of the 

present American Legion home. The old 

theatre building was destroyed by fire in 

1921. The site where the present theatre now 

stands was purchased and the new building 

completed and opened on Mar. 17. 1924. Fred 

Sherkel had charge until his death, then 

Carl M. Sherkel, following in his father's 

footsteps, took over the management for a 

number of years. 

Twin City Theatre 

The architects feel the layout will 'invite' 

more people into standing in line for seats. 

"Glass doors, but not overhanging walls, 

separate the lobby from the foyer. The feeling 

is 

of continuity intensified further by 

the candy counter's piercing the glass panel 

and offering the same choice of candy in 

both lobby and foyer. 

"The lounge and foyer are. in fact, one 

L-shaped room, with the lounge occupying 

the smaller base-end. Restrooms are off the 

lounge. The auditorium is all on one floor. 

Half-way back, however, the floor becomes 

a steep slope which permits nonobstacle vision 

from every seat in the house. Sponge 

rubber is bedded under the carpeting to 

minimize walking noise. 

"The sidewalls are covered with horizontal 

and vertical rows of white asbestos-cement 

paneling about four feet square. The panels 

are acoustically treated to offset reverberations 

and act as shields for sidelights. 

"The theatre, which has no basement, features 

a new method of auditorium air-conditioning. 

Air intakes are scattered throughout 

the building. Temperatures can be 

regulated separately for the auditorium, the 

lounge, the foyer and the outer lobby. 

"Air is carried back to the blowers through 

a series of tunnels which are built into the 

walls. The tunnels are large enough to permit 

human passage without crowding." 

BOXOFFICE :: March 26, 1949 89

— 

EARLY OPPOSITION SQUELCHES 

TEXAS CITY TICKET TAX PLAN 

Exhibitors of State Rally 

Behind Showman-Solon 

Preston E. Smith 

AUSTIN, TEX.—An attempt to obtain 

standby or any other kind of authority to 

levy municipal amusement admission taxes 

in Texas apparently will not be made during 

the present biennial session of the legislature. 

The opposition to the proposal isn't 

lowering its guard. It is organized and confident 

that the tax, if proposed, will be overwhelmingly 

defeated. But it is taking no 

changes of being caught unprepared by surprise. 

Rep. Preston E. Smith of Lubbock, and the 

only man in show business among 181 legislators, 

says the "loudest silence" he has heard 

during the session has related to the proposed 

tax. 

PREPARED FOR BATTLE 

Such a levy was contained in the legislative 

program recommended for submission to the 

present session at the convention in El Paso 

last fall of the League of Texas Municipalities, 

an organization made up of city officials. 

The organization spokesmen said the legislature 

would be asked to give towns and cities 

authority to impose admission taxes, if and 

when present federal levies are removed. 

So Smith went to Austin for the present 

Rep. Preston E. Smith, Lubbock exhibitor, left, and Henry Reeve, Menard, president 

of the Texas Theatre Owners Ass'n, huddle with Texas house Speaker Durwood 

session expecting to hear a great deal on 

the subject of municipal amusement taxes. Manford, right, at Austin concerning the legislative program of the League of Texas 

As the only showman in the legislature 

Municipalities which includes authority to levy municipal admisson taxes. 

he operates four theatres in Lubbock—he 

As he pointed out, no one can understand urally has refrained from an expression of 

was a natural to spearhead the opposition. 

show business like the fellow who depends 

But instead of hearing anything about such upon it for his bread and butter. No one 

levies, Smith relates, there has been a dead will take the same interest in proposed legislation 

as the fellow who would be affected as to the reason why the standby amusement 

silence by advocates to the plan. They apparently 

were convinced of the certainty of by it. 

tax proposal has not taken official form. 

defeat if they tried to start anything. So 

Smith, therefore, offers this advice to show The opposition to it was demonstrated so 

they didn't start. 

people in every state: "If you don't have at conclusively even before the legislature met 

Smith believes the methods employed in least one showman in your legislature, try that advocates of the plan would not waste 

Texas to head off the amusement tax proposal 

at its beginning might be applied ef- 

to put one there. He'll be good, not only for the time and effort necessary to propose it. 

the show business, but for all business and 

fectively in other states. As he pointed out, 

for all public interests." 

the people of all states are constantly exposed 

After the particular issue of BOXOFFICE 

to the threat of new or increased levies of 

appeared, Smith huddled at various times 

this kind. 

and places with showmen from different parts 

In Texas, the announcement of the league's 

proposal was followed promptly by Smith's 

announcement that he would oppose it. 

BOXOFFICE ARTICLE HELPS 

The statement of his attitude as reported 

in BOXOFFICE, he said, caused an instant 

crystalization of opposition. Endorsements of 

his position reached him by mail, telephone, 

telegram and in person immediately after 

that issue of BOXOFFICE reached its readers. 

As it happened, Smith's opposition carried 

considerable weight. As a third-term member, 

re-elected twice without opposition and 

a prominently mentioned possibility for governor 

in 1950, his influence is considerable. 

But it is his firm conviction that show 

business should make a determined effort to 

have at least one of its own in the membership 

of the legislative body of every state. 

of the state. They required little encouragement 

to give emphatic expression to their 

own representatives and senators of their 

opposition to the proposed tax. 

They made clear also they would carry 

if their fight to their screens, necessary, to 

put their patrons on notice of an attempt 

to perpetuate an additional assessment upon 

their—the patrons'—purses. 

Invaluable cooperation in the whole effort, 

Smith said, was given by Henry Reeve, of 

Menard, president of the Texas Theatre Owners 

Ass'n. Reeve, taking time out from his 

private business, has been one of Smith's 

most frequent consultants during the present 

session. 

Smith also has been in frequent conference 

with his close friend and colleague, house 

Speaker Durwood Manford of Smiley. As the 

presiding officer of the house. Manford nat- 

his personal position of a matter which has 

not reached him officially. But the opinion 

of Austin observers is just about unanimous 

'Family Honeymoon' Prize 

Promotes Toledo Showing 

TOLEDO — When "Family Honeymoon" 

came to the Valentine March 24, it was not 

much of a surprise for thousands of listeners 

to WTOD's 8 a. m. program by Bob Elliott. 

Elliott plugged the film for over a month In 

connection with a contest in which a real 

"family honeymoon" was the prize. Writer 

of the best letter on why he wants a family 

honeymoon was awarded a week's vacation 

at the Pleasant View hotel. Clark's Lake. 

Mich., the loan of a four-door Cheverolet from 

Jim White Motors. Toledo, for use on the vacation, 

and two pieces of fine luggage from 

Dan-Chester Jewelers, Toledo. 

The winning couple was entitled to take 

as many as three children along on the "Family 

Honeymoon." Two large lobby pieces In 

the Loews Valentine promoted the film and 

contest. One pictured the hotel and automobile 

and displayed the two pieces of luggage. 

BOXOFFICE March 26. 1949 sw 91

R&R Opens Suburban Vogue Theatre, 

7th House in Dallas Oak Cliff Area 

DALLAS—Robb & Rowley's pretentious the brief opening talk and introduced Mayor 

new Vogue Theatre, said to represent one of Jimmie Temple, who in turn introduced Pullen. 

the circuits top investments, opened here Women guests received gold purse pencils. 

Monday '21i with much of the splendor of The regular opening program followed 

a Hollywood affair. The 1.050-seat stadiumtype 

theatre was designed by H. F. Pettigrew 

Tuesday with full houses to see the film attraction, 

"Blood on the Moon." 

& Associates and was built at 2010 W. Jefferm 

the site of the old 600-seat Bison, 

'Pit' Chosen by Film Fans 

which the circuit tore down. 

The Vogue has Bodiform seats, central In Minneapolis Poll 

heating and refrigerated air conditioning. MINNEAPOLIS—Film fans in this area, 

Other features are tiled rest rooms, a spacious 

lobby, concession stand and ample lounge selected "The Snake Pit" as the year's best 

voting in a poll taken by the Sunday Tribune, 

space. 

picture, with "Johnny Belinda" and "Hamlet" 

The building is fireproof throughout and running a close second and third. 

provides more exits than city fire regulations Fans voted the best actor plaudits to Lawrence 

Olivier in "Hamlet," with second and 

demand. Four sets of double doors are in the 

front, there are two rear doors and a large third places in this category going to Lew 

exit door on the west. The theatre, it is Ayres in "Johnny Belinda" and Clifton Webb 

believed, could be emptied in two minutes in in "Sitting Pretty." 

case of emergency. 

Jane Wyman in "Johnny Belinda" was the 

Another innovation in the theatre is a choice for best performance by an actress, 

porte cochere on the west side under which with Olivia DeHavilland in "The Snake Pit" 

patrons can drive to within ten feet of the and Ingrid Berman in "Joan of Arc" as runnersup. 

boxoffice in inclement weather. 

Lloyd Pullen. city manager of the circuit's The best supporting actor of the year was 

seven theatres in the Oak Cliff section, has Walter Huston, film fans said, for his performance 

in "Treasure of Sierra Madre." 

jurisdiction over the Vogue . 

Special opening ceremonies were held before 

an invited audience of 500. Don C. Jose Ferrer in "Joan of Arc" followed in that 

Charles Bickford in "Johnny Belinda" and 

Douglas, R&R's public relations chief, made order. 

'3 Godfathers' Tops 

At 110 in Dallas 

DALLAS—The third John Wayne picture 

at the Majestic in recent weeks didn't do as 

well as the others, but "3 Godfathers" held up 

to 10 above in its first week. "Tarzan's Magic 

Fountain" was the only other film to make 

over average, although "My Dear Secretary" 

hit the 100 mark. 


Cap. tol—Castle on the Hudson [WB), reissue; The 

Decision of Christopher Blake (WB), split with 

Back Trails (Mono), reissue Kidnapped (Mono).. 70 

Majestic— 3 Godfathers (MGM) 110 

Melba—My Dear Secretary (UA). 100 

Ft: ir.—Mexican Hayiide (U-I) 

Rialto—Tarzan's Magic Fountain (RKO) 105 

Telenews—A Night at the Opera (MGM: reissue.. 85 

Tower—Whiplash (WB) 7U 

Blevins Adds Warehouse 

For Oklahoma Customers 

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Public Warehouse 

Co. at 1 West Main St. here has been 

added to the list of warehouses stocking popcorn 

and supplies for the Blevins Popcorn 

Co. of Nashville, Dallas, Atlanta and Arcanum, 

Ohio. 

Billie Robinson of Blevins' southwest regional 

office in Dallas says Blevins customers 

now may send their orders direct to Oklahoma 

City for popcorn and basic supplies. 

Marie McDonald has been signed as the 

"other woman" in the Columbia film, "My 

Next Husband." 


Lubbock Airer Open 

Despite Cold Wave 

LUBBOCK, TEX.—The Corral Drive-in 

of the Lindsey Theatres chain here opened 

the season to near capacity business despite 

temperatures which dropped below freezing 

before dawn. "Stanley and Livingstone" was 

the opening feature. 

The opening unveiled numerous improvements 

representing an investment of several 

thousand dollars since the closing last fall. 

A good deal of neon work has been done on 

the front, ramps have been improved, the 

whole layout has been landscaped extensively 

and the modern snack bar provides 

an attractive feature. 

Indicative of optimism for the future was 

the inclusion of an arrangement of poplar 

tree settings in the landscaping plan. 

The reappointment of Floyd Hatcher, a 

member of the Lindsey organization for 20 

years, as manager was announced by J. B. 

Rhea, general Lindsey manager. 

The 450-car drive-in is four miles east of 

downtown Lubbock. Equipment includes high 

fidelity RCA in-car speakers. 

EL Names H. L. Beecroft 

Southern District Head 

DALLAS—Harold L. Beecroft, former 20th- 

Fox manager here and assistant district 

manager in Chicago for the past six years, 

is back in Dallas as the new district manager 

for Eagle Lion. He assumed his new duties 

Monday (21 1 and is now in charge of the 

Dallas, Oklahoma City, St. Louis, Omaha, 

Des Moines and Kansas City exchange territory. 

Another EL personnel change gives Grover 

Parsons, southern district manager, supervision 

of the Memphis exchange area. The 

Memphis territory is in addition to the Atlanta, 

Charlotte and New Orleans territory 

he has been handling. 

H. Biersdorf, former southern division manager 

for EL, has joined the Selznick Releasing 

Organization in a similar capacity and 

will retain his headquarters in the EL exchange 

offices here. 

Palestine Drive-In Open 

PALESTINE, TEX.—Bert Morrow of Palestine 

and Dave Workman of Houston opened 

their new 250-car drive-in here Friday night 

(25i. It is located north of town on the 

Frankston highway. Robb & Rowley, which 

owns and operates all three theatres here, 

recently started work on a drive-in north of 

town on a different highway with the opening 

planned in the next month. 

Drive-In to Open 

Starlite 

SAN ANGELO, TEX.—R. V. Starling's new 

Starlite Drive-In at San Angelo will open in 

a few days. Ind-Ex Booking Service will do 

buying and booking. There are 400 RCA incar 

speakers. The screen tower is 65 feet 

high. A neon star, 25 feet from point to 

point, is on the back of the tower facing the 

city. 

Nationwide Buildup Is 

Under Way 

For 'Tulsa Premiere at Tulsa 

OIL PARADE FOR TULSA -—An oil equipment parade will be one of the features 

of activity in connection with the world premiere of "Tulsa" April 13 at the Kitz Theatre 

in Tulsa, Okla. Shown here discussing the forthcoming events are. left to riRht: 

J. C. Hunter, president of Talbot Theatres; VV. G. Skelly, president of the Skelly Oil 

Co.; William B. Way, president of the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce, and Glenn Condon, 

president of radio station KAKC. These four are the ramrods of the premiere. 

Equipment to be exhibited during the showing includes that used in drilling, refining 

and other phases of the industry. 

NEW YORK—Major radio plugs for the 

title song from "Tulsa" were garnered by 

Eagle Lion as four of the nation's leading orchestras 

and three record companies tied in 

to exploit the song. First radio broadcast 

of "Tulsa" was given recently by Fred Waring 

and His Pennsylvanians on an NBC network 

broadcast to an estimated 18,000,000 

listeners. 

Other radio breaks came from Tex Beneke, 

Frankie Carle and Jack Kilte, all of whom 

were to feature the song on broadcasts and 

in personal appearances. Some 3.500 pressings 

of the records made by the trio were to 

be sent to leading disk jockeys for use on their 

programs. Producers of the records, RCA- 

Victor, Columbia and MGM Records, also 

planned nationwide promotion campaigns for 

the records. 

On the Waring broadcast, the band leader 

gave a lengthy buildup to the world premiere 

of "Tulsa" April 13 at the Ritz and Orpheum 

theatres in Tulsa, Okla. 

Simultaneously, EL here revealed that the 

film has been booked into more than 400 key 

houses in Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana and 

Tennessee during the week following the premiere. 

William J. Heincman, EL vice-president 

in charge of distribution, said the figure 

probably would be increased. 

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Eastman Kodak Profits 

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ROCHESTER—The consolidated net income 

of Eastman Kodak Co. and all subsidiaries 

in the western hemisphere in 1948 

rose to $55,494,425, more than $12,000,000 

above the 1947 earnings of $43,199,254, according 

to the annual report to stockholders by 

Perley S. Wilcox, chairman, and Thomas J. 

Hargrave, president. This is equivalent to 

S4.45 per common share in 1948. compared 

to $3.46 per share in 1947. 

The net sales of $435,395,626 were about 24 

per cent above the 1947 volume of $351,751,098 

with most products showing "good increases." 

the report states. The rise in dollar volume 

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Additions and improvements to the Kodak 

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for working, capital, made it necessary to 

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compared with earnings, the report said. A 

stock dividend, declared in November, provided 

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The consolidated balance sheet, as of December 

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a working capital of $131,438,816, against 

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Lindsey Chain Hosts 

Texas Farm Youihs 

LUBBOCK, TEX.—Lindsey Theatres here 

was host to more than 400 boys as one of 

J4 

Woodie B. Sylvester 

their contributions to 

the most successful 

South Plains Junior 

Fat Stock show during 

that event's 20-year 

history. 

Lindsey Manager 

J. B. Rhea assigned 

Assistant Woodie B. 

Sylvester to the job 

of making the youthful 

guests feel at 

home. The boys were 

given their choice 

among the eight Lindsey 

theatres and a wide variety of programs. 

Most of them chose westerns. 

The Lindsey organization helped further 

toward the success of the show through a 

generous pledge to the fund which guaranteed 

premiums above market prices for exhibited 

animals sold at auction. 

Exhibitors were 4-H club and Future 

Farmer of America members who showed 

calves, pigs and lambs, which they raised 

themselves. 

Mrs. J. D. Lindsey, president of the theatres, 

and members of the family have been 

supporters of the annual event since its inception. 

They are one of the pioneer ranch 

families of west Texas. 

Jennifer Jones Abroad 

For Tests for 'Earth' 

NEW YORK—Jennifer Jones has planed to 

Europe for two weeks of conferences with 

Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger and 

tests for their production of "Gone to Earth," 

which will be a joint enterprise of David O. 

Selznick and Sir Alexander Korda's London 

Films. The picture, which will start in May, 

will be owned and released in the western 

hemisphere by Selznick Enterprises late in 

1949. 

Miss Jones must return within three weeks 

for retakes on "Madame Bovary," which she 

recently completed for MGM in Hollywood. 

She will also attend the opening of "Portrait 

of Jennie," another SRO production, at the 

Rivoli Theatre March 30. 

Austrian Urges Adoption 

Of TV 'Good Taste' Code 

NEW YORK—Early formulation of 

a code 

of "good taste" has been urged on the Television 

Broadcasters Ass'n by Ralph B. Austrian, 

former chairman of its program committee 

and now a television consultant, to 

prevent an imposed censorship. He suggested 

that one similar to that in the film industry 

be adopted. Austrian also has been president 

of the RKO Television Corp. and vice-president 

in charge of television for Foote, Cone 

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BOXOFTICE :: March 26. 1949

. . Alfred 

. . Lloyd 

. . William 

DALLAS 

pilmrow has been buzzing with gossip about 

changes along the Row. J. C. Hunter, 

head of Talbot Theatres in Tulsa, was here 

to see one executive concerning the consolidation 

several months ago of the Talbot with 

Griffith theatres. A week later, Ralph Drury, 

general manager of Talbot Theatres, was 

He was entertained by Hank Robb of 

here. 

the R&R circuit. The two knew each other 

while stationed at the Corpus Christi naval 

air base. Hank was a navy noncommissioned 

officer and Drury had to do with operating 

theatres at 

the base. 

recent reorganization, will take a short vacation 

before deciding on a new connection. 

He had been with EL since the local office 

was opened. He has been in exchange and 

sales work many years . Delcambre, 

SRO salesman in the southwest, will join 

Motion Picture Sales Corp., the newly formed 

Agnew-Casanave company. 

Rubin Frels, south Texas circuit owner, 

was here from Victoria with his buyer and 

booker, Eddie Reyna . Rust, retired 

film distributor, and his wife left on a motor 

trip along the Azelia trails in Mississippi. 

They also will go to Panama City to visit 

their daughter, Mrs. Sue Bradley, whose husband 

is an officer in the air corps. 

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In a recent issue appeared an item saying 

G. A. Cole of the Cole theatre sent two 16mm 

prints, which he owned to Dan Hulse here for 

showing to boys at the county home near 

Hutchins. The fact that Cole owns and operates 

the Cole Theatre at Jarrell, Tex., was 

omitted. The deletion is regrettable because 

of Cole's helpful gesture in the matter. 

Fred Hanson, assistant manager of National 

for a late April opening . . . L. E. Wolcott, 

Theatre Supply spent the weekend in owner of the Quinlan Theatre at Quinlan, 

Mineral Wells . . . T. Wilson Erwin and his was in to book. He reported he had improved 

wife of Austin were here on a visit. Erwin 

his business with a country store 

was hired by the late L. L. Dent after graduating 

night. He purchased the theatre a few 

weeks ago . . . Clint Bailey, of the Cona at 

from SMU, and soon became one of 

that circuit's most valued men. He became Nacona, was trading during the week on the 

district manager at Waco for several towns Row. 

after Interstate Theatres took over that circuit. 

Wilson volunteered for army service 

during the war and attained a high commission. 

After discharge he went into business 

for himself at Austin. 

Byron Adams, UA manager in Charlotte, 

was here on company business and to see old 

friends he knew while salesman and manager 

on the Dallas Row . Morrow, 

owner of the Colonial Drive-in near Longview, 

was in to buy and book and look around 

. . . R. A. Noret of the Sky-Vue Drive-in at 

Lamesa, which has two indoor theatres in 

connection, was in town to arrange bookings 

James Pierce has been signed for a featured 

role in the Republic picture, "A Strange 

Caravan." 

Ralph Donnell and his wife were here from 

the Texas at St. Jo . . . Hiram D. Parks was 

a circuit buyer and booker from Brownfield 

. . . Lester Dollison, who has been wintering 

in Vaughn, N. M., where he owns a theatre, 

came in to check Texas interests, the State 

in Sherman, Rancho Drive-in in Denton and 

others. 

W. E. Finch jr., whose position of sales 

manager was abolished at Eagle Lion in the 

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BOXOFFICE :: March 26, 1949 9b

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CASH IN 

WITH 

WESTERNS 

• 

OKLAHOMA CITY 

Two special screenings of "Hamlet" were 

held at the Home, where the production 

opened the following week. William Dorsey 

Blake was the Hamlet representative here 

Wolf, MGM public relations 

official, New York, will visit Oklahoma in 

May for a round of speeches to civic groups. 

At the Liberty "Down to the Sea in Ships" 

was the opener . of Arc" moved to 

the State from the Center for a second week 

here . . . "Mother Is a Freshman" played the 

Criterion, Plaza and Ritz day and date . 

"A Letter to Three Wives" went into the 

Tower from the Criterion for a second week 

... "A Woman's Secret" played the Center 

and "South of St. Louis," the Midwest. 

Take Roles in "Be My Love' 

John Ridgely and Lillian Randolph have 

been ticketed for roles in the U-I film, 

"Come Be My Love." 

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Stars to Oklahoma City 

For Showing of 'El Paso' 

OKLAHOMA CITY—"El Paso" will open 

at the C&R Criterion here Monday i28>, 

just three days after its world premiere in 

El Paso, Tex. Bill Thomas of Pine-Thomas 

Productions, maker of the film, was here 

recently to complete advance plans for the 

film's local opening and the appearances of 

a troupe of stars. The picture will open in 

six Texas and Oklahoma situations after 

the Texas premiere. 

A. C. Lyles jr., publicity and advertising 

director for Pine-Thomas, accompanied 

Thomas here. The executives revealed that 

John Payne, Gabby Hayes. Mary Beth Hughes, 

Eduardo Noriega, Harry Revel, Mary Hatcher, 

Dave Street and Frank Faylen will be 

in the troupe visiting here. The stars will 

make three personal appearances at the 

Criterion during the day. 

The following day. the filmfolk will go to 

Tulsa for the opening in Ralph Talbot's Orpheum. 

From Tulsa, they go on to Dallas, 

San Antonio, Houston and San Francisco. 

When Thomas and Lyles were here, the 

Criterion staff, including C. R. Freeman and 

Dee Fuller, entertained a group of radio and 

press representatives. C. H. "Buck" Weaver. 

Paramount manager, drove Thomas and Lyles 

here from Tulsa. 

Carl Allday Hopes to Open 

New Eolia Theatre Soon 

CALVERT, TEX. — Carl Allday, veteran 

central Texas exhibitor, reports his new Eolia 

Theatre may be opened in three weeks. His 

other house of the same name was destroyed 

by fire several months ago. Allday secured 

an RFC loan to help build and equip the old 

Eolia. The new house, a little more modern 

and slightly bigger tiian the former one, may 

have been financed the same way. Allday 

had a set of plans drawn and is personally 

superintending the job. He has been an exhibitor 

here for a quarter century. Booth 

equipment was salvaged from the fire with 

National Theatre Supply repairing it. 


Dallas Showfolk Wear the Green! 

Republic Manager John J. Houlihan Hosts 1,500 at His St. Patrick's Festival 

DALLAS—They called it the biggest and 

best get-together of film and theatre folk 

ever held on Pilmrow, that St. Patrick's party 

given on the evening of March 17 by Republic 

Manager John J. Houlihan for theatre and 

film men, their employes and out-of-town 

exhibitors who could come. It was also the 

host's 36th birthday. Late arrivals had difficulty 

in gaining entrance to the exchange 

Early Friday morning it was estimated that 

1,500 guests had been present and served. 

For this one evening John Joseph Patrick 

Thomas O'Houlihan, in colorful Irish party 

dress, greeted all guests and saw that they 

were served with food and drink. There was 

Forrest O'Dunlap, Harold O'Schwarz, 

Charles O'Brent, Frederik R. O'Hansen and 

a multitude of others, all 

names for the evening but who dropped the 

"O" next day. 

There were cases of refreshments stacked 

for a smaller crowd. The host replenished 

the supplies twice more. A barbecue dinner 

was served right in the exchange and dancing 

was to the accompaniment of records on 

a de luxe model jukebox. Nearly all of the 

of whom had Irish 

Irish melodies ever written were heard at 

some time during the night. 

Dunlap, Brent and the Republic National 

bank sent big floral pieces that included 

Irish potatoes in their makeup. There were 

many other floral pieces. Green carnations 

were everywhere. Sam Landrum, vice-president 

of Jefferson Amusement Co., in charge 

of the circuit's Dallas office, bought and presented 

an album of fine Irish music. Both 

he and Houlihan are former G-Men. 

Most appreciative was a song written by 

Margaret Goodwin, Republic inspector, about 

her boss to the tune of "A Little Bit of 

Heaven." All guests joined in on this. 

Republic employes presented the manager 

a gold belt buckle set. Mr. and Mrs. Jack 

Freund, wholesale florists of St. Louis and 

friends of the host, were here for the party 

as was Jules Chapman of Film Classics, New 

York. 

Seen in the above photos are, top left, left to right: C'harl'e Brent. Village Theatre, 

Port Arthur; John J. Houlihan; Forrest Dunlap, American Desk Co.. and Duke (lark, 

assistant division manager for Paramount, in the background with the cigar in his 

mouth. Top right: Robert Bone; Patsy Price of MOM; Al Wertstein; John Fuller of 

OK Theatres; Jack Freund, St. Louis wholesale florist; Mrs. Freund; Lena Huey. Republic, 

and John J. Houlihan. Bottom left: Ray Elkins; Ray Jones, Interstate circuit; 

Adrian Upchurch, Robb & Rowley Theatres; Doris MrDaniel: Haywood Simmons, 

Paramount branch manager, and Sam Landrum. vice-president of Jefferson 

Amusement Co. Bottom right: C. D. Leon, Leon Circuit; Clyde Houston, Republic 

Pictures; Lew Waid, Republic, and Mrs. John J. Houlihan. 

Many exhibitors from over the state came 

in. All circuit heads attended at some time 

during the evening, and every Filmrow employe 

was welcomed. Houlihan did a bit of 

talking about the Irish "snake medicine" he 

would serve and there was enough for all to 

have a drink or two. 

The party cost Houlihan $1,000. all out of 

his own pocket. 

He came here in July to take over the Republic 

office, but there was little time to 

really meet the trade so he planned the St. 

Patrick festival. His home is St. Louis. He 

was with the FBI several years before joining 

Republic, who gave him special training 

for a short time and promoted him to the 

St. Louis manager's post. Soon after reaching 

Dallas he found a home and was joined 

by his wife, son Jack. 11, Barbara. 8, and 

Jill. 7. 

Wigwam Theatre Expected 

TO Reopen in Ten Days 

EL PASO—The Wigwam Theatre here, 

which is being remodeled by the Interstate 

circuit, is expected to be reopened within the 

next ten days under a new name, the State. 

It will be the circuit's third ranking theatre 

here. 

The historic Wigwam was built in 1914. 

according to old blueprints found in the walls. 

Will R. Winch, who died several years ago, 

was one of its earlier owners. 

Hoblitzelle Invests in Houston 

DALLAS — A recent news dispatch from 

Houston revealed that Karl Hoblitzelle has 

purchased a fifth interest in a one-story 

brick building in the downtown business section 

there. The purchase was for speculative 

investment, the item read. An Interstate 

Theatres official in Dallas said the report 

was correct as run and that there were no 

theatre implications involved. 


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McCarthy Hotel and Film 

Take Houston Limelight 

HOUSTON—Nearly 10.000 persons lined up 

behind ropes on the sidewalks of downtown 

Houston for the world premiere of Glenn Mc- 

Carthy's "The Green Promise" at the Kirby 

and Metropolitan theatres here. The premiere 

was tied in with the opening of Mc- 

Carthy's pretentious new Shamrock hotel, 

appropriately scheduled near St. Patrick's 

day. 

Both theatres were filled to capacity with 

admissions of $4.50 a seat and those who 

couldn't gain admission stood outside the 

theatres to watch a searchlight parade of 

the 33 Hollywood luminaries here for the 

dual-purpose event. The players were pres- 

19 years ago. 

Dorothy Lamour and her NBC network 

show broadcast from the main dining room 

of the multimillion dollar hotel and some 

difficulty arose in transmission of the program. 

Other film and radio stars also appeared 

at the Shamrock opening, and this 

week a major national newspaper advertising 

campaign was started for the new hotel. 

For the film premiere, local radio station 

KXYZ broadcast a description of the film 

star parade and Acme-NEA's photographer 

from Dallas, Jimmy Lederer of Universal at 

Austin. Less Orr of Fox Movietone and others 

were on hand to film the proceedings. 

Theatremen from all parts of the country 

attended the premiere. Among them were 

Raymond B. Willie and Frank Starz, Interstaters 

from Dallas; Eph Charinsky. Southern 

Enterprises, San Antonio; Karl Hoblitzelle, 

Robert O'Donnell and Johnny Adams. 

Interstate officials, Dallas, and Ned E. Depinet. 

RKO president from New York. 

A critic's story of the picture described it 

as "not for city slickers." 

"It's a well-paced yarn of life on a farm 

and there's no gun play, drinking or neurosis," 

the critic wrote. "Nothing pretentious, 

it turns out to be a refreshing slice of coun- 

From the BOXOFFICE Files 

(Twenty Years Ago) 

ily . . . S. B. Brock and son have opened their 

\A/ O. CARTER, owner of the Edcouch at 

Edcouch. Tex., is building a colonial-type 

residence to be occupied by himself and fament 

at the opening ceremonies for the Shamrock, 

new theatre at Happy. Tex. . E. White 

which recalled to many the similar opening of the Knickerbocker in Hollywood has been transferred to the management of 

the Pharr at Pharr, Tex., by Dent Theatres, 

Inc.. to succeed C. L. Dobbs, who is shifted 

to a larger field . . . Preliminary work has 

started on the Dent Theatre in El Paso, to 

cost a half million dollars . . . Oskar Korn is 

building a theatre at Fort Stockton, Tex. 

Sam Reed of Lubbock. Tex., is now working 

as organist for Floyd Parker in the Crystal 

at Ralls . Besa Fairtrace has been 

named director of public relations for Publix 

Theatres in Dallas . . . H. Ford Taylor, operating 

the Ritz at San Saba, was in Dallas 

recently and said he will open his second 

theatre soon in Alpine, Tex. . . . King Scenic 

and Theatre Supply Co., recently burned, is 

now located in the large building on Harwood. 

Dallas, adjoining the main film building on 

the south . Theatres, Inc.. recently 

purchased a site for a new theatre in Mexia, 

Tex. 

n 

try life." 

ANOTHER FIRST BY MONOGRAPH 

L. A. Chatham, director of operations for 

Momand Theatres, reports Sam D. Brunk has 

been appointed booker and advertising manager 

. 

. . R. M. "Ish" Clark was appointed 

assistant general manager of the Griffith circuit 

. . . F. L. Stocker, formerly attached to 

the company's Dallas office, is now branch 

manager for Columbia in Oklahoma City. 

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MGM Wins Dismissal 

In Charlotte Suit 

CHARLOTTE—Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer won 

a dismissal in theatre owner Herman B. 

Meiselman's suit against eight film distributors, 

two theatre chains and one individual, 

but Judge Wilson Warlick overruled the motion 

of other defendants that the case be 

thrown out of court. 

Meiselman, who operates the Center here, 

has asked the court to enjoin distributors 

from licensing films for showing in the 

Broadway. Imperial and Carolina theatres 

here unless an equivalent number of pictures 

is made available for his theatre. The three 

Charlotte houses named in the suit are parts 

of the Wilby-Kincey chain and are controlled 

by the Stand Theatres and Charlotte 

Amusement Co. H. F. Kincey, head of the 

Wilby-Kincey interests in this area, was the 

individual named. The distributors are 20th 

Century-Fox, Warner Bros., U-I, United Artists, 

Paramount, Columbia and RKO. 

Dismissal of MGM from the suit came after 

Meiselman's attorneys agreed that the course 

was satisfactory to them. They agreed that 

through MGM's system of bidding Meiselman 

had obtained a number of MGM pictures. 

Judge Warlick, temporarily adjourning the 

hearing, said it would be resumed after attorneys 

for both sides have had time to prepare 

final arguments. The hearings have 

required some time and branch managers of 

all the film houses named in the suits, as 

well as officials of the Kincey firm, Meiselman 

and motion picture editors of both local 

newspapers have been called to the witness 

stand. 

Atlanta Board Reconsiders 

Deleted Version of 'Rope' 

ATLANTA—Local houses may be given a 

chance to show an expurgated version of 

"Rope" which has been banned by censor 

Christine Smith. The Board of Trustees of 

the Atlanta Carnegie Library voted to see a 

print of the film which does not include 

the objectionable scenes. 

Reconsideration of the Warner film followed 

a request by a studio representative 

who pointed out that the stage play version 

was performed here. Milton Farris, president 

of the board, said the expurgated print woulcT 

probably be acceptable. 

Wometco Will Push Miami 

As TV Show Tryout Center 

MIAMI—Sonny Shepherd, Wometco Theatres 

executive, believes this city will become 

one of the major television centers of the 

nation. 

Television formally came to this area Monday 

night with the inauguration of regular 

schedules by WTVJ, Wometco's Theatre of 

tht Air. Banner streamers on newspaper 

front pages heralded the event, while the 

Miami Daily News got out a 24-page television 

edition. 

"All the entertainment talent which comes 

down here every winter season is going to 

make Miami one of the major television centers 

in the country," Shepherd asserted. 

as 

natural as sevens." 

"It's 

WOULD WELCOME MIAMI TRYOUTS 

"We made a survey among the performers 

in this area recently and discovered that 

many of them would welcome the opportunity 

to try out their TV shows here before telecasting 

in New York, Hollywood, or Chicago. 

Others would like to telecast the shows direct 

from here because it would mean they wouldn't 

have to leave the winter sunshine, run up 

to New York, rehearse and then produce the 

show and come back down here. 

"Tryouts are, of course, old stuff in the 

show business. A Broadway show opens on 

Broadway, but audience reaction is tested in 

other cities before the cast opens the show 

in the big time. Miami is ideal for tryouts. 

Audience reaction here would be much the 

same, it is believed, as it would be on Broadway, 

and Miami is so convenient, as I have 

pointed out, when the performers are staying 

over. 

"Just look around at the talent which 

comes down here every year. To name only 

a few performers there are Tony Martin, 

Milton Berle, Sophie Tucker, Harry Richman, 

Jackie Miles, Jane Frohman, Joe E. 

Lewis and Danny Thomas. This only begins 

the list. 

"This is not a dreambuster. Benny Davis, 

composer of 'Margie' and other song hits, 

and Gabriel Heatter are now planning a Variety 

show and it may be given a preview 

in the studios of WTVJ in the near future. 

A new Wometco theatre, now in the architectural 

planning stage, will be equipped with 

a full stage designed for television broadcasts, 

and this stage could be used to film 

shows for national release. 

Mitchell Wolfson and Sidney Meyer with 

Bob Venn, only other stockholder in the company, 

have poured $500,000 into the WTVJ 

and are being saluted as civic pioneers in a 

new entertainment medium. The Wometco 

heads have never been backward about 

trying 

new things. They founded the present 

theatre chain in 1924, beginning with one 

theatre and stiff competition from a national 

chain. They now operate 24 theatres here 

and both men are presidents of more than a 

score of corporations. 

Wolfson was born in Key West, Fla., and 

Meyer in Omaha, Neb. They founded a real 

estate firm in 1922, two years before changing 

over to the theatre business. The two 

men have been extremely active in civic affairs, 

serving on many disaster and charity 

drives and boards. Both have worked with 

community clubs to a great degree and have 

spent much time and money making various 

contributions to this area. 

SALES DIRECTOR FOR WTVJ 

M. J. Weisfeldt is sales director for WTVJ. 

Until recently he was in charge of the sales 

and production of short subjects department 

of Columbia Pictures with whom he was associated 

for more than ten years. Weisfeldt 

also produced the well-known Martin Johnson 

films about the explorer and his wife. 

Earl W. Lewis, the station's chief engineer, 

has been in radio for 30 years. He was licensed 

as a government radio operator In 

1919. 

WTVJ will reunite a well-known musical 

brother combination, Clyde and Lynn Lucas, 

who will head the station's production department. 

Lynn was the popular singer of 

his brother's nationally famous band a few 

years ago when the group was making motion 

picture shorts. Clyde, as program director, 

will produce most of the live shows and 

Lynn will aid and coordinate local produc- 

'Happy' Voted Best Film 

By Charlotte Council 

CHARLOTTE—"You Gotta Stay Happy" 

was voted the best entertainment in recent 

weeks by the Charlotte Motion Picture Council 

at its March meeting. The council discussed 

sending a delegate to the National 

Motion Picture Council conference in New 

York this month. Mrs. J. Luther Snyder, 

the president, presided, and others attending 

were Mrs. V. J. Guthery, Mrs. S. R. McAden, 

Mrs. H. C. Henderson, Mrs. R. T. Wray, Mrs. 

C. G. Lawing, Mrs. Burt Sims, Mrs. J. A. 

Yarbrough, Mrs. Candace Bryant Smith and 

Lucia Harding. 

Fred Fomier Buried 

CLEARWATER. FLA.—Fred Fornier, 52, a 

showman with the James E. Strates shows, 

died recently. 

Rites for Boyd Brown 

WINNSBORO. S. 

O—Funeral services were 

held here for Boyd Brown. 51, sixth district 

state highway commissioner and onetime 

vice-president of the Carolinas Theatre Owners 

Ass'n. Brown died at his home here. He 

had served 10 years in the state house of 

representatives and was a former farmer anfl 

former theatre operator. He is survived by 

his wife, a 

son. four brothers and two sisters. 

April Opening Planned 

HIALEAH—Wometco's new Essex Village 

Theatre has a tentative opening date set for 

early in April. The house is part of a center 

project for the community. 

Star Vacations at Jackson 

JACKSON. MISS—Sunset Carson and his 

wife spent a week vacationing here. 

try Us and You'll Agree 

FILMACK 





NEW YORK - 619 W 54th St. 

IN-A-CAR SPEAKERS 

FOR NEW JOBS 

OR REPLACEMENTS 

DRIVE IN THEATRE MFG. CO.—K. C. Mo. 

BOXOFFICE March 26. 1949 SE

. . . The 

. . The 

. . Whyte 

. . The 

Mr. 

. . Uncle 

. . 

MEMPHIS 

yhe Fisher Theatre at Fisher, Ark., has been 

A 

sold by 

drive-in now is under construction at 

Jonesboro. Ark. . 

Valley Theatre at 

Bee Branch, Ark., has been closed by Thomas 

French . Malco Theatre was the site 

for a cooking school two mornings recently. 

A theatre clinic was held at the University 

of Mississippi, with delegates from seven local 

high schools . . . Frank Keith of the Keith 

circuit opened a new theatre in Fort Smith 

Rialto at Searcy, Ark., was reopened 

March 15 after having been remodeled and 

redecorated . Bedford operator 

of the Marion at Hamilton, Ala., was a visitor 

here. 

Exhibitors here from Arkansas included 

Orris Collins, Capitol and Majestic, Paragould; 

L. E. Woodfield, Alamo, Pine Bluff; 

Gene Higgenbotham, Melody, Leachville; 

J. F. Singleton, Tyro, Tyronza; Herod Jimerson. 

Liberty, North Little Rock; Charles Nelson. 

Palace, Greenwood; Mr. and Mrs. Floyd 

Peek, Garland, Little Rock: Carl Burton, 22 

Drive-In, Fort Smith; Carl Christian, Tuckerman, 

Tuckerman; Mrs. Dovie Lee, Dyess, 

Dyess; Roy Cochran, Juroy, Little Rock; J. T. 

James. James, Cotton Plant; Moses Sliman, 

Lux, Luxora: Zell Jaynes, Joy at West Memphis 

and Maxie at Trumann, and E. T. Fleeman, 

Ritz, Manila. 

From Tennessee came Nathan Flexer, 

M!DeGa, Waverly; W. F. Ruffin sr.. and 

W. F. Ruffin jr.. Ruffin Amusements Co., 

Covington; C. D. McAllister. Grand. 

SEATING 

SMILEY GRABS AIR—When Smiley 

Burnette appeared on stage at the Martin 

Theatre in Opelika. Ala., Manager 

D. T. Stalcup's 4-year-old son was just 

one of the hundreds of local kids that 

poured in to see the western star. Stalcup 

said his young son's reception of 

Burnette was typical of the reaction 

among the Opelika youngsters, and, he 

added, the theatre was packed not only 

with the kids but also with adults who 

"came along to bring the kids and wound 

up by greatly enjoying themselves and 

the show." 

Grand Junction; L. J. Denning, YMCA. 

Bemis. and W. O. Taylor, Uptown, Dresden 

.. . and Mrs. James W. Seay, 

Grand at Cardwell and Arbyrd: J. C. Kroeger, 

Maxon and Shannon, Portageville, and 

J. C. Mohrstadt, Missouri, Hayti, were here 

from Missouri. 

Mississippi exhibitors included J. M. 

Mounger. City and Mart, Calhoun City; Mrs. 

C. J. Collier, Globe, Drew; Mrs. Vallery 

Burke, Benoit, Benoit; C. J. Collier, Globe, 

Shaw; Bern Jackson, Delta, Ruleville; Grady 

Cook, Joy, Pontotoc; A. J. Cole, Cassidy, 

Webb: J. F. Adams, Tate, Coldwater, and 

J. T. Lowery, Blue Mountain College, Blue 

Mountain. 

MIAMI 

JJenry V" will return for an engagement at 

the Mayfair April 5, 6. It will play four 

times a day, with emphasis on junior high, 

high school and university student matinees 

. . . Al Brandt, Flamingo manager, emceed 

a 15-minute sidewalk radio show under his 

marquee recently . . . The Coral Way Auto 

Theatre uses a map, showing how it may be 

located in its daily advertising. 

David Selznick was scheduled to pause 

briefly here en route to Jamaica. His "Portrait 

of Jennie" has opened at Colony . . . 

Vacationing here is a fellow whose voice is 

familiar to many but whose name few would 

recognize. It is Jay Sims, commentator for 

MGM News of the Day newsreels . . . The 

Wometco theatre chain is inaugurating a 

one-night weekly vaudeville policy at several 

of its theatres. The first is at the Strand. 

Arthur Krim, president of Eagle Lion, who 

is vacationing here, is mighty pleased with 

the grosses done by "The Red Shoes" at the 

Flamingo . Don, granddaddy of 

children's entertainers, made a Miami Beach 

appearance recently at the Normandy . 

Hal Home, the film director, was in town. 

The lobby of the Colony features an exhibit 

of pastel portraits of children of Hollywood 

stars by the noted painter, Zoe Shippen. 

Portraits include Christina Crawford, 

Joan Crawford's daughter; Stephanie Wanger, 

daughter of the Walter Wangers; Jimmy 

Morgan, son of the Dennis Morgans; Liza 

Arden, daughter of Eve Arden: Vana Heflin. 

daughter of the Van Heflins, and Sharon Disney, 

daughter of the Walt Disneys. A recent 

sculpture. Head of Adolescent, by Zena Posever, 

also is on display. The exhibit is in 

connection with the showing of "Portrait of 

Jennie." 

Mitchell Wolfson made the wards for the 

B'nai B'rith council to three men for "outstanding 

contributions to the advancement of 

human relations." Wolfson is a member of 

the ADL executive 

committee. 

To Play Small Girl Part 

Gigi Perreau will portray the small girl in 

Metro's "Death in the Doll's House." 

[£iS"ciAL PHOTO 

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Memphis. Tennessee 

March 26. 1949

Audie Murphy Misses 

Gay Miami Premiere 

Confer With Governor 

On Tax in Tennessee 

MEMPHIS—A bill which would increase 

state taxes on theatre admissions, now ready 

MIAMI—Star Audie Murphy was unable to 

attend the benefit premiere of "Bad Boy" at 

the Lincoln Theatre here because of illness, 

but Jane Wyatt filled the date in his place. 

The Variety Club sponsored show brought 

out a large crowd of show folk great and 

near great and representative Miami and 

Miami Beach residents. 

Miss Wyatt accepted a scroll in behalf of 

Murphy commissioning him a colonel in the 

Miami Drum and Bugle Corps. 

Much unscheduled merriment was occasioned 

by a mishap with the sound system, 

resulting in the outdoor proceedings being 

relayed inside the theatre. Emcee Buddy 

Walker made capital of the accident and 

pantomined while the barker outside 

"barked" the crowds into the lobby. 

The above photo shows Jacob "Silver Dollar" 

Schreiber, retired Detroit exhibitor who 

is living at Miami, in his organ grinder outfit. 

Sidney Meyer, Wometco official, is holding 

a milk bottle for the monkey. Silver 

Dollar Jake devotes his time to entertaining 

patients in Veterans hospitals and assisting 

worthy civic events. 

TALKING SHOP—Bill Pine of Pine- 

Thomas productions is pictured here 

(left) talking: with J. B. Harvey (center), 

president of the North and South Carolina 

Theatre Owners Ass'n and Hank 

Hearn of Exhibitors Service at a luncheon 

given during Pine's recent visit to 

Charlotte, N. C. Al Duron, Paramount 

manager, was host of the affair. 

MPEA Gets Top Jap House 

To Roadshow U.S. Films 

NEW YORK—The MPEA has signed the 

Hibiya Theatre in Tokyo to a year's contract 

as its second roadshow house in the city. 

The theatre seats 1,700, rates as the finest 

in Japan and has been showing British, 

French and Russian films. The first presentation 

was "Song of Love" (MGMi, MPEA's 

other roadshow house is the Subaru-za, showing 

"The Egg and I" (Univi. 

Leading exhibitors in five cities have been 

lined up by Charles Mayer, managing director, 

to aid MPEA in the celebration of its 

third anniversary in Japan. 

for introduction into the Tennessee legislature, 

is being opposed by operators in all 

parts of the state under the leadership of the 

Midsouth Allied unit. 

Included in a delegation which conferred 

witht Gov. Gordon Browning on the proposed 

bill were E. O. Cullins. Allied unit president; 

Nate Evans, committee chairman; J. A. West 

and L. A. Weaver, representing Memphis theatre 

owners, and Guy B. Amis and Rob West, 

representing west Tennessee operators. 

Following the conference, Bob Bowers, 

manager of the Midsouth Allied unit, quoted 

the governor as having expressed his sympathy 

with theatre operators and his belief 

that increased taxation could bankrupt independent 

operators. 

The proposed bill would increase state admission 

taxes on theatres with bank nights 

from 5 to 6 per cent, and on houses without 

bank nights from 3 to 4 per cent. It was estimated 

that the measure would yield approximately 

$300,000 a year to municipalities, and 

would add about 35 cents to the amount 

spent by the average theatregoer. 

Louis Johnson jr., president of the Tennessee 

Municipal league, sponsors of the bill, 

said in Nashville that he believed the Browning 

administration would support the new 

tax bill. 

Mid-April Opening Set 

LONG BEACH, MISS.—The New Theatre 

will open April 15, according to owner W. B. 

Lacy. The 800-seat house is situated in a 

de luxe community center in which are located 

stores and apartments. The Broggl 

Booking Co. in New Orleans will handle buying 

and booking. 

Maurice N. Wolf Starts 

Speakina Tour for MGM 

NEW YORK—Maurice N. Wolf, assistant 

to H. M. Richey, exhibitor relations head for 

MGM, started a series of nine speaking engagements 

with an appearance at the Kiwanis 

club in Paterson, N. J., March 22. All talks 

will be at regular meetings of business clubs 

like the Kiwanis, Lion's and Rotary and will 

deal with MGM's plans during its anniversary 

year, its progress as part of the overall 

development of the industry in the last 

25 years and its future in the general scheme 

of things to come. 

Wolfs other March dates are at the Kiwanis 

club, Hackensack, N. J., March 24: 

Rotary club, Red Bank, N. J.. March 29 and 

Lion's club, Passaic, March 31. 

The five speaking dates for April are: 

Kiwanis club, Irvington, N. J., April 5: Kiwanis 

club, Jersey City, April 7: Kiwanis 

meeting, Lynn, Mass., April 12; Kiwanis club, 

Tannton, Mass., April 13, and the Rotary 

club, Trenton, N. J., April 21. 

L(0 

yjiTHjEVERV CAN 

The supersonic aircraft yarn "Jet," a Warner 

film, has been retagged "Chain Lightning." 


. . Agnes 

. . Aileen 

. . . Abe 

. . . Louis 

. . Roy 

. . Bud 

. . Joe 

ATLANTA 

gill Kelly jr., U-I salesman, was off to 

Brooklyn for a visit with his family . . . 

Dewey Barnes, Paramount employe here for 

27 years, has resigned . . . Lillian Barnes, 

Columbia office manager's secretary', is 

sporting a new coupe . Stephens, 

former Columbia cashier, was down to see 

the gang with her new son . . . Cliff Wilson, 

Georgia salesman for Columbia, has resigned 

to go with Moody Theatres in south 

Georgia. Herbert Legg, formerly in the booking 

department, will take over Georgia sales. 

The Atlanta Columbia office came out first 

In the playdate drive . . . Pearl Moos returnee? 

to her booking department job after a two 

month leave of absence . . . Pete Sarratt, 

formerly in the shipping department, resigned 

to enter training camp . . . Charlie 

Bishop returned to the shipping department 

. Clark, who recently underwent 

an operation, hopes to return to work 

soon . . . Mrs. Edna Anton, formerly with 

Monogram, joined the Columbia force. 

Hal Danson, Eagle Lion advertising manager, 

vacationed in Florida . . . Carl Floyd 

of the Floyd & Stein theatres in Haines City. 

Fla., has been named a member of the state 

advertising commission by Governor Fuller 

Atlanta Grosses Rise 

With Temperature 

ATLANTA—Business above the average in 

all theatres followed good spring weather. 

Fox—John Loves Mary (WB) 

Paramount—Unknown Island (FC) 

110 

112 

Roxy—Whispering Smith (Para), 2nd 102 

d. t wk 

Loew's Grand—The Bribe (MGM) Ill 

Tower—Frontier Revenge (SG), plus stage show .125 

Martin & Thompson, Hawkinsville, Ga.; 

Johnnie Harwell, Martin Theatres, Columbia, 

Ga.; Hap Barnes, Knoxville and Montgomery 

drive-ins; Forman Rogers, Macon. 

Tuskeegee, Ala., and Leonard Allen, southern 

publicity chief for Paramount, on his way 

to Memphis. 

Earl Humphries, manager of Theatrical 

Printing Co., is a new grandfather . . . Max 

Holden, acting manager for Madison Pictures, 

returned from a trip to North Carolina 

Brown, owner of K&B Soda Co., 

where film folks hang out, will leave soon 

on a trip to Hot Springs, Ark. . Scott, 

Republic booker, has resigned to join Screen 

Guild of Georgia, replacing Roy Hall, who 

resigned because of ill health. 

Phyllis Florio, secretary to Jules K. Chapman, 

general sales manager for Film Classics, 

is vacationing in Miami . . . Arthur C. 

Bromberg, Monogram southern president, re- 

of Florida . . . Spence Pierce, former 20th- 

Fox publicity chief, now is manager of the 

drive-in 

turned from a Chicago meeting 

Mrs. Wyloine 

. . . John 

Jenkins of Astor in Dallas, stopped on his 

Stradley, Monogram, celebrated a birth- 

day . . . Sunset Carson and other Hollywood 

way to New York. 

Harry Katz, Kay Exchange, is back from 

stars made personal appearances here. 

Ralph McCoy, Film Classics 

Charlotte . . . 

George M. Bell of Monogram returned to branch manager, and Jules Chapman of the 

his office after a spell of illness . . . Florence New York office, held a sales meeting with 

Chamblee, head of the accounting department, 

C. H. Roebuck. Eddie Adkinson and Bud 

Monogram, returned after a short 

ness 

Chalman . Davis, owner of a Panama 

ill- 

Ben Banowitz, French-Boy Popcorn City drive-in, paid a short visit to Filmrow 

Processors & Distributors of Chicago, was 

Worthington. owner of drive-ins in 

on the Row visiting . . . Other visitors to the Bessemer and Tuscaloosa, was seen on the 

Row were John F. Moffett. Carver, Montgomery, 

Row . Hall has resigned as head booker 

Roy Stone 

at Screen Guild and will to Soufli 

move Ala.; Mitchell, Stone, 

Mountain, Ga.; J. H. Thompson, president Carolina. 

CHARLOTTE 

^his city shared the joint world premiere of 

"Red Stallion in the Rockies" with San 

Francisco last week. The picture opened at 

the Manor March 16 and early this week was 

still enjoying good business, said Manager 

A. B. Craver. Starring Jean Heather, Arthur 

Franz, Leatrice Joy and Wallace Ford, 

the film tells the story of a circus horse which 

escapes to lead a pack of wild horses on raids 

on farms and ranches in the rich lands of 

Colorado. Observer carrier boys were guests 

at 

the opening. 

Eugene Skinner of Atlanta has replaced 

Jack Elwell as advertising and publicity manager 

for the Dixie Drive-In Theatres. Elwell 

installed Skinner in his new office and 

introduced him to exchange personnel. Elwell 

will continue to serve as general manager. 

Alice Brown, cashier at the Centre was 

married to William Calvin Thomas jr. of 

Charlotte . . Visitors on Filmrow included 

. 

J. B. Harvey, president of the Theatre Owners 

Ass'n of North and South Carolina, J. B. 

Mclntyre, Fin Lee, O. K. Hogan and Jimmy 

Einhardt. 

F. W. Free, operator of a drive-in In Bamberg, 

S. C, is the father of a baby girl. 

Free is a cotton farmer and plans to raise 

some sixteen acres of watermelons this year 

. . . Visitors on the Row: Mrs. B. B. Anderson 

and Howard Anderson, Anderson circuit, 

Mullins; H. P. Howell, Howell Theatres, 

Smithfield; Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Arrington. 

Cameo Theatre, Rock Mount; Phil 

Wicker, Standard Theatre Supply, Greensboro; 

Tom Fleming, Sylvia, York; Morris 

Littman, Sylvan. Rutherfordton; Mrs. Runa 

Greenleaf and John W. Curtis, Curtis, Liberty; 

George D. Carpenter and Sonny Baker, 

Colonial Theatres, Valdese; Ben L. Strozier, 

Stevenson, Rock Hill. 

To Coordinate Medical Films 

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ATLANTA—Dr. David S. Ruhe. Public 

Health Service physician here since 1942, has 

been chosen to head a new national organization 

in the field of medical motion pictures. 

The institute, known as the Medical 

Film Institute of the Association of American 

Medical Colleges, will coordinate the productions 

of scientific film. Dr. Ruhe said. It 

is being financed by three unnamed philanthropic 

foundations. Offices will be in New- 

York. 

'Harvey' Stage Show on Tour 

CHARLOTTE—The stage show, "Harvey," 

will tour principal North Carolina cities next 

month with Joe E. Brown in the leading role. 

The play will open here April 1 and will end 

its run in Raleigh April 8, 9. Both night and 

matinee performances will be given. The tentative 

schedule is April 2—Charlotte, matinee 

and night; April 4, 5—Greensboro, matinee, 

second day; April 6, 7—Durham, no matinee; 

April 8. 9—Raleigh, matinee second day. 

Free Ice Cream to Kids 

MONTGOMERY — Rogers Theatre gave 

free ice cream to children who attended the 

opening of the new serial, "Riders of Death 

Valley" on a recent Saturday morning. 

102 BOXOFFICE March 26, 1949

Charlotte Theatre 

Rebuilding Started 

CHARLOTTE—The Charlotte Theatre, one 

of the oldest cinema houses in this city will 

be completely rebuilt at a cost of $80,000. 

Workmen are now removing all equipment 

and seats from the building, located just a 

half block from the main business intersection 

on West Trade street. Tom A. Little, 

president of the Cavalier Theatre Corp., said 

that the building will be razed and a new 

structure erected. 

The new theatre will contain 562 seats, 92 

more than the present house as a result of 

construction of a balcony, which the present 

theatre does not have. The new theatre will 

open about August 15. 

Seats will be widely spaced to allow patrns 

to pass in and out of rows without requiring 

those seated to stand. 

A triangular shaped marquee will be installed 

to harmonize with the modernistic 

front. The name sign will be erected on 

the building above the marquee to form a 

background. Marble and glass will form an 

impressive front. 

Little said that the contract for 

the building 

has been let to Loftis Construction Co. 

of Charlotte. The structure will be brick, 

reinforced with concrete and steel. 

Stevenson Interests to Build 

Center Near Henderson 

HENDERSON. N. O—Plans for the construction 

of a 500 to 600-car drive-in, skating 

rink, swimming pool, drive-in grill and 

bowling alley two and one-half miles south 

of here on the Raleigh road have been announced 

by the Stevenson interests here. 

Construction of the recreation center, to 

cost $150,000, is due to start at once. The 

theatre, to be one of the most modern between 

Washington and Atlanta, will feature 

individual speakers for each car. The screen 

will be built of steel and will house a drive-in 

grill. 

The theatre is expected to be opened in 

May. Residents of the area will be invited 

to suggest names for the theatre, with prizes 

to be awarded the persons who submit the 

names considered the most suitable. 

here. 

As are Pittman's other houses, the Pitt is 

fireproof and air conditioned. Admission 

prices have been set at 42 cents and 14 cents 

and a second run policy has been established. 

Parking space for 1,000 cars is available 

immediately adjacent to the theatre. Cost 

of construction was approximately $250,000. 

Buying and booking will be handled by the 

J. G. Broggi Booking Co. 

RCA Service for Elgin 

CRESTVIEW, FLA.—The Elgin, independent 

local house, has contracted for RCA 

service. 

Double Bill Instituted 

ARCADIA, FLA.—Manager Dan Sangaree 

has instituted "bargain days" at the Star 

Theatre, offering a double bill on Saturdays. 

Variety Women's Group Formed 

To Help Fund Raising Activities 

MIAMI — "The only successful club is that 

in which the women take an active part," according 

to George Hoover, chief barker of the 

local Variety Club and general manager of 

Paramount Enterprises here. The occasion 

was a luncheon, attended by about 50 women, 

at which the women's committee of Tent 33 

was organized. Seated at the speaker's table 

in the club's dining room were Hoover, host 

at the luncheon, Mrs. Edward Claughton, 

Mrs. A. C. Corbett and Mrs. Hal Kopplin. 

Hoover explained why a women's committee 

would be a great asset to the club. He 

said that the men take more interest in a 

club where they may bring their wives and 

where the women may also take part in club 

activities. Since the club has a large quota 

to fill each year in order to support its 

chosen charity, he said he believed the women 

would be able to raise substantial amounts 

to add to the fund. 

Hoover previously had appointed Mrs. 

Claughton chairman of the women's committee. 

He pointed out her qualifications, 

such as her success in handling the women's 

group attending last year's national convention 

here. Hoover also expressed pleasure 

at the fine turnout at the luncheon and said 

he thought there was no doubt but that the 

committee soon would grow to even larger 

proportions. 

In asking how the other women present 

felt about establishing such a committee, 

Mrs. Claughton received enthusiastic response. 

She then appointed Mrs. Kopplin 

her co-chairman, with Mrs. Kopplin and Mrs. 

Roy Schechter to head the entertainment 

committee. Mrs. Corbett was named head of 

contact and publicity and Mrs. George Hoover 

was named chairman of the food committee. 

Mrs. Kopplin was asked to outline fund 

raising ideas, and she suggested an Easter 

fashion show. Minna Lee's gown shop would 

furnish the dresses, she said, and Eve Tellegen, 

well-known fashion commentator, had 

offered her services as coordinator. Models 

would be chosen from among members of the 

committee. 

The idea was received favorably and plans 

were suggested by many present. The date 

was set for April 2. Mrs. Sid White was 

appointed to take charge of money and tick- 

New Orleans Pitt Theatre 

Opened by T. A. Pittman 

NEW ORLEANS—T. A. Pittman has set 

March 23 as the official opening date of his ets. A number of prizes were donated, including 

a piece of silverware, a lamp and a 

sixth theatre in this territory. It is the 1,400- 

seat Pitt, located on Elysian Fields Avenue 

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dress whose material would be selected by the 

winner and custom-made by a committee 

member. Door prizes could be arranged for, 

Mrs. Claughton said, and theatre passes 

placed on tables. 

The group substantiated Hoover's remark 

that women were a great asset and inspirai 

ion in any organization by getting down to 

work at once and formulating plans for their 

first money raising project before the committee 

was two hours old. A second luncheon 

meeting was called for the following Tuesday 

in the clubrooms. 

Among those present were Mrs. George C. 

Hoover, Mrs. Robert R. Taylor. Mrs. James 

M. Latham, Mrs. Bertha E. Swank, Mrs. John 

F. Dempsey, Mrs. Ray F. Sadler, Mrs. Oscar 

Bloom, Mrs. Paul R Robinson, Mrs. Mae G. 

Effinger, Mrs. Peggy Thornton, Mrs. L. C. 

Webb, Mrs. Jeanette Richman, Mrs. Leah 

Joseph, Mrs. Ralph Kirsch, Mrs. Leonard H. 

Sacks, Mrs. Helen Davenport, Mrs. David 

Alterman, Mrs. Max Silver, Mrs. Frank D. 

Rubel. Mrs. Herman Silverman, Mrs. Franklin 

Maury, Mrs. Roy Schecter, Mrs. Sonny 

Shepherd, Mrs. Don Lanning, Mrs. Esther R. 

Grossberg, Mrs. Myrtle Fitch, Mrs. Helene 

Walker. Mrs. Paul Bruun, Mrs. Ruth Wolfberg, 

Mrs. Mary E. Crowell, Mrs. Marie Seman, 

Mrs. Richard Sachsel, Miss Rita Sachsel, 

Mrs. Henry J. Smith. Mrs. Rosalyn Gillman, 

Mrs. Harvey Fleischman, Mrs. Herb Elisburg, 

Mrs. Betty C. Cudy, Mrs. Anita Gilbert. Mrs. 

Anne Cole and Mrs. Sid White. 

Equipment Is Ordered 

MOORE HAVEN, FLA.—Marvin Tidwell of 

Arcadia is placing orders for equipment, furniture 

and supplies for a new 30xl00-foot theatre 

he will erect near the Moore Haven 

hotel. 

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BOXOFFICE :: March 1949 

103

. . . Gloria 

. . Henry 

. . Dallas 

. . Ruth 

NEW ORLEANS 

The local Tivoli Theatre, one of the United 

Theatres, was damaged slightly when a 

trash fire on a vacant lot behind the building 

set the theatre stage ablaze. No one was 

in the building at the time. Damage was 

estimated at $50. Five engines answered the 

alarm. Fire Chief Flynn said that sparks 

from the trash fire blew through an air vent 

beneath the stage. The sparks ignited some 

trash under the stage which set the wooden 

supports of the platform on fire . . . Don 

Kay of Don Kay Enterprises flew to Chicago 

and New York on business. 

the local AM office was named assistant 

sales manager. A high point of the Texas 

meeting was the announcement that AM 

soon will offer a new stadium chair for drivein 

theatres at a very low price. 

A. P. Brashear jr., A. P. Brashear sr. and 

Bert DeBord, American Desk executives from 

Temple, Tex., and W. A. Prewitt jr., local 

AM representative, spent several days fishing 

at Don Martini, Mex. Several barrels of 

bass were caught . . . Paul Shallcross of 

American Desk spent some time in Texas 

on a selling trip breaking in a new salesman 

. . . R. W. Amos, district manager of nontheatrical 

sales for Altec, was here visiting 

theatre supply dealers and calling on Altec 

radio distributors to introduce the new Altec 

"Home Music System" and television sets. 

. 

. . . Sabina Bollinger, 

. 

Shoppers on the Row included Mrs. O. J. 

Mississippi valley district 

Jerry Shimbach, 

manager for RKO, was a visitor from Chicago 

Bane, Edgard, Edgard, La.; Fred T. McLendon, 

McLendon Theatres, Union Springs, 

Jimmy English, Booking Service Co. 

. . . 

employe, is recuperating after an appendectomy 

at Pascagoula, Miss., hospital . . . 

a 

Waddy Jones, Booking Service Co. booker, 

and his wife Aurora, former Screen Guild 

employe, are the parents of a girl born March 

14 Goldburg, Paramount auditor, 

was here from New York to audit the books 

at the local office. Mrs. Goldburg is with 

him . . . Frances Boule is Al Hodges' new 

secretary, replacing Rita Acree, who resigned. 

Frances is at Hodges' Joy Theatre 

Waterall, Waterall circuit, Lucedale, Miss., 

office. 

and Dallas Wood, Ace. Hammond, La. 

Mrs. Gladys Smith has replaced Zelda 

Crais as assistant bookkeeper for Associated Jack Auslet, former Dixie Films president, 

Theatres. Zelda resigned the first of the month received congratulations on his 73rd birthday 

Mahony is the new receptionist anniversary Wood reopened his 

serving Associated Theatres, American Desk 

. 

Ace Theatre at Hammond, La., after repairs 

Dan 

W. A. Prewitt to damages caused by a recent fire . . . and Allied of Gulf States . . . 

Brandon, Transway general manager, visited 

jr., who has been affiliated with American 

Desk since 1931, has been named sales manager 

Memphis on business 

of the firm's theatre seating division. Film Inspection employe, was married re- 

cently to George Pernicierra Rietz, 

Prewitt was appointed at a recent meeting 

held in Temple, Tex. H. Paul Shallcross of assistant cashier at EL, is a patient in a local 

Ala.; William Butterfield, Tech. Ruston, La.; 

Joe Lyons, Ritz, Lucedale, Miss.; L. J. Langlois, 

Alamo and Star, New Roads, La.; Roy 

Pfeiffer, Avenue, Tivoli, and Istrouma, Baton 

Rouge; Mrs. Neal Cummins, Ritz, Hammond, 

La.; Charlie Levy, Harlem, Thibodaux; E. A. 

Barney, Roxy, Mansfield, La.; Cecil Kelly, 

Gay and Cil, Stamps, Ark.; Andrew Orkin, 

Amite, Jackson, Miss.; Milton Guidry, Bijou, 

Erath. La.; Ed Frenkel, Century, Mobile; 

Joe Barcelona, Regina, Baton Rouge: Charles 

hospital. 

Ellen Beyers, Film Inspection Service, is 

back at her job after a short illness . . . Ruth 

Auslet Bonne is the new secretary in the

Memphis Area Ozoners 

Opening New Season 

MEMPHIS—Drive-in theatres in the Memphis 

territory now are being opened for the 

spring and summer, and operators of open 

air projects generally appear to be confident 

of a successful season. 

With an enlarged plot which now can accommodate 

600 cars, the drive-in on Lamar 

was opened March 18. New in-car speakers 

have been installed, and other improvements 

include new lounges, a larger concession stand 

and a new black top surface on entrance and 

exit lanes. 

The drive-in at Pine Bluff, Ark., will be 

opened April 1, according to C. F. Bonner, 

owner. Booking and transportation will be 

handled from Memphis. 

Carl Burton, owner of the 22 Drive-In at 

Fort Smith. Ark., says it will be opened 

March 28. Bookings and service will be 

handled by Memphis firms. 

New 750-Seat Theatre 

For Hodgenville, Ky. 

HODGENVILLE, KY.—Construction of a 

750-seat stadium type theatre will be started 

before April 1 by Anderson Theatres at Hartford, 

Ky., on a site opposite the postoffice 

here, according to Andy Anderson, head of 

the firm. In addition to the theatre, the 

building will house six store rooms. It will 

be completely air conditioned. B. F. Churchill 

& Son. Knoxville, Tenn., have been 

awarded the general contract for the structure, 

which will be known as the Mary Anderson 

Theatre. 

A lease which Anderson has held on the 

Lincoln Theatre here will expire March 31, 

and the house will be taken over by W. S. 

Gabhart jr., attorney of Harrodsburg, Ky., 

and A. R. Milby of Danville, Ky. The house 

is owned by the B. R. Young lodge. Gabhart 

and Milby also are planning to open three 

additional theatres in western Kentucky during 

the approaching summer. 

Dr. Paul Singh has been assigned as 

technical adviser for Malayan Peninsula sequences 

in Metro's "Malaya." 

Cairo, Ga., City Council 

Okays Sunday Films 

Ga.—A permit allowing theatres 

Cairo, 

to remain open on Sundays has been 

granted by the mayor and the city council. 

City Clerk Ralph E. Carlisle reported 

the council voted four to one for the permit 

after theatre owners volunteered to 

close their houses during church hours. 

Opponents are circulating a petition to 

require a referendum on the issue, it was 

reported. Previous attempts to get permits 

have been met with injunction proceedings. 

Atlanta Girls to Return 

For Stage Appearances 

ATLANTA—Two home town girls, currently 

making films in Hollywood, are slated 

to return to Atlanta for personal appearances 

in connection with the showing of their pictures 

here. Peggy Steward, who got her first 

whiff of dramatics while attending E. Rivers 

school, will appear on stage at the Tower here 

with the opening of her new western, "Frontier 

Revenge." 

Miss Stewart has been in pictures since 

she was 14, when she persuaded her parents 

to let her make a trip to Hollywood with her 

grandmother. Peggy entered a dramatics 

school in Hollywood and remained there. She 

reentry signed a contract to do another series 

of westerns and will return to Hollywood 

after her personal appearance tour with her 

latest 

film. 

Little 6-year-old Ginger Prince, daughter 

of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Prince, will return 

here to appear at the Peachtree Art Theatre, 

starting April 7. in connection with "The 

Lawton Story" showing. Ginger is under a 

seven-year contract with Hallmark studios 

to make no less than three films a year. Her 

father is general manager of the Co-At Theatres 

in Georgia. 

Greensville Plaza Open 

GREENSVILLE, N. C—The Plaza Theatre, 

700-seat, $150,000 house, has been opened formally 

here. Steve Mitchell is secretary and 

general manager while Michey Hemphill is 

assistant manager of the Plaza. 

Georgia Theairemen 

To Convene in May 

ATLANTA— Second annual convention of 

the Georgia Theatre Owners and Operators 

will be held at the Henry Grady hotel here 

on May 9, 10, according to J. H. Thompson, 

president. 

Highlight of the two-day meeting will be 

an address by Gov. Herman Talmadge. who 

is expected to discuss legislation of special 

interest to the amusement business. 

Registration for the meeting will begin 

on Sunday, May 8, and continue through the 

following morning. A noon luncheon win 

mark the beginning of the convention sessions. 

Monday evening a cocktail party and 

buffet dinner will be served. Other social 

activities will include a luncheon on Tuesday 

and the banquet, floor show and dance 

Tuesday evening which will close the convention. 

Special activities are being planned 

for the wives of attending theatremen. 

Charter Drive-In Firm 

WINSTON SALEM. N. C. — The Sunset 

Drive-In Theatre, Inc., has been granted a 

charter by the secretary of state to operate 

a theatre here. Authorized capital stock is 

$100,000. Incroporators are given as Earl, 

Betty and Henry Watts, all of Winston 

Salem. 

Skyway Drive-In Opens 

CHATTANOOGA—The Skyway Drive-in, 

managed by Don Shaw, opened for the 1949 

season recently with several improvements, 

including enlarged screen, play equipment. 

Loganville House Open 

LOGANVILLE, GA.—The Logan Theatre 

here, a new 400-seat situation, was opened 

to the public recently by A. C. Clark, owner. 

The Logan was designed by Roy Mitchell, 

owner of the Stone Theatre at Stone Mountain, 

Ga. 

Patsy Moran and Ray Harris have been 

added to the cast of RKO's "Love Is Big 

Business." 

Midcentral Allied Exhibitors at Poplar Bluff Session 

Exhibitors from four states gathered at Poplar Bluff, Mo., 

recently for the Midcentral Allied meeting. Shown above are, left 

to right, first row: T. Lewis, Lutesville; G. Carey. Caruthersville; 

O. Wallace, Belle; W. K. Dillon. Morehouse; G. Hunt, Doniphan; 

Mrs. J. Sharp, Gideon; Mrs. O. Wallace, Belle; Jeff Jefferis, Piedmont, 

all in Missouri; H. Smith, Pocahontas, Ark., and II. Halloway, 

St. Louis. Seeond row: J. Bizzel, Cairo; E. Vandiver, Kennett; 

L. Richmond. Senalh; \\ . II. Dillon. Morehouse: M. Kauth. Rolla; 

Mrs. II Graham, St. Louis; Airs K. Klghl and K. Sight, Bell City; 

B. Smith, Pocahontas, and II. I erguson, Melden, Mo. Third row: 

I. Sea>. ( ardwell. Mo.; L. Wallace. Bill.-; II Stout, and E. Stout, 

Cairo; J. Sharp, Gideon. Mo.; Mrs. Jeff .lefferis. Piedmont. Last 

row: C. Swabb, Mounds, III.: Bob Bowers. Memphis: II. Graham, 

St. Louis; R. McGillivray and N. Sullivan. West Plains. 

March 26. 1949 105

SLUMP 

PREVENTION 

The 

BEST REMEDY 

for slipping grosses 

is intelligent, wellplanned 

promotion 

- based on best 

ideas, tested by practical 

showmen do it now! 

READ and 

USE the 

SHOWMANDISER Section 

(every week in boxoffice) 

Scores of seat-selling stunts that 

build business and keep paying patrons 

happy .... Easy to file in a book. 

• ALWAYS SOMETHING NEW AND INTERESTING • 


Col. Cooper Retires 

From Music Group 

TORONTO—The Musical Protective Society 

of Canada, at its annual meeting in the 

King Edward hotel here, accepted the retirement 

of 80-year-old Col. John A. Cooper 

from the office of secretary-treasurer after 

many years' service and the election of Don 

Cooper, a son, to succeed him! 

Colonel Cooper is still secretary of the Canadian 

16mm Motion Picture Distributor 

Ass'n. A suitable gift was presented to the 

retiring secretary in appreciation of his long 

ronto, and Don Cooper. The assistant to 

Cooper is Arch H. Jolley, executive secretary 

of the Motion Picture Theatres Ass'n of Ontario. 

Among those who attended the annual 

gathering were Jack Chisholm, Toronto manager 

for Associated Screen News, and William 

Redpath of Toronto, eastern representative 

of General Films Limited. 

Exhibitors have been advised that the 

CAPAC has secured approval from the copyright 

appeal board of a provision which 

authorizes the association to collect additional 

performing right fees when a theatre 

is rented or used exclusively for stage presentations. 

A clause in the new three-year 

agreement gives CAPAC the privilege of collecting 

additional fees for such performances 

as symphony orchestra concerts, choir programs 

or recitals by artists. Managers have 

been advised that in renting a theatre for a 

concert, the additional fees should not be 

paid by the theatre which is otherwise covered 

by annual licenses of CAPAC. 

CAPAC is not entitled to ask for additional 

fees for a combination of screen and 

live 

presentations. 

Musicians Union Keeping 

Big Odeon Organ Silent 

TORONTO—The Toronto, local 

Odeon ace 

house, has a pipe organ and a capable musician 

but the instrument has been silent 

several months because of the policy of the 

Toronto Federation of Musicians. 

The organist is Ai Bollington who came 

from London, England, to be the featured 

staff artist when the theatre was opened 

in September. He presided at the console 

under a permit for a visiting musician but 

the privilege expired and the pipe organ 

went silent. Bollington has announced that 

he now is a permanent resident of Toronto. 

Odeon Theatres is negotiating with the 

Toronto union for the return of the player. 

Backward TV Position in Canada 

Blamed on CBC by Broadcasters 

QUEBEC—Canada's backward position in 

the development of television was laid 

squarely with the Canadian Broadcasting 

Corp. by the board of directors of the Canadian 

Ass'n of Broadcasters at their quarterly 

meeting at Chateau Frontenac here 

last week. 

The complete absence of any CBC policy 

on the administration, and basis of operation 

is 

for television discouraging inde- 

pendent broadcasters from applying for entry 

in the field, the directors said. They added 

that lack of action and inertia by the CBC 

board on the eight applications for television 

licenses has arrested the flow of 

service. 

The meeting discussed music license fees, 

and matters relating to the copyright appeal 

board and the Composers. Authors and Publishers 

Ass'n of Canada, which recently secured 

a three-year agreement for perform- 

briefs that were in preparation in every part 

ing rights with theatres. 

of the Dominion. 

Elected president of the Musical Protective 

SEE RUIN TO BROADCASTERS 

Society was Harry Sedgwick, a former Famous Players official who is now active in 

Entry on a competitive basis in the telecasting 

radio broadcasting. Named vice-president 

field of a government sponsored 

was George H. Peters, vice-president of Odeon 

agency, subsidized by license fees collected 

Theatres. 

The following directors were elected: Angus 

from the listeners, would spell economic ruin 

to independent stations, with an installation 

Macunn and Norman obertson of PPC; 

Elwood A. Hughes, Canadian National exhibition; 

investment of $500,000 and an annual operating 

cost of at least $350,000, the CAB directors 

Other 

Ass'n Ontario: 

Ralph Haffey, Hotel of 

pointed conclusions: 

out. William Singleton, general manager of Associated 

Installation of a television transmitter and 

Screen News, Montreal; Martin Max- 

well, Canadian Ass'n of Broadcasters, To- 

station facilities requires from 16 to 18 

months, so that if the CBC should act immediately 

on the eight applications before 

it, the listeners in the area concerned would 

have a long wait ahead of them. 

The same situation will automatically force 

the independent broadcasters out of the new 

field. The sharply increased costs of TV 

over radio will mean economic suicide for 

any independent and none will be risking 

that, unless they are assured beforehand 

of an equitable ruling in the matter. They 

do not seek preferential treatment, but equal 

opportunities. However the CAB is firmly 

resolved to have no share in the imposition 

of a license fee for television receiving sets, 

such as is now in effect for radio receivers. 

It is the CAB contention that such a fee 

($10 has been suggested), added to the already 

high cost of TV receivers and the 

installation charges, would be a strong deterrent 

against public acceptance of the 

newcomer. 

AROUND $300 IN U.S. 

TV receiving sets are selling for as low 

as $99.50 in the U.S. but the price of the 

most popular model is about $325 with a 

$75 installation fee. These sets are equipped 

with a 61-square inch screen. 

The installation of a coaxial cable in Canada 

to permit the creation of a television 

network would cost $24,000,000, and its rental 

$7,000,000 annually, the meeting was told. 

and take five to seven years. Coaxial cable 

is a tube containing a single wire placed 

in its exact center and filled with an inert 

substance. Must be installed below front 

line to insure good results. In the prairie 

provinces, for instance, this would involve 

an eight-foot trench. The cost of installation 

under ideal conditions is $6,000 a mile, 

while in the mountains that cost may skyrocket 

to $6,000 a foot, it was also shown. 

Some television sets are now in use in 

Canada in centers close to the U.S. telecast 

points. Television sets are being built in 

Free Enterprise Video 

Hoped for in Dominion 

Montreal—Television, developed and 

operated under a system of free enterprise 

without interference by unnecessary governmental 

agencies, has made a vital contribution 

to the advancement of ideas 

in the U.S., William S. I'aley. chairman 

of the board of directors of the Columbia 

Broadcasting Co.. said in an interview at 

St. Agathe. 

He expressed concern over the future 

of television under totalitarian regime, 

and asserted: "Any kind of government 

control, not restricted to the limitations 

obviously required to regulate air-wave 

traffic for all those interested in television, 

can become a serious hindrance 

to the path of this new medium." 

"In Canada you can have the experienced 

gained in the U.S. through a period 

of trial and error, and you can thus 

save millions of dollars which free enterprise 

in the U.S.A. had to spend to develop 

television and make it such a popular 

force of enlightenment to our 

people. 

"Of course, I will be delighted to see 

Canadians building their own television 

transmitters and developing their own 

programs within the near future, and, I 

do hope that it will be along the same 

lines as in the United States. 

"The people of the United States are 

definitely sold on television . . . By the 

end of 1949. we will be able to cover 50 

per cent of our population." 

Canada, but due to the range they are expected 

to be used at, they are powerful 32- 

tube sets that cost some $545, plus $100 for 

installation and antenna and a $50 service 

charge. 

The Canadian Ass'n of Broadcasters declared 

itself willing to cooperate, but "finds 

it impossible to do so with a group holding 

the power of life and death over them, the 

CBC," said J. Sedgwick. 

No TV in Canada, So Price 

Of Radio Sets Stay High 

TORONTO—Because there is no television 

in Canada, the prices of radio sets are not 

being reduced as they have been in the U.S.. 

it has been announced by Philco Corp. of 

Canada, which pointed out the situation la 

different because the sale of radio models 

in the U.S. has been affected by the competition 

of TV receivers. 

Philco announced, however, that it Is 

ready to go ahead with the production of 

television sets as soon as the Canadian government 

authorizes visual broadcasting. 

In an interview. William S Paley of the 

Columbia Broadcasting System. New York, 

said that television under a system of free 

enterprise without interference by government 

agencies had made a vital contribution 

to the advancement of ideas in the U.S. 

It is one of the most powerful weapons, 

provided It is in the hands of free and 

competitive forces." he declared. 

March 26. 1949

. . Harold 

. . The 

V/B 

A~2t 

VANCOUVER WB STAFF—Pictured above is the staff of the Warner Bros., 

Vancouver, exchange. Front row, left to right: Earl H. Dalgleish, manager; Marion 

Smith, Mary Wallace, Jackie McDermott, Mary Proudlock, Rose Isman. Back row: 

Dave Gilfillan, Douglas White and George LeMarquand. 

VANCOUVER 

Dapid progress is being made on the new 

community theatre at Salmon Aim, B. C, 

which is expected to be completed in April. 

The quonset-type theatre will contain approximately 

425 seats, and it will replace the 

present 250-seat Rex. It will be under the 

management of Kelly Hayter . . . Al Trout, 

owner of the Hope Theatre, Hope. B. C, has 

been elected president of the board of trade 

in the Fraser valley town, 100 miles from 

Vancouver . Warren, who operates 

the three theatres in the Alberni district, 

became the father of a baby boy, his 

second child . . . Jack Richards cf the Kit- 

. 

Monogram will sponsor a billing drive from 

March 31 to June 30. Harry Page is local 

manager . . British Columbia's only drivein, 

the Cascades, was opened for the season 

March 17. It is on the highway between 

Vancouver and New Westminster . . . Chilliwack's 

second theatre, being constructed by 

Famous Players at a cost of $200,000, will 

open May 1. The theatre, to be known as 

the Paramount, will seat 800. The town's 

only theatre now is the Strand, an FPC 

house seating 569. 

. . 

The Odeon circuit is remodeling the Lonsdale 

Theatre in North Vancouver with a new 

front, marquee and interior improvements 

. Bill Forward of General Theatre Supply 

Co. is equipping the new Studio with Simplex 

projectors. It will be the first theatre 

in western Canada to have seats made in 

Toronto . Famous Players Theatre 

Managers Ass'n is to be commended on its 

project of financing a summer holiday for 35 

needy children at an upcoast resort. All children 

are being taken from Vancouver institutions. 

. 

Mary Wallace, cashier at Warner Bros, exexchange, 

is engaged to David Easton, Vancouver 

. . Douglas Lewis, office manager of 

Sovereign Films, will marry a Victoria girl 

Most of the shooting for the 

shortly . . . 

forthcoming 20th-Fox story of the RCMP 

will be done in Regina, Sask., this summer. 

Other locations in Canada also will be used. 

silano staff retired because of failing eyesight. 

Richards is over 80 years old, and he Bob Fraser, who was promoted from the 

has spent most of his life in Canadian show Paradise to the Odeon-Hastings, was given 

business. 

an alarm clock on a marble base by the Paradise 

staff. Fraser is playing two nights of 

stage attractions weekly, a Search for Talent 

show Wednesdays and the Burns Chuckwagon 

radio show Thursdays. Both have 

proved business builders at the Odeon Hastings. 

Wally Hamilton, manager of Trans-Canada 

Films, and his staff were busy making 

industrial shorts and Red Cross campaign 

trailers ... A 50-cent increase in prices is 

planned for the Theatre Under the Stars 

this summer, the top to be raised from $1.50 

to $2, according to a park board report . . . 

Operators of the Cascades drive-in near here 

are planning another open air theatre, with 

a capacity of 600 cars, to be built near the 

former ozoner. 

'Down to Sea' Takes 

High Toronto Score 

TORONTO—With the observance of Lent 

making an inroad on the Toronto theatre 

business, there were holdovers at only 

two theatres. "Command Decision" was in 

its third week at Loew's and "Wake of the 

Red Witch" earned a second week at the 

Odeon Toronto. Continued cool weather also 

was a factor. There were several reissues at 

the other first runs. 


BY.tmore—The Checkered Coat (20th-Fox); China 

Girl (20th-Fc>: 95 

Donforth—The Countess ol Monte Cristo (U-I); The 

_ Plunderers (Rep) 95 

Eglinton and T'ivoli—A Man About the House 

(20th-Fox) 95 

Tairlawn— I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now (20th- 

Fox); The Homestretch (20th-Fox 90 

Cristo 7-1 The 

The Countess of Monte 

Plunderers (Ren! 

Hyland—Woman Hater (EL) 

95 

Jack London (UA).IOO 

Imperial—Down to the Sea in Ships (2Cth-Fox)....115 

Loew's—Command Decision (MGM), 3rd wk „ 90 

Odeon Toronto—Wake ol the Red Witch (Rep), 

2n i 

9C 

110 

Shea's and Nortov.n—lohn Loves Mary Cv7B) 

Uptown—Piccadilly Incident (MGM); Crime. Inc 

(EL) 95 

Victoria—The Creeper (20;h-Fox); Shock 95 

(U-I)... 

"Every Girl' and "Red Witch' 

Lead Trade in Vancouver 

VANCOUVER—Trade at the local first run 

theatres was spotty. "Every Girl Should Be 

Married" at the Capitol and "Wake of the 

Red Witch" at the Vogue were the leaders. 

"He Walked by Night," in a second round 

at the Plaza, was better than average. 

"Johnny Belinda," with "Smart Girls Don't 

Talk" in a third stanza at the Cinema, continued 

to draw well. 

Capitol—Every Girl Should Be Married (RKO) Good 

Cinema—Johnny Belinda I ) Smart Girls Don't 

Talk (WB), 3rd wk Exce'lent 

Orpheum—Chicken Every Sunday (20th-Fox) Fair 

Paradise— Gallant Bess [EL] Daytime Wiie 

(20th-Fox), reissue Fair 

Plaza—He Walked by Niaht (EL), 2nd wk Good 

Strand—The Snake Pit (20th-Fox). 3rd wk.. Average 

State—Days and Nights (Ar'kino) Fair 

Vogue—Wake ol the Red Witch (Rep). Excellent 

Calgary Grosses Rise; 

"Snake Pit' Best 

CALGARY—Business at the boxoffices 

here showed an improvement, which spread 

to the subsequent runs. The downtown subsequent 

run Isis resumed matinees and Glen 

Peacock, operator of the house, reported business 

was satisfactory. "The Snake Pit" did 

excellent business here. 

Capitol—The Snake Pit (20th-Fox) Excellent 

Grand—Letter From an Unknown Woman (U-I); 

The Gangster (Mono), reissue Good 

Palace—Act of Violence ,MGM Main Street 

Kid (Rep), reissue Good 

Screens — Arc Lamps — Rectifiers — Lenses — Carbons — Theatre Chairs 

J. M. RICE & CO. 

202 Canada Bldg. Winnipeg, Manitoba 

Phone 25371 

Many at Empire Dinner 

TORONTO—Francis S. Harmon, vice-president 

of the Motion Picture Ass'n of America, 

was the principal speaker at the Empire club 

dinner here Thursday (241 at the Royal 

York hotel. There was a large turnout of 

club members and representatives of the 

film industry. Invitations were sent out to 

managers of 125 theatres in the Toronto district. 

Everything For Your Theatre 

COMPLETE SOUND 

SYSTEMS 

An Expert Repair Department 

PREFABRICATED STEEL 

SCREEN TOWERS 

LOW PRICES — PROMPT SHIPMENT 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO.—K. C., Mo. 

March 26. 1949

' 

-V 

THE 

ROXY THEATRE 

Saskatoon, Sask. 

published this advertisement in the Saskatoon 

Star Phoenix — November 12th. 1948 

about 

Goodby the Old . . . 

Welcome to the New 

Dominion's 

After many years faithful service in which the Roxy Theatre 

gained tame tor outsta ig sound reproduction, our system has been 

removed with a pat the back and with gratitude for service rendered. 

In the past few days, engineers from Dominion Sound Equipments 

Sound 

and 

have been laboring for hours on end to install the latest and most efficient 

projectors and sound system available. This system is so outstanding 

that every range of sound will be reproduced as fine as it 

can possibly be by mechanical and electronic means. You will hear the 

h.gh tones as well as the low ones, clearer and more distinctly than 

ever was possible before. 

Projection 

Equipment 

We have chosen this equipment so that our patrons will be able 

to enjoy the world's finest pictures on the finest equipment available. 

Dominion Sound Equipments ore to be congratulated on their outstanding 

contribution to screen entertainment. Many thanks to their 

engineers for their tireless job of installing this equipment without 

interrupting our regular programs. Mony thanks also to Streb's Electric 

foT their tremendous job of re-wiring our projection booth without closing 

our theatre. 

This improvement is in keeping with the policy of the Roxy, and 

that is "To give our patrons the finest films avoiloble, in o comfortable 

and cozy theatre, with courtesy to all, our byword." 

Get the Roxy habit . . it's best. 

f 

Faithfully yours, 

THE 

MANAGEMENT 

ROXY THEATRE. 

Dominion Sound Equipments 

Limited 

Head Office: 4040 St. Catherine St., West, Montreal 

SAINT JOHN, TORONTO, WINNIPEG, CALGARY, 


109

. . Michael 

. . Jo-Ann 

. . Mervyn 

. . . Added 

. , International 

TORONTO 

lyjanager Howard Elliott of the Fairlawn has 

negotiated for a new radio stage showto 

play one night weekly following the Opportunity 

Knocks series, which will be transferred 

by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp 

to the Monkland in Montreal after the amateur 

finals have been staged March 30 . . . 

Don Hudson, manager of the Danforth, is 

continuing with the Take a Chance radio program 

on the stage every Wednesday night 

in connection with a coast-to-coast broadcast. 

The Odeon house has also found that 

vaudeville on three other nights of the week 

is pulling in excellent crowds. 

Fred Leavens, manager of the Circle, a 

northend unit of 20th Century Theatres, has 

introduced vaudeville on Wednesday and 

Thursday nights in addition to the film double 

bill . . . Eddie Newman, former manager 

of the Midtown, received long-distance con- 

The Aliens have offered $1,000 in prizes in 

a competition for original designs for the 

carpet which is to be laid in the local Hollywood, 

the contest closing April 11 . . . Simplex 

projection machines have been installed in 

the University which Famous Players will 

open shortly on Bloor street. 

R. E. Ferguson has been appointed sales 

manager for Gaumont-Kalee, according to 

Edward L. Harris, general manager ... Sol 

Allen, Theatre Holding Co. executive, has 

published a novel entitled. 'Toronto Doctor" 

. . Upsdell. Doreen Biltmore, New To- 

. 

ronto cashier, was left a considerable sum 

of money by an elderly pen pal in western 

Canada Shulman, daughter of 

. 

John J. Shulman, film industry accountant, 

distinguished herself in several piano classes 

in the recent Kiwanis music festival held in 

Massey Hall Goldstone, former 

. 

Toronto office manager for SRO has been 

appointed local manager for Alliance Films. 

features . . . Answering complaints leveled at 

westerns by a Listowel church group, Dick 

Maine, president of the Motion Picture The- 

atre Owners Oss'n of Ontario and owner of 

the Capitol Theatre, Listowel, stated that the 

gratulations from former associates here following 

great majority of western films are satisfac- 

his marriage in Winnipeg, where he tory for children. The Stratford Beacongreat 

Herald aired the original complaint and 

is the manager of the Metropolitan. The 

couple honeymooned in Minneapolis. 

Maine's lengthy rebuttal . . . Former Torontonian 

The King, local neighborhood theatre, continued 

Harry Popkin, film producer, is 

trying to sign Jack Carson, formerly of Manitoba, 

its foreign series with the playing of 

for a film. 

the Soviet picture, "The Happy Bride," for 

one week. Mrs. Yvonne Taylor of the International 

Raymond Massey, Canadian-born star, was 

Cinema held "The Mozart Story" presented a doctor of laws degree by Queen's 

the 50th anniversary celebration 

for a third week . Kirby, former university at 

of its Drama Guild. Canadian champion skater, made personal 

Massey and Leon- 

appearances at the Christie, Humber and ard W. Brockington, Odeon vice-president, 

Danforth theatres here, for the engagement 

After an absence of three 

were speakers . . . 

of "The Countess of Monte Cristo," in which years, Paramount 16mm features will again 

he plays opposite to Sonja Henie. 

Formby, British star, whose pictures were received 

with applause in Canada, will tour 

this country with his troupe. Ernie Rawley, 

manager of Toronto's Royal Alexandra Theatre, 

will arrange the six-week tour. 

Another overseas company soon to be seen 

in Canada is the Glasgow Citizens Theatre. 

The stage unit will be accompanied by Direc- 

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tor John Cassen, son of Dame Sybil Thorndike 

who used to manage her family's theatres in 

northern Ontario, recently married Dr. F. 

Greco in Pompeii, Italy . . . International 

v 

Film Distributors, with head office in Toronto, 

will liquidate all Canadian SRO contracts 

on "Duel in the Sun," "The Paradine 

Case" and "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream 

House." 

Oliver Unger, U.S. distributor of "Torment' 

and "Passionelle," was here conferring with 

UA executives on distribution of these two 

. features in Canada Film 

Distributors reports that "Quiet Weekend," 

which ran 12 weeks at the International 

here, now in its fifth week at the Varscona 

is 

Theatre, 

Edmonton. 

The Hyland, opened last November, has Plans have been completed for simultaneous 

midnight showings across Canada 

Mr. 

added Kemp Calling, a radio stage show, for 

and Mrs. Haskell Masters were recent 

to 

each Tuesday night with nice result. The aid the Canadian Picture Pioneers Benevolent 

fund drive for $100,000. Distributors, ex- 

New York visitors . . . Joe Marks, Canadian 

division manager for SRO, conferred in New 

theatre is getting nice notices in the radio 

sections of the newspapers as well as in the hibitors and the various unions have guaranteed 

the Pioneers that there will be no ex- 

York with Leonard Case, vice-president, and 

motion picture columns . . . Jack McCullough 

Sidney Deneau, SRO general sales manager 

to 

has resigned from the service department of pense involved in holding the midnight 

Canada's Children's Film 

shows. 

Dominion Sound Equipments to move to Petrolia 

where he has rented the Iroquois from of the campaign. 

Oscar Hanson heads the committee in charge 

Library: "Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch," 

"Captains Courageous," "Young Tom Edison," 

"A Christmas Carol," "Ann of Green 

the Kerr estate. Following the death of the 

Alliance Films, independent film distributors, 

will release 80 featuring during the com- 

"Black Beauty" and "Penrod and Sam." 

Gables," "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm," 

proprietor recently, the theatre was closed. 

ing season, including many first run foreign These bring the present total to 22 films. 

The Embassy on Yonge street is advertising 

. . . Dinnerware 

television in the lobby is offered by the Allenby, Granada. 

LaSalle. Pape, Willow, Royce, Cameo 

and Ideal theatres, while the Grant, Palace, 

Belsize and Danforth are offering weekly 

stage presentations to keep patrons satisfied. 

The new senior officer of the National 

Film Board is Robert H. Winters, minister 

of reconstruction in the Liberal cabinet. 

Thirty-eight years old, Winters is the youngest 

member of the cabinet . . . Jack Mc- 

Cullough has resigned from Dominion Sound 

to operate the Iroquois Theatre at Petrolia, 

purchased from the Kerr estate . . . "Jigsaw." 

which stars Franchot Tone, was written and 

directed by Fletcher Markle, former local 

radio producer and director. 

Odeon Theatres is working out a bonus 

Odeon Toronto 

system for its managers . . . 

is featuring JARO News flown in from England 

every week. Future plans provide for 

addition of Canadian footage and a Canadian 

narrator to the news ... At the next 

Variety Club meeting, International Chief 

Barker Bob O'Donnell and Executive Director 

William McCraw will present the 

Heart award to the member of Tent 28 who 

has made the most outstanding contribution 

to the club's charity activity ... A big 

crowd attended the opening of the New 

Strand Theatre at Ingersoll. 

Eddie Zorn, Famous Players Winnipeg 

manager who is an ardent gun-maker was 

the subject of a feature story on his unusual 

hobby on the editorial page of the 

Toronto Telegram, as well as on the feature 

pages of leading Winnipeg newspapers . . . 

More rigid censorship of motion pictures 

dealing with sex education and venereal 

disease, and the appointment of three or 

more women on the Ontario provincial board 

of motion picture censors with the local council 

to be given a voice in their selection, 

were asked in a resolution passed by the 

local Council of Women . . . Newest theatres 

adding stage show units are the Circle Theatre 

here, and the Savoy Theatre, Hamilton. 

110 BOXOFFICE :: March 26, 1949

. . 

. . 

Variety Show Misses 

Sellout in Toronto 

TORONTO—The second annual benefit 

performance sponsored by the Toronto Tent 

28 of Variety Clubs International at the 

handsome Odeon Toronto failed by 250 seats 

at $5 each of being a sellout. The capacity 

is 2,319. 

Although the situation can be called an 

indication of the economic trend in Toronto, 

it is true that the charity performance ran 

into considerable opposition, particularly in 

invited a special group to a special screening 

the ice show at the Maple Leaf Gardens, 

of "Furia" Sunday night (20). Morris wound 

which is practically next door to the ace up the party with cocktails at 10 p. m. . 

Odeon Theatre. On the other hand the skating 

carnival also advertised that good seats 

Manager Jack Gibson of the suburban Elmdale 

has tied in with the Campbell Glass Wax 

were still available, and other attractions 

Co. for a broadcast from the theatre's stage 

around town did not play to capacity. 

each Tuesday night over CKCO. 

The suggestion has been made that the 

observance of Lent was a factor, and it is The management of the suburban Westboro 

more than likely that next year's Variety has been taken over by J. Hausler, the president 

of the operating company for a night will be held during some other sea- 

number 

son. 

The first benefit performance for the Variety's 

vocational guidance school for crippled 

children was presented in August in 

the Famous Players' big Imperial, and its 

3,343 seats were not sufficient to take care 

of the crowd. 

Film Board Expenditure 

Estimated for 1949-50 

OTTAWA—The government estimates 

tabled in the House of Commons list $1,983,- 

910 for the operation of the National Film 

Board for the coming fiscal year which starts 

April 1. The 1949-50 figure is slightly higher 

than the Film Board estimate of $1,905,910 

for for the current fiscal year which closes 

on March 31. 

The government figures does not tell the 

whole financial story, however, because the 

Film Board produces a number of films for 

other government departments which pay 

for them. 

The annual budget, which is much earlier 

this year because of the impending general 

elections, had been expected to provide for 

a number of tax reductions following many 

complaints of excessive imposts in the federal 

field. 

Two Price Lifts in Ottawa 

OTTAWA—Capitol and Regent, Famous 

Players houses, have increased matinee admission 

prices for adults from 36 to 40 cents 

after 2 p. m., except on Saturdays and 

holidays when the 40-cent rate prevails from 

noon to 5 p. m. Monday through Friday. 

Monday through Friday 36 cents prevails up 

to 2 p. m. The increase was made to bring 

the scale into line with prices at the Ottawa 

Elgin which is operated by 20th Century 

Theatres. 

"Green Hair' Window Display 

YARMOUTH, N. S.—In behalf of "The Boy 

With Green Hair" at the Capitol Theatre 

here, Manager Ernie Hatfield, stationed a 

lad wearing a green top among a display of 

crime and detective magazines in a local 

store. The boy held a sign giving the title 

and playdates for the picture. 

For Role in 'Alimony' 

Ralph Graves has been signed for 

in "Alimony," an Eagle Lion picture. 

OTTAWA 

^•he Nelson, local unit of 20th Century Theatres, 

lost $950 to robbers. Manager Don 

Watts and assistant Gilbert White found that 

the safe had been hauled from the office to 

an aisle in the theatre where it was broken 

open. A few weeks ago an armed bandit held 

up the cashier of the Rideau, also of the 20th 

Century, on the same street, securing some 

$600. 

Morris Berlin, manager of the Somerset, 

of years. The theatre staged a spelling contest 

for ten double passes in which participants 

marked the typographical mistakes in 

one issue of the Union, the weekly district 

newspaper . . . T. R. Tubman, eastern Ontario 

district manager for Famous Players 

Canadian, made a business trip to Montreal. 

pieces . . . 

Casey Swedlove, proprietor of the Linden, 

has introduced a British china set of 68 

The boarding has been taken down 

from the remodeled and enlarged front of 

the Rialto and the result is a striking combination 

of stainless metal and vitrolite. The 

L. L. Cromien Declares 

Dr. Bates Okayed 'Sins' 

TORONTO—L. L. Cromien, general manager 

for Canadian Motion Picture Producers, 

Ltd., has sent a letter to the Ontario censor 

board answering charges made by Dr. G. 

Gordon Bates, secretary of the Health League 

of Canada, who recently asked for a Dominionwide 

ban on sex education films. 

Bates said he had written protests to each 

of the provincial governments asking for the 

ban. He claimed that the sex films offend 

common decency in the guise of education. 

"We do not know," Cromien wrote, "whether 

in his letter, Dr. Bates has specifically referred 

to our feature motion picture, 'Sins of 

the Fathers,' but the inference is very strong 

that our picture was meant to be included. 

"We would like to point out that the script 

for our picture was approved in its entirety 

by Dr. Bates before it was produced. In 

fact, we brought our writer from Montreal 

on two or three occasions to consult with Dr. 

Bates and discuss the script," the letter continued. 

"One whole sequence was changed 

and rewritten at Dr. Bates' suggestion, and 

the picture was shot in accordance with the 

revision. 

"The completed motion picture was 

screened for Dr. Bates and he expressed himself 

as being well pleased with the result. 

In fact, he was so well pleased that he recorded 

a statement regarding the need for 

proper sex education and the dangers of venereal 

disease for inclusion with the broadcast 

CBC made of a radio version of our picture 

on a trans-Canada hookup from Montreal 

during the early part of May 1948." 

theatre is not far from the Odeon on Bank 

street which is scheduled to open in May . 

W. A. Macdonald, with the National Film 

Board for five years as a producer, has joined 

Crawley Films, Ottawa, as director of sponsored 

film distribution. 

The Ontario Board of Censors recently 

added seven films to the Adult Entertainment 

list. They are "That Wonderful Urge," 

"Mrs. Fltzherbert," "Criss Cross," "The Snake 

Pit," "Brighton Rock," "Idol of Paris" and 

"A Letter to Three Wives" ... A ban on 

television in automobiles was asked by the 

Royal Automobile club of Canada . . . Charlie 

Chaplin, Canadian division manager for 

United Artists, returned from his annual 

western selling and inspection trip. While 

on the west coast, he conferred with UA executives 

in Hollywood. 

"Passionelle" and "Torment," two foreign 

language award winners distributed in Canada 

by United Artists, will be combined as 

a double bill. First Canadian engagement 

will be at Loew's Uptown here . . . Doug 

Rosen, UA manager, was in New York huddling 

with UA representatives. 

his guitar . . . 

Pete Cook, manager of the Montcalm, has 

been presenting occasional vaudeville specialists, 

a recent act being Ben Hokes and 

Ottawa managers of 20th 

Century Theatres have had visits from Meyer 

Axler, supervisor of theatres at the head 

office. 

$260,000 Bonuses Given 

By Canadian Kodak Co. 

MONTREAL—Canadian Kodak Co. distributed 

bonuses totaling approximately $260,- 

000 to about 1,250 employes. The 1948 wage 

dividend rate is the same as that for 1947, 

but due to increased wages and salaries, the 

total amount of the dividend is the largest 

ever distributed by ihe company. It compares 

with $222,000 paid employes a year ago. The 

payment brings the total amount distributed 

to Kodak employes in Ganada since the plan 

started in 1912 to about $3,000,000 and the 

worldwide distribution to approximately 

$103,000,000. 

Trailer on Insane Homes 

Required for 'Snake Pit' 

REGINA, SASK— Evidently feeling sensitive 

over the nursing profession and mental 

institutions in Saskatchewan, the censor 

board here first banned "The Snake Pit." but 

later following an appeal permitted its showing 

on condition a trailer was added emphasizing 

that such conditions as were pictured 

do not exist in the mental houses nor 

in the nursing profession of Saskatchewan. 

"The Snake Pit" was passed by the Alberta 

board of censors without any such condition. 

USED THEATRE CHAIRS 

All loin in A-l condition at only $3.75 each. Now 

located along Canadian border. All chain guaronload 

and lull refund will be made ii dii.aujlied. 

Term* oiler. d il to deiiied. Contact us 

loday while the eelectione are unlimited. 

ALBANY THEATRE SUPPLY CO. 

1046 BROADWAY Plum. 5-5055 ALBANY. N. Y. 


Ill

Canadian Exhibitors and Film Critics 

Show Little Agreement on Ten Best 

TORONTO—A recent poll on the ten 

best features of the last year, conducted 

by a Canadian film weekly, disclosed a 

w.de variance of opinion between exhibitors 

and newspaper film critics. Only one 

picture, "Sitting Pretty," appeared on both 

lists, the managers rating it No. 1 while 

the critics placed it No. 4. 

The newspaper folk gave top rating to 

a British picture, "Hamlet," and seventh 

position to "Oliver Twist," but the exhibitors 

left English productions off altogether. 

Another unusuul fact was that theatre 

managers rated Bing Crosby as No. 1 

among the ten best stars but his name 

did not appear ir_ the critics' poll, which 

showed Sir Laurence Olivier at the top, 

followed by Jane Wyman who was not in 

the first ten in the theatre managers' vote. 

The ten best boxoffice pictures were: 

Sitting Pretty, My Wild Irish Rose, The 

St. John's, N. F.. will be opened not later 

than early May. Construction operations are 

reported proceeding at a satisfactory pace. 

The Capitol will be located on the fourth or 

top floor of a new brick and steel building. 

Seating installations will be started before 

the end of March ... A new marquee and 

Neon sign have been installed at the Capitol 

at Halifax by Famous Players. 

Mary Crowder, formerly a performer in the 

Ice-Capades skating lineup, has turned to 

tubthumping for ice shows. She was in Halifax 

and Moncton paving the publicity program 

for the "Ice Cycles." For one night 

special trains were run from Truro. Bridgewater 

and Kentville to the Halifax show, and 

from St. John and Amherst to the Moncton 

booking. 

A small girl came into the lobby of the Regent, 

St. John, with a pair of girls' stockings 

in her hand. She asked to be allowed to take 

the hosiery to her bigger sister in one of the 

seats because, she said, sister had walked out 

of their home wearing her father's socks and 

he needed them immediately so he could go to 

work. The change in leg coverings was made 

at the seat and the smaller girl walked out 

with her daddy's socks. 

For "The Best Years of Our Lives," the 

Arview at Halifax, now concentrating on 

night shows except on Saturday and holidays, 

opened at 5 p. m. instead of 6 . . . For its 

16th anniversary, the Gaiety, Halifax, of- 

Puller Brush Man, Duel in the Sun, Green 

Grass of Wyoming, The Best Years of 

Our Lives, Easter Parade, Road to Rio, 

Unconquered and The Secret Life of 

Walter Mitty. 

The ten pictures selected by the critics: 

Hamlet, Johnny Belinda, The Treasure of 

Sierra Madre. Sitting Pretty. The Naked 

City, Gentleman's Agreement, Oliver 

Twist, Rope. The Search and I Remember 

Mama. 

The stars picked by exhibitors were 

Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Betty Grable, Ingrid 

Bergman, Alan Ladd, Gregory Peck, 

Abbott and Costello, Cary Grant, Gary- 

Cooper and Esther Williams. 

The film reviewers selected the following: 

Sir Laurence Olivier, Jane Wyman, 

Clifton Webb, Jean Simmons, Ronald Colman, 

Humphrey Bogart, Montgomery 

Clift, Irene Dunne, Barbara Stanwyck and 

Walter Huston, in that order. 

ST. JOHN 

Qurrent indications are that the Capitol at subject was "My Girl Tisa" . . . C. E. Woodbury, 

has become a projectionist at the Family. 

Halifax, succeeding the late Laurie Borden, 

who had been there about 18 yeais. 

Woodbury had been doing relief Work in 

Halifax and Dartmouth booths. He previously 

was at the Savoy and Russell in Glace 

Bay. He's originally from Bridgewater, N.S. 

In returning to St. John after a two-week 

business trip to Manhattan, Mitchell Franklin 

was accompanied by Sam Babb, his brotherin-law 

and manager of the Mayfair. Babb 

was coming home from a six-week vacation 

at Miami Beach, where he had been guest 

of his father-in-law Joe Franklin and Mrs. 

Mitch Franklin for about five weeks. The 

Joe Franklins will not return home until 

around May 1 . . . Hilary Howes, new assistant 

manager of the Paramount, was a 

sprint swimmer in elementary and high 

school. 

Doris Selick, for about a decade on the 

MGM office staff, was married to Sam Mendelson 

of Sydney, N. S. at a local hotel. Prior 

to the wedding, she was partied by members 

of the exchange staff and given a dinner by 

Manager Abe Smith. A mahogany table 

was given to her. A special film program 

was screened. 

Morris Stein on Panel 

Judging Film Awards 

TORONTO—Morris Stein, eastern division 

Edward Roche Is Elected 

Family Club President 

HALIFAX—At the annual meeting of the 

Family club, composed of employes of Halifax 

and Dartmouth theatres, Freeman Skinner, 

one of the club's founders and manager 

of the new Paramount, said the organization 

has raised over $3,500 during the last three 

years to provide wearing • apparel, toys, comforts 

and treats for orphaned boys and girls 

in Halifax homes. 

Skinner is past president of the club. New 

officers elected for the club are Edward 

Roche, president; Mrs. D. Seward, vice-president; 

Mrs. F. Boyle, secretary: Dorothy 

Creighton, treasurer. Directors are Richard 

Shaw, Mrs. S. Mortimer, Mrs. C. Creighton 

and Mrs. F. Skinner. 

Father J. E. Mills praised the club for its 

work in behalf of the orphaned children. 

Film shows, with treats of candy, fruit and 

pop are furnished by the club several times 

a year, both at the institutions and in local 

theatres. 

The Family club was originally limited to 

employes of Famous Players Theatres, but 

eligibility was widened about a year ago. 

Jules Laine of Toronto 

Wills $591,995 Estate 

TORONTO—Jules Laine, a pioneer of the 

film industry in Canada who died last October 

1, left an estate of $591,995, it was revealed 

by probate of the will in the surrogate 

court of York county. He was a founder oi 

Columbia Pictures in the Dominion. Assets 

included bonds and debentures valued at 

S307.487, debts and promissory notes of $126,- 

900, real estate worth $72,880 and stock 

valued at $72,228. 

Under the provisions of the will, Rose 

Laine. the widow, receives 40 per cent of the 

estate while the income of 60 per cent goes 

to Mrs. Laine until the son Michael reaches 

25, when he will receive half of this balance 

and the remainder at 30 years. A housekeeper, 

Sylvia Ramsay, is to be employed for 

five years and will receive an annuity. 

Exhibitors Ads Tied-In 

With Film Radio Show 

TORONTO—Two British films distributed 

in Canada by International Film Distributors, 

were dramatized on "Curtain Time at 

Buckingham Theatre." a CBC Dominion-network 

show. The films, "Brighton Rock" and 

"Ghost of Berkley Square." were aired over 

45 stations in the network. Advance publicity 

was sent to all Buckingham cigaret 

dealers who sponsor the show and to daily 

newspaper film and radio columnists by Mac- 

Laren Advertising Co., agency for the Tuckett 

Tobacco Co. Exhibitors tied in with the programs 

by plugging local playdates via newspaper 

and radio spots before and after the 

program. 

UA to Release Dual Bill 

NEW YORK—United Artists will release in 

Canada the double-billed foreign film pro- 

fered Frank's Radio Cowboy show in addition 

to two feature films at 20 and 35 cents. A 

manager for Famous Players Canadian, is 

the latest addition to the judges panel of the 

midnight show on Sundays was 50 

Canadian Film Awards. The awards originated 

gram of "Passionelle" and "Torment," ac- 

cents. 

with the Canadian Ass'n for Adult cording to Gradwell L. Sears, president. The 

At the Yarmouth Community, Manager Education and will be presented' for "distinguished 

productions" in 1948. They are double bill program in the U.S. by Martin 

French and Swedish films were released as a 

Syd Wyman introduced an approval of "Who 

Will Teach Your Child" by the Canadian designed to recognize significant Canadian Levine and Oliver Unger. 

Federation of Teachers. Wyman printed a creative effort. Other judges are James 

resume of the film in making a direct appeal 

to parents. Coupled with this educational 

Beveridge, Donald Buchanan, F. R. Crawley. 

Walter Herbert and Graham Mclnnis. 

Ann Sot hern has been signed for the femme 

stellar role in RKO's "Come Share My Love." 

112 March 26, 1949

. . Jack 

. . 

. . three 

Head of Audio Films 

On Tour With Bride 

CALGARY—A tribute to the people of Canada 

was paid by Mrs. Arthur Gottlieb of 

Toronto during an interview while she was 

a visitor here recently. The bride of five 

months was here with her husband, who has 

a controlling interest in Audio Pictures and 

Film Industries in Toronto, during a circular 

tour of the United States, across Canada 

and back to New York before Easter. 

The widow of the late Mark Bellinger, who 

died of a heart attack last summer, Mrs. 

Gottlieb began her career as Gladys Glad, a 

model. When only 14 she won a beauty 

contest, and her subsequent rise in the entertainment 

world was climaxed by appearances 

in the Ziegfeld Follies. Still later, she 

wrote a daily newspaper column devoted 

largely to beauty hints. 

Writing of the column was the result of an 

interview with a prominent publisher. She 

is much latent talent remaining to be discovered 

in Canada. 

"One Canadian girl who is certain to go 

Ontario Drive-Ins Sold 

To Toronto Theatremen 

BRANTFORD, ONT—Two drive-ins, in 

Brantford and Preston, owned by the Sunset 

Theatres, have been sold to a group headed 

by A. C. Cowan of Toronto. Sunset Theatres 

was operated and financed by Brantford 

interests. Prior to the sale to Cowan, 

the directors of the company were W. H. 

Summerhayes. Leonard Bethel, H. Louis 

Hagey, G. R. Crichton and Charles Smith. 

No Comment on London Report 

OTTAWA—There was no official comment 

from government sources at Ottawa on the 

report from London, England, that John 

Grierson was planning to produce a documentary 

film on Anglo-Canadian relations 

for the British government. Grierson was 

commissioner of Canada's National Film 

Board until his resignation four years ago. 

IN-A-CAR SPEAKERS; 

SPEAKER POSTS 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO.— K. C. Mo. 

Popular Satire in 

MONTREAL—The brief 

meteoric career of 

a goose whose golden-egg laying activities 

throw the financial world for a loss is uniquely 

portrayed in the new Canadian Cameo 

film short, "All About Emily." Produced by 

Associated Screen studios, here, and directed 

by Gordon Sparling, "All About Emily" is 

based on the radio satire written by Lister 

Sinclair, when the New York Times has 

ranked as one of the four best radio playwrights 

on this continent. 

Man's cupidity and avarice are sharply 

pointed up in this sparkling short, which also 

makes the gold standard look a bit silly. 

The plot is simplicity itself. The Donald 

Freeningtons, typical Canadian suburbanites, 

buy a goose for a pet. Immediately, the 

silly thing— to show its gratitude—starts laying 

golden eggs. When the Preeningtons attempt 

to cash in on their bonanza, they are 

promptly slapped into the bastille for illegal 

inspected cosmetic factories and studied various 

dieting systems. At one time it was 

said that her daily column was more widely 

read than those conducted by her former 

husband and by Walter Winchell. 

MONTREAL 

During the present tour, the Gottliebs are 

scouting for talent and for locations which 

•THie Jewish population here is looking forward 

to the Canadian premiere of the 

may be used in films to be made by the 

Gottlieb interests. Both believe that there 

Yiddish dialog film, "A People Eternal," which 

brings Jewish history to the screen for the 

first time. The film was completed in Israel 

W. Elman, manager for Columbia, has returned 

from New York where he attended 

the wedding of his niece . . . Edgar Hamel 

has left for Levis to open Foto Nite at the 

Canada Theatre there owned and operated 

by Armand Gingras . . . Congratulations to 

Grattan Kiely, manager at Warners, on the 

birth of his third child, 

a baby girl. 

Adrien Lapierre, owner of the Capitol, 

Beauharnois, returned from New Orleans 

where he enjoyed the Mardi Gras celebrations. 

He dropped in at local exchanges on 

the way home . Kroll is back at his 

desk as booker for Warners following a sevenweek 

stay at the Veterans hospital, where he 

underwent an operation for an injured hand. 

Denise Poirier, secretary to Mort Prevost, 

manager of Quebec Cinema Booking, who 

broke her ankle while skiing at Mont Tremblant, 

is at her desk with the foot in a 

plaster . . . Key Sheehy. secretary to Grattan 

Kiely. received Filmrow congratulations 

on her birthday March 16. 

New Cameo Short 

possession of gold. Emily becomes incorporated 

for the benefit of a selfish few. Gold 

stocks nosedive, financiers exit via the Colt 

route, the financial world is in pandemonium 

—and all because of one little goose. 

This dire threat to the financiers' vested 

rights suddenly becomes the gastronomic piece 

de resistance for two of their hirelings, with 

an assist from a long, sharp knife. This 

finishes the golden egg business, they think. 

The picture comes to a dramatic and hilarious 

end when a radio announcer's voice 

is heard flashing the news that an unknown 

goose in western Canada has suddenly started 

laying golden eggs . at a time 

... all of which arc diamond encrusted, 

proving, after all, that you can't stop progress. 

Sinclair's "All About Emily" was first heard 

over the Trans-Canada network of the Canadian 

Broadcasting Corp. on the Stage 48 

program. The film is being released. 

Distributors Elect 

Gordon Liqhlstone 

TORONTO—Gordon Lightstone, Canadian 

division manager for Paramount, was elected 

to serve a third 

term as president of 

the Canadian Motion 

PlctV re Distributors 

Ass'n at an annual 

far is Barbara Ann Scott, the skating star," 

An opportunity was available to businessmen 

Gottlieb declared. "She has the personality, 

of Montreal to preview some outstanding 

the appearance and the ability." 

"free enterprise" films when they were shown 

The young Toronto skating champion is no 

meeting held 

in the Bell Telephone Co. theatre, under 

recently. 

stranger to Gottlieb, since he helped in 

making two shorts in which Miss Scott appeared, 

Champion 

chairmanship of W. J. Sheridan of the 

the 

Canadian Chamber of Commerce. 

Harvey 

Columbia 

Harnick 

Pictures 

of 

of 

"A in the Making" and 

by 

open at the Monkland April 6 

dorf, 

Film Distributors, as 

Canada was elected to 

"Dancing Blades." 

"Opportunity Knocked," a show sponsored succeed Dave Gries- 

The Gottliebs have two adopted children in 

the Canadian Broadcasting Corp., will 

International 

New York, a boy and a girl, both eight years 

. . Another 

long run at the Avenue was played by "The vice-president. Fred C. 

old. She said during the interview that no 

producer as yet has secured rights to film a 

Last One," which ran for six weeks . . . 

Dillon's recent appointment 

as executive biography of the late Mark Hellinger. 

Bob Hope will come to Montreal next month 

Gordon Lightxtonc 

for a personal appearance at the . Forum director was confirmed by the directors. In 

Tom Dowbiggin, district manager for Paramount, 

addition, Dillon also acts as secretary-treas- 

has returned from a ten-day holiday urer of the organization. 

in Bermuda . . . Leslie A. Allan, general Members of the board of directors, in addition 

manager for Cardinal Films, called, on Ted 

to Lightstone. Harnick and Gries- 

dorf: A. W. Perry, Empire Universal: L. M. 

Atkinson, Montreal manager. 

Devaney, RKO Distributing Corp.; Haskell 

Masters. Warner Bios. Pictures Distributing 

Co.; C. S. Chaplin, United Artists Corp.; 

Arthur Silverstone. 20th Century-Fox Film 

Corp.: T. J. Gould. MGM Pictures of Canada, 

and F. H. Fisher, Eagle Lion of Canada. 

June 6 a Holiday 

OTTAWA—The government has proclaimed 

Monday. June 6. as a statutory holiday for 

the observance of the birthday of Kinu 

George. The kings birthday actual!'. 

cember 14. 

State Gets More Tax in '48 

JEFFERSON CITY—Missouri's 2 per cent 

sales tax extracted a total of $70,356,299 from 

the pockets of the men. women and children 

of the state during 1948. as compared with 

$63,723,621 the year before. Ralph Copher, 

state collector of revenue, has revealed. 

Amusement admissions are included in the 

sales 

tax. 


113

j 

1 

ijw^ 1^ LJ^»t^^

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 21 key cities 

checked. As new runs are reported, ratings 

are added and averages revised. 

BAROMETER 

TOP HITS OF THE WEEK 

*Paisan— 

San Francisco 200 

Command Decision— 

Minneapolis 150 

Dark Past. The— 

Seattle 150 

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.

Me. 

i EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY 

ABOUT — 

PICTURES 

Just as the Barometer page shows first run reports on current pictures, this 

department is devoted for the most part to reports on subsequent runs, made 

by exhibitors themselves. A one-star contributor is new, two stars mean the exhibitor 

has been writing in for six months or longer, and a three-star contributor 

is a regular of one year or more, who receives a token of our appreciation. All 

exhibitors welcome. ' 

COLUMBIA 

— 

Coroner Creek (Col)—Randolph Scott, Marguerite 

Chapman, George Macready. Usuually 

our people do not come in strong for 

Cinecolor but this was different. We had 

extra business and our action fans were well 

Fri., pleased. Played Sat. Weather: Fair. 

Earl A. London, State Theatre, Olivet, Mich. 

Small town, rural and college patronage. * 

Down to Earth (Col)—Rita Hayworth, Larry 

Parks, Marc Piatt. What a show—but too 

much basketball to induce them to come in, 

no matter how good a show you had. Sorry 

more could not have enjoyed this good, glamorous, 

and "Down to Earth" good picture. 

With Rita and Larry, what more can you ask 

for? It did below average business, though. 

Played Sat., Sun. Weather: Good.—W. H. 

Swan, Auditorium Theatre, Roscoe, S. D. 

Rural patronage. * * * 

Mating of Millie, The (Col)—Glenn Ford, 

Evelyn Keyes, Ron Randall. This light little 

comedy was just what I needed for my midweek 

boxoffice slump. Glenn Ford and Evelyn 

Keyes made a swell team. I believe this is 

the kind of entertainment that theatre patrons 

throughout the country want in their movie 

diet regularly. Played this along with a Hugh 

Herbert comedy, "Tall, Dark and Gruesome," 

to better than average business. No unfavorable 

comments, and that's swell these 

days. Played Tues., Wed. Weather: Fair and 

warm. "Art" V. Phillips, Haymond Theatre, 

Cromona, Ky. Mining and small town patronage. 

* * 

Swordsman, The (Col)—Larry Parks, Ellen 

Drew, George Macready. This is a fine little 

picture, beautiful color, nice cast, plenty of 

action, a good story and a reasonable price 

everything you could ask for . . . But there 

just one thing wrong—nobody came 

was s'.ill 

to the darned thing. Oh, well, I enjoyed it, 

when I could get my mind off the boxoffice. 

I lost my shirt. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: 

Terrible.—Robert Walker, Uintah Theatre, 

Fruita, Colo. Rural patronage. 

Whirlwind Raiders (Col)—Charles Starrett, 

Smiley Burnette, Fred Sears. A good Durango 

Kid entry. Starrett is fine as usual in the 

action sequences and Smiley Burnette adds 

much to these shows. Played Thurs., Fri. 

Weather: Cold.—Arthur E. Phifield, Park Theatre, 

' 

South Berwick, Small town pa- 

tronage. * * * 

EAGLE LION 

Enchanted Valley, The (ED—Alan Curtis, 

Anne Gwynne, Donn Gift. Another mediumpriced 

picture that did okay. Nothing big, 

but seemed to please. Played Wed., Thurs. 

Weather: Fair.—John N. Allison, New Vivian 

Theatre, Carlisle, Ind. Small town and rural 

patronage. 

Hold That Ghost (EL)—Reissue. Bud Abbott, 

Lou Costello, Joan Davis. Excellent all 

the way around. Joan Davis nearly steals the 

show and the Andrews sisters and Ted Lewis 

give out with a nice musicdl interlude. Again 

I say the all-around quality of these older 

pictures is hard to find today. Played Wed., 

Thurs. Weather: Good.—W. D. Rasmussen, 

Star Theatre, Anthon, Iowa. Small town patronage. 

* * 

Noose Hangs High. The (EL)—Lou Costello, 

Bud Abbott, Cathy Downs. Abbott and Costello 

have never failed us (with the exception 

of "The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap"). 

Best draw in a long time and they loved it. 

Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Cold with mud. 

—Mrs. Pat W. Murphy, Queen Theatre, Holliday, 

Tex. Oil field patronage. 

Northwest Stampede (EL) — James Craig, 

Joan Leslie, Jack Oakie. Adjectives cannot 

describe how fine and good this show was. It 

has action in the horse roundups and the 

rodeos; the coloring of the mountains and 

the out-of-doors was out of this world. The 

comedy furnished by James, Joan and Jack, 

plus that of "Mile Away," kept the audience 

in stitches at times. The white stallion and 

the collie dog were superb. In fact, this show 

is one of the best I've ever had in my rural 

situation. Played Mon., Tues. Weather: Cold 

and clear.—I. Roche, Vernon Theatre, Vernon, 

Fla. Rural and small town patronage. * * * 

Return of Rin Tin Tin (EL)—Rin Tin Tin III, 

Donald Woods, Bobby Blake. This is pretty 

thin as the story has been told time and time 

again but it still draws average business 

for "dog-and-horse" theatres. Played Sunday. 

Weather: Cool.—Rahl and Hanson, California 

Theatre, Kerman, Calif. Small town and rural 

patronage. 

Untamed Fury (EL)—Gaylord Pendleton, 

Mary Conwell, Mikel Conrad. This is pretty 

corny, with a bunch of ham actors. I don't 

know what this would do in good weather. 

No business because of a bad storm both 

days. Played Sat. Weather: Cold and 

storms.—Ray 

Fri., 

S. Hanson, Fox Theatre, Fertile, 

Minn. Rural and small town patronage. * 

FILM CLASSICS 

Blonde Ice (FC) — Robert Paige, Leslie 

Brooks, Russ Vincent. This is a slow-moving, 

unnatural vehicle that seemed to have gone 

past the finish after the second reel. Pass 

one up and save your valuable dates for 

this 

something that makes sense. It will get you 

plenty of icy stares from both blonds and brunets. 

Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Warm. 

Philip Cohnstein, Midway Theatre, Perrine, 

Fla. Rural patronage. 

Sofia (FC)—Gene Raymond, Sigrid Gurie, 

Patricia Morison. We could write better stuff 

than this ourselves. Our booker ran this with 

a Roy Rogers to get it over. The people 

came to see Rogers but they wouldn't have 

come at all for "Sofia." Played Fri.. Sat. 

Weather: Cool.—Rahl and Hanson, California 

Hope Springs Eternal 

In Showman's Breast 

OAYS C. J. Otts, Royse Theatre, Royse 

City, Tex.: 

"Wonder if other exhibitors find it as 

difficult to report as I do. Somehow the 

picture I'm playing today and tomorrow 

take such strong precedence in greatness 

that those of yesterday seem inconsequential. 

"Perhaps that's what makes show business 

that big 'hope,' along with the immediate 

work and planning. All the same, 

I carefully follow exhibitor reports and 

now and then pass up a clinkeroo because 

brother exhibitors tipped me off 

in time. If those who get early bookings 

would report more consistently, they 

would lend a great service to small town 

exhibitors." 

Patrons Laughed So Hard 

Operator Was Worried 

TROUBLE IN SUNDOWN (RKO) — 

Reissue. George O'Brien, Rosalind Keith, 

Ray Whitley. As good a western as can 

be gotten. Plenty of good, musical numbers 

and good fights—just what the kids 

like. The comedies. "Bar Buckaroo" and 

Sheepish Wolf" were tremendous. The 

operator in the booth thought people 

were in a panic, they laughed so much. 

The ticket-seller sent word in to the 

ushers to tell them to be quiet, which 

was of course out of the question, as it 

could not be done. We want them to 

laugh, so make more of 'em, Columbia 

and RKO.—W. H. Swan, Auditorium 

Theatre, Roscoe, S. D. Rural patronage. 

* * » 

Theatre, Kerman, Calif. Small town and rural* 

patronage. * * * 

METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER 

Date With Judy, A (MGM)—Wallace Beery, 

Jane Powell, Elizabeth Taylor. More, more, 

more like this! The color is fine and Jane 

Powell and Elizabeth Taylor are appealing. 

We had heavy competition and the boxoffice 

was not what we had hoped. Those who 

came loved it. Played Sun., M°n. Weather: 

Windy and muddy roads.—R. E. Halstead, 

Tri-Town Theatre, Lindstrom, Minn. Rural 

and small town patronage. * * * 

Date With Judy, A (MGM)—Wallace Beery, 

Selena Royle, Carmen Miranda. This gave 

us a very good Sunday and our patrons were 

well pleased. Beautiful Technicolor, good 

story and fine music—a picture we were very 

proud to show. In spite of these qualities, 

the picture does not have strong enough 

draw to warrant percentage. Played Sun., 

Mon. Weather: Good.—Earl A. London, State 

Theatre, Olivet, Mich. Small town, rural and 

college 

patronage. 

UEaster Parade (MGM)— Judy Garland, 

Fred Astaire, Peter Lawford. This is a very 

good picture but is not up to what you expect 

from producers like MGM. It seemed to lack 

something. Judy just doesn't look and act 

like herself. Played Sun., Mon., Tues. Weather: 

Cold.—Bill Leonard, Leonard Theatre, Cedarvale, 

Kas. Small town and rural patronage. 

No Minor Vices (MGM)—Dana Andrews, 

Lilli Palmer, Louis Jourdan. All we can say 

for this is if we'd seen the tradeshowing before 

buying it, Metro couldn't have given us 

the picture to run free. This kind of junk 

couldn't please anyone.—Henley and Burris 

Smith. Imperial Theatre, Pocahontas, Ark. 

Small town patronage. 

Romance of Rosy Ridge, The (MGM)—Van 

Johnson, Thomas Mitchell, Janet Leigh. While 

I played this very late, it did well at the boxoffice 

and all comments were good. I would 

personally rate this as a fine show and bound 

to please almost everyone. Played Sun.. 

Mon. Weather: Very cold.—Arthur E. Phifield, 

Park Theatre, South Berwick, Me. Small town 

patronage. 

Secret Land, The (MGM)—Navy documentary 

with narration by Robert Montgomery, 

Robert Taylor and Van Heflin. A very interesting 

and educational show for young and 

old alike, in Technicolor. Fair crowd for 

midweek and comments were good. Played 

Tuesday only.—.Vincent H. Rost, Dixie Theatre, 

New Madrid, Mo. Small town and rural 

patronage. 

Secret Land, The (MGM)—U.S. navy documentary, 

with narration by Robert Montgomery, 

Robert Taylor and Van Heflin. This is the 

true story of the Byrd expedition and one 

of the best pictures of the year. It is very 

BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: March 26, 1949

• 

RKO 

— 

educational and everyone should see it, so 

advertise plenty. failed to do so and the 

it I 

crowds were small. I am sure more would 

have come had they known more about it. 

Played Sat., Sun. Weather: Good.—T. M. 

111. Patton, Scenic Theatre, Lexington, Small 

town patronage. 

Hall, Billy Benedict. Played this on Fri., Sat. 

with Bob Wills' short (U-I) and had the best 

Fri., Sat. since last spring. The Bowery Boys 

are well liked here. Weather: Good.—Lloyd 

Hutchins, Pangburn Theatre, Pangburn, Ark. 


WBabe Ruth Story. The (Mono)—William Bendix, 

Claire Trevor, Charles Bickford. We 

played this up late and it still did all right 

and pleased our audience. Played Tues., 

Wed, Thurs. Weather: Fair.—John N. Allison, 

New Vivian Theatre, Carlisle, Ind. Small 

town and rural patronage. 

Prairie Express (Mono) — Johnny Mack 

Brown, Raymond Hatton, Virginia Belmont. 

This is as good a western as one can ask for 

and the price is right. Why pay more? The 

two-reel comedy with Edgar Kennedy is tops, 

too, "Do or Diet." It kept the crowd roaring 

the time. A nice program. Played Wednesday. 

Weather: Cold and snow.—W. H. Swan, 

all 

Auditorium Theatre, R6scoe, S. D. Rural patronage. 

* * * 

PARAMOUNT 

Accused. The (Para)—Loretta Young, Robert 

Cummings, Wendell Corey. Here is good 

acting but with us just another "whodunit." 

This was voted one of the ten best of 1948 

by Look magazine, which oddly enough came 

out two days before I played it—but they still 

stayed home. Played Wednesday only. 

Weather: Clear.—Kenneth Clem, Earle Theatre, 

Taneytown, Md. Small town patronage. * 

Beyond Glory (Para)—Alan Ladd, Donna 

Reed, Tom Neal. For my money, this was a 

clinker. Not much entertainment and Ladd 

just doesn't mean a thing. Business was very 

bad. Played Sun, Mon.—Jim Haney, Milan 

Theatre, Milan, Ind. Farmers and distillery 

worker patronage. 

Big Clock. The (Para)—Ray Milland. Charles 

Laughton, Maureen O'Sullivan. A good show 

and all liked it, and i: did nice business considering 

the basketball tourney all around us 

Sat, Sun. Milland did a fine job. So did 

Laughton and Rita Johnson. Played Sat, Sun. 

Weather: Cool and good.—W. H. Swan, Auditorium 

Theatre, Roscoe, S. D. Rural patronage. 

Caged Fury (Para) — Richard Denning, 

Sheila Ryan, Mary Beth Hughes. This is a 

very good low-priced program picture. We 

did extra business with this circus story plus 

a western on the weekend. Played Fri, Sat. 

Weather: Rain and snow.— Arthur E. Phifield, 

Park Theatre, South Berwick, Me. Small '.own 

patronage. 

Shaggy (Para) — Brenda Joyce, George 

Nokes, Robert Shayne. This is a very good 

dog picture in color, which pleased the Fri, 

Sat. trade. Business was good on it so I 

advise you to play it.—E. M. Freiburger, 

Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town 

patronage. 

OState of the Union (MGM) — Spencer 

Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Van Johnson. 

There should be more pictures like this. I 

never thought politics could be entertaining 

but is very much so in this swell Metro picture. 

RADIO 

OBest Years of Our Lives. The (RKO)— 

Everyone had some nice comments for 

Myrna Loy, Frederic, March, Dana Andrews. 

it and several even raved that it's the best 

picture of the year. Katharine Hepburn has Old now but it still drew average business, 

never been more delightful. Her performance 

of the very best productions this exhibitor 

should rate an Oscar. Van Johnson scores, 

.has ever run, bar none. A wonderful 

too. That scene with Edith King was hilarious. job of picture making. Played Sun, Mon, 

Thanks, Metro—and Liberty Films— for producing 

such a grand movie.—Harvey Kelly, Theatre, Anthon, Iowa. Small town patron- 

Tues. Weather: Fair.—W. D. Rasmussen, Star 

Plaza Theatre, Omaha, Neb. Suburban patronageage. 

* 

Fighting Father Dunne (RKO)—Pat O'Brien, 

This Time for Keeps (MGM)—Esther Williams, 

Darryl Hickman, Una O'Connor. A picture 

that was a pleasure to exhibit and drew favorable 

Lauritz Melchior, Jimmy Durante. This 

a show that seemed to please almost everybody 

comments from 

combined 

everyone who saw 

and 

and business was good, too. is 

Techni- 

it. It successfully smiles tears 

color enhanced the many beautiful shots of into excellent entertainment. Played Sun, 

scenery found in the film. Play it, by all Mon. Weather: Stormy. — Harold Goulding, 

means. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Fair and Richey Theatre, Richey, Mont. Small town 

and rural patronage. 

cold.—Arthur E. Phifield, Park Theatre, South 

Berwick, Me. Small town patronage. * * * 

Fighting Father Dunne (RKO)—Pat O'Brien, 

Darryl Hickman, Una O'Connor. This is a 

MONOGRAM 

wonderful picture, very similar to "Boys 

Angels' Alley (Mono)—Leo Gorcey, Huntz Town." It did no business for some unexplainable 

it 

reason. Those who did see liked 

it very much. Played Wed, Thurs. Weather: 

BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: March 26, 1949 

How to Patch Film, 

By an 'Old Buck' 

TJAY S. HANSON of the Fox Theatre at 

Fertile, Minn., writes more about the 

film patch situation: 

'In regard to all the comments about 

Trucolor patches not holding up, let me 

add that about 90 per cent of the operators 

don't know how to patch this film. 

In the first place, the color has nothing 

to do with it. This film is a safety base 

and you are informed of this along the 

edges of the film. 

"Next it has double emulsion and must 

be dry-scraped on both sides. Use only 

a cement that is for this film. Check 

your splicers and see that they are clean 

and your film will lie flat across the base 

—and use plenty of tension. I have some 

8mm film that was patched 11 years ago 

and it still holds perfect and 8mm has 

sprocket holes only on one side . . . I'm 

an old buck at running projectors, at 41. 

I 

started 29 years ago." 

Fair and warm.—Mrs. Pat W. Murphy, Queen 

Theatre, Holliday, Tex. Oil field patronage. * * 

Fugitive, The (RKO)—Dolores Del Rio, Pedro 

Armendariz, J. Carrol Naish. This is not small 

town material. We ran it Thursday night only 

because of its appeal to the college students 

and made only a few dollars. Without the 

college we could not have made film rental. 

Weather: Light rain—Earl A. London, State 

Theatre, Olivet, Mich. Small town, rural and 

college patronage. 

Good Sam (RKO)—Gary Cooper, Ann Sheri 

dan, Ray Collins. Good show, good laughs, 

good sound, good direction, good acting, but 

only fair business. After paying percentage 

rentals on this I felt like the "Good Sam" o! 

the picture, giving Mr. Distributor everything 

and not getting a good thank-you for it. After 

operating expenses and film rental we couldn't 

buy a cup of coffee.—Henley and Burris 

Smith, Imperial Theatre, Pocahontas. Ark. 


So Dear to My Heart (RKO)—Burl Ives, 

Bobby Driscoll, Luana Patton. This is just 

about the finest bit of entertainment that 

ever hit our screen. Played five days to the 

biggest gross I ever had. I don't mind percentage 

on a feature like this, but some of the 

dogs that RKO wants percentage on are 

crimes. Played Sun, Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs. 

Weather: Good four days.—Jim Haney, Milan 

Theatre, Milan, Ind. Farmer and distillery 

worker patronage. * * 

Woman on the Beach (RKO)—Joan Bennett, 

Robert Ryan, Charles Bickford. This will 

pass if you doublebill it. It is not as good 

as it should be, with three such good players. 

Played Tues, Wed.—Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, 

Rivesville, W. Va. Small town patronage. 

* * * 

REPUBLIC 

Angel in Exile (Rep)—John Carroll, Adele 

Mara, Thomas Gomez. Plenty of action and 

suspense in this honey from Republic. The 

print excellent and bought right. Small town 

exhibitors can always profit from pictures like 

this one. The customers all satisfied and so 

was I. Played Tues, Wed. Weather: Excellent.—Philip 

Cohnstein, Midway Theatre, Perrine, 

Fla. Rural patronage. 

Grand Canyon Trail (Rep)—Roy Rogers, 

Jane Frazee, Andy Devine. Personally I 

thought this Roy Rogers picture was poor. 

The running time is so short that it should be 

double featured, but who can do that with 

the price asked for a Roy Rogers picture? 

Played Fri, Sat.—W. D. Rasmussen, Star 

Theatre, Anthon, Iowa. Small town patronage. 

* * 

Thunder in the Desert (Rep)—Re-release. 

Bob Steele, Louise Stanley. Good old Bob 

Steele—he always brings them in, and even 

though a reissue, it drew as well as most of 

the new westerns. Played Saturday.—Vincent 

H. Rost, Dixie Theatre, New Madrid, Mo. 

Small town and rural patronage. 

SCREEN GUILD 

Last of the Wild Horses (SG)—James Ellison, 

Jane Frazee, Mary Beth Hughes. An excellent 

with romance, comedy 

outdoor picture and action, similar to "Northwest Stampede." 

Comments good. Played Wed, Thurs.—L. 

jr.. Brazil New Theatre, Bearden, Ark. Small 


20th CENTURY-FOX 

UApartment for Peggy (20th-Fox)—Jeanne 

Crain, William Holden, Edmund Gwenn. My 

this patrons enjoyed immensely. With competing 

attractions, it 

only did average busi- 

ness but is the sort of picture that makes 

an exhibitor feel guilty because he didn't 

its shout value in entertainment from the 

housetops. Played Mon, Tues. Weather: Rain. 

—C. J. Otts, Royse Theatre, Royse, Tex. RuraJ 

patronage. 

Forever Amber (20th-Fox) — Linda Darnell, 

Cornel Wilde, Richard Greene. This broke 

all records. It house packed 'em in for five 

days. Haven't had anything like it since 

GWTW. Everyone was anxious to see the 

picture made from the famous best-seller. 

Everyone seemed to be very pleased with the 

picture. Some even came back to see it 

again. certainly was something to see 

It 

the most vibrant use of striking Technicolor 

I've to yet witness. Linda Darnell made a 

perfect Amber and^ a fine supporting cast 

gave splendid characterizations. Alter taking 

a look at the boxoffice receipts, my hear! 

belongs to Amber forever.—Harvey Kelly, 

Plaza Theatre, Omaha, Neb. Suburban patronage. 

Give My Regards to Broadway (20th-Fox)— 

Dan Dailey, Charles Winninger, Nancy Guild. 

This is a good musical that we played late. 

The gross was low, due to our own late playdate.—D. 

W. Trisko, Ritz Theatre, Jerome. 

Ariz. Mining patronage. 

OHow Green Was My Valley (20th-Fox)— 

(Continued on page 12)

( . 

Is 

( 

FEATURE CHART 

i 

ouiiuo Fiuum.iiouii, iisiea dy company, in order or release. Number in square is nation! 

Production number is at right. Number in parentheses is running time, o 

furnished by 

R—is review 

home office of distributor; checkup 

date. PG—is Picture Guide page 

with local exchanges is recommendet 

number. Symbol U indicates BOXOFTIC 

Blue Ribbon Award Winner. Symbol © indicates color photography. 

MAY 22 

MAY 29 

29] (87) Drama 9 

LADY FROM 

SHANGHAI 

RIU Hayworts 

arson Welles 

Brerett Sloane 

Glenn Anders 

R—Apr. 17—PQ-921 

(5) (66) Drama 

as' (78) Uraa 

ASSIGNED TO DANGER RAW DEAL 

Uetie Raymond 

O'Keete 

Noreen Nash 

Claire Treror 

Robert Rice 

B—May 8—PO-929 

JUNE 5 

jT) (67) Comedy 912 

BLONDIE'S REWARD 

Penny 8lngleton 

Arthur Lake 

Larry Slmms 

R—June 11—PO-941 

(76) Drama K 

fj] 

SWORD OF THE 

AVENGER 

Ramon Del Gado 

Slgrtd Gurle 

Ralph Morgan 

Duncan Kenaldo 

B—May 29—PO-987 

JUNE 12 

[T{ (76) Drama S 

CLOSE-UP 

Alan Baiter 

Virginia Qllmore 

Richard Kollmar 

R—Apr 17—PO-911 

JUNE 19 

(54) Western K 

[J7| 

THE TIOGA KID 

Eddie Dean 

Roscoe Ales 

R—Mar. 20—PG-913 

JUNE 26 

©MICKEY 

Lois Butler 

Bill Goodwin 

John Button 

Hattle McDanlel 

R—June 26—PG-944 

JULY 3 

28] (93) Comedy 928 ~£\ (77) Drama 

FULLER BRUSH MAN THUNDERH00F 

Red Skelton 

It—Maj 16—PO-932 

Preston Foster 

Mar) Stuart 

William Bishop 

[lj (65) Western 96 

BLAZING ACROSS THE 10— PG-94 

July 

PECOS 

R—July 

17—PC-951 

j|oj (83) D 826 

CANON CITY 

Scott Brady 

Charles Russell 

Deforest Kelly 

R—June 26—PG 944 

JULY 10 

(113) Drama K 

HOMECOMING 

Gable 

Lana Turner 

>r. 10—PO-920 

(103) Drama K 

BIG CITY 

.Margaret O'Brien 

Robert Preston 

Danny Thomas 

B—Mar. 17—PG-910 

(101) Musical I 

©THE PIRATE 

Judy Garland 

Gene Kelly 

Walter Sleui 

B—Apr. 3—PO-»18 

y Durante 

Peter Lawford 

Cyd Charlsse 

(163) Musical 

0©EASTER PARAt 

Fred Astalre 

Judy Garland 

Peter Lawford 

Ann Miller 

8—May 19—PO-9SI 

23] (72) Drama 4716 

^WOULDN'T BE IN 

YOUR SHOES 

Don Castle 

Elyse Knol 

Reels Toomey 

K—May 8—PO-927 

(54) Western 4766 [fj] (71) Drama 4715 

[J] 

RANGE RENEGADES STAGE STRUCK 

Jimmy Wakely 

Kane Richmond 

Johnny Mack Brown 

Audrey Long 

Virginia Carroll 

"Cannonball" 

R— Aug. 

Taylor 

14—PO-959 " May 22—PG-938 Raymond Hatton 

(69) Drama 

JINX MONEY 

Leo Gorcey 

Hunt! Hall 

R—May 22—PO-I 

IT] (55) Western 4 

C0W80Y CAVALIER 

Jimmy Wakely 

'Cannonball" 

Taylor 

Group 3 

H 

(68) Drama t 

TARZAN AND THE 

MERMAIDS 

Johnny WeissmuUer 

Linda Christian 

-Apr. 3—PO-917 

28] (»5> Drama 4716 

HAZARD 

Paulette Goddard 

Macdouald Carey 

R—Mar. 20—PO-914 

Group 3 

Reissue 

|5] (63) Western Group 5 

ARIZONA RANGER [|] (65) 

Tin Holt 

BRING 'EM BACK 

Jack Holt 

ALIVE 

Leslie 

Prank Buck 

Apr. 3—PO-917 

(u) (72) Drama 4717 

©SHAGGY 

Brenda Joyce 

Robert Shiyne 

B—Apr. 17—PG-922 

[Fij (101) Drama 4719 

HATTER'S CASTLE 

34) Drama 4719 

WATERFRONT AT 

MIDNIGHT 

William Gargan 

Mary Beth Hughes 

R—May 8—PO-917 

I 5 Group 5 

|^ (93) Drama 816 g| (60) Western 

GUNS OF HATE 

FIGHTING FATHER 

DUNNE 

Tim Holt 

Pat 

Nan 

O'Brien 

Leslie 

R—May 16— PG-931 

Elckman 

Darryl 

Myma Dell 

R—May 15—PG-931 

THE 

Blng Crosby 

Joan Fontaine 

Rlcbard Haydn 

Luclle Watson 

R—May 8—PO-928 

Special 

[f] d"2) Com-Dr 904 

THE BEST YEARS OF 

OUR LIVES 

Fredric March 

Myrna Loy 

Dana Andrews 

R—Dec. 7—PG-769 

\9] (12«) Dr R7-3 

THE CRUSADES 

LoretU Young 

Henry WUcoxon 

Ruth 

John 

Uussey 

Carroll 

Ralston 

It—May 22—PO-934 

||i) (60) M'drama 

I 

SECRET SERVICE 

INVESTIGATOR 

Lynne Roberta 

Lloyd Bridges 

" me 8—PO-939 

JH (67) Mm-West 656 

©THE TIMBER TRAIL 

gl] (60) M'drama 73 

TRAIN TO ALCATRAZ 

Don Barry 

Janet Martin 

B-^July 17—PG-952 

|l) (76) Drama 

THE PRAIRIE 

Lenore Aubert 

Alan Baiter 

Reissue 

jT] (79) Western HC20 u] (71) Drama X-3 

LAW OF THE PAMPAS sIRACLE IN HARLEM 

William Boyd 

Stepln Fetchlt 

Russell Hayden 

Shells Guyse 

Sidney Toler 

rannah Churchill 

-Aug. 14—PQ-959 

H 

(7#) Western HC21 

SANTA FE MARSHAL 

William Boyd 

Russell Hayden 

(63) Comedy 81 

ARTHUR TAKES OVER 

boh CoDlci 

Richard Crane 

Skip Homeler 

Ann B. Todd 

B—Apr. 17—PG-922 

(ill) Drama I 

ANNA KARENINA 

Vivien Leigh 

Ralph Richardson 

R—May 1— PG-925 

(89) Drama 81 (89) Musical 827 

(JOGREEN GRASS OF ©GIVE MY REGARDS 

WYOMING 

TO BROADWAY 

Peggy Cummins 

Dan Dalley 

Charles Coburn 

Charles Wlnnlnger 

Robert Arthuray 

1—PO-925 R—May 

Nancy Guild 

29—PO-937 

(73) Drama 819 

THE COUNTERFEITERS 

John 

Doris 

Hugh 

@ 

8utton 

Merrick 

Beaumont 

(107) Comedy 564 

ON OUR MERRY WAY 

(formerly A MIRACLE 

CAN HAPPEN) 

\11-Star 

Ii—Feb. 

Cast 

7—PQ-898 

(87) Drama 

8ELLE STARR 

Scott-Tlerney 

(71) Drama 831 

FRONTIER MARSHAL 

>lph Scott 

Nancy Kelly 

H (79) Comedy 

SO THIS IS NEW YORK 

Henry Morgan 

Rudy Vallee 

Hugh Herbert 

May 15—PG-931 

(91) Drama 823 

STREET WITH NO 

NAME. THE 

Mark Stevens 

Lloyd Nolan 

Barbara Lawrence 

R—July 10—PQ-960 

(102) Drama 

MINE OWN 

EXECUTIONER 

T\ (89) Drama 

FOUR FACES WE 

McCrea 

Frances Dee 

Charles Btckford 

May ^2—PO-933 

(87) Drama 65 

LETTER FROM AN 

UNKNOWN WOMAN 

loan Fontaine 

Louis Jourdan 

Mady Christians 

tt—Apr. 17—PO-922 

(78) Drama & 

3RIVER LADY 

e De Carlo 

Rod Cameron 

Han Duryea 

May 16—PO-933 

)7) Drama 6( 

ANOTHER PART OF 

THE FOREST 

Fredric March 

Blytb 

Dan Duryea 

R—April 24—PO-924 

(87) Musical 662 

IP IN CENTRAL PARK 

isanna Durbin 

Hick Haymes 

it Price 

R—June 6— PO-940 

(90) Drama 6V 

BAD SISTER 

Margaret Lockwood 

Hunter 

Price 

R—June 12—PQ-942 

(83) Comedy 

ABBOTT & COSTELl 

MEET FRANKEN- 

STEIN 

Abbott * CosteUo 

Lon Chaney 

Bela Lugost 

R—luls 3—PO-947 

(110) Drama 

SILVER RIVER 

Sheridan 

Brrol Flynn 

Thomas Mitchell 

May 8—PO-928 

J§ (77) Drama 71 

WALLFLOWER 

Robert Hution 

loyce Reynolds 

lants Paige 

R—May 22— PG-934 

(80) Drama 7 

THE BIG PUNCH 

Wayne .Morris 

MaiweU 

Gordon MacRei 

B—May 19—PO-937 

QTJ (99) Musical 728 

©ROMANCE ON THE 

HIGH SEAS 

lack Carson 

Paige 

Don DeFore 

R—June 12—PQ-942 

(64) Western New Bel 

DEADLINE 

Sunset Carson 

Pal Starling 

(80) Western Reissue 

THE LAW COMES TO 

TEXAS 

"Wild Bill" Elliott 

(661 Western New Rel 

SUNSET CARSON RIDES 

AGAIN 

Sunset Carson 


LONE STAR PIONEERS 

"Wild BUI" Elliott 

( . . ) Western New Bel 

STALLION CANYON 

Ken Korut 


FRONTIERS OF '49 

"Wild BUI" Ellott 

(62) Western New Rel 

FIGHTING MUSTANG 

Sunset Carson 

Pat Starling 

LOOK OUT SISTER 

(621 Western Reissue 

RETURN OF DANIEL 

BOONE 

Wild Bill" Ellott 

. ) Western Reissue 

IN EARLY ARIZONA 



MAN FROM 

TUMBLEWEEDS 


. ) Western New Bel 

. 

RIO GRANDE 

Sunset Carson 

Evohn Keys 

BOXOFFICE BoolcinGuide :: March 26, 1949

i 

I 

D 

FEATURE CHART 

CHECK RUNNING TIME WITH LOCAL EXCHANGES 

SEPTEMBER 11 SEPTEMBER 18 SEPTEMBER 25 

nfj (66) Dram* ! 

GENTLEMAN FROM 

NOWHERE 

Warner Baiter 

Fay Biker 

Luis Van Rooteo 

K—Oct. 2—PO-973 

[Jo] (76) Western 9 

BLACK EAGLE. THE 

STORY OF A HORSE 

William Bishop 

Virginia Patton 

Gordon Jones 

It—8ept. 4—PG-965 

(Si) 

WALK A CROOKED 

MILE 

Dennis i'Keefe 

K—Sept. 11—PG-968 

rjl (76) Outd'r-Dr 901 

(64) (95) Docum 902 ^ (62) Drama 903 

©NORTHWEST 

STAMPEDE 

©OLYMPIC GAMES IN THIS CORNER 

Brady 

Leslie 

(2 terslons) Annabel Shaw 

James Crali 

Jack 0akle 

?rn, Commen. Jimmy MilUcan 

lept. 4—PG-966 

ChUI Wills 

B—July 10—PQ-950 

(66) Musical 4721 

[JJ 

THE MUSIC MAN 

B—July 24—PO-953 

(197) Blog-Dr AA10 

[JJ 

u'the babe ruth 

STORY 

lllam 

-July 

Bendll 

31— PO-965 

H 

i:; 

(62) Act-Mus 954 

SINGIN' SPURS 

lioosler HoUbots 

£4] (96) Comedy 902 

A SOUTHERN YANKEE 

Red Skelton 

Arllne Dabl 

Brian Donlery 

R—Aug. 7—PG-968 

J4 (89) Drama 

SORRY. WRONG 

UMBER 

Barbara Stanwyck 

[19] (65) M'drama 

JOE PALOOKA 

NNER TAKI 

R—Aug. 28—PG- 

Burt Lancaster 

Richards 

Wendell Corey 

" 

July 31—PG- 

Ml, 

OCTOBER 2 

5oJ (70) Bpec-Aet 104 

TRIPLE THREAT 

Richard Crane 

Gloria Henry 

B—Oct. 9—PG-976 

(102) Mystery 734 

Jg[ 

INTERNATIONAL LADY 

George Brent 

Basil Rathbone 

(117) Drama 

5S (87) Comedy AA8 

4802 

THE DUDE GOES WEST 

'•,. Eddie Albert 

ALL Gale Storm 

4S01 

" 

-May 1—PG-926 

H 

(56) Western 4767 

THE RANGERS RIDE 

Jimmy Wakely 

OCTOBER 9 

Darid Street 

Don McOulre 

R—Oct. 9—PO-976 

HOLLOW TRIUMPH) 

ul Henreld 

Juan Bennett 

Eduard Franz 

Leslie Brooks 

It—Aug. 21—PG-961 

(99) Comedy 

[JJ 

903 

JULIA MISBEHAVES 

Greer Garson 

Walter PldgeoD 

Peter Lawford 

Elizabeth Taylor 

Cesar Romero 

R—Aug. 14—PG-96* 

(55) Western 4754 

[JJ 

THE SHERIFF OF 

MEDICINE BOW 

Johnny Hack Brown 

Mary Hatcher 

Mont Freeman 

Billy DeWolfe 

R—Aug. 21—PG-962 

OCTOBER 16 

[y] 

(56) Western 165 

EL DORADO PASS 

Charles Starrett 

Smiley Burnetu 

Elena Verdugo 

Stefe Darrell 

R—Dee. 11—PG-99J 

(ToJ (73) Drama 91 

©ADVENTURES OF 

GALLANT BESS 

nt Bess 

Cameron Mitchell 

Audrey Long 

i''uzzy Knight 

It—July 31—PG-956 

[loj (66) Ad? 4726 

SMUGGLER'S COVE 

Leo Gorcey 

Bowery Boys 

OCTOBER 23 

g 

(59) Outd'r-Dr 111 

RUSTY LEADS THE 

WAY 

ltd Donaldson 

John Liul 

Ann Dor an 

It—Oct. 16— rO-977 

[17] (62) Mys-Dr 906 

BEHIND LOCKED 

DOORS 

Lucille Bremer 

Richard Carlson 

Douglas Fouley 

Half Harolde 

It—Sept. 18—PO-969 

THOUSAND EYES 

Edward G. Robinson 

Gail Russell 

John Lund 

Virginia Bruce 

It—July 17— PO-951 

OCTOBER 

8) Drama 

©THE LOVES OF 

CARMEN 

Itlta Uayuuru 

It—Aug 21—PO-91 

(79) Super West 

©THE UNTAMED 

BREED 

II—Oct. 

23—PO-M 

5J (119) Od». 

COUNT OF MONTE 

CRISTO 

bert Donal 

5j (102) Adr. 

SON OF MONTE 

CRISTO 

Louis 

Hayward 

Robert Montgomery 

Robert Taylor 

Van Benin 

H—Aug. 28—PG-M 

(57) Western 

g±J 

OUTLAW BRAND 

akely 

Larson 

_ 

Group 2 

63) Mystery 905 

B00YGUAR0 

Lawrence Tleroey 

Prlsellla Lane 

Philip Reed 

Brodle 

ipL 4—PO-96B 

|u] (61) M'drama 717 (60) Western 757 

OUT OF THE STORM DESPERADOES OF 

B—Sept. 28—PO-971 DODGE CITY 

(67) Outd'r-Mus 733 R—Sept. 11—PO-968 

[JJ 

©NIGHTTIME IN 

(60) Western 7 

NEVADA 

©SON OF GOD'S 

Roy Rogers 

COUNTRY 

R—Oct 30—PG-981 It—Sept. 25—PO-971 

115] (72) Comedy S-! 

ING WITH FATE 

I!.!, Dnrr 

i 

THE LUCK 

RISH 

Tyrone Power 

Baxter 

Cecil Kellnway 

J. Cobb 

R—Sept. 4—1 

Group 6 

(66) Mystery 822 

JTJ 

MYSTERY IN HEX-" 

Jacqueline White 

Itlcardo Cortez 

Tony Barrett 

R—July 3—PG-948 

(78) Dram; R 

ESCAPE 

Harrison 

Peggy Cummins 

Will lam Hartnell 

Normal Wooland 

me 5—PO-946 

Special Group 1 

(48) Docum 907 (88) Drama 9 

DESIGN FOR DEATH THE PEARL 

—PG-893 Pedro Armendarlz 

Maria Elena Marques 

Group 6 

t—Feh 21—PG-903 

p] (79) M'drama 821 

RACE STREET 

R—July 3—PO-948 

(139) Drama 638 

©FOREVER AMBER 

Linda Darnell 

Cornell Wilde 

R—Oct. 18—PG-866 

(64) Mystery t 

THE CREEPER 

Eduardo 

Clnelll 

(90) Drama 7 

[JJ 

MOONRISE 

Dane Clark 

Gall Russell 

Ethel Barrytnore 

R—Sept. 18—PG-976 

[TJ (60) Western 758 

DENVER KID 

Reissues 

(108) Comedy S-7 

(TJ 

DUKE OF WEST POINT 

Louis Hayward 

Joan Fontaine 

[TJ (88) Comedy S-8 

MISS ANNIE ROONEY 

Shirley Temple 

Tamara Geta 

Lelf Erlckson 

Roy Roberts 

840 

Group 1 

(92) Drama 9 

[JJ 

RACHEL AND THE 

STRANGER 

Loretta Young 

William Holden 

Robert Mitcbum 

It—Aug. 7—PG-958 

(96) Com-Dr 842 

Ou'd'r-Dr 

ELECTRA 

STATION WEST 

It - ili.'id Russell 

Dick Powell 

Mii'li :'.'! Itedgrave 

Jane Greer 

Raymond Massey 

Agnes Moort'head 

Leo Genn 

Hurl hes. 

li—Dec. 6—PG-879 It—Sept. 4—PO-966 

(64) Western HC24 

STAGECOACH WAR 

lam Boyd 

_ 

(81) Drama 4! 

HARPOON 

John Bromfleld 

ot. 27—PO-990 

(68) Mys-Dr 843 

NIGHT WIND 

Charles 

Gary 

RusseU 

ila Christine 

Gray 

Itidgely 

lames Burke 

:pt. 11—PG-968 

Jl| (60) M'drama 

CODE OF SCOTLANI 

YARD 

H—Sept. 18—PO-971 

Reissue 

3il (57) Outd'r-Mua 

I 

EJ (69) Docum 

SOS SUBMARINE 

It—Oct. 16— PG-971 

(95) M'drama 

CRY OF THE CITY 

Victor Mature 

Itlchard Conte 

I'rrd Clark 

Shelley Winters 

It—Sent 25—PG-97 

(90) Comedy 672 

FOR THE LOVE OF 

MARY 

*>nna Purbtn 

Edmond 

O'Brien 

(126) West-Dr 585 

RED RIVER 

John Wayne 

Montgomery Cllft 

Walter Brennan 

Joanne l>ru 

lly 17— PO-952 

I! —Sept. 11—PG-968 

|5] (65) Jungle Dr 58 

URUBU 

George Breakstone 

ft—Aag. 21— PG-961 

(81) Comedy 5S 

[JJ 

THE GIRL FROM 

MANHATTAN 

Dorothy Lamour 

George Montgomery 

Charles Laughton 

Hugh Herbert 

li—Sept. 25—PO-972 

[JJ (62) Western ! 

STRANGE GAMBLE 

im Boyd 

[TJj (90) Comedy 

(83) Drama 596 

INNOCENT AFFAIR 

(Also DON'T TRUST 

YOUR HUSBAND) 

Fred MacMurray 

, 6—PG-983 

ept. 4—PO-966 

(57) Docum 579 

[lJJ 

THE ANGRY GOD 

R—Oct 30— PG-982 

R—Sept. 

4—PO-966 

gs] (80) Dr.Mi M2 

©ROPE 

James Stewart 

Jokn Dall 

Farley Granger 

Constance Collier 

—Aug. 28— PG-963 

(81) M'drama 803 

[JJ 

SMART GIRLS DON'T 

TALK 

Virginia Mayo 

Bennett 

Robert Button 

R—Sept. 25—PG 971 

g3 (1021 Drama 80 

SJJOHNNY BELINDA 

Jane Wyman 

Chute Blckford 

Agnes Moorehead 

It—Sept. 18— PG-970 

(11T) Drama 105 (86) Drama 

THE PARADINE CASE PORTRAIT OF JENNIE 

Gregory Peck Jennifer Jones 

Valll Joseph Cotten 

Ann Todd Ethel Btrrvmore 

Ethel Barrymore Lillian 

B—Jan 3—PO-888 R—Jan. 1—PO-999 

(89) Drama 

Eng, Film! 

SHOWTIME 

It—June 12—PG-94J 

(7S| 

Musical 

(83) Corned) 

DISC Film. 

QUIET WEEKEND 

R -V: 2—PO-9T3 

(73) Documentary 

Target Films 

STRANGE VICTORY 

R-^luly 24—PO-9M 

(77) Documentary 

LOUISIANA STORY 

(90) Documentary] 

•iford Filmi < 

WHArS ON YOUR 

MIND? 

R^lan. 8— PG-1001 

j 

LIS I I 

-Dr 

MPSC 

PREJUDICE 

R—Mar 

12—PG-10!" 

BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: March 26. 1949

CHECK RUNNING TIME WITH LdCAL EXCHANGES 

FEATURE CHART 

JOVEMBER 6

FEATURE CHART 


| 

JANUARY 1


FEATURE CHART 

EBRUARY 26

1-29-49 

REVIEW DIGEST 

and Alphabetical Picture Guide Index 

1 

987 Accusal. The (100) Para 11-20-48 

997 Act of Violence (82) MGM 12-25-48 

1022 Adventure in Baltimore (89) RKO 3-26-49 

998 Adventures of Don Juan (110) WB. 12-25-48 

956 Adventures of Gallant Bess (73) EL 7-31-48 

1012 Affairs of a Rogue. The (95) Col... 2-19-49 + 

1006 Alias Nick Beal (93) Para 1-22-49 ft 

965 An Act of Murder (90) U-l... 9- 4-48 + 

lOOOAnoel in Exile (90) Ren 1- 1-49 + 

998An el on the Amazon (86) Rep. 12-25-48 ± 

982 Angry God. The (57) UA 10-30-48 = 

969 Apartment for Peggy (96) 20-Fox 9-18-48 ft 

978 Appointment With Murder (67) FC 10-16-48 ± 

953 Arkansas Swing (65) Col 7-24-48 ± 

B 

Story, 955 Babe Ruth The (107) Mono. 7-31-48 44 

1006 Bad Boy (87) Mono 1-22-49 + 

995 Badmen of Tombstone (74) Mono.. .12-18-48 + 

969 Behind Locked Doors (61) EL 9-18-48 + 

982 Belle Starrs Daughter (87) 20-Fox 10-30-48 ± 

964 Betrayal. The (183) Astor 8-28-48 ± 

944 Beyond Glory (82) Para. 6-19-48 ± 

Big Sombrero. The (78) Col 

933 Big Town Scandal (62) Para 5-22-48 ± 

949 Black Arrow, The (76) Col 7-10-48 + 

965 Black Eagle, the Story of a Horse 

(76) Col 9- 4-48 + 

969 Blanche Fury (93) EL 9-18-48 - 

935 Blonde Ice (73) FC 5-22-48 ± 

1021 Bloodies Big Deal (68) Col 3-26-49 ± 

991Blondie's Secret (68) Col 12- 4-48 ± 

985 Blood on the Moon (88) RKO 11-13-48 44 

965 Bodyguard (63) RKO 9- 4-4S + 

1016 Bomba. the Jungle Boy (71) Mono. 3- 5-49 + 

1021 Boston Blackie's Chinese Venture 

(59) Col 3-26-49 ± 

897 Boy With Green Hair. The (82) RKO 11-20-48 * 

1010 Bribe. The (98) MGM 2-12-49 + 

in 1015 Brothers the Saddle (60) RKO.. 3- 5-49 ± 

Bungalow 13 (65) 20-Fox. 

c 

1013 Canadian Pacific (97) 20-Fox .... 2-26-49 + 

1010 Canterbury Tale. A (90) EL 2-12-49 + 

1012 Caught (88) MGM 2-19-49 + 

Challenge of the Range (56) Col 

1019 Champion (99) UA 3-19-49 ff 

996 Chicken Every Sunday (94) 20-Fox. 12-18-48 + 

1015 City Across the River (90) U-l 3- 5-49 44 

1012 Clay Pigeon, The (63) RKO 2-19-49 + 

970 Code of Scotland Yard (60) Rep 9-18-48 + 

997 Command Decision (111) MGM ... .12-25-48 4+ 

1013 Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's 

+ 

Court. A (107) Para 2-26-49 

940 Coroner Creek (90) Col 6- 5-48 44 

Corridor of Mirrors (96) 6-19-48 943 U-l... — 

984 Countess of Monte Cristo, The 

(77) U-l 11- 6-48 ± 

Courtin' Trouble (56) Mono 

1014Co.er-Up (83) UA 2-26-49 44 

Creeper, The (64) 20-Fox 

1005Criss Cross (87) U-f 1-22-49 + 

972 Cry of the City (95) 20-Fox 9-25-48 ± 

D 

955 Daredevils of the Clouds (60) Rep. 7-31-48 + 

1000 Dark Past (75) Col 1- 1-49 + 

1020 Daughter of the Jungle (69) Rep... 3-19-49 ± 

992 Decision of Christopher Blake 

(75) WB 12- 4-48 - 

Denver Kid. The (60) Rep 

896 Design for Death (48) RKO 1-31-48 -f 

968 Desperadoes of Dodge City (60) Rep. 9-11-48 + 

980 Disaster (60) Para 10-23-48 ± 

1007 Don't Take It to Heart (90) EL. , 

1012 Down to the Sea in Ships (120) 

± 

20-Fox 2-19-49 44 

926 Dude Goes West, The (87) Mono.. 5- 1-48 + 

986 Dulcimer Street (112) U-l 11-13,48 ± 

988 Dynamite (67) Para ll-20'-48 ± 

E 

1017 Easy Money (94) EL 3-12-49 ± 

El 993 Dorado Pass (56) Col 12-11-48 ± 

1018 El Paso (102) Para 3-12-49 + 

953 Embriceable You (80) WB 8-31-48 ± 

993 Enchantment (102) RKO 12-11-48 + 

945 End of the River (80) U-l 6-26-48 + 

940 Escape (78) 20-Fox 6- 5-48 ±

. 

.12-18-48 

An interpretative analysis of opinions deducted from the language oi lay 

and trade press reviews. The plus and minus signs indicate the degree 

of favor or disfavor of the review. This department serves also as an 

ALPHABETICAL INDEX to feature releases. Numeral preceding title is 

Picture Guide Review page number. In parentheses after title is running 

time. Date following distributor is BOXOFTTCE review date. Listings cov»r 

current reviews. It is brought up to date regularly. The meaning of the 

various signs and their combinations is as follows: 

ff Very Good; + Good; - Fair; — Poor; = Very Poor. 

In the summary ff is rated as 2 pluses; = as 2 minuses. 

? 

1014 Little Women (122) MGM 2-26-49 

1001 Loaded Pistols (79) Col 1- 8-49 

Lone Wolf and His Lady, The (..) Col... 

923 Lost One. The (84) Col 4-24-48 + 

961 Loves of Carmen, The (98) Col... 8-21-48 + 

965 Luck o( the Irish, The (99) 20-Fox 9- 4-48 ft 

Stiff. Lucky (99) 1008 The UA 1-29-49 ± 

943 Lulu Belle (87) Col 6-19-48 + 

962 Luxury Liner (98) MGM 8-21-48 + 

M 

± 

977 Macbeth (107) Rep 10-16-48 

the 1008 Man About House (93) 20-Fox 1-29-49 ± 

899 Man From Colorado (99) Col 11-20-48 + 

988 Manhattan Angel (68) Col 11-20-48 ± 

Marshal of Amarillo (60) Ren 

+ 

994 Mexican Hayride (77) U-l 12-11-48 

944 Michael 0'Halloran (79) Mono 6-19-48 ff 

977 Million Dollar Weekend (73) EL. .10-16-48 ± 

1003 Miranda (75) EL 1-15-49 + 

Miss Mink of 1949 (69) 20-Fox 

970 Miss Tatlock's Millions (101) Para. 9-18-48 + 

949 Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid 

(89) U-l 7-10-48 + 

997 Mr. Perrin and Mr. Traill (91) ... .12-25-48 + 

970 Moonrise (90) Rep 9-18-48 + 

1016 Mother Is a Freshman (81) 20-Fox 3- 5-49 ff 

879 Mournino Becomes Electra (173) 

RK0 12- 6-47 + 

990 Mozart Story, The (93) SG 11-27-48 ± 

953 Music Man (66) Mono 7-24-48 ± 

1016 My Brother's Keeper (85) EL.... 3- 5-49 ± 

968 My Dear Secretary (94) UA 9-11-48 ff 

1020 My Dream Is Yours (101) WB.... 3-19-49 ff 

994 My Own True Love (84) Para 12-11-48 - 

948 Mystery in Mexico (66) RK0 7- 3-48 ± 

N 

951 Night Has a Thousand Eyes 

(81) Para 7-17-48 + 

981Nightime in Nevada (67) Rep 10-30-48 + 

968 Niaht Wind (68) 20-Fox...?.... 9-11-48 ± 

976No Minor Vices (96) MGM 10-9-48 + 

950 Northwest Stampede (79) EL 7-10-48 + 

o 

± 

996 Old-Fashioned Girl, An (82) EL. 

967 Olympic Cavalcade (57) UA 9-11-48 + 

971 Olympic Games of 1948 (88) EL.. 9-25-48 + 

1024 One Night With You (85) U-l.. 3-26-49 ± 

995 One Sunday Afternoon (90) WB 12-18-48 + 

964 One Touch of Venus (82) U-l 8-28-48 . . . . + 

Outlaw Brand (57) Mono 

971 Out of the Storm (61) Rep 9-25-48 ± 

P 

980 Paleface. The (91) Para. 10-23-48 ff 

SSSParadine Case. The (117) SR0.... 1- 3-48 ff 

1003 Parole, Inc. (87) EL 1-15-49 + 

Pearl. The (77) 903 RK0 2-21-48 — 

Piccadilly Incident (88) 897 MGM.... 2-7-48 ± 

957 Pitfall (85) UA 8- 7-48 + 

s . Place of 1013 0ne - Own. A (95) EL. 2-26-49 ± 

Plot to Kill Roosevelt, (83) 983 The UA 11- 6-48 + 

983 Plunderers. The (87) Rep 11-6-48 ++ 

999 Portrait of Jennie (86) SR0 1- 1-49 + 

1018 Prejudice (58) MPSC 3-12-49 + 

R 

948 Race Street (79) RK0 7-3-48 ± 

958 Rachel and the Stranger (92) RK0 8- 7-48 + 

983 Racing Luck (66) Col 11-6-48 + 

Rangers Ride, The (56) Mono 

+ 

1009 Red Canyon (82) U-l 2-12-49 

1011 Red Pony. The (89) Rep 2-19-49 + 

952 Red River (126) UA 7-17-48 ff 

1019 Red Stallion in the Rockies (84) EL 3-19-49 + 

980 Red Shoes. The (134) EL 10-23-48 + 

Renegades of Sonora (60) Rep 

979 Return of October. The (89) Col.. .10-23-48 + 

962 Return of Wildfire (81) SG 8-21-48 + 

1017 Ride. Ryder, Ride (59) EL 3-12-49 + 

974 Road House (95) 20-Fox 10-2-48 ± 

975 Rogues' Regiment (86) U-l 10-9-48 + 

963 Rope (80) WB 8-28-48 ± 

Rose of the 1007 Yukon (59) Rep 1-29-49 - 

1022 Rustlers (60) RK0 3-26-49 + 

Rusty Leads the 977 Way (59) Col 10-16-48 ± 

Rusty Saves • Life (67) Col 

S 

967 Saxon Charm. The (88) U-l 9-11-48 ± 

967 Sealed Verdict (83) Para 9-11-48 ± 

914 Search, The (104) MGM 3-20-48 ff 

963 Secret Land. The (71) MGM 5-28-48 +

SHORTS REVIEWS 

— 

Opinions on the Current Short Swfc/ects- 

— 

— 

The Ghost Talks 

Columbia (Three Stooges) 16 Mins. 

Fair. Those three comics who rely on bopson-the-head 

or eye-gouging to get laughs are 

turned loose in an ancien: castle. Hired to 

move some furniture, they arouse the ire ol 

a ghost of Peeping Tom who has waited 900 

years to meet his love, Lady Godiva, thai 

evening The ghost has the Three Stooges 

frightened out of their wits before Lady Godiva 

rides in to keep her date. 

Mrs. Golt 

Columbia (World of Sports) 8 '/a Mins. 

Good. "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias, America's 

first woman athlete, proves to be photogenic 

as well as displaying her golfing 

in this form entertaining one-reeler. With 

Bill Stern handling the narration, we travel 

with Babe around Grossinger's beautiful Catskill 

mountain course, one of the nation's 

finest. During the trip. Babe gives some 

pointers on difficult shots and gets out of 

sand traps and hard lies. 

A Rainy Day in Hollywood 

Columbia (Screen Snapshots) 10 Mins. 

Poor. An obviously manufactured short 

which seems like a commerical for a new 

Hollywood bank. Shots of Irene Dunne, Louella 

Parsons, George Burns, Buddy Clark and 

others depositing money are interspersed with 

oft-repeated shots of Jack Benny removing his 

savings from a fat mattress hideaway. The 

picture ends with a ridiculous stagecoach 

holdup outside the bank in which Republic's 

western star, Allan Lane, foils the bandits. 

This is the silliest of this usually-good series 

Exhibitor Has His Say 

(Continued from page 3) 

Reissue. Walter Pidgeon, Maureen O'HaTa, 

Donald Crisp. Still a very fine show, though 

a bit somber and depressing in spots. The 

story, acting and sound were tops. Business 

less than average for this change. Played 

Tues., Wed. Weather: Cold.—Arthur E. Phifield, 

Park Theatre, South Berwick, Me. Small 


Roadhouse (20th-Fox)—Ida Lupino, Celeste 

Holm, Richard Widmark. Here is a piece of 

film that the adults go for. Strictly drama 

fare, it satisfies, but is not worth the price 

Fox wants for it. Coupled "Bambi" with it 

and played Sat. (preview). Sun., Mon. 

Weather: Sleet storm and cold.—Jim Dunbar, 

Roxy Theatre, Wichita, Kas. Subsequent run 

* 

patronage. 

UNITED ARTISTS 

Marauders. The (UA)—William Boyd, Andy 

Clyde, Rand Brooks. This is not up to the 

Hopalong standard. Business was okay but 

this lacks story and action. The average 

Hopalong goes over big with our weekend 

crowd. Played Saturday. Weather: Fair. 

Arthur E. Phifield, Park Theatre, South Berwick. 

Me. Small town patronage. 

Beyond Civilization 

to Texas 

Republic (Jerky Journeys) 8 Mins. 

Very good. The firs: of a new series of cartoons 

produced by Impossible Pictures is an 

amusing short extolling the virtues of Texas 

in kidding style. Subtitled "Little Known 

Visits to Lesser Known Countries by Completely 

Unknown People," this has the voice 

of radio's Senator Claghorn issuing from a 

caricature of a southern senator who makes 

a motion to have the United States moved 

into Texas, which has everything anyone 

could want. It's a novel idea and gets many 

laughs. Photographed in Trucolor. 

Wish You Were Here 

20th Fox (March of Time) 171/2 Mins. 

Good. Constructive and always interesting 

tips on vacation-planning are supplied 

by scenes of Americans at play or just relaxing 

in this country or abroad. After pointing 

out that Americans pay out $11,000,000,000 a 

year on their holidays, and that what may 

be one person's meat may be another's poison, 

the film shows cruise ships, life at the 

seashore, fishing and camping expeditions, 

big and little hotels and dude ranches, with 

various degrees of isolation or congestion. 

The subject is timely 

Porky Chops 

Warner Bros. (Technicolor Cartoon) 7 Mins. 

Good. A clever little cartoon in which a 

tiny squirrel gets the best of the stubborn 

Pork Pig. The latter is a lumberjack who is 

chopping down all the trees in the forest 

until he decides to tackle one in which a 

Brooklyn squirrel is spending a quiet winter 

vacation. The squirrel tries to persuade Porky 

to let the tree stand but the pig persists in 

hacking it down. A vicious bear finally appears 

and settles matters. 

The Swim Parade 

Warner Bros. (Sports News Review) 10 Mins. 

Very good. The oldtimers who remember 

the bathing styles of a few years ago, as 

well as the youngsters accustomed to today's 

abbreviated swim suits, will both scream with 

laughter at this collection of newsreel shots 

of former beauty parades. A few Mack Sennet 

bathing beauties and the young Johnny 

Weissmuller, Eleanor Holm, Gertrude Ederle 

and other swim champions are also shown. 

UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL 

Countess of Monte Cristo, The (U-I)—Sonja 

Henie, Olga San Juan, Michael Kirby. Sonja 

Henie is still a good attraction. Played midweek 

to a. fair business. Skating scenes very 

good but acting awful. Played Wed., Thurs. 

Weather: Good.—Jim Haney, Milan Theatre, 

Milan, Ind. Farmers and distillery patronage. 

* * 

You Gotta Stay Happy (U-I)—James Stewart, 

Joan Fontaine, Eddie Albert. This was a 

swell comedy and even though business is 

slow this time of year, it drew above average 

and was well liked by those who came. 

Henley and Burris Smith, Imperial Theatre, 

Pocahontas, Ark. Small town patronage. * * * 

WARNER BROS. 

Hiss and Make Up (WB)—Short. I rate this 

as one of the best cartoons of the year. Yes, 

it made the adults laugh, too.—L. Brazil jr., 

New Theatre. Bearden, Ark. Small town patronage. 

* * * 

Treasure of Sierra Madre (WB)—Humphrey 

Boggrt, Walter Huston, Tim Holt. This flopped 

very badly for me. The reaction by those few 

who saw it was poor, with several walkouts. 

Another over-priced Warner show. Played 

Red River (UA)—John Payne, Montgomery Thurs., Fri. Weather: Good.—Arthur E. Phifield, 

Park Theatre, South Berwick, Me. Small 

Clift, Joanne Dru. This ranks with the finest 

ever made. As" a western it stands unequaled. 

After playing this, Montgomery Clift 

town patronage. * * * 

, 

is the talk of the town. Business? It was Wild Bill Hickolc Rides (WB)—Reissue. Constance 

Bennett, Bruce Cabot, Warren Wil- 

terrific!—Harvey Kelly, Plaza Theatre, Omaha, 

* 

Neb. Small town patronage. 

liams. This did average winter business and 

In the Newsreels 

Movietone News. No. 22: Coal miners quit 

as Lewis orders two-week holiday; Toyko 

Japanese police force marks first anniversary, 

Rome—drivers are blessed; scientists restore 

fabulous Egyptian temple Karanak; fashions 

from Paris; "Mother Is a Freshman" beauty 

contest in colleges; banished ball players sue 

major league; new winter pastime-—canoebogganing; 

kiddy boxing. 

News of the Day, No. 25S: North Atlantic 

defense pact stirs senators; Egypt restores 

famed :emple buried 2.000 years; Rome's motorists 

receive blessing; fashion's latest from 

gay Paree; junior battlers; canoe-bogganing. 

Paramount News, No. 59: Baseball's eldest 

statesmen; restore temple destroyed by quake 

in 27 B. C; Canada day at West Point; world's 

lightest solid; Czechoslovakia—one year after 

the Red seizure; 200-mile cycle derby; amateur 

grand national. 

Universal News. No. 230: Holland warehouse 

fire; factory explosion in England; warehouse 

explosion in the Bronx; Egyptian temple 

restored; Truman on vacation; kid boxing; 

motorcycle race; horse race—England. 

Warner Pathe News, No. 61: Truman and 

Vinson; Egyptian temple; Japanese police; 

"South of St. Louis" premiere; Parisian lives; 

tank parade; spring fashions; boxing; wild 

horses; motorcycle race. 

• 

Movietone News, No. 23:. Sons and daughters 

of Ireland in St. Patrick parade; Truman 

plays host; North Atlan:ic pact; Israeli minister 

arrives in New York; Russia returns 

U.S.S. Milwaukee; last-minute income tax 

rush; young war orphans arrive; footall; dog 

racing; boxing. 

News of the Day, No. 257: Spectacular fire 

sweeps army base; Atlantic pact nears reality; 

report from Israel; U.S. opens doors to 

orphan DPs; Soviet at last returns one U.S. 

warship; new water sport; skiing paradise. 

Paramount News. No. 60: Springtime on 

first skis in Alberta; Israel's Atlantic cargo 

ship; remote control hands for atom workers; 

Russians transfer Milwaukee; spectacular 

waterfront fire in California. 

Universal News. No. 231: Atlantic pact; war 

orphans find refuge in America; Israeli group 

returns to the U.S.; Jewish ship; end clothes 

rationing in England; Oakland fire; St. Patrick 

parade; skiing. 

Wamer Pathe News, No. 62: Orphan airlift; 

$1,000,000 Oakland fire; nations meet in 

Washington; S.S. Haifa enters Israeli service; 

cruiser leased to Russia rejoins the U.S. navy; 

British workers star: U.S. study tour; veteran 

builds push-button paradise; American Judo 

girl rolls her own. 

Telenews Digest, No. 11: First films—inside 

Indonesia; India—spotlight on Burma war, 

Russia—Molotov mystery; Japan stripped of 

power; South Africa; a United party rally is 

held in Middleburg, in honor of Field Marshal 

Smuts; munitions plant in Istanbul, Turkey, 

explodes; England—flames sweep through a 

paper mill in Dartford, Kent; Atlantic pact; 

New York—city officials' phones tapped; New 

York—a work stoppage and slowdown by 

Railway Express; Russian-born Valentio Gubitchev 

and American Judith Coplon both accused 

of espionage; New York—revolt against 

the new look; Canada—new 'ski technique; 

Italy—women wrestlers. 

was enjoyed by all who came. Had some 

very good comments on this and it will do 

well in any action house. Played Thurs., Fri., 

Sat. Weather: Cold—H. J. McFall, Lyric Theatre, 

Russell, Man. Small town and rural patronage. 

* 

12 BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: March 26, 1949

1 

— 

Opinions on Current Productions; Exploitips for Selling to the Public 

FEATURE REVIEWS 

— 

Tulsa 

Eagle Lion (927) 

88 Minutes 

? Action Drama 

(Technicolor) 

Rel. Apr. 13. 

'49' 

The Undercover Man 

85 Minutes Rel. Apr. '49 

A colorful and exciting action drama of the oil industry 

which should be a boxoffice winner il heavily exploiied. 

Splendidly photographed in Technicolor, which enhances the 

beauty of the outdoors settings and heightens the thrills of 

the climactic oil field fire, this is in the epic tradition of 

Walter Wanger's prevous spectacles, "Canyon Passage," 

"Tap Roots" and "Stagecoach." Susan Hayward is ideally 

cast as the fiery, headstrong quarter-breed heroine and 

Pedro Armendariz, Mexican star, gives his finest portrayal 

to date as a fullblood Indian who runs beserk when he sees 

the oil drillers wrecking his cattle lands. The Indian touches 

a match to the oil-infested stream and the flareup spreads 

to derricks which go crashing down in flames. These fire 

scenes, ably directed by Sjluart Heisler, are among the most 

thrilling ever made. 

Susan Hayward. Robert Preston. Pedro Armendariz, Lloyd 

Gough. Chill Wills, Edward Begley. Jimmy Conlin. 

Adventure in Baltimore 

RKO Radio (920) 89 Minutes Rel. Apr. '49 

Certainly the luminous qualities of the toplines should give 

this satisfactory starts in initial bookings, after which it may 

be subject to varied response from early spectators, with 

paralleling differences in word-of-mouth reactions. Those of 

for its 

sentimental hearts undoubtedly will love the film 

unusual wholesomeness and nostalgic aura; but the ticketbuyers 

who seek more hardy film fare may consider the 

sweetness-and-light a bit on the sticky side. Considering the 

material at hand, performances, most especially that contributed 

by Robert Young, are of top quality, which appraisal 

applies as well to production values^ scripting and direction. 

It's « yarn about a lovable gal, daughter of a minister, who 

keeps herself and her family in hot water because of viewpoints 

considered too modern for the yarn's turn-of-thecentury 

period. Directed by Richard Wallace. 

Robert Young. Shirley Temple, John Agar. Albert Sharpe. 

Josephine Hutchinson, Charles Kemper, Johnny Sands. 

Rustlers 

RKO Radio (923) Minutes Rel. Apr. '49 

More-than-nbrmal originality in the story and an apparent 

increase in production values elevates this a notch or two 

above the average of its predecessors in the series of gallopers 

starring Tim Holt. In all other respects it is a standardequipment 

entry and, therefore, more or less catalogs itself 

as to where and when it can be played to the best advantage 

of the showmen doing the booking. By the same 

logic, there is little need to supply details about the yarn 

its title is the tipoff as to which of the established sagebrush 

categories it belongs. In shooting and fighting it out with 

the cattle-stealing varmints, Holt as usual is aided by his 

saddle buddy, Richard Martin, while the distaff faction of 

the cast is furnished with above-par effectiveness by Martha 

Hyer and Lois Andrews. Directed by Lesley Selander. 

Tim Holt. Richard Martin, Martha Hyer, Steve Brodie, Lois 

Andrews. Harry Shannon. Addison Richards. 

F 

{ID 

A first-rate cops-and-robbers thriller, splendidly acted and 

directed, which has something to please every type of patron. 

The story, which is based on an article by Frank J. 

Wilson, chief of the U.S. secret service, has a documentary 

flavor, the action is filled with suspense and exci ing chases, 

and there are several intensely moving dramatic sequences, 

as well as a dash of romance, to satisfy women fans. And 

Glenn Ford's name will insure is boxoffice pull. Ford, who 

gives a convincing performance as a treasury agent, and 

Nina Foch, who is capable in a Comparatively minor role, 

head a cast of newcomers whose very unfamiliarity adds 

realism to a hard-hitting film. Joan Lazer is outstanding as 

a pa.hetic little Italian girl and Barry Kelley is excellent as 

a suave lawyer for "The Big Fellow." czar of the big city's 

underworld. Directed by Joseph H. Lewis 

Glenn Ford. Nina Foch. James Whitmore. Barry Kelley. David 

Wolfe. Joan Lazer. Anthony Caruso. 

Impact 

F 

D,ama 

United Artists (605) 111 Minutes Rel. Apr. 1. *49 

All the drama and suspense promised by its title is to be 

found in this richly produced thriller, which is, above all, 

noteworthy for the originality mqnifested in an entirely new 

start to finish—despite a leisurely pace and its above-average 

running time— the offering is sure to engender enough 

twist in story development. Exceptionally engrossing from 

favorable word-of-mouth enthusiasm to rrfake it a substantially 

profitable booking in most situations, with accent on first 

runs. The yarn is launched with a somewhat hackneyed 

situation in which a wife and lover plot a murder of her 

rich husband. But the unexpected development quickly 

elevates the yarn above such formula. Performances are 

excellent and the cast is sufficiently name-heavy to have 

marquee magnetism. Produced by Harry M. Popkin and 

ably direc x-d by Arthur Lubin 

Brian Donlevy, Ella Raines. Charles Coburn, Helen Walker. 

Anna May Wong, Robert Warwick. Art Baker. 

Blondie's Big Deal 

Columbia (108) 68 Minutes Rel. Mar. 10, '49 

Done to the pattern of other Blondie pictures, so that 

exhibitors who play these Bumstead hilarities can be sure 

of buying a sure thing at their boxoffices, is this 26th in the 

series featuring comic strip characters. Dagwood invents a 

fireproof paint which will protect buildings from the original 

red menace, and is so sure of his product that he paints his 

boss s summer cabin and sets a match to it. You guessed it 

it goes up in smoke—but no; because Dag.»ood's invention 

was no good. "Villains" in a rival construction office substituted 

ordinary paint, and Blondie herself traps them and 

restores Dagwood to the good graces of his own firm, which 

gets the new school building contract on the strength of 

Dogwood's invention. The children and Daisy help out and 

the mailman loses out in the usual way. Family farce for 

certain types of situations. Edward Bernds directed. 

Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake, Larry Simms. Marjorie Kent, 

Jerome Cowan, Collette Lyons. Wilton Graff. 

F 

The Set-Up 

RKO Radio (922) 

Boston Blackie's Chinese Venture 

72 Minutes Mar. 30. '49 Columbia (122) 59 Minutes Rel. Mar. '49 

It is perhaps because great effort was made to accent 

realism, atmosphere and characterizations that this fight 

picture suffered as concerns its general appeal and must 

resultantly be evaluated as one of the least promising of 

the current cycle of features dealing with the manly art. 

The fight sequences, a complete four-round go between a 

pair of ham-and-egg battlers, are realistic enough and they 

undoubtedly will attract and satisfy the male prize ring enthusiasts. 

But the story woven around that bloody contest nc 

is woefully meager, being devoted virtually in its entirety 

to revealing how sordid and crooked the fight game is alleged 

to be. That leaves little fo: the femme ticket-buyers, and 

injects a doubt that the film can attract enough of them to 

make it a highly successful booking for the average theatre. 

Directed by Robert Wise. 

Robert Ryan, Audrey Totter. George Tobias. Alan Baxter, 

Wallace Ford. Percy Helton. Hal Fieberling. 

1022 BOXOFFICE 

With a new "Runt," Chester Morns continues his adventurous 

way as a dapper rogue who baffles the police but 

always turns up on the right side of the law, and in queer 

places. Laid in New York's Chinatown, this latest mystery 

in the series takes Boston Blackie through some hair-raising 

episodes, along with Maylid. pretty Chinese actress, and the 

ever-harassed Inspector Farraday. It's a wonder there has 

not been public criticism of the way Blackie makes monkeys 

out of the upholders of law and order who go fumbling about 

while Blackie cleverly outwits them and unwinds a murder 

case, also uncovering a cache of stolen jewelry that turns 

up via laundry bags and lea boxes. The "dumb cop" idea 

is clearly drawn, especially in Frank Sully's portrayal of 

Sergeant Matthews. For the lower half. Directed by Seymour 

Friedman. 

Chester Morris. Maylia. Richard Lane, Don McGuire. Joan 

Woodbury. Sid Tomack. Frank Sully. 

5. 1949 1021 

F

. . . The 

. . . Glenn 

. . Now 

. . Somebody 

EXPLOITIPS Suggestions for Selling; Adlines for Newspaper and Programs 

SELLING ANGLES: 

"The Undercover Man" 

Stress the fact that this is the inside story of a criminal 

investigation and is based on revelations of Frank J. Wilson, 

chief of the U.S. secret service. The local police department 

should be glad 'to cooperate with a "crime display" in a 

lobby case and a frame of crime and adventure magazines 

also will get attention. For women patrons, play up Glenn 

poses. 

faca 

CATCHLINES: 

Drama That Talks Facts With the Snarl of a Machine-Gun 

Story of How Federal Aaents Put an End to the 

Most Vicious Underworld Rule That Ever Terrorized a Nation 

Ford in Another Gripping Adventure Film. 

The True Story of How America's Most Notorious Criminals 

Were Brought to Their Knees . Would 

Have Been Killed If This Story Had Been Told a Few Years 

Ago . It Can Be Told.

Opinions on Current Productions; Exploitips for Selling to the Public 

FEATURE REVIEWS 

Snowbound 

Univ.-Infl (674) Minutes Rel. Apr. '49 

An exceedingly melodramptic British-made iilm dealing 

with postwar Nazi spy activities in the Italian Alps. A Prestige 

Pictures release, this is geared for the art theatres where 

Robert Newton has become a name draw through his many 

British films. In addition, the picture has enough action 

and murders to get by on a double bill in the action spots. 

The outdoors photography is notable, particularly on the 

ski runs and during the torchlight searching party sequences. 

The story, which is slow in getting started, picks up suspense 

and thrills about midway and ends in a blaze of action 

and excitement. Newton is good in a comparatively 

minor role and Herbert Lorn, as a suave Gestapo officer, 

and Marcell Dalio, as a cringing Sicilian, are outs;anding. 

An exotic blond, Mila Parely, adds mystery and a dash of 

romantic interest. Capably directed by David MacDonald. 

Robert Newton, Dennis Price, Herbert Lorn. Mila Parely. 

Stanley Holloway, Marcel Dalio, Guy Middleton. 

One Night With You F £& 

Univ.-Int'l (673) 85 Minutes Rel. Apr. '49 

A British attempt at axitic comedy which has its amusing 

moments but fails to sustain the fast pace of the opening 

scenes. Audiences will enjoy the magnificent singing of 

Nino Martini and laugh at the good-humored burlesque of 

moviemaking and tempestuous story conferences. One of 

U-I's Prestige releases, this should do good business in art 

theatres, where Martini and Patricia Roc are a strong name 

draw. Although Martini is no longer the romantic type, the 

picture might also satisfy as support for a dramatic feature 

in neighborhood houses. Miss Roc gives a charming portrayal 

of an English girl who becomes stranded overnight in an 

Italian railway station with an opera singer. At first annoyed 

with each other, they gradually come to understand their 

opposing temperaments and finally they fall in love. Shaun 

Terence Young directed. 

Nino Martini, Patricia Roc, Bonar Colleano, Hugh Wakefield, 

Stanley Holloway, Guy Middleton, Irene Worth. 

/ Am With You F 

Rudolph Carlson Productions 75 Minutes Rel. —— 

Drama 

A well-meaning, out-of-the-ordinary religious film which 

should have a strong appeal to Protestant church groups 

and specialized audiences. The picture, which was made in 

Swedish and later dubbed into English, has little to offer 

for commercial showings, except in a few neighborhoods 

where Scandinavians predominate. The story, which deals 

with missionary life in southern Rhodesia, has a certain 

it is inspirational quality but filled with hardship and tragedy 

certainly not to the liking of entertainment-minded patrons. 

Except for a few close-ups, the dubbing is effectively 

done and does away with the tiresome subtitles. The African 

backgrounds are authentic. A missionary in Africa loses 

heart when his loyal wife dies but a young native's supreme 

faith renews his understanding of God's ways. Directed by 

Gosta S:evens. Rudolph Carlson Productions is at 165 West 

46th St., New York City. 

Nils Dahlgren, Rune Lindstrom. Carin Forsberg. Victor Seastrom, 

Lena Mbuisa, Pedro Taperesa. 

Man to Men 

Siritzky Int'l 

100 Minutes Rel. Feb. 18. '49 

This French film with English titles tells a story of the 

origin of the International Red Cross, born out of the suffering 

of wounded soldiers in the Italian-Austrian war of 

1859. It is a curious mixture of good and weak acting and 

backgrounds directed in a rather old-fashioned way that may 

limit its appeal to art theatres, though action fans may accept 

it. It also presents some of the most horrible scenes 

of injuries and operations ever screened. In its behalf it 

can be said that the battle scenes are exciting and that 

there are moments of good suspense later when Jean-Louis 

Barrault, as Henri Dunant, struggles to obtain international 

recognition of his idea. Helene Perdriere is excellent as 

the woman who loved him and there are some other good 

characterizations. Siritzky's address is 250 West 57th St., 

New York City. Christian-Jaque directed. 

Jean-Louis Barrault. Bernard Blier, Helene Perdriere. Louis 

Seigner. Abel Jacquin. Denis O'lnos. Berthe Bovy. 

1024 BOXOF 

The Woman in the Hall 

Eagle Lion ( ) 93 Minutes Rel. 

An interest-holding, well-acted British-made film showing 

how two young girls are influenced by their mother's lies 

and thievery. While the action is too slow for most male 

patrons, the picture should have a strong appeal to the 

women and will make a fair supporting dualler in neighborhood 

houses. Jean Simmons, who plays Ophelia to Sir 

Laurence Olivier's Hamlet, gives this marquee draw in the 

art theatres. While the audience is always aware of the 

attractive mother's duplicity, Director Jack Lee creates suspense 

by having the law close in on her wayward daughter. 

Ursula Jeans is attractive and extremely capable as a wellbred 

widow who uses her two daughters as props to mulct 

money from wealthy women who believe her hard luck 

tales. Even after she marries wealth, she cannot resist 

continuing her schemes. Meanwhile, one ol her daughters is 

jailed for stealing to give to the poor. 

Ursula Jeans, Jean Simmons, Cecil Parker, Jill Raymond, Edward 

Underdown. Joan Miller, Nigel Buchanan. 

His Young Wife 

Armanac 98 Minutes EM, 

F 

Comedy 

Italian-language audiences will find this recent import 

highly entertaining. It is based on a comedy, "The Misfortunes 

of Mr. Travet," written in the last century by Vittorio 

Bersezio and is said to have become a classic of the I alian 

theatre. Patrons of regular Italian outlets will probably be 

lamiliar with the story and with members of the cast. They 

perform in the exaggerated manner of the "old school" of 

It is acting. the story of a government clerk, Ignazio Travet. 

his beautiful young second wife, and their struggle to keep 

up appearances on his meager salary. His wile's attraction 

for a high official is at first a blessing, and then nearly 

proves his ruin when jealous co-workers accuse Travet of 

using her charms, to push through his promotion. Mario 

Soldati directed. Distributed by Armanac, Inc., 15 East 40th 

St., New York, N. Y. 

Carlo Campanini, Vera Carmi. Gino Cervi. Luigi Pavese, 

Domenico Gambino, Laura Gore, Alberto Sordi. 

Four Steps in the Clouds A T 

Distinguished Films 88 Minutes Rel. 

An engaging, heart-warming Italian-language film which 

is filled with comedy touches as well as several moving 

dramatic moments. The story seems light and unimportant 

compared to such powerful Italian films ds "Open City" and 

"Shoe-Shine," yet, if properly exploited, it should also do 

strong business in art theatres. It could also make a good 

supporting dualler in neighborhood houses where Italians 

predominate. Alexander Korda has purchased the British 

re-make rights for a picture to star Sir Ralph Richardson. 

This is an essentially simple tale of a traveling candy salesman 

who meets an expectant unwed mother on a train and, 

out of the kindness of his heart, poses as her husband before 

her strict parents. The scenes in the crowded train and bus 

and in the parents' farm home are frequently hilarious and 

the film abounds in humorous characterizations. Guiseppe 

Amato directed. Distinguished is at 229 West 42nd St., NYC. 

Gino Cervi, Adriana Benetti. Aldo Silvani. Giacinto Molteni. 

Lauro Gazzolo. Guiditta Rissone. 

Outcry 

Crest Films 89 Minutes Rel. Mar. 12. '49 

Italian-speaking people everywhere ought to get a huge 

amount of enjoyment out of this Italian film with its scenes 

of partisans battling the Germans in Lombardy during the 

war, because it presents an apparently authentic story of 

patriotic interest and views of peasant life in the old country. 

Other viewers, however, may feel that there have been 

enough war films of little more than average value, and that 

this one is at times talky, and sexy enough to run the risk 

of censorship. On the credit side for average theatregoers 

are the battle scenes, a really stirring moment when a crowd 

"'i "• joins in with the prayers of a pries! going to his death, and 

the lovely and competent Lea Padovani as star The film 

wa3 shown at the Cannes lestival It has English titles. 

Algo Vergano directed. Crest's address is 1270 Sixth Ave., 

New York City. 

Lea Padovani. Elli Parvo, Vittorio Duse. Massimo Serrato. 

Egisto Olivieri. Marco Sarri. Lia Golmar, Carlo Lizzani. 

March 36, 1948 1023 

F

EXPLOITIPS 

Suggestions for Selling; Adlines for Newspaper and Programs

" 

' 

" 

602 

I 

hi 

|l,,||;i 

i payment 

' 

!' 

'1' IW , 

"'-scat s irb.in theatre, Texas city half mll- 

, years unexpired lease; located 

.: minute bus service. Newly 

equipped pope o dossing 

approximately $31,000 yearly. Theatre been operowne, 

operated 18 years. 

iii population; i 

- em 

Brooklyn. 

: p 

000 

: 'I 

1 

' 

, 

1 .' ' .Ill 

., 

BATES: 10c per word, minimum $1.00. cash with copy. Four insertions tor price oi three. 

CLOSING DATE: Monday noon preceding publication date. Send copy and answers to 

• Box Numbers to BOXOFFICE. 825 Van Brunt Blvd.. Kansas City 1, Mo. • 

CliflUG 

HELP WANTED 

Film advertising men for last growing corporation. 

Our men making over $200 per week. 

Investigate. Associated Film Co., Inc., 12th and 

Walnut Bldg. Kansas City. Mo. 

Refined, aggressive, to sell display advertising 

to merchants lor theatres. Big comm. pd. at once 

oo immed. sates. Requires traveling. Film salesman 

preferred. State experience in first letter. 

Maurice Zell, 308 Eddy St., San Francisco 2. 

Calif. 

Wanted: Projectionist. Must be good and ban 

jommendations for permanent job. No drunkard! 

ar floaters. Include photograph with letter. Pal- 

Theatre, Snyder, Tex. 

Theatre 

Manager. 

litlon with circuit in 

^Ktaices and hill pai 

ed, permanent pott. 

Give experience, 

Boxoffice. A-3362. 

Manager, second run null theatre competing 

lth large circuit. Florida. Apartment furnished. 

try against percentage. Box- 

Projectionist. Qualified making minor repairs. 

(Village operalion). State particulars, salary. 

~" 

Dellaven. Waterville, Ohio 

Jo drinking; honest, it'll, ihle Kiniiish lu-st tcl- 

Town 8,000, two theatres si. Louis 

Rife lull Information first letter, 

-rrin.u 

'underfill opportunity lor right man. Boxoffice, 

Excellent opportunity lor young hard hitting 

icalre manager. Learn home office operation in 

1m buying and hooking. Perfect position for 

ght man. Complete security, all employee bene- 

Estahllshed expanding circuit. Advancelepends 

upon you. Boxoffice, A-3365. 

POSITIONS WANTED 

Projectionist. Expert maintenance 

1 types equipment. Excellent refereno 

flee. A-3866. 

Projectionist, 25 years experience. Singh-, sober. 

liable, anywhere. Arthur Blulr. Milm-r Motel. 

a City. 0kl». 

Assistant Manager, veteran. 25 years old, single, 

i anywhere. Five years experience In first 

lines. Salary secondary. Write or wire 

Tannin. 3605 Pasco, Kansas City. Mo. 

Boxoffice, \ 3380 

Theatre manager, experienced, young, married. 

sires position with small town Illinois or Iowa 

Ambitious, h -st mil reliable. Boxoffice, 

THEATRES WANTED 

your theatre privately. Confidential coripondenee 

Invited. Leak Theatre Sales, 3422 

t. Dallas. 1100 Orchard Lane. lies 

your theatre for sale? Our cash buyers are 

ltlng. We get quick results. Will give you a 

- -' 

estimate of your present theatre value. 

s today. "Joe" Joseph, 3400 Sunset Ave. 

i'ale 2-7650. Dallas, Texas. 

lur theatre for sale? I have buyers with 

li for established theatres. Claude Croekett, 

05 First National Bank Bldg., Dallas, Tex. 

ir theatres to buy or lease by exowman. 

Middlewest states preferred. 

-3358. 

make more money from your absentee 

IUI tin. lire. Man and 

Will buy. Boxoffice, 

need showmen. 

llation. 200 miles radius from Chicago, Give 

details In first letter: strictly confidential. 

Papen. 9945 Winston Ave., Chicago, 111. 

to buy or lease, established theatre or 

s. Experienced showman. Anywhere Nee 

complete details. Boxoffice. 

ixperienced, responsible showman wants to b 

lease small town theatre. Will furnish caplt 

build or remodel, partnership 

rate theatre for owner percentage Kno 

booking. RnTofflce. A-SS84. 

COMIC BOOKS 

alphabetically beltm n 'he 20 best 

obtainable In comic books. All winners: 

es 

Charlie Chan Comedy. Cowboy. Easter, 

:, FBI. Frankenstein, Ilea, Mine. Her Lib- 

'. Laugh. Marvel. Mlghtv Mou 

y Tunes. Super. Western These are the regular 

Jeto covered 10c newsstand editions. Atallto 

exhibitors at 3c each. , 

Sldn R 

44th S' . 

New Tort 13. N. Y. 

EQUIPMENT WANTED 

ranted: 150 good used upholstered 

fc XOFFICE March 26. 1949 

GENERAL EQUIPMENT—USED 

23 years "Sale by Mail" policy uisures your 

irchase here; 50.000 customers the world over 

Jilt SOS and keep buymg here because SOS sells 

>r less: 1949 catalog ready, Dept r s li s 

inema Supply Corp.. 602 W. 52nd SI.. New 

Electrifying electronic values— Amplifiers. Speakers, 

Soundheads. Closing out :nwiv b, hoi mi 

get our list. Dual Simplex outfit, t S projectors: 

lenses: 2. lull) It, magazine- -i ,,,, 

Leroy soundheads ; Peerless L. 1. an I etlflei 

speakers, good coridltion, $795; Dual n.v-i \l' 

Transportablee, complete, rebuilt, $595; RCA 

low frequency folded harries, worth $300, $99.75; 

Simplex Mechanisms from $69.50. 1049 catalog 

ready. Dept. C. S.O.S. Cinema Supply Corp., 602 

W. 52nd St.. New York 19. 

rebuilt Simplex rear 

shutters; Brenkert low arcs; RCA sound; Carver 

rectifiers; Silverlite screen; rewinds: bench: miscellaneous 

supplies: first class condition, this la 

not worn out replaced equipment. Al DeCannlere, 

Laclede. Mo. 

Complete booih 

e up to 500 sei 

Bargain!! Complete booth equipment. Simplex, 

rear shutters. Ballantyne sound. Deluxe popcorn 

machine. Write or call Arch Boardman, Gainesville. 

Tex. Phone 457. 

Theatre closed. Following equipment for qulek 

ale New pair Simplex projectors, complete with 

three-point stands. Peerless low lamps. 30 amp. 

rectifiers, new Royal Master soundheads and PD 

50 amplifier, new 1 5-inch stage shaker and sound 

screen. 3.000-watt new AC plant. Complete outfit 

cost $4,500. No reasonable offer refused. 

H. Howard. Hanley, Sask., Canada. 

Complete booth equipment, like new; all rebuilt 

ind matching black wrinkle finish, consisting rear 

ihutter Simplex mechanisms, bases, magazines, 

mundheads, amplifier, speaker system, Brenkert 

amps and rectifiers for 500-seat theatre. A steal 

it $1,500. Medfield Theatre. Medfleld, Mass 

Pair Simplex front shutter mechanisms with 

latest Mlcarda spiral gears. Guaranteed to be In 

first class condition, $250 the pair. Odura Thea- 

GENERAL EQUIPMENT—NEW 

62 pages chockful ol bargain! 

catalog and find—RCA microphones, 

Get your 1949 

$12.95; 

ft. 7x9 spring roller screens, $39.50: Baby Spotlites, 

$7.45: Coin Changers. $149.50; 15 amp. 

rectifier bulbs, $4.95; beautiful Stage Sellings, 

Irish velour and satin. $277.50; Automatic 

Curtain machines. $129.50: Plastic Soundscreens. 

39M;C sq. ft.; Dual Wcnzel projector outfits with 

RCA type amplifier; two way Speaker; Coated 

Lens: 1KW Arclamps: Hectifieis. worth $4,500, 

now $2,950. (Available on lime payments). Dept. 

C, S.O.S. Cinema Supply Corp . 602 W. 52nd 

St., New York 19. 

Projection bulbs. General Electric, 1.000-watl 

T 20 Mogul Pie-focus, C 13 D. Brand new, $1.5( 

each. Limited supply. (Minimum order one dozen) 

Jules Epstein. 601 Pelham Pkway, Bronx 67, N. Y 

Draperies, curtains, steel tracks, automatic curlain 

machines. Send for dimension form for 

quotations. Fred's Theatre Service. Vina. Ala. 

Holmes projectors, "America's Greatest Value.' 

New 1949 models, 35 and Ifimm. Send fot 

descriptive literature. Cinema Projector Service 

P II Box 703. Charleston 23. W. Va. 

car speakers. No. 7600. waterproof, cast 

3. $16 75 per set. DaWo Co . 145 

N. Erie St., Toledo. Ohio. 

New DeVry ESF portable 2.000-foot, projectors 

amplifier, splicer rewind:. Monitor 

price, $1,675; (300 paid down Refused on delivery 

sell Will for balance $1,375. Brady 

1034':. So. 20th St.. Birmingham. 

Ala. 

STUDIO AND PRODUCTION 

EQUIPMENT 

1949 Catalog Film Production Equipment Ready 

Everything for sludin. laboratory and cutting room 

.•v. lt.mm Sound and Picture Printers. 

$585: 35mm Tape Recorders, $1,500: Composite 

Sound Moviola type 3.1mm. $495: BeJhowell 

16mm combination Sound Editor, $312.50; 

Mutate! 35/18tmn Reduction Printer. $1,260 

Aj-rtfleT Neusroel Camera. 4 lenses, complete. 

$795: IS ft. Microphone Boom. $300: Stop Watch 

Film Timer. $24 75: Clnephone 35mm Recorder. 

on It ::r,mm Automatic 

Film Cleaner. $350 value. $194 50: Giant Spotlite 

Tripods. 8 ft high. $9 95: Bardwell 5000W 

floodlltes. $111 75: 1 '12 hp Synchronous Motors, 

' 

$57 SO: Sound Tears. Dept 

C. S O S Clmm.i Supplv Corn . 

W 52nd St 

New York 19. 

THEATRE TICKETS 

Promot service. Special printed roll tickets 

100.000. $23 95: 10,000. $8.85: 2.000. $4 45 

Each change In admission price. Including change 

In color. $3 00 extra. Double numbering extra- 

Shipping charges paid to 500 miles. Cash with 

order. Kansas City Ticket Co. Deri 9. 1819 

Central. Kans-.e City. Mo 

THEATRES FOR SALE 

aires for sale. Texas and southwest. Li- 

1 broker with long theatre background. Claude 

Crockett, 1505 First National Bank Bldg., Dallas, 

Tex. Telephone B-9230. 

Theatres for sale. Selected listings In Oregon 

and Washington now available. Write for list. 

re Exchange Co., Fine Arts Bldg.. Portland, 

Theatres For Sale: For choice selection of 

otthwest Theatres, write Irv Bowron. mgr., Theae 

Sales linision. John L. Gray. Realtor, 4618 

B. Hawthorne Blvd., Portland 15, Oregon. 

Build double parking drive-In theatres under 

franchise patent No. 2,102,718, reissue No. 

22.756 and improvements, patent pending. Dp 

to 30 per cent more seating capacity with little 

additional cost. Louis Josserand. architect, 3908 

s Main St., Houston, Tex. 

We handle quick payout and non-Inflated deals 

Joe .loseph, Texas Theatre Broker, 2409 Sunset 

Dallas. Tex. 

The deal everyone has tried to buy. Three 

theatres in Wichita Falls. Tex. Two year payout, 

no bargaining. Audit welcomed, $141,750 cash. 

Conlact me for appointment as owners will not 

show. Phone or wire at once. Listed exclusively 

with Joe Joseph, 2409 Sunset. Dallas. Tex. 

Phone Y2-7650. 

Texas panhandle controlled wheat, oil, cattle 

center 2.600. Equivalent much larger eastern 

town. Seldom available here. Substantial building, 

equipment. Provable profits. potential. 

$55,000. half cash. Arthur Leak. 3422 Kinmore, 

Tex 

Dallas. 

Blacklands, near Dallas. Established substantial 

operation. Top Simplex booth, brick building. 

Prolonged Investigation welcomed. $21,000. 

Terms. Arthur Leak. 3422 Kinmore. Dallas. 

375 seats. Illinois resort region. Air eoncMoned: 

Simplex E-7s. Dual sound. Price $85,000. 

ong lease at $275 monthly rental. Bexofflce, 

-8359. 

North Texas suburban; same owner 17 years. 

Steadiest yearly profit Approximately 500 seats. 

$17,750 down. Leak Theatre Specialist-', :U22 

Kiiimoie. 

Drive-In Theatre. Paris. Tex. Concrete tower 

car speakers, new equipment, snack bar. 10 acres 

for Ready big season. $70,000 cash. "Joe' 

Joseph. 2409 Sunset. Dallas. Tex. 

Central Illinois small town theatre with or 

ithout building. Ideal for couple or family 

Boxoffice. A-3363 

Drive-In Theatre. year old. 500 cars. Latspeakers. 

South Florida 

location in center of tourist area. Year around 

operation $115,000 cash. This Is a money 

"hlllip Matthews, Broward Blvd. and 

Drive, Fort Lauderdale. Fla. 

Wingale 

Finest equipped In southern Missouri. Second 

owner thirty years. Soda fountain. Bigelow nigs. 

$190 weekly ices. ion sales Controlled payrollfarm 

:t 

center Hearing 000 Disregard vvrrtinul 

$55,000 cash down Another Arthur Leak Exclusive. 

3422 Kinmore, Dallas, Tex. 

Nearly $500 weekly gmss 19 IS without t 

yet terribly neglected Texas' finest school 

ten Huge payroll Priced to allow needed rei 

Utee to. $22,500. $12,000 

down, Arthur Leak. 3422 Kinmon 

Northeast Texas 1,000. Includes good brick 

building Retiring. Family opportunity. Concession 

room. $8,750 down Leak, :mers the best. Write us for your sample I 

quotations. Sue, i-Whlte Popcorn Co., Montleello, 

i 

Bee- Hive Hybrid—better than ever for '49; to 

cartons, the Family-Size "Premiere" Is the latest 

thing. Blevins Popcorn Co., Popcorn Village, 

Nashville. Tenn. 

Give your popcorn that real butter flavor and 

color. Economical to use. The Perfection C», 

Waco, Texas. 

Popcorn bags, 1 lb tall, white, $1.50 M. 

Levine. 8200 Blue Ridge, Hickman Mills, Mo. 

Phone RKpuhllc 1033-11. 

AIR CONDITIONING 

Heavy duty blowers, ball-bearing equipped, 

15,000 cfm to 50.000 cfm. Air washers, all 

sizes. Hydraulic drives, two and four speed 

motor and controls. Immediate delivery. Dealers 

wanted. National Engineering and Mfg. Co., 510 

Wyandotte St., Kansas City. Mo. 

Complete air conditioning equipment 

5 hp motor. 25,000 SFC fan; air wasl 

type, complete with recirculating pump 

Boxoffice. A-3088. 

Complete U S 16.000 cfm system, f 

pump, make offer with or without 3 

motors. Avon Theatre, Breese, 111. 

For Sale: No. 108 American Blower, 

cfm. with 10 hp motor 

Complete with all conirols Priced I" sell 

Theatre. Jeanerctte, La. 

BUSINESS STIMULATORS 

variable 

50.000 

same. 

Comic books again available as premiums. (Iitaways 

at your kiddy shows. Large variety latest 

48-page newsstand editions. Comics Premium Co., 

412B Greenwich St., New York City. 

Bingo with more action. $2.75 thousand cards. 

Also other games. Novelty Games Co.. 1434 Bedfoul 

Ave 

, N. Y. 

Only legal game for theatres. Legal in any 

state. Biggest business booster since Bank Night 

"Listen to Win" copyright 1947 by- L.T.W. Co. 

Write today for Information. Secure exclusive 

rights for your town now Listen to Win Co., Box 

336. Cambridge, Ohio. 

Theatre Managers: Something newl Dartaway. 

rill, legal In any state. Terms reasonable. 

Pack your theatre. No theatre toe big 

or too small. For Information, write or call 

.Ilmmle Steplna. Aztec Theatre. Shawnee. Kas. 

Posters, banners, for your special attractions, 

giveaways, amateur nights, etc. Hand painted 

on poster paper In brilliant colors to your copy. 

24x60 banners. 30x40 or one sheet size, 60c each. 

Prices for other sizes on request. Jonas, Box 

484. Rolls, Mo. 

MORE CLASSIFIED 

ON PAGE 46

Boxoffice-March.26.1949

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