Boxoffice-May.31.1952

n/J&uon. 

Mctoo'ie yriaioWu^ 

I 

The Supreme Court Rules 

On Film Censorship: 

"Expression by means of motion pictures is included 

within the free speech and free press guarantee 

of the First and Fourteenth Amendments." 

Full Text of a Monumental Decision on Film Censorship in This Issue. 

ftilffw! t^ «^#»nd-fl«»t mit!« t! th* Pfwt Off!^f s' 

ÛLL 

REPORT ON SUPREME COURT 

OPINION ON FILM CENSORSHIP 

Sforfs on Page 8 

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE EDITION 

liicludiMf lilt Stcdonal Nfwi PiQti of All Idiltoni 

MAY 31, 1952

^ 

"^^ 

Not much meat 

on her . . . but 

what there is, 

is 

choice!" 

•*^ 

/ 

FACTS: 

1 — Rated tops by leading showmen at M-G-M's "Seeing Is Believing" Meeting. 

2— Acclaimed by trade press. 

3—A riot at every audience preview. 

4— Released in June for your warm-weather needs. 

5— The third big comedy hit {"Wômai/ of the Year", "Adam's Rib", "Pat aud Mike") 

by the same stars, the same producer, director, writers, the same company. 

6— Long range newspaper teaser campaign 5 weeks in advance in 56 leading 

cities coast-to-coast with jingles like: 

" 'Pat and Mike' 

Is a film you'll like. 

Spence and Kate 

Are simply great." 

7 — Half-page newspaper ad (with illustration at top of this page) two Sundays 

before opening in 

55 leading cities coast-to-coast. 

"Together again 

—And it's no fib 

Their funniest hit 

Since 'Adam's Rib'." 

8— Live-wire press book, peppy promotion including unique Aldo Ray trailer 

selling this popular new personality. 

9— Sports page tie-ups selling national sports figures appearing in picture. 

10— Exploit it now and dovetail your promotion with M-G-M's giant exploitation. 

i

"'Pat and Mike 

Is a film 

1 

You'll like. 

Spence and Kate 

Are simply great! 

Together again 

And it's 

no fib... 

Their funniest hit 

Since Adam's Rib!" 

M-G-M hilariously presents 

SPENCER TRACY • KATHARINE HEPBURN 

as Mike 

as Paf 

with WILLIAM CHING 

ALICE MARBLE 

"PAT AND MIKE" 

CO'Starring 

ALDO RAY 

• and Sports Stars: GUSSIE MORAN • BABE DIDRIKSON ZAHARIAS • DON BUDGE 

• FRANK PARKER • BETTY HICKS • BEVERLY HANSON • HELEN DEHWEILER • WriH.n by 

• Directed by GEORGE CUKOR -Produced by LAWRENCE WEINGARTEN 

RUTH GORDON and GARSON KANIN

OVEJO

mmsm 

DOES IT AGM^\ 

It'll be a long time before the folks who saw 

/Til See You In My Dreams" forget Doris Day as 

Grace Kahn. Now she's in a love story sure to leave 

even fonder memories. 

Here's a sample of the preview raves: "Dons 

Day and Ronald Reagan make it live and breathe-you 

will 

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.r.:. 

EVE MILLER • JAMES MILLICAN 

RUSTY TAMBLYN • HUGH SANDERS • GORDON JONES 

FRANK FERGUSON • WALTER BALDWIN • DOROTHY ADAMS 

SCREEN PLAY BY 

TED SHERDEMAN and SEELEG LESTER S MERWIN GERARD 

PRODUCED BY DIRECTED BY 

BRYAN FOY- LEWIS SEILER 

-^ •^îrit^-^'ir'îT^ 

if 

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^ SPRINGFIELD MISSOURI 

JUNE 6 

-iz 

The flags will be flying for the picture 

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chosen for the Reunion of Missouri's 

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Truman's World War I outfit)! Simul- 

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taneously in 3 Springfield theatres 

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if ^ ij ^ -Cz it iz ^ if ii \%

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TECHNICOLOR 

KENNETH ROBERTS' BEST-SELLER 

is 

a city in 

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in uprising -a 

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î^M^^ >s«^; 

Boxoffice! 

I 

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THERE'S 

NO BUSINESS LIKE %Si CENTURY-FOX BUSINESS! ^

P' 

, 

when 

iiVt 

HE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY 

Publiilied In Hint Stctiorial Edilioni 

BEN SHLYEN 

Idilor-in-Chief and Publisher 

A HISTORIC ADVANCE 

,MES M lERAULD Editor 

ATHAH COHEN... Executive Editor 

SSE SMLYEN Managing Editor 

AN SPEAH Wesiern Editor 

I. 

THATCHER Equipment Editor 

!HN G TINSLEY Advertising Mgr 

Published Hirery Saturday by 

ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS 

ifivns rily I. M". NJitliiiM Tolion. Kxcnif 

Rilltiir; Ji'SSf Stilyfn, Mnnnghi); Rd|. 

'; Mfirrls SrtiliiriiiHri. Iliislrrpss M,-itinKer. 

I,. tlulrlicT. Eillliir 'llir MiiiliTii Tlifulrf 

rtlnit: Ilrrtifrt Itnirstt. Rales Mnnncer 

tlinrif flleslllllt 7777. 

ilorijll Olfices: It Unrl(efrlk'r i'\m.n. New 

t an, N. V. Jnlin The Herald, Mvrnii l.aka. 

ffal: 464 SI. Franrols Xavler St,. 

;oon 10. Roy Carmlehnel. 

(John: tlO I'rinre Edward. W, MeNidly. 

nnio: K It 1, York Mills, M. Oalhralth. 

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ee. Kansas rily. sin. Sertlonal Edition. 

i\ 10 pff year: National Edition. J7.B0. 

U 61 

3 1, 1 9 5 2 

No. 5 

O.HERE is no question but that the Supreme 

Court decision in "The Miracle" case is a historic 

advance for the motion picture that will 

of monumental importance to its future. Significant, 

indeed, is the unanimous judgment of this 

high tribunal that "expression by means of motion 

pictures is included within the free speech 

and free press guaranty of the First and Fourteenth 

Amendments." 

This is a recognition for which the motion 

picture industry has fought vigorously almost 

since its beginning days. Now, free of the 

shackles that have held it in undue restraint, 

there is opened the way to reach its fullest development 

as an art form, both for entertainment 

and enlightenment. 

While there is yet to come explicit clarification 

on the effects of this decision on state censorship, 

per 56, it is clear that the industry has gained 

considerable ground looking toward the abolition 

of censorship anywhere in the U.S.A. and in 

form. 

be 

any 

Pertinent is that part of Justice Tom C. Clark's 

opinion with regard to "censorship in advance" 

of showing which may be ruled out. 

Viz: 

". . . Neiv York requires that permission to 

communicate ideas be obtained in advance from 

state officials who judge the content of words 

and pictures sought to be communicated . . . 

"This court recognized many years ago that 

such a previous restraint is a form of infringement 

upon freedom of expression to be especially 

condemned." 

Mr. Justice Clark also observes: 

"// was further stated that 'the protection even 

as to previous restraint is not absolutely unlimited. 

But the limitation has been recognized 

only in exceptional cases.' " 

this 

While the majority of industry leaders view 

important decision as a great victory, there 

are those who take the negative view, giving way 

to expressions of fear over the freedom of action 

that may be gained in the making of motion pictures. 

Thus is evidenced a lack of confidence in 

the intelligence and perspicacity of our picturemakers, 

who not only have a sense of values but 

who have good business sense, as well. They will 

not be likely to risk the big investments required 

in picture making today. That time, (when the 

censorship laws came into being I 

anyone 

with a camera and a few hundred dollars could 

make a motion picture, is gone never to return. 

There are, of course, many observations to be 

made with regard to the censorship question 

and on developments as they come. 

The problem 

is not completely resolved. But we say, again, 

a significant victory has been scored and much 

ground gained. 

For this great forward step the industry owes 

a vote of gratitude to Joseph Burstyn. It was 

he who had the courage and fortitude to lead 

the battle through the various legal steps until it 

reached the highest court in the land. 

''They Can Do Marvels" 

News reports from time to time tell of the 

good uses to which 16mm prints of the industry 

shorts series are being put by exhibitor and other 

industry associations. In one recent instance, 

the Motion Picture Ass'n of Kansas City showed 

the series in groups of three to 1.50 high school 

seniors as part of a vocational guidance course. 

The students had selected the titles of the subjects 

they wanted to see. not only from the standpoint 

of their interest in motion pictures but, 

also, with an eye to careers in the industry. 

Arthur Cole, of Paramount, and Senn Lawler, 

of Fox Midwest Theatres, added a further "educational" 

note by a 10-minute discussion of the 

films following each showing. 

Coming just prior 

to graduation, these showings were well-timed 

and suggest a pattern that may be taken up by 

others come this time next vear. 

Meanwhile, it is urged that exhibitors—individually 

as well as collectively— -do their utmost 

to extend the showings of these shorts as widelv 

as possible to student, civic, church and other 

groups. To quote Mr. I^wler, "They create a 

wide amount of interest and can do marvels for 

the industry." 

\Ji%^ //rUiûiy'y^

FREEDOM OF THE SCREEN 

WON FOR THE INDUSTRY 

Guarantees of Free Speech 

And Free Press Apply to 

Films, Says High Court 

is 

Expression by means of motion pictures 

included within the free speech and free 

The importance of motion pictures as 

an organ of public opinion is not lessened 

by the fact that they are designed to 

entertain 

as well as to inform. 

press guarantee of the First and Fourteenth 

Amendments. 

That books, newspapers ond magazines 

are published and sold for profit does not 

prevent them from being a form of expression 

whose liberty is safeguarded by 

the First Amendment. We fail to see why 

operation for profit should have any different 

effect in the case of motion pictures. 

Washington 

The Supreme Court handed down these 

opinions this week (261 in a monumental 

ruling which unanimously reversed the 

New York state court decisions upholding 

a ban on the exhibition "The Miracle." 

For the first time, motion pictures have 

been granted, by the highest court of the 

land, the same rights of freedom of expression 

as the press. 

In an opinion written by Justice Tom 

Clark, the Court declared that it no longer 

adhered to language used in the opinion 

in the Mutual Film Corp. case of 1915 

which had upheld film censorship. 

SOME ISSUES UNDECIDED 

The Court, however, did not go all the 

way in outlawing film censorship, pointing 

out that it did not consider it necessary 

in this case to decide, "for example, 

whether a state may censor motion pictures 

under a clearly drawn statute designed and 

applied to prevent the showing of obscene 

films," since the only standard under attack 

in the "Miracle" case was the term 

"sacrilegious." 

"That," said the Court, "is a very different 

question from the one now before us. 

We hold only that under the First and 

Fourteenth amendments a state may not 

ban a film on the basis of a censor's conclusion 

that it is 'sacrilegious.' " 

And Justice Reed, in a concurring opinion, 

stated: 

"Assuming that a state may establish a 

system for the licensing of motion pictures, 

an issue not foreclosed by the Court's 

opinion, our duty requires us to examine 

the facts of the refusal of a license in each 

case to determine whether the principles 

of the F^st Amendment have been honored. 

Their Thinking Has Guaranteed Freedom of the Screen 

Associated Press Photo 

The justices of the Supreme Court, whose unanimous decision in "The Miracle" 

case, gave a new freedom to screen expression. L to r: (front) Associate Justices 

Felix Franlifurter, Hugo Blacic, Chief Justice Fred M. Vinson, Associate Justices 

Stanley F. Reed and William O. Douglas; (rear) Associate Justices Tom Clark, 

who wrote the opinion, Robert H. Jackson, Harold H. Burton and Sherman Minton. 

Group Will Picket Film 

Despite Court's 

Ruling 

New York—^Picketing of theatres showin 

"The Miracle" will be resumed when 

the picture is shown. 

Frederic L. Vorbeck, executive chairman 

of United Catholic Organizations 

for the Freeing of Cardinal Mindszenty, 

issued a statement Wednesday (28) in 

which he castigated what he called "the 

intolerant and insulting stand" of the 

U.S. Supreme Court in outlawing the 

New York state ban on the picture. He 

said the decision "has torn to shreds the 

religious sensibilities of 28,000,000 American 

Catholics by blessing the showing of 

the scurrilous film." 

"This fUm does not seem to me to be case" it would declare all film censorship 

of a character that the First Amendment to be unconstitutional. 

permits a state to exclude from public The Court did not announce Monday 

view." 

whether or not it would consider the 

What the Court also implied is that the "Pinky" case, to which Johnston may have 

personal whims, likes and dislikes of individual 

censors and censorship boards day—next Monday—remains before the 

been referring. Only one more decision 

cannot be the basis for banning a motion Court adjourns for the summer. 

picture. 

Said Johnston: "We are delighted that 

The Court specifically stated that limitations 

under the free speech and free decision says that the motion picture as a 

the U.S. Supreme Court in "The Miracle' 

press guarantee of the Constitution are part of the press is entitled to the free 

recognized only "in exceptional cases." speech and free press guaranty of the 

Eric Johnston, president of the Motion Constitution. 

Picture Ass'n of America, commenting on "The Court's opinion marks a giant step 

the Court's decision, praised the inclusion forward toward removing all the shackles 

of films under the protection of the First of censorship from the screen. 

and Fourteenth Amendments, and expressed 

the hope that "in a subsequent the Court, in a subsequent case, will 

"The decision encourages us to hope that 

logically 

go the rest of the way and make it 

unmistakably clear that the motion picture, 

like its sister medium the press, cannot 

under the Constitution be censored anywhere 

in our country." 

Joseph Burstyn, distributor of "The 

Miracle," in appealing the ban imposed by 

the New York State Board of Regents, 

asked revocation of the prohibition on 

three principal grounds: (1) That the 

statute permitting the banning of films 

on the ground that they are "sacrilegious" 

violates the Fourteenth Amendment as a 

prior restraint upon freedom of speech 

and of the press; (2) that it is invalid 

under the Fourteenth Amendment as a 

violation of the guaranty of separate 

church and state and as a prohibition of 

the free exercise of religion; and (3) that 

the term "sacrilegious" is so vague and 

indefinite as to offend due process. 

The New York appellate division and the 

8 BOXOFFICE May 31, 1952 h

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' 

I Continued 

New York court of appeals, with two judges 

dissenting, upheld the regents. 

Justice Clark, in his opinion Monday, 

said the Supreme Court, "as we view the 

case . . . need consider only appellant's 

contention that the New York statute is 

an unconstitutional abridgment of free 

speech and a free press." 

This case, said the Court, "is the first 

to present squarely to us the question 

whether motion pictures are within the 

ambit of protection which the First Amendment, 

through the Fourteenth, secures to 

any form of "speech" or "the press." The 

Court pointed out that it had ruled, in a 

series of decisions that the freedom of 

speech and press guaranteed by the First 

Amendment against abridgment by the 

federal government "is within the hberty 

safeguarded by the due process clause of 

the Fourteenth Amendment from invasion 

by state action.'" This series of decisions, 

the Court added, came after the 1915 decision 

in the Mutual Kim case, in which 

the Court upheld an Ohio film censorship 

law as not violating the freedom of speech 

and publication guaranteed by the Ohio 

Constitution. 

A SIGNIFICANT MEDIUM 

"'It cannot be doubted that motion pictures 

are a significant medium for the communication 

of ideas,"" Justice Clark declared 

in his opinion. ""They may affect 

public attitudes and behavior in a variety 

of ways, ranging from direct espousal of a 

political or social doctrine to the subtle 

shaping of thought which characterizes all 

artistic expression. The importance of motion 

pictures as an organ of public opinion 

is not lessened by the fact that they are 

designed to entertain as well as to inform." 

The Court also threw out the argument 

that films do not fall within the terms of 

First Amendment because the industry "is 

a large-scale business conducted for private 

profit," a key point in the Mutual 

I 

case decision. Said Justice Clark: 

"'That books, newspapers and magazines 

are published and sold for profit does not 

I 

prevent them from being a form of ex- 

I 

pression whose liberty is safeguarded by 

i the Pii-st Amendment. We fail to see why 

I 

operation for profit should have any dif- 

! ferent effect in the case of motion pictures." 

The Court disallowed also the contention 

that "motion pictures possess a greater 

capacity for evil, particularly among the 

youth of a community, than other modes 

of 

expression."' 

HIT "UNBRIDLED CENSORSHIP' 

"'Even if one were to accept this hypothesis."" 

said the Court, "it does not follow 

that motion pictures should be disqualified 

from First Amendment protection. If there 

capacity for evil it may be relevant in 

determining the permissible scope of community 

control, but it does not authorize 

substantially unbridled censorship such as 

we have here." 

It was for these reasons, said the Court, 

that it concluded that films are included 

Loan of $500 Started Burstyn 

On Road to Film Distribution 

Joseph Burstyn, who carried successfully 

the fight against censorship to the 

Supreme Court, has been in film distribution 

for 22 years. In 1930, he borrowed 

$500 from a friend to rent a Yiddish film, 

"A Jew at War," with a theatre thrown in 

as part of the deal. Sixteen days later he 

had made $2,500 and was in the film business 

to stay. 

In 1936, he was introduced to Arthur 

L. Mayer, the former executive director 

of COMPO, who was then operating the 

Rialto Theatre, and had shown an interest 

in distribution of foreign films. They 

formed a partnership which lasted until 

1949 when Burstyn bought out Mayer's 

interest. In the 15 years they introduced 

U.S. film patrons to foreign-made pictures 

in a big way. 

'"Being a foreign film distributor,"' 

Burstyn says, "is the most heartbreaking 

and fascinating business in the world. I 

must always curb myself and not be 

tempted to over-expand on the basis of 

within the free speech and press guaranty 

of the First and Fourteenth Amendments. 

The Court added, however, that "it does 

not foUow that the Constitution requires 

absolute freedom to exhibit every motion 

of every kind at all times and all places . . . 

Nor does it follow that motion pictures are 

necessarily subject to the precise rules governing 

any other particular method of expression. 

Each method tends to present 

its own pecuhar problems." 

In this case, however, there is no justification 

for making an exception to the 

rule of freedom of expression set forth 

by the "basic principles of freedom of 

speech and the press," which, said the 

a good run of pictures. In this business, 

each picture in a sense is a new beginning, 

since the theatrical demand for it 

does not exist in the same way as it does 

for Hollywood product. Distributors like 

me must go out and create a market for 

each picture, and that is a challenge that 

is both exacting and exciting."' 

Burstyn imports have included "Ballerina, 

"The Bicycle Thief," "Open City," 

"Paisan,"' "'Miracle in Milan" and "Ways 

of Love," the last including "The Miracle." 

His most recent presentation, "Tomorrow 

Is Too Late,"' was the first foreign film 

ever to open at a major Broadway showcase 

(Loew"s State), and has since gone 

on to mass bookings in the category of 

Hollywood A product. 

He was born in 1900 in Poland where 

his father was a small businessman. He 

was one of nine children. He came to 

the U.S. in 1921 and began life here as 

a diamond polisher, later becoming publicity 

man and Yiddish Theatre manager. 

Court, "like the Rrst Amendment's command, 

do not vary."' 

The New York state statute in question, 

by requiring in advance "'permission to 

communicate ideas"' is contrary to the 

Court's ruling many years ago that "such 

a previous restraint is a form of infringement 

upon freedom of expression to be 

especially condemned,'" the opinion declared. 

It "'does not seek to punish, as a 

past offense, speech or writing falling 

within the permissible scope of subsequent 

punishment."" 

Justice Clark emphasized, however, that 

the Court had previously stated that ""the 

on page 10 

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BOXOFFICE 

: 

: May 

31, 1952 9

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FCC Theatre TV Hearing 

Set for Jan. 12. 1953 

rarties interested in theatre television channel 

allocations will have until November 14 

to file notice of appearances and until December 

1 to file a list of subjects of testimony 

and list of those who will appear. Lone 

delay in hearing apparently due to Job ahead 

of Federal Communications Commission to 

alloea>te TV station licenses. 

Announce New Dividend Policy 

At United Paramount Theatres 

Quarterly dividend is cut from 50 cents to 

25 cents but company will pay extra year-end 

dividend, since business is conducted largely 

on a cash basis. 

Para. Stockholders to See 

Telemeter Demonstration 

First eastern showing of pay-as-you-see 

system, in which company has 50 per cent 

Interest, scheduled for annual meeting Tuesday 

t3i; public tryout set for October at 

Palm Springs, Calif. 

Chicago's Oriental Theatre 

Facing June 5 Shutdown 

Victim of high operating costs; in effort 

to Iceep theatre open, owners of building are 

trying to interest Edwin Silverman, head of 

Essaness circuit, and former operator of the 

Oriental. 

* 

N. Y. Automatically Reinstates 

'Miracle' License May 27 

More than a dozen theatres quickly seek 

to book film to profit from overwhelming 

publicity it received as a result of the Supreme 

Court reversal of the state censorship ban. 

Philip Marcus to Be Shifted 

To New Government Duties 

Assistant to attorney general in charge of 

film cases will not be succeeded by any individual, 

but work will be split among several, 

according to the Department of Justice. 

French Subsidy Provisions 

Opposed by the SIMPP 

-K 

Meeting of MPAA foreign managers hears 

James A. Mulvey, chairman of SIMPP distribution 

committee, attack pact proposals 

brought back from Paris by Eric Johnston. 

Associated Press Suspends 

New TV News Film Service 

News agency stops sales to stations begun 

April 14 because of uncertain expansion of 

market, but will continue making news and 

feature films for TV; INS and trp to remain 

active. 

Freedom of Screen 

(Continued from page 9) 

protection even as to previous restraint Is 

not absolutely unlimited. But the limitation 

has been recognized only in exceptional 

cases." 

In the light of this ruling and of the 

F^rst Amendment's history, he went on, 

"the State has a heavy burden to demonstrate 

that the limitation challenged here 

presents such an exceptional case." 

And, according to the opinion. New York 

State did not demonstrate that this was 

one of the "exceptional" cases. The New 

York courts' "broad and all-inclusive" 

definition of "sacrilegious" in relation to 

the statute "Is far from the kind of narrow 

exception to freedom of expression 

which a state may carve out to satisfy the 

adverse demands of other interests of society 

. . . New York cannot vest such unlimited 

restraining control over motion pictures 

in a censor ... It is not the business 

of government in our nation to suppress 

real or imagined attacks upon a particular 

religious 

doctrine, whether they appear in 

publications, speeches or motion pictures." 

A concurring opinion by Justice Frankfurter, 

joined in by Justices Jackson and 

Burton, went at length into the history of 

"The Miracle" and into the definitions 

and interpretations of "sacrilegious" which 

have come down through the years, and 

concluded there was no justification of 

the "vague scope" given to the term by 

the New York Court of Appeals. 

"The definition from Funk & Wagnalls 

used by the court of appeals is taken 

straight from 18th Century dictionaries 

... In light of that history it would seem 

that the Funk U Wagnalls' definition uses 

'sacrilege' in its historically restricted 

meaning, which was not, and could hardly 

have been, the basis for condemning 'The 

Miracle.' 

the New York court reads the Funk 

"If 

& Wagnalls' definition in a broader sense, 

in a sense for which history and experience 

provide no gloss, it inevitably left the 

censor free to judge by whatever dogma 

he deems 'sacred' and to ban whatever 

motion pictures he may assume would 'profane' 

religious doctrine widely enough held 

to arouse protest." 

Three state censorship boards—Maryland, 

New York and Pennsylvania—have prohibitions 

against sacrilegious films. Kansas bars 

ridicule of religious sects, Ohio requires that 

films shall be of an educational or amusing 

and harmless character, and Virginia prohibits 

immoral films. 

Massachusetts, which has police censorship 

of Sunday films, includes sacrilege as a 

barred subject. Rhode Island and some other 

states have laws permitting police to interfere 

with the showing of films when complaints 

are made by religious or civic groups. 

Eighteen cities have some form of police censorship. 

The crux of all official censorship lies in 

the requirement that films must be censored 

before showing—a requirement that does not 

Court's Decision Ends 

A 30-Month Legal Fight 

The court fight over "The Miracle" 

^ 

bega7i two and one-half years ago. The 

picture opened at the Paris Theatre in 

New York Dec. 11, 1950, after it had been 

granted a license by the state censors. 

', 

It is not a full-length feature in itself, , 

but serves as a sequence in a three-part 

film called "Ways of Love" which Roberto 

RosselliJii produced in Italy. 

There ums a tremendous outburst of 

protest from the Catholic church be-\ 

cause, in the picture, a half-witted i 

shepherdess dreams that she is seduced; 

by a stranger she believes to be St. Jo- 

. 

seph. She believes the birth of her child i 

is a miracle. This role is played by Annj 

Magnani. 

With the protests, Edward T. McCaffrey, 

New York City license inspector,] 

ordered the picture withdrawn, and\ 

threatened to rescind the theatre license\ 

if the order was not obeyed. The New] 

York supreme court held that McCaffrey] 

liad exceeded his authority. 

With the picture still playing, picket 

ing followed. Counter picketing against 

the Catholic War Veterans started. Side-', 

walk spectators were pushed about. Po-j 

lice interfered frequently. The manage-l 

ment of the theatre was charged with* 

violations of the standee law, and other\ 

forms of official harassment were tried] 

by the city building department. 

The case then teas presented to (ftej i 

board of regents of the state, undert 

whose jurisdiction the censorship group 

operates, and the regents took away the] 

license to exhibit the film. Burstyn ap-i 

I 

pealed this action to the appellate courtj I 

and then to the court of appeals which^ 

] 

in a split decision, upheld the withdrawal. 

In January 1952, fighting alone, the>, 

distributor took the case to the Unitedi\ I 

States Supreme Court. Early in Febru-\\ 

ary, the Court agreed to hear the dispute. 

Briefs were filed the first week ire I 

April and the court moved speedily. Oro 

April 24, the Court heard oral arguments \ 

and in just four weeks handed down itst 

opinion. 

\i 

apply to any other form of communication^ 

j 

The inherent power to bar films of an indecent 

nature has never been 

,1 

questioned.! 

Cases arise from time to time which chal-i 

lenge the judgment of police officials. Thej 

"Latuko" case showing unclothed Africani 

natives is an example. New York censors' | 

barred the film recently. When it opened in' 

Newark, N. J., the police seized the film and] I 

arrested the theatre manager and two pro-i 

jectionists. A few days later a superior courf 

judge ruled the film was not indecent and; 

issued an injunction against prosecution ofi| 

the prisoners. 

Racial issues have been frequent causes! 

of censorship in the south. By an odd coincidence 

one of these arose in Maryland Monday 

(26) the day the Supreme Court handed 

down its "Miracle" decision. The Maryland! 

censors barred "Birth of a Nation" after 37; 

years on the ground that it is "morally bad' 

and crime-inciting." 

10 BOXOFFICE :: May 31, 1952;j

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! The 

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banning 

1 any 

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partment 

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: 

three 

motion 

Text of the Supreme Court's Opinion in The Miracle' Case 

SUPREME COURT OF THE 

UNITED STATES 

Joseph Burstyn, Inc., 

V. 

Appellant, 

i 

Lewis A. Wilson, Commissioner of Educa- 

) 

tion of the State of New York, et al. 

On Appeal from the Court of Appeals of the 

State of New York. 

26, 1952) 

t 

Justice Clark delivered the opinion of 

the Court. 

is.sue here is the constitutionality, under 

the First and Fourteenth Amendments, 

I 

of a New York statute which permits the 

of motion picture film.s on the 

) ground that they are "sacrilegious." That 

i 

statute makes it unlawful "to exhibit, or to 

sell, lease or lend for exhibition at any place 

j 

of amusement for pay or in connection with 

business in the state of New York, any 

motion picture film or reel (.with specified ex- 

( ceptions not relevant here), unless there is 

i 

at the time in full force and effect a valid 

license or permit therefor of the education de- 

."' 

. . The statute further provides: 

"The director of the 

i 

picture) di- 

vision lof the education department) or, when 

authorized by the Regents, the officers of a 

iocal office or bui'eau shall cause to be 

omptly examined every motion picture film 

ibmitted to them as herein required, and 

unless such film or a part thereof is obscene, 

I 

1 I 

indecent, immoral, inhuman, sacrilegious, or 

of such a character that its exhibition 

ould lend to corrupt morals or incite to 

; crime, shall issue a license therefor. If such 

I director, or, when so authorized, such officer 

shall not license any film submitted, he shall 

I furnish to the applicant therefor a written 

li 

report of the reasons for his refusal and a 

description of each rejected part of a film not 

rejected in toto."2 

Appellant is a corporation engaged in the 

business of distributing motion pictures. It 

owns the exclusive rights to distribute 

throughout the United States a film produced 

in Italy entitled "The Miracle." On Novem- 

I 

ber 30, 1950, after having examined the pic- 

I 

ture, the motion picture division of the New 

York education department, acting under the 

j 

statute quoted above, issued to appellant a li- 

cense authorizing exhibition of "The Miracle," 

f 

with English subtitles, as one part of a trilogy 

called "Ways of Love." 3 Thereafter, for a 

I 

1 period of approximately eight weeks, "Ways 

of 

I 

Love" was exhibited publicly in a motion 

picture theatre in New York City under an 

I agreement between appellant and the owner 

1 the theatre whereby appellant received a 

ated percentage of the admission price. 

During this period, the New York State 

I 

• Board of Regents, which by statute is made 

he head of the education department.4 reived 

"hundreds of letters, telegrams, postuids, 

affidavits and other communications" 

-oth protesting against and defending the 

iJUblic exhibition of "The Miracle. "5 The 

Chancellor of the Board of Regents requested 

members of the Board to view the picture 

and to make a report to the entire 

I Board. After viewing the film, this commiti 

tee reported to the Board that in its opinion 

there 

I 

was basis for the claim that the picture 

was "sacrilegious." Thereafter, on January 

19, 1951, the Regents directed appellant 

to show cause, at a hearing to be held on 

[ 

January 30, why its license to show "The 

Miracle" should not be rescinded on that 

ground. Appellant appeared at this hearing, 

which was conducted by the same three-member 

committee of the Regents which had previously 

viewed the picture, and challenged 

the jurisdiction of the committee and of the 

Regents to proceed with the ca-se. With the 

con.sent of the committee, various interested 

persons and organizations submitted to it 

briefs and exhibits bearing upon the merits 

of the picture and upon the constitutional 

and statutory question.s involved. On February 

16, 1951, the Regents, after viewnig "The 

Miracle," determined that it was "sacrilegious" 

and for that reason ordered the Commissioner 

of Education to rescind appellant's licen.se to 

exhibit the picture. The Commissioner did 

Among the claims ad- 

so. 

Appellant brought the present action in 

the New York courts to review the determination 

of the Regents. 6 

vanced by appellant were 1 1 1 that the statute 

violates the Fourteenth Amendment as a 

prior restraint upon freedom of speech and 

of the pre.ss; (2) that it is invalid under the 

same Amendment as a violation of the guaranty 

of .separate church and state and as a 

prohibition of the free exercise of religion: 

and (3) that the term "sacrilegious" is so 

vague and indefinite as to offend due process. 

The Appellate Division rejected all of appellant's 

contentions and upheld the Regents' 

determination. 278 App. Div. 253, 104 N.Y. 

S. 2d 740. On appeal the New York Court of 

Appeals, two judges dissenting, affirmed the 

order of the Appellate Division. 303 N.Y. 242, 

101 N.E. 2d 665. The ca.se is here on appeal. 

28 U.S.C. s 1257 I2). 

As we view the case, we need consider 

only appellant's contention that the New York 

statute is an unconstitutional abridgement of 

free speech and a free press. In Mutual Film 

Corp. V. Industrial Comm'n, 23 U.S. 230 

(1915), a distributor of motion pictures sought 

to enjoin the enforcement of an Ohio statute 

which required the prior approval of a board 

of censors before any motion picture could be 

publicly exhibited in the state, and which directed 

the board to approve only such films as 

it adjudged to be "of a moral, educational or 

amusing and harmless character." The statute 

was assailed in part as an uncoiostitutional 

abridgement of the freedom of the 

1 McKinney's NY. Lows, 1947, Education Laws s 129 

2 Id., s 122. 

3 The motion picture division tiad previously issued 

a license tor exhibition ot "The Miracle" without 

English subt'tles, but the tilm was never shown 

under that license. 

4 McKinney's N.Y. Lows, 1947, Education Law, s 

101; see also N.Y. Const., Art V, s 4. 

5 Stipulation between oppeliant and appellee, R. 86. 

6 The action was brought under Article 78 ot the 

New York Civil Practice Act, Gilbert-Bliss' N.Y. 

Civ. Proc, Vol. 6B, 1944, 1949 Supp , s 1283 

et seq. See also McKinney's N.Y. Laws, 1947, 

Education Law, s 124. 

7 236 US. at 244. 

8 Gitlow V. New York, 268 (U.S. 652 (1925), Stromberg 

V. Californio, 283 U.S. 359, 368 (1931); Neor 

V. Minnesota ex rel. Olson, 283 U.S. 697. 707 

(1931); Grosiean v. American Press Co., 297 US 

233, 244 (1936); De Jonge v. Oregon, 299 US 

353, 364 (1937); Lovell v. Gritfin, 303 U.S. 444, 

450 (1938); Schneider v. Irvington, 308 U, S. 

147, 160 (1939). 

9 See Lovell v. Griffin, 303 U.S. 444, 452 (1938) 

10 See Inglis, Freedom of the Movies (1947), 20-24; 

Klopper, The Effects of Moss Media (1950), 

passim; Note, Motion Pictures and the First 

Amendment, 60 Yale L.J. 696, 704-708 (1951), 

and sources cited therein, 

I 1 See Grosjean v. American Press Co., 297 U.S. 

233 (1936); Thomos v. Collins, 323 U.S. 516. 

531 (1945). 

press guaranteed by the First and Fourteenth 

Amendments. The District Court rejected 

this contention, stating that the first 

eight Amendments were not a restriction on 

state action. 215 F. 138, 141 iD.C. N.D. Ohio 

19141. On appeal to this Court, plaintiff in 

its brief abandoned this claim and contended 

merely that the statute in question violated 

the freedom of .speech and publication guaranteed 

by the Constitution of Ohio. In affirming 

the decree of the District Court denying 

injunctive relief, this Court staled: 

"It caiuiot be put out of view that the 

exhibition of moving pictures is a busine.ss 

pure and simple, originated and conducted 

for profit, like other spectacles, 

not to be regarded, nor intended to be regarded 

by the Ohio constitution, we think, 

as part of the press of the country or as 

organs of public opinion. "7 

In a .series of decisions beginning with Gitlow 

V. New York, 268 U.S. 652 il925), this 

Court held that the liberty of speech and of 

the press which the First Amendment guarantees 

against abridgement by the federal 

government is within the liberty safeguarded 

by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth 

Amendment from invasion by state action.8 

That principle has been followed and reaffirmed 

to the present day. Since this series 

of decisions came after the Mutual decision, 

the present case is the first to pre.-ent squarely 

to us the question whether motion pictures 

are within the ambit of protection which the 

First Amendment, through the Fourteenth, 

.secures to any form of ".speech" or "the 

press. "9 

It cannot be doubted that motion pictures 

are a significant medium for the communication 

of ideas. They may affect public attitudes 

and behavior in a variety of ways, ranging 

from direct espousal of a political or social 

doctrine to the subtle shaping of thought 

which characterizes all artistic expression.! 

The importance of motion pictures as an 

organ of public opinion is not lessened by the 

fact that they are designed to entertain as 

well as to inform. As was said in Winters v. 

New York, 333 U.S. 507, 510 (1948) 

"The line between the informing and 

the entertaining is too elusive for the 

protection of that basic right (a free 

press). Everyone is familiar with in- 

-stances of propaganda through fiction. 

What is one man's amusement, teaches 

another's doctrine." 

It is urged that motion pictures do not tall 

within the First Amendment's aegis becau.se 

their production, distribution, and exhibition 

is a large-scale busine.ss conducted for private 

profit. We cannot agree. That books, newspapers, 

and magazines are published and sold 

for profit does not prevent them from being 

a form of expression whose liberty is safeguarded 

by the First Amendment.! We 

i 

fail to see why operation for profit should 

have any different effect in the case of motion 

pictures. 

It is further urged that motion pictures 

po.ssess a greater capacity for evil, particularly 

among the youth of a community, than 

other modes of expre.ssion. Even if one were 

to accept tliis hypothesis, it does not follow 

that motion pictures should be disqualified 

from First Amendment protection. If there 

be capacity for evil it may be relevant in detContinued 

on page 14) 

BOXOFFICE :: May 31, 1952 II

-^ 

, f .». j'-t 

* 

tXJ-^^ 

.UK* 

II

, 

Text of 

Supreme 

Court Decision 

(Continued fiom page lit 

ImnmiiiB the peimis-sible scope of community 

control, but it does not authorize substantially 

unbridled censorship such as we have 

here. 

For the foregoing reasons, we conclude that 

expre.ssion by means of motion pictures is included 

within the free speech and free press 

guaranty of the First and Fourteenth Amendments. 

To the extent that language in the 

opinion of Mutual Film Corp. v. Industrial 

Comm'n. supra, is out of harmony with the 

views here set forth, we no longer adhere to 

It. 12 

To hold that liberty of expression by means 

of motion pictures is guaranteed by the First 

and Fourteenth Amendments, however, is not 

the end of our problem. It does not follow 

that the Constitution requires absolute freedom 

to exhibit every motion picture of every 

kind at all times and all places. That much 

IS evident from the series of decisions of this 

Court with respect to other media of communication 

of ideas. 13 Nor does it follow 

that motion pictures are necessarily subject 

to tlie precise rules governing any other particular 

method of expre.ssion. Each method 

tends to present its own peculiar problems. 

But the basic principles of freedom of speech 

and the press, like the First Amendment's 

command, do not vary. Those principles, as 

iliey have frequently been enunciated by this 

Court, make freedom of expression the rule. 

There is no justification in this ca,se for making 

an exception to that rule. 

The statute involved here does not .seek to 

punish, as a past offense, speech or writing 

falling within the permissible scope of subsequent 

punishment. On the contrary. New 

York requires that permission to communicate 

ideas be obtained in advance from state officials 

who judge the content of the words and 

pictures sought to be communicated. This 

Court recognized many years ago that such 

a previous restraint is a form of infringement 

upon freedom of expression to be especially 

condemned. Near v. Minnesota ex rel. Olson, 

283 U.S. 697 11931). The Court there recounted 

the history which indicates that a 

major purpose of the First Amendment guaranty 

of a free press was to prevent prior restraints 

upon publication, although it was 

carefully pointed out that the liberty of the 

press is not limited to that protection.' 4 It 

was further stated that "the protection even 

as to previous restraint is not absolutely unlimited. 

But the limitation has been recognized 

only in exceptional ca.ses." Id., at 716. 

In the light of the First Amendment's history 

and of the Near decision, the State has a 

heavy burden to demonstrate that the limitation 

challenged here presents such an exceptional 

case. 

New^ York's highest court says there is 

"nothing mysterious" about the statutory 

provision applied in this case: "It is simply 

this: that no religion, as that word is understood 

by the ordinary, reasonable person, shall 

be treated with contempt, mockery, scorn and 

ridicule . . 

."15 This is far from the kind of 

narrow exception to freedom of expression 

which a state may carve out to satisfy the adverse 

demands of other interests of society. 16 

14 

In .seekmg to apply the broad and all-inclusive 

definition of "sacrilegious" given by 

the New York courts, the censor is set adrift 

upon a boundless jea amid a mjTiad of conflicting 

currents of religious views, with no 

charts but those provided by the most vocal 

and powerful orthodoxies. New York cannot 

vest such \inlimited restraining control 

over motion pictures in a censor. Cf. Kimz 

V. New York, 340 U.S. 290 (19511.17 Under 

such a standard the most careful and tolerant 

cen.ôr would find it virtually impossible to 

avoid favoring one religion over another, and 

he would be subject to an inevitable tendency 

12 See United Stotes v. Poromounl Piclurei, Inc., 

334 U.S. 131, 166 (1948); "We hove no doubt 

that moving pictures, like newspapers and radio, 

ore included in the press whose freedom is guaranteed 

by the First Amendment." It is not 

without significance thot talking pictures were 

first produced in 1926, eleven years after the 

Mutual decision. Encyclopaedia Britannica {1951), 

"Motion Pictures." 

13 E. g,, Reiner v. New York, 340 US, 315 (1951); 

Kovocs V. Cooper, 336 US. 77 (1949); Chaplinsky 

V. New Hampshire, 315 US. 568 (1942); Cox 

V. New Hampshire, 312 U.S. 569 (1941). 

14 Near v. Minnesota ex rel. Olson, 283 U.S. 697, 

713-719 (1931); see also Lovell v. Griffin, 303 

U.S. 444, 451-452 (1938); Grosleon v, American 

Press Co., 297 US, 233, 245-250 (1936); Patterson 

V. Colorado, 205 US, 454, 462 (1907). 

15 303 N.Y. 242, 258, 101 N.E. 2d 665, 672. At 

onother point the Court of Appeals gave "socrilegious" 

the following definition: "the act of 

violating or profaning anything sacred," Id,, 

at 255, 101 N,E, 2d at 670, The Court of Appeal'^ 

also approved the Appellate Division's 

interpretation: "As the Court below said of the 

statute in question, 'All it purports to do is to 

bar a visuol caricature of religious beliefs held 

sacred by one sect or another 

,' " 

, Id,, at 

258, 101 N,E, 2d at 672, Judge Fuld, dissenting, 

concluded from all the statements in the 

majority opinion that "the basic criterion appears 

to be whether the film treats a religious 

theme in such a manner as to offend the religious 

beliefs of any group of persons. If the 

film does hove that effect, and it is 'offered 

as a form of entertoinment,' it apparently falls 

within the statutory ban regardless of the sincerity 

and good faith of tiie producer of the 

film, no matter how unlikely a public disturbance 

or breach of the peace. The drastic nature 

of such a ban is highlighted by the fact 

that the film in question makes no direct attack 

on, or criticism of, any religious dogma 

or principle, and it is not claimed to be obscene, 

scurrilous, intemperate or abusive.'' Id, 

at 271-272, 101 N.E. 2d at 680. 

16 Cf. Thornhill v. Alabama, 310 U.S. 88, 97 (1940); 

Stromberg v. California, 283 U.S. 359, 369-370 

(1931). 

17 Cf. Niemotko v. Maryland, 340 U,S, 268 (1951); 

Saia v. New York, 334 U,S. 558 (1948); Largent 

V. Texas, 318 U.S. 418 (1943); Lovell v. Griffin, 

303 U.S. 444 (1938). 

18 See Contwell v. Connecticut, 310 U.S. 296(1940). 

19 See the following statement by Justice Roberts, 

speaking for a unanimous Court in Contwell v. 

Connecticut, 310 U.S. 296, 310 (1940): "In the 

reolm of religious faith, and in that of political 

belief, sharp differences arise. In both fields 

the tenets of one mon may seem the rankest 

error to his neighbor. To persuade others to 

his own point of view, the pleader, as we know, 

at times, resorts to exaggeration, to vilification 

of men who have been, or are, prominent in 

church or state, and even to false statement. 

But the people of this nation hove ordained in 

the light of history, that, in spite of the probability 

of excesses and obuses, these liberties 

are, in the long view, essential to enlightened 

opinion and right conduct on the part of the 

citizens of a democracy. The essential characteristic 

of these liberties is, that under their 

shield many types of life, character, opinion and 

belief con develop unmolested and unobstructed. 

Nowhere is this shield more necessary than in 

our own country for a people composed of many 

races and of many creeds," 

20 In the Near case, this Court stated that "the 

primary requirements of decency may be enforced 

agoinst obscene publications." 283 U.S. 

697, 716. In Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire, 

315 U.S. 568, 571-572 (1942), Justice Murphy 

stated for a unanimous Court: "There ore certoin 

well-defined and narrowly limited classes 

of speech, the prevention and punishment of 

which hove never been thought to raise ony 

Constitutional problem. These include the lewd 

ond obscene, the profane, the libelous, and the 

insulting or 'fighting' words—those which by 

their very utteronce inflict injury or tend to 

incite on immediate breach of the peace." But 

see Kovacs v. Cooper, 336 U.S. 77, 82 (1949): 

"V^hen ordinances undertake censorship of speech 

or religious practices before permitting their 

exercise, the Constitution forbids their enforcement." 

to ban the expre.ssion of unpopular sentiments 

sacred to a religious minority. Applii 

cation of the ".sacrilegious" test, in these oi 

other respects, might rai.se substantial questions 

under the First Amendment's guaranty 

of separate church and state with freedom 

of worship for all. 18 However, from the; 

standpoint of freedom of speech and the 

press, it is enough to point out that the state 

has no legitimate interest in protecting any 

or all religions from views distasteful to' 

them which is sufficient to justify prior restraints 

upon the expression of those views.' 

It is not the busine.ss of government in our 

nation to suppress real or imagined attacks 

upon a particular religious doctrine, whether 

they appear in publications, speeches, or mo-| 

tion pictures.l9 

j 

Since the term "sacrilegious" is the .solei 

standard under attack here, it is not neces-; 

sary for us to decide, for example, whether 

a state may censor motion pictures under a; 

clearly drawn statute designed and applied to; 

prevent the .showing of ob^cene films. That; 

is a very different question from the one now| 

before us. 20 'We hold only that under the| 

First and Fourteenth Amendment a statej 

may not ban a film on the basis of a censor','^' 

conclusion that it is "sacrilegious." 

Mr. Justice Reed, concurring in the judg-| 

the Court: 

ment of 

j 

Assuming that a state may establish a .sys-j 

tem for the licensing of motion pictures, aiv 

Issue not foreclosed by the Court's opinion^ 

our duty requires us to examine the factsof 

the refusal of a license in each case to determine 

whether the principles of the Firsl 

Amendment have been honored. This film 

does not seem to me to be of a character that, 

the First Amendment permits a state to ex-i 

elude from public view. 

1951 Income Sources 

Reported by Universal 

NE'W YORK—Universal Pictures has re-| 

ported a total of $65,172,580 for 1951 in con-i 

solidated income from distribution and other 

operations in a revised prospectus dated Majj 

7 and filed with the Securities and Exchangf 

Commission. The income was broken down ai 

follows: U.S.—$42,107,349; Great Britain- 

$4,722,031; Canada—$2,731,909; Australasia- 

$1,550,849 and other foreign income—$14.060,' 

442. The report includes income from couD' 

tries having exchange restrictions only to th( 

extent of income realized in dollars. 

The funded debt was listed as consistini 

of 3?i per cent sinking fund debentures dui 

March 1, 1959 and outstanding—$3,038,000 

secured notes payable to banks oustanding- 

$2,800,000; a loan payable to a British subsidi 

ary equal to its bank loan and due Decern' 

ber 1, 1952—$130,816; a purchase obligatior 

payable 1952-67—$300,000, and accounts pay 

able and maturing after one year—$335,600. 

The company reported capital stocks a.' 

56,420 shares of 4M.- per cent of cumulativ< 

preferred with a par value of $100 each 

960,498 shares of common with a par valw 

of $1, and 218,809 warrants. It noted that 

158 civil suits for damages are pendint, 

against the company or a subsidiary whicl* 

charge antitrust violations, and that 138 o: 

those ask triple damages of about $238,625,000 

The remaining suits ask that damages b(, 

assessed at the trial or ask for injunctions, 

| 

The company has spent an average of $470 

000 annually in the last three years for pur' 

chases of Eastman raw stock. 

BOXOFFICE :: May 31, 196-'

.* 

Warner Bros: 

CHEERLEADER 

OF MUSIC 

AND FUN.' 

STARRING 

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GING[R CROWLEY- NORMAN BARIOLD-IHE BLACKBURN lWIN^ÊTETMltNE•wTm^^^ 

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so. CALIF. ASS'N TO PRESENT 

TRADE GRIPES TO CONGRESS 

Calls for the Creation 

Of a Code of Practices 

For the Industry 

LOS ANGELES—Terming it a "last ditch 

stand," the Southern California Theatre 

Owners Ass'n, comprising approximately 

150 independently operated theatres in this 

community, on Tuesday

n 

SECIAL 

t ICE FOR 

3IT0RS...i 

THE BOOKING OF THE WEEK 

...DESIGNED 

TO HIGHLIGHT 

CURRENT AND 

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ûi^Qff 

IIINGS YOU'LL 

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T« OF STORY: 

i»ainuitic 

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A: It* Juiiieit 

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* 

BRIGHT UA PRODUCT OUTLOOK; 

42 FILMS IN NEXT 18 MONTHS 

Sixteen. Company Record. 

In Color; Five Planned 

For British Studios 

NEW YORK— United Artists has 42 pictures 

definitely lined up for release between 

July 1 of this year and December 31 of next 

year and has negotiations in progress for 

more. 

This is the first time the company has 

ever had a product lineup of this magnitude 

set in advance, says Arthur Ki'im, 

president, and the type of product in sight, 

he says, "brings the company definitely 

nearer to its goal of all high-class product." 

Sixteen pictures will be in color, another 

new high for the company. 

HOPE FOR CHAPLIN FILM 

II ciurent negotiations are .successful, 

Charles Chaplin's "Limelight" will be put on 

the 1952 release schedule. 

Five films will be made in England foiquota 

purposes with the company providing 

dollar financing for some of them. Four already 

set are: "Melba." a Sam Spiegel production 

starring Patrice Munsel, in Technicolor; 

"The Fake," a Steve Pallos production: 

"The Witness." a Sam Spiegel production with 

Ingrid Bergman and Marlon Brando, and 

Rough Shoot," a Raymond Stross-Robert 

Parish production, starring Joel McCrea and 

Evelyn Keyes. 

In making the production announcement. 

Krim said he wanted to make another "progress 

report" of the type he has been making 

at intervals since the present management 

took over. 

Cost of the product lineup is estimated at 

approximately $30,000,000. The company is 

aiding in the financing of 20 of the pictures. 

Walter Heller & Co. of Chicago is sharing in 

the financing. Some limited bank support is 

being provided by Chemical Bank & Trust 

Co.. New York, and the Giannini banking 

group on the coast, and private investors have 

put up some funds. United Artists will have 

an interest in the negatives of films for which 

It puts up funds. 

SURPRISED BY HIGHS AND LOWS 

In discussing business conditions, Krim 

said: "We are surprised by the heights we can 

reach on some films and by the depths we 

can go on others. There doesn't seem to be 

any floor, as in the past, and at the same 

time there doesn't seem to be any ceiling." 

Krim began his remarks by saying he could 

for the first time dismiss reference to the reorganization 

phases of his problems. The 

company is now steadily in the black. 

"We are pleased that we can make definite 

product announcements. We aim to have at 

least three films per month. This seems to be 

a comfortable pace for the sales organization, 

but we make market tests from time to 

time and we are negotiating several deals. All 

I am announcing is the product that has been 

definitely set with approved scripts. No indefinite 

commitments are listed," 

Max E, Youngstein, vice-president in charge 

of publicity, advertising and exploitation. In- 

ARTHUR KRIM 

The ledger cojitains only black ink 

terrupled to say: "We are now making longlange 

advance preparations for the first time. 

I have already met with producers' representatives 

on a number of pictiu-es and beneficial 

result,s ought to follow both tor the producers 

and the sales organization." 

Krim left Friday (23) afternoon for the 

coast to hold conferences with producers. He 

said he expected to be away about two weeks. 

Three of the new lineup have been delivered. 

They are: "Outcast of the Islands," 

with Ralph Richardson, Trevor Howard, Robert 

Morley and Kerima, with Carol Reed as 

producer-director; "Island of Desire," with 

Linda Darnell. Tab Hunter and Donald Gray, 

with David E. Rose as producer and Stuart 

Heisler as director, in Technicolor; "African 

Fury," formerly "Cry, the Beloved Country," 

Canada Lee, with Zoltan Korda as producer. 

The other films on the list are: "High 

Noon," Gary Cooper, Grace Kelly, Lloyd 

Bridges and Thomas Mitchell ; 

producer, Stanley 

Kramer; director. Fred Zinneman; "Park 

Row," Gene Evans and Mary Welch; director, 

Samuel Puller; "Encounter," Paul Muni 

and Joan Lorring; producer, Bernard Vorhaus; 

director, Joseph Losey; "The Thief," 

Ray Milland; producer, Harry Popkin; director. 

Rouse Greene; "Planter's Wife," Claudette 

Colbert and Michael Redgrave; producer, 

J. Arthur Rank; director. Ken Annakin; 

"The Ring." Gerald Mohr and Rita Morena; 

producers, King Brothers; director, 

Kurt Neuman; "Venus Women," in Super- 

Cinecolor; producer, Eugene Frenke; "Kansas 

City 117," John Payne and Coleen Gray; 

producer, Edward Small; director Phil Karlson; 

"South of Algiers," in Technicolor, Van 

Heflin and Wanda Hendrix; "Glass Wall," 

Vittorio Gassmann and Gloria Grahame; 

producer, Ivan Tors; director. Maxwell 

Shane. 

"Return to Paradise," in Technicolor, Gary 

Cooper; producer, Aspen Productions; director, 

Mark Robson; "Finishing School"; producer-director, 

John Hukton; "Melba," Patrice 

Munsel; producer, Sam Spiegel; "Return of 

the Corsican Brothers," Louis Hay ward; producer, 

Edward Small; director, Ray Nazarru. 

"Savage Frontier, " in Technicolor. Yvonne 

de Carlo; pioducer, Edward Small; director, 

Sidney Salkow; 'Indian Fighter," m Technicolor; 

producers. King Brothers; "Rough 

Shoot," Joel McCrea and Evelyn Keyes: producer, 

Raymond Stress 

; director, Robert Parish; 

"Morassi," in color, Richard Denning and 

Martha Hyer; producers, Breakston-Stahl; 

"Ring Around Saturn"; producers, Na.s.sour 

Brothers; "Khyber Pass," in Technicolor; producer, 

Edward Small; "The Fake"; producer 

Steve Pallos; "Prisoner's Island"; producer, 

Edward Small; "Girl on the Via Flamina," 

two top stars now in negotiation, an Anatole 

Litvak and Benagoss Production; "The Moon 

Is Blue"; producer, F. Hugh Herbert; director. 

Otto Preminger; "Navajo Canyon," in 

Technicolor; producer, Edward Small; "The 

Syndicate"; producers, King Brothers; "Fort 

Courageous"; producer, Joseph ErmoUief. 

INGRID BERGMAN PICTURE 

"The Witness," with Ingrid Bergman and 

Marlon Brando; producer, Sam Spiegel; "Until 

They Sail," in Technicolor, two top stars 

in negotiation; producer. Aspen Productions; 

director, Robert Wise; "Miss Hargreaves," 

Katharine Hepburn; producer-director, John 

Huston; "Jehad," in Technicolor, with Maureen 

O'Hara and a male star now in negotiation; 

producer, Nassour Brothers; "Daughter 

of Mata Hari," in Technicolor; producer. 

1 

Edward Small; "The Charge of the 600"; pro- i 

ducer, Edward Small; "Tiger River"; pro- i 

ducer, Edward Small; "Timbuctoo"'; producer,' 

Edward Small; "King Solomon's Wives"; producer, 

Edward Small; "Black Grandee," in! 

Technicolor; producer, Nassour Brothers; 

"The Ninth Man," in Eastman color, two 

stars in negotiation; producer, John Bash; director, 

Milton Krims. 

Four of the above list— "Planter's Wife," 

"The Ring," "South of Algiers" and "Finishing 

School"—have been completed. "Glass 

Wall" is in production. Several are scheduled 

to start in July and August, and the remainder 

in September, October and November. 

Para. Quarterly Earnings t 

Down Slightly From '51 

NEW YORK—Paramount Pictures Corp, 

reports earnings of $1,355,000 for its conj 

solidated domestic and Canadian subsidiarie.'^ I 

for the first quarter ended March 29. 1952, I 

compared to estimated earnings of $1,411.00C ] 

for the quai-ter ended March 31, 1951. 

The first quarter 1952 consolidated earnings 

represents 58 cents per share on tht 

2,342,104 shares outstanding and in the hand.v 

of the public March 29, compared to 61 

cents per share for the quarter ended Marcli 

31, 1951 on the 2,302,760 shares then out-^ 

' 

standing. 

Paramount Pictures has voted a dividend ol 

50 cents per share for the second quartei 

on the common stock, payable June 23 

1952 to holders of record June 9. 

- 

' 

18 

BOXOFFICE :: May 31, 195:, 

I

II 

YOUR COLUMBIA EXCHANGE 

S£K. 

IS NOW FEATURING A 2- REEL 

!SBgT»?r'Fy^-:-'«raicai2?aw»'jiv-;° 

- 

TRAILER PREVIEWING 

YOUR TOP 1952-53 

9r

' 

j 

j 

^ 

j 

j 

distributors put all their eggs in one basket, 

that is to say, release all their exceptional 

product within a short space of time and then 

seem to forget that there are other days in 

I 

the year besides New Year's, Easter and Labor 

day. 

"Metro has lent an ear to the exhibitors' 

| 

plea that the release of product should be conj 

j 

j 

THctt^ûtd S

' 

' 

I 

I 

Levy 

j 

May 

' 

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in 

I 

! competitive 

1 The 

1 

of 

1 ALLIED'S 

j 

National 

i 

an 

; 

but 

, at 

' 

, 

and 

I 

Owners 

I 

I 

The 

I 

accompanying 

'CAN AGREEMENT ON A UNIFORM 

BIDDING SYSTEM BE REACHED?' 

Question Is 

Being Studied 

By Committee Drafting 

Rules of Arbitration 

NEW YORK—The abitration rules committee 

headed by Herman M. Levy, general counsel 

of the Theatre Owners of America, 

! 

continues its arduous task of drafting an 

operational plan for presentation to the second 

full-dress conference now scheduled for 

June 16. Its work is divided into two parts 

putting into exact language the six subjects 

1 held by the first conference to be abritrable, 

and discussing three other subjects for pos- 

sible inclusion in the system to be established. 

SUMMARY FOR TOA 

has summarized the situation in a 

16 bulletin gotten out by TOA. The 

arbitrable subjects are run, clearance, con- 

! 

tract violation, forcing or conditioning of 

features, shorts and newsreels. discrimination 

awards in competitive bidding and overbidding 

or overbuying in competitive bidding 

' 

to deprive another exhibitor of product. 

The second sissignment given the attorneys 

on the rules committee consisted of four 

questions 

(1) Can a uniform system of competitive 

bidding be agreed upon? 

(2) Can a set of "rules of the game" for 

competitive bidding be agreed upon? 

(3) Under what circumstances may 

what damages be awarded? 

(4) What other alleged "abuses" of 

bidding do exhibitors want 

[ 

arbitrable? 

committee is not discussing a method 

financing. That has been left for further 

f 

discussion by the conference. 

BIDDING STAND 

Alhed wants rentals included as 

arbitrable subject and bids made public, 

the distributors have refused to arbitrate 

• 

rentals. However, they are willing to submit 

j 

"distress" cases (where theatres are losing 

money in operation) to a conciliation process 

the local level, with the privilege of appealing 

to the sales manager level if exhibitors 

1 are dissatisfied at the local level. 

The system is to l)e administered by a 

national administrative committee with local 

; tribunals in each exchange area. The national 

committee will be comprised of 12 members 

three each from Allied, TOA and distribution 

one each from the Independent Theatre 

Ass'n, Metropolitan Motion Picture 

Theatres Ass'n and Western Theatre Owners. 

local administrative committee in the 

exchange areas will be made up equally of 

exhibitor and distributor representatives. 

1 

These local committees also will handle con- 

I 

ciliation prior to arbitration. 

\ Mitchell Wolfson, TOA president, in a note 

Levy's report said the area of 

} 

agreement reached is broad enough to afford 

an efficient and inexpensive system. 

BOXOFFICE May 31, 1952 

Arkansas ITO Conducting 

Poll on Co-Op Insurance 

LITTLE ROCK—The membership of the 

Independent Theatre Owners of Arkansas is 

being polled on the possibility of establishing 

a cooperative theatre insurance system, 

as a result of discussions held at the 33rd 

ITO convention here last week. 

Theatre insm-ance rates can be reduced 

20 to 30 per cent under the propo.sed cooperative 

plan, it was declared. 

In addition, officers were instructed to 

investigate the feasibility of establishing cooperative 

concessions buying plan to obtain 

reduced prices. 

Newly elected officers are Jack Bomar, 

Little Rock, president; E. W. Savage, Booneville, 

executive vice-president; Bill Sockwell, 

North Little Rock, secretary-treasurer, and 

these regional vice-presidents—L. G. Renfro 

jr.. Holly Grove; K. K. King, Searcy; Walter 

Talbutt, Rogers; Roy Cochran, North Little 

Rock; C. B. King, McGehee, and Travis Arnold, 

Malvern. 

Sam B. Kirby, Little Rock, retiring president, 

becomes chairman of tJie board. Other 

t)oard members elected; Terry Axley, England; 

Cecil Cupp, Arkadelphia; Charley Bonner, 

Pine Bluff; Bill Malin jr., Augusta; 

Warren Kauffman, Benton; Bart Gray, Jacksonville, 

and Jim Carbery, Little Rock. 

Featured speakers were Bob Coyne, special 

counsel for COMPO, New York; Alfred Starr, 

president Bijou Amusement Co., Nashville; 

Bob Bryant, president of the Theatre Owners 

of North and South Carolina, Rock 

Hill, S. C; Albert Reynolds, vice-president 

and general manager of Claude Ezell & As- 

.sociates, Dallas, and Max Connett, secretary 

of Theatre Owners of America, Newton, Miss. 

In inaugural presentations W. Clyde Smith, 

city manager for Malco Theatres in Hot 

Springs, won the Showmanship award and 

Charles Revelry of Stephens copped top honors 

in the Civic Activities award. 

Hollywood guests attending the convention 

included Rod Cameron, actor; George Waggner, 

writer and director; Bodil Miller, U-I 

starlet, and William Lively, writer. A dinner 

with civic leaders of the state was held 

in their honor on May 19. 

Mis. Bill Sockwell and Mrs. Jim Carbery 

were hostesses at the w-omen's luncheon with 

Miss Miller as their special guest. 

A special tax committee consisting of M. 

S. McCord, North Little Rock; Cecil Cupp, 

K. K. King, Bomar and ITOA's general counsel, 

Leon Catlett of Little Rock, was appointed 

to aid in the COMPO campaign for 

a reduction or elimination of the federal 

admission tax. 

The organization pledged support of 

COMPO and encouraged a continuation of 

the Movietime star tours. 

The board authorized one delegate to attend 

the Texas COMPO meeting in Dallas 

June 9-11. 

A star popularity poll will be conducted 

on a statewide basis this fall with the winners 

to t>e invited to attend a dinner in 

Little Rock in January. All proceeds will go 

the March of Dimes. 

Public Warning on Speaker Thefts 

Pays Off for Detroit Drive-Ins 

DETROIT—A public 

warning idea that is 

proving almost 90 per cent effective in eliminating 

the theft of speakers from drive-ins 

is being used by three local houses. The idea 

was conceived by Alden Smith, manager of 

the Oak Drive-In, operated by Smith and 

Joseph Miskinis, and was speedily adopted 

also by Ben Wachansy, general manager of 

the Nicholas George circuit, for the Fort 

and Michigan drive-ins. 

An announcement is made over the public 

address system, before the start of the show 

and at the first intermission telling patrons 

that they can secure a season pass for themselves 

and family, having a value of around 

$200 for the season. This introduction speedily 

serves to arouse interest. 

The announcement continues that "the 

speakers you are now listening to have become 

a war casualty and certain metal cannot 

be obtained. We ask your cooperation by 

reporting to the manager or any theatre at- 

to 

tendant, any person you see stealing or damaging 

a speaker. Any per.son caught will be 

prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and 

we really mean it." The season pass is given 

as the reward. 

For those who might drive away with a 

speaker accidentally, the announcement continues, 

"please return it to the boxoffice. It 

will be greatly appreciated and no questions 

asked." 

The result of us this announcement for 

the last month has been a sensational cut in 

the number of speakers stolen—from an 

average of four a week for the three big 

houses together, to a single one since the 

idea was started. 

A further effective step is recommended 

by Wachnansy—to make an announcement 

of the award over the amplifier system when 

a season pa.ss is actually given out for this 

purpose—the public will know the theatre 

really means business. 

21

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"Livin' in my house! 

Lovin' another man! 

Is that what you call bein' honest? 

That^s just givin' it 

a nice name!" 

NATIONAL ADVERTISING SPREAD OVER FIVE-MONTH PERIOD - April thru August... Full pages to 29,000,000 

circulation of Life, 

(Canada), Fan Magazines, etc. 

Look, Collier's, Time, Newsweek, Cosmopolitan, McCall's, Woman's Home Companion, New Liberty

I 

JERRY WALD & NORMAN KRASNA PRESENT 

BARBARA STANWYCK- PAUL DOUGLAS 

ROBERT RYAN • MARILYN MONROE 

o 

V 

.,;.,.^,-i', .••,;,\' 

with J. CARROL NAISH • KEITH ANDES . Produced by HARRIET PARSONS 

Directed by FRITZ LANG • Screenplay by ALFRED HAYES 

• 

based on the play by Clifford odets 

I 

Dtttnbut*d by I 

R K O 

RADIO

| 

'iôUffCiMMd êftont 

By 

IVAN SPEAR 

iune Busiest Month in Over Year; 

44 Features Ready for Lensing 

HOLLYWOOD—By all odds, June looms 

as the busiest month, productionwise, to be 

anticipated by filmdom's toilers in more than 

a year—evidence in the most concrete terms 

that a new aura of optimism and confidence 

is characterizing the long-range planning of 

the trade's higher echelons. Poised on the 

starting line as the month approached were 

44 newcomers to studio shooting schedules, a 

gain of 11 over May's 33-picture output, and 

establishing a pace unmatched since April 

1951. 

Busiest studio in town will be Columbia, 

with no less than eight new subjects on its 

docket, while Monogram is right on its heels 

with seven. Also hitting a high level of activity 

will be MGM, gunning six, and Republic, 

which plans to launch five entries. 

Subject to the usual last-minute changes, 

here is the lineup, by studios; 

COLUMBIA 

Delving back into Biblical times, one of the 

eight projected starters at this studio will be 

"Salome," title-roleing Rita Hayworth as the 

gal who claimed the head of John the Baptist 

from Herod as a reward for her dancing. 

It's in Technicolor, with Buddy Adler producing, 

William Dieterle directing. From the 

Stanley Kramer unit will come "Member of 

the Wedding," film version of Carson Mc- 

CuUers' successful Broadway play, for which 

Ethel Waters and Brandon de Wilde, of the 

original cast, have been set to recreate their 

stage roles. It will be megged by Fred Zinnemann. 

Mickey Rooney and Dick Haymes will 

be the co-stars of "All Ashore," musical comedy 

about Uncle Sam's navy, destined for the 

Technicolor cameras under the productional 

guidance of Jonie Taps, with Richard Quine 

directing. On an assembly line basis, Producer 

Sam Katzman will shoot two more in 

his "Jungle Jim" series, starring Johnny 

WeissmuUer, in rapid succession. First to 

go will be "Voodoo Tiger," to be followed by 

"Atom Outpost," with Spencer Bennet as the 

megaphonist on both. In the western category 

are "Winning of the West," to be produced 

under the Gene Autry Productions banner 

by Armand Schaefer, starring Autry and 

directed by George Archainbaud; and "Panhandle 

Territory," a Colbert Clark production, 

toplining Jack Mahoney and Smiley Burnette, 

with Fred Sears as the director. Uncast 

early in the period was a Wallace Mac- 

Donald production, "Target Hong Kong," on 

which Sears also holds the directorial assignment. 

INDEPENDENT 

For release through the recently organized 

Mutual Productions, that firm's production 

unit, Mutual Pictures, was readying to gun 

"Crash Out." a prison drama, to be produced 

by Hal E. Chester and megged by Richard 

Bare. At this writing, however, no cast had 

been assembled. Likewise uncast. minus a 

director and with no releasing arrangements 

FILMDOM'S WOMAN PRODUCER^ 

Harriet Parsons, who produced the Wald- 

Krasna "Clash by Night" for RKO, arrives 

in New York for promotion on the 

June release. She told the tradepress in 

New York that one of the leading production 

problems is finding proper "old 

names" that will sell tickets, plus "new 

faces" that are in demand by the public. 

yet set, was "The Velvet Cage," a suspense 

yarn written and to be produced by Aubrey 

Wisberg and Jack PoUexfen. 

LIPPERT PICTURES 

Set for distribution through this company 

is "Present Arms," another in the series of 

army comedies being produced by Hal Roach 

jr. and featuring William Tracy, as the mental 

marvel Sergeant Doubleday, and Joe Sawyer. 

No megaphonist had, however, been recruited 

for the opus early in the month. 

METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER 

A six-picture slate, four of them in color, 

was blueprinted by this Culver City studio. 

The tinters are "Sombrero," to be lensed in 

Ansco Color, and "Equilibrium," "Small Town 

Girl," and "My Mother and Mr. McChesney," 

all in Technicolor. "Sombrero," to be filmed 

partially on location in Mexico, stars Ricardo 

Montalban and Cyd Charisse, with Norman 

Foster directing. Jack Cummings as the producer; 

"Equilibrium," one of the sequences in 

the trilogy, "Three Love Stories," has Kirk 

Douglas and Pier Angeli as its topliners. 

Gottfried Reinhardt will direct for Producer 

Sidney FranlUin. "Small Town Girl," a romantic 

comedy with music, has Jane Powell, 

Bobby Van and Ann Miller in the leads, with 

Joe Pasternak producing, Leslie Kardos directing; 

"My Mother and Mr. McChesney," 

an Edwin H. Knopf production, brings Greer 

Garson back to the screen, with Moppet 

Domia Corcoran also prominent in the cast. 

The black-and-whiters are "The Desperate 

Search," a suspense melodrama which Joseph 

H. Lewis will direct for Producer Matthew 

Rapf, and a Stephen Ames production, 

"A Steak for Connie," a comedy in which a 

Texas cattleman launches a one-man retail, 

meat price war. At this writing, casts had! 

not been assembled for either of the pictures.! 

MONOGRAM 

Of a seven-picture agenda, two are destined 

for release through this company's silk-stocking 

sister organization, Allied Artists, andl 

both deal with phases of the defense effort.' 

From Producer Lindsley Parsons will cornel 

"Down Periscope," which will be made on lo-j i 

cation at the U.S. navy's submarine training! 

school in New London, Conn., with Lew Lan-j 

ders directing; while Walter Wanger is ready-j 

ing "Battle Zone," starring Edmond O'Brien] I 

in the story of a combat photographer dur-'- 

ing World War II. Uncast, at this point, was'i 

"Hiawatha," a Cinecolor special based on the' 

poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, which; 

Kurt Neumann will direct for Producer Wal-' 

ter Mirisch. The remaining four features are' 

in the outdoor action groove. "Yukon Gold,"] 

a William F. Broidy production, toplines : 

Kirbyl 

Grant, with Frank McDonald directing; Pro-I 

ducer Vincent M. Fennelly will launch three! 

sagebrushers — "Gun Smoke Range" andi 

"Hired Guns," starring Whip Wilson, andl 

"Guns Along the Border," featuring Johnnyl 

Mack Brown and Jimmy Ellison. 

PARAMOUNT 

Three out of four in Technicolor—that's the| 

lineup for the month at this film factory. The| 

tinters on the docket are "The Stars Ari 

;^ 

Singing," a romantic musical; "Pony Ex^ 

press," iiistorical western to be produced byj 

Nat Holt; and "Scared Stiff," the first lui 

color for Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, under] 

the Hal Wallis Productions banner. "Stars, 

„i 

which Norman Taurog will direct, has Annaj 

Maria Alberghetti, Rosemary Clooney andj 

Lauritz Melchior in the top spots; in "Ponyi 

Express," Charlton Heston is cast as Buffalo! 

Bill, Wendell Corey portrays Wild Bill Hickok| 

and Rhonda Fleming is the love interest; 

"Scared Stiff," a mystery comedy, will be 

piloted by George Marshall. Slated for shoot^ 

ing on location in Italy is "Roman Holiday,' 

a romantic comedy in which Gregory Peck 

and Audrey Hepburn will be the co-stars. It 

will be produced and directed by William. 

Wyler. 

RKO RADIO 

Originally scheduled to get under way during 

May but, for one reason or another, left at 

the post, two subjects are now slated for cam-i 

era work this month. Producer Edmunc 

Grainger will launch "Blackbeard the Pirate,'^ 

a Technicolor swashbuckler in which Roberl 

Newton is the title-roler, Linda Darnell anc 

Keith Andes the romantic leads, with Raou 

Walsh directing. From Independent Artists' 

in which Frederick Brisson and his actresswife, 

Rosalind Russell, are partnered, wil 

come "Never Wave at a WAC," a service com< 

edy starring Miss Russell. Set as the mega-i 

phonist is Norman Z. McLeod. 

REPUBLIC 

Hitting its 

busiest pace in several months 

this valley studio has five new features read; 

to go. Uncast at this writing were two in the 

higher-budget category, "The Lady Want: 

Mink" and "Fair Wind to Java." The former: 

to be produced and directed by William A] 

Seiter, is a romantic comedy about a gal whf, 

starts a mink farm to raise her own fur coati 

the latter, which Joseph Kane will product 

24 BOXOFnCE :: May 31, 195|j

; and 

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, Jean 

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direct, is maritime adventure, authored 

Garland Roark, who wrote "Wake of the 

Witch," a successful Republic entry 

seasons back. The studio's Cuban hot 

I tamale, Estelita Rodriguez, is the tophner in 

"Tropical Heat Wave," a Sidney Picker pro- 

which R. G. Springsteen will direct, 

the remaining two starters are in the 

classification. Rocky Lane hits the 

in "Desperadoes' Outpost," with Harry 

Keller megging for Producer Rudy Ralston, 

and Red Allen stars in "South Pacific Tiail," 

Edward J. White production wliich William 

Witney will direct. 

20TH CENTURY-FOX 

To be lensed on location at that mecca of 

honeymooner.--. Niagara Falls, is "Niagara," a 

mystery-comedy to be produced in Technicolor 

by Charles Brackett. The cast headliners 

are Joseph Cotten, Marilyn Monroe and 

, 

Peters, and Henry Hathaway will direct. 

Also aimed toward Technicolor cameras 

is "Powder River," a historical western co- 

, 

starring Rory Calhoun and Cameron Mitchell, 

; 

which Louis King will meg for Producer Andre 

Hakim. Rounding out the month's sched- 

is "My Cousin Rachel," upcoming film 

version of Daphne ("Rebecca") Du Maurier's 

widely read new historical novel, which was 

scripted ajid will be produced by Nunnally 

Johnson. Listed to direct is George Cukor, 

but early in the period no actors had been recruited 

for the costume drama. 

UNITED ARTISTS 

his first under a recently-signed, multiple-picture 

agreement marking the return 

of his product to the UA distribution lineup, 

'Edward Small will launch "Kansas City 117," 

'a crime drama, under the banner of Associiated 

Players and Producers. With Small in 

' 

the enterprise are Sol Lesser and Sam Bris- 

' 

kin, and the picture—co-starring John Payne 

'and Coleen Gray—will be directed by Phil 

'Karlson. 

(UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL 

} This studio's Technicolor batting average 

lis 1.000 for the period, since all three of the 

scheduled new films will be photographed in 

that process. As his first picture away from 

home base, 2Dth Century-Fox, in many years, 

'Tyrone Power will title-role "Mississippi 

'Gambler," a Ted Richmond production localed 

in New Orleans in the 1850s. Rudolph 

Mate will direct. Audie Murphy and Susan 

Cabot head the cast of "Roughshod," a galloper 

about Montana land barons, which Nathan 

Juran will meg for Producer Aaron Ros- 

;enberg, while also in sagebrush vein is "Semi- 

•nole," a cavalry-vs. -Indians subject in which 

Rock Hudson will have the lead under Budd 

Boetticher's directorial guidance. It's a Howjard 

Christie production. 

'WARNER BROS. 

Comes now the celluloid biography of yet 

another show business great as "The Story of 

Eddie Cantor" moves closer to a camera start. 

It will be produced in Technicolor by Sidney 

jSkolsky, who was largely responsible for the 

iimmensely successful "The Jolson Story" 

isome years ago. Booked to portray the banjo- 

!syed comic, whose career began back in the 

|Gus Edwards days and who is still active in 

[radio, TV, motion pictures and on the personal 

appearance circuit, is Keefe Brasselle. 

jOther castings were yet to be made, early in 

iJie period, and no director had been selected. 

'Also on deck, w-ith plans calling for it to be 

WILCOX-NEAGLE IN DEAL WITH REPUBIJC—Herbort J. Yates, Kcpuhlic ri< - 

tures president, and Herbert Wilcox and .Anna Neagle of Wilcox-Neagle Productions 

jointly announced an agreement for the production and distribution of Internationally 

designed productions embracing top stars of Hollywood and Great Britain at a luncheon 

held May 21 at the 21 Club in New York City. In the photo, left to right: Wilcox, 

Vera Ralston, who is Mrs. Yates in private life, Miss Neagle and Yates. 

John Wayne will be co-starred with Miss Neagle In an Anglo-American 

story. Subjects scheduled for production in addition to the Wayne- Neagle co-starring 

film include: Daphne DuMaurier's "The King's General" and Joseph Conrad's "Laughing 

Anne." Negotiations are under way in Hollywood for stars to appear in both films. 

All subjects will be filmed in color and will be produced in England. 

.filmed largely on location in Quebec, was "I 

!onfess," to be produced and directed by Alfred 

Hitchcock under his Transatlantic Productions 

banner. Montgomery has been set 

for the starring role, that of a priest who is 

unjustly accused of murder. 

Barbara Payton to London 

For a One-Picture Deal 

Actress Barbara Payton, whose extracurricular 

activities have been headline fodder in 

recent months, is deserting Hollywood for 

London on a one-picture deal whereby she 

will star for Producer Alexander Paal in "The 

Four-Sided Triangle," rolling late in July 

for an as-yet unset release . . . Gene Tierney 

will be Clark Gable's co-star in the latter's 

next for MGM, "Never Let Me Go," also to 

be made in London . . . Leo set up another 

new romantic team by casting Cary Grant 

2 Producers, 1 Director 

End Studio Connections 

Three established film creators terminated 

their respective studio connections 

with the departure of Leonard Goldstein 

from his producer's berth at Universal- 

International; Producer Robert Arthur 

from the Warner Bros, lot; and Jacques 

Tourneur as a contract megaphonist at 

20th Century-Fox. 

Goldstein's withdrawal from the U-I 

payroll, which the studio said was "amicable," 

was effective Saturday (31). He 

had been with the company for five years, 

during which he turned out approximately 

60 features, among them the yetto-be-released 

"Son of All Baba" and 

"Scarlet Angel." 

Arthur, who had been with Warners 

for two years, was previously a U-I producer. 

For Warners he made "Starlift" 

and the unreleased "The Story of Will 

Rogers." 

For 20th-Fox, Tourneur megged "Anne 

of the Indies" and the upcoming "Way 

of a Gaucho." 

Early in the week, none of the three 

had made any announcement as to his 

future plans. 

and Deborah Kerr in "Dream Wife" , . . 

Phyllis Kirk draws one of the leads with Alan 

Ladd and Virginia Mayo in Warners' "The 

FYed Allen and Oscar 

Iron Mistress" . . . 

Levant were inked for the "Ransom of Red 

Chief" sequence in 20th Century-Fox's "Bagdad 

on the Subway," multisequence feature 

based on short stories by O. Henry . . . RKO 

Radio handed William Talman a new acting 

ticket and cast him in the upcoming "Split 

Second." 

Julian Lesser Plans Return 

Of 'Saint' Series to Screen 

Off the screen in recent years, "The Saint" 

—the adventurous swashbuckler who has been 

the pivotal character in scores of novels and 

short stories by Leslie Charteris, and has also 

appeared in comic strips and on the radio, is 

about to don greasepaint again. 

Under a deal just set with Charteris, Julian 

Lesser's Royal Productions is plarming to 

make two films a year for the next three 

years, using both U.S. and foreign locales, 

with the initialer— "Target for the Saint" 

scheduled to be shot in London this summer. 

Releasing arrangements have not been concluded. 

Some years ago, RKO Radio produced eight 

features based on the "Saint" character, who 

was portrayed in some of the films by George 

Sanders and in others by Tom Conway. Lesser 

has not yet selected the title-roler for the new 

series. 

Hall Bartlett's Next for Lippert: 

'Prisoners Are People' 

"Prisoners Are People," according to Producer 

Hall Bartlett, who has selected that 

title for his next independent venture to follow 

"Navajo," now being distributed by Lippert 

Pictures ... To Budd Boetticher went 

the directorial reins on U-I's "Seminole" . . . 

Paramount inked the husband-and-wife writing 

team of Henry and Phoebe Ephron to do 

the screenplay of the Corinne Griffith tome, 

"Papa's DeUcate Condition" ... At Columbia, 

the Stanley Kramer unit tagged Allan Scott 

to develop "Four Shades in Blue," based on 

a radio drama written by Irving Reis for CBS 

several years ago. 

iOXOFFICE May 31, 1952 25

A WHOLE NEW 

WORLD 

SWEEPS THE SCREEN! 

INIVERSAL-INTERNATIONALS 

^TH ANNIVERSARY MOTION PICTLK ^Qy

*i 

ADVENT 

j^' 

'Jtf i

i 

BULK OF PRODUCT HEREAFTER TO BE IN COLOR 

Republic Allotting Million 

To Expand Trucolor Use 

NEW YORK—Republic is going allout 

on color. It has set aside $1,000,000 to expand 

Its solely owned color process, Tiucolor 

by Consolidated, in New York, Hollywood 

and London. The bulk of Republic 

product will be in Trucolor. Added equipment 

will enable Republic to provide pro- 

, 

ducers with Trucolor facilities. 

The decision was reported Tuesday (27) 

by Herbert J. Yates, president, after talks 

with James R. Grainger, executive vicepresident 

in charge of sales and distribution, 

and his district managers. It resulted 

from a study of boxoffice reaction 

to 

color. 

3006 INCREASE JUSTIFIED 

Yates said a Republic survey of public response 

to color covering key cities showed 

that a 30 per cent increase in production 

costs through use of color is justified by increased 

theatre grosses. His statement followed 

by only a few days one on the coast 

by Jack L. Warner who said Warner Bros, 

would use color on 27 of its next 33 films, and 

an over-all estimate that at least 128 films 

will be produced in vai-ious types of color 

by 1953. 

Color films will furnish stiff competition 

for television, which doesn't have color yet, 

and audiences won't incur additional expenses 

as in the case of television where they would 

have to buy converters. 

Yates said exhibitors were enthusiastic 

when recently shown Trucolor films at the 

North Hollywood studios of Republic. The 

films were "I Dream of Jeanie (With the 

Light Brown Hair)," starring Ray Middleton, 

BiU Shirley and Muriel Lawrence, and introducing 

Eileen Christy, which will open 

Wednesday (4) at the Fulton in Pittsburgh, 

and "Minnesota," a tentative title, a drama 

of the Mesabi range starring Ruth Hussey, 

Rod Cameron, John Agar and Gale Storm, 

which will open July 16 at the Norshore in 

Duluth. 

FOLLOW THROUGH ON PREMIERES 

The initial "I Dream of Jeanie" opening 

will be followed immediately by others at 

the Rialto in Louisville and Circle in Indianapolis, 

and that of "Minnesota" at the 

State in Minneapolis the following day. 

Republic has completed production on two 

Trucolor films. They are "Toughest Man in 

Old Arizona," adventure story starring 

•Vaughn Monroe, band leader and singer; 

Joan Leslie, Edgar Buchanan and Victor 

Jory, which will open in Tucson and Tombstone, 

Ariz., and "Ride the Man Down," 

action story with a cast of Rod Cameron, 

Brian Donlevy, Ella Raines and Forrest 

Tucker. 

The lineup of future Trucolor films, Yates 

said, demonstrated his optimism about the 

future of the industry. 

"We have many problems yet to cope with," 

he said, "but I think the boxoffice future 

is bright, and my feeling about the outlook 

for the industry has been confirmed by conversations 

with leading exhibitors from all 

sections of the country." 

He mentioned the recent Republic agreement 

with Wilcox-Neagle Productions for the 

filming and world distribution of a series 

of pictures featuring top stars of Great Britain 

and Hollywood as indicating the kind of 

progressive thinking behind his plans for 

de luxe product. 

The Republic de luxe schedule now includes 

the following Trucolor pictures: 

"Fair Wind to Java," from the book by 

Garland Roark, a sea spectacle adapted by 

Richard Tregaskis. Scenes have already been 

shot in Bali and Java, the locale of the 

He will direct it and star in it 

story. 

"The Alamo," on which production will be 

started by John Wayne early in September. 

as well as produce 

it. 

"The Lady Wants Mink," comedy romance 

for which casting is now going on. 

"Jubilee Trail," Literary Guild award winner 

by Gwen Bristow and an adventure tale 

of pioneer days. 

"The Golden Herd," romantic adventure 

story from the novel by Curt Carrol. 

"Man From Texas," adventure story by Bill 

Gulick which was serialized in the Saturday 

Evening Post. 

"The Woman They Almost Lynched," suspense 

tale about a mob by Michael Fessier, 

which also appeared in the Saturday Evening 

Post. 

"Carnival," a gay story of the midway, 

with Ray Middleton, Bill Shirley and Eileen 

Christy. 

How One Amusement Park 

Is Meeting TV Competition 

IRVINGTON, N. J. — The Olympic Park 

here, managed by Robert Guenther, has converted 

a skating rink into a Television Hall, 

where simultaneous showings of programs 

from the seven video stations in the New York 

metropolitan area will be shown. 

Guenther's — aim is to use the medium as a 

drawing card "another free service such as 

our four-act shows and band concerts." 

The television theatre is divided into seven 

spaces, each having comfortable seating facilities 

and equipped with big-screen receivers 

locked to a single channel. Patrons who 

want to see different programs need only 

change their seat location. The location's 

advertising stresses the idea that no one has 

to stay at home to see television but can 

come to the park to see his favorite program. 

Fulton Oursler Services; 

Editor, Screen Writer 

NEW YORK—Funeral services for Fulton 

Ourtler, 59, editor and screen writer, were 

held at St. Patrick's cathedral May 27. 

Oursler had written novels, plays, short 

stories and scenarios since 1923. Among his 

plays were: "Behold This Dreamer," "Sandalwood" 

and "The Spider," which was filmed 

three times, last by 20th Century-Fox in 

1945. "Second Wife," (RKO) in 1936, was 

taken from his "All the King's Men" and "The 

Panther's Claw" was made by PRC in 1942. 

Sees Renewed InieresJ 

I" Newsreel Coverage 

NEW YORK—Warner Pathe News ha 

taken advantage of an increasing public to 

terest in world news to stage an aggresslv; 

campaign for contracts and 1,000 new coii 

tracts have been signed to date. i 

Norman H. Moray, n6wsreel president, at] 

tributed the success of the drive largely t 

a special promotion brochure emphasizing thi 

boxoffice appeal of newsreels, especially Wai! 

ner Pathe News. About 15,000 of the bro 

chures have been mailed exhibitors every; 

; 

where in the U.S. 

The brochure is headed "Why NewsreelsTj 

It points out that the newsreel remains 

i 

basic and needed part of all programs an; 

that the public is sold on newsreels. 

tj 

"A solid year's investigation and poll q 

audiences in hundreds of theatres," it sayj 

"attest that over 85 per cent of moviegoeij 

prefer and visit theatres which include 

newsreel in their program. The America 

public expects and wants a newsreel just a 

they do their daily newspaper. Neither ) 

dispensable. 

"Theatregoers look for well diversified pro 

grams of feature, newsreel and short sul| 

jects. Your public may not complain dl 

rectly, but they just don't come back an 

go elsewhere when they are not satisfied 

Just features, no matter how good, isnj 

the answer to today's problems. Now i 

the time to put your best foot forward. Don| 

be pennywise with your business life. Yo( 

sell only one thing—your show on you 

screen. If they like it, they come bacj 

often and habitually." 

i 

Moray also prepared a bound book 

testimonials from exhibitors. 

a 

Warners to Have Minimuixi 

Of 75 Shorts for 1952-53 

: 

HOLLYWOOD—A minimum of 75 one- an 

two-reel shorts will constitute the Warne 

Bros, program of briefies for the 1952-53 sea 

son, it was determined at a series of confer 

ences in which Jack L. Warner, vice-presi 

dent and production chief; Norman Mora;- 

short subjects sales chief; Gordon HoUingS' 

head, shorts production head; and Edwar 

Selzer, in charge of cartoon output, partici 

pated. 

; 

Live-action subjects will include eight twc 

reelers in Technicolor; 10 one-reel Techn: 

color "Sports Parades"; seven one-reel nov 

elties; six two-reel "classics of the screen' 

six one-reel "Melody Masters"; and six on(| 

reel "Joe McDoakes" comedies starring Georf, 

O'Hanlon. 

In the cartoon category are eight starrin; 

"Bugs Bunny," four with "Tweetie and Sy; 

vester," four with "Foghorn Leghorn," an 

14 others, including several with "Porky Pif 

and "Daffy Duck." 

Additionally, 13 shorts, nine in Technicolo; 

are now being edited for release on the 195i; 

' 

53 agenda. 

Hccrold Weisenthal Organizes 

; 

NEW YORK—Harold Weisenthal hi 

formed Arlan Pictiu-es Co. for the nation 

release of the French film, "Dedee," starriij 

Simone Signoret and Marcel Dalio. Welseij 

thai is now on a trip to Boston, Chicago W 

Dallas to set up territorial subdistributi 

deals. 

i, 

28 BOXOFFICE :: May 31, 19|J

I 

; 

NEW 

I 

[ 

Harold 

, 

The 

Critic's Attack Halts 

Columbus Picketing 

COLUMBUS—The threat of the Franklin 

county council of the American Legion to 

picket showings of "Death of a Salesman" at 

Loew's Broad here failed to materialize. The 

picketing was to have been in protest against 

Arthur Miller, who wrote the play. 

Norman Nadel, theatre editor of the Citizen, 

lashed out at the Legion's attitude in a 

blistering column printed on the theatre page. 

He said, "The Legion's stand against communism 

deserves high praise. But the Legion's 

action against communism is frequently 

Ineffectual. This is a case in point. Kcket- 

Ing of 'Death of a Salesman' will show that 

the Legion is opposed to communism, but 

everybody knows that, anyway. It will give 

a false impression, in that there is nothing 

communistic whatsoever about the Miller 

play, which won a Pulitzer prize, nor about 

the motion picture, which sticks closely to 

the original stage production. 

"As for Miller himself, he probably will not 

be hurt in any way by the picketing in that 

he, in all likelihood, was paid a flat sum for 

the film rights. So if the picketing is effective, 

it will only hurt the people who made 

and acted in the film, and the local theatre 

personnel who are showing it. And these 

folks are no more communistic than the 

Franklin county council of the American Legion. 

The Legion, of course, is free to picket 

if it wants to. But an impartial observer 

might suggest several more effective things 

to do with their time." 

The column stimulated an answer from a 

member of the Legion post, generally attacking 

left-wing writers and Reds in Hollywood. 

New Representatives Set 

To Handle Lux Product 

YORK—Lux Films has engaged three 

'new representatives to handle the lineup of 

'Italian releases for the 1952 fall and winter 

season. 

Schwartz will be the agent in Dallas, 

'Andy Dietz in St. Louis and Edward Salzberg 

[in Cincinnati. 

• The Lux releases for late 1952 will be: 

["Anna," starring Silvana Mangano; "Behind 

'Closed Shutters," with Eleanora Rossi; "Last 

Meeting," starring Alida Valli: "All for Love," 

with Danielle Darrieux; "Path of Hope," the 

1951 Selznick award winner; "The White 

;Line," starring Gina Lollobrigida; "The Day 

|Will Come" and "White Hell of Pitz-Palu." 

English language version of "Bitter 

'Rice" will be released during the summer. 

U-I Will Open 'His Arms' 

At Army Post in Alaska 

NEW YORK—Through arrangements with 

ithe Defense Department Universal-Intemaitional 

will stage a world premiere of its Tech- 

|nicolor production, "The World in His Arms," 

in Alaska in mid-June. It will be either at 

Anchorage or Fairbanks June 20, and will be 

[tollowed by a series of elaborate openings in 

iBilitary installations up there. 

The general outline will be the same as the 

"Francis" 

1 openings in Germany for U.S. troops 

';wo years ago. Gregory Peck and Ann Blyth 

»111 head a group of stars who will make the 

a"ip and they will put on an hour-long stage 

ihow. 

MP 

RECENTLY printed 

tradepaper reports 

are to be accepted at face values, Hollywood 

currently is in the throes of another 

witch hunt, this time encompassing a 

wider range than ever before and very much 

on the hu.'h-hush side. 

Allegedly, all major studios are undertaking 

a "loyalty check" of their personnel—assertedly 

using as the basis for this .screening 

a list said to have been furnished by the 

American Legion and reported to contain approximately 

300 names. The dossiers, it is 

averred, predominantly concern industryites 

in the creative categories, including writers, 

directors, producers and actors, all of whom 

reportedly have had connections with socalled 

communist front organizations. 

The "loyalty check" lists assertedly were 

prepared by Legion officials after that organization's 

national brass met with film company 

heads and Motion Picture Ass'n of 

America executives in the east early in April, 

at which time, it was said, the Legion outlined 

its stand on the matter of alleged communist 

infiltration of Hollywood. 

Further, it is said, James F. O'Neil, the 

Legion's director of publications and editor 

of the American Legion magazine, recently 

arrived in the film capital, reportedly for conferences 

with studio big-wigs concerning the 

progress of the "loyalty check" enterprise. 

In the face of existing public and political 

opinion, no one who has at heart the best 

interests of the motion picture industry will 

attempt to gainsay the necessity for purging 

the film colony of genuinely subversive elements. 

Doubts may be expressed, however, regarding 

the wisdom of the modus operandi being 

pursued to attain the necessary results. Such 

mistrust can be predicated upon several 

counts, among them: 

Permitting the Legion to submit a list of 

suspected Reds, past or present, and then 

promptly subjecting the persons on that list 

to star-chamber investigation, is a tacit admission 

by Hollywood that it has been unable 

to get its own house in order as concerns the 

elimination of undesirable and/or un-American 

employes. Other fields—most notably the 

teaching profession — have been confronted 

with comparable situations and have resolved 

them without weak-kneed appeasement of 

pressure groups—large or small, important or 

insignificant. 

Through so dignifying the Gommunists-in- 

Hollywood beef of the Legion—and there is 

probability that it has been unduly and unjustly 

magnified—the industry cannot help 

but invite similar positions and comparable 

actions by other organizations, many of which 

would be, per se. of the fanatical fringe variety. 

That action, as in the case of the Legion, 

manifests itself in attacking pictures 

and the people who make them in organization 

publications and other literature, and in 

the picketing of theatres. In the case of 

groups less responsible than the Legion, those 

activities could be much more wlde.spread, 

malicious and ruinous. Any way they are 

considered, the attacks boil down to unofficial 

cen.sorship and boycott—the two assassins of 

busine.ss, character and public relations from 

which filmdom has the most to fear, and 

which in the pa-st have been its most costly 

and aggravating hurdles. 

Hollywood has had plenty of time—and 

warnings— to enable it to clean its own house 

and to eliminate, completely and permanently, 

those elements which, through their 

political and/or personal behavior, accord ostensible 

justification—no matter how filmsy 

for promiscuous attacks from pre.ssure groups, 

headline-seekers, religious fanatics and all 

other opportunists seeking personal aggrandizement 

or gain through making a whipping 

boy of the film trade. 

It could and should have been done long 

since. Had it been done, the appesisement 

policy which is being projected in the current 

situation with the Legion could be discarded 

and in its place could appear the solid, fighting 

front so necessary if motion pictures *nd 

their people are to enjoy the freedom-fromcensor, 

respectful official and public relations 

they certainly merit. 

Although at local levels only, worthy of 

attention is another recent liaison between 

the industry and the American Legion. For 

lo! these many years Charles P. Skouras, 

president of National Theatres and Fox West 

Coast, has been co-sponsor and financial underwriter 

of the annua! Americanism meeting 

of the Legion's Allied Post 302. Each year 

the event is highlighted by the presentation 

of citations to ROTC units and is attended 

by civic, business, military a

Announcing iM' 

of an outstandiny 

HERBERT J. 

YATES pre«,s 

Written by ALAN LeMAY- Directed by ALLAN DVWf[

Id Premieres 

jioxoffice picture! 

.f3HT 

BROWN HAIR) 

starring 

IIDDLETON 

Star of "SOUTH PACIFIC" 

BILL 

SHIRLEY 

"'»"aeff»'Hwkii.* 

MURIEL : 

AWRENCE 

introducing 

ILEEN CHRISTY 

osJEANIE ^ 

.d Presenting the Immortal vi 

Dngs of Showboat Days 

S 

ifiCIlM 

As Guest Star 

LYNN bTrI 

AREPUBLIC PICTURE 

u^& 

Republic Pictures Corporation 

'^^:m^^^"

LETTERS 

Compliments an Ad Rate Survey 

To BOXOFFICE: 

I want to compliment you on the splendid 

research job and writing that went into your 

"Report to the Industry" on amusement advertising 

rates fight. This Is a splendid report 

and ought to stir up contiderable interest and 

ambition on the part of exhibitors to put 

their best foot forward to try to eliminate the 

discriminatory rates. I agree that if any results 

are to be obtained to any extent throughout 

the country, there must needs be a unified 

campaign toward that objective, either 

through COMPO or the exhibitor organizations. 

In your article you say that there have 

been erroneous reports that rate cuts went 

into effect in the Hartford, Conn., Times. 

I would not say that these reports were 

erroneous. On January 1. the Hartford Times 

increased its general rate from 24 cents to 

25 cents. Previous to this, the rate for motion 

picture advertising was 25 cents or a 

penny a line premium over the general rate. 

The Times, how'ever, did not increase the 

motion picture rate, leaving it as it was 

25 cents. Thus, the rate today for motion 

pictures is the same as the general rate 

which is tantamount to eliminating the premium. 

A rate of 30 cents applies to stage 

shows, concerts, circuses, sports, ice shows, 

etc.—only the motion picture theatres enjoy 

the regular general commerical rate. 

On June 4, I am to be one of the guests 

of Francis S. Murphy, editor and publisher 

of the Hartford Times, at the meeting which 

he has called to take place at Times Tower 

on Talcott mountain near Hartford. Believing 

that this would be of interest to 

you, I shall quote part of Mr. Murphy's letter 

advising me of this meeting: 

A PUBLIC APOLOGY from the 

NEW management of the 

CORNELL THEATRE 

TO son •! r*a 

"The purpose of this meeting is to 

bring together the publishers, managing 

editors and theatre editors of our 

Connecticut daily newspapers to meet 

with executives of the Motion Picture 

industry, as well as theatre managers in 

and about Hartford, to have a frank 

discussion of the theatre and motion picture 

business as it relates to newspapers 

and the motion picture industry as a 

w'hole. 

"This will be a followup on an enlarged 

scale of an all-day session I had here in 

Hartford on February 5. That meeting 

was so stimulating and enlightening to 

the small group who were here, and received 

such favorable attention in the 

motion picture tradepress, that I thought 

it would be most helpful if Connecticut 

newspapermen, theatre managers and 

motion picture executives — particularly 

in the east—could get together. 

"Eric Johnston, president of the Motion 

Picture Ass'n of America, is very 

much interested in this proposed meeting 

and will definitely be here, as will some 

high executives in the picture industry 

and probably representatives of the motion 

picture tradepapers." 

I have spoken to three exhibitor association 

conventions in respect to all types of 

cooperation between exhibitors and newspapers, 

including advertising rates, in Kansas 

City, Oklahoma City and Minneapolis.

II 

'W' BOXOFFICE BAROMETER 

This chart records »he performance of current attractions in the opening week of their firjt rum in 

the 20 key cities checked. Pictures with fewer than five engagements are not listed. As new runs 

arc reported, ratings arc added and averages revised. Computation is in terms of percentage in 

relation to normal grosses as determined by the theatre managers. With 100 per cent as 

"normal," the figures show the gross rating obove or below that mark. 

f

the Clark Dnve-ln, 350 cars. 

Son Francisco, Calif.—Floyd Huffman has purchased 

a site for construction of o drive-in. 

B.F. SHEARER COMPAN 

Shenandoah, lowo—Construction is under way on 

a unve-in for Bob Holdridge. 

lOS (NGEIES 1964 

PORTLAND 

I9E4 South Vemnt • Rl 3-1145 I9E7 N. W. Kiirae) • AT. 7543 

Silas, Ala.—The Woterall circuit is planning to 

erect o dnve-in here. 

SAN FRANCISCO 

SEATTLE 

Stigler, 

243 Coldtn Citi An. • UN. M81S Okla.—Jack Pierce is planning 23IB Secand An. • U. to erect a 

8247 dnve-in here. 

Theatre Construction, Openings, Sales 

CONSTRUCTION. 

Alert Boy, B. C.—William Risk plans to erect a 

new drive-in. 

300-scat theatre soon, 

Ashland, Neb.—Work is progressrng on o theotre 

for Woodrow Simek. 

Brokon Bow, Neb.—Work is under way on o drivein 

for Kenneth Sargent. 

Brookville, Pa.—A drive- in ts under construction 

here. 

Columbio, S. C.—D. H. Truesdole is building the 

Sunset Dnvc-ln. 

Columbia, S. C.— C. S. Burts is constructing the 

Belt Line Dnve-ln. 

Columbio Falls, Mont.—A ten-ocre site has been 

ALREADY 2,000 THEATRES HAVE purchased by E, A. Mossman and Walter Thompson 

tor construction of a drivc-in. 

Cumberland, Ind.—The 

INSTALLED THIS MIRACLE SCREEN! 

1 ,000-car Notional Dnve-ln SALES: 

IS under way for Jacob Smiler on U,S. 40. 

Aline, Okla.— Buddy Anthony has purchased 

Dryden, B. C.—A 500-seat quonset theotre is to 

There MUST be a reason! 

be constructed by Ploza Theatres. 

Ellington, Mo.— Larkin & Dovis has started construction 

of a drive-in. 

Satisfaction in every seat? 

Fort Collins, 

Plain to see from any angle! 

Colo.—The 700-seot, $100,000 Aggie 

rz^ 

Theatre is under way for Frank Aydelotte. 

Eliminotes glare and distortion! 

Grovots Mills, Mo.—Glen Jones is building a dnvem 

to open this summer. 

L 

Gives amaiing new depth! 

Perfect sound transmission! 

Hadley, Mass.—A 400-cor drive-in is under way 

for A. Woicekoski. 

No perforotions! 

Harrisburg, III.—Turner-Farrar Theatres has let o 

*. IT'S EASY ON THE EYES! 

contract for construction of a drive-in. 

Nelson, B. C.—Tommy Heatherington is constructing 

a 300-car drive-in. 

CYCL§RAMIC CUSTOM 

Paris, Mo.—Mrs. Edith Major and Bob Major plan 

to erect a 200-car drive-in. 

SCREEN 

Pittsfield, III.—The Armentrout circuit has begun 

sroiTsiaviCE bldg. 

Thayer, Mo.—Mr. and Mrs. John A. Beck have 

begun construciîon of a 300-cor dnve-in. 

Wayne, Neb.— Phil March is planning to erect o 

300-car airer. 

Wilmington, N. C.—The Skyline Dnve-ln has 

opened. 

OPENINGS: 

Anderson, Ind.—The South Drive-In has been 

opened by the Alliance circuit. 

Ardmore, Tenn.—A. C. Austin is to open a new 

drive-. n soon. 

Crescent City, Calif.— -The Pic Theatre has been 

opened by Earl Boles, 

Crockett, Tex.—The 300-car Rio Drive-In has 

been opened by Crockett Amusement Co. 

Decatur, Tex.—The Sunset Drive- In has opened. 

Falls City, Neb.—The Breezy Hill Ranch Dnve-ln 

has been opened by Jack Cook. 

Folionsbee, W. Va.—The Ohio Valley Drive-ln has 

opened. 

Froser Volley, B. C.—The Ruskin Dnve-ln has been 

opened by Toffee & Bird. 

Gibson Landing, B. C.—Gordon West has opened 

a new theotre here. 

Grandfield, Okla.— L. D. Burns is to open a new 

dnve-in soon. 

Grantsville, W. Vo.—A drive-in is to open immediately 

for Mr. and Mrs. John Cook. 

Hebronville, Tex.—Long Theatres has opened a 

new dnve-in. 

Hebronville, Tex.—The Pioneer Drive-In has been 

opened on Laredo highway by a local businessman. 

Hudson, Colo.—M. H. Philipson has opened the 

250-car Corral Drive-ln. 

Lokeland, Fla.— Bill Klem and Joe Florita have 

opened the 500-car Flimland Drive-ln. 

Livingston, Tex.—The 300-car Chief Drive-ln has 

been opened by Frank Fain. 

Marshfield, Mo.—The Skyline Drive-ln, 300 cars, 

has been opened by Lloyd Schmidt. 

Matador, Tex.—A drive- in is to open soon for 

Amos Page. 

Memphis, Tenn.—The 1 ,400-seat Plaza Theatre 

has been opened by Mr. ond Mrs. Augustine Cianciolo. 

Middlebury, Vt.—A. F. Barr and Edward J. Morin 

hove opened the Midhoven Drive-ln. 

Nogoles, Ariz.—The 500-car El Rancho Drive-ln 

has been opened by the Tn-Delta Corp. 

Oak Ridge, Tenn.—A 300-seat theatre has been 

opened here by C. R. Lay jr., Charles H. Bowman 

ond John Burgess. 

Reidsville, N. C.—Hugh Sykes & Associates hove 

opened the Luckie Drive-ln. 

Shoftuck, Okla.—Garland WiKon has opened a 

Sheridan, Ky.—The Starlight Dnve-ln has been 

opened by Dr. W. E. Doy. 

Show Low, Ariz.—The 420-seat Show-Low Theatre, 

$50,000, has been opened by ihe Rawlings-Nace circuit. 

Socorro, N. M.—T^y? 200-car Sierra Dnve-ln has 

been opened by Gibroltor Theatres. 

Sudon, Tex.—A new dnve-in hos been opened by 

A. Stevens on Highway 84. 

Sunray, Tex.— Ben Adams has opened a new 

drive-tn here. 

Tamarack, Minn.—Mamie B. Nelson has opened 

the Marcus Theatre, 300 sects. 

the 1 

Aline Theatre from James Henigman. 

Andover, Ohio— Frank and Louis Slavik have acquired 

the Shane Dnve-ln. 

Atlantic City, N. J.—The Lyric Theatre has been 

acquired by Samuel A, Tannenboum from William 

Ford. 

Chicago, III.—Jack Cooney has taken over the 

Sauk Trail Dnve-ln from Willis Bayless. 

Davenport, Iowa—The Bel- Air Drive-ln has been 

purchased by the F&D Amusement Corp. from the 

Bel-Air Theatre Corp. 

Drayton, N. D.— Joe Corner has purchased the 

Drayton from Paul Ayotte. 

Duluth, Minn.—Sheldon Grengs has purchased the 

Granada Theatre from Sidney Blackmore. 

Fairmont, W. Va.—The Bunker Hill Drive- In has 

been sold by Orville Pauley to Robert L. Bortlett. 

Fresno, Calif.—Ben Nokamura has purchased the 

Lyceum from Hardy's Theatres. 

Fresno, Calif.— Hardy's Theatres, Inc. has sold 

the Fulton to the Fulton Theatre Co, 

Hoisted, Minn.—Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Christ iarv 

son have sold the Woodman Theatre to Mr. and 

Mrs. C. J. Gilbert. 

Hull, ill.—The Hull hos been purchased by Mr. 

and Mrs. Tom Gates. 

Jasper, Ark.—Don Charles Jones hos purchased 

the theatre from J. C. Gilbert. 

Lewisburg, Tenn.—William H. Hendnx has sold 

the Southern Aire Dnve-ln. 

Mound City, Kas.—Ray Miner has taken over operation 

of the Aladdin Theatre. 

Mountoin Home, Ark.—The Pines Theatre has 

been sold to R. H. Bowers by E. E. /v\enard. 

North Bend, Wash.— D, R. Rarey has purchased 

the North Bend and Issaquah dnve-ins from W. K. 

Beckwith. 

Palatka, Fla.—Roy Bang has acquired the New 

Theatre from Harlow Merrydoy. 

Peoria, III.— Kerasotes Theatres has taken over 

the Princess Theatre from the Harris estate. 

Salem, Ky.—The Warner Theatre has been sold 

by J. C. Davenport to Harold Schoer. 

Santa Fe, N. M.—The Yucco Drive-ln has been 

sold by Chorles Brent to Wiles & Nooh. 

St. Petersburg, Flo.—The Roxy Theatre has been 

acquired by Claughton Theatres from W. R. Parsley. 

Tecumseh, Ont.— Miss R. M. Hooper hos purchased 

the Rex from Mr. and Mrs. James Brown. 

Wakondo, S. D.—Willie Weiland has purchased 

the Wakonda Theatre from Ray Mellenberndt. 

Wellsville, N. Y.—Max Friedman has taken over 

the Babcock and Temple theatres from the Warner 

circuit. 

Winnsboro, La.—The Harvord Theatre has been 

acquired by J. B. Patterson. 

For 

YOUR 

BOXOFFICE 

Engrared hy 

our exclusive 

process on lucite 

to your 

spaciiicationi. 

LAMOLITE 

ILLUMINATED PRICE ADMISSION SIGNS 

Our enlarged plant facilities assure 

OVERNIGHT service from coast to coast. 

Plastic Signs Engraved for the Entire Theatre

CHESTER FRIEDMAN 

EDITOR 

OKOfflCj? 

HUGH E. FRAZE 

Associate Editor 

SECTION 

PRACTICAL IDEAS FOR SELLING SEATS BY PRACTICAL SHOWMEN 

C 

f-ôlnt Of âle 

The current issue of Printers' Ink, 

weekly magazine of advertising, 

majiagenient and sales, lias an interesting 

article titled, "Don't advertise 

at the point of sale— SELL." The 

author is David Bland, ad chief for 

Krueger Brewing Co., Newark. 

Mr. Bland's opinions and directives 

are intended primarily for ad men 

concerned with selling tangible merchandise. 

For those in the motion 

picture industry, especially the exhibitor 

who is merchandising at the 

point of sale, his comments have 

even more point. 

"Advertising." reports Mr. Bland, 

•is defined by Webster: 'a written 

or printed notice intended to make 

something known to the public; especially 

a printed and paid notice in 

a newspaper or other public print.' 

"The verb 'to merchandise' is defined 

by Webster: 'to seek to further 

sales or use (of merchandise or services) 

by attractive presentation or 

publicity." 

In the big cities of the nation, 

most operators of subsequent run 

theatres have long been convinced 

that their programs are pre-sold in 

the downtown houses. When they 

finally get around to playing a picture, 

it is their belief that the wordof-mouth 

publicity plus the critics' 

reports determine business volume. 

\i this stage, when merchandising 

should constitute their main objectives, 

they resort to advertising instead. 

Newspaper ads. lobby and 

outside posters, house programs, etc., 

take on a sta^tic appearance. The 

theatre ADVERTISES the show instead 

of SELLING to the neighborhood 

public. 

This is where the distinction between 

advertising and merchandising 

becomes pronounced, for it is 

at this point, the theaire cannot depend 

on advertising alone but must 

start to merchandise through exploitation 

which will reduce and 

overcome sales resistance previously 

weakened by word-of-mouth publicity 

and advance reviews. 

In the merchandising phase 

of the campaign, the theatreman 

must select his strongest selling 

factors—those having the greatest 

appeal for his particular audience, 

and present these angles by the most 

attractive and most aggressive means 

at his disposal. 

(Continued on following page) 

fr/e, 

In 

Pq., Girl Wins Trip fo Studios 

Contest Promoting 'Steel Town 

i' ln\. i r; ,|

Blimps Advertise 'Son John,' 'Rain 

Graduates Get Passes 

J. W, Beach, manager of the Appalachian 

Theatre, Boone, N, C, sent congratulatory 

cards to every member of the graduating class 

in all schools of Watauga county. A footnote 

offered the recipient free admission to the 

theatre on one evening. 

Office Staff Pitclies 

In lo Put Up Front 

For 'Tlie Show' 

Home office executives rendered yeoman 

assistance to Gene Walther, manager of the 

Center Theatre, Little Rock, Ark., in building 

a mammoth flash front for "The Greatest 

Show on Earth." 

The front extended across the entire width 

of the building from sidewalk to the marquee 

soffit. The background was in brilliant yellow, 

with lettering in bright red. The glass 

entrance doors were covered solid with onesheets. 

Illustrations of clown heads which 

appeared at two points were animated by 

red light bulbs in place of the clown's no.se. 

On opening day, the sidewalk in front of 

the theatre was covered with .sawdust, and a 

live clown was on hand for ballyhoo. 

Helping Walther were Dan Strong, artist; 

Albert McMahon. personnel; W. L. MacKenzie, 

maintenance, and J. F. Thames jr., publicity 

and advertising. 

People craned their necks skyward to read theatre message on blimps in two eastern A 24-.sheet ballyhoo float attracted attention 

to the theatre playdates. MacKenzie, 

rities. At left. Metropolitan Theatre, Boston, heralds "My Son John." Right, Larry 

Levy, manager oi the Colonial, Reading. Pa., anchored a blimp atop theatre rooi with in the absence of a regular clown, donned a 

sign advertising Easter week booking of "Singin' in the Rain" and aroused wide interest. circus costume and rode the vehicle around 

town, passing out balloons and bubble gum 

to children. 

Camera Fans Reached 

Firefighters Parade 

With 'Vadis' Trailer 

'Greatest Show' Booth 

Manager Walter Wilson of the Capitol in 

To 'Red Skies' Opening 

Edmonton, Alta, got an effective advertising 

An animated lobby display was built for message on "Quo Vadis" before several thousand 

photography hobbyists who attended a 

"Red Skies of Montana" at the Regent Theatre 

in Geneva, N. Y., by Manager Duane recent camera show. Wilson arranged for a 

Marks from litho cutouts, which had a series display in which a projector screened a 

of lights hooked up to a flasher. 

trailer on "Quo Vadis," The stunt drew 


j 

large 

For street ballyhoo, Marks borrowed equipment 

from the local fire department, dressed For "The Greatest Show on Earth," Wilson 

crowds. 

Souvenirs and novelties offered for sale as' 

current promotion for "Greatest Show" werei 

two ushers in helmets, raincoats, boots, etc., advertised that free popcorn would 

vended in 

be given 

the theatre lobby during thej 

"Beanstalk" playdates. 

and had them carry signs downtown. 

to the first 500 kids who attended the Saturday 

matinee show. Clowns were on hand to 

A colorful booth was 

On opening day, uniformed firemen paraded 

to the theatre to be guests of the distribute popcorn, with both the theatre 

management. Boy Scout leaders throughout and lobby rigged up to simulate a circus midway. 

the area aUo attended the first show and, in 

return, plugged the picture at Scout meetings. 

and other atmospheric novelties. According 

A fire equipment dealer sponsored a co-op 

to Kirk, the entire stock was sold out on the 

herald. 3,000 of which were distributed house 

first day and it was necessary to order five 

to house. A high school essay contest offering 

times the original quantity. 

passes to winners won special mention in the 

columns of the daily newspaper. 

l~^ôint of âle 

| 

During the current playdates, five theatre 

ushers dressed as clowns paraded the downtown 

streets with placards advertising the; 

Record Player Plugs 

(Continued from preceding page) engagement. 

i 

'Moonlight Bay' Tunes 

It is logical to assume that if a good 

Travel agencies and music shops cooperated picture is pre-sold by the downtown houses, 

Gets 'Belle' Windows 

with G. Williams, manager of the Regent poor reports on pictures of a< lesser quality 

cause patrons to lose interest and 

Cinema in Chatham, Kent, England, in exploiting 

"On Moonlight Bay." The firms discourage 

Eight window tieups arranged by G. Williams, 

their attendance at neighborhood 

houses. 

Chatham, Kent, England, helped to promote, 

manager of the Regent Cinema in 

used full window displays including stills and 

"The Belle of New York" a week prior tC; 

accessories advertising the picture, with a The actual merchandising of the picture 

opening. Two shoe stores, three beauty par-' 

card plugging the playdates. 

must begin when the theatre bool(s an 

lors and three ladies' specialty shops co-, 

A record player installed in the cashier's attraction. The merchandising must be 

operated by displaying theatre posters Ir 

box was hooked up to an amplifier and slanted to cater to the whims, caprices 

their windows, tied in with their respectlv«| 

speaker located outside the main entrance and a.ppetites of the neighborhood patrons. 

merchandise and services. 

to the theatre, entertaining passersby with A good picture that has been properly 

hit songs from the film. 

pre-sold can gain a BIGGER gross with 

intelligent merchandising at the point of Staff Dons Costumes 

sale. By the same token, aggressive merchandising 

can bulwark the less im- 

mount Theatre, Toledo, Ohio, dressed hli 

Thor Hauschild, manager of the Para-^ 

portaJit pictures to stimulate new interest entire staff in lumberjack shirts and slack! 

and thus attract additional attendance. to stimulate advance interest in his bookini 

of 

— 

"The Big Trees." Plaques lettered witl 

Chester Friedman 

Set in Lobby During 

Dwight Kirk, manager of the ParamountI 

Theatre, Middletown, Ohio, capitalized on the! 

heavy juvenile patronage while playing "Jacki 

and the Beanstalk" to launch his campaign 

for the following attraction, "The Greatest 

set up for th>is purpose, with a typical circusi 

j 

vender hawking the merchandise. 

On the opposite side of the lobby, a hot-i 

dog and Coca-Cola stand was put up, surrounded 

by a display of balloons, pennants, 

star names, picture title and starting dat

I 

I 

I 

' 

, 

the 

' 

'• 

read. 

I 

Near 

Contests Get Results 

On 'Steel Town' and 

'Beanstalk' 

• More than 750 entries were received in a 

guessing contest promoted by Bill Hulbert, 

manager of the Kent (Ohio) Theatre, in 

support of his campaign for "Steel Town." 

The Kaiser-Fraser auto dealer cooperated by 

exhibiting a new car in front of the theatre 

with banners carrying appropriate theatre 

copy and rules of the contest. The public 

had to estimate how long the car would operate 

on five gallons of gasoline. 

The auto agency sponsored a newspaper 

co-op ad with full picture and theatre credits, 

and Hulbert promoted two stories in the Ohio 

University campus paper. 

To promote "Jack and the Beanstalk." Hulbert 

got a neighborhood hardware store to 

sponsor a beanstalk growing contest which 

attracted over 300 entries. The store owner 

supplied beans for the contest and donated 

25 prizes which were awarded to winners on 

the theatre stage. The merchant al.so paid 

for a newspaper co-op ad announcing the 

contest. 

The local newspaper gave full support to 

contest by running advance stories with 

announcements of the picture playdates and 

used a foUowup story on the winners. 

Comic Heralds Make Hit 

With College Students 

Walt Jancke, manager of the Varsity The- 

* atre. Lincoln. Neb., attracted attention to "The 

^ Big Trees" by distribution of a comic cartoon 

herald to students at the University of Nebraska 

and among the general public. The 

cartoon illustration depicted a stand of trees, 

with a dog in the foreground wearing an 

ecstatic 

; 

expression on his face. Balloon copy 

"Acres and acres and they're all mine." 

the top was the catchline, "Even the 

dogs will enjoy 'The Big Trees.' 

Army Presents Band 

And Show on Stage 

Fred R«eth, manag:er of the Capitol 

Theatre, Madison, Wis., added something 

new to military tieups in his campaign 

for "Wild Blue Yonder." 

Reeth made a deal through the army 

and aid corps recruiting service to present 

a stage show at a Friday night, 

Saturday night, and Sunday matinee and 

evening performances. Featured in the 

show was the 504th airforce dance band 

from Truax Field. The band includes 

featured instrumentalists from some of 

the top orchestras in the country. The 

air force, in addition, brought in special 

talent in the form of singers and dancers 

who participated in the show. 

Reeth hit the columns of the Capital 

Times with a four-column cut of the 

band plus advance stories, and promoted 

a four-column newspaper co-op ad from 

the Greenhouse room of the Park hotel. 

The 50-minute stage show helped 

"Wild Blue Yonder" rack up top attendance. 

BOXOFFICE Shovraiandiser :: May 31. 1952 

Albert Pacetii, display artist lor Loew's State 

in Syracuse, N. Y.. painted "The River" in oils 

on the sidewralk surrounding the theatre's boxoflice 

to greet early patrons on opening day. 

He did the work at 2 a. m. and the realistic 

stream created quite a luror. Sidewalk observers 

amused themselves laughing at the 

women who walked across the "water" on 

their tiptoes as though it were wet. The picture 

shows a few patrons being thrilled by 

Pacetti's handiwork. 

Midnight Horror Show 

Gets Good Campaign 

A midnight horror show featuring "The 

Wolf Man" as the screen attraction drew an 

excellent crowd to the State Theatre, Menomonie. 

Wis,, as the result of a fine campaign 

put on by Manager L. J. Thompson. 

The newspaper campaign consisted of teasers, 

display ads. and a classified ad seeking 

a woman brave enough to sit through a midnight 

showing of the picture by herself. Special 

lobby displays were flooded with green 

spotlights, and Thompson used a 40x60 with 

stills on the front of the theatre. 

Handbills and inserts were distributed to 

advertise the show. The front of the marquee 

attraction sign carried the following copy a 

week in advance: "It happens at midnight. 

Friday. April 25." Many patrons stopped to 

inquire as to the significance of the message. 

Supporting the feature. Thompson had a 

number of .spine-tingling stunts to entertain 

the audience and place them in the proper 

mood. 

Makes 'Rhubarb' Cutout 

A 24-sheet cutout of "Rhubarb," who has 

the title role in the film of that name, was 

mounted and cut out as an advance lobby display 

by Byron Frame, manager of the Lorraine 

Theatre. Hoopeston, 111. During the 

current show dates, the cutout was moved to 

the front of the theatre where it attracted 

the attention of adults and children. 

Ads Run in Color 

John Falco, manager of the Majestic in 

Beloit, Wis., used two-color display ads to 

promote "Flaming Feather." Black and red 

ink was used to give the layouts special reader 

interest, a device which paid off hand.somely 

by virtue of the interest attracted to the 

ads and the excellent results at the boxoffice. 

— 127 — 

Window Display Has 

Eye and Ear Appeal 

For 'In the Rain' 

A full window di.spluy cumijelled the attention 

of pa.s.sersby for "Singin' in the Rain" 

for Ben Geary, manager of the Athena Theatre, 

Athens, Ohio. The display was in a 

prominent music store and consisted of a 

40x60 blowup of the three stars, with a background 

of Times Square showing a theatre 

marquee in three-dimensional effect. The 

window was illuminated at night and proved 

a traffic stopper. At one side were three 

cutout umbrellas on which the titles of hit 

tunes from the picture were lettered on large 

raindrops. Record albums of songs from the 

music score and a sign heralding the theatre 

playdates were .set in the foreground. 

The entire .score wa.s taped at the local 

radio station and broadcast at the store over 

a public address system. This provided audible 

animation as well as visible sales promotion 

for the display. 

The store cooperated further by giving 

away seven record albums. Each day the 

radio station announced that the first person 

who entered the store whistling any tune 

from the film production would receive the 

album. Each announcement was accompanied 

by a plug for the picture. 

Local disk jockeys dedicated special broadcasts 

to the picture and gave the theatre a 

total of 30 minutes of free plugs. 

Another full window tieing in rainwear 

helped to exploit the film and Geary .sold the 

back page of a herald to a local merchant 

and thus obtained another tieup which cost 

nothing. 

Contest on 'Rain 

Joseph Boyle, manager of the Poll in Norwich, 

Conn., promoted the Norwich Bulletin 

for a newspaper contest on "Singin' in the 

Rain." Readers were invited to make a hst 

of the songs heard in the picture and give the 

titles of previous films in which these song 

hits have been featured. Three cash prizes, 

and Poll guest tickets for runnersup. were 

offered for the best letters received. 

Youngsters in 

Reading 

Grew Up as Acrobats 

Paul Glase, manager of the Embassy 

Theatre, Reading, Pa., came up with an 

original stunt on "The Greatest Show on 

Earth" that had the hometown folks talking 

and resulted in a photo in the Reading 

Eagle. 

During the heyday of vaudeville, Reading 

was known as the home of acrobatic 

teams, with many famous troupes claiming 

the city as their home town. The 

troupes were headlined in vaudeville, circus, 

carnivals and fairs for many years 

between 1890 and 1925, 

Glase dug up photos from the theatre 

morgue of about 30 of the most famous 

groups of vaudeville and circus performers, 

and made up a huge display for the 

theatre lobby under the heading. "Do you 

remember our own big-time circus performers'.'" 

37

j 

Neighborhood Manager 

Sets Mark in Community 

Dillinger Aide Cues 

Newspaper Publicity 

For 'Six Convicts' 

Sam Greisman, manager of the Jefferson 

Theatre. Fort Wayne, Ind., built a flash front 

to exploit "My Six Convicts" and the associate 

feature, "Sound Off." 

Accessories from both films were affixed to 

special display boards for side pieces and 

connected with an overhead banner on which 

were lettered the titles and star players of 

each picture. In the center was a display of 

newspaper tearsheets wii;h headlines on the 

recent prison riots. 

On opening day, Greisman was visited by 

Howard Davis, former Dillinger aide who 

spent 18 years in prisons throughout the midwest. 

Davis, who is now lecturing in various 

colleges on sociology and criminology, has 

been living in Fort Wayne since receiving a 

parole and his release a few years ago. 

Davis indicated interest in "My Six Convicts" 

and Greisman persuaded Cliff Milnor, 

columnist on the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette, 

to do a story on Davis which was published 

with an excellent plug for the picture. 

Chicago Herald American sponsors lobby exhibit of religious pictures relating the "Easter 

Story" at the Louis Theatre. 

Hugh Borland, manager of the Louis Theatre. 

Chicago, launched a public relations proniotion 

with community merchants which 

met with instantaneous success. 

Ten merchants were lined up for the promotion 

which ha-s the theatre distributing to 

patrons a special discount card for merchandise 

bought at one specific store each week. 

The cards are imprinted and paid for by 

the sponsors, and entitle Louis Theatre patrons 

to a 15 per cent discount on any purchase. 

To advertise the tieup, all the cooperating 

stores display signs in their windows and 

interior announcements. At the theatre, a 

trailer, a 40x60 easel, and weekly announcements 

in the house program keep the public 

informed on current card giveaways. 

When "The Harlem Globetrotters" played 

Press Book Clippings 

Used as Selling Aids 

Sherburne Graves, manager of the Plymouth 

(N. H.I Theatre, decorated the inner 

and outer lobby with parachutes supporting 

toy soldiers and cutout letters announcing 

the playdates on "Etecision Before Dawn." 

At the boxoffice and on the lobby doors 

he used clippings from the pressbook with 

arrows pointing to quotes from national 

magazines. Permission was obtained to display 

a sign at the local high school, headed 

with copy, "The picture that won the Parents' 

Magazine award." 

A sidewalk stencil proved especially effective 

in exploiting "Five Fingers." The stencil 

was used at crosswalks and busy intersections. 

Window displays further helped to promote 

the playdates, and Graves got school children 

to participate in a "spy" hunt in which 

they were required to report on the number 

of "Five Fingers" displays they tracked down. 

the Louis, Borland promoted 1,000 eight-byten 

full color photos of the original players 

and distributed them to every adult attending 

the current playdates. 

An Easter promotion that paid off handsomely 

through goodwill with churches was 

built around a replica of religious paintings 

by great artists. Since Borland operates on 

a small budget, he contacted the managing 

editor of the Chicago Herald American and 

sold him on the idea of having the newspaper 

sponsor the exhibit. In return, the 

theatre ran a screen announcement crediting 

the newspaper. Wide interest was built 

up thi'ough stories which appeared in the 

Herald American and thi-ough regular theatre 

advertising. Borland received thank-you 

letters from civic organizations as well as 

churches for making the exhibit available. 

The Mother of the Year 

Is Presented on Stage 

F. K. O'Kelly, manager of the Rialto in 

Amsterdam, N. Y., got together with the 

Chamber of Commerce to select Amsterdam's 

Mother of the Year in conjunction with 

Mother's day. The stunt was tied in with 

"Belles on Their Toes." 

Merchants made arrangements for wining 

and dining the winning candidate who was 

selected from entries submitted by the public. 

The winner attended the Sunday evening 

show at the Rialto where she was presented 

with gifts donated by the merchants. 

Promotes Contest 

As an institutional promotion, Joe Giobbia, 

manager of the Crown Theatre, Hartford, 

conducted a letter-writing contest on the subject, 

"Why I like to attend the Crown Theatre." 

Each week the most outstanding letter 

was selected and the sender received an 

electric clock, promoted by Giobbia. The 

stunt was continued for three weeks. 

Benefit for Hospital 

Draws Local Goodwill 

The Yucca Drive-In, Santa Fe, N. M., got 

excellent patronage and a large measure of 

local goodwill recently when it staged a benefit 

show for equipment at the city's new 200- 

bed St. Vincent's hospital. 

j 

Manager Phil Blakey of the Yucca agreed 

with heads of the St. Vincent hospital equip-j 

ment campaign to stage a benefit one-nightj 

showing of "Apache Drums," with entire pro-i 

ceeds going to the equipment fund. News-) 

paper ad for the benefit read: "Help! Help!j 

Help! Tonight Only. All receipts from ticket 

sales will be given to the committee of the| 

St. Vincent's Hospital fund. Come on out 

and see a good show and help a worthy 

cause." 

Business on the showing was nearly double 

average and the drive-in gained excellentj 

goodwill when the head of the campaign wasi 

quoted in the local paper as saying: 

"This idea of donating proceeds of a busi-j 

ness during a given time to the hospital! 

equipment campaign is an excellent one and" 

could well be adopted by many of the businesses 

that have not considered themselves! 

in a position to make outright contributions' 

to the campaign." 

Child Contest, Radio Show 

Sell Tickets for Willis 

A child personality contest is drawing fondi 

parents and friends to the Piqua (Ohio) The-; 

atre for Manager Lee Willis. Photos of en-. 

trants are displayed in the lobby and patrona 

get one vote each for their favorite as theyj 

purchase their tickets. Six local merchants! 

are sponsors of the four-week contest, under 

-^ 

writing the cost of prizes and advertising. ; 

To exploit "With a Song in My Heart,'! 

Willis promoted a full hour radio show titled 

"Salute to Jane Froman." The entire show 

consisted of a broadcast of the star's record-j 

ings and frequent plugs for the theatre at-; 

traction. The station gave the theatre the. 

show without cost. 

38 — 128 — BOXOFFICE Showmandiser : : May 

31, 195i

. preme 

' 

] 

Monday. 

' 

the 

\ of 

' 

immoral 

', 

; 

ruled 

' 

division 

I 

ment 

I 

Two 

I 

Dye, 

! 

last 

! not 

Maryland Censors Ban 

'Birth of Nation' Show 

BALTIMORE—The Maryland film censor 

board has placed a statewide ban on the 

exhibition of the film classcic, "The Birth 

of a Nation," on the grounds that showing 

of the film could easily "induce riots and 

other crimes" because of the inflammatory 

nature of many scenes and subtitles. 

The order rejecting the film for relicensing 

was taken after consultation with the heads 

of state and city police and with members 

of the Maryland commission on interracial 

problems and relations. 

"All of these parties," the cemor board 

said, "were definitely of the opinion that 

the film was morally bad and crime-inciting." 

Text of the written statement, signed by 

Sidney R. Traub, chairman, and Eva M. 

Holland, vice-chairman, said in part: 

"The Maiyland state censor board has 

passed an order banning the showing of 

The Birth of a Nation' in Maryland. Such 

action was forestalled in 1943 when the 

owner of the film withdrew his application 

for its relicensing. Although originally 

licensed for exhibition in Maryland in 1917, a 

new license was necessai-y because the print 

submitted lacked the legally required seal 

and perforation of this board. As constituted 

at that time (1943) the boaj'd felt that 

the film would incite to crime through agitation 

of race prejudice." 

The owner of the film renewed his application 

for a license on the film May 20, 

1952, and, the statement continued: 

"The board has given the picture its utmost 

consideration and after hearing all parties 

concerned has concluded that ... it could 

easily induce to riots and other crimes in 

this city and state." 

The distributor, Harry R. ShuU, may appeal 

from the boai-d's decision both to the board 

itself and then to the courts, Traub added. 

Relicensing of the film had been sought at 

this time so that it might have been shown 

in the Braddock Drive-In near Frederick. 

New York Regents Refuse 

To Comment on 'Miracle' 

ALBANY—The decision of the U.S. Su- 

Court that states may not ban a 

motion picture on the sole ground that it 

is sacrilegious, as the board of regents did 

in "The Miracle." provoked no comment here 

Charles A. Brind jr.. counsel for 

regents and the state education department, 

said he would wait until a formal copy 

of the decision was received. 

If the Supreme Court narrowed its reversal 

the court of appeals decision upholding the 

regents to the point that a film cannot be 

banned as sacrilegious, no statement by 

the board was expected. The broad base 

of the education licensing law would remain: 

refusal of permits for pictures held "obscene, 

or which would tend to corrupt 

morals." 

"The Miracle" w'as the only picture rejected 

as "sacrilegious" in 30 years of licensmg 

in New York state and the regents overthe 

director of the motion picture 

of the state educational departto 

effect the ban. 

court of appeals judges. Fuld and 

had declared, in a separate opinion 

September, that "The Miracle" could 

be barred as sacrilegious. 

Albany Assn Will Poll Exhibitors 

On Amusement Advertising Rates 

ALBANY— Industry executives here would 

like to obtain a reduction or elimination of 

the newspaper special amu.sement rate; or if 

this proves unsucce.ssful, an increa.se in the 

space given by newspapers to publicity and 

promotion. The publishers are understood to 

hold that present rates are justified and 

".soaring production and other costs" make 

any slash unlikely. 

Harry Lamont, head of Lamont Theatres 

and chairman of Albany TOA. said: "You get 

such a fast brushoff when approaching the 

newspapers on the discriminatory amusement 

rate that it is not worth trying as an individual. 

With a concerted effort, results might 

be obtained." Lamont said the Albany TOA 

will send a questionnaire to members on the 

advertising-rate situation in their respective 

communities, after which a general meeting 

will be held to decide the course of action. 

Lewis A. Sumberg, counsel and executive director 

for the local TOA, will prepare the 

questionnaire. 

Lamont operates no theatres in Albany, but 

his attempts in other spots to eliminate 

or shave the amusement rate have usually 

been fruitless. One exception was in 

Kingston, where the local paper several years 

ago offered a reduction if Lamont contracted 

to take a minimum amount for the season 

on his drive-in. He did so, but found it "too 

expensive for the results obtained." 

"The publishers generally are cold tomatoes 

on the subject of a better break for exhibitors 

on advertising," Lamont declared. "They 

claim that the special rate is justified by the 

amount of space devoted to reader notices 

and other film publicity. I do not agree with 

the publishers, but that's their position. I 

would guess that the amusement rate averages 

25 per cent more than the retail rate 

for merchants. Of course, the latter often 

get reduced charges by contracting for a minimum 

bulk over the period of a year. That 

minimum is much higher than a theatre 

could sensibly take." 

The Gloversville paper is liberal with reader 

notices for the first run houses but will not 

extend a line to "subsequents, like a drive-in," 

Lamont stated. He operates an automobiler 

at Vail Mills, in the Gloversville area. The 

Glens Falls papers allow every theatre, including 

drive-ins, reader notices for each bill. 

Charles A. Smakwitz, Warner zone manager, 

commented that a "trinity of interest" exists 

between newspapers, merchants and theatres. 

"The newspapers should realize that people 

cannot stay home all the time if the merchants 

are to do business," he said. "If the 

merchants do not receive patronage, they 

cannot advertise. I think that newspapers 

Baltimore Crest Loses 

Its Antitrust Suit 

Baltimore—Major distributors have 

won an antitrust suit brought by the local 

Crest Theatre. The Baltimore federal 

court entered a verdict of not guilty in 

the S315,00« triple-damage action 

brought by Theatre Enterprises in March 

1950, charging distributors with conspiracy 

in denying first runs to the suburban 

house. 

understand the situation and are willing to 

assist a little more now, when business is not 

good. It is jast a matter of enlightened selfinterest 

for them to do .so." The Warner official 

believes that television has made newspapers 

aware of the imperative nece.ssity to 

draw folks out of their homes. He revealed 

that Warners nationally are analyzing ABC 

figures for various papers and comparing 

rates for comparable circulations. When the 

break-down comes through in a few weeks, 

an approach to dailies is possible and probable. 

If the amusement rates are not cut, 

a hike in .space for publicity would presumably 

be acceptable." 

The local amusement rate Is six to nine 

cents higher than the retail merchant scale. 

The amusement and the retail rate is the 

same in Troy and Utica. Even the smallest 

theatres enjoy this rate. The Troy dailies 

carry no reader notices, print no film reviews, 

have no screen layouts and seldom agree to 

tieups, even remote. The Utica papers do 

not review pictures, either. Grosses have declined 

sharply in that city during the past 

two and a half years. Fifteen thousand are 

reported unemployed there. 

The Albany papers review bills at Fabian's 

Palace and Warners' Strand, but have 

discontinued catching shows at Fabian's 

Grand and Warners' Ritz, B first runs. The 

Times-Union sets its reviews by Edgar S. Van 

Olinda off with two column photographs 

from the pictures reviewed. The Knickerbocker 

News does not spot art in its critiques 

by Chf Bradt. 

Bamberger Warns On 

Censorship Danger 

LOXnSVILLE—Since 1922 no new state cen- 

no 

sorship laws have been passed, but that is 

reason for assuming vigilance is unnecessary, 

Leon J. Bamberger, RKO sales promotion 

manager, told the Kentucky A.ssn of Theatre 

Owners Wednesday i28i. 

"Freedom is everybody's job," he said, "and 

nobody can afford to be complacent or assume 

that it can't happen here." 

Bamberger's remarks w'ere of special interest 

to the Kentucky exhibitors, because a bill 

providing for state censorship under the State 

Education department failed to get out of a 

Senate committee. This bill, or ones like it, 

have been appearing in Kentucky legislative 

sessions for several years. 

It has proved practically impossible to secure 

repeal of a censorship law once it has 

gone into effect. Bamberger pointed out. He 

used Kansas as an example. A repeal measure 

failed there last year. 

Repealers usually fail because censor boards 

are a source of political patronage, he pointed 

out. There are now six state censor boards 

and more than 200 cities where some form of 

censorship—usually police—is exercised, and it 

often happens that boards cut films for 

widely varying reasons. 

In Ohio, he pointed out, censorship cost 

the industry a direct charge of S300,000 last 

year and he figured the total for six states 

ran up to $1,800,000. without including the 

charges film companies have to pay to maintain 

and handle censorship problems. 

BOXOFFICE May 31, 1952 N 39

, . Leon 

. . 

. . 

. . Ann 

. . Edna 

. . Ira 

i 

'. 

BROADWAY 

short subjects sales manager for Columbia; 

was married to Constance Audrey Goldberg, 

of Brooklyn at the Union Temple May 25. 

Tames A. FitzPatrick, producer of Travel- 

. 

talks for MGM, with his wife and Astrid 

Varnay sailed for Europe on the America. 

FitzPatrick will be away two inonths photographing 

Germany and Denmark 

Beatrice Lillie. British comedienne, sailed for 

E^ngland on the Queen Mary . . . Billy Wilder, 

producer-director of "Stalag 17" for Paramount, 

and his wife left for Europe on the 

Liberie to join William Holden. star of the 

film, on a tour of Germany and Austria. 

Robert Kane, producer; Leonide Moguy. 

Italian producer-director, and Henry Rogers. 

Hollywood publicist, were on the same boat 

. . . Basil O'Connor, president of the National 

Foundation for Infantile Paraly.'iis. and 

Angna ESiters. actress, arrived on the Mauretania 

from Europe. 

James R. Granger, Republic executive vicepresident 

in charge of sales, is back at the 

home office after a two-week trip to Chicago, 

Los Angeles and San FYancisco . 

Charles C. Moskowitz. vice-president and 

treasurer of Loew's, got back from a Miami 

vacation accompanied by A. Weitman of tlie 

legal department . J. Bamberger, 

RKO sales promotion head, spoke before the 

annual convention of the Kentucky A-ss'n of 

Theatre Owners in Louisville. 

. . . Cecil B. 

Joseph A. Walsh, head of branch operations 

for Paramount, has gone to Omaha on a 

brief branch inspection tour . . . 

Branson. RKO western division sales 

Walter 

manager, 

and Sid Kramer, short subjects sales 

manager, went to Chicago on the first leg 

of their tour of exchanges 

DeMille. producer-director of "The Greatest 

Show on Earth" for Paramount, went to 

Hollywood following a four-week cross-country 

trip. 

Robert Lury, managing director of United 

Artists in Japan, has arrived in New York 

for conferences w'ith Arnold Picker, vicepresident 

in charge of foreign distribution 

. . . Harold J. Salemson. eastern advertising 

and publicity director for Riviera Films, 

ha.s returned to his New York office from 

a three-week trip to Rome, Paris and London, 

during which he set promotion plans for 

"Encounter" for United Artists relca.se . . . 

John Byram. play editor of Paramount, and 

his wife. Marian, publicity woman, left for 

Europe and will be joined there by Richaid 

Watts jr.. drama critic of the New York 

Evening Past, on their play inspection tour 

of European capitals. 

Vivian Blaine, co-starred with Esther Williams 

in "Skirt-s Ahoy!." made a personal 

appearance at the Capitol Theatre on opening 

day to cut a birthday cake in honor of 

the forthcoming tenth anniversary of the 

WAVES . Bl>'th, Universal-International 

star-, got in May 25 to promote "The 

World in His Arms." which will open in 

George Tobias, film 

Alaska June 19 . . . 

comedian, joined the cast of the Broadway 

hit. "Stalag 17." in which John Ericson is 

featured . Best. Ona Munson. Peggy 

Ann Garner and Regina Wallace, all familiar 

names in Hollywood films, opened in the 

final spring production of the City Center, 

"First Lady." May 28 . . . Debbie Reynolds, 

MGM star, left for the coast after working 

a week in New York for "I Love Melvin." 

Louis DeRochemont, producer of "Walk 

East on Beacon," was guest of honor May 

28 at a reception given by the American 

Legion, during which he was presented a 

commendation for his production of the Columbia 

picture . . Louisa Horton, who is 

. 

featured in the film, and Rosemary Pettie, 

. also were present Tulipan. tradepress 

contact for 20th Century-Fox, is in 

Beth David hospital for a checkup but will 

return to work early in June . . . Herman 

Dolinsky. formerly manager of Loew's Coney 

Island Theatre, has been transferred to the 

Warwick, Brooklyn. Harold Graff has taken 

over the management of the Coney Island 

. . . Samuel Grad, son of Maui'ice Grad, 

John Ford, producer-director of Republic'^ 

"The Quiet Man" and "What Piice Glory'i 

for 20th-Fox. planed in from London . . ! 

Danny Kaye, star of Samuel Goldwyn's "Han.'- 

Christian Andersen," arrived from Hollywood 

and left on a USO tour of Europe and north 

Africa the following day ... F. J. A. Mc- 

Carthy, southern and Canadian sales manager 

for Universal, left for New Orleaa' 

Ralph Staub, producer-director-cameraman 

of Columbia's "Screen Snapshots," \i. 

in New York to film the Jean Hersholt 15ttl 

anniversary party at "21." ' 

Ralph Bellamy Is Elected 

Actors Equity President 

NEW YORK—Ralph Bellamy, stage, screer, 

and TV star, was elected president of Acton 

Equity Ass'n for a term of three years at thi, 

39th annual meeting at the Aster hotel. H* 

succeeds Clarence Derwent. who .served twt 

three-year terms. He was given a silver desti 

set from the group. 

Other new officers: Maurice Evans. Ray-! 

mond Massey. Frederick O'Neal and Margalt 

Gilmore. vice-presidents: Paul Dulzell. treas-i 

urer, and John Effrat, secretary. Chosen fo:! 

five-year terms as councilors were Marjori* 

Gateson. Elliott Nugent, Claudia Morgan, 

Kent Smith, Juanita Hall, John Drev 

Devereaux, Katherine Meskill. John Porsythe 

Frederic Tozere and Richard Gordon. 

June 25 New Target Date 

For Eidophor Unveiling 

NEW YORK—Spyros Skouras and Ear 

Sponable have set a new target date fo^ 

20th-Fox's showing of its Eidophor large, 

screen theatre TV. June 25 has been tenta; 

tively 

fixed as the day when a limited num-J 

ber of exhibitors, other members of the in 

dustry and the press will see the Swiss Tv 

system by invitation. Other semipublic dem 

onstrations of the process are scheduled U 

follow. 

! 

W' 

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•iii 

d 

,:iai 

-a,po 

If 

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Ralph Rockafellow, 54, 

Of Para. Dies Suddenly 

NEW YORK—Ralph Rockafellow. 54. direc 

tor of advertising, publicity and promotlo:. 

for Paramount Television Productions, die 

suddenly Monday night (26). He had bee 

with Paramount since 1948 and Ijefore tha' 

was associated with a number of adver 

tising agencies, including Young & Rubicar 

and Buchanan. He leaves his wife, Desiree; 

son. Ralph jr., and a daughter, Mrs. Richar 

Wayne. 

Klkti 

•:J1S 

PRIZE TIME—Hilarity and hi-jinks prevailed when it came to awarding the 

prizes at the film industry golf tournament sponsored by Cinema B'nai B'rith lodge 

at the Vernon Hills Country club at Tuckahoe, N. Y. Harry Brandt, toastmaster; 

Tom Connors, left, 20th-Fox executive, and Lester Gutterman, right, led the festivities. 

Seated, left to right, are Max A. Cohen, who won the cup seen in the picture 

for the lowest score; .Alfred W. Schwalberg, Martin Levine (president of the lodge), 

William Brandt, Marvin Kirsch (standing) and Jack H. Levin. The Cinema foursome, 

consisting of Monroe Greenthal, Ed Fabian, Len Gruenberg and Robert 

Sherman, won the Cinema-Friars club competition. A. R. Hamerslag won the low 

gross. Robert Sherman won the putting contest and Sol Strausberg had the longest 

drive. Other winners included Jack Hoffberg, Mort Weiss, Jack Rosner, Paul Lazarus 

jr., Frank Stcinbauer, Charles Aaronson, Jesse Goldberg, Sonny Conklin, Tom Gerety, 

Murray Schoen, Moe Kalina, .\rthur Gold, Mort Sweig, Norman Bender, Ira Herbert, 

Martin Moskowitz and Ted Sullivan. 

Eight Film Issues Drop 

After United Para. Cut 

NEW YORK—The stock market reacte, 

this week to the news from United Para 

mount Theatres that it had cut dividends, e 

the news hit film prices on the stock ej 

change, quotations dropped from one-half 

1 

two and three-eights on eight film issues. 

Schenck, Moskowitz to West Coast 

NEW YORK—Nicholas M. Schenck, presi 

dent of Loew's, and Charles C. Moskowit 

vice-president and treasurer, are scheduled 

i 

leave soon for the Culver City studios. 

40 BOXOFFICE May 31, 19!

I 

I 

I 

I 

lative 

I 

wage 

, 

of 

rates April 1951 in line with recommenda- 

tions made by a board comprising representa- 

i 

'i 

cleaners, 

I more 

I New 

1 "That 

j 

crime 

I 

j 

We 

i 

and 

; 

pictures 

[ 

Hunter" 

Poro) 

Minimum Pay Talks 

Due in Three Cities 

ALBANY—Representatives of the Albany 

Theatre Owners A-ss'n and other motion 

picture theatre spokesmen will attend a pub- 

lie hearing here June 17 by a joint legiscommittee 

studying over-all minimum 

for businesses in New York state. 

Chairman B. Mailler also will preside at 

hearings in Buffalo June 2 and Rochester 

June 3. A hearing is scheduled in New 

York November 10. 

The committee is studying the feasibility 

a flat rate like the 75 cents federal minimum. 

The film industry opposed setting any 

minimum for the amusement-recreation industry 

two years ago at labor department 

hearings here. However, industrial commis- 

I sloner Edward Corsi promulgated minimum 

tives 

of management, labor and the public. 

These range from 75 cents for cashiers, 

porters and matrons in cities of 

than 50,000, to 55 cents for ushers in 

York, Westchester and Nassau and 50 

' 

cents upstate. 

DeMille Answers Critics 

Of Religious Pictures 

NEW YORK—Some producers have been 

criticized because their pictures on religious 

themes included characters and situations 

which were not 100 per cent pure and saintly. 

CecU B. DeMille told the general assembly 

of the Presbyterian church at Carnegie hall 

May 23. He answered the criticism by saying 

that "you cannot show the brightness of 

good unless you show it in contrast to the 

darkness of evil." 

DeMille said that propaganda pictures are 

never successful because audiences do not 

like preaching on film, and that any message 

must grow out of dramatic situations and 

must be expressed in the action of the picture 

itself. He said that good religious pictures 

transcend denominational lines and 

called that important at a time "when interdenominational 

feeling in this country is not 

at its best." 

Returning to the subject of criticism. De- 

Mille said "The Greatest Show on Earth" has 

! been censured by some few churchmen, 

was because the clown committed a 

ten years before," he said, "and still 

we showed him as a sympathetic character, 

also showed him suffering for his crime 

atoning for it." 

I 

;Two Rated for Families 

NEW YORK—Both of two pictures reviewed 

in the May 24 weekly guide to motion 

I 

issued by the National Board of 

Review are rated for family audiences. "Ivory 

(U-I) is given a starred rating. The 

other is "Kangaroo" i20th-Fox). 

EVERYTHING FOR YOUR CONCESSION 

CANDY—POPCORN—SEASONINGS—ETC. 

STANDARD VENDORS, Inc. 

921 E. Forr Avenue 

Baltimore 30, Maryland 

'High Treason Starts Big, But Most 

B'way Holdovers Mild; II 

NEW YORK—Business at the majority of 

the Broadway first runs continued on the 

downward trend, partly due to the weekend 

rain and the fact that holdovers predominated 

along the Main Stem. Eleven new 

pictures, almost half the first run list, opened 

in time for the Memorial day weekend. 

Of three new pictures, only "High Teason." 

British import at the Tians-Lux 52nd Street, 

received rave reviews and did strong opening 

week business. "About Pace." aided by Mindy 

Carson on the Warner stage, was just average 

as was "Models, Inc." at the Palace. 

However, two United Artists reissues, "Red 

River" and "Tulsa," started off well at the 

Globe. 

The art houses were almost the only others 

doing well, especially the Trans-Lux 60th 

Street, where "The Narrow Margin," now 

in its third week, is doing the best busine.ss 

in more than two yeai-s; "The Man in the 

White Suit," still strong in its eighth week 

at the Sutton; "Under the Paris Sky," in its 

third big week at the Paris, and "Outcast 

of the Islands," which is much stronger at 

the small Fine Arts than at the Astor on 

Broadway. At the Rialto, the exploitable 

"Geisha Girl" is also doing the best business 

in two years. 

"Scaramouche," which held up well enough 

in its third week at the Radio City Music 

Hall, was replaced by "Lovely to Look At" 

May 29. Other Technicolor pictures which 

opened during the week were: "Skirts Ahoy," 

"Lydia Bailey" and "The Wild Heart." Of 

the seven others, only one was foreign-made. 

(Average Is 100) 

Astor Outcast of the Islands (UA), 2nd wk... 

Beekman Never Take No for an Answer 

(Souvoine), 4th wk 

Capitol Carbine Willioms (MGM), 3rd wk 

Criterion The Sniper (Col), 3rd wk 

Fine Arts Outcast of the Islands (UA), 2nd wk. 

55th Street The Prize (Classic), 4th wk 

.105 

.105 

. 80 

. 90 

.120 

90 

G:obe Red River (UA), Tulsa (UA), reissues .... 1 1 

Guild The Yellow Canary (RKO), revival 90 

Holiday Frontier Gal (Reolort); Canyon Passage 

(Realart), reissues 100 

Little Carnegie Edward and Caroline (Classic), 

4th wk 100 

Loew's State The Wild North (MGM), 3rd wk. . . 80 

Mcyfair The Outcasts of Poker Plot (20th-Fox), 

2nd wk 90 

Normandie Encore (Pcro), 8th wk 105 

Paloce Models, Inc. (Mutual), plus vaudeville. . 1 05 

Paromount Roncho Notorious (RKO), plus stage 

show, 2nd wk 100 

Pans Under the Paris Sky (Discino), 3rd wk 110 

Park Avenue When in Rome (MGM), 2nd wk. . . 95 

Rodio City Music HaW— Scoromouche (MGM), plus 

stage show, 3rd wk 1 05 

Rialto Geisha Girl (Realart), 2nd wk 125 

Roxy Kangaroo! (20th-Fox), plus stage show, 2nd 

wk 95 

Sutton The Mon in the White Suit (U-I), 8th 

wk 120 

Trons-Lux 52nd Street High Treason (Mayer- 

Kingsley) 125 

Trons-Lux 60th Street The Narrow Margin 

(RKO), 4th wk 115 

Victoria The Morrying Kind (Col), 11th wk 85 

Warner About Face (WB), plus stage show.... 110 

Storms, HoEday Help 

'Sniper' Top Buffalo 

BUFFALO—Theatre business was greatly 

aided last weekend by the storms that kept 

people in town and the thousands of Canadians 

who came over as part of their Victory 

day holiday. "Tlie Sniper" scored the highest 

individual percentage with 110 and two holdovers 

scored 105 each. "The Girl in White" 

and "Young Man With Ideas" was sold as 

a 50-50 show. Tlie two Bogart reis.sues had 

an average week. "Belles on Their Toes" held 

up well and the art house, the Cinema, had 

one of the best periods in its history wîth 

New Films 

the seventh week moveover of "Singin' In 

the Rain." 

Butfolo-The Girl in Whit* (MGM); Young Man 

With Idooi (MGM) 100 

Center—The Outcasts of Poller Flot (20th-Fox).. 95 

Century -The Holt-Brccd RKO) 90 

Cinema—Singin' in the Rain (MGM), 7th d. t. 

wk 

"OS 

Lofoyettc—The Sniper (Col) 110 

Paramount—To Hove ond tlove Not (WB); High 

Sierro (WB), reissues 100 

Tcck— Belles on Their Toes (20th-Fox), 2nd wk...l05 

Pittsburgh Finds "Sailor' 

Gross Worth Waiting For 

PITTSBURGH—"Sailor Beware" was the 

single audience attraction on view here, all 

other offerings flopping. It wa.s late in its 

release playing first run here but worth 

waiting for. 

Fulton Hoodlum Empire (Rep) 50 

Harris Ma ond Pa Kettle ot the Foir (U-1); 

Flesh and Fury U-I) 45 

Penn Sailor Beware ( 

125 

Stanley The Son Francisco Story (WB) 65 

Warner Mutiny (UA); Fort Defiance (UA) 50 

"Skirts Ahoy!' Gives Philly 

Best Week in Long Time 

PHILADELPHIA—A rainy weekend dampened 

some first run business but seemed 

to have no effect on other situations. For 

some reason, one mu.sical, "About Face," died 

in its first week, while another, "Skirts 

Ahoy!" opened strong at 150. "Walk East 

on Beacon" also showed up as a good moneymaker 

by grossing 120 in its first week. "The 

Girl in White" climbed to 105 in its second 

after a 95 per cent opening week. 

Boyd Belles on Their Toes !20th-Fox), 2nd wk.. . 45 

Earle Talk About a Stronger (MGM) 60 

Fox— Deadline— U.S.A. (20th-Fox), 2nd wk 50 

Goldman Walk East on Beacon (Col) 120 

Mastboum Macao (RKO), 2nd wk 65 

Midtown The Girl in White (MGM), 2nd wk, ..105 

Randolph Skirts Ahoy! (MGM) 1 50 

Stanley About Face (WB) 40 

Stanton Okinawa (Col) 65 

Esther Williams Picture 

Leads in Baltimore 

BALTIMORE—Torrential rains on Sunday, 

winding up a wet week, put the damper on 

business. "Skirts Ahoy!" was the best of the 

lot with the others doing fair business. 

Century Young Man With Ideas (MGM) 91 

Keith's Denver & Rio Grande (Pora) 98 

Little The Man in the White Suit (U-I), 3rd wk. 100 

Mayfair Thief of Damascus (Col) 100 

New— Belles on Their Toes (20th-Fox) 101 

Ployhousc Pictura (Picture) 89 

Stanley The San Froncisco Story (WB) 96 

Town Skirts Ahoy! (MGM) 114 

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR ALL DRIVE-IN 

THEATRES-IN W. VA.-KY. 

Write today for list of —60— Special Exploitation 

and Adult Only Top-Notch Features and 

Burlesque. New Titles. We now have ready 

for booking in W. Va. and Ky.—35mm and 

16mm. 

Also write for information on how to build a 

16mm Drive-ln Theatre or Community 16mm 

theatre for theatre-less towns—ALSO MAJOR 

PRODUCT 16mm FILM CATALOGUE. 

Also write for information on our 16mm CAMERA 

and PROJECTOR for Special Around Town News 

to show on your screen. 

Write to-EXPLOITATION MOVIES 

Box 5 Phone 5579 Sprogue, W. Vo. 

,BOXOFnCE :: May 31, 1952 41

. . Helen 

. . Charles 

' 

BUFFALO 

llrthur Krolick, general manager for United 

Paramount Theatres in Buffalo and 

Rocliester, installed Ira E. Epstein as city 

manager in Roche, ter. succeeding Francis 

S. Anderson, who resigned. Epstein will 

supervise the operation of the Paramount 

and Regent in Kodak town, Anderson is entering 

the publishing business with his 

brother in Canandaigua. N. Y. . . Don Wilson 

of the Jack Benny radio show will have a 

role in the film, "Niagara." which is to be 

filmed in Niagara Falls next month. 

Twenty-five members of the plain clothes 

division of the Buffalo police department, 

headed by William T. Fitzgibbons. chief of 

detectives, attended a special screening of 

"Tlie Sniper," ai-ranged by Manager George 

H. Maekenna of the Lafayette Theatre in 

the operators screening room. Also at the 

screening were members of the psychiatric 

staff of the medical depai-tment of the University 

of Buffalo and State Teachers college. 

E. J. Wall, Paramount field representative, 

covering Buffalo and Albany, w-as in working 

with AJ-thur Krolick and Charles B. Taylor 

at UPT on "Red Mountain" and "Encore." 

Big advance campaigns will be used on both 

Edward Miller, manager of the 

films . . . 

Paramount, has returned from his fishing 

vacation at Lake Nippissing in the wilds 

of Canada. 

Frederick W. Bauer, 61, of Oak Hill Forest, 

Ridgeway. Ont.. Canada, died in Veterans 

hospital here. Bauer was foreman of the 

Shea Theatres art department for about 

15 years before starting his own business 

as a commercial artist. He had lived across 

the border in Ontario for the last 24 years. 

Surviving are his wife Mable. a son and a 

brother . . . The bus strike has ended in 

Rochester much to the delight of downtown 

theatre operators. Theatre business received 

a real shock as a result of the 23-day strike 

of bus drivers and mechanics of the Rochester 

Transit Co. 

Peter T. Dana, U-I eastern sales manager, 

was in for conferences with Dave Miller. 

local manager. Peter is a former resident. 

He was associated with distributing companies 

here years ago . . . Someone who secreted 

himself in the Senate Theatre, Buffalo 

community house at Rhode Island and West 

streets, the other evening at closing time, 

ransacked a cashbox in the candy counter 

and took about $50. The loss was listed by 

Manager Wad.sworth Konczakowski. 

The Buffalo area got 3,509 

more television 

sets during April, bringing the grand total 

to 268,127. Two years ago there were 50,000 

Dave Miller, chief barker, and delegates 

sets . . . 

to the International Variety Clubs con- 

vention in Las Vegas gave a report on the 

SPECIAL TRAILERS 

GOOD and FAST 

CHICAGO 

1327 S. 

Wcboih 

and pocked with SeU-MANSHIR it what 

you atwayt gef from r^ttabl* 

ymm^NEW YORK 

630 Ninth 

Avanuo 

convention to the members of Tent 7. The 

tent's charitable enterprises al.so were discussed 

. Huber. cashier at Paramount 

and a member of the Paramount 25- 

Year club, is vacationing. 

. . . Robert 

Frank Lindkamp, manager of the Palace 

in Rochester, boosted the boxoffice take with 

a sneak preview in his Kodak town house. 

He attracted capacity business , . . Bill 

Graham, office manager at 20th-Fox. was 

noted the other evening at the new Johnson 

restaurant with Mrs. Graham 

Demming. theatre ad contact of the Polish 

Everybody's Daily, is sporting a new Nash 

Ambassador de luxe model. 

George Gammel, head of Gammel Theatres 

and president of the MPTO of western New 

York, and Charles B. Taylor, a.ssociate manager. 

Paramount Theatres, attended the Jesters 

party in Markeen hotel the other evening. 

Stanley Weber, former Buffalo exhibitor, 

is back in town preparing for the opening of 

the races at Fort Erie, across the border 

in Ontario. Stanley will manage the track 

again this summer. He has just arrived in 

Buffalo from Hot Springs where he managed 

that track during the winter. Weber 

and Past Chief Baj-ker Murray Whiteman 

of the Variety club have arranged a Buffalo 

Ad club day at the track and now are working 

on a similar event for Tent 7. Weber 

addressed the meeting of the Ad club ways 

and means committee in MacDoel's restaurant 

the other day. 

Charles Tobias and Peter DeRose, who 

wrote the music for "About Face," current 

at the Center, visited here and were widely 

interviewed by press and radio. At noon the 

men were guests at a luncheon in Hotel 

Statler, given by Arthur Krolick of UPT . . . 

Jim Fater, manager for Columbia, and Jack 

Mundstuk, manager at MGM, were noticed 

at the Ad club luncheon meeting last Tuesday 

in Hotel Statler. 

A. Castner, a former Schine circuit executive, 

has taken over the Valley Theatre in 

. 

Little Valley, N. Y. It is now Castner's Little 

Valley Loree of Gammel Thetres 

has been appointed chairman of the theatre 

group in the Buffalo fire prevention 

committee, which recently convened under 

the leadership of Fire Commissioner Harold 

R. Becker. 

William Connally, manager of the Babcock 

in Wellsville, recently put over a splendid 

campaign on "The Wild Blue Yonder." One 

of the features was the cooperation with the 

local drive to enlist recruits for the various 

services . . . Edmund C. DeBerry, manager 

of Paramount, was in Boston attending the 

sales meeting presided over by Hugh Owen, 

Paramount's eastern-southern division manager. 

Former Buffalo exchange booker E. A. 

Fitter, now Owen's assistant, was among 

those attending the session which was a 

followup to Paramount's recently concluded 

studio sales conference. 

Republic Dividend 

NEW YORK—Directors of Republic Pictures 

Corp. have voted a 25 cents per share 

dividend on the preferred stock, payable July 

1 to stockholders of record at the close of 

business June 10. 

Buffalo Tent Starts 

Palsy Clinic Drive 

BUFFALO—Collections started here and in 

surrounding towns this week for the Cerebral i 

Palsy clinic sponsored by Variety Tent 7 at 

':• 

The picture shown above is reproduced 

on theatre lobby posters in the Buffalo 

area in behalf of the Cerebral Palsy clinic 

drive of Variety Tent 7. Pat O'Brien, 

Sterling Hayden, Ann Gwynne, Robert 

Welsh aJid Vera-Ellen, stars of the recent 

Movietime U.S.A. campaign, are 

shown greeting a little patient in the 

clinic at Buffalo. 

the Children's hospital here. Max Yellen, 

head of the company operating the Century 

Theatre, and Arthur Krolick, general manager 

of United Paramount Theatres in Buffalo 

and Rochester, are co-chairmen of the Tent 

7 committee directing the drive. 

Every theatre is using a poster promoting 

the drive and on the poster is a larger photo 

of the recent Movietime U.S.A. group greeting 

one of the patients at the clinic. Myron 

Gross is chairman of the drive-in committee 

and Charles B. Kosco is taking care of the 

subsequent run houses. Some 75 ladies, aiding 

in the collections, were addressed by Gross 

in the Variety Club the other evening and 

given instructions as to their duties in the 

drive. 

In other activities, the Tent 7 house committee 

gave a sneak preview dinner at which 

Chief Barker Dave Miller said a record crowd 

attended. 

Movietime Tours Big Aid 

To Stars, Para. Is Told 

NEW YORK—Upstate New York exhibitors 

have found that the Movietime U.S.A. 

personality tours, sponsored by the Council 

^ 

I 

of Motion Picture Organizations, not only aid 

industrial public relations but also enhance 

the popularity of the players taking part in 

them. 

Exhibitors in Albany, Buffalo, Syracuse, 

Rochester and other cities have written the 

Paramount studio about the fine impression, 

made by Don Taylor, who will appear ini 

"Stalag 17" and, later, "Pleasure Island." One 

letter said his name would be given 

I 

added: 

prominence "whenever we book one of his. 

pictures, to make sure his many newly 

won fans know at what theatre they can' 

see him." 

i 

42 BOXOFFICE :: May 31, 1952

i 

Times-Union, 

I 

Lake 

I 

I 

I 

Charles 

' 

ment. 

1 Florida, 

. scale 

I 

65 

'. 

Sunday 

. cellent 

1 marching 

' 

"panty 

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bocker 

, 

reaching 

; 

munity. 

I 

; 

in 

1 father 

; 

and 

' 

development 

I 

' 

Smith 

' 

' Pride 

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to identify published photos of five big lea- 

pitchers by nickname and team. Mana- 

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f 

ALBANY 

"lire would be glad to present single-feature 

bills, but the public demands 

double features, and we can not oppose its 

wishes, much as we may question its taste." 

said Charles A. Smakwitz. Warner Zone 

manager, in a recent discussion on single 

features. He said more money can be made 

with single features since there is a saving 

on rentals and overtime, but circuit officials 

and independent exhibitors are catering 

to the public and that's where the revenue 

is. 

Mrs. Janet Farley Hutton, 45. daughter of 

the late co-developer of Filmrow and theatre 

owner, died May 26 in Albany hospital, just 

five days after her father passed away in the 

same institution. Five sisters and two 

Edgar S. Van Olinda, 

brothers survive . . . 

motion pictm-e-music-drama critic for the 

and C. R. "Tip" Roseberry, 

columnist, will be among the judges for the 

regional Mrs. America contest at the Burden 

Casino, near Ti'oy. August 10. Tlie 

finals will take place at Asbury Park, N. J., 

in September. 

RKO Executives Host Joan Crawford 

RKO Radio executives were hosts to Joan Crawford at a luncheon at the 21 

Club 

during the star's visit to New York for the promotion of "Sudden Fear." Left to right, 

from Miss Crawford: Robert Mochrie, vice-president and general sales manager; Walter 

Branson, western division sales manager; Leonard Gruenberg, metropolitan district 

manager; Charles Boasberg, north-south division manager; Don Prince, eastern publicity 

director; William H. Clarke, treasurer; S. Barret McCormick, director of advertising; 

Rutgers Neilson, foreign publicity director; Nat Levy, eastern division sales 

manager; Robert K. Hawkinson, assistant foreign manager; and Ned E. Depinet, president 

of RKO Radio. 

A. Smakwitz, invited participants 

I in the Eastern United States Olympic Boxing 

tournament to attend a Sunday night 

performance at the Strand. The tournaattracting 

amateurs from Maine to 

opened Monday evening at Hawkins 

stadium. The navy entered a team. 

I 

' 

Fabian's Leiand changed its policy and 

for "Tembo," playing the picture an 

' 

entire week and increasing the prices to 

cents at night, 74 cents on Saturday and 

and 25 cents for children . . . The 

Strand, with "Deadline—U.S.A.," reported exevening 

patronage. The Albany man 

who phoned the Times-Union that 500 Rens- 

' 

selaer Polytechmc Institute students were 

on Russell Sage college for a 

raid" won the $50 bonus offered for 

' 

the best tip of the week in a tieup with 

I 

"Deadline." He also copped the paper's reg- 

ular $25 award. 

I 

j 

warm tribute to William Farley, codeveloper 

of Filmrow and theatre owner who 

died last week, was voiced by the Knicker- 

News in an editorial stating: A man 

of imagination, enterprise and ingenuity in 

( 

the field of land speculation can wield a farinfluence 

on the shape of his com- 

Such a one was William Wallace 

Farley, whose death at the age of 78 ended 

a distinguished career in real estate, law 

and politics. "Trained as a lawyer, Mr. Far- 

ley turned early to the business of real estate 

his native city of Binghamton. where his 

had led the way. Some 40 years ago 

he moved to Albany, where he eventually 

became one of the city's largest landowners 

a leader in commercial and residential 

in the city and its suburbs." 

Five matched golfing irons, donated by Al 

Loan Company, were awarded to an 

Albany man who filed the best entry in "The 

of St. Louis" contest conducted by the 

Rltz and the Times-Union. It asked readers 

Oscar Perrin and Warner exploiteer 

Atkin arranged the competition 

Harry Lamont and Lewis A. 

. . . 

Sumberg made 

business trip to New York . . Ray Smith, 

. 

NEW YORK—Joan Crawford'.s experience 

as co-producer with Joseph Kaufman of 

"Sudden Fear," in which she also stars, was 

so pleasant that she hopes to produce pictures 

in which she will not star, in addition 

to continuing her acting career. 

Miss Crawford, who asked for and got her 

release from Warner Bros., for which she 

made "This Woman Is Dangerous," her last 

previous picture, is now concentrating on promoting 

"Sudden Fear," which will be released 

by RKO in early fall. Her current trip to 

New York is to discuss publicity and exploitation 

with Ned Depinet, Don Prince and 

other RKO home office executives. She returned 

to the coast May 27 to attend her 

children's graduation. 

In late August. Miss Crawford will start on 

a six-week tour of 26 key cities to meet exhibitors 

and give press conferences on "Sudden 

Fear," timed with the first release of the 

picture. She believes that it is necessary 

for the stars to meet the public but she will 

not make "personal appearances" in theatres 

because audiences expect more from a star 

than just a "hello" and her performances axe 

always given on the screen. 

"Sudden Fear" cost approximately $600,000 

Wai'ner manager, is a baseball fan and 

proved it by attending a night game, played 

in cold weather, between the Albany and 

Reading Eastern league clubs at Hawkins 

stadium. Albany, now a farm in the Boston 

Red Sox system managed by Smiling Jack 

Burns, won 16 of its first 24 contests, to lead 

the league, with Schenectady a close second. 

Mrs. Florence Perlow Shienta?, wife of an 

appellate division justice in New York City, 

resembled the Hollywood concept of a lady 

lawyer when she argued the "La Ronde" 

censorship case for Commercial Pictures in 

the appellate division here. She is striking 

in appearance and is fluent of speech . . . 

The foreign and exploitation picture policy 

. . . The 

at Warners' American, Ti'oy. is reported to 

have caught on. Recently were "The Smuggler," 

English technicolor release, and "Captain 

Boycott," filmed in Ireland 

lid on bingo remains tight in Albany, but 

with Miss Crawford taking a percentage of 

the profits in lieu of salary. She has none 

of her own money in the picture. It would 

have been brought in for even le.ss if the production 

had not shut down for ten days while 

various members of the troupe, including herself, 

were laid up with virus. Although she 

left the entire matter of financing to Kaufman, 

who arranged for the bank loans. Miss 

Crawford sat in on story conferences, talked 

to various directors, discussed the sets, etc. 

She and Kaufman worked on the film for 

almost a year, from the time Miss Crawford 

first read the novel and wanted to appear in 

the film version. She hopes the association 

RKO 

will continue making more pictures for 

release, she said. 

For the first time. RKO was able to start 

promoting fashion tieups, etc., shortly after 

a picture went into production, according to 

Don Prince, eastern publicity director for 

RKO. Miss Crawford started posing for fashion 

stills during the third week of production, 

he said. 

Although Miss Crawford has discussed TV 

production she admits that a series of stories, 

such as are needed for 39 consecutive weeks 

on TV, are difficult to find. 

the game is being presented under fraternal 

and veterans auspices in Rens.selaer. Troy 

and Amsterdam. 

Kallet's Utica Drive-In is featuring a "Visit 

to Kallet Kiddyland'" angle in newspaper 

copy. "Boat rides, skyrocket and miniature 

train" are listed . . . Eric Williams' WGAT 

Drive-In, near Utica, single-featured "Viva 

Zapata" . . . Kettles will be stationed in Troy 

theatres June 6 and 7 to aid the $18,000 

drive for Camp Barker and to "give a lift" 

to needy boys. Women members of the Hotel 

and Restaurant Employees Ass'n will have 

charge of the kettles in theatres. 

Japan's Best Year for Film Exports 

The banner year (1951) for exports of Japanese 

films totaled 542 features, five features 

on 16mm film, 75 trailers, 218 newsreels and 

23 shorts. 

BoxorncE May 31, 1952 43

. . Fred 

. . . Morton 

. . Mrs. 

. . The 

. . Richard 

Warner Theatres Managers Receive Zone Drive Prizes 

Ted Schlanger, Philadelphia zone manager for Warner Theatres, 

awarded prizes at a recent meetins for the local Warner Showman's 

ris 

Levine, real estate head, and Manager Sidney Poppay. Back row: 

Attack ... To Bring 'Em Back in 1952 zone drive. Attending Paul Castello, city district manager, and managers Bob Kesslcr, 

the award affair were, left to right, front row, Lester Krieger, Larry Graver, Herb Thacher, Al Plough, Bill Morgan and Charles 

assistant zone manager; theatre managers Dominick Lucente. Mor- Cohen. 

WASHINGTON 

rilmrow Bowling league finished it.s season 

with Highway Express Lines in first 

place; 20th-Fox. .second: Warner Bro.s.. third; 

UniversaJ, fourth; RKO. fifth; Repubhc- 

ClEirk. sixth: All-Stars, seventh, and Columbia, 

last. Charles Groff had high average 

for the men: Jack Keegan was in first 

place for high strikes: Al Fields was first 

for high spares; John O'Leary, first for 

high set, and Curtis Hildebrand. first for 

high game. For the women, Pauline Struck 

finished with the highest average: Lois 

Colette, first for high strikes: Loretta Taylor, 

first for high spai-es; Hellyn Lee, first 

for high set. and Rhoda Seidel, first for 

high game. Each person received a trophy. 

Mr. and Mrs. Earl Taylor, who have been 

residing in Miami for the last several years, 

have returned to Washington . Klein, 

Churchill and Chestertown theatres, is back 

in Garfield hospital . . . Joe Rosen. 20th-Fox 

manager, and booker Jack Keegan challenged 

salesmen Dan Rosenthal and Marty Warshauer 

to a golf match on the Fairfax Golf 

course Saturday. Rosen and Sales Manager 

Ira Sichelman visited Herman Hable and 

Lou Bachrach in Winchester, Va.. Tuesday 

. . . MGM salesman "Buddy" Sharkey celebrated 

a birthday Monday. 

. . 

Manager Jerry Adams was in Baltimore 

. . . E.sther Blendman is vacationing in Florida 

. . Booker Eddie Kushner returned from 

. 

his vacation . . . District Manager Rudolph 

Berger has returned from the "Seeing Is 

Believing" meeting on the coa.st . . . Steve 

Broidy, Monogram president, visited the local 

exchange . Salesman Barry Goldman resigned 

to accept a position outside the film 

business. 

At Republic, Manager Jake Flax was in 

ELMER H. BRIENT & SONS 

925 New Jersey N. W. 

Washington, D. C. 

EVERYTHING 

for 

the 

MODERN THEATRE 

. . . 

. . . 

Johns Hopkins hospital for a routine checkup 

Gerber, District Theatres president, 

has returned from the "Seeing Is Believing" 

meeting in Hollywood Mr. and 

Mrs. Eugene Kramer have returned from a 

trip to Mexico and California following the 

Variety Club convention in Las Vegas 

Mrs. Tacie Davis celebrated a birthday 

Wednesday. 

BARKER NOW—Dan Kimball, 

Dorothy Ricks has returned to her desk 

after several days' illness . . . Happy birthday 

to Variety Club barkers Ralph Deckel- 

secretary 

of the navy, was made an honorary 

member of the Variety Club of Washington 

at a special luncheon recently. Above, 

Jerry Adams, chief barker (left), and 

Tony Muto, who served as King for the 

Day at the luncheon (right), are shown 

chatting with Secretary Kimball. 

baum, Leopold Freudberg. Hy Bettinger. May 

25; Fi-ancis Sharkey, William Stewart, May 

26: Dave Legum, May 28; Melford Lewis, 

May 30; Hy Goodbinder, May 31. 

. . . 

Leon J. Bamberger, RKO sales promotion 

manager, is sending out most attractive 

broadsides on RKO's latest production, "The 

Half Breed" Ann Whitsett, Lyric 

. 

and Little theatres. Blacksburg. Va., is a new 

gi-andmother John Garst was an exchange 

visitor. 

Hymen Bress, 67, Is Dead 

NORFOLK, VA.—Hymen Bress, 67 years 

old, died May 20 after an illness of several 

months. He was the owner of the Lenox. 

Dunbar and Rio theatres of Norfolk. He is 

survived by two sons, Louis and Philip Bress. 

Conner, Joe Bergin; Schlanger; Manafer Nat Warshaw; Herman 

PHILADELPHIA 

pire Commissioner Prank L. McNamee, a 

popular industryite, has revealed that 

there has been a decrease of 21 theatres in 

this area from last year's 187 theatres, both 

legitimate and modern motion picture . . . 

Harry G. Bristow jr. of Glenside, founderdirector 

of the Christian Youth Cinema, a 

non-profit film distributing agency which 

has a library of 300 16mm films, reports 

that his organization is planning to build 

or rent a theatre in Philadelphia for nightly 

showings of Biblical films. This would be 

the first theatre of this kind in the world. 

Bristow said that when his organization entered 

the field five years ago, they found a 

handful of chiu'ch films on the market. The 

best films now are produced on 35mm film, 

then reduced to 16mm reprints. 

Mr. and Mrs. Mike Caman have returned 

from a three-week Florida vacation . . . Don 

Gillis, son of Monogram manager Max Gillis, 

has been awarded a Root-Tllden scholarship 

to New York university's law school for a 

three-year term. Don is now a student at 

Oxford on a Fulbright scholarship . . . Michael 

Licenti, known as "Mike." the barber, to 

industryites, died in Veterans hospital. 

Henriette Weinberg, Republic, has resigned 

as business agent of lATSE Local 

F7. She has been succeeded by Janet H. 

Lewis, UA booker . . . Jerry Crescenzo, stenographer 

in Stanley-Warner's contact department, 

is no longer with the company 

. . . Irv Blumberg, Stanley-Warner's publicity 

department, and Harry Kaplowitz, 

booking department, came back from sick 

leaves. Songwriters Charles Tobias and Peter 

DeRose were in town to help in the promo- i 

tion of "About Pace" . Guccini's 

White Beauty Drive-In in Greentown is now 

in operation . Variety Women of 

Philadelphia held its annual donor luncheon 

at the Warwick hotel. A fashion show was 

among the events arranged by Mrs. Rose 

Segal, donor chairman. The allocation of 

money to local charities and the Variety 

Camp for Handicapped Children was presented 

by Mrs. Mae Felt, president. Guest 

speakers at the event were Leo Posel, new International 

Chief Barker Jack Beresin and 

Victor Blanc, chief barker, Tent 13. 

5. 

a 

i-i 

..ii 

luil! 

as 

ma 

•Hill 

'** 

•it 

lit 

44 BOXOFFICE May 31, 1952

I 

I 

I 

. The 

. . Elmer 

Arcadia Theatre Co. Opens 

Y Drive-In at Wellsboro 

WELLSBORO, PA.—The new Y Drive-In, 

located at the junction of Routes 660 and 6 

between Mansfield and Wellsboro. opened recently. 

It was built by the Arcadia Theatre 

Co. and gives Tioga county its first outdoor 

theatre nearer than 45 miles. Theatre pei-- 

sonnel will number 15. 

The Y covers a ten-acre site, with two entrances 

and one exit. Cars will leave onequarter 

of a mile east of the junction to remove 

a traffic hazard. The theatre is surrounded 

by earthen dikes topped with Lonibardy 

poplars which will form a solid foliage 

windbreak screen 100 feet high when the trees 

reach their growth. The owners plan to landscape 

the dikes as well as the portion of the 

theatre at the .screen end. 

Nine car ramps will handle 300 cars with 

in-car speakers. There is also a holding large 

enough to accommodate several hundred more 

cars off the highway. Admission will be 50 

cents, including tax. 

Attendants will be available to change flat 

tires or haul out cars with motor trouble at 

no charge. 

The Arcadia Theatre in town will go on a 

summer policy of three top first run pictures 

a week, while the drive-in will show four 

changes. The company plans later to turn 

the top of the concession building into a large 

stage, 60x40, to bring live shows to the ozoner 

during the warmest months. 

The management invited drive-in patrons 

to inspect the projection booth during their 

visits and see the amount of equipment needed 

for outdoor theatre projection and the sound 

equipment used to distribute sound to cars 

parked over a ten-acre area. 

Uniontown, Pa., Ticket Tax 

UNIONTOWN, PA.—North Union township 

school district is enacting a 10 per cent 

, 

amusement tax. To be effective at the same 

' 

time, July 6, will be taxes on retail and 

wholesale merchants, jukeboxes, trailers, plus 

a per capita tax. 

Add 10 Per Cent Ticket Tax 

PITTSBURGH—Sewickley township school 

district. Allegheny county, is enacting a 10 

per cent tax on amusements. 

Town Ends Tax to Keep 

Its Theatres Open 

Burgettstown, Pa.—Following a threeyear 

fight by local exhibitors, the borough 

council has removed its theatre tax. More 

than three years ago the council planned 

an amusement admission tax, but theatre 

owners opposed this measure. The council 

finally settled by establishing a $100 a 

month tax on each theatre, instead of 

enacting a 10 per cent tax on admissions. 

For two years the theatres paid 

$1^00 annually to the borough. With declining 

receipts, the exhibitors pressed 

their side of the story to Burgettstown 

ordinance makers, and last year they had 

the tax cut to S900 annually. 

Last week the theatre owners got a 

real business breather, and they stated 

that the relief may enable them to remain 

in exhibition. The tax makers 

finally banished the theatre tax. 

PITTSBURGH 

n 

Ivin Seller, Ligonicr exhibitor and member 

of the Railroad club, will take the 

last ride on the famous 16-mile Ligonier 

Valley gas electric train and then entertain 

members of the club and railroad fans at a 

special show in his Vox theatre there. R. L. 

McCool, an eastern Pennsylvania theatre 

operator and special writer for the Pittsburgh 

Press, wrote "Millionaire's Railroad" 

for the Pi'e.ss' Family magazine, May 11 . . . 

Jamison Handy, Detroit industrial motion 

picture producer, addressed the Pittsburgh 

Advertising club in the William Penn hotel 

Tuesday afternoon. 

. . . Pete 

. 

Returning from work a.s a projectionist at 

the Twin Hi-Way Drive-In one night last 

week, Albert Diodati's car was completely 

demolished when struck by a large trailertruck. 

Diodati was not injured 

Camerlo's recently opened Super 19 Drive-In 

theatre is located on the Waterford Pike, 

Route 19. a mile .south of Kearsarge and a 

Two front office 

few miles south of Erie . . . 

rooms, second floor, now completely re- 

finished at the Atlas Theatre Supply building, 

are available for rental Carroll 

was on Pilmrow distributing cigars. It's a 

son. Tommy! 

. 

Romeo Chiappini has re-enroUed as an 

account of Hanna Theatre Service for licensing 

of the El Rancho Drive-In west of 

Bridgeville. The El Rancho, a former Hanna 

account, has been booked recently by Star 

Distributing Agency, but was returned this 

week to Hanna. Mars at Mars has 

Nixon has booked "Good Night 

closed . . . 

Ladies" for the week of June 9 . . . Wally 

Anderson, circuit exhibitor who operates 

from Mount Jewett, now has eight theatres, 

having recently acquired a unit at Randolph, 

N. Y. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ross Gibson, Milton Gibson 

and their mother drove to Toronto for Memorial 

day. Gordon Gibson is filling in as 

Atlas Theatre Supply sales clerk and office 

manager . . . Dinty Moore jr. closes the 

Beechview here May 31 ... An aerial antenna 

was installed at the Brockway . . 

. 

Spotlight 88 Drive-In will stage a benefit 

show June 2 for the North Sewickley junior 

The Penn at New Castle 

baseball team . . . 

will 

New 

The Warner Ritz at 

close June 9 . . . 

Kensington, is operating on a single 

The game of 

weekend change policy . . . 

Lucky is the Monday evening feature at the 

Penn in Uniontown. 

. . . Larry 

The Colonial at Clairton now is represented 

Warner exchange 

by Hanna Service . . . employees are wearing "Ben Kalmenson" 

drive buttons which have a photo reproduction 

of the sales chief who started in 

the industry here with this company, and 

20th-Fox employees are sporting buttons 

which read: "I Like Kangaroo!" 

Woodin, Wellesboro exhibitor, has been on 

the road as director of preliminary contests 

for the Miss America Pageant in Pennsylvania 

and West Virginia. 

New Outdoor Theatre Opened 

WESTON. W. VA.—Lovetfs Weston Drive- 

In, on Route 19 between Weston and Jane 

Lew, was opened the evening of May 22. 'Doc' 

Lovett is West Virginia distributor for DeVry 

motion picture equipments, with sales headquarters 

at Clarksburg. 

PKErAKE FOR I'KK.MIICKi;—One of 

the features of Pittsburgh's Welcome 

week. May 31-June 8, will be premiere 

of Republic's "I Dream of Jeanie," 

starring Ray Middleton, Bill Shirley, 

Muriel Lawrence and Eileen f'hristy. 

Various stars will make personal appearances 

here for five days. Shown preparing 

for the premiere are, left to right: 

John Walsh, manager of the Fulton; 

James H. Young, jr., co-chairman with 

W. Everett McLaine of Welcome week, 

and I. T. Sweeney, Republic's Pittsburgh 

manager. 

Meadville Showman Will 

; 

Survey Television Idea 

MEADVILLE, PA.—Prior to the television 

licensing freeze. Dr. Harry C. Winslow, head 

of Meadville Broadcasting Co., which operates 

i-adio station WMGW, petitioned the 

FCC for permission to install and operate a 

television station here. That was in 1948 but 

conditions and costs have changed. Meadville 

was recently assigned UHF channel 37 but 

now Dr. Winslow doesn't know whether he 

wants any part of it. 

President of Meadville Park Theatre Corp., 

operating the Park and Meade here, the 

noted practicing sui'geon says that he will 

conduct a survey to determine the possibiliities 

of a local television station. 

Bart Dattola Honored 

NEW KENSINGTON, PA.—The Italian- 

American Educational society No. 119 honored 

its president, Bart Dattola, veteran 

local theatre owner, last Sunday i25) with 

a mass initiation of new members. 

The need for copper is drastic—save drippings. 

SAM FINEBERG 

TOM McCLEARY 

JIM ALEXANDER 

| 

g 

I 

84 Van Broom Street g 

PITTSBURGH 19, PA. I 

Phone Express 10777 I 

^jiiMovies Are Better Than Ever • How's Your Equipment?^ 

Complete Sound and Projection Serrice 

ATLAS THEATRE SUPPLY 

Gordon Gibson. Mgr. 

402 Miltenfaerger St., GRanI 1-4281. Pittsburgli. Pi. 

MOTIOGRAPH — MIRROPHONIC 

BOXOFFICE May 31, 1952 

45

' 

' 

^2^-r^:Ti 

AT U-I CHICAGO MEETING—Forthcoming releases and promotion plans were 

discussed by Universal-International sales and promotion executives at a three-day 

meeting in Chicago. Left to right: Jeff Livingston, eastern advertising manager; 

Charles Simonelii, eastern advertising and publicity department manager; P. T. Dana 

(seated on arm of Simonelli's chair), eastern sales manager; James J. Jordan, circuit 

sales manager; Charles J. Feldman, domestic sales manager; Alfred E-. Daff, vice-president 

and director of world sales; David A. Lipton, vice-president in charge of advertising 

and publicity; Philip Gerard, eastern publicity manager, and Ray E. Moon, 

assistant domestic sales manager. 

Standing: P. F. Rosian, district manager from Cleveland; Barney Rose, district 

manager from San Francisco; Mannie Gottlieb, district manager from Chicago; John 

J. Scully, district manager from Boston; James V. Frew, district manager from Atlanta; 

Irving Sochin, assistant to Feldman; Foster M. Blake, western sales manager; 

Henry K. Martin, district manager from Dallas; F. J. A. McCarthy, southern and 

Canadian sales manager; Ben Katz, U-I midwest field exploitation representative, 

and DaWd A. Levy, district manager from New York. 

SIMPP Opposed to Subsidy 

In French Pact Proposals 

NEW YORK—Subsidy provisions in French 

pact proposals brought back from Paris by 

Eric Johnston. Motion Picture Ass'n of America 

president, met with opposition Wednesday 

(281 from James A. Mulvey, president of 

Samuel Goldwyn Productions, who acted as 

chairman of the distribution committee of the 

Society of Independent Motion Picture Producers. 

Alfred Crown, Goldwyn sales head, 

who represented SIMPP at the Paris negotiations, 

echoed the organization's stand at 

an MPAA meeting of foreign managers. 

The meeting lasted two and three quarter 

hours and resulted in no decision. Another 

will be held within a few days after 

further efforts to reconcile varying viewpoints. 

The SIMPP position was backed by 

some of the foreign managers of the MPAA 

member companies. 

Earlier in the week Mulvey, Crown, Johnston 

and others met in Washington with representatives 

of the U.S. State Department 

who begin a .study of the proposals. Mulvey 

attacked them then. 

Johnston has always been against subsidies. 

It was understood that he referred the proposals 

for consideration after the French 

insisted on making subsidies a bargaining 

point in any talks on convertibility and import 

limits. The schedule calls for renewed 

negotiations with the French on or after 

June 19. 

Mutual Purchases 'Yellow Angels' 

Hal E. Chester, production chief for Mutual 

Pictures, has purchased screen rights 

to "Yellow Angels," a crime novel by Edward 

Helseth. 

House TV Morals Group 

To Start Hearings June 3 

WASHINGTON — The House Interstate 

Commerce Subcommittee named to study TV 

morals will begin hearings on June 3, Chairman 

Oren Harris (D., Ark.) announced 

Wednesday (28). 

First will be Rep. E. C. Gathings (D.. Ark.), 

sponsor of the resolution which brought on the 

investigation. He will be followed by other 

congressmen and representatives of civic 

groups. 

This phase of the hearings will last three 

days. Individual broadcasters and broadcasting 

industry witnesses will testify at a 

later date, Harris said. 

Amplifying his recent statement that the 

probe would be broadened to include motion 

pictures, Harris said the Subcommittee would 

go into films only to the extent that they are 

shown on television. The question of who 

controls program content also will be studied, 

he added. 

Harris announced further that he has requested 

the FCC to turn over to the Subcommittee 

any complaints against TV programs 

it has on file. 

MPAA European Post Still Open 

NEW YORK—Choice of a continental European 

representative of the Motion Picture 

Ass'n of America is still to be made following 

the resignation a year ago of Gerald 

Mayer. Both Theodore Smith of the foreign 

division in the home office and Neil Agnew, 

former Paramount and Selznick sales head, 

are under consideration with member company 

representatives abroad favoring Agnew. 

Mark Spiegel, German representative, is also 

a possibility. 

U-I Grassroots Promotion 

Plans Under Discussion 

NEW YORK — Universal-International is 

working out plans to bring promotion down 

to the local level on a national scale. Preliminary 

plans were discussed at a conference 

in the home office over la.st weekend at 

which Charles Simonelii, manager of the 

eastern advertising and publicity department, 

presided. Members of the field staff attended. 

Specific plans were taken up on "The 

World in His Arms" and three other summer 

relea.se.s—"Ivory Hunter," "Has Anybody Seen 

My Gal" and "Francis Goes to West Point." 

Field men were urged to become goodwill 

amba.ssadors for the industry. 

Those who attended included: Philip 

Gerard, eastern publicity manager; Jeff Livingston, 

eastern advertising manager; Henry 

A. Linet, sales promotion manager; Ben Katz, 

Chicago field man; Julian Bowed, I>allas; 

Ben Hill, Atlanta: Duke Hickey, Cleveland; 

David Polland, Wa-shington, and Maurice 

Bucky" Harris and William Gandall, special 

representatives from the home office. 

The field men returned to their territories 

Monday (26). 

United Paramount Theatres 

Has New Dividend Policy 

NEW YORK—The board of directors of 

United Paramount Theatres has declared a 

quarterly dividend of 25 cents, half of the 

usual dividend, on the common stock, payable 

July 18 to stockholders of record June 

27, according to Leonard H. Goldenson, pres- 

: 

, 

ident. 

Goldenson declared that it would be the 

UPT policy to pay extra year-end dividends, 

in addition to quarterly dividends, since the 

business of the corporation is conducted 

' 

largely on a cash basis, with no substantial 

investments in inventories, and higher dividend 

payments can be made in proportion 

to its earnings. The new dividend policy ' 

will enable the corporation to meet the sub- : 

stantial demands for cash which it will face 

' 

if the merger with American Broadcasting 

Co. is effected, Goldenson said. The board 

also re-elected all officers of the corporation, 

including Goldenson as president; Walter 

i 

Gross, vice-president and general counsel; i 

Robert H. O'Brien, secretary-treasurer; Robert 

M. Weitman and Edward L. Hyman, vicepresidents: 

Simon B. Siegal, controller, and 

J. L. Brown, assistant treasurer. 

British Suggest Next Pact 

Talks Be Held in U.S. 

NEW YORK—The British have suggested 

that the next talks on the new film pact be 

held in the U.S. The move was believed made 

to soften the impact of the Churchill government's 

demands for restrictions in im- 

' 

ports, a lower remittance figure and fewer 

uses of blocked funds here. The negotiations 

may be long and difficult. 

Plan Austrian Operations 

NEW YORK—MGM, 20th Century-Fox, 

Paramount and Warner Bros, will operate 

in Austria out of the Vienna headquarters of 

the Motion Picture Export Ass'n when the 

license agreement with the Austrian government 

expires August 31. The other MPEA 

member companies will make their own arrangements. 

I. 

iHII 


NEWS AND VIEWS OF THE PRODUCTION CENTER 

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

Kaufman and Wilder 

4/:/^ /T//^ (JnionS Battle 

Siarl New TV Firm _.. 

•fit r» 

HOLLYWOOD—Formation of a new TV 

production-distribution company is being 

completed by Reuben R. Kaufman, who recently 

left his berth as president of Snader 

Telescription Sales, and W. Lee Wilder, veteran 

producer-director. With headquarters 

at KTTV studios, the Kaufman-Wilder enterprise 

will establish sales offices in New York 

and Chicago, and has a production slate including 

"Gallagher's Tiavels," 15-minute comedy 

series; "Adventures in Storyland," for 

juveniles, and "Musical Americana." 

* • * 

With Eduard Franz topping the cast, Screen 

Gems—Columbia's video film subsidiary 

launched filming on "Samuel Morse," second 

half-hour subject in a series for the I>uPont 

Co. Jules Bricken is the producer-director. 

» * * 

Bing Crosby Enterprises booked Charles 

Winninger to star in a group of 13 half -hour 

TV fUms, "Those Were the Days," to be 

filmed at RKO Pathe with Dick Dorso producing 

and Barney Bernard as the director. 

Marathon TV Show Brings 

$280,000 for Palsy Fund 

HOLLYWOOD—Screen, radio and TV personalities 

by the score made appearances on 

a 17-hour video marathon Saturday and Sunday 

(24, 25) telecast over station KECA-TV, 

and as a result of which more than $280,000 

in cash and pledges was raised for the United 

Cerebral Palsy fund. 

Bob Hope emceed virtually the entire show, 

assisted by Jack Webb, Mickey Rooney, Joe 

E. Brown, Marie WUson, Fred MacMurray, 

Billie Burke, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, 

the cast of the TV show, "Space Patrol," the 

Bell Sisters and dozens of others. 

June 21 Bow for 'Islands' 

HOLLYWOOD—"Outcast of the Islands," 

British-made film produced and directed by 

Carol Reed, will have its western premiere 

June 21 at the RKO Pantages Theatre. 

Starring Ralph Richardson and Wendy 

Hiller, the opus is being distributed by 

United Artists. 

Dick Powell to Direct 

HOLLYWOOD—Actor Dick Powell is 

putting 

aside his makeup kit to debut as a film 

megaphonist, having been signed by RKO to 

direct "Breakaway," an action drama by 

Leon Ware. The screenplay has been completed 

by WiUiam Bowers. 

Change m Jobless Pay 

HOLLYWOOD—Organized labor in California 

has been called upon by the Hollywood 

AFL Film Council, composed of AFL guilds 

and unions representing some 25,000 film 

workers, to participate in a "fight to the finish" 

against a threatened rewriting of the 

state's unemployment insurance act which, 

the council contends, would deprive thousands 

of studio employes of such unemployment 

benefits. 

The council declared in a resolution that 

there is "imminent danger" that a special 

commission appointed by Gov. Earl Warren 

will recommend to the legislature changes 

which would "emasculate" the present unemployment 

insurance law. At present a worker 

is eligible for jobless pay if he has earned 

$300 in three months in an industry covered 

by the act. The council charges, however, 

that film industry employers are seeking to 

change this eligibility requirement to one of 

having earned at least $15 in each of 14 to 20 

weeks in the preceding 52 weeks. 

This, the council alleges, would "arbitrarily" 

disqualify many studio workers and could 

force them onto relief rolls, where the "burden 

of supporting them would have to be 

borne by all taxpayers rather than by the 

employers. 

Film employers, the AFL group charges, 

have for years retained legal counsel "for a 

large fee" to defeat unemployment insurance 

claims by studio personnel and, in its condemnatory 

resolution, pointed out that California 

state federation of labor conventions 

have "repeatedly" demanded liberalization of 

the state unemployment insurance laws 

"rather than the threatened emasculation 

which would be against the public interest." 

These charges were categorically denied in 

a reply by Adrian Kagen, member of a special 

governor's commission and major studio 

legal counsel on unemployment insurance 

matters. Kagen said the industry "at no 

time and in no way" has attempted to deprive 

workers of their jobless insurance rights, 

has never tried to prevent payment of such 

benefits except in "specific cases" where it 

was believed the individual involved was not 

entitled to the funds, and has "made no 

recommendation" to the governor's commission. 

That group, he declared, "has come 

to no conclusions and is not in the process 

of drafting any recommendations." 

• • • 

One film craft paid honor to another when 

on Wednesday (28) the American Society of 

Cinematographers was host at a dinner at 

which a recognition scroll was presented to 

the scenic artLsts for their "valuable contribution 

to Hollywood films." 

• * • 

Its reasons for prosecuting the so-called 

Thurman Arnold case against the major producers, 

charging the filmmakers with conspiring 

to establish a "blacklist" affecting 

film workers because of their political beliefs, 

were clarified by the Screen Writers 

Guild at its most recent membership meeting. 

Introduced by scenarist Leonard Spigelgass, 

one of the plaintiffs in the (original 

action—filed in 1948—a resolution adopted 

by a 10-to-l majority of scriveners attending 

the parley pointed out that the case is being 

pressed "to establish protection for those innocent 

of Communist belief or affiliation," 

not to "aid, defend or in any way protect 

those who have been clearly and publicly 

identified in testimony given under oath before 

the house committee on un-American 

activities or any other national governmental 

body as having Conmiunist affiliation." 

At the same session, SWG members voted 

176 to 132 to press the guild's action to force 

RKO to arbitrate the screen credits dispute 

involving writer Paul Jarrico. Two unfavorable 

lower-court ruUngs will be appealed to 

the State Supreme Court, it wâs decided. 

Members also ratified a new bargaining 

agreement with the Society of Independent 

Motion Picture Producers and a new contract 

with the Artists Managers Guild. 

* « * 

From a list of 90 features released in the 

Los Angeles area from January 31 through 

Maich 31, members of the American Cinema 

Editors have selected four candidates from 

which the winner of the organization's first 

quarterly award for achievement in film editing 

will be presented. The nominees and 

their respective editors are: 

"The Greatest Show on Eai-th," Anne 

Bauchens, Paramount; "Viva Zapata!" Barbara 

McLean, 20th Century-Fox; "Bend of 

the River," RusseU Schoengarth, Universal- 

International, and "Ten Tall Men," William 

A. Lyon, Norma Production-Columbia. 

To Repeat Lincoln Address 

HOLLYWOOD—As a feature of the traditional 

Memorial day services at the Veterans 

Center in Sawtelle Friday (30), Jeff Chandler, 

U-I player, delivered Lincoln's Gettysburg 

address. He is a World War II veteran. 

BOXOFFICE May 31, 1952 47

Cleifers 

STUDIO PERSONNEUTIES 

Metro 

DAVID ROSE will compose and conduct the score 

for "Holiday for Sinners." 

Meggers 

Independent 

Hoi E. Chester, production head of Mutual Pictures, 

inked RICHARD BARE to direct "Crosh Out," 

prison melodrama, which goes before the comeros 

eorly next month. 

Universal-International 

BUDD BOETTICHER was nomcd to direct "Seminole," 

upcoming Technicolor western starring Rock 

Hudson, which Howord Christie will produce. 

Options 

Columbia 

CAROLINA COTTON was cost in "BIuo Canadion 

Rockies." 

Metro 

CARY GRANT and DEBORAH KERR were set to 

star in "Dream Wife," which Dore Schary will personolly 

produce. Sidney Shelton, outhor of the 

screenplay, will direct. 

GENE TIERNEY was set to star with Clark Gable 

in "Never Let Me Go," which will be produced in 

England by Clorence Brown. The director is Delmer 

Doves. 

VITTORIO GASSMANN, Italian actor recently placed 

under term contract, will have the leading role 

of an escaped convict in "Cry of the Hunted," which 

will be produced by William Grady jr. 

HOWARD KEEL ond BETSY DRAKE will star in 

Producer Matthew Rapf's "The Desperate Search." 

The suspense drama is to be directed by Joseph 

H. Lewis. 

Monogram 

EDMOND O'BRIEN was signed to star in the 

Walter Wanger production for Allied Artists, "Battle 

Zone." He will p>ortray a monne combat photographer. 

' 

Crew assembled for "Hiawatha" includes ALLEN 

K. WOOD, production manager; EDWARD MOREY JR., 

assistant director, and DAVID MILTON, ort director. 

Cost in "Flat Top," starring Sterling Hoyden and 

Richard Corlson under the direction of Les Selander, 

were PHYLLIS COATES ond KATHARINE WARREN. 

The Cinecolor special is being produced by Walter 

Mirisch. 

RKO Radio 

WILLIAM TALMAN was handed a new contract 

and assigned one of the leads in Producer Edmund 

Grainger's "Split Second." 

GLYNIS JOHNS and RICHARD TODD were set 

to stor in Walt Disney's upcoming live-action feature, 

"When Knighthood Was in Flower," which will 

be produced in Technicolor in England this summer. 

Set for "Beoutiful But Dangerous" were WALLACE 

FORD, RAYMOND WALBURN and BERT MUSTIN. 

Republic 

Booked to star with Estelito Rodriguez in "Tropical 

Heat Wave" was ROBERT HUTTON. R. G. Springsteen 

megs the Sidney Picker production. 

20th Century-Fox 

Set for a featured parr in Producer Charles Brackett's 

"Niagara," starring Marilyn Monroe and Joseph 

Cotten, was LURENE TUTTLE. Henry Hathaway will 

direct. 

Inked to o long-term contract was HELEN WOOD, 

Broadway stage actress. 

Inked for one of the episodes in "Bagdad on the 

Subway," multisequence film based on short stories 

by O. Henry, was OSCAR LEVANT. The producer is 

Andre Hakim. 

LUDWIG DONATH was inked for a character lead 

in "The Big Man," the Joanne Dru-Richord Widmork 

starrer, which Robert Parrish is directing for Producer 

Stanley Rubin. 

Universal-International 

PIPER LAURIE will be Tyrone Power's co-star in 

Ted Richmond's Technicolor production, "Mississippi 

Gambler," which Rudolph Mate will direct. 

Given featured roles in "Cattle Kate," Technicolor 

western starring Maureen O'Hora, were JACK KELLY 

and DENNIS WEAVER. Lee Sholem is megging the 

Leonard Goldstein production. ROBERT STRAUSS wos 

signed for a character part. 

was PALMER LEE. 

Joining in the cast 

Warners 

PAUL PICERNI was added to the cost of "The 

Desert Song," Producer Rudi Fehr's Technicolor musical, 

which Bruce Humberstone directs with Kothryn 

Grayson and Gordon MacRoe in the starring spots. 

Cost in the picture was TREVOR BARDETTE. 

HANS CONRIED, character comedian, was inked 

for "Big Jim Mclilain," the John Wayne starrer, 

being shot on location in Hawaii. Wayne and Robert 

Fellows ore producing the independent venture, 

with Edward Ludwig as the director. 

BRODERICK CRAWFORD was inked to star in 

"Stop, You're Killing Me," which Louis F. Edelman 

will produce. 

Controctee NED YOUNG was cast in the Gary 

Cooper storrer, "Springfield Rifle," which is being 

produced in WarnerCotor by Louis F. Edelman. Andre 

do Toth is the megaphonist. 

Scripters 

Columbia 

ALLAN SCOTT was booked by Producer Stanley 

Kramer to develop "Four Shades in Blue," from 

on onginol by Irving Rcis. 

Story Buys 

RKO Radio 

"Murder," on original mystery drama by Chester 

Erskine, was purchased as a starring vehicle for 

Jean Simmons. 

Technically 

Columbia 

HAL MOHR will photograph "The Member of the 

Wedding," 

Metro 

JOHN ALTON is the cameraman and Al Jennings 

the assistant director on "Apache Trail." 

Paramount 

EDWARD SALVEN was set as assistant director on 

"The Stars Are Singing." 

RKO Radio 

"Blackbeard the Pirate" will be photogrophed by 

WILLIAM E. SNYDER. 

20th Century-Fox 

Given a one-yeor contract extension was BARBARA 

McLEAN, film editor. 

Warners 

Art director assignment on "Stop, You're Killing 

Me," went to 

CHARLES CLARKE. 

LEO KUTER is the art director on "The Story 

of Grace Moore." 

Production manager on Alfred Hitchcock's Transatlantic 

production, "I Confess," will be SHERRY 

SHOURDS. 

Title 

Changes 

Independent 

"The Prison Story" (Mutual) to CRASH OUT. 

Metro 

"Men Don't Cry" to CRY OF THE HUNTED. 

Paramount 

"Thunderbolt" (Pine-Thomas) to THE REBEL. 

SHE'S THE QUEEN—Ann Blyth, Universal 

star, is crowned Queen of tlie 

LAMPS for 1952 by Cliff Harris, left, 

salesman in Monogram's Los Angeles 

branch office and producer of the allstar 

benefit show recently staged by the 

Los Angeles Motion Picture Salesmen. 

Shown with Harris and Miss Blyth is 

Michael O'Shea, who was master of ceremonies 

at the affair, held at the Wilshire 

Ebell Theatre. 

'Clash by Night' Debuts 

At 'Frisco Golden Gate 

HOLLYWOOD—With Baibara Stanwyck, 

the femme star, and Producer Jerry Wald in 

attendance, RKO Radio's "Clash by Night" 

was given its west coast opening Wednesday 

(28) at the Golden Gate Theatre in San 

Pranci.sco. Miss Stanwyck, accompanied by 

Publicity Director Perry Lieber, spent several 

days in the Bay city in advance of the opening, 

making radio appearances, giving press 

interviews and appearing at docks to greet 

homecoming veterans of the Korean conflict. 

• • * 

Republic's "I Dream of Jeanie" will make 

west coast debut June 5 at the Pox in San 

its 

Franci.sco, with another Republic entry, "Bal 

Tabarin," as the companion feature. "Jeanie" 

is slated to world-premiere June 4 at the Fulton 

in Pittsburgh. 

Hunt and DeSchulthess Buy 

Para. Photographic Labs. 

HOLLYWOOD—Another development in 

the steps being taken by Paramount to lens 

a dominant percentage of its upcoming films 

in color was taken with the sale of its local 

photographic laboratories to G. Carleton 

Hunt, former head of the RKO Radio studio 

film editing department, and Hans DeSchulthess. 

They plan to operate it as a complete 

commercial laboratory, processing 35mm and 

16mm for motion pictures and video. 

Paramount closed the laboratory last April, 

announcing at that time that it planned so 

few black-and-white features for the future 

that maintenance of the processing plant was 

no longer feasible. 

Hunt and DeSchulthess are also partners 

in a San Francisco theatre corporation. 

Les Kaufman Appointed 

By Broidy Productions 

HOLLYWOOD — In an expansion of its 

publicity, sales promotion and merchandising 

activities, William F. Broidy Productions has 

appointed Les Kaufman publicity, promotion 

and merchandising director. Kaufman has 

held executive publicity posts with David O. 

Selznick, Universal and Republic, and most 

recently was with the Kaiser-Prazer Corp. 

in Willow Run. 

Carl Post, Broidy's former publicity head, 

is no longer with the company. Broidy, in 

addition to producing theatrical films for 

Monogram release, lenses several TV series. 

Life Card to William Perlberg 

HOLLYWOOD—William Perlberg, president 

of the Screen Producers Guild and a 

Paramount filmmaker, has been initiated as 

a lifetime honorary member of Delta Kappa 

Alpha, national cinematography fraternity. 

Other honorary members include Jerry Wald, 

John Huston, Arthur Freed and Stanley 

Kramer. Perlberg's "Anything Can Happen" 

was used for discussion by the University of 

Southern California's cinematography department 

last semester and, as SPG president, 

he devoted considerable time to setting 

up forum discussion periods at the university 

wherein key industry executives and creative 

personnel addressed the students. 

Harry Harris Reopens Ozoner 

JEROME, IDA.—Harry Harris, manager of 

the entei-prise, has reopened the Jerome Auto 

Theatre for the season. 

48 BOXOFnCE :: May 31, 1952

Foreign Correspondents 

Fete Two Film Notables 

HOLLYWOOD — George Stevens, Paramount 

producer-director, and Cecil B. DeMillo 

were among the industry figures honored 

when, at a May 29 luncheon meeting of the 

Hollywood Foreign Correspondents Ass'n, 

Stevens was presented an award for "A Place 

In the Sun" and DeMille was lauded as an 

"outstanding pioneer." 

The awards were presented on behalf of 

Cine-Revue, film publication in Brussels, Belgium, 

which conducted a poll of the trade 

and public in western Europe. 

West: Nate J. Blumberg, president of Universal, 

arrived from New York for conferences 

with Leo Spitz and William Goetz, production 

heads. Also due from the east was 

Milton Rackmil, president of Decca Records, 

which company some time ago purchased a 

majority stock interest in U-I. 

« * • 

East : Concluding huddles at the studio with 

Jack L. and Harry M. Warner and other executives, 

Samuel Schneider, Warner vice-president: 

Ben Kalmenson, vice-president in 

charge of distribution, and Harry M. Kalmine, 

president of Warner Theatres, returned to 

their Manhattan headquarters. 

* • « 

West: Arthur Krim, president of United 

Artists, came in from Gotham for huddles 

with local filmmakers concerning upcoming 

product to be made for UA distribution. 

* « « 

West: Milton Sperhng, whose United States 

Pictures releases through Warners, returned 

from a lengthy European tour, 

« • • 

East: Herman King, vice-president of King 

Bros. Productions, trained for New York with 

a print of the company's latest independent 

venture, which United Artists will 

* * » 

release. 

West: Edward A. Wolpin, general professional 

manager of Famous Music, checked in 

from New York to discuss exploitation plans 

for the music and songs in five forthcoming 

Paramount releases. 

« * • 

West: Lou Smith, COMPO's executive secretary 

for Movietime—U.S.A., returned from 

a visit to New York and Dallas. In the latter 

city he huddled with Robert J. O'Donnell, 

Movietime's national chairman, on plans for 

the fall tours. 

* * • 

West: Producer-Director Cecil B. DeMille 

returned from a month-long cross-country 

lecture trip, during which he made appearances 

in Chicago, Des Moines, Milwaukee and 

New York. 

SPEARHEADS 

Appears on 

Page 29 

^(Md

Fourth Week of 'Encore Grosses Dick Lemucchi Takes 

To Pace Los Angeles First Runs 

LOS ANGEILES—Moneymakers were lew 

and far between on the local first run rialto. 

The top draw, at 130 per cent in its fourth 

stanza, was ••Encore." while among the new 

bills a dualer, ••The Red Ball Express" and 

•Bronco Buster," hit a satisfactory 125 per 

cent. 

(Averoge Is 100) 

Chinese, Los Angeles, Lovolo, Uptown Tales of 

Hoffmonn (UA), One Big Affolt (UA) 60 

Egyption, Stole—Carbine Williomi (MGM); Love 

Is Better Then Ever (MGM), 2nd wk 80 

Fine Arts—My Son John (Poro), odvonced prices, 

5th wk 65 

Four Stor— Encore vPora), 4th wk 130 

Fox Wilshire Ivory Hunter (U-l), advanced 

prices 1 00 

Globe, Ins, El Rcy—Droeulo (Realort); Frankenstein 

(Realort), reissues 75 

Hollywood Poromount, United Artists, Ritz 

The Red Boll Express (U-l); Bronco Buster 

(U-l) 125 

Orphcum, Warners Beverly The Greotest Show 

on Eorfh iPora), advonced prices, 14th wk. .. 80 

Pontogcs, Hillstreet My Six Convicts (Col); 

Brave Warrior (Col), 2nd wk 100 

Vogue Quo Vadis (MGM), advanced prices, 

6th wk 90 

Warners Downtown, Hollywood, Wiltern 

To Hove or Have Not (WB); High Sierra 

(WB), reissues 90 

"African Queen' Still Leads 

Seattle in Fifth Week 

SEATTLE— Nothing new is able to ease 

••The African Queen" out of its dominant 

position. In its fifth week tlie UA release 

was still leading the town -with 175 per cent. 

Its nearest competitors were •'Carbine Williams." 

125; ••The Wild North," 120, and ••My 

Six Convicts," 110 per cent. 

Blue Mouse The African Queen (UA); Royol 

Journey (UA), 5th wk 1 75 

Coliseum Volley of the Eagles (LP); Poncho 

Villa Returns (LP) 80 

Fifth Avenue My Six Convicts (Col); Kansas 

"Territory (Mono) 110 

Liberty Carbine Willioms (MGM); Oklohoma 

Annie (Rep) 1 25 

Music Box Mara Moru (WB); Gobs and Gals 

(Rep), 2nd wk 80 

Music Hall—The Wild North (MGM); Talk About 

We 

have the 

YOUR 

Sff*/^M, lor 

THEATRE 

Count on us for Quick Action! 

Our w)d« contacts with fh« •xhibiton 

amir* you oI aalUftiaory rvsulla. 

Tl THEATRE EXCHANGE CO.] 

201 Fine ArU BIdj. Partlanil 5. Ormon 

a Stronger (MGM) 1 20 

Orpheum The Red Boll Express (U-l); Border 

Saddlcmotes (Rep) 90 

Poromounl- Macoo iRKO), Target (RKO) 100 

'Marrying Kind," 'Queen' 

Top San Francisco 

SAN FRANCISCO—"The Marrying Kind" 

was tops for the week with a blissful 170 

per cent. Although the figure didn't begin 

to compete with ••Born Yesterday," it opened 

big, thanks to some terrific preopening publicity. 

••The African Queen" was still great 

with 150 in an 11th week. 

Esquire The African Queen (UA), 11 d.t. wk...l50 

Golden Gate The Half-Breed (RKO); Rood 

Agent (RKO) 90 

Loews Worfield Carbine Willioms (MGM), 

3 days 100 

Orpheum The Marrying Kind (Col); Northwest 

Territory (Mono) 1 70 

Paramount Flaming Feather (Para); Loan 

Shark (LP) 100 

St. Francis Anything Con Happen (Para), 

2nd wk 85 

United Artists The Green Glove (UA); A Tale 

of Five Women (UA), 2nd wk 90 

'Strange World' Premiere, 

'St. Louis' Hit in Denver 

DENVER — •'The Pride of St. Louis," coupled 

with •'Desert I*ursuit," turned in fine 

weeks at two houses. '•Strange World" was 

strong in its world premiere week at the 

Rialto and ••David and Bathsheba" was good 

at three situations. 

Aladdin, Tabor, Webber David and Bothshebo 

(20th-Fox) 1 25 

Broadway The Girl in White (MGM), 2nd wk... 95 

Denhom My Son John (Para), 2nd wk 80 

Denver, Esquire The Pride of St. Louis (20th-Fox); 

Desert Pursuit (Mono) 1 50 

Orpheum Macoo (RKO); Young Scorface (Mayer- 

Kingsley) 100 

Paramount Indian Uprising (Col); The Whistle at 

Eaton Falls (Col) 1 20 

Rialto Stronge World (UA); Kangaroo Kid (UA).175 

'Wild North' Grosses 150 

In Portland Bow 

PORTLAND—Continued warm weather reduced 

averages, but "The Wild North" with 

rugged blizzard scenes drew top audiences 

its 

with 150 per cent at the Liberty. 

Broadway The San Francisco Story (U-l) 110 

Liberty The Wild North (MGM) 150 

Oriental and Orpheum Macoo (RKO) 75 

Paramount Mora Moru (WB) 75 

United Artists One Big Affair (UA); Royal 

Journey (UA) 70 

Sentimental Journey 

BAKKRSFIELD, CALIF.—When Mr. and 

Mrs. Dick Lemucchi left their home here last 

week on a lengthy 

vacation trip abroad, 

another chapter in 

the pioneer showman's 

life was completed. 

The story of the 

Lemucchis, motion 

picture pioneers ot 

Kern county, who will 

visit their old home in 

Lucca while on a sixmonths 

stay in Europe 

this summer, has 

as fabulous an American 

success pattern as 

Dick Lemucchi 

most of the films their 

theatres show on their screens. 

Dick Lemucchi landed in this country at 

16 years of age with $2 sewed to his clothing. 

He did not speak a word of English. 

Mrs. Lemucchi was eight years his junior 

when she arrived from Lucca and the couple 

did not meet until many years later in Bakersfield. 

The fact that a brother, the late 

Joe Lemucchi, lived here brought the theatreman 

west. 

He opened the Mission Theatre in 1923 

in the last years of silent films and has 

since owned all of the East Bakersfield theatres 

at one time or another. After the 

Mission came the Rialto, the Granada and 

the Tejon. He still operates the Tejon and 

Granada. Lemucchi has kept so active that 

he never found time to return to Italy until 

now, so on this trip he will greet a sister 

and brother whom he has not seen since he 

was 16. Mrs. Lemucchi will see cousins for 

the first time since early girlhood. They 

will also visit the Vatican and spend time 

in Rome. 

They will tour England, France, Italy and 

probably get into Germany and Switzerland 

before returning next November on 

the He de France. Lemucchi is active in 

the Lioias, Eagles and East Bakersfield Progressive 

clubs. He is prominent in affairs 

of the Italian Catholic Federation and Variety 

Club. 

Alexander Lcxpiner Visits 

MEXICO CITY—Alexander Lapiner, owner 

of the California Theatre in Los Angeles, 

showing Mexican films exclusively, is in Mexico 

for a combined vacation-business trip. 

He stated he plans to obtain rights for recent 

Mexican films for future showings. After 

Mexico, he plans to leave for Merida and 

Havana, before returning home. He is accompanied 

by his wife Jean. 

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Walter Brermon to Star 

HOLLYWOOD—Walter Brennan has been 

set to star in the first of the Ethel Barrymore 

Theatre of the Air video film series to be 

produced by Lee Savin for the Interstate 

Television Corp.. Monogram subsidiary headed 

by G. Ralph Branton. Camera work was 

slated to start June 4 on the Brennan topliner, 

titled "The Gentle Years." 

Silver Star in 3rd Season 

POLARIS, IDA.—Manager George Kelton 

has reopened the Silver Star Drive-In for 

its third season. 


Theatre, now the Mayfair, from its begin- 

ning in 1910 to about 1928. His first thea- 

j 

I 

1 1900 

, 

BOXOFHCE 

. . 

Newcomer Russ Rarey 

Buys 2 Wash. Houses 

ISSAQUAH, WASH.—W. Keith Beckwith. 

owner for the past eight years of theatres 

at Issaquah and North Bend, has sold the 

two houses to D. R. Rarey, formerly of Tillamook, 

Ore. Flaroy said he plans to continue 

with the same operating policies but expects 

to remodel the interiors of the buildings 

later. Seating capacity of the Issaquali 

house is 350. while the North Bend situation 

accommodates 402. 

The new owner, better known as Russ 

Rarey. said this will be his first experience 

in theatre business, although he did manage 

12 theatres at Ft. Lewis while he was in 

the service. He was a captain in the special 

services division five years and came out a 

major, with one year on Guadalcanal. He 

has been a football and basketball coach 

and for the past five years has been managing 

an Olds-Cadillac garage. He recently 

resigned as a member of the Tillamook 

school board and has been active in community 

affair's, as is Mrs. Rarey. The wife 

and two sons will remain in Tillamook until 

June 1, when they will make their home in 

North Bend, 32 miles from Seattle. Issaquah 

is about 20 miles from the city. 

The Beckwiths had no immediate plans 

for the future but Mr. Beckwith said he 

plans to play a lot of golf. 

Manager George Hubbard 

Starts $20,000 Repairs 

CAMAS, WASH.—A $20,000 facelifting program 

is under way at the Liberty Theatre. 

Manager George Hubbard said. All seats 

have been recovered and plasterers and painters 

are giving the interior its first repairs 

in several years. Remodeling is taking place 

on weekdays so no interruption is 

necessary. 

Plans call for a new concession bar in the 

lobby and neon tubing has been ordered for 

the marquee. Removal of the theatre's side 

drapes to facilitate plastering revealed some 

wall murals with a Spanish flavor underneath. 

These evidently were left from the 

days the Camas house was the Granada. 

They will be covered in the renovation program. 

Hubbard said the ceiling would be 

painted peach, with the walls in shades of 

green. 

Clarence Samuels Named 

ROCK SPRINGS, WYO.—Clarence Samuels, 

who operated it at the close of the 

1951 season, will manage the Star-Lite 

Drive-In this year, owner Teno Roncalio said. 

It will be the theatre's third season. Roncalio 

said the grounds and buildings have 

been remodeled and other improvements finished. 

William T. Pangle Dies 

PORTLAND—William T. Pangle, one of 

the leading figures in Portland's vaudeville 

days, died recently at his home. He was 

82. Pangle was manager of the old Heilig 

tre managership for Calvin Heilig was in 

at the Marquam Grand. 

SAN FRANCISCO 

f^crald Karski, pre.sidenl of Motion Picture 

Service, and cameraman Harold Zell 

filmed the Columbia Basin festival at Grand 

Coulee dam for Standard Oil Co. of California. 

This is the 23rd In the MPS series 

and. according to reports, will be another 

achievement by MPS in its artistic and 

worthy projects. The film will be shown 

throughout the western states with part 

of the proceeds going to the Variety Clubs. 

. . . Nettle 

. . . 

Jimmy Stevens, Westside Theatre, was in 

from his home at Livermore 

Unger. Los Angeles, visited Pilmrowers 

Clarence Wa.sserman was in from his Roxie 

Theatre, Sacramento, and happy to escape 

the 90-degree weather there ... A. Enwald, 

Bell Drive-In; Dave Richards of the Rialto, 

Oakland, and George Stamm of the Bridge- 

. . . 

head Drive-In. Antioch, were on the Row . 

Sherril C. Corwin, president of North Coast 

Theatres, conferred with District Manager 

Graham Kislingbury The Warner Bros. 

club held its amuial picnic in Marin. 

. . . 

Vanessa Brown, the actress, took part in 

the local observance of Israel's fourth anniversary 

of statehood Members and exmembers 

of the marine corps were guests of 

Manager C. Hinshaw at the State Theatre 

in Coalinga one evening to see "Retreat, 

The Golden Gate Theatre hosted 

Hell!" . . . 

a cocktail party at the Fairmont hotel May 

26 following a .screening of RKO's "Clash 

by Night." The star of the film, Barbara 

Stanwyck, and P>roducer Jerry Wald were 

honored. The film was premiered at the 

Golden Gate Wednesday (28). 

Auditor William Z. Porter, Monogram, was 

here . . . Bob Maxwell, manager of Alhambra, 

was on a vacation. 

2 Ozoners Open for Season 

BOZEMAN, MONT.—The Starlite and Sky 

Vu drive-ins opened for the summer season 

early this month. 

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SAN RAFAEL, CALIF.—Al Goodwin, manager 

of Marin's Blumenfeld theatres, blamed 

the curtailed film production flow and television 

for the part-time operation of the 

Rafael and other circuit houses in a recent 

interview. He said the Rafael, one of the 

town's two theatres, had been limited to 

Friday, Saturday and Sunday operation because 

there aren't enough pictures released 

In the summer to keep it and the El Camlno 

going full time. 

Offsetting this, he said, was the Motor 

Movies Drive-In on San Rafael's PrancLsco 

boulevard, which has gone on .seven-day operation 

instead of the wintertime three days. 

Goodwin admitted that television is also 

partly responsible for the paring of .schedules 

at the Lark and Fairfax theatres, which 

are now open weekends only. "Attendance 

has been very low during midweek," he said, 

"especially on Thursday nights when many 

of the better video .shows are .scheduled." 

A concession to TV, he said, was the timing 

of the main feature of a double bill for 8:30 

so filmgoers could see one or t)oth halves 

after watching early evening TV. 

The Blumenfeld manager al.so believed the 

Greyhound and building trades strikes have 

taken their toll of boxoffice receipts. "Much 

of the income here in Marin county comes 

through construction, our major industry," he 

said, "and, when that income is cut off, a 

lot of people just don't go to the shows. The 

bus tieup has kept a lot of folks away also." 


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May 31, 1952 51

New Fox California Theatre Opens 

In Berkeley; Other Openings 

BEIRKKLEY, CALIF.—Five tlioiLsand persons 

watched a Holly\vood-type premiere at 

the new Fox California Theatre here last 

week. As throngs lined the streets, a long 

motorcade anived at the roped-off section 

outside the theatre to depwsit city officials, 

prominent figures of the sports world and 

stars from Hollywood. Among the stars 

present were Jeanne Crain, Claire Ti'evor, 

Lex Barker, Jeffrey Hunter and Charles 

Coburn. 

Charles P. Skouras, president of the Fox 

West Coast Theatres, handed checks, each 

for $1,100. to Brutus Hamilton, coach of 

the U.S. track and field Olympic team, and 

John Pi-ice. president of Berkeley Junior 

Chamber of Commerce. The money was realized 

from the premiere. Then Skouras gave 

another $1,000 from his own pocket to the 

two men to assist the U.S. track and field 

team and the Jaycees' youth program. Most 

of the Hollywood personalities made appeals 

to the premiere audience to contribute to 

the U.S. Olympic games fund. 

Sam Engel, producer of "Belles on Their 

Toes." the premiere picture, attended the 

showing. The film was to be released in 

the Bay area this week i28>. 

Group Theatres Corp. 

Opens Y in Spokane 

SPOKANE, WASH.—Group Theatres 

opened Spokane's newest drive-in, the fourth. 

May 14. Tlie Y, as it was named, is at the 

junction of Division and the Newport highway 

and represents an investment of $100,- 

000, according to Morie G. Nimmer. president. 

The site is ten acres, the picture size is 

50 square feet, 37,000 pounds of concrete 

were used in the screen support and, because 

of restrictions on metals, the theatre 

fence running 900 feet was built of wood. 

Contracts have been made with Paramount, 

Warners, 20th-Fox and RKO for 

product. Other Group Theatres officers are 

Chai-les DeRiffaud, architect who supervised 

the building, vice-president, and Robert M. 

Brown, Spokane, secretary. Nimmer came to 

Spokane from Wenatchee to manage the 

Orpheum in January 1951 and resigned this 

February to promote the new drive-in. In 

Wenatchee for 16 years a,s manager of two 

theatres, he also had wide experience in Los 

Angeles before coming to the northwest. 

DRIVE-IN THEATRES 

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Nimmer said that Group Theatres plans to 

build lulditional indoor and outdoor theatres 

in the region. 

New Crescent City 

Pic 

Opens Despite Dynamiting 

CRESCENT CITY, CALIF.—The police are 

investigating the dynamiting of the new Pic 

Theatre here. Earl L. Boles, manager, discounted 

the theory that the act was perpetrated 

by Juvenile vandals. The theatre was 

blasted by three dynamite explosions the 

day before it was due to open. Boles .said 

he is fairly sure the crime was premeditated 

and was done by "adult persons living in 

Ci"escent City." 

The blasts damaged the entrance corner 

between doors leading into the lobby and 

the boxoffice, part of the marquee, the boxoffice 

window and tore a five-foot hole in 

the ceiling. It was estimated damages were 

$5,000. The theatre opened as scheduled. 

San Francisco Filmrowers attending the 

premiere included Bob Bemis of Pi'eddey 

Theatre Supplies and Lyle A. Bramson, Alexander 

Film Co. 

Mabel Yates' New Ozoner 

Started Near Astoria 

ASTORIA, ORE.—The drive-in being 

built for Mi's. Mabel Yates near Miles Crossing 

will be ready for operation by early 

summer. The theatre will be known as the 

New Astoria Drive-In and accommodates 

about 90 cars. Ray Sparline is the contractor. 

Mrs. Yates is the operator of the Warrenton 

Theatre and said she would manage 

the drive-in while continuing its operation. 

The contractor has completed disking the 

field prior to bulldozing for ramps and a 

crew of carpenters was on the job during 

May. The combination concession and ticket 

booth will be built of brickcrete blocks, with 

the projection booth on top of it and a large, 

neon reader board also displayed there. 

Bachers Hold Open House 

LAKEWOOD, COLO.—The HJUcrest Drive- 

In held open house when owners Ernest and 

I. J. Bacher celebrated its second anniversary 

in May. The public was invited and 

flowers were given the women while free 

cigars were distributed to the men. Free 

fountain service from 2 to 5 p. m. was another 

anniversary present. The showmen, 

who are long-time residents of the Wheat 

Ridge district, said they wanted to thank 

Jefferson county people for their patronage 

of the theatre. 

Showman Pays Fine, Costs 

SEATTLE—Walter T. Coy, White Center 

Theatre owner, was fined $50 and ordered 

to pay $209 court costs in superior court 

on an old charge of interfering with an 

officer. It grew out of an altercation he 

had about two years ago when a state 

patrolman tried to give a ticket to a motorist 

parked near Coy's theatre. The charge was 

dismissed once, but the deputy prosecutor 

won reinstatement and Coy pleaded guilty. 

SHOWMAN LAUDED—For his record 

of "unselfish service," Charles P. Skouras, 

left, pre.sident of National Theatres and 

Fox West Coast, was presented the first 

annual Americanism award to be given 

by the American Legion's Allied Post 302. 

The exhibition executive is shown with 

Dr. Robert Gordon Sproul, center, president 

of the University of California and 

speaker at the post's annual Americanism 

dinner meeting, and municipal Judge 

Roger A. Pfaff. The affair, co-sponsored 

by Skouras, was attended by 160 ROTC 

cadets and some 600 Legion, military, 

naval, civic, business and film industry 

leaders. 

Fatal Car Crash Results 

In $432,220 in Lawsuits 

SEATTLE—Four suits totaling $432,220 

have been filed in supreme court here as the 

aftermath of a head-on collision January 12 

on Snoqualmie pass which kiUed one and 

injured four. Plaintiffs are Robert Anderson, 

who was driving here from Butte. Mont., 

where he had been manager for Pox Inter- 

! 

mountain, to join the Sterling chain in an 

executive capacity; his wife and Juanita 

Williams, a member of the Andersons' household. 

The Anderson's 2%-year-old daughter 

was killed in the accident. 

The suits are against Paul Mercy, Yakima 

theatreman, whom Anderson had met before 

the accident. 

Tucson Citizens Oppose 

$100,000 Drive-In Plan 

TUCSON—An injunction seeking to prevent 

construction of a proposed drive-in on the 

grounds it would constitute a nuisance to j 

property owners in the area was filed in superior 

court by a total of 59 plaintiffs. Named 

as defendants were Meyer Agron and his 

brother J. Harry, who plan a 500-car ozoner 

at a reported cost of $100,000. 

The plaintiffs charge that the drive-in 

would decrease property values and would 

discourage the construction of new residential 

units because of an FHA ruling against \ i 

making loans on houses to be built within 

five blocks of an outdoor theatre. 

Mono. Books 75 Airers 

LOS ANGELES—Out of 81 ozoners operating 

in this area, 75 have booked Monogram '| 

and Allied Ai-tists product for screening during 

Monogram's annual National Drive-In 

week, it was reported by M. J. E. McCarthy, 

local branch manager. 

' 

The event was scheduled 

to get under way Saturday (24). ( 

52 BOXOFFICE May 31, 1952*

. . . Filmrow 

. . Another 

. . The 

DENVER 

nussell Allen and Kenneth Crawford have 

opened their new Apache 325-ciii' drive-hi 

at Farmington, N, M.. with RCA sound and 

speakers, bought through Western Service 

& Supply . . . Fred Brown, film buyer and 

booker for the Black Hills Amusement Co., 

flew to Rapid City, S. D., for conferences at 

the 

home office. 

Pauline Hall, manager's secretai-y at Paramount, 

will vacation at Vancouver, B. C. . . . 

Dorothy Peele, secretary at Monogram, went 

to her former home at Belleview, Ka.s., to 

attend the graduation of her daughter from 

Columbia's "Cripple Creek" 

high school . . . 

will be world-premiered at the Paramount 

July 10 and will be followed by saturation 

txwklngs in the territory. 

Jim Parsons, National Screen Service manager, 

has returned from the Chicago sales 

meeting . . . Vii'ginia Miller, National Screen 

booker, is quitting and going to Mexico to 

live . . . Attending the MGM sales meeting 

in Chicago were Henry Friedel, branch manager; 

Mike Cramer, office manager: James 

Micheletti and Jerry Banta, salesmen, and 

William Prass, publicity man . . . Frank 

Carbone, booker at MGM, has resigned to 

enter other business. 

Harriett Persow, assistant cashier at Uni- 

. . Kaye 

versal, and Harold Kadoviyz moved their 

wedding date up a couple of weeks. They 

went to St. Louis to attend a reception for 

them at the home of her sister, then went 

to Chicago on their honeymoon . 

Beverstock, Universal clerk, has announced 

her engagement to Gordon Ai-nold and is 

planning on a September wedding. 

Ida Frehner, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been 

added as biller at Universal . . . Pay Patterson, 

who quit a few weeks ago as confirmation 

clerk at Universal, having come here 

from a similar job at Salt Lake City, is 

back at work in Salt Lake City. After her 

marriage to Jack Hollingshead and their 

honeymoon, they headed for Salt Lake City 

and visited the Universal exchange where 

she had formerly worked. She wasn't there 

15 minutes before she was again working 

at her old job. 

Ben Duran, booker at Lippert, has joined 

the coast guard and has left for Alameda, 

Calif., to enter training . . Al O'Kemp, 

. 

producer of "Strange World," was here for 

the world premiere of the film at the Rialto 

visitors included Robert Smith, 

Steamboat Springs; Fred Anderson, Eaton; 

Mr. and Mrs. Sam Cain, Pueblo, and R. D. 

Ei-vin and Paul Heeney, Kremmling. 

Seversons to Minneapolis 

WOLF POINT, MONT.—Mr. and Mrs. C. J. 

Severson have made a trip to Minneapolis to 

purchase equipment for their new drive-in 

theatre. 

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Big Los Angeles House 

Open After Remodeling 

LOS ANGELES—This city's downtown area 

boasted a completely refurbished de luxe first 

run showcase with the reopening Tliursday 

(29) of the Downtown Paramount after being 

darkened to undergo a thorough in-andout 

remodeling at a cost of $250,000. The 

showcase, built by the late Sid Grauman in 

1923 and once known as the Metropolitan, 

is one of the largest theatres on the west 

coast and for years was operated on lease by 

Fanchon & Marco. With the recent expii'ation 

of that lease, the house was taken over 

by United PiU'amount Theatres. 

Included in the remodeling job are a new 

streamlined marquee, lobby, foyer, seating, 

drapes and fixtures. Decorative motif in the 

lobby includes a series of murals depicting 

the progress of the motion picture industry 

from "The Birth of a Nation" to "The Greatest 


Opening ceremonies found Mayor Fletcher 

Bowron pressing a button to launch the proceedings 

and Lizabeth Scott cutting a ribbon 

to signify the formal reopening. Initial attraction 

was Paramount's "Red Mountain," a 

Hal Wallis production starring Miss Scott and 

Alan Ladd. 

Town-Owned Theatre 

Reopened at Basin 

BASIN. WYO.—At a speeial meeting of the 

town council, the town of Basin bought the 

Wigwam Theatre from Russell Shulte of Casper, 

doing business as Rialto Theatre, Inc. 

The purchase price was $35,000 for building 

and equipment. The theatre was then leased 

to Paul F. Cory of Basin, who, with a 

serviceman, immediately began checking on 

equipment for early reopening. The house 

was closed in January 1951 for lack of 

business. 

Cash prizes, flowers and free ice cream 

marked Cory's reopening on a seven-nights 

policy. Cloud Peak Aerie 3086, FOE, gave 

the ice cream and the management pre- 

.sented carnations to the ladies. Four cash 

prizes of $25 were donated by Basin merchants. 

Cash prizes will be offered each 

week through the Chamber of Commerce. 

Redecoration of the theatre lobby included 

a tile floor of tan color to blend with the 

rose and green lobby decorations. The exterior 

was repainted and sound and projecttion 

equipment renewed. A concession was 

installed in the lobby. Cory's wife will be 

cashier, Mi's. Marjorie Berry is handling the 

concession and Mitclilo Sato and Donald H. 

GaiTett are projectionists. 

John Lee's Circuit Gives 

Moses Lake First Airer 

MOSES LAKE, WASH.—The fii-st 

drive-in 

for the Columbia basin was to be opened by 

late May. Owner John Lee of Ephrata said. 

Later in the summer, another drive-in will 

open at Ephrata. It is now under construction. 

Tlie Mo.ses Lake situation is on the east 

side of town, just .south of the new auto 

racetrack. Lee's circuit, Columbia Basin Theatres, 

already operates two conventional 

houses here. 

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LOS ANGELES 

IJiTc from their licailquarters in San Francisco 

for parleys at the local branch were 

Herman Wobber, 20th Century-Fox western 

district maninjer, and his assistant Buck 

The southland lured Clarence 

Stoner . . . 

Ol.son, who manages Paramount's branch in 

Seattle, currently spending his annual vacation 

hereabouts . visitor was 

Lester Rechin, a district manager for the 

Balaban & Katz chain in Chicago. Rechin 

once managed several showcases in this area. 

Checking over his local intere.sts, which 

include the Bay Theatre in Santa Monica, 

was Bill Fulton, prominent as a Kaasas City 

exhibitor. He plans to spend several weeks 

on the west coast . Eastland circuit, 

headed by Jack and Izzy Berman, has darkened 

its Joy and National theatres in the 

Boyle Heights district. Of the chain's 21 

theatres, 11 now are closed . . . Ralph "Red" 

Zimmerman, .salesman for the American 

Seating Co., has been upped to the newly 

created post of western division manager. 

Heretofore operated on a partnership basis, 

three more ozoners have been taken over by 

Pacific Drive-In Theatres, the circuit to 

which William Forman and associates recently 

took over operating control, and in 

which Sol Lesser and Mike Rcsenberg acquired 

a financial interest. The chain secured 

full ownership of the San Pedro Drive- 

In in San Pedro; the Studio in Culver City, 

and the Compton in Compton. 

Leo Adler, United Artists home office auditor, 

checked in from New York to give 

the local office a once-over . . . Booking and 

buying visitors included Dick Simms and 

Harry Goldfarb, who operate theatres in 

National City, and Mel Brown of the Tivin- 

Vue Drive-In, who came in for huddles with 

Judy Poynter, who books for the ozoner. 

San Francisco beckoned to Francis Bateman, 

Republic's western district manager, 

and Lester Blumberg of Principal Theatres, 

both of whom junketed north on business 

. . . Booking and buying along the Row were 

Earl Strebe, in from Palm Springs, and Pete 

Simos, exhibitor from Bakersfield . . . 

Luncheon duo: Al Taylor, Paramount branch 

manager, and Bert Pirosh, Fox West Coast 

film buyer. 

Returning from selling trips were Realart 

salesmen Allan Martini, back from his northern 

territory, and Jack Sheriff, in from 

Arizona . . . Bill Wasserman, United Artists 

salesman, also checked in after an Arizona 

FWC's commissary has been 

tour . . . Mel Hulling, 

closed for a spring cleaning . . . 

co-holder with Howard Stubbins of the 

Monogram west coast franchise, pulled in 

from San Fi'ancisco for huddles with Stubbins. 

Cigar-passers included two Fox West 

Coasters, Gordon Jones, manager of the 

Rialto in South Pasadena, celebrating the 

birth of a boy, and Johnny Bell, home office 

engineer, with a baby daughter . . . Harold 

Wuthwein, western sales manager for Monogram-Allied 

Artists, checked in after a twoweek 

junket to Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Louis 

and Kansas City. 

"My Pal Geechy," a comedy original by 

James Poe, has been assigned to Henry 

Berman to produce for MGM. 

BOXOFFICE May 31, 19§2 53

. . Harold 

Tri-Delta Amusement Men 

At Fort Cochise Opening 

DOUGLAS. ARIZ.—Most of the officers 

of 

the Tri-Delta Amusement Co. were on hand 

for the opening of the Fort Cochise Drive-In, 

the completion of which was reported in 

BOXOFFICE recently. Tony Bustamante is 

managing the ozoner as well as the circuit's 

other Douglas houses. 

The Fort Cochise is one of the largest 

outdoor theatre.s in Arizona, with a 700-caicapMicity 

and in-car speakers. The circuit 

officials who came to Douglas for the opening 

took part in a motor caravan which left the 

Grand Theatre at 7 p. m. and paraded to 

the theatre three miles west on Highway 80. 

Service clubs, veterans" organizations and 

other groups had cars in the caiavan. When 

It arrived at the drive-in, Mayor H. W. 

Beumier cut a ribbon opening the boxoffice. 

Gifts were presented to all patrons opening 

night and a double bill of "Broken Arrow," 

the life story of the Indian Cochise, and 

"Casablanca" were shown. 

Fred Arnst Is Re-Elected 

Montana ITO President 

GREAT FALLS, MONT.—Fred Arnst of 

Fort Benton was re-elected president and 

Billings was chosen as the next meeting 

place in October 1953 at the close of the annual 

two-day state convention of Independent 

Theatre Owners of Montana. 

Other officers include J. M. Suckstorff, 

elected secretary-treasurer, succeeding Clarence 

Golder of Great Falls, and Golder, 

elected to succeed Suckstorff as vice-president. 

Two new directors were named: Carl 

Anderson of Kalispell and Arthur Jensen of 

Superior. They succeed D. E. Lockrem of 

Circle and E. R. Munger of Helena. 

Re-elected directors are Tom Grady, 

Shelby; N. M. Stubblefield, St. Ignatius; 

Rex Flint, Baker; E. M. Jackson, Plentywood; 

J. H. Moran, Laurel; Herb Bonifas, 

Chinook, and Frank Morgan, Livingston. 

A tep featured part in MGM's "Rogues 

March," has been assigned to John Lupton. 

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54 

SEATTLE 

Tack Engerman, Lippert manager, is making a 

speedy recovery from surgery and is commuting 

on quick trips to Portland . . . Bob 

Cleveland, RKO salesman, was back on the 

injury . . . 

job following recovery from a back 

Ted Galanter, exploitation man for MGM, 

was in town . . . Barney Rose, western division 

manager for Universal, San Francisco, 

returned from a division managers meeting 

in Chicago and called an all-day meeting here 

with local Manager Don Gillon. Portland 

Manager Arthur Greenfield and Portland 

salesman Ernie Piro came up to attend. 

Back from trips to Portland and other Oregon 

points are Bill Shartin, Essenjay Productions; 

Allan Wieder, publicity director for 

RKO, and Walter Hoffman, Paramount publicity 

director ... A son. Dean Pay, was born 

to Dave and Wilma Nelson. Nelson is auditor 

at John Hamrick Theatres ... Vic Gauntlett, 

advertising manager for Evergreen Theatres, 

is recovering in Columbus hospital 

after a heart attack. 

Arlene Nichols, secretary to Evergreen's 

Carl Mahne, has resigned and has left for 

California to join her husband . . Harold 

. 

Postman, assistant to A. F. Cummings, 

maintenance and personnel for MGM, will be 

. . . 

in town soon . . . Morrie Siegel, formerly a 

salesman in the Oregon territory for United 

Artists, was up from Portland Al Warshaur. 

Universal publicity department, is expected 

to come here en route to Alaska. 

. . . Evergreen Vice-President 

Earl Keate, United Artists exploiteer, has 

been in Portland 

William Thedford made a trip to Spo- 

kane . . . Exhibitors on the Row included 

Jerry Davis, Brewster; E. A. Darby and his 

father, buying and boolung for the Naches 

and Top-Hi in Toppenish; Miriam Goodrich 

and her husband, the Vista in Everson; Chris 

Poulsen, DenaU in Anchorage, who is taking 

his wife and three children for a four-month 

trip to Europe; Mr. and Mrs. Andy Walyer, 

Selah, and A. G. Peechia, from Eatonville and 

Tacoma. 

The First Drama Quartet, composed of film 

and stage stars Charles Laughton, Charles 

Boyer, Agnes Moorehead and Sir Cedric Hardwicke, 

has been booked by the symphony 

women's committee for performances of "Don 

Juan in Hell" at the Civic auditorium this 

fall. 

Mrs. Bess Hays, widow of Richard E. Hays, 

died just 12 days after her husband, music 

and drama critic here for the last 24 years, 

died. Mi-s. Hays, 70, died after a long illness. 

The couple was married in 1922 following a 

romance that began when they were childhood 

schoolmates at Lewis academy in Wichita, 

Kas. Mrs. Hays was born in Wichita and 

Hays was a native of Haysville, a few miles 

away. 

William Myers Quits Fox 

To Join Idcdio Circuit 

GREAT FALLS, MONT.—William Myers, 

manager of the Rainbow Theatre for nine 

months, has left for Kellogg, Ida., to become 

city manager of the theatres there. 

He is a native of Missoula and worked for 

Fox Intermountain six years there and in 

Helena before coming here. He is aligning 

himself with a new theatre circuit in Idaho. 

Ward Barlows Buy 

2nd Diller House 

SILVERTON, COLO.—Mr. and Mrs. Ward 

Barlow here became the owners of the Lode 

Theatre following the federal auction in May 

to satisfy part of the delinquent tax case which 

closed the house by government seizure April 

3. The property was owned by C. G. Diller 

of Ouray. 

The government sale attracted many people 

to the theatre, where the auction was held. 

Most of them were spectators and only three 

persons offered bids. They were Norman 

Blackburn, Denver, and Louis Giacomelli and 

Mrs. Nona Barlow, Silverton. Deputy collectors 

from Montrose and Duiango conducted 

the sale. Mrs. Barlow was the successful 

bidder with $3,675 on both equipment and 

building. She automatically assimies indebtedness 

consisting of chattels and taxes. 

Under federal law, the former owner retains 

possession for one year unless a sale is made. 

A few hours after the sale, Mr. and Mrs. 

Barlow made an outright purchase of the 

property from Diller and took possession the 

same day. Transfer was made by warranty 

deed and the Barlows reopened the house the 

following night. This was the second of Diller's 

theatres to be sold at government auction. 

Doug Star and A. L. Blood 

Buy Pelican in Juneau 

JUNEAU, ALASKA—The transfer of the 

Pelican Theatre to the new ownership of 

D. Sherman "Doug" Star and A. L. Blood, 

both of Juneau, has become effective. Shows 

will be three times a week starting June 

15 throughout the fishing season and two 

per week during the spring and fall and 

into the winter of 1952. Ralph Walker, who 

managed the theatre last winter, will continue. 

The first progi'am under the new ownership 

was MGM's "Words and Music" and a 

color featurette flown to Alaska by Pan 

American World Airways for the occasion. 

Star and Blood have an exclusive arrangement 

with Pictures, Inc., Anchorage, for 

film and the summer season is booked. 

PORTLAND 

lyrrs. J. J. Parker, president of J. J. Parker 

Theatres, has appointed Richard Edge,, 

formerly of Philadelphia, as city manager for 

Parker in Astoria. Edge replaces Kenneth 

Anderson, who resigned . Lake, 

controller for Park Theatres, was host Sunday 

(25) for a sheltie show on his ranch near' 

Gresham. Chris Buckmiller judged. Lake,' 

aside from being a yachtsman and gentleman 

farmer, also raises prize sheltles. 

J 

Visitors in town this week included Walter 

Branson, western division sales manager for: 

RKO, and Sidney Kramer, sales manager for 

short subjects . . . Dick Lange, RKO man-; 

ager, reports that his wife is visiting in Los' 

Angeles with her family. 

Exploiteers in town include Max Vogel, 

Universal, working on "Ivory Hunters"; Max 

Burkett, Warner Bros., and Walter Hoffman, 

Paramount, making arrangements for "Car- 

BOXOFFICE :: May 31, 1952 

1

Oriental in Chicago 

May Close June 5 

CHICAGO—The Oriental Tlieatre, one of 

Chicago's major motion picture palaces, is 

on the verge of a knockout. According to 

present plans the house will shutter June 5, 

a victim of the high cost of operating. Closing 

of the Oriental, according to Randolph 

Bohrer, head of firm which owns the theatre, 

is due to a combination of increased 

rental and "the skyhigh prices" being asked 

by major picture distributors and stage presentations. 

In an effort to keep the theatre open, owners 

of the building are trying to interest Edwin 

Silverman, head of Es.saness circuit, and 

former operator of the Oriental. 

Stehman-Danner to Build 

Near Winchester, 111. 

WINCHESTER, ILL.—Paul E. Stehman, 

owner of the Lyric here, and Tom Banner, 

also of this city, will start construction soon 

on a drive-in on Route 106 between here and 

Whitehall. 

TUSCOLA, ILL.—The Okaw Drive-In on 

U.S. 36 at Camargo, was opened recently by 

the Okaw Drive-In Corp. of Mattoon, headed 

by Tommy Palk, 

CARLINVn.T.K, ILL.—The Diane Drive-In 

on Route 108 west of the city was opened 

May 23 by Mrs. Fi-ieda Paul, who also owns 

the Marvel Theatre here, operated by the 

Frisina Amusement Co. The 350-car drivein, 

equipped by the St. Louis branch of the 

National Theatre Supply, was named for 

Diane Paul, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Norman 

Paul, and granddaughter of Mrs. Frieda 

Paul, the owner. 

LEBANON, MO.—A new drive-in Is under 

construction near here for Earl Hargis, owner 

of the Sky-Hi cafe and new to the motion 

picture industry. Hargis will name the theatre 

the Sky-Hi Drive-In and opening is 

tentatively set for July 1. The drive-in will 

be Century equipped throughout by Shreve 

Theatre Equipment Co., Kansas City. 

Two Warner Premieres 

Due in Missouri in June 

KANSAS CITY — Warner Bros, officials 

here this week prepared for two world premieres 

in the area within one week—the already 

announced debut of "The Winning 

Team," at the 35th divi.sion reunion in 

Springfield, and the newly announced premiere 

of Gloria Swan.son's latest film, "3 for 

Bedroom C," which will premiere at the 

Paramount Theatre here Thursday (12). 

Plans are under way for a gala premiere 

bow here, with Miss Swanson coming in for 

the event. Thus far, Don Walker, WB exploitation 

man said, the big Paramount Theatre 

already is sold out for opening night of 

the film. Plans call for Miss Swanson's arrival 

Thur.sday for the press and radio. 

The Santa Fe railroad, on whose Super 

Chief much of the pictui-e was filmed, is cooperating 

on a big scale in the premiere. 

Events will include a parade from Union 

station at 8 p. m., with Miss Swanson and 

queens from various departments of the 

Santa Fe railroad riding with high officials 

of the road. The queens will act as hostesses 

to Miss Swanson. 

The actress, however, will play her own 

hostess role at a cocktail party and buffet 

dinner for the press and radio at the Muehlebach 

hotel here from 5:30 to 7:30 Thursday 

evening. 

In the parade a street model of the Santa 

Fe Super Chief will be displayed and the 

railroad will bring its band from Topeka to 

take part. The parade will end at the Paramount 

at 8:30 and Miss Swanson and Santa 

Fe and film officials will be interviewed in 

the theatre lobby. Plans call for a stage 

presentation at 8:45. 

Miss Swanson will remain here Friday 

(13) and will make three appearances at the 

theatre. She will go on to Chicago from 

here and on June 16 will leave for the west 

coast, stopping along the route of the Santa 

Fe to meet newsmen. 

Working out details of the premiere here 

are Walker. Harold Lyon, managing director 

of the Paramount, and Bob Hubbard, 

Santa Fe publicity department. Topeka. 

Meantime, Walker and officials of Fox 

Midwest, the 35th Division Ass'n and the 

city of Springfield this week made last minute 

preparations for the premiere of "The 

Winning Team" before President Ttuman and 

his staff and thousands of delegates to the 

annual 35th divi.sion reunion in Springfield. 

Dignitaries, including film stars and industry 

leaders, will arrive in the Ozark city on 

June 5. A large delegation from Fox Midwest 

Theatres, Warner Bros, and Filmrow 

here is expected to attend. Film star Ronald 

Reagan, his wife Nancy Davis and Mrs. 

Grover Cleveland Alexander will arrive on a 

special car from St. Louis after official appearances 

there. 

Mrs. Grover Cleveland Alexander, widow 

of the baseball player, whose career forms 

the basis of the film, will arrive in St. 

Louis June 1 and remain until June 5. She 

will appear at a St. Louis Cardinals baseball 

game, where she will be honored by the ball 

club. 

Dancer Gene Nelson and Virginia Gibson 

will attend the Springfield premiere as will 

ten or 12 Warner Bros, officials from here 

and from the home office. The entire event 

will be covered by a Warner Pathe newsreel 

cameraman and WTB District Manager Art 

Anderson will come here from Minneapolis 

to attend the Springfield affair with Branch 

Manager Rus.sell Borg. 

Frisina Closes One for Summer 

LAWRENCEVILLE, ILL. — The Frisina 

Amusement Co. of Springfield has closed the 

State Theatre, 362 seats, for the summer 

under its general policy of closing a theatre 

in the towns that are served by one of 

its other theatres and also by a drive-in. 

The Frisina company also has the 615-seat 

Avalon here. 

Five New Screens Sold 

To Theatres by Shreve 

KANSAS CITY—Five new screens have 

been sold to theatremen in recent weeks by 

Shreve Theatre Equipment Co. here. J. W. 

Shreve, head of the company, this week 

listed recent screen sales. They include: 

The Nomar Theatre, Wichita, new Cycloramic 

screen; the Buflo Theatre, Buffalo, 

owned by John White of the Lake at Camdenton. 

new plastic screen; Bandbox, Neosho, 

plastic screen; Odeon, Green City, owned 

by Basil Pogelson, Da-Lite beaded screen, 

and Lyric, Kirksville, new Da-Lite beaded 

screen. 

Dezel Signs for 'Latuko' 

CHICAGO—Albert Dezel has secured distribution 

rights on "Latuko" for Detroit, 

Chicago, Milwaukee and Indianapolis exchange 

areas. The deal was closed with Seymour 

Poe and Irving Lesser in New York 

last week. 

AT HUTCHINSON PREMIERE—Elmer Rhoden sr.. president of Fox Midwest 

Amusement Corp., left, posed at the premiere of 20th-Fox's "Wait 'Til the Sun Shines, 

Nellie" at Hutchinson, Kas., with film stars who attended the event from Holl.>'wood. 

Reading left to right: Rhoden; actress Jean Peters; actress Helene Stanley, actor Hugh 

Marlowe; FMW District Manager Fred Souttar; film Producer George Jessel. and 

Willis Shaffer, city manager, Fox Hutchinson theatres. 


KANSAS CITY 

. . 

Wirgil Harbison, owner of the Tarkio Theatre. 

Tarkio. Mo., has acquired ground 

for 11 proposed drive-in to be built between 

Tarkio and Rockport. It will be located on 

the main highway two miles from Tarkio and 

six miles from Rockport. No plans have been 

announced as to when the theatre will be 

completed. It is propased to have about 200 

speakers . C. A. Schultz, president of Consolidated 

Agencies, took a brief vacation trip 

to Lake Nipigon. Canada, north of Port Arthur. 

Schultz stopped in Mason City and 

Marshalltown, Iowa, on his way back. 

Visitors on Filmrow included Chet Borg, 

Mo-Kan Drive-In, Fort Scott: J. E. Pennington. 

Cozy. Topeka: Bill and Audrey Flynn, 

Emporia and Great Bend; John Basham, Topeka; 

Si Meek, Maysville; J. T. Ghosen, Sedalia; 

O. F. Sullivan, Wichita; Joe Stark, 

Wichita; Frank Weary sr., Richmond; M. A. 

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Kanâ^ 

Pioneer Frank Root 

Of St. Louis Is Dead 

ST. LOUIS—Funeral services for Frank L. 

Root, who was 70 this year, were conducted 

Monday (26) here. The pioneer motion picture 

theatre owner died May 21 of complications 

at Incarnate Word hospital. He 

leaves his wife Laura, to whom he had been 

married 42 years. 

Root was born in Michigan and began a 

theatrical career as advance man for a show 

at the old Havlin's Theatre. After three 

years with it and two years after his marriage, 

he and Mrs. Root opened the Eagle 

Theatre, a 400-seat nickelodeon, in 1912. One 

year later they took the initial steps to organize 

St. Louis exhibitors. They sent handbills 

to all theatre owners inviting them to a 

meeting in the Eagle. The gathering resulted 

in the formation of the St. Louis Motion 

Picture Exhibitors League, headed by 

the late Joe Mogler. It was the forerunner 

of the present Motion Picture Theatre Owners 

of St. Louis, Eastern Missom-i and Southern 

Illinois. Mike Nash, former owner of 

the King Bee Theatre, is believed to be the 

only survivor of that original meeting in 

1913 and his son Harry Nash operates the 

Ritz at California, Mo. 

About 1915, the Roots razed the Eagle and 

erected the Broadway on the site. In 1918, 

they purchased the Family Theatre from 

John Burke and about that time also took 

over the Peerless, operated by Henry Martin 

under a lease from Eugene Freund. 

Root sold the three houses early in 1921 

to Oscar Lehr and took a position with the 

city. For many years he was general labor 

foreman in the recreation division and continued 

to the time he went to the hospital. 

He had heavy real estate holdings. 

Lee J. Miller, 51, Stricken; 

Commonwealth Booker 

KANSAS CITY—Lee J. Miller, Commonwealth 

central division booker, died suddenly 

Sunday (25) night at Lakeside hospital after 

suffering a heart attack. He was 51 years 

old. 

Born in Little Rock, Ark., Miller started 

in the film industry here at the age of 16, 

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when Filmrow was on Main street. He Joined 

Commonwealth in 1930 and managed the 

Patee in Lawrence, Kas., and later the A.shland 

and Benton here. For the last eight 

years he has been in the Commonwealth office 

here as booker for the central division 

under Division Manager M. B. Smith. 

He is survived by his wife, his mother and 

a sister. Funeral services were Wednesday 

morning at Newcomers funeral home with 

burial in Forest Hills cemetery. 

Pallbearers were Bill Thomas, Robert Wolfe, 

J. D. King, F. L. Moore and Elmer Rhoden Jr., 

all of Commonwealth, and Elmer Lineberry. 

Honorary pallbearers were E. C. Rhoden sr.. 

H. E. Jameyson, Robert F. Withers, R. M. 

Shelton. L. W. Morris. Robert Marchbank. 

R. H. Orear, Walter Kirkham, Eddie Mansfield, 

Jack Braunagel, M. B. Smith and Roy 

Sheldon. 

Max Bloom, 75, Assistant 

At Chicago Oriental, Dies 

CHICAGO—Max Bloom, 75, assistant manager 

of the Oriental Theatre, died last week 

May 22. in his home at 661 W. Sheridan Road. 

Bloom produced and acted in such stage 

successes as "The Sunny Side of Broadway" 

and "That's My Horse." and appeared in 

vaudeville with his wife. He had been assistant 

manager at the Oriental the last six years. 

Before that he was assistant at several houses 

of the Essaness circuit. He is survived by 

his wife Alice and a daughter, Mrs. Maxine 

Lee. 

Burial was at Pensacola, Fla. 

Mrs. Edna Block Pl'essner 

ST. LOUIS—Private funeral services were 

held Sunday (25) for Mrs. Edna Block Plessner. 

widow of Charles S. Plessner and mother 

of Marion L. Plessner, former advertisingpubhcity 

director of the Fanchon & Marco- 

St. Louis Amusement Co. Marion Plessner. 

who now operates his own advertising and 

publicity agency, is recovering from a recent 

illness. His clients include F&M, the Sheraton 

hotel and others. 

Mrs. Julia M. Rapp 

ST. LOUIS—Mrs. Julia M. Rapp, mother 

of Elizabeth Rapp, RKO contract clerk, was 

buried Monday (26). 

Mrs. Nellie Moore Murphy 

ST. LOUIS—Mrs. Nellie Moore Murphy, 

mother of Margaret Murphy, booker for Universal-International 

here, died recently. 

Charles A. Welsch 

ST. LOUIS—Charles A. Welsch, 73, building 

commissioner from 1933 to 1941, died May 

23. He operated a construction firm here for 

20 years and was personally known to many 

theatre owners. He frequently attended their 

meetings as guest speaker. 

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JERSEYVILLE. ILL.—Fred Ballard, one 

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of the Lux Theatre in Edwardsville. 111., died 

here last week. 

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BOXOFTICE :: May 31, 1952 57

. . The 

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' 

ST. 

LOUIS 

The Pauline Theatre, 5000 Claxton avenue, 

owned by Arthur Kalbfell. closed for the 

summer . Art Theatre, 3143 Olive, 

operated since 1938 by Ruby S'Renco. was 

clased for the summer Fi-iday (30), the first 

time tJie theatre has been dark since its 

opening. Tradescreenings will be continued 

there . . . The Mount Carmel, 111., high 

school students had a special treat following 

their annual prom, through the courtesy of 

Keith Coleman, operator of the American 

and Uptown theatres, who screened "No 

Room for the Groom" at the Uptown starting 

at midnight free of charge. 

Other exhibitors of the past week included 

Herman Tanner. Vandalia: Elvin H. 

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. . . 

Wiecks, Staunton: Joe Katz, Benld; Loren 

Cluster, Salem: B. Temborius, Breese. and 

Paul Musser, Casey. 111., just back from a 

visit to Hot Springs Hugh Graham, 

owner of the Webster Theatre here, was at 

Salem, Mo., where he operates the Stailight 

Drive-In on Route 19, two miles north of 

town. 

Jimmy Frisina of Taylorville, buyer for 

the Frisina Amusement Co. of Springfield, 

took part in the Westborough round-robin 

tournament here this weekend. PrLsina, who 

has been the Illinois state amateur champion 

golfer, also plans to compete in the 

western open at the Westwood Country club 

visitors included Rani Pedrucci 

and Johnny Giachette of the Frisina Amusement 

Co.: Han-y Blount. Potosi: Kenneth 

Hirth, Pacific: Rank X. Reller, Wenztville: 

Caesar Berutt, Rolla, and Robert EUery, 

Quincy. 

Kerasotes Bros, of Springfield hopes to 

open its new drive-in on U.S. 66 just south 

of Springfield about June 1 . . . The officers 

of the MPTO have changed the place of 

their June 3 meeting from the Melbourne 

hotel to the Ansell Bros, offices in the Empress 

Theatre building. 

Myra Stroud, managing secretary of the 

MPTO: Mrs. Ora G. Redford, owner of the 

American Theatre, Auburn, 111., and Catherine 

Foy of the Kahan Film Delivery Service, 

will motor to New York to attend the 

annual convention of the Advertising Federation 

of America. They plan to visit the 

TOA offices in New York City and stop in 

Philadelphia, Washington and Baltimore. 

INDIANAPOLIS 

The Maumee, Fort Wayne, operated by Ralph 

Fisher, has been redecorated and reseated 

. . . Martin Greengrass, formerly with Columbia 

Pictures at Omaha, Neb., was transferred 

to the local branch sales group, and will 

call on northern Indiana exhibitors . . . William 

Carroll, executive secretary of Allied of 

Indiana, attended the two-day Ohio convention 

May 20, 21 in Cleveland . . . Charles 

Thomp)son has taken over the Avalon here 

. . . George Feller of the Monroe at Monroeville, 

will close his house the latter part of 

July for vacation . . . Hobart Hart of the 

a 

Auburn in Auburn made a trip to Chicago to 

replenish some of his equipment at his amusement 

park, a sideline in his theatre business. 

. 

Jack Armstrong of Bowling Green, Ohio, 

was in Fort Wayne inspecting his open-air 

Charles Flynn closed his Otterbein 

theatres . . . 

Theatre at Otterbein . . . The father of 

Joe St. Amand, operator of the Flora Theatre 

at Flora, died at his home in Ohawshry, 

Canada, April 26. He was 96 years old . . . 

Charles Croft, the projectionist at the Flora 

Theatre, has been hospitalized at St. Elizabeth's 

hospital, Lafayette Roles, 

former stenographer at Universal-International, 

was promoted to the booking department 

as student booker. 

Roy Harold, Rushville exhibitor, announces 

the arrival of another grandchild . . Saturday 

. 

matinees have been discontinued at the 

Esquire in accord with a new summer policy 

. . . Curtis W. Chotzen, 49, a brother of 

T. O. McCleaster, 20th-Fox division manager, 

died of a heart attack at his home in Miami, 

Fla. Funeral services were held in Indianapolis 

May 17. 

CHICAGO 

'The Auerback brothers' Strand, closed for a 

couple of weeks, has reopened . . Over 

. 

200 barkers and guests attended a preview 

of Columbia's "Paula" held in the Variety 

clubrooms last weekend. Joe Berenson, chief 

barker, announced that the annual golf tour- ! 

nament will be held June 20 at Langford, \ 

formerly the Twin Orchids course. ' 

Irwin 

is chairman of the ticket committee 

Percy, president of Bell 

'. 

', 

& 

Joseph 

Howell, has elected vice-chairman of 

' 

been 

the director of the Fund for Adult Educa- i 

tion. 

i 

has reduced admissions 

Miss Agnes C. Gurney, 60, died in her 

home after a long illness. 

employed by Jones, Linick 

j 

She was formerly i 

& Shafer Thea- 

The Boulevard Theatre of Schoen- 

tres . . . 

stadt circuit to 30 

cents on week days and 42 cents 

. . . Dave Wallerstein, B&K general 

1 

weekends I 

manager, 

returned from a trip to Hollywood 

studios. 

I 

The Frisina circuit reopened the Rustic 

Starlight Drive-In in Effingham last week 

] 

Alamo in Lebanon, 111., has been 

closed for the season 

been appointed 

. . . 

manager of 

Paul Sigler 

Kokomo 

has 

(Ind.) 

Drive-In and Ben Batchtield was named 

manager of the Times Theatre at Anderson 

. . . A. C. and Oliver WiUett have taken 

over the De Luxe and Capac theatres in 

Imlay City, Mich . . . Chicago's legitimate 

, 

theatres hold fire drills every night before 

j 

letting the patrons in. Managers give a 

J 

signal, stage doormen blow their whistles, 

and every usher rushes to an exit, throws it 1 

open and yells, "Everybody out this way!" j 

John Balaban of B&K, who was hospitalized 

for several weeks, is resting at home ... 

MGM will release "Quo Vadis" for Chicago 

subsequent runs June 6 . . . Theatre attorney 

| 

Thomas McConnell will leave June 11 for an 

j 

extended European vacation . . . The Moline i 

city council rejected a motion to amend the 

present curfew law which bars unescorted 

i 

children from film houses after 6 p. m. 


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58 BOXOFFICE May 31, 1952 

1!

; 

It 

I 

I 

|i nessmen 

If 

I 

' 

I 

' 

' 

started 

; 

Hartselle 

I and 

' 

ground, 

; time, 

I 

Mitchell 

; 

for 

' town 

! 

been 

I 

Newsboys Day Sales 

May Total $50,000 

ATLANTA—Directors of the Old Newsboys 

day sale of a special edition of the Atlanta 

Journal-Constitution this week reported that 

incomplete returns on the sales showed a 

total collection topping the $38,000 mark set 

last year. 

was hoped that the sale would total 

$50,000 this year. A virtual army took the 

field Fi'iday i23> in the drive to raise money 

for the Atlanta Cerebral Palsy school, pet 

charity of the Variety Club and Atlanta 

Newspapers, Inc. 

Doctors, merchants, lawyers, bankers. Boy 

and Girl Scouts turned out en masse to 

sell the special editions. A big parade 

started at 11 a. m. with eight bands and 

I 60 sections, including the Merchants Wheelf 

barrow division, made up of leading busiof 

Uie city. Floats and members 

of the Shrine, the 40&8, the American Legion 

other groups added color. 

Crowds lined both sides of Peachtree street 

for miles and the old newsboys in high hats 

I and yellow aprons sold papers even as they 

marched along in the parade. 

Hubert Mitchell Starts 

Drive-In at Hartselle 

HARTSELLE, ALA.—Construction has been 

on a drive-in by Hubert R. Mitchell 

' 

of Mitchell Industries, nationally Imown 

manufacturers and distributors of stage fix- 

I 

tures. The theatre will be located north of 

between the old and new Highway 

31. It will have an ultimate capacity of 400 

cars on ten ramps but initial capacity will 

be limited to 300 because of building restrictions. 

The ozoner will feature a kiddy playopen 

for public use during the dayand 

seats for walk-in patrons. 

is holding in abeyance his plans 

a de luxe conventional theatre for dow'n- 

Hartselle. The foundation footings were 

poured but construction was halted by 

material shortages after Korea. 

Indians Set Up Village 

At Site of 'Drums' Film 

NAPLES, FLA.—This community, which is 

the center of the fishing grounds located in 

the Everglades, has a new attraction. Not 

long ago a part of "Distant Drums" was 

filmed in this vicinity, using native Seminole 

Indians as a part of the Everglades picture. 

Now an Indian village, the same as the one 

pictured in the film, has been set up north 

of Naples, and travelers along the highway 

are advised by billboards that "this is the 

site where the film was made." No admission 

to the village is charged, but Indian curios 

are offered for sale. 

I. B. White to Columbus 

COLXIMBUS, GA.—J. B. White has been 

moved here as city manager of all Martin 

Theatres here and in Phenix City. The 

houses include eight conventional theatres 

and two-drive-ins. T. A. MacDouglas has 

transferred to Eufaula, Ala., as city 

manager. 

George Wilbys Give Super Service 

To 27th Avenue Drive-In Patrons 

MIAMI—Theatre owner George Wilby, who 

operates the 27th Avenue Drive-In which 

he built here le.ss than two years ago, has enlarged 

the airer to accommodate 665 cars "and 

four Crosleys." This latter Ls less of a Joke 

than it is a real help on crowded nights when 

four small cars and speakers can be accommodated 

in spaces not large enough for 

regular-sized automobiles. 

Wilby. with his partner Frank Harris, formerly 

operated drive-ins in Savannah. Jacksonville. 

Atlanta, Macon, Chailotte, Durham 

and Greensboro. In 1943 they disposed of 

these theatres, but Wilby later decided to 

build and operate the present drive-in, a 

venture which he says he has thoroughly 

enjoyed. 

No doubt part of the enjoyment stems 

from the fact that his son, George E. Wilby, 

besides helping to build the theatre, now 

takes a very active part in the business. "He 

knows more about it than I do myself," declares 

the elder Wilby. There now is a 

George Wilby III, and a small granddaughter. 

A particularly congenial relationship exists 

among the 28 to 30 persons employed at the 

drive-in. partly due to the type of personnel 

available from the nearby Embry Riddle 

School of Aviation. 

"In all my years in show business," Wilby 

says, "I beheve I can say that I have the 

best crew I ever had in any drive-in." 

First reliance, of course, is placed on Wilby 

II, who has a thorough and studious approach 

to all problems connected with the 

operation. Critical study is given to each situation 

before any change is made. When the 

former system of serving soft drinks was 

found to be too slow to keep up with the 

intermission rush, young Wilby gave the 

problem plenty of consideration before deciding 

to build a carbonator according to 

his own idea to fit the particular need. 

The carbonator successfully takes care of 

.AWARD TO SILVER DOLLAR'— 

Jacob "Silver Dollar Jake" Schreiber, 

retired theatreman of Palm Island, Fla., 

is shown receiving the Third army certificate 

of .Achievement, signed by Gen. 

John R. Hodge, for hus untiring efforts 

in the blood donor campaign. Presenting 

the award is Major Herman L. West, 

commanding officer of the army and 

air force recruiting stations, south Florida. 

Schreiber gives silver dollars to 

donors. 

the large volume of soft drinks sold during 

a busy evening. Up to a ton of ice will be 

u.sed up on a hot evening. 

Frank Harris, Wilby's former partner, is 

now a.ssisting him in the 27th Avenue, resuming 

a long-time business relationship. 

KEN ROSE SNACK MANAGER 

Manager of the snack bar is Ken Ro.se. He 

began a.s a ramp boy when the theatre first 

opened, was given more and more responsibility 

and eventually was put in complete 

charge of this department. Rose Ls in full 

charge of the snack bar, doing the buying, 

the hiring and firing. Ramp boys a.ssist during 

the ru.sh, about 15 in all being needed to 

make quick service possible during the 12- 

minute break. Intermission interval time is 

rigidly adhered to. 

Cold drinks are the biggest items at the 

snack bar. These are dispensed in a small 

10-cent size and in 25-cent size. Hamburgers 

and hotdogs are on the list, also potato chips, 

popcorn, ice cream and 10-cent candies, coffee 

and in winter hot chocolate. The.se most 

popular items comprise the food and drink 

list. Limited variety and volume business 

done because of quick and uncomplicated 

service, accounts for the excellent business 

which the snack bar does. 

Ramp Chief is Frank Moore, from the 

Embry Riddle school, and formerly one of 

P. W. Woohvorth's top managers in New 

York City. Moore does the checking of 

sound, using an efficient system that has 

been worked out. The theatre prides itself 

on its especially fine sound system, believing 

it to be the best in the area. 

Joe Walker is the traffic and night man 

and according to Wilby, is beloved by adult 

patrons, their kids and even the family 

pooches. He is a retired police lieutenant 

from Pittsburgh and has a home nearby. 

Nearly everyone who comes to the drive-in 

can call Walker by name, and he goes up and 

dow-n the lines of waiting cars informing 

patrons of valuable spaces and their chances 

of getting in. 

FLIERS ON STAFF 

Among other valuable staff members. 

Wilby mentions a young Mexican who flies 

his own plane and can be spotted overhead 

when not on duty. One of the cashiers, William 

Romeo, is an instructor at the school of 

aviation. 

The theatre maintains a truck equipped 

with fire-fighting apparatus and a fogging 

apparatus used to control insects. Besides 

drawing from its own neighborhood, the 

drive-in draws patronage from all over 

greater Miami. 

58 Drive-In Open 

EAST CHATTANOOGA. TENN.—"At War 

With the Army" was featured at the grand 

opening recently of the 58 Drive-In at the 

corner of Dodson avenue and Glass street. 

R. E. Williams to Savannah 

SAVANNAH, GA.—Fred G. Weis. owner 

of the Weis Theatre, has appointed Roy 

E. Williams a-s manager, succeeding Spencer 

Steinhurst, who resigned to join RKO as field 

representative in Atlanta. 

BOXOFFICE May 31, 1952 SE 63

HART BEATS 

In 

By HARRY HART 

TN CHARLOTTE. I found a beehive of 

activity as many new drive-in theatres 

are being built in the territory, so I made 

a round of the supply houses to find out who 

was building and where and here are the 

results: 

At Wil-Kin Theatre Supply, Harry Wayne, 

salesman for South Carolina, said that E. T. 

Truesdale was building a new one at Camden. 

S. C. and many film folk from Charlotte, 

including Harry Wayne. Tip Tipton. 

Max Reinhardt, Clay Jessup and Jack Re- 

Ville, attended the opening at Columbia, S. 

C, May 21 of the Sunset Drive-In Theatre, 

which played to a full hou.se on opening 

night. The Sunset is a 400-car airer and is 

owned by B. H. Ti'uesdale. It. too. is Wil-Kin 

equipped. 

Bill Hendry. W-K salesman, also told me 

that recent sales in his ten-itory included 

Ashcraft lamphouses for the Yomahloossee 

Theatre at Blowing Rock. N. C, and that 

the drive-in theatre at Scotland Neck. N. C, 

was re-equipping with booth and sound 

equipment. 

The Valley Drive-In. Gloverville. S. C. 

Carolinas 

has installed a new Everfrost soda bar, as 

has the Center Theatre. Kershaw, S. C. 

The Chatham Theatre at Pittsboro. N. C, 

owned by Staff Rogers, has been remodeled 

and reopened. 

The recent storm in this area blew down 

many screen towers, including the Belmont at 

Taylor. S. C. The Pine street extension 

Drive-In at Spartanburg. S. C.. and the fence 

around the White Horse Drive-In there also 

were badly damaged. Many marquees were 

damaged over the area. 

Don Sweet of Standard Theatre Supply 

told me that the Cloverleaf Drive-In built by 

S. L. Stallings at Newberry, S. C, which 

opened April 12, was equipped with new 

Century equipment and Tecca speakers. It 

has a 200-car capacity. The firm also supplied 

equipment for the new 200-cai- drive-in 

being built at Allendale. S. C. by R. D. 

White who hails from Shallotte, N. C. The 

theatre is not named yet nor the opening 

date set. 

The drive-in being built by M. G. Widenhowe 

at Midland. N. C. a 200-car situation, 

has not been named nor an opening date set. 

Standard supplied Tecca speakers for the 

MOSQUITOES, GNATS, FLIES, are not allowed at this theatre 

DRIVE-IN 

T im E IRI T IR ' 

Safe, sure, clean FOG from your own big Fogger. Cleans 'em out up to V2 '"'e from your theotre for less 

than $1.00 a doy. Proven an economical way to control all flying insects by Army, Navy and cities all 

over U. S. Fully protected by Guarantee and Service Policy. 

"Bye Bye B. O. Blues 

NOT $1700 - NOT $1200 - BUT $950 

For a Full-Size Fog Machine for Heavy Duty Work Under Worst Conditions 

"PUBLIC HEALTH INSECTICIDAL FOG MACHINE" 

$950.00 READY FOR OPERATION-NO EXTRAS 

Extended Payment Plan Availoble for First Time: Only 4 odmissions per night, payoble monthly, will 

give you complete freedom from pests. 

All Types of Special Equipment and Insecticides 

Public Health Equip. &. Supply 

Phone BEL. 3-3421 P. O. Box 4143, Sta. "A" 517 N. W. 19th St. San Antonio, Texas. 

job. All three of the drive-in theatres mentioned 

above will be equipped by the firm 

with Orange-Crush drinic equipment. 

The Cherry Hill Drive-In Theatre at Cowpens, 

S. C. is being equipped with Strong 

Mighty 90 lamps and supplied by Standard. 

At Bryant Theatre Supply, Panny Cobb 

told me that the firm had supplied equipment 

for the Grantsboro Drive-In Theatre at 

Grantsboro, N. C. The 200-car drive-in was 

built by E. C. Ga.skins. 

J. T. Green at New Ellington, S. C, has 

put 350 Co-op .speakers into his new drive-in 

there. Also a Cretors popcorn machine. He 

has named the theatre the Sky-Vue. 

The Aiken Drive-In Theatre has installed 

300 new Co-op speakers and a new sound system 

supplied by Bryant Theatre Supply. The 

company, incidentally, has added a new salesman, 

Ed Thompson, who will cover the Carolinas. 

* * 

j 

R. D. TirnbuU of National Theatre Supply 

( 

listed the following new drive-in theatre 

equipment sales made by the firm: A new 

drive-in theatre now under consti'uction at 

Barnwell, S. C, being built by Walter Broward 

and as.sociates; a 300-car job 

with Simplex sound and projection. 

equipped 

j 

; 

H. P. Howell of Howell Theatres, Inc., n 

Smithfield, N. C, is installing Simplex XI 

| 

equipment all the way. This will make two 

i 

drive-in theatres in this town for Howell, i 

C. P. Atwood of Sparta, N. C, is building 

the Two Oaks Drive-In Theatre there and 

j 

it is expected to open the week of May 24. i 

Burts Enterprises at Columbia, S. C, iS' 

building the new Belt Line Drive-In Theatre! 

there and the 300-car airer is being equipped! 

with XI sound and projection equipment, i 

The opening date has not been set. 

The 211 Drive-In, Lumberton, N. C, built i 

by Howard Anderson, a 300-car job, is Simplex 

XI -equipped throughout and is open. . 

Clifford Paw and R. A. Goodman are build- J 

ing a 350-car drive-in at Monroe, N. 

C, and! 

it will be named the New Mom'oe Drive-In.^ 

It is expected to open in the next 30 days.i 

E. C. Robinson who had a fire at his Blair 

theatre, MarshvUle, N. C. reopened the week, 

of May 24. 

The Wingo Drive-In at Myrtle Beach, S. C. 

is being built by W. C. Evans. It is a 300-car 

project. C. A. Holiday of Pine Top, N. C. will 

soon open his new 200-car Drive-In there. 

Clifford Paw of the Thrift Road Drive-In 

Theatre, Charlotte, reports that very fine 

profits are being enjoyed by him from his 

Movie Cone ice cream machine which he 

recently purchased from National Theatre 

Supply. 

* * * 

Prank Harris of Harris Sales has hired 

W. P. Brock as salesman for North Carolina. 

The firm is having its popping oil labeled 

under the firm name. 

At Theatre Equipment Sales, Bob Saunders 

and Jim Griffin told me about the following 

theatres that they have equipped: 

The Bladen Lakes Drive-In between Elizabethtown 

and White Lake, N. C, which 

is owned by R. D. Hobbs, whom most of us 

know as owner of the Delco theatre at Delco, 

N. C. 

The College View Drive-In at Durham, 

N. C. which is owned by L. R. Lorbacher. 

The Roxy Drive-In theatre at Spartanburg, 

S. C, a deluxe job with DeVry Equipment 

and DIT-MCO in-car speakers. Sam 

and Irvin Malinow are the owners. 

The Holly Ridge Drive-In at Holly Ridge,, 

N. C, between Holly Ridge and Surf City which 

| 


Is owned by Sal Aragona of Jacksonville, 

N. C. 

The Palmetto Drive-In at Hollywood. S. C. 

opened Fi'iday, May 23. It is owned by J. D. 

Scott and R. J. Tubleston . . . Another opening 

is the Palm Drive-In Theatre at Savannah. 

Ga.. owned by E. L. Bo.st. 

My next call was Frank Strange at the 

Charlotte Theatrical Supply and I found 

they had been selling a lot of equipment recently 

as they furnished Ballantyne equipment 

to the Raleigh Road Drive-In at Fayetteville, 

N. C. owned by Meiselman theatres. 

The Alta Vista Drive-In No. 2 which is 

being built directly behind Alta Vista 

Drive in Columbia. S. C. by Marion 

Smith. al.'O Ballantyne equipped. 

Earl Mullins is building an airer at Norton, 

Va., and construction is under way. No name 

is picked as yet. 

The St. Pauls Drive-In, St. Pauls. N. C. 

opened May 21. It is owned by O. K. Hogan 

and is Ballantyne-equipped. and handles 

about 200 cars. 

« * • 

My good friend Cecil Ward was on Filmrow 

in Charlotte and told me that he was 

opening (Friday night, May 23) his new 

Madison Drive-In in Madison, N. C, which 

is Motiograph-equipped and handles 244 

cars. Mr. Ward operates a group of theatres 

and lives at Bassett, Va. 

Max Holland. Bob Saunders and Lewis 

Saunders are building the Twin Pines Drive- 

In theatre at Richmond. Va., on Rt. 60 West 

and it will handle about 400 cars. It will feature 

a projection booth on top of the concession 

stand and fish pond and fishing 

will be restricted to children and prizes offered 

each for the largest fish caught. 

I found Bill White of the Southeastern 

Theatre Equipment Co. out as he was making 

a round of his customers but learned 

that they were supplying the equipment for 

the Alice Drive-In Theatre on the Charlotte 

Highway at Columbus, S. C. It is now under 

construction. It is owned by Gene Foust and 

Ralph Cooper. 

They also supplied equipment for the 

drive-in theatre at Williston, S. C, owned 

by Mrs. J. F. Dobson. 

Went out to Carolina Neon Co., owned by 

NOW READY 

IN BEAUTIFUL 

ANSCO COLOR 

Full Length Feature 

Only Burlesque in Color 

ONLY BEST FROM ARENSON 

GREATEST OF 

ROADSHOWS 

H. G. ARENSON 

3450 Selwyn Ave., Charlotte 7, N. 

25 Years of Dependable Shows 

BANQUET FOR BOOTHMAN — John 

N. Spearing, center, was guest of honor 

at a testimonial banquet in Jacltsonville, 

Fla.. recently and was given a gold life 

membership card in lATSE Local 511 by 

Richard F. Walsh, right, lATSE president. 

The event also celebrated the 35th 

anniversary of the union in which Spearing 

has been active since 1915. At left 

is Guy Kenimer, manager for Florida 

State Theatres, in Jacksonville. 

Dave Whisnant and found them in brand 

new quarters and already having to enlai"ge 

it. I found out that many of the recent installations 

have been aiaimated projects such 

as the Hillcrest Drive-In attraction board at 

Statesville, N. C. This one has a rabbit 

popping up and pointing the way to the 

drive-in. The firm has also erected displays 

at Lucky Drive-In Theatre, Reidsville, N. C, 

and the Moru-oe Drive-In, Monroe. N. C, 

which has a moonlight tower and neon beacon, 

something quite different in displays. 

W. L. Funk from St. Stephens, S. C. was 

on Filmrow with his wife, and told me about 

their Kingstree Drive-In theatre at Kingstree, 

S. C, which has a 50x35 screen. He had 

his father, M. W, Funk, as a partner in the 

drive-in. The 224-car aii-er opened May 15 

to a capacity audience. Mr. Funk is trying 

to make it the nicest one in the area and is 

now installing a moonlight tower, and plans 

extensive landscaping. 

* * « 

Sylvester Sandy of Sandy Films welcomed 

me when I called on him and told me that 

their Charlotte branch was getting very 

nice business. 

Talked to C. H. Faw who with R. A. Goodman 

is building the Monroe Drive-In Theatre 

at Monroe. N. C, and learned that the 

airer would handle 300 cars and that they 

plan to open it about June 5. The screen will 

be 58x60 feet which is supposed to be the 

largest screen in this area. The projection 

booth will be 470 feet from the screen and 

will be mounted atop the conce.ssion stand. 

Bob Jefferies of Rock Hill. S. C. said business 

was in a slump in the Rock Hill area 

because of the textile situation. 

George Carpenter of Valdes, N. C, who 

operates several theatres in that area, told 

me that he had built a very modern tourist 

court to serve the public as there were no 

accommodations in the area sufficient to 

serve the traveling public. 

The wife and I had dinner with motion 

picture producer H. G. Arenson and family. 

The dinner was wonderful and then Jake 

showed me his latest picture which is probably 

the only burle.sque produced in Ansco 

Color. It is called the Oriental Vanities and 

was produced in Cuba and other tropical 

areas. The picture will soon be in release. 

Out at Starnes Sign Co., .sales manager 

T. R. Hatfield showed me through the modern 

plant on Pincville road, including new 

iqiiil)ment recently purchased to speed up 

pioduction in the marquee and attraction 

board field as well as sign and other neon 

projects. 

Max Zager of Greensboro, N. C. was on 

Filmrow and reported business as fair. 

Irvin Beck of Havelock, N. C, was on the 

Row booking and buying and said that 

everything in his area was going along fine 

. . . J. R. Nickalson of Rockwell, N. C.. w'as 

shopping for supplies when I met him and 

he .said that attendence at the Rockwell 

Theatre had been affected by the textile Industry 

layoffs . . . Gilbert Faw from Albermarle, 

N. C, told me that he had opened two 

new drive-in theatres since I had .seen him 

last fall—one at Asheboro, N. C., named the 

West 49 Drive-In and another at Albermarle 

named the Albermarle Drive-In on the 

Charlotte Highway. He .said both of them 

were doing a very nice business despite the 

textile situation in his area. 

• * • 

The Lowry Bros., who operate the Charlotte 

Theatrical Printing company .showed 

me their new lithographic department which 

And while I was 

they recently installed . . . 

there I met Bob Cavanaugh who is making 

a personal appearance this weekend at the 

Belmont Drive-In Theatre, Belmont, N. C, 

with his educated horse. 

Pauline Griffith, secretary of the North 

and South Carolina Theatre Owners proudly 

showed me the new furniture with which 

the association offices have been equipped. 

She also told me that November 9, 10 and 11 

had been selected as the dates for the annual 

convention this year. 

Sal Ai-agona has just taken over operation 

of the Carolina Drive-In theatre at Durham. 

N. C. and also has announced that he will 

build a drive-in theatre at Norfolk, Va.. and 

another at Miami, Fla. He now operates the 

Starlight at Jacksonville, N. C, and Holly 

Ridge Drive-In at Holly Ridge, N. C. 

Aid scrap drive—save copper drippings. 

D. W. WHISNANT 

CAROLINA 

NEON SIGN CO. 

NOW IN THEIR 

BRAND NEW BLDG. 

with 

ALL NEW MODERN 

EQUIPMENT... 

MARQUEES - BOX OFFICES 

POPCORN WARMERS 

CHANGEABLE LETTERS 

(of all kinds) 

P. 0. BOX 3092, CHARLOTTE, N. C 

Builders of 90% of the marquees in 

territory for the past 20 years. 

this 


' 

CHARLOTTE 

IJampton Brasivell. husband of the MGM 

inspector here, was killed in an automobile 

accident ten miles from the city. Mrs. 

Braswell was injured The Twin Oaks 

Drive-In at Sparta, N. 

. . . 

C, was to open May 

Jim Hardee resigned as salesman at 

31 . . . 

Columbia. 

Mitchell Little. Republic office manager, 

spent his vacation at home . . . Bob Cavanaugh 

Hollywood stunt man, brought his 

trained horse Dottie here for several appearances, 

including the Thompison orphanage 

. . . Visitors on the Row included Paul 

THE COUNTRY PARSON" 

John Beal - Peggy Stewart 

DOING BIG BOXOFFKE BIZ. 

BOOK IT NOW! 

Four Technicolor Hits— 

FOUR FEATHERS 

JUNGLE BOOK 

THIEF OF BAGDAD 

THE SMUGGLERS 

ASTOR PICTURES CO. of GA. 

Main 9845 

163 WALTON ST. ATLANTA 

THEATRICAL 

ATLANTA 

Phone ALPine 7887 

P. 0. Box 1345 

R. J. (Hop) Barnes 

C. B. (Cliff) Wilson 

ABC 

BUYING 

BOOKING 

AGENTS 

ENTERPRISES 

JACKSONVILLE 

Phone 5-9227 

P. 0. Box 88 

Karl (Bud) Chalmon 

R. A. (Rex) Norris 

Nelson of Auto Drive-In, Rock Hill: Frank 

George, Flamingo Drive-In. Winston-Salem; 

Jesse Wallons, Midway Parkvue Drive-In, 

Fayetteville. and Vernon Holder of the Skyvu 

at Rocky Mount. 

Emery Wister, Charlotte 

News movie edi- 

. 

tor, was in Hollywood on his annual trip 

through the studios. He expected to visit Las 

Vegas, Nev., and write several storie.'^ on the 

boom town of Nevada. The Gilmomt 

Theatre at Mount Gilead 

. 

and the Ti-oy in 

Troy are closing. 

Charlotte House Ends 

26-Year Operations 

CHARLOTTE—The Charlotte Theatre at 

123 West Trade St. closed its doors recently 

after 26 .vears of continuous operation. 

Tom A. Little, president of Consolidated 

Theatre.s, attributed the closing to the 

"shrinking value of the dollar," and said the 

building likely will be converted to another 

type of business. He said he had received 

several offers from prospective renters but 

had made no decision as to a new lessee. 

The Charlotte was the city's original second 

run theatre and for years exhibited 

pictures that had been shown at other 

theatres under the slogan of "We bring the 

big ones back." 

Maurice Woli Is Speaker 

JACKSONVILLE — Members of Meninak 

Club were given an insight into the motion 

picture industry by Maurice N. Wolf at a 

luncheon in the Mayflower Hotel. Wolf, an 

MGM representative, was introduced by Guy 

A, Kenimer. manager of the Florida State 

Theatres. 

Anniversary Party at Airer 

GENEVA. ALA.—The second anniversary 

of the H&R Drive-In between Geneva and 

Hartford was celebrated with free shows for 

its patrons May 26. 27. 

MIAMI 

gcrnstein's LeJeune Drive-In and neighborhood 

Little River arranged special children's 

attractions, including free candy for 

Saturday shows. The downtown Dixie had an 

adults-only booking of "Love Moods" and a 

burlesque short . . . Brandt's Flamingo, with 

the first Miami Beach showing of "Singin' 

in the Rain," has been playing it for seven 

weeks, with no sign of a let-up. 

Variety Children's hospital will benefit 

from the annual rose ball which the Florists 

A.ss'n of greater Miami is giving in Bayfront 

Park auditorium. . . Col. Jack R. Younger, 

president of the Dade county crime commission, 

praised "Captive City," which 

opened at Wometco first runs. 

Actor Bruce Cabot, frequent visitor here, 

has been visiting friends in Miami Beach . . . 

How many times a year do you go to the 

movies? a-sked the News' amusement page. 

Five? Ten? Twenty? If you visit a movie 22 

times a year you're an average citizen. 

"You'd think that in this coimtry where • 

most 

films ai-e made." comments the editor, "its 

, 

citizens would be the most prolific film- 

, 

goers. But it isn't so. The U. S. falls below 

the average in other countries. The most , 

frequent fans are the Israelis, with an average 

| 

of 38 attendances per person per year. The 

. 

next group in the film-watching statistics 

i 

are the Costa Ricans with 30 a year; after 

them, the British with 29; then the Austral- 

, 

ians with 25. There's a wide gap in the fig- m 

ures after the American average. Next in 

| 

line are the Fi'ench. They go to the movies • 

only nine times a year. 

Charles Moskowitz, MGM vice-president 

and a graduate of the University of New 

York, was just named one of the five most 

distinguished alumni of the university in the 

past 50 years. Moskowitz is a frequent visitor . 

in Miami Beach. 

. . 

The Little River Theatre, according to 

columnist Jack Bell, is the first in the Korean 

war to make concessions for servicemen. 

Starting at once, for an indefinite time, 

the theatre will offer reduced prices to all 

servicemen in uniform . Variety Children's 

Hospital will benefit from a dance and entertainment 

by the Hungarian-American 

Culture club here. 

CYCLWAMIC 

Custom Screen 

GIVES YOU 

"CENTER SEAT VISION" 

From every seat in the house! 

ELIMINATES GLARE AND DISTORTION! 

GIVES AMAZING NEW DEPTH! 

PERFECT SOUND TRANSMISSION! 

NO PERFORATIONS! 

WIL-KIN THEATRE SUPPLY, Inc. 

Atlonta, Georgio— Charlotte, N. C—Jacksonville, Flo. 

"Byerything /or the theatre except film" 

Judy Garland's future mother-in-law is a 

Miami Beach resident. She is Mi-s. Leonora 

Luft and has been a resident here two years 

. . . All members of Miami's blue-ribbon 

grand jury were invited to be guests at a 

showing of "The Captive City." Foreman Ray 

Sterling's quote was used in advertising: "It 

should be seen by every thinking citizen 

excellent entertainment." 

' 

Florida's FIRST Supply House 

NOW HAS TWO CONVENIENT 

LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU 

UNITED THEATRE SUPPLY CORP. 

110 Franklin St. 

Tompo, Flo. 

Phone 2-3045 

329 West Flagler St. 

Miomi, Flo. 

Phone 3-S038 

* 


25 Years Celebrated 

By Ruffin Circuit 

BENTON. KY.— Marking the 25th anniversary 

of the Ruffin Amusement Co., the 

Ruffin theatre here joined other houses of 

the circuit in a •25th Anniversary Jubilee" 

celebration. It was 25 years ago this month 

•hat W. F. Ruffin of Covington. Tenn.. established 

the circuit in that city. The chain now 

operates in both western Tennessee and Kentucky 

and is one of the leading theatre circuits 

in the south. 

Curt Reynolds, manager of the local situation, 

said Ruffin has been in ill health the 

past two years and it may not be FK>ssible for 

him to visit Marshall county during the observance 

of the anniversary Jubilee but he 

sent his personal thanks to theatre patrons of 

the area. 

During the Jubilee, Ruffin Amusement Co. 

is offering special prizes to managers in the 

wganization who show the most gain during 

May. 

14 Theatres in Memphis 

Extend Student Cards 

MEMPHIS — The student discount card. 

xhich entitles high school students to a 

discount of about 40 per cent when purchasmg 

an admission ticket, has been extended 

by 14 Memphis theatres for another month. 

Twenty-two theatres have been using the 

plan for several months and the 19.000 identification 

cards issued to students expire 

May 31. Eight of the 22 theatres will drop 

out of the plan but 14 will extend the use 

of these cards through June 30. 

Theatres extending the cards are the Airway. 

Luciann, Madison. Malco, Memphian. 

Normal. Rosemary. Royal. Capitol. Crosstown. 

Idlewild. 

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Gulf Allied Men Seek 

Sales Tax Abolition 

NEW ORLEANS—Members of Allied of the 

Gulf States are in the midst of a campaign 

to convince members of the legislature that 

films should not be defined as "tangible personal 

property." A bill introduced by A. D. 

Brown at Baton Rouge excludes films from 

this definition so that it will be possible to 

eliminate the sales tax on film rentals. 

Three per cent sales taxes are now collected 

on both film rentals and admissions. 

The latter is paid by the patron. 

Allied members are being urged to contact 

legislators living in their districts and 

to confer with members of the House ways 

and means committee which is made up of 

the following; Allen Parish, Dr. M. V. Hargrove; 

Caddo Pai-ish, Joseph K. Smith; Calcasieu 

Parish, Kenneth H. Cagle; Cameron 

Pai'ish, Alvin Dyson; Catahoula Parish, Grover 

C. Womack. 

JACKSONVILLE 

TATSE Local B65 held a wiener roast at 

Rubin's camp on Goodby's lake . . Visitors 

. 

to the exchanges were Harold Popel, 

West Palm Beach: L. O. West, Hilliard; 

Rube Jackter and George Berman from the 

home office; R. J. Ingram, district manager; 

Hugh Martin, Columbus; K. T. Barfield, 

Gainesville; C. H. Richlieu; Nat Williams, 

Thomasville; Larry Kanaris, St. Augustine 

Drive-In; J. O. Biddle, Jasper . . . Joan Pena 

has announced her engagement to Larry Mc- 

Greevy. 

. . Sonny 

Ed Winburn is resuming his duties as 

manager of the Fairfax Theatre . 

Greenwood, Warners, is taking a six month 

leave of absence . Goodman, vicepresident 

in charge of all exchange operations, 

and R. A. McGuire, head auditor 

of the exchanges, were in . . . Mrs. Gloria 

Proctor is leaving this week. 

Norma Claire Sarra, daughter of Mr. and 

Mrs. Lamar Sarra, had one of the principal 

roles in the full-length ballet, "The Sleeping 

Princess," on stage at the Palace, May 21. 

Sarra Is head of the law division for Florida 

State Theatres. 

C. V. Litton Dead 

PLEASANT HILL, LA.—C. V. Litton, 61- 

year-old Pleasant Hill theatre operator, died 

recently. 

Experienced 

Salesmen 

Can 

More 

Exploitation 

Roadshow 

Earn 

Profits 

Pictures 

percentage basis 

TODDY PICTURE CO. 

148 Walton Street Atlanta, Ga. 

Null Adams Is 

Of 'Big 

Winner 

Story' AwarcJ 

Memphis—Null Adiims, tity editor of 

the Press- Scimitar staff and a correspondent 

for BOXOKI'It'E, has won the 

$500 "Big Story" award for notable mtvice 

in the field of journalism. His story, 

clearing the name of a detective accused 

of murder in 1925, will be broadcast over 

NBC June 25. 

Theatre Ad Rates Remain 

Unchanged in South 

NEW ORLEANS—Amusement advertising 

rates in local newspapers remain higher here 

than the rates charged other businesses, according 

to a BOXOFFICE survey. There have 

been discussions between theatremen and 

publishers leading toward elimination of the 

special amu.sement rate, but the talks have 

met with little success. 

JACKSONVILLE — Local newspapers this 

week said they had no intention of changing 

amusement advertising rates here. Newspaper 

advertising men went into detail to 

explain that they felt the rates were fair 

and just and that they could see no reason 

to change them. Meantime, a movement was 

reported afoot in the Industry here to bombard 

newspapers with requests for lower ad 

rates. 

Neely Home Office Move 

Shifts Manager-Mayor 

CENTERVILLE, ALA.—CentervlUe is getting 

both a new theatre manager and a 

new mayor next month. Mayor Garnett 

Standi, manager of the Ritz Theatre, is 

moving to Marion, Ala., home office of Neely 

Theati'es, to assist in operation of the circuit. 

Standi had been mayor of CentervlUe 

seven years. 

Streetcar Strike Hurts 

Business in Memphis 

MEMPHIS—A streetcar strike started in 

Memphis May 22 and first run attendance 

was severely hit. The strike was still under 

way early this week. 

Four fu-st run theatres in the downtown 

section reported a sharp decline in business 

and a fifth said a slight decrease in 

attendance had taken place. 

Gifts on Ozoner Anniversary 

MONTGOMERY, ALA. — The Fairview 

Drive-In management pa-ssed out flowers to 

the ladies, cigais to the men and birthday 

cake to the kiddies when its third anniversary 

was celebrated here. 

New at St. Augustine 

ST. AUGUSTINE—The Community theatre, 

a Negro-patronage house will be under 

the management of Arvin K, Rothschild, due 

here June 1 from Jacksonville. 

Martin Executives Open 

275-Car Opelika Sky-Vue 

OPELIKA, ALA.—Martin Theatres hu 

opened its newest outdoor addition to the circuit. 

The 275-car Sky-Vue Drive-In is two 

and one-half miles from Opelika on the 

West Point highway. 

Duke Stalcup is city manager for Martin 

and the new theatre will be managed by 

Hubert Countryman, who ha.s been with the 

circuit six years. He comes from Eufaula. 

Circuit officials here for the opening ceremonies 

included Roy Martin, president of 

Martin Theatres of Alabama; C. L. Patrick, 

general manager; Ronnie Otwell, publicity 

director; John Mauk, engineer, and Nathan 

Morgan, district manager, MlUedgeville, Ga. 


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RESEARCH 

for 

BUREAU 

MODERN THEATRE PLANNERS 

ENROLLMENT FORM FOR FREE INFORMATION 

The MODERN THEATRE 

PLANNING INSTITUTE 

825 Van Brum Blvd. 

Kansas City 1, Mo. 

Gentlemen: 

5-31-52 

Please enroll us in your RESEARCH BUREAU 

to receive information regularly, as released, on 

the iollowing subjects for Theatre Planning: 

n Acoustics 

Lighting Fixtures 

D Air Conditioning Q Plumbing Fixtures 

n Architectural Service 

Q Projectors 

D "Black" Lighting 

p p„jectiou Lamps 

D Building Material 

^ Seating 

n Carpels _. 

, 

[_] signs and Marquees 

D Coin Machines 

. ,. D Sound Equipment 

L] Complete Remodeling 

D Decorating 

Television 

D Drink Dispensers D Theatre Fronts 

n Drive-In Equipment Vending Equipment 

D Other 

Subjects 

Dollars or Diamonds Won't Sell Cheap, 

Exploiteer Proves in Film Sfunts 

Plan to Close Morrilton 

House for Remodeling 

MORRILTON, ARK.—Complete remodeling 

of the RiaJto Theatre building wa-s 

started this month and will be completed 

about September 1, Clarence Hobbs, manager, 

said. Fireproof walls and concrete 

floors will be built and a large .seating capacity 

provided, with all new chaii-s installed. 

The front will be changed and the 

present walls replaced with new brick. 

Hobbs said the house would be closed about 

mid-June for approximately two months 

while remodeling is under way. 

Alabama Theatre Receipts 

Up for Month and Year 

BIRMINGHAM—The University of Alabama 

Bureau of Business Research reports 

that the state's theatre receipts in February 

showed an increase of 1.8 per cent over 

January. 

The bureau also reported that the February 

receipts this year represented a gain 

of 4.9 per cent over the same month last 

year. 

Remodel Tampa Airer 

TAMPA—All ramps at the Fun Lan Drivein 

have been covered with asphalt. Other 

improvements completed recently include addition 

of new speakers and extension and 

widening of roadways to ease traffic congestion. 

Bill Hamer is manager. 

Savannah Theatre Sold 

SAVANNAH, GA.—According to Earle M. 

Holden, city manager. Savannah Theatres 

has sold the Victory Theatre, neighborhood 

house at the corner of Bull and 41st street, 

to Peter E. Kekenes and his four daughters. 

Pi'ice was reported to be $50,000. 

Serve Cake and Coffee 

CORAL GABLES, FLA.—When the Miracle 

Theatre showed "Belles on Their Toes" cake 

and coffee were served to patrons in the 

lobby. A neighborhood bake shop furnished 

the refreshments. 

MIAMI—Addie Addison, exploitation man 

recently here in connection with the opening 

of "The Captive City," at Wometco first 

runs, "sold" two-dollar bills for $1.75 on 

Flagler street in Miami and on Lincoln 

Road in Miami Beach, but only 80 people 

took advantage of the transaction. 

When Addison isn't operating his Sea 

Zoo near Dayton Beach he is traveling the 

country promoting new films. He is an old 

hand at giving away money, having done 

this in cities from Buffalo to New Orleans. 

Few people will take a chance, though. 

On Flagler street, Addison's pitch in trying 

to sell two-buck bills pointed up the fact 

that it is the little two-dollar horse race 

bet that starts corruption and vice in every 

city. That is the theme of the film he is 

exploiting. 

"Here y'are, folks," went Addison's pitch, 

"buy this little old two-dollar bill for $1.75 

and pass it on to your favorite bookie or go 

to the race track and bet it on your favorite 

nag." 

Addison found it even more difficult to 

get rid of the money on Lincoln road, where 

appai-ently the gold-coasters are more suspicious 

than Miamians. 

Addison, in 1949, was ai-rested in Buffalo 

for selling dollar bills for 50 cents. He was 

charged with peddling without a license, disorderly 

conduct, lowering the dignity and 

value of U.S. cun-ency and obstructing traffic. 

The film was "Trapped," and he was too, 

until he finally talked himself out of a jail 

sentence. 

In New Orleans, he vainly tried to work 

the same gimmick for 45 minutes before a 

wise old cabbie started the ball rolling. He 

was arrested "on suspicion," but was released 

when he explained it was strictly a film 

stunt. 

Addison came up against severe sales resistance 

in Macon, Ga., when he tried selling 

dollar bills for 75 cents to exploit a film 

called "Winchester '73." Nobody wanted any 

part of his dollar bills. In Pittsburgh he 

peddled real diamond rings, worth about $100 

for $30. He couldn't sell any. 

But in Baltimore in 1933, Addison had a 

little more success peddling $5 gold pieces for 

$4. But just a little. In two hours he got 

rid 

of only ten. 

Save all copper drippings for metal drive. 

Theatre 

Seating 

Capacity 

Address : 

City 

State 

Signed 

Postage-paid reply cords for your further convenience 

in obtaining information are provided in Tfie MODERN 

THEATRE Section, published with the first issue of 

each month. 

Vacation Party at Theatre 

JASPER, ALA.—Bill Call, manager of the 

Downtown Theatre here, tied up with a Tuscaloosa 

dairy company in a "getting-out-ofschool" 

party for several hundred children. 

The young guests were served ice cream and 

chocolate milk. 

The title of Universal's picture, formerly 

called "Joshua." has been changed to "Lone 

Hand." 

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i BOXOFFICE 

OVER 1000 INDUSTRY LEADERS 

TO ATTEND COMPO CONFERENCE 

Merchandising, Public 

Relations Main Topics 

Of Discussion 

DALiAS—Approximately 1,000 theatre 

executives and managers representing thousands 

of theatres, plus several hundred leaders 

of other branches of the industry will gather 

here June 9-11 for a Texas COMPO conference 

to map out a far-reaching industry-exhibitor 

and exhibitor-community public relations 

program. 

Based on the premise that the theatre and 

theatre manager are a vital part of the community 

and owe a responsibility in that 

community, the conference will deal directly 

with theatre-community relationships, instead 

of the usual interindustry discussions. For 

this purpose a roster of outstanding personalities 

has been selected as speakers for 

the meeting. 

Billy Graham, nationally known evangelist, 

has been selected as a speaker. Others on 

the program are Ronald Reagan, president 

of the Screen Actors Guild; George Murphy, 

Dore Schary, William McCraw, executive director 

of Variety International and former 

attorney general of Texas, and Robert J. 

O'Donnell and Col. R. A. Cole, co-chairmen 

and founders of the Movietime U.S.A. campaign. 

Highlights of the program will include a 

special luncheon honoring Mr. John Rosenfield 

jr., amusement editor for the Dallas 

Morning News, "for his 25 years of meritorious 

service to the motion picture industry," 

as well as other branches of the amusement 

field in Dallas, and a testimonial banquet 

honoring O'Donnell and Cole. 

Paul Short, division manager for National 

Screen Service, has been representing the 

executive chairmen of Texas COMPO in arranging 

this far-reaching conference. Executive 

chairmen tor the conference are Karl 

Hoblitzelle, president of Interstate Circuit, 

Inc.; Robert J. O'DonneU, vice-president and 

general manager of Interstate; Colonel Cole, 

chairman of the Board of Allied Theatre 

Owners of Texas; Phil Lsley, president of Isley 

Theatres; H. J. Griffith, president of Theatre 

Enterprises; Edward H. Rowley, president of 

Rowley United Theatres; Henry Reeve, pres- 

(Continued on next page) 

Three Years of Planning Culminates 

In Opening of $200,000 Boys Club 

A view of the new Variety Boys Club building recently dedicated in Houston. 

HOUSTON—Latest addition to the long list 

of humanitarian projects built and operated 

by Variety Clubs throughout the world was 

formally dedicated May 18 when Tent 34 

opened its new $200,000 Variety Boys club in 

Houston. In spite of torrential rains, more 

than 300 Texans turned out for the afternoon 

ceremonies. 

Principal speaker at the dedication was 

Jack Beresin of Philadelphia, president of 

the ABC Vending Co. and chief barker of 

Variety Clubs International. "Just as it has 

been truly said that man cannot live by bread 

alone," he said, "so it is equally true that a 

chOd cannot live on milk alone. If he is 

to develop properly, he must grow up surrounded 

by love. 

"The members of Tent 34 and the people 

of Houston have given generous expression 

of their love of children by making possible 

this splendid new Boys' club." 

L. C. Kirby, chief barker of Tent 34, was 

unable to attend the opening because of illness. 

His address of welcome, which was 

read by John Paul Goodwin, first assistant 

chief barker of Houston Variety, said ; "Today 

is a milestone in the life of our club. Now 

we can roll up our sleeves, put aside our 

dreams, and go to work on the glorious task 

of keeping this building active and alive— 

symbol of our devotion to Variety's ideal of 

service to the youth of our nation." 

Three years of planning and fund raising 

preceded the building of the club. A gameroom, 

offices and large combination gym and 

auditorium make up the first floor. Upstairs 

there is a woodworking shop, classrooms, 

a library and handicraft shop. At 

full membership, the Variety Boys club will 

accommodate a roster of 2,000 boys. More 

than 600 had already signed up by the time 

of the opening. 

Bob Smith, prominent Texas oil man and 

president of the Variety Boys club of Houston, 

was presented with a silver key to the 

clubhouse by Karl Kamrath, architect of the 

building. "This is only the beginning," said 

Smith. "We hope to have many more of these 

clubs in Houston before too many years." 

The open house which preceded the dedication 

ceremonies featured a cartoon demon- 

( Continued on next page) 

Billy 

Graham 

:: May 31. 1952 sw 71

Ceremonies at Boys Club Opening 

(Continued from preceding page) 

stralion by Roy Williams, chief story artist 

of the Walt Disney studios. 

Father James F. Wilson. Variety Club chaplain, 

gave the invocation. George P. O'Rourke 

was introduced with the remark that the contract 

for the Boys club construction was accepted 

on a cost basis, 

"We humbly bow to the amusement industry 

as far greater than all others combined 

George P. O'Rourke, left, a member of 

the Dallas Variety Club, presents a mammoth 

cake to K. E. Bob Smith, right, 

president of the new Variety Boys club 

of Houston. O'Rourke^s construction company 

built the $200,000 building on a cost 

basis. 

in their charitable efforts through Variety 

and otherwise," O'Rourke said. He then presented 

Smith a cake replica of the building. 

Karl Kamrath. architect, praised the cooperation 

from Variety, officers and the construction 

firm. Presenting Kamrath a silver 

key, Smith said, "Your heart has been in this 

building and your services have been wonderful." 

Congratulatory wires were read from William 

E. Hall, president of Boys Club of America, 

and Herbert Hoover, president of the 

Boys Clubs board. Ronald Johnson, executive 

director of the Houston Boys club, credited 

his wife Lydia for much of his success 

with boys in Waco and introduced the members 

of the Boys club staff: Barbara Conner, 

DRIVE-IN THEATRES 

Use Tape Recorded Pre-Show & 

Intermission Musical Programs- 

Produced especially for DRIVE-IN use, with onnouncements 

designed to boost concession soles 

and highlight theatre policy. Intermission program 

is live organ music. 

Progroms available in any lengths at $2.75 per 

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72 

Fronchise holders wanted. 

Mrs. Pauline Counts, John D. Zann, Marvin 

B. Smith and Roy J. Welch. 

Dr. Hyman Judah Schachtel, another Variety 

Club chaplain, gave the prayer of dedication, 

then Clarence Simpson jr., 10 years 

old and one of the new members of the club, 

made some sincere and appreciative remarks 

on behalf of the youth for whom the club was 

built. 

Wililam C. McCraw, Variety executive director, 

said: "The presence of these three 

men of God is elegant testimony to the spirit- 

The presence 

ual dedication of this building. 

of you men and women is additional evidence 

showing how the great city of Houston feels 

about the Variety Club efforts." 

Rev. J. T. Bagby, the third Variety Club 

chaplain present, clo.'êd the dedication program 

with the benediction. 

Typewritten sheets signed by Chief Barker 

Kirby were handed out listing the rooms in 

the Boys club, the value and by whom they 

were furnished: 

Director's office, value $550, furnished by 

Murray Harris: physical director's office, 

$298, Mr. and Mrs. Henry A. Beckman; stage, 

$400, W. A. and Ivan Barhorst; restrooms, 

$113, Fred Much; general office, $600, Max 

Wald; game room, $1,249, Col. C. P. Simpson; 

physical examination room, $500, Mr. and Mrs. 

Herman Cohen; kitchen, $400, Z. Turner Mc- 

Guire and Fisher Dorsey; clubroom A, $126, 

Mitchell Lewis; clubroom B, $144, Ura Embry; 

craft shop, $1,759, Mi-, and Mrs. O. J. 

McCullough; machinery space, $1,300, Sears- 

Roebuck Co.; finishing room, $75, Ted Roggen 

et al.; landscaping, $300, Frank D. Wilke; 

library, $1,399, one-half by Jack Roach sr.; 

R. E. Smith, left, president of the Variety 

Boys club, and Jack Beresin, right, 

Variety International chief barker, looking 

at a giant replica cake of the new 

structure. The lad in the center is one 

of the 843 boys who signed as a member 

during the first week after opening, 

rubber tile for the complete building, Thomas 

Millane, Wright Mfg. Co.; entrance, Mr. and 

Mrs. T. H. Armstrong; kitchen supplies, Ray 

Dowling, Finger Furniture Co., and chairs. 

Abbot Rental Co. 

Sincerely thanking those Variety members 

and friends whose contributions furnished the 

above, Kirby's sheet went on to list the rooms 

that have not been furnished and reminded 

those interested that contributions are tax 

deductible and bronze name plates of the contributors 

will be placed on rooms furnished. 

These, with their value, are: 

Gymnasium, $7,530; dressing room, $3,000; 

mechanical room, $1,500; one-half library, 

$700; tool control, $2,400; woodwork shop, 

$1,555; fence, $300, and bicycle racks, $200. 

?J^lllfl'^_^J''' 

1000 Film Leaders 


ident of the Theatre Owners of Texas; Julius 

Gordon, president of Jefferson Amusement 

Co., and Claude Ezell, president of Ezell &| 

Associates. 

Board meetings of Allied Theatre Owners 

and the Texas division of Theatre Owners of 

America will be held along with the annual 

meetings of theatre managers of these circuits: 

Interstate Tlieatres, Rowley United, 

Texas Consolidated, Theatre Enterprises, Jefferson 

Amusement Co., East Texas Theatres, 

J. G. Long Theatres, Leon Theatres, Wallace 

Theatres, Phil Isley Theatres, Henry Hall In' 

dustries and Ezell & Associates. 

Special guests will include Gov. Allan 

Shivers, Attorney General Price Daniel, the 

presidents of state Allied and TOA organizations, 

chief barkers of the Variety Clubs in 

the U.S. and overseas, presidents and sales 

managers of the film distribution companies, 

and production executives from Hollywood. 

The O'Donnell award for outstanding service 

to the motion picture industry of Texas, 

named in honor of R. J. O'Donnell and in 

commemoration of his Movietime U.S.A. program, 

has been established by Karl Hoblitzelle. 

Details will be announced at the conference. 

A theatre manager's award will also 

be announced during the conference. 

Ned Depinet, president of RKO Pictures, 

New York, who will be in Dallas for the 

COMPO Conference, will speak three times 

June 11. He will be the principal speaker at 

the state Rotary meeting and luncheon honoring 

Texas COMPO at the Baker hotel, and 

will talk at one of the business sessions of 

the conference and will be one of the main 

speakers at the testimonial banquet honoring 

O'Donnell and Cole. 

There will be 150 top production, distribution 

and exhibition executives, stars, dignitaries 

and state officials including Governor 

Shivers on the dais at the testimonial banquet. 

Those on the dais will wear dinner 

jackets. The banquet talks will be broadcast 

over the ABC network at a time to be announced 

later. 

'Clouded Yellow' in Art Run 

Leads Dallas Percentages : 

DALLAS—The art house, the Coronet, as 

it frequently does here, led the percentages' 

last week with 150 on "The Clouded Yellow."' 

None of the regular runs was able to get off 

the ground. 

Coronet—The Clouded Yellow (Col) 150' 

Majestic Mara Moru (WB) 75 

Melba Steel Town (U-l) 65 

Palace The Wild North (MGM) 75 

Tower At Sword's Point (RKO) 70 

C. R. Stevenses of Sudan 11 

Open 250-Car Drive-In 84 

SUDAN, TEX.—Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Stevens 

opened their new drive-in at the intersection 

of Highways 84 and 37, seven miles east of 

Sudan, on May 15. It is called Drive-In 84. 

RCA projection and sound is used and the 

ozoner will accommodate 250 cars. Hot dogs, 

barbecue and Sno-cones will be featured on 

the concession menu. 

Cowboy star Wliip WUson will headline the 

three-day annual Salinas, Calif., junior rodeo, 

which will open Friday (16). 


f 

^^ 

t.w

Houston Variety Tent 

Names '52 Committees 

HOUSTON—Louis C. Kirby of Film Transfer 

& Blue Bonnet Express Co., chief barker 

of Variety Club Tent 34 of Houston, has announced 

the Variety committees for 1952. 

They are: 

Pi-oject committee—Bruce Layer, Mack 

Howard, co-chairmen; Andy Anderson, John 

Paul Goodwin, Homer Jordan, Jack Walton. 

Ralph Runnels, Camille Hermann, Dick Coneway, 

Edward E. Lewis, John Andrew. Allen 

Russell. Fred Nahas, Pat Flaherty, Fred Cannata, 

Irving Cohn. A. D. Deacon and Anthony 

Fertitta. 

House committee—E. J. Miller and Dick 

Coneway. co-chairmen: Fred Cannata, Jack 

Farr. Andy Sage. W. Bill Reichart, Joe Chase, 

Ray Herndon and T. H. Armstrong. 

Membership committee—Bill Hipp, chairman: 

A. D. Marks. Chuck Billing. Conrad 

Brady. Joe Berlowitz and W. Ed Allen. 

Boys club committee—Francis R. Deering, 

chairman: W. L. McKaskle, Leslie Hunt, Jesse 

Davis, Gordon Hill, A. J. Schmitt, Tom M. 

Johnson. H. J. Pfeiffer, Gerald Mora, Allen 

Russell, George Strake, C. W. James and Tom 

Millane. 

Publicity committee—Pat Flaherty and Ray 

Herndon, co-chairmen; Dr. Wilton Cook, 

Morris Frank, Carlton Storey. Mike Harrington, 

Bud Evans, Don Hinga. Dick Gottlieb. 

W. Van Combs. Jimmy Lewis. Fred T. Magee. 

Lloyd Gregory. King Robinson, Bobby Meeker, 

Roy Hofheinz and Frank Carter. 

Golf committee—Sid Van Ulm, chairman; 

George Strake, Mike Harrington, Bud Evans, 

Mitchell Lewis and George Heck. 

Entertainment committee—John L. Andrew, 

chairman: A. D. Deason, Albino Torres, Jack 

Farr, Ted Roggen, Dr. Wilton Cook, Skipper 

Trevathan, Z. Turner McGuire, L. W. Mc- 

Claugherty, William A. Smith, Jimmy Lewis, 

Henry Morris. Conrad Brady and Andy Sage. 

Legal committee—Fred Much, chairman; 

A. C. Buckner, Al Schulman, Col. Victor Barraco 

and Lester F. Hall. 

Besides Chief Barker Kirby, the 1952 Tent 

34 officers are Bruce Layer, sports director 

KPRC-TV, first assistant; Mack Howard, 

Rainbow Theatre, second assistant: Raymond 

M. Hay, Metropolitan Theatre, dough guy; 

E. J. Miller, Houston Moving Picture Operators 

Union, property master, and Francis R. 

Deering. Deering Public Relations, international 

canvasman. 

The crew consists of John L. Andrew, First 

National bank; Fred Cannata. Horwitz Theatres; 

C. R. Coneway. motion picture division 

—Humble Oil & Refining Co.; Pat Flaherty. 

KPRC; John Paul Goodwin, the Goodwin Co.; 

Ray Herndon. KTRH; W. S. Hipp. Altec Service 

Corp., and Fred Nahas, KXYZ. The convention 

delegates are Howard and Goodwin, 

with Al Mortensen and Nahas as first and 

second alternates, respectively. 

/Vesterns-Features-Serials 

Tower Pictures Co. 

HAROLD SCHWARZ 

302 S Harwood Si. Dallas 1. Texas 

Phone RA-7735 

Ed Dukes Enter Theatre 

Business at Gustine 

GUSTINE, TEX.— Mr. and Mrs. Ed Duke 

have opened their new theatre, the Duke, 

here. It replaces the Palace, which was destroyed 

by fire January 12. A building was 

erected by E. W. Chaney, Comanche contractor, 

to hou.se the town's new theatre. 

The Duke .seats 200 and, with it. the owners, 

longtime residents of the area, are making 

their first venture into theatre business. 

Regular prices will be nine and 35 cents but 

all seats were nine cents opening night. 

Jack Pierce Constructing 

Ozoner at Stigler, Okla. 

STIGLER, OKLA.—Jack Pierce, local theatre 

owner, has returned from Oklahoma City 

after completing deals for equipment at his 

projected drive-in, three miles west of Stigler 

on Highway 9. Blueprints have been drawn 

and construction will be started in the near 

future, he said. 

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SAN ANTONIO Brownfield Houses 

/^porge Watson, Interstate city manager 

here, and his wife celebrated their 19th 

wedding anniversary . Williams, art 

director for the Walt Disney studios. Hollywood, 

visited a number of San Antonio elementary 

schools and gave chalk talks about 

the characters in "Snow White and the Seven 

Dwarfs," which Interstate has booked for a 

return engagement at the Majestic soon. 

Mark Anniversary 

BROWNFIELD. TEX. — Mrs. 

Ethel Jones 

Howze and son Sammy Jones held open 

hou.se at their Regal, Rialto, Rio theatres 

and Rustic Drive-In to celebrate 30 years in 

Brownfield. The public was invited to attend 

a free show at any one of the Jones theatres 

May 13. Prerelease west Texas showings of 

new films were scheduled for the anniversary, 

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Texas 

PeRKy Perron, who has worked in localmade 

musical western pictures, had a principal 

role in the San Antonio Little Theatre's 

production of "The Happy Time," which has 

a four-night run at the San Pedro Playhouse 

. films opening here were "The 

Big Trees." Aztec; "Tlie Mill on the Po," at 

the Arts; "Isle of Sinners," at the Jo.sephine, 

"Carbine Williams" at the Majestic and 

"Flesh and Fury," Texas. 

Mildred Ratcliff is now managing the Harlandale 

Theatre, which had been shuttered 

. . "Texas Sandy" is the 

for some time. It is reopening Friday (30) 

for only Friday, Saturday and Sunday operation 

San Antonio's only other female 

. . . theatre manager is Jo Ann Poppem, who is 

operating the Highland on the same three 

days of the week . 

first of a series of 14 television westerns 

which has been completed here for the Arthur 

W. Kelly Television Corp. Kelly is executive 

vice-president of United Artists Film 

Corp. 

How a theatre got its name: Raul Pena 

Serna. owner of the Rau-Con Drive-In at 

Escobares in Starr county near Roma, derived 

the name from Serna's first name and 

his wife's. Concepcion. He also was in the 

city to book Mexican product . Flache, 

who operates the Alameda with Latin-American 

films in Lamesa, passed through San Antonio 

following a trip to the border. Flache, 

formerly an employe of the government in 

itinerant labor work, now ranches. He is a 

Texas U. graduate in business administration. 

Don Miguel Galvan, former guitarist and 

vocalist on a vaudeville circuit a score of 

years ago, now is operating the Pena Theatre, 

New Braunfels, He recently was at his 

ranch in Parras, Coahuila, Mexico. The 

Parras region is famous for its wine and cognac, 

but Senor Galvan reports he lost several 

fields of grapes from freezing as Jhis ranch is 

too high up in the mountains. 

John Boles and wife of Hollywood were 

registered at the Menger hotel. The singing 

screen actor is a native of Greenville . . . 

Eddie Reyna, manager of the Frels circuit, 

was in town and brought with him Jesse 

Cano, manager of the Victoria Theatre, Victoria. 

Cano is also a chemist at the DuPont 

plant near Victoria. Reyna visited Azteca 

and Clasa-Mohme to book Mexican pictures 

for the Frels circuit, which is headed by 

Rubin Frels of Victoria. 

Clasa-Mohme notes: Gordon B. Dunlap, 

manager, returned from Mexico City where 

he attended the Rotary International convention. 

Dunlap speaks Spanish fluently . . . 

Mary Jendrus, office clerk, says she will journey 

to the cool Canadian rockies for her vacation 

Senor Munoz, 

come August 1 . . , shipping clerk, was back on duty following a 

vacation. 

The first theatre in Brownfield was opened 

i 

by the late Earl Jones and Arnett Byniun 

( 

in 1922 on the site where the Regal now 1 

stands. The first pictures were shown in a 

j 

building used for a Legion hall. They operated | 

there until 1923, then leasing the building i 

that wa.s formerly occupied by the Ritz Thea- 

tre. 

It had been the Pastime and was closed 

in 1924 when the Rialto was built. It was i 

reopened in August 1935 and given the name 

Ritz. Jones purchased the interest of Bynum 

in 1932 and built the Rio in 1937. Jones died 

in 1939. Hiram Parks of Lubbock leased the 

theatres in 1945 and operated them until 

Jan. 1, 1950, when Sammy Jones became 

general manager. 

Mrs. Howze and her son said the Rig Drive- 

In, located on the Lubbock highway, will open 

in the near future, giving Brownfield five 

theatres. , 

C. C. Ham Buys Matador 

House From Amos Page 

MATADOR, TEX.—C. 

C. Ham of Quitaque 

has purchased the Rogue Theatre here from 

Amos Page. Ham owns the theatre in Quitaque 

and has been in the business about 

eight years. Page said he would remain in 

Matador until the end of the school term 

and continue operating the theatre till then. 

Ham said either he or his son would move 

to Matador to operate the business but that 

definite plans had not been made. The Pages 

will return to McLean to make their home. 

Page announced here and in Roaring Springs 

that adult admission would be advanced to 

44 cents because of increased cost of operation. 

Children's admissions remain 14 cents. 


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Requests for Henry Reeve fo Speak 

Prove His Value to Texas COMPO 

DALLAS—Numerous requests have been 

reaching the office of Kyle Rorex, executive 

director of Texas COMPO Showmen, for repeat 

talks by Henry Reeve, president of 

Texas Theatre Owners Ass'n since 1941 and 

active member of the COMPO speakers bureau. 

In the last year Reeve has appeared 

in 150 Texas, New Mexico and Louisiana 

cities to address thousands of civic club 

members in behalf of the motion picture industry. 

The repeat requests attest the effectiveness 

of Reeve as a speaker. 

T. Wayne Horton of the Palace Theatre 

in San Saba, wrote: "Mr. Reeve is a very 

interesting and influential speaker. I think 

that in my situation he was one of the best 

speakers that we have had at our Lions club. 

This remark has also been made to me by 

several of my fellow Lions. He had a dynamic 

speech that certainly did our business 

justice. It gave me and my fellow members 

a better understanding of this business that 

we call show business. It is my belief that 

Mr. Reeve and the others who are conducting 

this campaign, will certainly bring the 

public and show business closer together." 

Al Cook, Grand Theatre, Pecos: "I am 

very proud to report on the reaction of the 

speech made by Henry Reeve. I don't believe 

we have ever had a speaker who held 

the attention of the audience as Mr. Reeve 

did. I also believe that his speech helped 

everyone to understand more about the producing 

of motion pictures. In fact, he made 

me feel proud to be a part of the motion picture 

organization. After the meeting that 

afternoon, I heard only good comments on 

Mr. Reeve's speech." 

Russell Ackley, Texas and Tower theatres, 

Monahans, Tex.: "It was a pleasure to have 

Henry Reeve with us at our regular Lions 

club meeting." 

Arthur Caj-wood, Texas Theatre, Brady: 

"My friend Henry Reeve of Menard did a 

magnificent job for the industry. His speech 

was very Inspiring, everyone enjoyed it very 

much. More speeches like this one will help 

us all." 

Jack W. Scales, manager of S&S Theatres, 

Ballinger: "Mr. Reeve gave us a splendid talk 

and everyone in the club was very attentive. 

I want to express my thanks to Mr. Reeve 

and the COMPO office for the wonderful job 

you are doing for the movie industry, not only 

in my town but all over." 

HENRY REEVE 

Doris Day With Gordon MacRae 

Doris Day will be teamed with Gordon 

MacRae in the up-coming musical. "By the 

Light of the Silvery Moon," a Warner release. 

Tulsa Barkers Entertain 

Group of Variety Folk 

OKLAHOMA CITY—Tent 22 Variny u.. 

bers in Tulsa were hosts to other Okluh'iiu;i 

Variety members at a buffet dinner and parly 

Thursday night i22) in the After Five room 

of the Tulsa hotel. Harold Bowers, president 

of Allied of Oklahoma, and Ralph 

Drewry. Variety board member, were in charge 

of 

the affair. 

Going from Oklahoma City were Mr. and 

Mrs. George LeBlanc, Mr. and Mrs. Charley 

Hudgens, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Rice, Mr. and 

Mrs. Bill Maddox, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Brunk, 

Mr. and Mrs. Glen Alt. Mr. and Mrs. Nel.son 

Macarty, Don TuUius. Dave Hunt, C. H. "Buck" 

Weaver, chief barker, Sol Davis, Variety 

Club manager. 

Also attending were Mrs. Kathryn Hendricks 

and Mr. and Mrs. Heiu-y Simpson, all 

of Bristow; Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Moulder, Sapulpa, 

and Mr. and Mrs. Bill Harris of Alexander 

Film, Muskogee. 

In addition to the buffet dinner, there were 

bingo and dancing. A three-piece orchestra 

furnished the music. 

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Gertrude Reynolds Joins 

Ohio Weekly Newspaper 

Trom Mideast Edition 

CLEVELAND—Geilnide Tracy Reynolds 

has resigned from the Parma Theatre, where 

she has been manager for the past four years, 

and from the industry, of which she has 

been a,ssociated for the past 24 years, to become 

advertising manager of the Parma Post, 

a weekly community newspaper. 

During the 24 years .she has been in theatre 

management Tracy, a-s she is known, 

has worked for only three organizations— 

Skouras, Loew's and the Kalafat circuit of 

Cleveland. She joined the Skouras circuit 

in her home town of Port Chester, N. Y., as 

cashier at the age of 17. During 13 years 

with the Skouras circuit, .she rose through 

the ranks to manager of theatres in Port 

Chester, Scarsdale and Bridgeport, Conn. 

The Loew circuit beckoned to Tracy in 

1941, and for the next .seven years she managed 

Loew houses in Hartford, Worcester, 

Springfield, New Haven, finally coming to 

Cleveland where she was appointed manager 

of the Ohio Theatre, the first woman 

ever to manage a Loew house in this city. 

Chafing under conditions that limited her 

talent for promotion and public relations, 

Tracy joined the John D. Kalafat circuit. 

For a very short time she managed the 

Knickerbocker, an east side neighborhood 

house, and for the past four years has been 

at the managerial helm of the de luxe 

Parma Theatre in suburban Parma. 

Here she became part and parcel of the 

community. It has been her established 

policy to know her patrons; by name, if possible. 

She was always on the floor to greet 

the incoming patrons and again at the close 

of the show to welcome comments. Tracy's 

promotions at the Parma during the four 

years there have been legion. One of the 

most popular was her Lucky Star promotion 

getting patrons to register birthdays. 

Consesh-a-teria 

Equipment and Counter 

OKLAHOMA CITY 

Chep Fields and his orchestra played four 

shows on the Criterion stage Sunday (25). 

Admission was 75 cents to 1 p. m. and thereafter 

$1. The screen feature was "Deadline 

"Macao" went into the Center 

U.S.A." . . . 

R. Lewis Barton's newest 

Thursday (29) . . . 

theatre, a drive-in located at SE 15 and 

Douglas, is called the Bomber. It opened the 

weekend of May 24. Plans were to open a 

few days earlier, but a heavy rain and hail 

storm postponed the formal bow. 

"Wait "Til the Sun Shines, Nellie," opened 

Friday (30) in the Criterion . . . "The Wild 

North" was featured at the Harber . . . "About 

Face" is new with the Midwest, and "Sound 

Off" is the State's attraction . . . The Wewoka 

Drive-In, built by Video Independent 

Theatres, is expected to open within 30 days. 

The drive-in is now being surfaced. It will 

be called the Pow-Wow. 

L. C. Griffith of Los Angeles is visiting in 

San Antonio and Pearsall, Tex., and plans to 

stay around for the next few weeks. 

Dumas, Tex., Theatreman 

Star in Civic Activities 

DUMAS, TEX.—H. S. McMurray and his 

partner Ted Powell who together leased two 

theatres from Powell's dad, are proving to be 

very active citizens in civic affairs. Powell 

is serving as president of the Junior Chamber 

of Commerce and McMurray is serving his 

second term at the helm of the senior chamber 

body. Last year McMurray was voted 

the town's Man of the Year. 

McMurray, who moved here In 1943, is currently 

serving as president of the Mounted 

Plainsman club, and has served as president 

and secretary of the Lions club. Powell, the 

son of Bob Powell sr., former theatreman who 

retired in 1943, returned from the army in 

1950. The two men now operate three situations: 

the Evelyn, Star and the Prairie Drive- 

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BOXOFFICE 

:: May 31, 1952

Mexican Films Run 

Into Censor Laws 

MEXICO CITY—DLstributois of Mexican 

films in Latin America are having trouble 

with censorship laws. According to a spokesman 

of Peliculas Mexicanas, S. A., major 

distributor to foreign markets, it is not only 

Colombia that refuses exhibition rights to 

certain Mexican films. Now Peru and Chile 

have tightened their censorship, and Spain, 

too. is becoming stricter in granting exhibition 

liceirses. 

Censorship is not only directed against 

immoral films—and a considerable part of 

Mexican product can he interpreted as belonging 

to this category—but there are special 

local laws. For example, Colombia prohibited 

the showing of "Maclovia," one of the 

rai'e better products in Mexico, because it 

has as its theme uprisings of Indians against 

cruel autJiority. 

Reports reaching Mexico show an organized 

campaign, including attacks from the 

pulpits by ministers, agaiiost Mexican products. 

In recent days eight Mexican films 

have been prohibited from presentation in 

Bogota, a spokesman of Peliculas Mexicanas 

said. These included. The Doctor of the 

Guard, Dark Grief, I Killed Juan Charrasqueado, 

The Queen of the Mambo, The 

Sun Shines For All, Faith in God, Victims 

of Sin and The Husband of My Fiancee. 

These range from musicals with scantUy clad 

chorus lines, to comedies with double-entendre 

and crime films. 

The Mexican firm said 

that only one city 

DALLAS 

Tack Swiger, president of Southland Enterprises, 

408 South Harwood, joined Allied 

Theatres "in order to maintain a true perspective 

of overall thinking among exhibitors 

and keep myself properly informed." Jack 

was born July 5, 1910, in Paris, 111., where 

he later "beat the aisles" as his start in show 

business. Jack's first boss was Mike Simmons, 

now an assistant to the public relations 

director for MGM in New York. Swiger 

traveled in Aiizona in 1950 for Fox West 

CoEist Theatres. He .spent ten years with the 

Cooper-Warner circuits, holding managerial 

positions for Standard Theatres. He is married 

and has three children, two boys and 

a girl. 

in Colombia has freedom in film exhibition 

Barranquilla. As for the rest, the ceasor.ship 

exists due to a "conservative type of life 

wliich is far behind the times." It is pointed 

out that in Bogota there is a law which prohibits 

stores from leaving undraped manikins 

in their windows; neither can feminine intimate 

apparel be shown in window displays, 

nor can these items be advertised in any 

form whatsoever. 

Betty Hutton in 'Shamrocks' 

"The Shami-ocks Ai-e Coming," an original 

screenplay by Fred Finldehoff, has been 

acquired as a staiTing vehicle for Betty 

Hutton for Paramount release. 

Virby Conley Will Manage 

New Airer for Carl Ellis 

PERHYTON, TEX. — Construction wa.s 

started during May on the drive-ln east of 

the city limits. It was expected to be ready 

for operation in June, according to Virby 

Conley, who will manage the theare. Carl 

Ellis is building the ozoner and the Bill Wilson 

Earth Moving Co. has the construction 

contract. 

Car capacity will be 310, Conley said. The 

theatre area will be enclosed by a high fence 

and the sound .system will be the in-car 

speaker type. It is planned to pave the surface 

of the arena but this will be done later, 

he said. 

TEI Builds Ultramodern 

Theatre in Lovington 

LOVINGTON, N. M.—A modern theatre Ls 

going up on the site of the old Mesa on 

south Main in the near future. The old 

sui^rstructure is t>eing razed. Theatre Enterprises, 

Inc., which also owns the Lea 

Theatre here, will erect the ultramodern 

situation, which will fill a long-time need in 

Lovington. 

Jody Weist is TEI's manager here, handling 

the Lea. The J. E. Waller Construction Co. 

is the contractor for the new house, as well 

as razing the old. 

Screenplay of "The Cyclists' Raid," a magazin 

story by Frank Rooney, is being penned by 

John Paxton for Columbia release. 

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MAC Will Modernize 

Stale at Minot, S. D. 

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Amusement 

Co. will spend an estimated $200,000 

to enlarge, modernize, beautify and improve 

its State Theatre at Minot, N. D. The circuit 

also is expected to build another new 

$240,000 theatre at Minot if it is sanctioned 

under the consent decree. The National Production 

Authority has granted permission 

for its construction. 

The State's .seating capacity will be increased 

383. making it a 1,400-seater, according 

to Harry B. Piench. MAC president. 

Work will start as soon as plans ai'e completed 

and contracts let. Part of the time 

during remodeling it will be necessary to 

keep the theatre closed, but the period is 

expected to be relatively short, Piench believes. 

The MAC last year dispo.sed of one of its 

two Minot theatres in accordance with consent 

decree provisions and tJiat house now 

is being independently operated. There also 

is an independent drive-in which operates 

about five months a year. 

Pi-eviously the MAC had a third Minot theatre, 

the Orpheum. When it clo.sed that 

house voluntarily it put itself in a position 

to build a new and larger and more modern 

theatre which NPA has authorized and which 

awaits Justice depaitment approval. 

Minot, with a population of about 20,000, 

is still without television, but two radio stations 

there have applied for TV permits and 

one or both expect to have television going 

within twt) years. 

Twin City Suburb Denies 

Permit for Drive-In 

IVnNNEAPOLIS—The village council of 

Golden Valley, Minneapolis suburb, refused 

to sanction the construction of a drive-in, 

but indicated that the proposition might receive 

further consideration later if a referendum 

can be held or if sufficient signatures 

are obtained on petitions. 

Two applicants were trying to obtain a permit 

to build and operate the drive-in. One 

group comprised Joe Powers, who recently 

sold his two-year-old conventional theatre 

for commercial purposes ; Al Svenssen, theatre 

builder, and Lyle Carisch, former conventional 

theatre owner. Also seeking a license 

was George Hanson, former Golden Valley 

mayor who is engaged in the dairy business. 

The council had before it a letter from 

another nearby suburb, St. Louis Park, pointing 

out that drive-ins are prohibited there 

and expressing the hope they would not be 

permitted in Golden Valley. Present number 

of drive-ins in the Twin cities area is eight, 

all built within the last three years. 

Sidewalk Card Tricks Add 

Interest in 'Frisco Film 

MINNEAPOLIS — Unusual ballyhoo for 

"The San pâncLsco Story" at the Lyric here 

had a mu.stached card trickster, attired in 

appropriate gambler garb of the period and 

wearing a top hat, sitting at a table on the 

sidewalk facing the theatre and performing 

card tricks for pedestrians who gathered 

around him. 

Stunt attracted plenty of attention, larger 

crowds gathering around the performer. 

Flash Fire Destroys 

Mohawk at St. Paul 

Screening Group Is Named 

By North Central Allied 

MINNEAPOLIS—In the interests of improved 

showmanship. North Central Allied 

directors have appointed a special committee 

to sit in on screening of all releases and to 

Lssue reports on the pictures to organization 

members, it was announced by President Bennie 

Berger. The reports will give promotional 

tips and advice on the pictures. They also 

will analyze the films from the standpoint of 

boxoffice value, audience appeal, merit and 

fairness of terms. 

E. L. Pea.slee. Stillwater, Minn., exhibitor, 

is chairman of the committee which abo comprises 

buyer-bookers Lowell Kaplan and Jim 

Zien, theatre owners Lowell Smoots, Little 

Falls, Minn., and Joe Mlinar, Spring Valley, 

Minn.: S. D. Kane, NCA executive counsel, 

and Betty Peterson, Kane's secretary. Mi.ss 

Peterson will judge the pictures from the laywoman's 

standpoint. 

Kane also was appointed a one-man committee 

to explore the po.ssibility of group 

hospitalization, surgery and medical insurance 

for exhibitors and their employes. 

California Drive-In Sold 

By Mann and Guttman 

MINNEAPOLIS—Ted Mann, local circuit 

owner, and Donald Guttman, formerly of 

Minneapolis and now a Los Angeles resident, 

have .sold their last remaining California 

drive-in. the San Pedro. They previously had 

disposed of their other ozoner at Compton, 

Calif. 

Purchaser of the San Pedro was the Pacific 

Drive-In Theatres in southern California, 

owner of a chain of ozoners. Disposal of the 

San Pedro confines Mann's sole theatre interests 

to the sureseater first run downtown 

World here and a Duluth drive-in. During 

the last several years he has been gradually 

relinquishing these interests. 

Mann has expressed himself as desiring to 

quit exhibition entirely. He says he even expects 

to relinquish the local World, although 

that house is considered in trade circles to 

be the most profitable theatre operation here 

and still a sizable moneymaker. 

Clubwomen's Awards 

Go to U-I, Warners 

Minneapolis — The General Federation 

of Women's Clubs, representing 

800,000 clubwomen throughout the nation, 

at its annual national convention 

here, honored two 1951 films as "pictures 

of the year." Citation awards were 

voted to UI for "Bright Victory," acclaimed 

"the picture of the year which 

best depicted the opportunities under a 

democracy," and to Warner Bros for 

"Jim Thorpe-.Vll .-Vmerican" as "the best 

picture of the year contributing most to 

an understanding of democracy among 

our young people." 

ST. PAUL—The Mohawk, one of the city's 

luipst neighborhood theatres, suffered $50,000 

damage from a flash fire that broke out 

Wednesday afternoon and .spread rapidly 

throughout the house. The fire started in 

draperies and scenic props on the stage, then 

built up heat and a back draft that ended in 

a fla^h combustion explosion. The explosion 

reduced all 675 cu.shioned seats to ash and 

scorched walls and fixtures, in anterooms. 

Pfc. Albert Asmus, 19, a Korean veteran 

home on furlough, who was cleaning at the 

time the fire broke out and telephoned the 

alarm, escaped injury by running out the 

front door just before the heat blast scorched 

the lobby and blew open front doors. 

Going to the theatre to sweep up. A.smus 

taid he hung an extension cord and light 

over a railing on the stage and then went to 

the lobby for supplies. When he returned in 

about four minutes, he said, he looked up and 

saw flames racing up the drapes. He saw the 

fire was more than he could put out and 

telephoned the fire department. 

Heat from the light which Asmus turned 

on is thought to have started the blaze. Fire 

department officials said it was a perfect 

example of a flash fire and explains why 

the entire building from front to back was 

scorched. Mrs. Emma R. Stern, owner and 

operator of the theatre, hasn't announced 

yet whether the house will be rebuilt. The 

loss was covered by insurance. 

Twin City Houses to Show 

June 29 Boxing Bout 

MINNEAPOLIS—Radio City here and the 

St. Paul Paramount, the territory's only theatres 

with big screen television, are in line to 

carry the exclusive theatre telecast of the 

Sugar Ray Robinson-Joey Maxim light 

heavyweight championship fight June 29. 

Radio City had the Saddler-Pep bout, the last 

one that was exclusively theatre telecast. 

The St. Paul Paramount at that time did not 

have big-screen television. Since its installation 

in the latter house there have been no 

television offerings. 

Safety Reels Shown 

SIOUX CITY, IOWA—Four downtown 

Sioux City theatres showed films on safety 

in addition to their regular programs one day 

last week during local Safety day. The participating 

theatres were the Hollywood, Victory, 

Capitol and Orpheum. Three of the 

films, "Your Responsibility." "Road Hog" and 

"Age of Danger," were furnished by the National 

Safety Council. The fourth film, "Play 

It Safe," was provided by the National Junior 

Chamber of Commerce. 

Free Shows in Goldfield 

GOLDFIELD. IOWA—Thirty-four merchants 

have signed up to sponsor free motion 

pictures here during the summer months. For 

a period of 16 Saturday nights, shoppers will 

see free shows on a screen set up on the main 

street. This is the third summer that the 

Goldfield business and professional men have 

sponsored the showings. 

BOXOFFICE May 31, 1952 NC 79

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MILW AUKEE Twin Cities Dailies 

piiilip Klein, iiiaimBer, has .switched the 

Tfleiiew.s Theatre "prestige" picture policy. 

Opening Wednesday i28i was the English 

film, "The Man in the White Suit," starring 

Alec Guinne.ss. An innovation is the serving 

of free coffee to the patrons. There has been 

no decision to change the theatre's name . 

. . 

Milton Harmon, Fox Wisconsin manager, tells 

us that one-week advance ticket sales for the 

"South Pacific" June 9-14 were the greatest 

the show has had up to this time in any city. 

The play stars Janet Blair and Webb Tilton. 

. 

The Fox Venetian, State and Riviera are 

soon to revert to Standard Theatre management 

. . Al Camillo, former manager of the 

Uptown, is now at the Modjeska. Joe Pecora 

moved from the Garfield to the AUis, and 

Wally Konrad assumed the managerial duties 

of the Garfield along with his Pi'incess 

. . . Myron Weinstein. Oakland "Eheatre, closed 

the house May 28. Barney Sherman is 

planning to give up the Hollywood Theatre, 

having just taken it over a short time ago. 

RichaTd Smith of the Smith Amusement 

Co., Boston, was in town looking over his 

Bluemound Drive-In . . . F. J. McWilliams, 

owner of the Home and Portage theatres in 

Portage, has finally gotten the okay to proceed 

with his new drive-in just outside of 

Portage on highw-ays 16 and 51. The premiere 

drive-in showing of "Quo Vadis" in this area 

took place at the Westgate Drive-In at Racine 

... A welcome goes to Mr. and Mrs. 

Vernon Smith, who have recently acquired 

the Wayside Theatre in Wayside, Wis. 

And to Mr. and Mrs. Harry Dehn of 

. . . 

the 

Salem Theatre in West Salem, which formerly 

was owned by Merrill Davies. 

HaTold Pearson, AITO executive secretary, 

has been traveling in the northwest territory 

to stimulate interest in the regional meeting 

to be held at Rice Lake on June 3, 4 . . . Roy 

Pierce. Riverside Theatre, invited children of 

orphanages for a free Saturday morning show 

of "The Greatest Show on Earth" . . . 

Johnnie 

"Cry" Ray is slated for a limited engagement 

at the Riverside in the near future . . . We 

hear that National Screen is doing a landoffice 

business with Go to Church trailers. 

Al Golden of Chicago, is the new MGM 

salesman here . . . The Milwaukee Newsreel 

television show, sponsored by the Milwaukee 

Gas Light Co., has been judged the finest 

TV program sponsored by a public utility 

anywhere in the nation. The award was 

made at the Public Utility Advertising Ass'n's 

better copy contest at Minneapolis. 

Three New Airers Opening 

In Minneapolis District 

MINNEAPOLIS—More new drive-ins are 

appearing on the scene in the territory. The 

Two-Friends at Twin Valley, Minn., owned 

by Henry Lietzua, made its bow this week. 

The Lakeview at Mobridge, S. D., owned by 

Doug Kresley, will open next week. 

Holds Party at Theatre 

EUSTIS, NEB.—A. C. Courkamp pitched 

a party to celebrate 30 years of service as a 

rural mail carrier here by sponsoring a free 

show at the Liberty Theatre. 

Are Cooperative 

MINNEAPOLIS — Twin Cities newspapers 

always have been very cooperative in helping 

exhibitors. For neighborhood and suburban 

theatres, they have a special lower display 

advertising rate than that charged the retail 

trade. They also give the theatres gratis 

publicity. 

For the outlying theatres, the display rate 

is 66 cents and 58 cents per line for Sunday 

and weekdays, respectively. This compares 

to a general retail trade rate of 75 cents a 

line for Sunday and 70 for weekdays (53 for 

evening Star and 17 for morning Tribune). 

There is a higher rate for downtown theatres, 

which receive a large amount of gratis 

publicity—much more than the neighborhood 

and .suburban situations. It ranges from 95 

cents to $1.10 a line for Sundays and 80 to 

95 cents for weekdays, depending upon the 

linage u.sed. 

The Minneapolis newspapers recently raised 

their display rate 5 cents a line all along the 

line, including every cla.ss of advertiser. Representatives 

of the independent neighborhood 

and suburban exhibitors held meetings with 

publishers' representatives in an unsuccessful 

effort to be excluded from the rise. 

All in all, exhibitors here feel they are very 

well treated by the newspapers. The only 

reason they tried to have an exception made 

when the 5-cent-a-line rate increase was announced 

was because a number of the houses 

now are operating in the red and grosses generally 

have been declining to new lows. 

Milwaukee Showmen Accomplish 

Nothing in Ad Rate Struggle 

MILWAUKEE—While exhibitors in this 

area have been struggling for years to bring 

about a reduction in amusement advertising 

rates, little or nothing has been accomplished. 

Officials of both newspapers—the Milwaukee 

Journal and the Milwaukee Sentinel, though 

refusing to be quoted, explain that while 

these rates have not changed for years, they 

anticipate no radical departure from the present 

schedule. 

Both base their thoughts on the fact that 

the theatres are already "getting a better 

break than they are entitled to," pointing to 

the "loads of free advertising and publicity" 

on films currently showing at local theatres. 

Exhibitors, on the other hand, feel that a 

good portion of this so-called "free advertising 

and publicity," reviews, etc., actually is 

news, and contend that the public expects 

these features. 

When the newspaper officials were asked 

what overtures, if any, had been made by the 

exhibitors about securing a reduced rate, both 

were emphatic that none had been made, 

other than ". . possibly a letter here 'n' 

. 

there. Although even a concerted effort would 

be futile." That, in a nutshell, is the situation 

in this area. 

Completing Dude Ranch 

WAYNE, NEB.—Construction is proceeding 

on the Dude Ranch Drive-In here and Phil 

March, Wayne theatre owner, said plans call 

for completion of the plant, located one mile 

north of town, about the first of June. 

The need for copper is drastic—save drippings. 

BOXOFFICE :: May 31, 1952

. . Lou 

'La Ronde' Grosses 110 

In Twin City Debut 

MINNEAPOLIS— Another warm and clear 

Sunday did plenty of boxoffice damage and 

wa-s one of the principal reasons why grosses 

again were on the downside. "Red Mountain" 

and "La Ronde" came through the best of 

any newcomers. Such fresh entries as the 

excellent "Browning Version," "About Face," 

"My Son John" iuid "The San Fiancisco 

Story" had tough sledding. 

(Averogc Is 100) 

Century The Browning Version (U-l) 85 

Gopher The Red Boll Express (U-l), 2nd wk 80 

Lyfic The Son Froncisco Story (WB) 90 

Pix—Wait 'Til the Sun Shines, Nellie (20th-Fox), 

2nd wk 90 

Rodio City My Son John (Para) 80 

RKO Orpheum About Foce (WB) 90 

RKO Pan—Top Hot (RKO); Suspicion (RKO), 

reissues 85 

Stote Red Mountain (Poro) 95 

World La Ronde (Commerciol) 110 

'Show' Second Stanza 

Tops Chicago at 105 

CHICAGO—It was an average week at the 

Loop runs, with all of the percentages in the 

90s and 100s. "The Greatest Show on Earth" 

was the individual high scorer with 105 in 

its second week, while the second week of 

the RKO "sleeper," "The Narrow Mai'gin," 

did 100. Two newcomers also made the 100 

niche: "Deadline—U.S.A." and "The Sniper." 

The rainy weather was generally blamed for 

the average showings. 

There was a double bUl at the Oriental, for 

a change, while Margai'et Whiting and the 

Four Aces provided the only stage bill in 

town, at the Chicago. "The Marrying Kind" 

opened to a disappointing 90 per cent. 

Carnegie The Norrow Margin (RKO), 2nd wk...100 

Chicogo Deadline— U.S.A. (20th-Fox), plus stage 

show 1 00 

Eilel's Palace The Greatest Show on Earth, 2nd 

wk 105 

Grand Rose ot Cimarron (20th-Fox); Suez 

(20th-Fox), reissue 95 

Oriental Carbine Williams (MGM); Young Man 

With Ideas (MGM) 95 

Roosevelt Steel Town (U-l); Meet Donny Wilson 

(U-l), 2nd wk 90 

Stofe-Lake The Sniper (Col); Okinawa (Col).... 100 

. 95 

Surf—The Man in the White Suit (U-l), 5th wk. . 

United Artists Red Boll Express (U-l); Brove 

Warrior (Col) 95 

Woods The Marrying Kind (Col) 90 

World Playhouse Les Miserobles 90 

(Lux), 2nd wk. . . 

Ziegfeld Under the Paris Sky (Discina) 95 

All Omaha Boxoffices 

Beat Average Mark 

OMAHA—Pee Wee King and his variety 

show, coupled with "Just This Once." gave 

the Orpheum a 120 per cent week to set the 

increased boxoffice tempo for all Omaha 

downtowners. Whether the jump was significant 

or just the result of the film blackout 

at the Orpheum through May and June 

was problematical. Exhibitors were not 

exuding optimism with the Ak-Sar-Ben races 

opening for a 35-day stand. 

Omaha Love Is Better Thon Ever (MGM); Young 

Man With Ideas (MGM) 115 

Orpheum Just This Once (MGM), plus stage 

show 1 20 

RKO Brandeis My Six Convicts (Col) 110 

Stote The African Queen (UA), 4th wk 105 

Town When the West Was Young (HP); Drift 

Fence tHP); Kid Dynamite (HP) 105 

Sell Theatre Equipment 

DANBURY, IOWA—Henry Harvey and wife 

Of Sioux City have purchased the Dana Theatre 

equipment from Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Einfeldt, 

who have operated the Dana for nearly 

three years. 

D E S 

MOINES 

. . . 

/Columbia set a record last week with the 

highest number of shipments made in any 

one week in a long time. Columbia is also 

happy with its lop spot in the current drive 

of the shorts division . . . The former Roberta 

Foster, MGM inspector, has returned to work 

after her marriage to Herbert Kain and a 

two- week honeymoon Dorothy Van 

Buren, Paramount, journeyed to Mis.souri to 

attend the wedding of a friend. 

Bill Johnson, Monogram manager, is busy 

the.se days. He travels the state serving as 

sale.sman also . . . Thelma Washburn, RKO 

booker, spent the weekend in Chicago . . . 

Universal has two new bookers—Bill Coleman 

and Bob Deal . Levy held a screening 

of "Scarlet Angel" in the 20th-Fox 

screening room May 23. 

. . . Dorothy Sloan, 

Bert Thomas, Warner salesman, was on the 

.sick list last week 

Warner inspector, has returned to her job 

after hospitalization and surgery . . . Mrs. 

A. H. Blank ha.s returned to her home after 

a stay at the Mayo clinic in Rochester . . . 

Harry Warren, formerly of Des Moines and 

now of Tucson, Ariz., was a recent guest in 

the city. 

Frances Yahnke, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 

Glenn Yahnke, Ledyard, Iowa, is singing in 

the Broadway production of "The King and 

Movie fans in Hawai'den, Iowa, attended 

I" . . . 

the Sioux Theatre to see "Westward 

the Women," which had Hope Emerson in its 

cast. Miss Emerson graduated from Hawarden 

High school and many of her friends 

there have followed her career with interest 

. . . Another native daughter who has family 

and friends watching her pictures with 

interest is from Ottumwa, Iowa. She is Merry 

Anders, now under contract at 20th-Fox. Her 

grandfather, C. A. Hagberg, was first in line 

to see "Wait 'Til the Sun Shines, Nellie" at 

the Capitol in Ottumwa when it recently was 

shown there. The star's mother is Mrs. Helen 

Hagberg, formerly of Ottumwa. 

Two cowboy stars of film and television 

have been signed as feature attractions for 

the Greater Iowa Rodeo here June 11-15. 

Officials of Des Moines Enterpri.ses and the 

Iowa state fair, jointly sponsoring the event, 

said Duncan Renaldo, known as "The Cisco 

Kid," and Leo Carillo will make personal 

appearances in the four nightly and Sunday 

matinee performances at the state fairgrounds. 

Renaldo will come to Des Moines 

from a special engagement in Canada and 

Carillo will fly here from Hollywood. 

Closing of Metro Brings 

TwinCityTotaltoH 

MINNEAPOLIS — The Metro Theatre, 

neighborhood house owned by Marvin Mann, 

is scheduled to close. This lifts to 14 the total 

of theatres darkened in the Minneapolis- 

St. Paul area in the past several years. A 

few more neighborhood and suburban .situations 

are expected to close by the end 

of the summer. 

Two St. Paul downtown first runs, the 

Strand and Tower, have been dark for three 

months and will remain so at least until 

their ownership is determined by the courts. 

The four remaining first runs there were 

not appreciably helped by the shuttering of 

the other two. The closing of two neighborhood 

houses in the vicinity of the new 1,200- 

seat TeiTace in suburban Minneapolis did not 

boost that house either. 

Herman Gould Reopens Airer 

LINCOLN, NEB.—Herman Gould, operator 

of the West "O" Drive-In here, has opened 

the situation for the season. 

Copper is vital—save machine drippings. 

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. . Branch 

. . Betty 

MINNEAPOLIS 

n ppearinp here in the interest ol "Tlie Winiiint: 

Team." Mrs. Grover Cleveland Alexander, 

widow of the ba.seball pitcher around 

which the picture is built, copped plenty of 

newspaper and other 

five more weeks to go, 

. . With 

the local RKO branch 

attention 

is si.\th nationally in the Ned Dcpinet sales 

drive. In order to be in the money it will 

have to climb to fourth place and Fay Dressell 

and his boys are fighting ha:d to get 

there. 

Arnold Shartin, Paramount booking manager, 

was back on the job after a week's 

vacation . . . Louis Orlove, MGM exploiteer. 

was here making arrangements for the appearances 

in the Twin cities and Duluth of 

one of the models wearing Adrian's creations 

in "Lovely to Look At" in conjunction with 

the picture's showings in the three towns. 

She is due here June 16 . . . Ben Marcus, 

Columbia district manager, came in from 

Kansas City. He attended the 50th wedding 

anniversary celebration of his pai-ents. pioneer 

residents here and both in their 70s. 

Salesmen Forest Myers and Joe Prill came 

in from Sioux Falls, S. D., to attend a 

Paramount sales meeting here . . . Columbia 

exploiteer John Markie came here from New 

York to help acquaint Twin cities folks with 

"The Sniper." set for the Minneapolis and 

St. Paul Orpheums June 12 . . . MGM sales 

staff back from Chicago sales meeting and 

brimming over with enthusiasm regarding 


GOOD and FAST 

and packtd with SCLL-MANSHIP is whot 

you olviayt get from raliable 

]j]J22^^£ 

One of a series of Think 

Pieces about improving 

your theatre and its 

equipment. 

coming product . . . M. A. Levy. 20th-Fox 

district manager, w'ent to Rochester. Minn., 

where his wife underwent surgery at Mayo 

clinic. She is on the road to recovery and 

returned home this week . Manager 

Leroy J. Miller and his U-I salesmen 

were in Chicago for a sales conference. 

Wally Helm, United Artists exploiteer out 

of Chicago, was beating the drums for 

"Strange World," RKO Pan offering . . . 

Henrietta Phau will resign as District Manager 

Ralph Maw's secretary at MGM to wed 

Harold Reiner, a nonindustry member, on 

June 21. Dolores Sornson is being promoted 

Perry Smoot was added 

to succeed her . . . 

the Warner booking department. 

to 

. . F. T. Murray, 

Jack O'Brien, Tracy, Minn., exhibitor, is 

back home after undergoing surgery at Mayo 

clinic in Rochester, Minn. . 

Universal home-office branch operations 

manager, departed for Denver after a brief 

visit here . . . MGM is getting ready for the 

local world premiere of one of its shorts, 

"Gymna-stic Rhythm," performed by a team 

of Danish gymnasts who will participate in 

the Olympic games. 

OMAHA 

jwranager I. M. Weiner and salesmen Ed Res- 

. . . 

nick. Sol Reif and Harry Fisher will attend 

a sales meeting in Chicago . . . C. E. 

Petsch opened the Grandview Drive-In near 

Bellevue south of Omaha . Pantier, 

RKO staffer, is wearing a diamond. The 

lucky boy is Russell Clark of Council Bluffs 

Irma DeLand, secretary to Jack Renfro, 

visited her parents at Osceola, Neb. Mr. 

and Mrs, Harry Linder, Elmwood, Neb., exhibitors, 

visited Filmrow and announced their 

boy left the same day for Peai'l Harbor on 

navy duty. 

Flood Relief Drive at Theatre 

EDDYVILLE, IOWA—A flood relief drive 

at the Valley Theatre, combined with a bake 

sale by the Newcomers club, raised $100 over 

a two-day period here recently. 

Can You Feed em Fast 

During Intermissions? 

Good Concession Equipment Will 

Make You Many an Extra Dollar 

Five Theatres Are Closed 

In Iowa Quad Cities 

DAVENPORT, IOWA—A drouth has struck 

the theatre business in the Quad cities. It's 

so bad that in recent months it has forced 

five theatres to close their doors; namely, 

the lowan in Bettendorf, the Ritz in Rock 

Island, the Hiland and LeClaire in Moline 

and the Majestic in East Moline. 

The major reduction in attendance has 

been blamed on television, but the theatre 

owners harbor no love for the 20 per cent 

federal amusement tax, either. One theatre 

owner had this to say: "Television has helped 

to keep people at home and to get them out 

of the habit of going to .shows." 

Many families who have purchased television 

sets in the past have had to budget 

their money so closely that at the end of 

the week there is little left for entertainment," 

said some showmen. But the TV 

factor is not as great as it might seem. "It 

won't take people forever to pay for their 

sets," a manager said. 

But what then? What else is wrong? This 

question brought comments about "unjust 

taxation" on the part of the government, 

"After all," said one theatre owner, "why 

should we in the movie business pay 20 per 

cent on every dollar we receive, when it 

costs those with television sets almost nothing 

to look at them?" 

But these are not the only factors. Some 

owners complained that the weather has 

been bad. "The past three summers have 

been too cool. People no longer come to 

a show on a warm evening to cool off. They 

stay at home, and we can't do anything to 

j-emedy that situation," another manager 

said. 

The person with the TV set in his living 

room might wonder how this is to affect 

him. Well, the answer to that is presented 

in the annual report on property values in 

Chicago. Properties surrounding neighborhood 

theatres, which had closed because of 

a drouth at the boxoffice, took a sharp 

decline in value. The little neighborhood 

theatres are the nerve centers of each outlying 

commercial area, and are responsible 

for drawing people to that area. 

A special case in the Quad cities is the 

Hiland business district in Moline. It closed 

in April; the business district there was 

named for the Hiland. 

Transfer Eleanor Horwich 

, 

OMAHA—Eleanor Horwich, 15-years with 

the Columbia exchange here, has been trans- | 

ferred to the Chicago office. She started as i 

cashier and has been serving as office man- i 

ager-booker. a ( 

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MARTIN SMITH ENDS 28 YEARS 

AS OHIO INDEPENDENT LEADER 

Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio 

delegates give attention to Maurice Bergman's 

report on his 2,500-mile goodwill 

trip to 14 Ohio cities. Among those in 

the front row are Max Lefkowich, Cleveland; 

Constantine Babalis, Dayton; Jack 

.\rmstrong, Bowling Green, and Al Boudouris, 

Toledo. 

CLEVELAND—Martin G. Smith, after 28 

years of service as president of Independent 

Theatre Owners of Ohio and its predesessor 

Ohio Motion Picture Exhibitors Ass'n, refused 

to accept the presidency of the organization 

again and turned over his gavel to 

Christian F. Pfister of Troy. 

During his last appearance as president at 

the banquet of the annual spring meeting of 

the ITO here last week, Smith was given a 

television set and a 40x60 photograph of 

himself made by National Screen Service. 

He accepted both during the banquet with 

genuine surprise, saying: "I really expected 

to get a wrist watch." 

OVVNS FIVE THEATRES 

Nobody in the organization can remember 

when Smith was not president of the association, 

since he has held that post for the 

last 28 years. Smith, born in Toledo, now in 

partnership with Jim Beidler, owns and 

operates a chain of five independent theatres. 

He makes his home in Toledo with his 

wife Mary and their two chUdren Martin 

James and Marilyn. 

From 1921 until 1926 Martin G. Smith was 

vice-president of the Motion Picture Theatre 

Owners of Ohio. He was also the first president 

of that group. In 1933 he became the 

first president of the newly formed ITOO, 

post which he tried to give up last year but 

into which he was drafted by popular demand. 

NATIVE OF TROY 

Christian P. Pfister, the new president, is 

a native of Troy and a graduate of Western 

Reserve university in Cleveland. While a 

student at the university he had a job in 

the Branch drug store, which was located 

in the HoUenden hotel, the same hotel where 

he last week was elected unanimously to succeed 

Smith as ITO president. 

Pfister's father George owned the Jewel 

Theatre in Troy and after his father's death 

Top photo, Janis Carter, star of "Half Breed" meets a group of e.vhibitors. Left 

to right: Jack Armstrong, general manager of Schwyn circuit. Bowling Green; Mrs. 

Armstrong and Mrs. Al Boudouris; Christian F. Pfister, Troy, new ITO president; 

Miss Carter; Martin G. Smith, Toledo, the retiring president; Mrs. Smith; A. Boudouris, 

president of Ohio Drive-In Ass'n, and Mrs. Pfister. 

Bottom photo shows a group at a banquet table. Reading from left counterclockwise 

are Mrs. Helene Ballin, Schenley Theatre, and John Ballin, Youngstown; George 

Planck, Ohio, Loudenville; Irving Mack, Filmack Trailer Co., Chicago; Kalmen Erdeky, 

Home, Youngstown; Joe Shagrln, Foster, Youngstown; Peter Wellman, New Mock. 

Girard, and two nonindustry guests. 

in 1921, Pfister took over and has been active 

in the operation of both the Jewel and Mayflower. 

The latter he built in 1927 in association 

with William H. Maier of Troy. 

The elder Pfister had joined forces with 

William H. Maier in 1919 when they pooled 

Pfister's Jewel Theatre and Maier's Colonial 

Tlieatre and organized the Troy Amusement 

Co., under which name the Jewel and 

Mayflower now operate. The Colonial has 

been closed many years. Pfister is the active 

manager. Pfister and his wife will celebrate 

their 25th wedding anniversary next November. 

They have no children. 

Convention Failure to Support 

Promotions Is Criticized 

CLEVELAND—Ohio exhibitors who attended 

the annual spring meeting of the Independent 

Theatre Owners of Ohio here last 

week were taken to task at the final banquet 

by Allied Counsel Abram F. Myers for their 

failure to espou.se industry promotion plans 

presented on the convention floor by Walter 

Kessler, Columbus city manager for Loew's. 

Two plans were presented by Kessler. One 

was for a continuous Movetime U.S.A. pro- 

( Continued on following page) 

BOXOFFICE :: May 31, 1952 ME 83

' 

Martin Smith Ends 

28-Yr. Leadership 

^Continued from preceding paget 

motional tieup with local service industries, 

lionoring special services for one-month 

periods. The other was a plan for a motion 

picture exposition a.s poi-t of the Ohio state 

fair, to be held in August and to be attended 

by one-half million people. 

Myers, at the banquet, said he believed 

that the estimated cost of $1,000 for such an 

exposition is small compared to the benefit 

derived. 

Speaking of television competition, Myers 

recalled that in the old order of things, we 

lived in a "stay-at-home" society, because 

there was no place to go "except maybe to 

a prayer meeting." Then came motion pictures, 

bringing an "out-of-the-home" society. 

Now we have TV, but Myers believes people 

will not revert to the old "stay-at-home" 

society. 

"It is my firm conviction," Myers said, 

"that it is superior quality of product that 

counts. The movies have this. The public will 

not long be satisfied with screen entertainment 

measured by inches as opposed to screen 

entertainment measured by feet. What we, 

as an industry need is to infuse the old 

fighting spirit in exhibitors. I want every 

exhibitor in Ohio to join a crusade to return 

this industry to its status of king of the 

amusement world." 

Maurice Bergman, Universal International 

executive and assistant to Pi'esident Nate 

Blumberg, acted as toastmaster at the final 

banquet. Speakers were limited both in 

number and in time allotted them. 

Actress Janis Carter spoke briefly giving 

a concise synopsis of some of the film product 

which she has seen and personally endorsed 

as boxoffice attractions. Wilbur Snaper, 

president of Allied States, spoke only a few 

w-ords of farewell and left early to catch a 

train for New' York. 

Seated at the speakers table were Bob 

Wile, ITO secretary; Omar Ranney, Press 

film critic; Bergman; Marsh; Miss Carter; 

Myers, President Emeritus Martin Smith; 

newly elected President Chris Pfister; Snaper; 

Arthur Spaeth, News critic; W. F. Huss 

jr., ITO fii-st vice-president; Al Boudouris, 

president of the Ohio Drive-In Ass'n, and second 

vice-president Leo T. Jones. 

Hiring of Women Managers 

Gains in New England 

From New England Edition 

BOSTON—The practice of hiring women 

as theatre managers is gaining ground in 

this territory with several circuit owners 

placing qualified women as full managers 

with satisfactory results. Boston has three 

established women theatre managers, two of 

whom do their own buying, booking and programming. 

In addition, there are a number 

of able assistant managers on the distaff side 

in the New England states. 

One of the best-known managing directors 

is A. Viola Berlin of the Exeter Street 

here, whose career in operational activities 

for her first run art house has been outstanding. 

In buying pictures for her clientele 

she has displayed almost uncanny judgment 

and foresight. Her exploitation and 

advertising campaigns are aimed directly at 

the potential art patron. 

Sidelights on Ohio ITO Meeting 

CLEVELAND—May 21 

was the first anniversary 

of the death of Pete Wood, for almost 

30 years .secretary of the Independent 

Theatre Owners of Ohio. 

* * * 

Scheduled ITO specialized film clinics 

boiled down to one clinic, sliowing that industry 

problems are common to all theatre 

classifications. The problems discussed were 

high taxes and alleged "squeeze" distributor 

sales policies. 

* * • 

Judge Hoy L. Russell, chairman of the resolutions 

committee named as members of his 

committee: Ernest Schwartz, Roy Wells, Chris 

Pfister and Abe Kiamer. Louis F. Eick, nominating 

committee chairman named as his 

committee William Clegg, Paul Vogel, Horace 

Shock, Horace Adams, Leo Jones, Henry 

Greenberger, F. W. Huss jr. and Park Belden. 

* * * 

Mrs. Louis Wiethe of Cincimiati expected 

to come to the convention but was prevented 

by the illness of their daughter, who was 

suffering from an acute case of poison ivy. 

Mrs. Frank Slavik of Middlefield also failed 

to show up as planned. She was kept at 

home by the death of a friend. 

4 * « 

Henry Greenberger asked to be allowed 

to step down as vice-president and take a 

seat on the board of directors. Jerry Steel 

also asked to be relieved as a board member. 

Ed Biggio was automatically dropped from 

the board because he sold his theatre and is 

no longer an exhibitor. 

* * * 

Judge Hoy L. Russell. Millersburg; Roy E. 

Wells, Dayton, and ITO President Chris 

Pfister were appointed a standing ITO committee 

to confer with a standing committee 

of the Ohio Drive-In Ass'n consisting of 

Milton A. Mooney and Leroy Kendis of 

Cleveland and Horace E. Shock. Lima, for 

the purpose of presenting a united industry 

front on all matters of common interest such 

as legislation. 

* * * 

Anteroom leading to the convention assembly 

hall and general meeting place was 

the display space occupied by Oliver Theatre 

Supply Co., with a display of the new RCA 

Synchro Screen and plastic plants attended 

by M. H. Fritchie; National Theatre Supply 

with Manager Frank Masek and salesman 

Bill Stahl on hand with order sheets handy; 

Al Sunshine's two Advanads standards, one 

of which is a permanent standee and the 

other convertible for wall hanging; Coca Cola, 

with service by T. C. Spencer; Manley Popcorn, 

turning out freshly popped corn handed 

out by Don Roberts, and Jack L. Gertz Enterprises, 

showing the company's newest theatre 

quiz promotion. Gertz, J. Stuart Cangney 

and others of his organization were on hand 

to operate the projection machine and answer 

questions. 

* * * 

Thomas Allen and Lee Urban of United 

Film Co. took the spotlight with their practical 

door prizes—money—in $25 packages. 

The first one was drawn at the opening general 

session of the convention. Jim Beidler 

of Toledo was the winner on a drawing. At 

the banquet, with Janis Carter doing the 

picking, winners were Mrs. Max Lefkowich, 

wife of the Community circuit president, and 

1 

Mrs. Jack Sogg, wife of the Cleveland MGM 

branch manager. .^L 

• • • [ 

Janis Carter, movie star, told the conventioneers 

that a new trend in Hollywood is a 

decided interest in learning what pictures 

are wanted in the field, an earnest desire 

to give the exhibitors what they want. "Defeatism 

in Hollywood is being replaced by , 

action," she said, "with an effort to make 

pictures geared for you to see, as you know 

how to sell them." 

Registered at ITO 

Convention in 

Ohio 

CLEVELAND—Registered for the annual 

Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio coni 

vention here last week were: 

Leonard Greenberger 

Bernard Rubin 

Henry Greenberger 

Herbert Horstemeier 

Abe Kramer 

Al Sunshine 

Ernest Schwartz 

Irving Marcus 

Nat Barach 

William E. Clegg 

Paul Swinger 

Robert G. Gump 

Fred J. Krim 

Roy El Wells 

CLEVELAND 

Irwin Gross 

Horace Adams 

Meyer Fine 

Marsholl Fine 

Howard Reif 

P. E. Essick 

Sanford Leavitt 

Leroy Kendis 

DAYTON 

James S. Herb 

Constontine S. Babalis 

H. M. Klepinger 

Horold Black 

OHIO 

AKRON—Park A. Belden, Andy Martin. 

ADENA—Vol DiNoble. 

ASHTABULA— Dale Tysinger. 

BELLAIRE—Chris Velas. 

BUCYRUS—Olen F. Martin. 

BOWLING GREEN—Jack Armstrong. 

BARBERTON—Vincent H. Lauger. 

BUFFALO— Leo P. Murphy. 

CINCINNATI—Louis Wiethe, F. W. Huss jr., Jack 

Finberg. 

GIRARD—Peter M. Wellman. • 

" 

HUBBARD—Steve Nernorsky. 

LIMA—Horace E. Shock, Wolter Burget. 

MILLERSBURG— Blair Russell, Judge Hoy L. Russell, i 

MINGO JUNCTION—Mike Kendrach, John Valusko. 

MARIETTA— Harry E. Pettit, John B. Steodman. 

LANCASTER—Carlos L. Crum. 

MARTINS FERRY— Louis F. Eick, Anthony J. Holler. 1 

LOYDENVILLE—George Planck. _ J 

MIDDLEFIELD—Frank J. Slavik. *! 

NELSONVILLE— Leiand I. Kreig. 1 

NEW LONDON— J. O. Guthrie, Charles P. Meyer. 

TOLEDO—Martin G. Smith, James A. Beidler, Al 

Boudouris. 

TROY—C. F, Pfister. 

VAN WERT—Walter A. Burget. ; 

UPPER SANDUSKY— Leo T. Jones. .. 

\ 

WELLINGTON—Frank J. Slavik. ,» ( 

WARREN—Walter Lastiton. ffi 

WOODSFIELD—Glenn Fliehman. 

YOUNGSTOWN—R. J. Binghom, Mrs. Helena Ballin, 

I 

Joe Shagrin, Kelman J. Erdeky, Jack W. Hines, 

H. E. Henderson. 

ZANESVILLE—John J. Woodward, Harold E. Boedeker, 

Harry A. Good. 

ARCANUM—Leo Elliott. 

CAMBRIDGE—Cy Francis. 

COLUMBUS—Ray Fleck, Albert Sugermon. 

WELLSVILLE— Paul Vogel, Jock Vogel. 

WILLARD—C. M. Boyer. 

GENOA— Herbert Hoglon. 

FINDLAY—Wolter Steuve. 

UHRICHVILLE—A. K. Veach. 

5WANT0N—Joseph N. Stern. 

NEWARK—Floyd Price. j'. 

OTHER STATES 

BUFFALO—Robert Kenefick. 

CHICAGO— Irving Mock. 

COLORADO SPRINGS—J. J. Devine, R. L. Lee. 

KANSAS CITY—Thomas P. Allen, Norris "Lee" 

Urban. 

NEW YORK CITY—Jock Jackson. 

INDIANAPOLIS—William Carroll, Earl Penrod. 

ST. LOUIS—Roy Colvin, Derwood Green, John 

Goshorn. 

WHEELING, W. VA.—John Gardner. 

NEWARK, N. J.—Edward Lochman, George Walters, 

Salli Fisher. 

RIDLEY PARK, PA.—Albert Sindlinger. 

ST. ALBENS, W. VA.—A. D. McCormick. 

] 

84 BOXOFFICE :: May 31, 1952;:

{ 

Detroit 

i 

DETROIT—Construction 

' 

House 

! under 

I unusual 

I 

in 

i 

to 

' 

"Your 

! ness 

1 Variety 

I 

hotel 

'l 

BOXOFFICE 

Tent to Build 

Hollywood House 

of the Hollywood 

is being started by Variety Club of 

Detroit as its major activity for the year 

the direction of Adolph Goldberg, 

chief barker. Designed as one of the most 

and glamorous residences ever built 

Detroit, the entire project will be devoted 

raising funds for the cerebral palsy campaign, 

Variety's top charity objective. 

reward will be the personal happi- 

and gratification in having helped to 

provide comfort, relief, aid, improvement, 

progress and maybe recovery to patients suffering 

with cerebral palsy," Goldberg said 

in a statement to local filmites on the campaign. 

"To have worked with Variety is to 

have cooperated with medical science in 

giving help and comfort to our fellowman." 

Pull details of the campaign will be made 

later. 

has formally opened its new clubrooms, 

located in the top floor of the TuUer 

after several months of preparation. 

Rooms will be open to all members and visiting 

barkers from 5:00 p. m. on. Key summertime 

activity of the Detroit tent, the annual 

golf tournament, has been set for June 30 

and will be held again at the Tarn O'Shanter 

Country club. 

Boothman's Alibi Pays 

For Detroit Drive-In 

DETROIT—A projectionist's alibi paid off 

for a local drive-in the other day. The operator 

forgot to make the scheduled public address 

announcement just before a onereeler 

that there would be an intermission 

to allow concession purchase as soon as it 

was over. As the manager raged into the 

booth, the operator glanced at the screen, 

saw it was the Martin and Lewis short in 

the Screen Snapshots series, and asked the 

manager if he wanted to use this top team as 

a "chaser for the candy stand?" 

The manager, appeased by the ingenuity 

of the alibi, went the whole way and announced 

the short on the attraction boards 

the next day as an added attraction—doing 

extra business as a result. 

$5 Weekly Wage Hikes 

To Carrier Drivers 

DETROIT—New contract providing for an 

increase of $5 a week for drivers has been 

negotiated by Exhibitors Service, Detroit 

film carrier firm, with the teamsters union, 

according to Charles Simpson, head of the 

firm. New scale is $99 per week, with the 

contract covering one year, retroactive to 

February 1. Contract has been agreed upon 

and only awaits formal signing, Simpson 

indicated. 

New Equipment for Studio 

DETROIT — New equipment, including 

RCA booth equipment and chairs, as well as 

carpeting, has been installed in the Studio, 

Detroit art house, operated by Shulman, 

Dezel and Flemion, by Ernie Forbes Theatre 

Supply. Forbes is also installing new RCA 

equipment in the M53 Drive-In at Bad Axe, 

opened May 21 by Ashmun and Kitchen. 

Fev/ Detroit Exhibitors Interested 

In 

Urging Ad Rate Reductions 

DETROIT— Amusement advertising rates 

here remain approximately 6 per cent higher 

than regular retail advertising, with only a 

few exhibitors seriously interested in taking 

active steps to .secure a reduction. A little 

independent criticism of the situation has 

been voiced oft the record by exhibitors but 

concerted action to secure a change has 

never been initiated. The action of a few 

papers elsewhere In eliminating the special 

amusement rate has attracted interest and 

may result in cooperated plans within the 

near future, canvass of representative exhibitors 

here indicates. 

The feeling on the paj-t of newspaper advertising 

men, as voiced to BOXOFFICE: 

was expre.ssed by Walter Batma of the Detroit 

Free Press. "The special rate is justified 

by the type of publicity that the newspapers 

extend to the motion picture industry. 

For instance, a full color front cover 

in the Sunday Graphic section helps the 

theatres," he said. 

The special services provided for the film 

industry, including the costs of paying a 

film critic, were among other points newspapermen 

cite as important in justifying a 

special rate. Exhibitors generally have found 

a willing cooperation from the Detroit papers 

when worthwhile promotions deserving publicity 

were presented, and this has helped to 

justify the higher rate. 

Most outspoken among exhibitors on the 

subject was Dillon M. Krepps, managing director 

of the first run United Artists Theatre, 

who is a frank critic of the high rates. 

Krepps went further than others in discounting 

the value of special services, such 

as syndicated columns. "I do not think there 

is a theatre operator today who would object 

to the elimination of special services. If anything 

of news interest happens at any theatre, 

it would be taken care of through the 

regular reporting services," he said. 

p 

' 

:: May 31, 1952

. . Hollywood 

. . . Janis 

. . Joe 

' 

.\LLEY CO-OP—Champions of the Cleveland bowling alleys are these members of 

lATSE Loral 160, who rolled the 1951-52 Bowling League honors home for National 

Theatre Supply Co. in the Ohio city. From left to right, kcglers are Floyd Weber, Joe 

Buzek. Andy Zill. captain; Fred Lane and Ed Hutchins. 

CLEVELAND 

Detroit Grosses 

Return to Normal 

DETROIT—Business settled back to normal 

despite some bad breaks from the 

weather, with most new pictures doing modestly 

well. 


Adams Belles on Their Toes (20fh-Fox) 80 

Fox The African Queen (UA); Rose of Cimarron 

{20th-Fox), 3rd wk IQO 

Modtson Frankenstein (Realarf); Dracula 

(Realort) 

joQ 

Mich(gan The Morrying Kind (Col); Sound Off 

(Col), 2nd wk 

| ig 

Palms-State The Sniper (Col); Aaron Slick From 

Punkin Crick (Para) 95 

United Artists Carbine Williams (MGM); When 

in Rome (MGM) 

] 20 

"Mountain' Best by 5 Per Cent 

In Slow Cincinnati Week 

CINCINNATI—Theatre business continues 

at a slow pace, with rainy weather over the 

weekend probably accounting for some of 

the lack of patronage. "Red Ball Express" 

at 100, and "Red Mountain," 105, were best. 

Quido Spayne, owner of the Lyn Theatre 

at Aki-on. and his brother Raymond of 

the Southern Theatre. Akron, are reported in 

fair condition at Maiymount hospital here, 

where they were taicen after an automobile 

accident near Brecksville while en route to 

Akron after concluding business on Filmrow 

in Cleveland. Their automobile ijecame 

wedged under the rear of a ti-actor trailer. 

Both suffered lacerations and internal injuries 

Corp. Jerry Alley, .son of Tom 

. . . Alley, Republic salesman, returned last week 

from Korea, where he had been on active 

duty for 18 months . on Filmrow: 

Janis Carter, here to promote her picture, 

"The Half-Breed." currently playing in 

the RKO Palace, paid the RKO exchange 

a visit and autographed stalls for the entire 

personnel. 

The Bill Gross family is looking forward to 

a busy fu-st week in June. On June 1 the Columbia 

salesman's son George wiil be graduated 

from Notre Dame, where he specialized 

in physical education. On the same day, his 

daughter Joanne will celebrate her 11th 

birthday and, on June 7, son George will 

marry Sally Ann Robinson of Cleveland. 

What happens after that is up to Uncle Sam 

. . . Jerry Whitesell, MGM booker, was called 

to Greenville by the sudden death of his 

father Han-y Whitesell, who also leaves liis 

wife of 57 years and another son in Greenville 

. . . Margaret Macsay has set June 13 

as the date when she retii-es from Republic 

and the business world to settle down to 

housekeeping. Her successor will be Mary 

Drews, Lippert booker until her recent resig- 

I 

PROGRAMS 

Covering ONE or TWO WEEKS! 

ONE DAY SERVICE On Request! 

• Your Inquiries Solicited • 

Theatrical Advertising Co. 

"Sarvirtg Exhibitors for 35 Yeors~ 

MIO CASS AVE. DETROIT 1, MICH. 

Phone: WO. 1-2158 

nation 

. Leavitt, projectionist who was 

recently operated on, is convalescing at the 

home of his son. Morton . . . Tony Rackoci 

decided to close his Rialto Theatre in Kenmore 

until further notice. 

Remember Douglas George, onetime 20th- 

Fox exploiteer? 

He resigned that past at the 

outbreak of World War n to join the navy, 

came out a full commander and is now back 

in the picture business representing Jam 

Handy, both in the 16mm and 35mm field. 

Formerly assigned to Hollywood headquarters, 

he has recently been transferred to Detroit 

. . . Wade M. Carr, former Manley district 

sales manager, is now selling vitamins 

Carter (real name Janis Dremanni 

graduated from Western Reserve university 

in 1935 in the same class with Ernestine 

(Mrs. Leo) Greenberger and Viola Gusdanovic, 

daughter of Paul Gusdanovic, independent 

circuit owner . . . Mrs. Julia Richmond, 

mother-in-law of Warner casliier Art Engel- 

Howard Reif of Modern Theatres 

bert died . . . 

flew to Miami Beach when he learned 

his mother, there for the winter, isn't well 

. . . Julius Lamm, manager of the Uptown 

Theatre, and Mrs. Lamm are pleasure vacationing 

in Florida. 

The girls of the Republic exchange staged 

a dinner party at the Alpine Village Thursday 

evening for Margaret Macsay 

. 

. . What 

radio publicity in a concentrated area did 

for RKO's "Hitler's Children," both radio 

and TV are expected to do for "King Kong" 

prior to a saturation booking campaign on 

the picture in the Cleveland, Detroit, Cincinnati, 

Indianapolis and Kttsburgh exchange 

centers. RKO District Manager Morris 

Lefko says every radio and TV station 

in those areas wUl carry "King Kong" publicity. 

Picture is already booked into such 

top first-run theatres as the Palace, Cleveland; 

Rivoli, Toledo, and Palace, Canton, as 

well as Warner, Publix, Schine, Butterfield 

and Alliance circuit houses. It will play solo 

in all established single-bill policy houses. 

Lefko anticipates 350 bookings dui-ing the 

saturation playing period in June. 

Makes Debut in 'Companions' 

Kyle MacDonnell, New York stage and TV 

actress, will make her film bow in U-I's "The 

Great Companions." 

Albee Red Mountain (Para) 105 

Capitol Belles on Their Toes (20th-Fox), 2nd d t 

^ wk 100 

Grand Thief of Damascus (Col); Brove Worrior 

(Col) 95 

Keitti's Red Boll Express (U-l) 100 

Lyric Macao (RKO), 2nd d. t. wk 80 

Palace The Sniper (Col) 95 

'Sniper' and 'Girl in White' 4 

Lead Spotty Cleveland 

CLEVELAND—While business generally 

was far from satisfactory, some theatres reported 

the weekend was better than recent 

ones, with two downtown houses reporting 

better than average on the week. Top picture 

was "The Sniper" at the Palace, where 

the gross hit a happy 120 per cent. "The 

Girl in White" drew well, with a score of 

115. "The Wild North" ran up 100 in its 

second week on a moveover after only doing 

70 per cent in its first downtown week. 

Allen The Son Froncisco Story (WB) 105 

Hippodrome Red Boll Express (U-l) 

! 1 00 

Lower Mall The Man in the White Suit (U-l) 105 

Ohio The Wild North (MGM), 2nd d. t. wk. 

. !'lO0 

Paloce The Sniper (Col) 120 

State Carbine Williams (MGM) ' 

75 

Stillman The Girl in White (MGM) !llS 

Tower The Highwayman (Mono); Kansas Territory 

(Mono) 65 

Cleveland Variety Tent 

Honors Nat Wolf Monday 

CLEVELAND—Nat Wolf will be guest of 

honor at a testimonal dinner sponsored by 

Variety Tent 6 in the Assembly room of the 

Hollenden hotel Monday (2) at 7:30 p. m. 

Dick Wright of the Warner theatre department 

and Jerry Wechsler, Warner manager, 

are in charge of arrangements. 

The occasion is the official departure of 

Wolf from Warner Bros., 

with whom he has 

been affiliated the past 20 years as Oliio 

zone manager. He tendered his resignation, 

effective June 1, in order to go into business 

for himself which he wUl announce later. 

His only immediate plan is to attend the 

COMPO conference in Texas. After that he 

and IVfrs. Wolf will probably go to Germany, 

where their son Lieut. Donald Wolf is stationed. 

Butterfield Closes Three 

DETROIT—Butterfield Theatres is closing 

tliree upstate houses, presumably for the 

summer. They are the Capitol at Jackson, 

the Capitol at Kalamazoo and the first run 

Mecca at Saginaw. 


. . Mrs. 

. . Jack 

. . Mac 

. . Pat 

Summer Closings 

Aren't Excessive 

DETROIT—A spread of the weekend-only 

operation among upstate theatres is reported, 

especially in the Flint area. Many 

of the closings, both partial and complete 

are expected to be for the summer only, and 

are little, if any, in excess of the number of 

closings reported in summer areas in previous 

years, notably during the 1930's. The effect on 

Industry probably is more pessimistic than is 

warranted. 

At Flint, Hai-old Gibbs is closing the Star 

Wednesdays only, according to William 

Clark, booker, following the policy already 

in effect at the Gem, operated by H. H. 

Blankenship. Affiliated circuit ali-eady has 

placed the Ritz upon a three-day policy. 

Friday through Sunday, while Owen Todd 

is discussing the same policy for the Lincoln 

at Flint. 

In Detroit, Thomas W. Ryan has reopened 

the recently closed Fi-anklin with a Friday 

through Sunday policy. Closing of the Lakeview 

in suburban St. Clair Shores, recently 

taken over by Mrs. Catherine Bennett and 

Burton Neely, is reported being considered. 

12th Child to Sheridans 

DETROIT—A recent addition to the family 

probably gives Thomas Sheridan, owner of 

the Auburn Theatre in the little upstate 

town of Auburn a claim as the exhibitor 

with the largest family—it is his twelfth 

child. Bernard Kilbride, Detroit circuit 

owner, has ten. 

New Meredith Opened 

DETROIT—Henry C. Gardner opened his 

new Meredith Drive-In at Meredith in central 

Michigan May 23. The house is designed 

to hold 200 cars, catering to a mixed farm 

and resort community. 

For 

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. . . 

. 

Tack Zidc's repwrt of the Variety convention 

was outlined at length by Helen Bower, film 

editor of the Sunday Free Pi-e.ss . . . Mickey 

Zide, who is resigning as Columbia booker to 

go into the navy in June, left for a viication 

in Los Angeles Irwin J. Gill, a newcomer 

to the business, has taken over the 

Manchester Theatre at Manchester from 

Richard Weir Krim is going to 

Honolulu for the International polo tournament 

June 4. 

Carl Buermele, General Theatre Service 

chief, Ls back from an extended stiiy in Las 

Jack Broder is due back in De- 

Vegas . . . 

. . . 

troit because of his mother's serious illness 

Bert Foster, victimized by a late spring 

. . 

cold, was able to analyze the effects of 

weather on the industry . Forest C. Ketzler 

and S. C. Bouford have reopened the Huron 

at Pontiac, briefly slated for closing, with 

Mutual again booking the house. 

Bill Kentz of the Lake, Port Huron, who 

has pinch-hit at running the Bernstein cir- 

. . . 

cuit, reports chief Harold Bernstein well 

along in recovery and able to drive a car 

again . Alice Ingram has closed the 

Dixie at Flint . . . S. J. Tesluck was jubilant 

over the fine weekend busine.ss done at his 

Alma Theatre, Alma, with "Sailor, Beware" 

Frank Downey's sales staff is back from 

the MGM meeting at Cincinnati ... Mr. 

and Mrs. Leon Robbie were visitors from 

Elsie. 

. . . Ray 

. . Neil Tailing, 

Lieut Howard Stewart, film censor, is back 

from a vacation at Houghton Lake, reporting 

the early .season fishing still poor 

Schreiber is closing the Garden, Woodward 

avenue house, for the summer . 

former manager of the recently closed 

Cinema—now up for lease—has returned to 

management of tlie Ki-im . . . Terrj' Turner, 

RKO exploiteer, was a visitor . . . Alex 

Schreiber, head of Associated Theatres circuit, 

has returned from the west coast. 

E. B. Dudley, Negro exhibitor here for over 

40 years, is getting set to reopen the Belle, 

taking it over from the Arthur Robinson circuit 

. . . Ollie Brooks, just retired from the 

Butterfield organization, was a Row visitor, 

thriving on life over at Belle River after his 

many years in harness . Ryan, United 

Film's salesman for the Indianapolis territory, 

has moved out to Thirtieth street. 

Mike Simon, Paramount manager, was in 

Philadelphia for a district gathering . . . John 

Thompson, United Artists exploiteer, was in 

town to work with Alice Gorham on "Strange 

World" . Zide has been recovering 

from a cracked rib—from lifting a suitcase 

and a severe cold since returning from California 

. . . Jesse M. Cole, seating specialist, 

has returned home from a long stay in 

Miami, where he saw Jake "Silver Dollar" 

Schreiber, former Deti-oit circuit owner. 

'Wild North' Ballyhoo 

For Michigan Openings 

DETROIT—A two-week tour of personal 

appearances by David Irwin, Arctic explorer, 

was arranged by Charles Dletz, MGM exploiteer 

here, in behalf of openings of "The Wild 

North" in upstate cities. First week vLslts 

included Flint, Jackson, Battle Creek and 

Kalamazoo, while the second week covers Bay 

City, Saginaw, and Grand Rapids. 

Irwin covered 2,000 miles traveling alone 

over "the top of the world" to make polar 

history. He brought on a variety of exhibition 

material, including a team of huskies, dog 

sleds, a bear, and considerable equipment 

and illustrative material. The exhibit was 

housed in a specially built display truck, 

which was parked in front of the theatres 

and was used in street tours. Appearances 

were arranged on television in some of the 

cities. 

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Firs! Twin Drive-In 

Planned for Toledo 

TOLEDO—The first double drive-in theatre 

in this area, to be one of the largest in 

Ohio, will be constructed by Je.sse James Enterprises 

at the corner of South avenue and 

Reynolds road, neai' Toledo, at a cost of 

about $250,000. The enterpri.se will consist 

of a conce.ssion in building and double theatres, 

one with entrance and exit on South 

avenue, and the other on Reynolds road. 

Construction will begin eai'ly this summer. 

Each screen will accommodate 1,000-car capacity. 

Different features will be shown on 

each screen and the patron may select one 

or both. Sanzenbacher, Morris & Taylor, 

Toledo, are engineers and architects for the 

venture. 

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MOUNT VEKNON PARLEY—Maurice Bergman, second from left, public relations 

director of I'niversal. chats with a film group at Mount Vernon, Ohio, after a. talk 

to the Dan Emmett grange. Bob Wile is on Bergman's left and the others, left to 

right; Harold Raines, zone manager for the Schine circuit: James V. Drew, southern 

district manager, U-I; Guy Hevia, district manager, Schine; John Patty, manager 

of the Vernon Theatre, and William Blum, Cincinnati manager for U-I. 

COLUMBUS 

/^harles Sugarman, former manager of the 

World, is returning to the post after a 

year spent as manager of the Kentucky at 

Louisville. The change was necessitated by 

the illness of his father Al Sugarman . . . 

George Atkinson, who was theatre editor of 

the Columbus Dispatch in the early years 

of the century, was in town as exploitation 

representative of Columbia Pictures for 

"Death of a Salesman" and "The Marrying 

Kind." Atkinson himself was the subject 

of radio, TV and newspaper interviews . . . 

Capacity audiences were the rule at the 19th 

annual cooking school sponsored by the Columbus 

Dispatch at the RKO Palace. The 

Palace will play host to the state convention 

of the Republican party July 31. 

Walter Kessler, manager of Loew's Ohio, 

was guest speaker at the closing business 

session of the Independent Theatre Owners 

of Ohio in Cleveland. Kessler told members 

of the Milkmen's month promotion staged 


GOOD and FAST 

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ART OF LOVE 

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WNG QUESTION 

'SMMN6 VICE TRUST 

HOW TO TAKE A BATH 

by Columbus theatres last March and of 

plans for similar salutes to other local industries 

. . . Patricia Monro, Ohio Journal 

staff member and film reviewer, was drowned 

in a boating accident at Buckeye Lake. 

The end of charity bingo here was seen 

following the conviction of Mrs. Clarissa 

Barr, manager of a keno and bingo parlor, 

on charges of promoting a game of chance. 

. . Edward H. Bronson, station director of 

WBNS-TV, has resigned to become director 

of television code affairs for the National 

Ass'n of Radio and Television Broadcasters 

in Washington. 

Realart Contest Judges 

Nconed by Jay Goldberg 

CINCINNATI—Judges in the nationwide 

exploitation contest on "Frankenstein" and 

"Dracula" were announced this week here by 

Jay Goldberg, head of Realart Kctures of 

Cincinnati. The contest started May 1 and 

ends on August 15. 

Judges are E. B. Badcliffe, critic of the 

Cincinnati Enquirer; Nate Wise, Wise & 

Keefe, advertising and public relations 

agency, and Lillian Lazarus, BOXOFFICE, 

representative. The contest offers $100 in 

prizes—a $50 first prize and $25 second and 

third prize in each exchange territory for 

the theatre managers submitting the best 

campaign on the films. Managers are urged 

to sumit their campaigns promptly. 

Postpone PSC Hearings 

DETROIT—Further action on the petition 

of Allied Theatres of Michigan and Butterfield 

Theatres in protest against the increase 

in film carrier rates has been indefinitely 

postponed by the Michigan public service 

commission. Hearing was held at Lansing, 

but no decision reached on the action. The; 

upped rates, which were effective January 1, 

remain in force meanwhile. 

Careful Choices of Acts 

Needed in Stage Bills 

FLINT, MICH.—Experiments with stage 

shows at the 500-seat Richards Theatre here 

show that a careful selection of attractions 

is necessary with talent, just as much as 

with pictures, according to Don McKenzie, 

house owner. He recently booked a variety 

bill of Negro acts, which had proved popular 

in local night spots, but drew only 800 people 

in thi'ee days. 

In contrast, when the house played screen 

and radio star Mantan Moreland last fall, 

the attendance was 2,100 in three days. Mc- 

Kenzie figured that the variety bill should 

be presented in the theatre, giving the people 

who would not visit a nightclub an opportunity 

to view it as well, but was disappointed 

in the result. 

Admission for the house, normally set 

at 44 cents, were raised to 55 cents for the 

stage shows. The Richards caters to negro 

patronage in industrial Flint. McKenzie is 

ready to continue an occasional stage show 

policy, but is convinced that very careful 

selection of the attractions must be made. 

This experience was confirmed by the 

Wisper & Wetsman circuit's Duke in suburban 

Detriot, where Moreland recently played 

a repeat engagement to very good business. 

The star did well there last fall, justifying 

a return, with house manager Peter Kavel 

joining his act to do a straight man routine 

and give the customers a little extra entertainment. 

Elmer Babin Will Appeal 

Ruling on Theatre Buy 

ASHLAND, OHIO—The decision by Common 

Pleas Judge H. E. Culbertson that the 

city of Ashland has no right to sell the Opera 

House will be appealed to the state supreme 

court, if necessary, said Elmer J. Babin, 

Cleveland lawyer who submitted a high bid 

of $72,110 when the city advertised the landmark 

for sale four years ago. 

Babin's bid was accepted by city officials 

before they were informed by the council 

that they did not have legal title to the 

easterly 22 feet of the plot of land on which 

the Opera House is located at the main intersection 

of downtown Ashland. The appeal 

is being formed on the basis of the 

court's reluctance to return the negative 

ruling and by the previous overwhelming 

votes of Ashland citizens approving the sale. 

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AWARD TO 'SILVER DOLLAR'— 

Jacob "Silver Dollar Jake" Sohreiber, 

retired theatreman of Palm Island, Fla., 

is shown receiving the Third army certificate 

of Achievement, signed by Gen. 

John R. Hodge, for his untiring efforts 

in the blood donor campaign. Presenting 

the award is Major Herman L. West, 

commanding officer of the Army and 

air force recruiting stations, south Florida. 

Schreiber gives silver dollars to 

donors. 

Arnold Stresses Need 

Of Character Actors 

DETROIT—"The American people want to 

go out shopping for their entertainment, as 

they do for anything else," Edward Arnold, 

the actor, asserted at an industry luncheon 

here. The star was in town for a week with 

his wife, a former Detroit girl. He appeared 

at the finals of the national oratorical tournament 

sponsored by the Hearst newspapers. 

"The quick loss of value of name actors 

on television, because they are seen so frequently, 

will mean that people will prefer 

to go to the movies to see a new face," Arnold 

predicted. 

He urgently advocated a return to the 

"lost art" of the character actor, whom he 

considers essential to cari-y the weight of 

a play, citing Menjou and Lionel Barrymore, 

and told the trade that "television is 

making lazy listeners because we cannot use 

imagination any more." 

The press and industry luncheon was arranged 

by Joseph J. Lee, 20th-Fox manager, 

in connection with the screening of "Belles 

on Their Toes," booked to succeed "Quo 

Vadis" at the Adams Theatre. Jay Fi-ankel 

was assistant host, with exploiteer Sol Gordon 

and Doris Moss Pearl of the Adams in 

charge of arrangements. 

Norman Meyers, manager of the Adams, 

was master of ceremonies. Among guests 

were Col. Jess Krueger, national promotion 

manager for the Hearst newspapers: Harry 

Taylor, promotion manager, and Margaret 

Russell, reporter for the Detroit Times, and 

James Mitchell of the Detroit public library. 

Mrs. Robinson, the former Cleo P. McCain, 

who was in charge of the Aid to Dependent 

Parents division of the Wayne county 

prosecuting attorney's office here before her 

marriage, also weis a guest. 

CINCINNATI 

poy White, Midstates Theatres, is recuperating 

after a recent appendectomy . . . 

Franci.s Rafferty, booker. Chakercs Theatres, 

Springfield, has resigned and now is a.ssociatt'd 

with an insurance company in Springfield 

Dave Cantor, a.ssistant to Terry 

. . . Turner, head of public relation.s of RKO, has 

been in completing arrangements for the 

five exchange center, day-and-date premier 

of "King Kong," June 18. Tlie areas include 

Cincinnati, Detroit, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh 

and Cleveland luid the picture will open 

downtown June 18 at the Palace. It is 

planned to have 5 large exploitation trucks 

leave New York and stop in each of the 

towns participating in the campaign. Each 

truck will have a "King Kong" in the center 

of the metropolis, holding a replica of Fay 

Wray. 

. . U-I 

Ross Spencer, office manager, Columbia, 

is spending his vacation fishing in Tennessee 

William A. Meier, 

and Kentucky spots . . . 

branch manager, Paramount, attended a division 

sales meeting in Philadelphia . 

Manager William Blum and salesmen Frank 

Schreiber, Al Kolkmeyer, Heywood Mitchusson, 

Stuart Jacobson and James Grady, 

attended a dLstrict sales meeting in Atlanta, 

Ga., May 21-23. 

June Cox is a new bookers steno at U-I 

. . . On the Row were Floyd Morrow, Louisville; 

Bert Hukle, Huntington; Kay Holland. 

Jeffersonville; Mason Clark, Jamestown; 

George Pekras, Columbus, and Guy Greathouse, 

Frank Carnahan, 

Aurora, Ind. . . . Manchester add Beattj-ville. Ky., opened 

his new Family Drive-In, Manchester, this 

week. 

Sixth Street Reopened 

COSHOCTON. OHIO—Manager Jim Salmans 

has reopened the Sixth Street Theatre 

after remodeling. Interior work included 

a fireproof projection booth of concrete block 

and steel in the gallery and new equipment. 

A new screen was installed and the stage 

drapes renovated. Later this year, the auditorium 

will be painted and redecorated. Salmans 

is participating in station WLW's area 

search for radio talent. 

Tyrone Power has been signed to star in 

"Mississippi Gambler," a Universal release. 

HANDY SUBSCRIPTION 

Mexican Films Receive 

Big Detroit Publicity 

DETROIT— Shuttering of one foreign 

language hou.se and the moving of ajiother 

to a larger auditorium marked a peak of 

activity in this field. Mexican films, which 

have long occupied the .spotlight in the foreign 

film here with two theatres regularly 

.showing them were the subject of a twopage 

rotogravure spread in the Sunday Detroit 

Flee Press, making many Englishspeaking 

Detroiters aware of this specialized 

a.spect of the show business for the first 

time. 

On the east side, the Chandler, recently 

reopened by undisclosed operators with a 

German picture policy, has clo.sed again. 

East side theatres in other locations formerly 

did well with this policy, but the 

Chandler's location is distant from the center 

of the German community, and business 

was insufficient to keep the house open. 

On the west side, the Grande, a 1300-seater 

recently closed by Community circuit, has 

been reopened for a Hungai-ian film policy 

for Sundays only by new owners. 

Hungarian films have been shown for 

yeai-s at the 400-seat Delray next door, the 

only example in Detroit of two theatres operating 

side by side within the past 25 years. 

The Delray was operated by Mrs. Mary 

Scheuer and Hungaria Pictures of New York 

City. 

The move out of the Delray was made necessary 

to make room for a unique switch 

of policy by which the Delray takes over the 

run—4 days after city second run—long 

enjoyed by the Grande in the past, under 

the new ownership of Max Gealer. 

Gealer, who is supervisor for the Associated 

circuit, has been in the show business 

in Detroit and Flint for the past 25 years 

as an actor, manager, and circuit executive, 

and now Ls making his first venture as an 

independent exhibitor. 

Under the new Delray policy, which Ls being 

booked by Clark Theatre Service, two 

changes of standard double bill features are 

being offered for Sunday-Tuesday and Wednesday-Friday, 

while a unique one-day bill of 

three small action pictures is played on Saturday. 

Samoan Native in 'Paradise' 

Aspen Pictures has inked, Moira, 19-yearold 

native of Samoa, for one of the leads 

opposite Gary Cooper in United Artists' "Return 

to Paradise." 

In 1951 the Finnish Board of Censors reviewed 

2,618 feature films and short subjects 

and rejected 15 films.

. . According 

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PROMOTES 'RED BALL'—Maj. Gen. Frank S. Ross, wartime leader of the army's 

famed Red Ball Express, who is making a key-city tour on behalf of U-I's "The Red 

Ball Express." is pictured in Cincinnati. Left to right, William Blum, U-I Cincinnati 

manager: Roy B. White, executive assistant to N. G. Shafer, general manager of Mid- 

States Theatres; Ross Shafer and Eddie Riesenbeck, manager of Midstates Keith's 

Theater, during his recent visit to the Ohio city. 

Flint, Mich., Grocers Seek 

Blue Law Enforcement 

FLINT, MICH.—Enforcement of an 1843 

blue law prohibiting all amusement and business 

operations on Sunday.s is being sought 

by a group of Flint grocers in retaliation for 

a specific ordinance closing their places on 

that day. The low is admittedly still on the 

books and enforcement presumably would be 

required upon a statewide basis if it were 

actually revived. 

The local prosecuting attorney, however, 

lias declined to seeic enforcement measures, 

on the ground that only civil, rather than 

criminal, pro.secution can be used, since the 

original statute classifies violation as a civil 

offense rather than a misdemeanor. 

Ohio-Kentucky Theatres 

Support Palsy Campaign 

CINCINNATI—Every exhibitor in this area 

has been contacted by the exhibitor 

chairman of the United Cerebral Palsy drive, 

and aslced to aid in the third annual drive to 

collect funds. Selig J. Seligman, Northio 

Theatres Corp., Cincinnati, and Phil Chalieres, 

Chakeres, Inc., are the co-chairmen 

for the drive. So far 100 theatres in Ohio 

have pledged to make audience collections. 

Co-exhibitor chairman are Harold Halves, 

Schine, Cleveland: Sam and Nate Schultz, 

Monogram, Cleveland, and co-distributor 

chairmen ai-e Bob McNabb, 20th-Fox manager, 

Cincinnati and HaiTy Buxbaum, Paramount, 

Cleveland. 

Cleveland Critics Give 

'Rain' and 'Song' Tie 

CLEVELAND—For the fii-st time since its 

organization 18 months ago the Cleveland 

Film Critics Circle, in naming the five top 

first-run pictures of the previous month, 

came up with tie votes in two cla.ssifications. 

"Singin' in the Rain" (MGM) and "With 

a Song in My Heart" (20th-Fox) tie for first 

place, while "The Clouded Yellow" (Col) and 

"The Battle at Apache Pass" (U-I) were 

locked for fourth place. 

Undisputed were "Jack and the Beanstalk" 

(WB) for second place, "Deadline—U.S.A." 

(20th-Fox) third place and "The Pride of 

St. Louis" (20th-Fox) fifth place. 

Seven Rated for Families 

In Clubwomen's Lisitng 

NEW YORK—Seven features are rated for 

family audiences, seven for adults and young 

people and one for adults in the May 1 listing 

of joint estimates of current motion pictures 

issued by clubwomen. The family films 

ai-e "Jack and the Beanstalk" (WB); "The 

Lion and the Horse" (WB), "Sound Off" 

(Col), "Road Agent" (RKO), "Tarzan's Savage 

Fury" (RKO) and "Bronco Buster" (U-I) 

and "Apache Country" (Col), both of which 

are considered acceptable for children's programs. 

There was a difference of opinion as 

to whether "Mutiny" (UA) should be considered 

a family film or rated for adults and 

young people. 

Rated for adults and young people are 

"Encore" (Para), earmai-ked an outstanding 

pictui-e of its type: "Captive City" (UA), 

"Red BaU Express" (U-I), "Red Snow" (Col), 

"Walk East on Beacon" (Col), "When in 

Rome" (MGM) and "Young Man With Ideas" 

(MGM). "The Sniper" (Col) is rated for 

adults. 

Former Theatreman Dies 

Of Wounds in Korea 

SPRINGFIELD—Cpl. Charles N. Sayre, 

former assistant manager of the Regent 

Theatre here died in Korea May 18 of injuries 

sustained in combat, his mother Mrs, 

Margaret DeWeese was informed. 

Signed by Maj. Gen. William E. Bergin of 

the air force the letter stated the cause of 

death was hemon-hagic fever. Mrs. DeWeese 

said death probably resulted from shrapnel 

wounds he sustained early in April when he 

stepped on an enemy land mine. 

The 18-year-old corporal was employed at 

the Regent prior to his enlistment in August 

1950. 

Outdoor Concessions Zoom 

VANCOUVER—Drive-in operators in the 

British Columbia district report that concession 

booth sales are up 50 per cent over 

last year. All outdoor theatres report improved 

business this season to date. Numerous 

small localities that never had a film 

theatre now have a di-ive-in. The outdoor 

theatres report that musicals and outdoor 

action pictures are tops at the boxoffice. 

Daniel Gutilla Entitled 

To Theatre, Court Rules 

BELLEFONTAINE, OHIO—Common Pleas 

Judge Elmer L. Goodwin ruled in the case 

of Daniel Gutilla against Miami Valley Theatre 

Enterprises, involving the Belle Theatre 

here, that the plaintiff is entitled to possession 

of the premises and that the defendent 

has forfeited any right to the furniture 

and fixtures. 

The court further held that the Radio 

Corp. of America is legally entitled to recover 

$28,036.96 from the defendent company. 

The question of priority of the liens 

on chattel property was held in abeyance by 

the court. The theati'e has been closed since 

last July under court order. 

NTS Reports Sales Up 

CLEVELAND—Frank Masek, National Theatre 

Supply manager, reports a spurt in sales. 

During the last week he sold a Sel-Mix beverage 

dispenser to the Colonial, Akron; a 

Movie-Cone soft ice cream dispenser to the 

Roxy, Caldwell: Super Simplex projectors to 

the Capitol, Bellaire, and Simplex sound and 

Peerless Margnarc lamps to the Noble, Caldwell. 

LOUISVILLE 

P 

L, Omstein, head of E. S. Ornsteln Theatres, 

Marengo, Ind., has leased his 

Rialto at Marengo to T. C. Terry. Terry Is 

new in the theatre business and is a resident 

of Marengo. Omstein said that in leasing 

the Rialto, it wiU allow him more time to 

devote to his booking and buying service ' 

for indoor and outdoor theatres in Kentucky i 

and Indiana. 

Bob Bowman, manager of the Rio, Clover- i 

port, Ky., is again devoting full time to the I 

operation of the theatre following his rei 

lease from the air corps. During his absence 

I 

the theatre was 

Bowman . 

under the direction 

to the Kentucky 

of Mrs. 

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' 

I 

partment of finance and revenue, tax revenue 

on amusement (combined) for April i 

1952 was $100,930.84 as compared to $80,070.39 I i 

for April 1951, indicating an increase of 1 

$20,860.45. Tax revenue for July through 

April 1951-52 was $1,319,737.61 as compared 

to $1,244,056.36 for July through April 1950- 

51, for an increase of $75,681.25. 

Louis A. Arm has announced plans for immediate 

opening of the second half of his 

Twin Drive-In here, running sepaj'ate programs 

on the west and east screens, primarily 

for weekends at the moment. Also 

opening with an additional screen is Reach 

McAllister's Theatre Twin Drive-In Jeffersonville, 

Ind. Separate programs will be run 

on the Theatre double screen. 

Exhibitors seen on the Row recently included 

Oscar Hopper, Arista, Lebanon; A. 

N. Miles, Eminence, Eminence; J. E. Thompson, 

Sunset and Riverside Drive-Ins, Bowling 

Green; E. L. Omstein, Omstein Theatres, 

Marengo; Guy Roehm, Elks and Grand, 

New Albany; Bob Enoch, State and Grand, 

Elizabethtown, and C. K. Arnold, Arco and 

Melody, Bardstown. 

Nancy Olson has been assigned the femme 

lead in Warners' "Jim McLain." 

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i^'^'Su^lT 

To Attend Races 

PROVIDENCE—Many outstanding 

leaders 

in the motion picture industry are expected 

to attend the annual New England Variety 

Clubs "Day at the Races" at Narragansett 

race track here early in July. Albert J. 

Clarke, Majestic Theatre manager and head 

of the committee arranging the event, this 

week listed some of the important personalities 

expected to attend. 

The group is expected to include Maj. L. E. 

Thompson, vice-president, RKO; Gael Sullivan, 

executive director. Theatre Owners of 

America; Ned Depinet, RKO; J. R. Grainger, 

general sales manager. Republic; Dave Lipton, 

vice-president. Universal; Bill Rogers. 

former sales manager, MGM; John Murphy. 

Loew's; Ben Kalmenson, general sales manager, 

Warner Bros.; Norman Ayers, district 

manager, Warner Bros.; Roger Ferri, 20th- 

Pox; Jim Mulvey, general sales manager. 

United Artists; Sam Dembo, National Screen 

Service, and Tex Leader, administrator of 

E. F. Albee interests, and many others. 

Arriving here, the group will motor to the 

race track where they will be guests of Judge 

Dooley, president and managing director of 

the race track, in the Turf clubhouse. 

At the conclusion of the eight-race card, 

they will motor to the exclusive Squantum 

club, where as guests of W. C. Clarke Mays, 

they will enjoy a famed Shore dinner. The 

officials will attend the Day at the Races as 

guests of the Variety Clubs of New England. 

Merchant Gift Nights 

To Be Held at Drive-In 

PROVIDENCE—In one of the most pretentious 

promotions ever staged by a Rhode 

Island theatre, Raymond Kane, manager of 

the Cranston Auto Theatre, has arranged for 

Cranston and Providence merchants to stage 

a series of eight Gift shows. 

Thousands of dollars worth of merchandise 

has been procured by Kane, and the merchants 

are spending hundreds of dollars on 

newspaper -space exploiting the Gift shows. 

Every Monday night for eight week has been 

designated for the awarding of gifts. In 

order to participate, patrons must visit one 

of the merchants to secure coupons to be deposited 

in special boxes at the Cranston openairer. 

Over 250 prizes have been donated, including 

eight English-make and Columbia bicycles; 

eight complete juvenile playgrounds, 

consisting of double swings, double trapeze 

bars, double exercise bars, all constructed of 

1,000-pound test chains; 24 complete cowboy 

outfits, and scores of other items. 

Kane has been selling the Cranston Auto 

Theatre on many different angles. He has 

appealed to the hard-of-hearing by emphasizing 

the individual speakers. He ha-s pointed 

out the advantages of his theatre to the aged 

and infirm. By installing special bottle warmers 

he has inauced parents of infants to dispense 

with babysitters. 

Free merry-go-round rides are offered 

young fry, and all kiddies under 12 are admitted 

without charge. 

Kane's most lecent promotion resulted in 

better than a haif-page spread in the Providence 

Sunday Journal. 

B€rQ Circuit Will Shift 

Booking to New Haven 

BOSTON—The booking for the Massachusetts 

theatres of B&Q A.s.sociates will be 

handled through the 

New Haven office, 

starting in mid-June. 

The present B&Q 

headquarters at 100 

Boy 1; ton St. will be 

disbanded and smaller 

office space will be set 

up 

Ḃ&Q Associates 

(Brookline & Quincy) 

was formed in 1944 

with the late Don Jacocks 

as pre.'>ident. 

I. J. Hoffman 

Today there are ten 

houses in in operation; namely, the Astor. 

Boston, Coolidge Corner, Brookline; Strand 

and Art Quincy; Strand, Rockland; Strand, 

Clintor- Strand, Taunton; Union. Attleboro; 

Bijou, Pnringfield, and the Wareham in 

Wareham. The circuit also operates the Cape 

at Onset, a summer situation, and the Village 

at Quincy wa.s sold several months ago 

and has been converted into a business 

property. 

I. J. Hoffman, president of Connecticut 

Theatres circuit and of B&Q Associates decided 

to consolidate the booking for both 

cii'cuits through the New Haven office. Dan 

Finn, who has headed the Massachusetts 

theatres from the Boston office, has acquired 

interest in the Astor, Boston, flaghandled 

through the New Haven office, 

ship of B&Q, and will take over the general 

management of that theatre. He will move 

his office there. He is vice-president of 

Proven Pictures of Boston, Inc. Louis Krasnow, 

manager of the Astor, remains on in 

the same capacity. 

Arnold Eisen, who has been with B&Q 

since it was formed in 1944. will represent 

the company in Boston and will shortly move 

to smaller quarters. Henry Price, booker for 

B&Q, will announce his plans later. Recent 

changes Include the re.signation of Abe 

Slnow, who left the Strand at Taunton to 

enter another field of buslne.ss. He wa.s succeeded 

by Richard Allen, former manager of 

the Strand, Rockland, who ha.s worked his 

way up the managerial ladder from assistant 

two years ago at the Bijou, Springfield. 

Allen's place at the Rockland house has 

been taken by Bernle Watts, former assistant 

at the Art, Quincy. 

Finn .said the Columbia film "Paula" will 

follow the .seven-week run of "With a Song 

in My Heart" at the Astor on Memorial 

day, and that the Lopert film distributed by 

United Artists, "Outcast of the Islands," will 

follow "Paula." 

Life Insurance Co. Sues 

For Theatre Possession 

HARTFORD—Judge E. J. Quinlan has ordered 

coun.sel to file briefs in a foreclosure 

action in which Guardian Life Insurance Co. 

of America seeks possession of the Pickwick 

Theatre, Greenwich, Conn. The case was 

tried in Danbury, Conn., superior court. 

Defendants are Charles F. Haring jr. of 

New York and Grenfield, Inc., theatre owners. 

The insurance company claims the defendants 

owe $549,900 on a 1929 mortgage. 

Haring and Grenfield allege that Guardian 

has received funds totaling $550,000 which 

it should have, but has not, applied to the 

mortgage debt. 

Top Rating to Movies 

On Nantucket Island 

BOSTON—Proximity to the movies is considered 

an asset on Nantucket Island, vacation 

resort, which, like other Massachusetts 

areas, also has its television. The Chowder 

Bowl advertising its opening for the 11th season, 

notes in a local newspaper ad that it is 

"next to the only motion picture theatre." 

REPORTORIAL CONFAB—Charles Tobias and Peter DeRose, songwriters for Warners' 

"About Face," currently on a national tour, stopped off in Connecticut's capital 

city for a chat with Allen M. Widem, motion picture editor of the Hartford Times and 

BOXOFFICE correspondent. Left to right are Jim McCarthy, Warner Strand; Widem; 

Tobias; Art Moger, cxploiteer for Warners, and DeRose. 

BOXOFFICE May 31. 1952 NE 91

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' 

BOSTON 

Tâyl/ Theatre Knti'rprises Corp. ct'lebratcd 

Its first birthday May 14 with 79 Iheatix's. 

27 of which ai-e drive-ins, handled by 

the Daytz Boston and New Haven booking 

offices. Al Daytz is president and his brother 

Mickey is vice-pre.sident. Their sister Molly 

is head bookkeeper and secretary and Jerry 

Crowley is head booker. The latest buying 

and booking acquisitions are the Nashoba 

Drive-In in Foxboro, Mass., owned by Donald 

Sweenie and others, and the Holiday 

Paj-k Drive-In, Fairlee. Vt.. owned by R. E. 

Drown. Both are newly decorated theatres. 

Sherburne Graves, who won first prize In 

the managers e.xploitation contest conducted 

by Interstate Theatres 

Corp., is manager of 

the Plymouth (N. H.) 

Theatre. Theodore 

Fleisher, president of 

Interstate: James F. 

Mahoney, general 

manager and district 

managers were the 

judges. The managers 

were judged on initiative, 

imagination and 

consistent effort in 

promoting their attrac- 

Sherburne Graves tjons. A brochure containing 

the best work of the managers will be 

compiled and sent to all Interstate theatremen. 

Robert McNulty, owner and operator of the 

Warwîck Theatre, Marblehead has started a 

Wednesday art policy with shows at 2 p. m. 

and at 8. Tickets are sold in advance. The 

first ai-t production was "The Lost One," 

La Traviafa, which was followed by "Bonnie 

Prince Charlie." "Quartet" is booked for the 

third offering. The so-called "Marblehead 

cinema series" is arranged for persons who 

prefer to see films uninterrupted. McNulty 

Ls plugging the series by local ads and flyers 

. . . Bill Gandall ha-s been sent by Universal 

to the Boston exchange to pinch hit for John 

McGrail, who is in Carney hospital, for 

treatment. Gandall's first assignment is 

"Ivory Hunt," a J. Arthur Rank picture 

filmed in South Africa, which is booked into 

the Keith Memorial the week of June 11. 

Ina Davis, sister of bookers Stan of RKO 

and Mel of Republic, will marry Myron 

Glasberg of Waban on August 3 at Temple 

Emeth in Chestnut HUl . Landau 

who owns the State. Pittsfield, is going to 

Europe for a month. Lloyd Bridgham's 

father in Dover. N. H.. is recovering from 

surgery. 

Elton Hayes, who played the strolling minstrel 

in Walt Disney's "Robin Hood," visited 

here on his first stop of a 19 city tour plugging 

the film. He was here for two days and 

appeared on radio and TV programs and 


GOOD and FAST 

^ MWIU'M 

and packmd with StU-MANSHIP fs what 

you always gvt from r«//abfe 

. . . Louis 

wius interviewed by the local pre.ss 

Newniiui, foi-merly witli the Trans-Lux Theatre. 

ha.s taken over the Weymouth hou.se, 

Weymouth ... A generous gesture on the 

part of the Nai-raganset Brewing Co. was 

made when the company turned over its 

booth at the A. F. L. industries show at the 

Mechanics building to the Jimmy fund. Tlie 

booth wa.s attractively displayed with posters 

and pictures of the new Jimmy Building. 

June 1 is the opening day for the White 

River Drive-In, Vt., operated by Interstate 

Theatres, and the new North Hampton, N. H. 

drive-in owned and operated by the Fucci 

brothers . . . The annual outing of the MGM 

office staff will be held this year at the 

Franklin, N. H. summer home of Julius 

Mintz, Metro's screening room projectionist. 

The camp is appropriately called "The Lion's 

Den" . Park Theatre, Fall River, operated 

by the Nathan Yamins circuit has 

entered a new policy. As it is open only two 

days and nights a week. Saturdays and Sundays, 

the management plays a kiddy picture 

each matinee and an adult show each evening. 

A bicycle rack has been installed in 

the outer lobby with the boys and girls 

using a checking system for their protection. 

The first day of the innovation brought 

67 bicycles into the lobby for safe keeping. 

. 

Plans are under way to have the world premiere 

of the Warner film "Lady of Fatima" 

in New Bedford, Mass. at one of the theatres 

The birth of Richard 

of Harry Zeitz . . . 

Montefiore Levenson in Berkeley. Calif, 

mai'ks the first grandson of circuit-owner 

Max Levenson. The baby was born to the 

Dr. Joseph Leveiisons, the father a professor 

of cultural history of China at the University 

of California Mendelson, New 

England manager for Lippert Productions, 

has announced that two Lippert films, "Valley 

Of The Eagles" and "Loan Shark," have 

been booked into the RKO Albee, Providence, 

for June 4-10, while "Valley Of The Eagles" 

is set for the same playdates at the Paramount, 

Springfield. It will play the Capitol, 

Pittsburgh, June 11-17 and the Victory, 

Holyoke, July 1-7 

. & Q Associates has 

closed the Brookline Village theatre for the 

summer. 

Raphael P. Sandlow, assistant manager 

at the Trans-Lux, will be married June 22 to 

Beatrice Gordon of Maiden . Faucett 

of Colorado Springs has been added to 

the Alexander Film Co. staff under Manager 

Irving Saver. And speaking of Saver, six 

months ago he and his wife bought a new 

house in Norwood. Last week they discovered 

that the state will take over the property 

to raze it for the new Boston-Chicago superhighway. 

. . Cliff Parker, 

One of the busiest theatre-owner managers 

is Jim Nedeau, who is daily shuttling 

between his Sunset Drive-In and his newly 

constructed Newington Drive-In in Portsmouth, 

N. H. . 

vision 

northern 

manager of Alexander Film, is in 

di- 

this 

area. 

Pat Perri, owner and operator of the 

Westerly, R. I. Drive-In has completed extensive 

renovations on his home and is now 

renovating his place on Watch Hill for summer 

occupancy . . . Ersley Blanchard. manager 

of the Interstate's Coniston, N. H. theatre, 

is again heading the Fresh Air Chil- 

ATTEND PRESS PARTY—Joseph Levine, 

president of Embassy Pictures, 

hosted a press party at the Boston club 

for Leonide Moguy, director of "Tomorrow 

Is Too Late." Levine is New England 

distributor for the Joseph Burstyn film. 

The picture opened at the Beacon Hill 

Theatre May 23 for an extended engagement. 

Pictured at the party are Tom 

Dowd, managing director of the Beacon 

Hill, and new assistant manager Phyllis 

St. Pierre, formerly assistant to Jack Saef 

of New England Theatres. 

dren's fund for the Newport, Claremont and 

Windsor, Vt. areas. Sponsored by the New 

York Herald-Tribune. Blanchard's job is to 

place city children in private homes, camps 

or farms for summer vacations. Although 

he had been on this committee for several 

years. Blanchard has taken on additional 

territory this year and expects to place 

nearly 1,000 kiddies in New England's vacationland. 

Joe Shulmans Start Trip; 

Two Months in Europe 

HARTFORD—The Shulmans of the Shul- 

I 

man Theatres are a traveling family these 

j 

days. Joe Shulman and his wife Pauline have 

; 

left on a two-month trip to Europe, with 

J 

Paris and London on the schedule. They will , 

return to Hartford sometime in July. 

' 

Joe's sister Beatrice just returned from a 

three-month stay in Los Angeles^ While in 

the west coast city, she toured a number of 

studio lots. She met Clifton Webb on the 

"Dreamboat" set at 20th-Fox. 

PROVIDENCE 

. . The 

n nthony Boschetto, manager of the E. M. 

Loew's Drive-In. is passing out cigars on 

^ 

the birth of a third daughter . . . The Metropolitan 

has closed for the summer . 

third successive rainy Sunday caused gloom 

among amusement park operators, but proved 

highly profitable to in-town theatres . . . The 

Raynham Drive-In was the scene of a recent 

public auction sale, something new for driveins. 

The effects of a traveling carnival were 

the main items offered for sale. 

The Cranston Auto Theatre, through drawings, 

admits ten cars every night without 

charge . . . Loew's State recently offered in 

newspaper ads to refund all admissions to 

patrons who truthfully said they did not enjoy 

"Belles on Their Toes." No refunds yet 

have been made. 


Boston Boxoffice 

Down in Doldrums 

BOSTON—Below average business was recorded 

here with most first runs in the 

doldrums. The Center Theatre played an 

Italian film, "Streets of Sorrow." which warranted 

a holdover. The Pilgrim, another 

.subsequent run house, finished two weeks 

with a first run showing of "The Sniper" and 

will continue with "The Atomic City" first 

run. 


Astor With o Song in My Hcort (20th-Fox), 6th 

wk 75 

Center— Streets of Sorrow (Fine Arts) 95 

Exeter Street The Man in the White Suit (U-l), 

5th «k 95 

Kenmore Possion for Life (Brandon); Mr. 

Peelt-o-Boo (UA), 3rd wk 80 

Memorial Red Boll Express (U-l), Wings of 

Danger (LP) 90 

Metropoliton—Red Mountoin (Paro); Bol Taborin 

(Rep) 85 

Poromount ond Fenway Aaron Slick From Punkin 

Crick (Para); The Lion and the Horse (WB).. 80 

Pilgrim—The Sniper (Col); A Yank in indo-Chino 

(Col), 2nd wk 85 

Stote ond Orpheum The Pride of St. Louis 

(20th-Fox; The First Time (Col) 95 

Second Film Symposium 

At Hartford on June 4 

Apache Indians Appear 

At Strand in Albany 

ALBANY—Seven Apache Indians from the 

tribe's reservation at Mescalero, N. M., gave 

patrons of the Strand Theatre a glimpse of 

another way of life when they war-danced 

and sang recently at the opening of "The 

Battle at Apache Pass." 

They stimulated afternoon business and 

helped t« bolster the boxoffice at night when 

the Strand and other area theatres faced 

severe competition from the telecast of the 

Ray Robinson-Rocky Graziano bout. Manager 

Al Flamme directed arrangements at the 

Strand, with assists from John McGrail, Universal 

exploiteer in the Boston zone, and 

Gerry Atkin, Warner Theatres exploiteer. 

Dutch Harris and Charley Maguire handled 

the backstage assignment. 

McGrail emceed the brief stage show, as 

well as radio and television dates. 

No Ad Rate Reduction Seen 

For New England Houses 

BOSTON—There apparently is no trend 

locally for downward adjustment of amusement 

rates by local newspapers. The Boston 

Globe, which raised its rates in January last 

year to 70 cents a line, explained to exhibitors 

at that time that 20 years ago the 

amusement ad rate was 75 cents. The Boston 

Herald has made some concessions to theatre 

circuits which use space for a dozen or 

so theatres. Meanwhile, there have been no 

meetings between publishers and theatremen 

to discuss ad price reductions. 

No concerted action has been taken by 

theatremen in Lynn, Mass., either, where 

rates are $3.25 per inch in the Telegram 

News and $3.20 in the Item, nearly double the 

retail trade rate. In Salem, the rate for theatres 

is $1,35 per inch, equal to that paid 

by the retail trade. 

Start Amateur Contests 

HARTFORD—The Warner Palace, Danbury, 

Conn., is starting a series of Tuesday 

night amateur revues, featuring local talent. 

Manager Jack Harvey calls the presentations 

the "Palace Talent Search Contest." 

ERIC JOHNSTON 

HARTFORD—Reservations for the second 

Hartford Times Motion Picture Industry 

symposium Wednesday (4) have been received 

from top executives throughout the 

northeast. 

Among those slated to attend are Joseph 

R. Vogel, general manager, and Oscar A. 

Doob, circuit executive, Loew's Theatres; 

Harry F. Shaw, division manager, and Lou 

Brown, division advertising and publicity director 

of Loew's Poli Theatres; Martin J. 

Mullin, president, and Harry Browning, district 

manager of New England Theatres; 

Harry Peinstein, zone manager, and James 

M. Totman, assistant zone manager of Wai'- 

ner Theatres; Francis M. Winikus, national 

advertising and publicity director. United 

Artists; Dan S. Terrell, exploitation manager 

for MGM; Ken Clark, Alfred Corwin and 

Arthur DeBra, MPAA; E. M. Loew and George 

E. Landers of the E. M. Loew circuit. 

On the speakers' program will be Eric A. 

Johnston, president, MPAA, and Ronald Reagan, 

president. Screen Actors Guild. 

The Times will be host to newspaper publishers, 

managing editors and motion picture 

editors from throughout Connecticut and 

we.stern Ma.ssachusetts in a day-long discussion 

on common ailments of the motion picture 

industry as related to the press. 

Also slated to attend the meeting are 

John Murphy, Loew's, Inc.: Leon J. Bamberger, 

sales promotion manager, RKO; J. 

M. Jerauld. BOXOFFICE; Hemy L. Needles, 

Art; Ted Harris, State. 

Sessions will start at 12 noon, and are 

expected to run through the afternoon. 

Reagan will leave the symposium in midafternoon 

to catch a westbound train. He 

is slated to attend a meeting in the middle 

west the following day. 

Amusement Ad Rates 

Unchanged in Boston 

BOSTON—Amusement rates in the local 

papers have remained almost the same over 

RONALD REAGAN 

the past years. The Globe in January 1951 

raised its rates to 70 cents a line, but the 

Globe hastens to add that some 20 years ago 

the rate was 75 cents. The Herald has made 

some concessions to the circuits that use space 

for a dozen or fo theatres, but that seems to 

be the biggest concession made. There has 

been no discussion between publishers and 

theatremen over this issue. 

Tne rates in neighboring Lynn are $3.25 

one paper and $3.20 in the other. This is 

about double the retail trade rate. Only a 

year and a half ago both papers charged 

$2.10 per inch. So far theatremen have taken 

limited action to have the rates cut. 

Salem theatremen report they pay $1.35 

per inch, which is the same the retail advertisers 

pay. 

There has been no adjustment of amusement 

page rates in Hartford. However, the Hartford 

Times conducted a motion picture industry 

symposium in February and plan another 

on June 4, for the primary objective of 

discussions by newspaper and film per.-onnel 

on ailments of the industry as related to the 

newspaper field. 

At the first meeting, some 20 persons attended. 

They represented the MPAA and 

COMPO, and key Hartford territory circuits. 

They discu.s.sed motion pictures and the application 

of better pre.'s treatment of the 

industry. 

Luncheon for 'Express' 

HARTFORD— A press luncheon was held 

at the Bond hotel for the opening of "Red 

Ball Express" at Loew's Poli. In attendance 

were Lou Cohen, manager, and Norm Levinson, 

assistant at the Loew's Poli; Allen M. 

Widom, Times; H. V. Anderson, Courant; Maj. 

Gen. Frank Ross, in charge of the army's 

famed Red Ball Express in Europe during 

World War II, and Guy Biondi, exploiteer for 

U-I. 

in 

BOXOFFICE May 31. 1952 93

. . Guy 

. . 

HARTFORD 

Cam Cornish, partner in the Nianlic. Niantic, 

who is marking his 45th year in the motion 

picture industry, dropped by the Prin- 

. . . Mrs. Joe Adorno, wife of 

cess office to chat with Mai-tin H. Keller. 

The two worked for the old First National 

Pictures many years ago. Cornish was in 

town to represent the Niantic Chamber of 

Commerce at the Connecticut Chamber of 

Commerce dinner at the Hartford club . . 

Jack Daugherty, former assistant manager of 

the Webb. Wethersfield. was reported recuperating 

from pneumonia at Bainbridge. MU., 

naval base 

the Middletown executive, was named to the 

northern Middlesex county cerebral palsy 

campaign committee. 

The Rivoli started a new dinnerware deal 

Erwin Needles, formei sales representative 

for World Broadcasting, New York, 

. . . 

Joined the commercial staff of WKNB as 

sales and promotion representative. He's the 

son of Henry L. Needles, managing director 

. . . 

of the Art. At one time Erwin was associated 

with the Grass advertising agency 

The Newington cancer campaign officially 

thanked Walter Kordek and the Newington 

Theatre for aid in campaign collections. 

Kordek permitted collections in the theatre 

. . . Fred R. Greenway, Palace, had law 

school tieups for "Young Man With Ideas." 

Sal Adorno jr. of the M&D Theatres, Middletown, 

always interested in local betterment, 

is using a small space' below his 

regular advertising space in the newspapers 

to push a number of civic efforts. One of 

the campaign plugs reads like this: "The 

Middlesex hospital is always ready. Support 

the building fund campaign" . . . The State, 

New Britain, gave away free candy to the 

first 100 youngsters in line at a recent Saturday 

Vic MoiTelli of the Warner 

matinee . . . Empress, Danbury, has this institutional message 

in prominent lobby display: "Empress 

Theatre—Tops in Entertainment." 

Lou Cohen and Norm Levinson of Loew's 

Poli were able to get a number of press 

mentions on "Outcasts of Poker Plat" and 

"Love Is Better Than Ever" on a double 

bill. Mentioned prominently in the latter's 

dialog is tlie name of Harry P. Shaw, division 

manager for Loew's Poli Theatres. 

Brookie LeWitt of Glackin and LeWitt 

Theatres, New Britain, was in town . . The 

. 

State, New Britain, has a new dinnerware 

deal for women patrons. 

94 

U.S. defense needs your copper drippings. 

BOOK IT 

WAHOO is 

NOW!!! 

^he world's most thrilling 

screen game. Now being used 

successFully by hundreds oF indoor 

and outdoor theatres all over America. 

Send For complete details. Be sure 

and give seating or car capacity. 

Hollywood Amusement Co. 

831 S. Wabash Avenue, Chicago 5, III. 

Sconuel Pinanski Reports 

On MGM Hollywood Trip 

BOSTON — Local MGM representatives, 

meeting with American Tlieatres Corp. executives 

here recently, heard an enthusia.stic 

report on current Hollywood activities given 

by Samuel Pinanski, ATC president, who just 

returned from a trip to the coast on MGM's 

"Seeing Is Believing" tour. 

Pinanski. who remained in Hollywood -several 

extra days to consult with presidents 

of the major studios, was lavish in his praise 

of the completed product he had seen as well 

as of the films currently in production on 

all the lots he visited. Declaring he was truly 

inspired by the enthusiasm he found everywhere 

to produce quality pictures, Pinanski 

predicted an upsurge of theatre attendance 

coincidental with the release of forthcoming 

product. 

WORCESTER 

pddie Dowling, visiting in town with the Dublin 

Players, recalled that as a boy of 15 he 

tried to get a job singing illustrated songs at 

what is now the Olympia. He got the job 

but not until two years later . . . Bob Robison, 

former theatre manager, has recovered 

from a three-months' siege of virus. 

Mrs. William F. Yager, 53, wife of the manager 

of the Plymouth in Leominster, died in 

Carney hospital in Boston after a brief illness. 

Her mother, Mrs. Rosina McEvoy of 

Leominster, has wide theatre holdings in this 

area . Palmerton, stock company manager, 

says he turned down an offer to use the 

Loew-Poli Elm Street for stock this summer. 

Mae West has signed for three weeks of 

stock in central Massachusetts. She will appear 

at the Playhouse in Worcester and the 

Lake Whalom in Pitchburg for Guy Palmerton 

and at the Country Playhouse in Framingham 

for Lee Falk and Al Capp . . . Bernie 

Satz has been manager of the Casino in Ware 

for 30 years . . . Mrs. Minnie G. Levenson was 

re-elected president of the Better Films Council. 

. 

. . 

Shaye Cogan, film actress, seen last in Abbott 

and Costello's "Jack and the Beanstalk," 

returned here for a nightclub engagement at 

Mr. A's, her sixth week in clubs here 

Charlie Tobias, Worcester nativt, and Petei 

DeRose, who wrote the songs for "About 

Pace," were in town in town for a day helping 

to publicize the film. Tobias crashed tne 

papers with lots of space on recollections of 

his boyhood days here . The Hudson Theatre, 

Hudson, played 15 shorts at a Saturday 

matinee. 

"Poker Flat' and "Kettles' 

Pace Hartford at 110 

HARTFORD — "Red Ball Express" was the 

sole film on the holdover list downtown. 

Newcomers included "The San Francisco 

Story," "The Sniper" and "Macao." 

Allyn Macao (RKO); You Can't Beat the Irish 

iBell) 

Art Eroico (Academy) 

E. M. Loew The Sniper (Col); Bitter Springs 

(Bell) )00 

Poll Outcasts of Poker Flat (20th-Fox); Love Is 

Better Thon Ever (MGM) 110 

Poloce Red Ball Express (U-l); Talk About a 

Stranger (MGM), 2nd wk 85 

Regol Top Hat (RKO); Suspicion (RKO), reissues .70 

Strand Tlie San Francisco Story (WB); Mo and 

Po Kettle at the Fair (U-l) 110 

NEW HAMPSHIRE 

•The onec mighty summer resort business 

here is on the skids and faces disaster 

unless advertising funds are forthcoming from 

some source, more than 100 owners of summer 

establishments were told by speakers at 

the seventh annual Vacation Business Institute 

held in Littleton. 

During a one-week period, more than 600,- 

000 votes were cast in the contest sponsored 

by the Manchester Union-Leader, New 

Hampshire Sunday News and the State Theati>e 

in Manchester to .select the "most popular 

baby" in the Greater Manchester area 

Edward J. Fahey, manager of the State, had 

to double the staff to keep abrea.st of the 

voting. Ballots printed in the Sunday News 

counted for 50 votes each, as did ballots distributed 

at the theatre boxoffice with each 

purcha.se of a ticket. Ballots published in the 

evening editons of the Union-Leader counted 

for ten votes. Each youngster was assigned 

to a different business firm. 

Kerima, who is starred in UA's "Outcast of 

the Islands," arrived in town accompanied 

by Leon Brandt of Lopert for a round of 

radio and TV appearances, a press luncheon 

at the Ritz and a visit to the Buddies club 

on the Common. She also was introduced to 

members of Harvard's Hasty P>udding club, 

where the marathon kiss as publicized in 

Life magazine, was tested. Joe Mansfield of 

UA's publicity staff took her to the Press 

Photographers ball where she presented the 

annual pictorial awards. 

Art Rothafel, one-time Hollywood script 

writer, son of the late "Roxy" of New York 

theatrical and radio fame, and now general 

manager of radio station WLNH in Laconia, 

was one of the pai'ticipants in the first annual 

New Hampshire pro-press golf tournament 

at the Intervale Country club in Manchester. 

Norman Glassman, president of Independent 

Exhibitors, Inc., of New England; Ray 

Feeley, executive secretary, and board members 

Julian Rifkin and Irving Isaacs attended 

regional meetings in New Hampshire, Maine 

and Vermont. Accompanying them were Ken 

Douglas jr. and Don Falco of Capitol Theatre 

Supply, Sam Horenstein of Manley, Lon 

Hacking of Image & Sound Co.. and Samuel 

Loew jr. of Theatre Candy Co. 

Seasonal Closing Near 

For State at Hartford 

HARTFORD—The 4,200-seat State, downtown 

film-vaudeville house which concentrates 

on name personalities, soon will close 

for the season. 

The house, which has operated on Saturdays 

and Sundays only for the last several 

years, was dark the weekend of May 24, 25, 

with Managing Director Ted Harris intending 

to relight the theatre for several more 

weekends through mid-June. Les Paul and 

Mary Ford are booked for June 14, 15. 

IMAGE & SOUND SERVICE CORP. 

"The Besf Value In Sound Service" 

Hancock 6-7984 445 Stotler Building 

Boston, Massachusetts 


m

CBC REVEALS ITS TV PLANS 

FOR QUEBEC, OTTAWA AREAS 

Already Prepared for 

Montreal, Toronto, 

A. D. Dunton Says 

QUEBEC— After Montreal and Toronto, the 

next two Canadian centers to have television 

will be Quebec and Ottawa, A. D. Dunton 

promised. 

The chairman of 

the Canadian Broadcasting 

Corp.'s board of governors announced this 

when replying to a remark made by Mayor 

Lucien Borne of Quebec during a brief address 

at a luncheon at the Garrison club 

tendered the CBC governors by the city. The 

CBC governors opened a periodical meeting 

here. 

Mayor Borne said that this ancient capital 

was founded by men of vision and it would be 

appropriate to add TV to their foresight and 

give Quebec television. 

Dunton said the CBC was completing television 

arrangements for Montreal and Toronto 

and the next two cities to come under 

consideration will be Quebec and the national 

capital, Ottawa. 

Mayor Borne also asked the governors to 

study the possibility of increasing the power 

of station CBV Quebec to make its broadcast 

available to listeners outside this city. 

However due to technical difficulties, the 

CBC chairman said that realization of the 

television project will not come until 1954 

The financing of such an undertaking is one 

of the many problems facing the CBC in 

bringing television to Canada. 

The meeting of the board of governors of 

the CBC is the first since the board was increased 

to the present number of 11 members. 

Because Laval university is celebrating 

its centenary the governors decided to come 

to Quebec for first reunion of the eleven. 

Among the city's guests attending the 

luncheon were: CBC President, A. D. Dunton: 

Rene Morin, vice-president: directors G. A. 

Winter, J. A. Corry, G. D. Steel, Mrs. Mary 

Parr, Dean Adrien Pouliot of Laval, F. J. 

Crawford, W. H. Phillips, J. P. Tripp, Roy 

Pry: A. Ouimet, assistant general manager; 

Jean Desy, head of the international service; 

Roger Daveluy, Col. Rene Landry, D. Manson, 

Augustin Frigon, E. L. Bushnell, H. Bramah, 

M. Godreault, industrial commissioner Armand 

Viau, and assistant city clerk L. P. 

Desjardins. 

The governors were entertained at Laval 

university where Msgr. Ferdinand Vandry. 

rector of Laval presided. 

Dunton in a short address, paid homage 

to the centenary of the institution, and Msgr. 

Vandry thanked the president. Among those 

present were: Msgr. Alphonse-Marie Parent, 

vice-rector of Laval: Francois de Vial, F:-ench 

consul general at Quebec and Father Robert 

Dolbec, secretary general of the Laval university 

centenary. 

Police Allow Late Show 

TORONTO—The police commissioners permitted 

local theatres to conduct midnight 

shows prior to the legal holiday Saturday 

(24), this being the time-honored Victoria 

day. 

Sees TV as a $100 Million Business 

In Canada Within a Few Years 

Upset of Drive-In Ban 

Sought in Quebec 

Ottawa—Negotiations are reported well 

under way for the introduction of drive-in 

theatres in the province of Quebec, where 

they had been banned by Premier Maurice 

Duplessis. 

For more than 20 years no juveniles 

under 16 years of age have been admitted 

to any film theatres in Quebec 

province, except for the very few occasions 

when dispensation has been granted 

for such pictures as "Snow White and 

the Seven Dwarfs." 

Therefore, drive-ins were forbidden because 

it would be difficult to enforce 

the antijuvenile law, it was felt. Quebec 

is the only Canadian province in which 

drive-ins are not operating. 

Fireworks at Drive-Ins 

OTTAWA—Flreworlcs were much in evidence 

at drive-in theatres in Ontario on 

Victoria day. The May 24th holiday has been 

the traditional day for firecrackers among 

the kids but the trend, in recent years, has 

been toward pyrotechnics at drive-ins for the 

benefit of family parties. In the Ottawa district, 

such displays were presented at the 

four drive-ins, the Aladdin, Britannia, Star- 

Top and Auto-Sky, before holiday thi-ongs. 

At Toronto, the Northeast and Northwest 

drive-ins featured fireworks and the ozoners 

elsewhere generally fell into line. 

SPEAKS IN TORONTO—Leo McCarey 

(left), producer-director of "My Son 

John," discusses the Paramount picture 

with John J. Fitzgibbons, president of 

Famous Players Canadian, in Toronto 

following his address to 1,200 members 

of the Ass'n of Canadian Advertisers. 

QUEBEC—Charles Prenette, technical director 

of television for the Canadian Broadcasting 

Corp., said here that in a few years 

television in Canada will be a $100,000,000 

business. 

Speaking at the annual convention of the 

Quebec Province Corp. of Master Electricians, 

Mr. Fienette said that in time televLsion will 

over, hadow radio. 

Although Canada at present has no television 

industry as such, there are about 85,000 

receiving .sets in .southern Ontario, he said. 

"Television is an instrument of great .social 

significance which we cannot do without," he 

said. "But it must be directed from the start 

toward well-defined aims in the public interest. 

"That is 

why the CBC seeks the same ob- 

television as those that have gov- 

jectives in 

erned its efforts in radio." 

Benefit Baseball Game 

Discussed by Tent 28 

TORONTO—F^-eliminary plans for the annual 

baseball benefit game in July were discu.s.sed 

at the regular meeting this week I27) 

of Toronto Variety Tent 28, with Chief Barker 

R. W. Bolstad in the chaii". 

A whirlwind ticket-selling campaign is to 

be organized for the special attraction in 

Maple Leaf stadium in w'hich the Toronto 

ball team will take on another International 

league club in aid of Variety Village, announcement 

of which will be made shortly. 

Last year's game raised more than $40,000. 

Chief Barker Bolstad reported on the 

highly successful and colorful International 

Variety convention at Las Vegas which was 

attended by a lai-ge Toronto representation. 

Pa-st Chief Barker J. J. Chisholm was elected 

International press guy and his appointment 

received warm commendation. 

Variety at Art Houses 

TORONTO—The art theatres provided a 

variety of attractions for the week which 

included the Victoria day holiday, the one 

holdover being the third week of "Mr. Lord 

Says 'No! Faithful City," from Israel, made 

its start at the Towne Cinema. The Astor 

had a .splash advertising campaign for the 

opening of "The Young and the Damned." 

The Studio offered "Festival of Screen 

Operas," an Italian feature of Alliance Films. 

'David' Is Show of Week 

TORONTO—The latest Show of the Week 

for Famous Players' neighborhood units was 

topped by "David and Bath.sheba." which was 

booked into .seven theatres, the Alhambra, 

Beach, College, Palace, Parkdale, Runnymede 

and St. Clair. 

BOXOFFICE :: May 31, 1952 K 95

. . John 

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MONTREAL 

Come Filmrow offices had a holiday on 

Ascension day. May 22 . . . Lome Etienne, 

head of the art department of United Amusement 

Corp., was on a business trip to New- 

York City for five days, and Tom Tiow, 

owner of the Imperial, Three Rivers, spent a 

. . Bill Tiwv. president 

. . Arthur Larente, 

week tJiere on business . 

of Montreal Poster Exchange and of 

Quebec Cinema Booking, spent a week on 

business In the mining district around Val 

d'Or and Mont Laurier . 

manager of Peerless Films, put in a weekend 

at Lac Lachigan . 

Sperdakos of 

the advertising department of United Amusement 

Corp. and his wife are leaving to 

spend ten days In New York City. 

Canadian Motion Picture Pioneers will hold 

its annual meeting at the Sheraton Mount 

Royal hotel on June 12 when the election of 

. . . 

officers will be held. The meeting will close 

The 

with a cocktail party and diwier 

Rev. Antonio Denoncourt. parish priest of La 

Bale du Febvre. opened hi.s new theatre, the 

Centre Paroissial May 17. The house has 300 

seats . . . Claire Clavet, stenographer at 

Warner Bros., sprained her ankle during the 

weekend . . . Several hundred patrons were 

forced to leave the Fifth Avenue Theatre, 

Verdun, when a short circuit blacked out a 

large section of the city. 

National Film Board has signed an agreement 

with four film companies to distribute 

the motion picture. "Royal Journey," thi-oughout 

the world. The board signed a three-yeaiagreement 

with United Ai'tists Corp., New 

York, to distribute the picture in the United 

States and will get 65 per cent of the gross 

revenues. The same percentage is being received 

from Columbia of Canada, which is 

distributing the film in Canada. General Film 

Distributors, London, will distribute the picture 

in the United Kingdom, Eire, Northern 

Ireland, Malta and Gibraltar and will give 

the board 60 per cent of net revenues. In 

other countries J. Arthur Rank will be overseas 

distributor and under a five-year agreement 

w-ill give the board 70 per cent of gross 

revenues. 

Quentin Brown, formerly of Montreal, has 

been appointed production manager of Crawley 

Exhibitors in town 

Films of Ottawa . . . were Yvonne Blouin. Opera House, Coaticook: 

Mr. and Mrs. L. Rheault, Rheo, Ste. 

Tite; Mr. and Mrs. L. Martineau, Royal, Valleyfield; 

Max Arsenault, O'Connor, Huntingdon; 

C. Lajoie, Pierrefonds, Ste. Genevieve de 

Pierrefonds; Mr. and Mrs. Omer Belanger 

and Gerard Gauthier, owners of the Laurentien, 

Mont Laurier; Raoul Duchaine Amos, 

Amos, Que.; Guy Bachand, Rex, Sherbrooke; 

Dr. A. Gervais. Venus, Joliette; J. D. Perreault, 

Perro, East Broughton, and Romain 

Lussler, Capitol, St. Remi. 

'Lone Star' Leads Winnipeg 

With Average Showing 

WINNIPEG—The first runs last week were 

nothing to rave about. The only feature 

which seems to have held its own was "Lone 

Star." 

Capitol I Want You (RKO) Fair 

Gaiety The Light Touch (MGM) Fair 

Garrick Red Skies ot Montana (20th-Fox) Fair 

Lyceum Lone Stor MGM) Good 

Metropolitan Rancho Notorious (RKO) Fair 

Odeon Bright Victory (U-l) Fair 

J. A. Basha. Newfoundland 

Dies in Miami 

Exhibitor. 

ST. JOHNS. NFLD. — J. A. Ba.sha. long 

owner of the Palace Theatre at Corner 

Brook, died at Mercy hospital in Miami after 

J. A. BASHA 

being a patient there for four weeks. He had 

undergone an operation. 

Basha had been wintering at Hollywood, 

Fla.. with his wife and daughter, and was arranging 

to return home when he was ordered 

to the hospital. The body was accompanied 

to Corner Brook by Mrs. Basha and a daughter. 

Fred Basha, a son, who manages the 

Palace, met them at Montreal. 

A guard of honor from the Knights of Columbus 

was at the Basha home, and also at 

the procession of the Church of the Holy Redeemer, 

and thence to the Catholic cemetery. 

The requiem high mass was celebrated by 

Bishop O'Reilly, assisted by Fathers Hull, 

March and Costello. 

MPEA of Manitoba 

To Convene Monday 

WINNIPEG—A bulletin composed by Harry 

Hurwitz of the Odeon and Phil Young of the 

Grand for the Manitoba Motion Picture Exhibitors 

Ass'n urges all exhibitors and managers 

in Manitoba to attend their sixth annual 

meeting and banquet Monday (2) in the 

Frontenac room of the Royal Alexandra hotel. 

After the 12:30 registi-ation, a general meeting 

will be held all afternoon, closing at 4:30 

to allow managers to retui-n to their respective 

theatres and check up on those who 

operate evening houses to get the ball rolling. 

Members then return after 6 for cocktails 

and the banquet is held in the Tapestry room 

at 7. Harold Bishop of Famous Players and 

Robert Hurwitz of the Main Street Pool are 

in charge of arrangements, while hotel accommodation 

is under the supervision of the 

secretary. Ken Beach, of Western Theatres. 

FPC Pays 30 Cents 

TORONTO — Famous Players Canadian 

Corp. has declared its regular dividend of 

30 cents on the common shares for the second 

quai-ter of 1952, payable June 21 to 

stockholders of record June 6. 

M ARITIMES 

promoters of drive-ins in the Halifax area 

are meeting difficulty in finding suitable 

locations. A very large ai'ea in suburban . 

Halifax and particularly close to Bedford 

basin, is hilly and rocky. On the Dartmouth 

side, conditions are better, but much of the i 

land there that would be suitable for airers is 

being utilized for defense purposes. Two sites 

i 

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have been chosen, one at the junction of two 

roads about 11 miles from town, where Frank- 

; 

lin & Herschorn is building. The other outdoorer 

is on the Dartmouth -Tufts Cove side 

of the harbor, where FPC is building. Both 

are 750-900 car capacities. 

Maurice Elman, head of the Maritime 

Poster exchange, and also in film distribution, f 

is the chess champion of the St. John district, i 

He took all seven of the games, for his second 

consecutive city title. Starting out in his 

dad's footsteps is Dan Elman, who finished 

the tourney with one point to his pater's 

seven. The formal presentation of the champion-ship 

cup was by Joe Franklin, the donor. 

< 

The tourney was held in the YMHA ... At 

Yarmouth, Manager Bob Galbraith of the 

Community arranged an essay contest as a 

stimulant for the three-day booking of "His 

Kind of Woman." In a tieup with a local 

women's wear store, a dress was offered as 

the prize to the winner. The question asked 

the ladies was, "What is your kind of a man?" 

Operations at the Goudey, Barrington Passage, 

start nightly at 8:15. For Saturdays,, 

there is one show in the afternoon starting 

[ 

at 2:30, and two at night. Mrs. Shlrlee M. 

Brownell is manager. She succeeded her 

father, the late Percy M. Fielding, who had' 

been owner of the Goudey. 

The record demand for the sand and gravel] 

for surfacing drive-ins has resulted in higher i 

prices. Many sponsors of the ozoners finding] 

it necessary to buy far more of the sand and] 

gravel than they had planned on because ofi 

the seas of mud brought on by a tough win-J 

ter. The completion of eight airers is nowheld 

up . . . One of the judges at a recent 

debate held at the YMHA, was Mitchell Bern- i 

stein, a partner in the B&L Theatres ... 

One of the most attractive buildings in the St. 

John district, is a chapel provided by Louis, 

B. Mayer and Nathan Cummings, both ex-^ 

residents of St. John. It's at Fernhill ceme-' 

tery. 

The Acadia, WolfvlUe, S. C, a Spencer unitj 

there, offers matinees on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, 

Thursdays at 3:40 p. m. and on Satur-' 

days at 2:30. The 3:40 is for the Acadia uni-i 

versity students. 

No Ottawa Shopping Nights 

OTTAWA—Merchants have turned thumbs; 

down on a proposal to open their stores one, 

or two nights weekly, such as has started in 

several other Canadian cities. The organized! I 

retailers, through the Board of Trade, opposed' 

the suggestion that the thousands of civil 

servants should enjoy evening shopping,! 

pointing out that local stores had followed 

the 5:30 p. m. closing rule since the distant 

past. Local theatre managers did not support' 

the proposal in the belief that the longstanding 

policy was satisfactory. 

Bobby Van, comedian and dancer, has' | 

been cast in the Jane Powell starring vehicle, 

"Small Town Girl," a Metro film. 

, 

96 

BOXOFFICE May 31, 1952'

NFB Film Costs Drop 

In Current Year 

OTTAWA—Canada's National Film Board 

was both more productive and more economical 

with the taxpayers' money last year 

than it was during the previous year. 

In testimony before the special commons 

committee on the National Film Board, W. A. 

Irwin, government film commissioner, decribed 

film production as "the heart of 

the board's operations." 

During the 1950-51 fiscal year, the National 

Film Board completed 187 films. 130 of them 

one reel or more. This was done by 219 persons 

at a total cost of $1,156,638. Tlie following 

fiscal year, 1951-52, however, production 

Increased to 213 films, of which 134 were one 

reel or more. This was done by 223 staffers 

at a total cast of $1,292,000. 

Piom the 1950-51 fiscal years to the next, 

film production increased 14 per cent, but the 

total costs were up only 11.7 per cent. Average 

cost per film produced in 1950-51 wa.s 

$6,185. But the average cost dropped during 

the next year when more films were made at 

$6,093 per film—a saving of $92 per film. 

During 1950-51. the boai-d secured 217,389 

nontheatrical showings of its films in Canada 

and abroad. The following fiscal year, 

it showed an increase in total showings in 

Canada and abroad of 12.1 per cent. This will 

be even higher as figures for foreign showings 

were for nine months only. It increased 

its Canadian nontheatrical audience 13.3 per 

cent from one year to the next. 

In 1950-51, the boai-d secured 5,129 Canadian 

theatrical bookings. The following fiscal 

year this figure for Canadian theatrical bookings 

was up 65.4 per cent to 8,483. 

Prom one fiscal year to the next, the board 

increased its television bookings abroad by 

57.1 per cent. Most television bookings were 

in the United States. 

Film Board Cconerconan 

Wounded in Korea 

MONTRELAL—A National Film Board cameraman 

in Korea was shot and wounded by 

a Canadian soldier, the army reported this 

week. The shooting was described as accidental. 

John Carson Foster, 24, of Ottawa is in 

an American hospital in Korea and the 

wound, in the left thigh, is not serious. 

Foster, whose mother, Mrs. S. S. Walker, 

lives in Ottawa, has the status of war correspondent. 

With another Film Board employe, 

Julien Biggs of Ottawa, he has been 

working on a film about Canada's 25th 

Brigade. 

Details of the accident were not complete 

at headquarters, but it was understood Foster 

and an unidentified man were entering a 

Canadian camp in a jeep. They apparently 

were challenged by a guard. Foster claimed 

he did not see or hear him. The guard fired 

and hit him. 

Show Aids Pioneer Fund 

WINNIPEG—A holiday midnight show was 

held Friday (23i at the Garrick and Odeoa 

with proceeds going to the Motion Picture 

Pioneers benevolent fund. Exhibitors in Winnipeg 

and vicinity pitched in to help make 

this show a big success. 

BRITISH FILM ACADEMY PRESIDENT SPEAKS 

Europe a Good Market 

For Canadian Pictures 

MONTREAL—A British film export believes 

that Montreal's dual culture, thouuh beneficial 

t6 the city's artistic development, may 

be somewhat of a drawback to small film 

societies. 

Dr. Roger Manvell, director of the British 

Film Academy, and internationally noted expert 

on British documentary films, made this 

point on his arrival by air to give two illustrated 

lectures on films here. 

He said that small film societies depend 

largely on obtaining hard-to-get foreign language 

films for their select audiences. However, 

with films from Hollywood and Paris 

being equally abimdant here, about the only 

foreign ones produced in quantity but not 

widely shown here are those made in Italy. 

The British expert said that in his recent 

tour of Canadian cities, he had found that 

there was a growing interest in documentaries 

and other types of film used for both adult 

and juvenile education. 

Britain and Europe were good markets for 

Canadian films of a more .serious nature and 

the quality of the movies produced by the 

National Film Board was highly prai.sed 

abroad. 

Dr. Manvell lectured on "The Problem of 

Film Criticism" at the physical .sciences center 

of McGill university and later on "What British 

Documentary Standards Are For" at the 

University of Montreal. 

"Be sophisticated, know something about 

the world—and then study the medium of 

film it-self carefully," Dr. Manvell answered 

when a.-ked what would be a good basis on 

which to develop a discriminating, critical 

approach to films. 

He said Britain still had the edge of years 

of experience in producing documentary films. 

But, Americans, w'ho began giving serious 

attention to documentaries with their entry 

into World War II, had really "gone into them 

in a big way since the war years." 

WINNIPEGCece Black, Empire-Universal, visited the 

ffisitors at the film exchanges included 

Duane McKenzie, Orpheum Theatre, Estevan; 

Lolly Buschau. Rose, Plumas; Ken Walshaw. 

Savoy. Wolseley; Willie Gladys, Arborg 

Theatre. Arborg; D. Girouard, Lorne- 

Central, Somerset: Gordon Cowan, Gaiety, 

Killarney, Bill Friesen of the Customs Theatre, 

Altona, and Don Haig of Whitemouth. 

The Film Exchange Bowling league conducted 

the roUoffs with Paramount, Columbia, 

JARO and 20th-Fox competing for the 

Hymie Marder trophy. Columbia rolled 

games of 1027. 870 and 1069 to walk off with 

the laurels in easy fashion. Members of the 

Columbia team were Sam Pearlman, Mildred 

Pearlman, Eddie Shell, Myer Silverstein, 

Mary Saskie, Bernie Turgeon and Al Winegratsky. 

At the annual banquet the Columbia 

team was presented the Marder trophy 

and small individual statues of bronze. The 

trophy for high average went to Bert Segal 

of the JARO team, who had an average of 

221. RKO won the consolation rolloff, Len 

Cooper won the high-three honor, Ken Beach 

the high single, while a special award was 

given to Ila Sheppard for her long and devoted 

service to the league. Praise was also 

given to Phyllis Sellwood and Benny Aidleman 

for their fine organization work to carry 

the league through. Garry Peterson, 6-yearold 

Winnipeg drummer, played. Mort Greenberg 

gave out a few novelties and Barney 

Brookler did an excellent toe dance. There 

was also a jitterburg contest which was won 

by Myer Silverstein and Loretta Gold. Myer 

is the Columbia booker. 

Max Schneir left the North Main Drive-In 

. . . The new manager and purchasing agent 

for the North Main is Sy Brownstone, who is 

also the owner of the Elm Theatre. Sy can 

always be counted on to bring in new ideas, 

and his first one is dancing on the Starlite 

Roof of the North Main concession stand . . . 

local exchange as did Jack Kohen, RKO 

Montreal manager and former Winnipegger. 

The Columbia office had a burst of engagements 

as both Myer Silverstein, booker, and 

Al Winegratsky, booker, became engaged. 

Myer will be wed to Norma Picks June 18. 

The date for Al's wedding is not yet set . . 

. 

Harvey Schwartz, representative of Izzy Allen 

of Winnipeg, was married to Toby Schwartz 

on April 30, and left on a honeymoon trip to 

the States . . . Benny Aidleman, assistant 

booker at MGM, who had an operation on 

his back last year, might have to have another 

one. 

. . 

Three companies down the line are on 

drives to the end of June. The prize, if the 

Columbia office comes first, is a trip to anywhere 

in the world . Dave Safer, manager 

of the Garrick, Winnipeg, arranged a big 

campaign on "Steel Town, ' which was photographed 

in the Kaiser steel mills in California. 

Einarson Motors is placing four 

Kaisers at the disposal of Empire-Universal 

The Valour 

and the Garrick Theatre . . . 

recently completed a 14-week run on "Worm's 

Eye View" and "Wherever She Goes." 

Sid Gutnick, RKO booker, has been transferred 

to Calgary as salesman and his place 

will be taken by Herb Black, local assistant 

booker for RKO . . . Rube Hellman, Warners, 

is to take over assistant booker duties at 

RKO around July. 

Drive-In to Be Opened June IG 

TORONTO—The Theatre Amusement Co., 

Toronto, headed by Sam Fingold and Ralph 

Dale, is preparing to open its first drive-in 

on June 16. The theatre will be located two 

miles from Midland, where the company owns 

and operates two standard theatres, the Roxy 

and Capitol. 

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Paris-Canada Co. Gets 

60 French Films 

MONTREAL — Serge Goutman. managing 

director of Paris-Canada Films. Mountain 

street here, said this week he liad received 

a large number of new Fi'ench film productions 

for distribution in this country. 

His company, he said, now has some 60 

films from France. All of them are new productionii, 

he said, although some bear titles of 

films released some time ago. Some also are 

remakes of old pictures. 

Goutman mentioned among the films he 

has for release. "La Table au.x Creves." with 

Fernandel and Maria Mauban; "Les Miracles 

N"Ontlieu Qu'Une Fois." featuring Jean 

Marais and Alida Valli; "Juliette ou la Clef 

Des Songes. "with Suzanne Cloiitier and 

Gerai'd Philippe: "Au Pays du Soleil" with 

Tino Rossi: "Le Tresor de Cantenac." witli 

Sacha Guitry; "Ombre et Lumiere," with 

Simone Signoret and Maria Casares: "Le 

Desir et L'Amour." with Martine Carol and 

Antonio Vilai-. and "Rue des Saussaies," action 

film. 

Goutman spoke with enthusiasm about the 

Parisian film. "Othello." Grand Prix winner 

at Cannes, France, which stars Orson Welles 

and Suzanne Cloutier. the latter a Canadian 

actress and daughter of the queen's painter at 

Ottawa. Many scenes in this feature film 

were taken in different countries of Europe 

and in Morocco. Goutman has a number of 

stills from the picture. Paris-Canada Films 

will give the picture its Canadian premiere. 

OTTAWA 

. . 

Tânager Don Watts of the Rideau and Bob 

Maynard of the Francais featured midnight 

shows on the eve of the Victoria day 

holiday . "The Wooden Horse" was held for 

a third week at the little Elgin by Manager 

Ernie Warren, while "With a Song in My 

Heart" remained for a seventh week in the 

main Elgin, to be followed by "The Marrying 

Kind." 

William J. Hartnett, veteran officer of the 

projectionists union, returned to the Civic 

hospital for treatment of a recuiTing ailment. 

His condition was reported to be serious . . . 

Harry Ginsler, salesman for Astral Films, was 

here after he had called on exhibitors in 

Montreal. 

The Weekly Children's Movie Guide, published 

in the Ottawa Citizen, tied in nicely 

with current pictures at local theatres. The 

"Excellent" features were listed and where 

they were playing as follows; "I Want You," 

at the Capitol: "With a Song in My Heart," 

Elgin: "The Great Caruso," Glebe, and "Captain 

Horatio Hornblower." Mayfair ... In 

hospital for an appendectomy was George J. 

Forhan jr., manager of the Montcalm, Hull. 

There was some fear of complications. 

The National Film Board put on a show 

of its own for three nights in the Research 

Council auditorium, the progi-am consisting 

of six films, including three of its own, two 

from the United Kingdom and one from 

Switzerland, "Balloons in the Sky" which had 

been produced by the Swiss legation here. 

VANCOUVER 

T es Toffee and Owen Bird, local theatremen, 

went to Butte, Mont., to attend a 

Shrincrs convention . 

Timbers, well 

known in local theatrical circles, has joined 

the Kelly Piano Co. in charge of the record 

department . . . George Formby, British film 

and stage comedian who is in a London 

clinic with coronary thrombosis, will make 

his home in Vancouver when he is well 

enough to travel . . . Vern Skorey, "Calgaiy 

manager for 20th Century-Fox, has been 

transferred to the Minneapolis office as assistant 

to Moe Levy, midwest division manager. 

.Alliance Films, whose office was two miles 

from the Film Exchange building, has opened 

new quarters a block from Filmrow at 835 

Davie. H. H. Simmons, local architect who 

built many Odeon theatres in Briti.sh Columbia, 

was in charge of plans and coastruction 

of the recently opened Paramount Theatre 

in Port Alberni . . . Audrey Reed, cashier 

at Sovereign Films, is on vacation in California 

. . . Cecil Hall of the Paradise staff 

was at Yellow Point on Vancouver Island 

for a two-week holiday. 

Dr. Roger Manvell, director of the British 

Film Academy and author of such 

esteemed books as "A Seat at the Cinema," 

was here on a lecture tour . Dalgleish, 

Warner Bros, manager, reports he is getting 

good support from exhibitors in the Ben 

Kalmenson sales drive . . . It's reported that 

the State, Vancouver's only stage show house, 

will be taken over by a Montreal showman 

shortly. 

Several independently owned theatres are 

now operating with one man in a booth in 

place of two projectionists. The one-man law 

was passed recently by the legislature. To 

date the two circuits have made no move 

to operate under the one-man law ... A 

week's vacation in Hollywood was won by 

a local woman in a contest sponsored by 

Ansco film dealers in connection with "The 

Wild North" at the Orpheum Theatre. There 

were more than 100,000 entrants in the threeweek 

competition, which zoomed grosses on 

the film in its extended run. 

Ken Leach of the Strand, Calgary, attended 

the Variety International convention at Las 

Vegas. Nev. The Victoria day holiday on the 

24th was no help to theatres what with the 

fine outdoor weather . Knight, Orpheum 

candy girl, is leading in the concessions 

drive being conducted in Famous Player 

British Columbia theatres. 

A dozen kids who wanted to see a show but 

had the price of only one ticket among them 

pulled an old trick at a downtown theatre. 

The juveniles, ranging in ages from 11 to 14, 

bought one ticket. One went into the show on 

the ticket and tried to let the remaining 11 

in through the exit doors. Three of them were 

captured, but the other nine, however, saw 

the cowboy picture. 

The Opera House at Sointula on the west 

coast of Vancouver Island, which has been 

without pictures since the fire marshal condemned 

the theatre as a fire hazard, has 

been reopened by Mrs. Pakkala, who made the 

changes required. The house seats 260. The 

town was an important air base in the last 

war. 

Holiday Tills Trade 

On Toronto Rialto 

TORONTO—A boxoffice boost was registered 

by Toronto theatres by Victoria holiday 

(24 1, although the relative increase was 

reduced because it was a Saturday. The top 

grosser was "Singin' in the Rain" at Loew's. 

There were holdovers at four theatres, ineluding 

a second week of "With a Song in 

j 

My Heart" in a moveover at the Nortown. 

' 

(Average Is 100) 

Eglinton Anything Con Happen (Pora), 2nd wk..ll5 

j 

Hylond Encore (Pora), 7th wk 95 ,1 

Imperial Red Mountoin (Pora), 2nd wk 110 i 

Loew's Singin' in the Roin (MGM) 130 

Odeon The Pride of St. Louis (20th-Fox) 125 

Nortown With o Song in My Heart (20th-Fox), 

2nd wk 

100 I 

Shea's Moeao (RKO) 120 j 

University, Tivoli My Son John (Faro) 130 I 

Uptown The Wild North (MGM) 120 

j 

Victorio, Capitol The Big Trees (WB); Room for 

One More (WB) 110 

"Rain," "Fingers' Holdovers 

Beat Vancouver Theatre 

j 

VANCOUVER—First runs had another off 1 

week, with fine weather attracting the public 

to outdoor activities. All 

j 

outdoor houses report 

improved business so far this season in ' 

spite of a slow start with unfavorable weather. 

A holdover of "Singin' in the Rain" and a 

moveover of "Five Fingers" were the leaders. I 

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Capitol Singin' in the Rain (MGM), 2nd wk Good 

Cinema Okinawa (Col); A Yank in Indo-China I 

(Col) 

Average 

Dominion The Big Trees (WB); The Los Vegos 

Story (RKO), 2nd d. t. wk Fair 

Orpheum Lone Star (MGM) Fair 

Paradise Theirs Is the Glory (JARO); Good 

Time Girl (JARO) Average 

Ploza Return of the Texan (20th-Fox); Desert 

Pursuit (Mono) Fair ' 

State—He Ron All the Way (UA), plus stage I 

show 

Fair 

Strand Five Fingers (20th-Fox), 2nd d. t. wk...Good 

Studio Les Miserables (IFD) Moderate 

Vogue The Battle at Apache Pots (U-l) Fair 1 

TORONTO 

IJ C. D. Main, owner of 

the Simcoe at Sutton. 

has been appointed chairman of aj 

committee of trustees which is converting a! 

hall in the North York community park into' 

a historical museum. The building is located' 

on a 600-acre site at Lake Simcoe. He was, 

publicity chairman for the Red Cross blooddonors 

clinic at Sutton last Monday . . . Lloyd 

Gurr, former manager of the Century ati 

Hamilton, has sold his Island View hotel at 

Gordon Bay in the Muskoka lakes district,' 

and is arranging to take an extended holiday. 

Morris Stein, division manager for Famous 

Players, is now a baseball magnate. He has! 

become a director of the Toronto club in the 

International league . . . Pete Barnes of 

Barnes & Davidson, owners of theatres in ai 

number of towns, addressed service clubs at 

Palmerston and Beamsville on successive days, i 

The theatre at Palmerston is the Norgan; 

while the Beam is Beamville's amusement! 

center. 

Lou Rosefield, former owner of the Westdale 

at Hamilton, and Mrs. Rosefield areon 

a six-week motor tour in the United 

States. Following the sale of his theatre, 

Rosefield resigned as treasurer of the Motion 

Picture Theatres Ass'n of Ontario . . . Man-, 

ager Gerry Collins of Loew's Uptown, To-- 

ronto, had a busy holiday morning on Vic-, 

toria day when he staged a kiddy cartoon 

show for which the fee was 25 cents. Thehouse 

was jammed. The program was distinct 

from the regular bill. 

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98 BOXOFFICE May 31, 1952,

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Melton. 

fl)(0fflCf(f)DDiiJJ]i^ÛJI)5 

The EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY ABOUT 

Death of a Salesman (Col1—Predrlc March, 

Mildred Dunnock, Kevin McCarthy. The 

writer who predicted the death of movie 

theatres in Life magazine last summer must 

have Just seen this picture. We are supposed 

to be the greatest entertainment medium but 

pictures like this will kill us fast and drive 

our patrons to television. Played Tues., Wed. 

(bank nighti. Weather: Good one night, 

cloudy the next.—M. W. Long, Lans Theatre, 

lAnsing, Iowa. Small-town and rural patronage. 

Harriet Craig (Coll —Joan Crawford, Wendell 

Corey. K. T. Stevens. This is a very good 

picture and we played it late. Didn't think 

It would do any business but was pleasantly 

surprised. NOT a suitable show for children 

as it is one of those family trouble pictures. 

Played Tues., Wed. Weather: Warm.—H. M. 

Swam, Maynard Theatre, Maynard, Minn. 

Small-town and rural patronage. 

Mob. The (Col)—Broderick Crawford, Betty 

Buehler, Richard Kiley. Of its type this is 

good but did no business since such pictures 

can now be seen on television. Played Wed., 

Thurs. Weather: Warm.—Harland Rankin, 

Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ontario, Canada. 

Small-town patronage. 

Silver Canyon (Col) — Gene Autry, Pat 

Buttram, Gail Davis. This one just didn't 

seem to click either at the boxoffice or with 

the crowd. Comments weren't good and boxoffice 

was poor. Perhaps due to the fact that 

it was Good Friday and Holy Saturday. 

Weather: Cold and cloudy.—G. P. Jonckowski, 

Lyric Theatre, Wabasso, Minn. Rural and 

small-town patronage. 

I 

Ten Tall Men (Col)—Burt Lancaster, Jody 

Lawrance, Gilbert Roland. Here is a swell 

picture in Technicolor, plenty of action at 

just the right spots. The comedy, supplied 

mostly by George Tobias, is good. Burt Lancaster, 

most reliable in his part as the American 

legionnaire, is plenty tough for your action 

fans. Cute little Jody Lawrance, as the 

Egyptian princess who falls in love with Lancaster, 

is quite an actress. We gave this our 

preferred time and our grosses were good. 

Play it if you have an action house, you will 

not go wrong. Columbia will treat you right on 

the price too. Played Sun., Mon., Tues. 

Weather: Mild.—Roy D. Tidwell, Roxy Theat 

1 tre. Barnsdall, Okla. Small-town and oil- 

1 field patronage. 

LIPPERT PRODUCTIONS 

Big Horn (LP)—Lloyd Bridges, John 

Little 

Ireland, Marie Windsor. The picture is good. 

j 

However, it is not the picture the trailer 

said it was. So help me, Marie Windsor was 

I 

( 

only in the picture twice. Two minutes the 

first time and about one minute the second 

. and then it was an overlap. Her name was 

1 used only to get people in. That did me 

more harm than anything. My patrons like 

I 

her but now, the next time I put her name 

I 

on the marquee, they will wonder how much 

she will be in the picture. I am going to 

lay off product like that. Played Pri., Sat. 

Weather: clear, Pri. Rain, Sat.—Kenneth 

Clem, Earle Theatre, Taneytown, Md. Smalltown 

patronage. 

Savage Drums (LP)—Sabu, Lita Baron, Sid 

Way below average story which Ls 

held up somewhat by the name and acting 

ability of Sabu. Very slow-moving with too 

PICTURES 

much detail. Will get by in the dualers. 

Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Fair and cool. 

Pearce Parkhurst, Lansing Drive-In Theatre, 

Lansing. Mich. 

METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER 

Across the Wide Missouri (MGM) —Clark 

Gable, Maria Elena Marques, John Hodiak. 

This .superwestern went over well with our 

people. The scenic backgrounds were exceptionally 

beautiful in Technicolor and drew 

favorable comments. We did a little better 

business than normal but Metro's high rental 

took all of it, as usual. Played Sun., Mon., 

Tues. Weather: Good.—R. G. Risch, Reno 

Theatre, Appleton, Minn. Small-town and 

rural patronage. 

Show Boat (MGM)—Ava Gardner, Howard 

Keel, Kathryn Grayson. Every theatre should 

Arranges Special Showing 

Oi 'Trio' for High School 

"TRIO (Para) — James Hayter, Anne 

Crawford, Jean Simmons. Here Is a 

nice English picture. I did not show this 

for the public but ran one show for the 

high school Instead. I thought it was 

excellent. There is only one trouble. You 

cannot make money on It because It is 

not well known. If the public could get 

the story of it you would be okay. 

English classes go for this. — Kenneth 

Clem, Earle Theatre, Taneytown, Md. 


run this one some time. It is carefully produced 

and pleases everyone.—C. E. Bennewitz, 

Royal Theatre, Royalton, Minn. Rural trade. 

Westward the Women (MGM)—Robert 

Taylor, Etenise Darcel. Hope Emerson. When 

MGM starts out to make a big 'un, they make 

a big 'un! "Westward the Women" is positively 

the biggest and best superwestern I 

have ever seen and these tired old eyes of 

mine have been looking ever since I started 

to run a picture machine for Mr. A. Martini 

in the old Dixie No. 1 back in Galveston, Tex., 

in 1910. MGM, why not make another big 

'un showing how these women helped to settle 

that country?—W. A. Labarthe, Grant Theatre, 

Pond Creek. Okla.—Small-town and rural 

patronage. 

MONOGRAM 

Disc Jockey (Mono)—Ginny Simms, Tom 

Drake, Jane Nigh. Run it. Every disk jockey 

in town will turn out to see it. We have one 

disk jockey at our local radio station—he 

came and about 15 or 20 of his fans. Otherwise 

we starved to death on it. The few who 

came were let down as it wasn't much in the 

way of a small town picture. Not much of a 

story unless you happen to know all about 

radio advertising and program selling. My 

advice to small towns is 1-1-1-lay off of it. 

Played Monday. Weather: Fair.—Lloyd 

Hutchins, Center Theatre, Kensett, Ark. Rural 

patronage. 

Six Gun Mesa (Mono) —Johnny Mack 

Brown, Gail Davis. Riley Hill. For this .series, 

this is better than most, but Johnny Mack 

Brown i.s dead in Fruita, where a few years 

back he was boxoffice on the action change. 

Played Pri., Sat. Weather: Lovely.—Bob Walker, 

Uintah Theatre, Fruita, Colo. Small 

town and rural patronage. 

Yellow Fin (Monoi- -Wayne Morris, Adrian 

Booth. Gloria Henry. We agree 100 per cent 

with the BOXOFFICE rating on this. With 

Wayne Morris in it you'd think it would be 

fair. It is one of the weakest .screen stories 

in ages. Poor acting. Just a plain dud and 

Monogram got a decent rental. Skip it! 

Played Tues., Wed. Weather: Fine.—Ken 

Christianson, Roxy Theatre, Wa.shburn, N. D. 


PARAMOUNT 

Detective Story iPara) — Kirk Douglas. 

Eleanor Parker. William Bendix. You'll never 

see a better show as far as acting and direction 

go but our customers would rather laugh 

than cry. A good show but hard to .sell. 

Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Good.—Audrey 

Thomp.son, Ozark Theatre, Hardy, Ark. Smalltown 

and rural patronage. 

Last Outpost (Para) — Ronald Reagan. 

Rhonda Fleming. Bruce Bennett. This is a 

nice western that drew fairly well here but 

not up to what we figured, although a fine 

story and Technicolor help. Ronald Reagan 

and Bruce Bennett do a fine job of acting. 

Many commented that the battle at the end 

of the picture was one of the best fight scenes 

they have seen in a western. We would say 

that it is above average and if your patrons 

like action then give 'em this one. Played 

Sat., Mon. Weather: Fair.—Sam Holmberg, 

Buster Grass, New Regal Theatre, Sturgis, 

Sask., Canada. Rural patronage. 

Pagan Love Song (MGM)—Esther Williams, 

Howard Keel, Minna Gombell. This w-ill bring 

lots of satisfied customers. It's fine entertainment. 

Played Fri., Sat., Sun. Weather: 

O.K.—Frank Sabin, Majestic Theatre, Eureka. 

Mont. Small-town patronage. 

Royal Wedding (MGM)—Fred Astaire. Jane 

Powell, Peter Lawford. Another musical comedy 

with some unique dancing by Fred 

Astaire. My personal comment would be for 

Astaire to stick to dancing and leave the 

singing for other people. Boxoffice was in 

the red. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Warm. 

—Virgil Anderson, C-B Theatre, Bucklin, Mo. 

Rural patronage. 

Texas Carnival (MGM)—Esther Williams. 

Red Skelton, Howard Keel. Undoubtedly this 

is one of the best I've had here in a blue 

moon. The chuck wagon race is sure to lay 

them in the aisles. Esther Williams in Technicolor 

is just as pretty as ever and the wit 

of Red Skelton is sure to keep the audience 

in stitches. This is O.K. for the smallest 

town anywhere, in my estimation. Played 

Sun., Mon. Weather: Warm.—I. Roche, Vernon 

Theatre, Vernon, Fla. Small-town and 

rural patronage. 

RKO RADIO 

At Sword's Point (RKO)—Cornel Wilde, 

Maureen O'Hara, Robert Douglas. The two 

stars are good and there is enough action 

to take the audience over the parts of the 

English dialog they couldn't understand. 

Business just passed. Played FYi.. Sat. 

Weather: Rain and cool.—William "Uncle 

Billy" Graham, Lasky Theatre, Detroit. Mich. 

Neighborhood patronage. 

Drums in the Deep South (RKO) —James 

Craig, Barbara Payton. Guy Madison. This 

(Continued on following page) 

BOXOFFICE BookinGuide May 31, 1952

The EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY 


is an unusual story of the south and the 

Civil War. with a surprise ending. The costume 

designer, director and cameraman deserve 

much acclaim for the exceptional work 

in making this picture appear to he a larger 

production than it really was. Played Fri., 

Silt. Weather: Fail-.— Pearce Parkhurst. Lansing 

Drive-In Theatre, Lansing. Mich. Family 

patronage. 

Two Tickets to Broadway iRKOi—Tony 

Martin. Janet Leigh. Eddie Bracken. The two 

stars were very good in this musical and they 

received good stipport. Tony sings everything 

from grand opera to .slapstick and the best 

thing about it is that all the numbers are put 

over in his own particular style. Ann Miller 

is still more than good in her dance numbers 

while EMdie Bracken carries the comedy as 

only he can. Technicolor adds to the enjoyment 

of the picture. All in all it is swell. Although 

the grosses were not as high as we 

have had on some musicals still they were 

most gratifying. Played Sun.. Mon.. Tues. 

Weather: Spring-like—Roy D. Tidwell, Roxy 

Theatre. Barnsdall. Okla. Small-town and oilfield 

patronage. 

Two Tickets to Broadway (RKO)—Tony 

Martin. Janet Leigh. Eddie Bracken. By 

playing percentage we paid about what the 

picture was worth and no more. While it 

is nice color, musicals don't bring in our 

hillbillies, although we do like to see a few 

new faces. Republic's "Postoffice Investigator" 

didn't rescue the deal. Played Tues.. 

Wed.—R. B. Tuttle, Sky Drive-In. Adrian. 

Mich. Rural and small-city patronage. 

REPUBLIC 

Captive of Billy the Kid (Repl-Allan 

"Rocky" Lane, Penny Edwards, Grant Withers. 

The kids like "Rocky" Lane. Lots of 

action and thiills in this one. Played with 

"Sands of Iwo Jima" (Repi. Busines.s was 

fair. Played Fi-i., Sat. Weather: Warm. 

William Graham. Lasky Theatre. Datroit, 

Mich. Neighborhood patronage. 

Honeychile (Rep)—Judy Canova. Alan Hale 

jr.. Eddie Foy jr. Judy Canova can always 

draw in the small towns and this picture is 

no exception. It did as well as could be 

expected with the weather we had. There 

were many good comments and everyone 

got a good laugh. It's Judy's best, and in 

color, too. Played Sun.. Mon. Weather: Cold 

and rain.—Tom Mansell. Lyric Theatre, Russellville. 

Ala. Small-town second run house. 

Honeychile (Repi —Judy Canova, Alan Hale 

jr.. Eddie Foy jr. Judy, honey, where have 

you been so long? Pure corn but drew very 

well. Just what about 90 per cent of my 

customers like. Trucolor is getting better, 

too. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Good. 

Audrey Tliompson, Ozark Theatre, Hardy, 

Ai-k. Small-town and rural patronage. 

In Old Amarillo (Rep)—Roy Rogers, Penny 

Edwards, Estelita Rodriguez. This is just an 

average Rogers picture. Not good enough to 

brag about but not too bad. Republic killed 

the boxoffice draw for Rogers when they discontinued 

Ti-ucolor. We haven't shown a 

profit on a Rogers picture since. I believe a 

film in color will draw at least 25 per cent more 

biLsiness. Played Thurs., Fri., Sat. Weather: 

Good.—Norman Barker. Lorimor Theatre, 

Lorimor. Iowa. Small-town and rural patronage. 

20th CENTURY-FOX 

Anne of the Indies i20th-Fox)—Jean Peters. 

Louis Jourdan, Thomas Gomez. Avast—here's 

blood by the bucketful! Technicolor really 

makes this a gore-filled spectacle, but it was 

well enough liked and we made about three 

dollars on it. Jean Peters somehow convinces 

you there might have been a lady pirate captain. 

Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Fair.— 

R. G. Risch, Reno Tlieatre, Appleton, Minn. 


Call Mo Mister (20th-Fox)—Betty Grable, 

Dan Dailey, Dale Robertson. Betty perfect. 

Dan perfect. Danny rhomas stops the show 

twice. It's the kind of picture everybody 

goes for. Played Fri., Sat., Sun. Weather: 

O.K.—Frank Sabin, Majestic Theatre, Eureka, 

Mont. Small-town patronage. 

Day the Earth Stood Still, The (20th-Foxi 

—Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, Hugh Marlowe. 

After playing this feature we had a new 

star at the Regal and that is Michael Rennie. 

The women sure went for him in a big 

way. It is the best in this type of picture 

that we have ever had the good fortune to 

play here. The suspense was really something 

and it was talked about for a long time after 

the play date. We say play it by all means. 

Fox should be proud to be able to release 

a picture of this sort. If they make another 

like it then we will play it for sure. Played 

Sat., Mon. Weather: Good.—Sam Holmberg, 

Buster Grass, New Regal Theatre, Sturgis, 

Sask., Canada. Rural patronage. 

Man Who Cheated Himself, The (20th-Fox) 

—Lee J. Cobb, Jane Wyatt, John Dall. I played 

it at the bottom of a double bill and I guess 

I did not place it low enough. Poor boxoffice 

returns. Played Fri.. Sat. Weather: Clear. 

Virgil Anderson. C-B Theatre, Bucklin, Mo. 

Rural patronage. 

Meet Me After the Show (20th-Fox>—Betty 

Grable. Macdonald Carey. Rory Calhoun. This 

is a below-average Grable musical and evidently 

our patrons thought the same. Business 

was away off. If all Betty had to offer 

was her voice, pity the boxoffice. It would 

help if they would give her some tuneful 

songs. Played Sun.. Mon. Weather: Good. 

Norman Barker, Lorimor Theatre, Lorimor, 

Iowa. Small-town and rural patronage. 


Fabiola lUAi — Michele Morgan. Henri 

"Vidal. Michel Simon. This was made in Italy 

and has been sold to the public as a really 

big picture and. in some places I understand, 

it does do business. However, I do not feel 

that it is a goodwill builder. Played Mon., 

Tues. Weather: Good.—Harland Rankin, 

Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont.. Canada. Smalltown 


Johnny One-Eye (UAl — Pat O'Brien, 

Wayne Morris. Dolores Moran. Another show 

that won't make anybody any money—that 

goes for the distributor, producer and exhibitor. 

The only ones that will come out on the 

right side are the stars, if they got paid a 

salary! By the way. I still think Pat O'Brien 

is a good actor who hasn't had many breaks 

of late. And where did they pick up the dame 

in this one? Suggest you pass this one by 

without even looking. Played Fri., Sat. 

Weather: Fair.—Dave S. Klein, Astra Theatre, 

Kitwe-Nkana, N. Rhodesia, Africa. Mining, 

business, government patronage. 

Man From Planet X, The (UA)—Robert 

Clarke, Margaret Field, Raymond Bond. This 

one had the same story again that the rest 

of the science-fiction .shows had—but it was 

good. Business was just average. The picture' 

should have done better than that. 

Everyone seemed to enjoy it. Played Sun., 

Mon. Weather: Warm.—Tom Mansell, Lyric 

Theatre, Russellville, Ala. Small-town second 

run house. 

UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL 

Apache Drums lU-I) —Stephen McNally, 

Coleen Gray, Willard Parker. Here is another 

of the so-called superwesterns that did 

not draw well here. It was our poorest grosser 

in six months. The picture had one very bad 

fault and that was that it was too .short.. 

The audience was just getting settled when 

the end came. We feel that this should be 

double billed. Played Wed.. Thurs. Weather: 

Fair.—Sam Holmberg. Buster Gra.ss, New, 

Regal Theatre, Sturgis, Sask., Canada. Rural j 

patronage. 

Cimarron Kid, The lU-D— Audie Murphy,! 

Yvette Dugay, Beverly Tyler. A swell actionpacked 

colorful western that should do wellO 

in most theatres—below average here due to J 

"spring work" and "spring fever" amongst jj 

the youngsters. Worth a weekend play date. 

Played Thurs., Fri., Sat. Weather: Spring.— jj 

Ken Christianson, Roxy Theatre, Wa.shburn, 

N. D. Small-town and rural patronage. 

Here Come the Nelsons (U-D—Ozzie and 

Harriet Nelson. Barbara Lawrence. A lightweight 

entry from U-I but very pleasing. The 

comedy is family type and very well done, 

especially by Ozzie. This .showed a slightly 

better boxoffice draw than other midweek pictures 

we have played this spring season. Could 

' 

be the beginning of a successful series venture 

if U-I keeps the rental in line. Played 

Tues.. Wed., Thurs. Weather: Okay.—William 

J. Harris, Crown Theatre, Lincoln, Ark. 

Rural and small town patronage. 

Little Egypt (U-D—Rhonda Fleming, Mark] 

Stevens, Nancy Guild. This is one pictured 

about which we made a fuss before it came J 

and the trailer was fascinating but it did not 

hold up on the second night. The 

] 

storyJ 

faltered and the police stopped the show toos 

often. Played Wed.. Thurs. Weather: Rainy.[^ 

—H. E. Porta, Civic Theatre, Osceola, Mo., 

Farming trade. 

WARNER BROS. 

(WB)—Gary Cooper. Ruth Roman,! 

Dallas 

Steve Cochran. Gary Cooper and Ruth] 

Roman did a splendid job of acting and com-j 

ments from patrons were very good. Box-t 

office was about average. We made a few 

bucks. Play it. Played Wed.. Thurs. Weather: 

Hot and humid.—Virgil Anderson, C-B Theatre, 

Bucklin, Mo. Rural patronage. 

I'll See You in My Dreams (WB)—Dannyl 

Thomas. Doris Day. Frank Lovejoy. A goodii 

picture but it didn't draw well here. Peoplej( 

didn't know Danny Thomas' name and Itjj 

wasn't in color. Think it would have beenjl 

improved if it had shown a little more of theJ 

children. Weather: Rain.—Audrey Thompson, 

Ozark Theatre, Hardy, Ark. Small-townjj 


Jim Thorpe — All - American ( WB) — BurtiJ j 

Lancaster, Charles Bickford, Steve Cochran.('J 

Very good acting by Burt Lancaster, but 

only about one out of ten persons had ever 

heard of Jim Thorpe. Play it if your fans, J 

Uke sports dramas.—Roger Cloet, Bay Thea-l' 

tre. Port Rowan, Ontario, Canada. SmallJi 

town and rural patronage. 

I 

StarUft (WB)—Doris Day, Gordon MacRae,|| 

Virgina Mayo. A good picture but it failed; 

to do average midweek business here. OurJ 

patrons just don't go for this type of pic-j 

ture. Played Tues., Wed. Weather: O.K.—; 

Orin J. Sears, Apache Theatre, Loving, N. M., 


MISCELLANEOUS 

Basketball Fix, The (Realart)—John Ireland, 

Marshall Thompson, Vanessa Brown.-j 

Ireland and Thompson are good as the sports-! 

writer and basketball player. Jack BroderJ 

is doing pretty well with his independentsjjl 

Give us more pictures on this order. 'We|j 

played it with "An American in Paris"J 

(MGM) on Wed., Thurs., Fri., Sat. Weather :(j 

Rain and snow.—Graham & Yarnell, KrameriJ 

Theatre, Detroit, Mich. Neighborhood paii| 

tronage. 

•H 

J| 

BOXOFFICE BookinGuide May 31, 1952]J

.' 

lnt«ryr«tive 

analysii of lay and tradepr«fE reviews. The plus and minus signs indicotc degree of 

crlf only; audience cloislficoflon is not rated. Listings cover current reviews, brought up to dote regulorly. 

Is deportment serves also as an ALPflABETICAL INDEX to feature releases. Numeral preceding title 

Picture Guide Review page number. For listings by company, in the order of release, see Feature Chorl. 

K Very Good;

REVIEW DIGEST Very Good; • Good; ' Foir; Poor; - Very Poor. In the summary *^< is rated 2 pluses, — as 2 minuses. 

o

tf Very Good; ^ Good; - Fair; Poor; — Very Poor. In the sunimory :• is rotcd os 2 pluses, = as 2 REVIEW DIGEST 

1 

o 

ID

. . W. 

! 

©Wild 

1 

Kansas 

1 

Desert 

. 

nnvjhi ciJfiiTr 

COLUMBIA 

Ui 

Sirocco 

II.Hii: lii... 

i98) 

I!";:irl, Lw J. 

D . . 348 

Cobb. Mirta Torcn 

(Hurricane Island (72) D..349 

Two of a Kind (75) D. .350 

EdmunJ (I ItrJcn. Llzabelb Scott, Terry Muore 

Big Gusher (68) D . . 306 

\v.i\T:.- Miirrls. I'reston Foster. Dorotby Patrick 

Hcnonio Town (56) W..367 

'.' isl( of tho Avenger (83) D..3S9 

'rvi. Ainlioriy tjiiinn. Jorty Lawrance 

Whistle at Eaton Falls, The (96) D. .322 

l.lc>.l l!rl(1>;l 1). tiraysoli. M.ir);aret Fielil, Kowley 

Saturday's Hero (111) D..401 

Jolin itonk. l>onri.i Iteed. Blackmcr 

Sidney 

Lady and the Bandit, The (79). .D. .337 

U.iils ll.iv«,ird. r.ilrU-i.i Midln;i. T. iiilly 

OSunny Side of the Street (71). .M. .408 

l-r.ijikli' l.iinc. Killy hanicls. Terry Moore 

Magic Foce, The (89) D. .402 

UilluT .\dUr, I'atrlcla Knight. \V. I.. Shirer 

Corky of Gasoline 

Hills of Utoh (70) 

Alley (70). D.. 302 

W. .356 

OMagic Carpet, The (84) C..410 

l.udlli' Hall. .Uilili .\|!Jr, ratricia Medina 

Criminal Lawyer (74) D. .412 

I'al (t'llrien, J.irie Wyatt, Jerome rowan 

Mob, The (87) D . . 407 

lir.iderlck Trawtord. Betty Bnelller. li. KIley 

Five (93) D. .371 

William l'liliM)S, Susan Oouglas. E.irl I,ee 

Jungle Manhunt (66) D . .41 

Kid From Amarillo, The (56) . .488 

OBorctoot Mailman, The (83) .C..404 

Koli'Tl rrininiini:s. 

Harlem 

Terry 

Globetrotters, 

Moore. J. Coiirtland 

The (80).. C. 405 

rhoma< Ciimez, Harlem Globetrotters 

Son of Dr. Jekyll, The (77) D..409 

IxitiU Ila>\\ard. Jody Lawrance, A. Knox 

Volley of Fire (63) W. .353 

Gene Autry, Pal Bultram. Gail Davis 

©Ten Toll Men (97) D..413 

Burt l-ancaiter, Jody Lawrance, G. Itoland 

OMan in the Saddle (87) SW..420 

Randoliih Scott. Joan Leslie, Ellen Drew 

Purple Heart Diary (73) D. .421 

Frances l.ain;ford, Tony Romano, Ben Lessy 

Family Secret, The (85) D. .414 

l.ee J. Cobb. John Derek, Jody Lawrance 

Pecos River (55) W. .484 

Charles Starrett. Smiley Burnetle, F. Jenks 

Boots Molone (103) D. .419 

William Holden. Johnny Stewart, S Dcmcnls 

OIndian Uprising (70) SW..417 

George .Montk'oraery. Audrey Long, C. B. Held 

Old West, The (61) W..473 

Gene Aiitrv. Gail Davis, Pat Buttr.im 

Smoky Canyon (55) W. .483 

Charles Starrett, Smiley Burnette 

LIPPERT 

.» G.I. Jane (62) C..5012 

Jean Porter. Tom Neal. Iris Adrbm 

3 Yes Sir, Mr. Bones (54) M..5019 

All-star Minstrel Show 

1!^ Vorietics on Porade (60) M. .5020 

Jackie Coogan, All-Star llevue 

inj Lost Continent, The (86) D. .5004 

Cesar Romero, Hillary Brouko, Clllck thaniller 

2JJ Leave It to the Marines (66). . C. .5005 

Sid .Melton. .Mara Lynn 

(SAs You Were (57) C..5023 

William 'IVaey, Jo e Sawyer, Russell Hicks 

SSky High (60) C . . 5024 

Sid .Melton. Mara Lynn, Sam Flint 

m Highly Dangerous (81 ) D . . 

5029 

Dune Clark, .\laigarel Luckuuod, M. GoriiiB 

ai Unknown World (63) D..5101 

Uruce Keiioge, Marilyn Nash, Jim Bannon 

111 FBI Girl (74) D . 

Cesar Romero, Audrey Totter, George Brent 

gl) Superman and the Mole Men 

(58) D. .5030 

George Reeves, Phyllis Coates, Jelt Corey 

ttJ Great Adventure, The (75). . . .D. .5021 

Dennis Price, Jack Hawkins. 8. JIcKenna 

Feature productions by company in order of releosc. Number in square is notionol releose date. Runnint 

time is in parentheses. Type of story is indicated by letters and combinations thereof as follows: {C 

Comedy; [D) Dromo; (CO) Comedy-Drama; (F) Fontasy; (M) Musical; (W) Western; (SW) Superwestern 

Releose number follows:

' 

KiciiArd 

1 Yvonne 

I 

I 

(Kei. 

Marie 

.0. 

FEATURE 

CHART 

PARAMOUNT RKO RADIO 

gpSiJig* West (80) SW..S022 

lutiri I'nyne, Arltcn Whelan, Dermis O'Ket-'fe 

Big Cornivol, The (112) D..S023 

as Ace in tlie Hole) 

I 

Here Comes the Groom (114). .C. .5101 

J.ine Wjnian. Kinncliot Tune 

llirig 

Piece 

Crtisbv. 

in the Sun, A (122) D..5102 

MonlKunury Cllfl. Klizabctll Taylor 

Rhuborb (94) C. .5103 

liai .Mlliand. Jan Sterling, (lene Loclchart 

31 OHoppy Go Lovely (88) M. .262 

David Mven, Verii-Ellvn, Cesar Romcru 

Kirli lioiiBlas, Jan Sterling. I'urler Hall 

a U(SAIice in Wonderland (75). . .291 

(Walt Itisiiey carlooii) 

Lilll Marlene (73) O. .203 

Lisa Daniely. Hugh McDcrmotl, J. BIythe 

Peking Express (85) D . . 5024 

rulleti. foriiine Calvel, Kdmunii (;\ienn 

Jiisepti 

Tliof's My Boy (98) C. .5026 ini Flying Leothernecks (102) O. .261 

John Wayne. Kohort Ryan. JiUlis Carter 

Lewis. Kulh iiussey 

lii-an .Miitiii. Jerry 

'oWorpoth (95) SW. .5025 Roadblock (73) 

tilcti'iiJ O'llricn, Dean Jagger, Forrest Tuclicr 

(litrleN .MeCraw. Joan Dixon, Louell tillmore 

Pistol Harvest (60) W..205 

ITrn lioll, Joan Dixon. RIeliard Martin 

m His Kind ot Woman (120) D. .201 

Robert Milchum. Jane Russell. Vincent I'rice 

M On the Loose (74) O. .202 

Joan Evans. .Melvyn Douglas. Lynn Bar! 

SS Behave Yourself! (81) CD. .206 

Farley Uianser. Shelley Winters. W. Demarcst 

REPUBLIC 

ill Ookoto Kid, The (60) W. .3067 

.Micliael Chapln. Ellenc Jans-sen. James Bell 

SI) Rodeo King and Senorita (67) W..5053 

Rex Allen, .Mary Ellen Kay. Buddy Kbîn 

l£ Fugitive Lady (78) P.. 5011 

Janls I'alge. BInnle Barnes, Tunjr Cenla 

! This Is Korea (50) Doc .5127 

?i Fort Dodge Slompedo (60). . . .W. .5062 

Allan "Rocky Lane. Mary Ellen Kay 

" 

m Arizona Monhunt (60) W. .5068 

.Michael (liapin. Llleno Jansscn. James Bell 

SH Hovona Rose (77) D. .5124 

I'i.telita Rodriguez. Hugh Herbert. B Williams 

20TH 

CENTURY-FOX 

Guy Who Came Back, The (91) lie 

Paul tloi4;la9. Joafr Brtrrretl, l.lnilii Darnell 

©Take Care of Little Girl (93) M..119 

Jijrinir I raUi. Jean Peters. Dale RolMrlsm 

ClFrogmen, The (96) D..122 

Dana Andrews. Gary .Merrill, Richard Wldmark 

Secret of Convict Lake, The (83) D. .123 

Glenn Friril. Gene Tlerney, Klbel Marrymore 

Mr. Belvedere Rings the Bell (88) C. .124 

Chiton Webb, Jo.'inne Dru, lliii^h .Marlowe 

©Meet Me After the Show (86) M. .125 

Hetty Grable, .Macdonald Carry, Ror> Calhowr> 

Paopl* Will Talk (110) C,,126 

Gary Grant, Jeanne Crain, F. Currle 

Millionaire for Christy, A 190) C. 127 

I i.il MM-.Miirra.. Eleanor Park.r. II C.irlson 

Doy the Earth Stood Still (92).. D .129 

.Michael Rerrnle. Patricia Neal. II .Marlowe 

I 

OCrosswinds (93) D..5104 

John i'.iyne. Itlioniia t'lemin^:. Forrest TXickcr 

Darling, How Could You! (96). .0. .5108 

iJoan l-'i)iitaine. John Lund. Mona Fri-eman 

Detective Story (103) D. .5111 

Kirk l>niib;l.ts. Eleajior I'arker. W. Bendix 

iSubmorine Command (87) D. .5107 

William lliildcn. N,incy Olson. W. Bendix 

lOWhen Worlds Collide (81). . .D. .5106 

. 

Derr. Barbara Rush. J. lloyt 

Hot Lead (61) W..209 

Tim Holt. Richard Martin, Joan Dixon 

©Slaughter Trail (78) W. .207 

Brian lionlevy. Virtinla Orey. A. Devlne 

@ ©Drums in the Deep South (87) . . D . . 21 

James Crait;. Barbara I'ayton. (J. .M.idison 

El Blue Veil, The (114) D. .263 

.lane Wyman. Charles Laughton. Blondell 

J. 

Racket, The (90) D. .210 

Robert .Mitehum. Lizabeth Scott. K. Ryan 

Jungle of Chang (67) D..208 

Docinneiil.n v of 'niail.ind 

©Two Tickets to Broadway (106) M. .264 

Janet Leigh. Tony .Martin, Eddie Bracken 

Whip Hand, The (81) D. .212 

Elliott lieid. Caria Balenda, L. Tuttle 

(D Adventures of Cpt. Fabian(IOO) D. .5101 

Errol Flynn, .Mlchellno rrellc. V. I'rice 

S5Sea Hornet, The (84) D. .5102 

Rod Cameron. Adele Mara. Adrian Booth 

SsI Utah Wagon Troin (67) W. .5054 

Ilex Allen. Penny Edwards. Buddy Ebsen 

(isl South of Coliente (66) W..5151 

Roy Rogers. Dale Evans, Douglas Fowley 

SI Street Bandits (54) D . 

. 51 30 

Penny Edwards. Hubert Clarke, lioss Ford 

51 Desert of Lost Men (54) W. .5063 

Allen l-ane, Mary Ellen Kay, R. Elliott 

Stormbound (60) D . . 5032 

Constance Dowllng (Italian-language) 

Desert Fox, The (87) D. .130 

J.imes .Maôn, Jessica Tandy, C. Hardilrke 

Journey Into Light (87) D. .132 

Slerling llajden. Vlreca Llndfon. T Mllch.l 

No Highway in the Sky (98). . . D .121 

J.imes Stewart. .Marlene Dietrich, G. Johns 

Love Nest (84) C..131 

June Haver. William Lundlgan, Frank Fay 

Let's Make It Legal (77) C..133{ 

Cl.rirdette Colbert, .Macdonald Carey | ._ 

©Anne of the Indies (81) D..134 g 

Jean Petirs. Ixiiis Jourdan. Debra Pa^-et 11- 

GGoldcn Girl (111) M..136 S? 

Mllzl Gaynor, Dennis Day, D. Robcrlson 

CO 

g 

m 

. TO 

O 

WIT 

Silver City (90) SW..S112 

DeCarlo. Edmond O'Brien. R. Arlen 

My Favorite Spy (93) C..5110 

[Bob Hope. Hedy Lamarr, Francis L. Sullivan 

Double Dynamite (80) C..214 

.lane Russell. Frank Sinatra, tlrouelin Marx 

On Dangerous Ground (82) D..215 

Ida Lupino. Robert livan, Waril Rond 

Overland Telegraph (60) W. .216 

Tim Holt, Gail Davis, Richard Martin 

m Wild Blue Yonder, The (98) D. .5103 

Vera Ralston. Wendell Cbrey. Phil Harris 

m Pols of the Golden West (68). W. .5152 

Kny Rogers. Dale &ans. Eslellta Kodrigrrez 

g^ ©Honeychile (89) C. .5121 

Judy Canova. Eddie Foy jr., Alan Hale Jr. 

Elopement (81 ) C . . 141 

Clifti>n Webb, Anne Francis, Wm. Lirndlsan 

©I'll Never Forget You (90). . . . D. . 142 

Tyrone Power. Ann Blyth. .Michael Rennle 

2 

o 

Girl on the Bridge, The (77). . . .D. .139 m 

IIuco lla.as. Beverly Michaels. Robert Dane S 

Fixed Boyoneti (92) D. .140 03 

Richard Basehart. Michael OShes. G Evans S 

;OHong Kong (91) D..5109 

.toMld Reagan, Rhonda Fleming. N. Bruce 

ISoilor Beware (106) C..5114 

Utean .Martin. Jerry Lewis. Corinne Calvet 

iQFIaming Feather (78) SW..5118 

>Sterllng Hayden, Arleen Whelan. F. Tucker 

I Want You (102) D,.251 

Dorothy MefJiiire. Dana Andrews, F. Granger 

©Tembo (80) Doc . 265 

Howard Hill 

go| Girl in Every Port, A (86) 

Groucho Marx, Marie Wilson. 

C. .218 

William Bendix 

Las Vegos Story, The (88) D. .217 

Jane Russell. Victor Mature. Vincent I'rlce 

Troil Guide (60) W. .219 

Tim Holt. Richard Martin. I,. Douglas 

Ss) Woman in the Dark (60) D . . 51 31 

Penny Eiiwards. Ifoss Elliott, Rick Vallin 

51 Captive of Billy the Kid (54). .W. .5064 

Allan "Rocky" L.inc, P Edwards, 0. Withers 

S§ Lady Possessed, A (87) D..5104 

James Mason, June Havoc, Pamela Kellino 

IS Colorodo Sundown (67).. 

Rex Allen, Mary Ellen K.ay. 

Slim 

W,.5141 

Pickens 

Decision Before Down (1 19) . . . . D. .2051 

Gary Merrill. Richard Basehart. Werner 

Model and the Marriage Broker 

(105) C..201 

Jeanne Crain. Scott Brady. Thclma Rllter 

Japanese War Bride (91) D..202 

Don Taylor, Shirley Yamaguchl, C. Mitchell 

©David and Bothsheba (116) ... D. .2031 

Gregory Peck. Sus.an lliyward. 11 Missey 

Phone Coll From a Stranger (96). D. .204 

Shelley Winlers. Betle Davis. G .Merrill 

©Red Skies of Montana (99). . . .D. .207 

Ricliard Widmark, Jeffrey Hunter, C. Smith 

iSomething fo Live For (90) D. .5105 

ilwn Fontaine. Ray .MUland. Teresa Wright 

IsAaron Slick From Punkin 

; Crick (95) C. .5119 

Man Young. Dln.ih Shore. Robert Merrill 

,'*y Son John (122) 0. .5116 

inelen Hayes. Van Heflin. Robert Walker 

©Rancho Notorious (89) SW. .221 

M.Trlene Dietrich. Arthur Kennedy. M. Ferrer 

©At Sword's Point (81) D. .220 

Curnel Wilde. Maureen O'Hara. G. Cooper 

Pace That Thrills, The (63) D..213 

Bill Williams. Carla Balenda. Frank Mcllush 

Whispering Smith vs. Scotland 

Yard (77) D..222 

Rasho-Mon (87) 7 D. .268 

Tiishiro Mifune. Machllo Kyo. M. Mori 

Rood Agent (60) W. .223 

Tim Holt. Noreen Na.sh. Richard Martin 

Tarzan's Savage Fury (81) D. .225 

Lex Barker. Dorothy Hart. Palrlc Knowles 

Faithful City, The (85) D. . 

Jamie Smith. Ben Josef. Israel Hanin 

Moeao (81 ) D . . 224 

Jane Russell, Robert lUitchlim, William Bendix 

Q] Lost Musketeer, The (67). . . . W. .5142 

Rex Allen. .Mary Ellen Kay. Slim Pickens 

>r; ©Oklahoma Annie (90) C..5122 

Jrrdy Canova. John Rrrssell. Grant Withers 

5? Leodville Gunslinger (54) W. .5171 

Allan "Rocky" Lane. Eddy Waller. E. Riley 

0] Fabulous Senorito, The (80). D. .5125 

Eslelita. Robert Clarke. Rita Morena 

IT Hoodlum Empire (98) D. .5105 

Brian Donlevy. Claire Trevor. F. Tucker 

p Border W. .5143 

Soddlemotes (67) 

Rex Allen. Mary Ellen Kay 

ill Wild Horse Ambush (54) W. .5069 

Michael (liar>in. Eilene Janssen 

m Five Fingers (108) D. .208 

James Mason Danielle Darrieux, M. Rennle 

5? Return of the Texan (88) D. .209 

D.ile 1,'ohrrtson. Joanne Dru. W. Rrennan 

Viva Zopala! (110) D..206 

Marlon Brando Jean Peters. Anthony Quinn 

©With o Song In My Hoort (117)M. .210 

Susan Hiyward, Hnrv Calhoun. DnUl Wayne 

Pride of St. Louis, The (93) . CO. .211 

Pan Dalley. Joanne Dru. Richard llyl'on 

©Rose of Cimarron (72) D .212 

Jack Buetel. Mala Powers. Bill Williams 

[Anything Con Hoppen (107). . C. .5117 

ilnie Ferrfr. Kim Hunter. Kurt Kaszner 

DRed Mountain (84) SW. .5113 

Man Lidil. Li7aheth Scott, Arthur Kennedy 

©Half Breed, The (81) SW. .228 

Robert Voring. Janls Carter. Jack Biiefel 

Morrow Margin, The (71) D. ^26 

Charlr- McGratt 

. 

Windsor. J, While 

Target (61) W..227 

Tim Holt, Richard Martin. Linda Douglas 

^ Gobs ond Gals (86) C. .5128 

Bernard Brothers. Cathv Downs. Robert Hiilton 

SS Block Hills Ambush (54) W..5172 

.Mian "Rocky" Lane 

OBelies on Their Toes (89). . . .C. .213 

.Myrna Loy. Joanne Crain, Jeffrey Hunter 

Deadline— U.S.A. (87) D..215 

Hrmir'hrey Bo,;:iri. Kim Hunter E, Barrymnrr 

OulcosH of Poker Flat (80). . .0. .216 

. 

Dale Robertson. .Vnne Bailer, .Miriam Hopkins 

(ktomic City, The (85) D. .5120 

jifne Barry. Lydia Oarke. Michael Mnnre 

1 

OOenver & Rio Grande, The 

(89) 

. D..511S 

ixlmond O'Brien. Sterling Hayden. Dean Jaeger 

Clash by Night (105) D..229 

Rarhiira Sr.iniwek. Robert Ryan. Paul Potrglns 

Desert Passage (61) W, .230 

Tim Molt. Richard Martin 

©Wild Heart, The (110) D. . 

Jennifer Jones. David Farrar. Cyril Cusack 

©I Dream of Jeanie (. .) M. . 

R.n Middl.lon. Mirrlcl Lawrence. Bill Slllrley 

Bal Toborin (. ) C. . 

Muriel Lawrence. William Oilng. C. Carlcton 

©Kongoroo (84) D. .2171 

Miiir..n lllliri. IVter Laviford. FInlav Currle 

©Lydia Bailey (89) D . 219 

. 

Dale Itohertsiin. Anne Francis. Charles Koriln' 

©Lady In the Iron Mask (..)..D..218 

Ixiiils ilayward. Patricia Medina

.C. 

D. 

MC 

FEATURE 

CHART 

< 

UNITED ARTISTS UNIVERSAL-INT'L 

7 Quocn for a Day (107) D..64S 

!'h.. .s A»iT\. Ii.irri-n McGivIn 

I He Ron All the Woy (77) D. .646 

Jiiliii i:ir:i.!.l. Shelley Winters, W. Ford 

S Cyrono de Bergeroc (113) D. .660 

JoNf l->rriT. .Mal;i I'owfrs. William Prince 

$J Hoodlum, The (61) D..653 

Uikueiicc Tlcrne)', .\llene Roberts, L. Golm 

Pardon My French (81) C.1402 

I'.iiil llenn-l.l. 

m Four in 

.Merle 

a Jeep 

Oberon, 

(97) 

Bonlf.is 

D . 1 1 39 

I". 

Vlter.1 l.lniWurs, ltaliinah Sheridan 

©Scarlet Angel (80) D . .222 

Yvonne DcCarlo. Rock Hudson 

Just Across the Street (..)... .C. . 

Ann Sherid;ui, John Lund, Robert Keith 

WARNER BROS. 

tfil ©Fort Worth (80) SW . 

. 028 

Rûidolph Scoll. David Brian, Phyllis Tllaxter 

SOOn Moonlight Boy (95) M..029 

Doris Day. Gordon Macllac. Jack Smith 

[u\ 0©Captain Horatio Hornblowcr 

(117) D. .030 

Gregory Peck, Virginia Mayo, R. Beatty 

[T| Jim Thorpe—All American (105) D. . 101 

Riirt Lancaster, Charles Bickford, P. Tliaxter 

I'i, Force of Arms (100) D. .102 

William Holden, Nancy Olson, P'rnnk Lovejoy 

^ Tomorrow Is Another Day (90). .D. .103 

Rulh Roman, Steve Cochran, L. Tuttle 

Is] 

. 105 

©Painting the Clouds With 

Sunshine (87) M . 

Dennis Morgan. Virginia Mayo, 8. Z, Sakall 

jCome Fill the Cup (113) D..106 

James Cagney, James Gleason, R. Ma^sey 

|6] Close to My Heart (90) D. .107 

Ray Mill.ind, Gene TIerney. Fay Balnter 

QI Tanks Are Coming, The (90). . . .D. .108 

Steve Cochran, Marl Aldon, Philip Carey 

m Slorlift (103) D. .109 

iioris Day, Gordon MacRae, Ruth Roman 

gf ©Distant Drums (101) D..111 

Gary Cooper, Marl Aldon, Richard Webb 

SH urn See 

(110) 

You in My Dreams 

M..112 

Doris Day, Danny Thoma.s. Frank Lovejoy 

URoom for One More (95). . .C. . 

^ 

. 113 

Cary Grant, Betsy Drake, Iris Mann 

fU This Woman Is Dangerous (97) D. .114 

Joan Crawford, Dennis Morgan, David Brian 

1 Retreat, Hell! (95) D..115 

Frank Lovejoy, Anita Louise, R. Carlson 

H] ©Bugles in the Afternoon (85). .D. .116 

Ray Milland. Helena Carter, Hugh Marlowe 

P Streetcar Named Desire, A (122). D. .104 

Vivien Leigh, Marlon Br.indo, Kim Hunter 

H ©Big Trees, The (89) D . . 1 1 

Kirk Douglas. Patrice Wymore. Eve Miller 

III ©Jock and the Beanstalk (78)..C..118 

Bud Abbott. Lou Costello. Buddy Baer 

lill ©Lion ond the Horse, The (83) . . D 

Steve Cochran, Ray Teal, Sherry Jackson 

. 

. 1 1 

[3] Mora Moru (98) D..120 

Errol Flynn. Ruth Roman. Raymond Burr 

I?; San Francisco Story, The (80). . .121 

Joel McCrea, Yvonne DeCarlo. S. Biackmcr 

a ©About Face (94) M..122 

Gordon MacRea. Eddie Bracken. V. Gibson 

m ©Carson City (89) SW . 

Randolph Scott. Lucille Norman. R. Massey 

in ©Three for Bedroom C (74) . . . .C . . 124 

Gloria Swanson. James Warren. Fred Oark 

i 

Winning Team, The (98) D . 

Ronald Reagan, Doris Day, Frank Lovejoy 

MISCELLANEOUS 

MARCH OF 

TIME 

If Moscow Strikes (69) 

Weslhi 

REALART 

is \'an N'imihis. narrator 

Doc. 

Bosketboli Fix, The (70) O. .Sep^ 

.!uhn Ireland. Vanessa Brown 

Bride of the Gorilla (68). . . .D. .No4 

l.nn Ch.uiey jr.. R.irb;ira Paylon 

Bushwhackers, The (70) W. .Ocfl 

.loliri Ireland. Dorothy Malune 

Kid Monk Boroni (80) D.MJ 

i 

Maytimc in Moyfoir (94) . . . Api 

Amu \e,igle, .Miehael Wilding 

liiehaill Itdhei. Hruce ('allot 

Two-Dollar Bettor (72) D. .Sepil 

Jolin Lilel. Marie Windsor 

Wall of Death (90) D . . Ap| 

Susan Shaln. Maxwell Reed 

ASTOR 

REISSUES 

Daniel and the Devil (112).D.. 5-1) 

Hdwai.i Aiiinid, .liunes Craig 

Dishonored Lady (85) D.. 2-1 

Hedy Laniarr. Dennis O'Keefe 

Guest in the House (121).. D.. 5-1 

Anne Baxter. Ralph Bellamy 

Lady of Burlesque (91)...D.. 4- 

Barbara Stanwyck, Michael O'Shea 

Privote Snuffy Smith (67) . C. . 11-1 

Bud Duncan. Edgar Kennedy 

Strange Woman, The (100). D. . 

1- 

Iledy Lamarr, George Sanders 

COLUMBIA 

Kongo, the Wild Stollion (65). D. 

Kochelle Hudson. Fred Slone 

RKO RADIO 

Body Snotchers ( . . ) D . . Api 

Boris Karloft. Bela Lugosl 

Cot People, The (73) 

D. .Fel 

ivcnt Pmith. Simone Simon 

Hunchback of Notre Dome 

(117) D..Fel 

Cbarles Laughlon, Maureen O'Hara 

Walked With a Zombie 

(..) D.Ap 

I 

Tom Conway, Frances Dee 

King Kong (. .) D. M. 

Fav Wrav. Bruce Cabot 

Leopard Man (66) D . 

Dennis O'Keefe. M.irgo 

Snow White and the Seven 

Dwarfs (83) 

CD 

Cartoon feature 

REALART 

Mummy, The (74) D. 

Boris Karloff. David .Manners 

Mummy's Curse, The (S0)..D, 

(,{01 Clianev ir.. Virginia (lirlstine 

. D. 

She-Wolf of London (61). . 

.luue Lnekhart. Don Porter 

Cot Creeps, The (57) D. 

DeS 

Dei 

I'.iMl Kelly. 

House of 

N.iah Beery 

Horrors 

jr. 

(65) D 

Itoliert Lowei'v. Virginia Grey 

Igloo (60) D 

M\ native cist 

Wild Jungle Coptive (63)... D 

Otto Kruger. Amelita Ward 

In a Padded Cell (69) C 

Olson and Johnson 

Strait Jacket (61) C 

Bros. 

Ititz 

Droculo (75) D. 

Bela Lug.isi 

Frankenstein (69) D API 

Boris Karlotf 

Canyon Passage (92).... .W. .Mojl 

Dan,i .\ndie\\s. Susan llayward 

Frontier Goi (84) 

W. .Mff 

Yioiuo' DeCarlii, Rod C.Lmernn 

Code of the Streets (69). . Jur|) 

l.illle Tdugli Guys 

Swindlers, The (77) 

Jurl 

Willi.im Bemiix, Dan Duryea 

I 

'1 

20th CENTURY-FOX 

©Block Swan, The (. .) D. .Juiil 

TjTOne Power. Maureen O'Hara 

Laura (88) ^-î 

Dana Andrews, Gene TIerney, Clifton Wet 

Rains Come, The (. .) D. .Mefl 

Tyrone Power, Myrna Ley, George Brent 

this Above All (110) D..Mel 

Tyrone Power, Joan Fontaine 

©To the Shores of Tripoli 

(86) D. .Jui'l 

John Payne, Maureen O'Hara, Randolph Sil|| 


©Tulso (. .) D.. 

Susan llayward, liohert Preston 

Red River (. .) W..Jui( 

John Wayne, Montgomery Clift 

WARNER BROS. 

Coptoin Blood (98) D . . 1 2-lSI 

J 

Errol Flj'nn, Olivia DeHavllland

' 

>3 

' 

4 

I 

(161',) 

r 

.12-27-51 

srt subjects, listed by company, in order of release. Running time follows title. First date is notional 

•as0« second the date ot review in BOXOFFICE. Symbol between dotes Is rating from 60X0FFICE 

lew. H Very Good. + Good, zt Fair. — Poor. = Very Poor. Indicates color photography. i)lJDilTi; DIJilliJ 

id. 

No. 

Columbia 

Rel. 

ASSORTED COMEDIES 

Onto Rating Rev'd 

ill Pleasure Treasure (17).. 9-10-51 .... 

112 She Took a Powder (16).10. 11-51 11-24 

121 Trouble in Laws (16) .. .10.11-51 ± 12- 1 

122 The Champ Steps Out 

11-15-51 -f 12- 8 

l23'Frai(ly Cat (16) 12-13-51 ir 1- 5 

13 A Fool and His Honey 

1 (16) 2-14-52 + 4-26 

114 Happy- Go- Wacky (16).. 2- 7-52 ± 3-1 

24 Roolin' Tootin' Tendcrfect 

(16) 2-14-52 + 4-26 

i25Aim. Fire. Scoot (16).. 3-13-52 it 5-10 

ISHMbie Gce-Gees (16Vi) 4-10-52 -f 5- 3 

!16A Blissful Blunder (16' 2) 5-8-52 

j26 The Gink at the Sink ( )6-12-52 

CANDID MICROPHONE 

(One-Reel Specials) 

51 Subject No. 1 (10).... 10- 4-51 tt 11-17 

52 Subject No. 2 (11).... 12- 6-51 ± 12-22 

53 Subject No. 3 (10) 2- 7-52 +3-1 

i54 Subject No. 4 (S'/i).. 4- 3-52 + 5-10 

55 Subject No. 5 (. .) 6- 5-52 

CAVALCADE OF BROADWAY 

III The Gay Nineties (10) .11-15-51 

. 

1951-52 SEASON 

•il She's + 10-20 

151 Eddie Condon's (10) ... .11-15-51 ± 12- 8 

52 Bill Hardy's (QVi) 2-14-52 + 4-12 

|53Casa Seville (10) 4-24-52 

COLOR FAVORITES 

(Technicolor Reissues) 

The Horse on the 

Merry-Go-Round (7).. 9-13-51 

02 The Shoemaker and the 

Elves (8) 10-18-51 -f 12-15 

|)3 Lucky Pijs (7) 11- 8-51 + 12-15 

)4 Holiday Land (7) 12-13-51 ± 1-26 

l)5Snowtime (7) 1-17-52 +2-9 

)6 Bluebirds' Baby (7) 2-14-52 +3-1 

)7 Monkey Love (7) 3-13-52 ± 4-12 

,)8 Babes at Sea (7) 4-10-52 =t 5- 3 

)9 Let's Go (8) 5- 8-52 

JO Crop Chasers (8) 6-12-52 

COMEDY FAVORITES 

(Reissues) 

Oil Mine (I71/2) . . 9-20-51 

|12 Midnight Blunders 

(1712) 11-22-51 ± 1-26 

|13Dlaf Lauohs Ust (17) . +2-9 

[34 Hioh Blood Pleasure (19) 2-28-52 i: 3- 1 

'J5S0 You Won't Squawk? 

1 

(16) 4-17-52 

f!6 Groom and Bored (..).. 6-26-52 .... 

lOLLY FROLICS 

(Technicolor) 

I 

)1 Georgie and the Dragon 

li)2 Wonder Gloves (7)... 

(93 The Oompahs (7'/2) . 

14 Rooty Toot Toot (8) 

K Willie the Kid (7). 

MR. MAGOO 

(Technicolor) 

9-27-51 ff 10-20 

..11-29-51 + 12- 8 

. . 1-24-52 + 11-10 

. . 3-27-52 ff 4-12 

6-26-52 

llFuddy Duddy Buddy (7). 10-18-51 + 

12 The Grinly Golfer (7) . .12-20-51 ff 

13 Sloppy Jalopy (7) 2-21-52 ff 

14 The Dog Snatcher (7).. 5-29-52 

SCREEN SNAPSHOTS 

>1 Hollywood at Play 

(10^2) 9-13-51 + 

Hopalong i2 in Hoppyland 

(9/2) 10-18-51 + 

12-15 

Hollywood Goes Western 

(9) 

Hollywood on a Sunday 

11-15-51 ± 1-26 

1 Afternoon (IOI/2) ...12-20-51 + 2- 9 

45 Memories of Famous Holly- 

4-12 

Iwood Comedians (9'/z) 1-24-52 + 

6 Meet Mr. Rhythm, Frankie 

Laine (10) 3-20-52 + 

7 Hollywood's Mr. Movies 

(91/,) 4-17-52 

I 

|8 Hollywood Night Life 

(8I/2) 5-15-52 

'ollywood on the Ball 

(Sli) 6-19-52 

STOOGE COMEDIES 

•1 Merry Mavericks (16) ... 9- 6-51 

.11-24-51 

I 8703 

SHORTS CHART 

7368 Tropical Mountain Island 

( ) 519-52 

7369 Food tor Paris Markets 

( ) 6- 16-52 

. 

NAME BAND MUSICALS 


7301 Tommy Dorsey and His 

Orchtslra (15) 11- 7-51 ± 1110 

7302 Woody Herman's Varieties 

(15) 12- S-51 + 1117 

7303 Nat Kino Cole and the Joe 

Adams Orcli. (15) 1- 9-52 

7304 Dick Stabile and His Orch. 

(15) 1-30-52 

7305 Blue Barron and His 

Orchestra (15) 312-52 ff 2-23 

TWO-REEL SPECIALS 

7201 Danger Under the Sea 

(lb"-;) 12.10-51 1tll-10 

TECHNICOLOR CARTUNES 

(Reissues) 

6332 100 Pygmies and Andy 

Panda (7) 9-17-51 

6333 Ttie Fox and the Rabbit 

(7) 10-15-51 


7321 Loose Nut (7) 10-24-51 + 12- 8 

7322 Ahou Ben Boooie (7) .. .11-19-51 ± 12- 8 

7323 Painter and Pointer 

(7) 1212-51 ++ 12- 8 

732-J Bathino Buddies (7) 1- 7-52 ± 2-23 

7325 Sliphorn Kino of Polaroo 

(7) 2- 4-52 -f 2-23 

7326 Crow Crazy (7) 3- 3-52 ± 4-26 

7327 Reckless Driver (7) 3-31-52 

7328 Poet and Peasant (7) 4-28-52 

. . 

7329 Mouîe Come Home (7). 5-26-52 

7330 Fairweather Fiends (7). 6-23-52 

VARIETY VIEWS 

6348 Monkey Island (9) 9-10-51 ± 7-14 


7341 Italian literlude (9). .11- 5-51 ± 12- 8 

7342 Brooklyn Goes South (9) 1-21-52 

7343 Sail Ho! (9) 2-25-52 

7344 Rhythm on the Reef (9) 4-14-52 ... 

-f 4-19 

7345 Army's 

WOODY 

Finest. 

WOODPECKER 

The (9).. 6-16-52 

CARTUNES 

6355 RetlAOOd 

(Technicolor) 

Sap (7) 10- 1-51 ± 9-15 

6356 Woody Woodpecker Polka 

(7) 10-29-51 


+ 915 

7351 Destination Meatball 

(7) 12-24-51 11-10 

7352 Born to Peck (7) 2-25-52 2-23 

7353 Stage Hoax (7) 4-21-52 + 4-19 

Warner Bros. 

Prod. No. Title Rel. Dale Ratino Rev'd 

BLUE RIBBON HIT PARADE 

(Technicolor Reissues) 

8301 Holiday for Shoestrings 

(7) 9-15-51 

8302 Lady in Red (7) 10-13-51 

8303 Sniffles and Bookworm 

(7) 11-10-51 

8304 Goldilocks Jivin' Bears 

(7) 12- 1-51 

Thee 1-12-52 

8305 Of I Sing (7) 

8306 From Hand to Mouse (7) 2- 9-52 

8307 Brave Little Bat (7)..- 3-15-52 

8308 Snow Time for Comedy 

(7) 4-12-52 

Hush 5- 3-52 

8309 Mv Mouse (7) . . . 

8310 Baby Bottleneck (7) 5-14-52 

BUGS BUNNY SPECIALS 

(Technicolor) 

8723 Ballot Box Bunny (7).. 10- 6-51 +f U-24 

8724 Big Top Bunny (7) 12- 1-51 +f 1-19 

8725 Operation Rabbit (7)... 1-19-52 ++ 4-19 

8726 Foxy by Proxy (7) 2-23-52 H 4-26 

B727 14 Carrot Rabbits (7) . . 3-15-52 

8728 Water, Water Every Hare 

(7) 4-19-52 

8729 The Hasty Hare (7) 6- 7-52 

FEATURETTES 

8101 The Knife Thrower (20). 9-29-51 ++ 10-20 

8102 A Laugh a Day (20) . ff 1-19 

8103 Won't Play (20) 12-29-51 

8104 Gun to Gun (20) 3-22-52 

8105 The Mnnkillers (..) 5-17-52 

lOE McDOAKES COMEDIES 

8401 So You Want to Be a 

Bachelor (10) 9-22-51 + 11-10 

8402 So You Want to Be a 

Plumber (10) 11-10-51 ± 1-26 

8403 So You Want to Get It 

Wholesale (10) 1-12-52 + 4-19 

8404 So You Want to Enjoy 

Life (10) 3-29-52 

8405 So You Want to Go to a 

Convention (. .) 6- 7-52 .... 

MELODY MASTERS BAND 

8801 U.S. Army Band (10) . .10-13-51 + 12- 1 

8802 Jan Garber and Orch. 

(10) 11-17-51 

8803 Richard Himber and Orch. 

(9) 2- 9-52 ± 419 

8804 Harry Owens' Royal 

Hawiians (10) 4-12-52 

8805 U.S. Navy Band (10)... 6-21-52 

MERRIE MELODIES 

(Color) 

8701 Lovelorn Leghorn (7) - . . 9- 8-51 4+ U-10 

8702Tweely's S.O.S. (7) 9-22-51 ff 11-10 

A Bear for Punishment 

(7) 10-20-51 

8704 Sleepy Time Possum (7). 11- 3-51 -f 

8705 Drip. Along Daffy (7) .. 11-17-51 ++ 

8706 Tweet Tweet Tweety (7). 12-15-51 -( 

8707 The Prize Pest (7) .12-22-51 -1^ 

8708 Who's Kitten Who (7).. 1- 5-52 H 

8709 Feed the Kilty (7) 2- 2-52 ++ 

8710 Gift Wrapped (7) 2-16-52 ++ 

8711 Thumb Fun (7) 3- 1-52 

8712 Little Beau Pepe 3-29-52 

(7) . . . 

8713 Kiddin' the Kitten (7)., 4- 5-52 

8714 Little Red Rodent Hood 

(7) 5- 3-52 

Sock 5-10-52 

8715 a Doodle Do (7) . . 

8716 Beep Peep (7) 5-24-52 

8717 Ain't She Tweet (7) . 

6-21-52 

8718 The TurnTale Wolf (7). 628-52 

SPORTS PARADE 

(Technicolor) 

8501 Art of Archery (10) .10- 6-51 8502 Cowboy's Holiday (10) .11- 3-51 ± 

8503 Every Dog Has His Day 

(10) 12-22-51 -f 

8504 Dutch Treat in Sports (9) 2- 2-52 -f 

S505 Emreror's Horses (10) 3- 1-52 ff 

8506 Glamour in Tennis (10) 4- 5-52 

8507 Switzerland Sportland 

(. ,) 5-10-52 

8508 Centennial Sports (..).. 6-28-52 

TECHNICOLOR SPECIALS 

. . 9- 8-51 8001 Winter Wonders (20) 

8002 Ride. Cowboy. Ride (20) .10-27-51 

+ 

-f 

8003 Lincoln in the White 

House (20) 12- 8-51 +f 

8004 Land of the Trembling 

Earth (IS) 1-26-52 ff 

8005 Land of Everyday Miracles 

(16) 3- 8-52 ff 

. . 4-26-52 

8006 The Seeing Eye (20) . 

8007 No Pets Allowed (..).. 5-31-52 

VITAPHONE NOVELTIES 

8601 To Bee or Not to Bee 

(10) 9-15-51 ± 

8602 Lighter Than Air (10). .10-20-51 -f 

8603 Stop! Look and Laugh 

(10) 10-20-51 + 

8604 Songs of All Nations (10) 2-16-52 

8605 Animals Have All the Fun 

(10) 4-19-52 

8606 Orange Blossoms for Violet 

(..) 5-24-52 

MISCELLANEOUS 

1-19 

1-19 

5-17 

5-17 

5-10 

5-10 

5- 3 

10-20 

12- 1 

5-17 

4-26 

5-17 

11-10 

11-17 

1-19 

5-10 

5-17 

11-10 

5-10 

11-24 

Prod. No. Title Rel. Date Rating Rev'd 

Lippert 

5115 Return of Gilbert and 

Sullivan (35) 5-16-52 

Monogram 

LITTLE RASCALS 

(Reissues) 

5134 Male and Female (11) . 

.11-11-51 

5135 Hide and Shriek (11) .. 11-25-51 

5136 Roamin' Holiday (11) .. 12- 9-51 

5168 Shiver My Timbers (20). 12- 9-51 

5169Spanky (20) 12-23-51 

5137 Framing Youth (11) 12-23-51 

5261 Second Childhood (19).. 1- 6-52 

5230 Pigskin Palooka (11) . . 1-6-52 

5262 Shrimps for a Day (20) 1-20-52 

5231 Three Men in a Tub (11) 1-20-52 

5263 Fish Hooky (20) 2- 3-52 

5232 Came the Brawn 2- 3-52 

(11) . . 

5264 Sprucin' Up (20) 2-17-52 

5233 Feed 'Em and Weep (11) 2-17-52 

Republic 

SERIALS 

5182 Pirates' Harbor 9-26-51 

15 Chapters 

8153 Radar Men From the 

Moon 1- 9-52 

12 Chapters 

5184 Nyoka and the Tigermen 

(reissue) 15 Chapters. . 4- 8-52 

THIS WORLD OF OURS 

(Trucolor) 

5086 Switzerland (9) 9- 1-51 

5087 Italy (9) 11-1-51 

5088 Egypt (9) 12-15-51 

5089 Puerto Rico (9) 2-15-52 

5090 Chile (9) 3- 1-52 

5185 Israel (10) 4-15-52 

Independents 

Pacific 231 (10) Pathe Cin 4+ 11-10 

Latuko (50) American Museum 

of Natural History -f 1-26 

Gambling (21) British Inf. Svc + 3-15 

Sudan Dispute (20) British Inf. Svc... -f 3-15 

Jamaica Problem (20) British Inf. Svc. ff 3-15 

The Future of 1,000.000 Africans 

(20) British Inf. Svc -f 3-22 

Out of True (38) British Inf. Svc ff 3-22 

Scotland Yard (20) British Inf. Svc... + 3-22 

West of England (10) British Inf. Svc, + 3-22 

Triptych (14) Lux Films ff 3-22 

David (40) Mayer-Kingsley -f- 3-22 

Uncommon Clay (20) Thomas Craven.. + 3-22 

FDR— Hyde Park (16) Pictorial 

Films + 5-10 

SHORTS REVIEWS 

Wanna Bet? 

Columbia (World of Sports) lOMins. 

Fair. Bill Stern does the narration 

for this Miami reel which caters to 

people with mutual interests. Parimutual, 

that is. First comes Hioleah, 

where the bettors can put a last buck 

on a slow horse, and then the dog 

races, where money goes lastfcr than 

the mechanical rabbit. For a final 

fling, the bettors head for the Jai- 

Lai courts. The closing scenes consist 

of spectacular shots by the dynamic 

lai-Lai players. 

So You Won't Squawk? 

Columbia 

16Mins. 

(Comedy Favorites) 

Good. Buster Keaton gets taken for 

a ride in this slapstick spree because 

gangsters mistake him for their dangerous 

rival. They toss him out of 

windows, over cliffs and under the 

gas pipe but he proves indestructible. 

The only thing dead about him 

is his pan. There's one very funny 

sequence in which Buster is chased 

by the entire police force, and he 

also has a hilarious session with a 

nickel-hungry telephone operator. 

Hollywood's Mr. Movies 

Columbia 

S'/z Mins. 

(Screen Snapshots) 

Good. Mr. Movies is Adolph Menjou. 

The Saints and Sinners club 

named him that at a banquet honoring 

his 40 years in motion pictures. 

Among the guests participating in 

the celebration ore Sidney Blackmer, 

John Derek, Arthur Franz and Anthony 

Dexter. Menjou and Blackmer give 

brief speeches and a few comedians 

get into the act with entertaining 

skits. 

Corny Casanovas 

Columbia 

(Stooge Comedy) 

161/2 Mins. 

Fair. The Stooges are busily getting 

their house in order, in preparation 

for the arrival of their brides-tobe, 

but they still have time for a tew 

playful pranks. Like putting bootblack 

into the shaving cream and 

thumbtacks into each other. Their 

love life has a sharp ending, too, 

for they find they are all engaged 

to the same girl. 

Let's Go 

Columbia (Color Favorites) 8 Mins. 

Fair. A mild entry, best suited for 

the very small fry. It's about a poor, 

broken-down grasshopper who hobbles 

into a thriving village of bees. 

When he tells of the depression in 

his community, the queen bee orders 

her subjects to drop honey bombs 

on the grasshoppers. This golden 

touch makes everything flourish for 

them, and the hoppers jump for joy. 

Willie the Kid 

Columbia (lolly Frolics) 7 Mins. 

Very good. Audiences in search of 

the unusual will thoroughly enjoy 

this novel Technicolor cartoon. It's 

done with the simple, modern art 

technique—the kind used in the publicized 

"Rooty Toot Toot"—and concerns 

a group of children pretending 

they're characters in a western 

movie. The scene constantly shifts 

from reality to make believe. First 

we see the surroundings as 

really are and then the loi 

switches to the desert hide-out 

frontier town of the youngsters' ii 

ination. 

The Awful Tooth 

Paramount (Noveltoon) 71 

Good. A little crow makes ma 

miserable for a cat whose acl^j 

wisdom tooth is driving him crj 

The crow suggests freezing the n(»( 

by pushing the cat into the rea 

erator and then he pushes a briji 

into the feline's mouth—only 

bridge is one with cars, trucks 

buses. At last the crow puts iji 

new set of ivories—the keys cH 

piano. 

Two Gun Goofy 

RKO 

6N)& 

(Disney Technicolor Cartoon) i 

Very good. Pistol Pete is hol(ig| 

up a stagecoach when Two '|ini 

Goofy arrives on the scene 

Goofy sees is the beautiful b 

passenger and after gulp 

"Howdy, Ma'am," he goes int * 

coma. During his semi-consciii 

state he beats up Pete so the tiî 

hails him as a hero. lust as h 

kissing the blonde, a keg of d^ 

mite—planted on him by Peteplodes. 

And the infatuated G' 

gulps, "Wotta gal!" 

Summer Is for Kids 

RKO (Sportscope) SWj 

Good. A fresh and wholeslittle 

feature about youngstersSi 

summer camp. We see them taljii 

part in the usual camp activiti' 

swimming, boating, hiking, roasj 

wieners around an open fire 'id 

playing pranks on their counsor. 

The swimming test of one small 

is made to seem very important «i 

the entire audience will breati 

sigh of relief when he pants a 

the finish line. 

The Happy Cobbler 

20th-Fox (Terrytoon) IHis. 

Fair. A quaint little Technicor 

cartoon about the cobbler andiie 

elves, which will appeal more toiie 

youngsters than their elders, ll 

cobbler has lost his art of shoen'k 

ing because of old age so a banjo 

little elves make a pair for him fr 

ing the night. When his dog go6;l< 

investigate, the cobbler wakesB] 

and thinks the dog made the shW 

The King orders the dog to make,OQ 

pairs for the royal ball and the )i 

mal weeps until the elves reapiar 

and save the day for the shoemcsr, 

Off to the Opera 

20th-Fox 

VNii. 

(Terrytoons-Heckle and Jecklc 

Good. The two talkative mages 

try to get a little culture in an arising 

Technicolor cartoon. As hr 

crowds pour into the opera hous.ti 

hear "The Barber of Seville," hi 

magpies try to sneak in under hw 

doorman's greatcoat but are dis'Vered. 

Then they try hiding und a 

lady's train and get inside but t8 | 

chased by the manager all duîg { 

the performance. Eventually, ey r 

turn on hoses and flood the pl'6< 

including sending the patrons f Jldj 

ing out to the street. 

^-:i 

10 BOXOFFICE BookinGuide May 31,

I 

Opinions on Current Productions; Exploitips 

niu\}i\i mam 

(FOR STORY SYNOPSIS ON EACH PICTURE. SEE REVERSE SIDE) 

Lovely to Look At 

F 

Musical 

(Teclinicolor) 

MGM ( ) 101 Minutes Hel. 

Impossible it would be for a title to describe more aptly 

the motion picture to which it applies. What's more, the 

tag undoubtedly will be comparably applicable to the 

entries that will be made in the ledgers of all theatres 

exhibiting the feature. The film has so many assets—as 

concerns both entertainment and merchandising possibilities—that 

it appears a certainty for capacity business. For 

the women ticket buyers, it will be worth the price for 

nothing more than its breathtaking display of femme finery. 

Additionally—and to sate every conceivable taste for celluloid—there 

are: Productional lushness, reminiscent of the 

trade's more opulent eras; sterling performances by a namefreighted 

cast; romance, comedy and the other stock literary 

ingredients of filmmusicals; flaming Technicolor photography. 

In short, a shining credit for Producer Jack Cummings and 

Director Mervyn LeRoy. 

Eathryn Grayson, Red Skelton, Howard Keel, Marge and 

Gower Champion, Ann Miller, Zsa Zsa Gabor. 

Bot 

Kre 

.ales 

•udulg 

Wait 'Til the Sun Shines, Nellie F 

20th-Fox ( ) 109 Minutes Rel. 

Dr.ima 

(Technicolor) 

No.-.lalgia and tear-jerking are proven filmmaking ingredients. 

Like corn—into which general classification they do, 

alter all, belong—they must be expertly employed to concoct 

end results of superior quality and wide appeal. Such 

is very definitely the case in this brilliantly-produced celluloid 

chapter from America's colorful history. Hard-boiled 

indeed the middle-aged spectator who can see the picture 

without developing a throat-lump and resorting to furtive 

handkerchief dabs at moist eyes. And lor the youngsters 

there is equal appeal—song, humor, romance, pathos, violence 

and an atmospherically authentic glimpse into the 

early past. Producer George Jessel overlooked nary a winning 

bet in casting the film and in according it the best 

in technical accoutrements—not the least of which is Technicolor 

photography. Performances are excellent. Expertly 

directed by Henry King. 

David Wayne, Jean Peters, Hugh Marlowe. Albert Dekker. 

Helene Stanley, Tommy Morton, Joyce MacKenzie. 

3 for Bedroom C F 

Comedy 

(Natural Color) 

Warner Bros. (124) 74 Minutes Rel. June 21, '52 

Her "comeback" performance in "Sunset Boulevard" and 

the widespread publicity engendered thereby should attract 

spectators in profitable numbers to see Gloria Swanson in 

this vehicle. Whether they will like her in a romantic 

sometimes coy—comedy portrayal will depend on individual 

tastes. There may be fans who find it difficult to accept the 

star in a more-or-less standard boy-meets-girl yarn. Its 

approaches to humor, cover a wide range—farcical, romantic, 

satirical and, finally, a touch of slapstick. Despite this 

gamut, the laughs aren't many and seldom hilarious. Paradoxically, 

it is the supporting players who figure in the 

scenes that generate genuine mirth and, simultaneously, give 

La Swanson competition for thespian honors. Nonetheless, 

her name will sell tickets and should sparkplug the exploitation 

campaigns. Technically the film is praiseworthy, with 

producer credit being split between Edward L. Alperson and 

Milton H. Bren. The loiter also wrote and directed. 

Gloria Swanson, lames Warren, Fred Clark, Hans Conreid, 

Steve Brodie, lanine Perreau, Ernest Anderson. 

dniE: 

lerm^ 

Scarlet Angel F "'''"ZlT'"" 

Univ.-Intl (222) 80 Minutes Rel. June '52 

Just as a skilled chef transforms a simple menu into an 

eye-filling spread, Leonard Goldstein, working with a familiar 

theme, has produced a colorful number to net a tidy profit 

especially in neighborhood theatres. It's also a good supporter 

in more general spots. The locale is New Orleans and 

San Francisco, right after the Civil War. There are several 

up-and-at-'em saloon brawls for kids and action fans, an 

occasional maternal theme for women, and Yvonne DeCorlo 

to lure the males. 'Yvonne charmingly fills the role of a 

cabaret entertainer with an eight-ball past and 14-karat 

heart, who crashes Snob Hill society. Her leading man, 

handsome and talented Rock Hudson, could easily become 

a prime favorite. He very creditably portrays a character 

similar to Rhett Butler in "Gone With the Wind," and this 

performance should add to his feminine following. Sidney 

Salkow directed. 

Yvonne DeCarlo, Rock Hudson, Richard Denning, Whitfield 

Connor, Bodil Miller, Amanda Blake, Henry O'Neill. 

The Wild Heart A 

Drama 

(Technicolor) 

RKO (110) 81 Minutes Rel. July '52 

Just Across the Street 

Univ.-Int'l ( ) 79 Minutes ReL 

F 

Comedy 

Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, who wrote, 

directed and produced this Selznick picture, have made some 

very good ones, but this time they tackled a story difficult 

to put on film. It concerns a girl brought up in primitive 

surroundings who errs by leaving her clergyman husband 

briefly for another man because her husband gives her only 

spiritual affection. The novel from which it was taken, "Gone 

to Earth," was able to develop her characterization fully so 

as to clear her of any intentional wrongdoing. The story as 

abbreviated for film purposes is unable to do that, although 

Jennifer Jones, the star, gives a good performance. The 

others in the cast, especially David Farror, are also effective. 

Scenes of the English countryside are striking. Exploitation 

would hove to emphasize the wild, childlike qualities of the 

girl that the film does not put over. 

To the credit of the writers and Producer Leonard Goldstein 

let it be noted that never once does this resort to slapstick or 

excessive mugging for its considerable comedy content, a 

formula procedure too often evident in farcical approaches 

to boy-meets-girl fun films. Rather, the picture derives its 

humor and its engrossing qualities from situations, dialog 

and characterizations, the last of which are especially praiseworthy, 

as is to be expected when consideration is given to 

the seasoning and past performances of the cast members. 

Probably it is their names that can most profitably be employed 

in merchandising the offering. Another asset is the 

movie's running time, which makes it sufficiently flexible for 

either side of double bills. While the piece isn't a "must 

see-er," it will please most spectators. Competently directed 

by Joseph Pevney. 

Jennifer Jones, David Farrar, Cyril Cusack, Esmond Knight, 

Sybil Thorndike, Hugh Griffith, Edwcnrd Chapman. 

Ann Sheridan, John Lund, Robert Keith, Cecil Kellcrway, 

Natalie Schafer, Harvey Lembeck, Alan Mowbray. 

African Treasure 

F 

Adventure 

Drama 

Monogram (5207) 70 Minutes Rel. May 25. '52 

Johnny Sheffield again swings through the trees as Bomba, 

the jungle "boy," albeit he is getting bigger and more 

Tarzan-ish by the feature. His courage and cunning are, of 

course, employed to thwart the villains, who this time arcmurderers, 

kidnapers, diamond thieves. In short, they are real 

bad, but they cannot best our adolescent hero, especially inasmuch 

as he is surrounded with his usual coterie of pals 

from Africa's animal kingdom. The picture is average for the i , 

series and, resultontly, can be figuLred to perform the same •« 

service in those theatres that habitually book Bomba films as 

supporting fare or to give the juve customers their money's 

worth in adventure as they munch their Saturday afternoon 

popcorn. Performances are of standard quality; Ford B;=ebe 

directed for Producer Walter Mirisch, who accorded the picture 

characteristic mountings. 

Johnny Sheffield, Laurette Luez, Martin Garxalaga, Lyle Talbot, 

Leonard Mudie, Arthur Space, Lane Bradford. 

1380 BOXOFFICE 

-, 

Miss Italy 

I 

Romantic Comeity 

Drama 

Lux Film 91 Minutes Rel. May '52 

The private lives of beauty contest candidates, as revealed 

in this import, produce very acceptable entertainment. Only 

the language barrier— Italian dialog with English captions 

stands in the way of general booking dates. The story winds 

up with a melodramatic flourish, but for the most port is 

pretty good. A young journalist interviews contestants in 

Milan, Venice, Rome, etc., in order to write a psychological 

article on their motives for seeking the Miss Italy title. His 

^^ travels, incidentally, constitute an excellent sightseeing tour. 

' dist There is a romantic motif, an occasional humorous slant and, 

""* 

of course, a bevy of stunning girls. Most stunning of all is 

Gina Lollobrigida, who recently made the cover of Life. 

She's an exquisite composite of Susan Hayward and Elizabeth 

Taylor. Two of the other leading players, Richard Ney 

and Constance Dowling, are known to American fans. This 

number is a natural for Italian neighborhood spots. 

Gina Lollobrigida, Richard Ney, Constance Dowling, Luisa 

Rossi, Carlo Compagini, Luigi Almirante, Morisa Vemati. 

May 31, 1952 1379

. . Introducing 

. . Real 

. . Behind 

. . And 

. . Romance 

. . 

Laugh 

. . With 

. . And 

. . . Her 

. . About 

. . Merriment 

. . When 

. . Finds 

FEATURE REVIEWS 

Story Synopsis; Adiines for Newspaper and Programs 

THE STORY: "Wail Til the Sun Shines. Nellie" (20lh-Fox) 

As the community ol Sevillinois turns out to celebrate its 

SOth anniversary, David Wayne, the town barber, reminisces 

bout the day a hall-century ago when he brought his bride, 

an Peters, home and opened his shop. Jean regards 

Sevillinois as an ugly little whistle stop. Alter bearing him 

two children, and while David is lighting in the Spanish- 

American War, she runs away with another man and is 

killed in a train wreck. David's son grows up and, despite 

his lathers disapproval, marries the daughter ol the man 

with whom Jean went away. Eventually David iorgives him, 

but the boy becomes involved with Chicago gangsters during 

the prohibition era and is mowed down by rival mobsters. 

Wayne is leit wiih only his memories and a granddaughter 

who is his pride and joy. 

CATCHLINES: 

Her.. the Truly Wonderlul, Heart-Warming Story :; . . . 

That 

Will Make You Live Again Again 

. . 

Love 

. 

Again ... As It Recaptures Those Wild and Wonderlul Days 

When You Were Young. 

52 

52 

ra 

ti- 

THE STORY: "Lovely to Look At" (MGM) 

While Red Skelton, Howard Keel and Gower Champion 

are trying unsuccesslully to raise money lor a Broadway 

show. Red learns he has inherited a hall-interest in a 

Paris dress salon. The three go to Paris to sell Red's interest 

and use the money lor their show. However, they discover 

the salon is in bad shape and that the other half 

is owned by Kathryn Grayson and Marge Champion, who 

reluse to sell. Gower and Marge go lor each other; Howard 

and Red are attracted to Kathryn, and Howard outlines a 

plan to save the shop by staging a lavish musical lashion 

show. Ann Miller, Howard's girl friend, arrives irom America 

and tumbles for Red; Keel deserts the salon to accept an 

offer to return to Broadway, but rejects it and is reunited 

with Kathryn. 

CATCHLINES: 

A Happy Pleasure Parade About Youth 

Love . 

. . 

Fun ... In That Most Romantic ol All Cities, 

And 

Sparkling With Mirth . . . 

Paris . . . 

Music, 

u 

THE STORY: "Scarlet Angel" (U-I) 

Yvo:ine DeCarlo, hostess ol the Scarlet Angel, a shady 

saloon in post-Civil War New Orleans, lilts the bankroll ol a 

young sea captain. Rock Hudson. Knowing the sherill is 

alter her, Yvonne leaves town with a young widow and the 

latter's baby. The woman sickens and dies, whereuon 

Yvonne assumes her name. The dead woman's wealthy 

in-laws in San Francisco, unaware ol the switch, invite her 

to live with them. Yvonne goes there with the baby and 

the lamily makes a lady ol her. Then Rock comes to San 

Francisco and demands his money back. Yvonne's real 

identity has become known to others and she is blackmailed. 

Eventually she inlorms the lamily ol her deception, thus 

lorleiting the child and her lile ol luxury, because she 

realizes that what she really wants is Rock. 

CATCHLINES: 

Beautiiul Yvonne DeCarlo in Her Most Bewitching Role 

... A Gay Tale ol Love and Adventure in Gaudy New 

Orleans and Exciting San Francisco . the New 

Screen Rave—Rock Hudson—the Handsome Skipper Who 

Wanted Yvonne lor His Cargo. 

ge 

THE STORY: "3 for Bedroom C" (WB) 

Hurrying to California and unable to obtain last-minute 

reserva.ions, Gloria Swanson, famous screen star, appropriates 

Bedroom C on the Super Chief as the train is leaving 

Chicago. The rightlul owner, James Warren, shows up, and 

Gloria turns on all her charm. Warren, a chemistry prolessor 

who doesn't know much about women—particularly 

movie stars—is dazzled, but Gloria's act develops into a 

boomerang when she linds herself as much in love as he is. 

Warren turns over the bedroom to her and her 8-year-old 

adopted daughter. Then confusion ensues when Gloria's 

press agent, Fred Clark, forces her to cancel a dinner date 

with Warren in order to dine with Steve Brodie, famous 

stage actor. Warren becomes thoroughly jealous, but the 

misunderstanding is cleared away as the train pulls into 

Pasadena. 

CATCHLINES: 

For a Guy Who Knows Nothing About Women . . . This 

Professor Winds Up With a Handful . He Tumbles 

Head Over Heels in Love With Glamorous Gloria Swanson 

. . . It's Delightful Romantic Comedy. 

THE STORY: "Just Across the Street" (U-I) 

THE STORY: "The Wild Heart" (RKO) 

John Lund, mistaking Ann Sheridan lor the daughter of 

Robert Keith and Natalie Schafer, wealthy socialites, gives 

her a secretarial job in his plumbing shop. To keep up the 

ruse, in order to support her alcoholic lather, Cecil Kellaway, 

Ann pretends to live at the swank estate owned by Keith and 

his wile, although she actually lives in a small apartment 

near Lund's shop. Miss Schaler suspects Ann is a secret 

amour ol her husband's, while Keith decides his wife and 

Lund are cheating on him. He gives Lund a check lor $10,000 

to leave his wife alone, and Lund asks Kellaway to return 

the money to Keith. At the same time Kellaway straightens 

out the matrimonial entanglement between Keith and his 

wile, and Lund winds up with Ann in his arms. 

The life ol Hazel Woodus, teenage girl, is overshadowed 

by a superstitious belief in a spirit on a mountain in England 

and she pledges it to marry the first man to propose. She 

meets Jack Reddin, a forceful country squire, but the proposal 

comes from the Rev. Edward Marston and she weds him. 

When he treats her like an immature child, she runs away 

to live with Reddin. When the clergyman persuades her 

to return, his mother and the parishioners turn against him. 

He is planning to abandon the ministry when Reddin organizes 

a lox hunt. The hounds pursue Hazel's pet lox and 

she runs to the rescue. With the clergyman and Reddin 

trying to save her, she lalls down an abandoned mine shaft 

with the lox in her arms. 

CATCHLINES: 

. 

. . It's a Riot of 

They Did It lor Laughs . a Little Lovin', Too . 

Hilarious Saga of a Poor Working Girl . 

the 

Love and Laughter. 

. 

The 

Guys 

She's Trying to Work . 

CATCHLINES: 

Could She Be Called a Sinner When She Was So Childlike? 

. . . Jenniier Jones in the Drama of an Untamed Child 

Bride . . . She Chose Unwisely Between Two Kinds of Love 

Loves and Her Hates Were Uncontrollable. 

THE STORY: "Miss Italy" (Lux) 

Prior to the Miss Italy beauty contest, author Richard Ney 

interviews the competitors to write up their reasons lor 

entering the contest. The girls are from all walks ol lile 

mayor's daughter, niece of a parish priest, crippled countess, 

courtesan in a 'Venetian brothel, photographer's model and 

seamstress lor a Milan lashion salon. Richard lalls in love 

with Gina LoIIobrigida, the seamstress, and is also sympathetically 

interested m the courtesan, Constance. A shady 

friend of Constance tricks Gina's innocent lather into smuggling 

stolen jewels from Switzerland. Constance relinquishes 

her chances in the contest to clear Gina's father and later 

deliberately wrecks the auto in which she and her crooked 

Iriend are riding. Both are killed. Gina wins boy, contest. 

CATCHLINES: 

Dazzling Beauties on Parade in a Continental Atlantic 

City . Lovely Gina LoIIobrigida, the Life 

Cover Girl . the Scenes of a Pageant of Pulchritude 

. Life Drama ol Beauty Contests—and the Girls 

Who Stake AH to Win . and Intrigue in a 

Sparkling Riviera Setting. 

.. -f 

th. 

do 

THE STORY: 

"African Treasure" (Mono) 

Via short wave, Leonard Mudie learns that two ol three 

geologists who passed through his district in Africa some 

weeks before are diamond smugglers. Using jungle-drum 

telegraph, Mudie contacts Bomba (Johnny Sheffield), and 

Bomba linds the body 

asks him to try to locate the geologists. 

of the leader ol the three men in a wrecked native village, 

and also encounters Laurette Luez, who is searching lor her 

lather, a Portuguese guide. With the help ol his animal 

friends, Bomba leads Laurette to where her father and a 

group ol natives are being held as slaves by the two diamond 

smugglers, who have found a cache ol the gems in the crater 

of an extinct volcano. Laurette is captured, and the villains 

set off a landslide. Bomba pursues and captures 

them, then vanishes into the jungle. 

CATCHLmES: 

. . . It's in 

Thrilling Adventure Teeming Excitement ... In the 

Heart of Africa 

. . . 

... As Bomba, the Jungle Boy . 

Tops Action 

a 

Fabulous Fortune in Diamonds 

Entertainment.

I 

1 

"ork 

I 

I 

. Peerles.s 

mmu 

R "ES: 15c per word, minimum $1.50, cash with copy. Four insertionB for price ol three. 

Ci)SING DATE: Monday noon preceding publication date. Send copy and answers to 

Box Numbers to BOXOFTICE, 825 Van Brunt Blvd.. Kansas City 1, Mo. • 

HELP WANTED 

STUDIO AND PRODUCTION 

T EQUIPMENT 

AIR CONDITIONING 

THEATRES FOR SALE 

Theatre For Sale: Helecied lljitlngj In Oregon 

and Wa.ihlnBton now ivtUable. Write for ll«t. 

Theatre Exchange Co., Fine Arts BIdg., Portland, 

Ore 

Build double parking Drive- In tbeatrn under 

franchise Patent 2,102,718, relnnie 23.796. Up to 

30^c more seating capacity with little additional 

cost. Louis Josserand, 3710 Ml Vernon, Houston, 

Tex 

Pacific Northwest theatres for ule. Write Irv 

BowTon, sales manager. Theatre Sales (I)lv.), 

Fred B. Ludwig. Brk., 1711 E. Bumslde, Forlland 

15. Ore. 

When in Dallas see "Joe" Joseph, Texas' Theatre 

Brokers, 204 Gable BIdg., Dallas, Tex. Phones 

LAkeslde 9437 or LOgan 6707. 

For sale: Old established road show circuit 

doing good business. Must sell this spring on 

account of other Interests. A bargain for cash only. 

Phone or write B. 1>. Blackorby, Novlnger, Mo 

Only theatre In thriving western Washington 

town. .Modern building. First class equipment. 

Consistent profitable grosses year round. Boxofflce. 

4710, 

Outright lease, option purchase. Advance applies 

to down payment If purchased, $4,600 advance 

rem. Steadily profitable, well equipped, only theatre 

Texas gulf. $10,000 annual profit indicated. 

Absent owner offers fullest Investigation. State 

qualifications. Exclusive. Arthur Leak, 3305 Carulh, 

Dallas, Tex, 

Major Texas drive-in. Perfectly protected' 

60,000 liigh-salarled people. Under $200,000. 

Payout three years. Year round operation. Terms. 

Only qualified principals. Boxofflce, 4711. 

Only drive-in and indoor theatres west Texas 

thriving town. $40.000 down. Boxofflce, 4712. 

Nicest small town (2,400). Only theatre central 

Oklahoma. 450 seats. Good lease, sub-rental. 

$22,500. $S,600 down, balance ten years. Complete 

records. Exclnslvc. Arthur Leak, 3305 

Caruth, Dallas, Tex. Similar south Texas. 18 

others from $9,000 down. 

Excellent small town, Arkansas Ozarks. Over 

$7,000 net. Books open. Simplex projection. RCA 

sound, 300 seats. $21,500 with terms. Including 

masonry building. Owner, Boxofflce, 47 17. 

400-car drive-in. Good oil town. Steady payroll. 

Good business, year around. Priced for quick 

sale, by owner. Boxofflce, 4724. 

Trade— Profitable 500-seater, town 1,500, near 

Sioux City, Iowa; also wonderful home, lor equal 

sltu.ifion in southwest. Boxofflce, 4725. 

For Sale: Only theatre In town of 1.900, 50 

miles southwest of Minneapolis; 325 seats: 30x140 

brick building; good business. Owner leaving state. 

$29,000. terms Boxofflce. 4726. 

Small town Florida theatre; 440 seals. Only 

theatre in county. Family operation will show 

excellent returns. Simplex, Bailanlyne, Strong 

equipment. Terms available. Boxofflce, 4727. 

Two theatres in two .Nebraska towns. Equipment 

and lease in town of 800. Building, lot, equipment 

In town of 500. .Must see to appreciate. 

Family p.ilronage. Boxoffice. 4728. 

For sublease: In St. Louis county, newly constructed, 

modern advance design theatre. Fully 

equipped. 632 seats. Immediately available. 

Write Boxoffice. 4730. 

For sale; 400-car drlve-m. -Michigan Thumb 

district. Built 1950. Now in operation. Call 

I 

C.C. Davis, lieckerville. .Mich. Phone 75R2. 

South Texas: 400-seat, modern building and 

e(iuipmrnt ; 3 miles of ne«' aluminum metal plant. 

Large drawing area. All for $33,000, One-half 

down. Box 368. Portland, Tex. 

Dissolving partnership, fine county seat, 425 

seats. Frigidaire cooling; 3.200 population. .No 

competition, TV here three years proves town 

large enough fnr both. $75,000 invested here. 

Make reasonable cash offer and buy a safe invest 

ment, Rlvoll Theatre. Seward. Xeb. Phon e 6195, 

For sale: Complete theatre or equipment. Simplex 

projectors and 500 cushioned chairs, etc. 

Write Box 445. Sheffield, Ala. 

East Kansas, county seat theatre. Over $15,000 

net. Long established, two owners In 20 years. 

Everything is the best. Building included, two 

rentals. $45,000 down. This Is not a junker. 

Boxofflce. 4741. 

For sale or trade, 400-seat theatre south central 

Kansas, doing a nice business. Good building 

and equipment. Prosperous town of 2,000. No 

competition. $20,000 down. Full details to qualified 

buyers. Boxofflce, 4742. 

For sale; Theatre western Washington town, 

population over 2.000. $10,000 down payment. 

Liberty, Lynden. Wash. 

HOUS{ 

THEATRES FOR SALK 

Small tovxn theatre in >> 

Tlieutre htillfllitK and hou.-se on hM for younK couple 

i 

or oldsters keeiilni; auay from hnrd 

to own at $9,000 down Tti

Yoyj'iiêii IVI 

wlien you S'/Zi 

MORE 

-=^^lrz—^ 

\ 

POSTERS 

/ 

1 

TRAILERS 

Get full details 

from your NSS Salesman or write 

your nearest NSS Exchange 

nanonnix^cieen SERVICE 

\J pnizfaaBrofmtmousjwy

Boxoffice-May.31.1952

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