Boxoffice-March.14.1960

MARCH 14, 

I960 

/ne fu/Ac e^ one meto&rt MctuAe ynauA^ 

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THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY 

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and Publisher 

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MARCH 14, 1960 

Vol. 76 No. 21 

^r T is unfortunate that the Screen 

Actors Guild turned a deaf ear to the appeals 

of exhibitors, producers and even of some of 

their own members that the strike be postponed. 

But now that the strike has been effected, it is 

to be ho|)ed that it will not be of long duration 

and that some good may come out of it, even 

tliou^h just its beginning has been harmful. 

If it is a long, drawii-out affair, it will try 

the patience of people in this 

THE BIG STAKE 

business—and the 

public, as well. But it may serve to stir the 

imaginations and ingenuity of those in the industry, 

as never before, to overcome the obstacles 

thrown in their paths. Only pictures 

can take the place of pictures, especially when 

they are so much needed. But showmanship, 

well applied, can derive the full value from 

what product is available and offset losses 

otherwise 

incurred. 

Tlie big stake in this conflict, that none in this 

industry should lose sight of, is the public interest. 

Tliat should not for an instant be allowed 

to flag. The public should not be permitted, 

in any way, to feel, as some prophets of 

doom are proclaiming, that the motion picture 

business, particularly the motion picture theatre, 

as it has been known, is through; that 

nothing but inferior pictures are in prospect, 

and a lot of other such pish-posh. 

To preserve and sustain the public interest 

that is so vital to the industry's future, producer-distributors 

should hold to the releasing 

schedules they announced, as closely as possible. 

Present indications are that this will be 

done, but the need for so doing cannot be overstressed. 

The exhibitors, for their part, must 

not only conduct their operations in the best 

showmanship manner, but must double their 

efforts to reassure their patrons that motion 

pictures and their theatres still do and will 

continue to offer the best entertainment. And. 

in so doing, they will be getting the most out 

of every picture they book. 

It may be necessary to make some changes 

in operational policies, all of which may be to 

the good. For, doubtless, a great many situations 

have maintained outmoded policies that 

should have been discarded long ago. Each 

exhibitor should closely check over his situation 

and be willing to test out new policies that 

will be the means, not only of holding attendance 

to profitable levels, but which can bring 

about substantial increases. With fewer pictures 

in prospect, they will have to be made to 

go farther. In the good business sense, that 

means not merely playing them longer, but to 

better advantage by getting more people to see 

them. And this is not a one-sided task. It 

calls for every possible and practical assist by 

producer-distributors, who shoultl readily work 

hand-in-glove with exhibitors in keeping the 

public interest in moviegoing high and steady. 

Another Side of the Coin 

The public and some of the press have been 

laying it on heavy for the showings of pictures 

which they have termed "objectionable." Occasionally, 

an astute newspaper editor has put 

this matter into the proper perspective. One 

such instance was brought to our attention by 

Edward Purcell, manager of Stanley Warners' 

Virginia Theatre at Harrisonburg, Va.. who 

sent us the clipping of an editorial written by 

D. Latham Minis, general manager of the Harrisonburg 

Daily News-Record. The editorial, 

which was titled "Hollywood's Best Foot Forward." 

follows: 

"In recent months we've heard and printed 

criticism—some of it not unjustified—against 

the motion picture industry for the type of 

movies sometimes offered. The complaint has 

been made that Hollywood, in trying to compete 

against television, has cheapened its wares 

with an extra helping of crime and sex to attract 

the audiences. Perhaps this is true, but 

there possibly is another side of the coin. too. 

"Can it be that the public, as reflected by 

the boxoffice sales, prefers the off-color movie? 

We are prompted to ask this question by our 

observation of the comparatively slim Harrisonburg 

audiences now attending a fine motion 

picture, 'The Big Fisherman.' 

"We don't say this is the greatest motion 

picture ever filmed. But we do say it is a 

splendid production with passages on the Holy 

Word that inspire all with a reverence of the 

greatest story every told. 

"If a picture of this typ^-and Hollywood 

still produces masterpieces—doesn't draw, motion 

picture producers are left with one conclusion: 

the public wants more pictures against 

which the public often complains. It would be 

in our books an unfortunate conclusion and a 

sad commentary on the public's taste." 

In his letter accompanying the clipping. Mr. 

Purcell writes that the editorial "is actually 

putting the public on the spot, by telling them 

not to condemn that which they condone; or get 

out and go to the good motion pictures^ and the 

filmmakers will make more of them." True, 

indeed! 

\.4^&v\j

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ENTERS 

STUDIO STRIKE NEGOTIATIONS 

Mediator Begins Talks 

With Producers, Guild 

To End a Stalemate 

HOLLYWOOD — The federal 

mediation 

service entered the Screen Actors Guild 

strike thLs week, in the hopes of getting 

producers and players to reach a settlement—but 

there was no discernible break 

in the solid front of the two sides. 

DEVELOPMENTS LISTED 

Major developments during the week included: 

• Jules Medoff, federal mediation commissioner, 

made his first contacts with the 

Guild and the Ass'n of Motion Picture 

Producers in an effort to find a solution 

to the controversy. 

• As a result of the intervention, the 

first meeting between the producers and 

Screen Actors Guild since the strike began 

was arranged, thus returning the two 

groups to a "let's-talk-it-over" level. 

• Charles Boren, executive vice-president 

of AMPP, forecast a long strike, in 

view of SAG'S unwavering stand on receiving 

payment for post- 1948 pictui-es. 

• Richard Walsh, president of lATSE. 

was reported to have informed parties concerned 

that the unions would forego any 

claims to residuals on post-1948s, if other 

guilds and crafts withdraw their claims. 

Meanwhile, the studios were virtuallv 

MGM Studio 

Employes 

Voice Protest to Strike 

Hollywood—Following is the text of 

a telegram sent by 159 MGM employes 

to Ronald Reagan and board members 

of the Screen Actors Guild here: 

"Because of your strike stand, innocent 

people like ourselves and thousands 

more are losing their jobs, possibly 

permanently. Is it necessary for 

your g:roup to put a corner on all the 

money in Hollywood? Why destroy 

the industry that has supported all 

of us, includinf>: you, so well—an industry 

which means our bread and 

butter and way of life? Because of the 

aims of you and your board and Tony 

Curtis and other actors for more and 

more money, you are spearheading a 

drive to ruin a business that has been 

good. We can't afford to retire; we 

have all worked together in the past 

and have all been in some way responsible 

for the acclaim and success 

your group has achieved. How can 

you be so sure you are right in this 

issue? How can you not concern yourself 

with the many people who have 

considered themselves, up to now, 159 

of your friends, fellow workers and 

tans?" 

Anna Rosenberg, Labor 

Expert, Hired by MPAA 

New York—Retaining of Anna M. 

Rosenberg as a public relations consultant 

to the Motion Picture Ass'n of 

America this week is regarded as having 

a direct connection with the Screen 

Actors Guild strike, although it was 

reported that negotiations for her services 

began prior to the walkout. Mrs. 

Rosenberg formerly was head of the 

National Labor Relations Board and 

served as Assistant Secretary of Defense 

under President Truman. 

According to reliable reports, Mrs. 

Rosenberg will study all aspects of 

the Hollywood strike and then advise 

company presidents as to procedure. 

If the strike should end shortly, she 

will devote her attention to other projects 

under her one-year contract with 

the MPAA. 

closed and approximately 5,000 workers 

other than actors were out of work. Hardest 

hit was the 20th Century-Fox lot 

where an estimated 2,000 employes already 

have been laid off and another 400 to 500 

may get their notices within a few weeks. 

At Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, about 1,000 employes 

were laid off leaving 700 still at 

work, while at Paramount 200 workers 

were released. Substantial numbers" also 

were dismissed at Columbia. 

Not only were studio workers hit by the 

strike, but executives and top stars under 

contract alike were pink-slipped and the 

phra.se "force majeur" became one of the 

most frequently used of the week. It applies 

to a situation under which contractual 

obligations are not in effect due to 

"matters beyond the control of both parties." 

Some executives were reported appealing 

to their lawyers to take action in 

the matter, but it appeared that little 

could be done legally to contest the layoff 

actions. 

It is still impossible to gauge the eventual 

cost of the strike in wages and salaries 

and production losses alone. Jeny 

Wald, producer at 20th-Fox. said the 

strike would cost him $2,500,000 on "Let's 

Make Love" because he would never again 

be able to obtain the services of the two 

stars, Marilyn Monroe and Yves Montand. 

The film was one of four halted on the 

20th-Fox lot. 

Producer Edmund Grainger called attention 

to one of the disheartening aspects 

of the layoffs. He praised the crews which 

worked day and night to bring his MGM 

production of "Cimarron" in under the 

line, and then were greeted with pink 

slips for their efforts. 

The decision of the federal mediation 

service to enter the strike negotiation came 

as a result of an appeal by the Screen 

Actors Guild for its help. Mediator Medoff 

began holding conferences at midweek with 

SAG and the AMPP. in order to be briefed 

on problems involved before attempting to 

bring the parties together. 

The only studio stages open during the 

week were being used by independent outfits 

w-hich have signed with SAG. Pictures 

being shot, under this arrangement, include 

"Oceans 11" at Warner Bros., "Pepe" at 

Columbia, "Studs Lonigan" at the Roach 

studios and "College Confidential" at Universal. 

INDEPENDENTS SIGN 

Independent producers who have signed 

with SAG include George Sidney, Frank 

Sinatra. Fiyman Enterprises (Mickey 

Rooney and Red Doff i, Carl Foreman, Otto 

Preminger and Tony Cui-tis. Studio contracts 

prevented many independent filmmakers 

from signing similarly with SAG 

as their contracts leave the prerogative of 

signing w-ith guilds and unions to the 

companies. 

Meanwhile, in his first press interview 

since negotiations began, Charles Boren, 

executive \ice-president of AMPP. forecast 

a prolonged strike and reaffirmed the 

producers' refusal to consider any payments 

to actors for the tele\'ising of post- 

'48 pictures and a reopening clause on 

pay TV. He revealed that AMPP had offered 

a health, pension and welfare plan 

comparable to the existing motion pictui-e 

industry pension plan but adjusted to the 

working conditions of actors. The plan, rejected 

by SAG. called for employer and 

actor contributions on a percentage-ofsalary 

basis at a ratio of 8 to 5 for the 

pension fund, plus employer-only contributions 

to a health and welfare plan. 

Simultaneously, John L. Dales, national 

executive secretary of SAG. declared the 

strike to be 100 per cent effective and reiterated 

that SAG members are hopeful 

that progress will be made through the 

Federal Mediation Service. 

The report that lATSE was willing to 

forego any claim to payment for post- 

1948 pictui-es came after a conference between 

officials of SAG and the basic craft 

unions in an effort to reach an overall 

formula that would satisfy tlie demands 

of all interested unions and guilds. The 

declaration was said to have come from 

Walsh who disclosed that further discussions 

along these lines would be forthcoming. 

MEANY MAKES A CALL 

The lATSE was reported to have been 

ready to demand twice the total of what 

other guilds and crafts asked, a position 

which, if maintained, could stall negotiations 

for months. Walsh clarified this 

statement by announcing that he merely 

made this claim as a protective measure 

for his members and not as a device 

pressure SAG into settling the strike. 

to 

George Meany. president of the AFL-CIO 

organization, was said to have stepped into 

the picture when he learned of the double 

demand, and exacted a promise from the 

lATSE chief that he would not negotiate 

with the studios until SAG had completed 

its negotiations. 

BOXOFFICE March 14, 1960

"Sons 

1954) 

— 

RELEASE CHARTS UNCHANGED; 

AWAIT STUDIO DEVELOPMENTS 

Majors, However, Draft 

Alternate Plan In Case 

Strike Is Prolonged 

NEW YORK—If the Hollywood strike 

should be prolonged, what will be the 

product situation later in the year? This 

is the question being asked by exhibitors 

and. at this point, the affected distributors 

are wrestling with the problem and, 

at the same time, trying to come up with 

hopeful answers. 

MAY FORCE A REVAMPING 

There is no doubt but that strike-bound 

companies will have to revamp their 

schedules if the strike should continue 

for a lengthy period of time. As of now, 

they have not revised their slates officially 

but are blueprinting lineup changes in the 

event that the walkout extends into the 

spring and summer. This, of course, will 

mean a cutting down on releases and 

spreading them over a greater length of 

time. 

Edward Hyman, vice-president of American 

Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres, 

said he was hopeful that the strike would 

not affect a new "orderly release" schedule 

which he had been working on and which 

he will make public on March 22. Hyman 

said he felt that the studios had anticipated 

the strike and had made plans accordingly. 

He said he had obtained product 

information for his new schedule during 

a two-week visit to Hollywood where 

he saw 30 completed and partially completed 

pictures at ten studios. 

One company which appears unconcerned 

over a possible product shortage, at 

least for the rest of the year, is 20th Century-Pox 

which has 31 unreleased pictures 

on tap. 

Sensing the possibility of a strike, Spyros 

Skoui'as, president, recently contracted 

for seven J. Arthur Rank productions, a 

Robert Youngson picture, one from Belgium, 

two from Italy, several from NTA 

and increased the schedule for Associated 

Producers. He has expressed the opinion 

that the company will keep the exhibitors 

of the world well supplied with progi-ams 

during the uncertain days ahead. 

FIVE PICTURES IN MARCH 

During the first two weeks in March, 

20th-Pox offered five pictures, all now 

playing first run in the Metropolitan area. 

They are "The Third Voice," "Seven 

Thieves," "Sink the Bismarck," "The Wind 

Cannot Read" and "The Rookie," plus 

"Can-Can" which is being roadshown. 

Ready for release this year, 20th-Fox has 

"Crack in the Mirror," "Wild River," 

"Wake Me When It's Over, ' and 

Lovers," "From the Terrace," "Story of 

"Ruth." "Murder, Inc.," "Masters of the 

Congo Jungle," "Flame Over India," 

"When Comedy Was King," "Three Murderesses," 

"Operation Amsterdam," "Valley 

of the Redwoods," "Upstairs and Downstairs," 

"13 Fighting Men." "Bobbikins," 

BOXOFHCE March 14. 1960 

Majors Turn to Reissues; 

18 Are Already Spotted 

NEW YORK—With the production stoppage 

the first week of March due to the 

Screen Actors Guild strike, several of the 

majors have set reissues for general or 

selected showings in the next few months. 

Allied Artists, Columbia Pictures, Paramount 

and Warner Bros., all affected by 

the strike, plus United Artists and Universal-International, 

have so far set a total 

of 18 reissues on their 1960 lists. 

Allied Artists will reissue "The Phenix 

City Story" (1955) and "The Human Jungle" 

(1954) April and "Pride of the Blue 

Grass" ( for May. Columbia recently 

showed "On the Waterfront" and 

"The Caine Mutiny," originally released in 

1954, at the first-run Roxy Theatre on 

Broadway and will open "Death of a 

Salesman" and "The Four-Poster," released 

in 1951 and 1952 respectively, for 

a limited run at the 55th Street Playhouse, 

Manhattan, March 14. The neighborhood 

Loew's theatres recently played 

"The Captain's Table," "12 Hom-s to Kill," 

"Desire in the Dust," "The 39 Steps," 

"Young Je.sse James," "Perry to Hong 

Kong," "Legions of Cleopatra," "Salambo" 

and "The Golden Touch." 

Paramount has 16 pictures for release 

between March 1 and the end of August 

a schedule which will stand until, and if, 

the strike shapes up as a long drawn-out 

affair. The company has earmarked 12 

more productions for release after August, 

most of which have been completed. Included 

on the Paramount lineup are the 

general release of "The Ten Commandments" 

and a rerelease of "The Greatest 

Show on Earth," both coming under rereleases. 

MGM's vice-president and sales chief, 

John Byrne, is reexamining his release 

schedule to allow for a change in tempo, 

if necessary. Joseph R. Vogel, president, 

indicated at the recent stockholders meeting 

that the company might have to reduce 

the releases from two a month to 

one a month if the impact of the strike 

should hit hard at midyear. 

Byrne, who returned this past week 

from studio conferences, reported that he 

was confident that the current year's releases 

of 17 productions would maintain 

the favorable results of MGM's three releases 

so far this year; namely, "Never So 

Few," "The Gazebo" and "The Last Voyage." 

This would indicate that the company 

would go as far as possible with its 

release dates as they now stand. Following 

"Home From the Hill," a March release, 

the company will have "Please Don't 

the King's Men" and "From Here to 

"All 

Eternity," originally released in 1949 and 

1953, respectively. 

Paramount, which reissued "The Country 

Girl" and "The Bridges at Toko-Ri," 

both 1955 releases, in January, has scheduled 

the large-scale reissue of Cecil B. 

DeMille's "The Greatest Show on Earth," 

originally shown in 1953, for May and 

Warner Bros, has scheduled the general 

rerelease of "The Nun's Story," originally 

released a year ago, for April to take advantage 

of Audrey Hepburn's Academy 

Award nomination. Warners will also reissue 

two other features, to be announced, 

in May. 

United Artists, not affected by the 

strike, has both "Some Like It Hot," a 1959 

release, and "Alexander the Great," originally 

released in 1956, for reissue in 

March while Universal-International will 

rerelease "The Glenn Miller Story," a 

1954 release, in April. 

Eat the Daisies" for Easter, "The Adventures 

of Huckleberry Finn for May prerelease. 

"The Giant of the Marathon" for 

" 

June, "Bells are Ringing" for July, "The 

Time Machine" for August and "All the 

Fine Young Cannibals" for Labor Day. 

Two important MGM pictures were 

completed just under the wire— "The Subterraneans" 

and "Cimarron." Other pictures 

completed but not scheduled are 

"Platinum High School," "Key Witness," 

"The Day They Robbed the Bank of England." 

"The Village of the Damned," 

"Temptation" and "Gorgo." 

Columbia appears to be in good shape 

with 22 pictm-es completed, sufficient to 

carry the company through the year. However, 

Rube Jackter, vice-president and general 

sales manager, said the schedule may 

have to be stretched, although, at present 

the company will go ahead with its releases 

as planned. In addition to the 22 completed 

films, three pictures are in work by dispensation 

of the guilds. This makes a total 

of 25 films available for the year. 

Columbia earlier in the year announced 

a three-releases-a-month schedule for 

1960. and all but one of the 12 pictures 

placed in the first quarter slot have been 

delivered. For April, the schedule calls for 

"The Mountain Road," "Because They're 

Young" and "Search for Cherefto" while 

the features due in May include "All the 

Young Men." "The Enemy General" and 

"The Stranglers of Bombay." 

The company's March pictures are 

"Babette Goes To War," "Comanche Sta- 

( Continued on page 10)

Big Gain in U-l Earnings; 

MPI Offers Playdate Aid 

NEW YORK — Universal-International, 

which showed a loss of $862,000 for the 

_ 

fiscal quarter ending 

January 30 a year 

ago, earned a net 

profit of $1,850,000 

in the same quarter 

this year. Milton 

Rackmil. president, 

reported to stockholders 

Wednesday 

(9). 

This strong earnings 

statement led 

him to recommend to 

Milton Rackmil the board of directors 

that a quarterly dividend 

of 25 cents a share on the common 

stock bo paid for the first time since December 

1957. A year-end dividend of $1 

was declared in January as well. 

In reply to questions regarding the actors' 

strike, Rackmil said that the walkout 

would not affect Universal's earnings in 

any way. Universal has signed an agreemetit 

with the Screen Actors Guild. 

As for selling pictures to television. 

Rackmil said the company had no plans 

for such a move, stating the company had 

Pickus 

$15,000,000 in cash and was not hard 

pressed for money. 

Walter Reade jr., president of Motion 

Picture Investors, Inc., attended the meeting 

as a representative of MPI and. from 

the floor, told Rackmil and the stockholders 

that he had attended a meeting of 

the MPI board in Kansas City the day 

before and that the directors had instructed 

him to inquire if Universal could 

increa.se its production program. He asked 

Rackmil how many pictures Universal 

planned to put before the cameras during 

the next six months. The Universal president 

replied that approximately 15 were 

contemplated. Reade asked him if the 

number could not be increased by at least 

ten because of the severe product shortage. 

Rackmil said there was no limit to 

the number of pictures that might be produced 

if there was assurance that they 

were of the right type and could be absorbed 

by the market. 

Reade said he could promise a playoff 

of the product as an inducement to Universal 

to boost its program and that exhibitor-members 

of MPI would give it full 

support. Rackmil could not commit himself. 

Reports on Product Meeting; 

Myrick Pushes Saturation 

KANSAS CITY—An invaluable relationship 

between exhibitors and the Screen 

Pi-oducers Guild, which will bring gi-eater 

coordination of planning between those 

who make the pictures and those who sell 

them, was established last week when representatives 

of the two groups met in 

Hollywood. Albert Pickus, president of Theatre 

Owners of America, reported this week 

at Show-A-Rama III, convention and 

tradeshow of United Theatre Owners of 

the Heart of America. 

Pickus and Al Myrick. president of Allied 

States Assn. addressed the convention 

Wednesday 1 9 

1 . Pickus spoke on the coast 

conference and the work of TOA while 

Myrick concerned himself principally with 

the need for making product available 

earlier to subsequent-run and small-town 

theatres. 

Pickus's statement on the long-planned 

meeting between producers and theatremen 

was the first public comment on the session, 

although it was not of an official 

nature. When an official statement on 

plans and procedures is released, it will 

be presented to 

the industry jointly by the 

two organizations. 

The strike has delayed an immdiate announcement. 

"At the meeting, however." 

said Pickus, "we did lay out plans for constructive 

procedures aimed at common 

benefit. 

"You can be assured that our plans will 

be of great benefit to all segments of 

the industry. It was an extraordinaiT, an 

exciting and a productive meeting. The 

Runs 

producers are as concerned about the product 

shortage as we exhibitors are. They are 

troubled by the casting difficulties, both 

because of the scarcity of stars and because 

of salary demands. They are concerned 

that frequently their films are 

rushed into release without adequate national 

or even area publicity. They are 

clear-thinking, realistic men who recognize 

that only when we, as exhibitors, prosper 

with healthy theatres, will they as a group 

al.so prosper." 

Myrick. taking up Allied's drive to obtain 

eai-lier playdates of top product for subsequent-run 

theatres and small-town situations, 

told the exhibitors that in today's 

market 60 days after a pictui-e receives 

its peak advertising and promotion, "spoilage 

.sets in and its attraction for patron- 

" 

age begins to deteriorate. 

Late dates, he warned, are reducing the 

earning potential for both exhibitors and 

distributors, and declared that "the public 

has a right to see pictui'es when they 

are fresh." Allied has documented endence 

that situations playing lesser product on 

earlier availability have been able to outgross 

important pictures played late. 

He urged the film companies to undertake 

massive saturation playdates, preceded 

by national tele\ision and radio promotion, 

and then provide enough prints 

so that a maximum number of theatres 

can take advantage of the campaign. The 

cost for extra prints would be negligible 

compared to the grosses which could be 

earned via this approach, he said. 

Product 

I 

Continued from page 9) 

tion" and "Man On a String." but such 

earlier-in-the-year features as "Suddenly, 

Last Summer," "Once More With Feeling," 

"Our Man in Havana and "Who 

' 

Was 

That Lady?" are still getting their first 

key-theatre dates and thus will be available 

for subsequent dating this spring. 

Warner Bros, has no present plans for 

changing its schedule in view of the 

strike, although release dates have been 

set only through April. Releases for 

March are "Guns of the Timberland," 

"This Rebel Breed" and "The Threat." 

Slated for April are "Tall Story" and 

"The Nun's Story," the latter having been 

pre-released in order to be eligible for 

Academy Awards nominations. Pictures 

to follow are "Sergeant Rutledge," "Ice 

Palace." "Hercules Unchained." "Rachel 

Cade. " "The Crowded Sky" and "The 

Sundowners." 

The New York office of Allied Artists 

was awaiting information from Hollywood 

on its release schedule, as to whether it 

would be revised or kept intact for the 

present. 

Walt Disney's Buena 'Vista organization 

has its release chart set well into 1961 

with completed product and. therefore, is 

not affected by the strike, although it may 

stretch the slate with longer intervals 

between pictures. 

Columbia 26-Week Profit 

Reported as $1,193,000 

NEW YORK — Columbia, through A. 

Schneider, president, has reported a net 

profit of $1,193,000 for the 26-week period 

ended Dec. 26. 1959. or 85 cents a common 

share, compared with $1,752,000, or 

$1.29 a share, for the corresponding 1958 

period. A total of 1.270.350 shares were 

outstanding Dec. 26, 1959. 

Columbia stated relative to its latest 

profit that, beginning with the current 

fiscal year, all advertising and foreign 

print costs are being amortized on a table 

basis on pictures released since the start 

of that year, instead of writing them off as 

a current operating expense, as heretofore. 

As a result, the company said, about $2,- 

500,000 has been added to inventory and 

will be written off on an amortization 

basis. 

The profit reported for the 1958 period 

included $2,622,000. representing the profit 

on the sale of coast laboratory facilities. 

Neither report dealt with a federal income 

tax revision because of tax loss carry 

forward available from prior years. 

Johnston Going to Italy 

WASHINGTON— Eric Johnston, president 

of the Motion Picture Export Ass'n, 

will represent the American film industry 

in a discussion of problems of world distribution 

at an April meeting of the Bureau 

International du Cinema at Milan, 

Italy. 

Warners Picture Is Retitled 

NEW YORK—"Sergeant Rutledge " 

is the 

new title for Warner Bros.' "The Trial of 

Sergeant Rutledge." which was produced 

by John Ford in Technicolor. 

10 BOXOFFICE March 14, 1960

^ 

EXCITING 

HIGHLIGHTS 

Collins (Glenn Corbett), 

a member of 

the teom, cannot resist 

giving out food 

to the starving Chinese 

children, a humane 

act which 

costs him his life. 

THE 

MOUNTAIN 

ROAD 

I. 

In an effort to delay the advancing 

Japanese in China, Major 

Baldwin (Stewart) and his 

American demolition team blow 

up on airfield at Liuchow. 

2, After getting permission from 

the Chinese to destroy a 

bridge, Baldwin and his men 

5. As the hungry Chinese rush to 

him for food, their rovishness 

O. 

becomes a riot and Collins is 

crushed to death by the screaming 

horde of refugees. 

Enraged by Collins' brutal death 

and other acts of violence, 

Baldwin orders the destruction 

of a Chinese village (large 

photo above). 

take a Chinese widow (Lisa Lu) 

toward safety behind the lines. 

7. 

Baldwin then goes on with his 

mission to blow up a Chinese 

ammunition depot. 

3. The men continue their ossign- ([!^\ , . 

ment of destruction and, as ^-i^^ " 

t 

they move bock, they are ordered 

to blow up roads ot 

strategic points along the way. 

0. Although Baldwin has stopped 

the Japanese, he has lost the 

respect of the girl, but he hos 

learned the lesson of compassion 

which she had tried to 

teach him. jk. 

''The JVlountain Poad" is realistic and authentic, hewing 

to the line of military accuracy and precision in every 

detail and, yet above all, it has been produced and designed 

for the all-important purpose of enteilainracnt. 

The story is based on Theodore H. White's best-selling 

"Book of the Month" of the same title. 

China literally moved to Arizona for "The Mountain 

Road." .Near Phoenix, an entire Chinese village was 

constructed, in addition to other projects such as roads 

and bridges. Under the supervision of John Roche, head 

of Coluinhia Studios' construction department, and Eil 

Shanley, location supervisf)r, the enterprise was the 

largest in the history of the studio and took more than 

two months to complelc. More than SlO.IJllO was spent 

to change private roads lor lurnouls and lurnabouls to 

accommodate the company's huge rolling slock and for a 

thousand-foot road which had to be blasted through 

solid rock and rough terrain. When the construction 

crew finished near Phoenix, it moved on to Nogales for 

the erection of a temple, and ammunition supply station 

and an airfield. 

Heading the cast are James Stewart, Glenn Corhett. 

Lisa Lu and Honr\ (Harry) Morgan, supported by 

Frank Silvera. James Best, Rudy Bond, Mike Kcllin, 

Frank Maxwell. Eddie Firestone, Alan Baxter, Leo Chen 

and Peter Chong. Alfred Ha\es' screenplay was based 

on the novel by Theodore White. Jerome Moross composed 

the music which was conducted by Morris Stoloff. 

Daniel Mann directed the production and Burnett Guffev 

was in charge of photograph\'.

. . and 

was 

POWER 

"I 

asked for this job, don't you see? And with it come this power ... 1 guess I've 

always been afraid of it—of having power, of using it . . . And then, on the 

mountain road, I found it was easy. It was easy so long as it was just between 

the mountain road and me . . . But then, tonight, it reached out and possessed 

me. It walked in and took over. It wasn't because I 

an American and they 

were Chinese. It was because I had more power than 1 knew how to use. Power 

hasn't any face . 

it hasn't any country." 

Junirs Sleiiiul in "Tlii' Mountain Riviil." 

^F

U 

A WORLD-FAMED ARTIST VISITS 

COLUMBIA'S ^^MOUNTAIN ROAD" COMPANY ON LOCATION 

JOHN GROTH, internationally famous artist, was 

commissioned by Producer William Goetz to accompany 

the players and crew to the Arizona desert 

where "The Mountain Road" was shot on location. 

His assignment was to graphically sketch highlight 

episodes from the production in his well-known and 

inimitable style. Some of his sketches are reproduced 

on these pages and it is apparent that he has 

caught the spirit and intent of the picture with his 

brushes. 

The sketches will be used in the promotion of 

the picture and will 

be made available to exhibitors 

His experiences on location with the company 

are described in the April issue of Esquire magazine, 

in the form of a series of letters to the editor. 

"'DmIamXi^ d th, inMa^^y tLdfildtiô thu Jt^JJ-AjJiM ! 

f 

JlM' iM- 

.1^^ t^Lt 

, 

tie Uk/'cX KJi^^ til. di*Uti»o- 

for use in lobbies and-or display advertising. 

Groth's unique style vividly brings out the excitement, 

pathos and suspense of the Goetz production. 

m/«c-

, 

I 

Warner 

was 

( MGM 

. 

— 

Illinois-Produced Feature 

Debuts in Springfield 

SPRINGFIELD, ILL.—The world premiere 

of "The Prime Time," first motion 

picture feature produced in its entirety in 

Producer Herschell G. Lewis (right) 

producer of "The Prime Time," is 

shown with starlet Karen Black and 

exhibitor George Kerasotes at the 

world premiere of the film. 

Illinois, in more than 40 years, received its 

world premiere at the Strand Theatre here 

last week. The Strand is the key house 

of the Kerasotes circuit. 

The picture is the first production of 

the newly formed Chicago production company, 

Mid-Continent Films, Inc., and is 

being distributed nationally by the Chicago-based 

Essanjay Films, Inc. Essanjay 

is the only national distributing firm to 

headquarter in Chicago. 

The distribution company is packaging 

"The Prime Time" with the King Bros, 

production "The Carnival Story." Mid-Continent 

shot "The Prime Time," a story 

of young adults, in and around Chicago, 

using Chicago players and craftsmen. 

COMPO Ad Reports Praise 

Of Films OS Genuine Art 

NEW YORK—High praise of the quality 

of American films in a Pittsburgh Press 

editorial was reprinted in a Council of 

Motion Picture Organizations advertisement 

that appeared in the March 5 issue 

of Editor & Publisher. 

Noting American achievements in literature, 

music, painting, sculpture and other 

fine arts, the Pittsburgh editorial said that 

the most genuinely American art—the motion 

picture—is usually overlooked. 

"Increasing in recent years," it said, 

"The U. S. has produced pictures of real 

merit, but because of the commercial nature 

of this field Americans usually hesitate 

to give them the esteem which they 

deserve." 

The editorial cited "Diary of Anne 

Prank," "Porgy and Bess," "The Nun's 

Story" and "Anatomy of a Murder" as examples 

of "real and often deep value." It 

noted that they were among the top ten 

selected by Kaspar Monahan, its drama 

critic. It added that the group, "of course, 

does not include this year's 'Ben-Hur,' 

described by Monahan as 'eclipsing all 

preceding movie mammoths,' " and it said 

that other commendable pictures could be 

added to the list. 

"Because they attract huge audiences," 

the editorial continued, "movies may lack 

prestige and snob appeal, but few will deny 

that the cinema is today one of America's 

most powerful artistic forces." 

Foreign Correspondents 

Pick 'Ben-Hur 

HOLLYWOOD — Metro-Goldwyn-May- 

" 

er's "Ben-Hur named the best Hollywood-produced 

picture of the year, 

"Some Like It Hot" (Mirisch-UA) the best 

comedy. "Porgy and Bess" iGoldwyn-Columbiai 

the best musical and "Diary of 

Anne Prank"

BILL GOETZ 

Boxoffice Giant 

THE MAN responsible f nature ol his profession, a (âlifornian 

by adoption. 

In 193.5, 20lh Century I'ielure- meiL'cd wiili lo\ I'ilm 

Corp. and became 2(Hh Cenlurv -1' ()\ of which he was vicepresidenl 

in charge of studio op~'>'A. (loetz once again 

endiarked cm independent pindnil imi and formeil William 

(joel/ I'loilnilions. releasing: ihiniiLih ('nhimliia I'iilnic-. 

for Colundiia. Coel/ lia- di-li\eii'(l '"Tlie\ Came In 

Cordnra" and ""'I hi- Mounlaiii Boad." and shorllv u ill liiin 

o\ei "".Soiij; W ilhoul laid The Stor\ of |-ian/ l,is/rl."" 

And on hi- n|MdmiiiL; slale are "(;r\ lor llappv" and 

"1 ime of the Dragons. ' 

(,oetz- formula for success might be summi'd up in a 

recent statement in which he said: "The success of an\ 

business, including the motion picture business, is the 

William Goetz is one of the airlines' best customers. He 

jumps from location to location and from picture to picture 

by plane many, many times during the course of a year. 

emotional need of tlie people for the current product. ,\nd 

more than any other, we are in an emotional business. 

W here we are concerned, the way lo the brain is through the 

heart, and that should always be our picture target."

was 

. 

. 

— 

Illinois-Produced Feature 

Debuts in Springfield 

SPRINGFIELD, ILL.—The world premiere 

of "The Prime Time," first motion 

picture feature produced in its entirety in 

Producer Herschell G. Lewis (right), 

producer of "The Prime Time," is 

shown with starlet Karen Black and 

exhibitor George Kerasotes at the 

world premiere of the fihn. 

Illinois, in more than 40 years, received its 

world premiere at the Strand Theatre here 

last week. The Strand is the key house 

of the Kerasotes circuit. 

The picture is the first production of 

the newly formed Chicago production company, 

Mid-Continent Films, Inc., and is 

being distributed nationally by the Chicago-based 

Essanjay Films, Inc. Essanjay 

is the only national distributing firm to 

headquarter in Chicago. 

The distribution company is packaging 

"The Prime Time" with the King Bros, 

production "The Carnival Story." Mid-Continent 

shot "The Prime Time," a story 

of young adults, in and around Chicago, 

using Chicago players and craftsmen. 

COMPO Ad Reports Praise 

Of Films as Genuine Art 

NEW YORK—High praise of the quality 

of American films in a Pittsburgh Press 

editorial was reprinted in a Council of 

Motion Picture Organizations advertisement 

that appeared in the March 5 issue 

of Editor & Publisher. 

Noting American achievements in literature, 

music, painting, sculpture and other 

fine arts, the Pittsburgh editorial said that 

the most genuinely American art—the motion 

picture—is usually overlooked. 

"Increasing in recent years," it said, 

"The U. S. has produced pictures of real 

merit, but because of the commercial nature 

of this field Americans usually hesitate 

to give them the esteem which they 

deserve." 

The editorial cited "Diary of Anne 

Frank," "Porgy and Bess," "The Nun's 

Story" and "Anatomy of a Murder" as examples 

of "real and often deep value." It 

noted that they were among the top ten 

selected by Kaspar Monahan, its drama 

critic. It added that the group, "of course, 

does not include this year's 'Ben-Hui.' 

described by Monahan as 'eclipsing all 

preceding movie mammoths,' " and it said 

that other commendable pictures could be 

added to the list. 

"Because they attract huge audiences," 

the editorial continued, "movies may lack 

prestige and snob appeal, but few will deny 

that the cinema is today one of America's 

most powerful artistic forces." 

Foreign Correspondents 

Pick 'Ben-Hur 

HOLLYWOOD — Metro-Goldwyn-May- 

" 

er's "Ben-Hur named the best Hollywood-produced 

picture of the year. 

"Some Like It Hot" (Mirisch-UA) the best 

comedy. "Porgy and Bess" (Qoldwyn-Columbia) 

the best musical and "Diary of 

Anne Frank" (20th Century-Fox) the best 

motion picture to promote better international 

understanding by the Hollywood 

Foreign Press Ass'n at the annual Golden 

Globe Awards dinner. More than 1,200 persons 

attended the affair. 

"Room at the Top" (British-Lion) was 

given the Samuel Goldwyn Award for the 

best motion picture made outside the 

United States and "The Nun's Story" 

(Warner Bros.) was given an outstanding 

merit award. 

Other awards made were: 

Best Foreign Films: "Aren't We Wonderful?" 

(Germany), "The Bridge" (Germany), 

"Odd Obsession" (Japan), "Black 

Orpheus" (Prance-Brazil), "Wild Strawberries" 

( Sweden) 

World Favorite Actor: Rock Hudson. 

World Favorite Actress: Doris Day. 

Best actor, di'ama: Anthony Franciosa, 

"Career" (Hal Wallis-Para i 

Best actress drama: Elizabeth Taylor, 

"Suddenly, Last Summer" (Col). 

comedy: Jack Lemmon, "Some 

Best actor, 

Like It Hot" (Mirisch-UA). 

Best actress, comedy: Marilyn Monroe, 

"Some Like It Hot" (Mirisch-UA). 

Best supporting actor: Stephen Boyd, 

"Ben-Hur" (MGM). 

LIZ TAYLOR HONORED—EUzabeth 

Taylor, star of Sam Spiegel's "Suddenly, 

Last Sununer," a Columbia release, 

is shown accepting the Interstate 

Theatre Circuit award as "Actress 

of the Year" from Leonard Goldenson, 

president of American Broadcasting-Paramount 

Theatres. Miss 

Taylor also is an Academy Award 

nominee for her performance in "Suddenly, 

Last Summer," which costars 

Katharine Hepburn and Montgomery 

Clift. 

as Best 

Best supporting, actress: Susan Kohner. 

"Imitation of Lffe" (U-I). 

Best director: William Wyler, "Ben-Hur" 

(MGM). 

Special award: Andrew Marton, "Ben- 

Hur" chariot race direction (MGM). 

Cecil B^ DeMille Award: Bing Crosby. 

Best ivfusical Score: "On the Beach," 

Stanley Kramer—UA. 

International Stars of Tomorrow: Barry 

Coe—20th-Fox: Angle Dickinson—Warner 

Bros.; Troy Donahue—Warner Bros.; 

George Hamilton—MGM; Janet Munro 

Disney; James Shigeta—Paramount; Stella 

Stevens—Paramount; Tuesday Weld 

20th-Fox. 

Foreign-Language Press 

Chooses 'Anne Frank' 

NEW YORK — "The Diary of Anne 

Frank," produced and directed by George 

Stevens for 20th Century-Fox, has been 

named "Best American Picture of 1959" 

by the unanimous vote of the Film Critics 

Circle of the Foreign Language Press of 

New York, according to Sigmund Gottlober, 

secretary. 

Seven other outstanding screen contributions 

of 1959 were also named by the 

30 film editors voting for the 20th annual 

awards. They included: "Room at the 

Top," distributed by Continental Distributing, 

as the "best British picture" and 

"The 400 Blows," French film distributed 

by Zenith International, as the "best foreign 

language picture." 

Stanley Kramer, producer-director of 

"On the Beach" for United Artists, was 

named "best producer" and received his 

award from the Foreign Film Critics Circle 

Friday (4). Audrey Hepburn in "The 

Nun's Story" and Paul Muni in "The Last 

Angry Man" were named as the year's 

finest performers. Ingmar Bergman was 

named "best director" for his Swedish 

film, "Wild Strawberries," distributed by 

Janus Films, and Paddy Chayevsky drew 

screenplay writing honors for "Middle of 

the Night," Columbia picture. 

"Room at the Top," Miss Hepburn and 

Muni are all nominees for the Academy 

Awards, to be announced April 4. 

Reissue Elvis Film 

LOS ANGELES—Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

will take full advantage of the publicity 

values surrounding Elvis Presley's release 

from the army by re-releasing his 1957 

success, "Jailhouse Rock." The studio will 

make over 200 prints available, the first 

bookings aheady set in several midwestern 

cities, according to vice-president and general 

sales manager Jack Byrne. 

The Pandro S. Berman Avon production 

grossed about $4,000,000 first time around. 

The BOXOFFICE BAROMETER page 

appears in the BookinGuide section in 

this issue. 

BOXOFFICE March 14, 1960 19

I 

JrjToduction has started with 

j 

MORE STARS THAN IN THEi 

1^', 'K'A 

iTi 

T 

JAYNE 

T 

WAL 

lUi 

CHELL 

UGHNESSY 

CATHY C 

^ 

;i' 

^nway'twTtty 

• 1»1'1». 

Wm SPARKS 

•.r- 

•: t^jiew*./ 

IT 

^^ft/0t' 

eISsha cook 

Ii^ 

ROBERT MONTGOMERY, 

JR. 

SlfllirGRABOWSKI 

RYANT 

TTTT 

Screenplay by IRVING SHULMAN • Produced and Directed by ALBERT

HEAVENsI 

We take this opportunity 

to publicly welcome the 

distinguished members of the 

nation's press who appear 

before our cameras at 

CIANO 

GRAHAM 

SOBOL 

LMAN, JR, 

Universal-International 

in 

"COLLEGE CONFIDENTIAL" 

ARMY ARCHERD 

JAMES BACON 

NATE CUTLER 

NAT DALLINGER 

RICK DUBROW 

EUNICE FIELD 

JOE FINNIGAN 

JOSE HAAS 

HAROLD HEFFERNAN 

NELSON HUGHES 

BILL KENNEDY 

EARL LEAF 

RAY MARONEY 

JACK MOFFITT 

LOWELL REDELINGS 

JONAH RUDDY 

VERNON SCOTT 

EVE STARR 

JIMMY STARR 

DICK WILLIAMS 

^^^ l^^zaiovos 

(^

zm 

Kohn 

; 

New Pa. Censorship Law 

Challenged by 20th-Fox 

HARRISBURG — Twentieth 

Century- 

Fox Film Corp.. on behalf of all major 

film companies, on Friday f4i filed action 

in the Dauphin County Court attacking 

the constitutionality of Pennsylvania's new 

motion picture control act. 

An 86-page brief was filed in the court 

by 20th-Fox's attorney. Arlin M. Adams, 

and the Philadelphia law firm of Schnader, 

Harrison. Segal and Lewis, which has 

been retained by the movie firm. 

The film company contends the costs of 

furnishing film prints to the Board of 

Motion Picture Control are equivalent to 

a license fee of $250 to $1,400 for each 

motion picture. 

The brief also claimed the act is discriminatory 

against movie exhibitors because 

pictures can be leased for showing 

on Pennsylvania television stations without 

being registered with the board. Thus, 

the attorneys argued, a picture can be declared 

unfit for movie house exhibition but 

technically could be shown on any television 

program. 

A provision in the act exempting fraternal 

organizations also came under fire. 

The brief declares that this exemption 

"creates a safe haven for hard core pornography 

for events such as smokers." Another 

facet mentioned was the exemption 

of newsreels. The movie industry is taking 

exception to this on the grounds that 

this exemption could permit showing of 

events which some persons might consider 

obscene. 

This is the second recent suit filed 

against the new law. One initiated by 

exhibitors and distributors is scheduled 

for a hearing soon. 

The earlier suit was filed by Harold E. 

Kohn and Aaron M. Fine on behalf of 

William Goldman Theatres of Philadelphia, 

and the Pennsylvania Association of 

Amusement Industries. Members of the 

association exhibit motion pictures 

throughout the state. 

In the action filed by Kohn and Fine, 

the three members of the Board of Motion 

Picture Control, Peter T. Dana, Mae 

M. Bergin and Ira C. Sassman, are named 

as defendants. The three were appointed 

to their posts last September 17 by Governor 

David L. Lawrence. 

This board, under the law, has the power 

to determine whether a film is "obscene" 

or whether it is "suitable for children. 

told the court that under 

' 

the language of the law, the board could 

disapprove "of such popular children's 

series as Zorro and the Lone Ranger, 

whose heroes act outside the process of 

the law, and regularly portray the normal 

channels of law enforcement as being inadequate 

or inept. It would justify disapproval 

of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry 

Finn, whose exploits can well be 

construed as glorifying delinquency and 

contempt for law," Kohn stated. 

Kohn also questioned what standards 

the board would apply on a statewide 

basis. "It is well known," he said, "that 

such standards vary greatly from one area 

of the Commonwealth to another, not 

only, for example, from rural to metropolitan 

areas, but even between cities." 

N, H. Governor Becomes a 'Censor 

Theatres Pull Film He Doesn't Like 

CONCORD, N. H.—Theatres in the state 

began to respond quickly after Governor 

Wesley Powell issued a statement on 

March 2 calling on New Hampshire film 

exhibitors to ban the showing of the controversial 

motion picture, "Jack the Ripper." 

and recommepding that the public 

boycott the film if it was not withdrawn. 

It is believed unprecedented that the 

governor of a state has moved publicly to 

fight the showing of a specific motion picture. 

Soon after the governor made his appeal, 

it was announced that the Concord 

Theatre, operated by Theresa Cantin, and 

the Plymouth Theatre in Plymouth, managed 

by H. L. Kenniston, had cancelled 

scheduled weekend showings of the murder 

film. Earlier, a Keene theatre had 

voluntarily withdrawn the picture, although 

it was presented at a Manchester 

theatre despite the objections of city 

government officials and William Loeb, 

publisher of the Manchester Union-Leader, 

largest daily newspaper In New Hampshire. 

The Princess Theatre in Berlin ran the 

film March 2, 3 and was scheduled to 

show it through March 5, but John Voudoukis, 

owner of the theatre, cancelled remaining 

dates. He said he decided to 

halt the run of the film when he learned 

of Governor Powell's appeal and the response 

of other exhibitors. 

It was Loeb who prompted Governor 

Powell to take his action. The publisher 

sent telegrams to him and to Governor 

Poster Furcolo of Massachusetts, urging 

them to prevent showing of "Jack the 

Ripper" in their respective states. 

Loeb had cited the case of an 18-yearold 

youth in Lowell. Mass., who is charged 

with killing a 70-year-old woman after 

he reportedly had seen two showings of 

the miu-der film. The publisher also 

published editorials comparing the recent 

sex killing of Sandra Valade, 18, of 

Manchester, with the theme of "Jack the 

Ripper." 

After asking Attorney-General Louis C. 

Wyman to "take action within his legal 

authority to put an end to the showing in 

our state of 'Jack the Ripper'," Governor 

Powell issued his plea to film exhibitors 

throughout New Hampshire to "cease the 

showing of this film as a matter of personal 

and public sound policy and good 

morals." 

'Oscar' Is Copyrighted; 

So He Gets a Lawyer 

NEW YORK—Like other celebrities, 

"Oscar" is represented by legal counsel. 

The Academy Awards statuette 

needs it because he is copyrighted and 

some persons outside the industry 

try to use him to promote products 

they are selling. To do that they must 

have the written consent of the Academy 

of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, 

and it's hard to get. 

Pirating increases around Academy 

Awards time. Perhaps the unkindest 

misuse of all was when Oscar, wooed 

by all the acting talent, was used to 

endorse a ham. 

Heavy Exhibitor Orders 

For Academy Award Kits 

NEW YORK—More than 700 

exhibitors 

have ordered Academy Award promotion 

and publicity kits to date from industry 

salesmen and have pledged aid to the Oscar 

campaign, according to James R. Velde, 

chairman of the Sales Managers Committee 

of the Motion Picture Ass'n of 

America. 

The effect has been to lead National 

Screen Service branches, which are servicing 

the kits, to increase their orders. Orders 

have been received here from 25 

branches, meaning that only seven exchanges 

had not reported by midweek. 

Canada is going in heavily for television 

panel programs promoting the April 4 

telecast, with exhibitors as the program 

stars, according to Charles S. Chaplin, 

chairman of the Motion Picture Industry 

of Canada. Along with the exhibitor talks 

will be scenes from nominated films and 

scenes featuring nominated personalities. 

One program will occur early on the broadcast 

evening and be seen in Toronto, Quebec 

City, Ottawa, Montreal and Kenora. 

There will be local shows in Prince Albert, 

St. John's, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, Moncton. 

Sault Ste. Marie, Cornwall, St. John, 

Calgary, Vancouver and Victoria. Famous 

Players Canadian Corp. and Odeon Theatres 

have combined to buy TV break time 

on 38 Canadian stations. 

Phonevision Testing Soon, 

Zenith President Soys 

NEW YORK—Zenith Radio Corp. within 

the next few weeks will apply to the 

Federal Communications Commission for 

authority to conduct a broad test of 

Phonevision. its subscription TV system, 

under regulations set up by the federal 

agency two years ago. 

This was reported to the New York 

Society of Security Analysts Tuesday (8) 

by Joseph S. Wright, president of Zenith. 

He said preliminary negotiations with 

"another large and fine company" have 

been concluded to join in a test in a metropolitan 

area. He did not reveal where 

the testing area is located, but said that a 

full story will be announced before the 

end of the month. 

To date. Zenith is the only company to 

indicate that it wiU proceed with a test of 

subscription television under the FCC 

testing plan. 


A 

1^cvce€(A 

< < 

'PC

. . . Gabriel 

ôUcfMicod ^cfuint 

Noonan and Marshall to 

In 'All Around the Town' 

Star 

It becomes more and more apparent 

that 20th Century-Pox wants to tout Tommy 

Noonan and Pete Marshall as the next 

screen comedy team. The comics, who made 

"The Rookie" for the studio initially as an 

Associated Producers, Inc. project, are now 

set to star in "All Around the Town," an 

abandoned Dean Martin-Jerry Lewis 

screenplay which 20th-Fox last week 

bought from Hal Wallis. 

Along with the deal, the studio has set 

experienced hands in team comedy production 

to guide the picture, among them 

Charles Barton, who directed many of the 

successful Abbott & Costello films, as director. 

An original screenplay by Julius Epstein, 

the property was bought by Wallis 

before the Martin & Lewis break. He had 

been reportedly trying to adapt it for 

Lewis alone, but decided to sell it because 

it is really a team vehicle. 

Two Films for Columbia 

Being Made Overseas 

Two Columbia films have apparently 

been able to slip under the wire regardless 

of strike threats, both of them considered 

by the Screen Actors Guild board as essentially 

foreign films. 

"Sappho," Documento Films production 

which will be released by the Gower 

Street studio, will begin in Europe March 

16 and star Kerwin Mathews, who left 

last week to begin preparations. Similarly 

Carl Foreman's "The Guns of Navarone," 

which is now shooting in Europe, 

is not affected by any strike action. 

Gregory Peck, David Niven and Anthony 

Quinn are its stars. 

Edward Dmytryk to Produce 

'Appointment in Zahrein' 

Edward Dmytryk has been set to produce 

and direct "Appointment in Zahrein," 

filmlzation of the Michael Barratt novel, 

for Paramount. It replaces "Mountain Is 

Young" on his slate for this studio, the 

latter having been temporarily shelved. 

"Appointment" was one of three properties 

purchased by Paramount in England 

about three months ago, all three reportedly 

bought for $180,000. 

Elight Literary Purchases 

Recorded During Week 

Hollywood was hardly at a standstill 

during the moments of crisis last week. 

New production companies were being 

formed, considerable casting continued on 

noteworthy productions and the number of 

story buys topped the highest lists of the 

year. There were a total of eight purchases 

announced, most of them, however, 

credited to independent interests. 

Warner Bros, figured in two of the purchases, 

Ben Masselink's war-time recruitment 

comedy story, "The Crackerjack Marines." 

and a new play by Patricia Joudry 

By 

IVAN SPEAR 

. . United 

. . Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

called "Semi-Detached," which is a romantic 

drama laid in Montreal and is to 

open on Broadway this month . 

Artists closed a deal for Alan Caillou's 

"Walls of JoUo." a period adventure dealing 

with the Spanish-American War. which 

is to be produced by Eugene Frenke under 

a reported budget of $3,000,000 . . . Richard 

Fleischer purchased Earl Felton's "The 

Girl From Marseilles" from independent 

producer Robert Radnitz . 

bought Irwin Shaw's latest 

book, "Two Weeks in Another Town," but 

doesn't plan to make it for another year 

De Caesar of Marquis Productions 

has bought the screen rights to Gen 

Miller's "All My Love" and expects to film 

it in India, where the action takes place . . . 

Independent producer Gene Gorman has 

bought the film rights to "The Angels," 

a novel by John Carter, which he will film 

for release by his brother, Roger Corman's 

Filmgroup company. The story deals with 

Puerto Ricans who live in New York . . . 

The Lancers, Imperial recording stars, 

may go into film production as a team, 

having bought "Under the Grace of the 

Lord." a religious comedy-drama with 

music by Robert Porter. They aim it for 

theatrical production. 

UA Signs Edward Small 

For Four New Films 

Despite its decision of six weeks ago not 

to renew producer Edward Small's contract 

for small-budget pictures. United 

Artists has changed its mind and signed 

Small for four new projects to be made 

under his Zenith banner. His earlier deal 

was under his Premium Pictures banner. 

"Cage of Evil" will be the first of the 

four to go. tentatively set for March 15, 

with the producer-director team of Robert 

E. Kent and Edward L. Cahn continuing 

to function as usual. 

Drama coach Jack Kosslyn and actor 

Clint Eastwood have formed an Independent 

company to make a feature picture 

during the time Eastwood has off 

from his CBS-TV "Rawhide" series. Kosslyn 

is to direct and Eastwood star In 

the as yet unselected property. 

Glenn Ford has been issued a corporation 

permit to organize Newton Productions. 

Inc. as an independent company to 

film features. He functions as president, 

with Alfred I. Rothman and Alexander 

Tucker the other toppers. 

Mirisch Co. to Produce 

Michener's 'Hawaii' 

James A. Michener's "Hawaii" will be 

transformed into a screenplay for the 

Mirisch Co. and United Artists release by 

Daniel Taradash, with Fred Zinnemann 

already set to produce and direct the 

project. The writer and producer-director 

are reunited for the first time since they 

both won the Academy Award for services 

on "From Here to Eternity" . . . Paul Dunlap 

will score John Healy's 20th-Fox production 

of "Twelve Hours to Kill" . . . Hubert 

Cornfield will direct "Angel Baby" 

for independent producer Frank Woods. 

New Firm to Provide 

52 Cartoon Subjects 

NEW YORK—A reawakening of Interest 

in short subjects by exhibitors has spurred 

the formation of Cinemagic Corp. International 

which has scheduled the release 

of 52 cartoon subjects starting about April 

15. Under the general title of "Hound for 

Hire." the series is being produced in 

.Arthur Epstein unveils his new cartoon 

series. "Hound for Hire," which is 

being made abroad in color for theatrical 

release. First of the series will be 

ready in ApriL 

Yugoslavia and France by Phil Davis, 

writer-producer, and Arthur Epstein, president 

of the new corporation and executive 

producer of the series. 

At a luncheon meeting with the tradepress 

Monday i7), Epstein said that 

"Hound for Hire" would introduce Sam 

Basset, a basset hound who played a dead 

pan private eye in a variety of situations 

and backgrounds. He said the new cartoon 

personalities opened up vast possibilities 

for merchandising tlelns, exploitation 

on a national level and the attraction 

of new audiences. 

Epstein said that the series, all in color, 

originally was slated for television distribution 

but that Its potentials for theatres 

were greater and that the films would not 

be made available to TV until after their 

theatrical release. 

Davis formerly wrote for such TV procrams 

as "The Danny Thomas Show," 

"Father Knows Best," "Private Secretary" 

and many others. 

A distributor will be set later. 

MGM Sets Big Ad Budget 

For 'Home From Hill' 

NEW YORK — MGM has allotted a 

budget of $250,000 to its cooperative advertising 

campaign for test engagements of 

"Home From the Hill." The campaign will 

use newspap>ers, radio, television and exploitation. 

The film will be presented in 

Birmingham, Cleveland, Denver, Houston. 

New Orleans. Chicago. Memphis, San 

Francisco, Milwaukee, Buffalo, Columbus, 

Indianapolis, Salt Lake City and Washington, 

D. C. 


— 

1 

New Gorman Company ^Q^tcCo*t lêMnt ~ 

To Lens 16 Features 

HOLLYWOOD — Compass Productions, 

an international coproduction company for 

the filming of features all over the world, 

has been formed, according to an announcement 

by Roger Gorman, president 

of Filmgroup, Inc., which will be the central 

producing member of the intercontinental 

alliance. 

Gorman's new enterprise, which will 

headquarter in Hollywood, expects to have 

a minimum of two features a year from 

each country in which there is a member. 

American players are to be used in each 

feature made abroad, which will be produced 

"Hollywood style" for worldwide 

marketing. The company is believed to be 

the first single enterprise especially created 

to carry on feature-making on a continuous 

basis throughout the world. Goproduction 

agreements have been completed 

in eight countries so far and negotiations 

are progressing satisfactorily in 

three others. 

The addition of 16 or more features a 

year to the present generally reduced 

schedules should go far to relieve developing 

shortages in the domestic and foreign 

markets. 

Linked with Gorman's new project to 

date are the following companies and executives 

in the first eight "compass countries": 

London, England—Grand National 

Pictures, Ronald Wilson; Sydney, Australia—Artransa 

Pictures, Robert Lord; 

Bombay, India—All India Film Corp., "V. 

V. Purie; Madrid, Spain—Nils Larsen Productions, 

Nils Larsen; Tokyo, Japan—Daiei 

Motion Pictm-es, Masaichi Nagata; Paris, 

Prance—Fran Studio, Raoul M. Dubois; 

Sao Paulo, Brazil—Vera Cruz Studios. 

Amilcar Silveira; San Juan, Puerto Rico 

Caribbean Film, Tomas J. Nido. Negotiations 

are under way in Germany, Italy and 

Hong Kong. 

Gorman said the assignment and creation 

of stories for the Filmgroup-Gompass 

combine will be determined as soon as the 

present strike situation is resolved. A production 

conference then will be held in 

Hollywood. 

With 24 films annually from Filmgroup 

and a minimum of 16 more from Compass 

coproduction affiliates. Gorman believes he 

can contribute at least 40 features yearly 

to alleviate the present slow production 

and product shortage. 

Columbia to Release 

New Stooges Feature 

NEW YORK—Columbia will release 

Harry Ronmi's second feature-length film 

starring the Three Stooges during the 

summer. Its tentative title is "Stop! Look! 

and Laugh!" Like last summer's "Have 

Rocket, Will Travel," it will feature Paul 

Winchell with Jerry Mahoney and 

Knucklehead, the Marquis family of 

chimps and other comedy acts. Jules 

White is the director. 

London 'Con-G^n' Opening 

NEW YORK — Twentieth Century-Fox 

has scheduled "Can-Can" In Todd-OA for 

a March 23 opening at the Metropole Theatre 

in London. 

QONTINUALLY stealing the battle of the 

' 

headlines from one another are three 

of the most go-ahead companies in the 

business: British Lion, Anglo Amalgamated 

and Hammer. Hardly had the critics 

and the public finished praising the 

Lion International recent comedy with Peter 

Sellers, "Two-Way Stretch," for its 

wholesome entertainment values, then up 

comes yet another Lion International-Bryanston 

comedy, "The Battle of the Sexes," 

starring Peter SeUers again, based on the 

James Thurber short story, "The Catbird 

Seat," which gets rave reviews from practically 

every national pap>er. Sellers plays 

an elderly head clerk in a hand-weaving 

firm in Edinburgh, which is taken over by a 

go-getting, all-American career woman, 

played by Constance Cummings. Faced 

with the disruption in his whole way of 

life by this attractive busybody, he plans 

to kill her, but at the last minute loses 

his nerve. 

Sellers once again demo ns'trates an incredible 

capacity for getting inside his 

character, and gives a beautiful performance 

as the staid, quiet living abstemious 

Scot, almost turned into a murderer by 

Miss Cummings. There are no large beUylaughs 

in this film, as in "Two-Way 

Stretch," but for quality, humor, wit and 

stylish production this is "Battle of the 

Sexes," and the pubUc is loving it. Anglo, 

however, whose prestige and profits seem 

to increase week by week, has never had 

such a fabulous boxoffice winner on its 

hands as the Peter Rogers' production, 

"Carry On, Constable," the fourth of the 

comedy "Carry On" film series, which on 

pre-release, is beating their most successful 

film, "Carry On, Nurse" (the biggest 

money-maker in this country dui'ing 1959 

by 30 per cent. With this and two other 

big ones coming up shortly, "Circus of Horrors," 

a Julian Wintle-Leslie Parkyn production, 

and "Peeping Tom," a Michael 

PoweU production, Anglo's Nat Cohen and 

Stuart Levy are getting exhibitor blessings 

wherever they go. So highly developed is 

the Anglo production line-up that Ronald 

Shinn, the company's advertising and publicity 

director, will be getting pre-production 

assistance in the shape of Jolm Troke, 

Peter Rogers' publicity director, who while 

continuing to handle the Rogers' account, 

will also be responsible for coordinating 

film publicity of all productions under 

the Anglo banner. This will be a great advantage 

to Cohen and Levy in their fight 

for world markets and particularly providing 

exhibitors and press in the U. S., with 

news of production activities. Then there 

is Hammer, who last week secured possibly 

the greatest press kudos in the history of 

the company. 

The occasion was the press screening of 

"Never Take Sweets From a Stranger," 

premiered at the London PavOion. The film 

is a gripping account of a family living in 

a small Canadian town, whose young 

daughter and friend are attacked by an 

aged sexual pervert. Brilliantly directed by 

Cyril Prankel and starring some of Britain's 

most distinguished television and 

stage thespians, "Never Take Sweets 

By ANTHONY GRUNER 

handles a dehcate theme and yet there is 

tension and thrills from beginning to end. 

The critics for the first time in the existence 

of Hammer, treated the pictui-e 

as a serious contribution to cinema production 

and praised the company for treating 

such a dynamic subject with honesty 

and integrity. In fact, two of the most important 

critics went out of their way to 

suggest that the X certificate given to 

the film, which prevents children under 

16 seeing it, should be amended for an A 

certificate, to enable childi-en over 12 to 

see this motion picture. The irony of the 

situation was that 11-year-old Janina 

Fay. who played an important role in the 

film, was unable to attend the premiere, 

although both her mother and father went 

along to see the picture. Hammer's managing 

Qirector. 

V • • 

There were 12 productions of featui-e 

length being made in British studios last 

week. This is a slight decrease in the 

number compared with the same period 

during 1959. The features: "Sands of the 

Desert," 

an Associated British Pictures, at 

Elstree Studios. Star of this film, comedian 

Charles Drake; in color and Cinemascope; 

"Never Let Go," formerly "Moment of 

Truth," a Julian Wintle-Leslie Parkyn 

thriller at Beaconsfield studios; "Brides of 

Dracula," a Hammer production for U-I 

release in Technicolor; "The World of 

Suzie Wong," a Paramount production with 

in Tech- 

William Holden, at MGM British; 

nicoltr; "Escort for Hire" and "Fallen Angel," 

two supporting crime features from 

the Danziger Brothers, at New Elstree; 

"Make Mine Mink," a comedy with Terry 

Thomas, "Doctor in Love," another Rank 

comedy, with Michael Craig, in color and 

"The Professionals," a Julian Wintle- 

Leslie Parkyn thriller for Rank release at 

Pinewood Studios; "Tunes of Glory," the 

Colin Lesslie production with Alec Guinness, 

in color; "Tarzan and the Five," with 

Gordon Scott, a Paramount production, in 

Technicolor; and "The Night We Got the 

Bird," with Brian Rix, a British Lion release, 

at Shepperton; "Saturday Night, 

Sunday Morning," a drama of working 

class life, released by Bryanston in conjunction 

with Lion International at 

Twickenham Studios. It should be noted 

that many of these studios could handle 

many more features and with the lack of 

television film productions on the floor, 

can certainly use a little extra business. 

CORRECTION: In 

Boxoffice Barometer 

on page 106 iThe British supplement! 

the 'phone number of Regal PUms 

International was given as Gerrard 4657. 

The correct number is Gerrard 4687-8-9. 

Further signs that United Artists intends 

to expand British and Em-opean production 

were given last week when the company 

announced its affiliation to the British 

Film Pi-oducers' Ass'n. The BPPA nominee 

will be Monty Morton, the company's 

British managing director. 


I 

Mass.) 

. . The 

— 

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiittiiiiiiiiiriiriiiiiiiiniitiiiMiiiiiii 

On the Beach' (UA) Is the Choke 

For February Blue Ribbon Award 

By VELMA WEST SYKES 

SCIENTIST JULIAN OSBORN (FRED ASTAIRE) GIVES 

THE GRIM PICTURE OF RADIATION FALLOUT TO COME 

SUBMARINE COMMANDER DWIGHT TOWERS (GREGORY 

PECK) LEARNS WHAT HAS BEEN CAUSING THE SIGNAL 

VOUNG HUSBAND PETER HOLMES (ANTHONY PERKINS) 

TENDERLY PROTECTS HIS WIFE (DONNA ANDERSON) 

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiitiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii 

JN CHOOSING the powerful peace propaganda screen di-ama. "On the Beach " as 

the February Blue Ribbon AwartJ winner. National Screen Council members probably 

felt It would raise thoughtful questions about family survival The Nevil Shute 

novel which has been considered a significant warning against atomic warfare becomes 

even more significant on the screen because of its impact on that part of the 

public which might not read the book. Gregory Peck. Ava Gardner. Fred Astalre and 

Anthony Perkins bring to their star roles an authority which lesser stars might not 

achieve and newcomer Donna Anderson gives a promising performance The Stanley 

Kramer production, which he also directed from a John Paxton screenplay, is a United 

Artists release. 

Since its release, the winner has done Helen Bower, Detroit Free Press. 

remarkable business in first run houses 

" 

In this scientific 

in key 

age. "On the Beach 

cities—265 per cent of normal 

is food for 

bu.sincss. The 

thought.— Mrs. Henry Augustine. 

Sheboygan 

regular review in Boxoffice 

Better 

on 

Films 

December 

Council . . . 

21. 1959 commented: 

Something to think 

"Here 

about—that it 

is a combination— 

could 

film fabricating 

happen, interesting though 

superiority 

frightening. 

and precedential thought-provoking 

A fine cast, beautiful scenery 

content— 

and nice 

that apparently cannot photography.—Mrs. 

miss adding 

Edward C. 

up 

'Wakelam, 

to capacity bookings. 

Indianapolis NSC 

Stanley 

Group. 

Kramer's entirely excellent 

screen version of Nevil Shute's "On 

widely 

the Beach" has a cast of star calibre 

read novel treats the viewer and a 

to a photoplay 

that boasts 

sureness of touch on the greatest 

a top cast, superior 

and most 

performances, 

fine production, 

challenging theme of our 

time.—Mrs. Shirley 

direction 

H. Gunnels. G.F.'W.C, 

and screenplay, all of which add up 

Fowler. Ind. . 

to 

greatness of this 

what should be SRO 

picture 

patronage." 

makes it mandatory— if disturbing—for 

men. 

Comments from NSC members stressed 

women and children living 

the importance in 

of the picture: 

our atomic age. — Mildred Martin. 

"On the Beach" Philadelphia 

is a movie Inquirer. 

everyone 

should see.—Mark Nichols. Coronet Everyone should see "On the Beach" 

Magazine ... A picture so important all rs it is thought-provoking for family discussion 

of this serious problem of oiu' 

members of the family should see it and 

then discuss it.—Raymond Lowery, Raleigh 

iN. C.I News and Observer . . 

times.—John M. Gordon. Springfield 

Union-Republican 

. 

... A film 

Not only is "On the Beach" for the whole with a message that really makes one 

family but for the whole world.—Kaspar think. Adult family filmfare. of course. 

Monahan. Pittsburgh Press. 

Virginia Beard, Cleveland Public Library. 

"On the Beach" is the best by far and "On the Beach" may seem a curious 

the most striking.—Paul de Sainte Colombe. 

Hollywood correspondent for of its sobering theme and the excellence 

choice as family filmfare but the import 

Paris & Montreal publications . . . This of its presentation make the film one to 

time let the children stay home if they be seen and seriously weighed by all 

can't take the warning. For everyone moviegoers.—John Bustin. Austin 'Tex.) 

else the film has a great deal to say.— American. 

This Award is oivm nch month by the 

National Screen Council on tha basis of outstanding 

merit and suitability for family 

entertainment. Council membership comprises 

motion picture editors, radio and TV film 

commentators, representatives of better films 

councils, civic, educational and ediibitor organizations. 

Dwight Towers 

Gregory Peck 

Moira Davidson Ava Gardner 

Julian Osborn 

Fred Astaire 

Peter Holmes Anthony Perkins 

Mary Holmes Donna Anderson 

Admiral Bridie John Tate 

Lieutenant Hosgood Loda Brooks 

Farrel 

Guy Doleman 

Swain 

John Meillon 

Producer-Director Stanley Kramer 

Screenplay by 

John Paxton 

From the novel by 

Nevil Shute 

Production Design Rudolph Sternad 

Photographed by Giuseppe Rotunno 

Miss Gardner's wardrobe by 

Pontana Sisters— Rome 

Music by ....Ernest Gold 

Art Director Fernando Carrere 

Production Manager Clem Beauchamp 

Assistant Director Ivan Volkman 

Technical Advisor Vice-Admiral 

Charles A. Lockwood. U.S.N. (Ret.) 

Royal Australian Navy Liaison 

Lt. Comm. a. a. Norris-Smith 

The Cast 

Production Stafi 

Sundstrom 

Harp McGuire 

Benson Ken 'Wayne 

Davis Richard Meikle 

Ackerman 

Joe McCormick 

Davidson Lou Vernon 

Froude Basil Buller-Murphy 

Port Man...^ Paddy Moran 

Dr. Forster 

Kevin Brennan 

Salvation Army Captain John Casson 

Morgan 

Grant Taylor 

Film Editor. ...FRZDEftic Knudtson. A.C.E 

Sou7id Engineer Hans Wetzel 

Camera Operator Ross Wood 

Sound Effects Walter Elliott 

Special Effects Lee Zavitz 

Auto Race Photography. ...DMnEL Fapp, 

A.S.C. 

Joe King 

Wardrobe 

Makeup John O'Gorman. Pânk Prehoda 

Hair Stylist 

Jane Shucrue 

Song "Waltzing Matilda" 

— Music Marie Cowan 

Lyrics A. B. Paterson

- 

Protestant Council 

For N.Y. Film Bill 

ALBANY—The legislative commission of 

State Council of Churches 

< Protestant* 

Thursday (10) filed a memorandum urging 

the passage of the Younglove -Duffy film 

classification bill. The action followed a 

meeting here Tuesday (8) at which the 

measure was thoroughly discussed. This is 

believed to be the first time the legislative 

commission of the statewide church group 

has supported film classification. 

The memorandum, filed for the commission 

by Rev. Theodore L. Conklin, associated 

general secretary of the state 

council, described the bill as "permissive," 

allowing the education department, 

thi'ough its film licensing bureau to award 

the seal of approval to pictures deemed 

suitable for children of school age. These 

would not portray nudity, violence, sadism, 

juvenile delinquency, drug addiction, etc., 

to an extent "contrary to proper mental, 

moral and ethical development of such 

childi-en." 

Its 1960 statement of legislative principles, 

in which the state council advocated 

legislation to achieve more adequate protection 

against distribution of such material 

for such purposes, "where they are 

used to excite prm-ient interest, offend decency, 

are obscene or portray brutality and 

crime as desirable and acceptable" and 

particularly where this distribution is directed 

to children and youth, led the commission 

to believe this is a "clear indication 

on the part of our constituent bodies 

of the council generally that this bill 

should be supported." 

In an omnibus memorandum, approved 

by board members November 29 and submitted 

to members of the legislatm-e late 

in December, the legislative commission 

recalled, "We noted that we are painfully 

aware of the narrow line lying between 

unbridled license on the one hand and 

arbitrary censorship on the other." 

Opposition to Obscenity 

Is Voiced by Importers 

NEW YORK — Importers 

and distributors 

of foreign films replied Monday

T» 

Record Snowstorm Affects All First 

Rt/ns, Even New Music Hall Opening 

NEW YORK—New York's heaviest snow- 20th-Pox pictures, •Tiie Wind Cannot 

storm in a decade kept many potential Read" and "Seven Thieves" opened durmoviegoers 

at home and seriously affected ing the week, 

business at the majority of Broadway first '^'êragc is 

, „ 

)00) 

, ,. 

,:. • i. J t „ t 

Aster—On the Ecoeh (UA), 12th wk 125 

runs as well as the east side art spots. Art— Ivon the Terrible (Janus), rrroveover. 7»h 

Even the Radio City Music Hall, which "•< 100 

opened "Home Prom the Hill" Thursday LTk"^:I;;:!kV,;':^'^-n'lv''V^*^k•.: ::::::: uS 

131, the day of the record snow fall, was Copitoi—The Lost voyage imgm], 3rd wk no 

Criterion—Suddenly, Lost 

fav hpinu; avpratrp nUhnilph linpq fnvmpri 

Summer (Col), 11 th wk. 140 

lai Deiow average aiinougn lines loimea oeMiiie—Behind the Grcot Woii (Conti-Aromo- 

Saturday i5>. The other new picture. Rama), I3th wv no 

"Thp ThivH Vnifp " ^"^'^ ^"^—'''''* 

hnil n milH nnpninp **"• ^'°'" (Zenith), 16th wk. 

ine iniia voice, naa a miia opening .130 

Forum—Our Man in Havana (Col), 6th wk . 150 

week, despite good reviews. Sth Avenue—The Moglcian iJanus), 28th wk...no 

_ . ., V. ij S5th Street—The Poacher's Daughter (Show 

Best among the many holdovers were Corp), 3rd wk 105 

again the two Columbia pictures, "Our 

'^"'''^—^he Mouse Thot Roared (Coi), r9th wk. 120 

-, . 

Man in Havana and 'Suddenly, Last LoeWs state— Ben-Hur (mgm), I6th wk. of 

.. J ..r> _ij 1 T 1. 

Little Cornegie— Ikiru (Brondon), 6th wk 135 

Summer," each playing in two theatres. two-a-day 200 

«iy-^ -_ ,, . i I. it_ i.i_ T-1 

Murray Hill—Sapphire (U-l), moveover, 18th wk 110 

"Our Man" was strong at both the Forum Normandie— Swon Lake (Coi), 6fh wk. ... .120 

on Broadway and the east side Trans-Lux pqiocc— Harry Se'atonte in person, lUh wk...i50 

52nd Street for a sixth week while "Sud- "'i'?^wk'~^.'"^ "" .^""!'"."".'.^.°.'.''."^°';'.' 

120 

denly" was good in its 11th week at both po"^—The Lovers Izenith), r9Vh wk.'. '.','.'.'.'.'.'.'.] 20 

thp r-ritpi-inn nn Rrnarlvvn v anH thp pcmt Plozo— Black Orpheus (Lopert), 11 th wk 125 

ine uiiteiion on tsioaaway ana me easi r^^.o îty Music hoII—Home From the Hiii 

side Sutton—no succeeding picture date is (mgm), plus stage show 125 

'|°'*'-''°'"*' "^°-°-use—Corry On, Sergeant (Governor), 2nd 

wk 90 

Stanton—The Bramble Bush (WB), 4th wk 95 

Town—On the Beach (UA), 5th wk 95 

'Snow Queen' Due in N.Y. 

NEW YORK—"The Snow Queen," Universal-International 

animated feature in 

color, will open April 13 in 75 local theatres, 

including those of the RKO circuit, 

and in 100 local theatres April 27. 

FOR "THE 400 BLOW S"—Dan 

Frankel. president of Zenith International 

Films and distributor of the 

French film, "The 400 Blows." receives 

the Award of Merit for the 

"Best Foreign Film of 1959" from 

Wladislaw Borzecki, editor of the 

Polish Daily. Nowy/Swiat. "The 400 

Blows" was produced and directed by 

Francois Truffaut and is the 1959 

winner of the New York Film Critics' 

.^ward and the Burstyn .Award. 

Two New Art Theatres 

To Open During March 

NEW YORK—New York will have two 

new theatres for art house or foreign films 

by the end of March, the Bleecker Street 

Cinema, now being constructed on Uie site 

of the former Renata Theatre, legitimate 

off-Broadway hou.se. and the New Yorker. 

formerly Brandt's Yorktown Theatre on 

88th Street and Broadway. 

The Bleecker Street Cinema, which is 

.scheduled to open March 31. will be operated 

by a group of independent filmmakers 

and associates to show the best 

new product available, plus revivals of 

great films of the past. During one or two 

month.s of the year, the Cinema plans a 

festival of notable U. S. and foreign films. 

The theatre was designed by Saul Edelbaum. 

partner in the architectural firm 

of Edelbaum & Webster. 

The New Yorker, an 850-seat house, has 

been purchased by Arjay Enterprises and 

will start its new programming policy 

March 17 with revivals of "Henry V" and 

"The Red Balloon." Other pictures to be 

shown later will include: "Shoe-Shine." 

"Carnival of Flanders." "Day of Wrath" 

and "Ikiru." 

Liggett, Triangle Merge 

Their Booking Services 

NEW YORK—Jules E. Liggett. Irving 

Dollinger and Wilbur Snaper have merged 

the Liggett Booking Service and the Triangle 

Theatre Service into one enterprise 

to be known as the Triangle-Liggett Theatre 

Service, now located in the Sardi 

Building. Manhattan, in the expanded 

quarters of Triangle. 

The organization is now serving theatres 

New York. New Jersey. Connecticut and 

in 

Pennsylvania and the three buyers. Liggett. 

Dollinger and Snaper. said that the 

merger will provide greater facilities, manpower 

and experience to serve the exhibitor 

customers of both organizations. 

Universal-International is releasing the 

$10,000,000 Bryna production, "Spartacus." 

E-2 BOXOFFICE :: March 14. 1960

B RO A DW Ay 

jyjYER p. BECK has been named producer's 

representative for Stanley Donen's 

"Surprise Package." recently completed in 

Europe with Yul Brynner, Mitzi Gaynor 

and Noel Coward, which will be distributed 

by Columbia. Constance Hope has been retained 

by Columbia to handle the fashion, 

food and general women's page promotion 

on Carl Foreman's "The Guns of Navarone." 

now filming in Greece. * * * Wolf 

Mankowitz, British playwright who is here 

promoting his "Expresso Bongo," to be 

distributed by Continental EUstributing, 

flew to Boston Tuesday i8i to attend a 

screening and reception in his honor at 

the Ritz Carlton Hotel. * * * Herbert L. 

Golden, vice-president of United Ai-tists 

Corp.. addressed a luncheon meeting of 

women representing the South Shore 

F\ind-Raising group of Children's Asthma 

Research at Middle Bay. 

Albert Leonard, vice-president in charge 

of foreign distribution for Magna Theatre 

Corp., left March 6 for a trip to Europe 

in connection with plans for distribution 

of "South Pacific" and "Oklahoma." • * * 

Lawrence H. Lipskin, assistant to the president 

of Columbia Pictures, is on a monthlong 

trip to South America to launch the 

first Latin American openings of "Porgy 

and Bess" and attend the Mar del Plata 

Festival in Argentina. * * * Charles H. 

Schneer, who screened a rough print of 

"I Aim at the Stars" for Columbia executives, 

has returned to London to prepare 

for his next, "Mysterious Island." * * * 

Joshua Logan, whose "Tall Story" will 

open at the RKO Palace for Easter, left 

for P^'ance Tuesday (8i to scout locations 

for his next, "Fanny," which he will produce 

and direct for 'Warner Bros. Logan's 

wife, Nedda Harrigan, accompanied him. 

9 

Samuel Bronston. producer of the forthcoming 

"King of icings," which will be 

filmed in 70mm Technicolor in early April, 

returned from setting up film arrangements 

in London, Rome and Madrid and 

left for the coast to meet with Nicholas 

Ray, who will direct. ' * * George 'Weltner, 

Paramount Int'l president in charge of 

world sales, is back from sales conferences 

in Rome and Darryl F. Zanuck, producer 

of "Crack in the Mirror" for 20th Century- 

Pox, got in from Paris with the finished 

print. • * * Joseph L. Mankiewicz, director 

of "Suddenly, Last Summer," is serving as 

American representative on the jury for 

Argentina's Mar del Plata Film Festival 

March 8-17. Columbia's "The Last Angi-y 

Man" is the official U. S. entry. 

Seymour Moses, formerly vice-president 

and secretary for Loew's Theatres, has 

been elected president of Peerless Ti-avel 

Bureau, an agency in the Paramount 

Building. Moses also served in various managerial 

posts for MGM in Europe. * » * 

Lou Gerard, whose last independent publicity 

assignment was coordinator for the 

global premiere of "On the Beach," has 

been named director of public relations 

by Richard Brandt, president of Trans- 

Lux entertainment division. * * * Leon 

Leonidoff, senior producer for Radio City 

Music Hall, is in Holland to look over 

talent for a Dutch stage spectacle to be 

given in conjunction with the annual 

"Gloi-y of Easter" stage pageant and 

MGM's "Please Eton't Eat the Daisies." 

9 

Gina Lollobrigida, with work halted on 

MGM's "Go Naked in the World," left 

Hollywood with her husband. Dr. Milko 

Skofic, for Rome, where she will rejoin 

her son. She will return to Culver City 

when filming is resumed after the strike. 

* • James Mason is in New York from 

Hollywood to attend the Wednesday (16) 

opening of Paramount's "A Touch of Larceny" 

at the Normandie while George Peppard, 

MGM player featured in "Home Prom 

the Hill," is in New York for press, radio-television 

conferences to promote the 

picture playing at Radio City Music Hall. 

* * * Mark Damon, who completed American-International's 

"The Fall of the House 

of Usher," got in from Hollywood to promote 

his current film, "This Rebel Breed," 

a Warner Bros, release. 

Universal set a precedent following its 

annual stockholders meeting Wednesday 

when it invited not only the tradepress 

to luncheon at Laurent's but also the secm-ity 

analysts of financial houses and 

writers for business papers. An odd development, 

however, was that several of 

the stockholders, believing that it was a 

luncheon for them, too, joined the party. 

* * * Producer Hal Wallis is in town from 

the coast for Paramount parleys on his 

forthcoming pictures, including "Visit to a 

Small Planet," "G. I. Blues," "All in a 

Night's Work" and "The Sons of Katie 

Elder." * * * Jerry Pickman. Paramount 

vice-president, and Joseph Gould, advertising 

manager, are back from studio conferences. 

* * * Al Cohan of MGM's adpublicity 

department has been ballyhooing 

"Home From the Hill " in Cleveland and 

New Orleans. * * * And Emery Austin of 

the same department is on a tour in connection 

with "Ben-Hm-" and other upcoming 

MGM product, visiting Minneapolis, 

Omaha and the studio. 

The Fred Astaire Dance Studios started 

its 14th year Saturday (12). The project 

started on that date in 1946. The organization 

now has 110 studios in the U. S., 

including Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, and 

plans are under way for expansion to Britain, 

Europe and South America. * * * Director 

William Wyler hopped off for the 

coast after completing a European vacation, 

and Director Delbert Mann headed 

for Buenos Aires and the Argentine Film 

Festival. • * * Sid Blumenstock, West 

Coast vice-president of Charles Schlaifer 

& Co., finished up his New York chores 

with Universal and 20th Century-Fox and 

went back to a warmer climate. 

Tlie first annual "Joey" awards of the 

American Guild of Variety Artists went 

to the Music Hall Rockettes who were cited 

as the "best dancing group" in the country. 

* * * James Velde, UA vice-president, 

is back from sales meetings in Kansas 

City. 

Sidney J. 

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BOXOFFICE :: March 14. 1960 E-3

UA Buys Ziv TV Co.; 

Expands Operations 

NEW YORK— United Artists Television 

Investments. Inc., 

wholly-owned subsidiary 

of United Artists, has purchased all of the 

stock of Ziv Television Programs. Inc.. 

from F. Ebcrstadt & Co.. Lazard Freres 

& Co.. Frederic W. Ziv and John L. Sinn. 

The announcement was made Tuesday 

18) by Robert S. Benjamin, board chairman, 

and Arthur B. Krim, president, of 

United Artists, and Ziv and Sinn, chairman 

and president, respectively, of Ziv Television 

Programs. UA said it acquired its 

holding through the issue of obligations of 

a subsidiary, and that no UA stock was 

issued nor was any equity financing by UA 

involved. 

Ziv and Sinn will remain as directors and 

as chairman and president, respectively, 

and the rest of the present officers and 

management will continue to conduct its 

operations. The company will be renamed 

Ziv-United Artists Television Co.. 

Inc. 

All the personnel other than Bruce Eells. 

executive vice-president of UA Television, 

another UA subsidiary, which has been 

financing and distributing films for TV. 

will be taken over by the new company and 

become part of an expanded production 

and sales organization. 

Herbert L. Golden has resigned as 

president of UA-TV and will devote full 

time to his duties as vice-president of UA. 

The deal does not affect United Artists 

Associated, which, under Eliot Hyman, is 

distributing the pre-1948 Warner Bros, 

library and other films to TV. 

VARIETY CLUB 

OF NEW YORK 

Tent 35 

SPECIAL 

ORGANIZATIONAL 

(Dutch Treat) 

LUNCHEON 

For Members Only 

Discussion of Exciting Plans Now in the 

Making—Attend This Luncheon-Meeting, 

Join in The Discussion and Speed Your 

Tent on Its Road to Progress. 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16 

EAST BALLROOM, HOTEL ASTOR 

New York City 

12:30 P. M. 

Luncheon—$3 

Send for Reservation to 

VARIETY CLUB OF N.Y. 

Room 2411 

1501 Broadway, N.Y. 36 

Phone: Wisconsin 7-5076 

LOOKING IT OVER — Woody 

Fraught, center, president of United 

Detroit Ttieatres, examines ad campaien 

materials for Hecht-Hill-Lancaster's 

"The Unforgiven" at a home 

office meeting in New York with 

United .Artists executives Fred Goldberg, 

left, national director of advertising, 

publicity and exploitation, and 

Mori Kru.shen, UA's exploitation director. 

UA's Easter release, "The Unforgiven" 

stars Burt Lancaster, Audrey 

Hepburn and Audie Murphy. The film 

was directed by John Huston and produced 

by James HiU from .Man Le 

May's best-selling novel. 

All Officers and Directors 

Of U-I Are Re-elected 

NEW YORK—At the Universal-International 

stockholders meeting Wednesday 

1 9 1 the existing slate of directors was reelected 

by the directors: N. J. Blumbcrg. 

Preston Davie. Albert A. Garthwaite. John 

J. O'Connor. Milton Rackmil, Budd Rogers. 

Harold I. Thorp and Samuel Valance. 

The board later in the day re-elected the 

following officers: 

Rackmil. president: Blumberg. chairman 

of the board; Adolph Schimel. vice-president, 

secretary and general counsel; David 

A. Lipton. Henry H. Martin. Edward 

Muhl and John J. O'Connor, vice-presidents: 

Felix M. Sommers, treasurer and assistant 

.secretary; R. M. Miles, controller 

and assistant treasurer; Charles H. Stineford. 

assistant treasurer, and Morris David 

and Anthony Petti, assistant secretaries. 

Tent 35 to Outline Plans 

For Year at Wed. Meeting 

NEW YORK—Plans for the year's activities 

will be formulated by New York Variety 

Club tent No. 35 at a membership luncheon 

in the East Ballroom of the Hotel A-stor 

next Wednesday il6i. Hari-j- Brandt, chief 

barker, will present a proposed program 

for the year. It will be a Dutch treat affair 

at $3 a head. 

The tent has increased its membei-ship 

by more than 70 since the first of the year 

and the forthcoming meeting will be the 

first at which the new barkers will participate 

in tlie business sessions. 

Johnston on Mass Media 

NEW YORK—Eric Johnston, president 

of the Motion Picture Ass'n of America, 

will address the 36th annual conference 

of the Child Study Ass'n of America March 

21 at the Hotel Statler Hilton. His subject 

will be "The Responsibility of the Mass 

Media in Our Time." 

'Can-Can' Olympic Benefit 

Raises $29,500 in N.Y. 

NEW YORK—More than $29,500 was 

raised for the United States Olympic Fund 

through the sale of tickets for the world 

premiere of Cole Porter's "Can-Can." in 

Todd-AO at the Rivoli Theatre Wednesday 

i9i. An industry showing was held the 

night previous iSi and preview performances 

for the magazine and tradepress 

were held at the Rivoli Sunday and Monday 

1 6, 7i. 

Spyros P. Skouras, president of 20th 

Century-Fox, which is distributing the 

picture, officially welcomed Carol Heiss, 

American Olympic Gold Medal winner, 

who attended the opening with Mayor 

Robert F. Wagner. Others attending the 

Olympic benefit performance were: Richard 

C. Patterson, Commissioner of Commerce: 

Anthony Fi'anciosa and Shelley 

Winters. Laurence Harvey, Mrs. William 

Randolph Hearst, Lawrence Rockefeller, 

Pauline Tregiere and Charles and Michael 

Grace of the shipping family. Also on hand 

were Dick Button, former Olympic champion, 

and Bud Palmer. TV commentator 

and former baseball star. 

Skouras and Mrs. Skouras also attended 

the industry showing as did Darryl F. 

Zanuck. Murray Silverstone, Martin Moskowitz. 

Charles Einfeld and Alex Harrison 

from 20th-Fox. as well as Si Fabian. Barney 

Balaban. Joseph Vogel. Sam Rinzler, 

Arthiu- B. Krim, Robert Kintner. Edward 

L. Hyman, Leonard F. Goldenson. A. Montague, 

George Skouras, Eugene Picker, 

Harry Mandell. James R. Velde. William J. 

Heineman, Rube Jackter, Benjamin Kalmenson, 

Russell V. Downing. Walter Reade 

Henry H. Martin. William Brandt and 

jr., 

Richard Brandt. Lee Remick and Peter 

Lind Hayes and Mary Healy. 

When the Rivoli Theatre boxoffice closed 

at 3 p.m. Wednesday to prepare for the 

Olympic benefit, the final tabulation of 

the advance sale totaled $132,000, said to 

be a record advance, according to Salah 

Hassanein, United Artists Theatres vicepresident. 

Rites for Al Young, 65 

MIAMI BEACH—Funeral services for 

Al Young, 65. president of Du-Art Film 

Laboratories and Tri-Art Color Corp.. both 

located in New York, were held here Thursday 

i3). The 45-year industry veteran 

died here two days before after a long illness. 

He leaves his wife, Anne, and two 

sons. Robert and Irwin. 

Mrs. Frank Kieman 

NEW YORK—Funeral services for Mrs. 

Frank J. Kiernan. wife of the controller 

for Stanley Warner, were held at the Immaculate 

Heart of Mary Church, Brooklyn. 

Thursday

. . The 

. . Snow 

7 

. 

Mannie Friedman Named 

New Hellman Manager 

ALBANY, N. Y.—Mannie Friedman has 

been appointed manager of the Hellman 

Theatre by Alan Iselin, managing director. 

Friedman had been connected with Schine 

Theatres in Rochester where he had 

handled the opening of the Riviera Theatre 

ani the roadshow of "Solomon and Sheba." 

The Hellman is still under construction at 

1350 Washington Ave. 

Friedman began his theatre business 

career 23 years ago with Century Theatres 

as an assistant manager. His first 

big responsibility was as district manager 

for Nassau. Suffolk and Queens counties. 

He also served with William Goldman 

Theatres in Philadelphia as manager of 

the Midtown and Randolph theatres and 

handled roadshow arrangements for such 

pictures as "South Pacific" and "Around 

the World in 80 Days." He later was appointed 

district manager for all Goldman 

theatres outside of Philadelphia. Friedman 

was with the Goldman circuit eight 

years and with Century for 15 years. 

During World War II, Friedman was 

war loan drives chairman in 

Nassau, Suffolk 

and Queens areas, raising $3,500,000 

in war bonds for which he was cited by 

the treasury department. He was active in 

civic and business enterprises, receiving the 

Gold Seal Pin for his work with the Red 

Cross and sponsoring many shows for the 

Crippled Children of the St. Giles Home 

in Garden City, Long Island. Friedman 

also was active and cooperated with the 

police department for which he was presented 

with a Life Gold Card from the police 

conferences of the State of New York. 

Friedman is married and has a daughter, 

Joyce Gail, 16. 

'Lesson in Love' Is Booked 

For Murray Hill Theatre 

NEW YORK — Ingmar Bergman's "A 

Lesson in Love" will open at the Murray 

Hill March 14, following a ten-week run 

there of Universal-International's "Sapphire," 

which will open at the Brooklyn 

Paramount Theatre March 16, accompanied 

by another U-I release, "Too Soon to 

Love." 

"A Lesson in Love" is being distributed 

in the U. S. by Janus Films, which Is also 

releasing Bergman's "The Magician," currently 

in its 28th week at the Fifth Avenue 

Playhouse. 

'Planet' to Brooklyn 

NEW YORK—American International's 

"The Angry Red Planet," filmed in Cinemagic, 

will open at the Brooklyn Paramount 

Theatre March 9, accompanied by 

"Road Racers," also an AI release. "Planet" 

was produced by Sid Pink and Norman 

Maurer. 

'Touch of Larceny' Set 

NEW YORK—Paramount's "A Touch of 

Larceny," produced in England with James 

Mason, Vera Miles and George Sanders 

starred, will open at the Normandie Theatre 

March 16, following the current run 

of "Swan Lake," Soviet ballet film distributed 

by Columbia Pictures. 

ALBANY 

Reservations for the March 19 dinner to 

be given for Samuel E. Rosenblatt, 

who served two terms as chief barker of 

the Variety Club, indicate an attendance of 

200. Chairman Jules Perlmutter said the 

committee hopes to make the affair "the 

biggest yet." Johnny Costas' orchestra will 

play and acts from New York will enter- 

. . . 

. 

tain. Rosenblatt is president of the I'ecently 

incoi-porated Acme Theatres 

The Palace charged $1.25 top for "Suddenly, 

Last Summer" . caused 

Johnny Gardner to postpone the re-opening 

of Glen Drive -In near Glens Falls 

several days winter's heaviest 

snowstorm forced a brief postponement of 

the visit by Alex Harrison. 20th-Pox sales 

chief, and assistants Glenn Norris and 

Martin Moskowitz for a look-see at the 

1,100-seater which Neil Hellman is building 

on a site adjoining his Thruway motel. 

Braving a snowstorm to witness the 

afternoon preview of "A Dog of Flanders" 

at the Stanley Warner Delaware were Dr. 

Hugh M. Flick, foiiner director of the 

state motion picture division and now assistant 

to James E. Allen jr., education 

commissioner, his wife and two sons; Wallace 

McBride, director of the Port Oi-ange 

Boy Scouts; Sylvan Leff, Utica-Watertown 

exhibitor, and his attractive daughter, a 

student at St. Agnes School; Hari-y Alexander, 

onetime 20th-Fox manager; Max 

Westebbe, distributor of independent and 

art product, and Al Swett, manager of the 

Strand, which will play the 20th-Fox release. 

A second theatre showing for educators 

and others was arranged by Fox's 

Wayne Carignan. 

Strand projectionist Bill Foley returned 

to work after confinement with double 

pneumonia and hepatitis . . C. R. "Tip" 

. 

Rosebeii-y, former critic for the Knickerbocker 

News and now a featm-e writer for 

the Times-Union, was among those at a 

preview of "Masters of the Congo Jungle" 

in the 20th-Fox studio. He and Dr. 

Victor Calahane, assistant director of 

the State Museum and an authority on 

Africa, agreed "Jungle" is an outstanding 

documentary . . . Frank Kelley. new Ritz 

manager, moved his wife and daughter Lyn 

here from Massachusetts. A 17-year-old 

son Frank jr., an honor student at a vocational 

high school, will remain behind 

till June to complete his course. 

The Variety Club was to vote at a meeting 

Monday night on a motion to move 

the clubrooms downtown. About two years 

ago Tent 9 bought a fine three-story brick 

residence two and a half blocks west of 

the State Capitol for its home. This now 

can be sold at a profit, according to advocates 

of a plan to switch the clubrooms 

to a more central location. 

Warren R. Smith, Oakland district film 

producer, plans a grand new Investment 

here which may make the news soon . . . 

There are big doings at the Associated 

Theatres building when the managers 

come in for meetings with Ernest, George 

and Art Stern. The regular sessions find 

among those present Derris Jeffcoat, David 

Arnett, Tom Strawins, George Rodnok, 

Leo Mickey, Elmer Peters, Lou Balta, Sam 

Gould, Robert O'Hare and Robert Solenday. 

Further Product Drop 

Seen by Exhibitors 

NEW YORK—The effect of the strike in 

Hollywood will be to reduce a low supply 

of pictures still more. That appears to be 

the general reaction of exhibitors to the 

actors' walkout, although the statement 

was made specifically this past week by 

Walter Reade jr., circuit operator, and 

echoed by others. 

On the other hand, there appeared to 

be a feeling in exhibition, especially among 

circuits, that something was going on behind 

the scenes which might permit production 

to resume. Exhibitors were curious 

over the report but nobody could pinpoint 

the source nor the authenticity. Theatremen 

are hoping that the 

government will 

intervene and serve in a mediation capacity 

but that possibility is said to be 

remote. 

Harry Mandel, vice-president of RKO 

Theatres, said there was nothing to do 

but to await developments and hope that 

the distributors will be able to supply sufficient 

product to keep the theatres in operation, 

if the strike should continue for 

any great length of time. Exhibitors, he 

said, were more concerned about fall and 

winter bookings and availabilities than 

they were over immediate holdback of 

product. 

S. H. Fabian, chairman of the American 

Congress of Exhibitors, sent a telegram to 

the guilds and company presidents asking 

for a 14-day delay in the strike so that 

negotiations could continue. The proposal 

was not accepted and the strike began 

i 

Monday ) 

Independent exhibitors frankly are worried 

over the prospects of supply later in 

the year, if the strike should be prolonged. 

But they admit they are helpless to do 

anything about it. 

'Spartacus' to Be Unveiled 

In New York Sept. 22 

NEW YORK—Universal's "Spartacus" 

will have its world premiere in New York 

on September 22, Milton Rackmil, president, 

reported following the annual stockholders 

meeting here Wednesday '9). The 

theatre in which the multi-million dollar 

picture will be unveiled will be announced 

shortly. 

Rackmil said that the picture would open 

in 18 situations on a roadshow basis by 

Christmas and in 11 foreign countries by 

the end of the year. 

Boys Towns Benefit Ball 

Honoring Jimmy Durante 

NEW YORK—Jimmy Durante will be 

honorary guest at the 12th annual Ball of 

the Year for the benefit of Boys Towns of 

Italy. The ball will be held in the Grand 

Ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria April 7. 

Leaders in society, business, professions 

and the entertainment world will attend. 

Boys Towns of Italy, founded by Msgr. 

John Patrick Carroll-Abbing, is a community 

of nine towns, each one modeled 

on American democracy, which offers 

homeless boys care, shelter and education. 

Marlon Brando will play the title role in 

Columbia Pictures' "Lawrence of Arabia." 

BOXOFFICE March 14, 1960 E-5

BUFFALO 

Pdward F. Meade, manager for Loew's, 

Inc., here has installed a special "Ben- 

Hur" staff in the old executive offices of 

the Shea circuit way up in the top of 

Shea's Buffalo. To reach the office, one 

climbs about 100 steps, all thickly carpeted, 

making it a real job of climbing. The "Ben- 

Hur" staff is working out assignments involving 

schools, churches, libraries, industries 

and theatres parties from Hamilton, 

Ont.; Jamestown, down in Chautauqua 

County and a hundred or so intermediate 

communities. Long term advertising campaigns—a 

minimum three-month run is 

contemplated—are being worked out. Technical 

crews, painters and decorators have 

been at work for weeks, between shows, 

in Shea's Teck, where the MGM masterwork 

opens Tuesday (15) at 8 p.m. All 

seats will be reserved. There will be matinees 

'Wednesdays, Saturdays. Sundays and 

holidays. Prices range from $1.25 to $2.75, 

with all prices including the U. S. tax. 

There will be a press preview Monday evening 

at 8 p. m. 

Bucky Harris, who has been free-lancing 

with Columbia on promotion hereabouts 

"Who Was That Lady?" "Our Man in 

for 

Havana" and "Once More, With Feeling," 

is back on his old exploitation stamping 

grounds with U-I and now is back in town 

assisting George H. Mackenna, general 

manager, on "The Glenn Miller Stoi-y." 

soon to open at the Lafayette, flagship of 

the Basil circuit. 

James Lavorato, office manager of the 

Buffalo National Screen receiving station 

in the Film Building at 505 Pearl St.. has 

purcha.sed a new home in which he hopes 

to relax until he has reached a rip)e old 

age. Jimmy is known to every exhibitor 

in western New York, as it is at his headquarters 

that orders from the New York 

NS warehouse are passed out to this exchange 

area theatres. 

Three big ads on the same show on one 

page in the Buffalo newspapers hit local 

theatregoers right in the eye last weekend 

when such a splash was used on the 

opening of "Who Was That Lady?" at the 

Center Theatre. It was the first time such 

a display was used here. The Columbia 

production is now in for a run in the Center 

and this unique layout of ads gave 

the tri-star comedy a good sendoff. 

A North Tonawanda firm has announced 

purchase of the patents and exclusive 

rights to manufacture an 80-foot high 

double Ferris wheel, known as the Sky 

Wheel. The Allan Herschell Co., producer 

of amusement rides for outdoor show business, 

will build the Sky Wheels in cooperation 

with its parent company, the 

Wiesner-Rapp Co., whose machine tool 

division is at 1600 Seneca St. in Buffalo. 

A spokesman for Herschell said the Sky 

Screens 

Towers 

signs 

chicogo SCREEN GLOW, INC, 

30 Smith Street 

Boston 

Poughkeepsie, N. Y. 

Complete service pertainirtfl to painting of Drive-in Theatres. 

Six trucks completely equipped to serve you. 

Reference on Request 

Fully Insured — Please State Screen Size 

GL 4-6981 Coll GR 1-4108 

Wheel will be priced in the $75,000 range. 

The firm's purchase was made from Curtis 

and Elmer Velare of Long Beach, Calif., 

who originated the basic design. 

James J. Hayes, manager of the Cinema, 

is all smiles these days as "Toby Tyler," 

attracts overflow audiences into his 500- 

seat downtown "art" type theatre, where 

the production is tacking up new attendance 

records daily and is in for what looks 

like a record run . Lou Le\itch, managing 

director 

. . 

of the Granada Theatre, has 

closed a long and successful run of "Porgy 

and Bess" and has opened "Our Man in 

Havana," a Columbia picture, which Lou 

also hopes to run for many moons. 

William J. Brown, president of the Dynacolor 

Corp., of Brockport, has announced 

the appointment of Paul J. Good as executive 

vice-president and general manager 

of Dynacolor and general manager of the 

Sensitized Pi-oducts Division. Good has been 

with the company since it was organized 

in 1950. 

Charlie Funk, manager of the Century 

had a swell tie-up with Sattler's on "Once 

More, With Peeling," through which he 

got the top of a page ad. in return for 

200 passes for the house. Two tickets were 

given with the purchase of one dollar or 

more at Sattler's on a Saturday morning 

only. Charlie got some art and a reverse 

title at the top of a Sattler page ad. 

SYRACUSE 

gen-Hur" is due soon at the Shoppingtown 

Theatre. DeWitt, according to 

Sam Mitchell, manager. It recently opened 

at Shea's Teck in Buffalo. Currently playing 

at Shoppingtown is "Our Man in Havana." 

Sam Gilman, manager of Loew's, is 

working on the publicity for the Tigris 

Shrine Circus due in May. For the showing 

of "Toby Tyler." the Paramount Theatre 

used a Sono -Vision machine from the 

Navy to show circus scenes on a 30-inch 

screen, outside the theatre. It was a big 

drawing card for the children . . . Cathy 

Rubin, daughter of Manager Max Rubin 

and Mrs. Rubin, was home from Syracuse 

University recuperating from a strep 

throat infection. 

Harry Unterfort, zone manager of Schine 

Theatres, made his rounds from Syracuse 

to Rochester and Buffalo. On his way back, 

he found that snowdrifts had reduced the 

speed limit to 35 miles on the New York 

State Thruway. 

Harry Rice of Colimibia Pictures was 

here to do promotion on "Once More, With 

Feeling" at the Eckel. Holding over for 

second weeks were "Suddenly, Last Summer" 

at Loew's and "The Bramble Bush" 

at RKO Keith's. 

New Constellcrtion Lamps 

SYRACUSE. N. Y.—An installation of 

Constellation projection lamps on Phillips 

Norelco projectors has been made at 

the Eckel Theatre for showing 70mm productions. 

The installation was made by 

National Theatre Supply. 

Jecm Dalrymple Is Named 

Producer by Telemeter 

NEW YORK—Jean Dalrymple. director 

of theatre and light opera activities of the 

New York City Center, 

has been made 

executive producer 

for Telemeter's "theatre 

in the home" 

television now operating 

in Toronto, according 

to Louis A. 

Novins, president of 

the Internationa! 

Telemeter Co., a division 

of Paramount. 

Novins called Miss 

Dalrymple's appointment 

a "noteworthy 

Jean Dalrymple 

beginning" in the acquisition of creative 

programming personnel. He said she is 

working on a number of projects which 

will be announced soon. Telemeter plans 

to offer variety programming other than 

current films and sports events. 

Miss Dalrymple is well known as a producer 

of programs of opera, musical comedy, 

concerts, ballet and drama. Her prestige 

was recognized in the summer of 1958 

through her appointment as coordinator 

for the U. S. Performing Arts program at 

the Brussels World's Fair. She has also 

produced and directed a number of television 

programs. 

UA Books Two New Films 

For Broadway Theatres 

NEW YORK—Two United Artists releases. 

"The Unforgiven" and "The Fugitive 

Kind." will open in Broadway first 

runs in late March or early April as Easter 

attractions. 

"The Unforgiven," a Hecht-Hill-Lancaster 

production in Technicolor and Panavision, 

directed by John Huston with Burt 

Lancaster and Audrey Hepburn starred, 

will open at the Capitol Theatre, following 

the current MGM film. "The Last Voyage." 

"The Fugitive Kind." a Jurow-Shepherd-Pennebaker 

production produced in 

New York by director Sidney Lumet. 

starring Marlon Brando. Anna Magnani 

and Joanne Woodward, will be the next 

attraction at the Astor Theatre, following 

Stanley Kramer's "On the Beach." 

'Heller' Set for Capitol 

NEW YORK—"Heller in Pink Tights," 

Paramount's Technicolor picture starring 

Sophia Loren and Anthony Quinn with 

Margaret O'Brien and Steve Forrest, will 

open at the Capitol Theatre March 16, preceding 

the Capitol's Easter attraction, "The 

Unforgiven," a United Artists release. 

Another Paramount release, "A Touch of 

Larceny," will open at the Normandie 

Theatre the same day (16i. 

Chessman Featurette Held 

NEW YORK— "Justice and Caryl Chessman." 

the 45-minute featurette being distributed 

by Bentley Films, started a second 

week at the Trans-Lux Broadway 

Theatre Wednesday i9K the first attraction 

to be held for an additional week at 

the house in more than two years. The 

first week's figure was close to $10,000, 

according to the management. 

E-6 BOXOFFICE March 14, 1960

. . One 

. . . Howard 

. . Last 

. . Larry 

PHILADELPHIA 

The world premiere of Warner Bros'. "This 

Rebel Breed" was held at the SW 

Stanton Theatre with searchlights, bands 

and lobby radio interviews. Mark Damon 

and Diane Cannon, who are featured in 

the picture, made four personal appearances 

on the stage. They were in town 

a week in advance with producer William 

Rowland, who also wrote the original story, 

publicizing the premiere through the local 

newspapers and were interviewed on all 

radio stations. 

Frank Damis, general zone manager of 

the local Stanley Warner theatres, and 

Leon Serini, district manager for Paramount's 

Nixon, Tower and Roosevelt theatres, 

were elected for three-year terms on 

the board of the Variety Tent 13 camp 

for handicapped children. 

Joseph Levin's "Jack the Ripper" opened 

in 60 theatres in the Pennsylvania and 

South Jersey area, in a first-run saturation 

booking . of the oldest movie houses 

in Philadelphia, the Stanley Warner New 

Palace Theatre, Third and South streets, 

is closed. The property has been sold and 

will be remodeled for nontheatrical purposes. 

Pathe Cinema to Handle 

Comedie Francaise Film 

NEW YORK—Pathe Cinema Corp. 

will 

distribute Moliere's "The Would-Be Gentleman" 

(Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme), 

acted by the world-renowned Comedie 

Francaise company in the U. S. The first 

engagement will be at the Paris Theatre, 

New York, for a limited engagement of 

three weeks, starting March 21. 

The picture, first of a planned series 

of the Comedie Francaise, was staged by 

Jean Meyer, who also plays the valet 

Clovielle, and with Louis Seigner in the 

title role. It was filmed in Eastman Color. 

Pathe Cinema will also distribute 

"Luncheon on the Grass," starring Paul 

Meurisse, and "The Will of Dr. Cordelier," 

both Jean Renoir productions, in the U.S. 

Maryland Exhibitors Join 

Local and National TOA 

BALTIMORE—Both the Maryland Theatre 

Owners Ass'n and Theatre Owners of 

America have acquired three new members, 

according to John G. Broumas, president 

of the former. They are A. A. Caplan 

for his Westway Theatre in Baltimore, 

Newell Howard, who operates in Salisbury, 

and John Fernicola, who is in Centerville. 

Broumas said his group had acquired new 

members every month since its founding 

last summer. 

Oscar Lead Changes 

NEW YORK—Late Academy Award reports 

gave New York first place over Los 

Angeles in the number of theatres signed 

up to date for promotion by film company 

salesmen. While the Los Angeles total rose 

from 122 at midweek to 136, the local total 

rose from 120 to 162, topping all exchange 

centers, according to James R. Velde, 

chairman of the Sales Managers Committee 

of the Motion Picture Ass'n of America. 

Coca-Cola Ups Quarterly 

Dividend to 60 Cents 

NEW YORK—For the second time in 

six months the Coca-Cola Co. has increased 

its quarterly dividend with a declaration 

of 60 cents a share, payable on 

the new common stock April 1 to stockholders 

of record Thursday (17i. 

Consolidated profit for 1959 rose to 

$33,581,679, equal to $7.91 a share, from 

$30,038,591, equal to $7.10 a share, the 

year before. Record sales were reported 

for 1959. Consolidated net sales amounted 

to $342,257,378. A sales figui-e was reported 

for the first time, so there can be 

no comparison with previous years. 

For the final quarter of 1959 Coca-Cola 

reported a consolidated profit of $6,109,- 

013, or $1.44 a share, compared with a 

corresponding 1958 profit of $5,467,534, 

$1.29 a share. 

The 60-cent dividend was the first since 

the stock was split three-for-one last January 

18 and is equal to $1.80 on the old 

stock, or $7.20 a share a year before the 

split, compared with $6.50 a share in 

1959 and $5 a share in 1958. 

Coca-Cola International Corp. declared 

a dividend of $13.25 a common share, payable 

April 1 to stockholders of record 

Thursday il7i. Last year's dividends of 

$7.40 each were paid quarterly, and there 

was a year-end dividend of $25.75. 

SOUTH JERSEY 

ârl Singer, manager for the Smith Management 

Co. drive-in at Atlantic City, 

reports that the resort business has been 

booming despite the winter season—and 

m.ost important for him, so have the movies 

been going great. Singer says the weather 

at the seashore has been better this winter 

than it has been for years. "We've had 

a better product. We've had several big 

conventions. The many new motels are 

bringing in business. Evei-ything has been 

going well for us," he reports. "The biggest 

reason is the weather. We've had no 

snow to mention. We've had good weekends 

with little or no rain, helping to bring in 

the people from far away. It's been unseasonably 

warm." 

Larry Ruch of the A. M. Ellis Theatres 

Co. says work is progressing on the 

modernization of the circuits Erlen Theatre. 

Relocation of the Chester Pike Drive- 

In boxoffice because of the new highway 

has been delayed because of the weather, 

he reports. 

'Film Art' Radio Program 

Expands Its Coverage 

NEW YORK—"The Film Art." a weekly 

radio show produced by Gideon Bachman, 

editor of Cinemages magazine, will receive 

global airing beginning this month. 

The program, which has been carried by 

WBAI and WFUV in New York will be 

broadcast in the future by WFMT, Chicago; 

KPPK, Los Angeles: in Toronto over 

the Dominion network station, and in London 

over the BBC network. The program 

is devoted to serious discussions of motion 

pictures and many top industry figures 

have appeared with Bachman. 

BALTIMORE 

Jacques Rion is handling the Mayfair's 

boxoffice for "Windjammer." He comes 

here from Washington where he presided 

at the Warner Theatre with "Cinerama" 

Wagonheim, vice-president of 

Schwaber Theatres, is enjoying a brief 

holiday with Mrs. Wagonheim in Miami, 

Fla. ... J. Stanley Baker, head of Hicks- 

Baker Theatres, is also a Florida vacationist, 

with Mrs. Baker. 

Larry O'Leary is the new night manager 

at the Century , , . Donald DeLawney, 

owner of the Carroll and also the State at 

Westminster, Md., was here for a board 

meeting of the Allied Motion Picture Theatre 

Owners of Maryland. The organization 

holds its annual election of officers next 

week. 

C. Elmer Nolte jr., head of Durkee Theatres, 

took off for Fort Lauderdale, Fla., 

with his wife for a vacation . week's 

snow storm caused the Century, New and 

Stanton to close for a day . Hyatt 

is resigning his managerial post with Rappaport 

Theatres and will announce his 

new plan soon. 

Five pieces of fire-fighting equipment 

went to the Walbrook Theatre when the 

"smoke" that caused an alarm was coming, 

it turned out, from a sizable steam pipe 

under seats in front of the theatre. There 

was not any fire. The house was not 

evacuated. 

Sympathy is being extended by friends 

to George Goodman, upon the death of 

his father Phillip of General Vending 

Sales, which has been identified with the 

motion picture theatres . . . Manager Larry 

Jacobs of Baltimore Variety Club reports 

an indicated capacity turnout for the 

club's annual oyster roast Sunday (13) ... 

Joseph Grant, owner of the Northwood 

Theatre, was in New York- on business. 

NCCJ Supports Code 

NEW YORK—The motion picture division 

of the National Conference of Christians 

and Jews is distributing a brochure 

titled "1960—For a Fair Campaign" which 

outlines standards for political campaigns 

in a code for candidates provided by the 

national Fair Campaign Practices Committee. 

The distribution is part of this 

year's Brotherhood di'ive. 

RCA Votes Two Dividends 

NEW YORK—Radio Corp. of America 

has declared a quarterly dividend of 25 

cents a common share, payable April 25 

to stockholders of record Monday '14), 

and a dividend of 87 '/2 cents on the first 

preferred stock for the period April 1 to 

June 30, payable July 1 to stockholders of 

record June 6. 

Century Projector Sale 

NEW YORK—A Centmy 70/35mm projector 

system has been sold to the DeLuxe 

Theatre, Port Au Spain, Trinidad, according 

to Frank E. Cahill jr., vice-president 

in charge of sales of Century Projector 

Corp. 

BOXOFHCE :: March 14, 1960 E-7

. . Grover 

. . The 

. . 

PITTSBURGH 

The Kaspas, Ralph and Sam, have dated 

the State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va., 

. . . Plans 

for reopening. The house has been dark 

for a long period . Livingston, 

WB district manager, spent several days 

here with Jack Kalmenson, Bill Lange and 

Milt Broudy at the exchange 

are prepared at Reading for a municipal 

auditorium . . . Michael W. Magill, son of 

BV local district manager at Philadelphia 

Mort Magill, who served here some years 

ago as UA manager, has armounced his 

engagement to Celene Rochelle Segal. Mike 

is employed by SW in the Philadelphia ad 

department. 

Police say the same man was responsible 

for two theatre holdups two hours apart 

March 3. Cashiers at the SW Squirrel Hill 

and Ben Amdur's Garden, northside. were 

robbed at gunpoint, the thief fleeing on 

foot from both holdups, his loot being respectively 

$55 and $32. The cashiers on 

duty respectively were Gloria Hahn and 

Etorothy Streb. 

Bob Bittner. Columbia Pictures shipper, 

for the 12th Lenten season is enacting a 

role in the American Passion Play, "Veronica's 

Veil," staged Saturday and Sunday 

during Lent at St. Michael's, southside 

. . . SW Cathaum Theatre at State 

College was remodeled at a cost of about 

$75,000. the improvements including glass 

front, marquee, seats, drapes and decorations. 

Sympathy to Renatha iMrs. Rudolph > 

Navari of the Eastwood Theatre, Penn 

Hills, on the death of her father, Modesto 

Quadraccia, at Arnold March 5. Requiem 

high mass was sung in Mount St. 

Peter's Church, New Kensington . . . Channell 

2, KDKA-TV, is featuring a film festival 

this month, telecasting 120 exploited 

top motion pictui-es. This is one of television's 

big campaigns hereabouts . MUt 

. . 

Ripp, former film salesman, works in the 

construction business in this city . . . Saul 

Bragin, SW booker, was back at his desk 

after a virus had kept him at home. 

Dipson's Theatres, Erie, featured Bill 

Wilson, who makes his film debut in "The 

Last Voyage" this week. Formerly of Erie's 

Playhouse Student Theatre and now stationed 

with the USAP in Japan, he played 

his part aboard the He de France off the 

coast of Osaka. He will be out of service 

in two months and he plans to stop off 

in Hollywood to try his luck (depending 

upon the strike situation! . . . Terri Hope, 

attractive Kittanning gal, will be seen in 

a feature role in UA's 'Force of Impulse." 

E-8 

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A talent scout .spotted her al Carnegie 

Tech and rushed her to filmland for 

screen tests . . . Dan, son of Homewood 

druggist Delaware Kinley, was seen in recent 

films. He is now doing television in 

New York and expects to stay with acting 

as a profession. 

Theatre Ushers union here will be taken 

under the wing of the F^lmrow employes 

organization . . . The long hard winter, especially 

the past month, with record low 

temperatures and .snowfalls, injured all entertainments 

and killed off various offerings 

and attractions in the tristate area . 

John Zomnir screened UA's "Thi-ee Came 

to Kill " and 'The Gallant Hours," the 

latter being the story of the late Fleet 

Admiral "Born to Fight" William F. Halsey 

and starring James Cagney and Dennis 

(TV's Chester of Gunsmoke) Weaver. 

. 

Recent closings in the area: Penn, 

Wesleyville, which is being converted into 

a place of worship; Palace, Conneautville, 

which had been reopened three montlis 

ago by V. A. Nelson, and the Victor, New 

Castle, permanently shuttered by Albert 

R. Fry, 

Josephine Sabbio, manager of the SW 

Strand in the Oakland district, is engaged 

to James Domino jr.. operator of the Domino 

cafe. The wedding will be in September 

. . . Perry Kinnear jr., 16. .son of the 

Hilltop Drive-In, Monongahela, owners, 

was in Mercy Hospital near Filmi-ow for 

sinus treatment crumbling old 

Strand at Brownsville is being dismantled 

and the building will be razed. The Bison 

Theatre there will come down in the spring 

to make way for a parking area. 

Approximately 2,000 men from the tristate 

area attended morning sessions of 

the National Council of United Pi-esbyterian 

Laymen last weekend at the downtown 

Penn Theatre . . . Local artist Abe 

Weiner has a one-man show on display at 

the SW Squirrel Hill Theatre until March 

20 . . . Ernest "Bunny" Lieberman, brother-in-law 

of SW's Harry Minsky Kalmine, 

who formerly was this circuit's zone manager 

here, now is in the brokerage business, 

having joined Moore, Leonard & 

Lynch here as a customers' man. Lieberman. 

in years past, had been an area theatre 

manager and owner. 

Blatt Bros. Theatres, presently operating 

a dozen indoor theatres in this territory, 

plan an early April reopening of 

outdoor theatres at Erie, Altoona. Chicora 

and Corry. The only all-year ozoner 

in the Blatt circuit is the Star Drive-In 

near Buffalo, N. Y. This circuit's standbys, 

Fi-ank Lewis and Earl Beckwith, say that 

no particular big jobs are contemplated 

in any improvements at the ozoners, other 

than the normal, as these outdoor theatres 

are operated under an always-inrepair 

policy. 

The Brownsville Drive-In operated for 

several months during the winter season 

and this period was helped in a business 

way by a tie-in with Al's Super Gulf station, 

Brownsville, which issued a ticket to 

the driver of each auto entering the outdoor 

theatre good for one free gallon of 

gasoline with the purchase of a minimum 

John Harris II Joins 

Ice Capades Staff 

PITTSBURGH—John H. Harris II, son 

of the well-known local showman, has 

joined his fathers Ice Capades organization, 

being thus the fomth generation of 

the Harrises in the entertainment business. 

The first of the group, a school teacher 

from Ireland, started the family tradition 

as a hot-air balloon impresario at 

Peimsylvania County fairs. Next in line was 

his son State Senator John P. Harris, 

who with his brother-in-law Harry Davis, 

opened the world's first all moving 

picture theatre, the Nickelodeon in downtown 

Pittsburgh. The Davis-Harris firm 

expanded in exhibition throughout Peimsylvania, 

Oliio, West Virginia, Delaware 

and Kentucky. John H., son of John P. 

Harris, spent his eai'ly career in local motion 

picture theatres, vaudeville, stage 

presentations, and the Pittsburgh Gardens 

Sports Arena before organizing Ice Capades 

and other ice shows. 

John H. n, a graduate of LaSalle College 

in Philadelphia, has worked in other 

fields but has joined the Ice Capades publicity 

department, starting on the road this 

month in Kitchener, Ont. After fui-ther assignments 

under Walter Hadlich in Wichita, 

Kans., "getting his feet wet on the 

road," young Harris will report to the Ice 

work with 

Capades studio in Hollywood to 

Jack Sidney, ad and publicity chief. 

Young Harris is married and has a young 

daughter. Harris Amusements, once a large 

circuit operation, now has only the downtown 

John P. Harris Theatre, Uberty at 

East Uberty, South HiUs at Dormont, and 

the Denis, named for John P. Harris' 

brother Dennis, Mount Lebanon. 

of one dollar's worth of gas. Lou Stuler 

and Joe Fecheck made the deal with the 

service station owner. 

The Gateway Drive-In, New Kensington 

area, has been turned over by Fred Serrao, 

an auto salesman there, to the Co-Op 

office for licensing and booking for the upcoming 

outdoor season . . . Mr. and Mrs. 

Alvin Seller, Ligonier exhibitoi-s, recently 

snowbound at their theatre for five days, 

visited relatives near McKees Rocks last 

week and were snowbound two days. Al 

would like to land a repertory company for 

Ligonier this summer. 

Ronnie McGowan, formerly employed 

here by SW's Hollywood Theatre, Dormont, 

and at Ben Amdur's Garden Theatre, has 

been signed to sing for Etorian Records of 

Hollywood, headed by another former 

Pittsbui-gher, Robert Brown. Ronnie's dad 

is an engineer at the local Warner Theatre. 

Car Show at Drive-In 

PrrrSBURGH — The 

Allegheny-Kiski 

Car Club, Tarentum, will hold its second 

aimual car show Sunday, May 8, at the 

Sunset View Drive-In, Route 908, Natrona 

Heights. This display will include American 

and foreign cars. In the show will be 

motorcycles, scooters, go-carts, antiques, 

classics, modified customs and sports cars 

entered by area distributors and private 

owners. Trophies will be awarded for privately 

owned vehicles on the basis of class 

or gi-oups. 

BOXOFTICE March 14. 1960

:wpDD 

NEWS AND VIEWS OF THE PRODUCTION CENTER 

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

March 26 Award Day 

For Industry Films 

HOLLYWOOD — Ronald Reagan will 

present the 1959 industrial film awards 

March 26 at the 1960 national convention 

of the Industi-y Film Producers Ass'n, at 

the Statler-Hilton. Awards will go to individuals 

and organizations who "most 

effectively advanced the utilization of motion 

pictures to industrial requisites." 

* * * 

"Conspiracy of Hearts," Paramount's suspense 

drama, has been chosen by the California 

Parent-Teacher Magazine as the 

picture of the month for May. The film 

stars Lilli Palmer and Sylvia Syms. 

* • * 

The 1960 officers of the Show Business 

Shrine Club of Hollywood were installed 

last week. They are: Norman Taurog, 

president: Fi-ed R. Johnson, vice-president; 

Charles Cady and George Hunt, vice-presidents: 

Earle H. D. Livingstone, treasurer, 

and C. S. Bourdo, secretary. 

Albert Zugsmith and U-I 

Cutting 'Private Lives' 

HOLLYWOOD—Producer Albert Zugsmith 

and Universal-International have 

called back from the U-I exchanges 150 

prints of "The Pi-ivate Lives of Adam and 

Eve" to cut out scenes which conceivably 

could put the picture on the Legion of 

Decency's condemned list. 

The picture received the Production Code 

seal last August, but despite the fact that 

no changes were obligatory, Zugsmith 

voluntarily has made every change requested 

by code authorities since ascertaining 

the reaction of the Legion, which, according 

to Zugsmith, "presumably read 

things into this film which are not there 

and no one else has seen." 

Striking Writers Well Off 

HOLLYWOOD — The Writers Guild 

strike fund is higher by more than a third 

after five weeks of the strike than it was 

when the strike started, according to 

James Webb, guild treasurer. The weekly 

benefit payment is being raised nearly 50 

per cent, he said. 

Six More to 

Television 

HOLLYWOOD—Six old theatrical films 

will be put into immediate distribution by 

National Telefilm Associates. The pictures 

available to television for the first time 

include Tom Sawyer, Little Women and 

The Prisoner of Zenda. Gulliver's Travels, 

Hoppity Goes to Town and Bambutti. 

U-l Big film Production 

Racing to New High Mark 

HOLLYWOOD — Universal-International 

production topper Edward Muhl sees 

the next 12 months heralding the largest 

number of multimillion dollar productions 

ever made by the studio in a single year. 

U-I currently has 14 wi'iters working on 

12 scripts for five different producers, it 

was revealed by Muhl, who listed the following 

production activity on the Valley 

lot: 

The producers who now have scripts 

actively in preparation include Robert Ai-- 

thur, Sy Bartlett, George Englund, Ross 

Hunter and William Wellman. 

Arthur has writers on three different 

scripts. Janet Green and John McCormick 

are working on "A Gathering of Eagles." 

Liam O'Brien is scripting "The Great 

Impostor," in which Tony Curtis will star. 

George Zukerman is doing the screenplay 

on 'Wine of Youth." 

Bartlett has Stewart Stern writing the 

screenplay for "The Sixth Man." story of 

the Indian hero of World War II, Ira 

Hayes, and James Webb is scripting "The 

ANOTHER BLUE RIBBON—Charles 

Brackett is shown proudly displaying 

the BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon Award 

presented for his efforts as producer 

and screenwriter of "Journey to the 

Center of the Earth," 20th Century- 

Fox film voted to receive this honor 

by the National Screen Council for 

the month of January. The award is 

the fourth Blue Ribbon for Brackett 

in both fields. 

Executioners," which will be a Melville 

production starring Gregory Peck. 

Englund has David Goodman working 

on "The Ugly American," based on the 

sensational best-selling novel. It will star 

Marlon Brando. 

FOUR SCRIPTS IN WORKS 

Hunter has writers working on four different 

scripts. Oscar Brodney is doing the 

.screenplay on "Tammy Tell Me Ti'ue," a 

sequel to U-I's highly successful "Tammy 

and the Bachelor," which he also .scripted. 

Ivan Goff and Ben Roberts are doing a 

final polish job on "Midnight Lace," based 

on Janet Green's hit British play and 

which will start this month with Doris 

Day. Rex Harrison, Myrna Loy and John 

Gavin starring. William Rose is scripting 

"Elephant Hill" from the novel by Robin 

White. Lawrence Roman is working on "In 

the Wrong Rain." based on the novel by 

Robert R. Kirsch. 

William Wellman has Herbert Margolis 

writing the screenplay for "The S.O.B.'s," 

which Wellman also will direct. 

EARLY STARTS FOR TRIO 

In addition, three other top productions 

are being readied for early starts. These 

include "The Grass Is Greener," Grandon 

production which Stanley Donen will produce 

and direct in England with Cary 

Grant, Deborah Kerr, Robert Mitchum and 

Jean Simmons starring: "The Day of the 

Gun." Bryna production staiTing Rock 

Hudson and Kirk Douglas, to be made in 

Mexico with Robert Aldrich directing for 

producers Eugene Frenke and Edward 

Lewis, and "Romanoff and Juliet," to be 

made in Italy with Peter Ustinov producing, 

directing and starring, with Sandra 

Dee and John Gavin already set as his 

cos tars. 

Edward Ettinger Elected 

To Technicolor Board 

HOLLYWOOD — Edward E. Ettinger, 

vice-president and director of Eversharp, 

has been elected to the board of directors 

of Technicolor, according to John R. Clark 

jr.. president and general manager of the 

company. 

Ettinger succeeds Mm-ray D. Welch, who 

retired from the Technicolor board. 

BOXOFFICE March 14. 1960 W-1

On the Beach' Held 

AB-PT EXECUTIVES VISIT HOLLYWOOD—Prior to the meeting of American 

Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres affiliates at the Concord Hotel, Kiamesha 

Lake, N. Y., later this month, a team of circuit executives visited the major 

Hollywood studios last week regarding vice-president Edward L. Hyman's orderly 

release program. Shown here on the set of "The Pleasure of His Company" at 

Paramount are left to right: Bernard Levy, assistant to Hyman; George Aurelius, 

representing AB-PT theatres in Phoenix and Tucson: Earl Long, AB-PT in San 

Francisco; Jerry Zigmond, AB-PT, Los Angeles; Hyman; William Perlberg and 

George Seaton, producer and director of "Pleasure"; Arthur Krolich, AB-PT, 

Buffalo-Rochester; and John Krier, Salt Lake City. 

Preminger to Israel 

To Start 'Exodus' 

NEW YORK— Otto Preminger, 

who ha.s 

completed ca.sting for hi.s film version of 

Leon Uris' "Exodus," left for Israel Monday 

i7i where he will start production on 

the United Artists release March 28. The 

picture will be made entirely on location 

in color and the new Panavision 70 process 

and shooting will be completed in July. 

With the signing of Alexandra Stewart 

for the role of Jordana, the 12 leading 

players are headed by Paul Newman, Eva 

Marie Saint, Ralph Richardson, Lee J. 

Cobb. Peter Lawford. Sal Mineo, John 

Derek, Hugh Griffith, Jill Haworth, David 

Opatoshu and Michael Wager. 

Mark Forest Is Signed 

For 'Hercules' Film 

HOLLYWOOD—Italian producer Achillc 

Piazzi has signed American muscleman 

Mark Forest, who as Lou Degni was called 

"The Adonis with the perfect physique" 

by Bernarr McPadden. to star in "The 

Revenge of Hercules," a new spectacle 

film in widescreen and color which Piazzi 

plans to make in and around Rome for 

worldwide release. Vlttorio Cottafavi directs 

the film in which Forest will initially 

perform in English and then do his 

own dubbing for Italian exhibition. 

Piazzi has signed Forest on a three-picture 

deal and intends to exploit him and 

the pictures with blockbuster campaigns 

similar to those of other exploitation 

films based on this subject. 

French Films to Brenner 

NEW YORK—Joseph Brenner Associates 

has taken over the U. S. distribution of 

two French pictures, "The Idiot." from the 

Dostoyevsky play, which stars Gerard 

Philipe and Edwige Feuiller, and Jean 

Cocteau's "Closed Vision." The combination 

will open at the 8th Street Playhouse. 

New York, this spring. 

Aboaf Holds First Global 

Meeting on 'Spartacus 

PARIS—Americo Aboaf, Universal-International 

vice-president and foreign general 

manager, outlined the sales policies 

and guided the first of a series of overseas 

meetings devoted to the global launching 

of "Spartacus," the Bryna production 

which U-I will distribute, March 7. 

Managers from key European countries 

and Great Britain were in attendance with 

their publicity chiefs, as was Fortunat 

Baronat. director of foreign publicity. The 

meeting gave the foreign representatives 

an opportunity to participate in the early 

planning stages for pre-selling "Spartacus." 

not only in their individual territories 

but throughout the world. The company 

intends to take full advantage of this 

global thinking by utilizing the ideas emanating 

from forthcoming overseas "Spartacus" 

sessions. 

Also attending the Paris meeting, in addition 

to Aboaf and Baronat, were Marion 

P. Jordan, continental supervisor: Douglas 

J. Granville and John Nelson-Sullivan 

from Great Britain: Rene Delcoui-t and 

Charles Dubois. Prance: Orlando Calvo 

and Erniete Santucci, Italy: Lutz Scherer 

and Horst Hermanni. Germany; Karl 

Jungmarker and Loulou Lindborg, Sweden, 

and Jean Salles and Louis Piret. Belgium. 

California and Iowa Aid 

Academy Awards Drive 

NEW YORK — Brochures containing a 

wide variety of promotional ideas for the 

Academy Awards are being distributed by 

California exhibitor organizations and by 

the Central States Circuit of Des Moines, 

it was reported by Charles E. McCarthy, 

executive secretary of the Council of Motion 

Picture Organizations. 

WiUiam H. Thedford. National Theatres 

executive, notified McCarthy that California 

exhibitors are taking full advantage 

of the Academy Awards activities by using 

last years "Long Beach plan. which was 

' 

highly successful. They have already begun 

enlisting newspaper cooperation. The 

Oakland Tribune was among the first to 

announce an Oscar promotion contest. 

In 79 Key Cities 

LOS ANGELES— "On the Beach," produced 

and directed by Stanley Kramer, 

has been held over in .some 79 major situations 

throughout the country, with runs 

as long as eleven weeks in New York, L. A. 

and San Antonio. 

The film Ls in its sixth week in five situations, 

the fifth week in seven play dates, 

a fourth week in 21 bookings and holds 

over for a third week in a total of 43 engagements 

nationally. 

Name Foreign Sales Heads 

For 'Windjammer' Drive 

LOS ANGELES — Named to spearhead 

the worldwide sales drive for "Windjammer." 

first feature made in the Cinemiracle 

process, were the following National 

Telefilm Associates sales executives: 

Sidney Kramer, vice-president in charge 

of foreign sales, who will head the foreign 

sales of the widescreen picture, with 

the exception of the United Kingdom and 

Europe, which will be under the supervision 

of Vernon Burns, vice-president in 

charge of Europe: David Griesdorf, president 

of NTA of Canada

Film Research Group 

Is Ending Activity 

HOLLYWOOD—Due to economic pressure 

and the uncertain conditions currently 

facing the film industry, the Motion Picture 

Research Council, sponsored by the 

major motion picture companies, will be 

closed Friday '18). 

Termination of the council, which is 

financed by AMPP companies, will affect 

14 employes, according to William P. Kelley, 

who has been the organization's executive 

director for the past ten years. 

The MPRC, in its present form as a 

nonprofit California corporation, was 

formed by the AMPP in 1947 to act as an 

agency to centralize and coordinate the 

industry's research and development. From 

1932 until 1947. the industry's technical 

research was conducted by a branch of 

the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and 

Sciences, with financing also coming from 

the AMPP companies. 

Around 100 Celebrities 

Join Hollywood for Sane 

HOLLYWOOD—Shirley MacLaine. Sammy 

Davis jr., Nat "King" Cole, Jack Lemmon, 

Tony Randall. Henry Fonda. Peter 

Lawford and Marge and Gower Champion 

have joined more than 100 celebrities of 

the entertainment world as members of 

the sponsoring committee of Hollywood 

for Sane, a chapter of the national committee 

for Sane Nuclear Policy. Steve Allen 

and Robert Ryan are cochairmen of 

the local group whose aim is to urge an effective, 

permanent worldwide ban on the 

testing of nuclear weapons. 

Futuristic Comedy Slated 

By Producer Jack Harris 

HOLLYWOOD—"Rip Van Winkle in the 

21st Century," a futuristic comedy adapted 

from the classic tale, will be the next production 

on Jack H. Harris' slate. The producer 

said he hopes to interest Jack Lemmon 

or Tony Curtis in playing the title 

role in the story about a modern man who 

awakens from a 50-year sleep and faces 

the world of tomorrow. 

Harris is currently lensing "Dinosaurus" 

for U-I release and previously made "The 

Blob" and "4D Man." 

Director of 'Navarone' 

Withdraws From Picture 

HOLLYWOOD — Alexander 

Mackendrick 

has withdrawn as director of "The 

Guns of Navarone" for medical reasons, 

according to announcement made by 

writer-producer Carl Foreman. 

The picture unit, which stars Gregory 

Peck, David Niven, Anthony Quinn and 

Gia Scala. is set to start principal photography 

March 21 in Athens. 

Korean War Tale Director 

HOLLYWOOD—Producer Eugene Frenke 

has set Robert Webb to helm "Ai-irange," 

a Korean war story, to be lensed for United 

Artists release. The screenplay is by Don 

Cerveris. based on an original story by 

Frenke and Harold Evan. 

IT IS POSSIBLE for anyone to finish 

first in a race that barely got away 

MP 

from the starting gate, then independent 

producer Stanley 

Kramer must be declared 

the winnah in 

the repetitious, double-talk 

marathon in 

which he engaged 

with American Legion 

commander 

Martin B. McKneally 

on a recent "F.Y.I." 

4 ^T' 

/ telecast moderated 

\ ^^^ by J 

CBS reporter Bill 

Stout. As anyone who 

Stanley Kramer saw or read a transcript 

of the Stout 

program realizes, it was little more than 

an amplified version of the exchange of 

punts that were accorded moderate coverage 

at the time. Otto Preminger revealed 

that Dalton Trumbo would receive credit 

for scripting "Exodus." Kramer was 

dragged into the teapot tempest because 

of his hiring as a scripter one Hedrick 

Young. That was the time when Mc- 

Kneally threatened—to the tune of 

maximum headlines—to conduct a "War 

of Information" among Legionnaires to 

safeguard against the reinfiltration of 

Hollywood by Communists and fellow travelers. 

For the past several years, the ex-servicemen 

have made a whipping boy of 

Cinemania and certain of its denizens. 

And why not? Picking on the movies and 

those who work in and on them is certain 

to generate more coverage than if the 

same attacks were directed at persons engaged 

in more prosaic pursuits. The whipping-a-dead-horse 

tirades from the Legion 

have manifested themselves at all levels 

—from the local la la Adolphe Menjoui to 

the national, as illustrated by the current 

McKneally-Ki'amer donnybrook. It is 

doubted that they ever stopped the sale of 

a theatre ticket for a picture that the 

public—including Legionnaires — really 

wanted to see. 

Why, then, dignify such petty censorship 

or the threat thereof by having one of 

Hollywood's top and most talented producers 

subject himself to debating in public 

on an extinct issue? 

To make the situation more ludicrous is 

the fact that comparatively few viewers 

saw the Stout program. It was telecast 

locally from 9:00 to 9:30 a.m. on a Sunday 

morning:. At that hour Holiywoodsmen 

have many more important things to command 

their attention than who is being 

hired by whom—to write screenplays, that 

is. 

It is not known whether Stout, who often 

scrapes the bottom of the barrel for 

subject matter, conceived the senseless 

discussion on whether it was cooked up by 

Bill Blowitz, of the catch-as-catch-can 

freelance blurbery of Blowitz and Maskell. 

which handles publicity—spare the mark 

—for Kramer. 

If the latter is the case. Breezy Bill is to 

be rapped for performing a disservice for 

his client and the motion picture industry 

as a whole. 

Not that they need the money, but the 

Freres Warner should be able to pick up 

a few fast bucks by selling the material 

used in its recent "Welcome Back, Jack" 

sales drive to NBC to augment that video 

outfit's crow-decorated red carpet for Jack 

Paar. 

Apparently Bernie Kamins, once an active 

space snatcher, is still in business. At 

hand a release from him headed the Repertory 

Campaign and informing that 

"The Life of Benjamin 'Bugsy' Siegel, 

ganglord mysteriously slain in 1947 in the 

heart of Beverly Hills and whose murder 

was never solved officially, will be brought 

to the screen this year." 

After so long a hiatus of silence, it is 

welcome to learn that there are no plans 

to bring to the screen the life of Bernie, 

the Bashful Boy Blurber. 

Twentieth Century-Fox has registered 

the title "The Shnook" with MPAA. Producer-director 

Mervyn Le Roy's "Wake Me 

When It's Over" features a character who 

is called a "Shnook" and the tag is being 

considered as a possible sequel to the current 

picture. 

It is well to have this information on 

record, lest the natural conclusion is 

reached that the proposed handle was inspired 

by Praise Pundit Perry Lieber in a 

gin game. 

Bob Goodfried. one of the Gold Dust 

Twins of Columbia studio's publicity department, 

recently promoted a unique bit 

of theatre cooperation when he arranged 

that two first-run houses belonging to 

competing chains should cross-plug each 

other's current attractions. The Stanley 

Warner Beverly Hills Theatre ran a trailer 

on "Our Man in Havana." then showing 

at the Pox Wilshire, while that Fox West 

Coast's first-run house, just a few blocks 

distant, showed a trailer on "Suddenly, 

Last Summer," the attraction playing at 

the opposition Stanley Warner showcase. 

While it so happened that in this instance 

both were Columbia pictures, the 

idea could be embraced by other houses in 

many cities and neighborhoods, even 

though their current offerings stem from 

rival distributors. Anything that will sell 

additional tickets, even though it be for 

the other fellow, is a step in the right direction 

toward expediting the rewirming 

of that lost audence. 

Buttery Bob took some of the impressiveness 

out of his well-deserved and deep 

bow for negotiating the unusual tieup by 

captioning the publicity handout devoted 

thereto with the following helping of corn: 

"MACYS TELLS GIMBELS" 

BOXOFFICE :: March 14. 1960 W-3

— 

— 

— 

— 

— — 

— 

— 

held 

— 

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— 

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'Cranes' Is Bright 210 

In Bow on LA Scene 

LOS ANGELES—Local business was dependent 

on holdovers for the most part, 

though the appearance of the Russian exchange 

film, "The Cranes Are Plying," 

sparkled at a bright 210 per cent. "Our 

Man in Havana" held up well with 170, as 

did the hard ticket "Scent of Mystery" 

' 

and the still-leading "Ben-Hur with 

a handsome 265. 

(Average Is 100) 

Beverly Conon The Lovers (Zenith), 17th wk. 115 

Chinese—On the Beoch (UA), 12th wk 100 

Downtown Poromount, Pix, Wiltern The 

Bramble Bush (WB); Various seconds, 2nd wk. 60 

El Rey, Los Angeles, Pontages and eight driveins 

Sink the Bismarck! (20th-Fox); vorious 

seconds 1 05 

Egyptian Ben-Hur (MGM), 15th wk 265 

Fine Arts The Magician (Jonus), 5th wk 75 

Four Stor The Crones Arc Flying (WB)....210 

Fox Wilshire Our Mon in Havana (Col), 4th wk. 170 

Hawaii, Hiiistrccl Frankenstein's Doughter 

(Astor); Missile to the Moon (Aster) 60 

Hollywood, Orphcum Take a Giant Step (UA); 

Satchmo the Greot (UA) 50 

Hollywood Paramount, State The Lost Voyage 

75 

(MGM); various seconds, 2nd wk. 

Music Hall The Mouse Thot 

. 

Roared (Col), 

11th wk 120 

Ritz Scent of Mystery (Todd), 7th wk 170 

Vagabond Angry Island (Bcntlcy) 100 

Vogue Toby Tyler (BV), 4th wk 125 

Warner Beverly Suddenly, Last Summer (Col), 

11th wk 120 

Warner Hollywood Seorch for Paradise 

(Cinerama), 4th wk 110 

'Bush' Scores Big 300 

At Denver Paramount 

DENVER— "The Bramble Bush" opened 

here with a highly gratifying 300 per cent. 

ideol 

WAHOO is 

th* 

boxoffice attraction 

to increase business on your 

"ofF-nights". 

Write t^day for complete 

details. 

Be sure to give seating 

or car 

capacity. 

HOLLYWOOD AMUSEMENT 

CO. 

37S0 Oaklon St. • Skoklo, IllinoU 

OTioN 

Picture Service co. 

125 HVOt • SAN FRANCISCO 2. CALIF. . GERRY KARSKI, PRES. 

"Our Man in Havana" and "Toby Tyler" 

both were excellent in second and third 

weeks, respectively, and other patronage 

levels all attained average or substantially 

better. 

Aloddin Solomon and Shebo (UA), 3rd wk. of 

2nd d.t. run 100 

Centre Suddenly, Lost Summer (Col), 4tti wk...I25 

Denhom—Closed for remodeling. 

Denver—Toby Tyler (BV), 3rd wk 200 

Esquire The Lodykillers (Confl); To Paris With 

Love (Cont'i), revivals 125 

Orpheum The Last Voyoge (MGM); Copper Sky 

;20th-Fox), reissue 120 

Poromount The Bramble Bush (WB) 300 

Towne Our Man in Havana (Col), 2nd wk 220 

I 

Holdovers Taper Off 

In San Francisco 

SAN FRANCISCO—First-run attractions 

all holdovers except at the Fox and a return 

run at the Golden Gatci had to settle 

for somewhat disappointing grosses 

here. "Suddenly, Last Summer" played its 

seventh and final week at the St. Francis 

and "On the Beach" ended a ten-week run 

at the United Artists. 

Fox The Wosp Woman (SR), Beast From 

Haunted Cove :5R) 90 

Golden Gate Some Like It Hot (UA); A Hole in 

the Head (UA), return runs 85 

Orphcum Windjammer (Cinerama), I 5th wk 225 

Poromount Jock the Ripper (Para); The Big 

Night (Poro), 2nd wk 90 

St. Francis Suddenly, Last Summer (Col), 7th wk. 100 

Stage Door The Big Fisherman (BV), 3rd wk...l00 

United Artists On the Beoch (UA), 10th wk 70 

Vogue The Mouse That Roared (Col), lOth wk. 175 

Worfield The Lost Voyage (MGM); Torzon the 

Ape Man (MGM), 2nd wk 90 

Good Offerings 

Are Dulled 

By Portland Snowstorm 

PORTLAND— "Ben-Hur" continued to 

lead boxoffice estimates here with a steady 

250 per cent. An unseasonal snowstorm hit 

here Thursday

. . 

. . Jimmy 

. . Mrs. 

SAN FRANCISCO 

Opyros Skouras, head of 20th Century- 

Fox, flew in from New York February 

29 to address 500 persons at the Faii-mont 

Hotel on behalf of the World Refugee Committee 

of Northern California. Skouras left 

the following day for Los Angeles to watch 

strike negotiations, supervise closing of the 

studio and help prepare reissuing of old 

films for theatre presentation. 

Jean Renoir, noted French film director, 

discussed "The Films as an Art Form" 

February 29 at St. Mary's College . . . Actor 

Sterling Hayden was married to New 

York socialite Catherine McConnell in a 

ceremony at Sausalito in Marin County . 

'The Mouse That Roared," British comedy 

at the Vogue, was having such a popular 

run it forced postponement of Ingmar 

Bergman's "The Magician." 

An enthusiastic group of the Women of 

Variety gathered at the home of Mrs. Irving 

Levin Tuesday d ) to discusss plans 

for their annual Chuck Wagon dinnerdance 

to be held May 15 at the Sui'f club. 

Guests will have an opportunity to fm-ther 

the work for Blind Babies . . . Mrs. Max 

Ratner has returned to her home and is on 

the road to recovei-y. 

Booking and buying were Bill Blair, 

Crescent City; Arthur Barnett, Oakland; 

Alan Finley, Sonora and Boyes Springs; 

Tony Gambozi and Dan Tocchini, Sebastopol, 

and Bill Myers of Sanger. 

Ken Elson of the Crown Vending team 

rolled 231 for the top individual game in 

the 22nd week play of the Variety Club 

Mixed Bowling League. Match results; 

Blackfield, 2, Pischoff Signs. 2; Parson 

Theatres, 4, Concord Inn, 0; Motion Picture 

Service, 3, Crest Sales, 1, and Crown 

Vending, 4, Blumenfield, 0. 

C-B Educational Films announced plans 

for an expansion of their present film line 

and the appointment of David L. Goodman 

as general manager in charge of 

sales and marketing activities. William. M. 

Flanagan was named operations manager 

and Joseph R. DeGi-ace, advertising and 

sales promotion manager. 

United Artists in Deal 

For 'Force of Impulse' 

LOS ANGELES— -A 

deal has been set by 

United Artists with Gayle-Swimmer-Anthony 

Productions to distribute that company's 

"Force of Impulse." a crime drama 

to be filmed on location in Miami Beach 

starring Robert Alda and Lionel Hampton. 

Hampton also will score the picture. 

Producers of the film, all 22 years of 

age, are Peter Gayle, Saul Swimmer and 

Tony Anthony, who won the last Venice 

Film Festival's "gold palm" for the short, 

"The Boy Who Owned a Melephant," which 

featured Tallulah Bankliead. 

Projectionist Nug Cornell 

PHOENIX. ARIZ.—Nug Cornell, 

a pioneer 

projectionist, died here recently. He 

started at the old Apache Theatre here 

and went on to work in nearly all local 

theatres. His son Nug jr. is projectionist 

at the Vista Theatre. 

Eastern Good Will Trip 

By Festival Director 

SAN FRANCISCO— Irving M. Levin, executive 

director of the San Francisco International 

Film Festival and president 

of the Northern California Theatre Owners 

Ass'n, returned from his convention activities 

in Washington, D. C, at the TOA 

conclave and his goodwill mission to New 

York in behalf of the festival. 

As head of the foreign film committee 

of TOA, Levin addressed the convention 

in Washington prior to traveling to New 

York. Here he was host of a highly successful 

press and industry cocktail party. 

Among guests were film critic Bosley 

Crowther of the New York Times; John 

McCarten, critic of the New Yorker 

magazine and a 1959 San Francisco Film 

Festival judge, and columnist Earl Wilson. 

Levin is preparing the field for the 1960 

fourth annual San Francisco International 

Film Festival, which will be held October 

19 -November 1. 

Steady Cold Wave Hurting 

Rural Colorado Grosses 

DENVER—Exhibition and distribution 

personnel would not hazard a guess as to 

the losses sustained in theatre grosses and 

film rentals due to the record cold wave 

which continues on here. 

The most severe sustained cold wave 

since 1883 seems to have affected grosses 

in the rui-al ai-eas to a greater degree than 

in the larger cities. Most rural roads remain 

impassable and theatres dependent 

upon farm patronage are badly hurt. Some 

eastern Colorado situations report that 

fields and secondary roads have been 

snow-covered since a heavy snow storm 

which hit January 1. The resulting business 

slump is being felt by all of the merchants 

in the smaller communities. 

Theatres in the larger key centers continue 

to do very well considering the zero 

temperatures and ice-covered streets 

which are encountered by potential patronage. 

38 California Drive-Ins 

Cross-Plugging 'Porgy' 

LOS ANGELES—Starting last week and 

continuing for the next two weeks, 38 

Southern California drive-in theatres will 

participate in a musical cross-plug to promote 

Samuel Goldwyn's "Porgy and Bess." 

The promotional plan consists of a special 

15 -minute pitch for the picture that will 

be heard by all patrons of the drive-ins. 

"Porgy." being distributed by Columbia 

Pictures, opens a multiple run at popular 

prices in this area Wednesday (16). 

Saperstein to Assist 

LOS ANGELES—Heni-y Saperstein & 

Associates have been engaged to handle 

the commercial merchandising phases of 

the U-I long range campaign for the 10- 

million-dollar Bi-yna production of "Spartacus." 

On Cathedral Films Board 

HOLLYWOOD — George Seaton and 

Elmer C. Rhoden have been elected to the 

board of directors of Cathedral Films, a 

nonprofit religious film production company. 

DENVER 

Qarl Schaffer, owner of the Dakota, 

. 

Sturgis, S.D., has bought the Belle, 

Belle Fouche, S. D., from the Black Hills 

Dr. P. E. Rider has 

Amusement Co. . . . 

closed the Chateau, Wauneta, Neb., due 

to poor business A. B. Hilliard 

has taken over operation of the Chipeta, 

Ouray, from Ed. V. Green & Associates, 

Dallas. 

. 

Albert Petry, owner of the Mesa. Pagosa 

Springs, has been released from St. Joseph's 

Hospital in Del Norte, where he 

has been undergoing operations for a permanent 

injui-y which he sustained in an 

automobile accident ten years ago 

Isidore Gerstner, Wells. Cheyenne 

. . 

Wells, 

was in Denver for clinical check-ups and 

did some booking between X-rays. 

. . 

Jack Felix, who recently resigned as 

Allied Artists manager, has joined Air Dispatch, 

Inc., of Denver. Air Dispatch operates 

in conjunction with the Denver Shipping 

and Inspection Bureau . Bob Spahn 

of United Enterprises will be handling 

booking for the local Centennial Drive-In 

for the coming season. 

Harold Wirthwein, district manager for 

Allied Artists, was in calling on the accounts 

with Fi-ank Green, exchange manager 

. . . John Thomas of Paramount was 

motmting the license plates on his new 

company car . Auten has been 

commuting between here and Salt Lake 

City. He set up publicity for "Porgy and 

Bess" and "Suddenly, Last Summer." 

Word was received in exchange centers 

here of the death of Tom Wade in El 

Paso, Tex. Wade was the former manager 

of the Bell Drive-In, Dm-ango. He left 

Durango to take over management of the 

Bronco Drive-In at El Paso for U. A. Kane. 

The Lakeshore Drive-In has set an early 

date on the reissue of "Cell 2455, Death 

Row," in order to capitalize upon the reams 

of publicity being gi-anted Caryl Chessman 

and his fight against the death penalty 

. . . "Because They're Young" was screened 

for the Parent-Teacher Ass'n. 

Visitors to Filmrow were George Sawaya. 

Strand Theatre, Trinidad: Carman Romano, 

Rex, Louisville; Herb Gumper, Center, 

Center, and Neil Beezley, Midway. Burlington. 

Voyage' Producer 

'Last 

Explains Objective 

EL PASO—Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Stone 

were guests of Interstate Theatres managers 

here at a press luncheon. Producer 

and director of "The Last Voyage," currently 

showing at the Plaza, Stone and his 

wife Virginia, traveled around the world 

seeking the right location and the right 

vehicle to maintain suspense. 

'Can-Can' Party Record 

LOS ANGELES—According to the volume 

of requests coming in. group theatre 

parties for the Carthay Theatre engagement 

of 20th-Fox's "Can-Can" will set a 

three-year record, Fox West Coast Theatres 

reveals. Orders are running from 

blocks of 500 seats to complete sellouts. 

BOXOFFICE March 14, 1960 W-5

DISTRIBUTION 

WILL HAVE 'SAY 

TO EXHIBITORS FROM 5 STATES 

Three-Day Joint Meet 

For Mountain Ass'ns 

Starts March 15 

SALT LAKE CITY—Al Pickus. president 

of Theatre Owners of America, and Robert 

Selig. president of Fox Intermountain 

Albert Pickus 

Robert W. Selig 

Theatres, will be among the outstanding industry 

speakers at the second annual 

Mountain States Theatre Ass'n spring convention 

at Hotel Utah Motor Lodge Tuesday 

(151 through Thursday

. . . Jules 

SALT LAKE CITY 

gen-Hur" was launched at the Centre 

Theatre before a special audience 

which included civic, business and religious 

leaders. Many persons were dressed formally. 

It was the first such local theatre 

party to attract black ties in several years. 

The Centre was remodeled for the showing. 

Seven rows of seats were taken out at the 

front to allow for installing of the biggest 

indoor screen in Utah. 56x26 feet. New carpeting 

was put in place and a new curtain 

was installed in front of the screen. 

The wife of Warren Bunting, manager 

of Utah Drive-In Corp., gave birth to a 

baby boy in a Salt Lake hospital . . . Kathryn 

Braby, widow of Bob Braby. United 

Artists office manager, died from a heart 

ailment. She had been active in local theatre 

circles for several years and at one 

time was manager of the old Empire Theatre. 

ago. 

Her husband died just a few months 

. . 

Helen Garrity Yorke, 20th-Pox publicity 

representative, left for a meeting at the 

John Krier, vice-president and 

studio . . . 

general manager of Intermountain Theatres, 

returned from a ten -day visit to 

Hollywood . Several Salt Lake City film 

executives and salesmen were drawing up 

plans to revive the old Salt Lake Motion 

Picture Club which has been defunct for 

two or three years. 

Strict Adults Only Law 

Is Asked in Ogden, Utah 

OGDEN. UTAH—A request that an ordinance 

be passed to require theatre owners 

to restrict audiences of the "adults only" 

pictures to adults is under consideration by 

the city council. The request came from 

the Weber County Youth Protective Committee, 

headed by Mrs. Mary Doman. 

She submitted the request at the same 

time the council received results of a survey 

which showed a considerable number 

of juveniles are attending "adults only" 

movies. 

The survey was made by the Ogden Police 

Youth Bureau in three theatres which 

were exhibiting "adults only" pictures. In 

one 75 per cent of the "adult" audience 

was made up of juveniles; 40 per cent 

at another, and 18 per cent at the third. 

Mrs. Doman said the "adults only" tag 

attracts the juveniles, and asked the council 

to give the theatremen legal power to 

deny the youngsters admittance. 

Deal for Tom Loughlin 

HOLLYWOOD — Edward Small has 

signed Tom Laughlin, the producer, director, 

writer and star of "The Proper 

Time," to a four-picture contract under 

which he is to perform the triple duties 

of writer-producer-director. "Proper Time" 

is to to be shown at Cannes in April. 

UCLA Student Wins Award 

HOLLYWOOD — The Screen Directors 

Guild's Foundation has awarded a scholarship 

to Angehca Karakoulaki, theatre arts 

student at UCLA, to produce a documentary 

film as her thesis for her master's 

degree, it was revealed by David Butler, 

foundation president. 

Looking over construction plans for 

the new clubrooms of Variety Tent 

32 at San Francisco are, top photo, 

(left to right), Benjamin Bonapart, 

executive secretary; R. A. Eckels, 

architect, and Benn Hamm, chief 

barker. Bottom photo shows Bob 

Eckels and Al Grubstick, secretary of 

the club, doing some work on the new 

quarters. 

PORTLAND 

Â/arren Slee, 20th Century-Fox northwest 

exploiteer, staged a preview (8) at the 

21st Avenue of "A Dog of Flanders," 

scheduled for the Fox-Evergreen. The 

screening was attended by members of the 

press, radio and television and civic leaders 

Gerelick. west coast executive 

for Lopert Films, was in town conferring 

with exhibitors. 

. . 

Martin Foster, Guild and Fine Arts 

operator, was in town from San Francisco 

conferring with Nancy Welch. Portland 

manager . "The Mouse That Roared" 

was in a 12th week. It will be followed by 

"The Cranes Are Flying," Warner Bros.' 

release of the Russian exchange film. 

Shelley Berman packed the Paramount 

Theatre March 1 but the appearance on 

the same stage of the Festival of Norway 

was not as successful. Herman's Northwest 

tour brought packed houses including the 

largest crowd ever to turn out for a 

monologist at the famed MacArthur Comt 

Pavilion at the University of Oregon in 

Eugene Tuesday (8). 

Civic leaders, including theatremen, were 

guests of United Aii-lines Monday (7) and 

Tuesday < 8 > on invitational flights of the 

new DC -8 which will give Portland jet 

service. 

SEATTLE 

Cale of the Egyptian Theatre Building, located 

in the heart of the University 

district, to accommodate expansion of an 

adjacent Pay 'n' Save Drug store has been 

completed. The theatre building was purchased 

by Northwest Investment Co., which 

plans major remodeling in excess of $200,- 

000 for the drug company. The Egyptian 

will continue in operation until construction 

begins, about August 1. 

The Music Box Theatre in Tacoma, one 

of the Hamrick circuit, was temporarily 

closed Sunday night il3i ... Warren Slee, 

20th-Fox publicist, was in Spokane and 

Portland working on publicity for forthcoming 

openings. 

"Dog of Flanders" opened Wednesday 

• 9) at the Coliseum and "Sink the Bismarck!" 

is going into the Fifth Avenue 

March 23. In Spokane "Dog of Flanders" 

is set for the State Wednesday il6) and 

"Bismarck!" at the Fox March 23 . . . The 

openings of many northwest drive-ins were 

canceled because of the untimely snow. If 

the good weather that has returned continues 

to hold, operation will be underway 

soon, including Pat's Drive-In at Smelterville. 

Exhibitors on the Row from out-of-town 

include: Howard Wood, Kettle, Kettle 

Falls, in from Lewiston, Ida.; Harry Wall, 

also of Lewiston; Jerry Vanderver, Orado, 

Oroville, and Martin Falleto, Chelan. 

2 Fox Montana Managers 

Given New Assignments 

HELENA, MONT.—Sid Page, manager 

of the Marlow Theatre, has been transferred 

to Missoula and has been replaced 

by Lawrence Flesch of Billings. 

Jack McGee of Salt Lake City, district 

manager for Fox Intermountain Theatres, 

who was here to make the announcement, 

said the Marlow management job will be 

Plesch's first as manager as it was Page's 

in 1950. 

Flesch is a native of Lewistown, where 

he graduated from high school. He attended 

Montana State College for two 

years before becoming assistant manager 

of the Babcock Theatre. He served three 

years in the army in World War II. 

Flesch's first job with Fox was at the Fox 

Theatre at Lewistown. He held this for 

five years. 

A native of Rawlins, Wyo., Page started 

with Fox there 23 years ago. He has managed 

theatres in Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska 

and Utah. He managed the Marlow 

Theatre for five years and was then transferred 

to Alliance, Neb., for a year. Following 

a short leave of absence. Page was 

given the managership of the Academy 

Theatre in Provo. Utah. He returned to 

Helena in May 1959, when he again became 

manager of the Marlow Theatre. He 

will manage both the Pox and Roxy theatres 

in Missoula. 

Bob Mulligan Due Back 

HOLLYWOOD—After a month of absence 

due to the writers strike, director 

Robert Mulligan was due to report back 

on the Universal-International lot Monday 

(7) to prepare "The Great Imposter." 

BOXOFFICE March 14, 1960 W-7

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7 

A biopsy (examination of suspected tissue removed from the 

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9 

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lO 

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THIRD SHOW-A-RAMA STRESSES 

POSITIVE, DO'IT-NOW THEME 

Spring Season Push Urged 

In One Session; Over 

425 at Gathering 

KANSAS CITY—A uniformed marching 

band with brasses agleam, horns ablowing 

and drum booming appeared at high noon 

Tuesday (8) to launch the United Theatre 

Owners of the Heart of America's third 

Show-a-Rama convention. After a couple 

of brisk tours of the "midway"—the trade 

show display on the fourth floor—the band 

mounted to the massive meeting room on 

the sixth floor and poured forth a succession 

of stirring tunes which had the 300 

guests assembled for the kickoff meeting 

hand-clapping and foot-stomping. 

MORE CHEERFULNESS 

More than 425 independent exhibitors, 

circuit men, distributors, suppliers and concessioners 

converged on the Continental 

Hotel from 21 states for the three -day 

gathering. There was a light-heartedness, 

a feeling of cheer, more widespread than 

at previous Show-a-Ramas. This year it 

seemed much of the "sink or swim" pressure 

had vanished, and been replaced by 

a feeling of relaxed confidence, reflecting 

a new belief in industry prosperity. 

Even more noticeable—and a point mentioned 

by most of the speakers—was the 

level of concentration accorded to each 

part of the program. Along with this went 

plenty of enthusiasm and plenty of good 

humor. 

A "bigtop" atmosphere was created by 

an overhead array of banners in gay, gaudy 

colors, strings upon strings of the sharppointed 

pennons stretching up into the 

topmost reaches of the assembly room. 

Clusters of variegated balloons added to 

the illusion. The entire job had been carried 

out in the small hours of Tuesday 

morning by Doug Lightner and his Ughting 

and decorating committee. 

MAJOR PRAISES CIVIC AID 

Beverly Miller, UTO president, welcomed 

the gathering and introduced H. 

Roe Bartle, mayor, who greeted conventioneers 

in his customai-y hearty manner. 

Mayor Bartle gave a real pat on the back 

to the industry when he said that in any 

kind of civic cause, public emergency or 

authorized drive theatremen here always 

are the fii-st to rally, the most enthusiastic 

lending the facilities of their theatres 

and personnel. 

Elected directors of UTO were Fred C. 

Souttar, Fox Midwest Theatres; Glen 

Dickinson jr., Dickinson Theatres, Mission; 

Abbott J. Sher, Exhibitors Film Delivery 

& Services Co.; Jay Wooten, Hutchinson, 

Kas., and Richard Durwood, Durwood 

Theatres. 

M. B. Smith, coordinator of the business-building 

session which followed the 

keynote talk, declared the three-month 

period of April, May and Jime can be 

(Continued on next page) 

Bob Selig Points Out Seven Steps 

To Superior Brand of Showmanship 

KANSAS CITY — Sometime within the 

near future, a Denver resident is going to 

pick up his birthday mail and find an attractive 

Hallmark greeting card which, 

besides wishing him a happy birthday, is 

also an invitation to attend a movie of 

his choice. What marks this birthday 

greeting approach from other exhibitor 

promotions is that Hallmark, the world's 

largest manufacturer of greeting cards, designed 

the card and will handle the entire 

distribution of what is probably the 

largest mailing of birthday cards ever 

made, 175,000 or more, over a period of a 

year. 

About the same time, 85 happy Denver 

kids are going to fly to Disneyland aboard 

a United Airliner for a one day treat in 

a joint airlines-theatre promotion which 

will help sell a current motion picture 

playing 34 suburban theatres and launch a 

national advertising campaign for United 

Airlines. It wiU be a widely publicized 

all-kid airlift and it won't cost the exhibitors 

a cent. 

OFFERS SEVEN-POINT PLAN 

These two off-beat promotions were cited 

here this week by Robert W. Selig, president 

of Fox Intermountain Theatres, as 

examples of superior showmanship in delivering 

the keynote address at Show-a- 

Rama III, the annual convention and 

tradeshow of United Theatre Owners of 

the Heart of America. 

His address, "Success—Do-It-Youi-self- 

Style," called for a seven-point program 

which exhibitors should develop at the 

home town level. Each point was based 

on a letter of the word "Success." He 

urged an end to "Stigmatized Showmanship," 

the kind of thoughtless showmanship 

which puts the stigma of poor taste on the 

theatre in the community. As an example, 

he pointed to the exhibitor who recently 

showed a trailer for "Mile. Striptease" 

dui-ing the i-un of "The Big Fisherman" 

John Meinardi Makes 

Complete Recovery 

Kansas City—John Meinardi, Fox 

Midwest district manager who collapsed 

at the close of his talk during 

the first afternoon session of Showa-Rama 

here Tuesday afternoon, was 

taken to Menorah Hospital for a thorough 

checking over. His trouble was 

diagnosed as acute indigestion combined 

with general fatigue, an overheated 

atmosphere possibly being an 

aggravating factor. Meinardi was given 

a "clean bill of health" and was released 

to return home Thursday morning. 

and the theatreman who held a special 

screening for high school students for "A 

Summer Place" and brought on an organized 

movement for censorship in his 

town. 

"We are the masters of our own advertising 

in our hometowns," he said, "and 

no one can force us to use the copy which 

has been prepared for a campaign by someone 

else. The responsibility for good taste 

rests with us." 

His other points were "Upbeat Utopia," 

"Community Challenge," "Chronic 

Cleanliness," "Enchanting Enthusiasm," 

"Spreading the Sizzle," and "Superior 

Salesmanship." 

KNOW YOUR LEGISLATORS 

He urged exhibitors to play a greater 

role on the legislative front, to get to 

know their congressmen and senators so 

that when the industry is confronted with 

adverse legislation they will be ready to 

act immediatefly. Recently, when Theatre 

Owners of America board members met 

in Washington and called on congressmen 

to oppose expanding wages and hours regulations 

to include theatres, they were informed 

that expressions of opposition from 

exhibitor constituents was virtually nonexistent. 

On the other hand, restaui-ant 

owners also fighting the expanded legislation 

had been harpooning congressmen 

with opposition for three months. 

Selig told the exhibitors they must develop 

sound, intimate and friendly relations 

with the hometown neighbors, in 

order to make the theatre a pivotal spot 

in the community. He told of a theatreman 

in his area who invited all civic luncheon 

clubs in his town to hold a joint luncheon 

at his theatre. The clubs provided theiiown 

box lunches. The exhibitor screened 

portions of cmTent product and the affaii' 

was about as effective a piece of public 

relations as the town had ever seen. 

MUST BE IMMACULATE 

The keynoter urged absolute cleanliness 

especially in the washrooms. It isn't how a 

washroom looks on a routine inspection at 

9 a.m. but how it looks at 4:30 p.m. 

on a Saturday, he said—making the point 

that employes should be trained to check 

washrooms throughout the opening hours. 

He advised all theatremen to conduct 

their own research, to learn more about 

hometown likes and dislikes and to try 

new and imaginative ideas in showTnanship. 

Too much of today's advertising and 

promotion remains unchanged from that 

of 20 years ago, he said. 

New York actor Eli Wallach will play a 

starring role in UA's "The Magnificent 

Seven." 

BOXOFHCE March 14, 1960 C-1

subject 

and 

Campaigns for Seven New Films Outlined 

'Continued 

from preceding page) 

a fruitful one for the enterprising theatre 

managers, and that the orderly 

release policy which UTO and other exhibitor 

groups have advocated will be of 

great benefit this spring to showmen who 

have imagination and will work. 

Seven major pictures scheduled for release 

during the three months by the 

seven major companies were given careful 

analysis during the session. 

Tom Bridge. Paramount division manager 

from Dallas, led off with the Jerry 

Lewis starrer, "Visit to a Small Planet." 

With the help of stills from the picture and 

advertising slides he was able to transmit 

some of the flavor of the comedy, which, 

he emphasized, has a "space angle" which 

increases its timeliness. Bridge said a tiein 

has been arranged with a new Civil 

Air Patrol cadet training program aimed 

at high school students. Smith added that 

"Visit" will lend itself to the same types 

of promotion which made "Journey to 

the Center of the Earth" such a quick 

boxoffice hit. 

Larry Day, chief of publicity for Central 

States Theatres, Des Moines, presented a 

campaign outline for Columbia's "Who 

Was That Lady?" Day stressed radio 

spots for this one. and illustrated this 

with the Dean Martin platter of the theme 

song and a series of slides. The full outline 

of Day's campaign will appear in a 

forthcoming issue of Boxoffice Showmandiser. 

CAMPAIGN FOR 'SNOW QUEEN' 

A full and dramatic treatment of U-I's 

"The Snow Queen" was mapped by Darrel 

Presnell, Fox Midwest publicity and 

advertising manager. First came a lovely 

and vivacious model carrying a large sack 

of plastic foam "snowballs" which she 

tossed into the audience 'a number of 

them had dollar bills tucked inside). Presnell 

bore down hard on the popularity of 

the "voice stars" in the animated picture 

—Sandra Dee. Tommy Kirk and Patty 

McCormack—and outlined a comprehensive 

program of national advertising which 

will bolster the picture. Art Linkletter. who 

is featui-ed in a prologue, will act as a 

• • • 

"one-man sales team" for the film, which 

Presnell predicts will become a screen classic 

for children. 

John Meinardi, Fox Midwest district 

manager, covered a campaign for Warner 

Bros.' "Tall Story" keyed to stimulate the 

interest of young people through its twin 

subjects—young love and basketball—and 

its youthful stars. Anthony Perkins and 

Jane Fonda. He pointed out that the signature 

song is on the same platter with 

"Clementine." top hit by Bobby Darin, 

which will help make the title familiar to 

teenagers— the nation's leading record 

buyers. 

IDEAS BY DAVE JONES 

Dave Jones, advertising manager with 

the Kerasotes circuit, Springfield, 111. took 

up the United Artists release "The Gallant 

Hours." which, he stressed, should always 

be mentioned with its subject. Admiral 

"Bull" Halsey, hero of the Pacific 

fleet in World War II, as portrayed by 

James Cagney. Jones played soundtrack 

material from the film and showed original 

art-work ad ideas. 

Woody Barritt, drive-in theatre partner 

of Wichita, and vice-president of UTO, 

covered a major MGM release, "Home 

From the Hill," playing soundtrack excerpts, 

quoting the Boxoffice review comments 

on the tasteful handling of the 

" 

"touchy matter in the film, and 

concluding with an imposing trailer. 

Smith outlined the final campaign, that 

for the 20th-Fox comedy "Wake Me When 

It's Over." a Mervyn Leroy production. 

Smith gave a full report on the "newfaces" 

angle of the service comedy, pointing 

out that many of the featured players 

already have presold television followings. 

A full-scale trailer for the film—entertaining 

enough to be enjoyed for its own 

sake—wound up his presentation. 

Three Petty-type calendar girls representing 

Miss April, Miss May and Miss 

June—each of whom carried a lettered 

showmanship motto— if anyone was bothering 

to read, were then brought out. Just 

to make sure. Smith himself read the 

"clinchers" which provided the finale to 

an idea-filled selling session. 

Parade of Product for New Season Release 

The Parade of Product session Wednesday 

morning after the breakfast was impressive—with 

trailers, titles and word 

descriptions—of the releases which will 

reach the screens this spring, through 

April. May and June, none of which will 

be affected by the strike of Screen Actors 

Guild. Presiding were Dick Brous of National 

Theatres here and Dick Orear of 

Commonwealth Theatres. 

Reese Wade laid down a keynote of hard 

work, more than 40 hours a week when 

necessary, as the reliable, tested recipe 

for success in promotion as for success at 

anything. He substituted for Jay Berry of 

Alexander Film Co. 

John S. Allen. MGM southwest sales 

manager, listing the MGM releases for 

this spring led off the Parade of Product. 

He showed a trailer of "The Last Voyage." 

Frank Thomas. Allied Artists manager, 

concentrated on "The Hypnotic Eye." with 

a trailer, and a review from the January 

25 Boxoffice. He pointed to the hint of 

hypnosis in a recent air crash, adding to 

the timeliness of the film. Tom Bridge, 

Paramount division manager, screened 

"The Greatest Show on Earth" trailer and 

urged full exploitation for the rerelease of 

this big one. 

Chick Evens, 20th-Pox publicist, screened 

the trailer for "The Story of Ruth." and 

recalled an exhibitor who didn't want to 

book it because he thought it was a baseball 

picture. The fihn is a Biblical spectacle, 

the first time ever filmed. 

Bob Williamson. Universal, cited 

"Spartacus" and "Romanoff and Juliet" 

its top spring releases. Columbia has so 

many fine releases that it is competing 

with itself, Ben Marcus, district manager, 

commented. He displayed the Big C brochure. 

Don Walker, Warner Bros, publicist, 

showed three trailers, one on the featurette 

"Israel. and the others on "This Rebel 

" 

" 

Breed "The Rise and Fall of Legs 

Diamond." 

"Boy, what competition we've got!" remarked 

James Velde. United Artists sales 

manager, who wound up the parade. He 

stressed the UA policy of releasing it's big 

pictures at the rate of one a month. In 

release now is "Solomon and Sheba." with 

"Rawgut" and "Elmer Gantry" upcoming. 

Never feel any picture is so completely 

presold that no local promotion is necessary, 

asserted Orear in winding up the 

Parade of Product session. 

• • • 

Concessions 

Course 

An enthusiastic audience responded with 

intense interest and attention to the inspirational 

words of the panel of speakers 

at the Concessions College Curriculum 

held Thursday UOi morning, conducted 

under the auspices of the National Ass'n 

of Concessionaires. 

"We are here to elevate the concessions 

business and thus increase profits," said 

Professor Spiro J. Papas, NAC president, 

in his opening remarks. He pointed out, 

that to accompILsh this purpose, the manager 

must be a perfectionist, concerned 

with hundreds of details which if watched 

carefully, would send volume up and up 

and up. 

GIVES A PRESCRIPTION! 

Dr. Marvin Sandorf. manager of the 

Twin Theataire in Indianapolis, approached 

the podium setting his physician's 

kit on the speakers table. "I didn't come to 

diagnose the condition." he said, "but to 

prescribe for it." 

Contents of the kit were passed out for 

inspection during his talk. They included 

a license plate, a crystal goblet and a metal 

tray—all of which are used in promotions 

at the Theataire. The license plate is 

sold for $1 and occasionally there are 

stockholders' nights w'hen cars bearing 

them are admitted free. Goblets are given 

free to increase drink sales: the metal 

tray is given entirely free to all comers 

at the boxoffice. 

Exploring possibilities of new items and 

new methods was recommended by Harold 

Chesler, NAC vice-president. 

Reasonable stability of the popcorn 

market can be expected, with a constant 

supply for the remainder of 1960, Charles 

Manley, Manley. Inc.. told his listeners. 

DRIVE-IN DIVERSIFICATION 

There is an opportunity for theatre concessionaires 

to expand by diversification 

into related amusement fields, such as 

roller and ice rinks, parks, zoos, etc., where 

their skill and knowledge are greatly 

needed, according to Robert E. Hustad jr.. 

advertising manager of F\mspot Magazine. 

A big hurdle has been overcome in the 

construction of a new, continuous popcorn 

machine which is entirely automatic in 

operation. H. E. Chrisman. Cretors Corp., 

said his company has tested for a year, and 

now has on the market such a popper 

which has licked the salt bugaboo by using 

a salt tablet. 

A sound slide film. "Straighten Up and 

Fry Right," was shown by Carl Magee, 

Proctor & Gamble Co. 

C-2 BOXOFFICE :: March 14, 1960

. . Glen 

Oscars and Censors 

The Thursday noon luncheon, sponsored 

in part by Commonwealth Amusement 

Corp. and Fox Midwest Theatres, covered 

two more topics in the forefront of exhibitor-distributor 

thinking these days, the upcoming 

Oscarcast and the widening threat 

of film censorship. 

Fi-ed Souttar, Fox Midwest district manager, 

gave a comprehensive picture of the 

gi-owing stature of the Academy award 

presentations, how much the prestige of 

nomination and victory means in added 

boxoffice revenues on pictures and stars 

thus honored, and of how—under industry 

sponsorship such as last year's—the 

home audience is bombarded with one single 

idea: "Go to the Movies." 

Souttar suggested that exhibitors line 

up as much radio, television and newspaper 

support as possible locally, and obtain 

the "Oscar kit" as soon as possible 

through National Screen Service, and follow 

through on as many of the suggested 

attention -getters as possible. Souttar described 

as particularly good the procedural 

outline for local balloting. 

"Views from a member of the public" 

is the way Senn Lawler. retired president 

of Fox Midwest Theatres, described his 

comments on Hollywood's current tiptoe 

into hitherto forbidden topics and themes. 

Lawler, still a "movie fan" by his own 

word, stressed that often the pictures 

themselves do not offend to the same degree 

that the advertising does. The Kansas 

City Star frequently gets floods of adverse 

telephone calls on "movie ads" although 

this paper is quick to turn down or modify 

what it considers over-the-line material. 

Lawler said that although most of the 

pressure seems to be "spontaneous and 

disorganized" there is enough of it to become 

formidable if the public is pushed 

too far. He called for exhibitors to express 

themselves on this to the studios before 

the condition worsens. 

Dore Schary Addresses 

Group in Kansas City 

KANSAS CITY—Dore Schary, author, 

film and stage producer, addressed about 

350 persons at Temple B'nai Jehudah's 

Brotherhood dimier Wednesday night (9). 

After making a comparison of motion picture 

theatre and television audiences and 

reminiscing about his career in motion pictures, 

stage and television, Schary announced 

that he will make his debut as 

a television producer for Hubbell Robinson's 

Ford Startime series, doing an hour 

documentary-type show, designed to wake 

up voters. To be called "'What About 

You?" the show will be televised over NBC 

on April 18. 

Schary also talked about his Broadway 

stage hit, "Sunrise at Campobello," based 

on the life of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 

which will be filmed for Warner Bros., 

starring Ralph Bellamy, who will repeat 

his stage role. 

Space Age Films Show 

HOLLYWOOD—Space age motion picture 

production wiU be featured in the 

first convention of this kind, which will 

be held in Los Angeles March 25. 26 as 

a project of the Industry Film Producers 

Ass'n. 

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Sidelights on Show-a-Rama Session 

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KANSAS CITY—Sidelights on the third 

Show-a-Rama convention: 

One exhibitor's wife had to pinch-hit for 

her husband and come to the convention 

alone—Mrs. Ken Ehret of Clay Center. Ken 

just couldn't get away . Cooper 

of Dodge City says this weather will hold 

up his drive-in openings because the 

ground is soaked under the chat and will 

have to dry out. Usually he opens the last 

week in March but this year will be lucky 

to have openings by Easter. 

Basil Fogelson of Marceline, Mo., is anticipating 

another Walt Disney appearance 

there. A new school will be finished in August, 

and Disney, who came there when he 

was 4 years old and attended school there, 

is giving the library furnishings and playground 

equipment. In 1956 Disney was 

part of a celebration and premiere in Marceline, 

in which Fogelson's theatre participated 

in a big way. so it is no wonder 

he is glad to cooperate again. 

* • * 

Mrs. J. W. Stark was helping her husband 

with his exhibits for the Stark Enterprises, 

Wichita, but their son Charles 

has gone into business for himself not connected 

with the theatre. However, he and 

his wife came up to the convention to help 

out. 

The Castleberry exhibit, and the convention 

itself, was made more colorful by 

the red coats worn by its three representatives: 

Doug Rabun, sales promotion manager 

from headquarters at Augusta, Ga.: 

M. R. Kay, division sales manager from 

Houston, and Fred Rubin, Houston salesman. 

While the Georgia accent is a little 

different from the Texas one, all three insisted 

it is people in other parts of the 

country who have accents. 

* * It- 

Jack Braunagel, foiTner head of Commonwealth 

drive-ins and now the owner 

of nine theatres in Arkansas, was greeting 

old friends. Mrs. Braunagel accompanied 

him. Jack has not yet acquired a 

southern accent and admitted that the 

weather has been cold down there, too, 

establishing new lows, both weather and 

businesswise. 

And Cliff Parker of Alexander Film Co., 

Colorado Springs, told of below zero weather 

out there—the worst winter in that 

area since 1883. But there had been sunshine 

which melted the snow faster than 

in Kansas City. 

* * * 

Jim Cook represented the Maryville, 

Mo., family's interests at the convention. 

"Dad's lucky enough to be down at Fort 

Meyers in Florida," he grinned. "But he's 

missing the convention." Everyone knows 

how much Doc and Mrs. Cook enjoyed the 

conventions besides contributing so much 

to them—never missing when in the area. 

How the population explosion can help 

a theatre was told by Clyde Crump who 

manages the Waldo Theatre for Clark 

Rhoden. While the Waldo is not a new 

theatre it has been helped tremendously 

by the suburban development south and 

west of Waldo; in fact, there is no theatre 

south of it for about six miles, so business 

has been good in his neighborhood house. 

o a"a'innr 

Herman S. Gould and wife Frances came 

in from Omaha. They have four drive-ins 

in Nebraska, two which have stayed open 

all winter. One of Gould's partners, Russell 

Brehm, also came in from Lincoln, 

bringing Mrs. Brehm and their two young 

daughters. Mrs. Gould found the present 

weather in this part of the country a bit 

different from what they had encountered 

in Cuba, where they spent a vacation before 

Christmas, or in Hawaii where they 

went vacationing after the hoUdays. 

* 

Glenn and Mrs. Jones came up from 

Gravois Mills, looking forward to a drivein 

opening as early as practical. Glen 

said he is "all tore up" right now remodeling 

the snack bar. 

Paul Ricketts from Ness City, Kas., reported 

about 31 inches of snow out there 

this winter. "The teenagers make up the 

bulk of our patronage," he explained, "and 

they don't let a little ice and snow stop 

them. And with the roads like they are, 

they don't go scooting off to Dodge City 

to see the shows there. Might as well look 

on the bright side." 

» * • 

Louise Wesson, who heads the concessions 

department for Oklahoma's Video 

Theatres, was shrewdly appraising exhibits. 

She is regarded as one of the most 

efficient in her line by concession dealers, 

keeping her finger on the concession 

operation in each one of the more than 

50 drive-ins and over 100 conventional 

theatres in her company. She loves her 

work, she says, and although she has 

worked in almost evei-y department of 

the theatres, prefers the concessions. It 

appeals to her because she is always looking 

for something new and different to 

offer patrons. 

* * * 

Gene Ritter of the Guy's Nut and Potato 

Chip Co. said on the morning of opening 

day that he had only talked to two people 

and had sold both of them, so figured 

so far he was batting 100 per cent . . . 

Bill and Audrey Flynn were in from Emporia, 

Audrey with a new streamlined figure 

which brought out the question as to 

whether she was patronizing the Elizabeth 

Arden salon in Phoenix. However, Audrey 

insisted it was illness that did it, not diet, 

though the exercise she got from working 

hard at the theatre may have helped. 

* * * 

Among the past presidents on hand this 

year, and probably glad someone else was 

taking all the pressure this time, were Dale 

Danielson of Russell, Kas., Elmer Bills of 

Salisbury, Mo., Ed Harris of Neosho. Mo., 

and Tom Edwards of Eldon, Mo. There 

were also many wives who never miss if 

they can help it—Mrs. Danielson. Mrs. 

Bills, Mrs. Frank Weary HI of Henrietta, 

Mo., who accompanied her husband but 

wondered how the driving home each evening 

would be, and many others who have 

been coming up each year. 

The Glen Coopers from Dodge City came 

into town via the Santa Fe Chief. The 

weather was too uncertain for them to risk 

flying. Mrs. Cooper said they use their 

plane for transportation between their 

theatre holdings in good weather. 

BOXOFFICE March 14. 1960 C-3

. . The 

— 

— 

— 

—— 

— 

— 

KANSAS CITY 

^he lengths to which "show biz" goes to 

carry out the old saying "The show 

must go on" was illustrated in Marshall 

recently by J. Leo Hayob. manager of the 

Mary Lou Theatre, and by Howard 

Thomas, WB office manager here in Kansas 

City. Hayob was informed by 'phone 

on Saturday night that the print of "Cash 

McCall," scheduled to open the following 

day, was on an airplane from Chicago, but 

couldn't land at Kansas City because of 

weather conditions and was being sent on 

to Albuquerque. A substituted picture was 

sent down by bus and was used by Hayob 

for the first two showings on Sunday afternoon, 

patrons being issued a free ticket 

to return when "Cash McCall" actually 

could be shown. Meanwhile. Thomas had 

been on the 'phone Sunday morning to 

other WB film exchanges to locate a "Cash 

McCall" print. One was found in Illinois 

early Sunday morning, was transported to 

St. Louis and put aboard the bus for 

Marshall, arriving between 6:30 and 7 

o'clock Sunday evening. The last part of 

the waiting was the worst for Hayob, who 

had a waiting line at the ticket window 

before the start of the 7 o'clock show. By 

good teamwork, Hayob and the WB people 

fflWQifs \\Q\x when 

Screen Came'' 

WAHOO i( 

the 

Ideal boxofFice attraction 

to Increase business on your 

"off-nights". 

Write today for complete 

details. 


or car capacity. 


CO. 

3750 Ookton SI. Skokl*, Illinois 

When Ordering Other Supplies 

Why Not Order Westinghouse Lamps? 

20% Discount on $5 Orders 

25% Discount on $15 Orders 

SHREVE THEATRE SUPPLY 

217 West 18fh St. HA 1-7849 Konsos City, Mo. 

MISSOURI THEATRE 

SUPPLY COMPANY 

115 West 18th 

Kansas City 8, Missouri BAItimore 1-3070 

not only avoided the onus of "dissatisfied 

customers" but provided the Sunday afternoon 

crowd with the equivalent of a 

"sneak preview" and also garnered a nice 

writeup in the local paper. 

Tlie days of the pioneers aren't quite 

over! Marjorie Berry of WB and her husband 

Charley are making final preparations 

to start out for Alaska to homestead. 

The Berrys will drive a Ford pick-up truck 

and pull a 30-foot house trailer, first to 

Anchorage, then on to the Susitna 'Valley 

near the town of Talkectna where their 

27-acre homestead is situated. Marj and 

Charley fell in love with Alaska during a 

vacation tour lin a Volkswagen) last year 

and decided then to file a homestead claim. 

Marj says she understands the site is 

covered with white birch which will have 

to be cleared—one-third of it the first 

year; also, a livable home must be completed 

within a year. Both Marj and Charley, 

came from farm homes originally and 

do not shrink from the prospect of roughing 

it until they can be truck farmers on 

a prosperous scale. The market for fresh 

produce is said to be excellent in our fastgi-owing 

49th state. 

Ed Kidwell, who now operates a theatre 

in Roswell, N. M. was a visitor in his home 

town of Arkansas City, Kas. recently. Kidwell 

was en route to Washington, D. C. 

for a directors meeting of the National 

Theatre Owners Ass'n when he stopped 

off to visit with his mother, Mrs. A. S. 

Kidwell. who still makes her home in 

Arkansas City. Both Ed Kidwell and his 

brother Clarence "Bud" Kidwell worked 

at the Burford Theatre for many years. 

Bud now lives at San Pedro, Calif, and is 

out of the industry. 

Frank Thomas, Allied Artists manager 

for Kansas City and St. Louis, has acquired 

the services of Mrs. Elma Pitt on a parttime 

basis for the local office. Mrs. Pitt 

is no newcomer to the industry, having 

been Chet Hylton's secretary at Fox Midwest 

for many years. 

Tlie United Artists sales and booking 

staff here learned Tuesday i8) that UA 

product is "solid into '61" at a sales meetin,,' 

conducted by James R. Velde, vicepresident 

in charge of domestic sales. Al 

Fitter. UA western division manager; Mike 

Lee. midwest district manager; and Ed 

Stevens, St. Louis exchange manager, 

joined Kansas City Manager Ralph Amacher 

and his crew for an analysis of UA's 

$125,000,000 product program which will 

kick off with the Easter release, "The Unforgiven," 

large-scale outdoor drama starring 

Burt Lancaster. Audrey Hepburn, 

Audie Murphy and a large star lineup. 

Condolences to Mrs. Dollie King, National 

Screen Service, whose husband Listen 

King died Friday i4) after a long illness. 

He was 66 years old . 

o- 

bituary page contained a name which used 

to be familiar on Filmrow here, that of 

W. Lee 'Vaughan, 52, a Kansas City, Kas. 

lawyer. Vaughan's father, whose name also 

was W. Lee Vaughan and who died in 

1941, had been actively interested in Kansas 

City, Kas. theatres in addition to 

drug store and banking interests. 

Main Loop Offerings 

Display Good Draw 

CHICAGO—In spite of the miserable 

weather conditions, grosses were by no 

means disheartening. "Aren't We Wonderful?" 

was a strong opener at the World 

Playhouse, located in the Loop area, arwl 

on the near north side 

"Sapphire" opened 

with substantial business at the Esquire. 

Strong in the second week were "The 

Bramble Bush" at the Chicago and "Who 

Was That Lady?" at the State Lake Theatre. 

(Averqge Is 100) 

Copri The 400 Blows (Zenith), 2nd wk 185 

Cornegie The Mouse Thot Roared (Col), 11th 

wk 140 

Chicago The Bramble Bush (WB), 2nd wk 215 

Cinestage Scent of Mystery (Todd), 9th wk 175 

Esquire Sapphire (U-l), return run 190 

Gorrick The Big Fisherman (BV), 4th wk 175 

Loop Seven Thieves i20th-Fox), 2nd wk 175 

McVickers Windjammer (NT&T), tOth wk 180 

Monroe Terror is a Man (Volionf); The Scavengers 

(Voliant) 135 

Orienfol Once More, With Feeling (Col), 3rd wk. 195 

Roosevelt Toby Tyler (BV), 3rd wk 180 

State Loke Who Was That Lady? (Col), 2nd wk. 220 

Todd Ben-Hur (MGM). 10th wk 220 

United Artists Suddenly, Last Summer (Col), 

7th wk 185 

Woods Salomon and Shebo (UA), 10th wk...165 

World Ployhouse Aren't We Wonderful? 

(Alliance Film Corp.) 195 

Kansas City Scrapes By 

As Winter Won't Leave 

KANSAS CITY—First-run houses were 

holding their own here—no mean feat in 

the face of a national basketball tournament 

and some more extremely sad winter 

weather. A day-and-date program consisting 

of the Texas-made film, "Five Bold 

Women," 20th-Fox's "Blood and Steel" 

and the featurette "Justice and Caryl 

Chessman" played at the Isis. Vista and 

Granada. The Isis turned in about 130 per 

cent with it, but the 'Vista and Granada 

were no better than average. 

Brookside South Pacific (20th-Fox), 9th wk...l50 

Isis, Visto and Grenada Five Bold Women 

(Citotion); Blood and Steel (20th-Fox) 110 

Kimo The Mouse That Roored (Col), 10th wk...110 

Midland The Lost Voyage MGM); Libel (MGM), 

2nd wk 95 

Missouri Suddenly, Lost Summer (Col); Hell 

Bent for Leather (U-l). 3rd wk 150 

Paramount Guns of the Timberloiul (WB); 

Isroel (Featurette) 95 

Plaza On the Beach (UA), 5th wk 125 

Uptown and Fairway Toby Tyler (BV), 3rd wk. 

at Uptown, 2nd wk. ot Foirway 155 

Former Censor Dies at 70 

KANSAS CITY—Miss Hazel W. Myers, 

70, a former Kansas newspaperwoman and 

a former chairman of the Kansas State 

Board of Review, died Wednesday (9) at 

her home in Wyandotte County. Miss Myers 

had worked as a reporter on newspapers 

in Salina, Coffeyville and Parsons before 

accepting an appointment in 1932 

from Gov. Clyde Reed to the State Board 

of Motion Picture Review. She served six 

months as a member, and nearly two years 

as chairman. 

CHICAGO — Theatre amusement taxes 

for February totaled $29,625. a drop of 10 

per cent from January. 

STEBBINS

. . Phil 

Miami Engineer Plans 

To Produce a Feature 

MIAMI—Carl E. Warner, president of 

Location Corp. of Hialeah, is planning a 

feature film made with the know-how 

from his association with Todd-AO and 

Magna. 

Warner, an electronics engineer who supervised 

the installation of Todd-AO projection 

and sound equipment at Florida 

State's Sheridan Theatre, supplies complete 

facilities for domestic and foreign 

motion picture production. In fact, one of 

his mobile units, a truck equipped with 

a generator, sound equipment panel, 

Mitchell NO and Arriflex cameras and 

camera platforms for stationary and running 

shots, is under three-year lease to 

the new Film Industry Institute in Cuba 

and is being used in ICAIC's first production, 

"Wounded One." one of a series 

on the history of the revolution, with Eduardo 

Moure. Lillian Llerna and Yolanda 

Arenas featured. 

Warner, who was a schoolmate of actor 

Robert Horton at the University of Miami 

where both were active in The Ring Theatre, 

will continue to expand his "location 

service" to other producers, especially 

Independents who have to shoot fast and 

on a small budget. But he is 

also planning 

to take an active part in co-production of 

feature films. 

B&K Theatres Promoting 

Oscar Night Campaign 

CHICAGO—All Balaban & Katz theatres 

now have their Academy Awards 

promotion and publicity kits, according to 

Edward Seguin, advertising, and publicity 

director of the Windy City circuit. 

All B&K personnel are on the Academy 

campaign, reports Seguin and all other 

exhibitors here are being urged to join 

the Oscar campaign and that the Chicago 

press has already devoted unusual space to 

the coming event. 

The Chicago Tribune has promised free 

advertising space on the motion picture 

page for several days before April 4 to 

invite their readers to tune in to "Oscar." 

Wayne Goodwin Closes 

Theatre in Butler, Ind„ 

BUTLER, IND. — Wayne Goodwin has 

closed the Butler Theatre, effective Saturday 

(5), and will take over management 

of Travelodge East, 512 East Washington 

St., Indianapolis, April 1. Goodwin said 

that although he was leaving exhibition, 

he wanted to continue receiving Boxoffice 

as usual. 

Back to Theatre Staff 

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO.—Victor Karsfeld, 

owner and manager of the Rialto 

Theatre, has appointed Franklin D. Crites 

as assistant manager. Crites worked at 

the Rialto throughout his high school 

years here, then served three years in the 

Navy. He was discharged in August 1959. 

Closes Theatre in Indiana 

WOLCOTT. IND. — Barbara Thayer, 

manager of the Wolcott Theatre, recently 

closed the house due to insufficient patronage. 

ST . 

LOUIS 

. 

fjomer Hisey, Warner salesman who has 

been employed in distribution for some 

35 years, died at his home in Nashville, 

111. Prior to joining Warners, he had 

worked for First National and United Artists. 

Hisey was a brother of the late Grad 

Sears, film sales executive . The mother 

of Ruby S'Renco, owner 

. 

of the S'Renco 

art theatre and screening room, died . . . 

Three musicians who played at theatres 

in the vaudeville-musical days died—James 

Hogan, a politician in later years; George 

Juhlin, and Michael Halbman. 

The record-breaking March cold and 

snow gave film salesmen a rugged time. 

Many drive-ins which have been operating 

full or parttime during the winter locked 

up completely during the severe snow and 

record cold. Other outdoorers pushed back 

their scheduled reopenings from early 

and middle March to later. The temperature 

dropped to 4 below here on the 5th, 

a record low. 

More than $3,000 was realized for the 

Jane Addams Centennial Committee by the 

benefit premiere of "Power Among Men" 

at the Apollo Theatre. More than 600 persons 

paid from $10 to $100 each to help 

build an apartment house in Spittal, Austria, 

for resettlement of war refugees . . . 

Art LaPlante, retired Columbia salesman, 

received a flock of cards from friends at 

the office on his recent birthday. 

A few brave exhibitors fought the 

weather to transact business on Pilmrow, 

including Vince OTjcary, East St. Louis, 

Publix booker; Albert Smith of Nashville, 

m., who was in town the first time after 

an automobile accident several weeks ago, 

and old reliable Charley Beninati of Carlyle 

and Greenville, 111. . . . Frances Hoffman, 

MGM booker, was in Incarnate 

Word Hospital for examination. 

Don Murray, actor, spent a night in 

Dismas House and went to church services 

at the St. Louis jail airing back to Hollywood 

last Sunday. He is to play the part 

of Father Charles Dismas Clark in "The 

Hoodlum Fîest," which will tell the story 

of Dismas House and Father Clark's efforts 

to rehabilitate former convicts 

Lieut. Gov. Ed Long of Clarksvllle, 

. . . 

who 

owns the Senate Theatre at Elvins, is to 

have another opponent for that post 

in the Democratic primaries come August 

2. Charles C. Shafer, Kansas City councilman, 

who previously had been a candidate 

for nomination for state treasurer 

and later for secretary of state, has 

changed his mind again and has announced 

he will be candidate for the second 

spwt on the state ticket. Previously 

Michael J. Kennedy, Kansas City police 

magistrate, also fUed as a candidate. 

Terry Hynes, Warner booker the last 18 

months, has resigned to join the Vescovo 

Building & Realty Co., as a salesman. 

Previously he was with United Artists . . . 

Allied Artists has moved its St. Louis bookkeeping 

to Kansas City, so Doroty Dressel 

and Mildred Skinner lost their jobs. Mildred 

started to work for the National Theatres 

division office here. 

Linda Hope, daughter of Bob Hope, and 

August A. Busch, m, son of the president 

of Anheuser-Busch and the St. Louis Cardinals 

of the National League, were 

crowned queen and king of the Junior 

Women's Chamber of Commerce Mardi 

Gras ball at the Jefferson Hotel. Linda 

attends St. Louis University . . . The Volunteer 

Film Ass'n and six other charity 

and welfare organizations have been 

dropped as beneficiaries of the United 

Fund's annual money-raising campaign. 

The film group has been receiving at least 

93 per cent of its income from the United 

Fund. 

Dick Shawn's visit has been pushed back 

20 days to April 28 . . . Charles Lugo, manager 

of the Washington at Quincy, 111., has 

a Siamese cat that eats only gefilte fish, 

we hear . . . Jerry Berger, district exploiteer 

for 20th-Fox, was among seven such 

gents in Chicago for confabs with Teete 

Carle of the studio publicity department 

about upcoming product . Hayes, 

manager. Heart Theatre, Effingham, 111., 

won first prize of $100 in 20th-Fox's recent 

rookie campaign. 

Mayor Asks Rebuilding 

Of Blue Island Theatre 

CHICAGO—Balaban & Katz has been 

asked to rebuild the Lyric Theatre in suburban 

Blue Island, which was burned out 

along with several other businesses February 

14. Mayor John Hart forwarded the 

request to David Wallerstein, B&K president, 

pointing out: "We vitally need a 

theatre in our community. The permanent 

loss of the city's only theatre would be 

a severe blow to the city economically." 

H 

U

. . Harry 

CHICAGO 

ôrman Pyle, who has retired as publicist 

after 36 years with MGM, received 

expressions of friendship and best wishes 

at a luncheon given by friends and associates. 

W. J. Devaney, division manager, 

presided. Among those present were Walter 

Banford. district manager: Charles 

Keim, branch manager: Michael Ford, 

Sidney Kaplan, Joe Blumenfeld, Reggie 

Besada, Marie Kruppa, Ona Bross and 

Ruth Barsley. Pyle and his wife plan a 

trip to Florida, after which they will return 

to their home in Evanston. 

Jack Thoma, former Columbia publicity 

director and exploiteer and recently manager 

of the B&K Valencia Theatre, died 

. . . The Norweigian Old People's Home 

Society will sponsor a benefit show at 

McVickers Theatre, which is showing 

"Windjammer" ... Si Greiver has been appointed 

to handle the buying-booking for 

the New Hoosier Theatre at Whiting . . , 

Herb Wheeler of Stanley Warner and his 

wife left on a three-week holiday in Florida. 

Some 182 B'nai B'rith chapters, 246 

units of the American Jewish Congress, 

and 64 sisterhoods and brotherhoods of 

Chicago synagogues are supporting the 

showing of "Aren't We Wonderful" at the 

World Playhouse, according to Charles 

Teitel, owner . . . Lou Abramson, who recently 

quit Allied Artists to set up his 

own public relations agency, has signed 

Displays, Unlimited, as an account . . . 

Jerry Winsberg of Balaban & Katz is a 

grandfather at 44 with the birth of a baby 

son named Jerry Sussman to his daughter. 

Ed Schuman of the Sher-Schuman Art 

theatre circuit conferred at the Teitel offices 

on product . . . Judith Susan, daughter 

of Irwin Joseph, was married to Thomas 

Thompson. Both were students at Illinois 

U. They will live at Rockford . . . George 

Ragen, Teitel general manager, was back 

at work following pneumonia . . . "Because 

of Eve," a nine-year-old film handled by 

Modern Distributors, has been passed by 

city censors and will open the 18th . . . 

The Hilltop Drive-In is scheduled to resume 

fulltime operation in mid-April. 

. . 

P. V. Harrison has organized the Concession 

Consultants Co. with office at 100 

North LaSalle . . . E. R. Gutzner has organized 

the Stereo Process Color Co. with 

an office in Rockford . The Marina City 

project scheduled to be constructed on 

the north bank of the Chicago River by the 

building services union will include a theatre 

with a doorless lobby, which is shielded 

by a curtain of warm air in the winter 

and cool air in the summer . . . Tom Mc- 

Connell, attorney in many film cases, reported 

his son Jack will marry Lin Paschen 

April 2 in Evanston. 

Zinn Arthur and Producer Joshua Logan 

were in town to boost "Tall 

Story" . Mandel. a stagehand at 

the Palace, died . . . Douglas Helgeson, 

manager at the Palace during the long run 

of Cinerama films, will return when the 

theatre reopens with "Can-Can" . . . Anticipating 

Academy Oscars, B&K has 

booked "The Nun's Story" and "Anatomy 

of a Murder" for return showings . . . The 

Jewel Box Revue of 25 men and a girl has 

been signed to open at the Tivoli Theatre 

the week of April 1. 

Dale F. SneU, son of Arnette Snell, Variety 

Club steward, was killed in an automobile 

accident near the Air Force base 

in California where he was serving . . . 

Spiro Papas and Pete Panagos of the Alliance 

circuit left for Seattle to preside at 

a conference of Midstates Theatres. 

Theatre Is Projected 

In Suburb of Chicago 

CHICAGO — Morton Fink, land developer, 

announced plans for a $25,000,- 

000, 70-acre development to include a 

shopping center, multiunit garden apartment 

buildings, and a motion picture theatre 

at Milwaukee avenue and Church 

street in suburban Niles. 

Sheldon O. Collen, attorney for Fink, 

said the theatre will seat 1,800, have parking 

space for 750 cars, and will be called 

Northgate. It will be the first conventional 

house to be built in the northwest suburban 

area since 1934. Collen said all the 

modern equipment will be installed, and 

that the theatre will conform to ultramodern 

design presently being employed 

on the west coast but not yet seen in the 

Chicago area. Especially designed accommodations 

to appeal to the entire suburban 

family will be highlighted. 

The policy will be first run with emphasis 

on special attractions. 

63 Films Reviewed 

CHICAGO—During February the censor 

board reviewed 63 films, 19 of them 

foreign. One picture was rejected and four 

cuts were ordered. 

Exhibitor on Mayor's Committee 

PEORIA, ILL.—Theatre Manager Merle 

H. Eagle has been appointed to the mayor's 

committee to recommend a new city 

ordinance on indecent literature. The committee 

has been asked to include motion 

pictures in its recommendations. 

Rod Lauren who has been signed to a 

contract by Hal Wallis is said to strongly 

resemble the late James Dean. 

U.S. Agents Push Search 

For Boothman's Killers 

CHICAGO—Federal investigators intensified 

their hunt for the murderer of 

Herman Posner, 72. a foe of gangsters and 

corruption in the Chicago projectionists 

union, as police admitted their probe was 

at a standstill. 

Chicago police have consistently discounted 

union reprisals as a motive for 

the knife slaying of Posner on February 

9. Homicide detectives and Austin police 

admitted that their unsuccessful effort to 

solve the murder had been based on the 

belief that Posner had been slain by bandits 

rather than crime syndicate assassins. 

In Washington, however, officials of the 

Department of Labor blamed the killing 

of Posner directly on his implacable oppwsition 

to crooks and hoodlums In the 

movie union. The federal investigation of 

the slaying and the mo\ie union was disclosed 

by Assistant Secretary of Labor 

John J. Gilhooley. He told a Senate appropriations 

committee that Posner was 

cut down by assassins who took his briefcase 

full of incriminating evidence against 

union officials. 

A squad of a dozen agents from the Department 

of Labor reportedly has questioned 

more than 75 theatre owners, union 

projectionists, and nonunion operators 

since Posner was knifed to death. 

The broad federal investigation, it was 

learned, has two aims: 

1. To solve the murder of Posner, who 

was slain a few hours before he was to 

deliver to the government evidence of racketeering 

and shakedowns in the movie 

local. 

2. To break the hold that crime syndicate 

gangsters have fastened on the movie 

union and take action against union officials 

under the new Landrum-Griffin labor 

reform law. 

The government agents disclosed that 

Posner's murder had made other Chicago 

motion picture operators fearful to report 

shakedowns and other corruption to 

the Department of Labor. 

Posner, four days before his death, 

urged his fellow rebels in the union to 

take their complaints to the Department 

of Labor and seek action against the union 

under the new Landrum-Griffin law. 

Mrs. Kenneth Law Dies; 

Argos, Ind., Exhibitor 

ARGOS, IND.—Mrs. Kenneth Law, 48. 

died recently at St. Joseph's Hospital in 

South Bend, where she had been taken 

after becoming seriously ill at her home 

the morning of her death. She and her 

husband had operated the Argos Theatre 

since 1945. 

Other survivors are her daughter Katherine 

Jo Anne, at home; her son Kenneth 

jr.. Fort Wayne, and her mother, two sisters 

and four brothers. 

/(^fifiacftc 

BOONTON, N. J. 

Large Core 

Greater Crater Area 

means 

MAXIMUM LIGHT 

in Illinois— Koyline Company, Chlcogo^Webifer 9-4643 

Poromel Electronics, Chicago—Avenue 3-4422 

Evenly Distributed j 

in Missouri—Missouri Theatre Supply Company, Kansas City— Baltimore 

1-3070 

National Thcotre Supply, St. Louis—Jefferson 1-6350 

ce BOXOrnCE :: March 14, ige''

' 

Alliance Circuitman 

Samuel Neall Dies 

KOKOMO, IND.—Samuel W. Neall, 72, 

a partner in the Alliance Theatre Corp. 

died Thursday (3) in 

St. Joseph's Hospital. 

^^^ A native of Indianf^ 

^^1 apolis, where he had 

operated a theatre, 

Neall moved here in 

1925 and purchased 

a theatre. He became 

a partner in the S. 

J. 

^j^2 & James Gregory 

-. 

,(JlH ^

. 

'Higher 

Education . . 

Our Greatest 

Tool" 

OSCAR e. 

MAYER 

Chairman, Oscar Mayer & Co. 

"During the last twenty years we have had dramatic evidence of what massive 

research can accomplish. Every thinking American today is acutely aware 

that our future welfare depends upon this vital activity. 

"But sound higher education is the prerequisite of good research; it is vitally 

important that our higher education be constantly improved, beginning with 

our secondary schools. Higher education is the only means with which we can 

mine our most valuable natural resource: the creativity of the human mind in 

all fields, social and cultural as well as scientific. 

"By supporting the college of your choice in its efforts to provide the best 

possible faculty and physical facilities, you are investing in the one tool with 

which to shape favorably the future of America." 

L 

J 

If 

you want more information on the problems faced by higher education, write to: 

Council for Financial Aid to Education, Inc., 6 E, 45th Street, New York 17, N. Y. 

Sponsored as a public service, in cooperation with the 

Council for Financial Aid to Education 

v'/ 

\ A ' 

— \- HIOHCR eOUCATION 

%. 

KEEP IT 

BRIGHT 

'^-^clTvcJ*' 

BOXOFFICE 

C.8 BOXOFHCE :: March 14, 1960

- 

Mississippi Owners 

Meeting June 12-14 

GUliFPORT, MISS. — The Mississippi 

Theatre Owners Ass'n will hold its 19th 

annual convention at the Buena Vista Hotel, 

Biloxi, June 12-14, according to Ed 

Ortte, secretary-treasurer. Ortte's office is 

in the local Legion Theatre. 

"Last year our attendance was increased 

by 25 per cent over 1958," Ortte said. "At 

our June convention we expect a large 

increase over 1959. Our attendance is made 

up of all theatre owners in this state, 

augmented by members from Louisiana, 

southern Tennessee, Alabama and Florida." 

Convention planners are exi>ecting a 

large attendance and participation by theatre 

supply companies, distributore and 

others with interests allied to those of the 

exhibitor. May 1 has been set as the printer's 

deadline for advertising for the convention 

program. 

Other officers of the association are 

George Davis. Drew, president; B. F. Jackson, 

Ruleville, vice-president, north: A. L. 

Royal. Meridian, vice-president, central, 

and Stan Taylor, Natchez, vice-president, 

south. John Williams, Jackson, is chairman 

of the board. 

Interstate Managers 

Are Moved by Hoover 

MIAMI—Noi-vin Garner has been transferred 

from the Marathon Theatre at 

Marathon to city manager at Quincy for 

Interstate Theatres, succeeding George 

Vaughn, resagned. Garner will headquarter 

at the Leaf in Quincy. Hubert Doty is 

the new manager of the Marathon. 

George C. Hoover, president, also reported 

the district office has been moved 

from Thomasville to Miami following the 

resignation of Nat Williams jr. as district 

manager at Thomasville to enter his 

own 

business. ^Jarl Salmons now is Interstate 

manager at Thomasville, in charge of the 

Rose Theatre. E. B. Whitham was moved 

fr-AO. the Rose to manage the Hlwa Drive 

in there. 

Pat Robertson was appointed secretary 

to Red Norris, booker and buyer, and Joe 

Sweeney was moved into the Miami office 

as auditor and controller. He was associated 

with Hoover many years in the 

Paramount Theatres organization. 

POPCORN 

WE'LL PAY THE FREIGHT ON 

3-50 lb. bags tender, hulless, 

yellow popcorn $12.75 

50 lbs. Col. Cocoanut 15.95 

Oil . . . 

Send check for total $28.70 

Regular 1-lb. bogs 'S $2.50 per M 

Noiseless 1-lb. bags — $3.75 per M 

Write for small or large truckload 

delivered 

price. 

R. D. WORD & SON 

Scott^boro, Ala. 

Growers & Processors 

L C Montgomery Named 

By New Louisiana Assn 

NEW ORLEANS — L. C. Montgomery, 

owner of the Joy Theatre here, was elected 

first president of the 

Louisiana Ass'n of 

Theatre Owners at a 

meeting in the Roosevelt 

Hotel attended 

by about 60 exhibit 

o r s representing 

more than 100 theatres 

in the state. 

Cold weather prevented 

many theatremen 

from attending 

from outstate, it was 

said. 

L. C. Montgomery The nucleus of the 

LATO was formed 

several weeks ago by 16 exhibitors who 

gathered at the Monteleone Hotel. 

TO PROTECT EXHIBITORS 

The objective of the new organization 

will be to protect exhibitor interest in 

matters that might come up before the 

state legislatm'e such as censorship, taxation, 

and to work for the exhibitors' welfare 

inside the industry, Montgomery said. 

"The intention is to have a solidified organization 

of Louisiana exhibitors to meet 

all challenges," he said. 

George Baillio, head of Southern Amusements. 

Lake Charles, was named first vicepresident, 

and Don Stafford. Dixie Theatres 

which operates in Baton Rouge and 

Hammon, and O. D. Harrison, Harrison- 

McElroy Theatres, Shreveport, were named 

second and third vice-presidents. S. A. 

Wright jr. of the Lakeview, Pox and Algiers 

Drive-In, New Orleans, was elected 

secretary, and Eugene T. Calongne, Bell 

and Gallo theatres here, was chosen 

treasurer. 

18 DIRECTORS NAMED 

Directors were named, two from each 

congressional district as follows: 

District 1—Maurice Barr, Paramount 

Gulf, and L. C. Montgomery. 

District 2—FYank Lais, Lakeview and 

Pox. New Orleans, and Gene Calongne. 

District 3—Prank DeGraauw, P&R Enterprises, 

Abbeville, and Phillip Sliman, 

Evangeline, New Iberia. 

District 4—O. D. Harrison, and Joy N. 

Houck, Joy's Theatres, both of Shreveport. 

District 5—B. Goodman, Rose at Bastrop, 

and W. M. Butterfield, Teche and 

Ruston at Ruston. 

District 6—^Don Stafford and Nick Lamantia. 

Ritz and State, Bogalusa. 

District 7—E. R. Sellers, Yam Drive-In, 

Opelousas. and George Baillio. 

District 9—John Luster, Page Amusement 

Co., Natchitoches, and A. J. Rosenthal, 

Alexandria. 

Other business, including the enrollment 

of membership, adoption of bylaws 

and nominal dues were deferred to a 

meeting to be held in April. 

"We aren't interested in a lot of money 

to be derived from dues: our genuine interest 

is 100 per cent membership and 

participation by all theatres—big. middlesized 

and small, individual and chain operator.s—and 

we want all to participate, 

and we want you, the exhibitors to dictate 

the policies," Montgomery said. "It 

is designed to be a democratic organization." 

Besides those mentioned above, the following 

also were registered for the meeting: 

Cloude C. Bourgeois 

Rodney Toups 

T. J. Howell 

Jules A. Sevin 

C. Clare Woods 

Earl Perry 

C. B. Bicknell 

John Roberts 

Tom E. Jensen 

Louis Boyer 

Asa Booksh 

Frank Jenkins 

G. S. Kennedy 

Frank Gagnard 

Abe Berenson 

W. A. Briant 

Edward I. Fessler 

J. Parker Schniedou 

William Specht 

Bob Sublette 

H. Woolner 

F. G. Prat 

A. L. 

ir. 

Talomo 

H. D. Nicola 

R, J. Tolamo 

Phillip A. Slimon 

Dick Coor 

W. K. Dorce sr. 

Milton F. Guidry 

T. G. Solomon 

Chorles E. Bozzell jr. 

Helen Vornodo 

Eric A. Pittman 

E. E. McMillan 

Roy L. Saxon 

Som Daigre 

Mrs. M. A. Berenson 

E. R. Sellers 

Gene Bornette 

Anna M. Auslefr 

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BOXOFFICE March 14, 1960 SE-1

NEW ORLEANS 

T ouis Dwyer and wife were in from Mc- 

Comb with their half-dozen youngsters 

to see the Tom Bacons, Mrs. Dwyer's parents, 

and take in the weekend parades. 

They were in luck since Sunday was the 

only pleasant day of the eight days of 

Mardi Gra^ events. 

Other items from Gulf States Theatres 

at McComb: Doris Morgan, switchboard 

operator, was home a couple of days with 

the flu . . . Lillian Bond, in the bookkeeping 

section, was back at work after a few 

days in the hospital . . . John Winben-y. 

Columbia manager, and Leo Seicshnaydre, 

Goodrow-Howco, were in from New Orleans 

... A section in the Gulf States 

building has been converted into a screening 

room. Screenings hours are 11:30 a.m. 

to 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 6 p.m., hours 

which do not conflict with regular staff 

duties. Pi-eviously screenings were held at 

the Palace Theatre, starting at 9:30 a.m. 

The cold, wet weather has delayed outdoor 

work at Gulf States' Yazoo in Yazoo 

City, Miss. The remodeling includes a new 

roof. The new Yazoo will take the place 

of the Dixie, which was demolished by fire 

several months ago. Meanwhile, the city 

is 

without a theatre. 

Tom Wince has taken over operation of 

SHOW BUSINESS 

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SHOW: FABULOUS FIFTIES 

For Reseryations Write: MARION HOTEL 

or 

MONA WHITE, President, Arkansas Theatre Building 

the Palace at Vicksburg. Theatre Service 

win handle the booking . . . Sam Daigre, 

in from Plaquemine for the new Louisiana 

Ass'n of Theatre Owners meeting, conferred 

with his booker and buyer. Page 

Baker and Jose Moreland at Theatres 

Service . . . J. D. Woodward, Warner, 

publicist, was here working on "The Bramble 

Bush." 

Regional advertising and publicity men 

from five exchange centers conferred at 

the Roosevelt Sunday (6) with Teet Carle 

from the 20th-Fox studio publicity department 

on new releases such as A Dog of 

Flanders, Sink the Bismarck, The Third 

Voice, Seven Thieves, The Wind Cannot 

Read and Can-Can Jane Moriarty, 

Ida Klos, Gertrude 

. . . 

Davis, Ruth Segal, 

Bernice Chauvin, Corinne Bouche, Gene 

Barnette, Lee Nickolaus and Louis Harper 

attended a luncheon given for Estelle 

Schilferth of the Seattle MGM exchange 

and Florence Hermann of Cincinnati 

MGM. 

Connett Theatres of Newton, Miss., 

headed by M. A. Connett, with Marijo 

James as booker, have added the F. T. 

McLendon circuit houses in Fairhop>e, Foley, 

Bay Minette and Monroeville, Ala., and 

Milton, Fla., to their buying-booking chores. 

Floyd Harvey jr. and Douglas Desch, 

Buena Vista representatives here and at 

Dallas, attended a premiere of "Kidnapped" 

at the Gordon in Baton Rouge . . . Most 

of the exhibitors who attended the new 

LATO organization meeting also were along 

Pilmrow . Ti'answay sources report the 

. . 

reopening by L. M. Fulton of the BeUamy 

The Bayouland Di-ive- 

at Bellamy, Ala. . . . 

In near Donaldsonville and the indoor Cox 

at Pierre Part resumed fulltime operation. 

Exhibitors Co-Op reported the Venus at 

Winfield will be reopened by Southern 

Amusement Co. March 19 after a closing of 

several months for repair and renovation. 

Wometco Stcdfers 

Plan Key West Trip 

MIAMI—Wometco employes were planning 

to attend en masse the Key West 

celebration honoring former Key Wester 

Mitchell Wolfson, president of Wometco 

Enterprises, March 18. 19. The large contingent 

of employes will leave by Greyhound 

or Trailways Friday morning. Arrangements 

have been made for them to 

stay at the Sun and Surf motel in downtown 

Key West. Mrs. Wolfson especially 

invited women employes to the ladies 

luncheon Saturday honoring her husband. 

The Old Island Committee will provide 

transportation to all the two events for 

Miami visitors. 

The celebration was to mark the formal 

opening of the Audubon House which 

Wolfson has restored and made Into a 

museum for Key West. Wolfson bought the 

old Captain Geiger house on Whitehead 

and Green streets and has been restoring 

it to the period when John J. Audubon 

painted his famous wildlife and water 

fowl pictures while living there in 1931. 

The Mitchell Wolfson Foundation will 

maintain the house with its collection of 

rare Audubon pictures and priceless antiques 

of the era w-hen Key West was in 

its glory. A dinner by the Key West Lions 

Club for Wolfson following the formal 

SE-2 BOXOFTICE :: March 14, 1960

. . . Bob 

. . Norris 

. . . Also 

opening, was to be addressed by Senator 

George Smathers. 

Saturday festivities were planned around 

the opening of local homes that have been 

restored to preserve the flavor of the island. 

Women of the Old Island Committee, 

headed by Mrs. Jessie Porter Newton 

and Mrs. Paul Sawyer, will be dressed in 

the fashions of the era of 1831. Herb 

Mathes was in charge of the architectural 

restoration. For recreating the interiors of 

the Audubon House, Fred Rank, AID member 

and authority on antiques, was called 

in as consultant. He was aided by the 

meticulous research undertaken by Helen 

Reinherz. 

MIAMI 

The Greater Miami area was able to 

supply settings for every scene but one 

for the Gayle-Swimmer-Anthony "Force 

of Impulse," now being filmed here. The 

one setting was living quarters above the 

store in which J. Carrol Naish and Tony 

Anthony live in the plot. So Walter Ruth 

Resce had that one set built in the main 

studio of Rainbow Pictures out near 

the University of Miami campus in Coral 

Gables. It's one of the largest single movie 

stages south of New York on the east coast. 

Florence Marston, eastern and midwest 

regional director, led the recent business 

meeting of the Screen Actors Guild at 

the Miami Colonial Hotel . . . "Suddenly 

Last Summer" ran eight weeks at Claughton's 

Trail Theatre before finally signing 

off, setting a Trail record for long runs. 

Wally Wanger, the Miami Beach impresario, 

will assist on casting chores for 

"Where the Boys Ai'e" which MGM and 

Joe Pasternak will make in part in Fort 

Lauderdale . . . George Hamilton, who 

will be in both "Angel Man" shooting In 

Palm Beach and "Where the Boys Are" 

in Fort Lfiuderdale, will be seen on the 

screen at Ijoew's 170th Street and Riviera 

theatres, as well as Brandt's Flamingo, in 

"Home Prom the Hill," opening March 17. 

Florida State Theatres searched for 

weeks for an authentic vintage French 

taxi to transport FVank Sinatra from the 

Pountainebleau to the Sheridan Theatre 

for the premiere of "Can-Can." Because 

the first three nights of "Can-Can" were 

sold out before the public had a chance 

for tickets, Florida State ran a special 

"Celebrity and Press Show" at 2 a. m. following 

the opening night performance . . . 

Noted among those attending Flamingo 

Stakes at Hialeah were the Helmut Dantines. 

The Mrs. is the former Nicky 

Schenck, daughter of the Nicholas B. 

Schencks. 

STRONG 

LAMPS & 

REFLECTORS 

ROY SMITH CO. 

365 PARK ST. JACKSONVILLE 

JACKSONVILLE 

Qecil Cohen, veteran exhibitor who operates 

the Murray Hill and Dixie theatres, 

has acquired a drive-in, the Wesconnett. 

from T. E. Bell who has operated 

the outdoorer since its opening at the 

west end of town several years ago . . 

. 

Horace Denning, chief barker of 'Variety's 

Tent 44, presided at a general membership 

meeting of the group in the Hotel 

Roosevelt. Under discussion were new 

charitable projects and the annual Jacksonville 

Fair which is cosponsored by the 

Variety Club and the local Chamber of 

Commerce ... Ed Hale, local 20th-Fox 

publicist, attended a Sunday (6) gathering 

of regional 20th-Fox exploiteers at the 

Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans under the 

direction of Rodney Bush, 20th-Fox 

vertising manager from New York. 

ad- 

Charles Boasberg, Warner executive from 

Burbank. Calif., and W. O. Williamson, 

Warner district manager in Atlanta, left 

here for New York after conferences with 

Johnny Tomlinson, local Warner manager, 

and his staff . . . Kathy Wheeler replaced 

Norma McCormick in the Warner office 

when the latter moved to South Carolina 

Bowers, Allied Artists manager, 

and Arthur Greenblatt, Allied Artists executive 

from New York, both journeyed 

to Miami for the Florida premiere of "The 

Hypnotic Eye." 

. 

. . . 

Wilma Murphy, Allied Artists staffer, 

went into a local hospital for a minor operation 

McCoUum, Motion Picture 

Advertising Co. salesman from Tallahassee, 

came in on business for several 

days M. C. Moore, who recently operated 

the Coosa Theatre, Gadsden, Ala., 

is now the Jacksonville commissioner of 

boxing. He formerly managed the old 

Riverside Theatre here before it was converted 

into the modern Five Points Theatre. 

Carl Floyd of Haines City has added the 

Auto Park Drive-In, Tampa, to his Floyd 

Theatres circuit. It was formerly operated 

by Mrs. S. E. Brittain, whose husband has 

the large Brittain Plaza Theatre at Tampa 

. . . Thomas P. Tldwell, 20th-Pox manager, 

revealed that eight Class A television "umbrella 

saturation campaigns" have been 

set up for theatres playing the first run of 

"A Dog of Flanders" in the areas of this 

city. Orlando. Tampa, Miami, Tallahassee, 

Fort Myers, Panama City and West Palm 

Beach. The kickoff campaign, he said, will 

be for theatres in the area of Orlando during 

the height of the tourist season. He 

left here for the Florida opening of "Can- 

Can" at the Sheridan Theatre, Miami 

Beach. He credited Harry Botwick, Florida 

State Theatres supervisor for south Florida, 

for alert showmanship in arranging 

for Frank Sinatra to make personal appearances 

at the opening of "Can-Can." 

George K. Friedel, 20th-Fox salesman, 

returned from the Tampa-St. Petersburg 

area to report that indoor theatres along 

the state's west coast are doing a booming 

business . . . The many bitter winter 

storms which have raged this year through 

the North, East and parts of the South, 

have brought Florida its greatest tourist 

crop in history. Many cold nights ranging 

down into the 30s, however, have hampered 

drive-in patronage in north and central 

Florida. 

Art Castner, manager of the downtown 

Imperial, had the week's only first-run 

opening with "The Tingler." "Suddenly, 

Last Summer" moved into a strong second 

week at the Florida Theatre; "Solomon 

and Sheba" at the Five Points and "Once 

More, With Feeling" at the Town and 

Country were rounding out three weeks of 

playing time. Sheldon Mandell's downtown 

St. Johns opened with the third local 

run of "South Pacific" . . Special dis- 

. 

count coupons were issued to churches and 

schools for the first suburban indoor run 

of "The Big Fisherman" at the Edgewood 

Theatre . . . Betty Dunavent has resigned 

from the 20th-Pox staff. 

. . . 

Mary Newport, United Artists cashier, 

has purchased a new Chevrolet Impala 

. . . Jimmy Langston, after several weeks 

as manager of the Rialto Theatre, Orlando, 

has joined FST's managerial staff in this 

city . . . Jack Duquette, former manager 

of the Rialto, is now assisting Walter 

Colby, manager of the Beacham Theatre, 

Orlando The new manager of the 

Rialto is Gordon Peck, former manager 

of the Pinecrest Drive-In, New Smyrna 

Beach. 

The flu virus kept Phil Eckert, Jackie 

Hess and Mary Jane Partin, Columbia 

staffers, at their homes for several days 

on the seriously ill list was Lois 

Graham, Roy Smith Co. . . . Exhibitors on 

Filmrow included Bob Daugherty, Leesburg; 

Leonard Naas, Orlando; Roy Bang, 

Groveland; Mr. and Mi-s. Harry Dale, Lake 

Butler, and Harold Popel. West Palm 

Beach . . . Walter Powell, 20th-Fox salesman, 

returned from a stay in the Miami 

area. 

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BOXOFFICE March 14, 1960 SE-3

. . The 

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Censors at Memphis Ask City How 

To Permit Barring of Children 

MEMPHIS—The city boai-d of censors is 

seeking legally to bar children from certain 

movies. Mrs. Jud.son McKellar, chairman, 

has written Mayor Heni-y Loeb asking 

for an ordinance which would au- 

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Two Stars Are Signed 

For Tomboy' Roles 

HOUSTON — Hollywood veterans Rex 

Allen and Jesse B. Kirkpatrick have been 

signed for "The Tomboy and the Grand 

Champ." which will be filmed in the 

Houston area and have the Houston Pat 

Stock show as its background. Producer 

Tom A. Reynolds and director Franc :s 

Lyon made the announcement. 

Backgi'ound shots were made almost 

daily at the Pat Stock show which was 

here for two weeks. Shooting of the dramatic 

story is not scheduled until late 

this month. 

Allen will play himself, as a rodeo guest 

star, while Kirkpatrick will have the important 

dramatic role of the circuit rider. 

Kirkpatrick is a character actor whose 

face is more familiar to movie fans than 

his name. He is called upon consistently 

by directors who want an actor to give 

a top performance in a small role. 

He is currently being seen in the role 

of the Sheriff in "Toby Tyler," now at 

the Metropolitan in Houston. 

For weeks, Reynolds and Lyon have been 

auditioning young actresses for the title 

role of the tomboy. They have had a hard 

time finding the right child who has the 

sparkle and talent, but who is not busy 

with television or picture contracts. 

One has probably been selected, but will 

not be named until a contract has been 

signed. 

Building 3,500-Seat House 

In Nuevo Laredo, Mexico 

NUEVO LAREDO, MEXICO—A two 

million pesos structure is being built here 

to replace the city's largest theatre, Teatro 

de las Americas, which was destroyed by 

a spectacular fire January 4. 

Architect Lopez Fernandez of Mexico 

City came here to supervise the construction 

and said he expects the building to 

be completed within four months. The 

house will feature a glass screen and provide 

seating for 3,500 patrons. The property 

is under long term lease to Exhibiciones 

Reforma, S. A., which has headquarters 

in Mexico City and operates 

around 300 theatres throughout Mexico. 

The property belongs to the Barreda 

family of Laredo, consisting of three sisters: 

Mrs. Gerardo Montemayor. Mrs. Edmund 

Gonzalez and Estela Barreda. Gerardo 

Montemayor said the former building 

belonged to the family and the company 

carried the insurance on it. He added that 

the new structure also will be a part of 

the property owned by the Laredoans. 

Architect Fernandez has built over 20 

new theatres for the circuit, the two most 

recent ones being at Ciudad Juarez and 

Pachuca. 

Kyle Rorex Says Public Has Shown 

Approval of Mature Film Approach 

DALLAS— "The public has put its stamp 

of approval on the mature approach of 

some of our current movies, which is 

evidenced 

by the tickets p)eople buy at the 

boxoffice," Kyle Rorex, executive director 

of Texas COMPO, told audiences in San 

Antonio and Arlington last week. "The 

movie industry is among the last in the 

communications media to 

adopt the adult 

attitude ui dealing with today's problems 

in life." 

Rorex spoke before 

members 

60 men and women, 

of 25 civic, PTA and chuiich 

groups in San Antonio and 75 representatives 

of F>TA and school executives in Arlington 

as representative of the Texas 

COMPO Speakers Bureau. 

Praising the industry's self-imposed regulation 

through the MPAA Production 

Code Board, he pointed out the importance 

of this body in supervising films to maintain 

a level of good taste on all subjects 

treated for screen entertainment. 

"It is ridiculous for anyone to think 

that all motion pictures must be made to 

fit a common age or mentality level when 

we are ti-ying to please the amusement 

appetites of over 125,000,000 people in the 

United States alone," Rorex said. "Therefore, 

our- producers in Hollywood wiU continue 

to make ample films for the family, 

the young people and at times make pictures 

for the adult mind." 

"Parents have plenty of opportunities to 

select entertainment they may deem unsuitable 

for childi-en and teenagers through 

reviews published by screening groups, the 

press, magazines and even from voluntary 

classification of pictures in theatre ads 

found in daily newspapers, weekly calendars 

and heralds," Rorex stated. 

Relating that movie men are pleased 

with the more liberal public acceptance of 

adult drama because "it shows that the 

theatregoing patron wants the movies to 

grow up to keep in step with the many 

changes that have taken place during the 

last 50 years in our social views, customs 

and ideas," he compared the many changes 

in public attitude toward women's clothing 

and cosmetics, especially the bathing suit 

and lipstick since the turn of 

the century. 

Citing the public as the gauge for what 

Hollywood producers put on film, Rorex 

averred, "the public has passed up family 

type pictures while buying the few 'adult 

recommended' fare as evidenced by boxoffice 

figures all over the country." 

Explaining the classification grouping of 

films by the Film Estimates Board, he 

noted that more films were made for the 

adult and young people category because 

this has always been the largest ticketbuying 

age segment. "These film features 

are suitable for the whole family but more 

aptly entertain a mentality level above 

that of children. Statistics show that in 

1959 there were about the same number of 

films available in the "Family' group as 

was recommended for 'Adult' status." 

Rorex said that the majority of women 

and men attending these meetings agreed 

that movies should be allowed to "grow 

up" in treating certain subjects on the 

screen and that selection of movies for 

children and young teenagers was the responsibility 

of parents. 

"Our patrons know there is a change 

going on in our pictures and they want to 

know the why and wherefore for it. That 

is why we must take the time to explain 

to them the reason behind the change." 

Rorex said. 

Showboat Theatre Afire 

For 4th Time Since 1941 

TEXAS CITY, TEX.—The Showboat 

Theatre Building has again been struck by 

fire, this one originating in an overheated 

heating system. Third floor studios and offices 

of KTLW were damaged and the 

Showboat Theatre temporarily suspended 

operations until wiring and heating facilities 

could be restored. Ken Finley is 

manager of the theatre. 

The Showboat Theatre was built in 1941 

and leveled by fire only a few months 

later. It was rebuilt in time to be destroyed 

Tjy the 1943 hurricane. After the 

third rebuilding, the theatre was a victim 

of the 1947 harbor explosion that took 

hundreds of lives. Following its fourth reconstruction, 

the theatre reopened in 1949 

and has been operating without major interruption. 

Jerry Lewis Is Recruiter! 

HOLLYWOOD — Jerry Lewis has been 

appxDinted a "recruiter-at-large" for the 

Civil Air Patrol's nationwide youth training 

program, according to Brig. Gen. 

Stephen A. McElroy, national commander 

of the CAP. The recruiting campaign wUl 

be coordinated with the release of Lewis' 

Paramount film, Hal Wallis' "Visit to a 

Small Planet." 

FOR A GOOD SHOWMAN—Frank 

Cahill, left, vice-president of Centurj- 

Projector Corp., New York, and Joe 

Joseph, general manager of Hardin 

Theatre Supply Co., Dallas, display the 

second annual John H. Hardin award 

which was given to Tim Ferguson, reelected 

president of the Texas Drivein 

Theatre Owners Ass'n, as "the outstanding 

personality in the drive-in industry 

for 1959." 

Dan O'Herlihy Is Signed 

For 'One Foot in Hell' 

HOLLYWOOD—Winding up the key 

castings for 20th-Pox's "One Foot in Hell," 

Dan O'Herlihy has been signed for a top 

role in the picture which James B. Clarke 

will direct for producer Sydney Boehm. 

Previously set were Alan Ladd, Don 

Murray, Dolores Michaels and Barry Coe. 

BOXOFFICE March 14. 1960 SW-1

DALLAS 

'\A/eather conditions have been the 

worst 

in years. Schools have been closed, 

roads and highways blocked from ice and 

snow, all of which has been most detrimental 

to the theatre boxoffice. Very few exhibitors 

made any attempt to visit Filmrow. 

James Steele. 

Paramount shorts booker, 

is in Gilmer recuperating from surgery. 

He is getting along nicely now after having 

his tonsils removed. E>ue to the bad 

weather conditions, however, his doctor 

probably will not release Jim as soon as 

would have been done in better weather. 

When Jim returns to work, he will start 

booking features instead of shorts. Forest 

Baker will handle the short subject 

desk. 

Stormy Meadows of the Texas Theatre 

Almanac has been app>ointed division manager 

for the Heart Fund. So far Stormy's 

group has brought in the largest contributions 

in the city. In addition to her

. . . The 

HOUSTON 

Charon Pettey, cashier at the Alabama 

Theatre, was the heroine of the week. 

She witnessed a woman shopping next to 

the theatre being robbed of her purse, 

hastily thought to write down the license 

number of the snatcher's car. He was 

caught the next day. 

Hedy Lamarr's lost more money by not 

appearing in a Houston coui't room last 

week. After failing to appear a couple of 

weeks ago her $3,000 monthly alimony 

was trimmed to $250 by Judge Ben Woodall 

of domestic court. The judge indicated 

the alimony might be restored if she appeared. 

However, "illness and lack of money," 

which was her previous reason for not 

appearing, was again given as a reason 

for failing to appear. Her local lawyer, 

J. Edwin Smith, asked the divorce trial 

(in Miss Lamarr's divorce from oilman 

W. Howard Leei be heard on its merits, 

and all other issues, including property 

settlements, be arbitrated by a master in 

chancery. 

Interstate Theatres passed out $100 in 

pzizes and 50 pairs of tickets to winners 

in a "Last Voyage" Oscar contest. The 

top prize was $25. The contest called for 

contestants to list the category and year 

of Academy Award nominations of Flobert 

Stack, Dorothy Malone, George Sanders 

and Edmond O'Brien, the films involved 

and whether or not each player 

won the award. The contest was co-sponsored 

by the Houston Post. As usual, contestants 

bombarded the other two papers' 

movie critics for the correct answers. 

The three Crosby boys, Lindsay, Phillip 

and Dennis, will present two shows here 

March 23. The trio will present their night 

club act . . . The Delman's Ellis Ford 

stepped in to outbid competitors and capture 

"Operation Petticoat," which only a 

month ago set a record for the longest 

run at Loew's State. Since the film had 

not been played out when it left Loew's, 

Ford expects a long run such as "Pillow 

Talk," had when it was shifted from the 

Majestic downtown to the River Oaks. 

EL PASO 

Jl^n attempted robbery of the Colon Theatre 

by two knife-wielding bandits was 

foiled by the cashier ignoring their demand 

for the money and the manager's 

timely api>earance with a club. The pair 

was apprehended, after robbing a local 

hotel and a parking lot attendant, on a 

bus ten minutes out of the city. They 

were identified as Oscar Chavez, 29, and 

Leon L. Pipkin, 26, both ex-convicts from 

Los Angeles. Pipkin was formerly employed 

as a stagehand for a Hollywood 

motion picture studio. 

Peter "Li'l Abner" Palmer will begin a 

two-week engagement Monday (14) at the 

La Fiesta Theatre -Restaurant in Juarez, 

Mexico . . . The American Cancer Ass'n 

sponsored a 10 a.m. movie for women 

only at the Ellanay Theatre. The movie 

explained the process of self-examination 

in detecting the early stages of cancer. 

The use of the theatre and the services 

of all employes were donated to this very 

worthy cause. Bill Bohling is manager. 

The Ellanay is giving the UA release, 

"On the Beach," holdover playing time 

. . . Interstate's Pershing Theatre has 

opened with a promise of an extended 

holdover on "The Mouse That Roared." 

The house is managed by Nacim Meledi 

Fiesta Drive-In. on the North 

Mesa highway is in the process of retm-ning 

to a full schedule after operating on 

a weekends only basis since late last fall. 

Each week, as a joint effort of KELP 

radio and television stations. El Paso's ABC 

outlets, a program called Be Good to (name 

of selected person) Week is presented. Bill 

Bohling, manager of Trans-Texas' Ellanay 

Theatre was recently chosen for what has 

become an exciting weekly event. Be Good 

to Bohling Week accentuated various 

luncheons, dinners, telephone calls of good 

wishes, as well as candy and flowers for 

Mrs. Bohling. 

Public relations is one of Bill Bohling's 

greatest assets. The El Paso Police Athletic 

Fund, sponsor of youth athletic activities, 

held a fund raising campaign at 

the Ellanay Theatre. The si>ecial showing 

was presented March 4, beginning at 10 

a. m. Allied Artists' "The Big Circus" and 

added attractions were presented. Admission 

was $1 per person. Bill reported good 

attendance. 

Preston Ames to Direct 

Art for Oscar Program 

HOLLYWOOD—Edgar Pi'eston Ames has 

been appointed art director for the 32nd 

annual Oscar show of the Academy of 

Motion Kcture Arts and Sciences by producer 

Arthur FYeed. Assisting him on the 

April 4 show will be Emile Kuri and Ed 

Stephenson, Kuri and Ames representing 

the art directors branch on the Academy 

board of governors and Stephenson as an 

art director for NBC. 

DRIVE-INS 

SAN ANTONIO 

. . . 

n ndrew and Virginia Stone, producers of 

"The Last Voyage," were in town for 

a round of press conferences to publicize 

the picture which played the Aztec Theatre 

. . . New Columbia releases now ready 

for booking include "El Mago," starring 

Cantinflas, and "El Siete Machos," with 

the same star . . . The Plaza, Boerne, 

which has been dark for some time, now is 

back in operation again Raul Martinez, 

Mexican film star, headlined the 

stage show at the Alameda Teatro. He was 

followed by Lalo PipoiTo Gonzalez, screen 

actor-comic in another live show the succeeding 

week. 

Milton Braim retui-ned from a visit in 

Nuevo Laredo with friends . . . The Tiro 

Fantasia augmented the Fernando Casanova 

stage and screen show at the State 

Theatre . . Cinema Arts Josephine Theatre 

played "The Mating Urge" for adults. 

Mrs. Gaston Philippi, 88, widow of one 

of San Antonio's first film and theatre 

supply house owners, died . . . Azteca booker 

Robert Gallegos returned from a selling 

trip to the Valley . . . Azteca will alternate 

with Clasa-Mohme in supplying 

first run Spanish-language pictures for 

Interstates State starting March 18 . . . 

Genaro G. Garcia, Majestic Theatre projectionist, 

was in a hospital . . . Azteca assistant 

booker Arnulfo Arias Roa, who underwent 

a minor operation, is fully recovered 

and back at work . . . Azteca Manager 

Jewell Truex was in Eagle Pass visiting 

owners of the new Iris, Yolanda and 

Aztec theatres. 

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BOXOFFICE :: March 14, 1960 SW-3

— 

'Good' Films Crusader Never Sees One OKLAHOMA CITY 

Even When Next Door, Writer Finds 

By SAM BRUNK 

OKLAHOMA CITY — An article 

appeared 

recently in the afternoon paper, 

stating that the Parent-Teachers councils 

were making a drive to see that the neighborhood 

theatres played pictui-es. especially 

over the weekends, that were decent for 

their little angels to see. 

Learning that the president of the PTA 

of a school in the Capitol section had contacted 

the Barton Theatres office, we 

called her and had quite a conversation. 

At the time two religious pictures were 

playing at the suburban Capitol Theatre 

near the school .she represents. When 

asked if she or any other members of the 

PTA council had seen the pictures, she 

remarked: "I did not know that the Capitol 

was a part of the Barton Theatres 

and did not know that two religious pictures 

were being played." 

The pictures in question were "Noah's 

Ark," a Warner Bros., reissue, and "Day 

of Triumph," a stoi-y about the crucifixion 

of Christ and in beautiful color. Both 

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628 West Grand Oklahoma City 

pictures are distributed by Screen Guild 

of Oklahoma. 

The PTA president finally confided she 

had six children and "could not afford" 

going to the movies, but since her children 

a-ssociated with other children that do go 

to the movies, she felt that pictures the 

other children see should not mb off on 

her offspring, if they were not the right 

kind of pictures! 

It seems to us that some people are trying 

to dictate to the theatres just what 

movies they should and should not exhibit, 

but when good pictures come along 

good for all the family such as these 

people request, they stay away in droves. 

One exhibitor said to us some time ago: 

"I can run .some of the finest pictures that 

are made—good stories, big stars and in 

color—but they do not come to see them, 

but if I put on a picture like 'Blood of 

Dracula.' 'Blood of the Vampire' or other 

such pictures, we have no trouble in getting 

a lot of customers. I am in business 

to make money, and have to play what 

I think the people will come to see." 

In the afternoon paper dated March 2 

there appeared another article headed. 

•PTA Working, Too. Police Slap at Truants." 

Reprinted with the article was a 

montage of several ads from the movie 

pages described as suggestive, and "enticing 

teenagers away from school and to 

the movies." 

Video Independent Circuit 

Promotes Nelson Myers 

CUSHING, OKLA.—Nelson Myers, manager 

of two local theatres for around three 

years, has been promoted to city manager 

of Video theatres in Cleburne, Tex. 

Myers, 38, came here from Frederick and 

made an exceptional record which Video 

Independent Theatres executives credited 

with being the reason for his advancement 

to greater responsibilities. In his new post, 

he wull be in charge of the Esquire, only 

recently completed in Cleburne's downtown 

area, and of a drive-in. Theatres under his 

supervision while here were the Dunkin 

and Sundown. 

Myers is a native of Shawnee. He joined 

the Video circuit in 1950. He and his wife 

and son Thomas, 5, have left for their new 

home in Cleburne. 

Myers said he regretted leaving here, 

praising the cooperation of business people 

and patrons but hailed the Texas job 

as "a promotion that I simply cannot afford 

to pass up." 

Chinese character actor Stephen Cheng 

will play a featured role in Paramount's 

"The Pleasure of His Company." 

[Jnited Theatre Owners of Oklahoma and 

the Variety Club are planning a joint 

.spring outing and golf tournament, tentatively 

dated for June 6. 7 at the Harvard 

Club and Rolling Hills golf course in Tulsa 

.. . The name of the Oklahoma County 

Health Assn. which has been the Variety 

Club's main charity, had been renamed 

the Variety Health Center, Inc., and Mrs. 

D. H. Rascoe has been re-elected president. 

Other officers are Jack LaMonte, vicepresident; 

Prances Kennedy, secretary, and 

Earl C. Hill, treasurer. The health service 

has not yet been asked to leave the 

building it occupies, which has been sold 

to the government for construction of a 

new postoffice. 

It was another week of very bad weather, 

temperatures dropping below zero in p&rts 

of the state. The lowest we heard of was 

at Guymon, where the reading was 10 below. 

Everett Mahaney locked up his drivein 

there that weekend. C. H. Punk and son 

Nelson operate the American and Royal 

there, the latter parttime ... A few salesmen 

made it out in the territory, but most 

of them just worked in and around Oklahoma 

City. Eddie Griggs of UA made it 

to Guymon, and that's the last we heard 

of him. 

Buck Weaver, Tom McKean and Paul 

Rice, the Paramount staffers here, took 

a train because of the uncei-tain weather 

when called to a meeting at Dallas. It 

sure was pleasant during the snow and 

drizzle to sit back in comfort in the safety 

of a train. 

Braving the storms to visit Filmrow were 

Mutt McMurry of Dumas, Tex.. Dick 

Crumpler of Checotah, J. C. and Leonard 

Lumpkin, Tulsa, and Les Nordean, who 

formerly operated the Rex and Shirley In 

Konawa and the Arcadia in Maud. He now 

is a salesman for a chemical company at 

Kansas City. 

The Hull Bros, buying and booking office, 

forced out of the building at 701 

Grand when Paramount moved and Video 

Independent took over the entire structure 

for its Vumore and concession departments, 

then temporarily at 708 West 

Grand with Screen Guild, has moved entirely 

off Filmrow to the Roberts Hotel 

downtown. 

Designers Okay Pact 

HOLLYWOOD—The Costume Designers 

Guild has approved the first contract ever 

offered by the producers. The pact, retroactive 

to last December 14, and extending 

through Jan. 30, 1961, covers costume 

designers, assistant costume designers and 

costume sketch artists employed at the 

major studios. 

Ionn

— 

'Ben-Hur' and 'Beach' 

Great in Mill City 

MINNEAPOLIS — "Ben-Hur," which 

opened at the Academy Theatre, recorded 

a gigantic 700 per cent in its first week 

with all seats sold out for all performances. 

"On the Beach" hit a big 275 per cent in its 

first week at the RKO Orpheum. "The 

Gazebo" climbed to 200 per cent in its 

sixth and final week at the World. 


Acodemy Ben-Hur (MGM) 700 

Century South Seas Adventure (Cinerama), 

35th wk 105 

Gopher ^Mosters of the Congo Jungle (20th- 

Fox) 150 

Lyric Jock the Ripper (Poro), 2nd wk 70 

Orpheum On the Beach (UA) 275 

Pan—The Rise ond Foil of Legs Diamond (WB) 1 75 

State Suddenly, Lost Summer (Col), 2nd wk...l70 

Uptown The Cranes Are Flying (WB) 150 

World The Gazebo (MGM), 6th wk 200 

Variety Installation in Des Moines 

'Bramble Bush' Leads 

Busy Milwaukee Week 

MILWAUKEE — "The Bramble Bush" 

was the leader among films shown here the 

past week, chalking up a vigorous 250 per 

cent mark. "Porgy and Bess" opened well 

at 200 per cent. Business elsewhere was 

good. 

Palace On the Beoeh (UA), 3rd wk 150 

Riverside Toby Tyler (BV), 3rd wk 125 

Strand Porgy and Bess (Col) 200 

Towne ^The Hypnotic Eye (AA); Invisible Avenger 

(Rep) 100 

Worner The Bramble Bush (WB) 250 

Wisconsin 

Once More, With Feeling (Col) 100 

'On the Beach' Continues 

As Omaha Leader 

OMAHA—The piling of one snow on top 

of the other, days of sub-zero temperature 

and rough driving conditions have brought 

a slump for first runs, although a couple 

of holdovers continued to do well. "On the 

Beach" still did good business at the Admiral 

in its fifth week and "Ben-Hur" 

reservations held up well at the State. 

Admiral On the Beach (UA), 5th wk 140 

Cooper Ben-Hur (MGM), 3rd wk 100 

Dundee A Touch of Larceny (Poro), 2nd wk. 90 

Omaha The Rookie (20th-Fox); The Man Who 

Could Cheat Death (Para) 60 

Orpheum The Gene Krupa Story (Col) 100 

State—The Gazebo (MGM), 2nd wk 95 

Rebuilt R0X7 in Randolph 

Opened by Leonard Leise 

RANDOLPH, NEB. — Leonard Leise reopened 

his completely rebuilt Roxy Theatre 

Sunday, February 28, featuring 300 new 

seats, a new booth and other new features. 

The Roxy had been closed since it was 

badly damaged by fire May 3. 

"Businessmen very definitely felt the loss 

of the Roxy during the past months," 

Leise told Boxoffice. "The people here 

showed much enthusiasm during the weeks 

preceding our reopening; they couldn't 

wait for the show to start operating again. 

As for myself, I have complete confidence 

in the future of the theatre." 

John Lavery Promoted 

LOS ANGELES—John E. Lavery has 

been named to the new position of executive 

director of community activities 

for Fox West Coast Theatres Corp. Until 

recently, Lavery was aide to William H. 

Thedford, Pacific Coast division manager, 

and has been succeeded in this post by 

Bob Smith. 

DES MOINES—New officers of Variety 

Tent 15 were installed at the annual inaugural 

dinner-dance held recently at the 

Standard Club, 615 High St. Joe Young 

acted as emcee and Lloyd Hirstine gave 

the oath of office to the new slate of officers, 

comprised of Don Allen, chief 

Lease on City's Theatre 

Upheld in Minnesota 

RED WING, MINN.—A decision upholding 

the lease between Jim FVaser, operator 

of the municipally owned Auditorium 

theatre here, and the city of Red Wing 

was upheld in Goodhue County court here 

by Judge John F. Kahili of Waseca. The 

action contesting the lease was brought 

by John Wright associates, operators of 

the Chief Theatre of this city. 

Judge Kahili, who was appointed to hear 

the case as an impartial judge from outside 

Goodhue County, handed down the 

decision with prejudice. Therefore, Wright 

and associates are prohibited from reoptening 

the case in Goodhue County. They 

iwssibly could appeal the decision to the 

Minnesota supreme court, but no appeal 

has been made so far. 

In handing down his decision Judge Kahili 

said that Fraser's leasing of the Auditorium 

Theatre had just created good competition 

for the Chief Theatre, which is 

"the life blood of democracy." He declared 

that Wright and associates had no 

real grounds for contesting the lease. 

Wright and associates also have filed 

two damage suits against Fraser, the city 

of Red Wing and others, but no dates 

for the trials have been set yet. 

Steve Brooks to Alciona 

HOLLYWOOD — Steve Brooks has been 

named secretary of 

Alciona International, 

Yul Brynner's corporation. He leaves the 

Ashley-Steiner agency here to move to 

the Brynner headquarters in Europe. Paul 

Radin, reportedly due to a difference of 

opinion with Brynner, has left his post 

as vice-president in Alciona. 

barker; Joe Young, first assistant; Dick 

Frank, second assistant; Dave Gold, property 

master and Lou Levy, dough guy. 

Awards were made to Larry Day, outgoing 

chief barker; Mrs. lola West, outgoing 

head of the auxiliary; and Jake 

Kaplan, for outstanding service during the 

past year. Mrs. Gerald Sandler was introduced 

as the new chairman of the auxiliary. 

Reports showed that in 1959, the club 

paid $1,100 to cover the antibiotics bills of 

five families and purchased $1,450 worth 

of equipment to aid the sufferers of cystic 

fibrosis. The auxiliary contributed $450. 

Variety 12 to Fete 

Its Chief Barker 

MINNEAPOLIS — Joe Podoloff, retiring 

chief barker of the Variety Club of the 

Northwest, will be honored at a Variety 

Club dinner at the Nicollet Hotel Tuesday 

(15) at 6:30 p.m. Attending will be officials 

and staff members of the Variety 

Club heart disease hospital and the University 

of Minnesota as well as past chief 

barkers of the club. Podoloff will be presented 

the chief barker's ring. Charles 

Winchell, president of Minnesota Amusement 

Co., has been working with;the Variety 

board of directors in making arrangements 

for the event. 

Exhibitor S.N. Fangman 

Receives Safety Award 

BOONE, IOWA—At the recent drive-in 

meeting of Central States Theatre Corp.. 

the circuit's insurance company presented 

an award to 8. N. Fangman, manager of 

the Boone Drive-In for not having had 

an accident at the local drive-in during the 

year. 

Tony CrandeU, an employe of the Rialto 

Theatre the past two years, has been appointed 

by Fangman, who is also city manager 

here for Central States, to be manager 

of the drive-in for the coming season. 

Carrie Heywood Dies 

NEW RICHMOND. WIS. — Mrs. 

Jack 

"Carrie" Heywood, operator of the Gem 

Theatre, died. She took over operation of 

the theatre following the death of her 

husband about two years ago. 

BOXOFFICE March 14, 1960 NC-1

. . The 

MINNEAPOLIS 

Tim Payne, who formerly managed Sol 

Fisher's string of theatres, is the new 

manager at Ted Mann's Suburban 'World. 

He also is doing publicity for Mann's 

Edina and Westgate as well as the Sub 

World . St. Louis Park Theatre 

cuirently is premiering 20th-Pox's "When 

Comedy Was King," written and produced 

by Robert Youngson. The picture is dualled 

with "Tillie's Punctured Romance" starring 

Charlie Chaplin and Marie Dressier, which 

Continental is rereleasing. 

. . . 

Martin Lebedoff, operator of the Capitol 

in St. Paul, opened his first Uncle 

John's Pancake House in that city. Another 

one is slated for Minneapolis 

While Bob Murphy, Minneapolis Star film 

has been recuperating at home from 

critic, 

a recent heart attack. Will Jones, Morning 

Tribune entertainment columnist, has 

been pinch-hitting for him with reviews 

of the new films. 

Ex-Riotion picture star Conrad Nagel 

awoifs \ôu when 

WAHOO b the 

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37iO OaMM SI. • Skoklt, Illinois 

Branch managers of all film companies 

attended a Brotherhood Week meeting at 

the 20th-Fox exchange and pledged their 

cooperation to make contacts with theatre 

owners for participation in the drive. 

Perry S. Lusk of the Minneapolis office 

of the National Council of Christians and 

Jews pointed out that there has been more 

interest this year than ever before in cementing 

intergroup relations. Sid Eckman, 

manager for MGM who is regional chairsetufinB 

will be in St. Paul the week of March 21 

for "The Pleasure of His Company" stage 

play at the Auditorium along with Cornelia 

Otis Skinner and Cyril Ritchard . . . 

For "Suddenly, Last Summer" at the 

State the admission was hiked to $1.50 

. . . Bob Hazelton of Hazelton & Associates 

was in New York on business . . . 

Prank Mantzke of Northwest Theatre 

Corp. is back from a trip to California. 

. . . 

Chick Everhart, operator of the State 

Theatre and the drive-in at Walker, returned 

from a vacation in Florida 

The Aster, a late-run house, has installed 

a new screen . . . Bill Marshall, former 

manager of the 'Volks' Nile Theatre for 

three years, is the new office manager and 

head booker at AIP. 

Exhibitors seen on the Row included Art 

Johnson, Galesville, Wis.: Doc Reynolds, 

Princeton: D. W. Gustafson, Cokato: S. J. 

Brenny, Holdingford, and Ed Johnson, 

Redwood Palls, who tentatively plans to 

open his Hiway 71 Drive-In the end of this 

month . . . Irene Williams, cashier, is the 

new booker at Allied Artists . . . Harry 

Hollander. Columbia exploiteer. was in 

working on "Once More, With Feeling," 

which opened at the World, and "Who Was 

That Lady?" which is scheduled for the 

State, Minneapolis, and Paramount, St. 

Paul. 

Managers of theatres in the Welworth 

circuit presented a watch to Harry Green, 

general manager, in recognition of his 

years of service, at the recent manager's 

meeting held in the general offices here. 

Coming product and ways of increasing 

business were discussed and "Ben-Hur" 

was previewed at the Academy Theatre. 

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man for all drives in which the motion 

picture industry is participating this year, 

presided. In addition. Bob Favaro, regional 

publicity chairman for the Academy 

Awards presentation April 4, told about 

the publicity kit which is available to exhibitors 

for $3. 

Since the Academy Award nominations 

were announced, there have been many 

requests for bookings of Continental's 

"Room at the Top." The picture is shipped 

in this territory by Independent Film Service, 

but bookings are handled from Chicago. 

Paul Ayotte, who operated the Pem at 

Waba.sha, now has a bar and package 

store at Eau Claire, Wis. ... A Minnesota 

industrial motion picture has been 

selected for showing at the Third International 

Industrial and Labor Rim Festival 

in Belgium. The film is "It's Easy to 

Bend." written and directed by Paul Rusten 

of Rusten Film Associates for the 

O'Neill-Irwin Manufacturing Co. of Lake 

City. 

NT&T Stockholders Meet 

In Los Angeles Mar. 15 

LOS ANGELES—Heading the agenda of 

the annual meeting of stockholders of 

National Theatres & Television, Inc., will 

be the election of 15 directors and approval 

of an amendment to a stock option plan. 

The meeting is scheduled for March 15 at 

the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles. 

All of the director nominees are now 

serving on the board except William J. 

Friedman. Incumbents are Charles A. Barker 

jr., John B. Bertero, B. Gerald Cantor, 

Samuel Firks. Charles L. Glett, A. J. Gock, 

William H. Hudson, Willard W. Keith. 

Eugene \. Klein, Ely A. Landau, Richard 

W. Millar. Jack M. Ostrow, Graham L. 

Sterling and Oliver A. Unger. 

The termination date of the stock option 

plan would be extended to Feb. 15. 

1965 if the amendment is approved. Also 

the stockholders will vote on an amendment 

of the certificate of incorporation increasing 

the authorized stock from 3,750.- 

000 shares to 5,000.000. 

Only Fcmn Income Is Off 

MINNEAPOLIS — Most important economic 

indicators, except for farm income, 

continue to signal moderate prosperity in 

the Ninth Federal Reserve district, the 

Federal Reserve Bank here reported. Farm 

result of the 1959 drouth and 

income, as a 

lower farm product prices, has been running 

10 to 13 per cent below last year, the 

report said. However, it also noted that 

January total nonagricultural employment 

hit a new record for the month, that department 

store sales were above January 

1959, and that bank debits—the dollar 

volume of checks written—topped the figures 

of a year earlier, if only by a slight 

amount. 

Greer Garson Joins 'Pepe' 

HOLL'YWOOD—Greer Garson has joined 

the guest stars assembled by producerdirector 

George Sidney for "Pepe," Columbia 

release. 

NC-2 BOXOFFICE March 14, 1960

THEATRICAL 

MILWAUKEE 

TJobert Scheffing, 64, stage carpenter at 

the Riverside Theatre for more than 

15 years, died. Jerry Bierce, assistant 

manager, said Bob had just opened the 

curtain for the day, and proceeded to go 

below to carry out his chores, when he 

suddenly slumped over. He was an authority 

on Abraham Lincoln and had over 500 

books on the subject. He also made several 

pilgrimages to Springfield, for further 

lore . . . "Ben-Hur" will open at the Strand 

April 12, according to Al Prank, general 

manager. Fox Wisconsin Theatres. 

Gov. Abraham A. Ribicoff of Connecticut 

practically made the Milwaukee Press 

Club his headquarters during his visit here. 

It started off with a breakfast and informal 

press conference, and wound up with 

a testimonial luncheon in his honor, hosted 

by the club. Ribicoff is a supporter of 

Senator Kennedy, who is seeking the 

Democratic presidential nomination. On 

hand was Harold "Bud" Rose, manager for 

Allied Artists Pictures here and a member 

of the club, to bask in the governor's limelight. 

"Why not?" asked Rose, "I went to 

school with him. and he was and still is 

a swell guy." 

The Better Films Council of Milwaukee 

County met Monday (7) in the public 

library building. The main item on the 

agenda was election of officers. The program 

committee composed of Mrs. Bruce 

Hendley, chairman, and Mrs. John R. 

Derksen and Mrs. Ralph Emerson, cochairmen, 

presented Edith Quade, curator 

at the Milwaukee Public Museum, in an 

illustrated lecture on the Netherlands. Preview 

chairman Mrs. Carl Meyer, announced 

the following film ratings for March: 

Excellent (Family)—Toby Tyler, Dog of Flanders; 

Good (Adults and Young People)—On the Beech, 

The Bridol Poth. Fair— P-T Raiders, Atomic Submorine. 

Good (Adults)—The Gene Krupa Story, The 

Mirror Has Two Faces, A Touch of Larceny, Seven 

Thieves, Once More, With Feeling, Tall Story. 

Fair: (Adults)—The Purple Gang, House of Intrigue, 

The Hypnotic Eye, The Pusher, Pretty Boy 

Floyd. 

Devilish pranks were discovered at the 

41-Twin Drive-In at 7701 South 27th St., 

where damage was estimated at close to 

$5,000. Sheriff's deputies reported green 

paint dumped into ice cream coolers; 

broken car speakers; soap powders, paper 

plates, napkins, cups and cash register 

tapes scattered on the floor of the concession 

stand: neon lights and light fixtures 

smashed; wiring and plumbing torn 

out: motors and batteries damaged, and 

chocolate and soda dispensing machines 

and stoves ruined. 

Sy Schecter, U-I publicist, was here 

working on "The Glenn Miller Story," 

"Sapphire," and "Snow Queen" with Joe 

Reynolds, Towne Theatre manager. 

Changes in Censor Board 

KANSAS CITY—Mrs. 

Dorothy Prankovich 

has been named chairman of the 

Kansas City board of review, replacing 

Mrs. Hazel Runyan, whose term has expired. 

Mrs. Cecile Ryan has been appointed 

to the "censor board," as it is known on 

Filmrow, and Mrs. Claris Deane continues 

on the board. 

HAP TELLS 'EM!—R. J. "Hap" 

Hasselo, being the exuberant type of 

showman, full of enthusiasm about 

everything that occurs to him, let 

everybody in Minot, N. D., know about 

his becoming a grandfather. Hasselo 

manages the Empire Theatre there 

for Minnesota Amusement Co., where 

as seen above he put up the announcement 

on the canopy. 

Police Chief Deplores 

'Misused Television 

iCAJSrSAS CITY—Bernard C. Brannon, 

Kansas City's nationally respected police 

chief, has cited "misused television" as a 

major factor in antisocial concepts of life 

on the part of young people. Speaking before 

a local business group. Chief Brannon 

referred to television programming as "all 

of the blood and thunder we would or 

could imagine in our wildest nightmares. 

"Where once we took it in degrees by 

an occasional trip to the movies," Brannon 

continued, "it is there now for us to wallow 

in, to drench ourselves in. To our 

list of vices we must add the new one 

of misused television." 

Speaking in Louisville, Ky., just after 

the bombing of Kehilath Israel synagogue 

here. Chief Brannon said that when children 

are exposed to excessive violence 

over too long a time "there is a strong 

tendency for them to incorporate in their 

conduct and thinking antisocial concepts 

of life." 

One evening, he said, he counted 14 murders, 

35 serious shootings and injuries 

and four women being beaten by men on 

local television broadcasts. Nor were these 

shows broadcast during hours when most 

children would be in bed, he added. 

To Screenplay Own Novel 

HOLLYWOOD—Vladimir Nabokov, author 

of "Lolita," will write the screenplay 

for the forthcoming Stanley Kubrick- 

James B. Harris filmization. Nabokov reportedly 

will receive $75,000 for the writing 

job, in addition to the $150,000 he got 

for the screen rights to his novel. Kubrick 

and Harris also revealed plarts for a second 

collaboration with Nabokov to script 

another of his tomes which they purchased, 

"Laughter in the Dark." 

Film Billings Rouse 

Wrath of Columnist 

ST. PAUL—Current methods of motion 

pictures and television of billing stars 

were criticized by P. M. Clepper. entertainment 

columnist in the St. Paul Dis-- 

patch. Some exhibitors have come to believe 

that certain billing is not only ridiculous, 

but hurts business. Clepper declared 

in his column. 

He pointed out that some exhibitors 

think a big part of the reason for the 

"flop" of "The Diary of Anne Frank" was 

due to the fact that most ads emphasized 

the name of the director and an unknown 

actress named Millie Perkins, who was 

starred. Left in the background, Clepper 

continued, was the fact that the picture 

had such names as Shelley Winters and 

Ed Wynn, whom the public might pay to 

see. 

The Dispatch columnist also took the 

film companies to task for "introducing" 

actors. Ads for a new featm'e, "Home 

From the Hill," "introduce" George Peppard, 

Clepper said, who not only has 

starred on Broadway and in television, 

but was the star of a previous film, "The 

Strange One." 

• 

Dr Pepper 7-State Region l 

Assigned to Jerry Tripod 

KANSAS CITY. MO.—Jerry Tripod has 

been appointed Dr Pepper fountain regional 

manager for a seven-state area including 

North and South Dakota, Minne-' 

sota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri. 

In his new capacity, he will call on 

theatre concessions operators, fountain 

syrup jobbers and other wholesalers in the 

fountain syrup trade, according to Wesby 

R. Parker, president of Dr Pepper Co., 

Dallas. 

Tripod previously had served as a zon^ 

manager in the Houston area with tM 

company's bottle sales department. In his 

new assignment he will be headquartered 

here, where he and Mrs. Tripod and their 

four childi-en will reside. Before becoming 

a zone manager, he was employed by the 

Dr Pepper Co. of Paragould. Ark. In 1955 

he served as president of the Paragould 

Junior Chamber of Commerce. 

Too Revealing ior Patron! ? 

MINNEAPOLIS — Use of a "revealing" 

photograph of Elizabeth Taylor in advertising 

for "Suddenly, Last Summer " was 

criticized by a theatregoer in a letter to 

the editor of the Minneapolis Morning 

Tribune. Calling himself a "movie patron 

who wishes to see the theatres remain 

open," the wi-iter said that he saw the 

film and "censures the ad men who drive 

people away by calling attention to scenes 

of very little importance, such as the brief 

one of Miss Taylor appearing in a bathing 

suit." 

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1 

BOXOFFICE March 14. 1960 NC-3

. . The 

— 

. . Elaine 

DES MOINES 

T\on Allen, recently installed 

chief barker 

of Variety Tent 15, said that in 1959 

the club paid $1,100 to cover the antibiotics 

bills of five families and purchased 

$1,450 worth of equipment to aid cystic 

fibrosis patients. The auxiliary contributed 

$450 of that amount . Sidney Theatre 

in Sidney has been opened under the 

new owner.ship of F^-ank Rash jr. of Hamburg. 

Presence of a motion picture camera 

crew in Independence recently promoted 

reports that Independence and other Iowa 

communities may be used as locales for 

a Hollywood movie. However, MGM has 

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theatre supply co. 

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NC-4 

said that no such decision has been made. 

The picture is to be based on a novel, 

Chautauqua," by Dwight Vincent and Day 

Keene. Vincent was born in Ida Grove. A 

camera crew filmed some local scenery 

and took pictures of Mayor William Annstrong. 

Pi-oducers, directors and technicians 

u-se such films to decide whether a 

location would be suitable for actual filming 

of a story. 

Proof that all people do not like to watch 

old movies on a television screen has been 

more than verified to Bob Fridley, Varsity 

Theatre. A group of movie enthusiasts 

has organized the Des Moines Film Society 

and meet about every three weeks in Bob's 

lounge at the Varsity to view classics such 

as "Million Dollar Legs," "Seventh Heaven" 

and "Unfaithfully Yours." To date some 

43 members have p>aid dues of $10 each 

belong. 

to 

Nebraska Airers Covered 

By Drifts Up to 10 Feet 

OMAHA—"The cold wind doth blow and 

we shall have snow, and what will the 

drive-in theatres do then?" 

With the regular time for opening just 

around the corner, most drive-in theatre 

owners in this territory are looking out 

the window surveying drifts up to ten feet 

deep and no sign of a let-up. 

Irvin Dubinsky, who has the Star View 

and West O drive-ins at Lincoln, said he 

figures it will take 30 days before the piles 

of snow will disappear. 

And then what? 

Many observers believe that because of 

the warm weather preceding the long 

siege of snow that started around the last 

of the year, the ground was not frozen 

deep before the snows came and that the 

ground beneath now is soft and that the 

bottom will drop out when the big thaw 

comes—if ever. 

One theatre owner said it had cost him 

$150 in January alone for snow removal 

and February was just as bad, if not worse. 

There has been little melting. 

One thing is certain, most drive-in operators 

agree, the severe winter is going 

to have an extremely bad effect on ramps 

and drives. 

There is consolation: the snow has 

brought much moistui-e and a lot of 

moisture means good pasture for the 

ranchers, good winter wheat growth for 

the wheat farmer and fine growing conditions 

for corn. The harvest should be 

more admissions at the turnstiles. 

Award to 

'Mystery' 

HOLLYWOOD—The Southern California 

Motion Picture Council has presented 

Michael Todd jr. an award for his "Scent 

of Mystery," in its second month at the 

Ritz Theatre. The group, terming the production 

a "picture of outstanding merit," 

stated it was recommended for people of 

all 

ages. 

Tamiroff to 'Eleven' Cast 

HOLLYWOOD — Akim Tamiroff has 

joined the cast of "Ocean's Eleven," Frank 

Sinatra's Dorchester Production for Warner 

Bros., toplining in the role of Spyros 

Acebos, the racketeer who conceives the 

wholesale holdup of the Las Vegas casinos. 

OMAHA 

H E. Thacker jr.. South Sioux City exhibitor, 

was still at St. Joseph Hospital 

in Sioux City. Thacker has the 7-T-7 

Drive-In, the State Theatre and a bowling 

alley in South Sioux . Carlson 

of the United Artists cashier department 

reported the death of her father-inlaw, 

Carl Oscar Carlson. 

F. A. Van Husan, for many years owner 

of the local Western Theatre Supply Co. 

and later with Ralph Goldberg Theatres, 

has been visiting his daughter and son-inlaw 

at Phoenix . . . Alice Neal, former 

Warner Bros, office manager here and 

who later worked for the Goldberg Theatres, 

came back to visit her many friends 

on the Row and to attend the funeral of 

Elmer Huhnke, veteran exhibitor. Miss 

Neal is now with a printing firm in San 

Francisco. 

Fred Fejfar, MGM salesman, luckily was 

not stranded in the far-between-towns 

section of the state when a chunk of ice 

badly damaged his gas tank. Salesmen report 

the going has been rough, with one 

snow piling on top of another . . . Bob 

Hirz. WB sales manager, has a new Chevy 

on order. Bobs brother Hob, former manager 

of the Cass Theatre at Plattsmouth, 

now has a bowling alley and has just completed 

one of the most successful state 

VFW pin tournaments on the books. 

Leonard Leise, Randolph, was booking 

for his Roxy at Randolph, after being 

closed about ten months as the result of a 

fire. He still is without his CinemaScope 

lenses, which had to be sent in for working 

over . . . Joanne Cline, UA office manager's 

secretary, has announced her wedding 

date will be August 13 at Grace Lutheran 

Church. She will marry Don Fiu-- 

row. 

Mrs. Carl White of Quality Theatre Supply, 

president of the Variety auxiliary, reported 

articles are beginning to come in 

for the rummage sale April 9 but added 

that any contributions are w-elcome, with 

"emphasis on any and everything." 

Irvin Beck, Wilbur exhibitor, was nominated 

for mayor again with no opposition 

Visitors on the Row included Mr. and 

. . . 

Mrs. Sam Burrus, Crete; S. J. Backer, 

Harlan, low'a, and Sid Metcalf, Nebraska 

City. 

Updating Costing $30,000 

At Gainesville, Fla. 

GAINESVILLE, FLA. — Florida Theatre 

is in the middle of a remodeling job that 

will enlarge the lobby and provide the theatre 

with a new face at a cost around 

$30,000. 

The lobby is being enlarged to the east, 

taking over space vacated by a drug store. 

Florida State Theatres Manager Ed Roberts 

said the lobby will be more than double 

its previous size, enabling the public 

to stand inside out of the weather while 

waiting for the features to begin. Restrooms 

will be remodeled and enlarged. The 

facade will have new glass doors and the 

boxoffice placed off-center east of its present 

location. The candy counter and snack 

bar are being completely revamped. 

BOXOFFICE :: March 14, 1960

— 

—— 

— 

Subzero Cincy Does 

Better Than Fair 

CINCINNATI—Despite subzero temperatures 

and heavy snowfall throughout 

the Ohio Valley, with more than five inches 

here, local first-run houses enjoyed 

surprisingly good boxoffices, with holdovers 

set for five houses. Heading the list 

were "Toby Tyler" in its second week at 

the Keith and "Solomon and Sheba" in 

its third week at the Albee. 

(Averoge Is 100' 

Albee Solomon and Sheba (UA), 3rd wk 175 

Grand Operation PeMicoat (U-l), 9th wk 90 

Guild—The Mouse That Roared (Col), 9t-h wk. . . 80 

Keith Toby Tyler (BV), 2nd wk 250 

Palace The Bramble Bush (WB) 95 

Valley On the Bcoch (UA), 5th wk 120 

Lion's Share to "Ben-Hur' 

In Blizzardy Cleveland 

CLEVELAND—The weather was stormy 

and the two new pictures unveiled downtown 

were not strong enough to overcome 

the snow, blow and bad driving. Two 

holdovers, however, continued to draw excellent 

attendance. They were "Ben-Hur" 

in its fifth roadshow week at the Ohio 

Theatre and "Suddenly, Last Summer" in 

its fourth week at the Hippodrome. 

Allen The Rise and fa'A of Legs Diomond 

(WB) 80 

Heights Arts The Magician (Janus), 3rd wk. 

Hippodrorrê Suddenly, Last Summer (Col), 

..120 

4th wk 110 

Ohio Ben-Hur (MGM), 5th wk 235 

Poloce—Toby Tyler (BV), 2nd wk 85 

Stote—On the Beach (UA), 3rd wk 95 

Stillmon The Pusher (UA); Vice Roid (UA) .... 65 

Foul Weather Depresses 

Detroit First Runs 

DETROIT—Continuous snowfall and extreme 

cold was holding down attendance 

at the downtown houses for another week, 

but "Suddenly, Last Summer" maintained 

a fairly steady run at the Madison. 

Adams The Lost Voyage (MGM) 80 

Broadway Capital Jock the Ripper (Para); 

The Big Night (Para), 2nd wk 100 

Fox Sink the Bismarck! (20th-Fox); Tread 

Softly, Stranger (Bentley), 2nd wk 125 

Madison Suddenly, Last Summer (Col), 4th wk. 130 

Michigon The Bramble Bush (WB); Carry On, 

Sergeant (Governor) 115 

Palms^-On the Beach (UA); Gunfighters of 

Abilene (UA), 5th wk 115 

Trans Lux Krim 

Libel (MGM), 2nd wk 75 

Chokeres Chain Joins TOA 

NEW YORK—Chakeres Theatres, which 

operates in Ohio and Kentucky, has joined 

Theatre Owners of America, according to 

Albert M. Pickus, president. Membership 

arrangements were completed by M. H. 

Chakeres, vice-president, and George 

Roscoe. TOA exhibitor relations director. 

Nelson, Taylor to Star 

HOLLYWOOD — Lori Nelson will star 

with Rod Taylor in "The Queen and the 

Giant Soldiers," a Merolle production currently 

lensing in Italy. 

Movie Month Publicity 

Wins Prizes at Detroit 

Detroit First Run Men 

Unworried by Toll-TV 

DETROIT — Local first run exhibitors 

are not worried about the possible threat 

toll television might have to their boxoffices 

if ever introduced here. While it 

is true preliminary reports from Toronto 

show some acceptance, and the Adcraft 

Club of Detroit has already had the subject 

broached to them by Nathan L. Halpern, 

president of Theatre Network Television, 

Inc., here, the downtown exhibitors have 

failed to express any fear of such competition. 

Joseph J. Lee, managing director at the 

downtown Fox Theatre, points out that 

youths find a movie theatre still one of 

the most acceptable places of entertainment 

for an evening's date. 

"A boy will always want to go where 

a girl is," he said, "and vice versa. And 

sharing each other's companionship in a 

movie house will continue to be Just about 

as much an American habit as the mass 

surge to go where the crowd is, which 

is yet another factor that keeps movie 

houses in the business. Youth won't settle 

for sharing each other's company with 

one or the other's family in the living 

room, all trying to concentrate on a full 

length movie despite the continual home 

living interruptions which makes even a 

60-minute TV show difficult to enjoy." 

Sharing Lee's views that the Telemeter 

"is just too mechanical" and can never 

provide the quiet and comforts of a film 

house is Woodrow R. Fraught, head of 

the United Detroit Theatres, which operates 

the Broadway Capitol, Madison, Michigan 

and Palms downtown first run theatres 

here. 

Fishman Theatres Closing 

Two Connecticut Houses 

NEW HAVEN — Fishman Theatres 

closing two subsequent-run houses, the 

Dixwell Playhouse, 820 Dixwell Ave., Hamden, 

and the Howard, 414 Howard Ave., 

New Haven, both to be converted into 

bowling alleys at a cost of more than $500,- 

000. However, Dr. Jacob B. Fishman, circuit 

president, told Boxoffice that its 

others theatres, the Rivoli, West Haven, 

and the Community, Fairfield, will continue 

to operate. 

The alleys will be constructed by B&C 

Bowling Alley Builders, a division of the 

Bar-Chris Construction Corp., New York. 

Christopher Vitolo is president of both. 

is 

DETROIT—Howard Denial, manager of 

the suburban Wyandotte Theatre, was 

awarded $100 for winning first prize for 

the best individual publicity campaign during 

January Is Movie Month in Detroit. 

Movie Month was a cooperative promotion 

by all theatres in the metropolitan Detroit 

area. Publicity and public relations 

were under the direction of Bob Solomon 

of Solomon-Sayles Pioductions. 

DISPLAYED SPECIAL FLAG 

Along with many other promotions. 

Denial arranged to fly a 22-foot Movie 

Month flag from the 65-foot public flag 

pole in the center of the city's business 

district. Flag-raising ceremonies were attended 

by the mayor, the city council and 

other prominent citizens. Local newspapers 

carried the story with photographs, 

and follow-up stories appeared every week 

during the month. Through cooperation 

of the Wyandotte board of education, 6,000 

flyers promoting Movie Month matinees 

for children were distributed In the 

schools. 

Second prize of $50 was awarded to 

Fred Walton, manager of the suburban 

Berkley Theatre. Walton arranged for 

January to be officially proclaimed Movie 

Month in Berkley. Photographs of Mayor 

George Kuhn presenting the proclamation 

to Walton appeared with appropriate 

stories in the local newspapers. Merchandising 

tieins were arranged with local 

Kresge stores whereby 12-foot Movie 

Month banners were hung in the store 

windows and bag stuffers were distributed 

which plugged January Is Movie Month 

and contained complimentary statements 

about current movies from city officials. 

JACK CATALDO WON $25 

Jack Cataldo, manager of the Ramona 

Theatre, received the $25 third prize. 

Seven $10 honorable mention awards 

were given to Joe Thomas of the Booth 

Theatre, Augie Sermo of the Cinderella. 

Glenn McLean of the Madison, Lincoln 

Friend of the Michigan, Dale Kolleen of 

the Norwest, Marie Olcese of the Vogue 

and Calvin Collard of the Woods for their 

enthusiastic and original individual promotions 

of Movie Month in Detroit. 

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BOXOFnCE :: March 14, 1960 ME-1

DETROIT 

. . . This 

t>oy Cook, publicity director of the Fox 

Theatre, has been busy with promotion 

for "Sink the Bismarck" 

scribe had an interesting visit recently 

with Isidor Lazarus, head of Lazarus Theatres 

in New Orleans, who has just gone 

into the hostelry business, acquiring an 

interest in the unique new Pi-ince Conti 

motor hotel in the French Quarter. 

. . Alex Schreiber 

Mrs. WiUiam Smart announced plans 

for the March meeting of the Greater Detroit 

Motion Picture Council, with Mrs. 

Helen Kanagur handling publicity. Scheduled 

speakers were Alden Smith, executive 

head of Cooperative Theatres of Michigan, 

and Milton H. London, president of Allied 

Theatres of Michigan . 

of Los Angeles, former head of Associated 

Theatres, was in town. He is planning to 

dispose of the Michigan Theatre in Flint 

Mr. and Mrs. Lester B. Arwin were 

. . . 

hosts for a special champagne showing of 

paintings and sculpture by Yul Brynner 

at the Grinnell Galleries. 

. . 

Variety Club notes—A host of people 

have been active in the recent revltallzatlon 

of activity by the local tent. Barkerette 

Gwen Pletz' Detroit model bureau 

secured the aid of Carol Christensen as 

Miss Variety Week . Marty Mogge arranged 

for special television presentation 

. . . Grace Fraught was chairman for the 

second anniversary celebration by the 

barkerettes. aided by Margaret Byerly. 

Flo Welling, Beth Woods, Millie Marks, 

Jean Buermele and Dolores Herzog . . . 

The barkers take to the streets April 18 

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Growth and Development Center . . . 

Bill Wetsman and Charlie King put in the 

long hours necessary to make this extraordinary 

tag day effort possible. 

Spring has sprung here ... no matter 

that snow drifts were piled so deep that 

boxoffices are suffering badly. Robert Tuttle 

from the Adrian I>rive-In braved the 

snowstorm to come into town to begin preliminary 

preparations with the Clark Theatre 

Service for his spring opening in April 

The storm also failed to hold back 

. . . 

visits to Filmrow by Hari-y Rubin, who 

drove all the way across the state from 

Benton Harbor where he operates the 

State Theatre, and Rene Gennani, who 

came in from the Majestic in Monroe, both 

booking at Universal. 

Milton London was back at Allied Theatres 

of Michigan after a midweek attack 

of laryngitis, somehow managing to overcome 

his throat troubles in time to join 

Alden Smith of Cooperative Theatres in 

a presentation on the film industry before 

several hundred club women in the Variety 

clubrooms . . . Eric Rose at the Trans- 

Lux Krim was mourning the sad attendance 

given "Libel" because of several very 

heavy snowfalls. 

Fred Walton, winner of the January Is 

Movie Month second prize for his exploitation 

efforts at the Berkley, attributes 

his success largely due to the cooperation 

given his display by such community merchants 

as the nearby S. S. Kresge outlet 

.... Mervyn Gaskin is expected back from 

his globe-spanning toui-s on the eve of 

the premiere here of "Windjammer" 

at the Music Hall. The promotion is being 

hanaled by Bill McLaughlin, promoted 

from house manager. Buss Russo was 

transferred from Boston as manager at 

the Music Hall. 

Nominating Committee 

Named by Screen Extras 

HOLLYWOOD — The Screen Extras 

Guild announced selection of a nominating 

committee as follows: Roy Damron, 

chairman: Gretchen Galling and Evelyn 

Underwood, from the board; Paul Gustine, 

Jack Lorenz, Robert O'SuIlivan, John Pedrini. 

Charlotte Portney and Andrew Roud, 

from the general membership. 

Six guild offices—president, first and 

second and third vice-presidents, recording 

secretary, treasurer—and 11 positions on 

the board are to be filled for three-year 

terms. 

UA's "Tunes of Glory" is the story of 

two clashing military commanders. Alec 

Guinness as the major and John Mills as 

the colonel. 

SMALL OFFICE OR DESK SPACE TO RENT 

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Contoc* BOXOFFICE, 906 Fox Theotre BIdg., Detroit 1, Mich. Phone WOodward 2-1144. 

Family Films, Showtime 

Are Clubwomen Topics 

DETROIT—The Greater Detroit Motion 

Picture Council sponsored a discussion on 

the responsibility of the motion picture 

theatre to the community at a Detroit Free 

Press Conversation on the Arts meeting at 

the Variety Club. Clubwomen made up the 

audience. 

Milton H. London jr. of Allied Theatres 

of Michigan and Alden Smith, president 

of Cooperative Theatres discussed the 

problems involved in arranging show times 

for the convenience of the greatest number 

of theatregoers, rather than for a 

minority group. 

Gross figures were cited to show that 

the community actually dofs not give full 

support to the family type films which 

have predominated in the last year. The 

clubwomen planned to bring the problem 

to the memberships of their various gix)ui>s. 

London and Smith, in turn, learned that 

not one of the audience, invited to participate 

in the discussion, cared to advocate 

the single billing at the theatres 

which has been suggested in the past. 

AA Gets Okay to Finish 

Okinawa Film Shooting 

HOLLYWOOD—An unusual decision 

on 

the part of the Actors Guild has given 

Allied Artists the right to complete location 

shooting in Okinawa past the strike 

date on "Hell to Eternity." The film still 

will not be completed, however, since it 

requires about two weeks of interior shooting 

following its return here. Actors will 

not be permitted to work on it here. 

The permission was given after AA president, 

Steve Broidy, promised that no attempts 

would be made to finish the picture 

on its return here. The decision was made 

by the Guild on the basis of the expense 

the studio had gone to in shipping crews 

and equipment to the location sight prior 

to the strike order. 

David Janssen, Vic Damone, Jeffrey 

Hunter and Joan O'Brien star in the Irwin 

Allen production which Phil Karlson is directing. 

Shooting started a week and a 

half ago and is expected to conclude about 

March 23. 

Old Bardot Film Draws 

Ban From Detroit TV 

DETTROIT — "Mademoiselle 

Striptease," 

1957 film starring Brigitte Bardot, currently 

retitled "Please Mr. Balzac," was 

canceled from the WJBK-TV Nightwatch 

Theatre program at 11:25 p.m., on FYiday 

i4i. it was announced by program director 

Ralph Hanson. The film, according to Hanson, 

did not meet with Channel 2 standards 

nor with the TV code, containing as 

it does some central scenes on a striptease 

contest which Hanson considered impossible 

to delete without risk of ruining 

the film's story basis. 

Replacing the Bardot film was the De- 

Mille production, "Unconquered." Hanson 

hastened to make it clear to the local 

press the ban on the old Bardot film had 

nothing to do with her current films, 

one of which he pointed out was given 

the Gold Medal of Parents' magazine. 

This motion picture is being shown in 

theatres over the country. 

ME-2 BOXOFHCE March 14, 1960

I 

The 

— 

. . . Mae 

. . . Vincent 

CINCINNATI 

\A7ith traffic in and out of numerous communities 

in this area seriously handicapped 

by the late-winter weather, Filmrow 

offices were almost deserted as far as 

visiting exhibitors were concerned. The 

few hardy souls who successfully braved 

the elements included Max Goldberg, 

Marysville, Ky.: John Patton, Whitley, Ky.: 

and from Ohio, Steve Vradelis, Zeke Pappas, 

John Holakan and James Cotterman, 

all of Dayton: William Settos, Springfield: 

Hank Davidson, Lynchburg, and Harry 

Wheeler, Gallipolis. 

Moving about were Prank Yassenoff and 

Lee Heidensfeld, both Columbus exhibitors, 

to Philadelphia, and Prank Schrieber, U-I 

manager, to Springfield . . . Vacationing 

Florence Hermann, MGM cashier, enjoyed 

the Mardi Gras festivities in New Orleans 

... J. A. Tucker, Valley Theatre auditor, 

became a grandfather for the fifth time 

February 22 . . . Virginia Meyer, 20th- 

Pox assistant cashier, has been promoted 

to booker. Jessie Smith, booking machine 

operator, replaces Miss Meyer, and Joy 

Ranfelt, former inspector, is now booking 

machine operator. 

Mike Chakeres, general manager of the 

Chakeres circuit, presided at a session of 

managers of the circuit's drive-ins at the 

home office in Springfield . . . 20th-Pox 

has set up a 20-house area saturation for 

"Sink the Bismarck!" The accompanying 

promotional campaign includes television 

blurbs in Dayton, Columbus and this city. 

Stuart Fox, son of Phil Fox, Columbia 

manager, and a sophomore at the University 

of Cincinnati, has been initiated 

into Kappa Kappa Psi, national honorary 

band fraternity. Stuart, who plays a clarinet 

in the UC band, also is a member of 

Pi Lambda Phi fraternity. 

Exploiteer Raymond Nemo 

Opens Cincinnati Office 

CINCINNATI — Raymond G. Nemo, 

widely known in this area as field exploiteer 

for Columbia during the last ten 

years, has opened his own advertising and 

promotion office in the downtown Gerke 

building here. He is a native of this city. 

During the past 24 years. Nemo also has 

handled publicity for the Summer Opera 

at the Cincinnati Zoo, local ballet presentations, 

numerous theatrical and hardticket 

motion picture long-run attractions 

and personal publicity in this area for 

many motion pictui-e 

stars. 

Currently, he is working on "Porgy and 

Bess," scheduled for second runs at five 

area houses in mid-March, after a hardticket 

15-week run at the Valley; "The 

Mouse That Roared," which was in its 

ninth week at the art Guild, and several 

other upcoming films. 

Tobe Petre in Florida 

TOLEDO — Tobe Petre reports from 

Saint Petersburg, Pla., that he is recuperating 

and regaining his health in that city. 

He keeps up with what's going on in Toledo 

and the Ohio sector by reading Boxoffice. 

Columbus Interest Turns 

To Downtown Renewal 

COLUMBUS, OHIO—Construction of 

hundreds of living units on the fringe of 

the downtown area would do much to "rekindle 

enthusiasm for the downtown area" 

and provide the downtown section with 

increased business. 

So said the Dispatch editorially following 

a Columbus Town Meeting radio-television 

program which took a look at downtown 

problems. Philip Hammer, Atlanta, 

economist: Douglas Haskell, editor of 

Architectural Forum, and Robert Weiler, 

Columbus realtor, were speakers. 

"We believe the downtown area would 

vibrate with increased business if the migration 

to the suburbs could be reversed 

bring the people back to the heart of the 

city with beautiful near-downtown apartments 

interspersed with neat patches of 

grass and trees," said the editorial. "Such 

ventures should be on a much bigger scale 

than the quasi-public redevelopments now 

under way. Investors might look profitably 

toward such ventures." 

Redevelopment plans for the Market- 

Mohawk slum area a stone's throw from 

the theatre and business district and the 

Goodale slum area

CLEVELAND 

•The Film building lost one of its oldest 

tenants last week, the Arkey Studio. 

Kenneth Gerow, who purchased the 

business from longtime owner Bob Bial, 

is moving the studio to his quarters in 

the Academy building at 1379 West Sixth 

St. He is retaining the services of Matt 

Bial. Bob Bial moved in the film building 

when the latter was under construction 

in 1922. The phone number is the 

same, SU 1-1727. 

Industry extracurricular activities, Including 

the plans for Brotherhood Week 

and Academy Award Night are under way, 

with 20th-Fox Ray Schmertz as distributor 

chairman for 1960 and Sam Schultz of 

Selected Theatres as exhibitor chairman. 

Although Academy Award kits were passed 

out to salesmen only last week, Nat Barach. 

National Screen Service manager, 

reports he already has orders for 112 of 

the special Academy 90-foot trailers starring 

David Niven, which is one third of 

the total area potential. 

William Spooner of Lorraine Carbons 

H 

U

— 

— 

— 

— 

I 

William 

'Bismarck!' Huge 400 

In Hub Cily Debut 

BOSTON—The big surprise of the week 

was the record-breaking business rolled up 

at the Paramount Theatre for "Sink the 

Bismarck!" The management had to look 

back into their files to find "White Christmas" 

before they could equal the money 

taken in for this 20th-Fox World War II 

navy film. Business elsewhere was spotty 

in the downtown area. After an excellent 

holiday week, business slowed down to a 

more average pace. "Ben-Hur" continues 

to roll along in steady fashion. 


Asfor The Bramble Bush (WB), 4th wk 90 

Beacon Hill Jozz on o Summer's Night 

(Galaxy), 3rd wk 60 

Boston South Seos Adventure (Cineroma), 

46th wk 80 

Capri Black Orpheus (Lopert), 3rd wk 85 

Exeter Street The Magician (Janus) 110 

Gory Suddenly, Lost Summer (Col), 6th wk 100 

Kenmore Our Mon in Havono (Col), 2rKl wk. 350 

Memorial On the Beoch (UA), 2nd wk 170 

Metropolitan ^Toby Tyler (BV), 2nd wk 100 

Orpheum Who Was That Lody? (Col), 2nd wk. 130 

Paromount Sink the Bismarck! (20th-Fox) . . . . 400 

Pilgrim Jack the Ripper (Para), 2nd wk 70 

Saxon Ben-Hur (MGM), 1 4th wk 275 

'Suddenly' Reported at 225 

In 4th New Haven Stanza 

NEW HAVEN — Columbia's 

"Suddenly, 

Last Summer" continued to display amazing 

boxoffice strength. 

College Solomon ond Sheba (UA), 2nd wk. ..120 

Crown Your Post Is Showing (5R); AM at 

Sea (MGM), revivals 90 

Lincoln The 400 Blows (Zenith) 115 

Paramount Sink the Bismarck! (20t-h-Fox); 

Broth of o Boy (Kingsley-Union) 95 

Roger Sherman On the Beach (IJA) 120 

Whalley Suddenly, Last Summer (Col), 4th wk. 225 

'Suddenly' Stays Potent 

In 4th Hartford Week 

HARTFORD — "Suddenly, Last Summer," 

one of Columbia's best grossing attractions 

in recent years, chalked up a 

hefty 175 in its fourth week at the E. M. 

Loew's despite adverse weather. 

Allyn Sink the Bismarck! (20th-Fox); Lucky 

Jim (Kingsley-Union) 

1 35 

Art—Temporarily shuttered. 

Cine Webb The Bridol Path (Kingsley-Union); 

Antarctic Expedition (SR), revival 90 

E, M. Loew Suddenly, Last Summer (Col), 

4th wk 

1 75 

Palace Toby Tyler (BV), 2nd wk 110 

Poll On the Beach (UA), 2nd wk 135 

Strand Solomon and Sheba (UA), 2nd wk 120 

Shubert at New Haven 

Is Leased by Bailey 

NEW HAVEN—Maurice H. Bailey, head 

of the Bailey Theatres (operating the 

Whalley, Whitney and Westvllle, suburban 

film houses), and the Yorkhaven Enterprises 

(operating the Shubert, this city's 

sole legitimate theatre) has signed a new 

20-year lease with the Taft Realty Corp. 

for the Shubert. The policy of toui-ing stage 

programs, including numerous pre-Broadway 

tryouts, will be continued at the 

1.800-seat house, across the street from 

Stanley Warner's Roger Sherman and 

Loew's College. 

Bailey said extensive alterations are anticipated 

for the Shubert, the specifics 

and starting date to be disclosed shortly. 

Vote for Sunday Movies 

BRADFORD, VT.—During annual town 

meetings held March 1, residents of this 

community and in Fairfax voted in favor 

of Sunday movies and other amusements. 

Boston to Have Film Censor Despite 

State Ruling Against Precensorship 

BOSTON—The city is to have an active 

censor of motion pictures under the regime 

of newly elected Mayor John Collins. 

Richard Sinnott, who was with the Associated 

Press eight years, has been appointed 

to chief of the licensing division 

better known as the city censor 

i 

, director 

of public relations and information and 

personal press secretary for Mayor Collins. 

This appointment was announced despite 

the fact that in 1955 the state supreme 

court ruled that precensorship of 

motion pictures is unconstitutional and 

that only the police can close a theatre 

for showing an obscene film. 

HOLDS THREE POSITIONS 

Sinnott, who took over his threefold 

duties February 15. said, "I believe I am 

qualified to take over the reins as censor 

of motion pictures as I am an inveterate 

movie fan and have been an usher and assistant 

manager in my earlier days in the 

Oriental Theatre, Mattapan. and the Codman 

Square in Dorchester. At that time 

motion pictures were not so progressive or 

elastic as they are today. No one would 

have dared put on a theatre screen some 

of the dubious material that is offered today. 

This screen fare today needs regulation 

and that's where I step in." 

Sinnott was asked why a city censor 

for Boston is necessary in view of the 

1955 decision handed down by the Massachusetts 

Supreme Court. 

"We can only suggest revisions or cuts," 

he replied. "What I consider suggestive or 

bad taste might not be considered so by 

others but there must be some regulation. 

I see all the B and C pictures before they 

play theatres here but the good family A 

films I do not review. In the B and C categories. 

I try to decide what is art up to the 

point of obscenity and I base this judgment 

on my own good taste, experience 

and intelligence. And remember, I have 

worked the other side of the street, too, 

in my eight years with the Associated Press 

here. I am, of course, definitely in favor 

of freedom of the press but even that can 

be blue-penciled somewhere along the 

line." 

ABHORS QUICK BUCK FILMS 

Sinnott abhors the rush of sex or dubious 

films which have been flooding the 

market from independent producers, most 

of whom are looking for a quick buck. 

"Many of these are indecent, lewd and objectionable 

and are without the Code Seal. 

They should never be shown here. Up until 

1955, when these sex films started 

coming here after the court's decision, this 

city was known as a good clean city and 

we want to maintain this reputation as a 

family town. That's the purpose of my 

job." 

Magazines, comic books and all live entertainment 

are also under his jurisdiction, 

which "should have a stricter regulation." 

"I also see every Broadway-bound play on 

opening night." said Sinnott, "and I have 

asked for six phi-ases deleted in 'There 

Was a Little Girl,' which in my opinion 

were offensive to every person in the theatre 

that opening night. The phrases were 

eliminated." 

In the few weeks he has been in office, 

Sinnott has received an average of two 

phone calls a day and as many letters, 

usually from mothers, all seeking his help 

in regard to the type of films offered 

minors. 

"I believe the best solution to this problem 

is to have two classifications for motion 

pictures, 'For Adults Only' and 'For 

Adolescents.' This type of programming, 

well-advertised and carefully regulated, I 

am heartily in favor of," Sinnott declared. 

"Some mothers have taken up the subject 

of offensive billboard and one-sheet advertising 

in front of theatres. I have 

looked into these complaints and have requested 

certain changes or deletions. Recently 

one of the second-run houses was 

playing 'Rififi.' Complaints had come to 

my desk from citizens on the huge onesheet 

display at the theatre. I immediately 

checked with the manager and asked to 

have the pictures 'touched up,' which was 

speedily granted. When 'The Lovers' opened 

at the Coolidge Corner Theatre, it 

was in the town of Brookline, which does 

not come under my jurisdiction. But last 

week, when it opened at the Trans-Lux 

Theatre in downtown Boston, I went to see 

it. I asked for deletions in two scenes. This 

was taken care of immediately. I must say 

that the exhibitors and managers have 

been very cooperative in granting my requests. 

"There must be some regulation of what 

the public is offered in the entertainment 

angle. It is my job to maintain standards 

of decency and not to allow obscenity 

in any form, either in language or deeds to 

be shown on our screens in this city. 

It is 

up to me to decide what is obscene and to 

report it to the mayor's licensing appeal 

board, made up of the police commissioner, 

the art commissioner and the mayor himself. 

They make the final ruling." 

Publisher Calls on Women 

To Lead Obscenity Fight 

MANCHESTER, N. H.—Women should 

organize to lead a fight against "obscene 

movies and magazines and moral degradation 

in the world today, Loeb, 

" 

publisher of the Manchester Union-Leader 

and dynamic crusader against pictures he 

considers objectionable, told Daughters 

of Penelope at a Past Pi-esidents dinner 

at the Grenier Field Officers club here on 

Thm-sday night (3). 

Loeb said as the third largest women's 

organization, their influence is "very 

great and very powerful " and the members 

should launch a campaign against the 

showing of horror and obscene movies in 

this area. 

"Women can carry on an organized campaign 

against such movies as 'Jack the 

Ripper' if they will make themselves 

heard," he added. "Call theatre operators 

and complain. Refuse to patronize such 

films. Movie people are very susceptible to 

this sort of pressure." 

Loeb predicted that unless the trend 

(Continued on next page) 

BOXOFFICE March 14, 1960 NE-I

. . Lawrence 

BOSTON 

TJA's "The Unforgiven" goes into the Astor 

Theatre April 6 in its New England 

premiere . G. Laskey, who has 

been a partner with E. M. Loew for 25 

years and more recently the New England 

chairman of State of Israel Bonds, was 

the chief speaker at an adult program held 

at the Robert Gould Shaw House. Roxbury. 

Laskey is a trustee of the United 

Jewish Appeal and chairman of the national 

executive committee of the State 

of Israel Bond Organization. He visited 

Israel in 1953. 1957 and 1958 on special 

economic missions. 

Mickey Daytz held the winning ticket on 

a 1960 Cadillac drawn at Temple Ohabei 

Shalom. Brookline, in a raffle to benefit 

the temple. Julian Rifkin sold the winning 

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ticket to Mickey. Last year Dick Rubin 

won a similar prize in the drawing at the 

same temple, also sold him by Julie Rifkin. 

Next year's tickets will go like "hot cakes" 

if Julian decides to sell them among industrymen. 

The largest turnout for a tradescreening 

of the week was that of UA's "The 

Fugitive Kind" at the Universal screening 

room. Every seat was taken and extra 

chairs were added to take care of the 

overflow of exhibitors anxious to see the 

Marlon Brando film written by Tennessee 

Williams. 

Franklin, Mass., Theatre 

Settles Antitrust Suit 

BOSTON—A .settlement out of court 

was arrived at in the antitrust suit of 

the Morse Theatre. Franklin, owned by 

Walter E. Mitchell, for an undisclosed 

sum. The suit was filed Oct. 12, 1952. 

Charging $2,000,000 in damages against 

the eight majors and Republic as well as 

three exhibitor circuits, the RKO Rhode 

Island Corp.. New England Theatres and 

Interstate Theatres Corp., the plaintiff 

claimed national and local conspiracies to 

set up a system of runs, clearances and 

admissions. 

The suit was brought to trial before 

Judge Ford in Federal Court here but at 

the conclusion of the first day's trial, a 

settlement was reached. Attorneys for 

Mitchell were George and W. Bradley Ryan 

of Boston. Attorneys for the defendants 

were Robert Meserve of Nutter, Mc- 

Clennen & Pish, Frank Flaschner of Singer. 

Stoneman & Kurland and George Rafferty. 

who came on from New York to 

represent the RKO Rhode Island Corp. 

Catholic Guild Retreat 

Scheduled April 8-10 

BOSTON—The Catholic 

Motion Picture 

Guild will hold its annual retreat on the 

Palm Sunday weekend starting Friday, 

April 8, at dinnertime and lasting until 

3 p.m. Sunday. April 10, at the new and 

enlarged Campion Hall in North Andover. 

Jack O'Brien of New England Service 

Corp. is the president of the Laymen's 

Retreat and Tom Fermoyle of Affiliated 

Theatres is the vice-president. There are 

80 individual rooms for motion picture 

industrymen available. Reservations may 

be made to either of the two men. 

Hartford Daly Curtails Schedule 

HARTFORD—M. J. "Mickey" Daly, 

president of the Daly Theatre Corp.. has 

dropped the Monday - through - Thursday 

schedule at the 1.800-seat Daly, local firstrun 

outlet for Spanish-language films. 

Women Asked to Lead 

Fight on Obscenity 

' 

Continued from preceding page) 

toward increased degradation and immorality 

is halted voluntarily in the 

United States, "eventually some sort of 

censorship will have to be inaugurated." 

"I think this is a part of a deliberate 

plan to degrade the United States and 

bring down our morale," the publisher 

said. "I do not think when the founding 

fathers put in free speech that they intended 

it to include obscenity. There is 

something very, very wrong with the people 

who make these movies. At the root 

of most of our problems in the country 

today is a spiritual rot, a moral rot. We 

can straighten out pretty much of what's 

wrong in the country today if we solve 

this." 

Connecticut CD Director 

Claims 'Beach' Misleads 

HARTFORD—Connecticut's state director 

of civil defense, Capt. William L. 

Schatzman. has charged that UA's "On 

the Beach," now playing at Connecticut 

theatres, "misleads audiences." 

He asserts that the motion picture, a 

Stanley Kramer production costarring 

Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner and Fred 

Astaire, portrays that any defense against 

nuclear attack would be completely futile. 

"The film totally ignores the fact that defense 

against radioactive fallout is not only 

possible but relatively simple." 

Captain Schatzman admits that a considerable 

number of persons could die 

from radioactive fallout if they failed to 

take precautions. He points out, however, 

that most of the population would survive 

with adequate shelter and supplies to 

last from 48 hours to two weeks. 

"Viewers of 'On the Beach' should understand 

it is a Hollywood melodrama 

based on a fictional novel and that responsible 

agencies are doing everything 

possible to meet the threat of fallout." 

He urges those who see what he terms a 

"mythological movie" to go to their local 

civil defense offices "and get facts instead 

of fiction." 

Brewer-Moloski Wedding 

STAMFORD. CONN.—Ramona Brewer, 

daughter of Roy Brewer, manager of Allied 

Artists exchange operations, was married 

to Anthony Moloski of Stamford February 

27 at the local First Congregational 

Church. 

Hosts B'ncri B 'rith Youths 

HARTFORD — Jack Sanson, Stanley 

Warner Strand, screened Warner Bros.' 

featurette, "Israel," for an invited youth 

group from area B'nai Brith organizations. 

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NE.2 BOXOFFICE :: March 14. 1960

. . Sanson, 

. . Mike 

. . . The 

. . The 

HARTFORD 

Uartfordite Katharine Hepburn, nominated 

for an Academy Award on basis 

of her forceful portrayal in Columbia's 

"Suddenly, Last Summer," was in town 

visiting her family . . . Doug Amos, general 

manager, and Bill Dougherty, Connecticut 

district manager of Lockwood & 

Gordon Theatres, supervised the Cine 

Webb during the Vermont vacation trek 

of Manager Bill Murphy . Adorno, 

assistant general manager of M&D Theatres, 

booked a live rock-and-roll show, 

comprised of numerous recording field presonalities. 

as supplementary entertainment 

for MGM's "Girls' Town" at the 

first-run Palace, Middletown. Admission 

for the two-day run: Adults, 75c; children, 

35 cents. 

Charles Tolls rented the Newington, 

Newington, to the Knights of Columbus 

for a one-night revival showing of 20th- 

Pox's "Come to the Stable" . . . Cy O'TooIe. 

chief sound engineer for Stanley Warner's 

northeastern zone, visited Jack Sanson of 

the Strand . incidentally, was 

guest of honor at a recent Elks Old Timers 

Night in Bristol, the occasion marking the 

showman's 42nd year of association with 

the fraternal order. Sanson joined the 

Bristol lodge in 1918 while city manager 

(supervising the Bristol, Palace and Princess) 

for independent interests. These interests 

were later absorbed by what is now 

Stanley Warner Management Corp. 

Loew's Theatres slated a week's revival 

run of two 20th-Pox films featuring Jack 

Paar of NBC-T'V fame, "Down Among the 

Sheltering Pines" and "Love Nest" . . . 

Morris Keppner, Burnside Theatre Corp., 

was a New York business visitor. 

'Wind' Best in Two Decade 

For Joseph DiFrancesco 

CHESHIRE, CONN. — MGM's "Gone 

With the Wind," biggest grosser in the 20- 

year history of Joseph DiFrancesco 's 

Cheshire Theatre, is characterized by that 

particular exhibitor as the greatest screen 

entertainment of all time. 

He recalls that since opening the town's 

sole film outlet, Jan. 24, 1940, the Clark 

Gable-'Vivien Leigh staiTer has played a 

whopping total of five times, each booking 

bringing forth an encouraging patron 

response. 

"Dramatic qualities do not always mean 

a full house," he continued. "Acting ability 

and quality stories can be good, but a 

cluster of colorful Indian feathers on the 

head of a "ham' can reaUy make life worth 

while at a Satui'day matinee 'jam.-i>acked' 

with kids." 

DiFrancesco remarked that when he first 

opened his theatre, MGM's "The Thin 

Man" series, teaming the comedy talents 

of William Powell and Myrna Loy, were 

major attractions along with Abbott and 

Costello releases. It was sometime after 

that the comedy team of Dean Martin and 

Jerry Lewis was to take the hmelight. 

Other headliners, including Red Skelton 

and Bob Hope, have drawn good Cheshire 

Theatre audiences. 

As for the best-drawine romantic leads. 

DiFrancesco singled out Hedy Lamarr, 

June Haver, Sandra Dee and Debbie Reynolds. 

Through the past two decades, good 

"drawing cards" have also included Clark 

Gable, Bing Crosby, Fredric March, Spencer 

Tracy, Ingi-id Bergman, Irene Dunne 

and Betty Grable. 

The 1960 favorites seem to be Rock Hud- 

.son and Frank Sinatra, with the redoubtable 

Clark Gable of the quizzical grin 

evolving as the perennial top star. 

The bobby-soxers clamor for Fabian and 

Sal Mineo at the Cheshire boxoffice these 

winter evenings. 

"In my opinion," said DiPi-ancesco, 

"Gone With the Wind was the greatest 

movie ever shown. Biblical pictures have 

always been good. The latest was The Ten 

Commandments. The greatest modern 

drawers shown here were Peyton Place, 

Sayonara and South Pacific. Anatomy of a 

Murder was one of the finest court dramas 

ever produced." 

A native of New Haven, DiFi-ancesco is 

married and has three sons. 

NEW HAMPSHIRE 

Queen City Chapter 18, Disabled War 

Veterans, has congratulated the Manchester 

Board of Aldermen for going on 

record in opposition to Manchester showings 

of "Jack the Ripper," according to 

Francis J. Dobe. post commander ... Ed 

Fitzgerald, manager of the Scenic Theatre 

in Rochester, offered a pass to a 

Saturday matinee to each member of the 

Rochester Little League who participated 

in a street solicitation in connection with 

the annual Heart Fund campaign in that 

city. 

Foreign films are being shown in Keene 

on three Sundays to help raise money to 

send a young person from the area to 

Europe this summer under the Experiment 

in International Living program. The 

schedule: March 6, two French films. The 

Red Balloon and The Scandals of Clochemerle; 

April 3, two Italian films. The 

Jinx and The Bicycle Thief, and May 1, 

the British movies, The Bespoke Overcoat 

and I Am a Camera . . . The Claremont 

city council voted March 2 to reduce the 

licensing fee for movie theatres from $20 

to $5 a month. 

Majestic Theatre Building 

Sold in West Springfield 

WEST SPRINGFIELD, MASS.—Eastern 

States Farmers Exchange, whose main 

office adjoins the Majestic Theatre here, 

has purchased the theatre building from 

local interests. 

It is understood that Murray Lipson will 

continue a motion picture policy at the 

Majestic, sole four-wall film outlet in West 

Springfield, under a lease from Eastern 

States. 

'Porgy' Opens in Hartford 

HARTFORD—The Stanley 

Warner circuit 

set the Connecticut opening of Samuel 

Goldwyn's "Porgy and Bess" for the 

local Strand, the film opening Wednesday 

1 9 1 on a continuous performance 

policy at $1.25 top. The local engagement 

is the sole state booking of the Columbia 

release in 70mm. 

NEW HAVEN 

Jîonel Rogosin, producer-director of the 

Venice Film Festival first prize winner, 

"On the Bowery," spoke at Yale Law 

School Auditorium, following a screening 

Bowl Drive-In, West Haven, is 

the first underskyer in the Connecticut 

territory to reopen for 1960; a double bill 

February 26 consisted of U-I's "Operation 

Petticoat" and "The Restless Years." 

Tony Masella, Loew's Palace, Meriden, 

planted a dairy company co-op ad on 

MGM's "Never So Few" . third 

break-in within a few days in New Canaan 

was reported to police by Prudential Theatres' 

New Canaan Playhouse. Private 

homes were the other victims. At the theatre, 

a rear door had been forced open and 

the cash box of the soft drink machine 

Samuel Wells, 58, Connecticut 

stolen . . . 

theatrical agent, died at the Veterans Administration 

Hospital, West Haven, after 

a four-month illness. He was a close friend 

of the late S. Z. Poll, owner of the Poli 

forerunner of Loew's Poli-New 

circuit 

I 

England Theatres) and served as agent for 

vaudeville acts throughout the east. 

. . 

Bill Brown of the UA home office exploitation 

staff worked with Irving Hillman, 

Stanley Warner's Roger Sherman 

Theatre, on the southern Connecticut bow 

of "On the Beach" . Leonard Sampson, 

Robert Spodick and Norman Bialek of the 

Nutmeg circuit set Lopert's "Black Orpheus," 

one of the few Brazilian-made 

dramas to reach the U. S. screen, for its 

Connecticut opening at the Lincoln. 

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BOXOFFICE March 14. 1960 NE-3

"Sure it's a great idea 

but we were 

only using 26% of it!" 

"We've had the Payroll Savings Plan for U.S. Savings 

Bonds in our outfit for years. We think it is good for the 

Country and good for our company—and it goes without 

saying it's good for the saver. I had assumed we had a large 

participaliiin by our people. But when I checked up last 

month 1 found that only 26% of our employees were regular 

users of the plan. In a company our size there is always a certain 

amount of personnel turnover, and there are always some 

people who are going to subscribe . . . next payday, maybe. 

'So what I did was contact our State Savings Bonds 

Director. He iielped us put on a company-wide campaign 

that reached every employee personally to point out the 

advantages of buying new 3^4% Savings Bonds, regularly. 

Today we have more than 50% of our people using the 

plan, and we're going on from there!" 

Perhaps your organization, too, has been taking your 

Payroll Savings Plan for granted. It's a great idea, but its 

value to your peo[ilc and to your company increases with 

the number of employees who use it, eierr payday. Let 

your State Savings Bonds Director show you how easy it is 

to get your company back in the high value area of participation. 

Or write Savings Bonds Division, U.S. Treasury 

Department, Washington, D.C. 

ALL U.S. SAVINGS BONDS-OLD OR NEW-EARN '/2% MORE THAN BEFORE 

BOXOFFICE 

f^ 

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NE-4 

BOXOFFICE March 14. 1960

— 

— 

'Havana' to Top Spot 

In Toronto Opening 

TORONTO—The new picture with the 

most popularity was "Our Man in Havana" 

at the Odeon Carlton while "Ben- 

Hur" continued at a strong pace in its 

11th week at the University. "Never So 

Few" gave a good account of itself in its 

second week at Loew's. 


Carlton Our Mon in Havano (Col) 115 

Hollywood A Summer Ploce IWB), 8ttl wk 100 

Hylond Upstairs and Downstairs (Rank), 3rd wk. 105 

Imperiol Sink the Bismarckl (20th-Fox), 3rd wk. 100 

Loews Never So Few (MGM), 2nd wk 110 

Nortown The Story on Page One (20th-Fox) . . 100 

Tivoli Around the World in 80 Days 

(Todd-AO), 3rd wk 110 

Towne Left, Right ond Center (British), 3rd wk. 100 

University Ben-Hur (MGM), llttl wk 130 

Uptown Operation Petticoat (U-l), 2nd wk 105 

New Pictures Rate Good 

In Downtown Vancouver 

VANCOUVER—Business in most spots 

was holding strong, thanks to a crop of 

good pictures in release. 

Capitol The Bramble Bush (WB) Good 

Cinema Blowing Wind (SR); Ring of Feor (SR) Fair 

Orpheum—Toby Tyler (BV), 4tli wk Good 

Ploia—The Sign of tho Gladiator (SR), 2nd wk. Fair 

Stonley—Bon-Hur (MGM) Good 

Strand—Th« Big Fisherman (BV), Ath wk Fair 

Studio Room ot tho Top (IFD), brouQht back 

for 1 7tli wk Fair 

Vogue—Tho Lost Angry Man (UA) Moderote 

'Can-Can' Benefit on 29th 

TORONTO—The repeat engagement of 

"Around the World in 80 Days" in Todd- 

AO at the Famous Players Tivoli is ex- 

{jected to continue until March 26 on a continuous-performance 

policy. Arrangements 

are already being made for a gala premiere 

performance of "Can-Can" on the night 

of March 29 at special prices to inaugurate 

the roadshow run of the production 

which Soviet Premier Khrushchev helped 

to make famous by his caustic remark after 

viewing a sequence in Hollywood. The 

first "Can-Can" performance will be sponsored 

by the Toronto Variety Club, as a 

benefit in aid of Variety Village school. 

No on Ed Sullivan 

TORONTO—Jack Ai'thur denied a published 

report that Ed Sullivan, TV impresario 

of New York, would be the headline 

attraction for the second week of the 

grandstand show at the Canadian National 

Exhibition August 24 to September 10. 

He said arrangements were almost complete 

for the signing of Victor Borge to 

follow Red Skelton, who will headline the 

first week. Borge headlined the two-week 

progi-am here in 1953. 

A Blizzard Casualty 

TORONTO—A severe blizzard kept the 

Hamilton Drive-In at nearby Hamilton 

from making its normal Fi-iday and Saturday 

showing, which it has been doing 

during the winter without the use of car 

heaters. But it was open again for the 

two nights the following week. The Famous 

Players Skyway at Hamilton, which 

has in-car heaters, did not close because 

of the storm. The two drive-ins at Toronto 

which are being operated aU winter by 

20th Century Theatres, also continued 

without a break but the attendance was 

sharply reduced. 

BOXOFFICE March 14, 1960 

Toronto Tent Centers 

Ads on Big Booklet 

TORONTO — Due to concentration on 

the souvenir journal to be published for 

the 33rd Variety International convention 

here May 31-June 4, Nat A. Taylor, chairman 

of the advertising committee, announced 

the local club will not publish a 

printed program for its annual benefit 

baseball game in June. 

Taylor explained that all efforts were 

being made to direct advertisements usually 

secured for the baseball program into 

the convention publication, for which he 

hoped a great many additional ads would 

be obtained. 

"Our club," he said, "needs funds for 

improvements and the upkeep of Variety 

Village School and this convention gives 

an excellent opportunity to raise revenue 

through advertising in the convention 

journal." 

Among the special committees for the 

big meeting are repre.sentatives from 

branches of the industry as follows: Haskell 

Masters and Gordon Lightstone, film 

distributors; Dave Griesdorf, producers and 

studios; Jules Wolfe and Andy Rouse, theatre 

equipment; Jack Pitzgibbons and 

Frank Strean, confectionery supplies; Phil 

Stone, radio and television, and Ralph 

Harding, record makers and distributors. 

Exhibitors Appearing 

On 14 Awards Shows 

TORONTO—Exhibitors will appear on 

14 television programs to promote the 

Academy Awards campaign, the arrangements 

having been made by Charles S. 

Chaplin, chairman of the Motion Pictui-e 

Industry Council of Canada. Exhibitors and 

other industry figui-es appearing on the 

telecasts will focus attention on the nominated 

pictures and personalities. Scenes 

from the nominated pictures also will be 

shown on the programs. 

Chaplin said the most important such 

program is one set on the five-station network 

program, Tabloid. This progi-am will 

be seen at 7 p.m. on Oscar Day, April 4, 

so it will help build a big audience for 

the Awards television program later the 

same evening. This program is on CBC-TV 

in Toronto, Quebec City, Ottawa, Montreal 

and Kenora, Que. 

Local television panel shows for the Oscar 

campaign will be on CBC stations in 

Prince Albert, Sask.; St. John's, Nfld.; 

Saskatoon, Sask.; Moose Jaw, Sask.; Moncton, 

N. B.; Saulte Ste. Marie, Ont.; Cornwall, 

Ont.; St. John, N. B,; Calgary, Alta.; 

Vancouver and Victoria, B. C. 

Sale of Cinemiracle 

To Cinerama Is Off 

HOLLYWOOD — National Theatres & 

Television, Inc., has terminated negotiations 

for the sale of all assets of Cinemiracle. 

B. Gerald Cantor, president, said 

inability to reach a final contract with 

Cinerama was given as the reason. 

Cantor stressed that distribution of 

"Windjammer" will "continue actively" 

under the direction of Oliver A. Unger, 

executive vice-president of Cinemiracle 

Pictures Corp. 

Telemeter Planning 

Toronto Expansion 

TORONTO—Piesident J. J. Fitzgibbons 

of Famous Players Canadian Corp. expressed 

appreciation for the manner in 

which the Telemeter company's pay-television 

was accepted in suburl>an Ea»bicoke. 

"The public's response to Telemeter has 

been beyond anything that we had anticipated," 

he stated. "The enthusiasm has 

been tremendous but it had created some 

problems for which we ask patience on 

the F>art of the public. 

"We shall try to meet the extraordinary 

demand for Telemeter as soon as we possibly 

can. We are accelerating our installation 

program and we are expanding every 

phase of our operation. As soon as we 

catch up with the backlog, we plan to enlarge 

our present cable system to cover 

an area of 40,000 homes in western Toronto." 

This indicates that Trans Canada Telemeter, 

a subsidiary of Famous Players, 

intends to place pay-TV in a section of 

the city of Toronto proper. 

No Strike Effect Seen 

On Booking Till Sept. 

LOS ANGELES—Booking problems are 

not expected to arise until after Labor 

Day, reported Bert Pirosh, head film buyer 

for Pacific Drive-In Theatres, in discussing 

the circuit's schedule. He added, 

however, that should the Screen Actors 

Guild strike extend beyond that September 

date, the chain might be forced to 

play reissues and foreign films not usually 

booked. 

In the event of a continued strike, Pirosh 

said, it will be up to distributors to 

come forth with filmfare theatres can play 

in order to make money. He stated that 

in the event product is not forthcoming, 

some of the theatres may be forced to 

close. 

Polish 'Eva' at Toronto 

TORONTO—The attraction of the week 

in art film circles was "Eva Wants to 

Sleep " 

from Poland which opened to plaudits 

at the Christie, an Odeon unit on St. 

Clair avenue. "The Mouse That Roared" 

was steady in its seventh week at the International 

Cinema, on top of 11 weeks 

at the Towne Cinema. "The Idiot," a Soviet 

feature, held at the Radio City. 

FPC Stock Back to 20 

TORONTO—When the start of Telemeter 

was delayed several times, common 

shares of Famous Players Canadian Corp. 

gradually declined on the Toronto Stock 

Exchange to a year's low of $18.75. Once 

the Etobicoke installation got into operation 

with apparently favorable reaction, 

the FPC stocks finned, hitting $20 in fairly 

active trading. 

Strong Lamps Installed 

EDMONTON. A1.TA. — Strong 35/70 

Special projection lamps have been installed 

on National 70 Bauer projectors 

at the Paramount Theatre for presentation 

of 

70mm productions. 

K-1

. . Roger 

in 

. . "On 

. . Seen 

for 

Only One Film of 360 Examined Given 

Boot by Ontario Censor Board 

TORONTO — Only one of 360 features 

examined during the nine months ending 

last December 31 was rejected in entirety 

by the Ontario Board of Motion Picture 

Censors. The condemned picture was the 

only one from Mexico to be submitted 

during the period. 

A report of the censorship bureau prepared 

by O. J. Silverthome, director of 

the provincial theatres branch, covering 

three-fourths of the fiscal year, was presented 

at the cun-ent session of the Ontario 

Legislature, thus setting a precedent 

for such submissions. Following the usual 

policy, the title of the rejected film was 

not given. 

The report showed that 84 features were 

revised and classified as "Adult Entertainment," 

while six pictures were classified 

for "Restricted Attendance," which 

limited patrons to people 18 years of age 

and over. 

During the nine months 116 features 

from the United States were examined, 

representing a considerable drop from the 

approximate 300 total in the previous fiscal 

year of 12 months. The report listed 

other totals as follows: Italy, 68; Great 

Britain, 30; Greece, 16; West Germany. 

13; Japan. 8; Russia, 7; Hungary, 6, and 

various others from Macedonia, Communist 

China. Czechoslovakia, Ireland, Israel, Poland 

and Yugoslavia. 

The censors viewed 333 trailers, 140 

comedies and 80 newsreels, the latter including 

four in European languages. Also 

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examined were 119 featui-es in 16mm 

whioh included 14 foreign-language prints. 

The report said 11 theatres in Toronto 

had largely a foreign-language policy. 

The board checked 15.770 pieces of advertising 

including accessories, of which 

328 were rejected and 84 others were approved 

after alteration. Silverthome noted 

an improvement in the fUm promotion 

material from the U. S. toward the end 

of 1959. 

The report showed that 477 licenses had 

been issued in 1959 for the operation of 

theatres in Ontario, the total including 

92 for drive-ins. Silverthome suggested 

there was no indication of a halt in the 

de:;line in the number of theatres. 

MONTREAL 

gill Gus of MGM reported over 100,000 

' 

persons have seen "Ben-Hur ten 

weeks at the Alouette Theatre here. Bernard 

Macdonald, who is doing promotion 

for the film, looks for an indefinite long 

run . Chartrand, MGM salesman, 

was in suburban Sacre Coeur Hospital for 

minor sui^gery. 

Holidaying in Florida were Leo Choquette 

rf the Choquette circuit; Lester Adilman, 

vice-president of Consolidated Theatres, 

and Harold Giles, United Amusement Corp. 

. director Paul Vanier of Cine-Prance 

was in 

. . 

the Lake St. John district; Pierre 

Dansereau was in the Gatineau Valley, and 

John Levitt of Columbia was working the 

northern route. 

Noted on Filmrow were Mel Cohen of 

the Rex at Ste. Anne de Bellevue. Adrien 

Fournier, Figaro at Amqui: Guy Langlois, 

the Maska at St. Hyacinthe; Guy L'Heureaux. 

Imperial at St. John; B. Payette, 

the Laurier at Mount Laurier, and Janssens 

Vandersande, booking agent for Rex 

Films of Quebec City. 

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Industry Gathering 

In October This Year 

TORONTO — Canadian motion picture 

organizations will hold their Toronto convention 

week a month earlier this year, 

starting October 24 with the annual meeting, 

as is customary, of the Motion Picture 

Theatres Ass'n of Ontario. 

The sessions were moved from November 

because some of the film executives 

like to take in the Canadian football 

championship game, scheduled 

. 

November 

26 this year at Vancouver. 

The National Committee of Motion Picture 

Exhibitor Ass'ns of Canada will have 

its annual session Tuesday, October 25, 

while the convention of the Motion Picture 

Industry Council of Canada will follow 

on the 26th and 27th. Luncheons, 

co;ktail parties and banquets will dovetail 

with the business meetings. 

Directors of the MPTA of Ontario attended 

a meeting in Toronto March 3 to 

discuss current business and the plans for 

convention week. 

ST. 

JOHN 

Qliff Bowes, manager of the B&L State 

Theatre, Madawaska, Me., and the 

Capitol. Edmundston, N. B., was here with 

his wife to attend the funeral of a sister, 

Mrs. Mary Loughery . on Filmrow 

were Bill Richard of the Opera and Uptown. 

Newcastle, N. B.. and Alex Fraser 

and Ed Hadded of the Community. Plaster 

Rock, N. B. 

Several drive-ins in the maritimes plan 

their openings on Good Friday, April 15 

... "A Summer Place" played in the Capitol, 

Halifax. 11 days then moved over to 

its sister house, the Paramount, for six 

days . The Beach" held for two 

weeks at the Odeon, Halifax, and moved 

over to the Hyland for one week. 

. . "Operation Petti- 

Press, radio and television folk and exhibitors 

attended a screening of "Home 

Piom the Hill" held on a Sunday night 

at the Paramount . 

coat" was also screened on a Sunday night 

at the Strand. Theatre Manager Doug King 

and local Empire-Universal Manager Vince 

Winchester received plaudits on this opus. 

MGM Manager Eric Golding and office 

manager Eric Patterson attended an eastern 

sales meeting conducted by Canadian 

General Manager Hilly Cass in Montreal. 

Present was Canadian publicity manager 

Hilda Cunningham. 

Torrington House for Sale 

TORRINGTON. CONN.—The State Theatre, 

closed since E. A. Grecula, independent 

exhibitor, relinquished his Jacobson 

interests lease to return to Community 

Theatres, Hartford, as manager of the Colonial 

Theatre in that city, is now advertised 

"for sale" in the Torrington area 

press. Shuttering of the State leaves this 

northwestern Connecticut industrial community 

with two theatres, the Stanley 

Warner Warner and Jason Theatrical Enterprises' 

Palace. 

BOXOFFICE March 14, 1960

. . . "Porgy 

VANCOUVER 

. 

gritish Columbia has 31 drive-ins and 31 

indoor theatres. Those are the totals 

reported by Harry Howard, secretary of 

the British Columbia Motion Pictures 

Ass'n. Seating capacity of the indoor theatres 

is placed at 10.075 

across the Dominion are 

. . 

said 

Distributors 

to be disturbed 

by the spread of booking offices, 

claiming that this trend leads to pricecutting. 

The Vancouver International Film Festival 

will be in its third season when presented 

July 11-23 at the new Queen Elizabeth 

Theatre. The festival will show 35mm 

and lemm pictures ... A local letterwriting 

theatre patron had this to say: "I 

shall not attend any theatre which advertises 

'for the entire family' until such 

times as competent male ushers are employed." 

The letter-writer also complained 

about the noise and dirt in theatres and 

about indifferent ushers. 

Famous Players and MGM held a preview 

of "Ben-Hur" at the Stanley for the 

film press and newpaper reporters. The 

picture started its regular run March 3 

and is expected to run about two years. 

"South Pacific" just finished 69 weeks 

at the same house before "Ben-Hui-" came 

in . . . Theatres are getting plenty of opposition 

from General Motors' Motorama. 

which offers free admission to see a show 

that includes a movie. On top of that 

competition was the 1960 world figui-e 

skating championship here with all the 

famous skaters coming from the Olympics 

at Squaw Valley, Calif. 

Theatre-Under-the-Stars, which has 

been a losing proposition at Stanley Park 

for years, failed in a bid for a retractable 

roof. The parks board refused to finance 

the roof, which would have cost $70,000. 

It would have been a civic undertaking in 

direct opposition to theatres and other 

privately-financed amusements. 

Lorna Tyrell, International Cinema 

cashier, was in Grace Hospital for a 

check-up . . . Pat Joyce, formerly of Paramount 

Pictures, who quit the film business 

to become a housewife, is mother of 

a daughter, her fh'st child ... A member 

of the legislatui-e from Fernie said the government 

should reduce the five per cent 

tax on movie admissions up to a dollar. 

However, his good suggestion does not 

stand a chance with the present tax-happy 

government. 

Johnny Printz, former assistant at the 

Orpheum, is with the treasurer's department 

of the local unemployment office. 

He would like to get back in show business 

in some capacity, having managed 

theatres both here and in Australia. 

'Murder' at Toronto Park 

TORONTO — Under the glimmer of 

Academy nominations, "Anatomy of a 

Murder" has given the Park in North Toronto 

a nice run, being held for a third 

week. The Park Ls a unit of 20th Centm-y 

Theatres. The Aliens rushed the picture 

into the "Willow in suburban Willowdale 

and the Capitol in New Toronto, also a 

suburb. 

BOXOFHCE March 14, 1960 

Hume Cronyn Assigned 

Role in 'Campobello' 

HOLLYWOOD—Hume Cronyn has been 

signed to portray Louis McHenry Howe, 

adviser to Franklin D. Roosevelt, in the 

filmization of Dore Schary's Broadway 

play, "Sunrise at Campobello." Ralph Bellamy, 

its original star, has ah'eady been 

signed to play FDR and Vincent J. Donehue, 

its director, will also direct the Technicolor 

Warner Bros, film for producer 

Schary. 

OTTAWA 

group of local 

J^ businessmen headed by 

Sam McLean have organized a committee 

to press for modification of Sunday 

activities in Ottawa. McLean said a 

petition will be prepared for presentation 

to the city council to ask for the holding 

of a referendum on the question of revising 

Sunday laws. Similar steps have been 

taken in the eastern Ontario city of Kingston. 

A record number of entries have been 

received for the 12th annual Canadian 

Film Awards for which the chairman of 

the management committee is Charles 

Topshee, 1762 Carling Ave., Ottawa. The 

judging of 1959 films, produced in Canada, 

is under way and the results will be announced 

in May ... A tiein has been arranged 

between Manager Charles Brennan 

of the Famous Players Regent and 

the Ottawa Evening Citizen for the staging 

of a series of eight Saturday morning 

Elmer Safety shows, for which four buses 

will be run to the theatre from different 

parts of the city to accommodate juvenile 

patrons. A competition for prizes is an 

added attraction. 

"Room at the Top," which had a long 

run at the Elgin last year, was brought 

back following the Academy Award nominations 

by Manager Don Watts of the 

Rideau 

. . . The National Museum of Canada 

has conducted free film shows for children 

on Saturday mornings for many 

years. Now further competition for Ottawa 

exhibitors is being provided by the 

National Art Gallery with a series of film 

shows on Saturday afternoons for the next 

two months with free admissions. The kids 

can go to the museum in the morning and 

to the gallery in the afternoon. 

Ottawa's latest booking team, the Odeon 

Elmdale and Famous Players Regent, held 

"Operation Petticoat" for a second week 

and Bess" in Todd-AO made 

its Ottawa start February 12 at the Nelson 

.... Bob Maynard of the Francais 

has retui-ned to a straight film policy 

after playing vaudeville along with pictures 

for a month. 

F. G. Robertson of the Mayfair struck it 

right when Oscar nominations were announced 

by having "Anatomy of a Murder," 

which was held for an extra three 

days . . . The latest theatre team here 

comprises the Odeon Elmdale and the 

Famous Players Regent, the combination 

making its start with "Operation Petticoat." 

Rex Harrison will star with Doris Day in 

Universal's "Midnight Lace." 

TORONTO 

ânager Russ McKibbin of the big Imperial 

scheduled a special show Sunday 

night 1 6 

1 , a benefit promoted by Al 

Siegel for the Jewish Home of the Aged 

and Baycrest Hospital. One of the stage 

acts was by Ford and Hines, frequently 

seen on Ed Sullivan's .shows . . . The 

Pi-ince of Wales on Danforth avenue, long 

in the Summei-ville family, had an appropriate 

stage attraction to go with "The 

Hypnotic Eye," namely, Edwin Heath, a 

hypnotist from England, at night performances. 

Charles L. Sweeney, a new member of> 

the Variety Club, is the director of confectionery 

sales at the Odeon head office. 

He was proposed for membership by Chief 

Barker J. J. Fitzgibbons jr., and Fi-ank 

H. Strean, property master, both in the 

theatre confectionery business . . L. W. 

. 

Brockington, president of J. Ai'thui- Rank 

companies in Canada, has been elected a 

director of the Canadian Writers Foundation, 

a national organization which provides 

financial assistance to authors in 

this country. 

Larry Henderson, well-known telecaster 

who fell out with Canadian Broadcasting 

Corp., has lined up with Trans-Canada 

Telemeter, Famous Players subsidiai-y. to 

handle topical programs on its cable system 

here . . . Manager Mike King of 

the University Theatre reported Dr. Uoyd 

Williamson. 56, a heart specialist from 

Hamilton, suffered a heart seizure and died 

in the theatre, after watching the chariot 

race in "Ben-Hur." 

Roy Chown, Calgary exhibitor, advised 

Arch H. Jolley, executive secretary of the 

Motion Picture Theatres Ass'n of Ontario, 

that he is enjoying the winter in California 

and Hawaii. Chown attends the annual 

conventions here . . . Nat 

A. Taylor, 

head of several Toronto companies, is 

busy with plans for the production of 

two featui-e-length pictures, one to be 

directed by Julian Roffman of Meridian 

Studios. 

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Scores of busy little messages 

go out every week to a tremendous 

audience— and they get a tremendous 

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Every exhibitor is 

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selling, renting, hiring. All this is 

made easier and more profitable 

with the classified ads in Clearing 

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BOXOFFICE 

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g.4 BOXOFFICE :: March 14, 1960

• ADLINES & EXPLOITIPS 

• ALPHABETICAL INDEX 

• EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY 

• FEATURE RELEASE CHART 

• FEATURE REVIEW DIGEST 

• REVIEWS OF FEATURES 

• SHORTS RELEASE CHART 

• SHORT SUBJECT REVIEWS 

• SHOWMANDISING IDEAS 

T.) 

THE GUIDE TO i BETTER BOOKING AND B U S I N E S S - B U I L D I N G 

Neighborhood Theatres Rented 

r 

For Free 

Matinee Shows in 

Citrus Promotion Deal 

One empty citrus fruit bag was the admission 

for the norida Citrus Cartoon 

Movies matinee sponsored by the Florida 

itrus Commission on a recent Saturday 

in five Watei-s neighborhood theatres in 

Birmingham, Ala. 

Rain and cold weather held down the 

attendance, but Jack Gunnels, division 

manager for the commission, said he was 

not disappointed with the response considering 

the weather, and indicated he was 

considering future shows. 

"Lakeland (commission home office in 

Florida) was extremely enthusiastic and 

I feel certain our other district men over 

the U. S. will be trying similar shows. I 

definitely intend using the idea in other 

cities in my territory." 

Seen ot right is a 

lineup at one ot 

the five theatres in 

the Free Citrus 

Show promotion at 

Birmingham. 

The response was 

satisfactory 

considering 

unpleasant 

weather. 

RENTED TO COMMISSION 

The theatres were rented to the commission, 

personnel, cartoons and all. 

An intensive promotion was conducted, 

using virtually every possible medium. The 

wholesale food brokers participated by 

paying for an ad (3x8'/2» in the Birmingham 

News the Sunday before the event, 

and some of them used signs on the side 

of their delivery trucks. All advertised Fi-ee 

Movies and listed the theatres—the Ensley, 

Fairfield, College, Homewood and Carver. 

The empty citrus fruit bags could be 

turned in at the theatres or at any of the 

participating stores for free admission. 

500 POSTERS AT GROCERS 

The retail grocery outlets cooperated in 

numerous ways. Some 500 posters were distributed 

to aU possible outlets, large and 

small, for use in.side the store and in store 

window displays. Several of the stores 

built large citrus displays advertising the 

show. The large chains gave the show 

prominent display in their ads the two 

Thursdays and Fridays preceding the show. 

A week before the show Gunnels and 

four girls in a 1929 Ford with displays 

on all sides toured the downtown area and 

suburban shopping centers throwing out 

free fruit to children. 

Duke Rumore. disc jockey for WSGN 

gave numerous free plugs and Kroger 

plugged it on its weekly TV show. 

Eastern Airlines gave the conmiission

singular 

: March 

Cartoon Figures Give Film Ads Fresh Look 

PITT 

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To give his ads a fresh look, Joe Corlock, monoger of the Pitt in Lake Charles, La., for Piftmon Theoatres, 

worked some cartoon figures in his layouts for "Never So Few," reproduced in the two-column 

size above. The tattered, neck-tie hobo choracter at left top says, "Gotta git downtown to see, etc." 

Elsewhere, a cowboy soys, "They went thot-a-way. Seems like everybody likes a good show!" Corlock 

also had an usher dressed as a combat veteran of the Burma areo with a sign on his bock giving picture 

credit. Inside, he hod an Army display on one side the lobby and o combot soldier on the other side. 

Baseball Book Sets^ Passes for Home Runs 

Tie in Theatre With the Little Leaguers 

With another spring -summer season 

around the corner, there are some managers 

who are mulling over ideas to do 

something about the competition from outdoor 

sports. 

A specific activity is Little League baseball, 

which in some communities shoots 

holes in the kiddy theatre trade. Last season, 

acting on the premise that if you can't 

beat 'em join 'em. one thoughtful manager. 

Hugh Borland, who runs the Forest 

Theatre in the Chicago suburb of Forest 

Park, came up with a Little League tieup 

that got under way with the opening of 

the ball season and extended through to 

the final game and banquet. 

"The popularity of Little League baseball 

is growing more and more evei-y year." 

Borland comments. "In the small towns 

like Forest Park it is more popular than in 

the city. The turnout to these games in 

the small towns is tremendous and naturally 

there's slump in attendance at the 

theatre on the nights Little League games 

are played." 

Borland was all ready to "join "em" at 

. . 

the beginning of the Little League season 

last year. First there was a parade, and 

the Forest Theatre had attraction signs 

on both sides of truck that was in lineup. 

The next step involved a set of baseball 

booklets. "Finer Points of Baseball for 

Everyone Hints for Little, Junior, 

Midget and 

. 

Babe Ruth Players." These 

booklets, approximately 3'2X4'2 inch, contain 

16 or so pages each and number 12 

in a set. starting with a general description 

of the game, followed by others on 

How to Pitch. How to Catch, etc. The 

"text" is in comic strip form. The booklets 

are well done and informative. In the 

Chicago area they are put out by the Reed 

Candy Co.. one booklet being distributed 

in every Reed's Paloop Multipack. Borland 

obtained a number of sets from the 

Reed company at no cost, and at the 

opening league ceremonies presented each 

player a set of the booklets. 

The local television and radio stations, 

village officials, took part in the ceremony 

and promotion of the booklet giveaway. 

Borland also agreed to give a pass to 

the Forest Theatre to any player hitting 

a home run in any game during the season. 

This was plugged on radio with the 

current attraction and on the park public 

address systems. 

At the closing of the season a banquet 

was given for th? managers, coachfs. sponsors, 

families and players. Borland invited 

all to be his guests at the theatre. 

Jazz Band for Premiere 

A Dixieland jazz band was recruited to 

play outside the Beacon Hill Theatre in 

Boston when it world-premiered "Jazz on 

a Summer Day." a film of the Newport 

jazz festival. 

Scotsman's Plus-Sell 

Adds to 'Bridal Path' 

It was easy for Malcolm J. Thomson, 

acting manager of Fine Arts Theatre in 

Dalla.s. to come up with effective promotion 

on "The Bridal Path," which is set 

in Scotland. Thomson is a Scotsman, in 

the U. S. only four years. 

As Scotsman Thomson comments, there 

i.s more to the art of showmanship than 

newspaper ads. "Our engagement of 'The 

Bridal Path' was the greater success because 

of the plus-sell that we gave it," 

he said. 

A GIRL KILTIE BAND 

The heart of Thomson's campaign was 

the pipe and drum band of 24 girls from 

the local high school, which paraded to 

ihe Fine Arts on opening evening and gave 

a 20-minutc show of Scottish dancing and 

bagpipe music, after which the lassies 

marched into the theatre to see "The Bridal 

Path" as Manager Thomson's guests. 

The parade and out-front show was announced 

at the school a week in advance, 

mentioned in all ads. via news stories and 

pictures in both the big dailies and several 

community publications. 

The out-front event was covered live by 

two radio stations which sent mobile units 

to the theatre. 

The theatre itself displayed yards of 

Scottish plaid promoted from a yard goods 

.store. This set up the theme in the lobby, 

and the same fabric was used to make favors 

in the form of sashes and boutonnieres 

for the staff. The candy girl wore 

a kilt. 

POSTERS ON SCOTLAND 

Lobby frames display posters on Scotland 

were provided by a travel agency. 

There were several sponsored giveaways 

and merchant co-ops. 

The kiltie band drew a crowd of shoppers 

to the theatre, many of whom stayed 

to buy tickets. Relatives and friends of the 

girl pipers added to the opening night ticket 

take. 

Also helpful to the run was the art exhibit 

which the Fine Arts features in its 

lobby, changing the art each month. Since 

the change was coincident with the opening 

of "The Bridal Path," Thomson and 

an artists agent sent out direct mail material 

to the names on the art museum 

list announcing the art exhibit change and 

the opening of the film. As a result several 

of the new pictures were of a Scottish 

motif or origin. This broke in the 

newspapers. 

Vote With Tickets. Asks 

Ad Copy on Revival Bill 

I 

Samuel I. Safenovitz. owner-manager of 

the Yale Theatre in Norwich. Conn., conducted 

an "audience poll" for a revival 

program consisting of "Ask Any Girl" and 

"The Gift of Love." 

"Please settle a family dispute." he noted 

in newspaper ad copy. "Mr. says public 

wants laughter. Mrs. says public wants 

tears. Husbands or wives, bring your 

spwuses or plural*. Stop at the 

boxoffice. even with red eyes (a fourhandkerchief 

film, a side-splitting comedy, 

and VOTE!" 

—42— BOXOFFICE Showmandiser : 

14. 1960

" 

Inquiring Reporter 

Uses 'Sheba' Query 

The Press-Scimitar of Memphis was given 

a subject for its Inquiring Reporter by 

Skee Yovan, manager of Loew's Palace. 

Yovan had "Solomon and Sheba" coming 

up. 

His suggestion was, "What was the 

wisest decision you ever made?" 

For three days the Inquiring Reporter 

asked five persons each day for their answers 

to this question. The answer picked 

each day as the best received $25 savings 

bond from Loew's, and the overall winner, 

the best in the three days, received an 

additional $50 bond. 

Yovan is shown in the accompanying 

photo presenting a $50 bond to Mrs. Jean 

Byrd, the winner of the overall prize in 

the "Solomon and Sheba" contest. Her 

winning answer was: "My wisest decision 

was to give up working so I could be at 

home with my two small children and 

husband. The companionship that has 

come to our household has far offset any 

financial reward that we might have 

gained from my employment." 

The Pi-ess-Scimitar printed the above 

photo with credits on the picture. 

Carl Cannon, Center at Weldon, N.C., 

invited member of the National Guard as 

his guests to see "Surrender—Hell!" 

FPC Circuit Co-Op Deal With Record Co. 

Solves an Intermission Music Problem 

For many years Famous Players Canadian 

theatre managers have had the problem 

of presenting good, acceptable music 

for intermission and preshow time. Most 

of them have had to go out and buy suitable 

records, and some naturally have 

made their own arrangements with record 

distributors for platters. 

The latter was satisfactory, but was on 

a limited scale, reports Tiff Cook, exploitation 

manager with the FPC publicity 

department in Toronto, who has completed 

an arrangement to extend the plan 

to the circuit's key theatres from coast 

to 

coast. 

Under the deal, the Quality Records Co., 

which distributes Dot platters, is supplying 

long-playing albums to 18 Famous 

Players A-houses across the Dominion. The 

initial distribution consisted of ten Lawrence 

Welk and Billy Vaughn albums to 

each of the key theatres, with an attractive 

silk-screen standee for lobby use giving 

credit to Dot and Quality Records, 

"These albums have no vocals and cover 

most of the older, better known tunes," 

Cook reports. "We have tried several of 

these albums out at the Imperial Theatre 

here in Toronto and the music was perfect 

and the audience acceptance was most 

gratifying. 

"The arrangement does not prevent any 

theatre from playing records from other 

companies if that theatre is showing a 

motion pictui-e with music recorded on 

other than a Dot label. In such a case the 

Dot-Quality Records standee is put aside 

and one from the other company is used, 

after which the Dot-Quality display is 

brought out again. 

"The reaction from theatre managers is 

excellent: they save money by not purchasing 

albums and they have a fine variety 

of good music at all times for their 

intermissions. 

"All the 18 key theatres have the same 

selection of records and identical displays." 

The arrangement is the first on a nation- 

George Keane of Quolity Records Co., which distributes 

Dot labels in Canado, is shown presenting 

the first ten albums in o Dominion-wide deal witii 

Famous Players circuit, to Russ McKibbin, manager 

of the FPC Imperial Theatre in Toronto. They are 

standing in front of one of the silk-screen Dot- 

Quality Records standees supplied all 18 theatres 

in the orrangement. 

wide scale in Canada, and Cook points out 

it should prove mutually beneficial. 

Foreign Cars Reserved 

For 'Solomon' Stars! 

For "Solomon and Sheba" at Loew's 

State in Norfolk, Va., Milt Kaufman, manager, 

and Irving Blumberg, UA, lined up 

three foreign cars for street ballyhoo. The 

cars toured the city with signs on both 

sides reading, "This Hillman Reserved for 

Gina Lollobrigida, Star of 'Solomon and 

Sheba' 

. . . Now Playing Loew's Theatre." 

Each car had a different star's name. The 

ballyhoo was no cost to the theatre. 

Carrier Tieup on 'Bismarck' 

In a joint promotion by 20th-Fox and 

the Gopher Theatre at Minneapolis with 

the Star and Tribune, tickets to see "Sink 

the Bismarck" at a special Saturday morning 

showing were given to all newspaper 

home carriers who obtained two new subscriptions. 

The picture opened at the Gopher 

March 9. The newspapers ran two 

quarter-page ads mentioning the picture 

and the subscription promotion and distributed 

a full-page colored flier to home 

delivery carriers in a five-state area. 

A 'Porgy' Press Car! 

McGee Motors. Inc., Lincoln and Mercury 

dealers at Indianapolis, gave Jerry 

Allan, publicist for the premiere of "Porgy 

and Bess" at the Lyric Theatre in that 

city the use of a 1960 four-door Lincoln 

as an "official press car." Signs on each 

side and back read that it was the "Official 

Press Car . 

. . Porgy 

and Bess. etc. 

The Florida Theatre in Miami presented this front look during the run of "Suddenly, Last Summer." 

BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :: March 14, 1960 

—43— 

Virginia Setzer, Spartan at Sparta. N.C.. 

obtained permission to place a one-sheet 

in the vestibule of the Baptist Church 

when she played "The Ten Commandments."

I 

3 RD WCCK 

"ROOM AT 

THE XQB^ 

GENTLE 

WITH ME 

JOE 

^mii 

The front of the Studio Theatre in Vancouver "sells" a current ottroction, "Room at the Top," giving 

the public something more to see and think about than just the title and star names. Note the 

latter are left out entirely in this marquee copy. 

Solid Bookings^ Effective Showmanship 

Equal Success at Studio in Vancouver 

The Studio Theatre at 919 Granville St. 

in Vancouver, B. C, a small-seater In 

downtown area, has marked up a record 

of solid business through trying postwar 

years, through a combination of carefully 

selected bookings and carefully planned 

exploitation and advertising. 

In the immediate postwar years, the 

Studio generally was classified as an art 

house, but even then any solid-appeal 

picture would be used regardless of source. 

In latter years with the increase in the 

production of films which possess clearly 

merchandisable themes, the Studio has become 

less and less of an art house and 

more and more comparable to a well-pro- 

run. 

moted first 

Ably carrying out the Studio policy in 

the last half dozen years or so has been 

Syd R-eedman, examples of whose work 

have appeared in Sliowmandiser several 

times. His last contribution, received well 

before the year end, covers a period of 

several months and a number of bookings 

and contains examples of several aspects 

of showmanship. 

A device effective in giving a properly 

selected pictm-e a good sendoff, and in 

building theatre prestige was employed in 

behalf of "The Old Man and the Sea." 

Freedman made a date with the Soroptomist 

Club and signed a contract for the 

group to purchase the theatre for the 

premiere, with the club to receive the ticket 

sale monies. Tickets were sold by the 

club members, at the Studio boxoffice and 

by the Famous Artists agency. The latter 

made no chai-ge since the money went to 

the Soroptomist charities. 

The club was able to get much publicity 

in the newspapers, on the radio stations 

and in many choice downtown windows 

which would have been unobtainable 

to the theatre itself. 

Displays at the theatre stressed that the 

picture was chosen the best American film 

of the year (1959) and Spencer Ti-acy the 

best actor, and told of the Soroptomist arrangement. 

The theatre itself was dressed up in the 

manner of a Hollywood or New York premiere. 

An outside footman took care of the 

cumcfix 

m:jor 

5 Fingers 

^ uaoDaB 

M. monfi oxm i , 

The annual Christmas Cheer Fund promotion ot 

the Studio was turned over to radio station CJOR 

last season. Five 20th-Fox reissues were featured 

for five Saturdays before the holiday. 

carriage trade. Beautiful floral arrangements 

decorated the lobby. 

Vic Waters, CJOR program manager, did 

a 15-minute broadcast from the lobby 

gratis, interviewing leading citizens and 

public figui'es. This station also gave the 

Soroptomist pcrmiere n:ay free advance 

plugs. 

At the conclusion of the premiere, 80 

prominent guests were invited to the luunge 

floor to attend a cocktail party hosted by 

the Soroptomist Club. This was the first 

time a cocktail party of this type has been 

lield in a motion picture theatre in Vancouver. 

A one-sheet size quest card with a blowup 

advertisement of the feature was set up 

and all guests in attendance were asked 

to sign. This was then used as a standee 

on the outside of the theatre during the 

regular run of the feature. 

SUCCESS FOR ALL 

"This premiere was such a wonderful 

success that the Soroptomist Club now 

have this as an annual dress up affair. It 

has brought requests from many other organizations 

for this type of arrangement." 

Pi-eedman reported. 

"Gigi" was booked in second run at the 

Studio, but was treated as a precious gem 

and given all the care of a first-run masterpiece. 

Tape-recordings, radio announcements, 

displays and other media all played 

up how many nominations and awards this 

film had obtained. It ran 12 weeks at the 

Studio. 

Maximum benefits were obtained by the 

Studio from a five-week Christmas promotion 

to raise money for needy families. 

This has been an armual affair at the 

Studio. Freedman turned over the promotion 

last season to radio station CJOR, 

booked five top reissues from 20th-Fox, 

donated the theatre and billed the event, 

"The Studio Sunday Evening Motion Picture 

Cavalcade for the CJOR Christmas 

Cheer Fund . . . Listen to Your Favorite 

CJOR Personality for FVU Particulars." 

CJOR then went to work. The station 

handled all the publicity and rounded up 

prizes for audience drawings. 

SHORT PLAYED UP 

When Freedman booked "The Coronation 

of Pope John XXIII" he played it up as 

much if not more than the feature, and 

more people came to see it than they did 

for the main film, "Carry on Admiral." 

The Studio front was given a radically 

different look for "Room at the Top." The 

key scene, used in ads, etc., was blown up 

for standout space on the marquee and 

teaser copy used beside it in the Read-O- 

Graph. 

The stage cast of "My Fair Lady" was 

invited to the film, which resulted in good 

public relations as well as newspaper and 

radio plugs. Freedman does this often with 

promanent touring shows. 

All women's and men's clubs were contacted 

for this picture. 

For the Academy award "My Uncle," 

Freedman tied in wdth McKay Motors. 

French Renault distributor, with the sell- 

. . . 

ing angle, "Best foreign film of the year 

Best foreign car of the year." Eight 

Renaults were decorated with "My Uncle," 

advertising the film, the car and a contest, 

for which McKay paid the entire expense 

of prizes, and newspaper, radio and television 

advertising. 

The first prize was a Renault, second 

prize a trip for two to Paris for one week, 

third prize a trip for two to Bermuda for a 

week. 

For "Happy Anniversary" Jake Weber, 

Liberty Theatre at Herkimer, N.Y., conducted 

a contest for the youngest married 

couple and the oldest married couple to be 

guests at the hotel for dinner and the 

show afterward. 

—44— BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :: March 14, 1960

BOXOFFICE 

An interpretative analysis of lay and tradepress reviews. Running time is in parentheses. The 

plus ond minus signs indieote degree of merit. Listings cover current reviews, updated regularly. 

This department olso serves as an ALPHABETICAL INDEX to feature releases, ^c; is for 

CinemoScope; (V Vista Vision; s Superscope; -Ki Noturomo; (g) Regalscope; CL Technirama. 

Symbol ij denotes BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon Award; Q color photography. For listings by 

compony in the order of release, see FEATURE CHART. 

H Very Good; + Good; — Foir; — Poor, Poor; = 

BOOKINGUIDE 

^£V/£W DIGEST 

AND ALPHABETICAL INDEX

. 20th-Fox 

20th-Fox 

Col 

I 

m 

REVIEW DIGEST. 

AND ALPHABETICAL INDEX 

Very Good; + Good; — Fair; — Poor; — Very Poor. In rhe summary ++ ij rated 2 pluses, — as 2 minuses. 

III El 

|xieI> I'lZ |xa: 

is S|-| I II 

—t— 

2402 ©Kidnapped (97) Adv. Classic. ... BV 2-22-60+ + ± + "l-H- 

2369 Killer Shrews. The 

(69) Horror Drama AIR 10-19-59 + 

-(- 2+ 

2336 0King of the Wild Stallions 

(75) 1© Outdoor Drama AA 5-25-59 ^- + :^ + + + :

I 

I 

-SW. 

. . Ac 

D/M, 

Feature productions by company tn order of release. Running time Is In parentheses, (g) is tor ClrramaScope; 

® VistaVisron; (|) Superscope; ig) Naturama; (r) Regolscope; trj Techniromo. Symbol t^ denotes BOXOFFICE 

Blue Ribbon Award; © color photography. Letters and combinations thereof indicate story type—(Complete 

key on next page.) For review dotes ond Picture Guide page numbers, see REVIEW DIGEST. 

Feature 

ALLIED 

ARTISTS 

The Rebel Set (72) Ac. 5909 

kathlren (.'rcniley. John [.upton 

Soeed Crazy (75) Ac 5910 

(tri-ll ll-il^fV, Yvimne 1-lmi- 

AMERICAN 

INTL 

COLUMBIA 

0©lt Happened to .lane 

(98) C. 343 

llnris Itity. .lark liemmnn. Ernie 

Kov.tfs 

©The H-Maii (79) (c) , 

.344 

The Woman Eater (70) ..Ho 345 

(JenrKP rnulniiris. Wra Itay 

M-G-M 

chart 

©The Mysterians (85) ©,,SF, 920 

Kenii Saliara. Yiimi Shirakarta 

The World, the Flesh and the 

Devil (95) © D- .917 

llarr. Iti-lafonti'. Inccr Stevens 

©Ask Any Girl (98) ©..C..916 

Sliirlev .Marljtine. David Nlven 

The Angry Hills (105) ©..D. 921 

Unhert MItchiim. F.llsnheth Mueller 

PARAMOUNT g 1° 

The Hangman (86) W..5818 

Robert Taylor, Fess Parker. 

Tina laiiilse 

©Tarzan's Greatest Adventure 

(88) Ad 5822 

(Toulon Sc'ilt. Sara Shane 

©The Man Who Could Cheat 

Death (83) Ho. ,5826 

Anton Diffriiig. Hazel Court. 

(^hrl.Hlnpher Lee 

Battle Flame (78) D..5907 

Si'nll ISriid.v. Klalne Edwards 

Surrender— Hell! (85) D 5908 

Keith Andes. Susan Cahoi 

VJ©The Bij Circus 

(109) © D 5914 

Vli-tor Mature, Rhonda Fleming. 

Ki'd Buttons, r.ilhert Roland 

Diary of a High School Bride 

(80) D. 404 

Anita Sands. Qlrls nobln-siin 

Ghost of Dragstrip Hollow 

(65) Ac 405 

.Indv Fair. Martin Braddnok 

Midrtle of the Night (lltS) .Li .402 

Kim .\ovak, Freiirlc March 

Anatomy of a Murder (160) .401 

.lame> SlcMarl, Lee Uemlrk 

The Legend of Tom Dooley 

(79) D 403 

\lich.iel Landon. .lo Moirnw 

©North by Northwest 

(136) (» My 922 

Cary Grant. Eva Marie Saint, 

lames .Masnn 

The Beat Generation (95).. D.. 923 

Steve Cochran. .Mamie Van Doren, 

itay Dantiin. Fay Spain 

Don't Give Up the Ship 

(85) C..5820 

Jeriv Lewis. Dina Merrill 

©Last Train From Gun Hill 

(94) oren, Mel Torme. 

Hay Anthony 

Libel (lOO) D.. 5 

(Hi\ia de Havilland. Dirk Bogarde 

©Tarzan the Ape Man 

(82) Ad . 3 

Denny Miller, Joanna Barnes 

But Not for Me (105) ..C..5903 

Clark Gable. Oarroll Baker, 

l.illi I'H.niei 

O 

o 

03 

©House of Intrigue 

(94) © Ac. 5912 

rnrt Jurgens, D«wn Addams 

Crime and Punishment. U.S.A. 

(82) D..5915 

George Hamilton, Mary Murphy 

The Killer Shrews (69) .. Ho. .410 

Ingrid Goude, James Best 

Giant Gila Monster (74) .. Ho. .411 

Don Sullliao, Lisa Slmone 

©Mouse That Roared~(83)~C 77409 

I'eler Sellers. Jean Seberg 

VThe Last Angry Man 

(100) D..410 

Paul .Muni. I>av1d Wayne 

Battle of Coral Sea (SO) . .Ac. .411 

Cliff KobertJMn. Gl» Seal* 

Yesterday's Enemy (95) . .412 

Stanley Baker. Guy Rolte 

©Warrior and the Slave Girl 

(89) Supercin«scop« A*. 413 

Georges Marchal. Oiarm» M. (aoale 

House of the Seven Hawks 

(92) Ac . 6 

Hubert Taylor, Nicole Maurey. 

l.lnda Christian 

©The Jayhawkers 

(100) (i, 

0D..5904 

Jeff Chandler. Fess Parker. 

Nicole Maurey 

Career (105) D .5907 

Dean Martin. Anthony Franclosa. 

Shirley MacLaine. Carolyn Jonei 

O 

< 

03 

m 

Atomic Submarine (73) . . Ac . . 5918 

Arthur Franz. Brett Halaey 

©Edge of Eternity 

(S3) © Ac. 414 

Cornel Wilde. Victoria Shaw 

©1.001 Arabian Nights 

(76) An.. 415 

Stars the near-sighted Mr. Magoo 

©The Wreck of the Mary 

Deare (106) © D,. 7 

Coiry Cooper. Charlton Heston. 

Michael Redgrave. Emlyn Williams 

©Ll'l Abner (113) (g M..5908 

Peter Palmer, Leslie Parrlsb. 

Stubby Kaye. Julie Nevnnar 

©The Flying Fontaines 

(84) Ac. 416 

.Michael Callan. Ery Norlund 

The Purple Gang (83) Ac. .5919 

Rarry Sullivan. Elaine Edwards 

©Goliath and the Barbarians 

(88) Totalscope Ad.. 406 

Steve Reeves. Qielo Atonso 

Suddenly. Last Summer 

(114) D..417 

Elizabeth Taylor, Montgomery 

Cllft Katharine Hepburn 

©Never So Few (124) ©..D.. 8 

Frank Sinatra. Gina Lollobrigida. 

Steve McQueen, Paul Henried 

A Touch of Urceny (93) . .CD. .5911 

James Ma.sun, Vera Miles 

The Gene Krupa Story (101) Bi. .419 

Sal Mlneo, Susan Kobner 

The Gazebo (102) © My C. .10 

Glenn Ford, Debbie Reynolds, 

Carl Reiner 

The Hypnotic Eye (77) .. My. .6001 

Jacques Bergerac. Allison Hayes 

©The Angry Red Planet 

(94) SF. 

(Icrald Mohr. Nora Hayden 

501 

Who Was That Lady? (120) C. .418 

Tuny Curtis. Dean Martin. Janet 

Leigh 

©Once More. With Feeling 

(92) C..421 

Tul Brynner. Kay Kendall 

Our Man in Havana (107) 

© CD.. 420 

Alec (julnness. Burl Ives. Maureen 

O'Hara. Ernie Kovacs 

©The Last Voyage (91)....0..I1 

Robert Stack. Dorothy Malone 

Jack the Ripper (85) .. Ho. .5910 

Lee Patterson, Betty McDowall 

-n 

The Big Night (74) D..5912 5 

Handy Sparks, Venetia Stevenson yo 

©Circus Stars (76) ^ 

Soviet circus artists 

. Doc , . 5913 > 

TO 

I Passed for White 

(91) D..6005 

Svnya Wilde. J.nmes Franciscus 

BOXOFFICE BookinGuide March 14, 1960 

©Babette Goes to War 

(103) © CD.. 423 

Brigitte Bardot. Jacques Charrler 

©Comanche Station 

(74) © 0D..422 

Randolph Scott, Nancy Gates 

Man On a String (92) Ac. 

Ernest Borgnine, Kerwin Mathewrs 

©Home From the Hill 

(150) © D..12 

Robert Mitchura. Eleanor Parker. 

(Jeorge Peppard. George Hamilton 

©Heller in Pink Tights 

(..) 0..5915 

Sophia Loren, Aothony Quinn I 

Five Branded Women 

| ^ 

(90) 0..5916 JO 

Van Hcflin, SUvana Mangano, i 

JZ! 

Vera Miles, Harry (luardino ^ 

Chance Meeting (96) My..5914| 

Hardy Kruger, Michellne Prcsle I

I 

The 

Ac. 

. C 

. D 

. 

CD. 

Ho. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

.Dr. . 

FEATURE 

CHART 

The key to letters ond combinations thereof Indicating story type: (Adj Adventure Dromo; [Ac) Action 

Drama; (An) Animated-Action; (C) Comedy; (CD) Comedy-Drama; (Cr) Crime Drama; (DM) Dromo 

with Music; (Doc) Documentary; (0) Drama; (F) Fantasy; (FC) Farce-Comedy; (Ho) Horror Drama; (Hi) 

Historical Dromo; (M) Musical; (My) Mystery; (OD) Outdoor Drama; (SF) Science-Fiction; (W) Western. 

20TH-FOX 

©Say One for Me (119) © CD.. 918 

Ulni; Cii.slij. Iirhlile Krymiliis. 

KiibLTt VV.igluT. ICay WalslM 

Here Come the Jets (71) ® Ac 920 

Sli'ir l!riulli>, l.yn Thnma* 

tJTIie Di«ry o( Anne Frank 

(150) © D..916 

(SiHTlal release) 

Millie I'lTkliis. Joseph Sclilldkraiit 

fflHuliday (or Lovers 

(102) © C 923 

Clirtnn Wi-hli, .lane Wyman 

aSon of Robin Hood 

(80) © .*''-^l 

David llfillson, June LsverKk 

Miracle of the Hills 

(73) m) Ac. 924 

Ktx IIi-a.iiJii. Nan l-i'slle 

Alligator People (74) © SF. 927 

l.on Jr.. Chani-y Beverly (iarland 

The Return of the Fly 

(80) © Ho 928 

Vincent ITlce. Brell llaUey 

©A Private's Affair (92) ©C. .926 

Sill Mlneirt Jurgens 

QThe Oregon Trail (86) © OD .930 

Fffil Mac-.Miirr.'iy. William Hlshop. 

Mn.i Khlpman 

©The Best of Everything 

(121) © D 931 

Hope l.ange. Stephen Hoyd. Louis 

Joiirdan, Joan t'rawtonl 

©The Man Who Understood 

Women (105) © CD. 919 

Henry Fomla. Usile Caron 

Five Gates to Hell 

(9«) © Ac. 932 

Neville Brand, Patricia Owens 

©Hound-Dog Man 

(87) © D/M..933 

Smart Whitman. I'ablan. 

Carol Lynley 

©Beloved Infidel (123) © D..936 

QreRory Peck, Oelxirah Kerr. 

F/lille Albert 

tlOJourney to the Center of 

the E«rth (U2) © ...Ad.. 934 

Pat Boone, James .Majion. Arlene 

DalU 

Blood and Steel (63) «)..Ac. 937 

John Lupton. Zlva Rodann 

The Story on Page One 

(122) CO.. 001 

Rlla llasivorth, Anihony Pranclosa, 

Gls Yonnc 

Seven Thieves (102) C D..0O2 

E

( Lopert ) , Jean 

-Michele 

-Kernandel. 

.FemaDdd. 

-Charles 

2- 

, 

D 

. 

Lllo 

. Romy 

I lii'Rorhemonr ) - -Jack 

.G. 

, 

C 

. Ac . . Dec 

Dec 

Mar 

. , May 

FEATURE 

CHART 

Short sublecta, listed by company. In order 

of release. Runrtlng time follows title. 

Date Is nationol release month. Color and 

process as specified. 

^HORTS 

CHART 

BUENA VISTA 

4F) . .Paula Wessdy, Ingrid Stenn 

(Also available as "Bewildered 

Youth" In English-dubbed version) 

Tempestuous Love (89) ... - 2- 9-59 

(Century) . .1,1111 Palmnr 

ITALY 

Anatomy of Love (97) . .12-14-59 

(Ciiiilll - -CHails Holm, .Nicole Berger 

Grishi (83) 10-26-59 

(UM TO).. Jean Gabin, Jeanne 

Mnreaii 

He Who Must Die (122).. 3- 2-59 

( Kas.slcrl - rierre \'aneck, Mellna (Ka.ssler) . .Vlttorio de Bica, 

Mercoiin 

Snphla Loren, Toto 

Heroes and Sinners (82) 8- 3-59 Most Wonderful Moment 

(.laniis) . - Yves Montand. Maria (94) 9- 7-59 

(Eails) M. Mastroiannl, O. Ralll 

Roof, The ("II Tetto") 

(91) 6-22-59 

. (Trans-Lux) PallottI 

Tailor's Maid, The 

(92) © 11-16-59 

(Trans-Lus) . . Vlttorlo De Sica 

. 

- 

- 

- 

- 6- 1-59 

IConfll Tolo 

Love Is My Piofession (111) - 5-18-59 

(Kindle-. I H liardol. Jean Galjin ©Tosca (105) (g) 1-12-59 

Lovers, The (90) 12-7-59 (Casnlaro-Gigllo) . .Franco Corelll 

(Zenith) . .Jeanne Moreau, Jean- JAPAN 

Marc Bory, Alain Oiny 

Christ in Bronze (87) .... 7-27-59 

Lovers of Paris ("Pot 

(Martin Nosseck) . .All-Japanese cast 

Boiiille") (115) 9-59 Mistress, The (106) ....5-4-59 

ICniit'n Oernrd I'lilLpe. 11, Carrel (Harrison) . .Hldeko Takamlne 

Mirror Has Two Faces, 

Street of Shame (85) 9-21-59 

The (9S) 8-10-59 (Harrison) . .Machlko Kyo 

(Cnnt'l) Morgan, BourvU NORWAY 

©Paris Hotel (90) 10-12-59 Nine Lives (90) 3-16-59 

(F-A-W) Boyer, F. Amoui 

Fjelsladt 

Possessors, The (90) 11-16-59 SWEDEN 

Gabln, B. Blier Of Love and Lust (103) 

Sinners of Paris (SO) .... 7- 6-59 (F-A-W) . .Anita Bjork 

IKlllsl Charles Vanel- Bella Harvl Magician. The (102) 1-11-60 

©Virtuous Bigamist (90).. 11- 2-59 (J,inus) - .Ma.t von Sydow, Ingrld 

(Kingsley) . Fernandel. C. Riiblnl Timlin. Blbi Andersson 

What Price Murder? (105) 3-23-59 Wild Strawberries (90) 9-21-59 

(I'MI'OI- -Benri Vldal, M- Hemongeot 

(Janus) . .Victor SJostrom. Ingrld 

Thulin. BiW 

Anderssoo 

E 6 

a.z 

I'S 

g o 

COLUMBIA 

ASSORTED & COMEDY FAVORITES 

(Reissues) 

3426 WooWoo Blues (16) May 59 

3436 Spook to Me (17) Jun 59 

(1959-SO) 

4421 Super Wolf (16) Sep 59 

4422 A Fool and His Honey 

(16) No»59 

4423 Hookeil and Rooked 

(lei/j) Dec 59 

4424 Trouble ln-Law$ (16) Feb 59 

4431 Fraidy Cat (16) Oct 59 

4432 The Champ Steps Out 

(16'/2) No* 59 

4433 Dizzy Yardstick (19/,) Dec 59 

4434 Innocently Guilty (16) Jan 59 

CANDID MICROPHONE 

(Reissues) 

4551 No. 4, Series 6 (10). Sep 59 

4552 No. 5, Series 6 (10). Jan 60 

4553 No. 1, Series 1 (11). Feb 60 

. 

COLOR FAVORITES 

(Technicolor Reissues) 

May 59 

3613 Novelty Shoo (6i/s) . 

3614 Christopher Crumpet 

(7) Jun 59 

3615 Poor Elmer (TVs) Jul 59 

(1959-60) 

4601 Gerald McBoing-Boino's 

Symphony (TVi) Sep 59 

4602 Animal Cracker Circus 

(7) Sep 59 

4603 Bringing Up Mother 

(7) Oct 59 

4604 Glee Worms (7) Nov 59 

4605 The Tell Tale He«rt 

(8) N«» 59 

4606 The Little Match Girl 

(S/») Dee 59 

4607 The Man on the Flying 

Trapeze (7) Jan 60 

4608 Rocky Road to Ruin 

(8) Jan 60 

4609 Pete Hothead (7) Jan 60 

FILM NOVELTIES 

(Reissoes) 

3856 Community Sings, No. 1, 

Series 12 (10) Jul 59 

(1959-60) 

4851 Sitka Sue (l»/i) Sep 59 

HAM AND HATTIE 

(Technicolor) 

3512 Picnics Are Fun and 

Dino's Serenade (7) Jan 59 

LOOPY de LOOP 

(Color Carteoni) 

4701 Wolf Hounded (7) Nov 59 

4702 Little Bo Bopped (6) Dec 59 

MAGOO 

MR, 

(Technicolor) 

3754 Bwana Magoo (6) Jan 59 

3755 Magoo's Homecoming 

(6) Mar 59 

3756 Merry Minstrel Magoo 

(6) Apr 59 

3757 Magoo's Lodge Broth» 

(6) May 59 

3758 Terror Faces Magoo (6) Jul 59 

(1959-60) 

4751 Ragtime Bear (7) . Sep 59 

4752 Spellbound Hound (7) Oct S 

4753 Trouble Indemnity 

(6"/2) Htv S9 

4754 Bungled Bungile 

1.9/t) 

Dee S9 

4755 BarefKed Flatfeot (7) Feb 60 

SERIALS 

(15 Chapters-Reissues) 

2160 The Iron Claw Apr 58 

3120 Great Adventures of Wild 

Bill Hickok Aug 58 

3140 Captain Video Dec 58 

3160 Tex Granger May 59 

SPECIAL COLOR FEATURETTE 

4441 Wonderful Gibralter 

(18) Nw 59 

SPECIAL RERELEASE 

S951 Louis Prima and Kceley 

Smith (10) Nov 58 

STOOGE COMEDIES 

3404 Triple Crossed (16) Feb 59 

3405 Sappy Bull Fighters 

(ISi/a) Jun 59 

(1959-60) 

4401 Up in Daisy's Penthouse 

(16"/2) Sep 59 

4402 Booty and the Beast 

a&/z) Oct 59 

4403 Loose Loot (16) Nov 59 

4404 Tricky Dicks (16) Jan 60 

4405 Rip. Sew and Stitch 

(17) Feb 60 

THRILLS OF MUSIC 

4951 Jerry Wald & Orch, 

dO"/,) Sep 59 

- 

WORLD OF SPORTS 

4801 Wheeling Wizards (9

— 

— 

haven't 

— 

. 

"S. 

XHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY 

V/Tiie— 

Wants New Serials 

We've been playing "Tex Granger," 15-chapter 

reprint serial from Columbia, to good results 

and we wont more of these sertals opproved 

by Parent's mogazine—so why not make 

some new ones? These kids rww-o-days are 

even better serial fans than folks were 25 

years ago—and the producers might even bring 

bock "The Adventures of Kothleen" that I 

followed so ordently way back—when. 

Villo Thootre, 

Malta, Mont. 

ALLIED ARTISTS 

CARL W. VESETH 

Bof, The (AA)—Vincent Price, Agnes Mooreheod, 

John Sutton. Doubled with "Arson for Hire" from 

Allied Artists, this progrom gave me one of my best 

Monday to Wednesday changes in weeks. Would 

hove done better if advertised as mystery insteod of 

horror. All my customers seemed pleased and so was 

I.—Murray Johnston, Berford Theatre, Wiorton, Ont. 

Pop. 2,000. 

AMERICAN-INTERNATIONAL 

Diory of o High School Bride (AlP) Anita Sonds, 

Ronold Foster, Chris Robinson, Double-billed this with 

"Ghost of Drogstrip Hollow" to above-overage business 

for three doys—and everyone liked the pictures. 

You can ballyhoo Ihis one without regret. Played 

Thurs., Fri., Sot. Weather: Cold.—Joe Mochetta, 

Emerson Theatre, Brush, Colo. Pop. 2,300, 

BUENA VISTA 

Sleeping Beauty fBV)—Animoted feoture. Another 

Disney picture that brought better than overage 

crowds, but so many of them were children 

and the odutt business was kind of thin. The picture 

rs well worth a date if you can get it at decent 

terms. Played Sun. through Wed. Weather: 

Cold.—Charles E. Smith, LaMar Theatre, Arthur, 

III. Pop. 2,000. 

COLUMBIA 

Arrafomy of o Murder (Col)-—James Stewart, Lee 

Remick, Arthur O'Connell. Probably o better title 

could have been found for this courtroom drama. 

Business wos obove overage. James Stewart did a 

good job in this outspoken film. Played Sun., Mon. 

Weather: Good.— 'B. Berglund, Trail Theotre, New 

Town, N. D. Pop. 1,200. 

Face of o Fugitive (Col)—Fred MacMurray, Lin 

McCarthy, Dorothy Green. The Fri., Sot. folks liked 

this one—had a pretty fair motinee with it ond 

being in color and with plenty of action, John 

Public was satisfied. Weather: Fine.—Carl W. Veseth, 

Villa Theatre, Malta, Mont. Pop. 1,960. 

GIdgef (Col)—Sortdra Dee, Jomes Dorren, Cliff 

Robertson Now here's a moneymaker, even ai this 

late dote I really made the gravy on this! Every 

teenager in town, and they ate it up! Con't wait 

to get sequel to it. Wont it early though. Ployed 

Wed., Thurs.—Arlen W. Peahl, Hi Way Theatre, 

Sheridan, Ore. Pop. 2,000 

METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER 

Journey, The (MGM)— Deborah Kerr, Yul Brynner, 

Jason Robords jr. Best picture to dote 1 have seen 

Brynner in. Deborah 

her port. Received 

Tues., Wed. Weather: 

Kerr olso did o good job in 

many fine comments. Played 

Rainy and cold.—James Hardy, 

Shoals Theatre, Shoals, Ind. Pop. 1,300. 

North by Northwest (MGM)—Cory Grant, 

rie Saint, James Mason. Sadly, I must report 

Eva Mo- 

that 

It 

the picture, but rather error in doting it in midweek, 

when it should hove been played Sun., Mon., 

Tues. This is one of the best thrillers of ol! time. 

Weather: Fair.— 'Bob Smith, Grand Theotre, Canton, 

of 

this one failed at the boxoffice. 

my 

was no fault 

Okla. Pop. 1,100. 

Wreck ot the Mory Deore, The (MGM)—Gary 

Cooper, Charlton Heston, Virginia McKenna. Cooper 

and Heston gave us a really big sea story which 

should be grand medicine in any port town. You ccm 

tell 'em they'll see o good show; ar»d keep your 

conscience clean. Business above average. Ployed 

Thurs., Fri., Sat. Weather: Still isn't Florida. 

George Jenner, Park Theatre, Goderich, Ont. Pop. 

6,000. 

PARAMOUNT 

Coreer (Para)—Dean Martin, Shirley MocLaine, 

Anthony Froncioso. Exceptional acting is the only 

thing that is really interesting in this film. The story 

remir>ds me of some better TV productions. However, 

the names ore there and so we did good business. 

Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Cool, rain. 

Paul Fournier, Acadia Theatre, St. Leonard, N. B. 

Pop. 2,150. 

Tarzon's Greatest Adventure (Para) — Gordon 

Scott, Sara Shane, Anthony Quale. In color, of 

course. Just another Torzon, but there are a few 

adults and a tot of kids who go for him. So okay. 

But whot's happened?—No Cheeto, no J one, no 

Boy! Played Tues., Wed.—Frank E. Sobin, Mojestic 

Theatre, Eureka, Mont. Pop. 929. 

lABOUT PICTURESI 

20th-CENTURY-FOX 

Best ot Everything, The :20th-Fox)— .Hope Longe, 

Stephen Boyd, Diane Baker. A little highbrow for 

small towns, but it hos some fine acting, especially 

from Hope Lange. Suzy Porker very good olso. 

Beautiful color. Played Sun., Mon. Weother: Fair ond 

cold.—Jomes Hardy, Shoals Theotre, Shools, Ind. 

Pop. 1,300. 

Blue Anget The ;20th-Fox)—Curt Jurgens, Moy 

Britt, Theodore Bikel. Curt Jurgens did o bang-up 

)ob on acting, but the picture was definitely not 

our small town material. Our patrons want something 

they con get o good clean lough out of. 

Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Warm and cloudy. 

Glenn E. Jensen, Gatewoy Theatre, Westhope, N. D. 

Pop. 575. 

Diory of Anne Frank, The (20th-Fox)—Millie Perkins, 

Joseph Schildkraut, Shelley Winters. We ployed 

to a little below overage business on this one. The 

moionty liked it, but thought it overlong. Played 

Sun., Mon., Tues. Weather: Cold.—Joe Mochetta, 

Emerson Theatre, Brush, Colo. Pop. 2,300. 

Five Gotes to Hell (20th-Fox)—Neville Brand, Dolores 

Michaels, Patricio Owens. Another very good 

picture that deserves color and did not get it. For 

the oction fans this should pleose. Ployed Wed. to 

Sat. Weather: Fair for winter.— Harold Bell, Opera 

House, Coaticook, Que. Pop. 6,382. 

Privote's AHoir, A (20th-Fox)—Sal Mineo, Barry 

Coe, Gory Crosby. Very good, ond the crowds were 

very good too. Lots of teenagers ond they were all 

quiet. In between laughs, that is! Made triple my 

film rental the first night of o two-doy run, so om 

hoppy and well fed this week. Played Fri., Sot. 

Weather: Cold, foggy—the usual,-—Arlen W. Peohl, 

Hi Way Theatre, Sheridan, Ore. Pop. 2,000. 

Womon Obsessed {20th-Fox)—Susan Hoyward, 

Stephen Boyd, Barbara Nichols. A far cry from Miss 

Hayword's performance in "I Want to Live!" But she 

IS good in anything. This film is good small town 

fore and it did okay here. Stephen Boyd Is a really 

fine actor. Ployed Sun., Mon.—Paul Fournier, 

Acadia Theotre, St. Leonord, N. B. Pop. 2,150. 

UNITED ARTISTS 

Horse Soldiers, The (UA)—John Wayne, William 

Holden, Constance Towers. Here is product that 

should hove everything we need, but they did not 

want to see it. Tell me why. Played it with "The 

Noked Mojo." Ployed Fri., Sot., Sun. Weather: Fair. 

— J. Wilmer Blincoe, Twillte Drive-In, Centra! City, 

Ky. Pop. 4.110. 

Run Silent, Run Deep (UA)—Clork Gable, Burt 

Lancaster, Jock Warden. Good in its doss, but of 

no oppeol to the feminine audiences, so we lose the 

biggest port of our patrorvoge. Enough of these for 

the time being, please. Ployed Sun., Men.-— -Dave S. 

Klein, Astro Theatre, Kitwe/Nkona, Northern Rhodesia, 

Africa. Pop. 13,000. 

Ten Seconds to H*ll (UA)—Jeff Chandler, Jock 

Polonce, Mortine Carol. Expect o better picture and 

better business. Foir picture, to overage business. 

Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Cold.—Joe Machetto, 

Emerson Theatre, Brush, Colo. Pop. 2,300. 

UNiVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL 

Imitation of Life (U-l)—Lano Turner, John Gavin, 

Sondra Dee. Excellent production. Should do extra 

biz, but just overoge here due to the cold, sickness 

and basketball which hove become on old story here 

this winter. Played Sun., Mon., Tues.—Mel Donner, 

Circle Theatre, Waynoko, Okla. Pop. 2,018. 

Never Steal Anything Small (U-l)—James Cogrvey, 

Shirley Jones, Roger Smith. I seen ony reviews 

in EHHS obout this yet, so it's time I soy 

something. Why they moke these bod ones in 

color orvd good ones in black and white I'M never 

know. A waste of tolent, money and film. A real 

smeller.—Poul Fournier. Acodio Theatre, St. Leonard, 

N. B. Pop. 2,150. 

WARNER BROS. 

Hercules [WB)—Steve Reeves, Sylvia Koscino, 

Gionna Mono Conole. Don't ask me to figure out 

the Amencon public, unless it wos the advertising 

compoign put behind Ihis picture. Best weekend 

business in months. Terry Axley, New Theatre, England, 

Ark. Pop. 2,136. 

Rio Bravo (WB)—John Woyne, Dean Martin, Ricky 

Nelson. Just as good on outdoor dromo as we hove 

ever played. John Wayne hod top billing, but it 

took Walter Brennan to finish the job. Dean Martin 

and Ricky Nelson ore also very good. Don't let this 

one get away if outdoor dromos go in your town. 

Played Wed. to Sat. Weather: Ten degrees wormer. 

— Harold Bell, Opero House, Cootrcook, Que. Pop. 

6,382. 

Outgrossed Elvis 

"Hound-Do9 Man" from 20th-Fox is a wonderful 

picture! Fabian gave me my best Sundoy 

night i hove hod since "Shaggy Dog." I believe 

this outgrossed Presley's lost picture, "King 

Creole." Fine octing by oil the cost and OSpeciody 

the little boy (Dennis Holmes). 

Shoals Theotre 

Shoals. Ind. 

JAMES HARDY 

To: 

YOUR REPORT OF THE PICTURE YOU 

HAVE JUST PLAYED FOR THE 

GUIDANCE OF FELLOW EXHTBITORS 

— Right Now 

The Exhibitor Has His Say 

BOXOFFICE, 825 Van Brunt Blvd., 

Kansas City 24. Mo. 

Title 

Comment 

Days of 

Weather 

Title 

Week Ployed. 

Company 

Company.. 

Comment ... 

Days of 

Weaiher 

Title 

Comment.. 

Days of 

Weather 

Title 

Comment 

Week Played.. 

Week Played 

Days of Week Played 

Weather 

Exhibitor 

Theatre 

City 

..Company.. 

Company.. 

Population 

State 

a 

10 

BOXOFFICE BookinGuide : 

: March 

14, 1960

BOXOFFICE 

BAROMETER 

This chart records the performance of current attractions in the opening week of their first runs in 

the 20 Icey cities checlced. Pictures with fewer than five engogements ore not listed. As new runt 

ore reported, ratings ore 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 above or below that mark. (Asterisk * denotes combination bills.) 

-ve-rn 

lenc 

o

k 

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Boxoffice publishes nine sectional home 

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Here . . . and here only . . . you get 

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think of pictures. Plus timely booking information 

in the "Feature Chart" . . . candid 

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reviews, story synopses, ex- 

Has His Say" . . . 

ploitips and odlines in unbiased "Feature Reviews." 

And there's more: The Modern Theatre 

Section each month brings you practical "howto" 

answers on equipment, supplies, refreshments 

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' 

The unduplicated "Looking Ahead Boxoffice 

Barometer Issue brings you complete picture 

information — present, past and future — at 

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But see yourself how Boxoffice complete 

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ol three. CLOSING DATE: Monday noon preceding publication date. Send copy and 

• answers to Box Numbers to BOXOFFICE, 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City 24, Mo. • 

POSITIONS WANTED 

Drive-in manager available. Aggressive, 

promotion mmded. Not afraid to work. 

Wiil do more than count cars. Boxoffice, 

9030. 

Drive-in manager: 35, married-, 10 years 

experience all phases. Now managing 

large southern drive-in. Desires to locate 

in California. For complete resume write 

Boxoffice, 9027 

Now available qualified projectionist 

and maintenance man and janitor. Over 

30 years experience, go anywhere. Wants 

permanent job. Married, sober, reliable. 

Boxoffice, 9028 

Available immediately, thoroughly qualified, 

unincumbered gentleman, experienced 

as city manager or manager of 

clean, modern conventional type theatres. 

Wish to make connections in either capacity 

with thoroughly progressive organization 

in moderate chmate. Excellent 

references. Write, wire or call collect, 

Mercer W. Colman, 2704 "A" Avenue, 

Lawion, Oklahoma. Telephone ELgin 5- 

6727. 

Projectionist and maintenance man, 14 

years experience, 7 years at this location. 

Available April 1st. Reliable, sober and 

dependable. Boxoffice, 9037. 

Manager available, conventional or 

drive-in. Thirty years experience. Married, 

no children. Prefer Southwest. Write Boxoffice, 

9036. 

Projectionist: 28 years experience most 

all makes equipment. Reliable, sober. Go 

any place. Joe Oliver, Kimble Courts, 

Junction, Texas. Phone Hickman 6-2535. 

THEATRE TICKETS 

Prompt Service. Special printed roll 

tickets. 100,000, $34.95; 10,000, $11.55; 2,000. 

$5.95. Each change in admission price, 

including change in color, $4.00 extra. 

Double numbering extra. F.O.B. Kansas 

City. Mo. Cash with order, Kansas City 

Ticket Co., Dept. 11, 109 W. 18th Street, 

Kansas City, Mo. 

HELP WANTED 

Projectionists wanted for drive-in operation. 

Available about March 5th. Experienced 

preferred. Modern projection 

and sound equipment. State age, experience 

and salary desired plus your qualifications. 

Boxoffice. 9026. 

Managers, projectionists, promotion men 

for small circuit now reopening indoor and 

drive-ins. State age, education, experience, 

references and salary expected. 

P O. Box 538, Franklin. Virginia. 

Drive-In Managers: There ore exciting 

opportunities 

managers 

for 

with 

good drive-in 

experience . . . 

theatre 

because 

of expanding operations in this circuit! 

We need some top men who are fully 

seasoned and ambitious. Good future 

with "second to none" pension plan! Inquiries 

in confidence. Write M. B. 

Smith, Commonwealth Theatres, Inc., 215 

West 18th St., Kansas City 8, Mo, 

held 

Man to sell long established added attraction, 

playing week stands, to driveins 

Good appearance, car, personality, 

sales ability essential. Permanent. Weekly 

draw $100, against percentage. Rush 

background to Mr. F. Kirmq, P. O. Box 

77, Tice, Florida. 

District manager for Class A indoor and 

drive-in operations. Maintenance, advertising 

and concessions experience necessary. 

Excellent opportunity for man with 

proven ability and unfulfilled ambitions. 

Boxoffice, 9632. 

Manager wanted for conventional de 

luxe, first-run theatre in South. Must be 

experienced all phases, promotion minded. 

Stale age, experience, marital status, 

salary required. Apply Boxoffice, 9033. 

Manager for Negro theatre in large midwest 

city. Good salary. Will consider experienced 

assistant. Interested in "house ' 

manager, not "office sitter." Send resume 

and references to Boxoffice, 9038. 

FttMS WANTED 

Wanted 35mm films for distribution in 

Central America. New films or reissues 

with Spanish sub-titles. Send synopsis 

and offers to: Distribuidora Cinematografica. 

Box 436, San Salvador, El Salvador, 

C. A. 

GENERAL EQUIPMENT—USED 

Projector mechanizms. Super Simplex, 

foxhole sprockets. Weaver changeovers 

Al condition, $425 pair. Also complete 

booth equipment, Simplex 4 star sound. 

Ashcroft lamphouses. Jesse Jones Theatres, 

8704 N. Jersey, Portland 3, Oregon. 

Sani-Serv Model 1123 continuous freezer. 

Used 18 months. Cost $2,770. Will sell for 

$1,500. Howard's Drive-In, New Castle, 

Indiana. 

Good equipment for SOO-car drive-in 

theatre. In perfect shape. Belmar Drive- 

In Theatre, RR 2, Belvidere, Illinois. 

Complete Deluxe Theatre Equipment: 

750 seats, RCA sound, RCA 100 projectors, 

Brenkert lamps, excellent screen, elaborate 

marquee, 36 ton portable air-condiiioning 

and heating. Must vacate Regent 

Theatre, Winfield, Kansas by April 1st. 

Make offer, all or part. O. F. Sullivan, 

725 W. Douglas, Wichita, Kansas. AM 

5-5942. 

Complete Theatre Equipment: Three 

year old Simplex X-L heads and sound. 

Peerless magnarc H. I. lamps, Strong 

rectifiers, 350 upholstered American seats, 

Stainless steel and porcelain marquee 

with full set of Wagner 10" aluminum 

letters, candy concession, etc. Thomas 

labor, 1502 South 58th St, Cicero, Illinois. 

TO 3-2268. 

DR IVE-IN THEATRE EQUIPMENT 

ANTI-THEFT SPEAKER CABLE^PRICE 

REDUCED! Protect your speakers and 

heaters now for less than 75c per uniti 

Complete satisfaction reported by leading 

chains and exhibitors. For full details 

write: Speaker Security Co.. Dept. 58, 

Willow Avenue at 17th St.. Hoboken. N. J. 

Moving Oliice and Must Clear Warehouse. 

1 am moving my office to Oklahoma 

City and must clear my warehouse 

and lot in 30 days. I have some good 

equipment and construction materials 

available for sale. These include 22 65- 

70 ft. telephone poles. Speaker posts and 

junction boxes. Two complete sets of 

booth equipment including large generators 

and many other items. Call or 

write: Ernie Williamson, All States Theatres, 

Box 1358, Abilene, Texas. Phone 

ORchard 4-9383. 

EQUIPMENT WANTED 

Wanted: 35mm portables, also standard 

equipment, lenses to 32/4 and Cinema- 

Scope. Adolfo Monies de oca, Donato 

Guerra 312, Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico. 

BUSINESS STIMULATORS 

Bingo, more aclionl $4.50M cards. Other 

games available, on off screen. Novelty 

Games Co., 106 Rogers Ave., Brooklyn, 

N. Y, 

Build attendance with real Hawaiian 

orchids. Few cents each. Write Flowers of 

Hawaii, 670 S. Lafayette Place, Los Angeles 

5, Calif. 

Bingo Cards. Die cut 1, 75-500 combinations. 

1 , 100-200 combinations. Can be 

used for KENO, $4.50 per M. Premium 

Products, 346 West 44th St., New York 

36, N- Y. 

Top grossing sensational programs 

available: Write Mack Enterprises, Centralia, 

Illinois. 

150,000 admissions, with Stooge rings, 

how many of them wêre yours boss? 

2V2C, each—check with order— fast service. 

Box 248, Pulaski, Wisconsin. 

BOOKS 

MAJOR FALL BUSINESS: Prepare for it 

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BOXOFFICE 

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THEATRES FOR SALE 

350 speakers, paved, 60 miles of Lubbock, 

Texas. Cotton, corn, vegetables, 

ranching. Stable economy, 10,000 people. 

Pictures split. Very low down payment. 

For information, Wayne Long, Monahans, 

Texas. 

Colored theatre. South of Miami. Must 

sell. Box 132. Perrine. Florida. 

SW Michigan. Good family operation. 

Equipment and building. No competition. 

Will sell equipment separate. Closed due 

to death. G. W. O'Boyle jr., 904 W. Coolspring, 

Michigan City, Indiana. 

G50-car drive-in. Eastern Michigan. 

Three years old, 1st run product, drawing 

area of 35,000. Closest competition 20 

miles. Clean operation. Reasonable. Boxoffice, 

9031. 

Small town theatre for sale. Write Box 

188. Saguache, Colorado. 

Skyline Drive-In, Rawlins. Wyoming. 

Only drive-in radius 110 miles. 275 cars. 

Box 117, Rawlins, Wyoming. 

CUfllllOe HOUSE 

500-cor drive-in, good equipment including 

new 12 unit motel. Belmar Drive-In 

Theatre, RR 2, Belvidere, Illinois. 

Modem 600-seat theatre, progressive 

college town, population 7,000. Box 31, 

Boone ville, Mississippi. 

THEATRES WANTED 

Theatre wonted to lease, indoor or outdoor. 

Rent must be within reason. Percentage 

considered. Boxofiice, 9029. 

Wanted: Drive-in in Southern Georgia 

or Florida to lease with option to buy. 

Must be 250 cars or more. Faw Theatres. 

Albemarle, N C. Telephone YUkon 2- 

4227. 

Indoor for immediate lease. Small city. 

Send particulars to Boxoffice, 9039. 

THEATRES FOR SALE OR LEASE 

Must purchase equipment, reasonable 

price. 600 seats, just completely remodeled. 

Write L. ;. Dieckhaus, Rossville 

Theatre, 509 Main Street, Hamilton, Ohio. 

FOR SALE MISCELLANEOUS 

For Lease: Theatre restaurant nite club, 

complete, ready to go. Deluxe. A. B. 

Coleman, 401 Park Avenue, Columbia, 

Missouri. 

THEATRE 

SEATING 

Chairs rebuilt, recovered, installed. Ar- 

:hur luage, 2100 E. Newton Avenue, Milwaukee, 

Wiscons in. 

Good used late model chairs available, 

rebuilt chairs. Chairs rebuilt in your theatre 

by our factory trained men, get our 

low prices. Parts for all makes of chairs. 

Sewed covers made to your size, also 

leatherette 25"x25", 55c ea,; 27"x27", 65c 

ea. Chicago Used Chair Mart. 829 South 

State Street. Chicago. Phone WE 9-4519. 

1,400 Kroehler pushback, International, 

American bodiforms, plywood choirs. Box 

1734, Dallas, Texas. 

For Sale: 400 good International chcrirs, 

Atlanta, $1.00 each. Carl Branscome, 

Galax, Virginia. 

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES 

BIGGER POPCORN PROFITS with allnew 

Tender-Vender, now re-designed for 

even finer operalion and results. Nothing 

to corrode, rust or peel. Warms, tenderizes 

and cîspenses crisp, hot, delicious 

popcorn Shipped assembled; easy to 

move; cacacities right for any location. 

Write for facts. TENDER-VENDER POP- 

CORN ^RVICE CO., Popcorn Building, 

Mash ville, Tennessee. 

Operate profitable franchised employment 

agency . or office, full or 

part-time. Write Personnel Associates, Box 

592-B, Huntsville, Ala. 

SOUND PROJECTION SERVICING 

MANUALS 

Practical Instructions on Servicing all 

makes of equipment. Schematics. In Loose- 

Leaf Binder, new service sheets every 

month. 16, 35 and 70mm equipment. Per 

year, prepaid, only $6.50. Wesley Trout, 

Service Engineer, Box .^7-S, Enid, Oklahoma. 

POPCORN MACHINES 

Popcorn machines, all makes. Complete 

.lew copping units, $185.00 ex. Replacement 

kettles, all machines. 120 Sc* Kaisted, 

Chicago, Hi. 

Handy Subscription Order Form 

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THEATRE 

STREET ADDRESS 

TOWN 

NAME 

STATE 

POSITION 


N 

: 

HiFLOYD PRETTYJf 

Scheduled To 

Play These Top 

Circuits in March 

Warner^s 

Loew's 

Fabian 

Penn Paramount 

Paramount Gulf 

Wilby-Kincey 

Florida States 

Video 

Interstate 

CONTACT YOUR 

LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE 

Stanton Davis • 260 Tremont St., 

Boston 1 6, Mass. • Liberty 2-2909 

James V. Frew • 1 64 Walton St., 

N.W., Atlanta, Ga. • Jackson 3-3770 

Mike Kassel • 1301 South Wabash Ave., 

Chicago 5, III. • Webster 9-6090 

Albert L. Kolitz • 1656 Cordova St., 

Los Angeles 7, Calif. • Republic 3-0186 

STARRING 

f [ J I II R 

I 

i 

Sheldon Tromberg • Room 1034, 

Stanley Warner BIdg., 1 3th & E Sts., N.W. 

Washington, D.C. • District 7-6058 

lu 

ni 

Ml^ * ['ihiCTfti 

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DISTRIBUTING 

•Nr 

MONROE SACHSON- HERBERT J. LEDER 

A CONTINENTAL DISTRIBUTING, INC. RELEASE 

1776 BROADWAY, NEW YORK 19, N. Y. PLaza 7-2593

Boxoffice-March.14.1960

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