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THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY 

PUBLISHED IN NINE SECTIONAL EDITIONS 

BEN SHLYEN 

Editor-in-Chief and Publisher 

JAMES M. JERAULD Editor 

NATHAN COHEN Associate Editor 

JESSE SHLYEN Managing Editor 

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Published Every Saturday by 

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I 

OXOFFICE 

FOUL PLAY! 

.Implementation of the industry's 

public relations program on the local level is commencing to 

take hold. According to the Theatre Owners of America, the 

work has been started in 3,000 cities, towns and villages. As 

a result newspapers with an aggregate of about 8 million 

circulation, numerous radio announcements, speakers before 

theatre audiences and other groups have carried "favorable" 

stories about motion pictures and the industry to the public. 

That's a good start. And it's as it should be. But the ball 

has got to be kept rolling, for a lot of the "wrong stuff" has 

been getting into print and on the air for too long a time. It 

isn't going to be overcome overnight. 

There are still soreheads on the fringe—outsiders who go 

out of their way to take a crack at "the movies." One such 

instance came into evidence in last Sunday's Kansas City Star, 

when a feature writer, who generally writes about real estate 

and small-talk personality stuff, struck the industry a nasty 

blow below the belt. And all because five years ago he had 

to wait in the lobby of a neighborhood theatre, which, because 

of a help shortage, had closed off its balcony, and he didn't 

get to see the picture. Boom! That kept him away from motion 

pictures these five years. But he hadn't forgotten the 

incident and around it he vented his spleen at motion pictures 

in general. 

It seems to be a popular sport these days for people to 

pick on pictures. It's bad enough that some seasoned critics 

have taken on jaded views from seeing so many films they 

have become hard to please. At least it is within their province 

to criticize pictures for their entertainment's worth or lack of it. 

But when just anybody who conducts a newspaper column 

can dig back five years to air a peeve and rap a whole industry 

and all of its product, because he didn't think constructively 

enough to register his complaint with the manager at 

the time of the "unfortunate" incident, we've just got to get 

up on our hind legs and holler back at the newspaper that 

allows such a policy. 

Speaking of sport reminds that this same newspaper daily 

devotes (morning and evening) from one to two pages for 

sports news. Even when the local ball team is a dud (as it 

currently happens to be), they are in there rooting. To a real 

sports fan it might appear as sacrilege to say that more people 

are interested in motion pictures, derive more pleasure and 

at a pittance of the cost than from baseball, football, hockey 

or what have you. But how many daily newspapers give 

even an average of a daily column to news of motion pictures? 

And when the ball team is a flop, we don't see them 

berating the entire baseball league; or telling the public to stay 

away because the bleachers were roped off. 

11 

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Vol. 53 

MAY 2 2, 

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FACING TWELVE FEATURE LIMIT 

ON U.S. FILMING IN ENGLAND 

London Bars Studio Space 

Deals Until Americans 

Agree on Program 

NEW YORK—There will be no large 

scale transfer of production from Hollywood 

to London. The British government 

will not permit it. About la films per year 

will be made in Great Britain and will 

count for quota purposes. 

Pending an agreement among producers 

in this country on their production plans 

in Great Britain the British government 

will not allow them to preempt British 

studios by advance agreement with the 

owners. 

SEE INDEPENDENT FINANCING 

Many British studios are now practically 

idle because of high production costs and 

difficulty In securing financing. If this condition 

continues, the British government will 

find ways of financing independent producers. 

Harold Wilson, president of the British 

Board of Trade, a cabinet post, made these 

statements to the house of commons early 

this month. 

Since then Fayette W. AUport, British representative 

for the Motion Picture Ass'n of 

America, has returned to London after two 

weeks of conferences here, but silence has 

been maintained as to the progress of his 

talks. 

So far some excitement has been created 

in Great Britain by the apparent lack of 

agreement among MPAA members and 

SIMPP members. Several companies acted 

spectacularly immediately after Eric Johnston's 

return from London and shipped films 

by air. Numerous statements have been 

made about production plans. Wilson calls 

this "jumping the pistol." 

In this country some distributors contend 

they can make outright purchases of 

British 

films in Great Britain and distribute them 

here and in South America without contributing 

toward the pool of receipts. 

KORDA-SELZNICK TALENT DEAL 

Sir Alexander Korda and David O. Selznick 

have varied this approach by agreement 

to share talent and other requirements 

for production in Great Britain. Korda will 

own distribution rights to the eastern hemisphere 

and Selznick will take the western 

hemisphere, presumably without regard to 

any pooling agreement. 

No official text of the British-American 

agreement ending the 75 per cent tax has 

been published. Wilson informed Parliament 

three weeks ago that he had cabled Eric 

Johnston that he thought it was time 

to publish it in order to end misunderstandings 

which have developed in England. Johnston 

replied, according to Wilson, that he. 

agreed. Nothing happened, however, and 

deep silence descends on all MPAA representatives 

when they are asked about this. 

Copies of the agreement have been freely 

circulated among member companies. 

In the agreement there is no statement as 

to how much of the blocked currency Amerl- 

Deadline Is Passed to File Requests 

For Rehearing of Paramount Case 

WASHINGTON—With the expiration of 

the 15-day supreme court deadline May 18 

for filing rehearing requests in the Paramount 

case decision, the judgment of the 

high court automatically will become final 

May 28. Any further litigation must be appeals 

to the high court from future decrees 

of the lower court on those questions remanded 

to it, in the supreme court decision. 

The ten-day lapse between the 18th and 

28th is a supreme court regulation to allow 

can companies can spend on production, 

but Wilson told parliament that it would 

not go beyond the limits of "fair competition." 

He called the present studio idleness 

a "tragedy" and said he intended to see 

that British independent producers were financed. 

No names have been mentioned to date 

as to the members of a control board provided 

in the agreement. Wilson says he 

will include a representative of the British 

industry among the two Britishers to be 

appointed. Over here the impression prevails 

that AUport will be one of the American 

representatives and that the other will be 

some American distribution representative 

now resident in England. 

After American companies have been allowed 

to remit $17,000,000 to this country 

and to invest $12,000,000 or more—probably 

more—in production it is estimated there will 

be somewhat over $10,000,000 left in England. 

for the rehearing time, but inasmuch as 

none of the defendants or appellants in 

the case petitioned the court for any 

further explanation of the judgment, the 

ten-day period will pass uneventfully. 

Meanwhile this week the Department of 

Justice requested clarification of the Schlne 

case decision, but as yet the supreme court 

has not come through with an explanation 

clearing up the doubtful points. The DofJ 

wants to know whether or not a trustee 

should be appointed to dispose of the 16 

Schine theatres still unsold under the consent 

decree of May 19, 1942. 

The government brief said the questions 

involved in the consent decree in which 

Schine was to sell 16 theatres, did not depend 

on the further divestiture proceedings 

ordered by the supreme court, and that 

enforcement of the decree "should not await 

the entry of a final judgment as the further 

proceedings which must precede a final judgment 

are of uncertain duration. The appellants 

agreed six years ago to do what the 

district court was finally constrained to appoint 

a trustee to do. That agreement was 

made in consideration of a two-year continuance, 

and its enforcement should no 

longer be delayed." 

The government contended that the supreme 

court opinion set aside the divestiture 

provisions of the decree pending findings by 

the district court decision to appoint a trustee 

to sell the five theatres as "merely implementing" 

the divestiture provisions up for 

reconsideration. 

If the court believes, the brief asserted, 

the trial court correctly decided that a trustee 

for sale should be appointed to enforce 

the consent order, the government should 

have the right to move for an order appointing 

a trustee. 

If the high court believes the lower court 

decision incorrect, the brief continued, "it is 

important that this court specify the error 

involved, as a guide" for the district court. 

The Griffith decision handed down on May 

3 by the supreme court along with the 

Schine and Paramoimt judgments, provoked 

no questions by any of the litigants involved. 

It is expected that judgment will become final 

for this decision also on May 28. 

Fifth & Walnut Suit Trial 

Resumes in Federal Court 

NEW YORK—Trial of the $2,100,000 triple 

damage antitrust suit brought by Fifth & 

Walnut Corp., Louisville, against the majors. 

United Artists Theatre circuit and Republic 

resumed in New York federal court Monday 

(171. Jurors were chosen the first day. 

Harold Janicky, co-owner of Fifth & Walnut, 

was the first witness for the plaintiff 

Tuesday. 

This can be invested in non-industry projects. 

The agreement allows £2,500,000 

($10,625,000) for this purpose. 

There is no disagreement as to how the 

American companies will share in the remitted 

$17,000,000. It will be on a percentage 

of receipts basis. The argument centers on 

how the receipts from British films in this 

country will be split. The theory of the 

agreement was that British films would be 

distributed, not owned, by American companies 

and that the net would go into a pool 

after deduction of distribution expenses. 

Some U.S. distributors were quick to insist 

that if they used their blocked funds in 

England to buy pictures outright for nonsterling 

areas in the world market they 

could not be expected to put the U.S. receipts 

into a pool. 

The British are in favor of this. It gives 

them a prospective income they had not 

counted on. 

8 BOXOFFICE :: May 22, 1948

VIDEO'S YEARLY FILM NEEDS SET 

AT 1825 FEATURES. SMPE HEARS 

SANTA MONICA. CALIF.—So potent 

will television's impact be upon the motion 

picture industry wlien video makes its expected 

shift into liigh gear that filmdom's 

output of celluloid may be required to 

triple or even quadruple to supply the 

demand. 

That large-scale prediction, one of several 

exhaustive analyses of the televisionfilm 

relationship, was made by W. W, 

Watts, vice-president of the Radio Corp. 

of America, in one of the opening reports 

at the 63rd semiannual convention of the 

Society of Motion Picture Engineers at the 

Santa Monica Ambassador hotel. 

1.000 STATIONS AVAILABLE 

Watts supplied statistics to blueprint his 

prediction of an enormous increase in Hollywood's 

production activity. Under the 

proposed Federal Communications Commission 

revision of television channel allocations, 

he said, almost 1,000 video stations will 

be available. If the same pattern is adopted 

in television as in the AM-FM broadcasting 

field, about 500 of these outlets will be affiliated 

with the four major networks—each 

one of which can be expected to carry two 

and one-half hours of film material a day. 

Tills would require 3,650 hours of film every 

year. 

In terms of film measurement. Watts amplified, 

it would constitute 1,825 two-hour 

features or 14,600 shorts—plus all of the additional 

film material the network affiliates 

and the remaining 500 independents will use. 

Watts urged industry leaders to undertake 

experimental production programs designed 

to determine how television may best be 

utilized in theatres. He advanced the possibility 

of separate television theatres or houses 

showing television in the lounges and pictures 

inside. 

"How the motion picture industry fits into 

the television picture will be determined 

solely by the industry itself." he said. "Television 

is here and must be reckoned with." 

He reminded that sound added "new dimensions" 

to silent films and asserted video will 

"carry the industry to greater heights." 

MAY BRING UPHEAVAL 

From SMPE President Loren Ryder came 

agreement with Watts that television can 

cause a greater upheaval in films than did 

the advent of sound and the pledge that 

the SMPE will make it its immediate aim to 

aid in improving television techniques. Ryder 

pointed out that since the SMPE's last convention, 

held in New York, video has grown 

from a ten-inch home receiver image to a 

"reality on the motion picture screen." 

Sharp criticism of film industry "laxity" 

in allowing requests for television frequency 

allocations to lapse was delivered in another 

report on the video field by Paul J. Larsen, 

member of the SMPE's television committee 

and associate director of the U.S. Atomic 

Energy Commission. Larsen recounted two 

years of effort by the SMPE to persuade the 

industry to inaugurate theatre television 

experiments on video channels reserved by 

the FCC, and declared that in 1947 the MPAA 

declined to take definite action. He ex- 

BOXOFFICE :: May 22, 1948 

Jane Powell, MGM star, supplied the 

entertainment at the opening SMPE 

luncheon. At left is W. W. Watts, vicepresident 

of the Radio Corp. of America. 

On the right is Loren L. Ryder, SMPE 

president. 

pressed concern that the film industry should 

permit television to be advanced by other 

industries without "fully protecting its own 

interests" and reminded that FCC video 

chaimels may still be available if motion 

picture executives can demonstrate that such 

frequencies are required for experimentation 

in the medium. 

Larsen concluded with a plea for the in- 

Easfman Develops 

New Safety Films 

SANTA MONICA—Eastman Kodak Co. 

has developed a new type of safety film 

as a substitute for cellulose nitrate film 

now widely used for professional prints. 

The new slow-burning film was described 

before the 63rd semiannual convention of 

the Society of Motion Picture Engineers 

at the Ambassador hotel May 17 by 

Charles R. Fordyce, superintendent of 

manufacturing experiments at Kodak 

Park, Rochester, N. Y. 

Fordyce said EK has been experimenting 

on the film since 1937. The new film 

also has been tested commercially. 

Fordyce said special prints of several feature 

pictures have been circulated through 

film exchanges in different parts of the 

country. Altenrate reels of safety and 

nitrate film were used in each print. Satisfactory 

quality was obtained in every 

respect, he declared. 

Fordyce said the new safety film base 

offers the following advantages: (1) low 

shrinkage keeps film free from "buckle" 

and in-and-out of focus images; (2) it 

has strength, rigidity and flexibility similar 

to nitrate film: (3> it has greater resistance 

to effects of moisture and humidity: 

(41 projection quality is superior 

to earlier safety films and is equal to 

nitrate film in screen steadiness and 

appearance. 

dustry to increase Its expenditures in support 

of its engineers and criticized "indifference" 

on the part of most major companies 

toward scientific research, not only 

in television but also in other fields. 

From another television veteran, Ralph 

Austrian of the Foote, Cone and Belding 

advertising agency, came a salient analysis 

of the effect of television on film attendance 

habits. Disclosing results of a "sampling" of 

415 video set owners in the four major boroughs 

of New York City, Austrian revealed: 

1. Television has had a definite "social 

impact" on the families interviewed. Threequarters 

of them reported that they spend 

more evenings at home now that they have 

a set. 

2. Half of the set owners interviewed reported 

that they go to the movies less often 

now that they have bought a television receiver. 

3. Most of those who are going to the 

movies less were formerly "very heavy goers. 

The movies are losing some customers." 

NOVELTY TO WEAR OFF 

Austrian cautioned that television is still 

comparatively new and that it is "still too 

early to judge the reaction of set owners 

as they become accustomed to this medium." 

He added, however, that the survey did not 

bear out the theory of some that although 

movie-going may fall off when a set is new, 

attendance will pick up again as the novelty 

wears off. 

Experts from equipment companies, film 

production units, research institutes and 

other agencies dispersed technical information 

on a wide variety of subjects ranging 

from color photography and magnetic sound 

recording to theatre loudspeakers, theatre 

sites, film flicker and audio-visual educational 

films. 

President Ryder told the conventioneers 

the SMPE has established more American 

Standards Ass'n standards than any other 

U.S. industry—an important achievement, he 

declared, because "our world-wide market is 

dependent upon the existence and the retention 

of standards under which our product 

can be played." He also cited important 

progress in color and magnetic recording. 

OTHER CONVENTION SPEAKERS 

Two Important papers on color were delivered. 

Dr. Ralph M. Evans, color superintendent 

at Eastman Kodak. Rochester, discussed 

"Seeing Light and Color" and presented 

demonstrations designed to show that 

"what we see depends as much on ourselves 

and our experiences as on the external 

reality which the light presents to our eyes." 

Prof. Isay Balinkin of the University of Cincinnati 

discussed "color phenomena" and offered 

20 demonstrations. 

Others who presented papers were James 

A. Mauer: Thomas Miller. Eastman Kodak: 

Carl Hittle. RCA- Victor: Howard Walls, 

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; 

Lieut. Charles C. Shirley, of the USN bureau 

of aeronautics; M. Robert Adams jr. 

and Herman Schultheis, Telefilm, Inc.; and 

E. G. Faludi, Toronto town planning consultant.

Allied Board Starts Move 

For New Carrier Rates 

DENVER—Â movement to bring film 

carrier rates "into line" was launched at 

the spring meeting of the Allied national 

board here last weekend. 

Complaints on film transportation costs 

in the Kansas City, Minneapolis and Dallas 

exchange territories were discussed with 

representatives of the National Film Carriers, 

Inc. Further conferences are to be 

held in an effort to adjust rates in these 

areas and anywhere else they seem out of 

proportion. 

The board also took up the problems of 

television and the recent antitrust decisions 

of the supreme court, and went on record 

as opposed to ownership of theatres by any 

exchange manager or film company employe. 

Such ownership, it was contended, 

could easily work to the detriment of other 

theatres and probably would lead to discrimination 

in film deals. 

MYERS BLASTS CARRIER RATES 

The session on carrier rates apparently 

was a stormy one. It was attended by James 

P. Clark of Philadelphia, president of the 

National Film Carriers, and Earl Jameson 

of Kansas City, a director of the national 

organization. Afterward, A. P. Myers, chairman 

of the Allied board, said he believed 

the issues could be worked out amicably. 

"Ours is not a destructive program," he 

said. "We recognize the right of the carriers 

to make a fair profit. But some rates appear 

to be unduly high." 

AUied's procedure, he said, will be based 

on the legally accepted principle that "common 

carriers are entitled to rates which will 

yield a fair return under proper and efficient 

management." That is the yardstick applied 

to railroads and to all other common carriers, 

he said. 

Allied's bid for lower rates, he indicated, 

will be based primarily on the requirement 

for "proper and efficient management." He 

mentioned specifically some "rather extreme" 

salaries paid to film carrier officers. 

There is no intention of trying to estab- 

Allied to Print Manual 

On Court Decisions 

DENVER—An astonishing amount of 

interest is being shown by independent 

exhibitors in the recent supreme court 

antitrust decisions, A. P. Myers, chairman 

of the board of national Allied, reported 

at the spring board meeting here last 

weekend. 

They are interested not only in theatre 

divestiture, he said, but just as much in 

the rulings with respect to clearances, 

block booking and other points in the 

decisions. 

Since the court decisions, Myers has 

conducted critiques at conventions in Boston, 

Des Moines, Kansas City and Denver. 

Exhibitors have brought up many 

interesting points, he said, and eventually 

national headquarters will publish a manual 

covering the various issues broached 

at these meetings. 

llsh a uniform national rate, Myers said. He 

pointed out that each territory has its own 

problems, such as miles traveled, density 

of population, etc. 

AUied's transportation committee is made 

up to Trueman Rembusch, president of the 

Indiana unit; Col. H. A. Cole, president of 

the Texas unit, and O. F. Sullivan, president 

of the Kansas-Missouri unit. 

In a report on television, Rembusch declared 

that large-screen video for the theatre 

appears to be far in the future, but that 

television in lobbies for the added enjoyment 

of patrons may prove to be quite an attraction. 

It was reported that Ascap will make 

no additional charge to theatres using television 

in the lobby, and it is unlikely that 

television people will object because lobby 

sets will stimulate interest in the medium. 

Representatives of various Allied units appear in the above photo. Seated, left 

to right: Col. H. A. Cole, Texas; William Prewitt, Gulf States Allied; O. F. Sullivan, 

Kansas and 3Iissouri; Ray Feeley, New England; Harold Pearson, Wisconsin, and 

Sidney J. Goldberg, Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. Standing: Edward Lachman, 

New Jersey; Stanley Kane, Minnesota; Sidney E. Samuelson, Eastern Pennsylvania; 

Harry Chertcoff, Eastern Pennsylvania, and Bennie Berger, Minnesota. 

Shown above are leaders at the Allied 

National board meeting in Denver. Seated, 

left to right: William L. Ainsworth, 

president; Abram F. Myers, cliairman 

and general counsel; and Charles Niles, 

secretary. Standing is Trueman T. Rembusch, 

treasurer. 

Rembusch told of experiments with video 

in lobbies of rural theatres in his Indiana 

territory and reported that the range at 

which television programs can be picked up 

is far greater than is generally believed. It 

is believed that technical advances will soon 

bring television within the range of almost 

every populated center in the country. 

As for large-screen television, Rembusch 

said the only real system so far developed 

is that of Paramount, and it is too expensive 

for any but large key city theatres. 

Rembusch's report will be mimeographed 

and distributed among the Allied organization, 

Myers announced. 

OTHERS ATTENDING MEETING 

Besides Myers and Rembusch, those attending 

the meeting were William L. Ainsworth, 

Wisconsin, national president; 

Charles Niles, Iowa -Nebraska, secretary; 

Stanley Kane, Minnesota, recording secretary; 

Edward Lachman, New Jersey; Sidney 

E. Samuelson, Eastern Pennsylvania; Lawritz 

Garman and Myer Leventhal, Maryland; 

Fred J. Harrington, Western Pennsylvania; 

Ray Feeley, New England; Ray Branch, 

Michigan; Martin G. Smith, Ohio; Colonel 

Cole, Texas; Benjamin Berger, North Central 

Allied; William Prewitt, Gulf States 

Allied; John M. Wolfberg. Rocky Mountain 

Allied, and Sigmund Goldberg, Wisconsin 

and Upper Michigan. 

Teatherbedding' Issue 

Settled Out of NLRB 

HARTFORD—Tlie question of whether the 

National Labor Relations board has jurisdiction 

over a local motion picture theatre 

apparently will have to wait before being decided. 

Harris Bros., operating a vaudeville-film 

house here, recently filed charges with the 

National Labor Relations board against the 

musicians' union of Hartford, complaining 

that the union was forcing the theatre to 

hire a standby orchestra that was not needed, 

in violation of the "teatherbedding" ban of 

the Taft-Hartley law. The union contested 

the right of the NLRB to take jurisdiction 

over a "purely local" case. 

The complaint was scheduled to come up 

for a hearing this week but before it went 

to trial Harris Bros, withdrew its charges 

and announced it had settled the controversy 

with the union. 

10 BOXOrnCE : 

: May 22, 1948

"Hi, Jinx. .." "Hello, Tex. . 

." 

JINX FALKENBERG AND TEX McCRARY, 

N.B.C.'s FAMOUS COUPLE, ARE BROADCASTING TO YOU 

-^r^^ THE NEWS ABOUT 

Paramount 

Shorts 

FOR 1948-49 

Tex: Now that we're 

in Paramount shorts 

M^ 

ourselves. Jinx, I 

feel right at home 

talking about them. 

Jinx: 

And I'm happy to preview 

for my exhibitor friends how 

Paramount has streamlined its 

plans to give them more shorts 

that mean more entertainment 

. . . and 60% of them in color . 

.

. 

Tex: Yes, Jinx, 

Paramount found 

that audiences 

want MORE 1-REEL 

SUBJECTS and more 

cartoons - so . . . . 

Paramount 

JVILL MAKE 70 SHORTS 

TOTALLING 70 REELS FOR 1948- '^^ 

Against 64 Shorts Totalling 

70 Reels Last Year 

Including These 30 Great Cartoons 

POPEYE 

Cartoons 

In Color 

\ 

% 

% 

• 

He's Popeye, The Boxoffice 

Man ... so definitely a contemporary 

American folkhero 

that he's a "must" on 

thousands of screens. 

• 

I 

i 

Jinx: And that 

means MORE 

COLOR- CARTOONS 

the public loves — 

30 THIS YEAR 

INSTEAD OP 24 

released last 

season. ..and a lot 

of them will be in 

that wonderful new 

Polacolor. . 

NOVELTOONS 

In Color 

Accenting novelty, they've 

introduced a score of popular 

characters including Little 

Audrey, Herman the Mouse, 

Caspar the Friendly Ghost, 

Buzzy the Crow and many 

others. 

r" 

SCREEN SONG 

Cartoons 

In Color 

starring 

The Bouncing Ball 

Audience-participation sensation 

that clicked in 1946, became a 

series in '47 —and now, by popular 

demand, is increased from 8 to 

12 releases.

. 

. 

Jinx: Can I tell 

about The Pacemakers, 

Tex? I 'm 

thrilled that 

our 3 pictures 

will be part of 

this delightful 

series . . 

EEI Paramount 

Pacemakers 

Produced byJLJS'lIN IIKRMAN 

Double the miniher this yenr with at least half emphasizing 

music. Packed with big rtames like I ex and 

Jinx, Martin Block, Paid Whiteman, Ed Sullivan and 

Monica Lewis, to mention just a few. 

Tex: And don't 

forget the 

year-after-year 

achievements 

of the 

3 JERRY 

FAIRBANKS 

SERIES. 

They're great 

favorites with 

every member of 

every family. . 

ri 

k^> 

Speaking 

of Animals 

Spiced with such hilarious 

originality, they've won 2 

Oscars and the laughter of all 

the millions who love animals 

— and fun. 

Popular Science 

In Color 

New as the latest research, 

this series* turns wonders 

of science into wonders of 

of entertainment to thrill 

Mr. and Mrs. Average 

American. 

^ 

Unusual 

Occupations 

In Color 

12th year of finding and filming 

fascinating professions and hobbies 

of people who make news by new 

ways to make a living.

. 

Jinx: Do you think 

' 

we 11 ever equal 

the 28 years of 

popularity achieved 

by the public's 

favorite sport 

series? . 

^'-r^ 

QQ Grantland Rice 

Sportlights 

Produced by JACK EATON 

«^'^ They're an industry institution . . . reports on sports that are both 

completely authoritative and dramatically entertaining . . . 

Tex: News is my 

department , Jinx 

... so I want to say 

that no film news 

coverage can 

compare with . . 

Paramount News 

The Eyes and Ears of the World 

104 Issues— Plus 52 Issues of 

Canadian Paramount News 

> 

Jinx: Since we're a 

typical American 

family, Tex— let's 

make sure our 

favorite theatre 

in our home town, 

Manhasset, books 

all the 

^

Skouras Reports on Economy: 

// Now Takes 20 Days Less 

To Shoot a 20th Feature 

NEW YORK— Spyros Skouras, president of 

20th Century-Fox, in his annua! report to 

stockholders this week revealed the extent to 

which the company has been able to slice the 

cost of production. Pointing out that 18 pictures 

released in 1947 cost an average of $2,- 

300,000, and took about 72 days to shoot, 

Skouras said that releases scheduled in 1948 

cost an average of $1,900,000 and that those 

now before the cameras will cost an average 

of $1,600,000 with shooting schedules down 

to an average of 52 days per production. 

Emphasis these days, he said, is on intimate 

stories which do not require elaborate 

sets. 

Skouras brought out an interesting point. 

He revealed that 20th-Fox productions to be 

shot in England are being written in this 

country. The tempo, as a result, will be for 

American audiences—and, he added, whereever 

possible boxoffice names will be used 

in these British films. 

The 20th-Fox president also estimated that 

his company will receive about 22 per cent of 

the $17,000,000 to be pooled as American remittances 

in England. Included in the 22 per 

cent will be additional revenues from rentals 

earned by British-made films shown in this 

coimtry. 

The financial picture which was reported 

to stockholders showed a net profit for the 

company of $2,926,842.40 for the first three 

months of 1948, ending March 28. This was 

below the same period the preceding year by 

$2,970,761. 

The net for the first quarter of this year 

was at the rate of $1 per share on the common. 

For the same period last year the rate 

was $2.07 per share. 

Gross receipts from film rentals and the- 

Bidding Still 

Allowed, 

Says 20th-Fox Lawyer 

NEW YORK — Distributors are permitted 

to use competitive kidding or competitive 

negotiation despite the fact that 

bidding has been eliminated from the 

antitrust decree by the supreme court. This 

opinion was given by Otto Koegel, general 

counsel for 20th-Fox, at the annual stockholders' 

meeting May 18. 

He pointed out that bidding and competitive 

negotiation would probably be 

used where competing exhibitors are similarly 

situated. 

Koegel's views on bidding have been 

backed up by several other industry lawyers. 

RKO and Loew's are still undecided 

whether to continue competitive bidding, 

Warners and Paramount have stated 

they have never used bidding and do 

not intend to start now. 

Universal will probably continue bidding 

wherever it is now being used, but 

will not introduce it elsewhere. Columbia 

and United Artists will not use bidding. 

atres were $46,996,356.91 in the 1947 first 

quarter. For the first quarter of this year 

the gross receipts were $40,316,174.23. 

These figures were presented to the annual 

stockholders' meeting May 18 by Spyros P. 

Skouras, president. The slump, he said, was 

due principally to a falling off in foreign 

revenues. Domestic business was good during 

the period, he stated. Theatre receipts were 

off, but domestic film rentals were higher 

than in the previous year. 

Skoui-as predicted that the second quarter 

report would show a pickup in the earnings 

rate to $1.25 per share on the common, and 

that profits for the first 39 weeks of the year 

would equal the same period last year. 

The board of directors has declared a quarterly 

dividend of $1.12 li per share on the 

outstanding prior preferred, payable June 15 

to stockholders of record on June 1. A quarterly 

dividend of .37 »- has been declared on 

the convertible preferred, payable June 30 to 

stockholders of record on June 7. On the 

common stock a quarterly dividend of 50 

cents has been declared, payable June 30 to 

holders of record on June 7. 

Skouras was reelected president of the company 

by the board of directors, as were all 

other officers. 

Move to Settle 20th-Fox 

Stockholders' Suit 

NEW YORK—An out-of-court 

settlement 

of a stockholders' suit against 20th Century- 

Fox and National Theatres executives is 

to be sought, and whatever agreement is 

reached will be presented to stockholders for 

approval after it has been given court approval. 

The suits grew out of a bonus arrangement 

set up in 1944 for four National Theatres 

executives—Charles P. Skouras, president 

of National; Elmer C. Rhoden, president 

of Pox Midwest; F. H. Ricketson jr., 

president of Fox Intermountain, and Harold 

J. Fitzgerald, president of Fox Wisconsin. 

Forty shares of "B" stock were created and 

sold to these executives for $565,000. These 

shares were to be convertible into a 20 per 

cent interest in National Theatres on payment 

of an additional $5,650,000, but could 

not be sold until National Theatres had been 

given an opportimity to meet any outside 

offer. 

When the three-judge expediting court 

handed down a decision setting up the 95 per 

cent—five per cent ruling on theatre ownerships 

a new situation was created. Some 

months later Ti-ansamerica Corp. offered the 

four executives $7,415,000 for their holdings. 

This offer was reported to National Theatres 

which promptly equaled it and reacquired 

the stock. 

Later an arrangement was made for the 

purchase of 240,000 shares of 20th-Fox common 

by 20 officers and employes of National 

Theatres and 20th-Fox. 

The suits were filed by six stockholders and 

examinations of a number of officers of the 

company have already taken place. 

Skouras Sees No Loss 

From Divorcement 

NEW YORK—Divestiture will not hurt 

20th-Fox, Spyros P. Skouras, president, 

told the .stockholders 

at the annual 

meeting May 18. 

He predicted the 

company would be 

able to get a good 

price for its theatres 

and that film 

rentals would rise 

as a result of divorcement. 

Skouras said that 

conipany officials 

were studying 

Spyros Skouras ways of selling the 

National Theatre holdings if the New 

York statutory court should order divorcement 

in a new decree. He pointed 

out that the theatres could be sold as 

one circuit, as a series of circuits or as 

individual units. 

The decree also was di.scussed by Otto 

Koegel, general counsel. He predicted a 

new and long trial would be necessary to 

determine which theatre sittiations were 

acquired or operated with monopoly intent. 

He told the stockholders that closed 

situations are subject to divorcement. 

20th-Fox to Enter 

The Television Field 

NEW YORK—Twentieth Century-Fox 

plans to build five television stations, the 

maximum number allowed to one operator 

by the Federal Communications commission, 

according to Spyros P. Skouras, 

president. 

He told the company stockholders at 

the annual meeting May 18 that the company 

either has applied for or will apply 

for permits in Los Angeles, Boston, San 

F^-ancisco, Seattle, and Kansas City. 

He also said that 20th-Fox is going 

ahead with experiments for large-screen 

television in cooperation with RCA. He 

did not think that television will hurt 

the theatre business, but could become 

part of it. 

He discussed the possibilities of coaxial 

cable tieups linking as many as 200 theatres 

which could simultaneously telecast 

special stage shows and other entertainment 

events. 

Hearings on 20th-Fox and National 

Theatres application to the Federal Communications 

commission for this largescale 

entry into television will be held 

in San Francisco May 24. 

20th-Fox 1848 Contracts 

Up 52 Per Cent From '47 

NEW YORK—The 31 20th-Fox sales 

branches in the United States and six 

in Canada made 52 per cent more feature 

contracts with theatrical accoimts 

during the first 18 weeks of 1948 than 

for a corresponding period of 1947, according 

to Andy W. Smith, general sales 

manager. 

The branches in the southern division, 

headed by Han->' G. Ballance, sold a total 

of 3,600 feature contracts in the single 

week ended May 1. Smith said. 

BOXOFFICE :: May 22, 1948 15

%e« ^^ S^^^^^tt^ 

Hughes and Odium 

JJOWARD HUGHES and Floyd Odium 

were not strangers when they began 

negotiations for the transfer of 928,000 

shares of RKO from Atlas Corp. to Hughes. 

Their business paths had crossed and recrossed 

many times in recent years. They 

understood each other so well that Odium 

told Hughes last February that he valued 

his RKO holdings at $8,000,000 and was 

willing to sell. This is understood to be 

the price that Hughes finally paid. 

During the progress of the negotiations 

Robert R. Young, who controls Pathe Industries 

and Eagle Lion, also made an offer, 

and N. Peter Rathvon tried to organize a 

banking syndicate to take over the stock. 

Hughes and Odium are both keenly interested 

in aviation. Hughes, as is well 

known, controls TWA and has other plane 

holdings. Atlas controls Northeast Airlines, 

Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corp. 

and others. Both have widespread oil interests. 

Odium for investments through 

Atlas: Hughes, because he owns the Hughes 

Tool Co. which drills oil wells. 

Each plays hunches shrewdly and acts 

swiftly without consulting banking syndicates. 

They take losses occasionally, but 

they have a happy faculty for coming out 

with profits more often than with deficits. 

Because Hughes has an intense personal 

.nterest in films, it is expected that he will 

have much closer contacts with the RKO 

studio than did Odium, who devoted himself 

largely to corporate and financing 

problems. 

Paramount Guessed Right 

H QUICK guess can be as profitable as 

a royal flush in a six-handed poker 

game when everybody is betting. Back in 

the prewar days when television was fnostly 

conversation Paramount made a loan to 

Allen B. Du Mont Laboratories, Inc., and 

converted the loan into stock. It wanted 

some television equipment for experimental 

purposes. 

Along came the war. What with radar 

and all the other radio equipment the 

armed services needed Du Mont prospered 

beyond the wildest dreams of its founders. 

Now Paramount is willing to sell its share 

for $10,000,000 and Allen Du Mont is willing 

to pay $6,000,000. 

Paramount Conservatism 

DARAMOUNT's corporate policies have 

been operated so conservatively during 

the past few years that the company can 

now absorb almost any kind of a shock 

without noticeable jar. 

Estimated earnings, after all charges 

including taxes, for the first three months 

of 1948 are $7,760,000. At first glance this 

seems to be $1,762,000 below the same 

period for 1947. A little additional reading 

discloses that Paramount is not now 

reporting any foreign profit until they are 

actually received in dollars. 

In the same earnings statement it is 

shown that there are now 6,987,039 shares 

of stock outstanding. This is lower by 

By JAMES M. JERAULD 

316,933 shares than for the same period 

a year ago. 

Paramount has been quietly acquiring its 

own stock and putting it in the treasury 

since the three-judge court in the antitrust 

case laid down its 95-5 rule for ownership 

of theatres. It intended to use this 

stock for theatre purchases where necessary 

to protect its showcases. It may have 

to revamp its approach to the theatreowning 

problem as a result of the supreme 

court decision, but the stock is there just 

in 

case. 

Checking Cases Gain 

T AST week more than 250 checking cases 

were pending in courts in all exchange 

areas The total is rising rapidly. If an 

appeals court upholds the Boston award 

for damages on flat rental as well as percentage 

pictures, there may be an even 

greater increase. 

A remarkable business—films! Exhibitors, 

distributors and the government all 

suing at the same time for various reasons, 

with all the costs added to film 

rentals. 

Rioting Pickets 

COME student of human behavior may be 

able to understand why young men and 

women take chances on broken skulls, 

scalp wounds, six or eight days in jail before 

trial, and then fines for disorderly 

conduct, but it's a mystery to ordinary 

mortals. 

The Daily Worker, the council for Soviet- 

American Friendship and a few other 

groups practically incited riots in front of 

the Roxy by threatening picketing and 

52 Years a Showman: 

Still Has New Ideas 

DuBois, Pa.—In his 52nd year In show 

business, and at an age when most men 

are at least considering the pleasures of 

retirement, Albert P. Way, dean of showmen, 

is striking out in new fields in the 

entertainment world. He's going to open 

an outdoor theatre. 

The fast-moving world, on wheels, has 

created a demand for this modern theatre, 

according to the pioneer exhibitor 

and former legislator. In Florida during 

the spring months he visited various 

drive-in theatres, witnessed the families 

comfortably dressed, but not dressed up, 

coming to the auto parks, appreciated 

their enjoyment of the entertainment offered, 

and determined to investigate the 

possibility of an open air theatre in the 

DuBois area. 

He has taken options on several properties 

near here and his tentative plans 

are drawn. This week he is on a fishing 

trip in Potter county and is making his 

selection and final decision. Way owns 

and operates the Avenue and Carlton 

theatres here. 

The plan was so stupid the lead- 

boycotts. 

ers didn't bother to find out that "The 

Iron Curtain" would not open until the 

following day. 

Most of the rioters arrived from a Wallace 

meeting at Madison Square Garden 

and found mounted police, foot police and 

detectives there in force They rioted anyway. 

The next day a lot of them wondered 

why. All they had accomplished was a 

boost in the Roxy gross. 

Roadshows by Leasing 

ÂN a picture be roadshown at advanced 

prices by leasing a theatre on a percentage 

basis? 

Anybody who wants to hear both sides 

of the question can get them by querying 

lawyers in the antitrust case. 

Some lawyers contend there is nothing 

in the supreme court decision to prevent 

a distributor from leasing a theatre to show 

a roadshow film. Some can't see the difference 

between leasing a theatre from an 

owner and leasing a film to an owner, so 

long as the net result is a percentage split 

at advanced admissions. 

Film prices can't be fixed in a film lease 

contract, say some of the legal lights, but 

they don't have to be fixed if the distributor 

leases the theatre. He can decide his 

own rates. 

A court ruling on this may be necessary 

sooner or later. 

TOA Legal Advisory Group 

To Meet With Directors 

NEW YORK—A meeting of the legal advisory 

council of the TOA, which was formed 

several weeks ago while the antitrust case 

was being heard by the supreme court will 

be held early in the summer at the time the 

board of directors goes into session. 

Counsel for all state and regional member 

associations and for theatre circuits have been 

invited to join the advisory group. Those who 

have already accepted are: Byron L. Ballard, 

Lansing, Mich.: Col. Robert T. Barton, Richmond; 

Albert B. Bernstein, Miami: H. E. 

Buchanan, Hendersonville, N. C: Tom Friday, 

Scranton; Lawrence E. Gordon. Detroit: 

Sidney Grossman, Syracuse; L. S. Hamm, San 

Francisco; Philip Harling, New York City: 

Fred H. Kent, Jacksonville: Ben Kohler jr.. 

Atlanta: Maury MUler, Passaic: Leonard L, 

Rosenthal, Albany, and Col. Henry J. Stites, 

Louisville. 

Colosseum Membership 

To Sales Managers 

NEW YORK—Branch sales managers may 

belong to the Colosseum of Motion Picture 

Salesmen, although they will not be given 

bargaining rights. Representatives of the 

distributors and the National Labor Relations 

board agree this will permit A. W. 

Van Dyck, 20th Century-Fox branch sales 

manager in Chicago, to continue as president 

of the proposed salesmen's union. 

Attorneys for the distributors and David 

Beznor, Colosseum attorney, conferred at the 

NLRB office here early in the week to discuss 

balloting procedure whereby approximately 

1,000 film salesmen will vote on 

whether they want the union to represent 

them. The NLRB office in Washington has 

ruled that the votes must be tallied by company. 

To date the union has lined up 880 

salesmen and 30 branch sales managers. 

16 BOXOFHCE : 

: May 

22, li»4«

1 

1 America's 

— 

Go and see for yourself the remarkable photographic record of 

burning problem, dramatized in M-G-M's newest sizzling 

'2-reel Short Subject "GOING TO BLAZES!" now available at 

jM-G-M Exchanges. 

9 I 

It packs the box-office dynamite that made "Traffic With The Devil" 

a sensational ticket-seller. 

"GOING TO BLAZES!" was written and produced by exploitationwise 

Herbert Morgan and was directed by Gunther V. Fritsch, the 

Isame showmanship team that gave the public the thrills of ^^Traffic 

With The Devil." 

The tie-ups on "GOING TO BLAZES!" are sure-fire for promotion 

and plentiful. Produced in cooperation with The Associated Press! 

[Also Los Angeles Fire Department] It's 

a Theatre of Life Release. 

I 

Also in current release from The Theatre of Life: ^^GIVE US THE 

EARTH," the dramatic story of the world's most vital problem 

Food! Book it now at your M-G-M Exchange! 

; * I 

g,lltl| 

jtn Shorts as well as Features, when they come from Leo the Leader 

|:hey've 

got that zip and pep of VITAMIN M-G-M!

MPAA Children s Library 

Lists 112 New Features 

NKW YORK—The Motion Picture Ass'n 

has made public the list of 112 supplementary 

features that will be available 

through the Children's Film Library. The 

pictures are from 11 companies. They 

bring the total of library pictures to 162. 

The pictures are available for special 

children's matinee programs after they 

have completed regular local bookings. 

Exhibitors applying for them must show 

they have played 80 per cent of the 50 

regular library subjects. A total of 2.500 

U.S. theatres now subscribe to the library. 

The supplementary pictures are: 

COLUMBIA—"Arizona." "Bandit of Sherwood 

Forest," "Desert Horseman," "Fighting 

Frontiersman," "Gallant Journey," "Galloping 

Thunder," "The Jolson Story," "Keeper 

of the Bees," "The Last of the Redman," 

"My Dog Rusty," "Personality Kid," "The 

Prince of Thieves," "Relentless," "The Return 

of Monte Cristo," "The Return of 

Rusty," "Roaring Rangers," "Roll on Texas 

Moon," "The Swordsman," "Two Fisted 

Stranger." 

FILM CLASSICS—"Spirit of West Point." 

MGM—"Bad Bascomb," "Boys' Ranch," 

"Courage of Lassie," "Cynthia," "David Copperfield," 

"Fiesta," "Good News," "The 

Green Years," "Holiday in Mexico," "It Happened 

in Brooklyn," "Lassie Come Home," 

"Living in a Big Way," "Music for Millions," 

"My Brother Talks to Horses," "National 

Velvet," "On an Island With You," "This 

Time for Keeps," "Three Daring Daughters," 

"Two Sisters From Boston," "Treasure 

Island," "Wizard of Oz," "The Yearling." 

MONOGRAM—"The Dude Goes West," 

"Gentleman Joe Palooka," "Ginger," 

"Haunted Mine." 

Flat 

PARAMOUNT—"Blaze of Noon," "Going 

My Way," "O.S.S.," "The Perils of Pauline," 

"The Plainsman," "Road to Rio," "Shaggy," 

"Unconquered," "Variety Girl," "Welcome 

Stranger." 

J. ARTHUR RANK—"Bush Christmas." , 

REPUBLIC—"Along the Oregon Trail," 

"Bill and Coo," "Home in Oklahoma," "Man 

Prom Rainbow Valley." "My Pal Trigger," 

"Rustlers of Devil's Canyon," "Twilight on 

the Rio Grande," "Under Nevada Skies," 

"Wyoming." 

RKO—"The Bells of St. Mary's," "The 

Bishop's Wife," "Fantasia," "The Farmer's 

Daughter," "Fun and Fancy Free," "I Remember 

Mama," "The Kid From Brooklyn," 

"Pinocchio," "The Secret Life of Walter 

Mitty," "Sinbad the Sailor." "Tarzan and 

the Mermaids," "Tycoon," "Wonder Man." 

20TH CENTURY-FOX—"Alexander's Ragtime 

Band," "Anna and the King of Slam," 

"Black Beauty," "Give My Regards to Broadway," 

"Green Grass of Wyoming," "It 

Shouldn't Happen to a Dog," "Make Mine 

Music," "Miracle on 34th Street," "Margie," 

"Mother Wore Tights," "My Friend Flicka," 

"Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay!" "Sitting Pretty," 

"Smoky," "State Fair," "Thi-ee Little Girls 

in Blue," "Thunderhead," "Thunder in the 

Valley," "Wake Up" and Dream." 

UNIVERSAL— "Buck Privates Come Home," 

"Little Miss Big," "One Hundred Men and a 

Girl," "The Overlanders," "The Pirates of 

Monterey," "So Goes My Love," "Song of 

Scheherazade," "The Tawny Pipit," "The 

Time of Their Lives," "Wistful Widow of 

Wagon Gap." 

WARNER BROS.—"Cloak and Dagger," 

"Life With Father," "My Girl Tisa," "My 

Wild Irish Rose." 

Rental Damages Are Upheld, 

Because of 

BOSTON—Judge Sweeney of U.S. district 

court has confirmed an award of flat rental 

damages resulting from underreporting of 

boxoffice receipts on percentage pictures. 

This is the first time a court has upheld a 

flat rental damage award in a percentage 

fraud suit. Close to 200 similar suits are 

pending throughout the country. 

Judge Sweeney confirmed the findings of 

special master Philip A, Hendrick in two percentage 

fraud suits filed by Loew's and Paramount 

in a decision handed down May 12. 

The defendants were Fred E. Lieberman, 

Greater Boston Theatres, Inc., Proven Pictures 

of Mass., Preferred Pictures, Intown 

Theatre, Newsreel, Inc., the Corner Theatre 

and Holyoke Theatre. 

Loew's and Paramount claimed the boxoffice 

reports submitted by the defendants 

on percentage pictures gave them misleading 

figures on which to base their flat rental 

Percentage Fraud 

price. 

The special master awarded Loew's damages 

of $13,275 covering percentage pictures 

and $13,600 on flat rental pictures. Paramount's 

request for flat rental damages was 

denied, but the company was awarded $1,725 

in percentage picture damages. 

Judge Sweeney denied cross motions by the 

defendants to have the proceedings recommitted 

to the master. 

The theatres Involved in the percentage 

fraud suits included the Tremont, Normandy 

and Bijou in Boston, the Square, Medford, 

and the Uphams Corner in Dorchester. Edward 

A. Sargoy of the New York firm of 

Sargoy & Stein represented the distributors. 

Robert W. Meserve of the Boston firm of 

Nutter. McClennon & Fish also argued for 

the plaintiffs. Joseph B. Abrams represented 

the defendants. 

Special Master Hendrick found that "deliberate 

underreporting of percentage receipts 

injured the distributor by lowering its bargaining 

base in further negotiations with the 

exhibitor to set flat rental deals." 

Court Tells B&K 'No' 

On Modifying Decree 

CHICAGO—Judge Michael Igoe of 

federal 

district court has turned down an attempt to 

set aside the court's two-week limit on Loop 

runs. His denial came on a petition of Balaban 

and Katz to slice that provision from 

the Jackson Park decree, on the plea that 

the playing time limitation seriously hampers 

its first run theatres. 

Balaban and Katz, as a result of this provision, 

the court was told, is unable to get 

top product because distributors—with the 

exception of Paramount which controls B&K 

—are selling their important pictures to the 

Woods and Oriental theatres of the Essaness 

interests and the Monroe Theatre. These 

three houses are independents and therefore 

are not hampered by decree provisions. 

The judge was firm in his denial. He said 

"It is crystal clear that the entire industry 

is going to comply with the law, and I am 

going to make sure the decree is sustained, 

unless a higher court modifies it." 

He also reiterated some of the statements 

he had made earlier in Jackson Park hearings, 

principally the one to the effect that if 

the defendants had consulted with him on 

the decree "the situation might be different 

now." 

RKO filed a petition asking the court to 

dismiss contempt charges against RKO on 

grounds that RKO Pictures did not own the 

Grand and RKO Palace theatres. They are 

owned by separate corporations, he said. 

The court also received another petition— 

this one from Thomas McConnell, Jackson 

Park Theatre attorney, who asked for clarification 

of "certain ambiguities" on clearance, 

price-fixing, double featuring and extended 

runs in view of opinions handed down recently 

in the supreme court antitrust decision. 

Frank E. Mullen to Head 

Three Radio Stations 

NEW YORK—Frank E. Mullen, executive 

vice-president of the National Broadcasting 

Co., will become president of three large radio 

stations following his resignation from NBC 

July 1. They are: WJR, Detroit; WGAR, 

Cleveland, and KMPC, Los Angeles. 

G. A. Richards, who now heads the three 

stations, will become chairman of the boards 

of the Detroit, Cleveland and Los Angeles 

outlets and thus maintain supervisory control 

of a program of expansion to be instituted 

by Mullen. This expanded program includes 

planned installation of television facilities 

in the three cities and programming 

and regional operation aimed at the agricultural 

elements in the communities served by 

the radio stations. 

Sears to Close UA Sale 

Of 5 Houses to Lesser 

NEW YORK—Gradwell L. Sears, United 

Artists president, left for Hollywood May 17 

to make final arrangements for the sale of 

the United Artists stock in the four Music 

Hall Theatres in Los Angeles and the United 

Artists Theatre in San Francisco to Sol Lesser 

and Sherrill Corwin. The circuit was 

formerly a partnership between UA and Joseph 

Blumenfeld. 

18 BOXOFFICE 

: 

: May 

22, 1948

u 

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Who is Henry Morgan ? 

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He's the guy|]];lJjQ says is "a fire 

ball performer to fit 

American humor 

and satire!" and llEu 

says is "the 

freshest and funniest in years" and 

yQj 

says is ''radio's freshest new 

funnyman!"and^^Q says "will 

lead the 

field in 

popularity" ond the 

[J^JQQQ says 

is"an oracle of laughterT'ond 

Um says (again) is "the funniest 

fellow on the air!" 

'h 6een 

^"tet, to 

itotlot, 

,., EfHEIPIISE STUDIOS ,.,„. 

HENRY MORGAN 

Diet 

"res I 

with 

Rudy Vallee- Hugh Herbert- Bill Goodwin 

Virginia Grey • Dona Drake • Jerome Cowan 

• Leo Gorcey -Arnold Stang 

Screenplay by Carl Foreman and Herbert Baker Based on the novel "THE BIG TOWN" by RING LARDNER 

Directed 

by Richard 0. Fleischer- Produced by Stanley Kramer 

A Screen Plays, Inc. Production 

Something new... something BIG from UJ\

Selznick and Korda Sign 

Joint Producing Deal 

NEW YORK—David O. Selznick and Sir 

Alexander Korda have signed a contract to 

collaborate on the production of a series of 

films to be made in England with Hollywood 

and London talent. Plans have been 

set for the filming of four stories during 

the next 12 months. Two will be in Technicolor. 

The first will start production in 

September and the others will follow at 

intervals of two to three months. 

The Selznick and Korda companies will 

split the ownership of the films, with Selznick 

owning the pictures outright for the 

western hemisphere and Korda retaining 

the rights for the eastern hemisphere. In 

North and South America the pictures will 

be distributed by the Selznick Releasing 

Organization. 

FILMS TENTATIVELY SET 

Among the films tentatively agreed upon by 

Selznick and Korda are: "Tess of the D'Urbervilles," 

from the Thomas Hardy classic, 

in Technicolor, starring Jennifer Jones and 

directed and produced by Carol Reed; "A 

Tale of Two Cities," from the Charles Dickens 

classic, in Technicolor, starring Gregory 

Peck as Sydney Carton; "The Third Man," a 

new unpublished novel by Graham Greene, 

to be produced and directed by Carol Reed, 

and "An Outcast of the Islands," by Joseph 

Conrad. Also under consideration are: "The 

King's General," by Daphne du Maurier; 

"Around the World in Eighty Days," by 

Jules Verne; "The Magic Mountain," by 

Thomas Mann, and "Point Counterpoint," by 

Aldous Huxley. 

In addition to Reed, the films will be produced 

and directed by other independent 

filmmakers associated with Korda including 

Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger, Sydney 

Gllliat, Prank Launder, Anthony Kimmins, 

Anthony Asquith, Anatole de Grunewald and 

others at Korda 's Shepperton and Islesworth 

studios in England. In addition to Peck and 

Miss Jones, Selznick will supply other stars 

from his contract list which includes Joseph 

Cotten, Dorothy McGuire, Valli, Shirley Temple, 

Louis Jourdan, Robert Mitchum, Robert 

Second Protestant Film 

To Open in 100 Cities 

NEW YORK—"My Name Is Han," the second 

documentary picture produced jointly by 

major Protestant denominations, will open 

simultaneously in 100 United States and 

Canadian cities June 15, according to Paul 

F. Heard, executive secretary, Protestant Film 

commission. The picture will be shown in 

tens of thousands of churches thereafter, 

Heard said. 

The picture, which was photographed In 

its entirety in China, was produced to coincide 

with the launching of a missions study 

program on China during 1948-49 by the 

Protestant chiu-ches. "Beyond Our Own," 

the first documentary made by the Protestant 

Film commission, was released in November 

1947. 

David O. Selznick (left), and Sir Alexander 

Korda sign contract for the joint 

production of a series of films in England. 

Young and Guy Madison. Korda also will 

supply some stars from his contract list. 

Commenting on the deal, Selznick said: 

"The freezing of American film revenues in 

Britain has created a complex situation for 

the American companies. As I see it, there 

are two methods of coping with this situation. 

The first is the invasion of the British 

Isles by Hollywood picture-makers, in effect 

producing Hollywood films in England with 

whatever talent Hollywood can spare. And 

we must bear in mind that Hollywood does 

not have nearly enough first-rate talent for 

its own purposes. The second method is the 

fostering of the great producing talents of 

England in a cooperative effort, helping to 

so shape their films as to give them great 

appeal for American audiences. I have chosen 

the latter course." 

Alexander Korda said: "I am very pleased 

to be associated with Mr. Selznick and I am 

quite sure that in the deal we have shaped 

and closed we have found a pattern for true 

cooperation between American and British 

filmakers, Mr. Selznick's association will be 

invaluable towards achieving for our films a 

real popularity in the American market. 

Form New Television Ass'n 

To Study Film Problems 

NEW YORK—A new television association, 

the National Television Film Council, has 

been organized to study film problems and 

set up a code of ethics for the television industry. 

Melvln L. Gold, director of advertising 

and publicity for National Screen Service, 

has been named temporary chairman. 

The organization was formed at a meeting 

of 40 representatives of film distributors, producers, 

television stations and advertising 

agencies at the Hotel Astor Tuesday (May 18). 

Gold will name a committee to study film 

distribution problems and another committee 

to Investigate television station problems 

relating to purchase and exhibition of fUms. 

The new group will meet again in about a 

month to elect officers and hear reports. 

Korda Pact Breached, 

Film Classics Says 

NEW YORK—Film Classics contends that 

Sir Alexander Korda violated a distribution 

contract between them by selling 24 films to 

WPIX, the Daily News television station. 

Film Classics has protested this sale in letters 

to London Films, Korda's company, to 

Hecuba Films, which holds the reissue rights 

to the Korda product, and to WPIX. The 

company predicts a breach of contract suit 

against London Films and Hecuba. 

The 24 films were sold to WPIX several 

weeks ago. The deal calls for one-a-week 

telecasts of the pictures in 16mm versions. 

Each picture can be shown twice within a 

period of one year. For this right WPIX is 

reported ta have paid between $125,000 and 

$135,000. The station will beîn operating 

June 15. It has already screened the pictures 

for prospective sponsors. 

The Film Classics breach of contract contention 

has been challenged. London Films 

has stated that when it sold the reissue rights 

to Hecuba it reserved all television rights. 

Hecuba sold Film Classics only the 35mm 

theatrical rights to the 24 features. 

Exhibitor groups are more concerned with 

the competitive effect of the sale than with 

the legal niceties. The Southern California 

Theatre Owners Ass'n, a TOA affiliate, has 

protested the deal. The objections of the 

members have been forwarded to Plobert W. 

Coyne, executive dii'ector of TOA. 

Coyne has referred the exhibitors' objections 

to Eric Johnston, president MPAA 

Coyne said that TOA officials think the dispute 

is an industry matter, and that they 

would like MPAA advice before getting in 

touch with their members. 

Korda is an Independent and does not belong 

to the MPAA. He does, however, have a 

distribution contract with 20th-Fox, which 

is a member of the MPAA. 

Some exhibitors feel that it is unfair for a 

distributor to supply films to a competitive 

field, such as television, and then expect the 

theatre operators to continue to play ball 

with that distributor. "It just isn't good 

policy or business practice," they said. 

Screen Actors Guild Bids 

For Chapter in Detroit 

DETROIT—Organization is under way of 

a Detroit chapter of the Screen Actors Guild, 

covering players appearing in the many commercial 

pictures produced here. Jam Handy, 

the largest local studio, has already "accepted" 

the Detroit chapter and contracts 

also will be sought with Wilding Productions 

and General Motors' motion picture 

production division, according to William 

Saunders, who has been named Detroit representative 

of the SAG. Jam Handy has had 

a contract with the SAG for years but the 

absence of a local chapter meant that various 

acts and part-time actors who have appeared 

in occasional pictures did not come 

under the SAG wing. Organization of a Detroit 

chapter began following two visits by 

Florence Marston of the New York office. 

Headquarters will be opened here about June 

1, the chapter sharing quarters with the 

American Federation of Radio Actors. 


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The Foreign Picture: 

Hungary Nationalizes 

Its Film Industry 

NEW YORK—The most recent move to 

throttle American motion picture activities 

in the Iron Curtain 

-J 

countries has taken 

place in Hungary 

where the government 

announced its decision 

to nationalize all 

phases of the film industry, 

according to 

Irving Maas, MPEA 

•^^j^, — vice - president and 

,^^^^^11,^ general manager. In 

^^^k ^~^^^^_ the past two months, 

^°'^^^ officials have re- 

^^^^^—-^^^^^ *fi^^^! 

fused to issue import 

licenses for American 

Irving Maas nims and have imposed 

a virtual blackout on the exhibition of 

Hollywood product by denying it playing 

time in that country's politically controlled 

theatres, Maas said. 

REVIEW HOLLAND MARKET 

Maas gave a report on the present status 

of distribution operations in countries served 

,1 by the MPEA at a meeting of the board of 

I 

|i May 13. Thus far, no concrete results 

have come from discussions with officials 

of our own government on the matter 

of recovering expenses for film distribution 

in the occupied countries, Maas said. Until 

now, not a cent has been recouped from the 

million dollars expended by MPEA on behalf 

of its member companies in providing motion 

pictures for these countries, he added. 

The MPEA directors also 

reviewed the organization's 

accomplishments in Holland and 

discussed what changes, if any, will be made 

in that country following expiration of the 

existing licensing agreements. The recommendations 

of a special committee of Continental 

managers, who went to Holland last 

month to survey the market, were weighed 

and analyzed. A board committee was named 

to meet with Maas for detailed study of the 

question and to bring specific proposals before 

the next directors' meeting which will 

be held at an early date. 

Marian F. Jordan, MPEA general manager 

of Germany, who is in New York for conferences, 

gave the directoi's a picture of activities 

and conditions in that country bearing 

on American and competitive film operations. 

THOSE AT THE MEETING 

Francis S. Harmon, MPEA vice-president, 

was chairman of the meeting. Others who 

attended were: Lloyd Lind and James Tierney 

of Allied Artists; Arnold Picker of Columbia 

International; Morton A. Spring of 

Loew's International; George Weltner and J. 

William Piper of Paramount International; 

R. K. Hawkinson of RKO; Emanuel Silverstone 

of 20th Century-Fox International; 

Gradwell L. Sears of United Artists; Joseph 

H. Seidelman and Al Daff of Universal-International; 

Wolfe Cohen and John J. Glynn 

of Warner Bros. International and Theodore 

S. Hope jr. Also present from MPEA were: 

Gordon E. Youngman, Joe C. Goltz, Herbert 

J. Erlanger, Frederick W. DuVall, Frank J. 

Alford and Alfred F. Corwin. 

Overseas Situation Starts 

To Show an Improvement 

NEW YORK—The foreign situation is begimiing 

to improve for the American film 

industry. This statement was made by a 

specialist on international affau's associated 

with the major companies. 

He said that after a year of crises a favorable 

turn has now been reached judging 

from the settlement of the British tax deadlock 

last March and the working out of methods 

to release blocked earnings outside of 

Britain. 

DEVELOPMENTS SUMMARIZED 

He sununarized the latest developments in 

these fields as follows: British situation: The 

75 per cent tax was lifted May 3. The Board 

of Ti-ade sent license forms to the Motion 

Picture Export Ass'n and Society of Independent 

Motion Picture Producers members 

wishing to release films in England. There 

was a delay in filling out the forms because 

they referred jointly to SIMPP and MPEA. 

Each organization wanted separate forms. 

The EOT was notified and new forms were 

sent. U.S. films held up since the tax crisis 

last August are now being distributed. 

John G. McCarthy, associate manager of 

the international division of MPAA, sailed 

for London May 14 with the latest plans for 

carrying out the Johnston-Wilson agreement 

which will go into effect June 14. The plans 

worked out by American foreign managers, 

MPEA and SIMPP executives, in conjunction 

with British officials, are incomplete. 

They do not cover British films bought outright 

by U.S. companies or produced in England 

by American companies. These matters 

are still to be settled. Additional conferences 

will be held in England by Mc- 

Carthy, Fayette W. Allport, MPAA representative 

in London; U.S. company officials 

in that city and spokesmen for the British 

government. 

Agreement has been reached on remittances 

from American made films distributed 

in England. 

DEALS OUTSIDE ENGLAND 

Foreign situation outside of England—During 

the past six months the MPAA has been 

exploring the possibility of getting frozen 

earnings through "compensation comniodity 

deals." MPAA executives have discussed 

these deals with private corporations engaged 

in foreign trade and financing. Among these 

were World Commerce Corp., International 

Trade Associates and the Chase National 

bank. 

This is how such deals would be carried 

out. Tlie banks or import-export organizations 

offer to buy blocked film earnings in 

exchange for dollars paid here to the MPAA. 

The film companies pay the bank or trade 

company a fee. In the foreign country the 

bank or trade officials make a deal with the 

government to increase the foreign trade of 

that government by so many millions of dollars. 

This can be accomplished by taking 

blocked funds and applying them to the improvement 

of an infant or special industry 

the country wants to build up. The bank or 

trading corporation guarantees to buy the 

entire output of the industry and pay for it 

in dollars. The blocked funds used for improvements 

will come in part from the blocked 

film earnings which the trading companies 

have taken over in exchange for dollar payments. 

The commodities are eventually resold here 

by the trading companies. 

The MPAA will renew its one-year pact 

with Norway and Sweden which ends November 

15. Talks will begin September 15. 

The Danish government will permit unlimited 

imports of U.S. product. Distributors in 

Copenhagen plan to import 81 features. The 

U.S. companies will be allowed to take $120,- 

000 out of the country during the next six 

months. 

Irving Maas to Tour Europe 

To Make MPEA Pacts 

NEW YORK—Irving Maas, vice-president 

and general manager of the Motion Picture 

Export Ass'n, was scheduled to leave May 22 

for a six-week tour of MPEA Continental 

markets. He will visit Holland, Czechoslovakia, 

Poland, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Austria 

and Germany. Visits to Rumania and Bulgaria 

are contingent on visa clearances. 

Maas' first stop will be Paris where he 

will meet with Continental managers of the 

member companies for general discussions. 

In Prague he will confer with officials of 

the Czech Film Monopoly in an effort to 

work out a distribution agreement with that 

country for 1948-49. Negotiations for the renewal 

of the MPEA-Czech pact reached an 

impasse last December when the monopoly 

insisted on a quasi-barter arrangement under 

which the revenue from Czech pictures 

exhibited in the U.S. would equal the income 

of MPEA releases in Czechoslovakia. 

A limited number of the 80 MPEA films 

negotiated under the first agreement are 

still to be released in that country. 

In Belgrade, Maas will confer with heads 

of the State Film Enterprise in an attempt 

to find a basis for an agreement with Yugoslavia. 

Yugoslavia and the USSR are the 

only two countries in the MPEA orbit not 

showing Hollywood product. Yugoslavia has 

so far refused to consider any but a flatrate 

purchase deal for each feature. Maas 

also plans to visit Warsaw and Sofia for renewal 

of distribution arrangements with the 

State Film Monopohes in Poland and Bulgaria. 

Brandon Films to Release 

'Hungry Minds' in U.S. 

NEW YORK—Brandon Films set May 15 

as the national release date for "Hungry 

Minds," a ten-minute short produced by the 

National Film Board of Canada for the Canadian 

Council on Reconstruction for UNESCO. 

The picture is sponsored in the U.S. by the 

Commission for International and Educational 

Reconstruction which held a preview 

in Washington early in May in cooperation 

with the UNESCO relief staff of the Department 

of State. 

BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

22, 1948 25

Eagle Lion Schedules Six 

In Color for This Year 

NEW YORK—Eagle Lion will have six 

top productions In color for the remaining 

months of 1948, it was announced at the 

first of four regional sales meetings held 

here this week. With the sales staffs of 

ten exchanges in the eastern territoi-y and 

home office executives in attendance, the 

conference was devoted to a discussion of 

sales and promotion plans of important 

1948 pictures. 

The color productions will be split evenly 

between Technicolor and Cinecolor, with the 

Technicolor releases coming from the J. Arthur 

Rank Organization. 

Important product slated for 

1948 releases, 

which the sales executives discussed, included 

the following pictures: 

RAW DEAL, a drama co-starring Dennis 

O'Keefe, Marsha Hunt and Claire Ti-evor 

which goes into release this month. 

MICKEY, a Cinecolor production, with 

Lois Butler. 

OLIVER TWIST, one of the J. Arthur Rank 

productions to be released thi-ough EL this 

year. 

CANON CITY, a semi-documentary story 

about a recent Colorado prison break. 

THE 1948 OLYMPIC GAMES, the J. Arthm- 

Rank Technicolor filming of the forthcoming 

sports festival. 

NORTHWEST STAMPEDE, in 

Cinecolor, 

and co-starring Joan Leslie, James Craig 

and Jack Oakie, to be released July 28. 

RED SHOES, a drama with a ballet background, 

produced by J. Arthur Rank, and 

starring several famous ballet stars. In 

Technicolor. 

29 CLUES, a drama based on information 

from the files of the Los Angeles police department. 

SCOTT OP THE ANTARCTIC, Rank production, 

story of the noted explorer, filmed 

m Technicolor in the Antarctic. 

HOLLOW TRIUMPH, a psychological suspense 

story with Joan Bennett and Paul 

Henreid. 

LORD BYRON, a J. Arthur Rank production 

based on the life of the poet. 

LET'S LIVE A LITTLE, a romantic comedy 

starring Hedy Lamarr and Robert Cummings. 

BROKEN JOURNEY, drama based on the 

recent Dakota crash in the Alps, where the 

picture was filmed. 

ADVENTURES OF GALLANT BESS, formerly 

title "Rampage." 

William J. Heineman, vice-president in 

charge of distribution, said that in less than 

two years EL has achieved major company 

status as a result of three accomplishments 

—extensive production in Hollywood, completion 

of the J. Arthur Rank pre-selection 

plan for American release and formation of 

an effective sales organization. He said EL 

will prove "a continuing source of quality 

boxoffice product." 

Other company officials who addressed the 

meeting were: Max E. Youngstein, vice-president 

in charge of advertising, publicity and 

exploitation; L. J. Schlalfer, assistant to 

Heineman; Herman Belersdorf, western sales 

manager; Sam L. Seldelman, foreign man- 

EL 26-Week Sales Drive 

Will Honor Heineman 

New York—Eagle Lion will conduct a 

"Bill Heineman Sales Drive" for 26 weeks 

starting- June 4. A total of $27,500 in cash 

prizes will be awarded. 

The competition will be divided among 

district and branch managers and salesmen 

and bookers. The prizes include 

$7,500 in cash awards for J. Arthur Rank 

product and $5,000 for Edward Small pictures. 

ager, and D. R. Pickard, assistant treasurer. 

Heineman, Schlalfer and Youngstein left 

at the weekend for regional meetings In Chicago, 

May 22, 23; New Orleans, May 24, 25, 

and San Fi-ancisco, May 29. 

The Albany, Boston, Buffalo, Cincirmati, 

Cleveland, New Haven, New York, Philadelphia, 

Pittsburgh and Washington exchanges 

were represented at the New York meeting. 

Harry Kosiner, sales representative for Edward 

Small; John Woolf, joint managing director 

of General Film Distributors, Ltd., and 

David Griesdorf, president and general manager 

of International Film Distributors, Ltd., 

EL Canadian distributor, also attended. 

Charles CPeiiijohn 

Dies in Indiana 

INDIANAPOLIS—Charles C. Pettijohn, 67, 

general counsel for the Motion Picture Producers 

and Distributors 

of America from 

1924 to his retirement 

in 1942, died Wednesday, 

May 19, at St. 

Vincent's hospital 

from a cerebral hemorrhage. 

He is survived 

by his wife, a sister 

and brother. Dr. B. B. 

Pettijohn. 

Pettijohn was a 

member of the New 

York and Indiana 

Charles Pettijohn 

State Bar Ass'ns. He 

practiced law in Indianapolis from 1903 to 

1916 when he went to New York. He was a 

member of the National Democratic club, 

Westchester Country club, Indianapolis 

Athletic club and the Picture Pioneers. 

Pettijohn joined the MPPDA when it was 

first 

organized. 

'Melody' Showing June 14 

NEW YORK—"Melody "nme," Walt Disney 

Technicolor feature, will be tradeshown in 

all RKO exchanges except New York June 14. 

The New York tradeshow was held at the 

Astor Theatre May 18. The film features 

Roy Rogers and Trigger, Dennis Day, the 

Andrews Sisters and Frances Langford. 

Public Relations Campaign of TOA 

Started in 3,000 Cities, Towns 

NEW YORK—TOA reports that the public 

relations campaign is now under way in 3,000 

cities, towns and villages. Stories have appeared 

to date in newspapers with a total 

circulation of 7,ai7,878, all handled through 

local exhibitors. 

These stories have included two general 

surveys of quality product to be released between 

now and next fall, each in six versions 

to avoid duplication in any area. Material 

also has been sent to radio commentators. 

Six Detroit theatres have tried two-andone-half 

minute talks by managers before 

audiences. Lobby comments have been favorable. 

More speeches of this type are being 

prepared. Three longer speeches to be delivered 

by exhibitors are being prepared for 

delivery before groups outside the industry. 

Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, circuit and independent 

theatre representatives played 

host at a luncheon for members of the metropolitan 

daily press in the first of a projected 

series of meetings to spark the "better public 

relations" drive formulated as an industry 

"must" at the recent meeting here of the 

officers and board of directors of the Theatre 

Owners of America. 

The industry's case was presented to attending 

newsmen by Paul Williams, general 

counsel for the Southern California Theatre 

Owners Ass'n, and Dick Dickson, Fox West 

Coast division manager. 

Refuting widespread assertions that Hollywood's 

current economy campaign was resulting 

in a flood of poor product, Williams 

reiterated the curtailments effected have 

been "logical" and aimed toward eliminating 

"waste in shooting hom-s . . . economies the 

industry has been advocating for years." In 

no instance, he emphasized, have the savings 

been directed against the quality of product. 

Both Williams and Dickson pointed out 

that the industry, particularly in its exhibition 

branch, has always been active in civic 

and community projects and is in the forefront 

of every worthwhile charitable effort. 

The luncheon was attended by representatives 

of the Los Angeles Times, Examiner, 

Daily News, Citizen-News, Herald-Express 

and community newspapers. 

Scully, Bergman Will Set 

Rank Plans in England 

NEW YORK—William A. Scully, U-I vicepresident 

in charge of distribution, and Maurice 

Bergman, eastern advertising and publicity 

director, wUl leave for England July 1 

to set plans for future J. Arthur Rank releases 

In the U.S. 

26 BOXOmCE : 

: May 

22, 1948

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Argentina Suspends 

Remittances to U.S. 

NEW YORK—Argentina has clamped a ban 

on remittances of money to hard currency 

countries—the United States, Port u g a I, 

Switzerland and Sweden. This stops the income 

of American film distributors. 

Home offices are awaiting details from 

their Buenos Aires representatives. Some 

foreign managers believe the ban will be 

temporai-y- The impression prevails that the 

European Recovery Organization will make 

some of its food purchases in Argentina, 

thereby making dollar credits available here. 

The newest Argentina move was in the form 

of a notice from the government-owned 

Central Bank to other banks in the country. 

Last August the Ai-gentine government 

banned U.S. film imports by refusing to grant 

import licenses. This was modified later when 

Ai-gentina agreed to issue permits to import 

25 per cent of the total 1947 footage. 

Rank Enters 16mm Field 

Through Australia Firm 

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — The J. Arthur 

Rank Organization has entered the 16mm 

field through Sixteen Millimetre Australia 

Pty., Ltd., which will service 16mm situations 

not in conflict with 35mm interests, according 

to Harry Barton, export manager of GB 

Equipments. The latter company controls 

the marketing of all sub-standard goods for 

Rank outside the United Kingdom. 

About half a million more feet of 16mm 

film were imported into Australia in 1947 

than in 1946, according to the report of J. O. 

Alexander, chief commonwealth film censor. 

In 35mm films, both Hollywood and England 

contributed fewer productions for Australia 

during 1947. The 342 featm-es imported 

were a drop of 42 from 1946. This 

figure includes 293 from the United States. 

36 from the United Kingdom and 13 from 

other countries. 

National Review Board 

Honors Five Features 

NEW YORK—Four American features, 

"Dream Girl" (Para), "The Iron Curtain" 

and "Give My Regards to Broadway" (20th- 

Pox) and "Panhandle" (Mono>, and "Showtime," 

released by English Films, have been 

given selected features rating by the National 

Board of Review in the weekly guide 

to selected pictures. 

Short subjects given special mention are: 

"The Bored Cuckoo," "Riding Habits," "Unusual 

Occupations L7-4," "There's Good Boos 

Tonight" and "Popular Science J7-4" (Para), 

"Something Old, Something New" (20th-Fox), 

"Democracy's Diary" (RKO) and "Shown by 

Request," a non-theatrical film made by British 

Information Service. 

Lopert Gets Guitry Film 

NEW YORK—Lopert Films has acquired 

the United States distribution rights to 

"Desire," the new Sacha Guitry film which 

was called "Le Destin Fabuleux de Desiree 

Clary" in France. The film will be released 

in the fall. 

TV^fÂiH^toK êfiont 

Ê ADMINISTRATION TIPPED its hand 

this week that it will do Its best to prevent 

a business recession. This is news. Whatever 

comes out of it will affect the boxoffice. 

In effect, the administration has conceded 

that even a minor recession would be such a 

political liability that it must guard in advance 

against it. 

That is the true meaning of the recent 

Treasury department decision to override the 

Federal Reserve board and go no further in 

applying credit curbs at this time. 

The action was a stunning reversal of the 

Treasury's carefully-controlled debt management 

policy of the recent past. Analysis of 

the action by students of economics reveals 

no sound banking reason for it. 

In the opinion of best-informed market observers 

and their counterparts in the government, 

the Treasury has encouraged inflationary 

forces. 

Politics aren't always with us, but one 

doesn't expect blatant political trafficking 

with the monetary system—yet sound financial 

thought has it that the latest move, reversing 

the trend to higher short-term interest 

rates, can be little else. 

It means, without much doubt, a spurt in 

government bond prices, lowering of interest 

rates and an easing of credit. Within months 

the reserve 

system may be dumping federal 

bonds on the market to stem their upward 

rise, involuntarily contributing further to 

monetary pressures. 

And the Treasury, forced to pay off increasing 

number of maturing one-year certificates, 

may so reduce its working cash balance 

that It speeds up the necessity to return 

to deficit financing. 

IN OTHER WORDS, a complete return to 

the inflationary debt situation the Treasury 

and the reserve board worked months to 

eliminate. 

Banks, rebuffed in their short-term investments, 

may return to government bonds, 

monetization may increase, bank liquidity 

may decrease and lending may rise—all the 

dangerous factors of the inflationary conditions 

that contribute to the momentum of a 

bust once the downturn starts. 

The political reason ascribed to this move 

is that it permits the administration to go 

to the voters in the next few months and 

point out how it licked an oncoming depression. 

The administration will be able to say (and 

some may believe it) we have restored confidence 

in government bonds, imperiled by 

Republican refusal to take the economic steps 

we have urged; we have offset what would 

have been a major depression had the market 

breaks of February been allowed to run their 

course, we have restored good times, good 

prices. 

Make no mistake, this was a Treasury decision. 

The central banking agency was dead 

against it. 

Here's how it happened: Last month, the 

Federal Advisory Council met with Thomas 

McCabe, new reserve board chairman, for 

the first time. McCabe, new to his job. essentially 

the good salesman, opened himself 

to questions. When asked how he'd handle 

June-July financing, he said, "Well, what 

would you do in my place?" 

The council, an unofficial group, told what 

By LEE QARLING 

they wanted: a short-term freeze on interest 

rates that would assure high government 

bond prices, perk up their portfolios, earn a 

sizeable return on the long positions they 

were running, inspire borrowing. 

McCabe made no promises, but said he had 

an open mind. That was enough. The council 

members hurried to Treasury Head John 

Snyder, told him McCabe was willing to go 

along, explained that credit was getting too 

tight, that member bank loans were falling 

off badly, and that with big defense plans 

afoot, indu-stry might have trouble getting 

working capital. 

SNYDER WAS SYMPATHEnC. Shortly 

after he conducted a "secret" press conference 

at which he, as an unnamed Treasury 

official, warned of falling bank loans, mentioned 

need for possible return to government-guaranteed 

industrial loans if industry 

couldn't get banks to back their defense 

operations. 

The reserve board members heard the rumors, 

and sent McCabe to urge Snyder to 

continue the anti-inflationary shift to higher 

short term rates. McCabe was advised to 

tell the Treasury head that all its surveys 

showed inflationary pressures were continuing. 

But it was too late. 

McCabe, owing his appointment to Snyder 

was no match for the members of the 

council. He urged his board's arguments, but 

admitted that Snyder was the boss who 

should make the decision. Then the two 

went to a bankers convention at Coronado, 

where Snyder heard more of the arguments 

of the council members. 

When he returned in mid-May, the die was 

cast. 

Hughes' 'Outlaw' Honored 

By Library of Congress 

NEW YORK — "The Outlaw," Howard 

Hughes' controversial motion picture has been 

designated as a "leading production" by the 

Library of Congress and placed on its honor 

roll by Lewis C. Coffin, chief of the exchange 

and gift division of the library. 

The Library of Congress, which called "The 

Outlaw" a picture which "truly reflected the 

modes and morals of the times in which the 

action takes place," officially requested a 

new print from Hughes for permanent preservation 

in the Library archives. The Library 

also requested a used print in good contion 

to be used for reference purposes. 

He Gives Them Sound 

To Mute a Squawk 

Jerome, Ida.—Russ Tweedy chose a 

spot in the center of this community to 

build a drive-in theatre. The area was 

fringed by homes and the screen tower 

was plainly visible from the windows. 

Fearful that the neighbors might protest 

his location, Tweedy decided to let them 

in on the act. He installed in-car speakers 

at their windows. 

BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

22, 1948 

29

What Becomes of Hughes Suit, 

With RKO a Member of MPAA ? 

NEW YORK—Howard Hughes, who has 

acquh'ed virtual control of Radio-Keith- 

Orpheum, still has an antitrust suit pending 

against the Motion Picture Ass'n of 

America. He claims that it is an illegal 

restraint of trade and conducts a boycott, 

and he asks $1,000,000 in triple damages. 

RKO Radio Pictures, subsidiary of Radio- 

Keith-Orpheum. is a member of the MPAA 

and also is one of the defendants in the 

government's antitrust suit against the 

major companies. 

Ned E. Depinet, executive vice-president 

of RKO, is a member of the MPAA board. 

This odd turn of events is a sequel to the 

battle that Hughes staged against the MPAA 

in 1946 after Carl E. Milliken, at that time 

MPAA secretary, had notified Hughes to 

appear before the MPAA board and show 

cause why the production code license granted 

in 1941 should not be removed from "The 

Outlaw." He did not appear. Instead, he 

filed the antitrust suit in federal court and 

asked an injunction against removal of the 

seal, or the granting of any seals by the 

MPAA during the pendency of the suit. 

In a series of moves and postponements 

the injunction was finally turned down by 

Judge Bright who ruled that, if there was 

any trade restraint, it was legal. At the 

same time the department of justice said it 

saw no cause for action. 

Charles Poletti, attorney for Hughes, took 

the case to the circuit court of appeals. It 

was postponed several times, mostly due to 

the injuries Hughes received in an airplane 

accident. 

Eric Johnston, MPAA president, viewed the 

case so seriously that he retained former 

Judge Samuel Rosenman, at that time adviser 

to President Roosevelt, to handle the MPAA 

defense. 

Troubles for "The Outlaw" piled up all 

over the country. Theatre managers were 

arrested, church organizations picketed, censorship 

bills were discussed in several states 

where there had never been censorship. 

Later the MPAA board approved new advertising 

code rules and authorized fines up 

to $25,000. 

Hughes has another case pending before 

the New York court of appeals which grew 

out of these incidents. It is an appeal from 

a 

lower court dismissal of his application for 

an injunction to prevent the license commissioner 

and police commissioner from interferring 

with the showing of "The Outlaw." 

The picture was finally shown after an informal 

agreement had been worked out for 

innocuous advertising. 

Some rapid moves among industry leaders 

to induce Hughes to forget the past and 

keep RKO in the MPAA are said to be taking 

shape. The industry is in the midst of a 

new public relations drive, one of the aims of 

which is to silence critics of the business. 

All concerned have their fingers crossed. 

Hughes is an individualist. He is the only 

man with more than $10,000,000 of his personal 

funds tied up in the business. He is 

said to have paid between eight and nine 

million for the Atlas holdings in RKO. He 

has about $2,400,000 tied up in "Mad Wednesday" 

and also is said to have another $3,000,- 

000 invested in "Vendetta." These films were 

intended for United Artists release, but may 

now go to RKO, if an agreement is reached 

with United Artists. 

No other producer operates with complete 

freedom from restraint the way Hughes does. 

More than five years elapsed between the 

start of "The Outlaw" and its release. Both 

"Vendetta" and "Mad Wednesday" have been 

in storage a long time, subject to changes. 

Because he operates according to his own 

ideas there is considerable excitement among 

executives of other companies as well as the 

RKO personnel. 

Minority Senate Report 

Asks Clearing of Hughes 

WASHINGTON—A minority report filed 

with the senate by the four minority Democratic 

senators of the war investigating committee 

declared this week that Howard 

Hughes should have been "clearly absolved 

of any wrongdoing" by the committee. 

The report signed by Senators Hatch, Pepper, 

McGrath and O'Connor also said: 

"Through its investigating and hearings 

the committee raised in the minds of critical 

and suspicious people the fact that Hughes 

and his companies might have been guilty 

of serious, deliberate, wrongful conduct, perhaps 

fraud and corruption. 

"Howard Hughes and his companies were 

entitled to a positive finding by the committee, 

especially so far as fraud, corruption and 

willful wrongdoing are concerned. 

"There is absolutely nothing In the evidence 

which discloses any fraud, corruption or 

wrongdoing on the part of Howard Hug'hes 

and his associates. AH the evidence is directly 

to the contrary." 

NEW MANLEY OFFICERS—P. A. "Bob" Warner, former eastern and southern 

division sales manager for Manley, Inc., this week was named vice-president of the 

popcorn organization, and Ray Beall, for 18 years advertising and publicity executive 

for Interstate Theatres in Dallas, was named assistant to Warner in charge of public 

relations. Beall will assume his new duties June 1 and both men will headquarter in 

Dallas. 

Warner and Beall were in Kansas City last weekend in conference with B. J. 

Mc- 

Kenna, executive vice-president and general manager, and Charles G. Manley, vicepresident 

in charge of sales. Shown at the meeting arc, left to right, Warner; Beall; 

Mrs. V. G. Manley, president of the firm; Charles Manley, and McKenna. 

Harry Toler to Publish 

Amusement Magazine 

CHICAGO—J. Harry Toler, who recently 

resigned as managing editor of The MODEKN 

THEATRE section of BOXOPFICE, this week 

announced that he will begin publication of 

Amusement Center, a magazine for owners 

and management of five major amusement 

industries, in September. 

The new publication will be published in 

five editions, covering the planning, financing, 

construction, equipping, maintenance and 

management of (1) all types of theatres and 

school auditoria; (2) bowling and billiard 

establishments: (3) better night clubs, hotel 

cabarets, supper clubs, ballrooms and dance 

studios: (4 1 radio and television studios in 

which provision is made for public attendance; 

and (5) sports arenas, ice and roller 

rinks, swimming pools, baseball parks, college 

stadia and other forms of spectatorparticipant 

recreational amusement enterprises. 

The five editions— "Screen & Stage," 

"Bowling & Billiards," "Dine & Dance," 

"Studio Audience," and "Sports & Pastimes" 

— will treat each group individually as to its 

special physical requirements, and there will 

be a "multiple enterprise" feature section, 

identical in all editions. 

30 BOXOFFICE : 

: May 22, 1948

. 

THE IRON CURTAIN 

MAKING THE YEAR'S MOST 

SENSATIONAL HEADLINES e 

IN THE Newspapers AND 

mil i 

mrw^î 

AT THbBOXOFFICES OF 

lift' 

THE NATION I !! ir 

»T#V 

jîT- 

IN THE EAST! . . . new YORK—2nd day bigger than 

the 1st! 3rd day bigger than the 2nd! 4th day bigger than the 

3rd! 5th day bigger than the 4th! Each successive day bigger than the 

preceding one! . . . and building those big 20th grosses in PHILA- 

DELPHIA, BOSTON, WASHINGTON, D. C, BUFFALO, ALBANY, SYRA- 

CUSE, ROCHESTER, BRIDGEPORT, NEW HAVEN and PORTLAND, ME. 

I 

IN THE MIDWEST! .. 

Milwaukee—i50% over aii other true-tolife 

record-breakers! ... a sweeping triumph through DES MOINES, 

SPRINGFIELD, INDIANAPOLIS, CINCINNATI, KANSAS CITY and ST.LOUIS! 

IN THE SOUTH! . 

. . pacing the biggest 20th real-life triumphs in 

HOUSTON, MEMPHIS, RICHMOND, MIAMI, OKLAHOMA CITY and LITTLE 

ROCK! 

ON THE PACIFIC COAST! ... aii 

up and down the western 

seaboard, long lines lead to THE IRON CURTAIN, as LOS ANGELES, 

SAN FRANCISCO, LONG BEACH, PORTLAND, ORE., SAN DIEGO, 

SEATTLE and OAKLAND keep pace with the nation! 

• • • 

CENTURY-FOX

1 

— 

^(McUti êfront 

•PHE BOOKING POLICY of J. Arthur Rank's 

General Film Distributors again was criticized 

bitterly by exhibitors at the general 

council meeting of the Cinema Exhibitors 

Ass'n held at Cardiff. When the complaints 

were examined, however, it seemed there was 

a great deal of shouting over very little cause, 

for W. R. Fuller summed up the situation by 

saying "All the complaints from members are 

contained in a very small file." 

The big uproar at the moment is the suggestion 

from Rank that exhibitors book on 

At the conference that CEA 

a sliding scale. 

officials had recently with Mr. Rank the 

latter proposed that he would like to see rentals 

fixed as low as 25 per cent for pictures 

which were not successful but argued that if 

this figure were acceptable exhibitors should 

not fix an arbitrary top figure of 50 per cent, 

but should be prepared to go as high as 75 

per cent for a really big picture. 

After several delegates had pointed out that 

the CEA had fought many years ago against 

the principle of paying more than 50 per cent 

the president. Dennis C. Walls, summed up by 

saying that the proposals had not been put 

in any concrete form so that at the moment 

the CEA had nothing to fight, and he suggested 

that they wait for the next move from 

GFD. 

« • • 

COLUMBIA PICTURES announced two 

promotions in the sales department last week. 

Eric Greenspan, who has been with Columbia 

since 1934 and until recently been acting 

as circuit manager, has been promoted to 

assistant general sales manager and his position 

as circuit manager has been taken over 

by Geoffrey Manning who has been with Columbia 

ever since the company was formed 

here 15 years ago. 

Another Columbia appointment is that of 

John Ware to the position of press manager. 

He was formerly publicity director of GFD 

and takes over his new job from Dennison 

Thornton, who is now handling publicity for 

Renown Pictures Corp. 

* * • 

"BOND STREET" OPENED last week at 

The Anatole de Grun- 

the Warner Theatre. 

wald production is being distributed here by 

Associated British. 

There is a neat central idea here that 

somehow fails to click in the opening reels 

but fortunately builds up towards the end. 

The story Is based on four items in the trousseau 

of a young bride—her bridal dress, her 

veil, a pearl necklace and her bridal bouquet, 

all of which come from Bond Street and the 

items are picked one by one and their history 

traced during the 24 hours immediately preceding 

her wedding. 

The first, two sequences are slow and need 

cutting to get the pictui-e moving. Number 

one deals with the troubles of the Cockney 

seamstress, who is trying to finish the gown 

while beset by troubles, and this part is admirably 

handled by Kathleen Harrison who 

scored a big hit In "Holiday Camp." Sequence 

number two features the adventures 

of a thief who murders a night watchman 

while stealing the pearl necklace and is sheltered 

for the night by a street-walker. Jean 

Kent and Derek Farr are both first class in 

this, although the sequence as a whole is too 

long and without sufficient incident to keep 

By JOHN SULUVAN 

RANK OFFICIAL ARRIVES—John 

Woolf, joint managing director of General 

Film Distributors, and his wife, 

Edana Romney, shown here at the rail of 

the Queen Elizabeth when it docked at 

New York. Miss Romney wrote and coproduced 

"Corridor of Mirrors," of which 

she is the star. Woolf will visit Universal-International 

exchanges and his 

wife will go to Hollywood. 

the interest alive. It is at the third and 

fourth sequence that the film comes to life. 

In the former young Patricia Plunkett is the 

girl who mends the bridal veil and is badgered 

by her petty blackmailer of a husband 

and in the latter we come to the story that 

rounds the whole thing out neatly, for the 

bride herself appears with her fiance and a 

rival from Denmark. In this last reel Roland 

Young distinguishes himself for a very fine 

piece of comedy acting and Hazel Court is 

appropriately beautiful as the bride. This 

young actress has had a bad break in British 

films. Although under contract to Rank she 

has been farmed out to independents for almost 

the whole of her working career, and 

in spite of the fact that she is probably the 

most glamorous of all the young Rank stars 

no proper use has been made of her. Given 

the right director she can become one of 

Britain's biggest assets. 

"Bond Street" will do well in England and, 

with judicious cutting, should sell in the U.S. 

with Roland Young as a marquee attraction. 

« • • 

THE FIRST OF THE NEW American films 

opened last week at the Empire and almost 

a year of famine is over. Unfortunately the 

picture itself was not perhaps the best choice 

and it started off to a poor press. "The Bride 

Goes Wild" may be a winner in spite of that, 

for we certainly need comedies here, but 

American child actors rarely are a hit in 

Britain as British audiences feel they are too 

precocious. 

Ronald Colman's "A Double Life" opened 

last week also and would have been a better 

Hollywood representative to start the ball 

rolling again. 

• • • 

W. RAY GINGELL, who operates the Hiser 

Theatre at Bethesda, Md., came to London 

last week. He is one of the American showmen 

who reports good results from selling 

British pictures. This is not his first visit as 

he was here during the war years when he 

served in the U.S. navy. 

Gingell has some shrewd comments to make 

on the sales policy of American distributors 

when handling British pictures. He feels 

that by trying to hide the fact that they are 

British when selling them they are doing 

themselves and their patrons a disservice. He 

stresses the fact that the picture is British 

and invites his patrons to come and see something 

different. Biggest winner to date at 

his theatre is Laurence Olivier's "Henry V" 

which did SRO business for its entire run. 

ANOTHER VISITOR during the week was 

Lana Turner over here on a honeymoon. 

After the fiasco of Rita Hayworth's press reception 

last year we would have thought that 

the publicity departments of the American 

distributors would have strained every effort 

to see that this was not repeated. This one 

was even worse for, while the former was 

just bad management. Miss Turner's reception 

of the press aroused very unfavorable 

comment. Newspapermen were first asked 

to come back in 15 minutes when they arrived 

at the time set. They were then kept waiting 

for some time and finally the star rushed 

out of her room and down the corridor without 

speaking to them. Most of the journalists 

left in disgust, but two news agency men 

stayed on and their stories made bad reading 

in next morning's newspapers. 

Contrary to the belief in some quarters, 

American stars are still popular in Britain 

very much so in fact. But bad public relations 

and mishandling of press receptions can 

be very damaging. 

* * • 

THE URGE THAT so many people have 

to censor films has been noticeable lately. 

Fii'st "No Orchids" aroused the anger of local 

authorities and now Sidney Box's "Good 

Time Girl" has been recommended for banning 

by the Chief Constable of Leeds. Members 

of the Leeds watch committee saw the 

film at the trade show, but so far have given 

no decision in the matter. 

A SWITCHOVER at the last moment was 

seen last week when Dennis Price was taken 

from the lead in Jeffrey Dell's comedy, "It's 

Hard to Be Good," and the part handed to 

Jimmy Hanley. Pi-ice will go into Sydney 

Box's drama, "Cockpit," which is a film about 

displaced persons. Jimmy Hanley has been 

featured in dozens of films in England since 

he started years ago as a child actor, but 

this is his first starring role and the script 

is one of the best for star-building yet to go 

on the floor in England. 

Warners Sets 9 Releases 

For England to Oct. 1 

LONDON — Warners has scheduled nine 

pictures for release in England during the 

next six months. They are: 

"City for Conquest," reissue, and "Wild 

Bill Hickok," release. May 24: "The Beast 

With Five Fingers" and "The Man 'Who 

Came to Dinner," reissue, June 28: "Deep 

Valley," July 19: "Cheyenne," August 9; "The 

Woman in White," August 30; "The Unsuspected," 

September 20: "Life With Father," 

October 11. 

32 BOXOmCE :: May 22, 1948

CHESTER FRIEDMAN 

EDITOR 

HUGH E. FRAZE 

Associate Editor 

mmj 

SECTION 

PRACTICAL IDEAS FOR SELLING SEATS BY PRACTICAL SHOWMEN 

I 

APRIL AWARDS MARK FIRST 

ANNIVERSARY OF BONUS 

Ten managers and exhibitors added their 

names to the list of BOXOFFICE Bonus winners 

during April to round out the roster 

of showmen who qualified during the first 

12 months of the incentive plan. 

Just one year ago, in a new enferged format 

of the Showmandiser section, BOXOFFICE 

announced its unique plan to stimulate the 

exchange of ideas among theatremen and to 

recognize their efforts and achievements 

through monthly Bonuses and Citations of 

Honor. 

Including the April winners, 114 theatremen, 

representing almost every one of the 

48 states, the Canadian provinces and the 

British Isles, were among those who received 

one or more Bonuses. Only one of the winners 

was cited twice in the same month although 

at least six others have won Bonuses 

more than once. 

Because of the fact that outstanding ideas 

each month are selected on the basis of merit 

with allowance for the type of theatre, run, 

size, drawing power and local limitations, 

theatremen from the rural and suburban 

communities were as well represented among 

the wiimers as their colleagues in the metropolitan 

areas. More than half of the Bonus 

recipients were managers, assistant managers 

or publicity men connected with Independent 

theatres without circuit ties. 

Scores of letters received from subscribers 

during the last year attest to the value of the 

BOXOFFICE Bonus in stimulating their own 

efforts and in helping to increase their 

grosses through the application of ideas and 

suggestions of other theatremen in situations 

similar to theirs. 

An original idea, such as the one which 

won a Bonus during April for James Mc- 

Carthy, manager of the Warner Theatre in 

Memphis, will be picked up and used to advantage 

by many other showmen throughout 

THE APRIL WINNERS 

HOUSE PROGRAM; 

Mark Allen, manager, Austin Theatre, 

Kew Gardens, N. Y. 

LOBBY DISPLAY: 

William Joven, manager, Luna Theatre. 

Kankakee, 111. 

WINDOW TIEUP: 

W. W. Fenety. manager. Gaiety 

Theatre. Fredericton, N. B. 

THEATRE FRONT: 

Frank M Paul, manager, Lyric Theatre, 

Indianapolis. 

NEWSPAPER AD: 

Phil Keough, manager. State Theatre, 

Oklahoma City. 

BALLYHOO: 

Abe Ludacer. manager, Valentine 

Theatre, Toledo. 

ORIGINAL IDEA: 

James McCarthy, manager, Warner 

Theatre, Memphis. 

GENERAL TTEXIP: 

Norman Shannon, manager, Dundee 

Theatre. Omaha, Neb. 

COOPERATIVE AD: 

Eddie DiResta, manager, Rialto Theatre, 

Amsterdam, N. Y. 

PUBLIC RELATIONS: 

Max Page, manager, Browny Theatre, 

Brownsburg, Ind. 

the country during the coming months. Mc- 

Carthy's stunt involved a realistic rainfall 

effect created at the edge of his theatre 

marquee to exploit "April Showers." Besides 

earning the appreciation of the BOXOFFICE 

staff for his Ingenuity, McCarthy has already 

received commendation from many of his 

fellow theatre managers in letters addressed 

to the Showmandiser section. 

One of the Schine circuit managers, Eddie 

DiResta of the Rialto Theatre, Amsterdam, 

N. Y., earned preference over dozens of his 

colleagues in winning the April Bonus for 

co-op newspaper ads. DiResta averaged a 

full page of co-op advertising a week and 

was a close contender for a Bonus last 

month. 

Phil Keough, manager of the State in 

Oklahoma City, was awarded a Bonus for 

devising an unusual newspaper advertisement 

running in one column width down the full 

depth of the page. Keough arranged for 

the ad to nm on the right side of the page, 

making use of tf a white space in the page 

gutter to get a unique effect. 

An attractive series of house programs in 

offset printing, the handiwork of Mark AUen, 

manager of the Austin, Kew Gardens, N. Y., 

was rewarded with a $10 check and a Citation 

of Honor. 

The most outstanding window display submitted 

came from W. W. Fenety. manager of 

the Gaiety, Fredericton, N. B., Canada. William 

Joven, manager of the Luna Theatre, 

Kankakee, HI,, demonstrated his creative 

skill in an illusion simulating a "Stairway 

to Heaven" lobby display. 

A Bonus was awarded to Norman Shannon 

of the Dundee Theatre, Omaha, for a general 

tieup. Max Page, manager of the Browny 

Theatre, Brownsburg, Ind., received the public 

relations Bonus for his quick action in staging 

a benefit show for neighbors made homeless 

by the recent floods. 

Frank Paul, manager of the Lyric, Indianapolis, 

and Abe Ludacer of the Valentine, Toledo, 

received Bonuses for theatre front and 

ballyhoo promotions. 

>^ X ^S¥;^::WW: 

^ndtitutionai 

Jrend 

According to a report published last week in the New York 

Times, the motion picture industry will not be alone in its 

efforts to rekindle public interest in its services. .\n entire 

crop of educational and public relations campaigns are planned 

for the immediate future by many national advertisers which 

will move competitive promotion into the background. 

The new trend is designed to "inform" the public on a variety 

of topics. The indirect approach will accentuate the "tell" 

method of promotion rather than the "sell" method. Many 

such promotions have already been planned, according to the 

Times report. They include savings banks and a church 

denomination. Pictures such as "\ Remember Mama" and "The 

Bishop's Wife" can probably do more for banks and churches 

in regaining the interest of the public than any other method. 

At the same time, it is reassuring to see that theatremen 

and exploiteers do not lose sight of the opportunities these pictures 

offer for cooperative tieups. 

Banks and churches are two of our great national institutions. 

So is the local theatre. Understanding each other's problems 

and working together promise greater mutual benefits.

Radio Provides Big Noise 

For State of the Union' 

Almost every conceivable type of promotion 

has been employed to sell "State of the 

Union" in key cities throughout the country. 

Boyd Sparrow, manager of Loew's In Indianapolis, 

cormected with two radio contests, 

which yielded numerous air plugs for 

the picture. A two-week contest was promoted 

on Paul Robert's program over WFBM 

in which listeners were asked to write letters 

on why they believe Indiana to be the best 

state in the union. Prizes were guest tickets. 

The second contest was staged on Easy 

Gwyn's WIBC program, with listeners asked 

to write letters giving their opinion on the 

present state of the union. Sparrow promoted 

a $100 Zenith phono-radio combination 

and 25 record albums as prizes for this 

contest. 

Bumper strips were placed on 300 Red taxicabs 

plugging the picture at no cost. A 36- 

foot banner was suspended the length of the 

upright sign, providing a good flash up and 

down busy Pennsylvania avenue. Sparrow 

also planted a three-coltunn fashion feature 

in the Indianapolis News and promoted a 

four-column Angela Lansbury suit co-op ad 

with the Indiana company, plus a two-column 

co-op ad with the H. B. Wasson Co. 

PHILCO TIEUP IN BUFFALO 

In Buffalo the picture was exploited for 

its Great Lakes engagement by a Philco tieup 

arranged by Charles B. Taylor, publicity director 

of Shea's Theatres. 'Window streamers 

were placed in music and radio stores 

throughout the city, with theatre playdates 

imprinted. Taylor connected for four large 

co-op ads: one with Philco, one with a beauty 

salon, one with a luggage company and one 

with a jeweler. 

Window tieups figured prominently in 

Taylor's campaign. A presidential poll was 

conducted in the lobby to build extra interest. 

Lou Cohen, manager of the Poll in Hart- 

Mirror display in water color, publicized "State 

oi the Union" in Wilmington, Del. 

Window display at the Greyhound bus 

terminal in Buffalo set by C. B. Taylor 

of Shea's. 

ford, plastered a 24-sheet on the lobby floor 

on "State of the Union," which aroused 

the curiosity of theatre patrons two weeks 

prior to opening. 

In Bridgeport, Conn., John DiBenedetto, 

assistant to manager Matt Saunders, planted 

the Van Johnson transcription for free radio 

time with a local radio station. For seven 

days in advance of opening, Harry Osborne, 

disk jockey, ran a contest on "State of the 

Union" with theatre tickets as prizes. 

Oscar Doob, manager of the Aldine Theatre 

in Wilmington, Del., decorated his 5x7- 

foot mirrors with a huge painted map of the 

United States and title, cast and playdates 

in the background. The marquee and upright 

sign of the theatre were painted on 

the map at Wilmington's approximate location. 

Doob promoted plugs with the Man 

on the Street broadcast, and numerous window 

displays tied in with women's fashions. 

PROMOTES LARGE CO-OP ADS 

Large newspaper co-op ads showing Angela 

Lansbury wearing three different costumes 

were promoted by Bill Reisinger, manager 

of Loew's in Dayton, from the Troy- 

Pearl Dry Cleaning Co. It was headed, "How 

is the state of your wardrobe?" and carried 

theatre credits. The ad appeared in the 

Dayton Journal on two successive days. 

Reisinger took advantage of two local rallies 

by presidential candidates Stassen and 

Taft to distribute heralds headed, "How is 

the 'State of the Union' "? 

Western Union supplied miniature telegram 

forms with the message, "Don't write. Telegraph 

congratulations and best wishes to any 

State of the Union." Playdates were imprinted 

at the bottom. 

Abe Ludacer, manager of Valentine in 

Toledo, had 300 window cards which looked 

like political advertising tacked all over the 

city before primary day, with announcements 

of the "State of the Union" playdates. Station 

'WTOL featured a song contest in which 

listeners were asked to submit the names of 

states represented by the varloas songs 

played. 

Milking Contest Draws 

4-H Club Entrants, M 

Merchant Support 

The first cow-milking contest of the season 

got under way recently after Duke Elliott, 

manager of the Strand, Carthage, N. Y., 

sold local businessmen the idea for a special 

stage attraction. Elliott proposed his plan at 

a meeting of the merchants committee of 

the Chamber of Commerce which was attended 

by representatives of the 4-H clubs 

from two counties. 

The contest was formally sanctioned with 

a dairy, the merchants, 4-H groups and the 

Chamber of Commerce supporting the 

project. Two elimination contests were scheduled 

for May 14 and 21 with a grand final 

on the 29th. 

Cash prizes and gifts were offered to winners 

with a special prize for the milking 

champ chosen from among business and professional 

men whose knowledge of milking is 

less extensive than that of 4-H members. 

Two cows were obtained from the local 

dairy and each of the 4-H clubs in the area 

entered their champion milkers in the contest. 

The milking champion of the county 

was determined by the weight of the milk 

produced in a given time limit. 

The newspapers throughout the area devoted 

large publicity spreads to the contest, 

playing up local experts and entrants. The 

Rialto attractions came in for regular notice 

in these stories. Elliott also promoted 

several co-op ads from the dairy and other 

merchants who participated, with the theatre 

attractions again coming in for prominent 

mention. 

Blind Date Contest Aids 

'The Voice' in Toronto 

strong advance and current exploitation 

marked the engagement of "The Voice of 

the Turtle" at Shea's Theatre in Toronto. 

Fred Trebilcock, manager, and exploiteer 

Jimmy Cameron arranged for a local furniture 

company to sponsor an "I Married My 

Blind Date" contest, with major prizes offered 

to the winners. 

The store also plugged the contest in its 

regular newspaper and radio advertising and 

in a full window display. 

A saturation advertising campaign on the 

radio brought the picture a holdover for a 

second week. 

Costumed Couple Tour 

For 'Bride Goes Wild' 

Bob Portle, manager of the Elm Street 

Theatre, Worcester, Mass., used a street ballyhoo 

to exploit "The Bride Goes Wild." He 

had a couple dressed in bridal costume drive 

around the business section in an open coupe 

with banners reading: "Just Married—On 

Our Way to See, etc." The stunt turned out 

to be one of the most effective he ever used, 

according to Portle. 

Bike Rack Gets Publicity 

Eddie Cltne, manager of the Park in New 

Hyde Park, N. Y.. has a parking rack for 

bicycles at the rear of the theatre for the 

convenience of patrons, and got himself a 

free newspaper plug because of it. 

' 

34 —508— BOXOFFICE Showmanîser :: May 22, 1948

McGUIRE • HILLARY BROOKE • ADELeIlRGENS • ROSS FORD • IRUOY MARSHAII _ 

AN EDWARD SMALL PRODOCIION 

Screenplay by Fonk Tashlin and Devery Freeman 

Based upon a SATURDAY EVENING POST story by Roy Hoggins 

Produced and Oifected by S. SYLVAN SIMON 

A COLUMBIA PICTURE

COOKING SCHOOL EXHIBITIONS 

PROVE GOOD BUSINESS RECIPE 

Culinary Artists Preside at 

Stage Sessions; Prizes 

Supplied by Stores 

"Although cooking schools are nothing 

new," writes Louis Nye, manager of the 

Hoosier Theatre in Whiting, Ind., "we haven't 

had one in about eight years. Maybe the 

'new look' we contrived with the gleaming 

white, modern equipment was responsible for 

the tremendous business we did during the 

three-week session." Nye could be right. 

At least he introduced several new ideas 

which probably accounted for some of the 

business registered. 

Nye lined up his sponsors as the first step 

of his campaign. The Indiana Supply Co. 

and a local market donated the main prizes 

which included a Kitchenaider sink and cabinet, 

three electric roasters, six Presto cookers, 

a Roper range, and many other utilities plus 

groceries. The articles represented a cash 

value in excess of $1,200. 

Divided over a three-week period, the merchandise 

giveaways proved a real incentive 

for patrons to attend. 

Then Nye arranged for three prominent 

culinary artists to preside over the sessions. 

For the first week he procured Mario Cassa, 

chef at the St. Moritz restaurant lounge in 

Chicago. Martha Logan, home economist for 

Swift & Co., presented Meal Time Ideas at 

the second session. Swift also provided 24 

packages of chicken and 24 two-pound cheese 

loaves in addition to prepared dishes as part 

of the giveaway. 

For the third session, Lottie Dudzik, chef 

of the Sramek restaurant, gave a demonstration 

of her artistry in cooking. 

In order to give his sponsors a break, Nye 

supplied them with door coupons which were 

distributed with each purchase at their stores. 

One half of the coupon had to be deposited 

in the Hoosier lobby and housewives had to 

claim their prizes at the time of the drawing 

in the theatre. 

The sponsors received word-of-mouth publicity 

at the theatre in addition to being advertised 

in the theatre's display ads, trailer, 

and window cards. They also received a plug 

in the house programs for four weeks and 

The Martha Logan Cooking school gets 

under way at the Liberty Theatre, 

Herkimer, N. Y. 

on several thousand heralds which Nye distributed 

to boost the shows. 

Nye estimates that the total cost of the 

promotion was $100. To counterbalance this 

in favor of the theatre, the house which is 

closed during the matinee charged regular 

evening admission prices, showed the regular 

screen attraction and played to capacity audiences 

each week. The first session drew 

1,200 women to the Hoosier. 

The Indiana Supply Co. provided the 

equipment for the demonstrations. This was 

mounted on dollies to facilitate the clearing 

of the stage. Nye acted as master of ceremonies 

at a microphone, and the demonstrators 

were equipped with lapel mikes. 

Bean Guessing Contest 

Jumps Interest in 'Cass' 

R. E. Agle, manager of the Appalachian 

Theatre in Boone, N. C, tied up with a local 

restaurant and bagged one of its big show 

windows for a display on "Cass Timberlane." 

Using one-sheets for copy, a very interesting 

effect was created by draping old trailer 

film aroimd the standing displays and coiling 

it across the base. With this was used 

a "guess how many beans in this jar" contest, 

with passes as prizes. 

Swift & Co. Provides Expert 

On Home Economics for 

Cooking Discourse 

Sponsored by a local music shop, Westinghouse 

and Swift & Co., Jake Weber, manager 

of the Liberty in Herkimer, N. Y., promoted 

a one-day engagement of the Martha 

Logan cooking school, which played to a capacity 

matinee audience. A market supplied 

free grocery baskets as door prizes. 

The main giveaway item which was donated 

by the Westinghouse company was a 

new electric kitchen range. 

Weber gave the cooperating dealers free 

advertising in the lobby and from the theatre 

stage during the cooking demonstration. 

In return the merchants paid for a twocolumn, 

eight-inch display ad which ran in 

the Evening Telegram every day for one 

week. Displays at the merchants' premises 

also helped build interest in the program. 

Westinghouse and Swift supplied the equipment 

and accessories needed for the cooking 

session. 

All advertising played heavily on Martha 

Logan's popularity and her appearance on 

Don McNeil's Breakfast Club radio program. 

Polish American Paper 

Assists 'The Miracle' 

Attracted by the Polish American angle in 

"The Miracle of the Bells," the Polish American 

weekly, foreign language newspaper in 

Perth Amboy, N. J., came through with 230 

column inches of art, ads and readers. This 

was promoted by Julius Daniels, manager of 

the Majestic, who apprised the editor of the 

picture's theme and started the ball rolling. 

The paper, which has a large circulation 

among Polish American Catholics in the industrial 

community, sponsored an invitation 

preview at the Majestic and gave a full page 

to comments on the film from persons who 

attended, along with two five-column scene 

cuts. The campaign cost Daniels nothing 

but overtime for help at the preview. 

Contest Winners Visit 

Studio in Hollywood 

Manager Fred Gebhardt and juvenile patrons 

of the Rivoli in Los Angeles recently 

realized a life-long ambition. Through a 

tieup with the Republic studio, Gebhardt arranged 

for the winners of a Saturday matinee 

western costume contest to be guests of the 

studio. Two boys and two girls were selected 

to watch the filming of a sequence for a new 

Monte Hale western. 

C 

Mario Cassa. renowned chef of the St. Moritz restaurant lounge. Chicago, demonstrates his 

cooking wizardry to housewives on the Hoosier Theatre stage. 

36 

—510— 

Sets Radio Quiz 

Milt Kaufman, manager of Loew's, Norfolk, 

Va., promoted a question contest over 

radio station WLOW to exploit "Arch of 

Triumph." Street pedestrians were queried 

on the theatre attraction. Those answering 

correctly won jewelry, a U.S. bond and theatre 

tickets. 

BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :: May 22, 1948

I 

I 

Anniversary Observed 

With Big Campaign 

And 'Good News' 

The engagement of "Good News" at the 

Capitol Theatre in Vancouver was a timely 

coincidence, breaking on the 27th anniversary 

of the house. Charlie Doctor, manager 

of the Capitol, took every advantage of the 

situation to roll up strong support from merchants 

in promoting this double attraction. 

Weeks in advance he notified all music 

dealers by mail, advising them of the song 

hits in the production, and thus paved the 

w.iy for window tieups and newspaper coop 

ads. 

In the concourse entrance of the theatre, 

Charlie doctored up a mechanical display 

that was a real flash. Cutout heads of the 

two stars were set on pivot arms so that 

as the heads rocked back and forth, they 

met in the center in a kiss. Bugs Bunny 

cutouts had balloon copy with information 

on the anniversary date and the picture. 

Doctor promoted a huge birthday cake 

which was placed in the lobby with appropriate 

lighting effects and copy. All staff 

members wore rosettes with copy, "The Capitol's 

27th Anniversary." 

In addition to the music store displays, 

13 windows were lined up with special aimiversary 

announcements and the screen attraction. 

News vendor stands carried halfsheet 

cards announcing: "It's Good News 

Today," etc. 

Radio advertising was augmented with tieups. 

CKWX plugged the picture on its Amateur 

Disk Jockey Show and its 15-minute 

Hi-Time program. Mel Torme. idol of the 

local bobby-soxers, gave the picture a plug 

two Saturdays in succession at his Big Teen 

Town Show which originates at the Veterans' 

Memorial Hall. The Teen Town Bulletin 

also gave the picture a buildup. 

Newspapers were generous with free publicity 

covering the anniversary and the picture. 

The News-Herald sponsored a "Good 

News" classified ad contest which netted 480 

lines of free space. Total cost to the theatre 

for this tieup was four cuts and a few 

passes. 

Doctor promoted a co-op newspaper ad 

from the Arthur Murray Dance Studio. 720 

lines in the two dailies resulted from this. 

Popularity and Beauty Contest 

Steadies April House Gross 

A Miss Washington Heights popularity 

and beauty contest served as a good business 

booster during April for Ansel Winston, 

manager of the RKO Coliseum Theatre 

in New York. 

Winston arranged for a photo studio to 

take pictures of all entrants free. He obtained 

a spon.sor for the contest who donated 

$500 cash as prizes for the winners 

and an extra $100 to cover advertising expenses 

incurred by the theatre. The merchant 

was advertised on the screen and in 

the lobby. 

The winners were decided by balloting. 

Ballots were passed out by the cashiers 

with every ticket of admission sold during 

the month. That, reports Winston, 

brought many extra customers to the theatre 

dm-ing the month the contest was 

running. 

Over 100,000 persons cast votes and more 

Half-Page Co-Op Ad Sells 

'Open City' in Oneonta 

Gil Scouten, manager of the Palace in Oneonta, 

N. Y., recently promoted a half-page 

co-op newspaper ad which helped to sell 

"Open City." Scouten got nine local merchants 

of Italian extraction to endorse the 

film after a screening had been arranged. 

Over 90 per cent of the ad space was devoted 

to the picture and playdates, with the sponsors 

accepting a courtesy mention at the bottom. 

Scouten played up the praise by film 

reviewers of the national magazines. 

Gift Books Are Offered 

On Year-Around Basis 

Gift books of theatre tickets have been 

revived by San Francisco Theatres, Inc., as a 

year-around patron service. I. M. Levin, 

division manager for the circuit, reports that 

the move was made in response to requests 

from patrons who wish to use them as personal 

and holiday presents. The coupons are 

exchangeable at the circuit's six neighborhood 

theatres. Trailers, 40x60s, newspaper 

ads and boxofflce cards are being used to 

familiarize the pubUc with the gift books. 

Flash Front Attracts 

Patrons in Charlotte 

Walter Griffith, manager of the Little 

Charlotte Theatre in Charlotte, N. C, used 

a special false front to ballyhoo "Women in 

the Night." Griffith reports business was 

upped as a result of the flash. The theatre 

is located on a congested transient street. 

Other Charlotte exhibitors are contemplating 

similar exploitation as a result. 

To Aid Youth Month 

In Seattle local Independent theatre operators 

have pledged their assistance in promoting 

National Youth month. 

POPillHRnH BlHyi'J[ONT[SlMis5wft5HiNoio,'( Hilars ms 

iKOfciv pwn nuno 

than 3,000 people showed up at the theatre 

for the final announcements of the 

winners and the awarding of the prizes. 

Radio Time Signals 

Preceded by Plug 

The saturation radio campaign employed 

by John Ettlinger, exploitation manager for 

Paramount Theatres in San Francisco, for 

"The Big Clock" opening at the St. Francis 

Theatre, was emphasized by free time promoted 

for a novel presentation. 

Ettlinger arranged with several of the stations 

to give the usual time signals preceded 

by the announcement: "In ten seconds it 

will be 6 p. m. by the 'Big Clock' at the St. 

Francis." 

A disk jockey program sponsored a contest 

offering free theatre tickets and copies 

of the novel, "Big Clock" to listeners who 

submitted the best letters on "Why I Like 

(or do not like) Daylight Saving Time." The 

theatre playdates were plugged regularly during 

the contest amwuncements. 

An advance screening arranged for newspaper 

reviewers garnered extra publicity 

breaks in the daily newspapers. Ettlinger promoted 

a two-column, 13-inch co-op ad from 

a luggage dealer illustrating Ray Milland 

carrying a Belber overnight bag. A coffee 

concern ran a three-column, 20-inch endorsement 

ad by Milland prior to opening. 

The Great Western trailer manufacturer also 

took co-op space in the dailies. 

Twenty jeweb-y stores in the city displayed 

cards with special copy tying their merchandise 

in with the theatre playdates, and four 

elaborate windows were secured tying in the 

book with the film production. All sidewalk 

clocks were tagged with banners and the 

Belber luggage dealer supplied free luggage 

as gifts to every 10,000th patron who bought 

a ticket during the picture's nm. 

Prodigy on Stage 

Frank Pratt, manager of the Paramount 

Theatre in Portland, Ore., engaged Portland's 

boy prodigy, Phil Carlin jr., to play on 

the stage as a Mother's day tribute. 

BOXOFTICE Showmandjser :: May 22, 1948 —511— 37

Newsboys March to Loew's Theatre 

With Banners on 'The Naked City 

Leaving no avenue of promotion unexplored, 

Arthur Groom, manager of Loew's 

Theatre in Evansville, Ind., put on a thorough 

campaign for "The Naked City" that created 

considerable word-of-mouth comment and 

was reflected in increased patronage. 

A dual display was used in the lobby a full 

month in advance, and a week before opening 

an attractive overhead was rigged up, 

with giant size cutout letters of the title. 

Duiing the engagement, a 40x60 bearing rave 

reviews on the picture was on display in the 

lobby. 

Ten days prior to opening, a special screening 

was held for newspaper and radio critics, 

the Chamber of Commerce business manager, 

the head of a local modeling agency and 

Liberty fleet taxi drivers. The press responded 

with advance reviews, three-column 

art and story breaks in advance and after 

opening, and front-page mention in the Sunday 

Courier and Pi-ess. Special art and a 

plug were planted in the radio publication. 

Listen, which is distributed weekly in grocery 

stores and homes. 

The Courier newsboys attended the opening 

night performance en masse by special 

invitation, parading from the newspaper office 

down Main street to the theatre, led by 

police escort. The boys carried huge banners 

announcing "We're on our way to see ..." 

Outdoor posting was exceptional, with a 

special bamier erected on the Hotel Sonntag 

covering the entire length of the building. 

This was put up a week in advance and stayed 

throughout the pictui-e's run. The attraction 

sign for the New Yorker cocktail lounge was 

snared for a "The Naked City" plug, prominent 

displays were set in the lobby of the 

McCurdy, Vendome and Sonntag hotels, on 

the mezzanine floor of Schear's department 

store, in the windows of two local cafeterias, 

and a special display was set up at the entrance 

door of Wood's drug store on Main 

street. In addition, lOO cards were spotted 

in choice windows and on downtown store 

counters. 

Permission was granted to post a sign on 

the bulletin board at Evansville college, and 

Groom tied up with a local soda fountain to 

feature "The Naked City" sundae. 

Lucky number cards were distributed to 

1,000 school children, with guest tickets 

awarded to those finding corresponding numbers 

posted in the lobby. The Liberty taxi 

drivers distributed some 3,000 courtesy cards 

to fares, recorrunending the picture. 

Gratis radio plugs were landed on the 

Pass the Buck program. Listen While You 

Work program, and a 15-mLnute newscast 

every day of the picture's run. Groom got 

himself interviewed for the Man on the Street 

broadcast, answering questions about "The 

Naked City," and a few days later Groom's 

assistant, Warren Weber, went through the 

same routine. 

Paper Doll Cutouts Make 

Clever Display for 'Bride' 

Lou Fuhrmann, assistant manager of the 

State, Courtland, N. Y., devised a clever window 

stunt in conjunction with "The Bride 

Goes Wild." Fuhrmann took small cutouts 

of paper dolls, masked them with crepe paper 

for veils, then mounted them on cards to be 

used in windows and on counters. They made 

a novel display and were unusually attractive. 

Fuhrmaim also planted a "Broken Heart" 

contest with the local daily at the cost of a 

few passes. 

'Iron Curtain 

Quiz 

The question, "What interests you about 

'The Iron Curtain' "? was used on the Man 

on the Street broadcast in Norwich, Conn., 

to help publicize Joseph Boyle's engagement 

of the film at the Broadway Theatre. Boyle 

also landed spot announcements on WNOC. 

Radio Teaser Offers 

40-Cent Halves to 

Promote 'Bells' 

Will Singer, manager of the Brandeis in 

Omaha, worked a neat tieup with station 

KOIL's Man on the Street program in connection 

with the engagement of "The Miracle 

of the Bells." 

For several days the station announcer 

gave teaser plugs as advance bait. "Watch 

for the Miracle," was the keynote. Then he 

offered to sell interviewees new Liberty bell 

half dollars for 40 cents. That was the 

miracle. Once the public caught on, interest 

in the picture was hypoed. 

Singer recently worked a tieup with local 

transportation officials. The utility company 

had been promoting a citywide courtesy campaign. 

Representatives of the company rode 

the street cars and buses asking operators of 

the vehicles provoking questions. To drivers 

who responded politely, they awarded free 

tickets to see "The Mating of Millie," current 

Brandeis attraction. 

The tram company turned over its outside 

advertising space to the theatre at no cost 

and purchased 1,650 tickets at regular admission 

price and distributed them to all 

employes. The local press played up the 

courtesy program with theatre mention. 

Interest of Teen-Agers 

Expanded for 'Mama' 

Publicity centered around teen-age interest 

for "I Remember Mama," at the United 

Artists Theatre in Detroit. Alice Gorham, 

publicity director for UDT, contacted all high 

schools and invited senior class presidents 

Comment cards 

to a screening of the picture. 

were collected and the opinions were used in 

newspaper advertisements to impress the 

youngsters with what their leaders had to 

say about the film. 

The Detroit Times cooperated with a contest 

open to teen-age students in which prizes 

were offered for the best letters submitted 

on "The Best School Story of the Day." The 

idea was to cover the most newsworthy event 

in their school activities and results were 

impressive. The tiein angle was the ambition 

of the daughter in the picture to become a 

journalist. 

Pin Is Safety Insurance 

For 'Pretty' Laughter 

A laugh-provoking card with a safety pin 

attached was used by Elmer Adams jr., manager 

of the Hornbeck Theatre, Shawnee, 

Okla., to promote "Sitting Pretty." Copy 

read: "Free Insurance! Just in case you 

cast aside all restraint and laugh aside all 

buttons, take this with you when 

." 

you see . . 

The cards were distributed at the theatre 

a week in advance. 

Frank Pratt, manager of the Paramount, Portland, Ore., used several clever gimmicks to 

give the theatre atmosphere prior to the opening of "Fury at Furnace Creek." The house 

staff was attired in cowboy outfits and a hitching post was set up outside the theatre for 

patrons attending on horseback. A spin-the-wheel gadget was set up in the lobby with 

patrons invited to test their skill and win passes. An usherette ran a chuck-a-luck table in 

another corner of the lobby which gave patrons a second opportunity to get a free ticket to 

see "Fury at Furnace Creek." 

Penny Gag Clicks 

A card with a permy attached was used by 

Jack Randall, manager of the Strand Theatre, 

Vancouver, B. C, to arouse interest In his 

coming program. Headed, "A penny for 

your thoughts," the copy continued: "We 

think 'Out of the Past' is one of the most 

outstanding pictures ever shown in Vancouver. 

Starts . . . 

" 

. 

38 —512— BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :: May 22, 1948 

m

Ad Deal in Cincinnati Mr. Flatfoot Contest in Portland 

Neis 1,000 Lines of 

'Shanghai' Space 

Several notable features distinguished the 

campaign arranged for the world premiere 

of "Lady From Shanghai" at the Palace In 

Cincinnati, by Nate Wise, publicity director 

for RKO Theatres in that city. 

A classified deal was set with the Times- 

Star which yielded approximately 1,000 lines 

of space In three display ads. Readers were 

asked to look for their names In the classified 

pages, with guest tickets awarded to those 

whose names were listed. 

Utilizing radio, Wise arranged for a dally 

broadcast from the lobby of the theatre over 

WKRC; spot time on WCPO and WKRC, 

some purchased, some promoted; a tieup with 

the disk Jockey program on WSAI calling 

for the distribution of Rita Hayworth books, 

and another disk jockey hookup on WCKY, 

using 1,000 Hayworth photographs for giveaway. 

A co-op window stream set with Lux featured 

a large cut of Hayworth and half the 

space devoted to theatre copy. These were 

spotted in grocery and drug stores by the 

local Lux distributor. 

The world premiere angle was stressed in 

all newspaper advertising, and the three 

dailies came through with generous stories 

and art breaks. Cross trailers were used in 

affiliated theatres as well as a life-size cut 

of Rita Hayworth in color. 

Launches 'Naked City 

The united Ai-tists Theatre engagement 

of "The Naked City" in Portland featiu-ed 

outstanding cooperation from both the Oregon 

Journal and the Oregonian, plus full support 

from the police department, three major 

downtown department stores and five local 

radio stations. The campaign was handled 

by Jack Matlack, assistant to Mrs. J. J. 

Parker, president of the Parker Theatres. 

A week before opening, the Oregonian staged 

a Mr. Flatfoot contest, running daily pictures 

of a prominent local citizen with his face 

hidden in an invitation to the public to track 

him down, on a downtown street during noon 

hour. A $50 prize was offered to the person 

identifying him. 

At the same time the Journal conducted 

a circulation contest through its carriers, 

with winners invited to attend a preview of 

the film. Full-size color posters on the film 

were tacked on more than 50 substations 

used by Journal carriers. The newsboys distributed 

handbills explaining the contest 

with announcements of the picture playdates. 

Matlack's tieups included one with the J. K. 

Gill Co. for several co-op ads and air coverage 

on the store's radio program. Gill used 

a full window on a fingerprint identity contest, 

offering passes to the United Artists 

Theatre for those supplying the correct answers. 

A wire recording with picture announcements 

was played intermittently over 

Mr, Flatfoot 

$50 'Touch' 

My»tttv Ptfifln 

Boau lof Pni* 

Search 

Spoiler ol 'Mr. Flalloof 

To Receive SSO in Cash 

!»,",a^*t^^, p'.'."'..^*: ' Tk* Bl 

Porllanders Posted on Hunt 

For 'Mr Flallool', SSO Prize 

'Mr. Flallool' Tommy tuRe, 

.Lucky Winner o( $50 Finds 

".yy^M'^':^*'" tl?;^"*-^ 

the store's public address system for a week. 

A preview was arranged for the Portland 

police department which furnished a complete 

lobby display on fingerprinting. 

Radio stations KXL. KEX, R-WJJ and 

KOIN used quiz contests with spot announcements 

and passes to see "Naked City" as premiums. 

i 

PARAMOUNT 

TRADE SHOW 

Friday, May 28th 

CECIL B. DEMILirS 

THE CRUSADES 

LORETTA 

HENRY 

YOUNG WILCOXON 

r 

CITY PLACE TIME 

ALBANY FOX PROJ. ROOM, 1052 Broadway 2 30 P.M. 

ATLANTA PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 154 Walton St., N.W 2.30 P.M. 

BOSTON PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 58 Berkeley Street 2:30 P.M. 

BUFFALO PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 464 Franklin Street 1:30 P.M. 

CHARLOTTE PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 305 So. Church Street 10 A.M. 

:HICAG0 PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1306 So. Michigan Ave 1:30 P.M. 

CINCINNATI PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1214 Central Parkway 2.30 P.M. 

CLEVELAND PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1735 E. 23rd Street 2 P.M. 

DALLAS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 412 So. Norwood Street 2:30 P.M. 

DENVER PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 2100 Stout Street 2 P.M. 

DES MOINES PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1125 High Street 7 P.M. 

DETROIT PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 479 Ledyord Avenue 2 PM. 

INDIANAPOLIS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 116 W.Michigan Street 2 P.M. 

JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA THEATRES SCREEN ROOM, 128 Forsyth St 8 P.M. 

KANSAS CITY PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1 800 Wyandotte St 2 P.M. 

LOS ANGELES PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1613 W. 20th Street 1:30 P.M. 

MEMPHIS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 362 So. Second Street 2:30 P.M. 

Ian Keith Katherine DeMille • C. Aubrey Smith 

Joseph Schildliraut • Alan Hale • George Barbier 

Montagu Love • Pedro De Cordoba 

Produced and Directed by 

CECIL B. 

DEMILLE 

Screen Play by Harold Lamb, Waldemar Young 

and Dudley Nichols 

A Paramount Re-Release 

7

Neighborhood Theatres 

In 

Citywide Contest 

Noah Schechter, public relations director 

for the Greater Cincinnati Independent 

Exhibitors, arranged a threeway 

tieup between the Cincinnati 

Times, radio station WKRC and neighborhood 

theatre owners who advertise 

through directory ads. Neighborhood 

merchants also participated. 

The Times carried a daily box with 

a coupon headed, "I Attend My Neighborhood 

Theatre Because . . 

." The 

exhibitors offered a variety of prizes 

which could be won for completing the 

line and submitting the coupon to the 

Times. 

WKRC plugged the contest on the air 

five or six times a day while it was in 

progress. Over 2,200 retail grocery and 

drug stores plugged the contest in window 

and counter displays. 

Exhibitors who participated in the 

contest report that results were gratifying. 

'Mama' Air Contests 

Tribute to Mothers 

Contests keyed to the Mother's day angle 

on two radio stations in Glens Falls, N. Y., 

highlighted the campaign put on for "I Remember 

Mama" at the Rialto. The tieups 

were made by Manager Fielding O'Kelly who 

arranged with WGLN to find the oldest 

mother in the county. The winner was honored 

on the theatre stage on Mother's day 

and presented a variety of gifts donated by 

civic-minded merchants. 

The second contest was sponsored by 'W'WSC 

to locate the oldest Gold Star mother in 

the county. She was also brought to the stage 

on Mother's day and given gifts. 

O'Kelly promoted a full-page co-op ad 

from merchants who featured "Mama" sales, 

the picture and playdates taking a prominent 

portion of the space. Two full window 

tieups in choice downtown stores were part 

of the campaign. 

Badges on 'Obsession' 

Worn by Entire Staff 

Calling attention to the playdates of "Magnificent 

Obsession," a reissue, Jim Preddy, 

manager of the Telenews in Dallas, had the 

entire theatre staff wearing announcement 

badges a week in advance. A window display 

was .set with the largest book store in 

town, and 3,000 vote heralds were distributed 

headed, "Help! We need your help in deciding 

on another Return Picture ..." Guest 

tickets were awarded to the first voting for 

the picture chosen. 

Doubles for 'Senator 

A spry old gentleman with a flowing white 

mustache, dressed in top hat, white tie and 

tails, walked around the streets in the vicinity 

of the Vogue Theatre, Vancouver, B. C, 

to promote "The Senator 'Was Indiscreet" for 

Roy McLeod, manager. The man carried a 

suitcase posted with picture and playdate information, 

and another sign on his back. 

Handwriting Analyst 

Fits Promotion to 

'Unknown Woman' 

The campaign used at the New York Rivoll 

prior to the opening of "Letter From an Unknown 

Woman" set a unique pattern which 

can be adapted in other communities by exploitation 

minded showmen. 

The theatre arranged for Muriel Stafford, 

considered one of the world's foremost handwriting 

analysts, to make personal appearances 

and read the handwriting of theatre 

patrons. This promotion was advertised by 

a trailer and a lobby 40x60. 

A tieup was arranged with all mail carriers 

in the area whereby 6,000 postmen competed 

in a letter-writing contest on their 

"most unusual experience while delivering 

mail." Cash and theatre tickets were offered 

as prizes. The contest was plugged in the 

carriers' publication. Outlook, and through 

bulletins in postoffices and postoffice clubs. 

Reproductions of famous love letters published 

by Simon & Schuster in "Treasury of 

World's Greatest Letters," were displayed on 

the mezzanine floor of the Rivoli. 

Radio promotion included a letter writing 

contest for radio audiences on Paul Brenner's 

Requestfully Yours show over WAAT. 

WNEW featured a half hour of Joan Fontaine's 

favorite music with playdate mention. 

New York's FM station WGYN used a twoweek 

"Unknown Woman" contest on its 

Coffee With Dreicer show. 

The Rivoli campaign was handled by Manager 

Monty Salmon, publicist Bill Tell and 

the exploitation department of Universal- 

International. 

Chatter Program Sells 

Walter Reade Shows 

Thi-ough a tieup with radio station WXNJ 

m Plainfield, N. J., worked out by Hal Martz, 

city manager for Walter Reade Theatres, a 

45-minute Moonlight Serenade program has 

been set up carrying motion picture chatter, 

records of songs from current films and local 

theatre news. In addition, the station has 

a 15-minute program once a week which 

broadcasts star interview records, transcribed 

portions of vaudeville shows at the Oxford, 

and bits of news about the current films at 

the three Reade houses in Plainfield. Occasionally, 

contests are tied in with specific 

films and guest tickets awarded as prizes. 

Congratulates Graduates 

Every undergraduate in the local college 

and high school of Hickory, N. C, received 

a card of congratulations from Earle Holden, 

manager of the Center. Starting off: "To 

you who will graduate this year," the message 

concluded with an invitation to attend 

the theatre as a guest of the management 

with the card serving as a pass. 

Promotes Gitt Books 

Toronto's famous Players Canadian Corp. 

helped solve the gift problem for Mother's 

day with an extensive campaign throughout 

the circuit to promote the sale of gift 

books of tickets. The result was substantial. 

The advertising followed the general lines of 

the Orristmas season drive, including newspaper 

displays, general publicity, screen trailers 

and posters. 

Drinks on the House 

Courtesy Coca-Cola 

Indicating that the soft drink distributors 

are anxious to cooperate with 

theatremen, the Coca-Cola Co. in Portland, 

Ind., recently sponsored a tenweek 

giveaway at the Hines Theatre 

there. 

Jim Ackron, manager of the Hines, 

reports that the company provided 

every child who attended the Saturday 

Children's Hour show during the 

tieup with a free toy, coke, candy, bag 

of popcorn, ice cream and other goodies. 

One week, every adult who attended the 

evening show received a free coke. On 

Easter Saturday the dealer also contributed 

25 toys and 25 Easter candy 

baskets as door prizes. 

• The Curtiss Candy Co. also cooperated 

with Ackron recently by supplying 

a free candy bar for every child at a 

Saturday show. In return, Ackron gave 

the company a two-week special display 

of its products next to the candy 

bar. 

Radio Station Tieup 

For Mother's Day 

Mother's day was observed at the Ritz in 

Tallahassee, Fla., by means of a special promotion 

engineered by Manager James Mc- 

Dannold with radio station WRHP. 

Fifteen merchants also cooperated in the 

stunt which was a Mother's day contest to 

detennine the city's oldest and youngest 

mother and the mother with the largest 

family. 

McDannold promoted gifts from the merchants 

and the radio station maintained a 

steady barrage of spot plugs m-ging all mothers 

to enter the contest. 

The winners were presented on the Ritz 

stagfe on Mother's day to an appreciative audience. 

The only cost of the promotion which 

the theatre shared was a display announcing 

the contest in the newspaper with credit 

mentions for the merchant and WRHP. 

Reaction was such, reports McDannold, that 

the theatre prestige has increased with everyone 

in the community from the mayor down 

and relations with the merchants have improved 

notably. 

'Roosevelt Story' Shown 

For Ottawa Officialdom 

"The Roosevelt Story" was screened by 

Ernie Warren, manager of the Elgin in Ottawa, 

Ont., for Canada's prime minister, 

cabinet members, Ambassador Ray Atherton 

and the complete personnel of the U.S. embassy, 

and ambassadors from other nations. 

The event resulted in wide newspaper and 

radio coverage. 

Libraians Admitted Free 

To promote "The October Man," aU men in 

New York who produce evidence they were 

born on October 1, will be admitted to the 

Bijou Theatre as guests of the management 

during the current engagement of the attraction. 

The film tells the story of a man 

haunted by the stars under which he was born. 

40 

BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :: May 22, 1948

WINDOW 

TIEUPS 

Still highly popular with theolremen 

are window tieups which bring the 

theatre message to the vast perambulating 

public in locations ordinarily 

inaccessible for this purpose. 

Mother's day, flowers and "I Remember 

Mama" were naturals for a tieup. 

Bud Heck, manager of the Mayfair in 

Asbury Park, N. J., placed the display 

at left in a local florist's window. 

Left: A battery of 

loindow displays in 

strategic . locations 

were set hy Manager 

Lester Pollock 

for "State of the 

Union" at Loew's in 

Rochester, N. Y. 

This one features 

accessories at the 

Victorgraph store. 

Right: Jim Barnes. 

Forum, Los Angeles, 

arranged this one. 

Passersby ivere invited 

to guess the 

value of a gold nugget 

and leave their 

answers loith the 

clerk. 

I 

Stage show provided Manager Bert Claster, Hippodrome, Baltimore, 

with a tiein angle to get this display on "The Noose Hangs 

High" in a music store. 

In Glasgow, Scotland, Lily Watt, manager of the Florida, gives 

Tegular attention to promoting her shows in local shop windows. 

An empty store rvindoiv adjoi7iing the Lucas Theatre i?i 

Savaji7iah was utilized by Manager Andy Sullivan jr. Here 

is a real eye-catcher, as beautiful as any stage set, which 

helped to sell extra tickets. 

60XOFFICE Sbowmandiser :: May 22, 1948 —515— 41

— 

RKO RADIO PICTURES, inc. 

TRADE SHOWINGS 

of Walt Disney's 

NEW TECHNICOLOR MUSICAL COMEDY 

"MELODY TIME" 

—• 

ALBANY 

Grand Theatre, 11 Clinton Ave. 

Men., June 14, 10;00 A.M. 

ATLANTA 

RKO Projection Room, 195 Luckie St., N.W. 

Mon., June 14, 2:30 P.AA. 

BOSTON 

Uptown Theatre, 239 Huntington Avenue 

Mon., June 14, 10:30 A.M. 

BUFFALO 

Sheo's Niagara Theatre, 426 Niagara St. 

Mon., June 14, 2:30 P.M. 

CHARLOTTE 

Fox Projection Room, 308 So. Church St. 

Mon., June 14, 2:30 P.M. 

CHICAGO 

Esquire Theatre, 58 East Oak Street 

Mon., June 14, 10:30 A.M. 

CINCINNATI 

Esquire Theotre, 320 Ludlov/ Ave. 

Mon., June 14, 2:30 P.M. 

CLEVELAND 

Shaker Theatre, Kinsman and Lee Rds. 

Mon., June 14, 2M P.M. 

DALLAS 

Fox Projection Room, 1803 Wood St. 

Mon., June 14, 2:30 P.M. 

DENVER 

Esquire Theatre, 6th & Dov/ning St. 

Mon., June 14, 3M P.M. 

DES MOINES 

Uptown Theatre, 4115 University Ave. 

Mon., June 14, 2:00 P.M. 

INDIANAPOLIS 

Cinema Theatre, 213 East 16th Street 

Mon., June 14, 1:30 P.M. 

KANSAS CITY 

Kimo Theatre, 3319 Main St. 

Mon., June 14, 2:00 P.M. 

LOS ANGELES 

Ambassador Hotel Theatre, Ambassodor Hotel 

Mon., June 14, 1:30 P.M. 

MEMPHIS 

Idlewild Theatre, 1819 Madison Ave. 

Mon., June 14, 2:30 P.M. 

MILWAUKEE 

Varsity Theatre, 1326 W. Wisconsin Ave. 

Mon., June 14, 2:00 P.M. 

MINNEAPOLIS 

Granada Theatre, 3022 Hennepin Ave. 

Mon., June 14, 2:30 P.M. 

NEW HAVEN 

Whitney Theatre, 1220 Whitney Ave. 

Mon., June 14, 10:30 A.M. 

NEW ORLEANS 

Circle Theatre, St. Bernard 8i N. Golvez Ave. 

Mon., June 14, 11:00 A.M. 

OKLAHOMA 

Uptown Theatre, 1212 North Hudson St. 

Mon., June 14, 1 1 .-00 A.M. 

OMAHA 

Admiral Theatre, 40th ond Fcrham St. 

Mon., June 14, 2:00 P.M. 

PinSBURGH 

RKO Projection Room, 1809-13 Blvd. of Allies 

Mon., June 14, 2:00 P.M. 

PORTLAND 

21$t Avenue Theatre, 616 N.W. 21sl Ave. 

Mon., June 14, 2:30 P.M. 

ST. LOUIS 

West End Theatre, 4819 Delmar Ave. 

Mon,, June 14, 1:00 P.M. 

SALT LAKE CITY 

Southeast Theatre, 2121 S. Illh East 

Mon., June 14, 2:15 P.M. 

SAN FRANCISCO 

Alhambra Theatre, 2330 Polk Street 

Mon., June 14, 1:30 P.M. 

SEATTLE 

Egyptian Theatre, 4543 University Woy 

Mon., June 14, 2:30 P.M. 

SIOUX FALLS 

Hollywood Theatre, 212 North Phillips Ave 

Mon., June 14, 10:00 A.M. 

WASHINGTON 

Poramount Projection Rm., 306 H. St., N.W. 

Mon., June 14, 2

NOW 

being distributed 

to all subscribers of 

THE FILM DAILY 

Film Daily 

Year Books 

Are used extensively 

throughout 

the year by 

important people 

in Produc- 

Distribution, 

tion, 

Exhibition 

and the Theatre 

Equipment 

Field. 

free 

* * * 

Film Year Books 

are Given Free 

t o 

subscribers 

of THE FILM 

DAILY, the Industry's 

Oldest 

and most Widely 

Read Daily 

Paper. 

THE 1948 

FILM YEAR BOOK 

30tk SdiiiOH. 

of more than 1,000 pages covers the 

industry from every angle — Production, 

Distribution, and Exhibition. Between 

its covers will be found: A list of 

more than 25,000 titles of pictures released 

since 1915 — Credits on all features 

released in 1947 — Features imported 

during the past year — The Ten 

Best Pictures of 1947 with all credits — 

Serials released since 1920 — Short 

Subject Series and director credits 

for 

— Personnel of Important Companies, 

Studios, Associations and Labor Organizations 

— Credits of Players, Producers, 

Directors, Authors, Screenplay 

Writers, Cameramen, Song Writers and 

Dance Directors — Financial Structures 

of Motion Picture Companies — Name 

and addresses of Theatre Supply Dealers 

— A complete section on non-Theatrical 

films — A survey of Foreign 

Markets — A list of circuits of four 

or more theatres—Addresses of Producers, 

Distributors, Exchanges, Laboratories, 

Trailer Companies, Insurance 

Brokers, Projection Rooms, Play Brokers, 

etc. — Motion Picture Publications — 

1946-47 — Producers and Distributors 

Books — The trend in theatre building 

and equipment — Television — And — 

A thousand and one other important 

Items of Interest and Value. 

A veritable gold mine of useful 

information in one handy 

and beautifully bound volume. 

IMPORTANT 

It is important to know the WHO, WHAT, WHERE 

and WHEN in your industry. 

The best way to obtain such knowledge and timely information 

is through THE HLM DAILY and THE FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK. 

The 1948 edition surpasses all others, GET IT! Keep it For Handy 

References! It's worth its weight in Gold! 

THE FILM DAILY 

1501 Broadway 

New York 18, N. Y. 

nENrasMffB 

M RLMDOMi' 

Hollywood Office 

|AU.raim 642S Hollywood Blvd. 

Hollywood. Calif. 

DAILY 

Is the Best $10.00 investment anyone can make 

who is interested in the Production, Distribution 

or Exhibiton of Motion Pictures. 

Sign the coupon and mail today 

Gentlemen: 

Please enter my subscription to THE FILM DAILY, and send me my copy of THE FILM DAILY 

Year Book. enclose $10.00 (Foreion $15.00). 

I 

Name. 

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. . More 

A "NATURAL" FOR 

THIS nODERN AGE 

ill' 

all-steel 

prefabricated 

OUTDOOR 

MOTION PICTURE 

THEATRE 

SUPERSTRUCTURES 

• SAFE 

• ATTRACTIVE 

• PERMANENT 

EASILY ERECTED--EASILY MOVED 

PRESENTING A BEAUTIFUL APPEARANCE 

IDEAL CONSTRUCTION FOR ENLARGEMENT 

RESISTANT TO FIRE AND WEATHER 

ALL STEEL FRAME - THE ULTIMATE IN STRENGTH 

Orders Now Being Accepted 

for Late 1948 Delivery 

GEO. L. 

n 11 k e R 

STEEL CORP. 

EVANSVILLE 8, 

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WRITE, TODAY, FOR FULL INFORMATION 

I 

LETTERS 

DISCRETION ON COLOR FILMS NEEDED 

To BOXOFFICE: 

In a recent issue of BOXOFFICE you 

printed an article concerning the statement 

of Joseph Bernhard, president of Film Classics, 

that within two or three years 70 per 

cent of all feature films will be in color. 

This, indeed, is advancement. The day 

when the Technicolor process dominated the 

color field is gone and the methods of color 

photography today also include Cinecolor, 

Trucolor, etc. Although films in black-andwhite 

still make up the largest percentage of 

releases, pictures employing these numerous 

color processes are steadily increasing in number. 

But there is one major fault. Pictures today 

are being made in color merely for the 

sake of color, not that tinted photography 

is essential to the telling of the story. Because 

there are so many color methods available, 

producers are using color merely to insure 

better boxoffice returns. Merely because 

a picture has a western setting it is 

not necessary to film it in color. John Ford's 

"My Darling Clementine" was a western that 

was more enjoyable because of its splendid 

black-and-white photography. 

Sir Laurence Olivier, who produced "Henry 

V" in Technicolor aptly, explained why he 

used black-and-white in his newest film, 

"Hamlet." He remarked that whereas 

"Henry V" was a painting and deserved color 

photography, "Hamlet" is merely an etching 

and demanded black-and-white for effectiveness. 

Color photography should only be used if 

it will aid in the story's exposition. Overuse 

of color on undeserving B pictures will 

result in one thing: that like sound, color 

will be taken for granted and the picture industry 

will lose a powerful asset to its productions. 

I hope producers will realize that 

they will be hurting themselves by using color 

in undeserving films. The industry will lose 

that "extra something" that has saved many 

a poor film from being a total flop. 

Like the gambler, who always has that one 

last trick, the picture industry should hold 

onto that "ace up its sleeve"—color photography. 

RICHARD A. AVERSON 

514 Litchfield St., 

Frankfort, N. Y. 

Berkshire Enterprises, Inc. 

Moves to New York City 

NEW YORK—Berkshire Enterprises, Inc., 

premium house which has been operating 

phonograph record nights in film theatres, 

has moved its headquarters from Pittsfield, 

Mass., to 198 Broadway, New York City. 

Curtis Mitchell, formerly national director 

of advertising and publicity for Paramount, 

who is treasurer of Berkshire Enterprises, 

said that more than 50 theatres have used 

the promotion. The record night utihzes 

RCA-Victor phonograph records as giveaways. 

Combination record players and consoles 

are used as door prizes. 

UA Reissues Golf Short 

NEW YORK—United Artists will re-release 

"Don't Hook Now," the golfing short starring 

Bing Crosby and Bob Hope. The original 

two-real length has been cut to one reel by 

Herb Polesi. producer. 

WB 1948 Sales Drive Set 

For May 23 to Aug. 28 

NEW YORK—Warner Bros, has set its annual 

sales drive for 1948 for the 14-week period 

from May 23 to August 28, according to 

Ben Kalmenson, vice-president in charge of 

distribution. The drive will follow the details 

introduced in 1947, with $35,000 in cash 

prizes to be awarded the winners in the 

various fields. 

The Canadian branches, which participated 

in the 1947 drive for the first time since the 

lifting of Dominion war-time restrictions, 

will again join the United States branches 

in the drive. 

To Screen "High Seas' 

NEW YORK—"Romance on the High Seas," 

Warner Bros, musical in Technicolor, starring 

Jack Carson, Janis Paige, Don DeFore and 

Doris Day, will be nationally tradeshown 

June 7. The picture will be nationally released 

July 3. 

FROM THE FILES OF 

^(J l/ leard ^^4tqo 

T P. KENNEDY, president of FBO Pictures 

Corp., has been elected to the newly 

created office of chairman of the board of 

Keith-Albee-Orpheum . . . The 

federation of 

musicians at Louisville is planning some action 

in fighting synchronized music. 

Variety says there is no truth in the report 

that foreigners are dominating the production 

end of the film industry. A survey by 

the tradepaper shows there are 439 leading 

executives, players and directors; of this 

number, 341 are American born and 98 

foreign bom . than 30,000 persons in 

Hollywood are endeavoring to find employment 

in the film industry. Of this number, 

only 677 are actually under contract to film 

companies. 

FOR SALE 

Prints ot old exploitation 

picture, "HIGH SCHOOL 

GIRL." Three classes: 

brand new, good condition and fair condition 

Priced to sell. Interested parties with proper slate 

rights for exhibition contact me at once. 

BOX A 302S, 

BOXOFnCE MAGAZINE 

825 Van Brunt Blvd. Kansas City 1, Missouri 

NOW

Adv. 

A THOUGHT OR TWO FROM HYGIE 

, r 

Supervisor of agents Jack Thomas (left) explains the important 

steps of a thorough publicity campaign on "Mom and 

Dad" to newcomer agent Seth Larsen. 

Agent '"Wally" James (left), former ace showman wth 

the Paramount and the Butterfield-Michrgan crcuits. listens 

as home office supervisor Jack Crouthers makes clear that 

agents receive complete cooperation of home office and branch 

office "chairwarmers" at all times. 

^Hî. 

I

. 

!! 

First Edition 

a Sellout! 

Second 

Now Ready! 

Edition 

HOW 

TO 

MANAGE 

A 

THEATRE 

A Practical Guide 

to 

Successful 

Theatre Operation 

Learn about motion picture theatre 

management and operation by studying 

this comprehensive book, which has 

been endorsed by many leading executives. 

This book will help a manager to 

build attendance on poor nights. It explains 

why some theatres fail while 

others succeed. 

Price 

Only 

$5 

Postage 

Paid 

Order Today! 

ant Qaûe/i 

15 West Grand Avenue 

ffighland Park 3 

Michigan 

.CKflRinGHOUSf. 

POPCORN MACHPIES 

(Continued from inside bacli 

RebuiJt Popcorn Machines lor sile. Fully guarmteed. 

Price from $150. Consolidated Confec 

tlons, 1314 S. Wabash. Oilcaeo S. III. 

Blevins Is national headquarters for popcori 

machines. Silver Stars, Super Stars, Com Cribs 

Old machines taken in trade. Blevlns Popcorr 

Co.. Nashville, Tenn. 

Star popcorn macblnes. All models. Prunt? 

Seed & Oraln Co., 620 N. 2nd St., St. Louis 2 

Mo. 

Bargain prices in used and completely recon 

ditioned popcorn machines. Blevlns Popcorn Co. 

Nashville, Tenn. 

Burch, Manley, Cretors, Advance, all electrl' 

trench fry types. 60 Hollywood type, theatr. 

special electric poppers from $250. Karmelkori 

Equipment, 120 8. Halsted, Chicago 6, III. 

Popcorn Machines. Good condition. Rea.son 

ably priced. Cbas. B. Darden & Co., P. 0. Boj 

2207, Dallas, Tex. 

POPCORN SUPPLIES 

Home of "Rush Hour" popcorn and popcorr 

supplies. Send for price list. Pninty Seed 1 

Grain Co.. B20 N. 2nd St., St. Louis 2. Mo 

Established 1874. 

Bee Hive for '48 is the best ever! Blevlns no 

only Elves yoti best popcorn but savea ytu moocf 

on all seasonine. baes, boxes, etc. Blevlns Pop 

corn Co., Nashville. Tenn. 

Attractively printed popcorn cartoons for sak 

lOe size, $6 M: 25c size. $16.75 M. Fablat 

Knntnev. fiOfl N. Aihland. Green Bay. Wis. 

Popcorn. Losp's Blockbuster Purdue Hybrid. 500 

baes at $13.25 per bae; 10 bags, $127.50. Pops 

$125 lip per bag. Sample on refluest. Lose 

Brothers. 206 E. Jefferson St.. Louisville, Ky. 

BUSINESS STIMULATORS 

Comic books again available as premiums, eiveaways 

at your kiddy shows. Larse variety latest 

48-page newsstand editions. Comics Premium Co., 

4I2B Greenwich St., New York City. 

Bingo with more action. $2.75 thousand cards 

Also other games. Novelty Games Co., 1434 Bedford 

Ave.. Brnoklrn Ifi. N. Y. 

Only legal game for theatres. Legal In any 

stale. Bltrgest business booster since Bank Night. 

"Listen to Win" copyright 1947 by L.T.W. Co 

Write today for Information. Secure exclusive 

rights for your town now. Listen to Win Co.. Box 

33fi. Camhridge. Ohio. 

Binoo die-cut cards. 75 or 100 number, $3 per 

M. Screen dial $20. Premium Products, 354 W. 

441h St.. New York 18. N. Y. 

Best theatre business stimulator yet devised. No 

coupons, nothing to sign. Will sell part Interest 

to party who can promote It on national basis. 

Write C. Young. 1731 E Superior St.. Puluth. 

Minn. 

SIGNS 

Easy Way to Paint Sijns. Use letUr patterns 

Avoid sloppy work and wasted time. No experience 

needed for expert work. Write for free samples, 

.lohn Itahn. B-1329 Central Ave., Chicago 

51, III. 

MISCELLANEOUS 

Splendid opportunity to acquire franchise in 

tstabiished State Right Field in southern exchange 

center, Pos=;ibilltIes unlimited for film 

man with sales ability. With sufficient capital, 

terms can be arranged. Negotiations confidential. 

Renlv Boxofflcc, A-3052. 

Attention, New York exhibitors! We will guarantee 

you $10,000 worth of publicity on a television 

venture. Please call Melrose 5-0925 for 

full 

Information. 

Increase popcorn sales and profits. Today hundreds 

of theatres are using our stunning flexglass 

heating and selling counters. Eliminate waste, 

carpet damage and fire hazards. $226 gives you 

de luxe popcorn merchandising. A few choice 

territories still onen to distributors and dealers. 

H. M. McLaren Specialties. 3625 W. 26th Ave., 

Denver 11. Colo. 

For theatre staffs, drive-ins, clubs, etc., name 

.tnd emblem design pn popular useful "T" shirts. 

$11 per dozen. State sizes and color. Remit 

check or specify C.O.D. Sportswear of America. 

Box 566 B, So. Fallsburg. N. Y. 

eoTer) 

THEATRE SEATING 

Three cheers for these chairs, satisfied customers 

say! 20,000 available. Priced $3.95 up and condition 

is right. Ideal, Stafford, Andrews. American, 

He,ywood. Veneers, panelbacks, fully upholstered. 

Send for latest list. New address, SOS 

Cbiema Supply Corp.. 602 W. 52nd St., New 

York 19. 

Several thousand used upholstered opera chairs 

on hand. We are headquarters for the cream of 

the used chair crop. We pick the lots that we 

think you wUI like. We furnish proper slope and 

sections desired to fit your theatre. Our many 

years experience in the seating business Is your 

guarantee. Write for exact photo and price. We 

have parts for all makes of chairs. Also, leathertte 

25x25 in. all colors, 55c ea. Good quality. 

Chicago Used Chair Mart, 829 So. SUte St., 

Chicago 5, HI. 

Theatre Chairs, 3,000 used spring cushioned 

lart full upholstered back and part Insert panel 

>)ack with spring edge and box spring cushions. 

1. 000 veneer chairs, 800 good backs, 600 spring 

iishlona and hinges. Write for prices and photo- 

,'raphs. Immediate delivery: advise how many you 

•leed. We export chairs anywhere. Jesse Cole, 2665 

McCiellan Ave., Valley 23446, Detroit, Mich. 

Parts for all chairs. Send sample for quotation. 

fensin Beating Co., Chicago B. 

Patcb-0-Seat cement. Patching cloth, solvent, 

»tc. Fensin Beating Co.. Chicago 5. 

1.600 streamlined spring cushioned full uphol- 

•tered modem theatre chairs, like new. Reasonable 

'or immediate delivery. Jesse Cole. 2666 McCiellan 

\ve. Phone Valley 23445. Detroit, Mich. 

Seats completely rebuilt In your theatre. Plenty 

of upholstery fabrics, springs, cushions, parts, 

i^r ed's Theatre Service, Vina, Ala. 

Tighten loose chairs with Permastone anchor 

cement. Fensin Seating Co., Chicago 6. 

Chair supplies. Everything for theatre chairs. 

Fensin Seating Co., Chicago 6. 

Used chairs, guaranteed good. Advise quantity 

wanted. Photographs mailed with quotation. Fensin 

Seating Co., Chicago 5^ 

3,250 used chairs. Immediate delivery. Any 

type, spring backs, full upholstered backs, veneers. 

Vdvlse quantity needed. Foster Seating Co., 39 

Glenwnod Ave.. Minneapolis 3, Minn. 

Special! $1.50. Several thousand chairs, all In 

:ood condition. Immediate delivery. P.O.B. fac- 

*ory. Eastern Seating Co., 138-13 Springfield 

Blvd.. Springfield Gardens. Long Island, N. Y. 

If you want good used theatre chairs located 

in Texas and Oklahoma, then write to us today. 

The malorlty of these chairs In use now. No 

brokerage fee. You deal with owner. State 

quantity and style. Reply Boxoffice. A-3054. 

1,185 good quality American theatre chairs, 

box spring cushions: 5-ply veneer backs, $1,50 

each for whole lot only. Also 1.040 7-ply veneer 

hack with leatherette Insert panel for $1.75 each 

for whole lot only. Above chairs for sinned floor; 

fob. Milwaukee. Weight 40 lbs. each. Not crated 

hut loaded In truck or car. Poblockl and Sons Co.. 

2159 South Klnnickinnic Ave, Milwaukee 7. Wis. 

AIR CONDITIONING 

Heavy duty blowers, ball-bearing equipped, 

15.000 cfm to 60.000 cfm. Air washers, all 

sizes. Hydraulic drives, two and four speed 

motor and controls. Immediate delivery. Dealers 

wanted. National Engineering and Mfg. Co., 619 

Wyandotte St., Kansas City. Mo. 

Air Washers, complete for theatres. Also 

complete package w.asher-air units. Low priced. 

Mton Manufacturing Co., 1112 Ross Ave., Dallas, 

Tex. . 

While they last. 1.600 spray nozsles. water 

broken to fine, misty spray. From ^4 gol- •" 2^4 

g.ll. per minute. 76c ea., shipped at once. Also 

have some belts, rotors, bearings, half price off 

list. 0. A. Peterson, Realtor, Clinton, Mo. Over 

First National Bank. 

For Sale: Complete 24.000 air conditioner 

hlower, 5-horse motor washer, hydraulic control. 

Regent Theatre. Blue Rapids, Kas. 

For Sale: Copper tiibe-flnned water cooling and 

heating coil, size 5x5 ft., and automatic valve, 

in original crate. Cost $700. Cash $400. Box 

471. Cairo. HI. 

For Sale. Buffalo air washer system, complete 

with pump, washer and blower: 36,000 CFM. 

capacity. In perfect condition and ready In all 

respects for Installation. The Texas Tlieatre. 

Jasper. Tex. 

MORE CLASSIFIED ON INSIDE 

BACK COVER 

46 BOXOFHCE :: May 22, 1948 

M

I 

Academy Film Series 

Favored by MPAA 

NEW YORK—The advertising and publicity 

directors conunittee of the MPAA has 

abandoned discussions about an industrywide 

trailer on future productions in favor 

of using the industry film series of shorts 

now being made under the auspices of the 

Academy of Motion Picture Ai-ts and Sciences, 

according to Maurice Bergman, chaimian of 

the comniittee. 

The committee decided these shorts are 

the best medium for telling the good story 

of filmdom on theatre screens after reading 

the scripts of the first two of the series, 

"Let's Go to the Movies" and "The Theatre 

and You." The shorts are being previewed 

by all exhibitor groups, including Theatre 

Owners of America, Allied Exhibitors and 

the Pacific coast conference of Independent 

Theatre Owners, Bergman said. 

In place of preparing an over-all production 

story for radio broadcast, the MPAA 

committee w-ill have the film companies make 

radio platters pointing up cm-rent motion 

pictures, which will be made available to 

exhibitors. 

Bordonaro Verdict vs. RKO 

Is Set Aside by Court 

BUFFALO—Judge Harold P. Burke of U.S. 

district court has set aside a jury verdict 

holding RKO guilty of conspii'ing with Warners 

and Paramount in a triple-damage antitrust 

suit brought by Bordonaro Brothers 

Theatres, Inc., Olean, N. Y. Judge Burke 

granted a motion by RKO to set aside the 

verdict against it, but denied similar motions 

by Paramount and Warners. 

Last January a jury awarded $85,500 in 

damages to the plaintiff, operator of the 

Palace Theatre, Olean. The original complaint 

named seven distributors and charged 

they had conspired to prevent the Palace 

from obtaining first run product in favor of 

the Warner Haven Theatre in Olean. 

Harry Pimstien of the RKO legal department 

and Sidney Pfeifer represented 

RKO. 

New Tax Laws Passed 

In Philadephia Area 

PHILADELPHIA—Amusement taxes are 

still being foisted on theatregoers in the 

Philadelphia area. 

At a stormy three-hour session Wednesday 

night, Conshohocken's borough council voted 

9 to 1 to tax all amusement events in the 

borough, with the exception of those events 

sponsored by churches and educational institutions 

"on their own grounds." The measure, 

which was vigorously opposed down to 

the last moment by the town's theatreowners, 

will become effective June 1. 

Shortly after July 1, theatregoers in upper 

Darby township will be kicking in with five 

cents in additional taxes on every 50-cent 

theatre ticket. The township commissioners 

passed a township amusement tax of one 

cent on every 20 cents of admission price, or 

fraction thereof. This measure comes on top 

of a recently enacted township school tax 

on amusements and sports of one cent on 

each 25 cents of admission price. Adding this 

to the already existing federal amusement 

tax of 20 per cent, a 50-cent theatre ticket will 

cost 65 cents in upper Darby. Theatremen 

there feel that the measure, when it is put 

into effect, will seriously cut their business, 

and state bluntly that the amusement industry 

is carrying a most unfair burden. 

National Screen Workers 

Win SOPEG Wage Raise 

NEW YORK—The Screen Office and Professional 

Employes Guild, Local 109, UOPWA. 

CIO, has won salary increases, through arbitration, 

for the 203 employes of National 

Screen Service. The increases, which range 

from $5 to $7.50, are retroactive to Sept. 27, 

1947. 

This award cleans up the series of arbitrations 

between SOPEG and the industry. The 

other aw'ards were: Loew's-MGM, $5 to $12: 

RKO, $5 to $12; Paramount, $5 to $10: 20th- 

Fox, $5 to 10: Columbia, $6 to $10: Republic, 

$5 to $8, all retroactive to Sept. 27, 1947. and 

United Artists, $6.75 flat, retroactive to May 

31, 1947. 

Jersey Juvenile Bill 

Would Fine Parents 

TRENTON—Assemblyman Stephen J. Bator 

of Maplewood has introduced a bill in the 

state legislature to amend a law, which has 

not been enforced for 15 or 20 years, prohibiting 

children under 14 from attending theatres 

unaccompanied by adults. Bator proposes 

to raise the age to 16 and to fine managers 

$500 or .six months imprisonment or 

both if a child under this age is admitted to 

a show either in the daytime or evening unless 

accompanied by an adult. Essex county 

has been wide awake to delinquency problems 

recently. A.ssemblyman Bator introduced 

the bill in an attempt to throw the 

responsibility selecting shows fit for juveniles 

on the parents. 

Labor Heads Discuss 16mm 

At Film Council Meeting 

NEW YORK—"Films and Labor." first of 

a series of discussions on the use of nontheatrical 

films, was the theme of a conference 

luncheon of the New York Film Council 

at the Williams club May 19. The purpose 

of the meeting was to provide opportunity for 

an exchange of ideas, needs and criticisms 

between labor education leaders, representing 

an organized audience for nontheatrical 

16mm films. 

The guest speakers included Mark Starr, 

educational director of the International 

Ladies Garment Workers union; George T. 

Guernsey, associate director of education of 

the CIO; Leo Nejelski. labor-management 

counselor; Robert Delson, acting chairman. 

National Film Co-Operative, and Albert Hemsing, 

film director. Amalgamated Clothing 

Workers of America. A general discussion 

followed the remarks by the guest speakers. 

The New York Film Council, headed by 

Willard Van Dyke, is an affiliate of the Film 

Council of America, which totals 92 similar 

community organizations in cities and towns 

throughout the United States and Canada. 

Future monthly meetings will be concerned 

with medicine, religion and industry. 

Oscar Blumenthal, 66, Dies 

While on Round of Golf 

WASHINGTON—Oscar Blumenthal, 66, 

retired 

office manager of Columbia Pictui-es, 

died last Saturday while playing golf at the 

Indian Spring Country club, Silver Springs, 

Mo. Blumenthal was born in Germany and 

came to this country in 1907. He was a salesman 

for Universal Pictures in New York for 

about six years and was Washington office 

manager for that company for 19 years before 

he went with Columbia. He retired 

a year ago due to ill health. He was a member 

of Indian Spring and of Hiram Masonic 

Lodge 10. He is survived by his wife, three 

sons, two daughters, two brothers and four 

sisters. 

Park Ave. Sublease Talks 

With Sanders Are Halted 

NEW YORK—Universal-International and 

Nat Sanders, president of English Films, have 

halted negotiations on a deal for Sanders to 

sublease the Park Avenue Theatre. Sanders 

could not confirm at midweek whether he 

would reopen talks with U-I. 

RECEIVES FRENCH 'OSCAR'—While in Paris. Phil Reisman. RKO vice-president 

in charge of foreign distribution, accepted on behalf of Sam Goldwyn the Victoire 

statuette, equivalent of the American Oscar, awarded to "The Best Years of 

Our Lives" as the best foreign picture shown in France during 1947. The award was 

made as the result of a joint vote of the readers of the fan magazine Cinemonde 

and the trade publication Le Film Francais. Photo shows Reisman accepting the 

trophy. Left to right are "Lap" Lapinere, European sales manager for RKO; Mr. 

Bessy, director of the two publications; Phil Reisman. and Wladimir Lissim. RKO 

European general manager. The statuette will be officially presented to Goldwjn in 

Hollywood. 

BOXOFFICE :: May 22, 1948 N 47

, 

'. 

. . William 

. . David 

mm 

BROADWAY 

T^niel T. O'Shea, president of Vanguard 

Films, and Ernest L. Scanlon, vice-president 

and treasurer, are in New York from 

Hollywood for conferences with David O. Selznick. 

Neil Agnew, president of SRO. and Milton 

Kusell. vice-president in charge of domestic 

Edward L. 

and Canadian sales . . . Hyman, vice-president of Paramount Theatres 

Service Corp., will return to New York 

May 24 from a visit to Chicago and Minneapolis 

Jerry Dale, advertising and publicity 

. . . director for the J. Arthur Rank Organization, 

returned aboard the Queen Mary May 

20 after a month in England and France for 

discussions regarding forthcoming product. 

Stanton Griffis was on the same ship. 

Warner Bros, home office executives gave 

a buffet dinner and cocktail party for Jack 

L. Warner jr. at the Warwick hotel May 20 

. . 

to celebrate his forthcoming marriage to 

The 

Barbara Richman of New Haven . 

Eagle Lion softball team again defeated the 

Warner Bros, home office team by a 5-3 

score in a return match May 15 . . Members 

. 

of the trade press received a clever folded 

card which, when opened, displayed two tickets 

entitling the receiver to two drinks at 

New York's Monte Carlo and admitting two 

persons to any showing of "The Time of Your 

Life," the UA release which opens at the 

Arthur I. Weinberg, son 

Mayfair May 26 . . . 

of Lou Weinberg, Coliunbia circuit sales executive, 

has passed his New York state bar 

examination. 

. 

Macdonald Carey, Paramount star, is in 

New York for a two-week vacation William 

Bendix, whose latest film, "The Time of 

Your Life," opens at the Mayfair, is in New 

York to film scenes for his next, "The Babe 

Ruth Story," at Yankee stadium. . . . Adele 

Jergens, who came east to attend the New 

York opening of "The Fuller Bioish Man" at 

Loew's State, is seeing the town and appearing 

on radio shows . . . Mii-iam Hopkins left by 

plane May 19 for Hollywood to appear in 

48 

PLAQUE FOR STAR—Max E. Youngstein, 

vice-president in charge of advertising, 

publicity and exploitation for 

Eagle Lion Films is shown, left, receiving 

a plaque in behalf of Lois Butler, star of 

the picture 

"Mickey," from Phil Willcox, 

director of motion picture relations for 

Variety magazine. The citation states, 

"Miss Butler's charm and personality 

typify 

the true American girl." 

"The Heiress," her first film appearance since 

1944 . . . Irene Dunne and her husband. Dr. 

Francis Griffith; Luana Patten, young RKO- 

Disney star, and Jacqueline De Witt, are all 

guests at the Waldorf-Astoria. Miss De Witt 

was featured in "Weekend at the Waldorf." 

Norton Ritchey, Monogram-Allied Artists 

International president, has returned to New 

. . . Paul 

York from a trip to London and the Continent 

. Satori, Allied Artists Monogram 

European manager, is back at the home 

office from a Pittsburgh vacation 

. 

Hollister, RKO national publicity director, 

is back from a west coast trip . . Barney 

. 

Balaban. president of Paramount, flffw to 

Hollywood May 17 for conferences with Henry 

Ginsberg, vice-president in charge of production. 

Ed Weisl, attorney, accompanied Balaban 

A. Lipton, Universal-International 

studio coordinator of advertising 

and promotion, has arrived from Hollywood 

to map advertising campaigns on forthcoming 

releases. 

Samuel N. Burger, sales manager of Loew's 

International Corp., and David Lewis, regional 

director of Continental Europe, North 

Africa and the Middle East have returned 

to New York from Paris. Burger toured the 

MGM European branches for three months, 

Lewis has been abroad for the past eight 

months . . . Budd Rogers, Realart vice-president, 

is on a two-week tour of the southern 

and midwestern exchanges including Chicago, 

Atlanta, New Orleans, Dallas, Oklahoma, 

Kansas City, St. Louis, Cincinnati and Pittsbui-gh 

. . . George Chasanas, MGM manager 

for Egypt and the Near East, and Jack Guggenheim, 

manager for Switzerland, are in 

New York for conferences with home office 

executives of Loew's International. 

Michael Havas, recently appointed RKO 

supervisor of Latin America, has left for his 

new headquarters in Buenos Aires . . E. Z. 

. 

Walters, Altec Service controller, is in New 

York from the coast . . . Edwin Knopf, MGM 

producer, Spencer Tracy and Deborah Kerr, 

and Howard Strickling, in charge of MGM 

publicity, sailed on the Queen Mary for England 

May 21 to start work on "Edward, My 

Son." George Cukor, who will direct the film, 

left by plane May 18. 

New Sponsors for Benefit 

Opening at UA's 'Time' 

NEW YORK—Twenty new sponsors are 

participating in the benefit opening of "The 

Time of Your Life" (UA) at the Mayfair 

Theatre May 26. Proceeds will go to the 

Wiltwyck School for Boys. Alfred Gwynne 

Vanderbilt is general chairman of the fund 

campaign to raise $1,000,000 for the school 

over a three-year period. 

The new sponsors are Mrs. Harvey Dow 

Gibson, Mrs. Wilton Lloyd-Smith, Mrs. Wolcott 

Blair, Mrs. C. Alfred Capen, Mrs. Desmond 

Fitzgerald, Mrs. John Hersey, Mrs. 

Maurice T. Moore, Mrs. Victor Knauth, Mrs. 

Paul Tison, Mrs. Ronald Macdonald, Mrs. 

Carroll Carstairs, Mrs. William F. Paley, Mrs. 

Constance Woodward, Countess Molteke, 

Helen Hayes, Miss Margaret Cose, Miss Jessica 

Tandy and Henry Fonda, Louise Calhern 

and Maurice Evans. 

UA Members Switch |p 

Union Affiliation 

NEW YORK—A number of 

United Artists 

home office workers have resigned from the 

CIO's SOPEG, and have joined lATSE because 

of a dispute over the Taft-Hartley law. 

The lATSE said that a majority of the 140 

UA white collar workers have signed with 

Motion Picture Home Office Employes Local 

H63. The reasons given by UA workers for 

the shift were that SOPEG has refused to 

file an affidavit as required by the Taft- 

Hartley law certifying that none of its officers 

is a Communist, and that failure to 

file has "deprived SOPEG and its members 

of NLRB advantages," and that during the 

last two years "SOPEG has appeared more 

interested in spreading political propaganda 

than in advancing the cause of trade 

unionism." 

SOPEG has been negotiating with UA 

since May 6 for a 25 per cent wage increase. 

Its contract with the company will expire 

May 31. The union has represented UA home 

office workers since 1942. It also represents 

the office workers at the UA exchange. The 

latter are not involved in this split. SOPEG 

says home office talks will continue. 

SOPEG has contracts with all home offices 

except Warners and Universal-International, 

and also with the Columbia, Twentieth-Pox 

and MGM exchanges. Total membership is 

about 3,000. 

Local H63 has contracts with the Warner 

and U-I home offices. Paramount, Universal 

and News of the Day newsreels, Ace, Pathe 

and Consolidated laboratories. Membership 

is 1,500. 

UOPWA Pledges Support 

Of SOPEG, SPG Locals 

NEW YORK—The United Office & Professional 

Workers of America, CIO, has 

pledged financial support to the forthcoming 

negotiations between the motion picture 

industry and Screen Office & Professional 

Employes Guild, Local 109, and Screen Publicists 

Guild, Local 114. 

James H. Durkin, UOPWA president. Who 

presided at a conference of the screen locals, 

reaffirmed the decision of the 1948 convention 

that reliance upon the NLRB would be 

detrimental to the interests of the film office 

employes. Panel discussions considered contract 

proposals and discussed grievances, organizations 

and political action. 

Leonard B. Boudin, UOPWA attorney, spoke 

on the Taft-Hartley act. The 150 delegates 

attending the conference unanimously voted 

to send wires to Congress protesting the 

Mundt bill. 

Durbin Film Set for B'way 

NEW YORK—"Up in Central Park," U-I 

musical starring Deanna Durbin, Dick 

Haymes and Vincent Price, will open at Loew's 

Criterion May 26 following "The Big City." 

NEW MIRROPHONIC SOUND 

JOE HORNSTEIN, Inc. 

630 Ninth Ave.. New York City 

BOXOFFICE : : May 

22, 1948

Most Drive-ins 

in USA 

Equip 

with 

RCA 

Word has spread throughout the nation that RCA 

Drive-In Equipment performs dependably, night after 

night. That's why leading drive-in owners use RCA 

equipment all the way. 

This country-wide acclaim is 

the natural reaction to 

products of superior quality— RCA In-Car Speakers, 

RCA Sound Systems, Famous Brenkert Projectors and 

Arc Lamps and Power Supplies of proved merit. 

r|«;M

. . The 

. . The 

. . . Two 

. . Moe 

— 

: May 

^r 

Along New York's Film 

CEYMOUR FLORIN, 20th-Fox branch 

manager, will be handling the metropolitan 

distribution of the TOA short on juvenile 

delinquency, "Report for Action." The tworeeler 

was produced here by RKO and will 

be distributed nationally by 20th-Fox. The 

short will tie in with the Department of 

Justice youth program and TOA Youth 

Month, which has been set for September . . . 

Fred J. Schwartz of Century Theatres and 

Maury Miller of the Harry Hecht circuit will 

forward exhibitor requests for the film to the 

20th-Fox exchange . short will be 

shown during non-operating hours for welfare, 

religious and juvenile delinquency organizations. 

Deon De Titta. chief projectionist for 20th- 

Fox, has been named treasurer of the Family 

Club. He succeeded Ted A. Shaw, who 

had been reelected but decided not to take 

De Titta was treasurer of the old 

office . . . 

Fox Club 20 years ago. He has been with the 

The Family Club will hold 

firm 30 years . . . 

its annual Bear Mountain boat ride June 16; 

the annual party will take place May 26. 

By WALTER WALDMAN 

. . . 

Phil Hodes, RKO branch manager, is back 

at work. He was away for one month because 

of illness . . . National Screen Service held 

its third annual sports dinner last Friday, 

May 21, at the Ding Ho restaurant. Trophies 

were presented for bowling and ping pong 

The Windsor Theatre on Grand street 

is now playing Spanish pictures Tuesdays 

and Wednesdays. Harold Foima. booker and 

buyer, said the house will soon start showing 

Italian and Jewish films on Thursdays 

and Fridays. American product will continue 

to be shown weekends . house went 

foreign this spring for the first time in its 

40-year history. 

Myron Feltheimer, manager of the RKO 

Shore Road, Brooklyn, won the stunt-of-themonth 

showmanship April award for New 

York City managers. He received a $25 check 

and showmanship certificate from Sol A. 

Schwartz, vice-president and general manager 

Sam Baker will play 

of the circuit . . . "Silence Is Golden" at the 55th Street Playhouse 

May 28. When the film was shown at 

the Bijou Theatre last winter, it was called 

Features • Serials 

Westerns 

* * * 

KAY FILM 

EXCHANGES 

912 Third St., N. W. Washington. D. C. 

CLASS DISTRIBUTION FOR 

THE ENTIRE SOUTH — thru 

•f 

(JOHN) O T^ (O. K.) 

J ENKINS &BOURGEOIS 

ASTOR PICTURES COMPANY 

HARWOOD i JACKSON STS.. DALLAS 1. TEX. 

"Man About Town.' 

the star. 

Row 

Maurice Chevalier is 

. . 

Paul Goldman, who books for colleges and 

institutions, has written a book, "Cavalcade 

of the Talkies." It is a history of the film 

industry from 1929 to 1938 . . . Sam Rinzler, 

Randforce chief, is due back any day from 

Saratoga, where he has been vacationing 

other Randforce representatives 

Harold Rinzler and Irving Kaplan—were 

Filmrow visitors . . Hospitalized: Henry 

. 

Unger and Pete Fishman of the 20th-Fox 

booking department . Recuperating; Aixliie 

Berish, head booker for Warners . . . Gus 

Solomon, sales supervisor, will return from 

his Virginia vacation May 24 . . . Morty 

Meyer of the NSS accounting department expects 

to take a leave of absence soon. 

Dave Burkan, UA salesman, visited upstate 

accounts to line up summer playdates . . . 

Blanche Healey, secretary to Jack Ellis, UA 

district manager, went to Florida for a va- 

. 

Lou Solkoff of Bell Pictures is 

cation . . . 

the rather of a baby girl . . . Walter Klee, 

who operates a film editing service at 723 

Seventh Ave., marked his first anniversary 

at that address Kurtz, 20th-Fox 

sales supervisor, is in Canada vacationing. 

Sonny Liggett of the Liggett-Steifel booking 

office walking with a limp after catching 

a wheelbarrow on his foot . . . James Loeb 

has joined the concessions department of 

Walter Reade Theatres. 

Eagle Lion Publicists 

To Get SPG Pay Raise 

NEW YORK—Representatives of Eagle 

Lion and the Screen Publicists Guild, Local 

114, UOPWA, CIO, have agreed on a pay 

raise for EL publicity, exploitation and advertising 

employes under the wage reopening 

clause of the company's contract with 

the union. Pay disputes at other companies 

are still awaiting decision by impartial arbitrators 

following the failure of the companies 

and the union to effect a settlement. 

The pay increases, which are retroactive 

to Nov. 18, 1947, are: Senior publicists, $20; 

publicists, $15; associate publicists, $10; apprentices, 

$5.50. 

Warner Theatre Is Closed 

After 6-Week Davis Run 

NEW YORK—The Warner Theatre closed 

May 16 after a six-week run of "Winter 

Meeting," starring Bette Davis, which slid 

down to poor business during the final weeks. 

This is the first dark period in several years 

for the Warner Bros, house, the name of 

which was changed from the Hollywood in 

August 1947. 

Reports that "Sleepy Hollow," a new stage 

mu.sical headed for Broadway, would be 

booked into the Warner could not be confirmed 

early in the week. The Hollywood 

played several stage musicals dui'ijig the late 

1930's. 

To Broadcast News 

From Pit in Albany 

ALBANY—Warners Strand is becoming 

the first theatre in this section to have a 

radio hookup for one-minute news summaries. 

Station WABY, located on the second 

and third floors of the theatre buildiirg, has 

installed a booth in the pit from which an 

announcer will read news roundups three 

times daily. They will be heard by the theatre 

audience as well as by outside listeners. 

Manager Al LaFlamme plans to spot the summaries 

immediately following the newsreel. 

They probably will be given once in the 

afternoon and twice at night. A screen "snipe" 

will call attention to the fact WABY is 

broadcasting. 

Maintains Decree Forces 

Scophony-Para Splitup 

NEW YORK—Arthur Levey, president of 

Scophony Coi-p. of America, takes exception 

to an article which appeared in the May 15 

issue of BOXOFFICE in which Paul Raibourn 

was quoted as saying Paramount and 

General Pi'ecision Equipment Corp. were 

ready to pull out of Scophony. 

"They have no choice," says Levey, "because 

that is what the Department of Justice 

has been demanding and the withdrawal 

is required by the terms of a consent decree 

now awaiting the signature of Scophony 

Corp., Ltd., of Great Britain." Under the 

terms of this agreement, Levey states, GPE 

and Paramount will receive credits on patent 

royalties until they have been paid back the 

full amoimt of their investment in SCA. 

Levey also took exception to a statement 

that Adolph Rosenthal is suing for return 

of his patents. Under the terms of Rosenthal's 

contract with SCA, Levey declares, 

any disagreement which might arise would 

be referred to the American Arbitration 

Ass'n. This has been done. 

RKO Starts 6-Week Series 

Of Saturday Kid Shows 

NEW YORK—RKO Theatres has started a 

six-week series of special shorts on Saturdays 

for yoimgsters at S4 neighborhood houses in 

Manhattan, Brooklyn. Bronx, Westchester and 

Queens. The shorts programs are called Happiness 

Shows and run about an hour. The 

first program included two western tworeelers. 

The majority of houses run the special 

program during the first show on Saturday 

afternoon. 

No special ticket is required. Free gifts like 

comic books are given to each youngster attending. 

The second Happiness Show consisted 

of mystery and sports reels and will 

be followed by all-cartoon, adventui'e and 

tlii'ill, fun frolic and all-Disney programs. 

ROADSHOW PROJECTION 

16 MM 35 MM 

THE HARVEY WILLIAM CO. 

Box 1188, Flainiield, N. J. 

Plainlield 8-1763 

"Voice ol Theatre Speakers" 

JOE HORNSTEIN has them! 

50 BOXOFFICE 

: 

22, 1948

PHILADELPHIA 

ping Crosby slipped into town on an unpublicized 

visit last weekend, and the female 

help at the staid Curtis Publishing Co. 

is still trying to climb out of an ecstatic 

tizzy. He came in to receive the award of a 

17th Century grandfather's clock, after Country 

Gentleman's rural motion picture poll 

named him the best actor of 1947. Bing. who 

won the award for the third year in a row, 

looked inside the clock and quipped, "There 

ought to be a plaque inside here to show 

I've won three legs on this thing and now I 

can keep it." Robert H. Reed, editor, made 

the presentation. 

To create authentic atmosphere at the 

Capitol for the local premiere of "Gaslight 

Follies," the management wanted a couple 

of genuine, pre-1910 mutascope machines. 

They're the old penny arcade gadgetsput 

a penny in tlie slot, turn the crank and a 

wheel of cards spins creating an illusion of 

moving pictures. Tliey had to chase all the 

way out to Cleveland to get a couple of the 

contraptions. They are vintage 1907, with 

"movies" starring Fatty Arbuckle and Larry 

Semon on them. Going all out, the Capitol 

came up with a free lunch counter (pretzels 

and coke) as well as a singing waiter for the 

premiere. Both the lobby and the outside of 

the theatre were fixed up with oldtime displays 

well worth the price of admission. Old 

favorites in the film itself include Mary 

Pickford, Wallace Reid, Clara Bow, Mabel 

Normand and 'William S. Hart. 

Attacks on 'Curtain Boomerang; 

Philadelphia Leftists Lay Off 

PHILADELPHIA—Contrary to the action 

taken in a great many other cities in the 

comitry, Philadelphia left wing groups have 

adopted the policy of "ignoring" the local 

showing of "The Iron Ciu-tain." which opened 

extremely well this week at the Fox Theatre. 

Perhaps taking their cue from unsuccessful 

picketing of films they objected to by Catholic 

groups, local left-wingers' spokesmen said 

they feel the effect of picket lines, placards 

and demonstrations is simply to arouse enough 

ciu-iosity among theatregoers to greatly increase 

the boxoffice returns. 

Police details have been posted in front of 

the Fox, and have been held in readiness at 

nearby strategic locations, but nothing has 

'Fanny' in 15 N.Y. Houses 

occurred. The only indication of the film's 

meeting with any sort of di.sfavor has been 

a handful of letters sent to the Fox management 

claiming that the showing of a film 

such as "The Iron Curtain" is "warmongering." 

NEW YORK—"Fanny," the Siritzky International 

release, is the first foreign film to 

get 15 simultaneous bookings in neighborhood 

houses immediately following the first 

run. The theatres include the Tivoli, 'Vogue, 

Parkside, Hopkinson and Irving Place. 

A couple of "new 'Vine Streeters" were reported 

last week—a son for Jerry Levy of 

the Columhia accounting department and a 

daughter for Lou Fortunate, Paramount 

booker. The latter lassie is a granddaughter 

of Ferd Fortunate, U-I booker ... A $5,000,- 

000 building project is scheduled to get under 

way soon in Drexel Hill, with a theatre, 50 

stores and a supermarket. 

Sick last week: Lee Klein, manager of the 

Orpheum: Jim Flynn. Republic booker; I. 

Yaffe, Unique Theatre; 'Walt Donahue, Columbia 

office manager; Ben Fletcher, Columbia 

salesman: Mike Lessy, retired theatre 

owner; Claire Happ, Stanley-'Warner telephone 

operator, and Florence 'Weiner, Film 

Classics office manager and booker. 

There was quite a fracas at the Southern 

Theatre 'Wednesday: the screen was suddenly 

afflicted with a rash of spots. About 20 

of the 200 patrons thought the spots were 

flames, fled the theatre and called firemen. 

Two fire companies came on the run, found 

the show going on as usual, and no spots. 

Manager Robert Shrapaty told firemen and 

patrons the rash was caused by dust from 

the air conditioning unit, which had been 

turned on that evening for the first time this 

year. Unusual reflection of light gave dust 

particles an eerie 

look. 

Ilka Chase and Robert Alda, stars of a 

stage show here, will be guests at the annual 

show given by Lincoln Prep's dramatic group 

Junior star Margaret O'Brien 

May 27 . . . 

will be in town over the weekend with her 

mother to talk to Lippincott's about publishing 

her diary. 

Character Actress in 'My Dream' 

Character actress Iris Adrain has been 

ticketed for a role in 'Warners' "My Dream 

Is Yours." 

SIT IN ON SALES HUDDLES—Members of three of Paramount's eastern exchange 

staffs are pictured here during the recent sales conferences in New York. Left 

to right they are: Top, Phil Isaacs, Nat Stern, Henry Randel, Myron Sattler, Eddie 

Bell, Gene Ne^vman and J. Perley, New York; center. Ed Wall. James Moore, Ed Ruff 

and Peter Holman, Albany; bottom, M. Simon, John Good, Richard Carroll and 

M. A. Brown, Buffalo. 

BOXOFFICE ; 

: May 

22, 1948 51

. . . Jack 

. . The 

— 

— 

ALBANY 

•Phe recent appearance of Don McNeill's 

Breakfast Club radio program on the 

Palace stage attracted women as early as 

7:30 a. m., according to Gene Ganott, assistant 

manager. Ganott and Bill With, also 

an assistant, reported at that hour, with a 

crew of 12 ushers. When the doors were 

swung at 8:30. the queues stretched around 

to the Pearl street side of the big theatre, 

and there was a rush to enter, although the 

show did not begin until 10 o'clock, Ganott 

reported that letters seeking tickets came to 

the theatre from as far distant as Buffalo 

and Boston. The Junior Chamber of Commerce 

sponsored the show, which grossed 

$7,000 at $1.20 and $2.40. 

Malcolm Atterburj-, closing a 26-week stock 

season at the Playhouse, said he would reopen 

the theatre in October. Atterbury added 

eight weeks to the scheduled 16 because of 

the enthusiastic response to the revival of 

stage shows. All plays except the final one, 

"The Glass Managerie," ran two weeks. Atterbury 

may keep them on only a week next 

season. Atterbury is the son of the late president 

of the Pennsylvania railroad. 

"The Iron Curtain" had 12 bookings in 

this exchange district on the national release 

date or within the next two days. Mi-s. 

Margaret Buckley of the General Stark, Bennington, 

Vt., was one of the exhibitors who 

attended the tradescreening here a few weeks 

ago. 

Jim Morgan, manager of Warners' Delaware, 

is the father of a baby daughter, their 

Drive-in business this spring 

first child . . . 

has been "about the same" as last year, according 

to Neil Hellman, manager of four 

large Pabian-Hellman openairers. "It depends 

chiefly upon the weather," reported Neil. 

Hellman, who hopped to Philadelphia for a 

check of the F-H situation there, said the 

"Mystery Voice" singer, to be chosen for disk 

jockey duty at the Mohawk Drive-In on the 

Albany-Schenectady road, would work "under 

cover" for six weeks and then would 

spin the platters from a visible glass booth 

near the large refreshment stand. The girl 

with "the golden voice" will do a half-hour 

stint before the first performance and another 

spot between shows. "I think the idea 

will prove popular," said Hellman. 

Frank Wenz resigned as assistant manager 

of the Ritz after sei-ving for two weeks 

Lament, former assistant at the 

Ritz, called at the Warner contact offices 

to renew acquaintances. Jack, younger 

brother of Variety Club Chief Barker Harry, 

is now a salesman for wholesale grocer . . . 

Proceeds from the third annual Times-Union 

teen-age dance and band contest in the 

State armory will be turned over to a youth 

welfare fund, administered by a committee 

of prominent Albanians which includes C. J. 

Latta, zone manager for Warner Theatres. 

Helen Davis, switchboard operator in the 

Warner Theatres office, received condolences 

on the death of a brother . Knickerbocker 

News printed a fine picture of Manager 

Al LaFlamme and doorman Ed Foley 

with 13 contestants in the paper's spelling 

contest who attended a theatre party at the 

Strand. 

THE IDEAL THEATRE CHAIRS 

JOE HORNSTEIN has them 

B'way Grosses Drop; 

'Will It Happen' High 

NEW YORK—Rainy weekend weather hurt 

business at most first run houses along Broadway. 

Business at many of these spots was 

already below average because attractions 

were nearing the end of long runs. Leading 

the field was "Will It Happen Again?" the 

Film Classics exploitation picture which packed 

the .small Rialto during its first week. "The 

Iron Curtain," aided by front page stories of 

Roxy picketing, did good business in its first 

week, and "Homecoming" held up well at the 

Capitol in its third stanza. 

The six American pictures that opened 

during the week were; "Another Part of the 

Forest" at the Rivoli, "The 'Sainted' Sisters" 

at the Paramount, "The Pirate" at the Radio 

City Music Hall, "Berlin Express" at the 

Victoria, "River Lady" at the Winter Garden 

and "Silver River" at the Strand. 

(Average Is 100) 

Astor Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House 

(RKO), 8th wk 70 

Capitol Homecoming (MGM), plus stage show, 

3rd wk 125 

Criterion—Big City (MGM) 100 

Globe—Arch oi Triumph (UA), 4th wk 110 

Gotham—A Night ot the Opera (MGM), reissue.... 105 

Loews Sate The Fuller Brush Man (Col) 95 

Maylair Gentleman's Agreement (20th-Fox), 27th 

wk 50 

Paramount—The Big Clock (Para), plus stage 

show, 4th wk 80 

Pork Avenue The Mikado (U-I), 5th wk 45 

Radio City Music Hall—State of the Union (MGM), 

plus stage show, 4th wk 80 

Rialto—Will It Happen Again? (FC) 200 

Rivoli Letter Irom an Unknown Woman (U-I), 

3rd wk _ 75 

Roxy—The Iron Curtain (20th-Fox), plus stage 

show 120 

Strand—The Woman in White (WB), plus stage 

show, 2nd wk 70 

Sutton—The Brothers (U-I), 2nd wk 105 

Victoria—The Search (MGM), 8th wk 65 

Winter Garden—Dear Murderer (U-I), 2nd wk 50 

Philadelphia Trade Looks Up 

With Three Newcomers 

PHILADELPHIA—Things looked up a bit, 

with three newcomers opening strongly and 

two of the holdover crop also getting good 

play. Top doUar went to the Stanley and 

"Homecoming." "Mourning Becomes Electra," 

despite not-so-hot reviews and advanced 

prices, and "The Iron Curtain," despite controversy 

it has aroused in so many other 

cities, were the other strong openers. "State 

of the Union" and "Arch of Triumph" were 

doing best in the holdover field. 

Aldine Mourning Becomes Electra (RKO) 

(No average because ot increased prices) 

Arcadia—B. F.'s Daughter (MGM), 2nd run 85 

Boyd—Arch of Triumph (UA), 2nd wk 160 

Earle—To the Ends of the Earth (Col), 2nd wk 105 

Fox—The Iron Curtain (20th-Fox) 150 

Goldman—State of the Union (MGM), 3rd wk 130 

Erlanger I Remember Mama (RKO), 6th wk 65 

Karlton Lady From Shanghai (Col) 140 

Keith—Sitting Pretty (20th-Fox), 2nd run 140 

Mastbaum—Casbah (U-I) 110 

.•. 

Pix—The Flame (Rep) 80 

Stanley Homecoming (MGM) 195 

Stanton—Valley of the Giants (WB), Fighting 69lh 

(WB), reissues 100 

'Mating' Leads Baltimore, 

Tort Apache' Still Standing 

BALTIMORE — With weather undecided, 

business was good all around town. "The 

Mating of Millie" led, with "Fort Apache" 

strong in its second week. "The Iron Curtain" 

caused no furor and continued at an average 

pace. 

Century—Duel in the Sun (SRO) 100 

Hippodrome The Mating of Millie (Col) 125 

Mayfair Enchanted Valley (Mono), plus stage 

show 95 

Town—Fort Apache (RKO), 2nd wk 110 

New—The Iron Curtain (20th-Fox) 100 

Keiths—All My Sons (U-I), 2nd wk 95 

Stanley-Fighting 69th (WB) „ 110 

HARRISBURG 

John Sites, manager of the Elton and Strand 

* in Steelton, recently employed James Smith, 

Sam Borota and John Szoboscan as Strand 

ushers. Joseph Chambers is now house manager 

of the Strand. Sites has instituted a 

policy of alternating cartoons and westerns 

to augment the regular features on Saturdays 

at the Strand to attract the youngsters. 

The Paramount, Mechanicsburg, closed 

since the new Valle in that town opened, 

will be used Saturday nights for westerns, 

Bob Handley, official of the Yost circuit, said. 

His mother, Mrs. Anna Handley, runs both 

houses and reports excellent response to the 

Valle which opened in mid-April. The first 

of the Saturday shows at the old Paramount 

did fairly well, they said. 

Sam Oilman's use of the new advertising 

medium, printed Scotch tape, has brought on 

a wave of interest by exhibitors throughout 

the country, Harrisburg representative, Joe 

Salinger, reports. He said orders have been 

received from all parts of the country for the 

rolls of tape which can be imprinted with any 

advertising matter and pictures, and pasted 

on almost any conceivable surface without 

harm, Gilman, manager of Loew's Regent, 

was the first to use it, for "Tarzan's Secret 

Treasm-e." 

Spike Todorov, assistant manager of the 

State, worked up a series of displays for 

"Lady From Shanghai." They included moving 

the two life-size blowups of Rita Hayworth 

from the lobby to the Caplan store 

and to the Joe Freedman mmic store. The 

Caplan display measured 16x4 feet. 

Scores of calls were received by WKBO 

and the State Theatre as a result of the radio 

promotion of "The Woman in White" over 

Pete Wambach's disk jockey show. Using 

the Warner transcription, the promotion is 

of the mysterious ghost woman who appears 

and disappears despite the myriad of traps 

and devices supposedly set up in the studio 

to catch her. 

There's nothing like the opposition lending 

a hand to the other fellow's business, say 

Harrisburg exhibitors after they admit, "Now 

we've seen everything." It all happened when 

Bob Sidman, manager of the Senate, ran a 

sizeable ad in the Patriot and the Evening 

News, urging patrons, "See 'The Fugitive,' 

then go see our friendly competitor's 'The 

Iron Curtain.' " The latter was plajing at 

the Colonial, where Jack O'Rear is manager 

. . Incidentally O'Rear wasn't at all peeved 

with the front page news stories on the rioting 

and picketing in New York for opening 

day of "The Iron Curtain" here. That, plus 

Sidman's boost, plus the excellent word-ofmouth, 

gave the Colonial an excellent opening. 

At the Senate, incidentally, Sidman enlisted 

the aid of Catholic high school students 

in selling tickets for "The Fugitive," 

Betty Lou Steinmueller, designated last year 

as "Miss Greater Harrisbui-g" in the Miss 

America contest from the State stage, reigned 

until her successor was chosen in a four-hourlong 

competition from the stage of the Forum 

last week. Miss Steinmueller is secretary to 

E. G. Wollaston, Fabian city manager. At the 

close of this year's bathing beauty contest 

the 1947 winner crowned the new queen, 

Dorothy Critchely. 


. . 

" 

WASHINGTON 

/^harles Schlaifer, head of advertising and 

publicity for 20t.li-Fox, spoke at a luncheon 

of the Advertising club of Washington 

May 18. On the dais were Anthony Muto, 

Glenn Norris, John O'Leary and Carter Barron. 

Also in attendance were Prank Boucher, 

Vic Orsinger, Jack Foxe, Jack Fi-uchtman, 

Henry Hiser, Fred Klein and Bill Michalson. 

The Variety Club held its annual Mother's 

day luncheon May 17 in the Shoreham with 

an attendance of over 350. Luncheon was 

sponsored by the associate members, headed 

by Dr. Sylvan Danzansky, Harry Coonin and 

Wade Pearson. Mother of the day was Mrs. 

Fred Vinson, wife of the chief justice of the 

U.S., with little Margaret O'Brien guest of 

honor. Orchids were presented to the mother 

of the youngest baby, Mrs. Jerry Adams, and 

Mrs. Brylawski again received the orchid for 

being the oldest mother present. 

Margaret O'Brien, accompanied by her 

mother, spent a busy week in Washington. 

On Monday, at 11:30, she visited the Washington 

chest x-ray survey unit. At 7:30 p. m. 

she appeared at Sylvan Theatre on the Washington 

Monument grounds to participate in 

a program inaugurating the Washington area 

Crusade for Children. A citation recognizing 

her participation in the Buddy Poppy campaign 

of the Veterans of Foreign Wars was 

presented to her at the beginning of the program 

by George Ijams, VFW welfare director. 

Sharing young Miss O'Brien's status as guest 

of honor were two Italian children, Rosetta 

and Vitorio Leonardi, a brother and sister 

brought to the U.S. to take part in the appeal. 

10-year-old star also met the Presi- 

The little 

dent. 

Dean Davis is the new Washington Daily 

News drama critic, succeeding Tom Donnelly, 

who is now writing special features for that 

Joe Grant came in from 

newspaper , . . 

Baltimore to book. Glad to see him up and 

around again after his long illness . . . Bob 

Saunders is opening the Greenacres Auto 

Theatre, Newport News, Va., this month. 

New open air theatre will accommodate 350 

Screen Guild's new telephone number 

cars . . . 

is Sterling 

6762. 

Herman Rubin came in from Petersburg, 

Va., for one of his rare visits. He was en 

route to Newark to visit his daughter and 

son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Savel . 

Messrs. Thalhimer and Bendheim came in 

from Richmond to confer with Neighborhood 

Theatres city manager Wade Pearson. Also 

in town from the Neighborhood circuit were 

bookers Ivan Rosenbaimi and Alex Ravdin 

. . . Betty Hoover is back at Monogram. 

Warner Theatres: Charles McGowan, head 

of the contact department, and Frank La 

Falce, director of publicity and advertising, 

made a three-day tour of the Warner theatres 

in Virginia, discussing problems and 

policy with Lamar Keen of the Capitol in 

Winchester, Charles McKinney of the Masonic 

and Ridge in Clifton Forge, Henry 

Clark of the Virginia in Harrisonburg, Prank 

Shaffer and Edward Purcell of the Dixie and 

Strand, respectively, in Staimton, and Ralph 

Daves of the State and Lyric theatres in 

Lexington. 

Happy birthday to Variety Club barkers 

Herbert Sauber, Marvin Goldman, Joseph 

Danzansky and Matt Windsor, who celebrated 

birthdays this week. 

WPIX Buys Trailers 

For 24 Korda Films 

NEW YORK—Regular motion picture 

trailers will be used for the first time on television 

by the 15 stations which have bought 

rights to 24 Korda features from WPIX, the 

Daily News television station which will go 

on the air June 15. The trailers have been 

secured by James S. PoUak. manager of the 

WPIX film department, from National Screen 

Service, which originally made them for 

Korda. They have been reduced to 16mm. 

The stations, which have exclusive rights 

to the films and trailers in their areas, are: 

WGN, Chicago: WBZ. Boston: WWJ, Detroit; 

WMAR, Baltimore: WFIL, Philadelphia: 

WTMJ. Milwaukee: WBEN. Buffalo; 

WMAL, Washington: KSTP, Minneapolis; 

KTLA, Los Angeles: WEWS, Cleveland: 

WBAP, Fort Worth; WHIO, Dayton; WSB, 

Atlanta, and WPIX, New York. 

E. H. Dreylinger Managing 

Drive-In at Richmond 

RICHMOND — E. H. Dreylinger, former 

Wilby-Kincey circuit manager in Charlotte, 

has been made manager of the Broadway 

Open Air Theatre here. He also is doing the 

booking and buying. The theatre is owned 

by J. H. Groh. One of Dreylinger's first 

moves in taking over the local assignment 

was to invite 750 families living in new housing 

developments nearby to be his guests at 

the theatre as a means of getting acquainted. 

To promote the short, "Devil on Wheels," he 

sent a letter to parents in the area listing 

a series of questions on traffic safety. "If 

you cannot answer these questions truthfully," 

he concluded in the letter, "don't miss 

'Devil on Wheels.' 

William Scully to Attend 

Opening of U-I Exchange 

PHILADELPHIA—William A. Scully, Universal-International 

vice-president and general 

sales manager, will head a delegation of 

home office representatives who will attend 

the opening of the new Philadelphia exchange 

May 24. The Philadelphia exchange is the 

second of four new Universal exchanges. A 

new Chicago exchange opened in February 

and exchanges in Buffalo and Milwaukee 

will be opened shortly. 

MGM's Story Dep't Head 

Gets Contract Renewal 

NEW YORK—MGM has renewed the contract 

of Mrs. Carol Brandt, head of the eastern 

story department, for two years. The 

original three-year contract would have expired 

July 1. 1948. Mrs. Brandt is the wife 

of Carl Brandt, head of Brandt & Brandt, 

literary agency. She is currently on the west 

coast conferring with MGM studio officials 

about storj' properties for 1948-49 productions. 

Foreign Opening Put Off 

NEW YORK—The opening of the Paris 

Theatre, now under construction at Pour 

West 58th Street, has been postponed until 

September. The theatre is to be the first of 

a chain to be established in this country by 

Pathe Cinema of France. "Symphonie Pastoral" 

will be the first attraction. 

RICHMOND 

Dob Egan booked "Dagmar and his Oriental 

Harem" into the National as a stage attraction 

for the week starting May 27 . . 

. 

Charlie Hulbert. manager at the Colonial, 

is preparing to build a home. When the 

project is completed he will be a neighbor 

of Brookland Manager Allen Brown. 

Floyd Stawls has placed trailers announcing 

the Bellwood Drive-In on the 

screens of all local Fabian and Neighborhood 

theatres in Richmond, Petersburg and Hopewell. 

The theatre is expected to open about 

June 1 . . . Bernard Floyd is back at the 

Grand as popcorn attendant. He replaces 

Bob Loehr who resigned. Donald Cyrus, another 

addition to the Grand staff, replaced 

Billy McCormack. Walter Allen, candy attendant 

at the same theatre, has been ill. 

WRVA's Manager Jack Stone booked in a 

reissue of "The Adventures of Marco Polo" 

playing May 19-22. Joe Bocardi and "Rabbitt" 

Estes doubled between the State and 

WRVA booth . . . Gov. William Tuck found 

filmmaking a pretty exasperating task. The 

governor delivered a speech on the steps of 

the state capitol for the film cameras of 

the Department of Education. Several takes 

were necessary to cope with interruptions 

from noisy birds, curious passersby and the 

actor's own bug-a-boo-muffing lines. 

Local Neighborhood circuit houses used 

teaser trailers to plug "The Iron Curtain" 

engagement at the Byrd and State. Advertising 

Manager Dave Kamsky took advantage 

of the front page news which this 

picture made in its New York opening for 

his front displays at the Byrd and State. 

He used blowups of news articles telling of 

the picketing in front of the New York 

Roxy . . . Thalhimer's soup bar is fast becoming 

a rendezvous for local theatremen 

to meet for lunch. 

Bernard McCann filled in for William 

Fox in the East End booth, so that Fox 

could take a trip to Bowling Green . 

bert Martin is operating the 

. . Gil- 

projection machine 

in Thalhimer's "Storevision" setup. 

Television receivers are strategically spotted 

in the department store which televises entertainment 

and sales messages. 

THREE 

NEW YORK 

245 w.i» 

55»hSf. 

BEST IN QUALITY 

FILMACK 

Special 

iiLMMli-' 

BEST IN SERVICE 

COMPLETELY EQUIPPED PLANTS 

LOS ANGELES 

1574 W. 

Waahingfon 

CHICAGO 

1327 S. 

WolMih 

Gulistcm Wilton Theatre Carpet 

JOE HORNSTEIN has it ! 

BOXOFTICE : 

: May 

22, 1948 53

. 

Sees Tele Film Output 

Beating Theatrical 

NEW YORK—Production of films for television 

will far exceed production of theatrical 

releases when television broadcasting reaches 

its estimated goal of several hundred stations 

on the air, according to Richard de 

Rochemont. MOT producer. De Rochemont 

spoke at a luncheon meeting of the Advertising 

Women of New York at the Hotel 

Astor Tuesday (18 1. Howard Dietz, vicepresident 

in charge of advertising and publicity 

for MGM, also addressed the meeting. 

De Rochemont said television isn't going 

to replace films on theatre screens just yet. 

He discussed sponsored films for television. 

De Rochemont feels they will be much 

shorter than present theatrical releases. He 

said most of the current theatrical pictures 

are too long for theatre audiences. 

He maintains that advertising and commercial 

films have never been fully developed. 

While commercial films in the past have 

been geared to exploit the sponsor's product, 

television film commercials must be aimed 

at audiences in the home, he declared. 

Dietz told the ad women that the television 

industry has "made a great mistake" by 

courting .sponsors. He pointed out that the 

film industry has been successful because 

theatrical pictures are produced for entertainment 

without commercial sponsorship. Dietz 

said television should have started off by 

offering programs on a subscription basis to 

set owners. He favors the "gas meter" type 

of operation for television. 

Dietz criticized what he called the prevalent 

attitude that Hollywood product is not 

up to par. He said one out of every 25 pictures 

is outstanding, and films are very satisfactory 

entertainment. 

Those seated on the dais included S. Barret 

McCoiTnick, RKO; Hortense Shor, Columbia; 

Si Seadler, MGM: Ulric Bell, 20th-Fox: 

Max Youngstein, Eagle Lion; Grace Johnsen, 

incoming president of the Advertising Women 

of New York; Mary McClung, president, and 

Dietz and de Rochemont. 

Vote Common, Preferred 

Dividends on EK Stock 

ROCHESTER—Eastman Kodak Co. 

directors 

have declared a quarterly dividend of 

35 cents a share on common stock and a 

regular dividend of $1.50 a share on prefeiTed 

stock. Both dividends are payable 

July 1 to stockholders of record June 5. The 

common stock dividend is the same as the 

previous quarterly dividend on common. 

The directors also re-elected company officers. 

They include Perley S. Wilcox, chairman 

of the board; Thomas J. Hargrave, 

president; Albert K. Chapman, vice-president 

and general manager; Dr. C. E. Kenneth 

Mees, Charles K. Flint, Adolph Stuber, 

Myron J. Hayes, Ivan N. Hultman, Edward 

Farrow, James E. McGhee, Edward P. Curtis, 

Donald McMaster, vice-presidents; I. L. 

Houley, assistant vice-president; Marion B. 

Folsom, treasurer; A. H. Robinson, David 

Fulton, J. Donald Fewster, assistant treasurers; 

Milton F. Robinson, secretary; William 

F. Shepard and H. Brereton, assistant 

secretaries; Cornelius J. Van Niel, general 

controller; Thomas J. McCarrick, assistant 

controller. 

Move 

See Tele Obsolete If 

To New High Band Ordered 

WASHINGTON—The raising of all television 

broadcasting into the ultra high frequences 

(475 to 890 megacycle band) would 

mean no television at all, according to Dr. C. 

B. Jolliffe, executive vice-president in charge 

of RCA Laboratories. Jolliffe spoke at a hearing 

held by the .senate interstate and foreign 

commerce committee Wednesday (12 1 

JolUffe charged that those groups anxious 

to move television out of its present wave 

bands in favor of FM would ruin the new 

medium because broadca.sters must learn how 

to u.se the higher frequencies. The moveover 

presents many engineering problems that 

have not been solved, he declared. 

The FCC has scheduled a hearing September 

20 on the possibility of moving some 

black and white and color television into the 

higher frequency band. Senator Tobey, chairman 

of the senate committee, is investigating 

charges that there has been collusion within 

the industry to retard the growth of FM in 

favor of television. 

"RCA unequivocally and categorically denies 

the charge," Jolliffe said. 

He pointed out FM now has 80 commercial 

channels, and television has 12. Two weeks 

ago the FCC turned over the 13th television 

channel to FM. Jolliffe reviewed RCA's 

pioneering work in both FM and television. 

He mentionetd the RCA converter which can 

prevent present receivers from becoming 

obsolete if television moves to higher frequency 

bands. 

At its present rate of growth, Jolliffe declared, 

television gives promise of becoming 

a billion-dollar business in 1948. 

New York Booking Group 

To Handle Foreign Film 

NEW YORK—A booking combine designed 

to handle foreign films has been organized 

here by Walter Lasker and Irving Schwartz. 

The new firm will be known as Lasker- 

Schwartz, Inc. Lasker was formerly with 

Siritzky International and Major Hctures. 

Schwartz was an attorney for OPA and SEC. 

Lasker said the comipany has signed 20 

theatres east of the Mississippi. He estimated 

that outside of New York City there 

are approximately 50 theatres that show foreign 

films 52 weeks a year. Outlets for foreign 

product in the U.S. total about 250, he said. 

Lasker-Schwartz also intends to supply advertising 

and promotion materials. Booking 

deals will be on a flat fee or percentage basis, 

depending upon the situation. 

The firm was organized after Lasker made 

a three-month survey of the foreign exhibition 

field. He discovered that many outof-town 

exhibitors did not know where to buy 

product. Others had trouble getting distributors 

to answer requests for product information. 

Lasker said that many of the approximately 

35 foreign distributors in New York 

have agreed to cooperate with his firm. 

ATS Holds Spring Meet 

NEW YORK—The American Television society 

held its spring luncheon meeting and 

party at the Hotel Astor May 20. The members 

saw a live preview of the U. S. Rubber 

television show, "At Liberty Club," starring 

Jacqueline and other television entertainers. 

Policy for Holland 

Hinges on Inquiry 

NEW YORK—The board of MPEA will decide 

on future sales plans for Holland after 

it receives a report from a special corrunittee 

which will investigate the Dutch situation 

later this month. 

A four-man committee consisting of Frank 

McCarthy, MPAA continental manager; Irving 

Maas, vice-president and general manager 

for MPEA, and two continental managers 

for member companies, will discuss 

restrictions on American playing time with 

the Bioscoop Bond. The meetings will be in 

Amsterdam. 

The decisions to organize the committee 

and hold these conferences was made by the 

MPEA board here May 20. The board meeting 

was called to consider the latest restrictions 

imposed on U.S. films. The Dutch recently 

cut the playing time to eight weeks 

for the six-month period ending August 26. 

American product previously could be shown 

32 weeks out of the year. 

The MPEA contract with the Bond will expire 

September 1. Member companies have 

been considering disbanding MPEA offices 

in Holland. When the latent playing time 

restrictions were imposed, some companies 

decided against renewing the agreement. 

Another annoyance was the increase of admission 

taxes from 20 to 35 per cent. 

British Production Costs 

Found Higher Than U.S. 

NEW YORK—Production costs in Great 

Britain are as high as they are in Hollywood 

mainly because of the slower methods 

used in shooting pictures, according to Jules 

Levey, independent producer. A picture that 

would take a month to make in Hollywood 

would take almost three months in a British 

studio, Levey said. 

Levey, who recently returned from a sevenmonth 

sui'vey of England and the Continent, 

found Italy to be gaining in importance as 

a competitor to England in film production. 

He also reported many theatres under construction 

in Italy. 

During his trip, Levey closed releasing deals 

in Prance, Italy. Holland, Belgium, Czechoslovakia 

and other European countries for 

"New Orleans," "Abilene Town" and other 

pictures he produced for U.S. distribution for 

United Artists. He will leave for Hollywood 

late in May. 

Expect L500 Will Attend 

Audio-Visual Convention 

CHICAGO — Approximately 1,500 persons 

are expected to attend the National Audio- 

Visual convention at the Sherman hotel. Chicago, 

August 6-11. The convention will be 

a joint meeting of the National Ass'n of 

Visual Education Dealers, Film Council of 

America, Educational Film Library Ass'n and 

the Midwest Forum on Audio-Visual Teaching 

Aids. 

NAVED and the other organizations will 

hold separate sessions and will hold joint 

meetings. The Midwest Forum will meet 

Friday and Saturday, August 6. 7; the Educational 

Film Library Ass'n will begin its meeting 

in joint session with the Midwest Forum 

Saturday, and will continue through Monday, 

August 9. Monday morning NAVED wiU join 

the Forum meeting and will continue through 

Wednesday, August 11. 


LLYWOOD 

NEWS AND VIEAVS THE PRODUCTION 

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

Directors Demanding 

$800 Week Minimum 

HOLLYWOOD— Another top segment of 

filmdom's organized creative workers, the 

Screen Directors Guild, ran into a snag in 

contract negotiations with the major producers 

when it was disclosed at the guild's 

annual meeting that the filmmakers are 

holding firm against SDG demands for increases 

in minimum salaries. 

A "watch and wait" policy was recommended 

by Frank Capra, George Stevens, George 

Marshall and other members of the SDG's 

negotiating committee, Capra reminded the 

directors they have been functioning without 

a contract since last March and inferred that 

the application of little pressure during the 

next few months may react to the guild's 

favor in the long run. 

Marshall was elected SDG president for the 

ensuing year, succeeding Stevens. Other new 

officers chosen by mail ballot and announced 

at the meeting were Joseph Mankiewicz and 

Raoul Walsh, vice-presidents; Albert Rogell, 

secretary, and Lesley Selander, treasiu'er. 

The SDG's demands, as rejected by the 

producers, included an $800 weekly minimum 

for directors on term contract and a scale of 

flat guarantees starting at $2,500 per picture 

and ranging upward in direct proportion 

to budgets. 

New moves in the stalemated negotiations 

are being considered by the SDG's new slate 

of officers. 

The megaphoners were the third labor 

group to run afoul of obstacles in negotiations 

with the major companies. First snag was 

encountered by the Screen Actors Guild, 

which broke off its contractual parleys some 

weeks ago and hinted at a possible strike 

when the producers allegedly refused to 

discuss 

several important demands. Recently 

the lATSE studio locals turned down a counter-proposal 

from the filmmakers on their 

demands for a cost-of-living increase and 

delegated Roy Brewer, lA representative, to 

request President Richard Walsh to intercede 

with the producers "immediately." 

* • * 

The SAG made its break with the producers 

official when. In accordance with provisions 

of the Taft-Hartley law, it mailed to 

more than 400 filmmakers throughout the 

country a letter advising that the SAG's 

contract, expiring July 31, 1948, will be terminated 

on that date. 

* * 

The Screen Extras Guild has elected Richard 

H. Gordon as president: Franklyn Farnum, 

Bess Flowers and Peter D. Gardner, 

vice-presidents, Beulah Parkington, recording 

secretary, and Jeffrey Sayre, treasurer. 

Bob Hope Will Receive IMPPA Honor 

For His Many Humanitarian Acts 

HOLL'VTVOOD—In appreciation of his film 

and humanitarian efforts. Bob Hope is slated 

to be the recipient June 1 of a bronze plaque 

to be presented by the Independent Motion 

Picture Pi-oducers Ass'n. The Paramount star 

and radio comic is the third person to be 

so honored in the IMPPA's 25-year existence. 

I. E. Chadwick, IMPPA president, and Steve 

Broidy, vice-president of the organization 

and president of Monogram-Allied Artists, 

will make the presentation on Hope's regular 

radio broadcast June 1 in acknowledgement 

of "the splendid support you have given to 

the numerous humanitarian activities at great 

effort and personal sacrifice." 

Previous IMPPA honorees were Joe E. 

Brown in 1942, and Jean Hersholt, 1945. 

Hope meantime served as "honorary dad" 

to 4,000 Las Vegas school children at a special 

celebration in his honor May 16 as a 

feature of that community's annual Helldorado 

fete. 

* * * 

Three 

Paramount players—Mary Hatcher, 

Two Independents Set 

Releases Through EL 

HOLLYWOOD—Distribution through Eagle 

Lion was secured by two independent units. 

Marshall Grant Productions will film "The 

Quantrells Are Coniing," an original by 

Charles Marion based on the post-Civil war 

maraudej-s who were the forerunners of the 

James. Dalton and other gangs. 

Actor Robert Young and Eugene B. Rodney, 

heads of Cavalier Productions, are set to 

turn out "Twelve Against the Underworld" 

under the EL banner. The property, originally 

acquired by EL, was handed over to the 

Cavalier unit for filming, with Young slated 

to star and Rodney producing. A semidocumentary, 

it concerns the cleanup of a midwestern 

town by 12 clergymen who banded 

together to rid the community of vice and 

corruption. 

Picture will be Cavalier's second venture. 

Young starred initially in "Rslentless," released 

by Columbia. 

World premier of Walt Disney's "Melody 

Time," new feature-length animation-live 

action film being distributed by RKO Radio, 

is set for May 27 at the Astor Theatre in 

New York. 

Mona Freeman and Laura Elliott—were made 

honorary colonels of Hollywood Legion Post 

43. marking the 16th year of this annual 

ceremony. The actresses were instructed in 

Legion goals and were awarded certificates 

making their honoraiy commissions "official." 

Marta Toren, Universal-International actress 

recently imported from Sweden, will 

represent the film industry at the Swedish 

pioneer centennial in Chicago June 4. Proceeds 

will go to Swedish old people's homes 

in the midwest. 

* * * 

Filmdom contributed several delegates to 

the recent three-day UNESCO conference 

in San Francisco. Making the trek from 

here were actress Myrna Loy: William J. 

Fadiman. aide to Dore Schary at RKO, and 

Mary C. McCall jr., scenarist, representing 

the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and 

Sciences. 

Dmytryk and RKO 

Split First Round 

HOLLYWOOD—A split 

decision ended the 

first round of Producer-Director Edward 

Dmytryk's $1,033,425 damage action against 

RKO Radio, filed in federal court after he 

had been dischai-ged from his studio post 

following his indictment, along with nine 

other industry figures, for contempt of Congress, 

Federal Judge Leon Yankwich denied a 

defense motion to dismiss Dmj-trj'k's suit, 

but also tossed out an additional $750,000 

claim by Dmytryk for "loss of prestige and 

humiliation." 

Attorneys for RKO had pleaded for dismissal 

of the suit based on "loss of wages" on 

technical grounds touching uix)n phases of 

the studio's optional contract with Dmytrj-k. 

The producer-director and nine other "imfriendly 

witnesses" were indicted for contempt 

when they refused at a house un- 

American activities sessions in Washington 

last fall to testify as to whether they were 

or were not members of or sympathizers with 

the Communist party. 

BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

22, 1948 

55

, 

CHRISTY 

. 

ALAN 

STUDIO PERSONNELITIES 

Barnstormers 

Film Classics 

WILLIAM GARGAN returned from a personal appearance 

with "The Argyle Secrets" in San Francisco. 

He is now set to leave lor New York to do 

radio guest spots to plug the picture, in which he 

stars. 

Paramount 

Singing star MARY HATCHER will leave June 7 

for personal appearances in Kansas City, St. Joseph, 

Mo., and Omaha. In St. Joseph she will appear at 

the city's annual Star Night, climaxing Market week. 

RKO 

Western star TIM HOLT will resume his rodeo 

tour with the Holt-La Mar-Jennings show on July 4. 

kicking off at Tulsa, Okla. 

Republic 

WILLIAM ELLIOTT winds up his current ten-week 

personal appearance and rodeo tour in Pittsburgh 

on June 12, and then reports to prepare tor his 

starring role in "The Missourians." 

MONTE HALE checked out for Oklahoma, where 

he will begin a two-week personal appearance tour 

in conjunction with the showing of his latest film, 

"California Firebrand," through the Griffith circuit. 

Briefies 

RKO 

A new two-reeler, "Home Canning," starring 

Edgar Kennedy, went into production vnth Hal Ycftes 

directing and George Bilson producing. 

Cleffers 

RKO 

JERRY MOROSS will 

for "Joan of Arc." 

arrange the musical ecore 

Republic 

Signed to compose the original 

Blue Lady" was NATHAN SCOTT. 

score for "The 

DALE BUTTS 

"The Far 

will compose the original score for 

Outpost, 

ing and directing. 

which Joseph Kane is produc- 

Warners 

FRANKIE CARLE, band leader and pianist, will 

portray himself and furnish the musical accompaniment 

for a vocal number by Doris Day and Lee 

Bowman in "My Dream Is Yours." 

Loanouts 

Columbia 

GAIL RUSSELL was borrowed from Paramount for 

the femme star spot in "Song of India," which Al 

Rogell will produce and direct. 

20th-Fox 

Director HENRY LEVIN is being borrowed from 

Columbia to pilot an untitled comedy that Fred 

Kohlmor will produce. 

Meggers 

Columbia 

EDWARD BERNDS was ticketed to direct 

"Blondie's 

Secret," upcoming product m the series starring 

Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake. 

Independent 

IRVING RAPPER was ticketed by William Bacher's 

Trinity Films to direct "If This Be My Harvest," initial 

production for the new company. 

RICHARD HAGEMAN has been set to do the musica' 

score for "Mission Without Orders," the John 

Ford-Merian C. Cooper production which will go 

before the cameras in midsummer. It will mark 

Hagemcm's fourth consecutive scoring assignment 

for the Argosy company. 

Monogram 

REGINALD LeBORG checked in to direct "High 

Tension," upcoming Bowery Boys film to star Leo 

Gorcey with Huntz Hall. Jon Grippo will produce. 

CABANNE drew the director's post on 

Frontier Firebrand," upcoming Johnny Mack Brovni 

starrer which Bamey A. Sarecky is producing. 

REG 

LEE SHOLEM was signed by Producer Sol Lesser 

to direct 'Tarzan and the Fountain of Youth." 

Republic 

STANLEY WILSON was ticketed to a term contract 

as on orchestrator and composer. 

PHIL FORD was set to direct "Desperadoes 

Uodge of 

City,' starring Allan "Rocky" Lane. Gordon 

Kay is the producer. 

20th-Fox 

EDWARD CHODOROV will lake a six-month leave 

56 

of absence from his writer-producer contract to 

produce a play on Broadway. 

OTTO PREMINGER will produce and direct "The 

Fan.^l based on Oscar Wilde's "Lady Windemere's 

Fctn," with Gene Tierney set for the starring role. 


Inked to meg Philip N. Krasne's first two Cisco 

Kid pictures was ROBERT EMMETT TANSEY. Tagged 

"Adveriture of the Cisco Kid" and "The Gay 

Amigo," the films are being made by Inter-American 

Productions, Inc. 

Universal-International 

Tentatively titled "The Story of Sam Bass," an 

original western by Director GEORGE SHERMAN, 

with screenplay by Maurice Geraghty, was placed 

on LEONARD GOLDSTEIN'S production schedule. 

Warners 

Producer Milton Sperling inked RAY ENRIGHT 

for the director's post on "South of St. Louis," 

Technicolor drama for United States Productions. 

Joel McCrea, Zachary Scott and Dorothy Malone 

have been announced for the leads. 

Options 

Columbia 

JAMES WHITMORE, Broadway stage actor, will 

make his screen debut in a top supporting role with 

Glenn Ford and Nina Foch in "Undercover Man." 

ROBERT OSTERLOH's first motion picture role will 

be in this film. Signed lor the role of a poHce 

sergeant was JOHN F. HAMILTON. Signed lor the 

lectured role ol a pohce inspector was FRANK 

TWEDELL. 

Negro ballad singer JOSH WHITE was signed for 

a port in "The Walking Hills," starring Randolph 

Scott and Ella Raines. Added to the cast was 

ARTHUR KENNEDY, New York stage actor. 

A key role in "Loaded Pistols," the Gene Autry 

starrer, goes to RUSSELL ARMS. A supporting role 

goes to CLEM BEVANS. 

A character role in Edward Small's production, 

"F.B.I. Meets Scotland Yard," was handed ONSLOW 

STEVENS, 

ELENA VERDUGO was slated to play opposite 

Charles Starrett in "El Dorado Pass," which 

Nazarro will direct for Colbert Clark, producer. 

Ray 

Monogram 

MILDRED COLES has been ticketed for the feminine 

lead opposite Johnny Mack Brown in "Back 

Trail." Christy Cabanne is directing lor Producer 

Barney A, Sarecky. GEORGE HOLMES, BOB WOOD- 

WARD and CAROL HANEY were listed as additions 

to the cast. 

Producer Jack Wrather has signed ROD CAM- 

ERON for the male lead in his lorthcoming Allied 

Artists production, "Strike It Rich." Herbert Leeds 

is directing the lilm in which Bonita Granville has 

the Iem me starring spot. 

A chiel heavy role in "Kidnapped" was handed 

to ROLAND WINTERS. Roddy McDowall is starred 

in Lindsley Parsons' production. A 16-year-old high 

school student, SUE ENGLAND, goes into the leminine 

lead. Additional castings include HOUSLEY 

STEVENSON, ALEX FRAZER. PAUL BURIGAN JANET 

MURDOCH and BOBBY ANDERSON. 

LESTER DORR, SVEN HUGO BORG and WILLIAM 

N, BAILEY were added to the "Manhattan Folk 

Song" cast. 

Paramount 

SIR RALPH RICHARDSON, star of British lilms, 

will be brought to Hollywood lor the role ol Olivia 

do Havilland's lather in William Wyler's production 

ol "The Heiress." Adapted from a Broadway play, 

the screen version also features Miriam .Hopkins. 

Screen veterans FRANK MAYO, PAT O'MALLEY 

and TOM DUGAN, each of whom has been making 

movies for over a auarter century, were signed lor 

supporting roles in "Dark Circle." Newcomer JEAN 

RUTH drew an important featured spot. 

SAM JAFFE planed in Irom Broadway lor a lop 

spot in "The Accused." Newcomer BILL PARROTT 

wos signed lor an important featured role in the 

Hal Wallis production, in which Lorelta Young, 

Robert Cummings and Wendell Corey head the cast. 

JOHN HILTON was signed lor the role ol a twofisted 

ranch foreman in Pine-Thomas' "Siêcial 

Agent," starring William Eythe and Laura Elliot. 

RKO 

NOAH BEERY JR. was cast as a redskin in the 

lim Holt starrer, "Indian Agent." 

Added to the "Weep No More" company were 

JOEL FLUELLEN and WHEATON CHAMBERS Robert 

Stevenson is directing the Joseph Cotten-Valli 

production. 

Into the "Bodyguard" cast go MICHAEL HARVEY 

and CLAIRE CARLETON. Lawrence Tierney and 

Priscilla Lane are starred. 

FRANCHOT TONE joins Gary Grant and Betsy 

Drake in the topline bracket for Don Hartman's 

Every Girl Should Be Married." 

Samuel Goldwyn pacted EDUARD FRANZ for a 

top supporting role in "Take Thrê Tenses." Ninern'^rinH'^^^^'' 

GREGSON '^'"^S ."î '^-year-old WABWICK 

were signed by Samuel Goldwyn to 

important 

play 

parts. ^ ' 

Republic 

RICHARD CRANE was inked for a lop supporting 

role in Drums Along the Amazon." John H 

doubles as 

S 

producer-director on the film. 

The romantic leads in '"WTiispers in the Dark" nn 

to WARREN DOUGLAS and AUDREY LONG George 

51°"' , '^ directing for Producer Stephen Ancr 

STEPHANIE BACHELOR was set lor the second ierê 

MITZI MACKER is set for her screen bow in "The 

tar Outpost," which Joseph Kane is producing and 

20th-Fox 

GENE TIERNEY was reoptioned for another year 

H^^,?^^''' P'=^'"''e. following "That Wonderful Urge '' 

is The Fan. ^ ' 


Producer Harry Popkin ticketed GALE ROBBINS 

tor a featured role in "My Dear Secretary" and 

signed GRADY SUTTON to join Laraine Day, Kirk 

UougloB and Keenan Wynn in the film. 


MARY FORBES was ticketed by Producer William 

Dozier lor a top featured spot in the Joan Fontaine- 

Jimmy Stewart comedy, "You Gotta Stay Happy." 

Assigned a featured role in the John Payne-Joan 

"-^"^"^^' ''"'=^"^'" 

PATmcit'^SpHir^" 

-- 

Signed to a term contract was STEPHEN McNALLY 

currently at work in "Rogues' Regiment," with Dick 

iôwell, Marta Toren and Vincent Price. 

FRED MacMURRAY was announced for the starring 

spot opposite Claudette Colbert in "Family 

Honeymoon," to be produced by John Beck and Z 

Wayne Griffin. 

PETER VON ZERNECK checked in for one of the 

chief supporting roles in "The Countess of Monte 

t;-risto, starring Sonja Henie and directed by Andrew 

w°.r-^^^'?1'^9K1r.E:ACHER, CRANE WALTON 

WHITLEY îd 

deCARDO were added to the cast. 

Warners 

The ROMER twins, JEANNE and LYNNE were 

'hemselves in 'My fi'??® 

Dream 

.',?r,Pl'?J' Is Yours." 

IHli ADRIAN, character actress, goes into the 

Michael Curtiz production. 

HALE drew a topflight role in the forthcoming 

lechnicolor production, "The Younger Brothers" 

Wayne Morris, Janis Paige, Bruce Bennett and 

Geraldine Brooks have already been announced for 

the cast. 

GEORGE O'HANLON will play a comedy part in 

RAY MONTGOMERY, featured player 

June Bride." 

joins stars Bette Davis and Robert Montgomery. 

Scripters 

Monogram 

Signed to do the continuity and dialog job on 

Incident," a Master Film production, was HERBERT 

DALMAS. 

Warners 

Milton Sperling set OSCAR SAUL to do the screenplay 

on "Glamour," an original story by Daniel 

Fuchs, on schedule for United States Pictures. 

Story Buys 

Eagle Lion 

The screen rights to an original by Marvin Wald 

and Eugene 

" 

Ung. titled "Inside the Wall, was 

acquired. Ling will produce, with Oscar Boetticher 

directing. 

A policewoman yarn by Robert Musel and Michael 

Raymond, "Cops Wear Skirts," was a recent studio 

purchase. 

Independent 

Producer-Director Zoltan Korda announced plans 

to film Aldous Huxley's novel, "Rest Cure," in 

Italy this summer. 

Monogram 

Julian Lesser and Frank Melford purchased "The 

Harvester," by Gene Strotton-Porter, and scheduled 

the story as the third film on their 'Windsor Pictures 

slcrte. 

Republic 

"King ol the African Congo," an original story 

by Forte Martin, was purchased and placed on 

Franklin Adreon's production slate as a serial. 

Technically 

NATHAN 

Eagle Lion 

JURAN was assigned the art directorship 

on "Tulsa." 

Metro 

DANIEL CATHCART was assigned as art director 

on "Take Me Out to 

Freed vnll produce. 

the Ball Game," which Arthur 

PAUL GROESSE checked in to 

directorship on "Little Women." 

take over the art 

Monogram 

ARTHUR SITEMAN was set by King Bros, as pro- 

BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

22, 1948

—— 

— 

— 

. . . began 

duction manager on "Last ot the Bad Men," an 

Allied Artists release. 

Paramount 

Production manager tor William Wyler's "The 

Heiress" will be CHARLES WOOLSTENHULME. C. 

C. "BUDDY" COLEMAN was assigned as first 

assistant director. 

RKO 

The second assistant director for Samuel Goldwyn's 

"Take Three Tenses" will be JOE CAVALfERI. 

WILL PRICE has been assigned to direct the second 

unit of "Weep No More." 

The unit production manager on "Baltimore Escapade" 

will be ED KILLY 

20th-Fox 

Production crew for "West of TomorroiAr" as announced 

by Producer Frank Seltzer, includes LEW 

RACHMIL, general manager; HAROLD GODSOE, assistant, 

MACK STENGLER, cameraman; JEROME 

PYCHA, art director, and ED PETZOLDT, electrician. 

Supervising film editor BARBARA ROSE McLEAN 

has been reoptioned for another year. 

GEORGE DAVIS was set as art director for "The 

Beautiful Blonde From Basfiful Bend." 

LELAND FULLER was assigned as art director on 

"The Fan." 


The film editor for Douglas Fairbanks' "The 

O'Flynn" will be RUSSELL SCHOENGARTH. HIL- 

YARD BROWN drew the art directorship on the same 

production. CHARLES STALLINGS was set as unit 

manager and BEN CHAPMAN as assistant director. 

Signed for the cameraman job 

was FRANK PLANER. 

on "Criss Cross" 

The camera assignment for "Family Honeymoon" 

goes to MILTON KRASNER. RICHARD RIEDL was 

inked as art director. 

Warners 

STANLEY FLEISCHER drew the art directorship on 

"The Girl From Jones Beach." 

Title Changes 

Columbia 

"Crossroads of the West" is now called EL 

DORADO PASS. 

Monogram 

THE GOLDEN EYE was set as the relectse title 

of "The Mystery of the Golden Eye." 

Screen Guild 

MARK OF THE LASH was the new tag given 

"Sting of the Lash." 


EVERYBODY'S SWEETHEART was set as the new 

title for "Washington Girl." 

"The Charming Matt Saxon" reverts to its original 

tag, THE SAXON CHARlvl. 

Warners 

CLEOPATRA ARMS will be the final release title 

of "A Kiss in the Dark." 

Video 

Players ticketed by Jerry Fairbanks Productions 

for roles in the "Public Prosecutor" television film 

series include RORY MALLINSON, for a major spot 

in "The Surprised Corpse"; JUNE CARLSON, KAY 

CHRISTOPHER and PATRICK AHERNE, supporting 

roles in "The Glamour Girls," and BERNARDINF 

HAYES, "The Strange Suicide." 

Weak Los Angeles Is 

Strong for 

"Curtain' 

LOS ANGELES—A healthy 175 per cent 

carded by "The Iron Curtain" In five daydate 

situations placed the Red spy drama 

head and shoulders above its local first run 

competitors. Grosses generally lagged around 

the normal mark. 

(Average is 100) 

Belmont, Culver, El Rey, Orpheum, Vogue 

The Noose Hangs High (EL); The Cobra 

Strikes (EL) ^ 110 

Corthay, Chinese, Loyola, State, Uptown 

The Iron Curtain (20th-Fox); Best Man 

Wins (Col) 175 

Guild, his, Ritz, Studio City, United Artists- 

Letter From an Unknown Woman (U-I); 

Port Said (Col), 2nd wk 100 

Downtown, Hollywood Paramounts I. Jane Doe 

(Rep); The Main Street Kid (Rep) 50 

Egyptian, Los Angeles, Wilshire State of the 

Union (MGM), 3rd wk 100 

Four Music Halls—Will It Happen Again? (FC) 

Argyle Secrets (FC) .. 100 

Pontages, Hillstreet—The Miracle of the Bells 

(RKO); Wreck oi the Hesperus (Col) 110 

Warners, Downtown, Hollywood, Wiltern 

The Woman in White (WB); Always 

Together (WB), 2nd wk ....100 

HACKNEYED though it may be, the 

" 'tis-an-ill-wind . . 

." philosophy apparently 

.still obtains and currently 

blowing much good for 20th Century-Fox's 

showmen who book it, 

is 

"The Iron Curtain." The widespread pubhcity 

accorded riots incidental to the film's 

opening at the New York Roxy Theatre is 

certain 'to attract attention and patronage 

far in excess of what might otherwise be enjoyed. 

And that's a particularly good break 

for the distributors of the offering and the 

inasmuch as the subject, 

while notable for its productional and 

Thespian adequacies, fails to attain the unusually 

high standards of the several semidocumentary 

photoplays which preceded it 

on the Westwood studio's slate. 

Illustrative of how reported opposition to 

the film from Communist fronts will prove 

grist to the 20th-Fox mill were its west coast 

openings. Day-dated in five Fox 'West Coast 

houses, the subject snagged higher first-day 

takes—according to circuit heads—than had 

been enjoyed in those theatres since "Call 

Northside 777," another 20th-Fox opus, and 

nearly as good as the record-holding "Leave 

Her to Heaven." 

Because of the hassle which was staged in 

connection with the Gotham debut, some 

newspaper space was devoted to the possibilities 

of comparable demonstrations here. 

Police reportedly were alerted but nary a 

Commie nor an Anti showed up to give color 

to "Curtain's" Southland opening. 

MGM star, the much-married Lana Turner, 

continued her campaign to attain a new 

low in press and public relations by making 

a shambles of a London press conference. 

Accompanying the long faces currently 

being worn by all of the well-dressed men in 

RKO Radio studio's publicity department are 

new aeronautical names. Department Chief 

Lieber is now known as Parachute Perry, 

while the No. 1 planter answers to Jet-Propulsion 

James, ready to bail out or take off 

at the drop of a Constellation. And reflecting 

a change of atmosphere in the department 

is a new slogan: "No Snooze With 

Hughes." 

RKO President N. Peter Rathvon in a 

statement designed to reassure studio personnel 

informed that "Mr. Hughes has no 

hungry army of relatives looking for your 

jobs ." 

. . Remembering the stratospheric 

figures of Johnny Meyers' expense accounts, 

it would appear that there are several hungry 

as exposed in recent Congressional hearings, 

armies somewhere in the Hughes orbit. 

Rating a deep bow for am unusually effective 

publicity tieup is Mort Goodman, head 

of Republic's space-snatching department. In 

a deal with Ralph Edwards' widely-heard 

"Truth or Consequences" airshow to plug 

Republic's new film, "I, Jane Doe," a threeshot 

contest was set for the broadcast, with 

Edwards conducting a nationwide search for 

a "Jane Doe." 

Vera Ralston, one of the stars of the picture, 

made an appearance on the program to 

explain the stunt to listeners and the winner 

was slated to be selected by a paraplegic 

veteran at McC'orma

. . Jack 

. . The 

'Silver River' Debuts 

In Denver Theatres 

HOLLYWOOD— star-studded premiere 

spectacles enlivened two rugged outposts of 

the far west when Warners staged a threetheatre 

debut of "Silver River" in Denver East: Robert R. Young. Pathe Industries 

May 18 and Enterprise and United Artists 

topper, was slated to retm-n to New York the 

combined to set the opening of "Four Faces latter part of the week after a ten-day Hollywood 

stay. During his visit he huddled with 

West" in Santa Fe May 14. 

Errol Plynn, star of "Silver River," made Arthur Krim. president of Eagle Lion, concerning 

that company's production plans and 

personal appearances at the Denver, Esquire 

and Webber theatres, climaxing a day of other matters, including the possible selection 

of a successor to Bryan Foy as produc- 

special events including a visit to Denver's 

mayor and Colorado's governor, radio inter- . 

tion chief. Foy is vacating the spot in order 

views and ceremonies involving other city 

to set up his own unit for the fUming of 

and state dignitaries. 

three or four pictures annually for EL release. 

The Enterprise-UA affair found the stars 

of "Four Faces West," Joel McCrea and 

* « * 

Frances Dee, trekking to Santa Fe along with 

East; Daniel T. O'Shea, president of 

Pi-oducer Harry Sherman 

David 

to participate in 

O. Selznick's Vanguard Films, headed for 

a two-day fiesta. The film made its debut 

Manhattan for production 

at the Lensic and 

and distribution 

Burro Alley theatres. 

conferences with Selznick. 

Produced in England for Paramount release, 

the Hal Wallis "So Evil, My Love" will 

be given its world premiere at the Plaza 

Theatre in London May 27. Ann Todd, who 

stars with Ray Milland, will be among those 

attending. 

* * « 

Jesse L. Lasky will head a Hollywood delegation 

of stars and celebrities to a midwest 

premiere of the Lasky-Walter MacEwen production 

for RKO, "The Miracle of the Bells," 

to be held May 25 at the Palace in Chicago. 

Proceeds from the opening will go to the 

national cancer drive. 

SEATTLE 

Tohn Danz has taken over the Elwha in 

Port Angeles for his Sterling circuit. The 

house originally was one of the group operated 

by Ed Halberg and Henry Davidson. 

When their partnership was dissolved it was 

run by Davidson and associates . . . Jack 

Anderson has resigned as branch manager 

for Favorite Films and has left for San 

Dan Redden, manager of the 

Diego . . . 

Paramount, used the first stage coach seen 

here in several years to ballyhoo 20th-Fox's 

"Fury at Furnace Creek. 

H. E. Ebenstein, Northwest Automatic 

Candy Co. head, was here to confer with his 

representative, Ted Grubb . Flannery. 

National Screen Service manager, is 

back again from the hospital . . . Jim O'Connell. 

State manager in Spokane, got a lot 

of extra space from the newspapers on Susan 

Peters when he played "Sign of the Ram," 

that being her home town. 

George Bowser, general manager for NT, 

arrived here for conferences with Evergreen 

circuit executives . . . Lottie Jamison is new 

secretary to Jack Engerman, ad chief for 

Exhibitors on Filmrow 

Sterling circuit . . . 

during the week included Frank Willard, 

Parkland; Keith Beckwith, North Bend; 

Walter Coy, White Center; Harry Wade, Tacoma; 

Art Zabel, Olympia; Walter Graham, 

Shelton; Gene Groesbeck, Eniunclaw, and 

W. B. McDonald, Olympia. 

Bob Monaghan and LeRoy Casper of Bellingham 

and John Bretz of Aberdeen were 

in for meetings with Carl Mahne, Washington 

district manager for Evergreen. 

East; 

* * * 

For conferences with MaiU'ice Bergman, 

eastern advertising-publicity director 

for Universal-International, David Lipton, 

advertising-production coordinator, planed 

for New York. He planned to spend two 

weeks in the east mapping advertising and 

release plans on upcoming U-I product. Also 

winging east was Frank P. Rosenberg, who in 

association with Monty Shaft produced "Maneaters 

of Kumaon" for U-I release. Rosenberg 

will huddle with Bergman, William 

Scully and other company officials regarding 

the release campaign for the subject. 

4 * * 

East; Paul Hollister, national publicity director 

for RKO, wound up a two-week studio 

stay and returned to his New York offices. 

* * * 

West; Due in from Manhattan was Barney 

Balaban, Paramount president, who slated 

production conferences with Henry Ginsberg, 

studio chief, and other executives. 

« * • 

West; Robert Goldstein, eastern storytalent 

chief for U-I, arrived for two weeks 

of studio conferences. Planning for London 

was George Cukor, director of the Kanin 

production for U-I, "A Double Life." He will 

attend the picture's British premiere. 

* * * 

West; David Flexer, vice-president of Impossible 

Pictures, checked in from New York 

for a week of huddles with Leonard L. Levinson, 

company president, and Herbert J. 

Yates, Republic topper, concerning delivery of 

four cartoons which Republic will release 

beginning July 1. Yates plans to head for 

England late in the month to survey the 

British film industry and weigh the effects 

of the British tax on distribution of Republic 

product there. 

* » * 

West; Producer- Director Cecil B. DeMille 

returned to his offices at Paramount after 

an eastern junket which took him to New 

York and Washington. In the latter city he 

appeared before a house labor comimittee 

to plead for passage of "right to work" legislation. 

* * 

West; A Republic visitor is Sidney Myers, 

sales manager for British Lion, handling distribution 

for RepubUc. He is huddling with 

Herbert J. Yates and other company officials 

concerning sales plans for new product in 

England. 

Weekly Tele Slated 

In Angeleno Houses 

LOS ANGELES—Television as an adjunct 

to regular film programs will become a 

reality for the first time in this area within 

the next two or three weeks when James 

Nicholson and Joseph Moritz begin screening 

video shows on a once-a-week basis in their 

five-theatre circuit, the Vermont, Cinema, 

Arlington, Picfair and Jewel. 

Legal clearances and special contracts with 

local video stations and advertising agencies 

are now being worked out, Nicholson said. 

"There's been a lot of discussion but little 

action concerning the relationship between 

television and motion pictures," he added. 

"We're moving slowly, but we are moving 

ahead. This idea is still purely in the experimental 

stages, but nothing can be determined 

to anybody's satisfaction until it 

has been tried." 

Nicholson and Moritz will employ the device 

worked out by them with their Television-Relay, 

Inc., whereby video broadcasts 

are photographed on 16mm and can be processed 

for theatrical projection within a 

half hour. 

Initially the video attraction will be 

screened when the houses open, before the 

regular film program. Nicholson will check 

audience reaction and boxoffice takes before 

deciding whether the bookings will be 

expanded to cover several days a week. 

SAN FRANCISCO 

' 

Dill Parker resigned as U-I branch manager 

here to take over national distribution 

of "A Guy and a Gal" for Crusade Productions, 

in which he has acquired a share. He 

has opened local offices in the Golden Gate 

Theatre Bldg. and will leave for various exchange 

centers soon to appoint representatives. 

Barney Rose, district manager, announced 

that Abe Swerdlow would be promoted 

from salesman to manager of the U-I 

exchange. 

Al Grubstick, Screen Guild branch manager, 

was on a business trip to Portland . . . 

Blumenfeld Theatres opened the Marin 

County Motor Movies May 21. The previous 

week the circuit opened its drive-in at Stockton 

Tower Theatre in Sacramento 

. 

reopened May 19 after repairs had been 

made to the fire damage. 

Lloyd Katz, Eagle Lion branch manager, 

is out of the hospital. His intended marriage 

has been postponed a few weeks . . . Torrey 

Roberts, Columbia salesman in the Sacramento 

area, is driving a new Buick . . . Mary 

Norris, Columbia cashier, left for a vacation 

; 

in New York with instructions from Mel i 

Klein, office manager, to drop in on the exchange 

there and let them know how an 

efficient office is run . . . Janice Tolley, 

Columbia contract clerk, is a newlywed . . . 

Rose Bruce, of the Columbia shipping department, 

was absent because of illness. 

The Variety Club enjoyed a Night in Reno 

party Friday night. May 14 . . . Two fullpage 

cooperative ads with the Western Holly 

Stove Co. were promoted for the showing 

of "All My Sons" at the Orpheum. The 

store company also fixed up windows for 

distributors, sent out 10,000 pieces of direct 

mail, and provided a Western Holly stove 

as a giveaway. 

58 

BOXOFFICE 

: 

: May 

22, 1948


in USA 

Ccfuip 

with 

RCA 

Word has spread throughout the 

nation that RCA 



equipment all 

the way. 






k:**\ 

v'^'\^^H^ 

i£ 

K-^^t 

^

NEW FREEDOM IN EXHIBITION 

SEEN IN HIGH COURT ACTION 

Films Will Be Better, Says 

Abrcmi Myers at Denver 

Allied Parley 

DENVER—About 75 independent exhibitors 

from the Denver area attended the first 

annual convention of Allied Rocky Mountain 

Theatres at the Cosmopolitan hotel. The 

meeting followed the gathering of the board 

of Allied States, attended by 17 directors. 

The convention was for the most part 

given over to discussions on the open forum 

basis, with the national Allied directors doing 

most of the answering. 

John Wolfberg was re-elected president, 

Joe Ashby was renamed general manager, and 

Walter Ibold was named treasurer, and Joan 

Livingston, secretary. Directors for Colorado: 

Fred Lind, Rifle; Neal Beezley. Burlington; 

Robert Smith, Steamboat Springs; E. K. 

Meanagh, Port Lupton; J. K. Powell, Wray, 

Wyoming: Tom Knight, Riverton; Lloyd 

Kierby, Worland. New Mexico: Carl Garitson, 

Springer; Marlin Butler, Albuquerque. 

Nebraska: Charles Flower, Bayard; A. S. 

Kehr, Ogallala. South Dakota: Hobart Gates, 

Custer. 

Abram F. Myers, general counsel and chairman 

of the National Allied board, declared 

that the recent U.S. supreme court decision 

There Will ALWAYS 

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1914 So. Vermont. HE 7528 Los Angeles 7, Calif. 

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Will result in a "vast improvement" in film 

productions. In turn that would stimulate 

comipetition among theatres for bookings, and 

would force Hollywood to make the kind of 

picture the public wants. Myers said the 

decree would end "controlled prices" in theatre 

admissions, and would encoui-age new 

capital in theatre building. Myers claimed 

the decision ended a 33-year long monopoly 

in chain theatre ownership, along with favoritism 

in bookings. Myers pointed out that 

the action would end block selling and booking. 

The convention ordered the creation of a 

permanent committee on supplies and equipment 

buying, so that in the future all such 

buying, including candy, popcorn, seasoning, 

etc., could be done through the Denver Allied 

headquarters. 

Robert Smith, recently elected mayor of 

Steamboat Springs, Colo., a partner in the 

Chief, made an informative talk and led 

the discussion on theatre service, public relations 

and general theatre management. 

The meeting wound up with a dinner dance 

Wednesday night. 

C. C. Voeller Named 

Idaho ITA President 

BOISE, IDA.—C. C. Voeller of Buhl, Ida., 

was elected president of the Idaho Theatre 

Ass'n last week, succeeding Hugo Jorgensen 

of Rigby. The association discussed individual 

membership in the Pacific Coast 

Conference of Independent Theatre Owners. 

Other officers elected were Fulton Cook, St. 

Maries, vice-president; Harry Gordon, Boise, 

secretary, and Lawi-ence Nelson, Jerome, 

treasurer. The next association meeting will 

be held at Idaho Falls in May 1949. 

Utah Rally Stresses 

Strength in Unity 

SALT LAKE CITY—Theatre trade problems 

were discussed by Utah theatre owners 

during an independent-affiliated meeting 

this week in Orem, Utah. 

The meeting was addressed by Tracy Barham, 

vice-president and general manager of 

Intermountain Theatres, Inc., who stressed 

the value of a single strong organization of 

theatre operators. 

Bob Graham, who was in Utah as national 

vice-president of the National Junior 

Chamber of Commerce, explained phases of 

the recent supreme court decision to the 

operators. He also outlined the present Ascap 

situation. Sam Gillette of Tooele pointed out 

the problem of organizing the Motion Picture 

Foundation in this area and outlined 

the present status of the MPF. Vic Anderson, 

secretary of the association, told of the need 

for a strong state association. He mentioned 

that fees have been set low to attract new 

members into the UTA. The fees are $10 for 

fewer than 500 seats; $15 up to 1,000 seats, 

and $25 for over that amount. John Krier, 

purchasing agent for Intermountain Theatres, 

Inc.. and Harold Chester, Bingham 

operator, also addressed the meeting. 

Discrimination Against 

Independents Curbed, 

ITOSCA Told 

LOS — ANGELES—A new freedom of competition 

"freedom from restraint, discrimination 

and monopoly"—has come to the independent 

exhibitor as a result of the supreme 

court's recent decision in the government's 

antitrust suit against the major companies. 

That belief was expressed by Fred A. Weller, 

general counsel for the Independent Theatre 

Owners of Southern California and Arizona, 

at a hmcheon session of the organization's 

board of directors. 

"No longer," said Weller in analyzing the 

decision, "may the distributors force the independent 

operator to 'keep his place in line'— 

at the end of the line—and by means of price 

fixing, unreasonable and arbitrary zoning 

and clearance, unfair discrimination and favoritism, 

buUd, maintain and protect the 

monopolies and near-monopolies of affiliated 

and unaffUiated theatre chains at the expense 

of independent exhibitors everywhere." 

Even a decision by the supreme court is 

not, Weller declared, self-executing or selfenforcing. 

He warned that the task of seeing 

that the ruling "becomes and remains vital 

and effective is primarily that of independent 

motion picture exhibitors and their organizations. 

It is they who must be constantly on 

the alert to make sure that illegal practices 

which now stand outlawed by judicial fiat 

are outlawed in fact." 

Independent operators must not hesitate 

to "demand and obtain prompt corrective 

action," Weller contended, wherever they find 

themselves still subjected to "illegal clearances, 

to discriminations of any kind, or to 

unfair tactics employed by those possessing 

circuit buying power." 

Weller was confident that the district court, 

upon remand of the case, would be impelled 

to order a "very substantial" degree of divestiture. 

"It looks very much," he said, "as 

though the day were approaching when an 

independent theatre owner might actually 

obtain a first run even here." 

The "even here" referred to the Los Angeles 

area, where Weller asserted a "metropolitan 

first run monopoly" exists. 

Referring to the divestiture of the 1,287 

theatres which majors control through partial 

ownership with independents, Weller said 

that if the district court fully follows the 

mandate of the supreme court at least 90 

per cent of such houses will be ordered divested. 

IIS HYDE ST. ••$aiirr«MT(co(l)Calif. 


: May 

22, 1948

; I 

—— 

— 

— 

—— 

— 

1 

'Union' Hits Hefty 180 

In Weak Seattle 

SEATTLE-^"State of the Union" bounded 

into tlie Palomar and far outdistanced the 

rest of the towai with a hefty 180. This was 

the brightest spot in an otherwise drab week 

that saw grosses continuing at a low ebb despite 

cool, rainy weather, which is ideal for 

motion picture patrons in this areai. 


Blue Mouse Fury at Furnace Creek (20th-Fox); 

My Girl Tisa (WB), 2nd d. t. wk 70 

Fifth Avenue Bombi (MGM), reissue; Rocky 

(Mono), 2nd d. t. wk 100 

Liberly—The Mating of Millie (Col); The Woman 

From Tangier (Col), 2nd wk 120 

Music Box—The Bishop's Wile (RKO); Speed to 

Spare (Para), 5lh d t, wk 120 

Paramount Panhandle (Mono); Joe Palooka in the 

Knockout (Mono) ^ 50 

Orpheum The Adventures of Robin Hood (WB), 

reissue. Docks of New Orleans (Mono) 80 

Music Hall—The Bride Goes Wild (MGM; Hall Past 

Midnight (20th-Fox), 2nd wk 130 

Palomar—State of the Union (MGM) 180 

Roosevelt The 'Sainted' Sisters (Para); Bowery 

Buckaroos (Mono), 2nd wk 100 

'Fugitive' Rates Top 160 

In San Francisco 

SAN FRANCISCO—"The Fugitive," 

opening 

at the United Nation, rated the high for 

the weelc with 160 per cent. 

Esquire Torzan's Secret Treasure (MGM); Tarzan's 

New York Adventure (MGM), reissues 120 

Fox—Fury at Furnace Creek (20th-Fox); 13 Lead 

Soldiers (20th-Fox), 2nd wk 90 

Golden Gate—The Miracle of the Bells (RKO); The 

Last Roundup (Col) 100 

Orpheum The Lady From Shanghai (Col); 

Trapped by Boston Blackie (Col), 2nd wk 120 

Pcframount The Noose Hangs High (EL); Mr. 

Reckless (Para) ^ 150 

St. Francis-Hatter's Castle (Para), 2nd wk 100 

State Seven Sinners (U-I); Sutter's Gold (U-1), 

reissues 

United Artists Summer Storm 

_ 

(UA); Abrood With 

100 

Tvro Yanks (UA), reissues _ 100 

United Nations—The Fugitive (RKO) 160 

Warfield—State of the Union (MGM), 2nd wk 140 

"Union' Is Tops in Portland 

And Remains for 3rd Week 

PORTLAND—Politics took precedence last 

week with the Stassen-Dewey presidential 

campaign going strong and "State of the 

Union" finishing a second big week and remaining 

for a third. 

Broadway—state of the Union (MGM); Heati of 

Virginia (Rep), 2nd d, t. wk 150 

Guild—Nicholas Nickleby (U-I); Magic Bowr (U-I)..100 

Mayiair—Panhandle (Mono); Perilous Waters 

(Mono) __ _ 85 

Music Box—The Bishop's Wife (RKO); Sign of 

the Ram (Col), 4th d. t. wk „...IIO 

Orpheum Unconquered (Para); Mr. Reckless 

(Para), 2nd d. t. wk ___ _ 108 

Paramount—Lady From Shanghai (Col); 13 Lead 

Soldiers (20th-Fox) _ 100 

Playhouse—The Adventures of Robin Hood (WB); 

Jungle Book (FC), 2nd d. t. wk., reissues 90 

United Artists-The Naked City (U-I), 3rd d. t. wk.-.130 

Mild Weather in Denver 

Hurts Theatre Business 

DENVER—Mild weather, favorable to picnics, 

hurt most business. However, "The Out- 

E> SI B) o u e IT t ei c^ s 

law" packed them in at the Broadway, and 

will stay indefinitely. 

Aladdin The Adventures of Robin Hood (WB), reissue; 

Arthur Takes Over (20lh-Fox), 4lh d. t. wk. 85 

Broadway— The Outlaw (UA) 250 

Denhqm—The 'Sainted' Sisters (Para), 3rd wk.; 

Mr. Reckless (Para) 

, , 90 

Denver. Esquire and Webber 'The Iron Curtain 

(20lh-Fox); 13 Lead Soldiers (20lh-Fox) , 97 

Orpheum—The Miracle of the Bells (RKO); Rose 

of Santa Rosa (Col) _ UO 

Paramount-The lolson Story (Col), 2nd run; 

Money Madness (FC) 85 

Rialto—Pardon My Sarong (U-I); Sea Spoilers 

(U-I), reissues 130 

Tabor Man in the Iron Mask (UA), reissue, plus 

stage show 130 

Paramount Names Duer 

Denver Branch Manager 

DENVER— Cornell J. Duer has been named 

branch manager for the Denver exchange of 

Paramount Pictures. He succeeds Walter 

Wiens, who resigned. 

^ 

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have the 

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This naturally gives a theatre more choice car positions 

in the theatre park. It will allow theatres to be build in areas 

that 

formerly were considered too small. 

This also includes improvement patent pending No. 301713, allovring 

all automobiles to drive over the ramps instead of backing out of a 

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cars in the rear to advance into vacated space forward. 

2. We are in a position to build or supervise construction economically 

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BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

22, 1948 61

PORTLAND 

Theatre Exchange Co., theatre brokers, reports 

an increasing turnover of theatres 

in recent weeks. Several deals with earnest 

money up on them are pending final consummation 

. . . Irvln Westenskow's new theatre 

project in Woodburn is well under way 

with the excavation nearly completed. The 

building will be of pumice stone block con- 

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Illinois Thealremen 

To Meet June 3, 

LA SALLE. ILL.—In view of the importance 

of current developments in the exhibition 

field, the meeting of the United Theatre 

Owners of Illinois here June 3, 4 will be open 

to nonmembers as well as members, according 

to Edward G. Zorn. president. 

Herman Levy, general counsel of the Theatre 

Owners of America, will be here to analyze 

and interpret the recent supreme court 

decisions in the antitrust cases. Gael Sullivan, 

new executive director of TOA, also will be on 

hand, and there is a possibility that Ted 

Gamble. TOA president, also will attend. 

The meeting will be held in the Kaskaskia 

hotel. 

Pickets in Milwaukee 

At 'Iron Curtain' Debut 

MILWAUKEE—"The Iron Curtain's" opening 

at Wisconsin Theatre was highlighted by 

the presence of pickets distributing handbills 

warning patrons to refrain from entering the 

theatre. Two stink bombs were dropped inside 

the Wisconsin, but neither the bombs or 

handbills kept patrons out; crowds piled in 

for all shows. 

The handbills carried large headlines: 

"Don't Buy This Ticket to War," followed by 

a rough of an admission ticket. The handbills 

were issued here by the local division 

of the Congress of American Women. Rubber 

stamps carried this group's name. 

Art Stanisch, Wisconsin manager, said the 

show opened at 1:29 p. m. and one hour later 

the initial stink bomb was located. Tlie second 

bomb was discovered at 4 p. m. The Wisconsin 

ventilating system instantly dispelled 

the fumes. During the opening performances, 

plain clothesmen and extra police were on 

duty at the Wisconsin to handle any disturbance. 

To Cool Farina, 111., Theatre 

Before Opening After Fire 

FARINA, ILL.—Plans for the immediate reopening 

of the 400-seat Lyric Theatre, which 

was damaged by a fire that started in the 

booth May 4, have been sidetracked by Preston 

Banks of St. Louis, owaier. Banks has 

decided to install an air conditioning unit 

while the house is dark. He hopes to have 

repairs completed and the new imit installed 

by the end of the month. 

The fire was confined to the projection 

room, but some damage was done to the roof 

above the booth. Banks said that projection 

and sound equipment would have to be replaced. 

Total damage was approximately 

$8 000. Patrons in the theatre when the fire 

started left the house in good order. 

To Rebuild in Grayville 

GRAYVILLE, ILL. — Charles Brechner, 

owner of the 250-seat Premier Theatre, has 

armounced he will rebuild. The theatre was 

destroyed by fire April 23 with an estimated 

loss of $20,000. Only $6,000 was covered by 

insurance. "I've been in business here too 

long to let a fire stop me," Brechner commented. 

"I'm going ahead immediately with 

plans to rebuild and reopen my theatre." The 

Masonic lodge, which had a hall on the second 

floor, owned the building. 

Showboat Pilot Refuses 

To Pay St. Louis Tax 

St. Louis—('apt. J. \V. Mcnke, owner 

and operator of the showboat Golden 

Rod, where oldtime "mellcrdrammers" 

are staged, doesn't intend to give the 

city of St. Louis any tax cut on hLs admissions 

unless the U.S. courts decide 

that he must. 

License Collector Frank A. Britton received 

an opinion from the city counselor's 

office that the showboat, moored 

at the foot of Locust street, is subject 

to the 5 per cent amusement tax levied 

by the city on other theatres. 

Captain Menke wasn't impressed. "It's 

only an opinion," he said. 

Several years ago, when the city officials 

attempted to make Captain Menke's 

showboat comply with the city's theatre 

safety regulations, U.S. Judge George H. 

Moore ruled that the city had no jurisdiction 

over the boat, since it was on a navigable 

stream subject to the jurisdiction 

of the "War department and the federal 

laws. 

Playsite Being Equipped 

By Indianapolis Variety 

INDIANAPOLIS — The Variety Club has 

pledged $2,000 to equip Tyndall Towne playground. 

The gift will provide badly needed 

recreation for children of 475 families. The 

Tyndall Towne Women's guild will supervise 

the playground on a volunteers basis. The 

committee in charge of the project is composed 

of Earl Herndon, chairman, and Marc 

Wolf and Russell Brentlinger of the Variety 

Club. 

OLD DAYS IN BOOTH—Memories of 

old days in the projection booth were revived 

at the Union Industries show in 

Milwaukee by an exhibit of oldtime projection 

machines sponsored by stagehands 

Local 18, projectionist Loeal 164, 

and the Wisconsin Ass'n of Stage Employes 

and Projectionists. The exhibit depicted 

the history of the projector from 

the turn of the century to the present 

day. The machine shown above is a 1916 

Motiograph. 

Harry Haas Is Named 

Paramount Manager 

ST. LOUIS—Harry Haas has been appointed 

branch manager in St. Louis for 

Paramount Pictures, 

succeeding Maurice 

Schweitzer, who resigned 

to go into the 

^^^_ 

^' ^^^H 

drive-in theatre business. 

Haas has been 

manager of the ex- 

. . Maurice 

. . Ida 

. . Hugh 

. . 

. . 

— 

— 

ST. 

LOUIS 

pat O'Brien, star of "Fighting Father 

Dunne." which had its world premiere in 

the Fox Theatre here May 11, was guest of 

honor at the Serra club luncheon May 13. 

Also attending were Jane Wyatt, feminine 

star of the film; Archbishop Joseph E. Ritter, 

and Postmaster Bernard P. Dickmann . 

Hall Walsh, district manager for Warner 

Bros., held sales meetings in Kansas City, 

Omaha and Des Moines preparatory to the 

start of the annual sales drive. May 23 to 

August 28. He attended a district managers 

conference in New York May 7, 8. 

. . . 

Jack Comfort of the Savereide agency. 

Kansas City, theatre brokers, was a visitor 

Funeral services wei-e held in Litchfield. 

111., recently for Luke Sheahan. 58, who for 

many years was associated with the theatre, 

most recently as a member of the "Lonesome 

Road" company. He died of a heart attack 

in a hotel at Corbin. Ky. . Deborah 

Bach, an employe of National Screen Service 

and a charter member of the Film Exchange 

Employes Local Bl. died May 9. She is survived 

by her mother, three brothers and three 

sisters. 

Exhibitors on Filmrow included Roni Padrucci. 

booker for the Frisina Amusement 

Co., Springfield: Otto Ingwersen, Ritz, Montgomery 

City, Mo.: Tom Edwards. Edwards 

& Harris circuit, Farmington, Mo., and John 

Rees, Wellsville. Mo. . Davis, 

manager of the Will Rogers Theatre, has 

returned home from the Massachusetts Memorial 

hospital, Boston, very much improved. 

He plans to spend a few weeks at his home 

to complete his convalescence . Houston 

of the Melba Theatre, Houston, Mo., is 

vacationing in California. 

The Swimming pool at Jones Park and 

the playground facilities in the 11 parks of 

East St. Louis will open June 14, Emmet P. 

Griffin, park superintendent, announced . 

The dollar volume of department store sales 

in St. Louis increased 10 per cent during the 

week ended May 8, compared with the same 

period last year, the Federal Reserve bank 

announced. This was the second highest gain 

for any of the key cities of the country, 

Cleveland and Atlanta, tied for first place 

with a gain of 12 per cent. 

Tilden Dixon of Crystal City, Mo., is visiting 

with his wife in Phoenix, Ariz. . . The 

. 

Savoy Theatre, Ferguson. Mo., staged its annual 

Mother's day matinee. Women guests 

confessed that their ages ranged from 50 

years to past 90 years. Some were assisted 

into the theatre by the sons and daughters. 

All of the mothers recorded their name and 

address at the boxoffice. among them Mrs. 

S. C. Land. 92, the oldest mother in attendance. 

She was given a hand-painted radio, 

a three-month pass to the theatre and a 

Mother's day cake. Other cakes were given 

five other women 69 years old or more. 

Paul Beisman, manager of the St. Louis 

Municipal Opera Ass'n and the American 

Theatre, was married May 11 to Louise Bernero 

in the rectory of Christ the King Catholic 

church in University City. For the past 

few years Beisman has been an executive 

with the Southern Real Estate & Financial 

Co.. a holding company for the Cella enterprises, 

which include the American, Oi-pheum 

and Shubert theatres and the American hotel. 

Beism.an was a widower. 

Telenews Men Shifted 

CHICAGO—Sylvan Goldfinger, Telenews 

division manager, announced that Jack Silverthorne, 

assistant manager of Telenews in 

Detroit, has been appointed' manager in Cincinnati, 

replacing Ben Cohen. Cohen goes 

to Cleveland Telenews as manager. suc."eeding 

Charles Burris, who joins Telenew,. Digest 

Productions in New York. 

'State of Union Draws 

Top Chicago Money 

CHICAGO—First runs were hypoed by cold 

weather, which kept folks away from outdoor 

attractions. "State of the Union" was 

the top new entry and bowed in at the Woods 

for a fine week. The Oriental also had a 

very good week, with Milton Berle and Joan 

Blondell on stage and "Alias a Gentleman" 

on the screen. "This Wine of Love." Italian 

film, had a nice work at the World Playhouse. 

"The Naked City" at the Palace was the 

top holdover and moved to the Rialto for a 

third downtown week. 


Apollo—The Overlanders (U-I) 9C 

Chicago Sitting Pretty (20th-Fox), 2nd wk 90 

Garrick Lost Horizon (Col); Adam Had Four 

Sons (Col), reissues 85 

Grand—Are You With It (U-1), 2nd wk 90 

Monroe Fury at Furnace Creek (20th-Fox); 

Campus Honeymoon (Rep) 95 

Oriental Alias a Gentleman (MGM), plus 

stage show . , .....125 

Palace—The Naked City (U-I), 2nd wk 110 

Roosevelt—To the Victor (WB), 2nd wk _ 86 

?tate-Lake The Lady From Shanghai (Col), 

plus stage show, 2nd wk 95 

Studio Boru (Dezel); Rama (D); Strange 

People (D) 90 

United Artists—Three Daring Daughters (MGM).... 95 

Woods—Slate ol the Union (MGM) 130 

World Playhouse—This Wine ol Love (Super) 105 

Milwaukee Has Nice Week; 

'Curtain' and 'Casbah' Lead 

MILWAUKEE—Business was good in all 

the first run hou.ses last week. Top grosses 

were turned in by "The Iron Ciu-tain" at the 

Wisconsin and "Casbah" at the Warner. Also 

i:i the top brackets was the holdover of 

"I Remember Mama" at the Riverside. "The 

Jolson Story" came back to the downtown 

area and did an average week's business for 

the Strand. 

Alhambra—Fort Apache (RKO); Docks ol New 

Orleans (Mono), 3rd d. t. wk 100 

Palace Lady From Shanghai (Col); The Return 

ol the Whistler (Col) 125 

Riverside- 1 Remember Mama (RKO), 2nd wk 135 

Strand—The Jolson Story (Col); Philo Vonce's 

Secret Mission (EL), return engagement 100 

Towne—The Outlaw (UA), 2nd run 100 

Warner-Casbah (U-1); Heart of Virginia (Rep)....140 

Wisconsin—The Iron Curtain (20th-Fox); Hall Past 

Midnight (20th-Fox) 140 

PERMANENT PROTECTION for YOUR THEATRE 

Can be easily, economically and quickly obtained by making use of those 

two great products with one purpose created by Albi Chemists for your 

protection against fire. 

ALBI-R and 

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As the exclusive theatrical trade distributors in this territory lor these products of the 

Albi Manufacturing Co., Inc., let us tell you how ALBI-R provides positive fire protection 

for all interior combustible building and acoustical materials, and ALBI-K, the 

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rugs, seatcovers and all other textiles. 

EXHIBITORS SUPPLY CO 

Theatre Equipment and Supplies 

3227 Olive Street 

St. Louis 3, Missouri 

Telephone 

Jefferson 5913 

'Bishop's Wife' Outstanding 

Among Indianapolis Shows 

INDIANAPOLIS—Business was fair at first 

run houses. "The Bishop's Wife" was a 

winner at the Circle. "Unconquered" at the 

Indiana was rather disappointing. 

Cole Bros. 

circus, in a three-day stand, drew 35,000 

persons. Drive-in theatres report good attendance. 

Circle—The Bishop's Wile (RKO) 120 

Indiana Unconquered (Para) 95 

Loews—Stale of the Union (MGM), 2nd wk 95 

Lyric—The Man From Texas (EL); Assigned 

to Danger (EL) 100 

Mr. and Mrs. J. 

Buy Park in Clayton, 111. 

D. Graham 

CLAYTON. ILL.— Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Graham 

of Queen City. Mo., recently concluded 

a deal for the purchase of the 180-seat 

Park Theatre here from L. C. Peterson and 

his son Ronnie. The Petersons have been 

operating the house since early last September. 

It has been closed in recent weeks and 

Graham, who has had about 27 years experience 

as a theatre manager, plans to do 

extensive remodeling and redecorating and 

will install new equipment before reopening, 

he announced when the deal was closed. 

The Grahams formerly owned and operated 

a theatre in Queen City. 


: May 

22, 1948


in USA. 

Equip 

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Word has spread throughout the 

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.'^, :r. 

• ••! 

,i f 

*P

. . Mrs. 

. . . Winnie 

. . Eddie 

. . Tom 

MILWAUKEE 

. . . 

/^hick Baldwin of the Gem, Gillette, was 

Don 

recently elected mayor there 

Deakin of the Dells, Wisconsin Dells, cracked 

the local newspapers in a bit of gromidbreaking 

for a new industrial plant at Wisconsin 

Dells in which he's interested . . . 

Gus Jahncke has broken the ground for his 

new house at Waterford, Wis. ... Ed Starkey, 

Rex, Brillion, dusted his navigator's cap 

and has been extra busy with his boats, preparing 

for another big year on Green Lake. 

Mr. and Mrs. Eric Brown, Plymouth, returned 

from the west coast. When in Los 

Angeles they called on fomier Wisconsin 

showman Len Browai . Helen Hanke 

of the Lyric here was named ITO of Wisconsin 

and Upper Michigan director, succeeding 

the late George Langheinrich . . . 

Don Woods, former local Warner manager, 

transferred from a similar post at Dallas to 

Joe DeGiorgio, former 

Detroit recently . . . 

National Screen shipper, is with a local 

clothing retailer. 

Attending the meeting of the board of the 

ITO of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan were 

Sig Goldberg, Wausau; F. J. McWilliams, 

Portage; Eric Brown, Plymouth: Mrs. Helen 

Hanke, Milwaukee; Floyd Albert, Moimt 

Horeb; George Panka, Prairie du Chein; 

Arnold Brum, North Milwaukee; John Adler, 

Marshfield. 

Clarence Hill, supervisor of exchange operations 

for 20th-Fox, spent several days at the 

local exchange . . . Fontas Georgiades got 

things under way at the new Delft cu-cuit 

Milwaukee office. All buying and booking 

for the circuit headed by "Doc" Gallup, Marquette, 

is now handled by Georgiades in Milwaukee 

. . . Ollie Trampe. Monogram booker, 

says Milwaukee is pitchuig on Monogram's 

Playdate drive that opened April 2 and extends 

to July 2. 

Mike Neumann of the Fox, Stevens Point, 

has gone in for golf after all these years. 

OiU' spies report 'Mike a definite thi'eat to 

Gordon Hewitt, Benny Benjamin and Ben 

Poblocki . . . Johnny Mednikow, National 

Screen manager, is burning the night oil 

handling advertising on the Freedom train 

due for an early appearance in Wisconsin. 

John Roche, manager of the Parkway 

here, built business on "Treasure of Sierra 

Madre" by staging a guessing contest on 

the number of candy bars in a lobby display. 

Participating merchants providing prizes and 

tied in with window cards . . . Art Stanisch, 

Wisconsin manager, commenting on the scene 

in "The Iron Curtain" where a sturdy woman 

opens a door for her husband, said a 

Wisconsin woman patron told her husband to 

open the door. "I am not a Russian soldier," 

said the woman. 

The screen version of "Lady Pi-om Shanghai" 

was written by former Milwaukeean 

R. Sherwood King . . . Max Mazur, Film 

Classics manager, reports "Things to Come" 

and "The 

Man Who Could Work Miracles" 

were doing excellent business in the territory 

The Telenews showed pictures 

. . . snapped by freelance photographers during 

the recent Bogota uprising. 

Exhibitors on the Row: Sam Miller, Rialto, 

Gladstone, Mich.; Charley Perrizo. Oconto; 

Irving Vincient, Oconto Falls: Floyd Albert, 

Mount Horeb: Barney Sherman, Racine; Joe 

Malits and Sid Margoles, Milwaukee; Nick 

Berg, Sheboygan; John Schuyler, Marquette; 

George Gonis, Liberty; Harold Hamley, Hartland: 

Mert Miller, Mayville; Joe Goldberg, 

Fond du Lac: Larry Kelley, Cudahy. 

. . . 

Walter Blaney, RKO office manager, is 

raising corn on his Bark Lake estate this 

year Benny Benjamin. Screen Guild 

manager, is pounding the golf ball for subpar 

results again this year at Brynwood CC . . . 

Otto "Toby" Albright, Wisconsin stagehand 

for many years, died here . Cornfield, 

Palace manager, has those "new look" glasses 

DeLorenzo, Independent Film 

exchange, was a Chicago caller . . Ned 

. 

Gavin, son of Eddie Gavin, Eagle Lion salesman, 

fronts his own six-act stage unit, "The 

Stagedusters," in monthly variety shows at 

the Moose lodge. These lads can do a job 

as exhibitors. 

. 

. . . Charley 

. . Dorothy 

O. M. Melcher, Gallagher Films salesman, 

attended a three-day conference at the home 

office in Green Bay. Jim Gallagher presided 

VoUendorf, Theatre Service 

executive, is back from Florida 

Trampe, Ray Trampe and Russ McNamee of 

Monogram were in New York . 

Douglas, Film Service secretary, has the "new 

look" . . . Sol Winokur, new operator of the 

RCA 

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66 BOXOFFICE 

: 

: May 

22, 1948

. . . "The 

. . . Art 

. . John 

. . Jack 

. . Harry 

. . Jack 

. . Charley 

. . Jack 

, . There's 

Opera House. Oshkosh, changed the tag to 

the Civic and is remodeling . 

a 

new house planned at DeForest. 

. 

The ITO of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, 

will hold a June regional meeting at 

Wausau. Sig Goldberg is chairman for the 

event P. Adler is building a 500- 

. 

teater at Waupaca . Perrizo is 

remodeling the Oconto. Oconto 

Brillion, Brillion, is 

. . . The 

now under the ITO banner 

Yeo, Plaza, Burlington, was 

named an alternate delegate to the Republican 

national convention . Curl, who 

recently bought the Clinton, Clinton, from 

H. H. Otto, just put the house under the 

ITO flag. 

George Levine, operator of the Grace and 

Pearl, is installing new air conditioning units 

in both houses . Lorentz, 20th-Fox 

divisional manager, and W. C. Gehring. the 

. . . Eddie 

assistant general sales manager, were in for 

a huddle with Joe Neger, local manager . . . 

Outlaw" is set for release in all important 

situtations. reports Bob Allen. UA 

manager . Olshan, Columbia manager, 

is vacationing in the east 

Solomon, 20th-Fox exploiteer, was in from 

Chicago pounding his tubs and watching results 

on "The Iron Curtain." 

Lew Herman, U-I manager, is reported due 

for a transfer to Chicago as manager there 

Stanisch resigned as Wisconsin manager 

and headed for the west coast, where he 

will look things over before announcing his 

next assignment. 

Inez Gore, secretary to Joe Neger, 20th-Fox 

manager, did okay in that national women's 

bowling tourney down south . . . Sid Margoles, 

Regal operator, came up with canopy copy: 

"Get Your Kicks with Helen Hicks" . . . Bob 

Berger, son of Benny Berger, and Ted Bolnick 

were in from Minneapolis . . . Max Wiesner of 

the Alamo and Mozart, returned from fm'ther 

hospitalization in Chicago, is having a rough 

time in the health department. The Row 

hopes for speedy recovery. 

SHOWMANSHIP 

IN YOUR LOBBY 

DEMANDS 

A 

MANLEY 

R. D. VON ENGELN 

Manley Representative 

Eastern Missouri-Southern Illinois 

3138 OLIVE STREET 

ST. LOUIS 3, MO. NEwstead 7G44 

MADISON 

. . Junius Eddy of 

plans for a drive-in theatre here are reported 

in the making . 

the Wi-sconsin Idea Theatre has been elected 

president of the Madison Theatre Guild . . . 

A motion picture projector in good condition 

was found in a dump near here. Question 

puzzling police is where it came from. 

Actor Fred MacMurray sent a sizeable 

check to provide prizes for kiddies at the 

annual citywide circus in Beaver Dam, his 

home town . . . Television sets in the Milwaukee 

area totaled 2,658 May 1, a survey of 

distributors and dealers showed. 

New Officers Are Installed 

By St. Louis Film Council 

ST. LOUIS—Dr. Irwin E. Deer of Chicago, 

a representative of the community relations 

department of the Motion Picture Ass'n of 

America, was prinicpal speaker at the spring 

luncheon and installation of offices of the 

Better Films council May 21 in the Congress 

hotel. Awards were made to winners of the 

contest sponsored by the council for the most 

outstanding poster interpretations of "What 

motion pictures can do to promote peace 

through better imderstanding between people." 

New officers are: President, Mrs. V. Ray 

Alexander; vice-presidents, Mrs. Lewis Has- 

1am. Mrs. Joseph Lundergan, Mrs. Albert 

Toma. Irene M. Peterson. Edward Schwalke 

and State Senator Milton Napier; recording 

secretary, Mrs. E. H. Schreffler; corresponding 

secretary, Mrs. Robert E. Colyer; treasurer, 

Mrs. William A. Berg, and auditor. Mrs. 

Hildegarde Cunliffe. Mrs. Ernest R. Evans is 

retiring president and Mrs. Arretus F. Burt, 

who founded the council, is honorary president. 

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Civic Theatre Opens 

May 28 in Oshkosh 

OSHKOSH, WIS.—The 600-seat Civic Theatre 

will be opened here Friday, May 28, by 

Sol Winokur. The theatre has been closed 

since the early part of 1946 and has been remodeled 

and re-equipped at a cost of about 

$80,000. 

Winokur reports the theatre has the second 

largest stage in the state and the best 

of acoustics, and will present stage shows 

as well as picture programs. A five-piece 

civic orchestra will play at the theatre. 

Winokur built the Ritz Theatre in Watervliet, 

Mich., in 1938 and sold it to Mike 

Spadafore in 1945. 

Palestine Picture Opens 

In Chicago Next Month 

CHICAGO—A former Daily News writer's 

film picture of life in Palestine will be shown 

at the World Playhouse starting the first 

week in June. The full-length motion picture, 

"My Father's House." was produced in 

the Holy Land by Meyer Levin, novelist and 

for many years a Chicago Daily News reporter. 

The film is a feature drama, with love 

story woven into the background of Jewish 

colonization. The dialog is in English. 

Contract to Student 

Kathleen Strong a 17-year-old Santa 

Monica high school student, has been signed 

for a term contract by Paramount. 

ANNOUNCING 

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CINE 

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Telephones: Jefferson 7974-7975 


. . Brutus 

. . . Insurance 

. . Mothers 

CHICAGO 

H picket line called by the Chicago Committee 

Against War Pi'opaganda was in front 

of the Chicago the opening day of "The Iron 

Curtain" but there was no excitement . . . S. 

J. Gregory, Pete Panagos and John Doerr, 

Alliance circuit executives, went to the state 

of Washington on an inspection tour of their 

theatres . . . Condolences to Bob Hickey, 

RKO publicity chief, on the death of his 

mother, Mrs. Agnes Hickey, who was buried in 

Detroit last week. 

. . . 

The LaSalle, closed for renovation, will reopen 

about August 1 . . . The Rialto has been 

redecorated, recarpeted, has the latest RCA 

sound, a new screen, seats and a brilliant 

marquee . . . "The Naked City" bowed in for 

a second downtown run direct from the 

Palace with midnight shows every night 

Fred Mindlin of Mlndlin Film Trailer Co. has 

retm'ned from a business trip to Cincinnati. 

Cleveland and Detroit . . . Cecil B. DeMille 

was in on a stopover from the coast on his 

way east. 

Leading Chicago film carriers have organized 

Film Shoppers, Inc., with headquarters 

at 1327 S. Wabash Ave. They will start 

operating about June 1 . . Hollywood's 

. 

youngest cover girl, 9-year-old Luana Patten, 

who starred with her performances in -Walt 

Disney's "Song of the South" and "Fun and 

Fancy PYee," hosted newspapermen and 

critics at a luncheon last weekend in the 

Pump room. She also made a personal appearance 

at the Fair department store to 

display her doll collection and autograph albums. 

A proposal to outlaw overhanging advertising 

signs on State street in the downtown 

section brough a howl of protest to a city 

council subcommittee from the street's theatre 

owners last weekend. Representatives of 

Balaban & Katz and the Telenews Theatre 

said their business would be hurt if the proposal 

became law. Objections also were made 

on behalf of the workmen who erect and 

maintain the signs. B&K's counsel said that 

such a law probably would be upheld if it 

appUed to the entire Loop. The subcommittee 

put off a decision to give the opposing sides 

time to talk it over. 

Burton Holmes Film laboratory, established 

55 years ago, has been sold to Crescent Film 

Laboratory of New York City, a 20th-Fox 

subsidiary. Ellis Smith was here and closed 

the deal with Burton DePue, Holmes president, 

who will retire to Pasadena, Calif. . . . 

William Saltiel, chairman of the board of 

Licenced under 

U.S. Paten's of 

Western E(ectric 

Co., Inc. 

the Marshall Grant Productions, has gone to 

Hollywood to spend a month at studios. 

The civic sponsoring committee for "I Am 

an American" day expressed its thanks to 

the 29 Essaness theatres, including the Oriental 

and Woods which featured a film 

trailer on the observance. More than 20,000 

filled Yates stadium following a mile-long 

parade. Stars of stage, screen and radio entertained 

at various "I Am an American" 

day festivities. 

Robert Gardner, formerly with the Chicago 

Theatre Supply Co., will represent the 

Motiograph line for the Chicago territory, replacing 

Abbott Theatre Supply, which recently 

took over the RCA lines for this territory 

. Bishop jr., MGM central 

district manager, celebrated his wedding anniversary 

and birthday . . . Rapp & Rapp, 

theatre architects, have completed plans for 

the Sonoma Realty Co.'s 1,000-car drive-in 

at Miles, Mich. Alex Manta of Manta & 

Rose circuit heads the company. The cost 

is estimated at $200,000. 

From the BOXOFFICE Files 

• • 

(Twenty Years Ago) 

PROGRESSIVE Pictui-es was incorporated 

with $30,000 capital, by Tom KcKean, 

Johnny Walsh and Walter Light who recently 

bought out Progress Pictures, operated by 

Tom Leonard . . . Frank Fay is the new 

master of ceremonies at Skouras Bros. Missouri 

in St. Louis. 

* * * 

The MissoiU'i supreme court en banc is 

deadlocked and unable to reach a decision on 

the constitutionality of the Sunday closing 

ordinance for motion picture theatres in 

Springfield, Mo. The high court instructed the 

attorneys interested to arrange for a special 

judge to sit with the court in a reargument in 

an effort to break the tie. One of the seven 

jurists disqualified himself, thus making the 

tie 

possible. 

* * * 

Nine members of the St. Louis musicians 

union were discharged by the police judge following 

charges that they had littered the 

streets with paper or rubbish in the distribution 

of handbills. Several days prior to tlie 

distm-bance the men had circulated the fact 

that several theatres had dispensed with 

union orchestras and had substituted phonographs. 

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7 

New Drive-In Theatre 

Rushed at Decatur 

DECATUR—The C. Bendesen Co. is pushing 

construction of a 1,000-car drive-in theatre 

to be opened here by the Kerasotes Bros, 

of Springfield about July 4. The drive-in, 

which, with the ground, will represent an 

over-all investment of about $200,000, wUl 

include RCA soimd and projection equipment, 

in-a-car speakers, etc., to be furnished by 

Cine Theatre Supply of St. Louis. The theatre, 

in addition to the ramps for the automobiles, 

will also provide 200 seats in the front 

for persons who walk to the theatre or prefer 

to sit in chairs rather than view the show 

from their automobiles. 

Two Drive-ins Going Up 

East and West of Herrin 

HERRIN, ILL.—Construction is under way 

on two drive-in theatres planned for this 

area. On Highway 148, on one side of the 

city, the Egyptian Theatre Corp., headed 

by Harold E. Grear, Hazen Coleman and 

Wayne L. Smith, all of Herrin, are building 

a 600-car airer. On the other side, the Marlow 

Amusement Corp., headed by John Marlow 

of Herrin, is building a drive-in that eventually 

will have accommodations for 1,000 

cars. It is on Route 13, which leads to the 

Crab Orchard ordnance plant. Warweg & 

Hagel of Evansville, Ind., are the architects 

for that project. 

225-Car Drive-In Opened 

Between Cario, Paducah 

KEVIL, KY.—A 225-car drive-in theatre 

was opened on the Cairo-Paducah highway 

here May 14 by H. J. Shelby of Toledo. Shelby, 

a newcomer to the theatre business, arranged 

with Cooperative Theatres of St. 

Louis, Mo., headed by Andy Dietz, to do the 

booking and buying. 

Daylight Saving Time: 

Wometco Sums It Up 

From Southeast Edition 

MIAMI—To adopt or reject daylight saving 

time for this area comes up for a vote May 

25. Most persons here seem to believe daylight 

saving is inappropriate for this location 

and Wometco lists the following objections 

based on local needs: 

You cannot put 25 hours in the day by 

juggling the clock ... If you allot one more 

hour to play, then you must give up an hotor 

of rest . . . Much of yom- maU would be delivered 

a day late, with the postman working 

daylight savings hours and the trains and 

planes on standard time . especi- 

. . . 

ally will dislike daylight savings for, with it, 

they must feed their children in the middle 

of the afternoons, put them to bed in broad 

daylight, and get them up and off to school 

while it is still dark Many children do 

not get enough sleep because they will not 

go to bed so early. Dr. John P. Turner 

advised the retm'n to standard time because 

he was "treating hundreds of children for 

both physical and nervous reactions caused 

by lack of sleep" ... It has been tried and 

refused by 97 per cent of the United States 

experts say it Injures health 

and promotes highway accidents. 

Screenplay on 'Glamour' 

Oscar Saul will do the screenplay on Warners' 

"Glamour." 


. . . Peter 

. . Helen 

. . Perry 

Filmrows Free of Fire 

Second Year in Row 

From Eastern Edition 

WASHINGTON—The year 1947 marked the 

second successive year free from fire loss for 

over 400 film exchanges and shipping depots 

handling more than 6,000,000 miles of inflammable 

film annually, it was reported by 

John B. McCuUough. director of MPAA's 

conservation department, for Eric Johnston, 

president. 

McCuUough said that the strict safety 

methods used have kept the annual average 

fire loss in MPAA member-operated exchanges 

down to $220 during a 22-year 

period. This, he said, "demonstrates the effectiveness 

of the industry's conservation and 

fire safety program and is a compliment to 

the unstinted effort and cooperation so 

freely given by branch exchange managers 

who served as local conservation directors 

during the year." 

More than 4,400 exchange inspections were 

made last year by local managers, who serve 

on a rotating basis for six-month periods as 

local safety inspectors. Although a few older 

exchange buildings which do not measure up 

to "desirable standards" were found, they "offer 

a challenge to exchange operation executives 

to be constantly on the alert and to relax 

in no way their enforcement of the industry's 

conservation regulations," McCullough 

said. 

Several new exchange buildings were completed 

during the year by Warner Bros., RKO, 

National Screen Service and Universal Pictues. 

Japan Studio to Remove 

All Reds From Payroll 


TOKYO—The Toho Motion Picture Co., 

Japan's largest producer, has decided to remove 

all Communist employes from the payroll 

in a move to cut overhead. Employes 

at the company have argued that better 

product would solve the deficit problem. 

The monthly deficit averages about $100.- 

000. Tetsuzo Watanable, president, said 

enough workers would be discharged to 

balance the books. The management also 

refused a demand by the film workers' union 

to permit employes to participate in management. 

Midwest Theatre Supply 

Opens Indianapolis Store 

INDIANAPOLIS—Midwest Theatre Supply 

Co. has opened a branch in Indianapolis at 

448 North Illinois St. The company handles 

RCA equipment. J. Charles Clickner is in 

charge. 

Alliance Raises $1,004 

CHICAGO—The Alliance State Theatre 

recently held a Cancer Fund Benefit performance 

which resulted in a check for $1,004 

for the Damon Runyon cancer fund. According 

to James Gregory of Alliance Theatres, 

the benefit performance netted $904 but Alliance 

contributed $100 to this amount in 

order that the total might exceed the thousand 

dollar mark aimed for. Gregory has 

mailed the check to Walter Winchell of the 

New York Mirror. 

Mrs. J. Fred Stuck (left) of I ort Wayiif, 

first vice-president of the Indiana Indorsers 

of Photoplays, discusses the program 

for next year with Mrs. M. E. Robbins, 

Indianapolis, new president. Mrs. 

Robbins appointed Mrs. Stuck chairman 

as the first step in her plan for enlarging 

the organization next year. 

Indorsers of Photoplays 

To Expand in Indiana 

INDIANAPOLIS—Plans to extend the organization 

by forming groups in towns 

throughout the state and to enlist the youth 

in its work were made at the 33rd annual 

convention of The Indiana Indorsers of Photoplays 

at the Indianapolis Athletic club. 

Mrs. M. E. Robbins. Indianapolis, was elected 

president to succeed Mrs. Paul New, Greenfield: 

Mrs. Fred Stuck of Fort Wayne, Mi'S. 

David Ross of Indianapolis and Mrs. Wolf 

Sussman of Indianapolis, vice-presidents; 

Mrs. H. C. Fledderjohn, Indianapolis, corresponding 

secretary; Mary Catherine Smeltzley, 

Fort Wayne, treasurer; Mrs. Perd Lucas, 

Greencastle, recording Eecretai-y, and Mrs. 

Nathan Huckleberry, Greencastle, auditor. 

Mayor Al Feeney commended the work of 

the organization in upholding high standards 

for motion pictures, which he said have received 

much unfair criticism, and also the 

attitude of the theatremen, who he said always 

have been cooperative. 

Mayor Feeney praised the panel discussion 

conducted by Donald Spillerman, Carolyn 

Schuster and Julia Jane Taylor of local 

high schools. "We need a fresh viewpoint 

in developing appreciation for better movies 

and reading," he said. "The young should 

act as our liaison officers." 

Zerneck in 'Monte Cristo' 

One of the chief supporting roles in Universal's 

"The Countess of Monte Cristo" has been 

assigned to Peter 'Von Zerneck. 

DIDTIOnPICTDIIE SERVICE C> 

12S HYDE

SUPER SALESMAN I 

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THEATRES FOR SALE

Sidelights of Kansas-Missouri Allied Convention 

< 

I 

FORTY-YEAR VETERANS—Industry members with over 40 

years service were honored at the Pioneers banquet sponsored by 

the Kansas-Missouri Allied unit following their convention last 

week in Kansas City. Copper plaques were presented to each man. 

."ibout 160 exhibitors and Filmrowites attended the dinner. 

The pioneers, left to right, are A. E. Jarboe of the Ritz in 

Cameron, Mo., who has been an exhibitor since 1906; Clyde H. 

Badger of Stebbins Theatre Equipment Co., Kansas City, who has 

been in the equipment and supply field since 1906; R. R. Winship, 

Majestic, Phillipsburg, Kas., an exhibitor since 1905; Sam Blair, 

Blair. Belleville, Kas.; Jack Stewart, general manager of Kansas- 

Missouri Allied who conceived the celebration; Mrs. Sam Blair; 

Larry Larsen, Civic and Junior, Webb City, Mo., vice-president 

of Allied and an exhibitor since 1906; M. E. Bybee. manager of 

the Electric, Lamed, Kas., 1906; Ralph A. Morrow, Universal city 

salesman, Kansas Cit.v, 1906, and John A. Schnack, owner of the 

Electric, Larned, and an exhibitor since 1902. 

Two More Drive-ins 

For Twin Cily Area 

MINNEAPOLIS—M i n n e s o t a Entertainment 

Enterprises, comprising a group of 

leading Twin City exhibitors, has bought a 

site for Its third drlve-in on Highway 100 

In Dakota county outside of South St. Paul, 

and Is planning to build Its fourth west of 

Minneapolis, according to Bill Sears, general 

manager. 

The Dakota county drlve-ln will accommodate 

650 cars and cost $125,000. the same 

as the group's other di'lve-lns, Sears says. 

Construction will start in the next two months 

or sooner, and the theatre may be In operation 

before the end of the 1948 season, he 

asserts. 

One of the reasons for the organization of 

Minnesota Entertainment Enterprises was to 

keep away "Invasion of the Twin City drlvein 

theatre field by outsiders." A short while 

ago it purchased the suburban Bloomlngton 

Drive-In. built and opened last summer by 

Dave Flexer of Memphis. Another drive-ln 

theatre, midway between here and St. Paul, 

is being built by Minnesota Entertainment 

Enterprises and will be In operation within 

the next few months. 

With the Minnesota Amusement Co.. Paramount 

affiliate, keeping out of the drive-in 

field. MEE so far monopolizes it here. Out 

in the territory thi-ee drive-in projects are 

under way and more are In prospect. 

In order not to upset the clearance applecart 

and to hurt regular neighborhood and 

suburban houses as little as possible, MEE is 

taking last runs for Its drive-ins. 

Alexander Aide Moves to Beloit 

BELOIT. KAS.—After many years of working 

out of Manhattan, Kas,, D. R. Atkisson, 

field representative for Alexander Films, will 

headquarter here in the future. Mrs. Atkisson 

and daughter will join the film advertising 

salesman at the end of the school year. 

KANSAS CITY—Expected to be one of 

the key speakers last week at the convention 

here of Allied Independent Theatre Owners 

of Kansas and Missouri, Col. H. A. Cole of 

Texas Allied was unable to attend due to 

a fractured wrist. He arrived in Kansas City 

Wednesday night with what he thought was 

a sprain. Incurred when he fell from a chair 

during a meeting in Des Moines, The following 

day Ti'ueman Rembusch and Sidney 

Samuelson, guests from Allied in Indiana and 

eastern Pennsylvania respectively, took Cole 

to Menorah hospital where it was learned 

the veteran Allied leader had suffered three 

fractures. 

Cole had the bones set and a cast applied 

while at the hospital that afternoon. Not 

to be kept out of important happenings, he 

insisted on making at least an appearance 

on the convention floor. Shortly before the 

election of officers, he came in, accompanied 

by Rembusch. The gathering welcomed 

him with a standing ovation. 

A, J. Simmons of Lamar, who has been an 

exhibitor in this area for nearly a quarter 

century, a film salesman and "a partner 

many times over." gave a heartfelt plea for 

a buying and booking service for Allied members. 

It was largely due to his hopes for 

"security in case of death, illness, absence 

or inexperience on the part of partners, family 

or newcomers to the business" that caused 

the organization to vote for such a service. 

• • « 

Don Phillips, Louis Sosna and Dan Payton 

drew up the bylaws and constitution. Phillips 

again acted as legal and parliamentary adviser 

during the meetings. 

• • • 

Mrs. Sidney Samuelson spoke on Caravan 

during the temporary absence of her husband. 

She was Introduced as a "real power 

behind the throne and one of those most 

responsible for Caravan." 

Several Filmrow leaders and repre.sentatives 

of Kansas-Missouri Theatre Owners, 

including President Homer Strowig and TOA 

director R. R. Biechele, attended the session 

at which Abram F. Myers. Allied general 

counsel, analyzed the supreme court decision. 

By far the largest attendance was during 

this phase of the convention. 

Mrs. E. R, Golden, wife of Metro's city 

salesman, won the draw prize at the Pioneers 

banquet Thursday night. About 150 persons 

attended the affair. 

Among those registered were: 

KANSAS 

El Dorado—Ben Adams 

Wichita—Mr, and Mrs. Leonard Kane, Mr. and 

Mrs. O. F, Sullivan. 

Minneapolis—Max Musgrave, Mrs. H, C- Musgrave, 

Mrs, C. E. Musgrave. 

Bonner Springs—Albert Orear. 

Johnson—A, K- Smith. 

Kiowa—O. C. Alexander. 

Caldwell—F. L. Norton. 

Osborne—William H. Blair. 

Smith Center—Dan M. Blair. 

Belleville—Mr. and Mrs. Sam Blair. 

Ottawa—Don Shade. 

Blue Rapids—Mr. and Mrs. C. S. Shafer. 

Wakeene/—C. B. Kelly. 

Phillipsburg—Mr. and Mrs. R. R. Winship 

Wamego—Mrs. Lynn E. Alexander. 

Council Grove—Mr. and Mrs. Cle Bratton 

Lincoln—Ray Musselman. 

Kansas City—R. R. Biechele. 

Columbus— Mrs. A. W. Pugh. 

Parsons—Mr. and Mrs. George L. Wadlinglon 

Effingham—Mr. and Mrs, L, E. Hickok, 

Winfield—Warren L. Weber. 

Colby—Mr- and Mrs, Don Phillips, 

Wetmore—L, A. McDaniel. 

Burlingame—Lloyd Mahon. 

Garnett—H. B. Doering. 

Sterling— I. H. Neely. 

Larned—M. E, Bybee, John Schnack, 

Caldwell—F. L. Norton. 

Peabody—Arnold Herns. 

Lyndon—J, R. Crocker. 

Victoria—W. J. Braun. 

Cldy Center—Mr. and Mrs. K. H, Ehret, 

MISSOURI 

Maysville—Mr, and Mrs. R. H. Meek. 

Mount Vernon—Dan Payton. 

Sedalia—I, T, Ghosen, 

Lamar—A, J. Simmons. 

Carthage—Bill Bradlield. 

Kansas Cily—Mr. and Mrs. Louis Sutter. Jay 

Means, George Baker. 

Webb City—Larry Larsen, 

Moberly—Louis Sosna. 

Howard Larsen, 

Butler—Walter H. Kahler. M. C. Odell. 

Cameron—A. E. Jarboe. 

Brookfield—Mr. and Mrs. Frank Meyers. 

Ozark—Kyle Kellner. 

Lees Summit—Sam Abend. 

Savannah—M. B. Presley, W, L, Presley, 

Greenfield—E, A, Peterson, 

BOXOFFICE : 

: May 22, 1948 MW 71

' 

Supreme Court Decisions Seen Spur 

To Theatre Growth in 

MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis Morning 

Tribune, commenting editorially on the consent 

decree decision, expressed opinion "the 

result will be a growth of the theatre business 

in the upper midwest" because the 

"theatre industry now has assurances that all 

exhibitors will have an equal chance at 

film^. 

"The supreme court decisions actually were 

more important for the confirmation they 

gave to previous decisions than for any 

changes they made," the editorial explained. 

"They will give small and independent theatre 

owners a chance to develop their businesses. 

"Essentially, the court was called upon to 

determine how far the producers of movies 

could have control over their product. The 

decisions establish the cutoff lines between 

producers, distributors and theatres more 

clearly than they had been defined previously." 

In a story with a seTen-column head, the 

Minneapolis Star said the "stop" sign held 

up by the U.S. supreme court decisions affecting 

motion picture distribution was interpreted 

in some quarters here as a "go" 

signal, clearing doubts on controversial points. 

"Several tentative theatre developments in 

the Minneapolis territory, for instance, had 

been held up pending establishment of theatre 

status, nationally." the story said. "Now, 

it is felt, plans for building new theatres 

can be carried out. The decisions were not 

so much a question of altering policy as settling 

the terms. 

"The major effect, it was beliered by local 

theatremen, will be opening up the 'auctioning' 

of pictures to all possible users." 

One Less Paper in Mill City 

MINNEAPOLIS—With the discontinuance 

of the Daily Times, evening newspaper, local 

showhouses have one less sheet in which to 

advertise. Its suspension of publication leaves 

only one evening and one morning paper here 

and the same number in St. Paul which with 

Minneapolis, is considered a single metropolitan 

community. The Times, like the 

other two Minneapolis newspapers, was 

owned by the Cowles brothers. In merging 

in with their Star and Morning Tribune, they 

announced they had tried unsuccessfully to 

obtain a purchaser for it and that if anybody 

wishes at any time to start a new paper 

here they'll assist in securing the Associated 

Press news and picture services for the publisher. 

A majority of the Times employes go 

to the Star and Tribune. 

Gun Accident in Booth 

CUSTER, S. D.—Arthur Roepzel, 16, was 

accidentally .shot above the heart by his 

brother Fred, 19, in the Garlock Theatre here 

recently. Sheriff Ed Gray said that the 

brothers were in the projection room of the 

theatre when the shooting occurred. Arthur 

is employed at the theatre. Gray .said that 

Fred was "fooling around" with a .22 caliber 

pistol when it suddenly discharged. The bullet 

struck the other youth above the heart. 

The youth is recovering at a hospital at Hot 

Springs, S. D. 

Northwest 

Record Prosperity 

Seen in Northwest 

Minneapolis—A record-breaking era of 

prosperity is predicted for tliis territory 

by W. E. Boberg, advertising manager of 

the Farmer, in consequence of profitable 

agricultural conditions expected to produce 

500 million dollars in farm building 

in the next few years. He made the prediction 

at a Kiwanis club luncheon. Basing 

his estimates on surveys of agricultural 

trends dating back to 1880, Boberg 

said the era "is in for its best years." 

Theatre Tax Off Some 

MINNEAPOLIS — Motion pictures along 

with the rest of the amusement business 

reversed their recent upward boxoffice trend 

in April as compared with the same periods 

a year ago. according to the internal revenue 

collector's report covering the month's Minnesota 

admission tax collections. Last month's 

collections were $526,159.66. compared to $550.- 

454.03 for April. 1947. a drop of $24,294.37 

from the all-time high and still very good, 

however, the film industry points out. The 

1947 April collections set an all-time high. 

To Replace Lamed State 

LARNED, KAS.—D. E. Burnett and H. L. 

Reed, owners of the State Theatre here, will 

erect a new theatre here soon to replace their 

present house. A cry room and large comfortable 

lounge will be features. The house 

will be located north of Cobb Brothers Electric 

Co. on Broadway. The present State will 

be converted for other uses when the new 

ho«se is opened. Robert O. Boiler of Kansas 

City is the architect. 

Building House in Cameron 

CAMERON, MO.—William "Bill" Silver, 

formerly of Clarence, is building a 500-seat 

theatre here, which he hopes to open early 

in July. The house will have a main floor 

and a balcony and will be equipped with 

Ideal chairs and Western Electric sound. 

The house cost of construction is estimated 

at $85,000. 

Theatres Sponsor Soapbox Derb-y 

MANHATTAN, KAS.—William Marshall, 

newly appointed assistant city manager for 

TEI here, is hard at work on the Junior 

Chamber of Commerce soapbox derby committee. 

Marshall has announced the State 

and Carlton theatres will sponsor a kid racer 

in the event. The two theatres will offer 

passes to the winners and runnersup in both 

the class A and class B groups. The annual 

soapbox derby is one of the pet projects 

of local businessmen and the theatres here 

have always taken a prominent part. Marshall 

considers the work done by him of real 

importance in furthering community goodwill. 

Now It's "Cleopatra Arms' 

The final release title of Warners' "A Kiss 

in the Dark" will be "Cleopatra Arms," 

Clergy Fault Seen 

In 'Tender' Slump 

MINNEAPOLIS—The boxoffice flop of 

"The Tender Years." which was yanked at 

the Century here after six days of poor business, 

reflects no credit on Minneapolitans 

who have been clamoring for more "family 

pictures" and promising to support them and 

to cooperate to make them successful from 

the boxoffice standpoint, trade spokesmen 

here point out. 

The picture's failure to click was all the 

more disappointing to the Minnesota Amusement 

Co. because it had had an invitation 

showing for all local F*rotestant ministers, 

and these preachers without a single exception 

gave the film their enthusiastic approval. 

Moreover, the ministers were contacted 

just before the opening and pledged 

their support for it. 

PROTESTANTS COMPLAIN 

In all this connection there has been complaining 

by Protestant ministers here that 

motion pictures for the most part have 

featured Catholic priests to the exclusion of 

the Protestant clergy. The hero of "The 

Tender Years," a Protestant minister, is 

shown in an extremely favorable light. Critics 

praised the picture as a clean, beautiful story 

for the entire family and extremely good, 

light entertainment. Its star, Joe E. Brown, 

has been drawing packed houses everywhere 

in 

| 

Everett Seibel, Minnesota Amusement Co. 

the .spoken play, "Harvey." 

advertising and publicity head, recently delivered 

a talk at the Calvarj' Methodist 

church, St. Louis Park, when the matter of 

Catholic and Pi'otestant clergy treatment by 

motion pictures was brought up during the 

question and answer period that followed. 

One question was why pictures, with the exception 

of "One Foot in Heaven," dwelt much 

with Catholic priests and practically ignored 

F^'otestant ministers. 

BUT DON'T SUPPORT FILMS 

In reply, Seibel pointed out that the film 

industry primarily is a commercial institution 

concerned with the boxoffice. Pictures 

concerned with Catholic priests, he said, invariably 

have been well patronized. If the 

Protestant ministrj' were more interested in 

pictures, there would be more pictures made 

about Protestant clergy, Seibel said. 

The church's pastor agreed that ministers 

would do well to boost worthy pictures. Apparently, 

however, says Seibel. calling attention 

to "The Tender Years" reception 

here, they are not doing much about it. 

Theatre, First in 12 Years, 

Going Up in Twin City 

MINNEAPOLIS—The first Minneapolis 

theatre to be built in more than 12 years 

is under construction. The "Volk brothers, 

circuit owners, are building the neighborhood 

house, a $125,000, 500-seater, to replace one 

now in operation which will be abandoned. 

Building of still another Minneapolis neighborhood 

house, a $150,000. 700-seater, is scheduled 

to start within 30 days. The house will 

be built by Nate Shapiro, former night club 

owner, and Bennie Bei-ger, independent circuit 

owner. 

The city council, on record to prohibit new 

theatre construction here, let down the bars 

for these two houses, but has put them up 

again. 

72 BOXOFFICE ;: May 22, 1948

, Drive-In 


in USA 

I 

Equip 

with 

RCA 


Equipment performs dependably, night after 



This country-wide acclaim is the natural reaction to 



Arc Lamps and Power Supplies of proved merit.

—— 

— 

2nd 

— 

BKST WISHES TO BRIDE—The Omalia office of MGM bids farewell to Mrs. 

John G. Kemptgen (Hazel Andersen), recent bride of the Milwaukee manager, who 

ends 27 years of service with the exchange. A cateress was called in to serve the 

dinner in the exchange and Mrs. Kemptgen was presented a gift. Left to right, seated: 

Vincent F. Lynn, John G. Kemptgen, Mrs. Kemptgen, Mrmager G. E. McGlynn. 

Second row: Fred Fejfar, Helen Kennison, Viola Colburn, Gladys Waldrep, Lorraine 

VValdman, Dorothy Kosiut, Lucille Hahne, Jennie Stokes, Anita Bruno, Theo Artz. 

Third row: Minnie Lonergan, Evelyn Cannon, Bill Nedley, Lucille Sorenson, Catherine 

Nodean. Fejfar succeeds Mrs. Kemptgen as office manager. 

OMAHA 

H move is under way to get both men and 

women bowling teams representing film 

exchanges started this summer at the 40 

Bowl. Hope is that by fall both leagues will 

be going strong. Pat Halloran, Paramount 

salesman, reports that his exchange has 

teams ready to enter in both circuits . . . 

A. F. Seff was to open his new de luxe 

Uptown Theatre at Sioux City during the 

week ... Ed Cohen, Eagle Lion manager, 

headed for Chicago and a general sales meeting 

Joe Foley, who resigned as salesman 

. . . at Eagle Lion, has gone to Film Classics 

in a similar position. 

Milliam Laird, U-I assistant booker, is 

spending his vacation painting his new home 

. . . Mrs. Carl White, wife of the Quality 

Theatre Supply Co. owner, underwent an 

operation on her fingers, a result of a broken 

arm she received not long ago . . . Paramount 

employes gathered at the 40 Bowl for a farewell 

dinner for Manager Donald Hicks. They 

presented him a pen and pencil set. His successor. 

M. E. Anderson of Kansas City, was 

on hand and took over officially at the exchange 

Monday. 

Columbia personnel 

helped Lena Robarge. 

inspector, celebrate a birthday with a little 

cake eating in the office . . . MGM employes 

COMPLETELY NEW 

HORKY'S CAFE 

Bigger and Better Than Ever 

— Featuring 'Delish' Steaks 

1202 High St. Des Moines. Iowa 

"Where Filmrow Friends Gather" 

Open Daily at 4 p. m. 

•1} :i1 

* 5/>^f^y SERVICE 'TOP QUALITY * 

mOTIOn PICTURE SERVICE [0. 

125 HYDE ST. 

CtKAlB I, 

• • 

)an Francttco (DCalif. 

KAKiKI Qtntrtl mjna^rr 

staged a similar "party" for Manager G. E. 

McGlynn . . . Samuel Deutsch, U-I office 

manager, accompanied Joe Foley, now with 

Film Classics, to Des Moines over the weekend 

where they visited Joe's mother. 

Bill Miskell, Tri-States district manager, 

said that the plans are now to open Omaha's 

first drive-in Tuesday W. C. Gehring, 

assistant general sales 

. . . 

manager from New 

York, and Jack Lorenz. divisional manager 

from Chicago, were here over the weekend 

. . . L. E. Davidson, operator of the newdrive-in 

scheduled for Sioux City, paid his 

first visit to Omaha since leaving Tri-States 

Evelyn Machmuller, 20th-Fox 

Theatres . . . 

booker, goes by plane to New York City for 

her vacation . . . Bobra Suiter, former Omaha 

Community Playhouse performer, will be here 

in the "Carousel" cast. She gets a minor 

promotion starting here to the role of 

"Arminy." 

One of the pleasantest days of the year 

helped draw the following visitors to Filmrow: 

Herman Fields, Clarinda; Clem Tramp, 

Crofton: H. O. Qualsett, Tekamaha: Al Wueben, 

Parkston, S. D.; Carl Johnson, Red Oak. 

Iowa; R. V. Fletcher, Hartington; Don Campbell, 

Central City: William King, Shelby: 

Frank Good, Red Oak; Arnold Johnson, Onawa, 

Iowa; K. F. Nelson, Utica, Neb.; Ralph 

Martin, Moorhead: F. J. Weatherly, Snyder: 

Mervin Neeley, Griswold, Iowa; Claud Craig, 

Plainview; Roy Siefert, Ainsworth, and Mort 

Ives, Shelby, Iowa. 

Use Film in Politics 

DES MOINES—Organized labor in Iowa 

is using a sound motion picture in its political 

campaign against Gov. Robert D. 

Blue. The film pictures the labor demonstration 

at' the statehouse April 21, 1947. 

This is believed to be the first time in the 

history of Iowa politics that a film is being 

used extensively in a state campaign. Spon- 

.sors for the ten-minute motion picture are 

the C.I.O. United Packing House Workers of 

America. 

Take Juvenile Roles 

Samuel Goldwyn has signed 9-year-old 

Peter Miles and 14-year-old Warwick Gregson 

to play important roles in RKO's "Take Three 

Tenses." 

'Iron Curtain' Captures 

Minneapolis Honors 

MINNEAPOLIS—"The Iron Curtain" was 

the boxoffice leader last week, although 

Radio City, with Sammy Kaye's band, plus 

acts, en t'ne stage, and the picture "Smart 

Woman " also turned in a respectable gross. 

Business generally continued very much subnormal 

despite favorable showgoing weather. 

It was the third week for "Street Corner" 

and the second for "The Big Clock" and 

"The Miracle of the Bells." 


Asler— Half Past Midnight (20th-rox), 2nd run; 

Betrayed (Mono), reissue 90 

Century—An Ideal Husband (20th-Fox) 90 

Gopher—Elephant Boy (SR), South oi Tahiti 

(SR), reissues - 

—.85 

Lyceum—Street Corner (McCall), 3rd wk 110 

Lyric—The Big Clock (Para), 2nd d. t. wk 100 

Radio City Smart Woman (Mono), plus 

stage show _ 

130 

RKO Orpheum—Casbah (U-I) 85 

RKO-Pan—The Miracle oi the BelU (UA), 

2nd d. t. wk UO 

State—The Iron Curtain (20th-Fox) 135 

World-Meet John Doe (SR), reissue _. 90 

Warmth, Baseball and Other 

Competition Hurt Des Moines 

DES MOINES—The weather, opening of 

a new drive-in theatre, baseball games and 

the opening of Riverview amusement park 

were the main causes of poor theatre attendance 

here last week. All three downtown 

programs fell below par. Publicity from New 

York on "The Iron Curtain" failed to arouse 

the interest of Des Moines patrons, for that 

picture, billed at the Des Moines Theatre, 

did no better than its competition. 

Des Moines—The Iron Curtain (20th-Fox) 

Orpheum The Lady From Shanghai (Col); 

90 

The Return oi the Whistler (Col) 90 

Paramount The Lost Moment (U-I); Secret 

Beyond the Door (U-I) 90 

Weather Claimed Too Good 

For Kansas City Grosses 

KANSAS CITY—Once again business was 

on the skids and only one house in town 

hit a solid par. "The Iron Curtain" at the 

Tower, Uptown and Fairway was the leader, 

with "Hatter's Castle" at the Paramount, and 

the second week of "The Miracle of the 

Bells" at the Orpheum close behind. Weather, 

according to local theatremen, was "too good 

for show business." 

Esquire Belle Starr (20th-Fox); Frontier Marshal 

(20th-Fox), reissues 87 

Midland—Arch of Triumph (UA) 90 

Orpheum—The Miracle oi the Bells (RKO); 

Western Heritage (RKO), 2nd wk —.95 

Paramount Hatter's Castle (Para) 95 

Tower, Uptown, Fairway The Iron Curtain 

(20lh-Fox) 100 

Kaye Orchestra, 'Bells' 

Are Omaha Favorites 

OMAHA — Sammy Kaye's orchestra on 

stage at the Paramount lifted a bill that included 

"Caged Fury" to an excellent boxoffice 

return. "The Miracle of the Bells" and "Adventures 

in Silverado" at the RKO Brandeis 

also did outstanding business. Other first 

runs felt a serious dent from damp, chilly 

weather, and the local political fuss. 

Omaha The Lost Moment (U-I); Roses Are Bed 

(20th-Fox) 90 

Orpheum—Caged Fury (Pard), plus stage show.— 145 

Paramount—State of the Union (MGM), 2nd wk 90 

RKO Brandeis—The Miracle of the Bells (RKO): 

Adventures in Silverado (Col) 135 

Statp— If Winter Comes (MGM): The Amelo Affair 

(MGM) , wk 100 

Town Gun Talk (Mono); My Favorite Brunette 

(Para), 2nd run, split with Glamor Girl (Col), 

2nd run; Death Rides the Range (EL); Keeper 

of the Bees (Col), 2nd run 95 

74 BOXOFFICE 

: 

: May 

22, 1948

. . 

MINNEAPOLIS All Home Circuit Managers Members 

. 

Tlill ramornn, veteran MGM .salesman, has 

bousht the theatre at Waterville. Minn. 

Harry Seed, Warner district manager, 

Ben Blotcky. Paramdlint 

was a visitor . . . 

manager, and his salesmen will go to Chicago 

next week for a sales meeting 

Exhibitors on Filmrow included Ralph Swanson, 

Ely. Minn.; Paul Perrizo, Winnebago 

and Blue Earth, Minn., and Fred Beauth, 

Heron Lake. 

Herman Goldberg, Warner home office exchange 

operations head, was in town . . . 

The wife of Eph Rosen, MGM Twin city 

salesman, is home after a successful operation 

Many of the film 

at Miller hospital . . . boys took advantage of the weekend fishing 

season opening to test their rods and reels 

in northern Minnesota waters. Among those 

who got a head start was Lowell Kaplan, 

manager of Independent Theatre Ass'n, buy- 

combine. 

ing 

Joe Loeffler, Republic manager, attended 

his mother's funeral in Cleveland . . Twentieth-Fox 

. 

has scotched a report in 

circulation 

. . . 

that its sales staff is to be pared here. All 

present salesmen will continue and no 

changes are contemplated, it was announced 

Saul F^'ancis, Monogram district manager, 

Bennie Berger and S. D. 

was in . . . attended 

Kane, North Central Allied officers, 

the national Allied directors meeting in 

Denver. 

Sidney Balman, former manager of the 

Bloomington Drive-In Theatre, has dropped 

plans to build a drive-in at Brooklyn Center, 

a suburb. Material shortages and other problems 

are deteiTing him, he said . . . Gus 

Baehr, Brainerd circuit owner, is improved 

in health after a visit to the Mayo clinic 

in Rochester. 

New Cooling System for Sosna 

MANHATTAN, KAS.—The Sosna Theatre, 

TEI campus showcase, is installing a new 

cooling system. 

Singer to Appear in Person 

Paramounfs singing star Mary Hatcher 

soon will make personal appearances in Kansas 

City, St. Joseph., Mo., and Omaha. 

Of Civic Clubs As Goodwill Assef 

Front row, seated, left to right: 

Ralph French, Frank Mantzke, James Randgaard, 

Charles Closson, Gal Nygaard, James Ooggin, Back row: Pat Goggin, J. J. Schwangler, 

Roger Haining, Ward Nichols, Mrs. Marie Olson, Chet Raasch, Ray Vonderhaar, 

Mickey Justad. 

BRAINERD, MINN.— It was brought out 

at the annual meeting of the Home Theatres 

Co. circuit at the home office here that every 

house manager is a member of either the 

local Kiwanis or Rotary club. The circuit, 

comprising 11 houses, stresses the maintenance 

of goodwill in each community, along 

with managerial participation in civic activities. 

Ways and means to combat a boxoffice 

slump in evidence the last six months and 

policies, future bookings and preparations 

for the tourist season were discussed. 

Talks were made by Cal Nygaard, general 

manager; James Raindgaard, president; 

Charles Clossen, vice-president, and Frank 

Mantzke, secretary-treasurer. All three were 

re-elected along with George Miner, another 

vice-president. Northwest Theatre Service 

Co., of which Mantzke is president, will continue 

to buy and book for the chain. 

Ben Blotcky, Paramount manager, and Eph 

Rosen, MGM Twin city salesman, told of 

forthcoming product. 

opcom4 

Return False Teeth to Patron 

KNOXVILLE, IOWA—After five days on 

which he apparently subsisted on soup, a 

patron of the Grand Theatre called at the 

lost and found department to pick up the 

upper plate of teeth he had lost in the 

theatre. 

Leave to Produce Play 

Edward Chodorov will take a six-month 

leave of absence from his WTiter-producer 

contract with 20th-Fox to produce a play on 

Broadway. 

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BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

22, 1948 75

. . Earl 

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KANSAS 

Wisiting the local 20th-Fox exchange for 

sales huddles were William Gehi'ing, general 

sales manager; Jack Lorenz, central 

division chief, and H. L. Beecroft, assistant 

division head . . Paul Brown, manager of 

. 

the Booth in Independence. Kas.. for Theatre 

Enterprises, is in a hospital where he 

has undergone an operation. Chet Possey of 

the Kansan in Parsons is relief manager at 

the Booth. Bill Wagner, city chief for the 

circuit in Independence, was called to Washington 

after his 2-year-old granddaughter 

accidentally was burned by an inhalator. Mr. 

aiid Mrs. Wagner expect to return next week. 

. . . 

Ralph Larned of the Paramount in La 

Crosse, Kas., has been taken into the Shrine 

Mary Hatcher, Paramount star of 

"Variety Girl." will sing at the Krug Bowl 

festival in St. Joseph early in June. She 

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Will be here for a day before making the 

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K. R. "Dick" Biechele reopened his Osage 

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the ceiling and refinishing the in- 

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the theatre fell about six weeks ago. None 

of the patrons was seriously injured in the 

accident . Howard Burkhardt, manager of 

the Midland, returned after a three-week 

vacation in the east . . . Robert L. Adkins 

and his wife Catherine were on the Row 

lunching with Lan-y Biechele of Film Classics. 

They operate the Adkins roadshows 

out of Parsons, Kas. 

Babe Cohn, manager of the Paramount, 

was in Chicago for a Paramount concessions 

huddle . Jameson returned from a 

National Film Carriers convention in the 

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Stone, father of Martin Stone of Screenland 

cafe, has returned to his home after an 

operation at Menorah hospital. 

C. C. Knipe of Universal celebrated his 

27th year at the exchange this week. In looking 

back on "the good old days," he recalled 

that" during his first ten years here the exchange 

had nine managers. "Things are 

different these days." he adds. Ruth Kelly. 

ca.shier. celebrated her 30th anniversary at 

the office this week . 

Walsh, prairie 

district manager for Warner Bros., was in 

the local office last week. 

. . . 

Lon Cox and John Meinardi of Fox Midwest 

were in Milwaukee for a meeting 

M. G. Shackelford and Beverly Miller of 

Eagle Lion attended a regional sales huddle 

in Chicago this week . . . Fred AUard, formerly 

of the Kansas Theatre and lately of 

Wichita, died of a heart attack Saturday (15i. 

He was a brother of Joe AUard, who is associated 

Bud Truog, 

with R. R. Biechele . . . United Artists city salesman, is on a twoweek 

holiday Walt and Mary Lou Clark 

of A. F. 

. 

Baker, Enterprises and Paramoimt, 

respectively, have gone to California on a 

vacation. 

Al Adler, resident manager at Metro, celebrated 

his birthday Tuesday. Ice cream and 

cake were offered by the office staff . . . 

Charles Crawford of 20th-Fox was elected 

vice-president of the local loge of the Colosseum 

of Motion Picture Salesmen at their 

dinner Monday night. Crawford replaced 

Andy Anderson, former Paramount city salesman 

who has been transferred to Omaha as 

branch manager. 

To hold meetings in the Paramount branch 

here June 3-5 are Charles M. Reagan, general 

sales manager; Adolph Zuckor, chairman 

of the board; George Smith, western 

division sales head; E. K. O'Shea, assistant 

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76 BOXOFFICE 

: 

: May 

22, 1948

. . Alex 

. . . Marie 

. . . Charlotte 

general sales manager; Harold Wlrthwein, assistant 

division chief; Stan Shukert, Sid 

Mesibox and Ben Waslier of the advertising 

and pubhcity department; A. G. Schwalberg, 

chief of branch operations; Fred Leroy of the 

New York office, arid Lester Coleman of Los 

Angeles. Managers, salesmen and booking 

managers from the St. Louis, Kansas City, 

Des Moines and Omaha branches will be in 

attendance. 

. . . 

The new drive-in at Great Bend is slated 

to open the latter part of next week 

Glen A. Cooper's ozoner in Garden City is to 

open Sunday night i23i ... Seen on Filmrow 

were Bill Graham of the Graham. 16mm 

house in Harris, Kas.; Roy Culley. Pastime, 

Medicine Lodge, Kas.; L. Z. Henry, Lyric, 

Plattsburg: George and Harold Owen, Seymour; 

Ray Miner, Moran and Blue Mound, 

and Ray Cook, Missouri, Maryville. 

Bill Stahl, sales manager of Theatre Specialties, 

manufacturers of Bevelite letters, was 

due here Saturday (22> to confer with Count 

deStefano at National Theatre Supply. Ray 

Colvin. president of TEDPA, was due the same 

date for a meeting with independent dealers 

here. 

Theatre Enterprises has announced that 

J. R. Keller, former assistant city manager in 

Manhattan, Kas., has moved to Marceline as 

city chief, replacing Melvin Bigley, who moved 

to Springfield recently. Ted Huntsman, with 

TEI before the war, is the new city manager 

in Hiawatha, Kas. . Rogers and his 

wife are in the east on a two-week vacation. 

Alex is city chief in Fayette. His wife is the 

Eastern Star delegate from that community 

to the organization's national meeting in 

Atlantic City. 

Fox Midwest managers chosen Showmen 

of the Month in the fifth week of the National 

Theatres Showmanship campaign were 

Leo Davis of the Linwood; C. A. Stewart, 

Grand. Topeka; Howard Busey, Orpheum, 

Wichita, and Steve Souttar, Auditorium, 

Marshall. Prizes for each of the managers 

was $100. 

Further Delays Are Seen 

In Mill City Volks' Suit 

MINNEAPOLIS—The federal district 

court 

has tentatively set May 24 as the date for 

hearing on a motion by Sidney and Bill 

Volk for a temporary restraining order to 

halt major distributors' suits against them 

for damages resulting from alleged fraudulent 

retm'ns on percentage pictures. It was 

indicated, however, that David Shearer, 

counsel for the film companies, would seek 

a further continuance. 

The film companies also seek a court order 

permitting them to examine the books of 

the 'Volks, local circuit owners. The defendants' 

motion is for an order restraining such 

action, 

too. 

Ben Deinard, attornay for the 'Volks, contends 

in his defense that the film contract 

clauses fixing the admission to be charged 

for the pictures involved were illegal and 

thus renders the contracts invalid. In such 

a case, it's contended, books cannot be examined 

and no damages are recoverable. 

It is pointed out that the U.S. supreme 

court decision in the consent decree case 

ruled that distributors' attempts to fix admission 

prices for their films were illegal. 

DES 

MOINES 

'ITacation time has rolled around again, and 

employes of several exchanges are having 

their two-week holidays. Jean Ricketts, EL 

cashier, and her husband Jim, Paramount 

booker, are among the early vacationers . . . 

Gretchen Kelleher, RKO cashier, is spending 

her two weeks in California. She traveled 

by plane . . . Phyllis Clark, Central States 

check writer, has returned from her vacation 

Holdsworth, MGM inspector, is in 

the second week of her vacation. 

Helen McGregor and Phyllis 'Whisler, 

both 

of MGM, were among those who journeyed 

to Pella, Iowa, over the weekend to take in 

the annual tulip festival . . . Bill Miskell. 

Tri-States district manager, visited the home 

office during the week, as did Don Allen, 

now city manager in Sioux City. 

Paul Leatherby is back as a Columbia 

salesman after a brief venture in the res- 

. . . Tony 

taurant business. His brother is now managing 

the Leatherby Drive-In 

Fursee. former Columbia salesman, has 

joined the staff at Universal . . . Barbara 

Magnusson is a sensation with her "new 

look" hairdo. 

Nadiiie Montrez, former RKO employe, 

was married Sunday to Dale MacKinnon. 

Several of the office staff attended the ceremony 

. . . Bob Peterson, son of RKO booker 

"Pete" Peterson, served as chief-of-pohce in 

the annual Des Moines high school day here. 

Representatives from the five high schools 

filled the positions of mayor, city councilmen, 

etc.. in a project designed to teach the 

students something of the methods of city 

government. 

Barbara Newbold of Keosauqua was among 

the visitors on the Row last week. She is 

currently awaiting the new doors for her theatre 

and will then begin a remodeling job 

Elmets, Monogi-am stenographer, 

is excited about the prospect of moving 

into a home of her own. The Elmets 

have been residing with Charlotte's parents 

since their marriage, and have fallen into 

the lucky position of being able to rent a 

house. 

Marie Frye, manager of the confection 

department for Tri-States. entertained the 

Zonta group at a screening recently . . . Leo 

"Wolcott of Eldora, re-elected chairman of the 

board of the Iowa-Nebraska AITO at its 

meeting here recently, is serving his fifteenth 

year as an executive of the group, which he 

helped organize. 

Harry Hamburg, Paramount executive for 

two decades, is leaving his post as exchange 

manager here on May 26 to become branch 

manager in Kansas City. Succeeding him in 

Des Moines is Don Hicks. Hicks, Omaha 

manager for the past year, previously was 

a Paramount salesman in Omaha. The Paramount 

office staff wîll give Hamburg a farewell 

party at the office May 24. Hamburg 

has been branch manager here since 1942. 

Prior to that he was salesman and sales 

manager in the Chicago area for the 20 

years of his association with Paramount. 

The "man who came to dinner" nightly for 

91 weeks on Broadway, had dinner in Des 

Moines one night last week. He was Monty 

Woolley, much more affable than the character 

he portrayed in the stage role which made 

him famous. He registered at the Fort Des 

Moines hotel here as Edgar Woolley, Saratoga 

Springs, N. Y. The while-bearded actor 

explained that he was driving east "by easy 

stages " 

in his Cadillac convertible—"with the 

top down." "I like to drive an open car in 

cold weather," he declared. "I have no wife, 

so it doesn't muss her hair.;' He was accompanied 

here by Carroll Simon, a student at 

the University of California at Los Angeles. 

2,000 Attend Opening 

Of Tri-States Drive-In 

DES MOINES—More than 2,000 persons attended 

the opening of Des Moines' first 

drive-in here last week. The theatre is on 

S. W. Fourteenth street near Army Post 

road. 

With room for approximately 700 autos 

in the 30-acre tract, 775 cars already had 

driven past the boxoffice by 9 p. m. and 

they were still coming. Cars and station 

wagons began entering the place four abreast 

as early as 6:30 p. m. Nearly 80 per cent of 

the vehicles contained childi-en under 12, 

who were admitted free of charge. Occasionally 

a car stalled and had to be pushed 

by the next in line. 

'Within the theatre area, the autos were 

directed to parking places by ushers who explained 

how to attach and use the individual 

speakers. 

Tri-States Theatres, which operates the 

drive-in, will present two shows nightly, the 

first one at dark and the second at 10 p. m. 

North Central Directors 

Will Confer Next Week 

MINNEAPOLIS—A North Central Allied 

board meeting has been called for next week. 

At that time, after hearing reports from 

Bennie Berger, president, and S. D. Kane, 

executive director, it is expected a decision 

will be reached as to whether a campaign 

shall be conducted to have the next Minnesota 

legislature pass a theatre divorcement 

law similar to the one that was enacted in 

North Dakota a few years ago. Berger and 

Kane attended the national Allied board 

meeting in Denver last weekend where they 

heard counsel Abram F. Myers analyze the 

supreme court consent decree decision and 

its probable effects on independent exhibition. 

The Minnesota Amusement Co.. Paramount 

subsidiary, attacked the North Dakota lawin 

the courts as unconstitutional. Before the 

case could be carried to the supreme court, 

however, the legislature repealed the law. 

Berger now feels the supreme court decision 

is "all right" as far as independent 

exhibitors are concerned. He was disappointed 

at first because the court didn't 

order the divorcement, as he had predicted, 

and. in his words, "left the matter in the 

air." But now he's even satisfied with the 

manner that the court disposed of divorcement. 

BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

22, 1948 77

Two Varieiy Clubs 

Aid Stricken Child 

OMAHA—Little 

Jeanette Mary MacDonald 

of Sidney, Neb., "seems to be improving" in 

Denver Children's hospital, thanks to the 

Variety Club of Omaha and New England. 

The 3-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 

Quentin MacDonald is suffering from leukemia, 

a rare blood disease. 

M. Murray Weiss, Boston theatrical engineer 

who was in Omaha on business, read of 

the case in the Omaha World-Herald. He 

formerly headed the New England Variety 

Club, which recently enlisted Dr. Sidney 

Farber of Boston to help save Jeanette's life. 

F. A. Van Husen. chief barker of the Omaha 

club, threw the help of the Omaha tent behind 

the plan. The club first planned to fly 

the child and her mother from Denver to 

Boston to enter the Children's Medical center. 

But doctors and the father decided it would 

be best not to try to move Jeanette, and a 

telephone consultation was arranged among 

Farber, and Denver doctors. Farber sent a 

chemical of the folic acid group by plane to 

Denver. The medicine, while not a cure, prolongs 

life while the physicians continue blood 

studies. 

MacDonald is a welder. His wife is an 

English war bride he met while on air force 

duty overseas. 

It's the Pix Again 

MINNEAPOLIS—It's "on again, off again" 

for the Newsreel Theatre here, which for the 

fourth time is changing its name and policy. 

Originally opened as the Time with a feature 

policy, it became the Newsreel with newsreel 

policy during the war. Following the war the 

house reverted back to reissues and subsequent 

runs as the Pix. Then, a month ago, 

it once more became the Newsreel with newsreel 

policy. Now again it's the Pix and plays 

double feature oldies. The Corwin chain of 

California is the theatre's lessee. 

Buys Argonia Theatre 

ARGONIA, KAS.—Dwight D. Miller is the 

new owner of the Argonia Theatre here. 

Following purchase from J. L. Fleming, Miller 

installed a new Simplex sound system and 

100 new chairs. Miller owns the recreation 

hall here. 

British Star in "The Heiress' 

Sir Ralph Richardson, star of British films, 

will take the role of Olivia de Havilland's 

father in Paramount's "The Heiress." 


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Theatremen Give Collie 

To Governor of Iowa 

DES MOINES—Gov. Robert D. Blue was 

presented with a seven-month-old Collie, a 

son of the film canine, Lassie, during the 

recent convention here of the Allied Independent 

Theatre Owners of Iowa and Nebraska. 

At the banquet which closed the 

two-day meeting, the dog was given to Governor 

Blue on behalf of the group by Leo F. 

Wolcott, Eldora, chairman of the board. 

Charles L. Niles, Anamosa, was appointed 

national director at the final business meeting. 

Looks Over WB Building 

OMAHA—Herman Goldberg, Warner Bros. 

exchange purchasing agent and superintendent 

of maintenance, arrived in Omaha 

to look over the $200,000 exchange building 

under construction at the east end of Filmrow. 

The building, scheduled to be ready in 

June, will be one and one-half times the 

size of the present exchange. 

Weston Theatre Sold 

WESTON, MO.—Fred Eberwein, formerly 

of the Iris in Clifton, has purchased the local 

theatre from H. N. Mobley. It has been rumored 

that Mobley plans to re-enter the 

army. 

Legion to Show Films 

BAXTER, IOWA—The Baxter American 

Legion post will show pictures here twice a 

w'eek from now on. Pictures had been shown 

here by an out-of-town firm which agreed to 

withdraw in favor of the local group. 

Attend Pioneer Session 

STORM LAKE, IOWA—Manager Bill Hill 

of the Storm Lake theatres and Mrs. Hill 

last week attended a social and business 

meeting sponsored by the Pioneer Theatre 

Corp. in Excelsior Springs, Mo. 

Businessmen Plan Shows 

JOICE, IOWA—About 30 businessmen of 

Joice have decided to sponsor open-air movies 

here during the summer months. A committee 

has been named to plan the project. 

Pick Oldest Mother in County 

BOONE, IOWA—A contest to select the 

oldest mother in Boone county was held by 

Rialto Theatre as a Mother's day feature. 

The oldest mother, selected from nominations 

sent to the theatre, was a guest of Irene 

Dimne for a showing of her picture, "I Remember 

Mama," and was presented with a 

bouquet in behalf of Miss Dunne. 

Glenn Kenyon to Omaha EL 

OMAHA—Glenn C. 

Kenyon, former Paramount 

salesman and former owner of a theatre 

at Genoa, Neb., has joined Eagle Lion 

as a salesman. Manager Ed Cohen announced. 

'Mickey' to Feaiure 

Hawkeye Holidays 

DES MOINES—A Hollywood premiere will 

be a feature of the annual Hawkeye Holidays 

here next month. The announcement last 

week by by G. Ralph Branton, general manager 

of Tri-States Theatres Corp., followed 

conferences with executives of Eagle Lion 

Films, producers of "Mickey," the picture 

selected for the premiere. 

"We will premiere the picture to the general 

public at the Paramoimt Wednesday night. 

June 23, as an outstanding event of Hawkeye 

Holidays, and as a personal tribute to Prince 

Bertil of Sweden and his party," Branton 

said. 

Eagle Lion has announced that Miss Butler 

will be in Des Moines for the event. 

Other film figures tentatively scheduled to 

appear are the Swedish star, Signe Hasso: 

Noreen Nash, Robert Cimimings and June 

Lockhart. 

Hawkeye Holidays, the 102nd anniversary of 

Iowa's statehood, is sponsored by the Des 

Moines enterprises committee of the Chamber 

of Commerce. It will be held June 20 through 

June 27 with parades, circus and carnival attractions 

and sports events. 

Midwest Theatres Buy 

Altec Sound Service 

KANSAS CITY—Sound servicing agreements 

have been signed with Altec Service 

by the following: 

Iowa—Rapids in Rock Rapids, American in 

Cherokee, and Lyric in Marcus. 

Kansas—Madison in Madison and Womar 

in Wichita. 

Minnesota—Riviera in Hastings, Lyric in 

Fergus Falls, State in Olivia, State in St. 

Peter, Lyceum in Duluth, Orpheum in Fergus 

Falls, Staples in Staples, Regent and Grant 

in Eveleth, Loop and Leola in Minneapolis, 

State in Red Lake Falls, Royal and Hopkins 

in Hopkins. Glenwood in Glenwood Falls, 

Ripley in Little Falls. Cozy in Long Prairie, 

Lorones in Paynesville. Community in Sherbm-n 

and State in Windom. 

Missouri—Hi-Way. Rivoli and Garrick in 

St. Louis, Drake in Bolivar, Plaza in Crane 

and United Film Service in Kansas City. 

North Dakota—Gillee in Wahpeton and 

Kodak in Wvndmere. 

DES MOINES—Altec Lansing's Voice of 

the Theatre horn systems have been purchased 

by the following theatres: Corwith, 

Corwith, Iowa: Roxy, Richardson, N. D.: 

Sioux. Sioux Rapids, Iowa; March, Vermillion, 

S. D., and the Royal, Spirit Lake, Iowa. 

Irving Marks Appointed 

Twin City Mono Chief 

MINNEAPOLIS—Irving Marks has resigned 

as Columbia Twin City salesman to 

become Monogram branch manager. At his 

own request because of a desire to reKirn 

to more active selling, Morrie Steinman. 

present Monogram manager, becomes sales 

manager, a newly created post. Saul Francis, 

district manager, announced no successor to 

Marks at Columbia has been named yet. 


: May 

22, 1948

Carver Leads Drive 

To Kill Fast Time 

DETROIT—A move to repeal daylight saving 

time, adopted in Detroit last month for 

the first time in a quarter century, has been 

laimched by Sam Carver, president of the 

Michigan Independent Theatre Owners Ass'n. 

Carver has called local exhibitors to a mass 

meeting at the Midtown Theatre to organize 

a formal protest by the industry. 

Explaining his position. Carver said that 

business in theatres has dropped to new low 

levels. "Many theatre owners have become 

almost panicky, contemplating what the summer 

has in store for us all," he said. "Daylight 

saving time has affected the boxoffice. Patrons 

wait until it is dark before going to 

theatres, and then it is too late. 

"Exhibitors need help. We have been advised 

on good authority that we can get help 

from the courts. This statement is made advisedly. 

In talking with the city editors of two 

local newspapers. I was told that many letters 

have poured into their offices from mothers, 

factory laborers and others, protesting this 

confusing change of time. We must act now. 

We must be united." 

Ohio Company Handling 

Listen to Win Game 

COSHOCTON, OHIO—Listen to Win, a 

theatre game said to be usable in places 

where bank night and other lotteries are 

outlawed, is being handled by the Listen to 

Win Co. of Coshocton. Robert Salmans heads 

the organization. 

The manager, or master of ceremony, can 

work either from a registration list or, if such 

a list is not permitted, without it. In the 

latter case, he chooses his participants by 

asking one or two questions from the stage 

and selecting the first persons to answer correctly. 

The first patron who answers is given a 

chance to identify the master quiz, which 

is a 150-to-200-word description of a nationally 

known film, sports, political or military 

person. If he can identify the person, 

he wins the prize. Operators of the game 

furnish a master registration book, master 

quiz book and registration cards. Each month 

the theatre is given additional descriptions, 

questions and answers. 

Goodwill Between Theatres 

Aids Kiddy Show in Akron 

AKRON, OHIO—The Strand Theatre, 

site 

of the Beacon-Journal-WAKR quizdowns for 

the last 27 weeks, has shown two cartoons 

or shorts each week for the yoimg contestants' 

entertainment. On the final quiz, 

held May 8. only one short was available. 

So Loew's Theatre, in fine display of intertheatre 

cooperation, donated its cartoon, "The 

Bear and the Bean," which was being shown 

first run. After the kiddies saw it, it had 

to be rushed back to Loew's in time for the 

first show. 

Another service to Akron youngsters is provided 

by the Orpheum. For three years the 

Orpheum has been admitting street safety 

patrol boys of Bryan school free on the third 

Friday of each month. George G. lYench, 

principal of the school, said these passes are 

a constant morale builder to the boys. 

Rampant Local Tax Policy 

May End in Pennsylvania 

First Tele Set Given 

In Film Promotion 

Mrs. Agnes Myers (right) receives an 

RCA Victor television set from E. J. 

Stutz (left), general manager of Cleveland's 

Lower Mall. Standing are Joe 

Friedl, manager of the Euclid Television 

Center, and John O. Houck, advertising 

and sales promotion manager of Cleveland 

Radioelectric. Inc., local RCA distributor, 

CLEVELAND—Conimunity circuit, owner of 

the Lower Mall Theatre here; RCA Television 

dealers in this area and E. J. Stutz, 

Lower Mall manager, put over a successful 

letter contest in connection with the showing 

of Monogram's "Song of My Heart" that 

culminated Friday (14i night when the winner 

was awarded an RCA Victor television 

set. 

The presentation was made at the Euclid 

Television Center, 3707 Euclid Ave., to Mrs. 

Agnes Myers, whose letter on "What and Why 

Is the Song of My Heart" was judged best 

of the hundreds received. The writers of the 

25 runnerup letters each received an RCA 

and 

Victor album of Tchaikovsky recordings 

all contestants received two passes. 

This is the first television set to be given 

away in this area and the stmit received 

unusual publicity. 

Test for 'Women' qt Lima 

LIMA. OHIO—Warners' Sigma has been 

selected for a test engagement of the Film 

Classics exploitation picture, "Women in the 

Night." Producer Louis K. Ansell will be 

present during the engagement and will 

campaign. 

highUght an extensive advertising 

He will hold newspaper and radio interviews, 

and is set to be guest speaker at the 

Lion club luncheon for the week of the 

showing. 

Estelle Kaufman to Wed 

CLEVELAND—Estelle Schmertz Kaufman, 

daughter of I. J. Schmertz, 20th-Fox manager, 

has annoimced her engagement to Bob 

Dobbs of New York. 

HARRISBURG—The rusli for added municipal 

funds has been gaining momentum 

across Pennsylvania under the commonwealth's 

local tax law, but the spree may 

mean the early death of the act which allows 

political subdivisons to impose taxes on almost 

anything not taxed by the state. Economists 

decry the advantages being taken 

Ly cities, boroughs and townships and by 

school districts. 

A wide range of imposts, from incomes to 

juke boxes, are being slapped on taxpayers 

daily. Those most familiar with government 

finance structures here admit the future of 

Pennsylvania's law is uncertain. The Pennsylvania 

Boroughs Ass'n has w'arned that 

.•ôme taxes have been levied on the WTong 

items, others are overlapping and some are 

just plain confiscatory." By far the most 

"popular" of community levies is the amusement 

tax. 

Unless renewed by the 1949 session of the 

general assembly, the legislative act which 

permit political subdivision to enact community 

taxes automatically expires next year. 

Ambridge School Board 

To Tax Amusements 

AMBRIDGE. PA.—Board of Education has 

approved wage increases for teachers and has 

slapped on an amusement tax to increase 

the budget $71,000. The amusement tax is 

8 per cent on admission of 25 cents or more 

and 10 per cent on smaller amounts. The 

per capita tax of $5 and the property tax of 

26 mills remain unchanged. Ambridge has 

four theatres, two operated by Warner Bros., 

one operated by the Penware Theatre Corp., 

Notopoulos-Publix circuit, and one independent 

house operated by Henry Friedman. 

Youngstown Studies 

10 Per Cent Show Tax 

YOUNGSTOWN—Theatremen are 

fighting 

a proposed increase in the municipal ticket 

tax from 3 to 10 per cent. The increase was 

suggested by Councilman John Barber as a 

means of reducing the city's $500,000 operating 

deficit. 

Mayor Charles P. Henderson said a majority 

of council indicated they would support 

legislation to increase the tax. He said 

the increase was only a "stop-gap" measure 

w'hich would delay curtaUment of city operations 

but will not solve the city's financial 

problems. The 10 per cent tax would raise 

$300,000 annually, or $122,500 for the last 

seven months of this year, he said. 

Frank Savage, manager of the Warner 

Theatre, charged that the council was adopting 

the line of least resistance in proposing 

a 7 per cent increase in the admission tax. 

"The plan will boomerang on everyone concerned, 

" he declared. "The theatres will lose 

patronage and the city will suffer in loss of 

revenue." 

Savage pointed out that the five major 

downtown houses are now supplying about 

80 per cent of the city's admission tax income, 

besides paying property taxes, federal 

admission taxes, and overhead expenses. 

(Continued on next page) 

BOXOFFICE :: May 22, 1948 ME 79

. . Fred 

. . Excellent 

Youngslown Studies 

10 Per Cent Show Tax 

I 

Continued from preceding pagei 

Theatres immediately outside Youngstown 

city limits will escape this tax, keeping the 

burden on the five larger downtown houses. 

Savage doubted that "a minority such as 

the few downtown house managers, with no 

political influence," would be able to combat 

successfully the increased levy. 

Jack Hynes, manager of the Paramount, 

said that business is "way off" in Pittsburgh 

theatres because of the municipally imposed 

10 per cent tax there, and he fully expected 

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rORIVE-IN 

THEATRE 

EQUIPMENT including 

ft Motiograph double shutter 

projectors 

• High intensit/ arc lamps 

• Anti-reflection coated lenses 

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reproducing systems 

• In-car speakers 

Junction boxes 

• Projection room accessories 

RINGOLD THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO. 

106 Michigan St. N. W. 

GRAND RAPIDS 2. MICH. 

onj 

< 

the same result in Youngstown if the council 

passes the 10 per cent levy. "Local theatres 

absorbed the present 3 per cent tax, 

keeping their prices at a popular level, but it 

is impossible to absorb the 10 per cent. The 

people will have to pay it." 

NORTH SEWICKLEY TWP., PA.—School 

board's solicitor has prepared four new tax 

measures. Levies will be a 10 per cent 

amusement tax, ten cents per ton on coal 

strip mining, five cents a ton on all pit 

mining and ten cents a ton for removal of 

top soil. 

JOHNSTOWN, PA. — East Conemaugh 

borough school board is considering a fivecent 

levy on all amusement admissions, a $25 

annual assessment on all juke boxes, pinball 

machines, etc., and a one per cent tax on 

gross sales. 

Al Dezel to Handle Astor 

In Cincinnati Territory 

CINCINNATI — Albert Dezel Productions, 

Inc., has acquired the franchise for the product 

of Astor Pictures for its local office, 

which operates under the banner of Screen 

Guild Productions of Cincinnati, Inc. The 

deal was closed by Ed Salzberg for Screen 

Guild and Fred Bellin for Astor Pictures. 

Gets Building Permit 

OWENSBORO, KY.—The city 

commission 

has approved a building permit for R. C. 

Shanks, who plans to build a 400-seat theatre 

for Negro patronage at 912 West Eighth 

street. 

High School Student in Lead 

Sue England, a 16-year-old high school 

student has been ticketed for the feminine 

lead in Monogram's "Kidnapped." 

From the BOXOFFICE Files 

• • • 


QOHEN BROS., owner of the new Hollywood 

Theatre and six other Detroit 

houses, has bought the Lincoln Square, 

operated by the John H. Kunsky interests 

the last two years. It is a 2,000-seat house 

which has been playing a straight pictiu-e 

policy. 

i^ * * 

Ernest H. Forbes is now Detroit manager 

for National Theatre Supply Co. A short 

time ago Ernie sold his supply business to 

this concern and later joined it as city salesman. 

Now he succeeds Ray Colvin as Detroit 

manager . Cassin, well-known 

Michigan exhibitor and theatre manager, has 

gone to Cleveland where he will become assistant 

manager at one of the Marcus Loew 

theatres, 

w * * 

Phil Gleichman, former owner of the 

Broadway-Strand and Ferry Field theatres, 

Detroit, has become financially interested in 

the Ohio Amusement Co., which operates a 

chain of local houses and will become active 

in its management . Pictures 

Corp., one of the foremost independent producers, 

has opened a Detroit exchange at 

518 New Film Bldg., with S. K. Decker as 

manager. 

Raps Discrimination 

In Uniontown Tax 

UNIONTOWN, PA.—The school board's 

new amusement tax was formally protested 

as "discriminatory" by Attorney J. K. Spurgeon, 

president of the Penstate Amusement 

Co. Compared with a two-mill tax imposed 

on retail businesses by the city, and a onemill 

tax similarly imposed on wholesale 

businesses, the theatres point to the unbelievable 

322 mills now faced by theatres on 

admission tickets. Here is the breakdown on 

theatre taxes establishing the claim: 

Federal tax, 20 per cent, or 200 mills; city, 

four per cent, or 40 mills: city, one-fifth per 

cent, or two mills; school, eight per cent, or 

80 mills, for a total of 32.2 per cent, or 322 

mills. Penstate, under the 20-mill real estate 

tax imposed for school purposes, last year 

paid $7,200, being the third largest school 

taxpayer in the city. This levy is entirely 

separate and apart from the 322 mills now 

faced on admission tickets. Also it is in addition 

to the two-mill tax of the city on 

gross income. 

"It's easy to say that we can pass the new 

school tax over to the public which patronizes 

the theatres. Naturally that is where 

the new taxes will go. But high and discriminatory 

taxes mean higher admission 

prices. This results in fewer patrons. Smaller 

audiences mean less revenue. Leses revenue 

means a reduction in the normal amount of 

gross business on which the theatres are expected 

to pay the new taxes to the city. It's 

a vicious circle which can be tempered only 

by fair and just consideration in the imposition 

of new taxes." 

Open House at Hygienic 

Raises School Funds 

WILMINGTON, OHIO—Hygienic 

Productions, 

producers and distributors of "Mom 

and Dad," held open house in their newly 

completed 24-room home here Sunday, May 9, 

The company advertised that "admission 

is free, but it will cost you to get out." The 

announcement warned visitors to come prepared 

to donate a minimum of 25 cents or 

a maximum of one dollar to purchase and 

erect for Wilmington high school and Wilmington 

college a new electric football scoreboard 

at Alumni field. This is just another 

move in the civic program of which Hygienic 

has been the spearhead ever since its 

inception four years ago. 

Hygienic Productions, under the leadership 

of J. S. Jossey and Kroger Babb, has grown 

in those four years from a one-room office 

to a 24-room home building and 12 branch 

offices. Like the office space, the personnel 

has increased from one employe to some 40 

fuUtime and 20 parttime local employes and 

from seven road employes to over 200. 

Boyd Chamberlain Dies 

JOHNSTOWN, PA. — Boyd Chamberlain, 

18-year-old son of Les Chamberlain, Johnstown 

exhibitor, died last weekend in Memorial 

hospital. A patient there for several 

months early this year, the Dale high school 

athlete underwent 35 blood transfusions at 

that time in winning a fight over a rare blood 

disease. He attended the opening baseball 

game of the season at Forbes field, Pittsburgh, 

and had been improving in health. 

Suffering a relapse, he was readmitted to the 

hospital May 5. 

80 

BOXOFnCE : 

: May 22, 1948


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1638 Cent-ral Parkway, Cincinnati 10, Ohio 

ERNIE FORBES THEATRE SUPPLY 

214 W. Montcalm St., Detroit, Mich. 

OLIVER THEATRE SUPPLY CO. 

East 23rd & Payne Ave., Cleveland 14, Ohio 

ALEXANDER THEATRE SUPPLY CO. 

1705 Boulevard of Allies Pittsburgh 1 9, Pa.

— 

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CINCINNATI 

. 

IS Glaubinger, former RKO salesman in the 

1 

Dayton territory and now with the company 

in Pittsburgh, will be married July 4 to 

June Goldfarb of Dayton. The couple will 

live in Pittsburgh, where Glaubinger has obtained 

an apartment Midwest Theatre 

Supply is installing 

. . 

new International seats 

in the Twin Theatre, Waynesville, Ohio, 

which is operated by Robert O'Reagan; also 

new equipment in the Imperial, Zanesville, 

recently acquired by Lou Holleb. 

Seen on the Row last week: Si James and 

his manager, Chalmer Bach, of Brookville 

and Eaton, Ohio; Delmar Walker, Chesterhill; 

Max Goldberg, Falmouth, Ky.; Oliver 

Joesting, Lynchburg. Ohio, and Mrs. Joesting 

. . . The Dayton Variety Club is having 

. . . 

its annual picnic Wednesday, June 9, at 

Idleweiss park. This will be an all-day event 

and proceeds will be used for the heart fund 

... J. J. Grady, branch manager of Paramount; 

Charles Perry, exploitation representative: 

and salesmen Fred Myers, Vincent 

Kramer, William Meier and James Doyle, 

and booking manager Jack Rodman attended 

a division meeting in Philadelphia May 17-19 

Gladys Smiglewicz, Paramount biller, has 

returned to her desk after an absence of 

about two months. She had pneumonia. 

Pat Williams, former secretary to Art Manheimer, 

branch manager National Screen 

Service, has assumed position as secretai-y 

for Cooperative Theatre Service here. Bill 

Borack, formerly with Northio Theatres, is 

head of Cooperative here, and has opened 

office in the Schmidt Bldg. . . . Local F37 

held a delightful dance at Moonhght Gardens, 

Coney Island May 12, at which a large 

number of members and friends turned out. 

Cliff Garbutt, in the MGM booking department, 

has returned to his desk after an 

absence of several weeks, during which he 

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underwent an appendectomy . 

. . Estelle 

Schilferth, booker at MGM, has taken up 

residence in Seattle, Wash., with her mother 

and has joined the MGM staff in that city. 

Estelle had been an employe of long standing 

in the Cincinnati branch and her coworkers 

regretted to see her leave. Don Hall, 

shipper at MGM, received congratulations on 

the arrival of a baby, his second offspring 

Sheeran, city salesman for MGM, 

is vacationing in Memphis, where, he reports, 

the fishing is good. 

Pages of Cooperative Ads 

Hail Drive-In Opening 

SHARON, PA.—The Hickory Drive-In Theatre, 

on the Sharon-Mercer road. Route 62, 

at Hermitage, which opened May 12, is 

operated by the Open Air Amusement Corp,, 

owiied by Cecilia Lampros, wife of Chris 

Lampros, manager and owner of the Capitol 

and Colonial in Farrell, and Mr, and Mrs. 

Peter L. Patti of Youngstown, formerly of 

Greenville and Farrell. The 25-acre site will 

be landscaped and beautified as soon as possible, 

this work having been delayed due to 

rainy weather. Mrs. Patti is manager of the 

concession. A dozen firms which helped in 

the construction and equipping of the newdrive-in 

shared costs of several full-page 

advertisements in the Sharon Herald. 

WASHINGTON, PA.—Route 19 drive-in 

theatre, two miles north of Washington on 

Route 19, New Pittsburgh Hi-Way, was 

opened May 14 by the Basle-Laskey Enterprises. 

SCOTTDALE, PA.—R. M. Thorne, with D. 

J. Ruth, co-owner of the Ruthorn drive-in 

here, expects to open the new outdoor theatre 

at York, Pa., May 27. 

UNIONTOWN, PA.—The Drive-In Theatre 

at Braddock's Grave, nine miles east of here 

on Route 40, opened the evening of May 16. 

One show only is exhibited, starting at 9 p. m. 

METZ, W. VA.—Wilson's Drive-In on route 

250, five miles west of Mannington, was to 

open this week. E. C. Wilson is proprietor. 

Bernat Federhar Dies 

AKRON, OHIO—Bernat Federhar, 82, retired 

local theatre operator, died here May 

14. Two sons, Max and Alex, survive. His 

wife had died a week earlier. 

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ENTERPRISES 

402-3-4 Film Bldg., Cleveland, O, 1632 Central Parkway, Cincinnati, O. 

Theatres at Detroit 

Slump After Strike 

DETROIT—Business was fair at local boxoffices 

last week, slumping seriously at the 

end as 75,000 Chrysler workers went out on 

strike and a general depressed mood gripped 

the city. Detail for week ended May 13: 


Adams—State ol the Union (MGM), 2nd wk 75 

Broadway Capitol The 'Sainted' Sisters (Para), 

plus stage show 200 

Cinema To Live in Peace (Eng) 105 

Dov/ntown—The Bishop's Wife (RKO) 100 

Fox—All My Sons (U I); 13 Lead Soldiers (20th- 

Fox) 90 

Michigan The Lady From Shanghai (Col); Madonna 

of the Desert (Rep), 2nd wk 100 

Palms-Slate— Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay! (20th-Fox); 

The Tender Years CÔth-Fox) 85 

Paradise The Gay Ronchero (Rep), plus stage 

show 100 

United Artists— I Remember Mama (RKO), 2nd wk...l00 

Cleveland Theatres 

Feel Seasonal Dip 

CLEVELAND — Fine weather, baseball, 

house cleaning and gardening cut into theatre 

attendance, with the result that practically 

all of the pictures had weak opening 

days. Business picked up over the weekend. 

Best boxoffice attractions were "B. P.'s 

Daughter," witli a 100 per cent rating in its 

first week at the State, and "State of the 

Union," on a moveover at the Stillman. 

Vaudeville, first in 12 weeks, was only so-so 

at the Palace. Neighborhoods also reported 

a drop in attendance, but considered it a 

.seasonal condition. Report for week ending 

May 13: , 

Allen— River 

Hippodrome—The 

Lady (U-I) 

Fighting 

105 

, 

69th (WB); 

Valley of the Giants (WB), reissues 80 

Lake—Winter Meeting (WB), 2nd d. t. wk 85 

Lower Mall The Queen's Necklace (Siritzky) 110 

Ohio—The Big Clock (Para), 3rd d. t. wk 90 

1 

Palace Adventures of Casanova (EL) plus 

Mills Bros 

State—B. F.'s 

on stage 

Daughter (MGM) 

, 

_ 80 

100 

) 

Stillman—State of the Union (MGM), 2nd d. t. wk..l35 

Horace Heidt Stage Show Boosts 

'Honeymoon' to Cincinnati Top 

CINCINNATI—Horace Heidt and the show 

. 

at the Albee scored top honors this week. 

"State of the Union" was held for a third 

week, and "The Miracle of the Bells" and 

"Duel in the Sun" moved over for second 

weeks. 

Albee Lost Honeymoon (EL), plus stage show 325 

Capitol—State of the Union (MGM), 2nd wk 120 

Grcmd—Duel in the Sun (SRO) 130 

Keiths—Black Bort (U-I) 70 

Lyric—Buck Privates (U-I), South of Tahiti 

(U-I), reissues 70 

Palace—The Miracle of the Bells (RKO) 120 

Shubert—Sitting Pretty (20lh-Fox), 2nd run, 2 

days; Tarzan and the Mermaids (RKO), 5 

days, 2iid d. t. wk 70 

'State of Union,' 'Apache' 

Vie for Pittsburgh Honors 

PITTSBURGH—"State of the Union" and 

"Fort Apache" were winners in exhibition on 

downtown screens and both were accorded 

holdover engagements. 

Fulton—Are You With It? (U-I) 70 

Hams—Sitting Pretty (20lh-Fox), 2nd wk 110 

Penn—State of the Union (MGM) 155 

Ritz—The 'Sainted' Sisters (Para), 2nd d. t. wk 75 

Senator—An Ideal Husband (20th-Fox); 

Let's Live Again l20th-Fox) 70 

Stanley—Winter Meeting (WB) _ 70 

Warner—Fort Apache (RKO) 200 

700 Seater Will Be Built 

At Whittemore Lake 

DETROIT—An $80,000 theatre seating 700 

persons will be completed in 'Whittemore 

Lake, Mich., early this summer, Ed Carrow 

of South Lyon is building it. 

1 


: May 

22, 1948

. . . Mrs. 

. . 

— 

Decision Due Soon 

DETROIT 

~1 

I 

In Ambridge Issue 

PITTSBURGH—The antitrust suit brought 

by Harry Norman Ball, trustee of the Penn, 

Ambridge. against six film distributors and 

the Notopoulos Theatre interests, on which 

judgment was denied in federal district court 

and which was heard on appeal last fall in 

Philadelphia, is due for determination "almost 

any day," according to Henry Friedman, 

supervising manager of the Penn. The 

theatre representatives sought first run pictures 

for the Penn when the Notopoulos interests 

erected a new theatre, the State, and 

moved the Penn product there. Friedman, 

who headquarters at the Ardmore Theatre, 

Ardmore, Pa., was here last week conferring 

with Harry Bernstein, manager of the Penn. 

Marquee Forecasts Cold 

WILMINGTON. OHIO.—The marquee of 

the Murphy Theatre here called the turn 

on the weather recently when it said, "If 

Winter Comes, repeat performance." It 

seemed like winter had returned after the 

mercury dropped from 91 degrees to 44. 

Cîul Conn, ever-alert projectionist at the 

Norwood Telenew's, wants to know if those 

SRO "boards " '\\\ our May 8 issue were to 

hold up the whole paper? Incidentally, SRC's 

big spread names Eugene- Alexander, recently 

resigned, as branch manager, instead of 

Edwin Murphy who now has the post . . 

. 

Jack Haynes, Butterfield booker, is trying 

to figure out how to get the cement off that 

clothes pole he set in his back yard—it 

flopped over the next morning. 

. . . 

. . . Starr, by the way, 

H. Edward Stuckey, John Gentile and the 

Paramount salesmen headed for a sales convention 

at Philadelphia over the weekend 

Ben Robins, U-I nxanager, was outstate 

calling on exhibitors . . . M. Harlan Starr, 

Monogram manager, won a permanent wave, 

distributor, 

won a whole ham at the backroom exchange 

and Charles Garner, independent 

staff party 

was a contributor to the Satui'day Evening 

Post last week . . . Ruth Steinmetz, secretary 

to the MGM branch manager, is attractive 

in new pink glasses. 

Arthur Trombley, Columbia Junior booker, 

became the first male recipient of a kitchen 

shower the other day when the girls ganged 

up and feted his approaching marriage 

Marion Coley, RKO, is practicing 

. . . 

up a new 

dance step known as the Kangaroo Leap. 

Tom Funk, former co-manager of the Great 

Lakes, is doing a nice job with the Northwestern 

Mutual Life Insurance Co. . . John 

. 

Sklar is forming the Central Theatre Co. 

with offices in the Guaranty Bldg. . . . Maurice 

Beers, operator at the FenkeU, was a lastminute 

BOXOFFICE visitor. 

erator at the Krim in Highland Park, is back 

from a month's auto trip with Mrs. Parsons to 

California, the Grand Canyon, and points 

between. He visited his brother, Leslie Parsons, 

formerly of Tulsa, who is chief electrician 

at the Fox studios. 

EXHIBITORS — PARK FREE AT 

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COMPANY 

454 COLUMBIA ST WEST - DETROIT I. MiCH 

MOTIOQRAPH SERVICE 

Phone: CAdillac 5524 

ERNIE 

FORBES 

214 W. Montcalm 

Detroit 1, Mich. 

Phone CAdillac 1122 

FILM EXCHANGE DRUGS 

The Showmen's Drug Store 

Drugs 

' 

Cosmetics * Prescriptions 

Personal Service irom Two Showmen 

MAX BERNBAUM lACK GALLAGHER 

Pharmacist 

Manager 

Phone CLiiiord 1527, CLifford 3694 

Exclusively in th« 

NEW HUSH 

SMART ENTERTAINMENT 

HUSH ALBUM 

NAN BLAKSTONE 

The Enchantress oi Sophisticated Song 

At Lmading Records Stores 

Six Amusing Numbers 

HHl Life on Donkey Island 

HHIA Lets Fall in Love 

HH2 My Boy Friend Elmer 

HH2A BlaKstone's Secret Passion 

HH3 He Should Have Been a WAC 

HH3A BlaKstone's Torch Song 

Released by 

Havlland

I 

Theatrical 

. . . Christopher 

. . Julius 

. . Paul 

. . Bob 

. . Leroy 

. . Also 

CLEVELAND 

Morman Moray, Warner short subject sales 

manager who was in town on business. 

was kept busy answering the greetings of 

his many friends who recalled when he was 

Pathe manager in Cleveland . . . Irving 

Lamm, formerly with the Warner circuit m 

Cleveland, now manager of the Ramona and 

Holly theatres in Hollywood, has notified 

his friends that he will be married July 25 

to Peppi Bromberger. formerly of England 

and now of Los Angeles. He is the elder 

son of Julius Lamm, manager of Warners' 

Uptown Theatre, and Mrs. Lanmi. 

Max Mink, general manager in charge of 

the local RKO theatres, has installed a 

family-size television set on the mezzanine 

. . . 

floor of the Palace as an added service to his 

patrons. An attendant is assigned to handle 

the instrument Harry Henderson, who 

last week severed his 20-year association as 

manager of the Lorain-Fulton Theatre in 

Cleveland, has been appointed manager of the 

Yorktown Theatre to succeed Pearce Parkhurst. 

. . . Aaron Wayne, 

Nat Barach, NSS branch manager, is attending 

a company sales meeting in Atlantic 

City. He will return in time to attend the 

graduation of his son Stanley from Fenn college. 

Stanley graduates with Phi Beta Kappa 

honors. Following graduation. Mr. and Mrs. 

Nat Barach and Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Barach 

will take an eastern trip 

president of the Salesmen's club of Cleveland, 

is talking about a golf tournament for 

his group. 

Visitors of the week: Jules Lapidus, Warner 

eastern division sales manager; Robert 

Stone, Idol Theatre, Lodi; G. E. Ortt, Ritz 

. 

Theatre, Newcomerstown. and H. C. Waggoner. 

The 

Star Theatre, Amsterdam . . Rex Theatre. Cleveland, has changed hands 

again. New owner is Clarence Kilner. He 

bought it last week from Margaret Strinka. 

George Bailey, MGM booker, is on intimate 

terms with the jinx. For the second time 

within a year, the house he has been living 

in has been sold and now once again he is 

on the hunt for a home for his three kiddies 

. . . Cast out any suspicions you have When 

you see the beautiful blond in BUI Shartin's 

Enterprises) office. She is his 

Wife . Lamm, manager of the Uptown, 

has promoted a merchants' co-op drive 

for the first week in June to exploit "The 

Woman in White," whereby merchants display 

their wares in the spatial Uptown foyer, 

give out numbered coupons with each purchase, 

and donate gifts to be allotted by 

drawings on the last night of the drive. 

. . Stanley 

Ed Cutler is a new RKO student booker 

Bros, of St. Mary's are 

erecting a drive-in theatre between Delphos 

and Van Wert . Lukas, of stage and 

screen fame, was in town all last week as 

the guest of Sam Haas, owner of drive-in 

theatres and race tracks. Reason Lucas came 

was to see his dentist. He left via American 

Airlines Tuesday for Hollywood . 

Anderson, radio editor of the Press, is responsible 

for the nimor that Bob Hope plans 

to be in Cleveland while Jack Benny is on 

the Palace stage and the Cleveland Indians 

are doing their stuff here. 

Terry Turner, head of the RKO publicity 

DRIVE-IN and THEATRE 

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Ofiice Phone: ADams 9644 — Nights and Sundays: TAylor 7511 

1420 CANFIELD AVE. DAYTON, OfflO 

and exploitation department, was a betweenplanes 

visitor en route to St. Louis to attend 

the world premiere of "Fighting Father 

Dunne" . Haley, RKO local exploiteer, 

covered the cultural field to put over the 

"Mourning Becomes Electra" engagement at 

the Lower Mall Theatre. He provided all of 

the little theatre groups and the drama 

classes of the public schools with study 

folders which were used as the basis of class 

lectures. Picture opened well at advanced 

prices. 

Those in the know report that Abe Schwartz 

makes inspection of his new Mentor Drive-In 

theatre, now in course of construction, wearing 

hip boots. Reason: He's having drainage 

Jack Gutilla, owner of the Roxy 

troubles . . . 

Theatre, DeGraf, bought the East Lake 

Drive-In at Russell's Point . . Seitz' new 

. 

Sandusky Drive-In, scheduled to open May 

21, has pushed the opening date back one 

week . . . Nat Lefton, who used to head the 

local Republic exchange before he retired 

from business, is due to arrive on Memorial 

day from his winter home at Venice, Fla. He 

and Mrs. Lefton will spend a week with the 

Gilbert Leftons, then proceed to their summer 

home in Michigan. 

. 

Nate Gerson, office manager and head 

booker for Monogram, is in the midst of a 

three-week vacation in California. He and 

Mrs. Gerson drove out vacationing 

are Walter Olds of Ai-gus, Inc., and Mrs. 

Olds. Their first stop is Phoenix, Ariz., for 

a visit with their daughter, and then on to 

California before heading back home 

Tentative name for the new Lake 

. . . 

Shore 

drive-in theatre being built by the owners of 

the Shore Theatre is the Erie. 

Richard Reading and Joseph Gordon are 

carrying on as managers of the fom- AUiance 

Theatres operated by the late Ray Wallace 

and now owned by Marsch Theatres, Inc. of 

Cleveland . Kendis of Associated 

circuit came through his recent spinal opera- 

. . J. S. Jossey of 

tion with flying colors. He expects to be at 

his desk within a week . 

Hygienic Productions went on a fishing trip, 

and Charles Deckman of the same outfit is 

back in Florida after a hurried visit to Cleveland 

... Dr. I. Q. is showing at the RKO 

Palace Theatre every Monday night for 

seven weeks, with no advance in admission 

Harry Lyman of NSS is on the 

scales . . . 

ailing 

list. 

150 Attend Annual Party 

Of Nightingales Club 

DETROIT—The Nightingales club, longstanding 

organization of Filmi'ow bowlers, 

held its annual banquet Tuesday in the 

grand ballroom of the Detroit Labor temple. 

Attendance was estimated at 150. The event 

was strictly informal, with no set program 

of speeches and no presiding officers, in 

conformance with the organization's tradition. 

Dancing started at midnight, with the 

banquet served later in the morning. Guests 

stayed as late as desired, some until dawn. 

Among the guests were Frank Kinsora, president 

of the Projectionists Local 199, and representatives 

of the eight organizations that 

backed teams this season. 

Beaver to Have New Theatre 

BEAVER, PA.—Excavation has been completed 

at the corner of Third and Dravo for 

construction of a new theatre building for 

Peter Smiley. 


. . . Out-of-town 

. . Harold 

. . Joseph 

. . . Manager 

. . The 

LOUISVILLE 

•The Veterans' Theatre in Tompkinville, Ky., 

which has been operating in the iocal 

American Legion hall, has been closed due 

to a recent fii-e in the projection booth. It 

has been announced, however, that it will 

reopen under new management within the 

next 30 days. The theatre has been leased 

to M. H. "Big Boy" Sparks and Ray Coleman 

of Edmonton, Ky., for a period of two 

years at an undisclosed figure. Plans call 

for a complete remodeling including the installation 

of new equipment. Sparks is no 

stranger as an exhibitor in Tompkinsville, 

having originally erected the building which 

houses the Strand Theatre. Coleman formerly 

owned and operated the Swan Theatre 

in Edmonton, Ky., which was closed and 

razed when he joined forces with Sparks in 

the operation of the Strand in Edmonton. 

With the acquisition of the Veterans' Theatre, 

the partnership of Sparks and Coleman 

now have two theatres in operation with a 

proposed drive-in under consideration for 

Hopkinsville, Ky. 

. . . After an 

New air conditioning equipment has been 

installed and is now in operation in the 

Shelby and Capitol theatres, Louisville, 

owned by the Parkview Amusement Co. and 

managed by H. S. Davidson 

absence of several weeks. Prank Riffle, field 

manager of the Altec Service Corp., has returned 

to resimie his regular duties . . . The 

opening date of the William Tell Theatre, 

Tell City. Ind.. has been tentatively set for 

sometime between June 1 and June 7. The 

enteiprise will be under the direction of 

Silver Haley. 

Jake Mitchell, sales manager of the La- 

Vezzi Machine Co., Chicago, who claims to 

be one of the oldest traveling theatre equipment 

salesmen in the country, spent several 

days at the Palls City Theatre Equipment 

Also in town was J. E. Huckleberry 

Co. . . . 

of the Motiograph Projector Co.. checking recent 

instaUations. 

Dressing up for summer the Fourth Avenue 

Amusement's Strand in Louisville has taken 

on a new coat of paint and new decoration 

of the front and marquee . Lane 

of the State Theatre, Crothersville, Ind., who 

recently underwent a minor operation, has 

recuperated nicely and is back on the job 

visitors included A. O. 

Perkins. Woodburn, Ky.; C. O. Humston, 

Lawrenceburg, Ky.: Morris Smith, Taylorsville, 

Ky.: M. H. Sparks and Ray Coleman, 

Edmonton, Ky.: Clark Bennett, Taylorsville, 

Ky.: Luther KnLfley, Knifley, Ky., and Lewis 

Baker, West Point, Ky. 

Mrs. Mary Gibson Griffith, 84, widow of 

W. W. Griffith and sister-in-law of D. W 

Griffith, motion picture producer, .died at 

her home in LaGrange. 

Reissues and holdovers were predominant 

in the Louisville first run theatres, with only 

three houses bringing in new product during 

the week. Loew's revived "Duel in the Sun," 

the Mary Anderson brought back "The Fighting 

69th" and the National featured "The 

Invisible Man" and "The Invisible Man's 

Return." Following a week's run at the 

Rialto. "Sitting Pretty" moved over to the 

Brown. New programs were "The Iron Curtain," 

coupled with "Arthur Takes Over," 

at the Rialto; "Old Los Angeles" and 

Kentucky Ass'n Meets 

June 11 in Louisville 

LOUISVILLE—Plans for the fall convention 

of the Kentucky Ass'n of Theatre Owners 

will be made at a meeting of directors and 

nonboard members Friday morning, June 11, 

at 427 South Third St. in Louisville. 

"There are many problems affecting us that 

should be discussed at this meeting and every 

member's views are welcomed and solicited," 

said Guthrie Crowe, president, in a notice 

to the membership. 

The meeting will select a nominating committee 

of five and make other plans for the 

fall convention. 

"Under California Stars" at the Strand, and 

two British imports, "A Lady Surrenders" 

and "The Tawny Pipit," at the Scoop. 

Mrs. Helen Franco, Elizabethtown, Ky., finished 

at the head of the class on the "Head 

of the Family" radio show presented at 8;30 

Wednesday night from the stage of the National 

Theatre and heard over WHAS. She 

won an automobile, $1,000 in cash, and numerous 

other major prizes. The weekly contest 

is in the interests of the Kentucky Children, 

Inc. Each week three persons who 

have contributed to Kentucky Children, Inc., 

and who have written the best letters on why 

contributions should be made to the organization 

are called on the telephone and asked 

to identify the contest subject. 

A new Altec Lansing speaker system has 

been installed at C. O. Himiston's Lyric Theatre, 

Lawrenceburg, Ky. . W. Goldberg, 

Popular Pictures representative, called 

on Mary Creekbaum at the American Theatre, 

Ladoga, Ind., and found a drawing being 

conducted on the stage. When the names 

were drawn, that of Van Johnson was called 

out. The winner was not present, but another 

Van Johnson was. He was starring in 

the picture on the screen, "High Barbaree." 

Gratia Locke, co-owner of the Savoy Theatre, 

Louisville, has returned from an extensive 

vacation trip through the east . . . Al Boudouris, 

president of the Theatre Equipment 

Co., Toledo, stopped over for a short visit 

enroute to Evansville, Ind. 

Three Big Radio Shows 

Booked by RKO Palace 

CLEVELAND—There's plenty of activity 

at the RKO Palace. Dr. I. Q. presented the 

first of a series of seven broadcasts from the 

stage of the Palace starting last Monday, 

with capacity crowds in attendance. 

Duffy's Tavern arrives for a week's engagement 

starting June 3, with Ed "Archie" 

Gardner and the entire Duffy's Tavern gang, 

including Pinnegan and Eddie the Waiter. 

To make this, reported to be the first appearance 

of the popular raido show on any stage, 

even more of an event, Duffy's Tavern guest 

that week will be the screen .star, Jane 

Russell. 

Jack Benny and his radio show move into 

the Palace June 18 for one week. With 

Benny will be Phil Harris. Rochester, Marilyn 

Maxwell and the Sportsmen. 

With such a shot in the arm, the Palace 

should be in a position to coast along comfortably 

for the rest of the summer. 

COLUMBUS 

fJarry Schreiber, RKO city manager, received 

.several threatening calls from unidentified 

persons warning him not to show 

"Tlie Iron Curtain," following riot between 

Communists and anti-Communists in front 

of New York's Roxy. Screiber contacted various 

veterans' organizations and Invited officials 

to be the management's guests during 

opening-day showings of the picture. Opening 

day passed without incident. Tlie police 

department was alerted for possible trouble, 

however. 

Thunder, "WUd Bill" Eliott's horse, "registered" 

at the Deshler-Wallick upon arrival 

of the Republic star for a local appearance in 

Col. Jim Eskew's rodeo at the Fairgrounds 

Coliseum . World, only local art theatre, 

ended its first season in the black, according 

to co-owners Lee Hofheimer and Al 

Sugarman. This indicates a market for good 

foreign films in Columbus, .said Norman Nadel 

in his Citizen theatre page column. "The 

Mikado" was chosen for the anniversary week 

feature and extra ad space was taken to 

herald the event. 

Making unnecessary noise became a misdemeanor 

last week when the antinoise ordinance 

became effective. Sound trucks, 

horn-tooting and other types of street clamor 

are banned. The measure also applies to 

stationary amplifiers used in "attracting the 

attention or inviting the patronage of any 

person." Excepted are parade band music, 

church bells and fire and police vehicles and 

ambulances. Hardest hit will be charity 

drives, which have been the greatest users 

of sound amplifiers and trucks. Fines range 

from $5 to $50 for the first offense and $25 

to $100 for subsequent violations. 

The Gayety, burlesque house, has discontinued 

its stage policy in favor of films, 

chiefly of the "adults only" variety . . Harold 

. 

Goodin, student assistant at the Ohio, 

spent a week's vacation in New York City 

Carl Rogers of the Broad contributed 

to local Clean Up and Paint Up 

week by repainting of the theatre's upright. 

Harley Lewis, local actor and dancer who 

stepped into a bit part in "Green Grass of 

Wyoming" during a visit to Lancaster, Ohio, 

last June while the picture's racetrack scenes 

were filmed there, is back for the world premiere 

at Lancaster. He spent intervening 

months making a second film appearance as 

a cavalryman in "Fury at Furnace Creek." 

In "Green Grass of Wyoming" he appears 

in scenes in the judges' stand and at a 

dance. The latter was filmed in Utah . . . 

Lowell Denman is new manager of the Westmont 

of the Academy circuit. 

Exhibitor Named in Suit 

BELLE VERNON. PA.—John Perry, burgess 

and local exhibitor, has been named defendant 

in an a.ssault case. Joseph Syabosol 

is asking $15,000 damages on a charge that he 

was beaten by Perry last November 29. Perry 

was found guilty of simple assault in a verdict 

returned in criminal court at the March session. 

Perry states that he merely defended 

himself when assaulted by Syabosol. 

To Direct 'Desperadoes' 

Phil Ford has been .set to direct Republic's 

"Desperadoes of Dodge City." 

BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

22, 1948 85

. . Wally 

. . Warners' 

. . 

. . Tom 

. . United 

. . The 

. . Joseph 

. . 

PITTSBURGH 

. . 

ôc Williams and his Border Riders made appearances 

last Thursday night at the new- 

Baden. Baden . The Ohuck Shannons are 

parents of a son. Papa was Warners' Sharon 

manager until recently and now is company 

manager for George "Red" Bird and his 

Majorettes. 

Spotlight 88 Drive-In at Beaver Palls is 

scheduled to open May 27, according to Ralph 

M. Felton, manager ... A new steel screen 

structure has replaced the wooden screen at 

Carl Guerrein's Skyway Drive-In at Erie. 

The old one was destroyed in a windstorm 

late last season . Majestic in 

Johnstown offered Spade Cooley and his 

western dance gang last Friday. Monday, the 

theatre presented Skitch Henderson, his 

piano and orchestra. 

Homer Michael of the Liberty is busy with 

plans for installation of a new glass front 

and aluminum attraction wall frames . 

Jim DiMauro reports that the outdoor theatre 

at Mundy's Corner will open within a 

month . Allen, local 20th-Fox exploitation 

representative, was at Lancester. 

Ohio, for the premiere of "Green Grass of 

Wyoming," dated for May 25. 

Opening Soon 

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TOLEDO 2, OHIO: 109 Michigan, AD. 8511 

DETROIT 26, MICH.: 515 Charlevoix Bldg.: 

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CLEVELAND, OHIO: 921 Guardian Bldg.: 

SU. 4680 

. 

Maj. Philip Corso, Ft. Riley, Kas., is visiting 

his brother Vincent, manager of Star 

Distributing Agency Newell in 

Newell, operated by Holmes Lazzaro, will go 

The Park in Meadville 

dark June 1 . . . 

presented Dr. Neff's Madhouse of Mystery 

at a spook frolic midnight stage show May 

Jim Thorpe, son of E. S. "Jim" Thorpe, 

14 . . . 

20th-Fox city salesman, was featured as a 

solo dancer in Carnegie Tech's musical show 

last week. 

. 

. 

Fred A. Beedle of Canonsburg addressed 

the Southside Rotary club last week as guest 

of Bill Finkel. George Corcoran. Allied MPTO 

business manager, was another guest 

Darktown Scandals, featuring 35 entertainers, 

was presented on the stage of the Capitol 

in Butler last week Farrell 

and Edward J. Mulcahy will open the new 

Fairview drive-in at St. Marys within a 

month. 

The Archie Finemans are vacationing in 

California . Artists sneak previewed 

"So This Is New York" at the Sheridan 

Square . . . Bill Walker. Crafton exhibitor 

who has been dieting and checking his high 

blood pressure, again is enjoying good health. 

Alden Phelps, 'Vâterford farmer who is 

building an outdoor theatre there, entertained 

at the piano the other evening at the 

Variety Club. His partner is Edward Wilson 

. . . M. A. Silver and Harry Feinstein attended 

a Warner circuit meeting in New York last 

week . McCleary. RCA district manager, 

was here from Detroit conferring with 

Jim Alexander and Sam Fineberg, RCA products 

distributors, and Frank Hamre, RCA 

service manager. 

Theodor Megaarden, who operated the Casino 

here last summer with all comedy pictures, 

has organized Lazy K Ranch donkey 

baseball which opens the season at Inwood. 

Long Island, May 21. The unit will carry a 

complete flood lighting system, several 

thousand feet of canvas sidewall to enclose 

open fields. 

with two trucks and a sound car. The games 

will be under sponsorship with local players 

riding the burros. 

13 trained donkeys, and will move 

New Variety Club barkers include Milton 

Antonoplos. Donald D. O'Connor. Joseph F. 

Bugala, Stephen Saul Osgood. J. R. S. Boughner, 

Abe Weiner, Jose Minsky. Kenneth Cook 

Hahn, Charles Nelson Maples, Thomas B. 

Price, Sidney Rosenthal, Stanley Dudelson, 

Oliver Krell, David S. Tyson, Joseph H. Clayton, 

Robert E. Caskey, Leonard Pearlman, 

Herbert L. Joseph. James L. Pilmer, Maurice 

I. Levy and Bernard H. Buchheit. New associate 

barkers are William P. Snelsire, Samuel 

Hyman, S. Stephen Berger, Speros Saratses. 

Edward Feigenbaum, Ira Manck and 

Charles I. Plesset. 

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: May 

22, 1948

Rejects Barnum's Bid 

For Less Clearance 

NEW HAVEN—Finding the Barnum and 

Hippodrome in Bridgeport are "in substantial 

competition in the same competitive 

area," arbitrator Herbert S. Macdonald dismissed 

the complaint of West Side Amusement 

Corp. against Paramount, RKO and 

Warners and ruled that the Hippodrome 

shall retain its seven-day clearance over the 

Barnum. 

The delay in showing pictures at the Barnum. 

he said, has been caused "more by 

the voluntary act of its management" than 

by unreasonable delay in showing at the 

Hippodrome. Macdonald said in his decision 

that he has taken into account "the character 

and location of the theatres involved, including 

size, type of entertainment, appointments, 

transit facilities, etc.," and "the extent 

to which they compete for patronage." 

He said he examined the neighborhoods of 

the theatres and connecting streets personally. 

While the arbitrator found few examples 

of delays of more than two or three weeks 

on the part of the Hippodrome, he found 

delay between the date of availability to the 

Barnum and the date of its showing of the 

film. 

Costs were ordered divided equally between 

the appearing parties. 

The 608-seat Barnum is at present being 

remodeled. The balcony has been torn out, 

a new marquee is in process of erection, 

and new rest rooms, lobby and boxoffice already 

are in. 

AT PARADINE' PREVIEW — Judges, 

lawyers, city officials and exhibitors were 

guests of Selznick Releasing Organization 

at an invitational preview of "The 

Paradine Case" at the Esquire Theatre 

in Boston. Top photo, left to right: Dick 

Rubin of the State, Saugus; Harold 

Young, independent booker and buyer; Al 

Daytz, vice-president of Affiliated Theatre, 

and Tom Duance, SRO district manager. 

Bottom photo: Max Levenson of 

the Levenson circuit, Duane, and Abner 

Eilenberg of the Middlesex Amusement 

Co. Every seat in the 880-seat Esquire 

was filled. 

Theatres Using Lures 

To Coax Old Patrons 

HARTFORD—Theatremen in this area are 

going in for more intensive exploitation, premiums, 

kiddy shows and other means in an 

effort to coax back to the theatre patrons 

who have cut down their attendance. 

Key men in the trade report that business 

has dropped in alarming proportions. They 

are optimistic, however, over the possibilities 

of a 

boxoffice revival. 

An indication of the trend to get back 

kiddy trade can be seen in the newspaper ad 

used by Eddie Selet, manager of the Crown. 

His ad, addressed to mothers, proclaimed: 

"Let us be your baby (6 to 60 1 sitters. Children 

given every attention." 

Children's cartoon shows and other special 

performances for young.sters are being promoted 

in many theatres. The Center in 

Hartford and Plaza in Waterbury have been 

running a series of four-hour shows offering 

a wide variety of entertainment and giving 

them extensive ballyhoo. 

Hugh Campbell of the Central in West 

Hartford have been working clo.sely with the 

FTAs in their respective areas. Both have 

addressed PTA meetings, stressing the advantages 

of motion picture entertainment 

over other forms of amusement, and both 

have lined up PTA suport for their shows. 

Dish deals have become more numerous 

throughout the area, the most recent theatres 

to join in this form of boxoffice attraction 

being the Princess, Crown and Rivoli in Hartford. 

NEW HAVEN—In the arbitration matter 

of Prudential Theatres Co., Inc., against the 

major distributors. New England Theatres 

has intervened for the Empress, South Norwalk, 

in addition to the Plaza, Stamford and 

Connecticut Theatrical for the Palace, South 

Norwalk. The complaint seeks elimination 

of clearance for the Playhouse, Darien and 

Playhouse, New Canaan, and revamping of 

the Stamford area clearance picture. 

Child, 5, Jolts Manager 

By Remark on 'Bambi' 

WORCESTER—Leo Lajorie, manager of 

the Capitol, says he had some wonderful experiences 

dm-ing the revival of "Bambi" but 

the thing that really floored him was a conversation 

in the lobby that he overheard. A 

mother and her daughter, no more than 5, 

were talking. 

Child (pointing to post)—Who"s that big 

deer? 

Mother—That's Bambi's father, dear. 

Child—And who's the other deer? 

Mother—That's Bambi's mother that was 

killed by the hunters. 

Child (still only 5i—The dumb jerk—why 

didn't she stay in the bushes? 

Greculas Wed 12 Years 

HARTFORE>—Ernie Grecula, assistant general 

manager and advertising-publicity director 

of the Hartford Theatres, and Mrs. 

Grecula observed their 12th wedding ajinlversary 

with open house at their home. The 

Greculas have two daughters, Venice and 

Penelope. 

NEW HAVEN 

n Hied Theatres of Connecticut held a statewide 

meeting at the Towne House, with 

Dr. J. B. Fishman and Mac Alderman presiding. 

Dr. Fishman gave a report of the 

Allied convention w-hich he attended in Boston 

and Alderman an interpretation of the 

antitrust decisions. 

. . Bill 

Max Salzburg and Morris Weinstein of 

Eagle Lion attended an eastern sales meeting 

Saturday and Sunday at the Hotel Warwick, 

New York . . . Harry Shaw, division 

manager of Loew Poll, and Mrs. Shaw are 

back from their South American cruise and 

Barney Pitkin, Harry Rosenblatt and Ben 

Simon heard about it over at lunch . 

Shirley of Columbia was here doing exploitation 

on "The Mating of Millie" which 

opened at the Paramount May 21 . . . Bill 

Benson, formerly with Universal here, came 

in from Hollis, L. I., where he is running 

a launderette, to say hello to the boys on 

The 20th-Fox Family 

Meadow street . . . 

club presented Bob Kaufmann, former exploiteer 

for the territoi-y, now in the New 

York office, with a wallet to remind him of 

the "green years" in the Hm City. 

Hugh Maguire, RKO office manager, will 

join a stag sailing party over Decoration 

day on the 42-foot "Bounty" to Martha's 

Vineyard ... On the sick list were Al Schuman 

of the Hartford Theatres: Edith William, 

Metro head inspector, and Mrs. A. 

Flood, mother of "Jen-y" Flood, Harry Rosenblatt's 

Grace Riccitelli De- 

secretary . . . Lucia, formerly with 20th-Fox, visited the 

gang with her hu.sband and twin daughters. 

The new marquee on the Princess, Hartford, 

is much talked about around town. 

Triangular in shape, it has red and green 

plastic letters, furnished by Lou Phillips. A 

stunning new black glass front and new rubber 

mats also will go into the Princess . . . 

In and out of exchanges were Bill Vuono 

of Stamford: Micky Alperin of Boston: Sam 

Seletsky and John Perakos of B&O: Ernie 

Grecula of the Colonial. Hartford: A. D. Murphy, 

new Broadbrook operator: MoiTis Kepner 

of Glastonbury, and Athan Prakas, Rivoli, 

Bridgeport. 

Sam Rosen was up from the Florida keys 

to attend to some business and went back 

with Sam Weber for some more fishing . . . 

The Shubert, Paramount and Poll are polishing 

up teams to enter the intertheatre 

Softball league. The Roger Sherman team 

was the winner last season, the league's first. 

The Bijou team includes Johnny DeBenedetto 

of Bridgeport, Bob Ritzert, Eddie Sawicki, 

Frank Esposito, Pat D'Aniello, Walter 

Radziszewski. John Carter, John Kirby and 

Joseph Burke , . . The Domenic Sommas 

of 20th-Fox celebrated their first wedding 

anniversary and the back room presented 

Dom with a special cake . . . Tom Germalne 

of the same office is vacationing in Canada. 

First 

American Appearance 

British character actress Majorie Rhodes 

has been signed for her first American picture 

by Samuel Goldwyn in RKO's "Take 

Three Tenses." 

BOXOFFICE :: May 22, 1948 NE 87

. . Bob 

. . Ray 

. . Jerry 

' 

BOSTON 

John Dervin, UA manager, was a speaker 

at the B'nai Brith Sentry lodge meeting 

in Brookline. He introduced Dr. Sidney Farber 

of the Children's hospital who told of 

the work being done for the Children's Cancer 

Research foundation. Phil Engel, UA 

publicist and vice-president of the lodge, 

made the arrangements. 

Joe Mansfield, EL publicist, arranged for 

the appearance of Laura Wells. New York 

exploiteer, to visit the leading newspapers 

and radio stations carrying a mink-covered 

umbrella, which, when opened, revealed a 

huge sign reading "Ruthless," the EL feature 

opening at the Paramount and Fenway 

this week. 

The Levenson circuit has closed the Strand, 

Gloucester, for three weeks for remodeling! 

It will add new American seats, a new 

screen. Voice of the Theatre horns, new carpets 

and repaint the entire house. Sam 

Eisenberg. Boston architect, is handling the 

work. The Levenson circuit is also remodeling 

the entrance to the Pairlawn in Pawtucket. 

Helayne Kulvin. availability clerk at UA 

celebrated her 21st birthday at a family din- 

This Space 

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for 

Our 

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CAMEO SCREEN 

ATTRACTIONS, INC. 

Samuel J. Davidson, Pres. 

50 Melrose St. Boston, Mass. 

. 

ner at the Toll House. 'Whitman, where she 

received a set of sterling silver in honor of 

the occasion E. Feeley. business 

manager of Independent Exhibitors, flew to 

Denver to attend the Allied summer board 

meeting. 

Good News from Hollywood came over the 

telephone to Max Melincoff, district manager 

of Warners Theatres here, when he 

learned that his nephew. Cliff Penn, has 

been signed by Columbia Pictures for seven 

features, including the lead in their forthcoming 

production, "Undercover" 

. . . Claire 

Welch Weiss, former telephone operator at 

UA, has announced the an-ival of a baby 

daughter, Barbara Jean, born at the Richardson 

house. 

"The Iron Curtain" opened at the Metropolitan 

Theatre to an exceptionally good 

first day, with no demonstration of pickets 

or rioting, although plain clothesmen were 

placed in strategic points outside the building 

PS a precaution. 

The girls in the office at 20th-Fox gave a 

luncheon and personal shower to Pat Regan, 

assistant to cashier, who will be married 

June 5 to Johnny Peckos. salesman with the 

same company. The party was held at the 

Darbury room Saturday noon with cocktails 

first at the Merry-Go-Round of the Copley- 

Plaza. About 25 of the office force were 

present. Johnny has received delivery of a 

new Buick car which is ready for the honeymoon 

trip to New York state and Canada. 

Ken Mayer, U-I salesman, drove to York 

Beach, Me., over the weekend to oversee the 

summer cottage he has leased for his family 

who will take over about the first of June 

McNulty, Warwick, Marblehead, 

has drawn up plans for redecorating the theatre. 

The front will be done over in cast 

marble, lobbies and inside will be repainted, 

and the theatre will get new rest rooms, new 

lighting, a built-in candy counter and a new 

marquee. McNulty is hoping that the entire 

job can be completed without closing the 

house. Work starts June 1. 

Seen in the district this week: Fred Meyers, 

U-I eastern divisional manager from New 

York: Charlie Wilcox. Orleans, Orleans: Bill 

La very, La very circuit, booking at Columbia: 

E. L. White, Mansfield, Mansfield: Fred 

Parker, whose Bellingham Auto Theatre was 

the first to reopen in this sector: Bob Mc- 

Nulty, Warwick. Marblehead. booking at 

UA, and Phil Bloomberg, Paramount, Salem, 

who has returned from a Florida vacation. 

Steve Fitzgibbon and Mickey Andelman left 

Monday for a trip which will take them 

through the midwest and south, covering all 

their exchanges. They expect to be gone four 

weeks, lining up key dates on their new release, 

"High Seas." 

Abraham E. Pinanski, justice of the Massachusetts 

superior comt. will be the toastmaster 

at the nth annual dinner of the Massachusetts 

committee of Catholics, Protestants 

and Jews at the Hotel Statler on the 

evening of June 3, when Barney Balaban, 

president of Paramount Pictures, will be one 

of the three speakers. Justice Pinanski is a 

brother of Sam Pinanski of M&P Theatres. 

The Philips, Springfield, operated by the 

Rifkin circuit has a new marquee three times 

larger than the previous one. University Sign 

Co. of Cambridge designed and installed it 

. . . E. J. Eichenlaub, New England general 

agent for Hygienic Productions, made arrangements 

with Colby Junior college. New 

London, N. H., for a special showing of "Mom 

and Dad" for the student body of 400 girls. 

The picture played a matinee at the Memorial 

Theatre for the students and a performance 

that evening for the public. 

A wedding of interest to industryites will 

be that of Martha Ferris, secretary of the 

Film Board of Trade to Alvin Gerard Kenney 

May 29. After a wedding trip to California, 

Martha will be back at her office at 

Charlie Wilson, head 

204 Stuart St. . . . 

booker at Monogram, strained a ligament 

in his leg and was laid up at home for a 

week 

. and Ruth Crowley, bookers 

at MGM, have returned from two weeks in 

Florida ... Mr. and Mrs. Ben Williams are 

parents of a baby daughter named Ilene . 

Betsy. He is the owner of the Beacon here, 

i 

which will be closed June 1 for renovation. 

Walter Mitchell of the Morse, Franklin, 

is rebuilding a small cottage in the rear of 

his property at Goose Rocks Beach, Kenne- 

, 

bunk Port, Me. His summer home was burned 

to the ground during the holocaust which 

razed the entire district last summer. The 

new cottage eventually will be used as a 

guest house when a new family summer home 

is 

built. 

A! Vonck, Beach Theatre, York Beach, 

Me., brought his cocker spaniel Nappy on 

his weekly visit to the exchanges. He reopened 

the Beach May 9 for the summer . . . 

Two resignations at 20th-Fox: A. D. Comeaux 

as office manager and Norbert Murray as 

western Massachusetts salesman. His territory 

was split up among the remaining four 

salesmen 

. . . The Town Hall, Center Sandwich, 

N. H., recently taken over by the Wasson 

brothers and Clarence Abbott was opened 

May 13 after complete renovation, including 

new booth equipment, new screen and 

fire escapes. 

it 44mU fuuf dUude*ulU ta co*U4M 

Stocked With All 

Necessary Repair 

and Replacement 

Parts for Any 

Sound System. 

"Ask any 

exhibitor using 

our service" 

iQinzzxinc 

On calt ui ant/ {intt, 

LONûiood 2601 

HAROLD DAVroSON 

12 VVincbtster Street. 

Bnstnr 16. M.-iccachiiêtt? 

Now 

Expanding 

with Additional 

personnel to cover 

a Larger Service 

Area. 

Many theatres 

under our 

maintenance 

For the "Head' of the House 

The "head" of the house can learn the correct 

way to carve the Thanksgiving turkey 

next November by means of a Jerry Fairbanks 

Popular Science short to be released 

for Paramount. 

USED THEATRE CHAIRS 1 

$1.75 to $4.50 Each |


in USA 

£

. . Henry 

. . There's 

. . Paul 

in 

HARTFORD 

Uowie Padowitz, Palace assistant, has a 

Bantam car which, he says, he will use 

occasionally in ballyhoo stunts . Honors 

. . 

in a civic drive again have gone to a theatre 

manager. Walter B. Lloyd, manager of 

the Allyn, has been named chairman of a 

citywide cleanup contest being sponsored by 

civic and municipal departmental heads. 

Prizes totaling $250 will be given to the 

groups making the greatest advancements in 

cleaning up communities in which they live. 

Al Monty, promoter of kiddy shows, called 

on Al Lessow, Loew's Poll assistant . . . 

Lessow visited in Waterbury on his day off, 

seeing Bob Carney. Sam Schubouf, Paul O. 

Klinger and HoUis W. Sweeney, Bass City 

Paul Treske. son of Mrs. Kate 

Poli-ites . . . 

Treske, Lenox manager, has been sportscasting 

over station WHUS, campus radio 

outlet at the University of Connecticut. 

Randy Mailer, formerly with Selznick on 

the coast, was a recent visitor at the State, 

Manchester, to see his old friend. Manager 

Doug Amos, manager 

Jack A. Sanson . . . 

of Lockwood and Gordon's Web, Wethersfield, 

tells us Russ Ordway, former Webb 

manager, now an independent theatreman in 

Rockville, was a recent visitor. 

Jack Simons, Center manager, and Mrs. 

Simons, noting their 24th wedding anniversary, 

took a trip into New York with their 

daughter Eleanor who enters Pembroke college 

in September . Klaume is the 

new doorman at the Center, replacing Fred 

N POPCORN 

IT'S 7a4U 

THAT SELLS 

STEP ur THE APPETITE 

TOUR POPCOIN 

rMOVIE HOUR 

L SEASONING^ 

NATIONAL MOVIE HOUR 

HYBRID POPCORN 

POPCORN MACHINES 

BOX ES«SALT 'BAGS* SCOOPS 

NATIONAL 

BOSTON • NEW HAVETN • ALBANY 

Eldridge, resigned . . . The 

Center interior 

is being redecorated . . . Estelle O'Toole of 

the Warner district office heard from ex- 

Warnerite Dean Barrett, now in San Francisco 

on a theatre promotion deal. 

Joe DiLorenzo, district chief of the Daly 

Theatres, has been studying part-time at 

Doug Amos of the Webb 

Trinity college . . . 

covered the Italian sections of Wethersfield 

with window displays, cards, direct mail, etc., 

for "The Story of Tosca." He also tied up 

with merchants on "The Sign of the Ram" 

. . . Turnpike Theatre Corp., Newington, and 

Peoples' Forest Drive-In Corp., Winsted, 

should have their ozoners operating in a week 

or so. Joe Dolgin is Newington manager and 

Vincent Youmatz supervises the Peoples' 

Forest operation. 

. . . Joe Mansfield, Eagle 

Henry L. Needles, district manager for 

Warner Theatres, has become city theati'e 

committee chairman for the United Nations 

Crusade for Children campaign. Needles held 

a meeting with circuit and independent managers 

last week 

Lion drum beater, was around the territory 

in the interests of "The Smugglers." 

Harry McWilliams, exploitation manager 

for Columbia, came in from the home office 

. . . Ernie Grecula, assistant general manager 

of Hartford Theatres, booked Joe Girand 

and Ed Weston, WCCC staff announcers, into 

four of the circuit neighborhoods for Saturday 

morning kiddy shows. 

. 

Tom Grasso, who is principal of the Center 

Grammar school. East Hartford, during 

the winter months, is getting set to return 

to show business again this summer. He operates 

the New Colony, a summer film house 

at Soundview. Glackin and LeWitt of New 

Britain have the other house there, the 

Strand 

. . It's a baby girl for the George 

Cohens of Waterbm-y. thereby making Loew's 

Poll manager Lou Cohen a grandpop for the 

second time. 

Visitors: Tito Lazerri, former assistant 

manager of Poll, Springfield; Mike Picirello, 

former Loew assistant manager in New 

Haven, and Norman Levinson, assistant at 

Loew's College in the Elm City. The trio 

called on Fred Greenway and Howie Padowitz 

at the Palace. 

. . 

Jim McCarthy, Strand manager, put up 

24-sheets, something rare for that first run 

house, on "Winter Meeting" . Saul Karp, 

assistant at the Springfield Poll, was around 

town on a day off . . . Mrs. Dora Padowitz, 

mother of the Palace assistant, was in New 

Haven 

. . . Laura Camillari of the Poll has 

taken a leave of absence to visit her folks 

in Texas. 

Carroll Frazier is the new Poll usher, replacing 

Robert Downey, resigned. S. Novak, 

doorman, has been ill, with Sam Ratner relieving 

... Sid Winnick, who played with 

the house orchestras at the Capitol. State 

and Allyn back in the vaudeville days, has 

joined the music staff of the Randall school 

here. Another newcomer at Randall is Stanley 

Aronson, formerly a musician for the 

20th-Fox, RKO and Universal studios in 

California. 

Frank Ramsey, former neighborhood manager 

for the Warner Hartford circuit, has returned 

to his Los Angeles home following 

a week's stay in this city. 

It was his first trip 

east in over three years. Ramsey has been 

doing publicity work in Hollywood for film 

Ben Lamo. assistant manager at 

stars . . . 

the Strand, is a patient at John Hopkins 

hospital in Baltimore. Chief of Staff Charlie 

Atamian is assisting Manager James P. 

McCarthy in Lamo's absence. 

I. J. Hoffman, zone manager for the Warner 

New England Theatres, and Mrs. Hoffman 

have announced the engagement of 

their daughter Paula to Jolin L. Strauss of 

Mobile, Ala. . . . The architectural firm of 

Creighton and McGuire has received bids 

from four firms for the construction of a 

theatre at Norwich, Conn., for the Loew's 

Poll interests and has turned them over to 

executives of the company for consideration. 

The Saybrook in Old Saybrook has filed 

certificate of preliminary dissolution with the 

secretary of state. 

. 

The Majestic in West Springfield has Review 

day every Wednesday, featuring two 

reissues . . Paul Benson, former Lyric manager 

. 

now in vaudeville and night clubs, ap- 

peared at the State Purdy of the 

Newington, Newington, promoted a special 

film program featuring "Stablemates" as a 

benefit for the Newington PTA. 

Bucky Harris, former regional praise agent 

for RKO. is now working in the Carolinas. 

He's been hired by Film Classics as advance 

man on a combination film and stage show 

featuring "Devil's Cargo" and the picture's 

star, John Calvert. 

. . . Mickey 

Vincent Youmatz will reopen his People's 

Forest Drive-In in a few weeks 

Daly has redecorated the front and lobby of 

the Daly . still talk of more openair 

locations to be built in the territory . . . 

Lou Jacobson of the Park City in Bridgeport, 

has a new car. 

Cartoonist in Kiddy Show 

HARTFORD—Martin Branner. creator of 

the Winnie Winkle cartoon strip, was scheduled 

to appear on the stage of the M&P 

Capitol in New London, Saturday (22 

1 a 

kiddy show arranged by Tom Carey. Carey 

has lined up four Satm-day morning kiddy 

shows at the Capitol featuring Harry Foster 

Welch as Popeye. Branner will appear in the 

May 22 show only, according to Carey. Walter 

Murphy is theatre manager. 

In 'Drums Along the Amazon' 

Gus Schilling has been inked for a featured 

comedy role in Republic's "Dnmis Along the 

Amazon." 

THREE 

NEW YORK 

245 W.il 

55fh St. 


riLMACK 

jJa 


COMPLETELY EQUIPPED PLANTS 

LOS ANGELES 

1574 W. 

Woshington 

CHICAGO 

1327 S. 

Woboih 

90 BOXOFFICE 

: 

: May 

22, 1948

—— 

2nd 

— 

— 

. . William 

New Films Little Help 

In Dull Boston Week 

BOSTON—Despite four new films, business 

definitely was on the dullish side, with "All 

My Sons" at the Memorial leading the field. 

The gala opening night of "Berlin Express" 

at the Keith-Boston, highhghted by the personal 

appearances of Paul Lukas, Dorothy 

Lamour and Robert Ryan, was a complete 

sellout under the auspices of the American 

Cancer society. The picture settled down to 

above average for the remainder of the week. 

"B. F.'s Daughter" at the Metropolitan was 

below average. 


Aslor—The Best Years of Our Lives (RKO). 

3rd wk run 100 

, 

Boston—Berlin Express (RKO) 120 

Exeter Street—Nicholas Nickleby (U-I), 4th wk 110 

Memorial—All My Sons (U-I), Louisiana (Mono) ...130 

Metropolitan—B. F.'s Daughter (MGM); The Man 

From Texas (EL) 90 

Paramount and Fenwav The Woman in White 

(WB); The Fighting G9th (WB), reissue 120 

State and Oroheum State oi the Union (MGM) 

2nd wk : - 120 

"Fuller Brush Man' Enjoys 

Huge Opening in Hartford 

HARTFORD — "The Fuller Brush Man" 

opened at the E. M. Loew's after a terrific 

ballyhoo in connection with its world premiere 

campaign at the Bushnell Memorial. 

The premiere was a benefit for three local 

hospitals. The picture got rave notices in 

the local daily gazettes. Other newcomers 

included "The Miracle of the Bells," which 

got mixed reviews, and "The Iron Curtain." 

Allyn—The Smugglers (EL): King oi the 

Gamblers (Rep) E5 

E M Loews—The Fuller Brush Man (Col), 

Trapped by Boston Blackie (Col) 180 

Poll—The Iron Curtain (20th-Fox); Thunder 

in the Valley (20th-Fo>;) 120 

P3l.3>;— State of the Union (MGM); Here 

Comes Trouble (UA), 2nd wk 160 

R.-gai—Fighting SeaBees (Rep); Flying Trigers 

(Rep), reissues 90 

State Open Secret (EL), plus stage show 75 

Strand—The Miracle of the Bells (RKl5) 100 

Best New Haven Draw 

Is 

"The Naked City' 

NEW HAVEN—Best business downtown 

was done by "The Naked City" at the Roger 

Sherman, where it remained a second week. 

Second week of "State of the Union" was 

fair, as was the holdover of "The Bishop's 

Wife." A beautiful Sunday sent would-be 

customers out on the road. 

Bijou—Adventures of Casanova (EL); Killer at 

Large (Col), reissue 65 

College Slate of the Union (MGM); Here 

Comes Trouble (UA), 2nd d. t. wk 90 

Loew Poli—The Bishop's Wife (RKO); Half Past 

Midnight (20th-Fox) 85 

Paramount—Sleep, My Love (UA); Rocky (Mono).... 60 

Roaer Sherman— TTie Naked City (U-1); 

Campus Sleuth (Rep) 110 

Eddie Harrison Managing 

Hampton Roads Drive-In 

HARTFORD—Eddie Harrison has returned 

to the Connecticut valley as manager of the 

newly opened Simdown Drive-In Theatre on 

Route 29, Hampton Roads. The new ozoner, 

operated by a group headed by Owen Holmes, 

former Springfield projectionists, started 

operations a few weeks ago. 

Several months ago Harrison was named 

manager of the Hellman-Fabian Tri-city 

Drive-In, at Binghampton, N. Y. Prior to 

that he was district manager in the Hartford 

and Springfield areas for E. M. Loew's Theatres 

of Bcston. At one time he was manager 

of the E. M. Loew's Court Square in Springfield. 

FALL RIVER 

rUen Quigley, Academy cashier, is engaged 

to wed Gordon J. Sweeney June 8 . . . 

William Hughes has been elevated to Park 

manager where he assisted Norman Zalkind. 

The latter a.ssumes the management of the 

Strand, where he will supervise its reconstruction. 

James Knight, Strand manager, 

moves to the downtown area to replace managers 

while they are on vacation. 

. 

Nathan Yamins and his assistant Ernest 

Isreal, were in to view the progress made 

at the Strand S. Canning and 

Mayor William P. Grant officiated at the 

formal opening of the New England Baseball 

The Empire will close 

league in this city . . . 

all day May 25 when the theatre will be occupied 

by the annual Russ Whalen dance 

review. 

William S. Canning, Empire manager, presided 

at the banquet and victory dance held 

recently for the B. M. C. Durfee High school 

New England Basketball champions, at which 

the players received merchandise certificates 

worth $60 and the cheer leaders received 

brightly ornamented sweaters. Canning presented 

Coach Luke Urban a $1,000 savings 

bond. Canning headed the drive which 

netted $6,100 to send the boys on a week's 

trip to New York and Washington in recognition 

of their victory. 

The Strand is being converted into a 

stadium-type house. It will be closed several 

weeks while being remodeled from top to bottom. 

It will be entirely different from its 

former self. There will be neither balcony 

nor lodges. The present theatre's seating 

capacity of 1,650 will be reduced to 1,200. 

Abraham Yamins, owner of the building, will 

present 150 of the best of the present seats 

the Fall River Boys club. 

to 

In a commanding; ad,, the Park and Embassy 

theatres are offering to the women attendiirg 

performances on Tuesdays and Wednesdays 

phonograph records of nationally 

recognized companies, featuring top bands, 

and singers. Women attending afternoon 

performances, however, must buy an evening 

ticket to receive the gift. 

The Search for Talent program series being 

conducted every Monday night at the Empire, 

originally intended as a Bristol county feature 

only, is fast expanding to other sections 

of Massachusetts, and to cities and towns in 

New Hampshire, Vermont and Rhode Island. 

Talent participation requests have been received 

from the aforementioned states in recent 

weeks with the result that acceptance of 

amateur talent from any section of the 

country is being given serious consideration 

by the theatre management and merchants 

who are sponsoring the feature. Winners 

receive cash awards of $25, $15 and $10 plus 

various items which prominent women's and 

men's shops of the corrmiunity provide. More 

valuable awards are presented the winner of 

the six performance series who is assured, 

al.so, of a lucrative spot in leading night clubs 

of the area. Admission to the theatre after 

7 p. m. on any night of the combined show 

is difficult because of the already capacity 

audience awaiting the feature. 

The Empire will .soon be the scene of a 

combination fashion show and bathing beauty 

contest jointly sponsored by the management 

and one of the community's leading women's 

wearing apparel .shop, Leonore's. Models will 

be provided by a major women's organization 

and the wearing apparel, by Leonore's. 

Awards will include merchandise and the 

beauty contest wrinner will compete in another 

contest to be held in Boston prior to the 

selection of Miss America at Atlantic City. 

Elaborate publicity has been given the event 

in the local press, over radio and via posters 

distributed throughout the city. 

WILLIAM RISEMAN ASSOCIATES 

162 NEWBURY STREET, BOSTON MASSACHUSETTS 

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNERS 

BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

22, 1948 91

. . . Fred 

. . . Dick 

. . The 

. . The 

WORCESTER 

•T»he municipal censor board viewed "Black 

Narcissus" at a private sliowing at the 

Warner and tlien voted to permit the picture 

to be shown here. Manager John Matthews 

booked it for the first open date. Previously 

the film had been withdrawn abruptly from 

the Warner on order of the police until the 

censor board could scrutinize it. 

. . Bill 

Guy Palmerton announced he will reopen 

the Playhouse for a 16-week season . 

Johnson of this city, brother of film actress 

Rita Johnson, is singing at the Fireside club 

in Chicago ... It is reported George Hamid 

is negotiating to sell White City park to a 

Providence, R. I., group. 

Leo Lajoie, manager of the Capitol, got a 

fine department store break on "I Remember 

Mama." Filene's devoting all of its Main 

street windows to a tieup . . . Frank E, Decelle, 

operator at the Casino in Ware, sold 

his home preparatory to moving his family 

to California. 

. . 

Charles Starrett, Vaughn Monroe, Phil 

Spitalny and Philip Murray, all in town 

simultaneuosly, gave the Rialto a big-town 

look . . . Sylvia Medici has resigned from 

the Capitol . Bob Portle of the Elm Street 

reports a holdover on "State of the Union" 

Fideli of the Rialto was in Boston 

on business. 

In an equity suit filed in superior court, 

Dominick Turturro. manager of the Elms, 

Millbury, is asked to convey the theatre property 

to his parents and two brothers. They 

are plaintiffs and petition to have him make 

an accounting of the profits. The suit charges 

the Turturros conveyed the Elms to Dominick 

as a matter of convenience and on the understanding 

he would conduct it for the benefit 

of the family. It also asks his removal 

as trustee of the family's home property. 

The Turturro family operated the Majestic 

here up to 1935 when it was closed. 

. . . 

The youngest son of Leo Lajoie, manager 

of the Capitol, underwent a tonsillectomy 

Sam Feldman, former manager of the 

Paradise in Millbury, has become manager 

of the Strand in Portland, Me. ... A broadcast 

of a WAAB show was held from the 

stage of Loew's Poli . . . Joseph Carrigan has 

resigned from the Capitol and will enter 

Memorial hospital as a patient. 

Those who predicted the city could not 

support four radio stations seem to be right. 

WNEB, the newest, has been building steadily 

but one of the older stations has retrenched 

considerably and is reported on the 

iijMJ.jiiiJi i iii. l il;^tii [na 

market climax of Marlboro days 

was 

. 

reached when 38 major prizes were 

awarded from the stage of George Heeley's 

Marlboro. 

Loew's Poli is the "stepping off" house for 

new managers on the Poli circuit. Among 

those who have served as assistants to Manager 

Harold Maloney and who have been 

promoted to take over their own theatres are 

Harold Winston, Maurice Druker. Jack 

Mercer and Frank Manente . . . Max Finn, 

head man of the E. M. Loew circuit, was a 

visitor at the Plymouth. 

A writer in the Sunday Telegram comments 

that many motion pictures are being 

oversold to the public: "Too many movies 

have been arriving in town touted too highly. 

A Double Life' and 'The Bishop's Wife,' for 

instance, came nowhere near matching the 

advance superlatives. 'Sitting Pretty' was a 

funny picture and worth anybody's time but 

it was not the panic one was led to expect." 

Frank H. Duffy announced he plans immediate 

construction of a 1,200-seat openair 

theatre at Lincoln Park, which he owns. 

He hopes to present shows and sports events 

there. He has been in a page one controversy 

with the trustees of the Municipal auditorium, 

where he has staged most of his attractions 

in the past. The theatre will cost 

$25,000 and will be ready for the summer, he 

said. 

Worcester was one of the New England 

cities to share the world premiere of "Summer 

Holiday." Ken Prickett of the Boston 

MGM office was in town working with Manager 

Maloney of the Poll drumming up special 

ceremonies. He was unable to bring a film 

star for a guest appearance. "Summer Holiday" 

is the musical version of "Ah, Wilderness!" 

whose exteriors were filmed in suburban 

Grafton by Director Clarence Brown, 

with Eric Linden and Cecelia Parker featured. 

That picture also had its world premiere 

at the Poli. 

Just as Helen Walker concluded a two-week 

stay with relatives here and returned to Hollywood 

for film work, cowboy actor Charles 

Starrett arrived in Athol with his wife for 

a visit. They were called here by the serious 

illness of the star's mother-in-law. 

Rita Johnson, film actress, sends word to 

her family here that she is appearing in 

weekly television shows in Hollywood for 

Larry Finley Productions . annual 

spring musicale of the Heywood-Wakefield 

Co, band was held in the Uptown in Gardner 

Dwens, who manages an E. M. Loew 

house in the eastern part of the state, was 

a visitor here. 

Sign for Altec Service 

BOSTON—Altec Service has negotiated 

.sound servicing agreements with the following 

theatres in New England: The Enfield, 

Enfield, N. H.; Hussey's, Mars Hill, Me.; Lincoln, 

Lincoln, Me,; St. Joseph's Hall, Lowell, 

Mass.; Strand, Fitchburg, Mass.; Casino, New 

Bedford, Mass.; Salem Playhouse, Naugatuck. 

Conn.; Norwick State hospital, Norwick. 

Conn.; Rialto, Stamford, Conn., and 

Crown, Hartford. 

Beacon Films Formed 

By 'Zippie' Goldman 

BOSTON—Beacon Pictures Corp. has been 

formed here with Harry "Zippie" Goldman 

as president. New quarters have been leased 

at 35 Winchester St. on the second floor of 

the recently remodeled addition to National 

Theatre Supply Co. Salesmen and the office 

force are not established as yet. Beacon 

Pictures will handle British films and later 

will add domestic reissues. 

Goldman, who has been in the industry 

since its infancy, sold out his interest in 

Embassy Pictm-es in February and took a 

long Florida vacation, intending to retire. 

"No matter how long one has been in this 

business, it is almost impossible to break 

away," he said in announcing formation of 

Beacon Pictures. "I used to look forward to 

the day when I could retire to spend my declining 

years on the sands of Florida or fishing 

in the waters of Maine, but the fascination 

of selling pictures is too strong." 

As owner of Beacon Pictures, he holds the 

franchise in New England for English Films, 

Inc., which is headed by Nat Sanders. 

NEWHAMPSHIRE 

p 

E. Levesque, manager of the Albert The- 

. . . Saturday 

atre in Berlin, arranged with the local 

fire department for a display of its equipment 

in front of the theatre diu-ing the run of the 

short subject, "Going to Blazes" 

night shows have been cancelled at Philatre 

lips Exeter Academy in Exeter as punishment 

for student pranks. 

"State of the Union" rated a full week's 

showing at the Capitol in Concord . . Proceeds 

. 

from a showing of the film, "Her Hus- 

band's Affairs," at the Star in Newmarket, 

were turned into a fund for the purchase of 

local playground equipment. In addition to 

the screen feature, there was a stage show, 

with Gordon Hathaway of Exeter as master 

of ceremonies. 

Theatremen in the Lake Simapee region 

were interested in an announcement that the 

Lake Sunapee Board of Trade will advertise 

the area dm-ing the coming season ... A 

Broadway musical comedy was staged by 

New Hampshire amateurs at the Palace in 

Manchester May 17 under auspices of the 

Junior Associates of Elliot hospital. It was 

being directed by Harold Homer Casstevens, 

summer theatre director in Arden, Del. . . . 

The new Daniel Webster Theatre has been 

opened in Nashua. 

James R. Irwin, proprietor of the Winnipesaukee 

Gardens, summer dance-film establishment 

at The Weirs, has been elected 

president of the Laconia Community Chest. 

Lowell Capitol Is Leased 

By Sokolowski, Gaska 

HARTFORD — Eddie Sokolowski, former 

manager of the Plainfield Theatre for Mickey 

Daly, has signed a ten-year lease on the Capitol 

Theatre in Lowell, Associated with Sokolowski 

in the project is his partner, Henry 

Gaska. They plan extensive renovations. 


: May 

22, 1948

. . Manager 

. . Ozzie 

. . 

. . The 

. . Manager 

Brush Man' Bow Aids 

BRIDGEPORT 

Hartford Hospitals 

sidewalk level. tresses to be seen at the Coimtry Play- 

IJelen Freudenheim, veteran cashier at the 

HARTFORD—Gov. 

Strand, is recuperating at her home following 

an operation. Ruth Schiller is sub- 

James Shannon of 

Connecticut and local political, social and 

William B. Cahoon. one of the 

stituting . . . 

literary leaders attended the opening of "The pioneer actors in silent films, celebrated his 

Fuller Brush Man" in Bushnell Memorial 94th birthday at his home in Darien. He is 

May 12. Adele Jergens. featured with Red still active and an ardent follower of pictures 

Skelton and Janet Blair in the Columbia picture, 

. . . George Skopp jr. has joined the 

represented Hollywood at the showing, usher corps at the American, replacing 

which was held for the benefit of three local George Vantine . . . Louis Jacobson, manager 

hospitals, the Hartford. Mount Sinai and St. 

of the Park City, cuts a snappy figure 

Francis. The proceeds exceeded $4,000. 

in that new auto. 

Six nurses from the three hospitals attended 

the charity opening as guests of 

Manager Charles Guadino of the Hippodrome 

and his wife Rachel will be shopping 

Skelton. who wired the price of 12 tickets to 

for a nursery in the fall . . . Phil "Roxy" 

Alfred Fuller, president of Fuller Brush Co.. 

Oliver, manager of the Strand, is showing a 

with the request that he buy a pair for the 

little improvement at St. Raphael's hospital 

two nurses with the longest record of service 

in New Haven . . . Albert M. Pickus of the 

in each of the three hospitals. A dinner at 

Stratford was the only theatre manager from 

the Hartford club for the guests preceded 

this area attending the dinner for Herman 

the showing. 

Levy, general counsel for the Theatre Owners 

The picture opened the followiRg ciay at E. 

of America, at the Racebrook Country 

M. Loew's. 

club in Orange . Matt L. Saunders 

of Loew's Poli dropped in on the Ringling 

circus in New York City and visited his 

Editor From India Asks 

old friend Frank Braden. veteran press agent. 

For Brighter Pictures 

James Leverone, in point of years and service 

one of the oldest of the local projec- 


NEW YORK—Baburao Patel. editor and tionists, was knocked down by an auto while 

publisher of the Indian trade paper, going home from work at the Warner Theatre. 

Filmindia. thinks that American distributors 

But he was right back on the job the 

should send pictures to India showing the next night. Jim. 71, sustained arms and leg 

brighter, pleasanter side of U.S. life, and abrasions. A projectionist since 1913, he is a 

should stop exporting gangster films. / brother-in-law of the late theatre magnate. 

As a result of some gangster pictures Sylvester Z. Poli. His wife Jennie was a 

shipped to India, average filmgoers there cashier in local theatres for many years. 

still think of America as a combination of 

Ringling Bros, and Barnum & Bailey circus 

will exhibit here Monday and Tuesday. 

Chicago in the prohibition days and the wild 

west. 

June 14 and 15. It will be the first visit since 

As an antidote Patel recommends films 

1944, just a few days before the disastrous 

on the order of "The Best Years of Our Hartford fire . . . Projectionists John Martin 

Lives." 

of the Merritt and Joseph Kaplan of the 

He discussed the film situation here and Stratford visited the projection booth at Radio 

City Music Hall while on a trip to New 

in India during his recent two-week stopover 

in New York with his wife and daughter. York City . . . Barber Shop Quartet contest 

Patel is now at the Mayo clinic undergoing for the northeastern championship drew 2,000 

treatment. He plans to spend a month in to Loew's Lyric . . . "Rigoletto," with a cast 

Hollywood after the Mayo doctors are of the Metropolitan Opera stars, has been 

through with him, and wOl then return for booked in to the Klein Memorial for May 23. 

a brief stay in New York before he leaves 

for India. 

The Palace in Danbury played "Shoe- 

Patel recently produced and directed 

Shine" to good business for two days . 

"Gvalan," starring his wife, Sushila Rani, 

Middletown. Norwich and Windsor Locks 

who helps him edit his magazine. 

have had opposition from traveling carnivals 

this early in the season . Nelson 

and his wife, Harriet Hilliard. are down 

for 

$500,000 Business Center 

an appearance during the summer at 

the Chapel Playhouse in Guilford . . . Screen 

Planned in Tennessee 

actress Betty Field is back at her home in 

From Southeast Edition 

Stamford after completing a film in Hollywood. 

OLD HICKORY, TENN.—A theatre will 

be an important part of a new $500,000 business 

center which will be constructed here, 

Local stagehands attending the dinner of 

District 10 at the St. George hotel in Brooklyn 

included Joseph Tasseneri and John 

according to an announcement by du Pont 

company officials. 

McHugh of Loew's Poli, Dominic Macherilli 

The theatre will be sold to private interests, 

the company spokesmen said. An ad- 

Globe and Archibald Swendon of Loew's Lyric 

of Loew's Majestic, William Shesky of Loew's 

joining recreation center will be built by 

. . . Mr. and Mrs. Fred H. Russell were in 

the buyer of the theatre. 

New Haven for 20th-Fox's dinner and screening 

of "The Iron Curtain" . . . "Sitting 

One feature of the business center will 

be a parking space for 200 cars and a tenfoot 

Pretty" did exceptionally well on a holdover 

extension over the sidewalk so that at Loew's Globe . . . Colonial owner Samuel 

customers may walk in inclement weather Haddelman's daughter Susan celebrated a 

from one store to another under shelter. birthday with quite a party. 

The buildings will be heated electrically and 

glass store fronts will extend down to the Joan Caulfield will be among the film ac- 

house in We.stport during the summer. She 

will appear in "Coquette" . . . Congratulations 

to Jean Brunette, substitute cashier at 

the American, on a birthday . . . Mady Christains 

is resting at her home in New Canaan 

after a trip to England. She will go to 

Hollywood shortly . . . Film actress Margaret 

SuUavan has sold her home in nearby Brookfield 

and will spend the summer just outside 

London with her three children. 

The Ringling circus will play a day in 

either Plainville or New Britain instead of 

Hartford this summer. Both are new towns 

for the big show . Matt L. Saun- 

. . . 

ders of Loew's Poli got a nice Sunday advance 

break on "The Iron Curtain." The 

Post printed an editorial titled "Better See 

'The Iron Curtain.' " Such action by the 

Post is rare . . . The Warner coupled "Woman 

in White" with a reissue, "The Fighting 

69th" "The Bishop's Wife" at Loew's 

Poli failed to achieve a holdover and two 

reissues were booked into Loew's Globe, normally 

a holdover house. 

Manager Harry A. Rose finally got to try 

out the rod and reel he got for Christmas 

and hopes his luck will progress with the 

season . Chamber of Commerce has 

established a library of 120 films which display 

work done in this area. The films were 

donated by various local factories and are 

available to schools, fraternal groups, 

churches and other such organizations. 

Drive-In Nears Opening 

HARTFORD—Work is 

proceeding on drivein 

on the Berlin turnpike in suburban Newington. 

and there is a possibility it may open 

by end of the month. Joe Dolgin is general 

manager. Robert Gloth is president of the 

drive-in corporation. Newington has one 

standard theatre, the Newington, owned and 

operated by Nick Kounaris and Paul Tolls, 

and one drive-in. operated by E. M. Loew's 

and managed by Vincent O'Brien. 

Ad Rates Increased 

HARTFORD—The Hartford Courant has 

increased amusement page ad rates Sunday 

only from $2.94 to $3.22 per inch. 

Three Connecticut Incorporations 

HARTFORD—The Nutmeg State Amusement 

Co., Inc., has been formed with Fred C. 

Butterfield as president: Daniel G. Nesta, 

treasiwer: Rocco A. Nesta, secretary, and 

Orise G. Nesta and Fannie M. Nesta as directors. 

Theatre Sales, Inc.. Naugatuck. also has 

been formed with Ralph S. Pasho as president: 

Eugene W. Pasho. vice-president: Anne 

M. Pasho, secretary, and Edward C. Lingenheld, 

treasurer. 

Crown Management Corp. has Henry C. 

Opper as president and Mami D'Amato and 

S. Bennett Alderman as directors. The firm 

operates the local Crown Theatre. 

To Many Countries 

Fred Quimby will produce a new cat-mouse 

series for Metro which will take them all over 

the world, beginning with "Tom and Jerry in 

Holland." 


I 

'i0tH. 

^'^0^ 

mi 

Keep them coming^4^^ 

READ 

USE.: 

^-f - ur^r^^ ^f^' 

P^'^^^s^f^^^^ 

'"'^f.^^^JSEH Section 

Showmen Off&r Pr« .- , 

EVERY WEEK- 

wthK — X 

for 

EVERY EXHIBITOR 

94 

BOXOFFICE 

;; May 22, 194f M^

— 

jDallas Grosses Low; 

iReissues Get Play 

DALLAS—Long faces on first run managers 

replaced long lines at the boxoffice 

I 

last week. Two of the new entries, "B. F.'s 

Daughter" at the Palace and "Monsieur Verdoux" 

at the Telenews fell far below average. 

rThe Big Clock" opened at the Majestic with 

par figures. Only house that got better than 

usual play was the Capitol, which brought 

out a couple of oldies, "Pi-ankenstein" and 

Dracula." 


Capitol—Oklahoma Blues (Mono); Angel's 

Alley (Mono) - 100 

Majestic—The Big Clock (Para) 100 

Melba—Stale ol the Union (MGM), 3rd wk 95 

Palace—B. F.'s Daughter (MGM) 75 

Rialto— Frankenstein (SR); Dracula (SR), reissues 

- 120 

Telenews Monsieur Verdoux (UA) 55 

Tower—Sitting Pretty (20th-Fox), 3rd d. t. wk .100 

Mark Airmail Birthday 

SAN ANTONIO—Red River Dave and Postmaster 

Dan J. Quill of San Antonio, made a 

flying round trip to Austin, Waco, Dallas, 

Fort Worth, Cuero and Houston by plane to 

commemorate the 30th anniversary of airmail 

service in the U.S. Dave and two other 

muisicians fui-nished the music at each of 

the airport stops. 

Apply for Radio Permit 

SAN ANTONIO — Good Neighborhood 

Broadcasting Co. and Metropolitan Broadcasting 

Co. have applied to the FCC for a 

station permit for Alamo Heights. 

L. D. Glasscock Will Open 

New Leon Theatre July 1 

PLEASANTON, TEX.—The Leon Theatre 

here, construction of which was started la.st 

December 1 by L. D. Glasscock of San Antonio, 

will open July 1. The 850-seat fireproof 

theatre will cost about $150,000 and will be 

managed by Kelley S. DeBusk jr. Gla.s.scock 

operates theatres in Blanco, Boerne, Stockdale 

and George West, Tex. 

Features of the Leon are a 100-car parking 

lot and a confectionei-y stand. 

Threat to Theatres 

GREENVILLE, MISS.—The Greenville city 

council directed George Archer, mayor, to 

write operators of local theatres demanding 

that they comply with fire safety regulations 

or close. In this connection, A. Z. Lokey, 

fire chief, cited in a letter, what he claimed 

to be violations of the fire safety regulations 

by five theatres in Greenville. 

Shifts to Natchitoches 

NATCHITOCHES, LA.—Jerry Lacefield, 

manager of the Cane Theatre since February 

1947, has been transferred to Winnfield, La., 

by the Southern Amusement Co., operator of 

the Cane. Chester Cannon, former manager 

of the Cane, has been named manager. 

Lightning Hits Theatre 

BUNKIE, LA.—Lightning struck a corner 

of the Bailey Theatre Bldg. here, tearing 

away a large portion of the structure during 

a rain, wind and electrical storm. No 

damage to equipment was reported. 

Fritz Glazer Takes 

Variety Golf Honors 

DALLAS—One hundred and ten men participated 

in the annual golf tournament of 

the Variety Club of Texas at the Lakewood 

Country club and more than 300 attended 

the banquet and dance after the afternoon's 

play. 

Seventy prizes were distributed at the 

dinner by Julius Sohepps, chief barker. Fritz 

Glazer took first prize, Sam Lamdrum took 

second, Fred Kincaid took third, and William 

Farnsworth and Gene Hughes tied for 

fourth. 

Out-of-town guests at the banquet included 

Henry Reeve of Menard, Mr. and Mrs. 

Lew Bray of Harlingen, Posey Williams of 

Munday and S. G. Fry of Tyler, all Texas 

exhibitors; Walter L. Titus jr., New York, 

southern division sales manager for Republic 

Pictures, and J. J. Unger, New York, general 

sales manager for United Artists. 

1,000 Seat Austin House 

Planned by Interstate 

AUSTIN, TEX.—Louis Novy. Interstate city 

manager, announced that construction of a 

new theatre wiD be started soon in suburban 

Tarytown. The new structure will cost in the 

neighborhood of $200,000, and will have a 

seating capacity of around 1,000. The theatre 

will have cold cathode hghting, acoustical 

plaster on the interior, and a dual heating 

and air conditioning system. 

Griggs 

Seating 

Is 

Good! 

Illustrated is Model 

16MBW — newest 

member of the 

Griggs line of comfortable 

theatre seats. This 

had in any one of several 

and with a choice of end designs. 

There's a dealer near you. 

chair may be 

color schemes 

Write today for full details. 

GRIGGS C^cûipment Gompani^ BOX 630 

BELTON, TEXAS 

MANUFACTURERS OF COMFORTABLE SEATING FOR ALL OCCASIONS 

.BOXOFFICE :: May 22, 1948 sw 95

. . 

"^^^^-C4crus,ift. 

/ mm ^ ^^nimmis 

DALLAS 

Ool Francis, district 

manager for Monogram 

. . 

Pictures, and Harold Mirisch of the Hollywood 

staff of Monogram, were here for conferences 

with Lloyd Rust and Ed Blumenthal, 

operators of the local exchange 

. 

Crawford and Coleman Gay. both of 

P. G. 

Austin, 

guests of L. N. Childress on the Row. Talk 

on the Row is about Childress' new home. 

Bill Stamford, assistant manager of D. C. 

Carraway's Circle Theatre in Meridian, Tex., 

was here checking over new types of 

ment and seeing a few screenings . . 

equip- 

Other 

. 

visitors were L. R. Jones of Normangee, J. 

C. Chatmas of Marlin, J. T. Hitt of Hico, C. 

H, Cox of Gilmer, Harry Conner of Dawson, 

K. C. Lybrand of Willspoint, Joe M. 

Hackney of Canton. L. D. Montgomery of 

Oakwood. H. A. Coleman of Alba, R. B. Dicus 

of Denton. Prank Ben.son of Bowie, W. 

Sandidge of Port Worth. Steve Curley of 

Bridgeport, Knox Riley of Teneha, Ralph 

Donnell of St. Jo, Henry Sparks of Cooper, 

Mrs. C. W. Matson of Rockdale, and E. P. 

Pewitt of Nocona. 

Clyde Odom, uncle of Frances Ferris, who 

is widely known among theatremen here, 

died last week . . . May 12 was a big day in 

the Forrest Dunlap office. Peggy Wagoner, 

Dunlap's secretary, celebrated her 21st birthday 

by becoming a notary public, Peggy Dunlap 

Peyton celebrated her birthday, and Forrest 

Dunlap jr. also celebrated a birthday 

. . . Interstate's Inwood Theatre was a year 

old last Saturday. 

EL 

Q 

PASO 

E. Holmes, Interstate chief engineer, and 

J. C. Skinner, sound and projection supervisor, 

visited here recently. Skinner pilots 

his ovm plane and says he can beat the time 

of commercial airline flights between Dallas 

and El Paso ... On vacation are Wayne 

Conway, Plaza operator, and Lucio Gasper 

and Eugenic Garcia, also of the Plaza staff. 

Eddie Nesom of the Texas Grand has returned 

from vacation. 

Longview Theatre 

Razed by Flames 

LONGVIEW, TEX.—The Texas Theatre 

recently was destroyed in the biggest fire 

in Longview's history. Total damage was 

estimated at $350,000. 

CAMERON, TEX.—The Milam Theatre 

was butted by a fire which caused damage 

estimated at $100,000 in the business section 

May 7. 

FOR LEASE ! 

DALLAS FILM ROW LOCATIONS 

2037 Jackson Street 

35x35, 1200 Square Feet 

Plus Large Balcony 

209-211 South Pearl Street 

40x70, 2800 Square Feet 

Large Rear Shipping Entrance Facing Alley. 

Can be sub-divided if necessary. 

Both locations highly desirable for any type 

motion picture or kindred activity. Early 

possession. 

SACK AMUSEMENT ENTERPRISES 

Film Exchange Building—Riverside 6474 

DALLAS, TEXAS 

REMODELING-DECORATING 

Drapes — Frames — Lighting Fixturp.s 

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LUPE ROMERO 

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The Texas Grand has installed new sound 

equipment 

. Theatre people are breathing 

. . 

easier since the Chamber of Commerce announced 

it had dropped plans for El Paso 

to adopt daylight saving time . . . Recent 

visitors were John Fagan of Universal, Tim 

Pergusson of RKO and Leslie Wilks . 

"Mom and Dad" has been held over at the 

Yandell. 


Your Deal Handled Personally 

27 years experience 

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Theatre Sales Exclusively 

3422 Kinmore Dallas 10, Texas 

Phone T3-2028 

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1416 Main St., Houston 2, Texas 

DELTA THEATRE SUPPLY 

214 S. Liberty St., New Orleans 13, La.

Mrs. C. W. Matson, Rockdale, Handles 

Business End of 5 -Theatre Circuif 

By V. W. CRISP 

DALLAS—Through the zipper of a big 

brown hand-tooled leather portfolio carried 

by Mrs. C. W. Matson of the Dixie at Rockdale 

have been made many a film and equipment 

deal. The portfolio is her portable office 

and her inseparable accessory as she 

visits the Row on frequent booking trips. 

She bought the handsome container on a 

vacation trip in Mexico City six years ago. 

During 26 years in the show business Mrs. 

SOUNDHEADS • AMPLIFIERS 

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HARDIN THEATRE 

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714 So. Hampton Rd. Dallas, Texas 

All Kinds of Theatre Equipment. 

Parts for all makes of Projectors. 

Matson probably has made more business 

trips to Dallas than most showmen who live 

only a hundred miles and less distant. 

She and her husband lived here during 

their early married life. He was an electrician 

with the light company and often noticed 

the lamps and projectors on display in supply 

houses, which then were on Main street. 

He asked Roy Thrash, then manager of 

Southern Theatre Equipment Co. for the late 

WiUiam S. Oldknow, where he might buy a 

theatre. Thrash suggested Crockett and Rockdale. 

They turned down the first town to 

their later regret, but have managed to do 

very well with Rockdale since buying the 

Dixie there in 1922 from Postmaster Long, 

who had been operating the house on Friday 

and Saturday. 

They also bought out another house, name 

um-emembered, operated by Max Ferrari, who 

still operates a candy store in Rockdale. 

The Dallas News printed a story about a 

shallow oil flurry near Rockdale, and that 

influenced the Matsons to select that town. 

But Mrs. Matson was a little skeptical. She 

took her chickens and canned goods from 

her suburban Dallas home over to her mother's 

who lived nearby and said, "We'll be 

back, and soon." 

Mrs. Matson from the start began overseeing 

the boxoffice, the booking of pictures 

and the advertising. She had been a bookkeeper 

in Dallas for a floral and seed company 

and fitted naturally into the theatre's 

business side. "Mat" knew electricity and 

chose the equipment and maintenance end. 

It has been thus ever since. 

There were lean boxoffice receipts in the 

first depression but the Matsons held on, did 

their own work and were on hand for better 

times that followed. They soon bought the 

theatre at Caldwell from a Baptist preacher, 

Jesse Gandt, now a prominent preacher in 

Fort Worth. Gandt had been using the little 

FIRST IN AMERICAN POPCORN PROFITS 

302 S. Harwood Si. 

I V [ante 

KL Wcarner 

f Divisional 

Manager) 

Dallas, Texas Prospect 7-1685 

—Photo by Dan Hulse jr- 

Mrs. C. W. Matson carrying her famed 

hand-tooled leather portfolio and holding 

her purse under her arm, a familiar sight 

on Dallas Filmrow. 

show for pictures part of the time and his 

church on Sundays. Mi's. Matson became 

manager and named it the Matsonian. 

Over at Giddings one day she took merchant 

Henry Lehman up on his offer to sell 

his show. Her sister Lillie Hardison has 

been its manager ever since, this house too 

taking the name of Dixie. So Mrs. Matson 

popularized this three-town central Texas 

circuit for the next 15 years. 

Their two daughters Gladys and Dorothy 

grew up, finished high school and entered 

the University of Texas, from where they 

were graduated in the late '30s. Gladys taught 

school for a while but now both help with 

the circuit of five houses. Mrs. Matson had 

since opened the Majestic Theatre in Somerville 

and pui'chased the Rio at Thorndale. 

C. W. is a member of the 'Variety Club 

and went with Mrs. Matson to attend the 

Variety convention in Mexico City last year, 

but they were unable to make the Miami 

affair this year because they were building 

a drive-in near Rockdale. 

But in these later and more prosperous 

years she elected to improve the theatres 

and live abundantly with her family in the 

big two-story dwelling at Rockdale. Their 

Negro cook dished up meals known by all 

central Texas film salesmen. Mrs. Matson 

mentioned the late B. C. Gibson, Jim Mc- 

Kinney and Alfred Delcambre as ones who 

"just happened" to meet there often, but 

she knew they planned it way up the line. 

The Matson household always had plenty 

of country produce, its own cows, chickens, 

and did lots of camiing. Mrs. Matson often 

brings some in for the bookers. Last week 

she gave one of them two dressed fryers 

which he had barbecued at one of the places 

on the Row. 

Mrs. Matson drives a big custom built sedan 

that is three feet longer than the average 

standard built car. She said she bought that 

for comfortable riding to make up for hard 

work she has done in building the small 

circuit. Asked for the secret of her success, 

, 

Mrs. Matson mentioned hard, constant work 

and this, "Whenever I spent a dollar I always 

made sure I had another one." 


: May 

22, 1948

i 

BOXOFFICE 

. . Manager 

From the 

BOXOFFICE FILES 

• • « 


/-NKLAHOMA CITY officials are making a 

sui'vey of the parking system in the 

downtown district, hoping to arrange accommodations 

for more motion picture patrons. 

Traffic congestion has become so severe it 

is almost impossible for more than a small 

portion of the city's theatregoers to park 

within six to eight blocks of their destination. 

Other large cities in Oklahoma are 

having similar trouble. 

Frank E. Walker of the Oklahoma fish 

and game department, is using motion pictures 

in his lectui-es to farmers, a series on 

propagation and care of wild life in the state 

Charles Zears, secretary of the Oklahoma 

City . . . 

Film Board of Ti'ade, will close 

shop May 15 and with his wife will jom-ney 

to Los Angeles to attend a Haye-Pettijohn 

organization. 

* * * 

The Liberty in Oklahoma City has installed 

Vitaphone equipment to show the new 

sound film, "The Jazz Singer," starring Al 

Jolson. Rtmior has it that Shawnee, Gushing 

and Bartlesville will soon have installations 

Roy Russell is helping as cashier 

. . . 

. . . 

at the First National in Oklahoma City . . . 

Manager J. O. Rohde is attending the Warner 

Bros, national convention Roy Amis, 

Pathe salesman, has returned to duty after 

a month of serious illness . William 

Zoellner of MGM was in Kansas City 

last week ... Ed Brewer and salesmen Hill 

and Blackstone went to Chicago to attend 

the first National convention. 

On Oklahoma City Filmrow: Roy Moore, 

Snyder; Frank Miller. White Way, Marlow; 

Bill Jansen, Rex, Alex: Troy White, Liberty, 

Ada: Tony Ryan, Fox, Tulsa: L. C. Jack.son, 

Ritz and Bison, Shawnee. 

Dallas News: Si Charninsky, manager of 

the Capitol, was robbed as he drove up to the 

garage at his home by two men with revolvers. 

After being relieved of jewelry 

valued at $430, the robbers noticed a valuable 

diamond ring on Charninsky's hand and 

demanded that he remove it. Si said it had 

been on so long it could not be removed at 

once. He played for time and a neighbor 

nearby raised a window, which threw light 

on the trio, so the robbers fled. Si's ability 

to talk long and loud apparently saved him 

a tidy sum. 

* * * 

A. B. Momand has been appointed by the 

PTTO of Oklahoma as a committee of one 

to conduct a campaign to convert distributors 

who are reported to be furnishing programs 

to schools, clubs, etc., some of which 

were operated as free shows, and others 

charging regular admissions. 

* * * 

The Cozy Theatre at Weleetka has been 

purchased by Charles Blaine, who owns playhouses 

at Henryetta. 

May Hike Admissions 

Due to Vandalism 

From Southecfst Edition 

PIEDMONT, ALA.—Possibility of higher 

admission prices to take care of increased 

costs from vandalism by youngsters has been 

suggested for the two Martin theatres here, 

the Allison and the Piedmont. 

The Martin organization recently spent 

more than $1,000 repairing seaU. Since then 

upholstery has been slashed and woodwork 

carved on 15 seats. 

"Spanking might be good after-treatment 

for offenders in cases like this," the Journal 

commented. "But something needs to be 

done to prevent such vandalism. 

"The Martin organization has been built 

upon a policy of bringing motion picture entertainment 

to the public at popular prices. 

We'd hate for them to have to raise admission 

prices to take care of the increasing 

cost of vandalism." 

Fined $1,000 for Showing 

Uncensored Red Films 

From Canadian Edition 

MONTREAL—Ben Etison, Montreal, was 

fined $1,000 for showing Soviet films not approved 

by the Quebec censorship board. The 

films, "Warsaw Rebuilt" and "We Survived," 

were shown at a meeting of the Polish Democratic 

society. Etison was granted a month's 

delay to pay the two $500 fines. 

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: 

: May 

22, 1948 99

. . Mrs. 

. 

. . . Grover 

. . . Bob 

. . Jack 

. . Albert 

. . Bertha 

. . Pat 

. . John 

. . On 

OKLAHOMA CITY 

gob Buscb, manager of the Uptown and 

Villa theatres, was pictured recently in 

the Oklahoma City Advertiser, weekly newspaper, 

admitting a group of early arrivals 

to the Uptown, when he entertained the 

Advertiser carrier boys at a matinee showing 

of "T-Men" and "Call Northside 777," plus 

a cartoon and newsreel. This was the first 

in a series of such parties at the Uptown 

for the carrier boys and salesmen. More 

than 60 boys were present for the initial 

party. 

Howard C. Federer of the Center and State 

theatres was in Dallas for a couple of days 

... Ed Kidwell, formerly with C&R here, 

has been transferred to Roswell, N. M., from 

Springfield, Mo., by H. J. Griffith Theatres. 

Kidwell visited here en route to his new 

assignment. 

. 

Norman Ayers, division manager for Warner 

Bros., was a recent two-day visitor to 

Oklahoma City Chandler McCoy, 

daughter of Mrs. Marie DeVore, former 

Griffithite, has been hospitalized in St. Anthony 

Mrs. L. C. Griffith of San Antonio 

. . . is visiting here. She reports her husband's 

health as "fine." 

Feati 

Westerns 

* * * 

Serials 

KAY FILM EXCHANGES 

218 So. Liberly SI. New Orleans, La. 

THEATRE SEAT INSTALLATION 

20 years experience — Satisiaction guaranteed. 

Write or Phone 5327 

Johnnie Boutwell 

Temple, 

Texas 

You can get your 

SPeCIRL TRRILERS 

THE TIME 

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1574 W. 

Woshington 

YOUR THEATRE FOR SALE? 

We Have Buyers With Cash 

"JOE" JOSEPH 

THEATERS 

Let "Joe" Sell Your Show 

Theatres bought—sold—equipped—fire 

inventories—consultant and equipment. 

2409 Sunset Dallas, Tex. 

Phone Yale 2-7GS0 

H. C. Kaufman, manager of exchange operations 

for Columbia, visited the city May 14. 

He was a guest of Dewey Gibbs. branch manager 

for Columbia, at luncheon in the Variety 

Club . Underwood, district 

manager for Columbia in Dallas, spent a day 

here recently . Dowdy of the 

2Cth-Fox staff is on a six-month leave, which 

she's spending in California with her parents. 

. . . 

Plans have been made for the kickoff meeting 

June 7 of the 1948 turtle derby. The 

derby will take place September 18 . . 

. 

Marguerite Marshall is a new secretary at 

20th-Fox Francis Thompson, Columbia 

booker, is back from a two-week holiday on 

his Oklahoma farm. 

Forrest Dunlap jr., who is with the American 

Desk Mfg. Co., Dallas, was a visitor 

to the city. He Imached at the Variety Club 

with Chief Barker Horace R. Falls. Yotmg 

Dunlap, who covers the Oklahoma territory 

for his company, attended the Independent 

Theatre Owners of Arkansas convention in 

Little Rock . Seawell, who covers 

Oklahoma and northern Texas for the Griggs 

Equipment Co. of Belton, Tex., also was in 

town. He, too had been in Little Rock. 

Monte Hale, Hollywood western player for 

Republic, returned to Oklahoma May 18 for 

another round of personal appearances. Dave 

Hunt of the Republic branch here is booking 

his appearances. Hale plans to stay 16 days 

in the state, until his new production schedule 

calls him back to studio work. 

Eddie Greggs, after 17 years at 623 West 

Grand, pulled stakes and moved to Warner 

Bros. Greggs, who started with Republic 

when it was the old Syndicate company, also 

is selling for Warners in eastern Oklahoma 

Livingston, new Warner branch 

manager, announced the employment of another 

new salesman, Logan Lewis, who will 

sell in Livingston's old territory. Lewis comes 

from Amarillo, Tex., and is new to the business. 

Greggs replaced Dean Goldman, w^ho 

was transferred back to Dallas. 

Ed Ray, office manager and head booker 

for Republic Pictui'es, has joined the Eagle 

Lion branch as office manager. Ray, with 

Republic for 13 years, replaces A. J. Lynn 

Malone at Republic has been promoted 

to office manager and head booker 

to replace Ray. Dave Hunt, branch manager, 

s&id Bobby Davidson, formerly a shipping 

clerk with Paramount, has been employed 

as a new booker to replace Malone. Another 

new employe is William E. Maddox, shipping 

clerk with MGM for eig'ht years, who has 

teen employed as a salesman to replace 

Eddie Greggs. Greggs resigned to join Warner 

Bros. 

New member of Variety Tent 22 is William 

Howard, co-managing director of the Oklahoma 

City and Norman, Okla., Arthur Murray 

dance studios, and of the Amarillo, Tex., 

Murray dance studio. 

T. B. "Tom" Noble III is the new assistant 

manager at the Criterion. The navy veteran's 

only other show experience was back in 

1943 and 1944 w-hen he ushered at the State 

Theatre for his father . McGee of the 

Cooper Foundation and C&R Theatres is 

due in town May 23rd for a visit for a few 

days ... On the Row May 14 were Vernon 

McGinnis of the Cozy Theatre In Tulsa, 

Virby Conley of Perryton, Tex., and Seibert 

Worley of Shami'ock, Tex. 

Only 1,500 tickets are being sold for the 

Guy Lonibardo appearance here on May 25. 

Tickets are selling for $2.99, plus tax . . . 

Keith Lutz, son of Mrs. Marie Lutz of Theatre 

, 

Poster Service, has been elected librarian of 

his social fraternity. Phi Delta Theta, for 

the next school year. 

Barbara Bauers of MGM at long last has 

received that new- car. It's a Chrysler New 

Yorker . . . Mike Simons, MGM home office 

executive. New York, spent a couple of days 

here recently . . . Emma Joy Brantley, secretary 

to C. D. "Charlie" Lyne, MGM branch 

manager, is back from a two-week holiday 

in California . . . On vacation now is Mrs. 

Polly Cussenbery, MGM biller. She is spending 

her two weeks resting and relaxing at 

home. 

Joan Sites of National Screen Services accounting 

department has been promoted to 

branch manager's secretary, replacing Ruby 

Cox. who resigned . Reynolds, shipper 

with NSS. is back from a two-week vacation 

in California. 

Remodeling of the Monogram exchange has 

been completed. The exchange has two new 

booking booths, three new offices, including 

one for the branch manager, Mike Comer, 

two new vaults, and has an enlarged inspection 

room. During the face-lifting project, 

the exchange was repainted, too. 

Recent visitors to Oklahoma City were 

Harold Mirish. first vice-president of Allied 

Artists, and Sol Francis, district manager 

for Monogram in Omaha. They spent a day 

at the Monogram branch office. 

New bills at the first run houses this week 

were "Winter Meeting" at the Midwest, 

"Summer Holiday" at the Criterion, "Are 

You With It?" at the Warner, "Four Faces 

West" at the Center, and "Love From a 

Stranger" and "Heading for Heaven" at the 

State. 

Frank Duffy, RKO home office auditor, 

arrived Monday to check books at the local 

exchange . Leldon Reed, head shipper for 

. . 

RKO, started his two-week holiday Monday 

. . . R. B. Williams, RKO exchange manager, 

is back at his desk after pinch-hitting for Sol 

Sachs in Dallas during his recent illness. 

Sachs suffered a heart attack. 

Leo McGurn is the new owner of the Freedom 

Theatre in Freedom. Okla. He purchased 

the 300-seat house from Van Pelt. McGurn 

is new to the business . the Row Monday 

were L. G. Bumpers of Vian, A. R. 

Walker of Broken Arrow, Mrs. O. L. Bronson 

of Chattanooga, Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Henderson 

of Medford, and Eddie Jones of Sand 

Springs . . . U-I's veteran employe, Andrew 

Fuller, assistant shipper, took a one-week 

holiday. Fuller has been with Universal 

about 30 years. 


Your Deal Handled Personally] 

27 years experience 

We Cover the U. S. Maiket 

Arthur Leak 

Theatre Sales Exclusively 

3422 Kininore Dallas 10. Texas 

Phone T3-2026 


C.WA. MacCormack, Industry Pioneer, 

Once Turned Exhibitor to Win Bet 

DALLAS—An exhibitor, film and equipment 

man in Texas for 35 years, C. W. A. Mac- 

Cormack is still very 

much in the industry 

in his all-Irish and 

thorough sort of way. 

Not so rotund as he 

was several years ago, 

Mac accepted advice 

and took off the midriff 

to pui'sue life in 

the 60s at a new pace. 

His line of smoothflowing 

chatter probably 

originated way 

back when he was a 

candy butcher in the C. W. A. MacCormack 

old opera house in Leadville, Colo. In no 

time he was on the way up. acquring the 

program concession in that emporium and 

laying away quite a few dollars for his own 

account. 

The big city of Denver then called him. 

Mac found himself moving scenery along 

the great white way and filling in as super 

and playing in minor parts to help understaffed 

troupes make good. His first film 

job was with the J. N. Ensor exchange in 

the earlist days of General Film. MacCormack 

continued inching up and went to work 

for William H. Swanson Film Co.. which 

bought out Warner & Sons and was also operating 

a Denver film exchange at that time. 

The sons were the Warner brothers of production 

fame. 

MacCormack migrated to Salt Lake City 

for a brief time as film exchange manager, 

then to Western Film in Kansas City as 

booker and salesman. Those were the days of 

the locked reel program where three reels already 

paid for were shipped to the exhibitor 

a lung with some kind of a poster. The reels 

were "locked" since no substituting was permissible. 

A newsreel, such as it was, a scenic 

and maybe a pie-thrower, was booked and 

that was that. Th exhibitor was sold 18 

reels for the week and if he dared show 

on Sunday, which few did, he paid for 21. 

The big Mutual Film Co. absorbed Western 

and MacCormack was transferred to Dallas 

Pilnu-ow May 13, 1913. farther back than 

most of us still in the business remember. 

Mac next found himself working for the 

J. D. Wheelan Film Co. The late J. D. 

wagered his new salesman that he couldn't 

sell the Crescent Theatre in Austin. Irish 

pluck made a valiant try, but failed. To win 

the sizable bet, Mac bought the theatre, and 

had his brother run it for awhile. But Mac 

then took over personally and operated the 

house until 1924, when the late J. J. Hegman 

acquired it. 

During the interim. MacCormack had become 

convention minded, attending everything 

exhibitors had and even going to bankers 

and druggists conclaves. He was exponent 

of the derby hat, two or three colors in 

clothes and spats. He would do a Charlie 

Chaplin act on the least provocation. 

Back on the Row in 1924, MacCormack 

sold for Pathe under J. D. Coughlin, then 

bought the state rights picture, "Tell Me 

Why," for 13 southern states. He claims to 

be fir.st to send exhibitors a synopsis on pictures 

a week in advance of playdate. Later 

he teamed up with the late Wiley Day to 

form the Mac-Day Theatrical Booking 

Agency, first of its kind to supply acts and 

talent for stage shows and public meetings. 

The Dent circuit took over the agency and 

MacCormack went to work for the late J. D. 

Roberts, then manager of National Theatre 

Supply Co. The new salesmen piled accessories 

and small equipment in the back of 

his car and sold them to theatres all over 

Texas. This method led to sale of heavier 

items. Mac subsequently was pulled off the 

road and for the next few years he kept 

National's books. Then, until the war broke, 

MacCormack packaged popcorn in a sealed 

25-cent can and .sold it to stores. When the 

tin for his cans went to war be became 

booker for the Leon circuit. For the past five 

years he has handled equipment, books and 

office routine for Altec Service for District 

Manager C. J. Zern. 

After a line of trade service probably longer 

than any other on the Row, MacCormack is 

reviewing the parade during these later years 

in not too much of a rush and prefers Scotch. 

He is a member of Variety, Scottish Rite 

Masons and the Shrine. He and Mrs. Mac- 

Cormack live in their red duplex apartment 

at 4614 East Side Ave. 

Bu4K4iije/i a J44^ G/iound ike co^4ie/i — 

J\laW' H the t44fve to. UUnlz awMt 

Order noiv ivhile we can make delivery and we can take care of 

installation and be ready for next summer with 

i ,!'il!!l' 1!''! 

U.S. 

Made in Package Sizes from 5 to 

50 Tons. 

AIR WASHERS — FANS — HYDRAULIC CONTROLS — MOTORS — REFLECTORS 

Distributed 

jt^^B,..^ MODERN THEATRE EQUIPMENT COMPANY 

214 so. ST. PAUL ST. Phone R-5009 DALLAS. TEXAS 

by 

T 


. . Louisiana 

. . Filmrow 

I 

La.) 

. . The 

. . . Sylvan 

. , Agustin 

. . Lydia 

NEW ORLEANS 

XXT'ith the weather still a little cool for night 

bathing, entertainment seekers were 

passing up the beach, the greatest local 

theatre opposition, for motion pictures, resulting 

in average business for both the 

downtown and suburban theatres. "The Iron 

Curtain" was far and above the most magnetic 

attraction of the week. It was at the 

Saenger. Back for its second showing, this 

time at popular prices, at Loew's State, was 

"Duel in the Sun." RKO's Orpheum and 

Liberty both featured "Fort Apache." "The 

Spoilers" was the Joy attraction, while the 

Center featured "Seven Sinners." Playing 

at the Tudor was "The Voice of the Turtle," 

and at the Globe was "The Gangster." The 

Strand double billed "Blonde Savage" and 

"In Old Mexico." 

K. A. "Bob" Kelly, manager of Dixie Film 

Corp. here since it was taken over recently 

by John Jenkins and 

O. K. Bourgeois of 

Astor Pictures Co. of 

Dallas, started in the 

film business with the 

Mutual Film Co., 

moved to Triangle and 

then went to Atlanta 

with the S. A. Lynch 

Enterprises, which absorbed 

Triangle. Later 

Kelly was office manager 

and salesman for 

Pox Fihn Corp., and at 

one time was Louisiana ^- *• ^^sUy 

salesman for Columbia. Recently he was head 

booker and superviser of city sales for Republic. 

Dixie, formerly ow-ned by Jack Auslet. 

now will distribute the full line of Negrocast 

features handled by Jenkins & 

Bourgeois in Dallas. 

Although it was completely renovated less 

than a year ago, the Poche Theatre is to 

undergo another beautifying treatment shortly, 

reports owner and operator Irving Poche. 

Air conditioning will be installed, the boxes 

rean-anged. and the balcony seats replaced 

by new ones. Poche also announces he has 

booked some stage attractions for the coming 

season, including such outstanding plays 

as "A Street Car Named Desire." Poche will 

show all the J. Arthur Rank productions. 

Mr. and Mrs. John P. Elzey of Delta Thea- 

. 

. 

tre Supply retiu-ned from Meridian, Miss., 

where Elzey installed new Brenkert machines 

in the drive-in there visitors 

from Mississippi included Geoiê L. French 

of the Star, Mendenhall, and W. J. lUsley 

Ritz, Colimibia exhibitors on 

the Row: T. U. Broussard, owner and operator 

of the Youngsville and T.U. theatres, who 

was here with his son-in-law Charles Burley; 

O. J. Gaude, Magic, Port Allen; Ernest Delahaye, 

Gwen, Maringouin; I. M. Gauthier, 

Castle, White Castle; Frank Olah, Star, Albana; 

M. Boehringer, Monte Sano, Baton 

Rouge; Mr. and Mrs. Guzzardo, Liberty, Independence, 

and Charles Levy, Harlem, 

Thibodaux. 

. . . 

Actress Evelyn Keyes stopped off here to 

take a sightseeing tour to the mouth of the 

Mississippi river aboard a Pan-American 

World Airways clipper on a preview flight 

New 

with a group of New Orleanians 

Orleans' Harry Carr is a mighty busy young 

man. Harry played the lead in "Golden Boy" 

at the Little Theatre last fall and is playing 

the role of Jason in the current play, "Medea." 

At odd moments in his spare time, Carr is 

writing a scenario for a documentary film 

and performing other chores connected with 

the theatre. He has made eight moving pictures 

since the war ended, all westerns, which 

he complains are not very remunerative, although 

the outdoor exercise is great. 

. . . Al 

Manager W. G. Bradley, salesmen E. E. 

Shinn and H. S. Wycoff and office manager 

F. E. Hotard of Paramoimt left for New 

York to attend a sales convention 

Fitter, Paramount booker, has been transferred 

to the New Haven, Conn., office . . . 

Milton Aufdemorte has returned to the booking 

desk after serving five years in the army. 

About 900 patrons were evacuated to safety 

at 3:45 Tuesday afternoon last week when 

fire broke out in the air conditioning system 

atop the Orpheum Theatre. The blaze was 

confined to the woodwork in the structure. 

The loss was small. A traffic patrolman 

spread the alarm when he noticed flames 

shooting from the system's exhaust shaft . . . 

Margie Rusich, Joy Theatres bookkeeper, was 

married to Ronald Boubede. 

Filmrow welcomed back to its old location, 

1422 Cleveland Ave., the Ferrara & Quigley 

garage, which for years has stored cars owned 

by Filmrow personnel. Its old garage was 

destroyed by the hurricane which swept the 

city September 17. Its new building adjacent 

to RKO is of brick and well reinforced . . . 

John S. Goshom. manager of the theatre 

seating department of the National Theatre 

Supply Co.. New York, was in. 

. . . 

Henry Meyer is constructing a theatre in 

Biloxi, Miss., to be called the Fox. Opening 

is set for early August . . . G. W. Simpson 

of Transit Co.. Memphis, was here on business 

Dan Brandon, local manager of 

Transway and Inspection Service Corp., was 

in New York on business . . . Tom Neeley, 

NTS manager, was on the road. 

. . . 

. 

Leonard Duckworth of the Chas. E. Darden 

Co. has returned from an extended business 

Gaston Dureau of Paramount- 

trip . . . 

Richards Theatres was in New York 

Lash LaRue, western actor, began a personal 

appearance tour of the Joy circuit May 22, 

starting in Texas dri\?e-in under 

construction between Gulfport and BUoxi is 

due to open about the last of May, as is 

the new drive-in at Hattiesburg. Equipment 

for both theatres was furnished by Hodges 

Supply Co. and installed by Altec. 

. . 

The Savoy, Basile, La., closed for remodehng 

May 15, will reopen about July 1 . . . 

Bob Conrad has assumed part ownership and 

management of the Bruce Theatre. Jennings, 

The Star, Tylertown, Miss., which 

La. . . . 

has been closed following its sale by J. V. 

Dampeer, has resumed operation under its 

new owner, H. Solomon . The White Hall 

Theatre has been acquired by Joseph 

The Castle in Pachuta, Miss., 

A. Loupe jr. . . . 

has been sold by A. M. Royal . . . The new 

Dixie Films stenographer is Eimice Sepcich. 

Item From 20 Years Ago 

D. F. Spalding and E. M. Cackler have dissolved 

partnership in the film delivery busiin 

Oklahoma City, and each took over a 

The Grand 

route to run for himself . . . 

Theatre in Walters, Okla., has opened its 

doors. 

SAN ANTONIO 

f^laude Alexander of Alexander Film Co. is 

back from a swing through the lower 

Rio Grande valley. He has been salesman 

for the company since 1929 . . . The Joy 

has installed a new glass boxoffice and other 

improvements have been made in the lobby 

K. Barry, who was with Interstate 

here for 14 years, has purchased the 

Ritz, colored neighborhood house, which he 

reopened May 7. 

. . . 

H. W. Kier, independent producer, returned 

recently from Arizona where he had 

a crew on location making a Negro western 

Lee Aronstein, managing director of the 

. . . 

Palace, has held down that position for 17 

years, which gives him the longest service 

record of any local Interstater at any one 

house Douglas Naylor, manager of the 

Lam-el, held "Black Narcissus" for a second 

week. 

. . . 

Albert Salas Porras, president of Azteca 

Films, Los Angeles, flew in for a business 

conference with J. Ti'uex. local branch manager 

San Antonio film exchange callers 

included V. H. Craig, Lacoma Theatre, Lyford; 

R. Pfeiffer, Bob Smith circuit. Mission; 

Jimmy Reyna, Regis, San Diego, Tex.; F. 

Maldonado, operator of the Moore 16rmn theatre, 

Moore, Tex., and Benito Silvas, Mexico, 

Carrizo Springs, who brought his 2-year-old 

son in for a polio checkup. Hospital attendants 

found him to be okay. 

Gordon B. Dunlap, manager for Clasa- 

Mohme here, bought a new home in Alamo 

Heights . Isunsa and Maria Louisa 

Zea, Mexican film players who recently were 

seen at the Follies here, are now filling theatre 

engagements in the lower Rio Grande 

"Boots" Gilbert, film comedian, 

valley . . . 

and Dotty Gilbert, musician, both from Hollywood, 

were featured with Bob Steele and 

the Westemaires stage show at the Empire. 

Others in the revue include Max Terhune, 

magician and ventriloquist; Jack O'Shea, 

western villain, and Tommy Durden and 'Victor 

Civiti, singers and musicians. 

Diane Hart, Universal western star, has 

ordered BOXOFFICE sent to her West Hollywood 

residence . Mendoza and her 

Mexican stage show are currently playing 

the Zaragoza. 

Henry Hall opened his new Rialto in Three 

Rivers May 14 with the 20th-Fox release, 

"Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay!" Among those 

attending the opening were BUly Rau, Paramount 

salesman, San Antonio; Clifford Porter 

and wife. Fort Worth, and Jim Gillespie, 

20th-Fox representative for southern Texas. 

"Fats" Nance is general manager of the Hall 

Industries, who own and operate the new 

house. 

. . . 

Frank Flores is readying his new open air 

theatre at Ruiz and North Medina streets. 

The walk-in will play both American and 

Mexican pictures ... A new drive-in at Brady 

wall soon be in operation, according to word 

"Unconquered" 

around the local film colony 

retm-ned to the Aztec on Thurs- 

day at regular prices. Opening Sunday (16) 

at the Laurel, Interstate neighborhood house, 

for a first run engagement was "Time Out of 

Mind." The Texas had "Fort Apache" for a 

holdover engagement. The only new picture 

on the rialto was "The Bride Goes Wild" at 

the Majestic. "Pittsburgh" was revived at the 

Empire, followed by "Green Hell," another 

reissue. 


Variety Will Provide 

Vacation for Boys 

ATLANTA—Thirty boys from the Atlanta 

Variety Club Bankhead playgrounds will be 

given an expenses-paid vacation at the Admiral 

Farragut academy in St. Petersburg, 

starting June 1 as a part of a new program 

designed to combat juvenile delinquency. A 

merit system has been established by Maj. 

Joe Kirkman. director of the Bankhead project, 

to determine which of the youths will be 

sent on this trip. 

The party will spend a week in St. Petersburg 

swimming, boating, sports of all kinds 

and supervised instructions in a program of 

healthy activity. The program is directed by 

Paul Wilson, chairman of the Bankhead 

project committee of the Variety Club. 

Michigan Men to Build 

Dunedin, Fla., Theatre 

DUNEDIN. FLA.—Work is to be started 

here within 60 days on a cinder block structure 

which will house a new theatre. Harry 

E. Bennett and his son, Clayton Bennett, 

both of Middleville, Mich., are the owners 

and the theatre is to be managed by a third 

member of the family, Gordon Bennett, son 

of Clayton. The theatre will be fireproof 

and air conditioned with seating capacity of 

500. Clayton Bennett has been in the theatre 

business in Middleville and Chelsea 

for 28 years. Gordon, who is to operate the 

new theatre, has been manager of the Middleville 

Theatre for some time, taking time 

out to serve in the armed forces. 

Demolish Famous Hotel 

To Use Site for Theatre 

KINGS MOUNTAIN, N. C—The Mountain 

View hotel, a famous landmark, is being torn 

down by Charles E. Cash and David E. Cash, 

brothers, to make way for a new theatre. The 

Cash brothers operate the Dixie Theatre. 

"ARKANSAS TRAVELER"—Now C. 

C. Mundo, Little Rock exhibitor, is shown 

presenting a certificate from Gov. Ben 

Laney of Arkansas to Ted Gamble. TOA 

president, officially designating him an 

"Arkansas Traveler" which is the state's 

equivalent to an ambassador of goodwill. 

The presentation followed an address by 

Gamble at the annual convention of the 

Independent Theatre Owners of Arkansas 

in LHtle Rock. 

Bubble-Blowing Contests 

Give Bill Goller a Bang 

MIAMI—William Goller is a very popular 

man around the Tower Theatre Saturdays. 

Manager Goller has been running bubble gum 

contests, and last week's contest for girls 

brought out a large crowd of very excited 

contestants. Week before that was given 

over to boys. 

The show begins at 1 o'clock and lasts until 

2:30. Five cartoons are shown on the screen. 

The contestants are brought up on the stage 

and after considerable huffing and puffing 

produce some really startling effects in bubble 

gum blowing. Goller uses a foot measuring 

device, such as is used in a shoe store, to 

measure each bubble, and thus avoids any 

controversy on the decision. 

Cash prizes are given and once a pair of 

sneakers was an added attraction donated by 

a local merchant. Both Goller and the audience 

were so disappointed that one very cute 

and very earnest aspirant couldn't blow herself 

a winner, that they awarded her a special 

prize anyway for the good show she put on. 

The Tower is in the Wometco chain. 

Birmingham Drive-In Open 

To Excellent Business 

BIRMINGHAM—Excellent attendance has 

been reported at the Roebuck Drive-In which 

opened May 1. It is the first of two outdoor 

installations to be opened in the greater 

Birmingham area by Newman H. Waters, 

head of Waters Theatre Co., and R. M. Kennedy, 

district manager for Wilby-Kincey. 

Regarded as one of the finest and most 

modern drive-ins in the south, the Roebuck 

provides space for 540 cars. It is equipped 

with in-car speakers. 

Don Waters is manager and Harry English, 

formerly of the East Lake Theatre, is assistant 

manager. Johnnie Leath is cashier 

and H. K. Whitaker is projectionist. 

The second drive-in, the Shades Mountain 

Theatre, is expected to open in four or five 

weeks, according to J. B. Waters, general 

manager for Waters Theatres. Fritz May will 

be manager. 

Harry Haas Shifted 

To St. Louis Post 

CHARLOTTE—Harry Haas, manager of 

the Paramount exchange in Charlotte for 

three years, has been transferred to the St. 

Louis branch. His transfer resulted in a 

series of shifts among personnel in the Charlotte, 

Atlanta and Jacksonville exchanges. 

In St. Louis, Haas succeeds Maurice Schweitzer, 

who resigned to go into the drive-in 

theatre business. 

AI Duren, branch manager in Jacksonville, 

has been transferred to Charlotte as successor 

to Haas; William Holliday has been promoted 

from -sales manager in Atlanta to branch 

manager in Jacksonville, and Ed Fitzgerald, 

salesman in Atlanta, was moved up to the 

job of sales manager. 

Martin Theatres to Build 

New House in Florala 

FLORALA, ALA.—Martin Theatres of Columbus, 

Ga., announced that architects are 

preparing plans for a new theatre for Florala. 

Construction is expected to start this 

summer. 

C. L. Patrick of Martin Theatres outlined 

plans for the new theatre in letters to J. B. 

Shuman, manager of the Strand, a Martin 

house here, and W. B. Minter, secretary of 

the Florala-Lockhart Chamber of Commerce. 

It is expected the theatre will be built across 

the street from the Strand. This property, 

now the Methodist church building, is owned 

by Martin Theatres. 

The Strand recently was reconditioned, but 

patrons have expressed need for a theatre 

with larger seating capacity, a more efficient 

heating and cooling system, rest rooms and 

loimge accommodations. 

Theatre Safe Lifted 

SMYRNA, TENN.—Thieves who broke into 

the Regal Theatre here hauled away a safe 

containing $200. Sheriff Earl McKnight said 

the safe was so heavy that it would have 

required at least three men to move it from 

the second floor office of James Berry, theatre 

manager. 

LAST SHOVELFUL — Harry WaUace, 

superintendent of construction for Himrod 

& Bostick, general contractors, with 

blueprint in hand directs Johnny Jones, 

Crescent Theatre manager at Dade City, 

Fla., in disposal of last shovelfull of dirt 

to be removed from the excavation for 

the SIOCOOO new Pasco Theatre in Dade 

Citv. Floyd Theatres is the owner. 

BOXOFFICE :: May 22, 1948 SE 103

. 1 . When 

. John 

. . On 

. . Walter 

. . Jack 

mtmr 

' 

ATLANTA 

"Troy Martin reports he will open his new 

Skyw-ay Theatre in Tampa about June 1 

K. Jenkins of Astor Pictures of 

Texas was here recently promoting his new 

three-feature episode features for Negroes 

. . . E. M. Gluckman of Chicago, All American 

News, was here looking for a new actress 

for his new series of colored features. He 

conferred with W. M. Richardson of Astor. 

Charlie Fortson. Wil-Kin sales manager, 

returned from the Charlotte office and left 

with T. C. Deloache for Chattanooga . . . W. 

Anderson, Eagle Lion shipping department, 

has resigned to enter the army. Edna Corley 

also resigned and Lorine Hayes was added 

at the MPTOO of Georgia convention 

here Ted Gamble, TOA, visited Jean 

Hendrix on the staff of WSB. 

. 

W. W. Mowbray, the Blue Ridge, Ga., showman, 

reports he has a "wonderful time" in his 

operation Hickey has returned 

home after long spell in the hospital . . . 

a 

Film Exchange Employes Local F49 held its 

annual party at the Henry Grady hotel . . 

. 

Joe Dumas, office manager for Republic, was 

ill in the hospital. 

. . Joan 

Visitors on the Row: C. Pitman, Pitman. 

Gadsden. Ala.: J. W. Sthall, Miami; Jack 

Toppell and Sidney Smitzer. Miami Beach; 

Edd Duncan and Clyde Sampler, Duncan & 

Richards Theatres, Carrollton, Ga. . 

Howard. Kay Exchanges, visited in Augusta, 

Ga. 

. . Lucile 

Columbia notes: Office employes celebrated 

office manager Vojoe's birthday with a surprise 

birthday cake and soft drinks . 

Matterson, inspection department, mar- 

ried R. B. McDaniel . Scott, head of 

the shipping department, returned from a 

two-week vacation in Jackson, Miss., with his 

bride, the former Elsie Latimer of Jackson 

. . . Charles Jerrard, resigned to enter the 

navy . vacations—Mrs. Allen Stephens, 

cashiers department; Lamar McGarlty, booking 

department ... A big time was had at 

the weiner roast. 

Zronne Helloms is the Columbia office 

manager's new secretary. Fay Jones, booking 

department, returned from a trip to Elberton, 

Ga., while Juanita Green, cashier 

department, returned from Georgetown, Ga. 

Mrs. Camelia Evans, head of the inspection 

. . . 

department, is spending a few weeks in 

Jacksonville Beach. 

. . . Mrs. 

D. L. Buzbee, Ritz Theatre. Davesville, 

Ala., and W. R. Boswell, Greensboro. Madison 

and Union Point, Ga., were on the Row 

Florence Chambler and Dorothy Edmonson 

. . . 

were back at then desks at Monogram 

after a flying trip to Indianapolis 

Belle Heard has been added at Screen Guild 

Jane Rantin has resigned to join the 

. . . 

R. M. Avey Commimity Theatres . . . Ruth 

Brownlow of the Screen Guild and Curtis D. 

Hackney, formerly with Theatre Service, were 

married in Dallas, Ga. . . . Mrs. Edna Turnipseed 

of Republic is vacationing in Washington. 

. . . 

Dot Gardner has resigned at Film Classics 

to join National Screen Service. Gloria 

Chamblers has replaced her Back from 

Miami were Mr. and Mrs. S. Hickman of 

Toddy Pictures. 

Millard G. Weaver to Run 

For Mayor in Collinsville 

COLLINSVILLE. ALA. — Millard G. 

Weaver, owner of the Cricket and the Sandy 

theatres here, has announced his candidacy 

for mayor. Weaver opened his first theatre 

in Collinsville in 1924 and three years ago 

replaced it with a modern house. 

Start Brownsville Job 

BROWNSVILLE, FLA.—Work has been 

started on a new motion picture theatre on 

West Cervantes street by Clint Vucavich and 

associates. 

Carl Floyd Makes Rain 

By Pressing Button 

to make it 

Jacksonville, Fla.—Carl Floyd, of the 

Floyd and Stein theatre circuit, is a large 

man with few inhibitions who lives with 

considerable zest. Although of recent 

years he has been highly successful in 

half-a-dozen business enterprises, his 

greatest pleasure is derived from certain 

prankish exploits that always baffle and 

sometimes bewilder his friends. For example, 

there is the overhead irrigation 

system he has Installed in connection 

with his acres near Haines City Through 

the services of a 90-horsepower motor, a 

convenient lake and an intricate system 

of pipes and. sprays, it is possible for him 

rain by merely pressing a button. 

Atlanta Theatre Trade 

Rises Above Average 

ATLANTA—Business in all theatres last 

week was above the average. The weather 

| 

was fair and hot. 


Tower—The Black Swan (20th-Fox); Laura 

(20th-Fox), reissues - lOi 

Fox—Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hayl (20th-Fox) 105 

Paramount-Fighting Father Dunne (RKO) 108 

Roxy—Unconquered (Para) — 103 

Dalton, Ga., Authorizes 

Sunday Picture Shows 

DALTON, GA.—The city 

council here has 

reconsidered and will allow Sunday motion , 

picture shows. Martin Theatres operates the 

Wink and Cresent here. 

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104 BOXOFHCE :: May 22, 1948


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^K.^ 

*P

. . Bud 

BIRMINGHAM 

T A. Jackson, Empire manager, left for a 

two-week auto-plane vacation trip to the 

west coast. His itinerary takes him to Shreveport, 

Dallas. Fort Worth, Denver, Phoenix, 

Tucson, Los Angeles and San Francisco. He 

plans to spend a couple of days around the 

Hollywood lots. 

. . . 

John P. MuUer, MGM: Oscar Goodman, 

Paramount; Webber Hall. Movietone, and 

Tye Sanders, U-I, were in Birmingham on 

Sunday 1I61 to make newsreel shots of the 

Jimmy Lynch and His Death Dodgers thrill 

show at Legion field. A crowd of about 8,000 

attended Louisiana's ex-Gov. Jimmy 

Davis, playing the Municipal auditorium the 

same night, drew a crowd of about 200. Davis 

is on a barnstorming tour of the southeast 

and southwest with a hillbilly show. 

Mr. and Mrs. C. K. McCown, Nashville, 

spent two days in Birmingham. McCown is 

with Crescent Amiisement Co. . . Bert Sanford, 

. 

New York, sales manager for Altec- 

Lansing, visited the offices of Queen Feature 

Service, Inc., distributors here for Voice of the 

Theatre sound. 

D. L. Turner, district manager for Altec, 

and Harry Paul, RCA sales manager from 

Atlanta, were recent visitors . . . Jack Dumestre, 

head of Southeastern Theatre Equipment 

Co.. also was glimpsed in town. 

. . . Pressley's 

Melba Managêr Harry M. Curl was host 

recently to the 18 senior and junior contestants 

and chaperons in the Birmingham 

News-Age-Herald oratorical contest state finals. 

They saw "Ruthless" 

traffic safety show, featuring 30 stunts by 

seven performing dogs, made an appearance 

at the Mickey Mouse club show at the Alabama 

Theatre Saturday (15 1. The show is 

making a tour of the south. The appearance 

here was sponsored by the Alabama Motor 

club and the Junior Chamtoer of Commerce. 

No, it isn't double talk. Boltailex wins theatre owners with its unbelievable 

wearability . . . the way it can be washed again and again with 

soap and water and still look bright and new. 

BOLTAFLEX REDUCES MAINTENANCE COSTS! 

Cover your theatre seats with long-wearing Boltaflex and watch the 

cost of upholstery maintenance fall! 

Speak to Your Theatre Chair Manufacturer or Contractor About 

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Good Housekeeping J 

Francis S. Falkenburg: was one of the judges 

at a beauty contest for employes of Sears, 

Roebuck & Co. here. Palkenbm-g is making 

plans for the Miss Alabama state beauty 

contest here this sumimer. The winner will 

complete in the Miss America contest at 

Willim Tate, Galax projectionist, 

Atlantic City . . . 

is back after an illness of two 

months. 

W. C. Mathews has returned as projectionist 

at Auto Movies No. 1 on the Bessemer 

Superhighway after spending two months at 

a drive-in at Thomasville, Ga. . . . John 

Cason. East Lake projectionist, is spending 

the summer in Los Angeles, where he is 

working vacation relief at several theatres. 

Ralph A. Root jr., a student at Georgia 

Tech, will spend three weeks in Cuba in June 

as a house guest of two fellow students. 

Root, a projectionist, is a son of the MPMO 

business agent. He will return to Georgia 

Tech, where he is a junior, for the summer 

term . Chalmers, Screen Guild salesman, 

has received his third degree at Woodlawn 

lodge 525, AF&AM. 

"Saigon" was the only repeater on local 

screens for the week of May 13. The film 

moved to the Lyric after a week at the 

Alabama. 

Reoptioned for Year 

Barbara Rose McLean has been reoptioned 

for another year as supervising film editor by 

20th-Fox. 

BOXOFFICE :: May 22, 1948

! BOXOFFICE 

Sports Shorts Program 

Runs ior Two Days 

GAINESVILLE, FLA.— Bill Duggan, manager 

of the State Theatre, is trying something 

brand new in the way of entertainment. 

The entire show on two consecutive 

days will be made up of a series of sports 

shorts covering practically every field. Among 

those listed are football, girls' baseball, tennis, 

golf, bowling, hunting and fishing. Red Barber, 

a former Gainesville man, is one of the 

commentators on the reels. 

Polio Victim Since 1927, 

Cashier May Walk Again 

CORAL GABLES, FLA.—Evelyn Arnold, 

a 

polio victim who did not allow her crippled 

condition to interfere with independence and 

a desire to earn her own living, has been 

serving as cashier at the Coral Theatre for 

the past several years, is now in a local hospital 

recovering from what appears to be a 

successful operation on her legs which will 

permit her the use of them once more. Polio 

crippled her in 1927, so she has been a cripple 

most of her life. She has been one of the 

best-liked cashiers employed by Paramount 

Enterprises and is being kept on the pay roll 

while in the hospital. 

Double-Spread Co-op Ad 

For 'I Remember Mama' 

HUNTSVILLE, ALA.—The Lyric Theatre 

landed a double-page co-op ad in the Huntsville 

Times to plug its showing of "I Remember 

Mama." Most of the ads had a Mother's 

day angle, since the spread ran on Thursday, 

May 6, three days before Mother's day. 

J. G. Lawrence Launches 

Theatre in Blountsville 

BLOUNTSVILLE, ALA.—J. G. Lawrence 

opened his 300-seat Fox Theatre here Saturday, 

May 8. 

Sally Rand Gets Okay 

From Memphis Censors 

Memphis — Sally Rand and her fan 

dance show received the official stamp of 

approval of chairman Lloyd T. Binford 

and the Memphis board of censors at the 

Cotton Carnival midway sideshow. 

"It's no Sunday school show but people 

who pay to see it aren't going to see a 

morality skit," said Binford. "There is 

nothing in the show to warrant banning 

it but it wouldn't do for a 25-cent movie 

where kids would see it." 

Binford and his board saw the opening 

show. They required the lights to 

be dimmed a little more, Sally's managers 

said. Otherwise, the show was approved. 

Beauty Contest on Stage 

Sponsored by Sorority 

TROY, ALA.—Miss Troy of 1948 was chosen 

from a field of 20 girls on the stage of the 

Enzor Theatre Tuesday, May 11. The contest 

was sponsored by Tau chapter. Beta Phi 

Sigma sorority. 

To Modernize Theatre 

BELLE GLADE, FLA.—The first installment 

of a number of improvements to be 

made to the Ace Theatre will be remodeling 

the lower part of the structure. A permit 

has been taken out for $6,000 to be spent 

on the foundation. Later a new floor will be 

added and other improvements made to the 

building. The Ace is owned by the Gold- 

Dobrow Theatre Enterprises. 

Overhaul Air Conditioning 

FORT MYERS. FLA.—The air conditioning 

system at the Lee Tlieatre is being overhauled 

and remodeled. The approximate cost 

of the job will run above $1,000. Mrs. Edna 

C. Rubel is manager. 

Open House Launches 

Alberta's Capstone 

ALBERTA, ALA. — "Open hou.se" party 

from 1 to 3 p. m. featured the formal opening 

of the 500-seat Capstone Theatre here 

Friday (7i. The house is operated by Harry 

G. Willoughby. 

City Judge Joe Burns officiated at the 

opening ceremonies, which were broadcast 

over WTBC. Free gifts were presented to 

the first patrons. 

Willoughby said the theatre stage is one 

of the be.st and most elaborate in the south, 

and the building is equipped with best projection 

equipment obtainable and most modern 

air conditioning. A parking lot adjacent 

to the theatre has space for 200 cars. 

There are now eight theatres in the Tuscaloosa 

area. They include four in downtown 

Tuscaloosa, one in Northport, one in Northington 

and two in Alberta. 

Sound Service Acquired 

By Southeast Theatres 

ATLANTA—The signing of agreements for 

sound .servicing with the following has been 

announced by Altec Service: 

North Carolina—Roxy in Greenville, Taylor 

in Roenton, Paramount, Oasis and Carolina 

in Kinston, Gibson and Scotland in 

Laurinburg, Blair in Marshville, Pastime in 

Monroe, Grand and Earle in Mount Airy, 

Colonial and Majestic in Tarboro, Princess 

in Benson, and Imperial in Kings Moimtain. 

South Carolina—YMCA at Clemson college 

and Hamrick in Gaffney. 

Tennesee—Ritz in Livingston. 

Mississippi—Joy in Nettleton and Money 

and Regent in Indianola. 

Allison Gets New Sound 

PIEDMONT, ALA.—New sound equipment 

and a new screen have been installed In the 

Allison Theatre here, according to Olin Atkinson, 

manager. 

Sunrise Reseated 

FORT PIERCE, FLA.—The Sunrise Theatre 

was closed several days last week while 

new seats were installed. Plans have been 

announced for installation soon of a new air 

conditioning system, construction of a new 

marquee and modernization of the front. 

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: May 

22, 1948 107

. . M. 

MEMPHIS 

. . . Grover Parson of 

jyjr. and Mrs. Harry Katz and Ike Katz, 

executives of Kay Films, were in from 

Atlanta to see the Cotton carnival and visit 

the local exchange 

Atlanta, district manager of Eagle Lion, was 

in town for conferences with Malco officials 

. . . R. P. Dawson, Universal manager, and 

Mrs. Dawson are parents of their fourth child, 

a baby girl, born May 11 at Methodist hospital. 

Tom Young, 20th-Fox branch manager, is 

back at the office after being ill for several 

days . . . Billie Santoni is the new biller at 

Universal . . . Sue Jane Eubanks, assistant 

cashier at 20th-Fox, had her appendix removed 

Dick Owen of 

at Baptist hospital . . . Eagle Lion, Dallas, was in town. 

Carl Christian, exhibitor in Tuckerman, 

Ark., was on Filnu-ow with the news that his 

new theati-e, the Garden, is now open. Christian 

is building another new theatre at Tuckerman, 

the Cozy, which will replace the Tuckerman, 

destroyed by fire some time ago. He 

expects to have the Cozy open in about six 

weeks . M. West has changed the name 

of his Rex Theatre in Centerville, Tenn., to 

the Centre. 

M. A. Lightman sr., president of Malco 

Theatres, Inc., took part in an unusual bridge 

hand which was described by William E. 

McKinney, national bridge writer, in a syndi- 

WklRilllERJ 

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!howmdn>K.p Tr^ 

tlSHYDEST. M OERALDLKARSKI 

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For 

cated newspaper column last week. Lightman 

plays in state and national bridge championships 

and has won many of them. 

The "King of the Carnival" premiere, 

scheduled at the Warner Theatre by Manager 

J. H. McCarthy in connection with the 

opening of the Warner Bros, color feature 

by that name, was called off . . . Sally Rand 

was scheduled to have been crowned queen 

of the midway, with the monkey girl anS 

alligator boy as star performers . . . The question 

of engaging a union orchestra came up 

and the premiere was called off. 

Loew's State set the attendance pace for 

first runs with "The Iron Curtain." The picture 

had its Memphis opening the day after 

New York Communists caused a riot at the 

opening there . . . Other theatres reported a 

slump in attendance during the Cotton carnival 

. . . Col. Cecil Vogel, manager of Loew's 

Palace, was seen on the carnival midway. 

"Just as well close up," he said "with all this 

excitment in town. So I just came down and 

joined them." 

The Victory Theatre, Trezevant, Tenn., has 

been closed indefinitely . . . The Menlo Theatre, 

Glenwood, Ark., which has been closed 

since a recent fire, has been repaired and has 

reopened . . . The Wilson high school theatre, 

Wilson, Ark., which operates during the school 

year, will close May 22, according to C. L. 

Bird, owner . The Strand Theatre, Amory, 

Miss., will 

. . 

close temporarily May 10 for repairs 

and redecoration. It is a Flexer house. 

. . . 

Another new theatre has come into existence 

in the mid-south. It is the 22 Drive-In 

at Fort Smith, Ark., owned by J. H. Wisdom 

. . . Dan Cupid has fired another fatal arrow 

on the Row. Irene Dagastino, inspector at 

Monogram, and J. W. Martin were married 

Frances Sims, stenographer at National 

Theatre Supply Co.. is vacationing in Bowling 

Green, Ky. 

John K. Baker, manager of Theatrical 

BETTER Performance 

PROJECTORS AND MIRROPHONIC 

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Scenic Studios in St. Louis, called at Monarch 

Theatre Supply Co. . . Mi's. Anna Sue 

. 

Brower, office secretary at Malco Theatres, 

is vacationing ... So are Charles Elgin, assistant 

cashier at Paramount, and Velma 

Welch, branch manager's secretary at Monogram, 

who is visiting her home In Covington, 

Term. 

Grover Wray, who resigned as salesman at 

RKO to open a buying and booking agency, 

was given a farewell party by RKO employes. 

They gave him a desk pen and pencil set . . . 

Earl Hartzog, office manager of Warner 

Bros., is starting on a vacation which will 

take him to several points in Central and 

South America. 

Visitors from out-of-town included Mrs. 

H. Boswell of Moscow, Cliff Peck of Covington, 

Leon Roimdtree of Water Valley, Mrs. 

H. A. Fitch of Erin, Mason Reiss of Bruce, 

Mi's. Dovie Lee of Dyess, Amelia Ellis of 

Mason, Merle Goodart of Hickory Ridge, 

G. H. Goff of Parsons, P. E. Morris of Indianola, 

W. E. Malin of Augusta, Frank 

Fisher of Como, Owen Burgiss of Brownsville, 

Frank Patterson of Junction City, R. H. 

Stanley of Beebe, Henry Haven of Forrest 

City, and H. C. Langford of Marks. 

Also, J. F. Adams of Coldwater, Mrs. M. M. 

West of Centerville, Mr. and Mrs. S. J. Azar 

of Greenville, Alvin Tipton of Caraway, Mr. 

and Mrs. Roy Cochran of North Little Rock, 

Orris Collins of Paragould, J. C. Bonds of 

Hernando, Sam Kirby of Little Rock, Lyle 

Richmond of Senath, Don Vernon of Potts 

Camp, Mrs. H. A. Fitch of Erin, and M. E. 

Rice of Brownsville. 

Workers in Charity Drive 

Are Guests at Theatres 

MEMPHIS — Once a year school girlsthousands 

of them—form teams and "tag" 

Memphians downtown to raise funds for the 

Press-Scimitar's Cynthia milk fund, which 

provides milk the year around for babies of 

poor families. 

Half of the winning team was rewarded 

with a theatre party at Loew's State as 

guests of Manager Bill Kemp to see "State 

of the Union." The other half attended a 

party at the Warner Theatre as guests of 

Manager J. H. McCarthy and saw "FYince 

of Thieves." 

Second place team saw "Thunder in the 

Valley," and "Tender Years," at the Malco 

as guests of Manager Jack Tunstill. Third 

team attended the Ritz Theatre as guests 

of Manager Joe Simon. 

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m

Charles 

Children's Shows Gain 

Favor in Albuquerque 

From Western Edition 

ALBUQUERQUE—Special children's Saturday 

morning programs in three of the theatres 

here, the Kimo, Lobo and Yucca, have 

been showing to record attendance since the 

PTA organization promoted the idea. Someone 

from the PTA is usually at each theatre 

to help with any problems of discipline which 

might arise. However, Blanche Hatton. manager 

at the Lobo, explained at a recent show 

that many of the PTA members just sit in 

the audience, with their own children and 

perhaps one or two belonging to neighbors 

unable to attend themselves. 

The discipline observed at a recent show 

was very good. A Shirley Temple reissue was 

playing and two shows were scheduled, the 

first at 9 and the second at 10:30. The Lobo 

only seats about 708 and nearly every seat 

was filled for the first show, with a long line 

standing out front for the second. In order 

to seat those wishing to see the second show, 

it was necessary for the tactful but firm 

young ushers to go through and insist that 

the "repeaters" leave. And don't think it 

was always the children who sought to stay 

on. A grandfather there with three little 

ones was as disappointed as his three charges, 

but was telling them as they filled out: "Now 

we'll just go out and buy us some more tickets 

and come right back in." 

George Tucker, city manager for the nine 

Interstate Theatres here, reports no business 

slump. All but a few of the theatres in town 

run daily matinees, something rare for 

neighborhood houses in most towns this size. 

This fast-growing southwestern city finds its 

entertainment needs growing with the population, 

and meets those needs as fast as 

building construction permits. A new 1,000- 

seat house is rising on the site of the old 

Mesa. 

Courteous Service Praised 

By Miami Theatre Patron 

MIAMI—Wometco Theatres here received 

the following letter from a satisfied customer: 

"We are regular moviegoers and went to see 

The Naked City' at the Surf. The first thing 

that i 

happened was that the lady Rita Haldeman. 

cashier i in the boxoffice had a cheerful 

smile. We had hardly recovered from this 

shock when the usher i Swenson > also 

with a cheerful smile conducted us to our 

seats. They did this as though it was actually 

a pleasure to serve us. We came away from 

the Surf with the feeling that its is the bestrun 

theatre in Greater Miami. (Signed) 

Samuel C. AUen." Wometco printed this letter 

in its house organ with thanks to the writer 

and thanks to the employes who inspired it. 

Capitalizes on Primaries 

By Posting the Returns 

ELBA, ALA.—Manager Dozier Roberts of 

the Elba Theatre scored a lot of goodwill during 

the state Democratic primary election 

May 4. He posted election returns on a large 

scoreboard in front of the theatre. He stimulated 

returns by awarding free pases to -the 

person presenting first reasonably authentic 

returns from the 31 polling places in the 

county. 

MIAMI 

A recent Claughton Embassy and 'Variety 

ad featured the full lineup of the news- 

Kentucky E>erby, Eisenhower leaves the 

reel: 

army, Europe hails U.S. aid, chimps in the 

news, bus village for Tokyo homeless, apple 

blossom festival . . Paramount is now showing 

. 

its "iceberg" art to lead off its advertis- 

ing, proving that summer must be around the 

corner for Miami. The "coolness" of the circuit's 

houses is being stressed. 

Thca;tre managers wish patrons would not 

leave their purses lying on adjacent seats, 

even though, as just happened in a downtown 

theatre the patron was holding a child 

on her lap. Mrs. Ida Adams lost $21 in this 

manner when a "pickpurse" helped herself to 

the contents of a pocketbook lying conveniently 

within reach. The money disappeared 

with the elderly woman who sat next Mrs. 

Adams. 

Miami Movie Makers club held its annual 

election of officers. On display at the meeting 

was the ten-inch trophy offered by the 

club as first prize in its movie contest which 

ends July 1. All amateurs are eligible and 

Local club owner 

there is no entrance fee . . . 

Murray Weinger has gone to Hollywood to see 

about booking film names for appearance 

here. 

"Gone With the Wind," featured in a box 

on the Sunday amusement page as the "movie 

best bet," is the attraction at the Opa-Locka 

Theatre. It seems there is no limit to 

GWTW's pulling power in this area . 

. . 

Charles Moskowitz, says George Bourke, has 

the Vagabonds set for some MGM recordings 

when the ban goes off. Moskowitz is spending 

some time here, but Bourke says he is 

unable to get confirmation that the firm 

name will be Metro-Goldwyn-Moskowitz one 

of these days. 

Harry Fields was in town for some work on 

"The Babe Ruth Story." Ruth spent part of 

last winter here . . . Wometco, whose theatres 

blevins 

popcorn 

company 

are playing "The Iron Curtain," received a 

letter from 20th-Fox officials. Fox is circularizing 

exhibitors throughout the country 

declaring that attacks by American-Soviet 

pressure groups on this film are unfounded 

in fact. Wometco's letter further said, " 'The 

Iron Curtain' is not only based upon fact, 

but much more than that: it is dramatic and 

gripping entertainment of the highest degree. 

We will stand behind our picture, and, 

in the event of any action which pressure 

groups may stage, will defend the exhibitor 

and hold him harmless of liability." 

The Edward N. Claughtons of the theatre 

clan have returned from the Kentucky Derby 

to which they went as the guests of John 

Davin, president of a railway company. Ben 

Kalmenson, general sales manager for Warner 

Bros., and Dennis Morgan were in the 

Davin box. The Claughtons left the party 

at Cleveland and flew back to Miami. 

Juddy Johnson has just taken over as manager 

of the new Embassy, a Claughton downtown 

theatre. He also will handle publicity 

for all local Claughton houses. Johnson, for 

a long time associated with the supper club 

business, was for eight years general manager 

of the Rainbow room at the Henry Grady 

in Atlanta Jack Mussom, former assistant 

at 

. . . 

Claughton's 'Variety on Miami Beach, 

has been promoted to manager. Cecil Tuggle, 

former manager there, has become assistant 

city manager for the circuit here, and 

will act as general trouble-shooter for any 

emergency. 

New confection sales girls at Wometco's 

Tower, Surf. Plaza, and Ritz are Mary 

Adams, Arlene Adams, Priscilla Wagner and 

Mattie Lee Williams. 

Dorothy Kaymer of the Daily News unearths 

the fact that Jack Monroe, head waiter 

at a local club, is a former dancer, and also 

taught dancing to Rudy Valentino and George 

Raft. 

bee -hive popcorn 

extra 

has so much 

volume 

you are urged to use 

V4 less 

corn per popping (with the same 

amount of seasoning) 

T 

southeastern industrial district 

650 murph'y ave., s.-w., bldg. e, unit 8 

atlanta, georgia • amherst 7141 

inai7i offices in popcorn village, nashville 


. . RKO 

Atlanta No. 1 Colosseum 

Prepares for NLRB Vote 

ATLANTA— No. 1 Loge of the Colosseum 

of Motion Picture Salesmen of America elected 

Eddie Foster president at its fourth annual 

meeting in the Henr>- Grady hotel here 

where the organization was founded in 

May 

1944. 

Harris Wynn jr. was elected vice-president: 

Harry Dashiell, treasurer: W. R. Word, 

recording secretary: C. T. Jordan jr. financial 

secretary, and Frank Salley, board 

chairman. 

Pride in the success of the movement begun 

here was accentuated by receipt of a 

telegram from A. M. Van Dyke, national 

president, who voiced appreciation of the 

Atlanta loge for its major role in the victory 

recently achieved before the NLRB, which 

has certified the Colosseum as bargaining 

agent for film salesmen. The NLRB certification 

was regarded as a dream come true. 

Salley, president emeritus and treasurer 

of the national Colosseum and charter member 

of the Atlanta loge, presided at the 

meeting in the absence of James B, Campbell, 

who was the outgoing president. 

The meeting, marked by nearly 100 per 

cent attendance and the addition of new 

members, was devoted to discussions of a 

NLRB election to be held here soon. No. 1 

Loge now claims an enrollment of 90 per 

cent of the film salesmen here. 

A substantial sum was donated to the national 

treasurer, with one new member giving 

$100. 

CHARLOTTE 

Tack Austin, Wilby-Kincey city manager, 

spoke at a luncheon meeting of the Charlotte 

Motion Picture council last week. Lucia 

Harding is president of the group. After 

luncheon, the members were guests of Austin 

at a preview of "The Emperor Waltz" in 

the Paramount screening room . . . Bill Henderson, 

head booker at 20th-Fox, resigned 

to join the Selznick Releasing Organization 

May 31 as booker. 

Safecrackers looted the Savoy Theatre 

of $200 last week. James Weddington, manager, 

listed as also missing an undetermined 

amount of concessions money. Entry was 

gained into the building by forcing the back 

door and a crowbar was used to jimmy open 

the office door ... A smoker and business 

meeting was held Monday night for members 

of the Variety Club in the club rooms 

at the Hotel Charlotte. Roy L. Smart, 

chief barker, presided. 

RKO news: Mr. and Mrs. Gene Dyer and 

party took a weekend trip through the mountains 

of western North Carolina in their new 

Chrysler . and Paramount joined 

forces in organizing a softball team which 

will play in the Twilight league. The boys 

played their first regularly scheduled contest 

May 17. 

Alpha Fowler Sr Dies 

* 

In Atlanta Hospital 

ATLANTA—Alpha Fowler sr., 61, veteran 

Georgia exhibitor and legislator, and father 

of Adjt. Gen. Alpha 

Fowler jr., died of a 

heart attack at Piedmont 

hospital here 

May 17. He served U 

times either as member 

of the house or 

the senate of Georgia, 

and never was defeated 

for election from 

his home county of 

Douglas. 

Fowler entered the 

Alpha Fowler 

hospital Monday afternoon 

and died 

shortly afterward. 

One of his theatres was the Alpha in 

Douglasville. He also operated several here. 

In addition to his wife he is survived by 

three sons, Alpha jr., Oscar and Jimmie, all 

of Douglasville, and a daughter, Mrs. R. L. 

Whitehurst of Miami. 

Scott E. Chesnutt, 68, Dies; 

Salesman for 20th-Fox 

BIRMINGHAM— Scott E. Chesnutt, 68, 

salesman for 20th-Fox, died here May 11 

after a lengthy illness. Funeral services were 

held here May 14. Chesnutt was formerly 

with Paramount. Before entering the motion 

picture business he was an umpire in 

the Southern and other baseball leagues. 

If It's Good Promotion . 

. 

some 

BOXOFFICE 

one will 

report it in . 

Fresh from the scenes of the activities each week come constant 

reports of merchandising of films. Most of these are ideas you 

can use for your own promotion. All of them ore interesting and 

most of them are profitable in other similar circumstances. Make 

full use of these practical ideas by practical showmen, many of 

whom you may know. 

•*, 

Motion pictures lend themselves ideally to good advertising. The public interest is 

high. 

Capitalize on the interest that already exists and increase your attendance 

with proved ideas. 


Odeon Will Construct 

Five More Quonsets 

VANCOUVER—Odeon Theatres will erect 

five more quonset theatres in Canada this 

year, J. Earl Lawson, Odeon president and 

general manager, said. 

Lawson, who also is president of the Canadian 

Picture Pioneers, attended a dinner here 

of the western CPP section, when he explained 

the aims and objects of the pioneers 

of the benevolent fund. 

Odeon's first quonset, and also the first 

theatre of its type built in Canada, opened 

recently at Brampton. Ont. Lawson said the 

quonset theatre has better acoustics than the 

conventional theatre building, can be built 

faster and is the ideal structure for the 

smaller situations. One of the Odeon quonsets 

will be erected at Mission. B. C. 

Lawson voiced satisfaction with the increase 

in attendance at British pictures, but 

he remarked that the public prefers a varied 

program. "People do not like a diet of one 

kind," he said. "They prefer to mix Hollywood 

and British pictures." 

Lawson conferred with J. Howard Booth. 

Odeon district manager, and Earl Hayter, 

British Columbia supervisor. He planned to 

remain here ten days. Mrs. Lawson and Guy 

Upjohn, booker, accompanied him. He will 

inspect the new Odeon theatres in Victoria 

and in West Vancouver. 

New members welcomed at the Odeon dinner 

were David Borland, Dominion Theatre: 

Roy McLeod, Vogue: Lou Finestein, Roxy: 

Prank Gilbert, Paradise: Art Crute. Plaza: 

Arthur Grayburn, Odeon Theatres, and 

Charles Doctor, Capitol, all from Vancouver. 

Robert Foster is president of the western 

Pioneers. 

Curbs on Buying in U.S. 

Aid Canadian Houses 

ST. JOHN—The outright ban on hundreds 

of U.S. products and 25 per cent excise tax 

on many others, impo.sed by the Canadian 

government last fall, have reacted unfavorably 

on film exhibitors on the U.S. side of 

the border in Maine. 

These restrictions, together with the $150 

annual limit on what individuals may spend 

in the U.S., have hit the theatres within 

about 25 miles of the border on the U.S. side 

but have reacted favorably for theatres in 

Canada. 

Normally from 25 to 75 per cent of the 

gross business of stores, eating places, theatres, 

etc., on the U.S. side of the border 

comes from the Canadian side. People who 

crossed the boundary for shopping usually 

patronized at least one theatre. But with 

shopping deprived of its usual lures, Canadians 

have cut down heavily on their overthe-border 

excursions. 

The reaction has been especially good for 

theatres in such towns as Grand Harbor, 

North Head, St. Andrews, St. George, Black's 

Harbor, Campobello and Deer Island. 

Budget to Commons 

OTTAWA—Finance Minister D. C. Abbott 

was to table his 1948 federal budget before 

the house Tuesday night (18 1. It was expected 

he might make an announcement regarding 

the 20 per cent war excise tax on theatre 

grosses. If it is abolished, a similar 

amusement tax would automatically become 

effective in Ontario. 

Kiddy Club at Calgary Ends Season 

With Total of 2,810 Members 

GOOD DEED CHOIR—The Good Deed 

club, an organization built up of youngsters 

attending Saturday morning kiddy 

matinees at the Palace in Calgary, has 

completed its season. The club was sponsored 

by the T. Eaton Co., which gave 

valuable prizes, membership pins and 

cards to club members and broadcast a 

half hour of the program. At the close 

of the season the club had 2,810 members. 

The store also paid the salary of Mrs. 

Higgin, director of the Good Deed choir 

pictured here on the Palace stage. Each 

week people all over southern Alberta 

wrote letters to Pete Egan, Palace manager, 

telling of the good deed of some 

youngsters, and the boy or girl selected 

each week as the greatest do-gooder was 

given a 15-jewel WTist watch. 

Variety Steward Is Man of Talents 

TORONTO—The chief steward of the impressive 

quarters of Toronto Variety Club in 

the Prince George hotel will be Paul Courtney, 

a much-traveled, many-sided gentleman 

who is an author and lecturer on subjects 

related to his work and has even been a film 

actor. He had worked in almost all the capitals 

of the world at the art of making life 

more enjoyable for others, his chief distinction 

to date having been earned as one of 

those who accompanied the British king and 

queen across Canada during their visit. He arranged 

brief personal attendance for the 

queen at Banff and later wrote the story of 

the trip for the Canadain Pacific railway. 

Born in London, England, in 1905, Courtney 

was educated at St. Joseph's college. Blackheath, 

and began his career in a Pall Mall 

club. His experiences after that should make 

him feel thoroughly at home with showfolk 

and they with him. for he became a page boy 

at the Playgoers' club, Leicester Square. 

After that he was personal page to Marie 

Lohr, who was visited frequently by the great 

theatrical figures of the day, arnxsng them 

Sarah Bernhardt, Leslie Hanson and Sir 

Gerald du Maurier. Having been exposed to 

actors and authors early, the influence keeps 

cropping up in his life. Some years ago he 

appeared in the British film, "Marry Me," 

with George Robey and Margaret Muehller. 

In 1947 Paul toured the larger cities of 

Ontario under the auspices of the Wine Producers 

Ass'n. lecturing on wines and bar 

services. 

Courtney made nine trips around the world 

during 15 years of traveling over all the continents, 

oceans and what lay between. Now 

and then he liked a place and stayed. For 

suggesting changes in the layout of the wine 

cellar of Emperor Haile Selassie he was given 

a solid gold ankle chain by the royal chamberlain. 

Since there was no ball attached, he 

continued his travels. 

His Canadian adventures took him into 

leading hotels as the country's only wine 

butler, into the naval service for three years 

as a service messman. and into chain and 

single restaurant management and catering 

supervision for commercial enterprises such 

as the Victory Aircraft. Murray's and the 

Canadian Railway News Co. 

With his feeling for relating his experiences 

in print and orally, it is natural that he 

should have been a valet-tutor. He officiated 

at the farewell dinner to Lord and Lady 

Willingdon when the former was to leave for 

India as viceroy. 

• 

Courtney is married and has five children. 

H. T. Long Dies; Veteran 

In Toronto Film Trade 

TORONTO—A 27-year veteran of 

the film 

industry here until his retirement in 1947 

because of iU health, H. T. "Tubby" Long 

died from a heart attack at his home in Baby 

Point in his 54th year, leaving his wife and 

one son Bill. He had occupied a number of 

executive positions in the exhibition and distribution 

fields, having been the general supervisor 

of Han.son Theatres Corp., a chain of 

30 theatres in Ontario, prior to the war. 

Long was born in Montreal but came to 

Toronto as a young man. His chief hobbies 

were fishing and gardening and he spent 

considerable time at his country home at Rice 

Lake. 

BOXOFFICE : 

: May 22, 1948 E 111

. . J. 

— — 

— 

F€rH's New Vogue at Halifax Opens 

As Proud Successor to Community 

HALIFAX—Featuring a snack bar and 

fountain service, the new Vogue Theatre, 

opened here recently by Franklin & Herschorn, 

offers in theatre construction as neat 

a contrast to its predecessor, the old Community, 

as could be provided. Directly responsible 

for the structure are Mitchell 

Franklin, only son of Joseph M. Franklin, and 

Peter Herschorn, only offspring of the late 

Myer Herschorn, long-time theatre partners. 

The Vogue is of steel, concrete and red 

brick construction. The front is of beaver 

clay brick, Indiana limestone and black structural 

glass with aluminum mouldings. The 

building is 150 feet deep with a 50-foot frontage. 

About half of the width is black glass. 

A dual neon flashing sign is over the entrance. 

A 38-FOOT FOUNTAIN 

The fountain and bar are on the street 

floor and have an unobstructed view of the 

street. The 38-foot fountain is of stainless 

steel and the bar of colored marble. The bar 

is 48 feet long and has 15 stainless steel 

leather-topped stools plus facilities for six 

standees. The entire counter area is shaped 

like a reverse "S" and has its own glass door 

to the sidewalk. Served at the bar are various 

ice cream dishes, sodas, tea, coffee, milk, 

salads, sandwiches and quick lunclies. 

Opening ceremonies were emceed by Pat 

Dwyer, manager of the local Family. Short 

talks were made by Mayor J. E. Ahern, Harold 

Connolly, provincial minister of industry 

and publicity, and Peter Herschorn and 

Dwyer. Active in the opening were Sam Babb. 

manager of the Mayfair in Saint John and 

booking chief for F&H: Mrs. Mitchell Franklin, 

who came in from Saint John, and 

Maurice Ellman. manager of Alliance Films 

for the Maritimes and Newfoundland who 

represented the National Film board. 

CEREMONY IS BROADCAST 

The ceremony was broadcast, and scores of 

congratulatory telegrams were posted on the 

bulletin board in the lobby. Dozens of baskets 

of fresh flowers were distributed about 

the lobby floor and paralleling the standee 

rail. 

"Blue Skies" and "Big Town" were the 

opening features. Ken Grass of Saint John 

supervised the opening of the concessions. 

Ernest Edwards of Saint John will manage 

this department. 

While Peter Herschorn was making his 

speech, a telegram from President Joe Franklin 

of F&H sent from Florida was doing a 

flutter act in Herschorn's right hand. Emcee 

Dwyer qualified as controller by putting the 

clutch on his employer's trembling hand. 

Herschorn may not have been nervous wholly 

due to the strain of the completion of the 

Vogue and the opening, for he was flanked 

on both sides on stage by three Irishmen: 

Mayor Ahern, Minister Connolly and Dwyer. 

The youngest person to be represented by 

a congratulatory wire was Franklin Babb of 

Saint John, young son of Sam and Lillian 

Franklin Babb. 

Steve Doane, chairman of the Nova Scotia 

board of censors, took an enthusiastic interest 

in the opening. His headquarters are 

next door. 

Due to the absence of one figure, there was 

a tinge of sadness about the slide of the Vogue 

from theory to fact. The man was Myer 

Herschorn, who died last summer. For many 

years he had his headquarters at the Community. 

Joe Franklin, who was leaving Miami Beach 

that day, was unable to attend the opening 

but has since inspected the house. Mrs. 

Myer Herschorn was at the opening as was 

her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Peter Herschorn. 

A midnight cocktail party in a local hotel 

salon was given by F&H after the theatre 

had been sealed up following its first night 

of business. The night before the circuit had 

hosted about 400 men who had worked in the 

building. They were given a preview of the 

theatre's film fare and concessions. 

The fountain-bar is the first in the maritimes 

and the location of the theatre is in 

one of the provinces' busiest sections. Capacity 

of the Vogue is 350 persons greater 

than the Community. 

TOP PRICE IS 43 CENTS 

Prices for the new theatre are 43 cents for 

adults and 20 cents for children after 5 p. m. 

and 30 cents and 12 cents during the afternoon. 

Policy calls for continuous operation 

from 1 p. m. until 11 p. m. Peter Herschorn 

is managing the showcase. 

Doors to the large lobby are of Herculite 

and those leading to the stadium-type auditorium 

are of aluminum and glass. Nine hundred 

fifty chairs of foam rubber, metal and 

kiln-dried birch are staggered in the auditorium 

with two aisles running the length of 

the house. The entire house is air conditioned. 

Other features are a full emergency lighting 

system, automatic explosive control and 

em.ergency escape in the projection room, 

toilet facilities in the booth, kiln-dried 

birch standee wall with yellow padded sides, 

stainless steel railings on the stairway, concealed 

vari-hued lighting in the auditorium 

and spot lighting in the terrazzo tiled lobby. 

Stage curtains are of gray Fiberglas. The 

basement houses the heating and cooling systems 

plus a number of rooms for storage and 

staff quarters. 

CALGARY 

Quy Upjohn, assistant booker at Toronto 

headquarters for the Odeon circuit, spent 

a few hours in Calgary en route to the coast. 

He was making a flying inspection tour of 

Odeon units in key cities and was to return 

to Toronto via Edmonton and northern 

cities. He reported that business, while somewhat 

down from this period last year, is 

fair on the whole. 

Ralph Mitcheltree, manager of the Capitol, 

ace PPCC unit, was handing out cigars last 

week and receiving congratulations. His wife 

had just given birth to a daughter, Susan 

Margaret, their second child . 

B. Barron. 

Grand Theatre owner and associate of 

Odeon circuit, has been hopping about the 

U.S. by car. He went from Los Angeles to 

Chicago, crossed the border to Toronto, 

scooted back west to Seattle and returned 

this weekend from the coast. 

Warmth and Baseball 

Hit Vancouver Trade 

VANCOUVER—The arrival of warm weather, 

opening of the baseball season and rain 

were not what the local showmen ordered 

for last week, and below-average grosses resulted 

at many theatres. The Strand started 

its new single bill policy with smash business 

on "Sitting Pretty," leading the town. "The 

Naked City" at the Vogue was good its second 

week. 

Capitol—The Miracle of the Bells (RKO) Moderate 

Cinema—The Grapes oi Wrath (20th-Fox); 

Tobacco Road (20th. Fox), revivals Good 

Orpheum Tycoon (RKO), Average 

Park a-nd Plaza—Fame Is the Spur (EL) Fair 

Paradise Carnival (EL), Intrigue (UA) Fair 

Strand—Silting Pretty (20th-Fox) Excellent 

Vogue—The Naked City (LI-I), 2nd wk Good 

'Iron Curtain' Causes Little 

Excitement at Toronto 

TORONTO—"The Iron 

Curtain" bowed in 

at the Imperial, but there was little excitement 

in spite of the fact that Canada was 

directly involved in the Soviet sipy revelation 

by Igor Gouzenko, former Russian 

embassy clerk at Ottawa, which forms the 

basis of the story. The public continued to 

show preference for light entertainment, with 

"Sitting Pretty" being held for a ninth week 

at the Victoria and Nortown. "Duel in the 

Sun" was in its second week of a regularprice 

engagement at Loew's and likewise 

"The Big Clock" was held for a second week 

at Shea's. The weather was rainy. 


Dcnlorlh and Fairlawn 

The Woman in the Hall 

(EL) 100 

Eghnton and Tivoh— I Remember Mama (RKO) 100 

Imperial—The Iron Curtain (20th-Fox) 115 

Loew's—Duel in the Sim (Selznick), 2nd wk 100 

Nortown and Victoria Sitting Pretty (20th-Fox), 

9th wk go 

Shea's—The Big Clock (Para), 2nd wk ..^..."..7^ 110 

Uptown—All My Sons (U-I).. .. 

100 

Public's Shopping for Films 

Reflected in Calgary Grosses 

CALGARY—'While the weather still delayed 

outdoor activities, first run grosses, 

nevertheless, took a slide. Most probable 

cause was lack of big attractions. Exhibitors 

have become reconciled to the undoubted 

fact that fans are shopping these days, and 

staying away when nothing in the shape of 

title, plot or star names proves magnet. 

Capitol—The Big Clock (Para) 

Good 

Grand A Double Life (U-I) Fairly good 

Palace—Fabulous Texan (Rep). Exposed (Rep) .Fair 

Palace—Woman on the Beoch (RKO), Riii-Raif 

(RKO) 

Fair 

G. P. Wright Is Promoted 

To Vancouver E-U Helm 

TORONTO—With Empire-Universal Films 

since 1935, except for three years' service as a 

navigator in the RCAP, G. P. 'Wright, office 

manager here, has been promoted to branch 

manager at Vancouver. 'Wright succeeds 

Leslie Plottel, identified with the film industry 

since 1932 at Toronto and Vancouver, who 

resigned to join two brothers in the ladies' 

wear business in Vancouver. 

'Arch' Premiere May 27 

TORONTO—The Canadian premiere of 

"Arch of Triumph" has been set for May 27 

at Loew's in Toronto and Loew's, London. 

Ont. The picture will play in Canada at 

regular 

admission prices. 

112 

BOXOFFICE 

: 

: May 

22, 1948

ommunJ 

ormunce 

jj 

THE 

PROJECTOR 

All over Canada hundreds of satisfied theatre owners acclaim the merits of The Century! 

We here list some of the many Canadian Theatres where Century Projectors have been 

installed. 

NOVA SCOTIA 

Poromount - Amherst 

Capitol 

Annapolis 

Annview 

Anndale 

Bedford 

Bedlord 

Blighs 

Berwick 

Strand ^ _ Bridgetown 

Capitol 

Bridge water 

R. C. A. F - „... Dartmouth 

Capitol - 

Regent _ 

Digby 

Greenwood 

„ 

H.M.C. Dockyard „ Halifax 

Regent , .Joggins 

Capitol 

Middleton 

York Newr Germany 

Odeon Horth Sydney 

Capitol 

-Pictou 

Capitol 

Star 

„ „ Shelbume 

5ydney 

Imperial 

Windsor 

Capitol 

Yarmouth 

NEW BRUNSWICK & P.E.L 

Copitol * Andover 

Capitol „ _ Chipman 

Kum-C „ Dieppe 

Green's 

Florenceville 

Opera House Grand Falls 

Community Grand Monnon 

Star 

Lewisville 

Capitol 

McAdam 

Gaiety 

Minto 

Petitcodiae 

Petitcodiac 

Community Plaster Rock 

Acadia „ St. Leonard 

Vogue 

Sackrille 

Capitol , Shediac 

Marina ..._ _ ...St. Andrews 

Regent Summerside, P.E.I. 

Community West Saint John 

Maple Leal Wilson's Beach 

QUEBEC 

Acton-Vale 

Acton-Vale 

Consolidated Paper Corp., 

Ltd ,. Anticosti Island 

Palace 

Arvida 

LaurentioB Baie St. Paul 

Madelon Cop-de-ta-Madeleine 

Capitol 

Chicoutimi 

Carrier 

Chicoutimi 

Royal 

Donnacona 

Dorion , Dorion 

Palace 

Granby 

National 

Grand'Mere 

Palace 

Grand'Mere 

Passe Temps Joliette 

Canada 

Levis 

Bi)ou , Montreal 

Cartier 

-...Montreal 

Cremazie 

^...Montreal 

Crystal Palace Montreal 

Lido 

.Montreal 

Mercier 

Montreal 

Regal 

Montreal 

Ritz 

Montreal 

University of Montreal Montreal 

Laurentian Mount Laurier 

Community Club 

Normetal 

Pascalis ., Pascalis 

Princess 

Riviere-du-Ioup 

Quebec Productions, 

Ltd. St. Hyacinthe 

Canadian St. Joseph D'Alma 

Chateau St. Julienne 

Georges Ste. Therese 

Rheo St. Tite 

- 

Auditorium Shawinigon Falls 

Premier 

Sherbrooke 

Salle Notre Dame Three Rivers 

Cinema Ville Marie Ville Marie 

ONTARIO 

O'Brien 

Almonte 

O'Brien 

Arnprior 

Beam 

Beoms ville 

Royal 

Bowrmans ville 

Capitol 

Brantiord 

Audion 

Capreol 

Savoy ^ Cardinal 

Roxy 

Chesley 

Starlite 

Chippewa 

Roxy 

Cornwall 

Majestic 

Dresden 

Roxy 

Grimsby 

Regah 

Hagersville 

Skyway Drive-la Hamilton 

Central Patricia 

Gold Mines 

Hudson 

Pickle Crow Gold Mines Hudson 

Imperial 

Humberstone 

Princess Little Current 

Rex 

London 

Strand 

Marathon 

Roxy 

Markham 

Plaza 

Mitchel 

Brock 

...Niagara-on-the-lake 

Mayfoir 

Ottawa 

Rexy 

Ottawa 

Norgan 

Pelmerston 

O'Brien - Pembroke 

Iroquois 

Petrolia 

O'Brien : Renfrew 

Palace St. Catharines 

Lyric St. Mary's 

United Church 

Hall 

Smooth Rock Falls 

Tivoli 

Thorold 

Biitmore _ Toronto 

Brighton 

Toronto 

Empire - Toronto 

Grant Toronto 

. 

Hollywood Annex Toronto 

Queensway Studios Toronto 

Skyv/ay Drive-In Toronto 

Warner Bros. Review^ 

Room 

Toronto 

R.C.A.F. Ensign Theatre Trenton 

Skyview Wasaga Beach 

Roxy - Walker ton 

Westboro 

Westboro 

Skyway Drive-In Windsor 

MANITOBA 

Oak 

Brandon 

Century 

Grandview 

Gimli 

Gimli 

Gaiety 

Killamey 

Starland - Morden 

Lakson 

Rorketon 

C.A.T.C 

Shilo 

Winkler 

Winkler 

Odeon 

Wiimipeg 

Park 

Winnipeg 

R.C.A.F 

Wirmipeg 

Bruno 

Military 

Community 

Eston 

SASKATCHEWAN 

Bruno 

Dundurn 

Esterhasy 

Eston 

Oipheum 

Estevon 

Movieland 

Gainsborough 

Gaiety 

Gravelbourg 

Lux 

Hudson Bay Int. 

Lux 

Humboldt 

Rex 

Kindersley 

LeRoy 

LeRoy 

Grand 

Mellort 

Orpheum Prince Albert 

Strand Prince Albert 

Princess 

Radville 

Broadway 

Regina 

Roxy 

Regma 

Century Regina Beach 

Broadway 

Saskatoon 

Shellbrook 

Shellbrook 

Star 

Watson 

Palace 

^...Willowbunch 

Vogue 

Wynoid 

ALBERTA 

Conmiunity — - 

Barons 

Community Centre ...Beaver Lodge 

Tivoli 

Calgary 

Mayfair 

Cardston 

Napier ^ DrumheUer 

Capitol 

_.Grand Prairie 

Capitol 

Hanna 

Roxy High Prairie 

Chaba 

Jasper 

Watson's 

McLennan 

Sylvia 

Newcastle 

Cre;cent _ Red Deer 

Uptown 

Sylvan Lake 

Westlock 

Westlock 

BRITISH COLUMBIA 

Van Use 

Campbell River 

Cadet 

Esquimalt 

H.M.C. Dockyard Esquimalt 

Orpheum 

Fernie 

Vogue 

Femie 

Langley Langley Prairie 

Edison Newr Westminster 

Odeon 

New Westminster 

Pacific Mills Ocean Falls 

Capitol Port Albemi 

Cascades Drivo-In. Vancouver 

Hollyburn 

Vancouver 

York - Victoria 

R.C.A.F Patricia Bay 

Dom 

inion 

Distributed by 

Sound Equip 

Limited 

ents 

Head Office: 1620 Notre Dame Street West, Montreal 

Branches at: Halifax, Saint John, N. B., Toronto, Winnipeg, Regina, Calgary, Vancouver 

BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

22, 1948 113

. . . Mildred 

. . Additions 

. . Rose 

VANCOUVER 

prancis Martineau, local magician who is 

on the staff of Famous Players art department, 

recently became the papa of twin 

boys, who have been named Peter and Paul 

. . . Also a father is Jack McCausland. Mrs. 

McCausland is the daughter of J. J. Fitzgibbons, 

FPC president. McCausland is head 

of the FPC British Columbia maintenance 

department. The baby is their first. 

The vacation urge is beginning out this 

way. Mike Stevenson, Paramount booker, 

joui-neyed to the northern British Columbia 

. . Eric Handley, an employe 

wilds to hunt grizzly. Sandy Arenovsky of 

United Artists was on a two-week holiday 

to Hollywood . 

at English studios before coming to Canaaa. 

is now a member of the Orpheum staff here. 

At a convention of the British Columbia 

Parent-Teacher Federation a resolution was 

passed asking the provincial government to 

fine parents and theatre managers who permit 

children under 14 to see "unsuitable 

films." The attorney-general, who is in 

charge of the moving picture act, has taken 

no action on the request . to the 

International Cinema staff are Mary Crompton, 

formerly of the Orpheum. and Rose 

Lesanko, in charge of the new candy counter 

Swartz, former UA stenographer 

who has been away from Filmrow four years, 

is now secretary at Eagle Lion. 

Hanson 16nun Movies, Ltd., has changed 

its name to Arthur Rank 16mm, Ltd. It handles 

narrow-gauge British and Monogram releases. 

Sam Lambert is the local manager. 

. . . Police are searchmg for a man apparently 

obsessed with the idea of becoming a film 

magnate. The man rented a projector from 

Eastman Studio, Ltd., for one day. The following 

day, a man answering the same description 

rented five films from the Vancouver 

Film library. He hasn't been seen 

since. 

Since the announcement of several provincial 

governments that they will occupy 

the amu.sement taxation field when vacated 

by the Dominion government, opposition by 

newspapers, labor organizations and others 

has been growing. Exhibitor organizations 

across the country and here in British Columbia 

are continuing to protest against the 

tax as discriminatory and far too high for 

the business to stand. 

Peter Barnes of Toronto opened his new 

450-seat Lulu at Brighouse, B. C, May 12 

. . . Ivan 

with "Blue Skies." Barnes is featuring 

Foto-Nite two days weekly. Brother John is 

in charge of the theatre and also the pmjection 

booth for the time being 

Ackery sent his publicity campaign in high 

gear for "The Iron Curtain." He has beer, 

receiving a few complaints from the friends 

of Russia, who may picket the Orpheum, 

which will give Ackery a chance to use some 

of the publicity stunts for which he is famous. 

. . . 

American Amusements, Ltd., with a capital 

of $200,000, New Westminster, B. C, was 

registered last week at the legislative building 

at Victoria. The officials were not named 

Andy Digney, former Vancouver theatre 

operator, was given the green light by the 

Burnaby municipality to erect a 7.000-seat 

sports stadium on 15 acres a few miles from 

here. 

Purnell & Sons has started rebuilding its 

fire-gutted 450-seat Palace in Coleman, Alba., 

a coal mining town in the Crow's Nest Pass 

Towns along the Eraser river 

district . . . 

are watching rising waters apprehensively. 

Ashcroft is already flooded. A few years ago 

the river went on a rampage, causing tremendous 

damage and closing many theatres 

in the Eraser valley district. 

The Odeon Olympia put on an after-school 

Food for Britain matinee, and 1,500 youngsters 

paid one can of food each as the price 

of admission. The films were donated by 

Odeon Circuit with Manager Al Goodwin of 

the Olympia handling arrangements . . . Mac 

Smee, assistant manager of the Strand, supervised 

installation of poster displays on a 

fleet of trucks distributing the Pocket Book 

edition of "I Remember Mama." 

Max Garfin, who sold his Chada Theatre 

at Jasper Park after 15 years in the theatre 

business, is now a partner in one of Vancouver's 

leading hotels. 

Rank officials of Odeon said the popularity 

of British films had increased considerably 

in the Dominion during the last two 

years. In 1946 British films occupied only 

4 per cent of Canadian playing time. Today 

this has been increased to around 30 per 

cent . . Reissues in British Columbia have 

. 

drawn such unexpected business that many 

in the trade emphasize that the general run 

of films coming from the Hollywood studios 

has been low grade in the last year or so. 

This factor more than anything accounts for 

the 30 per cent drop in attendance in British 

Columbia theatres, they say. But the catch, 

say exhibitors, is that the film companies 

are asking more for the revivals than they 

did when they originally were released. 

VICTORIA CHAMPS—Capitol Theatre 

keglers captured top laurels in the sixteam 

bowling league in Victoria, B. C, 

composed of entries from Capitol, Royal, 

Dominion, projectionists, and mixers 

team. The men's high average laurels 

were taken by Kay Dawson while Chris 

Archer rolled high single. Joan Davidson 

captured high average lor women. 

Rita Hume scored high single game. The 

Capitol trundlers, left to right, front 

row: May Edwards and Sophie Stern; 

back row, Ray Dawson, Kay Wells, Jean 

McRae and Alex Barclay, 

Vancouver Man Hits 

At U.S. Newsreels 

VANCOUVER—In a recent issue of the 

Sun, a letter to the motion picture editor 

complained about some American newsreels 

on Canadian screens. The letter follows: 

"Isn't it time the British Columbia movie 

censor, or even the theatre managers, used 

a little plain judgment in the selection of 

their newsreel items? 

"I and a great many others are continuously 

exasperated by seeing pictures of the 

American scene with titles and announcer's 

voice indicating that we in Canada are a 

part of it. It was worse during the war when 

we had to sit through endless reels of American 

recruiting propaganda which was fine for 

American audiences but out of place in Canada. 

At one big first run house in Vancouver 

this week there is an "Army Day" sequence 

which has absolutely no significance for a 

Canadian audience, and all through the 

showing a voice talks about "OUR" army 

and "OUR" nation, and so on. 

"Personally, I would have no objection to 

Canada being a part of the United States, 

or vice versa, but American propaganda of 

the more obvious sort is inappropriate and 

in bad taste on the Canadian screen. 

"So why doesn't someone whose business 

it is to select newsreels use a little sense 

and show that he has at least a smattering 

of discretion? 

"The editing of Vancouver news shorts 

may be all right most of the time, but occasionally 

it's just deplorable." 

FORT WILLIAM 

The Royal front will undergo a face-lifting. 

The marquee has been torn down and the 

old Royal V sign has been removed. A new 

boxoffice is to be built out to the sidewalk 

. 

. 

and a candy bar installed where the present 

boxoffice now stands Laddie Semkanin, 

assistant at the 

. 

Royal, 

. 

would make a good 

bouncer. He is training for the light-heavyweight 

championship of the thunder bay region 

Cerrutti, one of the Royal's 

cleaners, has retm'ned to work after taking 

her sick brother to Toronto for an operation, 

which was successful. 

During the last week the Lakehead has had 

quite a number of officials. From Toronto 

came O. J. Silverthorne, chief censor for Ontario, 

to look over the theatres here, especially 

the new ones under construction. 

The Lakehead Exhibitors Ass'n invited Silverthorne 

to a dinner after which a roundtable 

discussion was held. 

Another visitor was John Ferguson, Famous 

Players maintenance man from Winnipeg, 

here conferring with local FPC managers . . . 

From Toronto came FPC's architect Kaplin. 

and J. Wolfe, eastern maintenance manager 

. . . Also on an inspection tour was 

. . . Lillian Lutz has 

Neil Troy, assistant manager of Theatre Confections, 

Ltd., Toronto 

been moved from usherette to cashier at the 

Capitol, her place being filled by Marjorie 

Bury. Gladys Hodge, former cashier, has 

married Steve Posther. 


: May 

22, 1948

. . The 

. . Toronto 

I 

TORONTO /3 pcf. of Pictures Rated 

Phe Maynard Film Distributing Co., Toronto, 

has acquired world rights to "Sins 

of the Fathers," which was recently produced 

by Canadian Motion Picture Pi'oductions 

and directed by Phil Rosen, independent 

Hollywood director. President Paul Maynard 

said that state rights for the U.S. and three 

continents were being sold, but his company 

would handle the picture in Canada in both 

35nim and 16mm fields. The pictui'e deals 

with the venereal disease problem and has 

been endorsed by health officials. 

Two theatres in St. Catharines fought it 

out with double bills of honor thrillers. The 

Centre offered "Isle of the Dead" and "The 

Brute Man," while the Palace came through 

with a tingling pair . . . Unusual opposition 

developed for two Toronto theatres. While 

"The Iron Curtain" was on the screen of the 

big Imperial, Eaton's Auditorium had a travel 

film. "This Side of the Iron Curtain," dealing 

with western European countries. Then, 

with "Sitting Pretty" at the Victoria and 

Nortown, there was a stage production, "The 

Baby Sitter," at Massey Hall, for a second 

coincidence. 

The Sunset Drive-In near Brantford is the 

latest of the open-air theatres to be opened 

in Ontario. The Sunset is on the Bui'ford 

highway, three miles west of Brantford. The 

two drive-ins in ttje Niagara district, the 

Canadian on the Merrittville road and the 

Skyway at Stoney Creek, have adopted a 

double bill policy. The Skyway was the first 

of its type to be erected in eastern Canada. 

The Odeon at Kingston had the mother 

or a guardian of each member of its Odeon 

Movie club as a guest at the club's performance 

Saturday morning to demonstrate what 

goes on at a "meeting" . College at 

Brantford has announced premiums for the 

women patrons. 

The winner of the "blind date" contest 

conducted by Manager Fred Trebilcock of 

Shea's was Mrs. J. Hudspith who received a 

handsome suite of furniture and an all-expense 

trip to Niagara Falls for a second 

honeymoon. The contest, based on "How I 

Married My Blind Date," was held in conjunction 

with the engagement of "The Voice 

of the Turtle." 

Members of the Toronto Variety tent became 

enthusiastic theatre patrons when news 

shots of the recent Variety convention at 

Miami were on local screens. Pi'ominent in 

several scenes were R. 'W. Bolstad and Morris 

Stein, vice-president and division manager, 

respectively, of Famous Players Canadian 

Corp. 

Unsuitable for Children 

meal . fans discovered Frances 

Conley, a Canadian girl, appears in "The Big 

Clock" which was playing Shea's. During the 

war .she was with "Meet the Navy." a Canadian 

musical stage production sponsored by 

the government. 

. . 

Three theatres, the Glendale, Esquire and 

Midtown, did well with an Academy award 

show consisting of Ronald Colman in "A 

Double Life" and the short, "20 Years of 

Academy Awards" . The Esquire at Brantford 

put on an early showing of "The Raider" 

Saturday morning to which was added a 

w-estern and thi'ee cartoons to take care of 

juvenile patronage. 

Jack Koher, Peerless head, returning to 

Toronto after a two-week stay in Montreal, 

reports that theatre attendance is off about 

25 per cent in that city. He also mentioned 

that the Starland Theatre is closed pending 

its transformation into a retail store . . . Edward 

M. Schnitzer, eastern and Canadian 

division sales manager of United Artists, was 

in Toronto recently to discuss ciu'rent and 

forthcoming releases. 

Arthur Silverstone, Canadian sales manager 

for 20th-Pox, reports that he has received 

assurance from his personnel that they 

will back htm up completely during the fourweek 

sales drive. May 30 to June 26, honoring 

Andy Smith, general sales manager, on the 

occasion of his first anniversary as head of 

the distribution department. 

Film Offers to Barbara 

TORONTO—"With Barbara Ann Scott making 

her last appearance of the figure-skating 

season at the Maple Leaf Gardens here recently, 

interest was heightened in the plans 

of the Olympic and world champion to turn 

professional, with a Hollywood film career 

in the offing. Negotiations under way In 

behalf of the lovely Ottawa girl for many 

weeks with her lawyer, R. S. D. Tory of Toronto, 

receiving a number of offers from film 

companies and iceshow promoters, including 

Milton Schi'yer of Hollywood, representing a 

film producer; Le Roy Pi'inz. Marvin Schenck, 

Harry 'Wirtz and even the former Olympic 

champion, Sonja Henie. 

TORONTO—O. J. Silverthorne, chairman 

of the Ontario Board of Motion Picture Censors, 

in his report for the fiscal year ending 

March 31, showed that 533 features had been 

examined and approved, of which 13 per cent 

had been graded as unsuitable for children 

and only one picture had been certified for 

adult audiences only. Of the 533 65 were 

British feature.s, six each were from Russia 

and Italy and three from France while three 

were Jewish dialog films. 

Licenses were issued to 935 projectionists, 

a new record, and 161 apprentices had been 

licensed. There were 448 theatres in Ontario 

at the close of the fiscal year, including 30 

new houses. Important alterations had been 

completed in 25 theatres and extensive 

changes were being made in 20 others. The 

list included five drive-ins, with nine other 

theatres of this type being planned. Licenses 

were Issued to 17 exchanges handling 

35mm films and to 11 which distribute 16mm 

product. 

Pointing out that fire damage in Ontario 

theatres had reached a record low, Silverthorne 

reported that the government inspectors 

had made 3.500 calls on theatres and 900 

inspections of film exchanges during the year. 

After declaring that the product from the 

British Isles and Europe "is of a high calibre," 

the chairman said; "The department 

has been careful in keeping a close watch 

on propaganda films from overseas. These 

films are of the 16mm type. Efforts have 

been made in some quarters to show them to 

new Canadians in an attempt to enlist their 

pohtical sympathies for the new regimes in 

their native coimtries." 

The report said that "generally speaking, 

British and continental films reached a 

higher technical quality than U.S. productions." 

The people of Ontario "have shown 

their satisfaction by giving such films their 

fullest patronage." 

The board examined 39,877 pieces of advertising, 

of which 650 items had been rejected 

and 250 were altered before approval. 

In the previous year 36,577 items were examined. 

The report, which was submitted to L. M. 

Frost, provincial treasurer, pointed out that 

the board would be taking over its newbuilding 

at Leaside in a short while and the 

latest projection and other equipment would 

be available there. 

! 

i 

. . Drive-ln 

A second drive-in in this district is being 

constructed at nearby Malton, the terminal 

of Trans-Canada Airlines. The Northeast 

Drive-In started its second season with big 

patronage despite cool evenings . 

theatres are again operating near Hamilton. 

St. Catharines, London and 'Windsor and 

four more are 

being built. 

Manager Claude Hunter of the Odeon, 

Peterborough, gave free comic books to all 

juveniles at the Odeon Movie club show featuring 

"Frolics on Ice." Hunter has more 

or less casually advised all parents that the 

club performances are over at 12 noon and 

the kids should be home quickly for the noon 

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Consult us for complete Tlieatre Equipment and Service. 

BOXOFTICE : 

: May 

22, 1948 115

Operation Economies Will Take Up ST. JOHN 

Boxoffice Slack, Skouras Asserts 

From Midwest Edition 

KANSAS CITY — Pox Midwest managers 

and home office officials were told by Charles 

Skouras, president, and other executives of 

National Theatres, that elimination of waste 

items and a closer scrutiny of expenses in all 

fields of operation should obviate the necessity 

of extensive cutbacks during the current 

business recession. 

Skouras arrived here for the one-day meeting 

accompanied by H. C. Cox, treasurer of 

National Theatres; E. F. Zabel, film buyer; 

A. J. Krappman, who is in charge of concessions 

for NT; Irving Epstein of the insurance 

division, and Dick Dickson, southern 

California division manager. 

MONTREAL 

Quebec province's educational film department 

distributed 19,000 films during the 

first quarter of 1948, according to Georges 

Leveille, director of the provincial publicity 

bureau. During the whole of 1947, the Quebec 

film office loaned out 20,000 films. 

Irving Sourkes, head of Confidential Reports, 

is proud of his talented niece, Hilda 

Gait, one of Canada's best-known dance 

instructors. She and her pupils gave a presentation 

entitled "One Night of Rhythum" in 

Victoria Hall in aid of the Shriners' hospital 

for crippled children. 

. . . 

Following a successful campaign publicizing 

"Nicholas Nickleby," which had its 

Canadian premiere at the United Amusement 

Corp.'s new theatre, the Avenue, John Sperdakos, 

assistant to Mel Johnston, director of 

United's advertising department, rested up 

in the Laurentians. where he has a cottage 

at Petit Lac Long . . . Lester Hirshberg, assistant 

booker to "Bill" Young at Paramount, 

left this week to become booker at United 

Artists. His place at Paramount has been 

filled by Dorothy Cole Cardinal Films 

had a double bill of first run pictures at the 

Strand and a double bill of reissues at the 

Kent. 

. . . 

Irving Sourkes left for New York on business, 

and took time off for a visit to his son 

Dr. Ted L. Sourkes, who is a professor at 

Cornell university, Ithaca, N. Y., and his 

daughter-in-law. Dr. Shena Sourkes, and 

their new baby Mary de TremoUles, 

secretary to Murray Devaney, Montreal manager 

for RKO, left for New York, where she 

boarded the steamship Washington for Le 

Havre. She will spend two months touring 

France and visiting relatives. Mrs. Eunice 

Richardson will replace Miss de Tremiolles 

during her absence . . R. Delorme, manager 

. 

of Gaumont Kalee, Montreal, has left 

the company and has been replaced by Al 

White, former sound engineer. 

Skouras sparked the meeting with a talk 

and intermittent comments throughout the 

four-hour business session. Zabel spoke on 

forthcoming product and cui-rent film-buying 

problems. Krappman stressed the importance 

of increased concessions sales, and Epstein 

told of hopes to expand and increase the 

National Theatres pension program. Dickson 

talked on the forthcoming Easter drive. 

About 150 managers and home office officials 

were present. Most came away feeling 

that a sense of apprehension had been lifted 

and that sound business judgment would 

overcome any hurdles on the part of maintaining 

and increasing theatre grosses. 

Exhibitors on Filmrow included Armand 

Gingras. owner of the Canada Theatre in 

Levis: Romeo Couillard of the Cinema Tache, 

Montmagny; Etonat Leguerrier, who has sold 

his theatre in Bryson to J. L. St. Pierre: J. E. 

Dufour of the St. Jovite Theatre, St. Jovite; 

J. L. St. Pierre, new owner of the Bryson; 

R. Baillargeon of the St. Sauveur, St. Sauveur; 

Leo Choquette, who has taken over 

the Imperial in Chicoutimi, a new theatre 

opened only three months ago, and Charles 

Magnan. who has sold the Malartic, his original 

theatre at Malartic, to Famous Players 

and has built the Laurier in VictoriaviUe. 

Also Mr. and Mrs. Alex Ohouinard of the 

Princess and Imperial, Quebec. 

. . . 

. . . Betty Cohen, 

A new theatre has been completed at 

Pointe-aux-Trembles by the mayor of that 

Montreal suburb . . Jean Pierre Senecal is 

an addition to the 

. 

staff of Sovereign PUms 

H. Ginsler, of the Toronto office of 

Astral Films, was in Montreal for a threeday 

business consultation 

secretary to H. Cass of MGM, is enjoying 

a fortnight's holiday in Atlantic City. 

Frank Fisher, general manager of Eagle 

Lion, made a business trip to Montreal . . . 

A. W. Perry, Canadian general manager of 

Empire-Universal, visited the local office on 

his way from New York to Toronto . . . N. A. 

Lazanls of the Orleans and Lord Nelson theatres. 

Montreal, paid a surprise visit to Warner 

Bros. . . . Allied Artists' "Song of My Heart" 

had its Canadian premiere at His Majesty's 

May 17 ... W. Rosenbloom, owner of the 

Rex, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, and Mrs. Rosenbloom, 

have been visiting Quebec City. 

Germaine Daoust, manager of the new 

Champlain Theatre, Cap de la Madeleine, has 

been very successful in improving business 

in her modernized and attractive theatre . . . 

P. Joubert, and his manager, Mr. Cote, 

booked both French and American pictures 

for their two theatres, the Sayabec, in the 

town of that name, and the Victoria at 

Amqui. 

Changes Name of House 

RUSSELL, MAN.—Harold J. McFall, who 

took over the local theatre May 1, has 

changed its name from the Russell to the 

Lyric. McFall is in active charge of the 

house. 

Comedy Role in 'Monte Christo' 

Benny Baker has been assigned a comedy 

role opposite Olga San Juan in John Beck's 

"The Countess of Monte Christo," a Universal 

picture. 

. . 

Toe Dorfman of the Montreal exchange of 

* United Artists is substituting for Sammy 

Kunitzky as UA maritime manager while 

the latter is recuperating from surgery performed 

in Montreal. The operation was for 

a disc on the spine. It had been hampering 

Kunitzky for several years and caused him 

to be hospitalized at various times in Winnipeg, 

Montreal and St. John . . . Harry 

Cohen, maritime chief for RKO, reports business 

holding up about even with that of 1947 

at this time. This is true in Newfoundland 

as well as the maritimes . Bob Middleton 

has been transferred to Toronto as salesman 

and has been succeeded at St. John by 

Arnold Watson, Toronto. 

A new quonset-type theatre is to be built 

this year in Kentville, N. S., immediately 

next to the Empire of the Famous Players- 

Spencer chain. It will be known as the Community. 

When work begins two theatres will 

be in construction simultaneously in Kentville, 

the other being the Capitol, which is 

being rebuilt after a disastrous fire. The 

Cormnunity will be the first quonset theatre 

in the maritimes. It will seat about 600. 

Maurice Joseph of Kentville, promoter of 

the Community, has been active in restaurant, 

hotel, taxi, bowling and pool enterprises. 

Joe Franklin, president of the Pianklin & 

Herschorn circuit, is back in town after wintering 

at his Miami Beach home. He rested 

here briefly from the long road trek from 

Florida, then headed for Halifax to look 

over his new Vogue. He was accompanied 

from the south by his wife who had gone 

with him to Miami in late November. 

. 

Incidentally 

The Yarmouth, N. S., Capitol has taken 

on Foto-Nite . . . Manager Ernie Hatfield 

promoted a full page of cooperative advertising 

in a Yarmouth paper in behalf of 

"Green Dolphin Street." Merchants participating 

in the deal saw the picture in 

Manager 

advance 

and endorsed it in their ads . Syd Wyman of the 

. 

Yarmouth Community, 

who flew to Halifax and back for 

the opening of the Vogue, was accompanied 

on the trip by his wife. Being aloft wasn't 

new to Wyman. He was a squadron leader 

in the air force in the recent war . he has lately been 

. . 

named president 

of the Junior Chamber of Commerce 

of Yarmouth, 

Joe Donovan, who died here recently, led 

an orchestra ten years of his life, although 

a wheel chair case because of arthritis. He 

was an accordionist as well as a band leader. 

There has been a revival of interest in an 

Odeon theatre project for St. John. During 

the war years Odeon bought five buildings 

and land at the corner on King Square, 

almost adjoining the FPC Capitol. However, 

nothing has been done yet toward razing 

There is said to be doubt 

the buildings . . . 

that the fii-e-destroyed' Kent in Moncton, 

N. B., will be rebuilt. 

On the first Saturday at the new Vogue 

in Halifax, 1.458 children paid admissions 

during the afternoon and 1.400 adults at 

night. The seating capacity is 950. The eatand-drink 

service started with five girls. A 

week later there were 11. 


. . Paul 

— 

. . Bill 

FPC Ready to Erect 

Kelowna 850-Sealer 

KELOWNA, B. C—Construction of a 850- 

seat theatre here for Famous Players Canadian 

was to begin next week. Buildings on 

the site have been demolished and construction 

will commence as soon as the gi'ound is 

cleared. The FPC theatre at ChiUiwack will 

get under way this month. Frank Gow, dis- 

manager, reported. 

trict 

Toronto Alhambra Robbed 

TORONTO—William Falls, assistant manager 

of the Alhambra. was slugged over the 

head with a revolver by a robber who escaped 

after securing $1,100 from the safe 

after the theatre had closed Saturday night 

when the victim was alone in the office. Falls 

was knocked unconscious but finally secured 

help after which he was removed to Western 

hospital where ten stitches were required to 

close his head wounds. This was the second 

robbery within a year at the Alhambra. 

No Beacon-Rank Deal 

TORONTO—Rumors that the J. Arthur 

Rank Organization is financing the making 

of a series of 32 religious pictures by Beacon 

Productions, Toronto, has been officially denied 

here. However, it was stated that the 

Rank organization would be interested in 

the distribution of the films which are to be 

made in the Queensway studios at nearby 

Islington. 

Opens Toronto Branch 

TORONTO—Canadian Screen Publicity, a 

western Canadian enterprise headed by Jack 

Pechet, producing company-sponsored advertising 

trailers and shorts for theatrical 

distribution on a paying basis has opened a 

local branch office. 

"Art for Everybody' Released 

OTTAWA—The National Film board has 

released "Art for Everybody" as its May issue 

in the Canada Carries On series. In addition 

to dealing with art galleries of the Dominion 

and showing a number of famous paintings, 

the picture depicts a number of folk dances. 

Music for the film was written by Louis Applebaum, 

Canadian composer. 

O T 7 A \N A 

•The staff of the National Film board, including 

the employes of all branches 

across the country, will shortly go on a fiveday 

week . Nathanson, now a resident 

of Montreal and formerly active in the 

film business here, was a visitor. 

There was no excitement in connection 

with the opening of "The Iron Curtain" at 

the Capitol one day ahead of the scheduled 

premiere in many other cities of the U.S. 

and at the Imperial in Toronto. A still in 

the display at the Capitol entrance was torn 

during the night and there were a number 

of anonymous telephone calls but that was 

all. An Ottawa policeman kept a watchful 

eye on the theatre but he had nothing to do. 

Patronage was steady but there was no great 

rush, even though a large part of the picture 

was filmed here and there had been considerable 

newspaper comment. 

The Elgin held "Sitting Pretty" for a second 

week. There were several window tieups, 

including one for a new type of washing 

machine with the suggestion Friend Wife 

could be sitting pretty if she had one . . . 

M. Berlin of the Nelson had a busy weekend 

arranging for a rally last Sunday afternoon 

of five Jewish congregations in observance 

of the creation of the Jewish state in Palestine. 

There was a big turnout . . . H. Berlin 

of the Somerset has resumed Saturday morning 

juvenile shows. 

. . 

The site haS been prepared for the Park 

Drive-In at Britannia Bay, just west of 

here . Manager Frank Gallop of the Glebe 

banned the admission of juveniles under 16 

years for the three-day engagement of the 

British picture, "Love on the Dole" . . . 

Ottawa exhibitors experienced considerable 

opposition in a circus at the Auditorium, 

Dorsey's orchestra at the Coliseum and the 

opening of the baseball season with night 

games. 

Three Odeon officials were here several 

days for conferences with managers and a 

checkup on the progress of the big Odeon 

being constructed on Bank street. The roof is 

on but the 2,400-seat house may not open until 

the late fall since the theatre front has not 

yet been started. The visiting executives were 

Clare J. Appel, eastern division manager, and 

Sam Fingold and Ralph Dale, president and 

vice-president of National Theatres Service, 

Mexicans Not Fooled 

By Dubbed U.S. Voices 

From Southwest Ldition 

Dallas—Arthur J. Jerome of Mexico 

City, one of Mexico's few independent 

exhibitors, told a local reporter that 

Mexico's natives will not see Hollywood 

films that have been dubbed with Spanish 

dialog. 

"They know dam well Mickey IU>oney 

can't speak Spanish," he said. But they 

like Hollywood pictures with Spanish subtitles, 

he explained. Hollywood is now 

making them that way. 

Mexican theatregoers also like films 

produced in their own country, but they 

will go to see only certain Mexican stars. 

The favored luminaries are 'Victor Remis, 

Arturo de Cordova, Maria Felix and Pedro 

Armendariz. Other Mexican stars are just 

wasting their time, Jerome said. 

an Odeon subsidiary. They visited all other 

points in eastern Ontario where theatres are 

operating or in prospect. 

The Cinema de Paris in Hull is continuing 

its policy of triple bills for four days of the 

week. The latest combination was "The 

" 

Razor's Edge," "Strike Me Pink and "Lonesome 

Trail." The evening performances 

start at 4:45 o'clock. 

Jerome Cady, who came here to write the 

script for a 20th Century-Fox feature on the 

Canadian Mounted Police, is recovering from 

a heart attack which sent him to the hospital 

at nearby Maniwaki. The picture, in color, is 

to follow "The Iron Cui'tain" which had its 

Ottawa opening May 15 at the Capitol where 

it was expected to have a big run because of 

the important local part played in the Russian 

spy revelations by Igor Gouzenko, former 

code official of the Russian embassy 

here. 

For "Sitting Pretty," the Elgin ran a series 

of "Belvedere" teaser ads in the personal 

column of the daily press which prompted an 

out-of-town lady- to write to the Evening 

Citizen to inquire their meaning. The editor 

published the letter on the editorial page with 

an explanation . McLaughlin, veteran 

Ottawa film reviewer, is sporting a new- 

British midget sedan instead of the big 

limousine which had given him long service. 

Subject, Not Cast, Most Important 

In Selection by Picture Patrons 

From Midwest Edition 

MINNEAPOLIS—The statewide poll of 

the local Star, in which interviewers ask a 

cross section of adults various questions, reports 

Minnesota theatregoers are influenced 

more by what the films are about 

than by the stars appearing in them. The 

question was: "When you are choosing a 

movie to attend, which do you want to 

know first—who is in it, or what it's 

about?" 

Percentage was 59 per cent for what 

the picture's about; 39 per cent for who's 

in it, and 2 per cent undecided. The 

women were more influenced 

by the cast 

names than the men. They voted 55 per 

cent for what it's about and 43 per cent 

for who's in it. 

The poll found that 14 per cent of the 

persons interviewed—15 per cent of the 

men and 13 per cent of the women 

didn't go to the movies at all. It also 

revealed that twice as many college-educated 

people want to know what bhe film 

is about than are interested in knowing 

who the actors are. Farm dwellers are 

inclined to sihow no preference. 

There was a crowded auditorium at the Ottawa 

Technical school for the personal appearance 

of Maurice Chevalier. French music 

hall figure, who is planning to make two pictures 

in Hollywood. 

Toronto Usher Is Stabbed 

TORONTO—Archie McArthur. 19-year-old 

usher at the Bellevue, was stabbed w'hen he 

attempted to eject two young men following 

complaints of other patrons. McArthur suffered 

four knife wounds in the back and was 

taken to the Western hospital. Police arrested 

Gilbert Garratt. 16. 

Arrested Trying to Enter Theatre 

TORONTO—After firing one shot, a policeman 

arrested Allan Ball, 18, as the latter 

was breaking into the Famous Players' Parkdale 

in the west end early Sunday morning. 

BOXOFFICE :; May 22, 1948 117

i 

We Practically LIVE 

By BOXOFFICE-" 

EVERSON, WASH. 

BOXOFFICE, 

825 Van Brunt Blvd., 

Kansas City 1, 

Mc. 

Gentlemen: 

WE PRACTICALLY LIVE by BOXOFFICE—in fact we find the Picture Guide section 

indispensable to carrying on our business—small town and rural patronage. Our 

patrons are very choosey about their pictures and we have to 

know what kind of pictures 

we are booking for exhibition. Your reviews are always accurate and fair, in other 

words reliable. 

Can you tell me—is there any way in which 1 can recover missing PG pages? 

We changed theatres a while back and in the moving process I 

didn't get around to tearing 

out the PG section of several issues . . . consequently 

we find ourselves in the dark 

on several pictures and have to practically do "blind booking" . 

. . which is not good business 

for 

us. 

If you can help me to recover the missing numbers I surely would appreciate it . . . 

the list appears below. 

* Sincerely, 

Mr. and Mrs. HAROLD WESTON, Owners 

•T/ie capitals and underscorings are the Weston's. 

More Exhibitors Read BOXOFFICE 

Than Any Other Film Trade Paper 


: May 

22, 1948

f«D99 

B" PICTURE? NO...A DRAFT! 

Poor pictures aren't the only cause of box office anemia. Even 

"Oscar" pictures are not enjoyed unless comfort prevails. To 

capture regular patronage, theatre owners must offer comfortable 

seating, and modern air conditioning with drajtless air 

distribution. 

Because of their aspiration effect, Anemostat air diffusers 

provide this draftless air distribution. 

They eliminate stale air 

pockets, equalize temperature and humidity and thus assure 

maximum comfort in every seat in the house. 

There is a type of 

Anemostat, pleasing in 

appearance, for the 

solution of every air 

distribution problem. 

Illustrated is the new 

Type C-1 ceiling 

Anemostat which is adjustable 

to meet changing 

conditions of 

occupancy 

or seasonal 

weather variations. 

If you have air distribution problems in connection with your 

heating, ventilating or air conditioning system, correct them 

by installing Anemostats. 

If you are installing a new system be 

sure that Anemostats are included in the specifications. 

The Anemostat Air Diffuser is 

distinguished by the exclusive 

feature of aspiration . . . the drawing 

of room air into the device 

where it is mixed, within the unit, 

with the supply air before it is 

discharged in a multiplicity of 

planes. 

REQ. U. S. PAT. OFF. 

DRAFTLESS AIR-DIFFUSERS 

ANEMOSTAT CORPORATION OF AMERICA 

10 EAST 39fh STREET, NEW YORK 16, N. Y. 

RIPRtSiNIAllVti IN PRINCIPAL CITIES 

WRITE FOR LITERATURE describing how Anemostats provide draftless 

comfort. 

ASK FOR ENGINEERING AID. Anemostat field engineers will gladly 

assist you, your architec. or engineer in finding solutions to your air 

distribution problems. 

"No air conditioning system is 

better than its air distribution"

. 

fir^sion^^/^fAEx 

seats your patrons 

in comfort . . 

• Your best picliires seem even Ix'tter 

when enjoyed in llie deep, eonifortinf; 

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FiRESTOiNE FoAMEX. Tlie casual patron 

becomes a "steady" when your house is 

famous for this luxury seating! 

Mr. Foar 

Firestone Symbol 

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• FoAMEX is a comfort to yon, too. Practically 

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not support insect life—vermin slum it. 

• Foamex is now available. For further 

information, ask your Foamex distributor. 

irfii 

• TRADE MARK 

Specify Foamex by Firestone 

Good Housekeeping , 

BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

22, 1948

WHY DRIVE-INS 

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In addition to many pages of store front 

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"Group Modernization" also is fully covered. 

Outstanding examples of such projects are 

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There are many inore valuable features in 

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BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

22, 1948

w 

KROEHLER 

PUSH -BACK 

Seats Give You 

Proved Performance 

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• Prompt Delivery • Choice of World's Finest 

Fabrics • Complete Engineering Service • All 

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The Only Theater Seat that Combines Push - Back Conveniences 

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^ 

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Proved Advertising Features 

From Leading Theaters 

Comes the Evidence 

Outstanding, modern advantages of Push-Back Seats create word-of-mouth advertising 

for your theater. 

Proved Comfort and Convenience 

Thousands of comfort-conscious patrons have testified to the 

practical convenience of Push -Back Seats. 

Proved Box Office Appeal 

luxurious comfort and 

Push- Backs are real showmanship and a permanent feature that pays off at the 

box office. 

Proved Quality and Durability 

All steel Push-Backs, made by Kroehler, have served day in and day out in 

of finer theaters. In actual use they have proved durable, sturdy, efficient. 

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1 _A... !..».._:_... C__:__ D_.L I ^...n fUrîr I Dallas, Texas 2023 Jackson Street 

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KROEHLER THEATER SEATS 

The World's Finest Theater Seat 

:: May 22, 1948

\ 

SoUcC (}(Uft(ont . . . eaitA. Seaectt^ tât ^€Ut^ f •» \ 

'\ 

\

— 

Di mmu num. 

MECHANICAL MAMTEnm SECT/O/V of BOXOFFICE 

Issue of MAY 22, 1948 FLOYD M. MIX. Managing Editor HERBERT ROUSH, Sales Manager Vol. XV - No. 6 

Topics; 

. . 

Theatre Seating . the Paramount 

Factor Is Patron Comfort 10 

by J. S. GosHORN 

¥ 

A Timely Tip on Radiant Heating 

and Its Effect on Seating Installation 12 

by P. W. Stucke 

K 

. . . to Neglect 

It's Poor Economy 

Your Seat Maintenance 14 

hy Leonard Satz 

* 

Chair Fabrics ... A Great Variety 

Has Reached the Market 16 

Some New Ideas . . . in Planning the 

Exterior and the Interior 20 

¥ 

Just Off the Boards 24 

Pasadena Opera House Takes on 

Face-Lifting Job 26 

to 

Summer Confections . . . What 

Buy and How to Sell It 28 

Cine Clinic 32 

-K 

The Quiz Pot 38 

News of What's New in Modern 

Theatre E(iuipme7it 40 

Building Comviissioner Discusses 

Concession Safety Regulations 48 

Published 13 times yearly by Associated Publiccrti'ons 

every fourth Saturday as a section of BOX- 

OFFICE and included in all Sectional Editions of 

the AP group. Contents copyrighted, 1948, reproduction 

rights reserved. All editorial or general 

business correspondence relating to The MODERN 

THEATRE section should be addressed to the Publisher, 

825 Von Brunt Blvd., Kansas City 1, Mo., or 

Eastern Representative: A. J. Stocker, 9 Rockefeller 

Plaza, New York (20), N. Y. 

Ji BasicSupport oi Entertaimneni 

Enfoymeniand Cood Profits 

There is good philosophy and good psychology in the article by J. P. 

McEvoy in the May issue of the Reader's Digest titled, "The Philosophy of J. 

Arthur Rank." We refer particularly to the couple of paragraphs that ore 

pertinent to the feature subject of this issue, namely, theatre seating—and the 

inherent values of comfort therein. We quote: 

"One night Rank came out of one of his theatres and reflected; 'It wasn't 

the picture—so it must be the seat that makes me feel this way. Get softer 

seats for my theatres.' His men went to the existing factories and were told 

present theatre seats were good enough. 'Not for me,' said Rank. "We'll start 

our own factories.' The public felt the same way about theatre seats—and 

in the same place as Rank. His new companies quickly captured most of the 

business in 

the British Isles. 

"Says Rank, 'Men often forget the basic 'why' of their business. A seat 

factory is not just to make seats and profits—it is to make seats that people 

like to sit in. The seat maker who forgets that will wake up some day and 

discover that someone has literally pulled the seat out from under him—and 

his profits.' " 

American manufacturers and American theatremen have been hep to 

that reasoning for a long time. It is sound logic that no one can deny. And 

the proof is strongly evident in the progressive development of theatre chair 

manufacture through the years. Reflecting for a moment, one can readily 

envision the folding chair era of the motion picture's begirming days; and 

there were just plain benches, too. Perhaps when capacities were limited to 

a mere 90 or so and a show's length ran about 15 minutes, there was no 

thought of comfort—or its absence—in those straight-back, hard-seat folding 

chairs. 

As shows grew longer, patrons began to 

voice their demands for seating 

comfort. But progressive exhibitors were ahead of them; and manufacturers 

were right along with them. Now that the average performance runs a 

minimum of two-and-one-half hours— many going to as much as four hours 

the patron wants and is being given COMFORT PLUS. Quite often the enjoyment 

one gets out of what is shown on the screen is enhanced—or 

diminished—by the way he is made to feel in his theatre-seating position. It 

might be said that a picture's greatest "support" is a comfortable seat. And 

many a patron will vouch for that. 

Aside from providing patrons with greater seating comfort, alert exhibitors 

are very wisely merchandising the promotional values that this good 

show judgment affords. They are SELLING comfort as well as the picture. 

And they are carrying that showmanship instinct throughout their enterprise, 

when they sell the INSTITUTION of the theatre for its fine appointments and 

all else that the well-operated theatre provides. 

In this issue The Editors have endeavored to spotlight the many facets 

of theatre seating; how to obtain it; how to apply it; how to understand it; how 

to merchandise it, etc. The theatre seat has been literally taken apart—to 

show what it is made of, why it is made that way; and what makes it "click" 

as well as tick—from the patron's point of view.

~ 

*^~ 

— 

Jheatre Jêaiin^...THE PARAMOUNT 

FACTOR IS PATRON COMFORT 

Q 

»^^ F THEPIE is one factor in theatre 

seating which American manufacturers of 

theatre chairs have 

held paramount it is 

comfort! In discussing 

seating comfort I do 

not wish to convey the 

IBk^ ^^^1 

E^^^^l 

-^^ ^^^B idea that my opinions 

are infallible, or that 

anyone or two seating 

manufacturers have a 

monopoly on building 

theatre chairs which 

are comfortable. It 

'I ^ 

IS a well recognized 

M 

E^ 

I 

., ^^ J 

fact that even those 

companies that manufacture 

the cheapest 

J. s. GOSHORN theatre seating in this 

country produce a 

more comfortable and better style product 

than any chairs made abroad We can be 

justly proud that the seating industry in 

the United States is a credit to the motion 

picture industry, and has kept in step with 

industry advancement. 

The exhibitor has but two things to 

market. Krst, a good picture well projected 

on the screen and good sound. Second, 

a comfortable place, in pleasant surroundings, 

for his patrons to sit. When 

people are shopping for entertainment, 

and pictures of equal value are being shown 

in a town, surveys prove that the theatre 

by I. 

S. GOSHORN* 

gets the business that has the most comfortable 

seating. 

There are two types of theatre chairs 

manufactured in this country: the conventional 

type where the back remains stationary 

and the seat folds either automatically 

or manually, and the retracting type 

chair where the back and seat retract so 

the occupant does not rise when a patron 

passes to find a seat or passes to the aisle. 

Both types have their merits. Both can 

be made equally comfortable. Crippled patrons 

seem to prefer retracting type chairs, 

as such persons do not need to exert themselves 

to rise to let people pass. However, 

some nervous type people don't like to sit 

too long without rising, and the occasional 

rising to let people pass allows this type 

of patron the same relief that you get in 

the seventh inning stretch at a ball game. 

In buying a conventional type chair, I 

would never consider any type but a chair 

that had a self-folding seat and one where 

the folding device was designed as part 

of the chair—not a gadget that could be 

added to a manually-operated seat. However, 

when buying a chair with a self-fold- 

'ing seat, be sure that the riser is of the 

type that can be adjusted so that the cushion 

will not exert too much leg pressure 

when the chair is being occupied. 

*Theatre Seating Manager, 

Supply Company. 

National 

Theatre 

The style and type of the back of a chair 

has much to do with the comfort. There 

are three types of backs made—plywood, 

padded backs, and spring backs. Plywood 

backs properly made and properly pitched 

can be made comfortable, but there is 

little 

comfort obtained by padding a back, 

unless the back is the spring type. 

Spacing Is Important 

Back-to-back spacing is the all-important 

factor in the type of a back that should 

be selected. Regular padded backs should 

not be installed less than 34 inches for 

adult seating, 36 to 40-inch spacing is still 

better. Plywood back chairs can be spaced 

as close as 30 inches, but 32 is better. 

Chairs with spring backs should be spaced 

at a minimimi of 38 inches and as much 

more as the space will allow. The width 

of a chair with a padded back should never 

be less than 20 inches for adult seating. 

In rare cases, where padded backs are used, 

a few 19-inch chairs can be installed, but 

a spring back chair should never be installed 

less than 20 inches and a 21 -inch 

width is still better. 

If an exhibitor can afford it and has the 

room to allow proper back-to-back spacing, 

and wants the ultimate in comfort, 

the answer is a spring-padded back. With 

the advancement of spring construction, 

spring backs will give satisfactory service 

without much maintenance, providing a 

good grade of covering material is used. 

Spring backs should be made without too 

much curvature as a flat 

type spring back 

allows the occupant to sit back into the 

chair where one made with a deep curve 

has a tendency to make the occupant feel 

that he is being pushed out of the chair. 

This causes "theatre fatigue." Personally, 

THE MARKET OFFERS . . . 

Heywood-Wakeiield "Encore." emphasizing allsteel 

construction. easy. flowing design, sell 

raising, all-steel binges and maximum comiort 

in any sitting position. 

AmericoM Seating Company's "Bodiiorm," featuring 

scientific posture, correct design, beauty of 

line. Prefobricatioa tests assure long- wearing 

construction. 

RCA's new International Model No. 1000 with 

long back. The seat bottom is an inclusive 

cushion spring unit which will be known as 

the new "Comfort Cushion." 

10 The MODERN THEATRE SECTION

' 

Slide-Back" 

— 

I would rather have a padded back than a 

spring back made cheaply as much of this 

type construction is hand work. No type 

theatre seating will disintegrate as rapidly 

as cheaply and poorly constructed spring 

backs. All modern chairs now have backs 

long enough to extend below the seat. This 

adds to the comfort of the patron, as the 

person sitting back of you cannot annoy 

you by putting his feet on the cushion of 

the chair you occupy 

Seat Construction 

Perhaps the most important part of a 

chair as far as comfort goes, is the seat 

constructicn and the proper relation of 

the seat to the back. There should be little 

or no gap between the rear edge of the 

cushion and the back when the chair is occupied. 

Neither should a seat be too long 

so that it will cause undue leg pressure 

when short people use the chair. At the 

same time, a seat should not be too short 

so that it will not give the proper support. 

Short or long seats have nothing to do 

with leg room in an installation. There is 

no joint between the hip and knee and as 

a result, knees extend out just as far when 

a person sits on a long seat as they do 

when on a short one. 

There are two types of springs used in 

cushion construction. One, the arch type 

spring: the other, coil spring. Arch type 

springs, when rightly constructed, give the 

patron what is known as "supporting comfort." 

Perhaps they are not as comfortable 

or as soft when first installed as coil 

springs, but they have the advantage of 

not causing spring printing or pocketing. 

Owing to their construction, arch springs 

do net seem to tire or take a set as readily 

as other types. Coil spring seats when 

properly constructed are also comfortable, 

and if they are not built too high so there 

is too much side play when the cushion is 

in use, will give years of wear. However, 

coil spring seats when made too high and 

give excessive side play, have a tendency 

to pull the springs loose from their moor- 

[ FRONTISPIECE ^ 

Â 

Since Enjoyment of motion picy^^> 

tures depends to a considerable 

N extent on physical relaxation, 

the quest for making theatre chairs even 

more attractive, convenient and comfortable 

may be expected to continue. 

Our cover shows Heyiuood-Wakefields 

Airflo model TC703. Built on a spring 

base principle, this chair may be tilted 

back by patron's weight to the most 

comfortable sitting position. 

Wheii that 

restful position of recline is reached, the 

chair remains in that plane until the 

weight is shifted. With every turn of 

the body, the chair literally "floivs" icith 

it, assuring maximum comfort for the 

entire show. 

ings which causes cushions to develop 

cracking noises known as "canaries." 

The thickness of a cushion has nothing 

to do with its comfort. The resiliency of 

the spring, together with the padding used, 

and the shape of the cushion are the factors 

that make a seat comfortable. It is 

far better to buy a chair with a cushion 

a bit on the firm side when new, than to 

buy a soft cushion. The real test of a 

cushion is not the first year, but rather 

the fourth or fifth year of use. Any cushion 

that is going to give comfort over a 

span of years has to be a bit firm when 

new. Otherwise, in a short time your patrons 

will "hit bottom" on the springs. 

Correct sight lines are most important 

in getting the utmost comfort from a seating 

installation. 

On reseating jobs it is false economy to 

install new chairs on a floor where the 

sight lines are wrong. If possible install 

a new floor. It will pay dividends in comfort 

and reflect at the boxoffice. When 

seating a new theatre, your architect and 

your seating manufacturer should work 

together in developing a floor plan where 

the proper inclines can be given so that 

good screen vision is obtainable all over 

the house. If any portion of the main floor 

is level, personally I would never use any 

chair built for a level floor, but rather have 

them built for one-quarter-inch incline as 

a chair of this type is much more comfortable 

on a level floor. Much more attention 

is paid to inclines and proper sight lines 

than ever before. Thirty per cent of the 

theatre patrons wear bifocal glasses and 

modern architects make the sight lines accordingly 

so that all people wearing 

glasses can look through the center of their 

lenses. Incline breaks are very important 

in an installation. If a chair is placed too 

near a break, the occupant has the feeling 

of sliding out of the chair and continually 

braces himself, causing a tension, which 

in turn causes "theatre fatigue." 

Padded arm rests may add a little to the 

comfort of a chair, but the cost of maintaining 

these is too much for the little comfort 

advantage such arm rests may give. 

Covering and Comfort 

Coverings have a let to do with the comfort 

of a chair. Mohair, in my opinion, is 

without doubt the most comfortable covering 

that the industry uses and the best 

wearing. However, there are some new 

and excellent coverings being developed 

nylons and plastics. One textile manufacturer 

is advocating duck covering on which 

a design is photographed and claims are 

made that the design will last as long as 

the covering. I know a circuit that is trying 

an installation with such covering and 

perhaps if it is practical, it might be the 

answer for some theatres where the chairs 

(Continued on following page) 

A VARIETY OF CHAIRS 

Kroehler Manufacturing Company's "Push-Back" 

chair continues in popularity with added refinements 

in design and constructin for comfort and 

attractiveness. 

Irwin Sealing Company's contribution to progress 

in theatre seating, the "Comet," in which comfort, 

rugged construction and ease of maintenance 

are emphasized. 

Ideal Sealing Company's 

offers besides beauty and 

retraction, full-length steel 

ing rear edge of seat. 

chair 

a nevf principle in 

back panel cover- 

BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

22. 1948 11 

i^

Theatre Seating » . . The 

Paramount Factor Is 

Patron Comiort 

(Continued from page 11) 

have exceptionally hard usage. 

About standards: There are two types 

of standards now in general use—steel and 

cast iron. In either case, the standards 

should be filled solid to the cushion level 

to avoid annoyance to patrons All good 

makers use this procedure now. However, 

there is no comfort angle in whether the 

standards are made of steel or cast iron. 

Some makers claim that there is enough 

spring in steel standards to make the chair 

more comfortable. If this were true, the 

standards could not be kept tight to the 

floor owing to the springing. Either steel 

or cast standards serve their purpose well. 

Summing Up 

In summing up this article, in selecting 

seating, buy the best chair that you can 

afford to buy from a standard maker. Under 

today's manufacturing conditions, with 

materials costing each maker the same and 

labor scales about all equal, no maker can 

give you more for your dollar than the 

other. 

Seating is a long-time investment and 

it costs more money to build a comfortable 

chair that will retain its comfort than 

it does to build a chair where cheaper materials 

are used. 

Good chairs have been developed by 

scientific research. Buy from a maker who 

tests the quality of his covering materials, 

metals, finishes, and springs before the 

chairs are fabricated. "Quality controlled" 

manufacture in the theatre seating business 

means chairs with built-in lasting 

comfort to patrons and less expense to the 

exhibitor. Ask about a factory's research 

before you place an order. All reputable 

makers use the research plan for quality 

control. It costs more to produce chairs 

by so doing, but on the other hand, why 

buy a cheaper chair with no research behind 

it. and use your customers for guinea 

pigs as you risk having a poor investment 

from a perso"nal standpoint. 

Comfortable Seating Pays 

Consider comfortable seating as an investment 

that pays dividends at the boxoffice. 

Buy of a reputable distributor. Insist 

on a good installation, supervised by 

the factory that made the chairs. Have 

Give the maximum spacing that you 

your floor made so the sight lines are correct. 

can. Remember, a theatre chair is the 

only chair that anybody uses where they 

sit over two hours at a time. The first ten 

minutes you sit in a chair it may seem 

comfortable, but after sitting in it an hour, 

if the cushion sags and does not support 

you, the chair does not serve the purpose 

for which it was intended. 

Remember that comfort is the intangible 

thing you have to sell as an exhibitor. Invest 

in seating that will cause patrons to 

do word-of-mouth advertising about the 

comfortable seating in your theatre. 

On Radiant Heating and Its Effect 

by F. W. STUCKE* 

IJERE is a suggestion that theatre management 

has found both timely and 

helpful: If you are planning to install a 

radiant heating system in a theatre floor, 

be sure to consider in advance the seating 

that will be attached to the floor later on. 

Especially important in this connection 

are the floor thickness, and the location of 

the heating pipes with respect to the floor 

surface, where concrete flooring is used. 

For many years the specifications covering 

concrete floors have always stated that 

these floors must be free of all obstruction 

(expanded metal, reinforcing rods, etc.) to 

a depth of at least 2 inches, when permanent 

seating is to be installed. However, 

a depth of 1-inch to I'i-inches has apparently 

been accepted as about right for 

radiant heating systems. Unless architects 

and engineers are informed in advance, 

the pipes may be embedded at about 

that depth with unfortunate results. 

We have recently been faced with just 

such a situation. Preparing to install the 

seating in a large auditorium we found the 

pipes iy2 -inches below the concrete surface. 

A satisfactory seating installation 

was impossible. The architect stated 

frankly that he had given no consideration 

whatever to the fact that furniture would 

be attached to the floor. 

The holes for the floor anchors are 

drilled 114-inches to 1%-inches deep and 

there must be sufficient concrete between 

the bottom of the hole and the pipe to 

withstand the drilling, as well as the subsequent 

caulking of the anchors. We therefore 

recommend not less than 2'2-inches 

of clear and unobstructed concrete above 

the surface of the pipes- This provides 

ample thickness for the drilling, as well as 

a base to take the shock of the caulking. 

•Manager of Installations and Sales Service. American 

Seating Company. 

f 

.lond 

pounding, driving and all the operations 

involved in setting up the seats. 

It is extremely difficult, if not impossible 

to plan so that seating attacliments miss 

the coils, if the floor is not of ample thickness. 

It is probable that a whole row of 

attachments, either lengthwise or across 

the building, will be over the pipe. Even 

though extreme care is exercised in drilling, 

a breakout is likely with resultant damage 

to the seating system. Breakouts make 

secure seating impossible. The only safe 

way is to embed the pipes deep enough in 

the first place. 

One of the largest manufacturers of radiant 

heating equipment assures us that 

pipe depth may be ignored insofar as the 

heating problem is concerned. No standard 

depth of pipes has been recommended 

in the past, but we have been told that our 

suggestion of 2 '/2 -inch minimum will be 

followed hereafter by this manufacturer in 

negotiations with prospective users. 

On new buildings, inquiry should be made 

regarding the heating system to be installed, 

and if it is to be radiant heating, 

the owners should be cautioned about the 

floor requirements for a satisfactory installation. 

In case the local contractor 

should object to the depth, we recommend 

(212 inches ) , insisting perhaps that the heat 

distribution will be affected, correspondence 

directly with the manufacturer will 

disclose that the pipes can be embedded in 

concrete from 2V2 to 6 inches without affecting 

the comfort or efficency of the system. 

The growing use of radiant heating 

makes these considerations of special interest. 

The system is being adopted more 

and more in schools, theatres, churches, 

lodge halls and other buildings where seating 

is also installed We therefore offer 

may be of genuine value to the architect, 

and they may help to insure the complete 

satisfaction of both heating and seating 

installations. 

NEW LONG ISLAND COMMUNITY THEATRE 

General Precision Equipment Corp., 

New York, and subsidiaries reported a net 

profit of $109,505 for the three-month 

period ending March 31. Directors of the 

corporation have declared a dividend of 25 

cents a share on capital stock, payable 

June 15 to stockholders of record May 25. 

Artist's sketch of Century's Meadows Theatre, with seating capacity of 2,000 persons, which is to be 

erected in the New York Life Insurance Company's Long Island Fresh Meadows development. Voorhees. 

Walker. Foley and Smith are the architects. 


89% 

o c c c 

k 

"PAYS FOR ITSELF WHILE IT PAYS YOU** 

SHDW I NO 

%%% OF ALL 

MOTION PICTURE 

HOUSES 

Mil LOSING lAONEYl 

Only 1 1 % of all houses satisfy the public's demand 

for carbonated drinks such as Coca Cola and Root 

Beer. The 89% who don't serve carbonated drinks I 

are losing money. This 89% claim handling bottled 

beverages is too much trouble. We agree. Other theatres 

have automatic dispensers. BUT living clerks do 

4 to 5 more business than machines! The DRINCO- 

LATOR is the answer to your prayers—the way to 

make real money! 

# EVERY CHAIN THAT HAS ORDERED THE 

DRINCOLATOR HAS AT LEAST TRIPLED 

ITS ORIGINAL ORDER! 

# MANY CHAINS HAVE RE-ORDERED 10 

TIMES OVER! 

# DO YOU LIKE MONEY? WHAT ARE YOU 

WAITING FOR? 

•Correction, please. Approximately 6% have already installed 

the Drincolator. 

THE DRINCOLATOR 

# Counter height to fit into your candy stand. 

Height 42", width 26", depth 27" 

# Small installation cost— just plug into wall 

socket and connect to city water 

# In seconds, the DRINCOLATOR carbonates, 

refrigerates, flavors and dispenses an authentic 

drink of Coca Cola, Root Beer or any other 

two flavors desired! By simply pulling the 

handle, the DRINCOLATOR can dispense 10 

drinks per minute under 40 degrees 

# 5 00 drink capacity 

# Takes less than a minute to refill 

DRINCOLATOR'S syrup tanks 

MAKE FROM 250% TO 500% PROFIT 

,1 

at 5c per cup— for each $3.60 you spend on 2 gallons of syrup 

and cups, you receive $12.50. Your profit: 

$8.90- approximately 250% 

at lOc per cup-your profit $2 1.40- almost 500% 

For full information on obtaining the Drincolator for your theaters, 

write to DRINCOLATOR Corporation, 342 Madison Avenue, 

New York 17,N.Y. 

"^ 

TZ£ 

drincolator 

W

about 

^t d I 

oor Cîconomu 

YOUR SEAT MAINTENANCE 

C.OMPETENT THEATRE ARCHITECTS and 

engineers in the past 12i months have adequately 

covered the subject of auditorium 

seating and its relations to sight lines. It 

is a subject that has evolved through the 

years—from the first adaptation of a full 

stage to motion picture use— to a very 

exact science. Seating experts have been 

preaching improved sight lines and greater 

comfort for a long time but strange to 

say, theatre owners were slow to realize 

how correct the experts were in their assumption 

that better seating was a requisite 

for customer satisfaction. Even at this 

late date there are some who claim the 

patron will come to see the picture "regardless." 

The word covers a multitude of 

sins. 

Patrons Are Exacting 

Patrons today are more exacting in 

their demands—and it is the so-called intangibles 

that make the patron a regular 

customer—intangibles such as pleasant 

lighting, good ventilation, good sound and 

projection. And what can be more conducive 

to a pleasant evening at the theatre 

than a clean, comfortable seat that 

requires no neck twisting, or squirming 

and which doesn't push the patrons' knees 

right smack into the seat in front? 

It would be well for theatre owners to 

investigate every possible method of reseating 

their theatres when the time comes 

for such a program of improvement. Merely 

asking the manufacturer for a seating 

plan isn't enough. How the old plan can 

be Improved upon should be a first consideration—even 

though it might entail a 

loss 

of seats. 

Staggered seating is rapidly gaining new 

friends. In this type of arrangement all 

seats are the same width but there is one 

less chair in every other row, leaving an 

indentation of one-half a chair at the aisle 

in alternate rows. This is a highly efficient 

system and allows maximum vision 

between heads. 

"Width Between Seats 

Another method requires three different 

seat widths in each row and their order 

in the row is reversed or alternated in the 

next row. 

Still another method utilizes different 

chair widths and one cr two double standards 

in alternate rows for a more efficient 

viewing condition. Newly constructed theatres 

can, of course, take advantage of 

properly designed floor slope and varying 

widths for excellent results. 

Aisle lighting can be made interesting 

as well as functional Lights at every third 

row, staggered left and right down the 

aisle will not only prevent accidents but 

win keep the auditorium alive, providing 

by LEONARD SATZ 

The maintenance 

chief of an important 

circuit has a reminder 

that there 

are ways to improve 

sight lines in older 

theatres — and that 

correct chair maintenance 

will pay 

dividends. Leonard 

Sats is maintenance 

chief for the important 

Century circuit of Neto York. 

that the overall intensity of illumination 

in the aisle is kept within acceptable 

limits. 

Tip-up seats require adjustment three 

to four times each year but they are a 

most desirable asset—from a safety standpoint 

as well as convenience. Where quick 

voiding of the theatre is required a tip-up 

offers no obstruction to the patron. 

Retractable chairs have a goodly following 

now and are gaining in popularity. 

Riser type standards are available at 

slight additional cost and can save much 

cleaning time in the balcony and loge sections. 

However, a heavy concrete riser is 

a requisite for this standard and the manufacturers 

will not install them unless conditions 

are right. 

Upholstery materials should always be 

selected with care. If the purchaser has 

the facilities and knowledge required to 

test the large selections of materials on 

the market there is no question but that 

he will find a remarkable variation in 

wearing qualities and appearance after test 

periods. Foam rubber padding is more 

Recommended: 

For Cleaning Seats 

For candy and fruit stains—A mild 

soap, such as Ivory or Lux 

For grease spots—Carbon tetrachloride. 

For chewing gum—Carbon tetrachloride. 

Other oil soluble substances—Carbon 

tetrachloride. 

Mohair and cloth fabrics—Bubbletype 

cleaner such as carbona soapless 

lather. 

TO NEGLECT 

costly, but more comfortable, and has many 

adherents who have been won over to it 

by favorable experience. Some rubber impregnated 

paddings are also quite good 

and give an extra measure of comfort. 

It is important, where rubber paddings 

are used, to specify water soluble insecticides 

for exterminating service since kerosene 

or petroleum base products will 

eventually deteriorate the rubber. DDT 

preparations in a water vehicle are proven 

products and have a residual effect for 

weeks after adequate and proper treatment, 

however, some care must be taken not to 

wet the hinges and ether moving metal 

parts else they will rust and require more 

than the usual amount of lubrication, specified 

by the manufacturer, 

A Personal Preference 

The writer has a personal preference for 

high, erect pile mohair seat covering and 

for one of the newly developed synthetic 

rubber leatherettes. It is, indeed, poor 

economy to purchase a poor grade seat 

covering. 

The maintenance of theatre chairs requires 

constant attention and the causes 

of most chair troubles can be credited to 

three factors; (li Chair standards that 

have become loose fi'om the floor; (2) 

Looseness of backs, seats or hinges; (3) 

Upholstery materials that do not wear 

well. 

Standards must be kept tightly fastened 

to the floor at all times. Loose parts must 

be tightened and tip-up strings kept in 

adjustment in crder to prevent the stresses 

that eventually break the chair down. 

Lubrication is required in many types 

of chairs and oil should be applied sparingly 

and not too frequently in order not 

to soil clothing 

Seats or backs can be cleaned easily with 

just two or three safe and easily obtained 

products namely, mild soap such as Ivory 

or Lux, for candy and fruit stains, carbon 

tetrachloride for grease spots, chewing 

gum or other oil soluble substances 

and a bubble type cleaner such as carbona 

soapless lather for mohair and other cloth 

fabrics. 

On Seat 

Cleaning 

The surfaces to be cleaned should always 

be thoroughly vacuumed or brushed before 

applying the cleaning agent. Hot water 

alone is an efficient cleaner for ice cream, 

fruit stains or candy. Whatever residue 

remains after water or soap cleaning can 

usually be removed with carbon tetrachloride. 

Nature stains such as blood, urine or 

stcmach contents should be sponged with 

cold water, to which has been added some 

i 

household ammonia 1 part ammonia 

to 5 parts water.) 

It has been often said that the ideal 

covering for seats is patrons. This is unquestionably 

true. One of the ways of 

achieving this desirable end is to recognize 

the basic importance of the seat in 

the theatre, and act accordingly. 


EO 

• Here is the popcorn machine that was designed 

and produced for show business. Here is the 

machine that has all the automatic features such as 

Tip-T-Matic Kettle, the Salt Meter, the Automatic 

Seasoning Pump and Well and a host of other features 

that will enable you to handle larger crowds 

with greater speed. For over 25 years smart exhibitors have sworn 

by the Manley Popcorn Machine. Today •— more theatres own 

Manley Machines than any other make. There's a reason for this 

all-over stamp of approval and you'll discover it once you COM- 

PARE the Manley with any other machine on the market. 

Also — Manley Inc. is the only company that offers you a 

complete popcorn profit set-up. Manley Machines, Manley Corn, 

Seasoning and Salt and the famous red and white Manley Bags or 

Boxes, all are part of a related family, designed to make approximately 

400% profit for you. Decide now to install one of 

these sparkling bright Manley Popcorn Machines in your lobby 

and serve fresh, hot and delicious popcorn to your customers. 

Let us tell you the complete Manley story. Send coupon below 

for our new book, "How to Make Big Profits from Popcorn". 

ADAPTI-BILT POPCORN & CANDY BAR 

A brilliant confection booth designed and produced especially 

for theatre ^-,—a--i(ft««w 

lobbies. Check box 

in coupon below 

for free literature. 

BURGH /MFG. CO 

THE BIGGEST NAME IN POPCORN!" 

1920 Wyandotte St., Kansas City 8, Missouri 

MAIL THE 

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TODAY! 

SALES AND SERVICI OFFICES

: 

L^nair fabrics . . . A GREAT 

VARIETY HAS REACHED THE MARKET 

l//t*M^ff'**tii- 

7^1^ 

KERAZO 

LUMITE 

DU PONT 

FABRILITE 

TRADE MARK 

nORE AND MORE, the exhibitor is paying 

attention to the fabric which goes atop 

his theatre seat as well as to the basic 

prcblems of sight lines and general chair 

construction. 

The exhibitor is acquiring a know-how 

about seating, and his eye now wants an 

attractive color and fabric design, and specific 

textures to blend with the decorative 

scheme of the auditorium. He wants to 

know about the material which is to cover 

his seats—answers about its durability, the 

ease with which it can be cleaned, whether 

it is fire-resistant, just how much rough 

usage it can take from the juvenile patronage, 

plus a great many other questions. 

Fortunately for the theatreman. he has a 

wide choice of fabrics today. Today, the 

exhibitor can get style with durability, and 

together with his architect, or with the assistance 

of a home town interior decorator, 

or with the advice of his theatre supply 

dealer can design and carry out the most 

unusual treatments in color and design. 

Stress on Plastics 

Whether you are looking for 

a plastic material, pile mohair, 

or other fabric, there 

is a wide variety in styles, 

textures, designs and color 

from which the theatre 

owner may choose. 

special qualities into a metal alloy. One 

plasticizer will impart a high tensile 

strength to the plastic; another may give 

it excellent cold resistance properties; and 

still another the quality of resisting fire. 

To the resins and plasticizers, are added 

pigments, lubricants and stabilizers and 

the whole is mixed, milled, calendared to 

uniform thickneess and width, and then 

further treated to create the completed 

product. 

These same plastic ingredients are being 

used to manufacture filaments or threads, 

and out of the weaving of these threads 

has come an entirely new type of fabrics 

which offer an endless line of designs and 

textures. 

Following is a catalog of materials which 

are currently available from manufacturers 

who specialize in selling to theatres 

BoLTAFLEX, an all-plastic material, is the 

product of The Bolta Co. of Lawrence. 

Mass.. which has been in the field of plastic 

research for some years. It is available 

in one grouping of 36 solid, blended colors 

grained to resemble leather, and a second 

group of 15 antique crush finishes. It is 

guaranteed against chipping, peeling, 

cracking and scuffing. It is an easy material 

with which to work, and is soon to 

There is a current stress on the plastics 

materials, but the mohair fabrics and some 

of the other softer materials are still very 

much in demand; and in considerable instances, 

there is a union of the two—use 

of the plastic covering for the seat and the 

softer fabric for the back. The plastics 

have come up fast since the war years accelerated 

experiments in this field. There 

are at least ten companies now manufacturing 

either an all-plastic or plastic-coated 

material, catering to theatre accounts. The 

level of production is high, and the exhibitor 

requiring a recovering job, or desiring 

to create a special color and design effect 

in buying new seating need not be greatly 

concerned with delivery these days. 

The exhibitor who shied away from 

leatherette materials in prewar days need 

no longer fear materials resembling leather 

in texture. The plastic yardage is durable 

stuff. The elements include vinyl resins, 

which come from natural gas and chlorine 

and reach the factory in fine powder form, 

resembling flour lin about 60 per cent) and 

plasticizers (in about 30 per cent), plus 

various stabilizers, pigments and lubricants. 

Plasticizers are high-boiling liquids, each 

having some special quality, just as do the 

alloys which a metal maker utilizes to build 

AN EXAMPLE OF DURABILITY IN MODERN THEATRE CHAIR COVERINGS: These seals, in the 

Embassy Newsreel Theatre, New York, were given a covering of plastic iabric 40 months ago. 

Examination shows virtually no wear. The seats, rehabilitated by the Republic Seating Co. oi New 

York, were covered with Kerozon, a coated fabric manuiactured by the Zapon-Keratol division of 

Atlas Powder Co. 


iL 

be sold as an over-the-counter yard goods 

item. It washes with soap and water, and 

resists perspiration, grease, alcohol, and 

resists most acids and chemicals. 

DuRAN is the product of the Masland 

Duraleather Co. of Philadelphia, /eportedly 

the first in the field of all plastic coverings. 

Now introducing an entirely new 

finish, the "Alpine." which according to 

the company "embodies a distinct threedimensional 

effect never before achieved 

in an all plastic upholstery." Can be used 

for seating, lounge furniture, walls, doors, 

ceilings and stage paneling. All plastic 

without fabric backing, readily washable 

and resistant to scuffing and perspiration. 

DuRAsoL, also a product of Masland. 

is a plastic-coated fabric available in a 

variety of colors. 

Fabriliie, a DuPont product, is a vinyl 

plastic material resistant to oils and grease, 

to cracking at low temperatures, and is 

water resistant and washable Available 

in a variety of colors, including deep decorative 

tones. A fire-resistant grade is 

available. Can be cleaned with soapy cloth. 

Resists dirt, grease and scuffing. DuPont 

also has Fabrikoid. a pyroxylin ccated 

material applied to a cotton base, which 

also is water resistant and washable. 

GooDALL Fabrics offers both coverings in 

the plastic field and pile mohair. The company 

reports use of a combination of the 

two materials, using Redo, a cotton fabric 

coated with plastic, on the seat and Clare- 

MONT, a comparatively new non-pile 100 

per cent wool-face weave, on the back. The 

plastic material can be cleaned with mild 

soap and water. A selling point of the 

Goodall company is that when it is necessary 

to replace seats damaged by vandals, 

the identical materials used in the original 

installation are available in upholstery 

shops. In its plastic line, Gcodall has a 

wide range of colors, printed designs, 

grained effects. 

Kerazon. is a plastic-coated fabric, product 

of the Zapon-Keratol division of Atlas 

Powder Co. It resists scuffing, rubbing, 

cracking and peeling, and stands up against 

water, alcohol, food and perspiration. It 

cleans with the wipe of a damp cloth. 

Flame resistant. A selection of 22 basic 

colors in new grains, styles and finishes is 

available. 

LuMiTE, a product of the Chicopee Manufacturing 

Corp.. is one cf the newer developments 

in the field of plastics, and has 

just come into use for theatre seat coverings. 

The material is a wartime development, 

devised to provide a screening to 

resist corrosion in the tropics. Later it was 

used as inner scles for jungle boots The 

material is best known as plastic screenings, 

but it has now been woven into an upholstery 

fabric. It is available in a wide 

variety of patterns. Doesn't ravel, snag or 

scuff, and can't be stained. Easily cleaned. 

Naugahyde is the trade name for the seat 

covering material manufactured by the 

US. Rubber Co. It is a plastic coated material 

with a sateen back. It comes in a 

variety of standard colors, and antiqued 

and crushed leather effects. The material 

is water resistant, is not stained by alcohol 

or most acids, and is easily washable. 

Plastovin is an all-plastic upholstery 

material manufactured by the Columbus 

Coated Fabrics Corp. The material is an 

VARIETY IN FABRIC TEXTURES AND WEAVES: The war accelerated developments in the plastics 

world, and some oi the experiments have benefited the seat fabric industry. Plastic "threads" are 

now being woven into a wide variety of fabrics, and such designs as are illustrated here are among 

more than 300 patterns made available by the Lumite division of the Chicopee Manufacturing Co. 

unsupported vinyl plastic film of pliability 

and durability. It will not crease, crack, 

chip or peel, and is resistant to water, 

grease, alcohol, most chemicals, and flame. 

In the tailoring process, it can be welted 

and tufted. Available also is a vinyl plastic 

coated material with a twill cotton sheeting 

base. 

ToLEX and Tolex F. R., a plastic leathercloth 

manufactured by Textileather, of Toledo, 

suitable for seating, upholstered walls 

and furniture in lounges and lobbies. Available 

in a great variety of colors. Can be 

cleaned with damp cloth Resists acids, 

grease, etc.. and is scuff proof. The material 

is fire-resistant, and received the 

NEW FINISH: This is the new "Alpine" finish 

in Duran. plastic seat material manufactured 

by the Masland Duraleather Co., giving a 

"three-dimensional" effect. 

marks of approval from fire authorities in 

New York and Boston. The Textileather 

Corp. manufactures Textileather and a 

number of other leather-like plastic-coated 

and plastic products. 

Velon Flex, The Firestone Plastics Co. 

offers a choice of two plastic upholstery 

materials. Velon Flex is a modern, leather-like 

covering and 'Velon woven fabric 

is made from extruded Velon filaments. 

Both materials are available in a wide range 

of colors, designs and finishes and may 

be cleaned with soap and water. The material 

is snag-proof and scuff-proof and 

has been widely used in theatres for some 

time. 

Wynsote is 

the trade name for the seat 

covering material manufactured by the 

Pantasote Co.. Passaic. N. J. It is a vinyl 

plastic coated fabric. It is available in 

eight colors in a material leatherlike in appearance. 

It is light resistant, waterproof, 

scuff proof and like all plastic fabrics can 

be washed with soap and water. 

New TESMA Members 

The current bulletin of TESMA lists 

tw-o 

new members: Drive-In Theatre Mfg. Co.. 

Inc.. 2017 Grand Ave.. Kansas City 8. Mo., 

manufacturers of drive-in speakers, drivein 

lights, in-and-out clocks, burial cable, 

etc., and E, H. Hulett Mfg. Co., 4602 Finley 

Ave . Los Angeles. Calif., manufacturers 

of reel and alarms, lens, rouge, etc. 

Development of Fiberglas blankets which 

will quiet self-contained air conditioning 

units has been announced by the Owens- 

Corning Fiberglas Corp. Installed in the 

interior of a unit and its adjacent plenum 

chamber, they help absorb sound waves 

before they reach the ducats. 

BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

22, 1948 17

FILMS INFLUENCE ARCHITECTURAL TASTES 

MODERN THfATRE 

Just as it has influenced mass thinking, 

the motion picture lias influenced mass 

tastes in terms of better architecture, Hal 

Pereira, Paramount Pictures executive, 

told achitectural and drama students at 

Yale university during a recent guest lecture. 

"It has been well established," he said, 

"that the motion picture has exerted a 

great influence on the higher standards 

of living to the average person It has 

affected taste in clothes, influenced national 

habits, and it has held forth new 

aspirations to people everywhere. It has 

had a tremendous influence in making 

hundreds of people familiar with forms of 

architecture which heretofore have been 

unknown or foreign to them. 

"The industry in itself cannot assure 

the responsibility for delivering modern 

architecture to the millions of people who 

want it without the earnest help from the 

architectural profession." 

Buys U-City Theatre 

The U-City Theatre, University City, Mo., 

a 250-seater, has been sold by the Goldman 

& Tobin circuit to Mrs. R. Steinberg, who 

also operatees the Madiscn in Madison, 111. 

Mrs. Steinberg plans to place one of her 

sons in charge of the theatre. 

jj 

KROEHLCK 

SIATS * 

T- , 

NO STANDING TO LET OTHERS PASS 

Exploiting Seating 

FOX THEATRE redecorated 

with ALL-GLASS fabrics 

The handsome Fox Theatre in Philadelphia is just one of the many 

theatres throughout the country that are helping to protect patrons' 

lives with Fiberglas* fabrics. For these decorative fabrics are woven 

entirely of finely spun, iuorganic glass filaments. They CANNOT 

BURN—or deplete the oxygen in the air— or emit suffocating smoke 

and fumes. Immune to rot or decay; always operate at 100% efficiency. 

Contrast this protection with that afforded by "flameproofed" fabrics 

woven partly or wholly of organic fibers. Their efficiency depends 

upon the type of chemical used to flameproof the organic fibers, and 

the length of time since the last treatment. Moreover, lethal gases are 

generated when such organic fibers are exposed to flame, often causing 

additional deaths from asphyxiation. 

Exhibitors realize that in new seati?ig 

they have a comfort selling point— and 

they are now extending the same showmanship 

and exploitation in selling new 

seating comfort as they have in exploiting 

pictures in the past. Several of the companies 

are cooperating icith exhibitors in 

this respect and are providing merchandising 

materials to help in the selling job. 

Both Heyioood-Wakefield and Kroehler 

have projected themselves in this field, as 

illustrated by the posters which the companies 

have produced for exhibitors. The 

H-W advertising department in addition 

has made available a kit containing mats, 

news stories and other helpf til materials 

while Kroehler in addition to the poster 

has a mat service available plus an attractive 

pocket-size brochure explaining the 

push-back type of seat. 

VIRIIE FOR SAMPLES AND INFORMATION 

STAGE CURTAINS, ilrani-rl(«i and wnll fcatoons 

of Flbcrghis fabrics were chosen to 

iissure maxtmum lire safety In the Fox Theatre. 

In fuchsia, coral and cold, they combine 

Hbowmanship with customer protection. 

FIBERGLAS* I.lsteil by Underwriters' 

Laboratories, Inc.. :i.s 'Xon-Combu.stlble 

Fabric:" approved by the Bureau of Standards 

and Appeals, City of New York. 

FIREPR 

ARCHITECTS BUILDING, 101 PARK AVENUE, NEW YORK 17, N. Y. • LEXINGTON 2-0711 

Sales representatives or recommended wrorkrooms in: BOSTON. BOFfAlO. CHIC«SO. CIEYELAND DENVER OtTROlI 

KANSAS CIIY. LOS ANGEIES, NEW ORLEANS, OAKIANO, PHIUDEIPHIA, PinSBORGH, PORIIAND, ORE., RICHMOND, SAN FRANCISCO, ST. LDDIS, ST. PADl 

SEAniE. TOLEDO, WASHIN6T0N. 'T.M. Reg. U. S. Pat. Off. Owens-Coming Flbergliii Corp. 


1^ 

Remember when this was 

the ivortd^s most popular movie? 

Motion pictures have come a long way since 1903, 

when the pioneering Edison Company produced its 

"Great Train Robbery." 

Motion picture theatres, too, have made tremendous 

progress. 

Capably run and handsomely furnished 

for utmost comfort, today's movie houses are 

America's favorite places of entertainment. And to 

the theatre owners belongs much of the credit for 

this achievement. 

Contributing to the pleasure of the nation's millions 

of movie-goers are American BODIFORM 

Chairs, world's finest and most popular theatre 

seating. 

(See small illustration.) 

Long famous for comfort and beauty, American 

BODIFORM Chairs are "tops" with theatre owners 

who put theu- patrons' comfort and enjoyment 

first. They're preferred, too, for money-making 

service over the years, with exceptional maintenance 

economy. Make sure your building or remodeling 

plans include American BODIFORM Chairs. 

WORLD'S LEADER IN PUBLIC SEATING 

Manufacturer of 

Theatre, Auditorium, School, Church, Transportation, 

Stadium Seating, and Folding Chairs GRAND RAPIDS 2, MICHIGAN... Branch Offices and Distributors in Principal Cities 


ôme t lew Jjdieas 

IN PLANNING 

THE EXTERIOR AND THE INTERIOR 

Back to the Classics 

In keeping with the character 

of the town and with New 

England tradition, the 580-seaf 

Stratford Theatre, in Stratford. 

Conn., oivned by Albert M. 

Pickus is to get a new face, a 

classic colonial facade with 

Doric columns- The face-lifting 

will be part of a general remodeling 

project. The theatre 

now has a marquee and two 

store fronts, ivhich tvill be 

eliminated, and the modernistic 

red and black front will 

be replaced 

in favor of the more reserved 

classic look. Lounges are 

to be provided on the second 

floor. 

A Renovation Job 

The old Century Theatre. 

Rochester. N. Y.. is now the 

Paramount and ivith the name 

change has come a face lifting. 

Created by Michael De Angelis 

is this lobby. The color scheme 

is coral, buff and grey, with 

the hues carried out in the Mohawk 

carpeting. Cathode indirect 

lighting comes from the 

new floating ceiling and from 

concealed lights in two columns 

a7id an ornamental light of 

stainless steel. The modernistic 

mirror enhances depth. Theatre 

doors are belorv the mirror. 

and offices are reached by the 

staircase. The three-dimensional 

display cases can be seen 

along the walls. 


" 

Drive-in and Indoor Theatre Project 

This unusual treatment to a drive-in theatre is 

being given 

to a new theatre designed by Benjamin H. Stein of Chicago for 

Frank Fink and Irving Gandall, and which is currently going up 

on the east side of River road, north of North avenue in Chicago. 

There are several unique features to the project. In addition 

to the outdoor theatre, an indoor theatre seating 1,500 will 

be built adjacent to the drive-in. The outdoor project will accommodate 

1,500 cars and will have parking space for 1,500 cars 

waiting for the next performance. 

According to Architect Stein, 

the screen tower will have a patented "tilt screen" which will 

make pictures visible without distortion from any part of the 

amphitheatre. 

New Treatment in Fresno 

Here is the completely modernized front of Robert 

L. Lippert's new Esquire Theatre, in Fresno. Calif., 

a 1.350-seater ivhich reopened recently after a $100,- 

000 renovating job. Formerly the State, it is the 

Z9th showcase to be added to the Lippert chain. The 

remodeling included the new front and marquee, 

installation of an air conditioning system and modern 

projection and sound equipment. The lobby 

was altered, with the boxoffice moved to one side 

to permit ready entrance and exit from the foyer. 

Loge seats are of the rocking chair type. A threecircuit 

setting of colored lights in the ceiling, 130 

feet long, provides illumination. The house is managed 

by Robert P. Corbin, who previously managed 

the Pantages in Los Angeles and the Golden Gate 

in San Francisco. 

SEHAIOR WAS 

IHWSCBtET 

i 

BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

22, 1948 

21

THEATRE DISPLAY 

SYSTEMS .... 

vom 

jtUtt mow 

Pyrene Company Recalls 

500,000 Extinguishers 

In a frank statement to the American 

people, the Pyrene Manufacturing Company 

recently called in more than half a 

million of its hand fire extinguishers. 

An elusive and persistent corrosive in 

the extinguisher fluid—supplied to Pyrene 

by an outside manufacturer—has severely 

damaged some of the recalled extinguishers 

and would probably affect others in 

time, explained the company. 

Corrosion affects certain internal parts 

so the extinguishers cannot be operated. 

Most exacting of company tests and extensive 

research by its consultants gave no 

clue to the destructive element. 

All extinguishers recalled are of the vaporizing 

liquid pump type. They are quart 

and IVi quart sizes with the exception of 

a small number of pint size. 

George H. Boucher, Pyrene vice-president, 

promised owners of recalled extingishers 

that they would be replaced as 

soon as possible, but pleaded for patience 

as the company could not make all replacements 

at once. 

Boucher said the recalled extinguishers 

were mostly in industry .and commerce. 

They are scattered throughout the country—nobody 

can say exactly where. The 

offieial said the extinguishers Pyrene was 

trying to retrieve carried Underwriters' 

Laboratories" numbers on their metal labels 

included in the following groups: 

Of all 

the appointments 

that go into your theatre none play so 

important a role as your display systems. 

SEALUXE theatre systems provide striking 

beauty and gracious dignity. They save 

money. They actually increase your box 

office intake. They are ruggedly constructed 

of heavy extruded aluminum 

shapes. 

Famous SEALUXE Alumilite finish gives 

you lifetime service and lustre. 

SEALUXE Theatre Display Systems 

actually cost you less 

BY FAR! SEALUXE 

Display Systems are an investment. Nondescript 

handling of your merchandising 

is 

an expenditure. 

Write for descriptive catalog and/or full 

details. 

Distributed by 

^%5W^^%Si&/ 

1507S1 to 150900 

235486 to 235530 

236731 to 237230 

403106 to 404730 

41199S to 414430 

416631 to 419830 

11/2-QUART 

EXTINGUISHERS 

419931 to 449230 

449631 to 458930 

460931 to 461230 

461331 to 378330 

480521 to 493380 

497631 to 504630 

505631 to 509630 

510256 to 518255 

520356 to 520955 

532356 to 533748 

539S56 to 544312 

QUART EXTINGUISH 

R6S9558- R689997 T601S01-T676150 

R692644. R693497 T676251-T680483 

R7312SS- R732363 T680651-T711650 

R75169S- R753697 T712151-n92150 

T3344S5- T3S0550 T793151-T843750 

T39S671. T4S5550 TS44550-TS45050 

T583051- T5S505O TS46551-TS53350 

T5S5551- T601200 TS54051-TS54700 

ERS 

T861051- T906880 

T911051- T976216 

T977051- T999999 

U2 U27050 

U33051 U33990 

U37651 • 

U 64651 

US0151 

U150151- 

U 38784 

U79650 

U100150 

U152552 

There were some exceptions, however. 

Some extinguishers listed above were rebuilt 

recently and should not be returned. 

They are stamped around the outlet nozz!le 

with the symbols A-48, B-48, etc. to L-48 

or the letter X. 

Boucher asked owners to examine their 

extinguishers closely and if they are in 

the affected groups and not among the exceptions 

to return them to the place of 

purchase or to the Pyrene Manufacturing 

Company, Department RX, No. 10 Empire 

Street, Newark 5, New Jersey. 

Since there are no identifying serial 

numbers on Pyrene 1-pint extinguishers, 

Boucher requested that these be returned 

to the above address for testing and replacement 

if neceessary. Also, all Pyrene 

fire extinguisher liquid (refills) purchased 

from any source prior to January 1, 1948 

should be returned for replacement. But 

the refills should be shipped on a separate 

bill of lading to another Pyrene Manufacturing 

address—560 Belmont Ave., Newark 

8, N. J. 

The returned extinguishers, Boucher 

said, would be repaired, refilled with proper 

liquid and sent out again as replacements. 

A special division has been set up within the 

plant here to handle the returns. A second 

shift of mechanics and probably a 

third will be put on, he said. 


T 

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—still has to be sold! 

Give those good pictures a chance to make money ior you. 

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Wagner letters will step up your business. They command attention 

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really sell shows. 

ONLY WAGNER WINDOW-TYPE FRAMES 

permit openings of any height and length in ONE panel. It is 

not necessary to construct a makeshift series of small signs 

and join them together. (The sign shown has an opening of 

IV 8"). Wagner Window-Type Frames are by far the most 

economical to maintain. Lamps, neon and glass con be removed 

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• Are made of the new plastic material which is 60% stronger 

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• Give you the new, jewel-like, gorgeous, deep colors w^hich go 

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• Afford freedom from freezing to the sign, as in the case of 

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• Afford complete safety. The exclusive slotted method of mounting 

provides more than six times the bearing suriace of the 

lug-type letter. 

• Avoid the eye-monotony of ineffective one-size letter copy. 

• 4". 8", 10" and 17" sizes in red. green and blue. 4", 8" and 

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Wagner plastic letters can be used in combination with: 

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^^^ ''''^ coupon for obtaining Big Catalog 

Wagner Sign Service, Inc., 

218 S. Hoyne Ave., 

Chicago 12, Dl. 

Please send big free catalog on Wagner theatre display equipment, the ; 

largest line in the world. • 

j 

j 

Name : 

Theatre : 

218 S. Hoyn* Avanu* 

CHICAGO 12, III. 

Street 

City & Slate j 

j 

BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

22, 1948 

23

JUS! Off 1 BOflRDS 

Architectural renderings in early-stage visualization of new 

theatre building projects soon to be erected or now under 

construction. The completed projects will be pictured and 

described in greater detail in forthcoming issues of The 

MODERN THEATRE section. 

Miracle Mile are also in the making, with 

parking facilities a major consideration. 

The plan worked out successfully for Lincoln 

road, Miami Beach, is being studied for 

possible ad:ption. Extensive areas behind 

Lincoln road have been turned by the city 

into parking areas, landscaped and furnished 

with meters. The county, as well as 

the business houses along Miracle Mile and 

the city of Coral Gables, is taking a keen 

interest in this new district, especially now 

that the "Miracle" is rapidly Ijecoming a 

reality, with its opening scheduled for fall. 

Its completion will naturally bring hundreds 

of people from all over Greater 

Miami, to the benefit of all. 

Franklin Maury, now managing the Surf, 

Miami Beach, will be the manager of the 

Miracle when it opens. He and his family 

will occupy one of the two apartments 

which the theatre building includes. Plans 

call also for a cafeteria. 

Nothing Spared 

The accent throughout the theatre is on 

the comfort and pleasure of the patron. 

One of the most original features thought 

out for the convenience cf women patrons 

is the individual rest room. Each of these 

rooms will be furnished with toilet, washbowl, 

mirror, shelves, coat hooks, and ample 

lighting. The powder ro:m will be 

large and commodiously furnished with 

comfortable lounging chairs. 

By Kitty Harwood 

The fact that Wometco Theatres is at 

last able to start actual construction of its 

new 1.600-seat "Miracle" theatre in Coral 

Gables, is not only a source of satisfaction 

to the Wolfson-Meyer organization, but it 

is being hailed with pleasure by the merchants 

already established along the municipality's 

new shopping district, the "Miracle 

Mile." A new. modern, attractive motion 

picture house is expected to give impetus 

to the entire district. 

Thinking not cnly in terms of their own 

theatre's setting. Wometco is taking an active 

interest in the development of Coral 

Gables' new business section, offering a 

half-mile of high-class shopping on each 

side of its street. Two years ago Mark 

Chartrand. public relations director for 

Wometco. became a member of the Miracle 

Mile Ass'n. and the Miracle Mile Merchants' 

Ass'n. These organizations have been concerned 

with a beautification program, with 

a number of changes under consideration 

such as the widening of the sidewalks ten 

feet on each side of the street. This would 

still leave an 8-foot roadway. The 21-foot 

sidewalk space thus created would greatly 

enhance the comfort of the shopper, inviting 

him to stroll without danger of jostling 

from others. This space would also make 

possible a luxuriant planting area for trees 

and ornamental bushes. Wlien beautification 

plans have been completed, the "Mile" 

will be one of the showplaces of this resort. 

Plans for the permanent maintenance of 

Another interesting feature, also with an 

eye to the customer's enjoyment, is the 

auditorium which is situated diagonally 

on the plot. It will be narrow toward the 

stage, fanning out toward the back. Tliis 

virtually eliminates poor-vision front seats. 

It has another advantage too in improved 

acoustics. The auditorium, which might 

be called horn-shaped, provides the best 

possible shape fcr the transmission of 

sound 

The very latest in push-back, foam-rubber 

upholstered seats will be installed, with 

a luxuriously appointed smoking loge. 

With the opening of its "Miami," Wometco 

was the first to introduce the push-back 

seat to Greater Miami. 

Plastic Screens 

What Wometco terms the newest in "eye 

conscious" plastic screens will be installed 

in the Miracle. The massive contour stage 

drapes will rise and fall in the manner of 

the opera drape. Simplex E-7 projection 

equipment will be used, with sound system 

employing RCA multi-cellular speakers. It 

has not yet been decided what type of earphones 

are to be available for the hard-ofhearing, 

but the most successful from the 

customer's viewpoint will be used. The 

theatre will be air conditioned throughout. 

The 1,600 seating capacity makes this the 

third largest movie house in Florida. 

Ai-chitect for the Miracle is William H. 

Lee, of Philadelj)hia, with Robert Collins, 

local representative. Air conditioning, 

plumbing, and electrical lighting, have been 

planned by Maurice H. Connell and Associates. 

Air conditioning equipment, Chrysler 

Air-Temp, comes from Winters-Becker 

Corp. The Dave Steel Co.. of Asheville, 

N. C. is furnishing the structural steel; 

Sheffield-Briggs, the reinforcing steel; 

Robertson Roof and Decking Steel supplied 

through Adams and Henderson, Diegaard 

and Preston have the contract. 


i 

Only the ideal Slide-Back affords all these advantages: 

More than six inches of smooth, efiortless, horizontal retraction with 

no humps, jarring or disturbance to those behind—provides 100% 

more passing space, with conventional spacing, 32" back to back. 

Eliminates necessity of standing to permit passing. * No sharp edges 

to bump shins, no pinching hazards. 

Full length die formed steel back 

panel entirely covers seat cushions. * The only chair of ANY TYPE 

that affords 100% safety in emergencies. Unoccupied seats automatically, 

silently slide back, rise and lock into position; automatically 

disengaging when lowered for occupancy. * No maintenance, adjustments 

or lubrication required. * Deep spring cushioned comfort. 

* Adjustable to all conditions and inclines. Can be stationary in balconies 

with high risers. * No understructure to hamper cleaning. 

Easily installed without specialized mechanics. * A variety of models, 

end standards and upholstering. 

* 

SEATING 

SEATING THE MODERN 

Sola by 

Independent Theatrz 

Supply Dealers 

COMPANY 

0^ (^nAttd "êtÛiCi. 

BOXOFFICE :; May 22, 1948 25

_y^ f-âAadena Lypera ^^rrouSe • • • TAKES 

ON A FACE-LIFTING JOB 

MEWCOMER 

residents of Pasadena, 

prosperous suburban community in 

in Southern California, would find it 

difficult to believe if they were informed 

that the luxurious Crown Theatre, neighborhood 

first-run showcase which they 

patronize, began its career as an opera 

house a quarter of a century ago—and 

that in recent years, until its modernization, 

it had been practically forgotten. 

Credit for the costly face-lifting task 

goes to the Markoy Corp., headed by Al 

Levoy, veteran independent exhibitor, who 

visualized the possibilities of the old Raymond 

Theatre i as it had been known ) and 

set about to give it a complete remodeling 

and reconversion treatment. 

The task. Levoy discovered, involved 

many tedious details and the expenditure 

of considerable money before the finished 

result could be deemed worthy of taking 

its place among Pasadena's first-run film 

theatres. 

The entire interior was practically gutted 

and work started from scratch to 

bring the 25-year-old design up to 1948 

concepts in style and decor. Beginning 

with the stage, the complete front of the 

auditorium was draped with Austrian 

Shade curtains and drapes in rich fullness 

on either side of the proscenium arch. This 

draping design served to cover over dated 

The foyer of the Crown 

Theatre, shortly before 

the renovation project 

ivas undertaken and after 

the job was finished— 

demonstrating how luxury, 

style, patron comfort 

can be achieved in 

an old-style house through 

intelligent planning and 

the application of some 

basic ideas in modern 

theatre 

design — through 

new carpeting, glass 

doors, neio light fixtures 

and concession 

stajid. 

New seating, new 

drapes, and the interior 

decorator's touch transforms 

the opera type auditorium 

into an attractive 

and comfortable motion 

picture house. The 

interior was virtually gutted 

so that the job could 

start from scratch. Note 

the drapes at the side of 

the stage to cover up the 

old style architecture. The 

reseating called for 2.000 

modern cliairs. 

portions of the architecture and gives the 

stage a rich bright quality. 

Next step was to remove all of the 2.000 

old-style seats and replace them with the 

new "Encore" chairs designed and manufactured 

by Heywood-Wakefield. Included 

in this seating arrangement are 350 of 

H-W's finest loge chairs. 

All the old projection room equipment 

was taken out and the newest types of 

sound and projection equipment were installed. 

The Crown is one of the first installations 

to utilize Motiograph's new AA 

Pi'ojector. Mirrophonic sound and the new 

Ashcraft C-70 lamphouses. Levoy declares 

the modern sound and projection equipment 

has resulted in audience reaction indicating 

their appreciation of the new installation. 

In the foyer, from which two large ramps 

lead to the mezzanine, the character of 

the house was completely altered through 

the installation cf Karagheusian Gulistan 

carpet, a modern stainless steel concession 

counter (serving soft drinks, popcorn, 

candy and ice cream) and the addition of 

attractive new lighting fixtures. The old 

entrance doors were removed and replaced 

with all-glass doors, giving the outside 

lobby and inside foyer a spacious appearance. 

Carpets were laid from the sidewalk 

throughout the entire house Old 

poster cases were removed and replaced 

with new stainless steel frames, while the 

new boxoffice also is of stainless steel. 

Levoy changed the character of the front 

of the house, as well, by installing a new 

marquee and vertical sign. 

The MODERN THEATRE SECTION

* 

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27

— 

. . confections 

1 

— 

CONFECTION 

CONCERNING EXTRA-INCOME POSSIBILITIES 

IN CATERING TO THE HABITS OF PATRONS 

Summer Confections . . . What to Buy 

R EMEMBER WHEN THE WeStCm Star 

used to gaze away out beyond the heads 

of the theatre audience and say. "There's 

gold in them tliar hills." We know now 

what he was referring to—the candy and 

popcorn location in the lobby! 

With the increased costs of operating a 

motion picture theatre today, however 

and I don't need to be specific about these 

increased costs because you know what 

they are—it's a good thing tliat we have 

in the past few years developed a profitable 

"sideline." It may be a deplorable 

truth, but it is a truth nevertheless, that 

we must look to candy and popcorn sales 

in our theatres for a large part of our 

operating profit because certainly it is no 

longer there in the straight operation of a 

mction picture theatre. 

It's Candy and Popcorn 

Confections and amusements have gone 

hand in hand through the centuries. When 

we go to a party we have ice cream and 

cake—or maybe beer and pretzels. When 

we go to the ball game, it is peanuts and 

pop And when we go to a movie, it is 

candy and popcorn. This isn't any wonderful, 

original discovery on our part. It 

is just a natural instinct on which we can 

capitalize. The only new discovery about 

it is in our methods of offering our merchandise 

to our patrons, and in our aim 

to do it in a businesslike and profitable 

way. 

When I speak of our methods of offering 

merchandise to our patrons, I am referring 

: 

1. To the strategic location of our 

candy and popcorn counters. 

2. To the type of equipment we use. 

its maintenance and efficiency. 

3. To the high quality of supplies on 

which we must insist. 

4. To the importance of a neat, pleasant 

sales person. 

Of all those points the one I really want 

to stress to you today is Quality of Supplies. 

This is definitely a business in 

which the best is the cheapest in the long 

run. Don't take less than the best in popcorn, 

in seasoning, in your candy. Further, 

after you have cnce invested your money 

in the best, be sure that it gets the best 

possible handling in your theatre. See that 

your supplies are kept in a cool, dry room, 

that the storage room is rat proof and 

mouse proof and free from cockroaches, 

water bugs and ants. 

Don't buy your popcorn in too large 

quantities at any time of the year. 'Vou 

will have better popping results if it comes 

And How to Sell It 

Marie 

Frye* 

to you freshly shelled and processed If 

you receive it in moisture proof bags, well 

and good. Leave it in those bags until you 

are ready to use it; but if it is in ordinary 

burlap bags or cotton feed sacks, then 

empty it into a metal bin or barrel and put 

a tight lid on it to preserve the moisture 

content and to protect it against vermin. 

Right at this time of the year popcorn 

storage is particularly important because 

we are approaching the weevil season. If 

any of you have ever had any trouble with 

these repulsive worms and flying moths, I 

know you want no repetition of it. You can 

get through the summer with no trouble if 

you will remember this: F^rst. clean and 

air your storage bins out thoroughly before 

you ever put fresh corn in them—that is, 

never put new corn on top of old. Order 

corn every week or ten days if necessary, 

but keep it coming in fresh from the processor 

and always be careful to use the 

oldest corn first. Store your corn in the 

coolest place in your theatre during the 

summer months. These weevils develop 

because of extreme heat. If you keep your 

corn in a cool, dry place you minimize 

the danger of weevils and also of mold. 

Just one more word about corn. There 

is a real and serious shortage of popcorn 

this year, as you know, I do urge you to 

anticipate how much you are going to need 

before the new crop is ready, and orotect 

your needs with your supplier. Otherwise 

you may find yourself without corn later 

on this summer. 

On seasoning as well as corn, insist on 

the best. Some theatre men have a preference 

for cocoanut oil, some prefer pea- 

'MARIE FRYE , merchandising head 

for Tri-States Theatres Corporation, in On address 

delivered before Allied Independent Theatre Owners 

of Iowa and Nebraska May 10-11. 

nut oil. I think they are equally good 

they each have certain advantages an^ 

their cost is about the same at this time. 

Prices are high, but my friends in the 

manufacturing end of this business tell me 

tliere is an adequate supply of fats and oil 

in the country, that there is no immediate 

danger of shortage or of rationing, and no 

need to build up reserve inventories— in 

fact, there is a good possibility of price decline 

on this commodity. 

On candy, stick to the popular, really 

good candies even if they cost you a little 

more money. You will sell more candy and 

your profit will be greater in the long run 

I want to caution you also on your candy 

buying at this particular time of the year. 

Unless you have an exceptionally good 

place for storing candy, buy in small quantities 

and buy frequently. Also you will find 

that during the summer months there is 

less demand for chocolate bars and nut 

bars. Don't misunderstand me—some will 

sell, of course, but hard candies, licorice, 

.ielly candies and caramels, all of these are 

desirable summer items and much safer to 

handle. 

Buy Supplies Carefully 

Buy all of your supplies carefully and 

cautiously. A buying mistake, resulting in 

spoiled or unsalable merchandise, can 

quickly take the profit out of this business. 

Another thing I urge you to do is to 

study your revenue from popcorn and candy 

sales to be sure you are getting the maximum 

results from your operation. For instance, 

most of us realize now that for 

every 100 pounds of popcorn and 40 pounds 

of seasoning we should sell X-dollars worth 

of popcorn. We know that for every hundred 

people who come into our theatres 

we should sell a certain percentage of them 

popcorn and a certain percentage of them 

candy. Analyze this carefully. If you are 

not doing the business you should, figure 

out what is wrong and how you can improve 

it. Believe me, the money is there 

if you just go after it in the right way. 

Maybe your counter is in need of a renovation, 

a face-lifting. Maybe you need a 

new popcorn machine. Maybe you are not 

carrying enough variety in your candy 

maybe you aren't displaying it properly. 

Maybe you have an unpleasant, disinterested 

salesgirl. 

Candy Display Is Welcome 

I have lots of friends in the candy manufacturing 

business and I thought it was 

very fine of them to send this beautiful 

display of merchandise out to your meeting—and 

I know you do. too. But they 

welcomed the opportunity of doing it. and 

let me tell you why. These candy manufacturers 

have a very healthy and wholesome 

respect for you theatre exhibitors as 

potential candy retailers. They know that 

you can. with proper merchandising, sell 

65 per cent of the bar goods that is sold 

in your community. Think of that! That 

is an opportunity, a market that should 

not be treated lightly. 

And can I give you some hints on what 

constitutes proper merchandising and how 

you can increase your sales? Well, these 

suggestions aren't of a major nature but 

. . 

I 

I think they will produce some results for 

you: 

One would be to display as wide a variety 

of candy as your space permits. See that 

your stock is properly balanced—that you 

don't have all chocolate bars or all mint 

bars . but that you have these and also 

Continued on page 30 


^ 4 

J/I mtation to • your .Jdtro^nd^ 

^/leatre^/im^^^^^^ Soii 

INCENTIVE TO CONTINUED PATRONAGE 

The new, postwar Heywood-Wakefield Theatre 

Chairs are smart in line— as comfortable as they look 

—designed and built for long, economical service. 

Tllustrated here and above is the Encore, model 

TC-700. The full line of Heywood-Wakefield 

Encore and Airflo models is fully illustrated in 

color in our new brochure "Accent on Elegance." 

Watch for your copy— it should be in the mail soon. 

To make double sure, check your nearest independent 

distributor or Heywood-Wakefield sales office 

in Boston, Baltimore, New York or Chicago. 

ejit 

J.I HEYWOOD-WAKEFIELD COMPANY • Jheaire Seafing Division 

666 Lake Shore Drive, Chicago 77, Illinois 

29 

BOXOFFICE ;: May 22, 1948

. 

— 

i 

Summer Confections . . 

What to Buy and 

How to Sell It 


some cocoanut bars, some soft bars (marshmallow 

or nougat 1, caramels, jelly candy, 

hard candy, mints and gum. 

See that your merchandise is tastefully 

arranged. Even if your space is small, give 

the appearance of having a lot of candy 

in your display. Keep your different prices 

of candy in their own particular group. I 

would suggest the five cent candy in the 

lower and middle section of the case, and 

the ten cent and higher priced candy on 

the top shelf or on top of the counter. 

10c Candy Builds Volume 

And while we are speaking of ten cent 

candy, that is where you have an opportunity 

to really build your candy grosses. 

With the excellent numbers that are now 

available, push these ten cent candies for 

all they are worth. I don't mean that you 

should drop five cent candy—heavens, no! 

But on "Mounds," for instance, I am sure 

you have found it is just as easy to sell 

the ten cent ones as it ever was the five. 

The same is true of Hershey. So when you 

have a number like this, push it in the ten 

cent size. People will buy it just as readily. 

Don't be afraid to 

introduce new nimibers 

occasionally It keeps up interest in 

your counter. Let me tell you about an 

experiment we recently made in our Omaha 

theatres. We took a ten cent cherry bar, 

a lovely piece of candy, but absolutely 

new to Omaha, and from a manufacturer 

whose name no one had ever heard of. 

We filled a glass platter with this candy, 

just heaped it up in fact, and set it on top 

of the counter. One bar in the display 

was broken open and wrapped in clear 

cellophane so the customers could see what 

the candy was like. And we had an attractive 

8x10 sign printed saying, "A new 

taste sensation, Joe Doakes Cherry Bar, 

10 cents." and what happened? We sold 

out of the bar in two days. This new untried 

number accounted for 20 per cent of 

our candy sales in that time. 1 am not 

going to tell you that we could continue 

to sell that particular bar forever and it 

would provide 20 per cent of our volume 

I know that people would tire of it. But 

we should introduce and promote new 

items like this every once in a while, just 

so we won't get in a rut. 

Another suggestion I would make to you 

is to cultivate "take home" business. Undoubtedly 

your experience to date has been 

the same as ours. Our patrons buy only 

what they consume while they are in the 

theatre— they do not buy merchandise to 

take home with them. There is a great 

potential market here for us. We should 

keep aiming at it. If we could get our 

patrons to buy as they leave the theatre, 

the same as they do coming in, we could 

double our business. 

Use Intermission Breaks 

We had a measure of success along this 

line at Easter time this year. We tried a 

delicious 10 cent Easter egg, a nicely foilwrapped 

number in assorted flavors. We 

introduced it about four weeks before 

Easter, and to our delight it caught on! 

People bought them in twos, threes, even 

sixes, and took them home! I think we 

have a great potential market here but it 

will have to be developed by persistency, 

by cautious and careful buying, and by 

clever and effective presentation of our 

wares. 

Another thing you might do to build up 

your merchandising revenue is to use intermission 

breaks I definitely do not advocate 

hawking candy and popcorn in the 

aisles during intermission, but in your 

towns I believe most of you have two shows 

an evening and it is very easy to have a 

five-minute break between shows using the 

excuse that it is for the convenience of 

the outgoing and incoming crowds. What 

it would really mean is that a great number 

of them would take advantage of the 

free time to walk out to the lobby and buy 

s:mething at the refresliment bar. 

Work With Schools, Churches 

Another thing that will add to your 

merchandising income—and might even 

make you "the man of the year" in your 

home town—is to work with the schools, 

churches and lodges of your city when 

they are having basketball games, church 

bazaars, etc. You can furnish the candy 

and popcorn for them to sell at these affairs, 

make a reasonable handling fee for 

yourself, and at the same time put yourself 

in their good graces because of the 

money they will make on the venture. I 

know this can be done successfully because 

we have several managers who have 

done it! And the goodwill you build up 

is a priceless business asset. 

In closing I'll just say, let's not be content 

with the job of theatre merchandising 

that we have done to date. Let's constantly 

strive to improve the merchandise and 

service we offer our patrons. Let's constantly 

experiment with new lines that tie 

in with our theatre business and offer an 

opportunity to increase our merchandising 

revenue. Let's go after "take home" business. 

Even limited to candy and popcorn, 

that field alone offers us an opportunity 

to practically double our gross. We have 

merely scratched the surface of an amazing 

business, a fabulous business. There's 

more gold in them thar hills, my friends. 

Let's go after it! 

Adapti-Bilt Stand Successful in Southern Theatres 

The new Adapti-Bilt concession stand, 

which Manley's recently introduced to the 

trade, is already being used successfully 

in both large and small theatres. An example 

of what this type of an operation 

can do for the smaller situation particularly 

is evidenced in the experience at the 

New Joy Theatre in Magnolia, Ark., where 

weekly concessions sales jumped from $65 

to $250. Other installations in various theatres 

of Joy's chain of southern theatres 

also resulted in unusual sales jumps, according 

to Joy N. Houck, president. 

The Manley unit as illustrated here consists 

of an attractive canopy with stainless 

steel facing and concealed floodlights, 

a leatherette covered back bar, an aluminum 

pillar with concealed storage shelves 

display counters as required. The outstanding 

color of the counter section is red 

which harmonizes with the red on the 

Manley machine. A large tropical flower 

painted on the back and bottom of the 

case gives a luminous effect, and the unit 

itself is lined with small sparkling mirrored 

sections. Setting up of the unit in 

a wide variety of arrangements is possible. 

It may be used in a rotunda or 

narrow hall-way or it may flank a popcorn 

machine on either the right cr left Still 

another arrangement is to group it in an 

"L" formation with the popcorn machine 

in a corner position. The accompanying 

photographs show the unit and the adaptation 

used in the New Joy Theatre, Magnolia, 

Ark. 


ofifBoy/ 

G-E AIR CONDITIONING, TOO 

YOUR 

patrons will take to General Electric tre's needs is extremely important to your pocketbook. 

Discuss it with your G-E Distributor or 

Better Air Conditioning like kids to a cowboy 

picture. Economical to install . . . economical to Contractor. He'll be glad to work with you, your 

Make your theatre the most tempting spot in 

town during sultry summer days . . . look for 

bigger year 'round audiences with the dependable, 

consistent performance of General Electric Better 

Air Conditioning. 

Getting the exact equipment to fit your thea- 

operate . . . economical to maintain, the system is designed 

and engineered for a wide range of oper- 

for your theatre. General Electric Company, Air 

architect and engineers to design "4-star" weather 

ating conditions. 

Conditioning Department, Section A'oIOd, Bloomfield, 

On 

New Jersey. 

hot summer days packed houses are quickly, 

easily cooled and de-humidifaed. For lighter loads 

the remarkable flexibility of G-E Better Air Conditioning 

assures you lower operating costs. 

THIS G-E CENTRAL PLANT AIR CONDITIONER is prefabricated 

for easy assembly. All parts are readily accessible. 

k 

GENERALÊLECTRIC 

êffet /lit Co^c//f/om^cf 

BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

22, 1948 

31

( a 

Remove 

1 

H^ 

Dear Subscriber: Please put a marker here and pass this 

issue on to Projection Room 

CIO' Clllll] 

PRACTICAL DISCUSSIONS ON MODERN 

PROJECTION AND SOUND PRACTICES 

How About Some Renovation 

For the Projection Room? 

by THE GUEST COlSfDUCTOR 

Although this task should be done periodically, 

it ^vould be well if the projectionist set aside 

a portion of his time each year and devoted it 

entirely to the complete renovation of his projection 

room. 

w.ELL. FELLOW PROJECTIONISTS. it'S 

just about that time of year when the cobwebs 

must be brushed away and once again 

we must think about Spring Cleaning in 

the projection room. Of course. I'm afraid 

we must do more than merely sit back and 

think about this task. There are two possibilities 

we might consider. We can start 

our spring cleaning now, or as an alternative, 

we can let the dust, dirt and grime 

collect for another year. I'm certain the 

majority will choose the first measure to 

uphold their reputations as projectionists. 

Spring cleaning isn't just for the housewife 

or something for someone else to 

worry about; it's a large responsibility for 

the projectionist as well. To improve the 

appearance of the booth, however, we can't 

very well rearrange the living room furniture 

or beat the bedroom rug: nevertheless 

there are innumerable other things 

to be done. It will require much extra 

work on the part of the projectionist: but 

he will be sole heir to the benefits Once 

the task is started, I'm sure it won't prove 

to be quite as bad as it sounds. 

The Starting Point 

As you look around your layout, you will 

probably be amazed at the uncountable 

tasks which loom before you and wonder 

just where to begin. 'What do you say we 

start with just a routine sweepdown? Only 

this time let's be a little more thorough 

and sweep all excess dirt and film scraps 

from behind the film cabinet and remove 

every drop of oil from the floor. The task 

might be lightened with the aid of carbon 

tetrachloride, since it readily dis.=olves oil 

and is not inflammable. Gasoline is absolutely 

out of the question! It would also 

be wise to scrub the walls with soap and 

water; yes. all four of them, and the 

ceiling, 

too. 

Now then, that little job completed, we 

It might 

can start cleaning our equipment. 

be well to start with the upper magazine 

and work downward, with a cloth soaked 

with carbon tet, removiii:' every molecule 

of excess oil and taking care to dislodge 

every minute particle of dust and dirt 

from the many "nooks and crannies." By 

removing the tension gate, it will be a 

simple process to clean the aperture with 

the aid of a toothbrush and penknife. The 

bulk of the grime, which may possibly have 

collected, can be removed with the toothbrush. 

By lightly scraping the edges of 

the aperture with the penknife, a sharp, 

defined edge will again surround the screen 

image. 

The projection lenses are next on the 

agenda. As the lenses are carefully removed 

from the barrel, it would be well to 

diagram the order in which they come. It 

can prove to be very embarrassing if you 

don't. I believe a solution of 50 alcohol 

and 50'; water will prove to be about as 

good a solvent as any for cleaning lenses. 

Now that the lens barrel is dissembled, it 

would be well to carefully inspect the inside 

of the barrel for signs of any paint 

chipping or curling. If any bare spots are 

discovered, they should immediately be repainted 

with a flat black, non-reflecting 

paint. Tills will eliminate any flare and 

there should be a noticeable improvement 

in the quality and intensity of the light 

reaching the screen. The amount of light 

lost by diffusion is diminished considerably 

and a greater percentage of light is 

allowed to pass through the lens barrel 

You might be amazed at the change which takes 

place when a coat or two of properly selected 

paint is applied to the walls of the projection 

room. With a small amount of work on the 

part of the projectionist the booth wilt take 

on a bright and cheerful atmosphere. 

to the screen. 'When re-assembling, the 

barrel should be returned, as nearly as 

possible, to its original position in the lens 

holder. 

Renovate Step by Step 

Continuing on, we next encounter the 

soundhead. Here particular care should be 

taken to get all parts scrupulously clean. 

This part of the projector might be 

cleaned in the following order: 

1 all excess oil and dirt with 

carbon tetrachloride. 

lb) Starting at the source, note the 

exciter. Is it clouded or blackened? If so. 

replace it immediately. Check exciter alignment 

by holding a white card in front of 

the P.E. cell to see if the exciter filament 

is centered vertically and horizontally. 

With a voltmeter, check to see if the exciter 

is receiving rated voltage. 

>c> Clean the lenses with a solution of 

50 '( alcohol and 50'; water. Make certain 

the light beam properly scans the 

sound track and is properly focused. 

Id Remove the P.E. cell and examine 

I 

closely for signs of wear. If the cathode 

shows a lack of caesium coating and is 

bare in spots, now would be a very good 

time to replace it. Note the pins for any 

signs of corrosion that might produce a 

poor connection at the socket. After the 

P.E. cell passes a strict examination, wipe 

it thoroughly and replace. Check for any 

loose connections at the socket and transformer. 

le) Check the entire soundhead for worn 

parts, such as undercut sprockets, worn 

lateral guides and fire trap rollers, etc. 

This about concludes the film side of 

the projector. 

Note how spotlessly clean it 

looks. Now that it is spic and span, much 

future labor could be saved by painting 

the entire inside with white enamel: that 

is, if you haven't already done so. Any 

dirt or oil that might collect could instantly 

be detected, therefore making the task 

of keeping the projector clean and much 

easier to operate. 

We can now proceed to the gear side of 

the projector. The first thing to be done 

is to remove all excess oil, dirt and grime 

with carbon tet. After this is accomplished, 

drain the intermittent movement 

and replace with new oil. Check the gears 

I 

Continued on page 34 


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33

m 

Renovations /or the 

Projection Room 


NEW RCA PROJECTOR FACILITATES VIDEO 

in the gear train for excessive play and 

worn teeth. Dissemble the take-up 

mechanism and remove all old oil and grime 

from the clutch discs and replace. If 

clutch discs show signs of wear, replace 

them with new ones. Re-assemble and apply 

approximately as much tension as it 

previously had. Examine fire shutter to 

see that it operates freely and closes properly 

when the speed of the projector is retarded 

to a speed of 60 feet of film per 

minute. Lubricate properly. This completes 

the projector. It would be wise to 

run a reel of film through each projector 

for a test run. so finer adjustments such 

as take-up tension, focus, shutter timing, 

etc., can be made. 

Cleaning the Lamp 

After the head is checked and running 

properly, we can proceed to the lamphouse. 

If we are lucky enough to possess a 

vacuum cleaner, it will be a simple task to 

remove the carbon dust from the overhead 

of the arc housing:' if not. it can be 

cleaned with a putty knife and cloth. 

Using the 50-50 solution of alcohol and 

water once more, we can clean the parabolic 

reflector. Any small bits of carbon 

drippings may be removed with the aid of 

a razor blade, being particularly cautious 

not to scratch the surface of the parabolic 

reflector. The arc control mechanism 

should be well checked and thoroughly 

cleaned, taking care to remove all carbon 

dust and dirt from the gear drive. 

When the arc lamp and housing are 

spotless, it would be wise to check for 

maximum light output. This may be done 

by striking the arc. and slowly moving the 

burner mechanism back and forth in front 

of the reflector until the focal point is 

reached. You can tell when the objective 

has been reached by carefully observing 

the screen and taking note when the light 

reaches maximum brilliance. 

One word of caution before making the 

test. The arc must be drawing rated voltage, 

the reflector must be properly aligned, 

the positive and negative carbons must be 

perfectly adjusted, both vertically and 

horizontally, and the arc gap must be of 

correct length. If all of these adjustments 

are not correctly made, it will cause your 

calculations to be grossly inaccurate. 

Amplifier Is Next 

Next on the list is the main amplifier 

and pre-amp. Here one might think too 

much cannot be done, considering most 

projectionists are not sound engineers. 

But bearing in mind the projectionist 

should know some things about his amplifier, 

there are several simple tests that 

might be made that will possibly eliminate 

future difficulties. First, before making 

any tests, it would be well to wipe down 

all shelves and other dust catchers. With 

a hand bellows, or if one is not available, 

a tire pump will serve the purpose, blow 

the dust from the intricate wiring and 

other places not accessible with a cloth. 

Now we are ready to make the necessary 

tests. If we are lucky enough to have access 

to a tube tester, it will be a simple 

task to test the tubes. If you are one of 

the many unfortunates, you might take 

them to the nearest radio repair shop. 

A new 35mm sound motion picture 

projector which will facilitate wider 

television programming has been perfected 

by the television equipment section 

of the RCA engineering products 

department. 

The new projector, which throws 

35mm pictures directly on to the pickup 

tube of the television camera for conversion 

to video signals, is based on the 

Brenkert professional theatre motion 

picture projector. It employs a new 

type of electronically-triggered, highintensity 

"gap-lamp" which is virtually 

Next, the filament, grid and plate voltages 

might be checked, as well as the resistances 

and the exciter supply. You might 

find the exciter lamps are receiving an 

over-rated voltage, causing them to be 

short lived. Of course, an ammeter, a voltmeter 

and an ohmmeter are necessary for 

these tests. Again, if you are one of the 

unfortunates, you might borrow the necessai-y 

testing equipment from the local radio 

repair shop. I'm certain you will find these 

simple tests will eliminate much future 

trouble, provided any faults which are 

free of heat and eliminates the need for 

a moving shutter. The periodic flashes 

of the lamp, coupled with a specially designed 

film drive mechanism, make it 

possible to use standard 35mm film, 

which normally operates at 24 frames 

per second, to provide the 60 interlaced 

fields, or 30 frames per second required 

for television. The operator is shown 

at the monitor and changeover control 

rack, which contains the switches for 

the" remote starting and stopping of the 

projector, as well as the remote controls 

for operating a slide projector. 

found are remedied immediately. 

Finally we encounter the power unit. 

It is essential that this piece of equipment 

be not neglected. It. too, must be kept 

spotlessly clean, free from all excess dirt, 

grease, grime and oil, so it may operate 

with maximum efficiency at all times. I'm 

a bit wary of using either fine sandpaper 

or emery paper on the commutator or 

slip rings. I always like to rely on carbon 

tet for cleaning. Check the brushes to see 

(Continued on page 36) 

34 The MODERN THEATRE SECTION iBUji

I 

BOXOFTICE 

for use in Drive-In Theatres where only 

single phase power is 

available. 

THE 

STRONG 

ELECTRIC CORP. 

87 CITY PARK AVE., TOLEDO 2, OHIO 

PROJECTION ARC LAMPS-RECTIFIERS-REFLECTORS 

USE THIS COUPON FOR A FREE DEMONSTRATION OR LITERATURE 

THE STRONG ELECTRIC CORP. 

87 City Park Ave., Toledo 2, Ohio. 

pj I would like to have a demonstration oi the Mogul Projection 

Arc Lamp in my theatre, without cost or obligation. 

[~~] Please send free literature on the Mogul Projection Arc Lamp. 

Name - 

Theatre 

Street 

City and State - 

: 

: May 

22. 1948 

35

Cine Clinic 


MEET OUR NEW EDITOR AND SALES MANAGER 

that they have proper tension, approximately 

two pounds per square inch .and 

they should slide freely in the holder. If 

they are worn more than half way, they 

should be replaced. Again, using the hand 

bellows, or its substitute, we can remove 

the dust and dirt from the field and 

armature windings. 

Paint Does the Trick 

Now that the equipment is flawlessly 

clean and dazzling, we can step back and 

admire our work. But as you look around, 

it appears to be the same old booth, only 

somewhat cleaner. It's still the same four 

walls Of course, we can't change this: 

but one might be amazed at the change 

which takes place when a coat or two of 

paint is applied. You might select a light 

blue or a light green to give your projection 

room that look of coolness. In selecting 

the proper paint, one should choose 

a paint that is not glossy: a paint that 

absorbs the light rather than reflects it. 

Of course, the forward wall should still 

be the conventional flat black. The contrast, 

however, might be broken by using 

a one- or two-foot border at the top and 

bottom. It is surprising how easy the floor 

is to keep clean after it has been given a 

coat of red, or possibly gi'ay, concrete paint. 

See what a little paint will do? Our projection 

room now is bright and cheerful. 

But before we can call our job complete, 

there is still one other task I feel should 

come imder the heading of "Spring Renovation." 

That is improving, or at least 

making some changes in the appearance 

of our stage and screen presentation. 

So far all of our time has been devoted 

to the projection room. Although probably 

nobody will ever see the booth, other than 

those connected with the theatre, I don't 

feel there is a need to stress the importance 

of keeping it clean at all times, since 

anyone who calls himself a projectionist 

should be well aware of this fact. 

Screen and Stage Presentation 

Now let us consider the appearance of 

our stage and screen presentation. Since 

the stage and screen is viewed by evei-y 

person in the auditorium most of the time 

they are present, it is of great significance 

that the appearance be as pleasant and 

as attractive as possible. 

There are so many things that might be 

done to greatly improve our screen presentation 

and stage appearance. Now that 

we are undergoing a change from Winter 

to Spring, our theatre must also undergo 

a similar change. Our warm colors, such 

as red, yellow and orange, are slowly becoming 

obsolete. A change must be made 

to the cooler colors, such as blue, green 

and violet. 

This change should not take place all 

at once, however, but gradually as we 

change from one season to another For 

example, instead of changing our footlights 

from red one day to blue the next, 

we might make our change over a period 

of time, interchanging red lights for blue, 

a few each time. Our period of interchanging 

mieht extend over a period of 

two or possibly three weeks, depending on 

the size of the house. In this way th* 

FLOYD M. MIX 

Floyd M. Mix succeeds J. Harry Toler as managing 

editor of the MODERN THEATRE Section. 

Beiore joining 60X0FFICE, Mix uros engaged 

in various phases of publishing and advertising. 

He served as an editor for Popular Mechanics 

Magazine. Cliicago, and for several years managed 

that firm's book department. More recently 

he was editor-manager of the L. F. Garlinghouse 

Co., Topeka. publishers of building 

plan books. He also was an account executive 

with the Potts-Tumbull Advertising Agency of 

Kansas City. 

audience will be unaware of any change 

taking place; but they will sense a feeling 

of coolness adding to their comfort. 

The use of curtain and foots, or other 

special lighting effects on the title tag 

presents a very pleasing effect as well as 

enhances the prestige of the theatre. But 

most of all it allows a break between features 

and permits the audience to have 

a moment of rest before focusing their attention 

on the next subject of the program. 

I can imagine nothing more boring 

than to sit through an unusually long 

feature and have the projectionist break 

abruptly into the next subject without any 

pause whatsoever. This can be very tiring 

and readily produce a mood of monotony. 

Music Relieves 

Monotony 

Another thing that would aid in relieving 

monotony between features would be 

the playing of recorded music. A very 

pleasing mood can be created with proper 

music and lighting effects. One should 

take great care in selecting proper music 

to suit his audience. It would be unwise 

to play classical records for a juvenile 

audience or jive records for an audience 

comprised mostly of adults. One might 

also select his records to correspond with 

special holidays or seasons, at the present 

those suggestive of Spring. 

Footlights are not the only source of 

lighting effects. With his own ingenuity, 

the projectionist may conceive many devices 

to create a pleasing atmosphere. A 

color wheel placed in the wings of the 

stage, set parallel with the screen so the 

HERBERT 

ROUSH 

T. Herbert Roush has been named manager of 

sales and service for The MODERN THEATRE, 

taking over the duties formerly handled by the 

Harrison Toler Co. of Chicago. Prior to joining 

BOXOFFICE, Roush was vice-president of the 

Carter Advertising Agency. He also had been 

advertising manager of the Marley Co., manufacturers 

of water cooling and air conditioning 

equipment; for five years assistant advertising 

manager of the Western Auto Supply chain; and 

on the advertising staff of the Kansas City 

Journal-Post. 

light beam from the projector may filter 

through the constantly changing colored 

light from the color wheel, also produces 

a worthy effect. The color wheel might 

also be placed in the booth. A specially 

prepared slide with a colored design used 

with the stereopticon would also do very 

nicely. 

A cheesecloth curtain, spaced about two 

feet from the screen would make a very 

fine "special effects" curtain between features. 

It is light as well as inexpensive 

and produces a very pleasant rippling effect 

as it is opened and closed The projectionist 

might also ask his employer for 

a feature presentation tag, if one isn't already 

in use, to be used at the beginning 

of the program. It might be worded to 

read, for example, "The Strand Theatre 

Feature Presentation" or "The So-and-So 

Theatre Proudly Presents— ." Considering 

the wonderful effect produced when used 

with curtain and foots, the cost is belittled. 

So you see, there are innumerable possibilities, 

with the aid of light, to dress 

up your stage appearance and screen presentation. 

I'm certain, with a little ingenuity, the 

projectionist can improve his stage appearance 

and screen presentation to such 

a degree it will reflect credit on himself 

as well as the theatre. 

The purpose of this article has not been 

to wholly inform; but to more or less suggest 

and offer an outline for complete 

"Spring Renovation." I sincerely hope it 

will achieve its purpose. 


[ 

— 

Kallet Drive In, Syracuse, N. Y. with double faced sign 

at approach to theatre, using 10 in. Adler "Third 

Dimension" letters on Adler Multi-decker Frames. 

ADLER 

OhiqinaL 

THIRD DIMENSION" 

and 

PLASTIC 

CAST ALUMINUM LETTERS 

Brilliant attraction boards are vital to the success 

oi Drive In Theatres. Adler PLASTIC letters 

provide striking, colorful copy, with true "third 

dimensional" depth and boldness, for beauty 

and easy readability. They are strongest and 

toughest — with solid triangular bevels and 

integrally molded supporting means practically 

unbreakable. 

Used interchangeably on Adler Frames withAdler 

Cast Aluminum "Third Dimension" letters which 

come in many interchangeable sizes. Write. 

ADLER 

At top, Flint, Mich., Drive-In, showing 2 of the changeable letter signs, using 

10 in. Adler "Third Dimension" letters. Directly above, another of their signs 

with 10 in. and 16 in. Adler letters used interchangeably on 6-line "Remova- 

Panel" frames. Excellent distance readability is assured. 

STADIUM 

AUTO my\£ 

tmCOLNS BlRTHDAtfZ 

TBURSDAY FEBRUARY C 

GATES OPEN S45 PM 

ENTRANCE 

Stadium Drive In Theatre, San Leandro, California, a Golden 

States Circuit Theatre with 10 in. Adler PLASTIC "Third 

Dimension" Letters on "Remova-Panel" Frames. 

Note the amazingly beautiful 

2 . tone THIRD DIMENSION 

appearance of this letter that 

makes it stand out so boldly. 

ADLER 

^xduAWSL 

"REMOVA-PANEL" 

(Patented) 

Glass-in-Frame Units 

Advantageous for any Drive 

In sign regardless of location, 

specially with high openings, 

ior fast, easy maintenance 

directly through "Remova- 

Panels." Eliminates lifting out 

large, heavy frame units with 

glass — pays for itself guick 

in time and labor savings.

THE \Qûiiz POT 

A CAULDRON FOR COOKING UP ANS- 

WERS TO OTHER PEOPLES' PROBLEMS 

Address The MODERN THEATRE, 82S Van Brunt 

Blvd., Kansas Cilv 1, Mo. 

Proj. Laverne Townsend. chief projectionist 

of Commonwealth Circuit's Hoisington 

Theatre, Hoisington, Kas., passes 

along these helpful ideas: 

If the monitor in the booth doesn't 

have a bass, is tinny in sound, or has too 

much volume, try soldering a 10 MFD or 

a 20-20 MFD Condenser onto the terminals 

in the speaker line. This will eliminate 

all undue speaker rattle and give excellent 

quality. A small condenser may 

be soldered to the record player to give the 

same effect if your theatre plays records. 

If the arc light on your screen is not 

up to par, take the mirror out and look 

at the numbers on the back. These numbers 

indicate the distance the lamp is supposed 

to set from the aperture. For example, 

5-33 means the arc gap should be 

5 inches from the center hole in the mirror 

and 33 means burn the arc at 33 inches 

from the center arc gap to the aperture 

plate center. Speaking of the aperture, 

these little sliding pieces behind the stationary 

aperture are to designate the margin 

on the screen and they sometimes work 

loose with the opening and closing of the 

head door. This will cause the sound ti-ack 

to appear on the side of the screen masking. 

Don't let the arc light stay too long on 

the lens as this will cause a four-leaf 

clover and affect the focus of the picture 

and probably ruin the lens, if it is bad 

enough. Of course, with film in the machine 

there will be no such trouble Send 

in your bad lens and let an expert work 

on it. Don't ti-y to repair it yourself. 

Shine Your Equipment 

Shine your equipment with paraffin oil 

if it has a crackle finish. A good grade of 

furniture polish will do if paraffin oil is 

not readily obtainable. 

If you plan on staying in the projection 

field buy your own tools and equipment, if 

they are not furnished. First in your tool 

assortment you will want screw drivers and 

pliers and assorted wrenches and a complete 

set of Allen wrenches, as all new and 

much of the old equipment in theatre booths 

is composed wholly or in part with this 

equipment. Need for tools in the booth will 

be recognized when the operator experiences 

a few breakdowns, also the type required. 

For a splice that holds, have on hand a 

supply of both nitrate film cement and the 

safety film cement to use on new western 

and other films coming out on safety base, 

as each requires a certain one of these 

two different film preparations. 

For that unexpected breakdown I suggest 

having on hand a spare intermediate 

gear, main drive gear, sound system main 

drive gear pinion assembly. In the case of 

Simplex or RCA Sound Systems, a spare 

tungar bulb or two; if you have tungar rectifiers, 

a complete set of sound tubes. 

These are supplies if affiliated with a good 

sound service such as RCA: a spare removable 

film gate, a set of sprockets (don't 

use these until the old ones are reversed), 

a spare lower takeup belt and of course 

film cement, reels and usual supplies to 

be determined by the operator and manager. 

Some booths will require more parts 

than others, depending on the shape of 

equipment and daily running average. 

Proj. W. Varick Nevins III, Alfred Cooperative 

Theatre, Alfred, N. Y.. brings 

us this useful information: 

"We have a wire recorder that can be 

If the man- 

plugged into our sound system. 

ager wants to make an announcement with 

a silent trailer every show, he can record 

it once, give it to the projectionist and 

have it run while the silent trailer is on 

the screen It works vei^y well and the 

sound quality through our Voice of the 

Theatre equipment is excellent." 

"Another thing I am planning to do is to 

have 50 feet or 100 feet of a title saying 

'Special Announcement' and then you can 

put any oral announcement into your show 

at the last moment and not have a blank 

screen." 

Self-Computing Chart 

Estimates Footage 

One of the banes in projection work is 

the hourly necessity to estimate footage 

and running time for an unknown quantity 

of film on a reel. The reason for this 

is that there must be enough of each carbon 

in the trim to last through the reel. 

This important phase of work has been in 

the realm of guess, resulting in common 

waste of carbon and occasional dark 

screens. Likewise, when assembling a 

show on the bench the operator sometimes 

is unable to tell if, for instance, a trailer 

can be added at the end of a subject without 

spilling over the rim. 

These and related questions are now 

answered in ten seconds by means of an 

ingenious self-computing chart worked out 

by a Prudential circuit operator. At least 

so claims its creator, Michael Smollin, Edwards 

Theatre. East Hampton. N. Y. Consumption 

of each carbon is figured down 

to one-eighth of an inch, and film footage 

and running time are given with a small 

margin of error due to warpage, varying 

thickness of film. etc. The standard chart 

is for the widely used 40 ampere Suprex 

arc and 5-inch hub reels. 

Westrex Amplifier System 

In New Design 

An amplifier system entirely new in design, 

an improved soundhead and a new 

line of backstage equipment are being 

marketed by the Westrex Corp., foreign 

motion picture equipment and service subsidiary 

of the Western Electric Co 

The new soundhead, orginally introduced 

by Westrex in 1945. has a new plug-in preamplifier 

mounted on a chassis which also 

contains the photoelectric cell. This permits 

a swift change to a spare unit in case 

of trouble. Other features are the hydro 

flutter suppressor and governor which op- 

Video "PuX on Screen 

yioL 16min Projector 

One of the first west coast demonstrations 

of taking film of the face of the 

cathode-ray tube of a televisor and putting 

it on the screen was demonstrated in 

Los Angeles recently at a meeting of the 

Southern California Theatre Owners Ass'n. 

James Nicholson, operator of the Pickfair 

Theatre, screened a 16mm print of the 

Rose Bowl game only a few hours after 

the game was over. The film was thrown 

on a 17x20-foot screen with an Ampro 

high intensity 16mm arc projector and 

made a good impression on the audience 

of theatre owners who gathered for the 

demonstration. The game was filmed off 

the master tube at television station KTLA 

of Los Angeles. 

erates on magnetic principles to maintain 

constant film speed. 

The new amplifier is mounted in a 74- 

inch cabinet with double full-length doors 

at the rear which gives access to the rear 

servicing area. A unique feature is the 

construction of a voltage gain, or driver 

amplifier, as a separate unit. It fits into 

the chassis of each size power amplifier 

and in event of a breakdown can be inserted 

within a minute, making it unnecessary 

to replace the entire amplifier. 

Amplifiers are available in outputs of 15, 

50, 50 and 100-watts and each includes a 

separate fuse and switching panel controlling 

the amplifier power line circuits and a 

separate power supply panel for each amplifier, 

eliminating the risk of excessive 

hum pickup and power line interference. 

The monitor amplifiers are separate units 

with provision for operating hearing aids 

and accessory speakers as well as the monitor 

speaker. 

Backstage equipment for the new systems 

consists of the recently announced 

Western Electric loudspeaker line. 

38 The MODERN THEATRE SECTION il

— 

4 

helping to 

1 heatre marquees are again 

biuld summer box office 

appeal through the exploitation of 

that great ticket-selling attraction— 

air conditioning! 

Again— as they have for 

more than a quarter of a century 

usAIRco theatre air conditioning 

systems are providing comfort cooling 

at a profit to exhibitors. There 

are three great comfort cooling systems 

offered by usAIRco— the RefrigeratedKooler-aire, 

the Cold-Water 

Kooler-aire, and the Evaporative 

Kooler-aire—each a factory-assembled, 

packaged unit designed to meet 

the needs of theatre operators for the 

best in comfort cooling at a cost they 

can afford. 

Let a usAIRco field engineer 

help you select the right comfort 

cooUng system for your theatre. 

He'U gladly work with you in planning 

"ticket-selling" weather to 

boost summer box office. United 

States Air Conditioning Corporation, 

Como Avenue S. E. at 33rd, 

Minneapolis 14, Minn. 

3 COMFORT COOLING SYSTEMS AT 3 BUDGET LEVELS! 


Black Light Murals 

Package Is 

Oifered 

A packaged combination which takes the 

guesswork out of fluorescent decorations 

for tlieatres has been made available by 

Switzer Brothers. Inc., cf Cleveland. The 

company is now introducing its Glo-Craft 

"Master Murals," a new development in 

the fluorescent and black light type of mural 

which enables the exhibitor to pick his 

decorative panels from a master list prepared 

by Switzer, and thus know exactly 

what he is getting and how the mural will 

look on the walls cf his theatre. 

The firm has prepared a series of fluorescent 

paintings on heavy blue velour, and is 

prepared to make exact copies to order on 

the same type of velour as the originals. 

These murals are delivered complete with 

CAR SPEAKER GETS GOOD RESPONSE 

Motiograph is now delivering its new incar 

speaker equipment for drive-in theatres. 

Motiograph's new junction boxes 

made of two strong and bright aluminum 

castings are completely rust proof and are 

designed so that they may remain installed 

in nonoperating seasons as all components 

are completely protected from the weather. 

These new junction boxes may be attached 

to pipe supports from l'/2 to S'/zinch 

diameter without special adapters 

or the necessity of threading the pipe. 

Solderless lugs in the junction boxes permit 

connection of speaker and feed cables in 

but a small fraction of the time required 

in less modern junction boxes. 

To prevent the possibility of damage to 

speaker equipment and customer's automobiles, 

the junction boxes are equipped with 

a light that shines down on the base of the 

speaker standard. This light also helps 

the patrons to find their way back to their 

cars should they leave them to patronize 

the concession stand. 

To bring concession attendants' attention 

to the need for service, these junction 

boxes may be equipped with a concession 

signal light actuated by a switch on the 

in-car speakers. The use of this signal, Motiograph 

believes, can materially increase 

the sale of concessions without annoying 

the patrons with unnecessary calls. 

The Motiograph speaker which uses a 

full 5-inch speaker unit, is offered in a 

choice of finishes including light blue baked 

enamel and a brushed cadmium finish. Recent 

improvements include fully rubberplated 

hooks for automobile protection and 

treated speaker cones to resist all weather 

conditions. 

The new Motiograph drive-in car speaker 

system, according to the sales department 

has met with good response. During the 

past 60 days a total of 27 drive-in theatres 

BASE 

AKO STANUftD LICHT 

Motiograph's new in-cai speaker junction box 

with base and service signal lights. Base and 

standard light illuminates supporting standard 

and speaker to reduce tratfic hazards. Service 

signal has red lens to attract vendor. 

flAMP CASLE LUGS 

Interior view of the in-car speaker junction box 

showing light sockets, terminal block and adjustable 

impedance matching transformer. 

have purchased the system. Recent purchases 

have been made for drive-in theatres 

at: Grand Rapids. Mich., Milwaukee, 

Wis., Fayette, N. C Anderson, S. C, 

and Greenville, S. C. 

frame and mounting materials, plus a 250- 

watt Glo-Craft black light especially designed 

for recessed mounting in the ceiling 

and engineered to concentrate the largest 

possible amount of ultra-violet on the area 

covered by the mural. The lighting equipment 

operates on a 110-volt, 60-cycle alternating 

current, and the black light lamp 

in the package has a rated life of 2,500 

hours. 

Recommended maximum dimensions for 

these murals—one of which is reproduced 

here—is a nine-foot width and a 14-foot 

height. Some variations are allowable to 

meet specific architectural requirements, 

although the maximum width is fixed at 

Additional information may be 

nine feet. 

obtained from the home offices of Switzer 

Bros., Inc., Cleveland 15, Ohio. 

Counter Coffee Dispenser 

For Lobby Stands 

Occupying only V/z square feet of counter 

space, a counter model hot coffee dispenser 

for lobby stands, has been announced 

by Rudd-Melikian, Inc., 1947 N. 

Howard St., Philadelphia. The new unit 

has push-button control and without refilling 

will dispense over 400 cups. 

A new liquid compounded for easy elimination 

of resinous gums has recently been 

brought out by Quaker City Laboratories. 

1124 Widener Building. Philadelphia. It Is 

claimed that with this liquid, chewing gum 

may be removed from all kinds of surfaces, 

including fine fabrics. 

'Polar Pete' Snow Cone Machine 

Product of Multiple Products 

Exclusive manufacturer of the "Polar 

Pete" snow cone machine has been announced 

by Multiple Products Corp., a subsidiary 

of Auto-'Vend, Inc, The machine, 

which is constructed from aluminum and 

stainless steel contains a patented ice 

shaver said to have a producing capacity of 

250 pounds of "real snow" per hour. Included 

in the self-contained unit are plexiglas 

dispensers for syrup, cup storage, drainage 

and waste facilities, ice storage, working 

surface and everything else necessary 

for fast preparation of snow cones. The 

machine is compact in size—30 inches wide, 



1 

Low bright? 

That is the $64 question in 

movie projection, because crater 

brightness is the key to screen 

brightness, audience approval, 

WHEN YOU ORDER 

PROJECTOR CARBONS- 

ORDER "NATIONAL"! 

and big box office. 

National Carbon Company 

answers the question with the 

"traveling eye," shown above. 

With scientific accuracy, this 

photoelectric cell in the metal 

tube, traveling across the actual 

crater image, measures the 

brightness of the "National" 

High Intensity arc. Results show 

that the brightness of "National" 

carbon arcs rivals that of the 

sun itself! 

This means that by using "National" 

High Intensity projector 

carbons you obtain the brightest 

light available for movie projection. 

At the same time, you obtain 

light with a nearly perfect color 

balance. Your color movies glow 

with rich vividness! Your blackand-white 

pictures sparkle! 

Good business! 

The term "National" is a registered trade-mark of National Carbon Company. Inc. 

NATIONAL CARBON COMPANY, INC. 

Division Sales Offices : 

Atlanta. Chicago, Dallas. 

30 East 42nd Street. New York 17. M.T. Iili3 Kansas City. New York, Pittsburgh. San Francisco 

Unit of Union Carbide ind Carbon Corporition M l 

jy 


1 

— 

wm 

News of What's New 

In Modern Theatre 

Equipment 

(Continued from page 40 

20 inches deep. 60 inches high. For customer 

attraction it i.s illuminated, has a 

plexiglas display of snow and syrups and 

is decorated with full-color "Polar Pete" 

decals. Further information is available 

from Multiple Products Corp., 3612 Cedar 

Springs, Dallas, Tex. 

New Packaged Aid Conditioner 

by Typhoon 

Development of a new l'/2, 2 and 3-ton 

packaged air conditioner is announced by 

James F. Daily, president of the Typhoon 

Air Conditioning Co.. Inc. of Brooklyn, 

N. Y. Taking their places alongside the 

larger Typhoon units which are made in 

3, 5 and 7-ton sizes, the new console units 

are already being distributed by the firm's 

dealers. 

Featuring several refinements in design, 

the new air conditioner has a split-pan 

condensate removal system that makes it 

possible to incorporate in a small area 

the over-sized components found in other 

Typhoon units. The condensate removal 

pans serve a dual purpose by creating an 

even flow of air through the cooling coil, 

thereby insuring maximum heat transfer 

over its entire area. Specially developed 

by Typhoon engineers, the condensers are 

all copper with exterior return bends. 

Water cooled, the new units can often 

be used in situations where air cooled units 

are not practical, nexible copper tubing 

makes possible easy, economical water connections. 

Large, slow-turning compressors 

give high output per horsepower with low 

noise level and this Typhoon air conditioner 

is engineered to deliver its full rated 

capacity under trying conditions 

The cabinet of the new console unit, here 

pictured, is made of heavy furniture steel, 

smartly styled and finished in a rich, royal 

brown crackle. Thorough insulation insures 

quiet operation, and for easy inspection 

and maintenance, the removal of a 

single large cover exposes the entire 

mechanism. Further information may be 

obtained by writing Typhoon Air Conditioning 

Co.. Inc., 794 Union St., Brooklyn 

15, N. Y. 

New Seli-Cleaning Vacuum 

Cleaner Introduced 

The Continental Car-Na-Var Corporation 

of Brazil, Indiana, announces the addition 

of a new self-cleaning industrial 

vacuum cleaner to its line of floor maintenance 

material and equipment. 

Called the "Eject-O-Vac," the new machine 

is said to be revolutionary in that 

it is self-cleaning. There is no dust bag 

to empty or tank to dump A water trap 

catches and saturates the dust in the 15- 

gallon tank. To erripty the machine a 

bucket of clean water is sucked into the 

tank, a lever reversed and the dirty contents 

ejected through the intake hose 

into the bucket, a sink, a toilet stool or 

out the window. 

Water may be picked up from the floor 

and disposed of the same way. Enough 

water is automatically retained to keep the 

water trap effective. No need to remove 

the lid except when machine gets clogged 

by accident or neglect. Germacide may be 

added in water trap to destroy germs in 

collected dust. 

In addition to the usual tools that go 

with a vacuum cleaner is the patented 13- 

inch nozzle in which are fitted reversible 

squeegees, thereby greatly increasing 

"pick-up" efficiency. 

These machines are now in production 

and sell for $275.00 complete with essential 

attachments. Complete information 

may be obtained by writing the Continental 

Car-Na-Var Corporation, 1544 E. National 

Ave., Brazil, Ind. 

Self-Contained Fountainette, 

A West Coast Product 

Striking a new note in soda fountain 

development, Anderson & Wagner, Inc., of 

Los Angeles have recently announced a 

new, compact and fully complete unit 

known as the Imperial Fountainette 

While this new piece of equipment is 

only 5 feet in length, it is entirely selfcontained, 

equipped with a \'2 h. p. her- 

metically-sealed compressor and a refrigerated 

carbonator and water cooler that 

provides a large supply of soda and sweet 

water, chilled to just the right temperature. 

The Imperial Fountainette fills a need 

for volume fountain operations in a minimum 

space. When it is to be used in connection 

with equipment where compressors 

and carbonators have already been installed, 

it may be purchased as a remote 

unit, and the carbonator-cooler unit simply 

becomes a modern water cooler. When 

purchased as a complete unit for self-contained 

installation, all that is necessary 

is to hook up the plumbing and plug in 

one electrical connection. 

Additional information may be obtained 

from Anderson & Wagner, Inc., 8701 S. 

Mettler St., Los Angeles 3, Calif. 

New Multi-Purpose Adhesive 

Now Available 

Plastics, wood, metal, rubber, leather, 

crockery, glass, mirrors and labels can 

now be easily adhered to themselves or to 

each other on an efficient production-line 

basis by a versatile and powerful vinyl 

base cement, according to an announcement 

by its manufacturer, Schwartz Chemical 

Company, Inc. 

The company reports that two years of 

continuous research has resulted in the 

development of this efficient all-purpose 

transparent water-white cement that is 

easy to apply and does not affect the material 

it is applied to, mirrors and thin 

plastics included. Called Rex-N-Glue, it is 

said to dry fast; but not too fast for 

handling large pieces. The colorless coldsetting 

adhesive should have considerable 

interest to the industrial world because 

it requires only a one-surface application, 

has good wet "grab," remains permanently 

flexible and will not become brittle. It 

can easily be applied by brush, roller or 

spray and is resistant to water, oil, gasoline, 

vermin and mould. The manufacturer 

states it is completely non-staining 

and has excellent tensile strength. Product 

available in gallon cans as well as in 

steel drums. 

Additional information may be had by 

writing the Schwartz Chemical Co., Inc.. 

826 West 80th St., New York 23, N. Y. 



JL 

\ ^;'$eeo«aB«OfM 

^ 

I 

A traffic-stopping 

MANLEY POPCORN MACHINE 

paneled with attractive 

"MONEL" 

"ut a Manley Popcorn Machine where nobody 

can miss seeing it. 

As your "second box office," it's a real moneymaker. 

Pulls in a steady stream of small change. 

Boosts your revenue the easy way. 

Designed to attract crowds, and built for quick 

handling of a large volume of business, the Manley 

machine has a lot of features that make things 

easier for you. 

For example, Manley uses Monel'-' for the paneling 

and work surfaces in all its machines. This 

means exceptionally good protection against rust, 

corrosion and wear. 

Like all high-Nickel alloys, Monel can never 

rust. It stubbornly resists salt and popcorn seasonings. 

And Monel is solid, durable metal — the same 

all 

the way through. It has no coating to chip or 

crack, nothing to peel off or wear away. Best of all, 

you keep Monel surfaces clean and sanitary with 

plain soap and water or a mild cleanser. 

Let Manley tell you about all the other features 

which make their popcorn machines outstanding 

favorites with theatre men. Write them for descriptive 

literature. 

At the same time, ask for a copy of Manley 's free 

booklet. How fo Make Big Profits from Popcorn. 

It tells how to get started and how to succeed in one 

of the most profitable ventures you ever dreamed 

of. Address a post card or letter to Manley, Inc., 

1920 Wyandotte Street, Kansas City 8, Mo., and say 

you saw this advertisement in /Modern Theatre. 

Then they'll know just what to send you. 

// 

EMBLEM 

^fi. AOF SERVICE Sf 

rv 

iBas:^^: 

Ivr-, t". S. I':it, (tn, 

THE INTERNATIONAL NICKEL COMPANY, INC., 67 Wall Street, New York 5, N. Y. 

& 

BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

22, 1948 

41

Mlfe 

New flsllwwood Premiere 

i^llfc^ • • • Aluminum poster cases — 

^j^H^^Jj^tSfiU^-juM^ another "five Star Feature'' in 

the long line of Poblocki theatre equipment 



Equipment 


Three-Flavor Beverage Dispenser 

With Push-Button Control 

Spacarb. Inc.. New York, announces The 

Fountainette, attendant operated, threeflavor, 

carbonated beverage dispenser. The 

Smartly designed, thoroughly engineered, they are an outstanding achievement 

In 

the moderate price field. 

ALUMILITED FOR COLOR HARMONY 

These cases may be alumillted in any color to harmonize or contrast with 

color combinations already a part of the theatre front. 

Invisible Hinges 

• — tested to support 

400 lbs. each. 

Only four screws 

for easy removal. 

Water Proofs 

unique, exc/usive 

features af/ow 

perfect drainage 

eliminating poster 

spoilage. 

Mat Holder—no 

bolts or screws 

needed for swift, 

easy changing of 

posters. 

Cylinder Lock— 

prevents tampering 

or accidental 

opening and damage. 

performance is automatic as attendant 

merely presses button for flavor chosen. 

The Fountainette is 20 inches wide, 20 

inches deep and 61 inches high over all. 

Cup capacity 200. 7-oz. cups. Syrup capacity 

15 gallons in three individual 5-gallon 

stainless steel, pressurized tanks. The 

refrigerator unit is a sealed Vb h p. Kelvinator, 

operating on 115-volt AC. The 

cabinet is 20-gauge, green baked enamel 

outside. The hood and top of cabinet are 

of stainless steel, and there is a Lucite, 

edge-lit hood display. Serves a carbonated 

beverage in five seconds. Syrup regulator 

is locked, pre-set, insuring uniform syrup 

proportion in all drinks. Sealed electric 

meter registers every drink sold. The entire 

mechanism is inoperative when locked 

and not in use. 

Write Spacarb, Inc., 317 E. 23rd St., New 

York 10, N. Y., for additional information. 

Packaged Powerstat Dimmer 

The Superior Electric Co. recently announced 

a "packaged" Powerstat dimmer. 

Tliis is an auto-transformer type of lighting 

control in compact form, for use by 

community, school and other small theatrical 

groups. 

The packaged Powerstat dimmer offers 

three individual continuously adjustable 

auto-transformer type dimmers in a selfcontained 

cabinet with the mechanical 

means of interlocking each unit to a master 

control for group operation. Rapid 

changes in intensity are achieved through 

lever action. Each dimmer circuit is 

equipped with a silent circuit-breaker 

which combines an "on-off" switch with 

overload protection. Two sets of pin receptacles 

on the output of each dimmer 

44 

The MODERN THEATRE SECTION

C 

i 

accommodate standard 15 amp. pin plugs. 

In addition to the marked indicator at the 

base of the levers, each dimmer has a pilot 

lamp to show the degree and color of light 

output. 

The brilliancy of individual lamps in a 

bank of lamps is not affected by the number 

operated; control of the load through 

voltage variation permits dimming from 

full-on to blackout regardless of the number 

of lamps in operation. Each dimmer 

operates from 115- volt, 50/60 cycle, single 

phase source with an output variable from 

0-1700 watts. Further information on Powerstat 

dimmers can be obtained from The 

Superior Electric Co., 2001 Hannon Ave., 

Bristol, Conn. 

Automatic Means for Indicating 

Whether Seat is Occupied 

David E. Shane of Chicago has invented 

and applied for a patent on a combination 

theatre seat and automatic means for indicating 

whether or not the seat is occupied. 

A glow lamp mounted at the top of 

the seat, visible from the aisle, is lighted 

when the seat is vacant. The lamp is 

automatically extinguished when the seat 

is occupied. Shielding of the lamp prevents 

interference with the view of the 

stage or screen, of those seated behind 

the seat. 


C^:^ 

Decorator's Colors 

Won't fade or grow dull 

.iiê-Rcsislant 

Won't crack, split or chip 

BEAUTY THAT ENDURES! 

ScufJ^' Resistant 

Tough — wear resistant 

/r as/iahle 

Spills wipe off easily 

PUnhlc 

Tailors smoothly for 

lasting beauty 

Dura III 

Strong fabric backing 

U. S. Naugahyde— the practical upholstery, is adding its 

note of color and cheer in the smartest restaurants, hotels 

and theatres. Investigate! Ask your supplier, decorator 

or upholsterer. Look for the label "U. S, Naugahyde" on 

new furniture. 

Nafionally advertised— Distributors ir) 

principal cities 

J. R. SPRINGER— General Theatre 

Manager, Century Theatres, New 

York, N. Y.—says: 

"RCA's Service has been excellent 

consistently. They 

are ready and wiUing to cooperate 

any time of day or 

night." 

To get the benefits of RCA Service 

—write: RCA SERVICE COMPANY, 

INC., Radio Corporation of America, 

Ceimden, New Jersey. 

Adv. 

Cooled Fobrict Division 

Miihowako, Indiono 

MADE ONLY BY 

sv'?-^ 

e^^- 

UNITED STATES 

RUBBER COMPANY 

BOXOFTICE : 

: May 

22, 1948 

45

— 

t

"X 

y Most Economical ^ 

i 

Unit on the Market! 

'Wesiinqhouse Cuts Prices 

Totaling $14,000,000 

Price reductions put into effect the first 

cf the year by tlie Westinghouse Electric 

Corp. have saved users of industrial and 

household electrical equipment more than 

$14,000,000, Gwilym A. Price, president, 

told his board of directors. Among the 

savings to consumers, he said, were $4,- 

500,000 in small motors and transformers 

and $3,500,000 in switchgear apparatus. On 

most items on which prices were cut, demand 

is still at a peak. Price said. The 

company was able to make the reductions, 

he explained, because of improved manufacturing 

techniques, the prospect of lower 

prices of still and other basic materials, 

and a conviction that a third round of inflationary 

wage increases must be avoided. 

Plastics Screw Anchor 

Introduced by Holub 

An important development in anchors 

for wood and lag screws is represented 

by a plastic expanding anchor introduced 

to the trade a short time ago by Holub Industries. 

The anchor is made of ethyl cellulose, 

a flexible expanding material offering 

high resistance to vibration, corrosion, 

most acids and rot. Entering of the screw 

into the plastic cuts and forms its own 

thread. Holub anchors are available for 

wood screws Numbers 5 through 20 and 

'4-inch and 5 16-inch lag screws Additional 

information is available from Holub 

Industries, Inc., Sycamore. 111. 

...FOR APPLICATIONS WHERE 

COST IS IMPORTANT! 

• Tickets Readily Grasped from Easy- 

Reading Dispenser Tabs 

• Magazine loading Ticket Units—Sturdily 

Mode, Attractively Finished 

• Additional Magazines May Be Added 

• Rub-Proof Satin Chrome Top Plate 

At Belter Theatre Supply Dealers 

GoldE Manufacturing Co. 

1220-A W. Madison St., Chicago 7, U.S.A. 

INVITATION 

TO 

ECONOMY 

USE 

DROLL 

PROCESSED 

CARBONS 

and you can burn every 

inch of every stick. 

Available for these H. I. (rims: 

Negatives 

Positives 

B mm. X 9" 7 mm. x 12" x 14" 

7 mm. X 9" 8 mm. x 12" x 14" 

and 13. G mm. x 22" (machined 

ior adapters) to provide 20 minutes 

more burning time. 

Shipped f.o.b. Chicago at regular 

carbon list prices, plus $1.15 

per hundred ior milling, drilling 

and clips, (on 13.G mm. x 22". 

SI. 50 per hundred), less 5% on 

carbons, 10 days. 

FREE — Write today for 

illustrated literature. 

DROLL THEATRE SUPPLY CO. 

925 W. Jackson Blvd. 

Chicago 7, 111. 

yet the cost is 

amazingly low 

^KiSS^ 

^ 

your money can 

buy no better 

w 

Typicai of the high quality parts 

and material that go Into 

ROYAL SOUND- 

MASTER SOUNDHEADS are the Bausch & 

Lomb fully perfected sound optical systems. 

Bausch & Lomb ^r^ specialists . . . worldfamous 

in the manufacture of lenses, optical 

systems, and reflectors. And The Ballantyne Company 

are specialists in the manufacture of theatre 

sound equipment. ROYAL SOUNDMASTER SOUND- 

HEADS are unsurpassed in workmanship, 

quality and performance. Yet their cost 

is so amazingly low that they are 

within the~ reach of every 

theatre 

owner. 

THE BALLANTYNE CO. 

1707-n Davenport Street 

OMAHA, NEBRASKA, U. S. A. 

CABlf ADORfSS "BALCO" 

Export Dept. - K. Streuber & LoChicolle 

I B I 9 Broodwoy, New York. N.Y , U.S.A. 


DIT-MCO IS 

tAmn

MONTREAL, 

should never be permitted around the concessions 

stand; when wood is used it should 

can you sell them in a theatre and expect 

to enforce your curbs against smoking? 

be only for things like corner trim. I also 

Building 

In Albany, we 

Commissioner 

Philip J. Gal- 

require that the foyers, 

am of the opinion that drapes should not staii-ways and lobby space—aisles excepted, 

be festooned around candy and popcorn shall be 150 feet square for each 

lagher 

100 

of 

patrons. 

This, I believe, is a fair ration. 

Albany is 

stands. Certainly, nonfireproof drapes are 

what many exhibitors 

would call a 

out of the question. No building inspector, Stands should not be cut into this area. 

anywhere, should permit this, and no exhibitor 

should when 

tough enforcer of the 

My advice to exhibitors is that 

try it. 

considering the installation or remodeling 

law. When he recently 

ordered an ex- 

of a concessions department, no work be 

undertaken without consultation with the 

hibitor to eliminate 

local building department It is against 

plywood construction 

the law to do so in virtually every city in 

of a concession stand 

the country, but sometimes an exhibitor 

and ordered out nonfireproof 

drapes. The Modern Theatre in- 

unwittingly makes such changes without 

approval. It always works out best for all vited the commissioner to express his views 

concerned when you inquire first. The on the safety factors in operation of a theatre 

co7icessions department. 

adage is worn, but it still holds—better be 

safe than sorry. 

Don't clutter the areas behind the concessions 

with discarded papers and boxes. 

Get rid of them as quick as possible. And 

make this disposal rule stick. Don't tolerate 

lazy attendants who violate the safety 

rule. Don't permit them to let trash acciunulate. 

Someone may drop a match. A 

ARS you HITTING or MISSING 

little fire can burst into a big fire, and a 

big fire can bring you a panic. It's not 

worth taking a chance. 

I believe every theatre lobby should be 

supervised by an employe whose job it is 

to see that the lobby is portered up frequently. 

This employe should be kept responsible 

for the condition of the lobby at 

all times. Divided responsibility is as bad 

as no responsibility. 

Cups from beverage vending machines 

should be deposited in metal waste paper 

baskets, preferably equipped with a cover. 

Wiring on all machines should be checked; 

insulation must be adequate—and this inspection 

should be made regularly. 

On the sale of cigars and cigarettes at 

these concessions, my own opinion is that it 

should be prohibited; for how, with logic. 

. , . with your Present Method of 

INSECT CONTROL? 

Seeking a positive "hit-and-kill" way of solving your insect problem? 

THE LAST WORD IN MODERN 

The new WEST VAPOMAT—filled just once idth West Vaposector 

GENERATOR APPEARANCE 

Fluid* gives you "sure-fire" control of roaches and similar crawling 

THE NEW 

insects mthin areas of 50,000 cu. feet. "Effective Kill" oiflying insects 

in areas up to 100,000 cu. feet is also accomplished. 

STABILARC 

The West Vaporaat actually penetrates the "Hidden Breeding Places" 

in your building—its tiniest cracks and crevices. Completely automatic, 

economical, light and easy to operate—merely set time clock and plug 

into AC or DC outlet, no manual attendance required. 

A prompt, dramatic demonstration by one of West's 

trained specialists will quickly convince you! MAKE US 

PROVE WHAT WE SAYl WRITE VS ON YOUR BUSI- 

I\ESS LETTERHE.4D NOW! 

*V/esi Vaposector Fluid is obfainable in non-inflammable, odorless and regular 

forms. Non-toxic as well as non-staining. West Vaposector Fluid is unsurpassed tn 

insect killing efficiency and economy. 

Especially adaptable for use in 

DRIVE-IN THEATRES 

PRODUCTS THAT PROMOTE SANITATION 

WES 

Write for details 

IDISINFECTING 42-16 West Street 

AUTOMATIC DEVICES COMPANY 

Long Island City 1, N.Y, 

1035 Linden St. Allentown. Pa. 

Export Office: 220 W. 42nd St., N. Y. C. 

WEST DISINFECTING CO. LTD., 5621-27 CA5GRAIN AVE 

, 

P. Q. 

It is highly important that candy and 

popcorn stands stock only a minimum 

amount of supplies—perhaps just enough 

for the day's business. Large supplies 

should not be kept around. If an exhibitor 

does find it necessary to maintain a large 

stock, storage should be in metal containers—of 

the type approved by the National 

Board of Underwriters. All machines, devices 

and equipment should have this approved 

label 


49

I 

/ 

r/kisu^ 



Equipment 

I Continued from page 45) 

American Mat Corp. Bows 

With "Corrugated Sponge' 

TOeU. t^ it eiHd êef 

You'll find LaVezzi Prolector Parts 

"king of them all' — for precision 

craf tsmo nship, easy installation, 

smooth operolion, long life. Obtainable 

through Independent Theatre 

Equipment Dealers everywhere. 

'Servic^.* 

LaVezzi Machine Works 

4635 WEST LAKE STREET CHICAGO 44, I L LI N O I S 

EVAPO-DRYER 

Aulomatic 

This entirely new automatic 

hand dryer is the result of more 

than 22 years of experience and 

study of hand drying needs in 

public buildings. 

Eiectric-Aire Evapo-Dryer 

permanently solves the paper 

towel shortage problem. It is 

completely automatic, providing 

an iminterrupted hand drying 

service. It's the easy, pleasant, 

sanitary and modem way to dry 

hands. It offers ten distinct advantages 

over old-fashioned, 

more costly methods. 

Write for prices, delivery dates 

and list of ten advantages. 

EIECTRIC-AIRE 

ENGINEERING CORP. 

209 Wetl Jackson Blvd., • Depl. K 

Chicago 6, lllinoif 

The American Mat Corp. of Toledo has 

developed a product known as "corrugatedsponge" 

rubber matting which, it is 

claimed, combines cushioning factors and 

long wearing qualities for the first time. 

The product has an eighth-inch corrugated 

rubber surface which is applied to 

a 3/16-lnch sponge rubber base It comes 

in 36-inch width and is said to be easily 

handled and cleaned. 

Stabilarc "Package" Unit 

Introduced to Trade 

Tlie Automatic Devices Co . Allentown, 

Pa., has introduced a new Stabilarc, known 

as Model 1373. This model features a builtin 

sheet steel cabinet in whicli are housed 

ballast resistors and across-the-line starter. 

To reduce noise level to a minimum and to 

eliminate vibration the generator is equipped 

with composition rubber pads and 

bushings for mounting. According to the 

manufacturer, it provides constant direct 

current to the arcs regardless of variations 

in the alternating current supply. 

Stabilarc Model 1373 will be furnished 

only as a complete "package" unit. That 

is, orders will be processed to include ballast 

resistors, starter and panel. The new 

generator is available for prompt shipment. 

Merle Sandler, son of David Sandler of 

Theatrecraft Corp , Cleveland, manufacturer 

of Mobiltone-in-car speakers, and 

Herbert Abraham have formed General 

Theatre Equipment Co. with a warehouse 

at 2417 Pi-ospect Ave,, Cleveland, to buy 

and sell used theatre equipment. 

Gene Hazelton, Columbus representative 

for National Theatre Supply, sold a new 

air conditioning unit to W. C. Pullin for 

the New Linden Theatre, Columbus, The 

unit is now being installed. National Theatre 

Supply is also installing new air conditioning 

in the Palace. Lancaster, operated 

by Leo Kessel. 

Theatre Supply Company of Albany. 

N. Y,, has been installing Century sound 

equipment in the drive-in which F. Chase 

Hathaway is constructing at North Hoosick, 

in the Albany district. 


on 

— 

NEW GAUGE TOOL FOR WAGNER SIGNS 

A new gauge tool for adjusting the degree 

of grip of cliangeable copy letters has 

been made available by Wagner Sign Service, 

Inc., of Chicago. With this tool, 

mounting bars can be adjusted from hurricane 

proof, so that letters cannot blowtogether 

or come off the sign, to easily 

sliding letters that can be removed with 

a stick. 

The manner in which the gauge works 

is shown in the accompanying photos. At 

the left is a bar out of line. Center, easy 

adjustment with the tool, and right, showing 

the gauging of the angle. 

If the gauge fits absolutely flush with 

the face of the horizontal bar, and also 

flush with the upright channel, the letter 

one merely needs to move the 

will fit tightly to the bars. For loose fitting 

letters, 

top of the bars out with the adjusting 

tool until satisfied with the fit. The angle 

of the fit of the gauge and bars should be 

noted and all frames set alike. The tool 

will work only with Wagner signs, since 

this firm's method of mounting letters incorporates 

the slotted feature of the letters. 

Heavy Registration Looms 

For TESMA Meeting 

Present indications are that more manufacturers, 

theatre supply dealers and theatre 

owners will attend the annual TESMA 

trade show and TESMA-TEDPA convention 

in St. Louis, Mo , September 28-30 

than in any previous year. Advance reservations 

at the Jefferson hotel in St. Louis 

are heavier this year, at this time, than 

ever before. Those planning to attend are 

urged to reserve hotel rooms. Reservations 

may be made through Jeanette Riordan. 

reservation department. Jefferson hotel, St. 

Louis, Mo. 

PEOPLE GO WHERE IT'S 

AND COMFORTABLE 

GOVERMIR 

AIR CONDITIONING UNITS 

TIME-TESTED AND PROVEN BY LEADING 

THEATRES THROUGHOUT AMERICA 

ESPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR THEATRES 

COMPACT 

EASY TO INSTALL 

AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLED 

NATIONAL 

THEATRE SUPPLY 

Hx Sanitary Theatre 

Washrooms 

The reputation of any theatre depends 

upon the people who enter its doors. 

Therefore, when the public selects 

Bradley DUOWashfountains as the 

most modem and sanitary wash fixtures 

available, it is an endorsement 

wrorthy of consideration. 

Thousands of men and women are 

familiar with Bradley Washfountains 

through shop, plant, factory and school 

installations: the automatic fool-control 

which keeps hands safe from contagious 

faucet and wash basin contacts 

the self-flushing bowl that prevents 

contaminating dirt collections—and the 

clean spray of running water. 

Theatre managements, too, prefer 

Bradleys because of valuable economies 

in water consumption, maintenance 

and" installation costs. One DUO 

serves two persons simultaneously, replaces 

two ordinary single-person wash 

basins, and the easily-cleaned DUO 

sprayhead takes the place of four faucets. 

Nationally distributed through 

plumbing wholesalers. 

BRADLEY 

WASHFOUNTAIN 

CO. 

2363 W. Michigan St. 

Milwaukee 1, Wis. 

Write for 

Illustrated 

464-D. 

Bulletin 


Theatre Psychology and Its 

D.HE motion picture tlieatre, be it in 

Times Square or some remote village 

street, has become so interwoven with 

our modern social life that it has become 

indispensable. It is not too much to say 

that if tomorrow, through the operation 

of some unimaginable social cataclysm, 

every theatre would be closed, on the next 

day there would be an almost universal 

Place 

In the Community 

byDR. W. A. CUTTER* 

demand for reopening. How true it is then 

that you men and women who are stewards 

of the "colossal" forces should have 

a real understanding of its significance. 

* • • 

The individual theatre is 

the outpost of 

•Of- the New York University in an address befor 

the SMPE. 

What your patrons pay for . . . passes through 

your lenses. Isn't it 

use only the finest? 

common sense to 

the industry and the manager is the visible 

representative. For all practical purposes 

the individual theatre and manager are 

the industry in their community The manager 

must and should be one of Ihe best 

salesmen of the community as well as his 

product. He must never give the impresion 

he is in the community, but not of it. 

* • * 

A realistic fact to be kept in mind is 

that so many people have such a vivid idea 

of the gigantic size of the motion picture 

industry that the idea must never get 

abroad that the theatre "takes" from the 

community without giving something back 

along with the entertainment. 

* * * 

We do not often think of this, but in 

proportion to the millions of patrons 

handled, the motion picture theatre is relatively 

one of the safest places in which to 

be. How many people know this fact? 

When a patron sits in a modem theatre 

he is enjoying, consciously or unconsciously, 

a rich inheritance of technical and 

managerial excellence. Why not tell him 

more about it as the manager moves about? 

* » * 

The industry must make a profit if it is 

to continue to produce pictures for exhibition. 

This is something the advanced 

thinkers sometimes forget. Certainly, pictures 

should be better. They will improve 

slowly as writers, producers, exhibitors and 

patrons improve. The manager can at least 

discuss some of these facts with the critics 

before agreeing too glibly with them. 

* * 

The manager has a great deal to sell, if 

he has the capacity to appreciate the real 

significance of that of which he is a part. 

Some managers are on the defensive. They 

have an excessive deference to criticism, 

possibly because they are not sure of themselves 

or because they separate themselves, 

spiritually, from the producer, or, let us 

face it bravely, from Hollywood. That is 

rather silly, is it not? Something like the 

swimmer repudiating the water in which he 

swims, saying that he would do better if 

he had different water. 

• BRILLIANCE 

• CONTRAST . 

• SHARPNESS 

• VALUE 

the fastest lenses made: f/1.9. 

with durable coated optics, 

that only a six-element anastigmat 

can achieve. 

one-piece mount, hermetically sealed to 

last a lifetime. 

Get full details of all Snaplite lenses in Bulletin 

204, from your local theatre supply house. 

KOLLAIOK«EBB . 

\^^3MCaC COKPOKATIOil! 

9 

2 Franklin Avenue 

Brooklya 11, New York 

H. V. (ROTUS) HARVEY— Partner 

of Westland Theatres (18 

Theatres), San Francisco, CsJif,; 

also President of PCCITO— says: 

"Years of experience h?ve 

proven that sound service is 

a must. RCA Service has 

proven most .satisfactory." 

To get the benefits of RCA Service 

—write: RCA SERVICE COMPANY 

INC.. Radio Corporation of America, 

Camden, New Jersey. 

Adv. 

52 

The MODERN THEATRE SECTION 

/l^l

' 

; 

I»l 

Altec Lansing Equips 

Worcester Art Museum 

The Worcester Art Museum, Worcester, 

Mass., which occupies a pre-eminent position 

in American art circles for its sponsorship 

of fine art motion picture presentations, 

has installed an Altec Lansing 

"Voice of the Theatre" sound system. 

Kester D. Jewell, administrator of the 

museum, states that "our purpose in showing 

films at the Worcester Art Museum is 

to bring to our members those films produced 

throughout the world that qualify 

according to our standards as fine art. 

Our new sound system is necessary to this 

project, for without the right kind of sound 

equipment much of the fine quality of these 

films would be lost." 

Streuber & La Chicotte 

Handling Wenzel Exports 

CHICAGO—At a recent conference between 

Fred Wenzel, president of the Wenzel 

Projector Co. and K. Streuber of Streuber 

& La Chicotte, New York exporters, a 

decision was reached to extend to Streuber 

& La Chicotte the exclusive distribution of 

the Wenzel Pro-4 mechanism for export to 

foreign countries. 

Glenn W. Beach is undertaking the construction 

of a 350-seat theatre in White 

Cloud, Mich For the last five years Beach 

has been showing pictures in the Odd Fellows 

hall. The new building is to be ready 

by September 1. 

THIS IS WHAT ^

{2r-RUC fiuMer l/nlr /HATT/NG 

* Traps all dirt, keeps it out oi sight, and 

prevents tracking into 

the theatre. 

* Reduces frequency oi redecorating necessitated 

by dirt whirled into the air by the 

heating and cooling systems. 

* Available with lettering and designs. 

* Easily handled. 

for 

* Eliminates dangers of wet, slippery flooring. 

-ALSO- 

CORRUGATED SPONGE RUBBEH MATTING 

for aisles 

PEKFORATED CORRUGATED MATTING 

for lobbies 

AMERICAN COUNTEH-THED MATTING 

use at candy counters and popcorn machines. 

For prices and folder. "A Mat for Every Purpose" 

for promoting safety and sanitation, vrrite 

WANTED! Distributors and direct 

factory representatives 

AMERICAN MAT CORPORATION 

'America's Lmrgttt Matting Spmelalltf" 

1719 Adams Street • Toledo 2, Ohio 

IVe Nave the Cream of the Used Chair Crop 

WE SELECT THE BEST LOTS 

ALWAYS A GOOD BUY 

WHAT YOU WANT AND WHEN YOU WANT THEM 

WRITE FOR EXACT PHOTO AND PRICES

aboui PEOPLE/ and PRODUCT 

Jack Glauber and Otto Price have finished 

moving their Arrow Theatre Premiums 

Co. from 306 to 336 W. 44th St., New 

York. 

John Dacey, jr.. advertising manager for 

the Goodall Fabrics Corp., New York, supervised 

liis seventh Goodall golf tournament 

May 6-9. This year's event took place at 

the Wykagyl Country club. New Rochelle. 

Sam Fineberg of Alexander Theatre Supply, 

Kttsburgh. is a member of Mayor Lawence's 

committee for a cleaner Pittsburgh. 

Howard C. Federer, The Center Theatre, 

Oklahoma City, reports that the "no popcorn" 

policy has been reversed and the 

confection is now being served at the concession 

stand. The house opened last December 

with the old policy but according 

to Federer, the patrons wanted popcorn, 

".some enougli to get mad about it." 

Charles Anderson, president of the Alpine 

circuit, states that the Berkley, Berkley 

Springs, W. Va., will be renovated and 

(Continued on next page) 

POWERFUL SUCTION 

TORNAD0 1 1 

VACUUM 

1 3 HP CLEANER 

cleans quickly 

saves Iccbor 

the first time over. 

— ^^ time required to clean—in less 

interruption to showings. 

The most powerful TORNADO Vacuum Cleaner. Creates a 

suction of 200 c.f.m.—equal to the pull of air traveling at 310 

miles per hour. Completely portable; goes anywhere to clean 

floor coverings, upholstery, drapes, screens, etc. Plugs into any 

electric 

outlet. 

Extra Feature. Motor fan unit on top quickly and easily removed 

to become a powerful, efficient hand blower. 

Also available in 1/3 HP, 1/5 HP and 1 HP 

Two Theatre Maintenance Machines in 

One 

Write for Literature or Free Demonstration 

BRfUfR 

ELECTRIC MFG. CO. 

5132 Ravenswood Avenue 

Chicago 40. 

niinois 

. . . has that rich 

golden color that 

makes 'em buy more 

popcorn than ever 

before. Get bigger 

profits the easy way 

with SEAZOI 

• For fhose s/ofes where 

colored oil is not told 

-use SIMKO brand. 

By th« makers o< POPSIT PLUS! 

; r 

YOUR ASSURANCE OF THE BEST! 

WENZEL 

"Smooth-Running" 

PROJECTOR 

You are assured of "smooth-running" 

;>erionnance with the Wenzel timewoven 

projector. Use Wenzel's pre- 

•ision replacement parts . . . and 

/our present equipment will do a 

jmoother running job. 

Upper magazine roller holder 

and focusing device for "Ace" 

projector only. 

Write lor our NEW complete catalog, WC25. We will 

sell only through Independent Theatre Equipment 

Dealers. Mention the dealer serving you 

UJENZEL 

PROJECTOR COMPANY 

^:S''-^J.^2S(ih-\% S. STBTE STREET 

"T^- CHICAGO 16, ILLINOIS 

Simonin of Philadelphia 

SCASONING SPCCIAIISTS TO TH[ NATION 

BOXOFFICE ;: May 22, 1948 

55

V 

DEO ICATE D 

TO SOUND AT 

ITS BEST FOR 

EVERY THEATRE 

ONE STANDARD 

OF QUALITY 

ONLY ... TH E 

HIGHEST 

about PEOPLE 

and PRODUCT 


INFORMATION OF VALUE TO THE MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY 

SUPERIOR ''PRESENCE'' AND REALISM 

OF "VOICE OF THE THEATRE" SYSTEMS 

INCREASES DRAMATIC VALUES OF FILMS 

Exhibitors who realize the importance of physical 

comfort for their patrons, are discovering that the 

listening comfort provided by "Voice of the 

Theatre" speaker systems is an asset of box 

office importance. From "Voice of the Theatre" 

loudspeakers music, voices, and sound effects 

"flow" into the audience in perfect balance between 

low and high frequencies: the sound is 

heard free from strain, in perfect relaxation. 

The "800" Voice of the Theatre speaker system 

brings to theatres with small auditoriums the 

sound reproduction qualities of the large "Voice 

of the Theatre" systems installed in famous first 

run houses throughout the United States. Ask your 

supply dealer for full infortnation about the 

250 West 57th Street 

New York 19, N. Y. 

1161 N. Vine Street 

Hollywood 38, Calif. 

"SOO" or the larger sized models. "Voice of the 

Theatre" sound systems are supplied as standard 

equipment by most of the leading manufacturers 

of theatre sound reproduction systems. 

remodeled this summer New front and 

marquee will improve the exterior and new 

projection equipment will be installed. Remodeling 

will make possible the installation 

of 150 additional seats. 

Charles Brechner. owner of the 250-seat 

Premier in Grayville, 111., which was destroyed 

by fire April 23. is considering plans 

for rebuilding. 

H. V. Rule of Houston Lake, Mich., plans 

to build a 400-seat theatre in Harrisonville, 

Mich. The building will be of cement 

blocks. 40 by 120 feet. 

Premier Mackenzie King of Canada recently 

told Parliament he has always been 

in favor of the building of a national theatre 

and "would like to see it done." 

James Leverone, Bridgeport. Conn., in 

point of years of service is one of the oldest 

of the local projectionists, was knocked 

down by an auto while going home from 

work at the Warner Theatre. But the next 

night he was right back on the job. Jim, 

71, sustained arm and leg abrasigns. He 

has been projectionist since 1913. 

The Strand, Fall River, Mass.. is being 

converted into a stadium-type house. It 

will be closed for several weeks while being 

remodeled from top to bottom. There will 

be neither balcony nor loges. The theatre's 

You Sell 

A Picture On a Screen... 

Make It the Best with 

You invest heavily in a building, equipment, and personnel to sell 

one thing ... a moving picture on a screen. You can't afford to skimp 

on that. Your screen images must be the finest . . . critically defined, 

uniformly brilliant, pleasant to look at. One way you can be snre 

that your screen images are the Jinest is 

to use Bausch & Lomb Super 

Cinephor projection lenses, the standard of excellence in the theatre 

field. Bausch&Lomb Optical Co., 720-R St. Paul St., Rochester 2, N.Y. 

BAUSCH (Er LOMB 

OPTICAL COMPANY ROCHESTER 2, N.Y. 

56 The MODERN THEATRE SECTION ll

THEATRE DECORATING CAN 

PAY YOU LAVISH DIVIDENDS 

present seating capacity of 1,650 will be reduced 

to 1,200. Abraham Yamins, owner of 

the building, will present 150 of the best 

of the present seats to the Fall River Boys 

club. 

Pete Musucci, of Baltimore, formerly of 

International Seating Co., has a patent on 

a new type pushback seat to be used for 

theatres, stadiums, etc., it was reported to 

the trade last week. 

E. G. WoLLASTON. Fabian city manager, 

reports that the State, Colonial and Dio. 

which have recently been equipped with 

soft-drink dispensers, are the first in Harrisburg, 

Pa., to be so equipped. The machine,s 

were installed in lobby corners and will deliver 

either Coca-Cola or root beer in paper 

cups. 

STOP LOSSES 

AT THE DOOR 

WITH AUTOMAIICKET 

TICKET 

CHOPPER 

I 

Leatherette Padded Wall Section Panels for a rich 

effect in lobbies or foyers, or rear auditorium 

wall. Inexpensive, considering the plastering 

if saved, they are installed over the studding. 

Easy to install. 

America's Largest Fabricators of Curtains and 

Draperies for stage, auditorium foyer, standee 

area, restrooms and exits. 

PAINTING - DECORATING - CURTAINS 

WALL COVERINGS SPECTACLUAR EFFECTS 

- 

DRAPERIES - ACOUSTICAL WALL 

TREATMENTS - PLASTIC WALL PLAQUES 

AND INLAYS - LEATHERETTE 

WALL PANELS 

ASBESTOS CURTAINS - CONOTOUR 

CURTAINS - CURTAIN CONTROLS 

AND TRACKS 

Dynamic, oustanding installations for theatre owners, 

circuits and architects throughout the world. 

Phone, wire or write for details, or send rough sketches, 

preliminary blueprints or plans for estimates and 

preparation of color renderings. 

nDyarv 

J J SCENIC STUDIOS, INC. 

32-34 W.60TH ST., New York 23, N.Y. 

DECORATIONS • DESIGN ARTISTS 

COMPLETE INTERIOR DECORATION 

In first communication please inclucie all 

necessary measurements. 

Maurice Schweitzer, manager for Paramount. 

St. Louis, has resigned to enter the 

drive-in theatre field. Schweitzer will 

serve in an executive capacity with a recently-organized 

corporation controlled by 

St. Louis business interests, that is building 

800-car layouts in Rockford. 111. and 

Lincoln. Neb. 

L. E. "Jack" Downing who operates the 

Haven Theatre at Brookhaven, Miss., has 

a remodeling project under way which will 

double the seating capacity of his house as 

well as provide more room for other service 

units. 

Oscar F. Neu. president of Neumade 

Products Corp. and TESMA, who is on a 

coast-to-coast trip, reports that "business is 

good " 

David Sandler, general manager of Theatrecraft 

Mfg. Co., Cleveland, manufacturers 

of in-car speakers, is back from a 

swing around the country, during which 

he established sales representatives in key 

cities. 

Morton S. Gottlieb and Harold Block 

now control the Mid-States Theatre Supply 

Co. of St. Louis, formerly operated by 

the L. T. Rockenstein Co., Inc. Rockenstein 

has retired after having been associated 

with the motion picture equipment 

field and associated lines since 1926. Both 

Block and Gottlieb are veterans of World 

War II. Block maintained an equipment 

agency here for six years before joining 

the anny in 1942. He was associated with 

a fluorescent lighting company in 1945-46 

and later joined the Rockenstein organization. 

Gottlieb, prior to the war, was a field 

engineer with the Westinghouse Electric 

Co. 

SPEEDS 

TICKET 

COLLECTION 

Automatically stacks theatre's 

stubs under lock and 

key — IN SEQUENCE 

OF COLLECTION— for 

easy, informative, revealing 

analysis. Write for 

illustrated folder or ask 

your supply dealer. 

GENERAL REGISTER CORP. 

36-30 THIRTY-THIRD STREET 

Long Island City 1/ New York . 

hi 

1 

A ; 

IVIORE 

PROFITS 

FORYOU/ 

AMERICAN POP CORN CO. 

SIOUX CITlf, IOWA 

SEVERAL 

THOUSAND 

CHAIRS $1.50 EACH 

All in good condition 

Immediate Delivery - F. O. B. Factory 

EASTERN SEATING COMPANY 

138-13 Springfield Blvd. 

Springfield Gardens Long Island. N. Y. 

Ray Colvtn. president of the Theatre 

Equipment Dealers Protective Ass'n. spoke 

on "Show Business" at a recent meeting of 

the Warrenton, Mo., Kiwanis club. 

E. W. Wagner, president of Wagner Sign 

Service. Inc.. Chicago, recently returned 

from Mexico City where he arranged with 

Catado Frid De Mexico, managed by Carlos 

Ayala, to manufacture all Wagner frames. 

Sign letters will continue to be manufactured 

in the Chicago factoi-y. 

The TESMA Buyers Guide for 1948-49 

will go to press in the near future. Upon 

"Continued on following page"" 

is the oldest, most experienced technicions, 

engineers and producers of Black Light materials and 

equipment, Swilzer has the know-how thai assures 

satisfaction. 

Fascinating murals and dramatic atmospheric 

effects are easily and inexpensively created with 

"GLO-CRAFT" 

PERMANENT FLUORESCENT PAINTS AND LACQUERS 

and 

THEATRICAL BLACK LIGHT IQUiPMENT 

PDFP / Write today for details on how to give your 

rW\CC • theatre distinction in decoration. 

SWITZm ROTHIRS, INC. 

1S10 HURON ROAD CliVElAND II, OHIO 

CIIIP 

BOXOFFICE : 

: May 

22, 1948 57

Drive-in 

Don't Delay -- 

Specials! 

Order Now 

for this Season's Showing 

You Will Save Money at S. 0. S. 

Typical Values: 

2 DeVRY LATE MODEL SOUND PRO- 

JECTORS, 3000' magazines; lenses; 

high intensity arcs; rectifiers; SOW 

amplifier and speakers (Army Surplus)—rebuilt 

LIKE NEW, complete. 

FULLY TESTED. 

WBRTH $7000 SPECIAL ^2495 

WANT MORE POWER? Western Electric 

500-watt tooster cnnpliliers—SPECIAL $650 

STORMPROOF IN-CAR SPEAKERS or Pole 

Speakers far below market price. 

DO YOU PREFER Standard, E-7 or Super 

Simplex, Superior, Motiograph, RCA Brenkert, 

Century? S.O.S. has 'em. RC^l or 

Simplex 4 Star Sound, tool 

NEED MORE LIGHT? 70/140 Stabilarc 

Generators with panel, rheostat and starter. 

Army Surplus, excellent condition. 

REG. $1250 . . . SPECIAL $525 

S.O.S. Engineers help you plan for best 

layout—their advice is treel We've saved 

thousands for other money-making driveins 

and we can do it for you. 

Quantity Limited — Write Today! 

S. 0. S. CINEMA SUPPLY CORP. 

Note New Address—Occupying Entire Building 

602 W. 52nd St. N. Y. 19 PLaza 7-0440 

NEW LOCATION 

We are no'w located in our 

NEW and LARGER QUARTERS 

Complete Line of 

THEATRE CONFECTIONS 

POPCORN SEASONING 

POPCORN BOXES & 

LOBBY DISPLAY COUNTERS 

lust around the comer from Film Row 

on Michigan Ave., opposite I. C. R. R. 

stations. 

Prompt Service - Popular Prices 

KAYLINE CANDY CO. 

WEbster 4643 

1112 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago 5, 111. 

about PEOPLE 

and PRODUCT 

(Continued from Page 57) 

completion, copies will be sent to theatre 

supply dealers. 

Lou Walters, district manager of Ampro 

Corp. of Chicago, recently met with Dallas 

union projectionists for an informal discussion 

of carbons and arc lamp projection. 

Walters set up an Ampro arc lamp 16mm 

projector and ran off a National Carbon 

Co. film showing how carbons are made. 

Kenneth L. Edgar has been appointed 

sales manager for the Firestone Plastic 

Co.'s Velon, Elmer French, general sales 

manager, Akron, Ohio, announced. Edgar 

recently had served in the plastic divisicn 

laboratories at Paterson, N. J., and had 

been Velon sales representative in New 

York. 

There is a probability that the MPTO 

of St. Louis, Eastern Missouri and southern 

Illinois will arrange for a St. Louis meeting 

in conjunction with the joint gathering 

of the TESMA and TEDPA September 

28-30. This will enable exhibitors to view 

the latest in theatre equipment and .supplies. 

F>HILIPS Export Corp. of New York has 

been appointed exclusive export representative 

for the new Forway 16mm sound projector. 

Wayne J. Holman jr.. vice-president and 

general manager of the Lumite division of 

the Chicopee Mfg. Corp. of New York announces 

that John H. Campbell and William 

P. Middeleer will represent the screen 

cloth sales department and William A. 

Kerrigan will work on upholstery fabric 

sales as new field sales representatives. 

Campbell was formerly adminstrative assistant 

at the American Cyanimid Co. 

Middeleer is a graduate of Yale university 

and was an air force pilot. Kerrigan was 

sales representative for Brown & Williamson 

Tobacco Co. and previously was associated 

with the Social Security administration. 

Norman D. Olsen sr., DeVry export manager, 

is on a tour of Latin American countries, 

contacting key DeVry distributors in 

Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, 

Venzuela, the Dominican Republic, Puerto 

Rico, Trinidad, Panama and Cuba. As he 

did during his globe-girdling tour in 1947. 

Olsen is making the trip by air. 

H. Hartmann has been appointed general 

manager of the Fresh'nd-Aire Co., a 

division of the Cory Corp. which manufacturers 

air circulators and room humidifiers, 

it has been announced in Chicago by 

J. W. Alsdorf, president of the Cory Corp. 

Hartmann has been with the organization 

since 1944. Coincident with his appointment 

Hartmann announced that J. W. 

Wallace would serve as general sales manager, 

and Lewis Sell as chief production 

engineer. Wallace replaced D. B Huggard, 

who was killed in a plane crash last year. 

S. J. Levine has been appointed manager 

for General Electric's air conditioning department 

and D. W. McLenegan has been 

appointed assistant to the manager of marketing. 

INDEX 

OF ADVERTISING IN THE MODERN 

THEATRE SECTION 

Adler SUh'ûette Letter Company 

Altec Service Corporation 

American Mot Corporation 

American Pop Com Company 

American Seating Company , 

Anderson & Wagner 

Anemostat 

Corporation 

Automatic Devices Company 

Ballantyne 

Company, The 

Bausch & Lomb Optical Company- 

Bradley 

Washiountoin Company- 

Breuer Electric Mfg. Company 55 

Century Projector Corporation 53 

Chicago Used Chair Mart 54 

Drincolator Corporation 13 

Drive-In Theatre Manulacturing Co. 48 

Droll Theatre Supply 47 

Eastern Seating Compony 57 

Electric- Aire Engineering Company 50 

Firestone Industrial Products 3 

Forest Manufacturing Company 48 

General Electric (Air Cond.) 31 

General Register Corporation 57 

GoldE Manufacturing Company 47 

Heywood-Wakefield Company 29 

Hornstein, Inc., Joe 48 

Ideal Seating Company 25 

International Nickel Company 43 

International Projector Corp. Back Cover 

Irwrin Seating Company 33 

Eayline Company , 58 

Kollmorgen Optical Corporation ^ 52 

Eroehler Manufacturing Co. 6. 7 

LaVezzi Machine Works 50 

Manley, Inc 15 

Motiograph, Inc. 4 

National Carbon Company 41 

National Super-Service Company 53 

National Theatre Supply 51 

Novelty Scenic Studios, Inc. 57 

Onan, D. W. & Sons, Inc. 46 

Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company 5 

Poblocki & Sons 44 

RCA Service Company, Inc. 45, 46. 52, 54 

S. O. S. Cinema Supply Corporation 58 

Simonin of Philadelphia 53. 55 

Sportservice. Inc 48 

Strong Electric Corporation 35 

Switzer Brothers, Inc 57 

Textileather Corporation 8 

Thortel Fireproof Fabrics 18 

U. S. Air Conditioning Corporation _ 39 

U. S. Rubber Company 45 

Universal Corporation _ 22 

Vallen, Inc 48 

Wagner Sign Servicer Inc 23 

Wenzel Projector Company 55 

West Disinfecting Company 49 

37 

56 

54 

57 

19 

27 

2 

.49 

.47 

56 

51 


DXOFFICE BAROMETER • EXfflBITOR HAS HIS SAY 

Bookin 

MATURE CHART • REVIEW DIGEST • SHORTS CHART 

IhORTS REVIEWS • FEATURE REVIEWS • EXPLOITIPS 

bBOXOFFIC 

t 

FIRST RUN REPORTS 

This chart shows the records made by 

key cities 

pictures in five or more of the 21 

checked. As new runs are reported, ratings 

are added and averages revised. 

j'

j 

] 

, 

, 

TOR HAS HIS SAY 

ABOUT 

PICTURES 

Just as the Barometer page shows first run reports on current pictures, this 

department is devoted for the most part to reports on subsequent runs, made by 

exhibitors themselves. A one-star contributor is new, two stars mean the exhibitor 

has been writing in for six months or longer, and a three-star contributor 

is a regular of one year or more, who receives a token of our appreciation. All 

exhibitors welcome. 

COLUMBIA 

— 

Down to Earth (Col)—Rita Hayworth, Larry 

Parks, Marc Piatt. We were very disappointed 

in this. The second night's crowd was pitiful. 

Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Fair.—M. L. Du- 

Bose, Majestic Theatre, CotuUa, Tex. Small 

town patronage. * * * 

Lone Woli in London, The (Col)—Gerald 

Mohr, Nancy Saunders, Eric Blore. This series, 

in my opinion, has been overdone and the results 

of this one prove it. Played Wednesday. 

Weather: Okay.—D. W. Trisko, Ritz Theatre, 

Jerome, Ariz. Mining patronage. * * 

Prince of Thieves (Col)—Jon Hall, Patricia 

Morison, Adele Jergens. Heroics, corn and 

ham, but our audiences like action and color, 

so we did all right at the boxoffice. It is full 

of swordplay and Robin Hood gallantries, but 

the dialog was just the other side of ludicrous. 

Don't try to sell this as a "good" show. 

Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Wind and snow. 

—R. G. Risch, Reno Theatre, Appleton, Minn. 

* 

'Village and rural patronage. 

Son of Rusty, The (Col)—Ted Donaldson, 

Stephen Dunne, Ann Doran. This is a good 

picture with family appeal. Rusty is popular 

with us. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Fair. 

Harland Rankin, Rankin Enterprises, Chatham, 

Ont. General patronage. * « * 

EAGLE LION 

Blonde Savage (EL)—Leif Erickson, Gale 

Sherwood, Veda Ann Borg. This was an excellent 

little picture for my small town situation. 

It was a shot in the arm for my poor 

midweek grosses. Business was above average 

even though competition was rough 

Thoroughly enjoyed by all and all comments 

by patrons were good. Played Saturday only 

Weather: Rain. "Art" 'V. Phillips, Haymond 

Theatre, Cromona, Ky. Mining and small town 

patronage. 

* 

It's a Joke, Son (EL)—Kenny Delmar, Una 

Merkel, June Lockhart. This is very good but 

has no star value, so had no draw, but it satisfied 

those who came. Played Fri., Sat. 

Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont. 

General patronage. * * « 

Philo 'Vance's Gamble (EL)—Alan Curtis, 

Terry Austin. This did not have enough draw 

even on a double bill. Played Wednesday 

Weather: Okay.—D. W. Trisko, Ritz Theatre, 


Stage to Mesa City (EL)—"Lash" La Rue, 

Al "Fuzzy" St. John, Jennifer Holt. If your 

patrons want action, play this one. It doesn't 

let up one bit in pace but it lacked comedy. 

"Lash" La Rue as well as Eddie Dean have 

little appeal in this town. Played Fri., Sat. 

Weather: Rained one night.—Ralph Raspa, 

State Theatre, Rivesville, 'W. 'Va. Small town 

patronage. * • « 

METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER 

Gone With the Wind (MGM) — Reissue. 

Clark Gable, Leslie Howard, Olivia de Havilland. 

An excellent production. We grossed 

more on this picture than anything we have 

yet played and not one complaint from the 

customers. No wonder it won all the awards 

when it was produced. Played Fri., Sat. 

Weather: Good.—J. E. Rougeau, Club Theatre, 

Seven Sisters Falls, Man. Small town and 

rural patronage. » * • 

Good News (MGM)—June AUyson, Peter 

Lawford, Patricia Marshall. College shows 

fail here as a general rule but this one did fair 

business. The music could have been a little 

better, with—say a catchy tune. The color 

was a help at the boxoffice. Played Fri., Sat. 

Weather: Okay.—D. W. Trisko, Ri;z Theatre, 


Green Dolphin Street (MGM)—Lana Turner, 

'Van Heflin, Donna Reed. The earthquake 

and tidal wave was big, but it takes a long 

time and a lot of conversation for the buildup, 

then the talk is all English and hard to understand-—so 

your patrons won't especially like 

this one. Metro got the money and we got 

more experience. Played' Sun., Mon., Tues. 

Weather: Fine.—Mayme P. Musselman, Roach 

Theatre, Lincoln, Kas. Small town patronage. 

* * * 

Killer McCoy (MGM)—Mickey Rooney, Brian 

Donlevy, Ann Blyth. We did good business 

with this picture. Wonderful action. The 

name of the picture kept some away but those 

who saw it had favorable comment.—O. 

Fomby, Paula Theatre, Homer, La. Small 

town patronage. « * * 

Love Laughs at Andy Hardy (MGM) 

Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone, Sara Haden. 

This was fair entertainment—a very few funny 

spots. The title drew 'em and they left with 

a smile.—Frank Sabin, Majestic Theatre, 

Eureka, Mont. General 

* 

patronage. 

— Romance of Rosy Ridge, The (MGM) 'Van 

Johnson, Thomas Mitchell, Janet Leigh. I put 

this at the top of the best pictures I've ever 

shown. It's about people everyone can understand. 

"High Barbaree" was swell but 'Van's 

getting better all the time. Played Tues. 

Wed. Weather: Cold.—Jim Mote, Gem Theatre, 

Sterling, Okla. Small town and rural 

patronage. * * 

This Time for Keeps (MGM)—Esther Williams, 

Jimmy Durante, Lauritz Melchior. More 

praise for MGM. This is Esther Williams' best 

movie. The water scenes are unsurpassed. 

Jimmy Durante gave it that comedy touch and 

the new star, Johnnie Johnston, helps to make 

the girls sigh. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: 

Rain—James C. Balkcom jr.. Gray Theatre, 

Gray, Ga. Small town patronage. * * * 

MONOGRAM 

Sweetheart of Sigma Chi (Mono)—Phil 

Reagan, Elyse Knox, Phil Brito. Here's an- 

Does Better With 'Oldies' 

Than Current Pictures 

L. DuBOSE, owner of the Majestic 

J^ 

Theatre at Cotulla, Tex., explains 

here why he is on the receiving end 

mostly when it comes to picture reports: 

"I read EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY 

first of all in the magazine but have 

never reported on any pictures because 

I play them old. If one of the exchanges 

accidentally books me a new one, they 

pull it on me before the playdate. I played 

NIGHTMARE ALLEY before reading 

any exhibitor's report on it and didn't 

make expenses. In fact, I am doing better 

with reissues than on current pictures. 

It seems most of the producers 

now are assuming the hotel clerk's attitude—this 

is all that is available, you 

can take it or leave it. If I ever play a 

new picture that I figure is worth while, 

I'll report on it." 

— 

Says MGM Is Doing Most 

To Improve Pictures 

GREEN DOLPHIN STREET (MGM)— 

Lana Turner, Van Heflin, Donna Reed. 

I believe MGM is doing more to improve 

pictures than any other company. This 

is really great—an earthquake, tidal, 

wave, tribal warfare plus good romancecan 

anyone ask for more? Yes, we had 

a good attendance, although it was 

stormy. Played Mon., Tues. 'Weather: 

Bad.—James C. Balkcom jr.. Gray Theatre, 

Gray, Ga. Small town patronage. * * * 

other picture we kicked around for a long i 

time and finally played it and found it to 

j 

be very entertaining. The school kids loved I 

it. Played Tues., Wed. Weather: Fair.—M. L. 

DuBose, Majestic Theatre, Cotulla, Tex. Small 

town patronage. * * * 

PARAMOUNT 

Blaze of Noon (Para)—Anne Baxter, William 

Holden, Sonny Tufts. Next day when 

around town the good word was given me like 

this: "You had a good show last night." So 

another compliment to Paramount. It's great 

[ 

fun and enjoyment to run a theatre when 

} 

people respond, like that. Played Sat., Sun. 

j 

Weather: Good.—W. H. Swan, Auditorium 

i 

Theatre, Roscoe, S. D. Rural patronage. * * * 

lary Brooke, Robert Lowery. This is not too 

bad a program picture. Played on week- a 

end with one western to fair business. Played 

Fri., Sat. Weather: Warm.—Harland Rankin, 

General 

tronage. * » * 

Plaza Theatre, pa- Tilbury, Ont. 

; 

Jungle Flight (Para)—Robert Lowery, Ann 

i 

Savage, Barton McLane. Doubled with "King 

; 

of the Jungle"—lots of jungle and they turned 

out very nicely. They still prefer Autry and 

Rogers. Played Fri., Sat.—Harland Rankin, 

Beau Theatre, Belle River, Ont. General pcitronage. 

* » * 

Perils of Pauline, The (Para)—Betty Hutton, 

John Lund, Billy De Wolfe. We practically had 

them rolling in the aisles. Betty can sure 

draw them here but had no power the secoud 

night, so had to refund. Comments very 

good. Played Saturday only. Weather: Snow 

and more snow.—S. N. Holmberg, Regal Theatre, 

Sturges, Sask. Rural 

* 

patronage. 

Perils of Pauline, The (Para)—Betty Hutton, 

John Lund, Billy De Wolfe. This pleased 

100 per cent and brought out patrons that 

hardly ever come. It's a dilly and should 

click anywhere. Played Sun., Mon., Tues. 

Weather: Stormy.—Bill Leonard, Leonard Theatre, 

Cedarvale, Kas. Small town patronage. 

fUWhere There's Life (Para)—Bob Hope, 

Signe Hasso, William Bendix. Hope alone is 

dead here, and this flim was no exception. 

The story is fair and since I like Hope, he 

should have pleased those who came. Played 

Mon., Tues. Weather: Okay.—D. W. Trisko, 

Ritz Theatre, Jerome, Ariz. Mining patron^ 

age. * *: 

Wild Harvest (Para)—Alan Ladd, Dorothy- 

Lamour, Robert Preston. This is a very good 

action picture which pleased good business 

on Fri., Sat. Play it, even if it is old. Weather: 

Good.—E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre,- 

Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. * * *- 

Wild Harvest (Para)—Alan Ladd, Dorothyi , 

Lamour, Robert Preston. This is not a big picture 

but it has plenty of action and a coupla. 

of good fist fights. Dorothy Lamour has a 

very thankless role but she did the best she 

could with it. It pleased above average attendance. 

The results of a publicity stunt 

on this were satisfactory even though there 

was a big dance in the neighborhood. Played 

Saturday. Weather: Good.—J. E. Rougeau, 

BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: May 22, 1948

! Moke 

1 

I 

Magic 

I 

— 

— 

— 

lub Theatre, Seven Sisters Falls, Man. Small only a dangerous venture, but on unprofitable 

one. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Warm. 

wn and rural patronage. 

—Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont. 

Didn't Believe Buildup 

RKO RADIO 

General patronage. * * * 

But It Was All True 

OBachelor and the Bobby-Soxer, The (RKO) Heaven Only Knows (UA)—Robert Cunimings, 

Brian Donlovy, Jorja Curtwright A 

SONG OF LOVE (MGM)—Katharine 

;|i ary Grant, Myrna Loy, Shirley Temple. 

Hepburn, Paul Ilcnreid, Robert Walker. 

ou'U have no complain.ts on this different kind 

one—it's 

of western which pleased the 

I 

real good programmer.—Frank Sabin, Maistic 

Theatre, Eureka, Mont. General a bad 

few who came. I showed couldn't believe all tliat buildup in 

this while we had 

ixi- 

storm. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: advance but it's every bit true—a picture 

that any exhibitor can be proud to 

Cold.—E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre,- 

;onage. 

Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. * * * stand in the lobby afterwards. It has 

Dick Tracy's Dilemma (RKO)—Ralph Byrd, 

charm, simplicity, humor, music, love and 

yle Latell, Kay Christopher. Dick Tracy New 

is 

Orleans (UA)—Arturo de Cordova, 

appeal to all ages. Played Sun.. Mon. 

natural for my situation. If your patrons Dorothy Patrick, Marjorie Lord. Pass this up 

iJ 

'jo for this series of pictures, you can't go and you'll not regret it. I can say we 

Weather: Rain.—R. E. Ilalstead, Tristarved 

[l/rong on this one. This was the best of the to death on it. Played Wed., Thurs.—Harland Town Theatre, Lindstrom, Minn. Rural 

* 

leries I have played to dale. Even the grown- Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont. General and small town patronage. 

Lps stayed for the second show. Business patronage. * * * 

jwerage. Played Thursday only. Weather: 

Strange Woman, The (UA)—Hedy Lamarr, for a few 

liain.— "Art" V. Phillips, Raymond 

and these could have well been 

Theatre, 

George Sanders, Louis Hayward. This is a left out—also Jan Peerce, the opera star. 

'romona, Ky. Mining and small town paronage. 

busy seeding being done in this locality. It Walt Rasmussen, Star Theatre, Anthon, Iowa. 

good show but so few saw it on account of Played Sun., Mon., Tues. Weather: Cold. 

* 

Fun and Fancy Free (RKO)—Edgar Bergen, would have been much better to have shown Rural and small town patronage. 

it 

pinah Shore. This isn't too good as the kids on a Sat., Sun. It is tops when it comes 

ire afraid when the beanstalk starts to grow 

to good pictures. Played Wednesday. Weather: 

Web, The (U-I)—Ella Raines, Edmond 

jnd as a result weren't too brave to go alone. Good.—W. H. Swan, Auditorium Theatre, O'Brien, William Bendix. The 19 adults and 

isongs are good, especially the one, "Say Roscoe, S. D. Rural patronage. • » • six kids who saw this liked it, but lor some 

It 

reason or another it just did not draw—why, 

îth a Slap." Bergen's narration with Charlie 

UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL 

I don't know, for it was a good show plus a 

ind Mortimer is tops. Played Fri., Sat. 

pretty 

iJVeather: Okay.—D. 'W. Trisko, Ritz Theatre, Frankenstein 

good trailer from NSS. Played Sun., 

(U-I)—Reissue. Colin Clive, 

erome, Ariz. Mining patronage. * * Mae Mon. Weather: Fair after the floods.—I. Roche, 

Clarke, John Boles. This horror reissue 

did more business 

Vernon Theatre, 'Vernon, Fla. Rural and small 

than most of the new product. 

Get it and play it and 

Town (RKO)—Jimmy Stewart, Jane 

town patronage. * 

it will make you 

* 

iWyman, Kent Smith. The latter part of the some money. Played Tuesday. Weather: 

'picture is somewhat far-fetched, but it was Good.—E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, 

WARNER BROS. 

,:horoughly enjoyed by a full house. Played Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. * • * That Hagen Girl (WB)—Shirley Temple, 

Wednesday. Weather: Cloudy and cool. 

Ronald Reagan, Dorothy Peterson. This is a 

I. E. Rougeau, Club Theatre, Seven Sisters Overlanders, The (U-I)—Chips Rafferty, John very true-to-life story of the damage that can 

'Falls, Man. Small town and rural patronagevorable 

comments from older women than on 

Nugent Hayward. This is a good, picture if 

be caused by idle gossip. I lieard more fa- 

Mine Music 

any other picture I have ever played. We all 

(RKO)—Talents of Nelson 

jEddy, Dinah Shore, Benny Goodman. Pass 

He Kicked This Around know how damaging small town gossip can 

this one up. If we depended 

be—and I recognized several of the local 

on Disney pic- 

'tures for a livelihood, we'd be selling pencils. 

But Patrons Raved 

species leaving the theatre and they appeared 

to be very much impressed. Anyway, 

iPlayed Thurs., Fri., Sat. Weather: 'Warm. 

I'VE ALWAYS LOVED YOU (Rep)— they left fast! Business was swell. Played 

IHarland Rankin, Erie Theatre, Wheatley, Onl. 

General patronage. * * » Philip Dorn, Catherine McLeod, William Sun., Mon. V/eather: Cold.—Carl E. Pehlman, 

Carter. I kicked this around for about a Rio Theatre, Edinburg, 111. Rural and small 

year and finally let the Republic salesman 

talk me into running it, and was 

town patronage. * * « 

20th CENTURY-FOX 

Unsuspected, The (WB)—Joan Caulfield, 

Captain From Castile (20th-Fox)—Tyrone really surprised at the quality. It's high Claude Rains, Audrey Totter. This is a fine 

'Power, Jean Peters, Cesar Romero. This is a class and patrons who like music really suspense picture. I wish we could see Constance 

Bennett more often. This picture drew 

(good action picture in color but is a little too raved about it. Played Thurs., Fri. 

;iong. Business was average, which is the Weather: Fair.—M. L. DuBose, Majestic as well as any picture we have played recently, 

which isn't saying much. Played Wed., 

kind of business we have any more on good 

Theatre, Cotulla, Tex. Small town patronage. 

* * * Thurs.—Marcella Smith, Vinton Theatre, Mcpictures. 

Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Good. 

—E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, 

Arlhur, Ohio. Small town patronage. 

Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. * * » 

* * * 

OHow Green Was My 'Valley (20th-Fox)— you can get them in. We didn't. Played 

MISCELLANEOUS 

Reissue. Walter Pidgeon, Maureen O'Hara, 

Fri., Sat.—Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, 

Ont. General patronage. * * * 

Ruthless is the word for the cleaning we took 

Mom and Dad (Hygienic Productions) 

Donald Crisp. This is a good show, though 

old. Still, it had enough draw to beat most 

of the new ones. Played 

Slave Girl 

Sunday. 

(U-I)—Yvonne De Carlo, 

Weather: 

George 

on this D picture. The record: The salesmanbet 

Brent, 

the 

Okay.—D. W. 

Broderick Crawford. 

manager a new hat if he didn't do a 

Pretty color, pretty 

Trisko, Ritz Theatre, Jerome, 

300 per cent business on this. However, it 

Ariz. Mining patronage. * girls, pretty music, 

* 

pretty dull—until Humpy, 

the camel, 

took three 

appeared. Why would 

shows to gross only one-fourth 

anyone give 

H I'm Lucky (20th-Fox)—'Vivian Blaine, a kingdom for a horse when 

more than ordinarily brought in with 

a camel would 

one show 

Perry Como, Harry James. We were not so do so well? The worst 

on a low allocation film. The company provided 

storm of the season 

lucky. Perry Como is no draw to our farm blew up about show time, so we 

an excessive amount of advertising, 

didn't do 

lads. I guess they want good, old hillbilly. much business, biit saw the show and 

whose cost was deduced from the gross. It 

got a 

required 

Played Thurs., Fri., Sat.—Harland Rankin, Erie kick out 

approximately 

of it.—Jim Mote, 

$60 in advertising to 

Gem Theatre, Sterling, 

Okla. Small town and 

get 

Theatre, Wheatley, Ont. General patronage. 

* * * age. * * additional bill for $7.80 to be deducted from 

an $84 gross, and we are in receipt of an 

rural patron- 

our $12 split. It didn't pay expenses but 

Moss Rose (20th-Fox) — Peggy Cummins, Smash-Up (U-I)—Susan Hayward, Lee Bowman, 

Marsha Hunt. This is a well-acted and 

Hygienic sold more than 70, by our count, of 

Victor Maiure, Ethel Barrymore. A fairly good 

its one dollar pamphlets.—Teresa Lengyel, 

feature. Not much action but the performances 

were good. Average attendance. sorrow that it wasn't what our patrons wanted. town patronage. * 

directed picture, but we found out to our Forty-Niner Theatre, Georgetown, Calif. Small 

Played Wednesday. Weather: Good.—J. E. Worst Tues., Wed. business in several years. 

Rougeau, Club Theatre, Seven Sisters Falls, Weather: Nice.—Abe H. Kaufman, 

Mom and Dad (Hygienic Productions)—Excellent— 

I have never played a feature that 

Fountain 

Man. Small town and rural patronage. * * * Theatre, Terre Haute, Ind. Action, family patronage. 

* * * so nearly pleased everyone. My first week, 

Shepherd of the Valley (20th-Fox)— (Thunder 

all seats were full three times, two a-day, 

in the Valley). Lon McCallister, Peggy Ann Something in the Wind (U-I)—Deanna Durbin, 

Donald O'Connor, John Dall. As far as all the schools, one college and several Sun- 

every day; the second, about half. We had 

Garner, Edmund Gwenn. This is very good 

lor the rural trade and naturally that means we were concerned, the wind could have day school classes. When a mother comes 

a small town natural. The picture was very taken this to the badlands and we would once, then comes back and brings her teenage 

daughter, you know you have something 

good and well worth playing. Better than have been better off. Played Wednesday. 

average business. Wed., Thurs. Weather: Ben Brinck, West Point Theatre, West Point, good, something the community will benefit 

Rainy.—A. L. Burke jr., 'Venita Theatre, Herculaneum. 

Mo. Small 

Iowa. Small town patronage. * * * by if folks will stop and think. I cannot see 

* 

town patronage. how any community or any committee could 

Something in the Wind (U-I)—Deanna Durbin, 

Donald O'Connor, 

turn down a picture like this. Notice to all 

UNITED 

John Dall. This is 

ARTISTS 

a exhibitors—do not be afraid of not making 

very poor title. The picture itself is quite any money with 

Dangerous Venture (UA)—William Boyd, 

Andy good. 

this feature—book it.—C. M. 

Deanna doesn't sing too much and the Garrett, Yandell, El Paso, Tex. Family patronage. 

* Clyde, Rand Brooks. This was not songs are mostly popular, not opera, except 

* 

BOXOFFICE BookinGuide May 22, 1948

JULY 12 

m 

Feature productions, listed by company, in order of release. Number in square is atl 

release date. Production number is at right. Number in parentheses is running niJ 

furnished by home office of distributor; checkup with local exchanges is recomenl 

H—is review date. PG

fi 

I 

I 

I 

i 

?4 CHECK RUNNING TIME WITH LOCAL EXCHANGES FEATURE CHART 

EiMBER 6 

Mystfry 821 

„, ORUMMOND 

J)ES BACK 

SJell 

It enry 

•J„23_P0-85I 

Ijg. 

Corned:' 801 

THE THIN 

D Powell 

ijoy 

w'ynn 

a—PO-844 

KS Drama 

BINIOOD OF 

MOt^REY 

i...riloland 

.-I 

rent 

Martin 

SEPTEMBER 13 SEPTEMBER 20 SEPTEMBER 27 

(87) Mystery 803 

ll] 

THE ARNELO AFFAIR 

John Hodlak 

Ueorge Murphy 

Frances GIfford 

R—Feb. 15—PO-790 

Allied Artists 

623 Ijg (68) Drama 622 (89) Ould'r-Dr AA2 

NEWS HOUNDS 

BLACK GOLD 

Leo (iiiroey 

(lilrstlne Mclntyre 

Anthony (Juinn 

It—.lime 28—rG-833 

Bowery Boys 

U—June 21—PO-831 

(69) Western 673 

|2oI 

^ 

FLASHING GUNS 

R—Jan. 31—PO-895 

(68) Mus-Com 827 

WHEN A GIRL'S 

BEAUTIFUL 

.Vdele Jergens 

Marc riatt 

I'alrlca White 

Steiiben liunne 

It—Sept. 27— PO-859 

g7| (72) Drama 710 

RAILROADED 

.loltn Ireland 

It—Oct 18—PO-866 

Hi] (92) Drama 4701 

WILD HARVEST 

Alan Ladd 

Dorothy Lamour 

Robert Preston 

Lloyd Nolan 

R—Aug. 9—PG-84B 

OCTOBER 4 

(T| (93) Com-Myst 802 

GREEN FOR DANGER 

Sally Gray-Trevor Howard 

It-Aug. 16— l'G-848 

OCTOBER 11 

lio] (67) M'drama 4702 

©ADVENTURE ISLAND 

llory Calhoun 

Rhonda Fleming 

Paul Kelly 

R—Aug. 23—P0-8S« 

OCTOBER 18 

\n\ (87) Comedy 801 [is] (68) Drama 803 (58) Western 530 

OUT OF THE BLUE BURY ME DEAD CHEYENNE TAKES 

Brent-Mayo-Bey 

Mark Diuilels 

OVER 

R—Sept. 6— l'G-863 It—Oct. 11— I'G-864 

AI "Lash" La Rue 

[u] (53) Western 755 [i|] (61) Western 756 

RETURN OF THE LASH FIGHTING VIGILANTES ^ (58) Western 851 

.\1 Al "La.sh" La Rue 

"Lash" La Rue BLACK HILLS 

It—Nov. 15—PG-873 R—Nov. 29— l'(i-877 Eddie Dean 

[|] (118) Drama 802 

fio] (118) Drama 804 

©UNFINISHED DANCE SONG OF LOVE 

Margaret O'Brien 

Katharine Hepburn 

t'yd Cbarlsse 

Paul Henreld 

lârln Booth 

Robert Walker 

R—Aug. 9—PO-848 

R—July 

R—July 26—PQ-841 

[17] (83) Comedy 805 

MERTON OF THE 

MOVIES 

Red Skelton 

Vlrghila 

O'Brien 

19—PG-839 

OCTOBER 25 

[9] (67) Drama 905 [y] 


(101) Mu.

i 

FEATURE CHART 

CHECK RUNNING TIME WITH LOCAL EXCHANGES 

J NOVEMBER 1 


LAST ROUNDUP 

Cene Autry 

"ChamplOD" 

Jean Heather 

II—Oct. 11—PO-863 

(Tj (67) Outd'r-nr 804 

©RETURN OF RIN TIN 

TIN 

li-Nov, 

8—Pa-871 

[T] (52) Western 758 

STAGE TO MESA CITY 

Al La Rue 

R—Jan. 31—rG-896 

^ 

(91) Drama 807 

DESIRE ME 

Greer Garson 

Robert Mltchutn 

Richard Hart 

R—Sept. 27—PG-860 

\T\ (86) Drams 4703 

LOUISIANA 

Gov. Jimmle Davlg 

Margaret Lindsay 

R—Aug. 16—1'(!-847 

^ 

(95) Drama 470? 

GOLDEN EARRINGS 

Ray Milland 

Mariene Dietrich 

R—Aug. 30—PQ-862 

(104) Drams 

BODY AND SOUL 

John Garfield 

LIIIl Palmer 

R—Aug. 16—PG-S48 

(92) Drsms 630 

THE EXILE 

Uniiglas Falrbanka Jr. 

M.iria Monies 

Croset 

I';iule 

II—Oct. 25—PQ-888 

[T] (83) Drsms 707 

THAT HAGER GIRL 

Ronald Resgan 

Shirley Temple 

Rory Calhoun 

R—Oct. 26—po-ses 

NOVEMBER 29 

NOVEMBER 8 NOVEMBER 15 NOVEMBER 22 

Ann Stephens 

R—Not. 1— PG-869 

^ 

g 

STRANGER 

R—Nov. 15—PG-873 

lu\ (104) Musical 808 ^ (141) Drama 

©THIS TIME FOR GREEN DOLPHIN 

811 

KEEPS 

STREET 

Esther Williams 

Lana Turner 

Jimmy l)ur;mte 

Richard Hart 

Melchlor 

Van Heflln 

l.aiirltz 

.lotinnle Johnston 

Donna Reed 

II—Oct. 4—PG-861 

It—Oct. 18—PG-865 

|22) (65) Com-Dr 625 

BOWERY BUCKAROOS 

L. Gorcey-Bowery Boys 

Allied Artists 

(86) Drama AA3 

THE GANGSTER 

Bellta-B. Sullivan 

li—Oct. 4— PG-862 

|2l] (80) Comedy 4704 

i^WHERE THERE'S 

LIFE 

Bob Hope 

Signe Hasso 

William Bendlx 

R—Oct. 11—PG-864 

GRUESOME 

Ralph Byrd 

Boris Karloff 

Ann Gvvynn 

R—Oct, 4—PG-861 

fjT] (95) Drama 624 

^ (91) Drsms 

THE FABULOUS TEXAN 

THE FLAME 

628 

William Elliott 

John Carroll 

.lohn Carroll 

Vera Ralston 

Caltierine McLeod 

Robert Paige 

.Mhert Dcklier 

Broderick Crawford 

R—Nov. 15—PG-873 

R—Jan, 17—PG-891 

Reissue 

(77) Western HC15 

(69) Western HC16 

H) 

FRONTIERSMAN 

SUNSET TRAIL 

Boyd 

William Boyd 

Gabby Hayes 

Hsydeo 

Russell Hayden 

^ (103) Drsms 720 

©SHEPHERD OF THE 

VALLEY 

Lon McCsUister 

Edmund Gwenn 

Peggy Ann Gsrner 

R—June 14—PG-830 

(80) Drsms-Docum 

ROOSEVELT 

STORY 

Lynch 

Begley 

Lee 

12—PO-837 

(86) Drams 631 

THE UPTURNED GLASS 

.lames Mason 

Rosamund John 

Pamela Kelllno 

(86) Comedy 929 (68) Mystery 917 (56) Western 964 

[jD 

(66) Mystery 915 (98) Comedy 931 

|27l 

[n] (62) Drama 923 

[isl (67) Com, 

HER HUSBAND'S LONE WOLF IN LAST DAYS OF BOOT CRIME DOCTOR'S 

IT HAD TO BE YOU DEVIL SHIP 

BLONDIE'S 

AFFAIRS 

LONDON 

HILL 

GAMBLE 

Ginger Rogers 

Richard Lane 

ANNIVERSA- 

It—July 26—PG-841 Gerald Mohr 

Charles Starrett 

Warner Baxter 

Cornel Wilde 

Louise Campbell 

Penny Slngleto 

[e] (70) Musical 919 .Nancy Saunders 

Smiley Burnette 

Micheline (Thelrel 

Percy Waram 

William Bishop 

Arthur Lake 

TWO BLONDES AND 

II—Jan 17—rG-892 li—Feb. 14—PG-900 Roger Dann 

li—Oct. 25—PG-867 li— Dec. 6— PG-879 Larry Sims 

A REDHEAD 

Steven Geray 

R—Dee. 27—Fsi 

I!— Dec. 27—PO-885 

li—Dec. 13—PO-881 

Reissues 

[Is] (89) Drama 805 (62) Drams 807 

|29| (68) Western 852 

(110) Drama 735 

d] WHISPERING CITY BLONDE SAVAGE SHADOW VALLEY 

MAN IN THE IRON Paul Lukas 

Lief Erickson 

Eddie Dean 

MASK 

li—Nov. 22—PG-876 Gale Sherwood R—Dec. 6—PG-8S0 

[|] 

(76) Drams 740 [iD (81) Drama 806 It—Oct. 11—PG-864 

GENTLEMAN AFTER LOVE FROM A 

DARK 

fs] (66) Drama 624 

KING OF THE 

BANDITS 

Gilbert 

Angela 

Roland 

Greene 

Chris-Pin Martin 

Special 

(8!)) Comedy 864 

MAN ABOUT TOWN 

\l:iMrice Chevalier 

l''rancols Perler 

Marcelle Derrlen 

R—Oct. 25—PG-867 

Reissue 

[U 

THE 

William 

Gabby Hsyei 

Russell 

THE 

Kenneth 

Ed 

Canads 

li—July 

m 

(104) Drama 708 

ESCAPE ME NEVER 

Errol Flynn 

Eleanor Psrker 

Ida Luplno 

Gig Young 

R—Nov. 8—PG-871 

Group 2 

(65) Mystery 809 

DICK TRACY MEETS 

DECEMBER 6 

[5] (103) Drama 809 

KILLER McCOY 

Mickey Rooney 

Brian Donlevy 

James Dunn 

Ann BIyth 

R—Nov. 1—PG-870 

(68) Drama 626 

[U 

THE CHINESE RING 

Roland Winters 

Louise Currle 

R—Dec, 20—PG-884 

[e] (69) Drama 4705 

BIG TOWN AFTER 

DARK 

Philip 

Reed 

Hillary Brooke 

R—Nov, 22—Pa-875 

[T] (67) M'drams 734 

ROSES ARE RED 

Don Castle 

Peggy Knudsen 

Patricia Knight 

R—Nov. 8—Pa-872 

(90) Drams 

INTRIGUE 

George Raft 

June Havoc 

R—Jsn, 3—Pa-887 

DECEMBER 13 

DECEMBR 

[|o] (58) Wes'O '§|glD 

GUN TALK 

.luhnny Mack Imo 

Virginia ChrUtl 

Raymond Hattc 

^ (101) Com 

ROAD TO RIO 

Ring Crosby 

Bob Hope 

Dorothy Lamout 

R—Nov. 8—P(71 

Group 2 

Reissue 

Group 2 

(97) Drama 807 (60) Western 883 (60) West!' 

OUT OF THE PAST PAINTED DESERT WILD HORSE IS*'] 

Robert Mitchtim 

George O'Brien 

Tim Holt 

Jane Greer 

Laraine Day 

Nan Leslie ,„ 

R—Nov. 22—PG-876 Ray Whitley R—Nov, 22—Pi»76#^^ 

(42) Outd'r-Dr 4707 

[13] 

WHERE THE NORTH 

BEGINS 

Russell Hayden 

Jennifer Holt 

Reissut 

(84) Drsms 

TOBACCO ROAD 

Gene 'Tlemey 

Dans Andrews 

744 

[jH 

(65) Mu8-\,it 

©UNDER C0L()D04 

SKIES 

I 

R— Dec. 20—r883 i 

[in (59) West 

BANDITS OF IRK I 

CANYON 

R— Dec. 13—Pil81( 

(77%) Drams 632 (88) Drait 

©PIRATES OF 

LOST MOMENT 

MONTEREY 

Susan Hayward 

Maria Montra 

Robert Cumming 

Rod Cameron R—Oct. 18—PC 66 

Phillip Reed 

Gale Sondergaard 

R—Nov. 22—PO-876 

m. 

Reissue 

(128) Drsi 

GRAPES OF t\ 

Henry Fonda ^^ 

Jane Dsraell I^Hk 

John Csrradln '^h 

^ 

Reissues 

|13] (93) Drsms 710 (116) Dra V 

JEZEBEL 

ANTHONY *DVlSE(.,j 

Bette DsilJ 

Fredrlc March '^ 

[Is] (88) Drama 712 Olivia de Ha?UU 

SLIGHT CASE OF 

MURDER 

Edward G, Robinson 

^^ 

'is 

i^ 

(140) Drama 

_ ©DUEL IN THE SUN 

O Jennifer Junes 

K Gregory Peck 

W Joseph Cotten 

Lionel B.irrvmore 

R—Jan. 11—PO-780 

to 

PQ 

(48) Drama 

Bell Plct. Corp. 

GIRL ON THE CANAL 

R— Nov. 2(1- PG-877 

(68) Docum-Dr 

Eng. Films 

SCHOOL FOR DANGER 

R—Nov. 29— PG-878 

(61) Docum-llf 

Bng. Films 

CHILDREN ON TRIAL 

R— Nov. 29— PG-878 

(80) Musical 

Four Continenta 

SPRINGTIME 

R—Feb. 14—PG-902 

(85) Drama 

Jewish Nat'l Fund 

MY FATHER'S HOUSE 

li-Oct. 4— PG-S6I 

(70) AleT.inder Drama 

THE FIGHT NEVER 

ENDS 

B—Mar. 6—PO-909 

KSil 

Sept. (86) Western 1208 

UDY IN A JAM 

Irene Dunne 

Ralph Bellamy 

Sept. (89) Western 1121 

LADY FROM CHEYENNE 

Loretta Young 

Robert Preston 

Oct. (71) Mystj 

BUCK FRIDA'I 

Boris Karloff 

Bela Lugosl 

Oct. (72) Mut-ll 

THE BLACK C{| 

Alan Ladd 

Rathbeoe 

Basil 

BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: May 22, 194«

I 

I 

I 

I 

CHECK RUNNING TIME WITH LOCAL EXCHANGE 

FEATURE CHART 

i:ember 27 

li) Musical 951 

t)F SANTA ROSA 

Hotshots 

White 

Noriega 

S— l'C-888 

5tr;i 

JANUARY 3 

JANUARY 10 

JANUARY 17 

[9] (54) Western 962 

[16] (68) Musical 907 

[23] (66) MuB-Dr 906 (94) Drama 934 [s] (68) Drama 802 

[12] (66) Drama 910 

SIX-GUN UW GLAMOUR GIRL MARY LOU 

LOVE TROUBLE WRECK OF THE WOMAN 

Starrell-Iturnette 

FROM 

ir. 

Vlrt;inla

EATURE CH

, MIR 

I 

' 

Drama 

CHECK RUNNING TIME WITH LOCAL EXCHANGES 

FEATURE CHART 

. ?RIL 17 

7 nt.ima 909 

T WD 

Wmy 

liisbop 

^HIlH24—FP-923 

Cnmedy 819 

( I 

lOSE HANCS 

>ott 

ello 

vi 

10—PG-920 

S21 

HOLIDAY 

(kf) looney 

iru ; Haven 

UiT iiston 

,1 13—PO-912 

,1 Drama 4752 

;) TRAILS

DIGEST 

and Alphabetical Picture Guide Indexo

i 

An interpretative analysis of opinions deducted irom the language of lay 

and trade press reviews. The plus and minus signs indicate the degree 

of favor or disfavor of the review. This department serves also as an 

ALPHABETICAL INDEX to feature releases. Numeral preceding title is 

Picture Guide Review page number. In parentheses after title is running 

time. Date following distributor is BOXOFFICE review date. Listings cov» 

current reviews. It is brought up to date regularly. The meaning of the 

various signs and their combinations is as follows: 

+f Very Good; + Good; ± Fair; — Poor; = Very Poor. 

In the summary H is rated as 2 pluses; = as 2 minuses. 

"o

SHORTS REVIEWS 

Op/n/ons on the Current Short Sub'iects- 

— 

Charlie Barnet & Orch. 

Columbia (Thrills of Music) lO'A Mins. 

Good. Charlie Barnet and his orchestra 

offer renditions of his recorded arrangements 

that have made the disk lists of best sellers. 

Fred Robbins, popular disk jockey, introduces 

the numbers in his informal chatty style. Jean 

Louise sings "Stormy Weather" to the accompaniment 

of raindrops outside a prop window. 

The orchestra plays "Pompton Turnpike" 

and "Bongo, Bongo, Bongo." The latter 

number is sung by Jimmy Brown, with 

appropriate jungle dances provided by a trio 

of attractive girls in sarongs. 

Fiddlers Three 

Columbia (Three Stooges) 17 Mins. 

Fair. Some novelty is injected into the 

latest escapade of the three zany comedians. 

They portray three . 

fiddlers in the court of 

King Cole and toss around Elizabethan dialog 

as well as custard pies. The princess is kidnapped 

by the court magician who opposes 

her scheduled marriage to a neighborhood 

prince. The Stooges trail the kidnappers to 

the dungeon, release the fair princess and 

capture the magician and his henchmen. 

Hollywood Honors Hersholt 

Columbia (Screen Snapshots) 8 Mins. 

Good. Candid shots of Hollywood's top stars 

at a dinner honoring Jean Hersholt make a 

highly entertaining reel. Hersholt is shown 

cutting into a huge cake commemorating his 

tenth anniversary as Dr. Christian of the CBS 

radio program. Shown are Edward G. Robinson, 

Edward Arnold, Celeste Holm, Rudy 

Vallee, Joan Bennett, Walter Wanger, Cornel 

Wilde, Gail Patrick, Ruth Warrick, Charles Korvin, 

Bette Davis, Marie Wilson, Eddie Bracken, 

Dana Andrews, Conrad Nagel, John Boles, Kay 

Kyser, Diana Lynn, Don DeFore, Virginia 

Field, Roddy McDowall, Robert Mitchum, 

Charles Coburn and others. This may be 

billed as an all-star short. 

The House That Jack Built 

Columbia (Color Favorites) 7 Mins. 

Fair. Cartoon reissue of takeoff on the old 

fable. Jack Beaver industriously sets to work 

to build a house. He is heckled by a vagrant 

bear and an ostrich. When the house is completed, 

the couple move in and wreck the 

furnishings. They phone a termite wrecking 

company which completely destroys the wood 

house. Jack gets a shotgun and forces the 

bear and ostrich to rebuild his home. 

Jitter Bughouse 

Columbia (All-Sfar Comedy) 17 Mins. 

Entertaining. There is solid musical entertainment 

in this two-reeler, offsetting the silly 

plot and exaggerated slapstick antics of Joe 

DeRita. A talented trio of young men do amuseing 

takeoffs on singing radio commercials and 

imitations of leading musical stars. De Rita 

develops a system of curing psychiatric cases 

with musical therapy. He cures the wealthy 

patient of his fiancee and is rewarded. 

'Casbah' Cast Correction 

In the review printed last week in this 

section on 'Casbah," a Universal-International 

production, Dan Duryea, Rod Cameron and 

Helena Carter were erroneously listed in the 

cast. This should have been credited to Tony 

Martin, Peter Lorre and Marta Toren. Yvonne 

DeCarlo is the star. 

A RESEARCH BUREAU 

for MODERN THEATRE PLANNERS 

ENROLLMENT FORM FOR FREE INFORMATION 

The MODERN THEATRE PLANNING INSTITUTE 5-22-48 

825 Van Brunt Blvd., 

Kansas City 1, Mo. 

Gentlemen: 

Please enroll us in your RESEARCH BUREAU to receive information regularly, as 

released, on the following subjects for Theatre Planning: 

n Acoustics 

n Air Conditioning 

n Architectural 

Service 

n "Black" Lighting 

n Building Material 

n Carpets 

n Coin Machines 

n Complete Remodeling 

Decorating 

n Drink Dispensers 

n Lighting Fixtures 

n Plumbing Fixtures 

n Projectors 

n Projection Lamps 

Seating 

n Signs and Marquees 

n Sound Equipment 

n Television 

n Theatre Fronts 

n Vending Equipment 

D Other Subjects: 

In the Newsreels 

Movietone News. No. 38: Railroads seized 

by U.S. as strike threatens nation; Socialist 

national convention in Reading, Pa.; Annapolis—Obstacle 

racing and crash landings at 

sea by midshipmen; Chinese baby beauty 

contest; Mexican sweeps winners; Barron wins 

golf title; navy boxing at San Diego; woman 

wrestlers. 

News of the Day. No. 272: U.S. takes over the 

railroads; Chinatown holds first baby show; 

U.S. and Canada hail goodwill road; golf 

classic won by Barron; lamb derby; wrestling 

belles. 

Paramount News, No. 75: Canada and US 

hail newest highway link; fresh air sculpture; 

Paris fair; British industries fair; rail strike. 

Universal News, No. 142: U.S. seizes roads to 

hah rail strike; atom-age mechanical hands 

demonstrated; aviation dunking drill at Annapolis; 

Mexican film studio destroyed by fire; 

Italian bridge collapses, kills 22; Jap police 

arrests quack physician; Barron wins golf 

tournament. 

Warner Pathe News, No. 77: Defensive in 

central' Greece; U.S. seizes railroads; 500,000 

refugee aides in Delhi; Socialists name 

Thomas for President; Chinatown's baby show; 

Checkup checks a chiseler; Belgium displays 

old lace; navy boxing championship. 

Movietone News, No. 39: Winston Churchill 

addresses Congress of Europe; Secretary Marshall 

rejects parleys between U.S. and Russia; 

Spyros Skouras receives a $10,000 check; 

Lithuanian ex-premier is found working in a 

New Jersey factory; Roxy riots between Reds 

and Vets; airborne troops fill the skies in war 

maneuvers; sports. 

News of the Day, No. 273: Congress of Europe 

hails plans for union of free nalions; 

spectacular paratroop maneuvers; EurQpeon 

fencing championship; girl jockeys. 

Paramount News, No. 7G: Churchill sees 

hope in unified Europe; Wilhelminia announces 

abdication; Soviet and U.S. note discussed 

by Marshall; French-Greek first ship 

in aide plan; right to work law urged by 

Cecil B. DeMille; last films before end of 

mandate; a sky full of silk—army's largest 

peace chute maneuver. 

Universal News, No. 143: Secretary Marshall 

denies U.S. peace talk; Churchill urges Europe 

union; $10,000 check to aid starving 

children; new water repellent demonstrated; 

motorcycle hill climb at Tacoma, Wash.; 82nd 

Airborne in mass parachute jump. 

Warner Pathe News, No. 78: Marshall interview; 

Congress of Europe meets; inauguration 

of Earl Long; mixture murders moisture; biggest 

postwar maneuvers; Great Americans 

Patrick Henry. 

• 

All American News, Vol. 6, No. 291: First 

Negro nurse commissioned in regular army 

nurse corps; telephone communications established 

in Congo; amateurs participate in tristate 

boxing tournament at Memphis; speed 

artists demonstrate skill with chalk in Chicago 

exhibition; Dunbar high and junior college 

observes Honors day at Little Rock; Nellie 

Lutcher introduces new song. 

Theatre 

: Seating Capacity.. 

Address 

City 

State.. 

Signed.. 

( Owner-Manager) 

Telenews Digest, No. 19: Jerusalem today; 

new Russo-Finn pact signed; children of war 

find safety; Negroes rap draft as high court 

hits Jim Crow housing; navy jets in carrier 

landings; Truman seizes railroads; Chinatown 

kids in baby contest; Kansas City 

gadgeteer shows world's zaniest inventions; 

professional golfers battle in the Goodall 

tournament; race track influences overtake 

homo sapiens v/ith a novel starting gate; 

Mexican mountain climber's scale the icy 

slopes of Mt. Aconcagua. 

BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: May 22, 1948

ip/a/ons en Current Productions; Exploitips for Selling to the Public 

// 

Melody Time 

Animated 

Musical 

So Evil My Love 

F 

RKO Radio ( ) 

76 Minutes Rel. 

Paramount (4723) 109 Minutes Rel. Aug. 6, '48 

Ever since "Snow White" blazed a money-strewn exhibition 

trail for feature-length animated subjects, film appraisers 

have been wearing their superlatives thin lauding the genius 

and artistry which find their way into offerings by the master 

of pen-'n'-ink technique, Walt Disney. This, his latest subject, 

a musical variety show, calls for the reissue of those 

extolments, because it probably is the best he's made in that 

category, and should so record itself at the turnstiles. There 

are nine parts to the film, and, while they are unrelated, 

their assembly leaves one over-all impression of breathtaking 

beauty, infectious merriment, and haunting music. Eighty 

per cent of the film is animated, with a bevy of ranking 

names lending voice, character and charm to the cartoon 

figures and their fabulous adventures. All of the picture is 

in gorgeous Technicolor. 

Roy Rogers and Trigger, Dennis Day, the Andrews sisters, 

Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians, Freddy Martin. 

Return of the Bad Men 

REO Radio (817) 90 Minutes Rel. 

Every stop was opened wide to make this the most allinclusive 

western to sprout in Hollywood's extensive sagebrush 

patch in lo! these many months. As the title attraction 

there are enough bandits to supply the villainy for a 

score of ordinary gallopers. Then, in addition to all of the 

stock action ingredients, there's cavalry; a spectacular land 

rush, strangely reminiscent of "Cimarron"; a triangular romance! 

and even an Indian. What matters it that the story 

used to weld together the multitudinous and diversified 

elements is strictly according to formula. The film is nonetheless 

an action-dripping, fast-moving western in the grand 

manner and as such will be a source of great joy to the 

ticket buyers who shop for such fara. And even those misguided 

souls who are not boots-an'-saddles advocates will 

be amused by its bountiful heroics. Directed by Ray Enright. 

Randolph Scott, Robert Ryan, Anne Jeffreys, George "Gabby" 

Hayes, Jacqueline White, Steve Brodie. 

F 

Jnly; 

)deri' 

The best facets of both British and American picturemaking 

technique and know-how herein are strikingly merged 

to make this a feature of which the industries of both nations 

may well be proud. And, more importantly, one which should 

set a new high in American patronage of made-in-Englond 

photoplays. From this side of the Atlantic come the male 

star, the producer (Hal Wallis) and the director (Lewis 

Allen), and their individual and collective contributions give 

the subject the suspense, excitement and movement of 

American films. The English cousins supplied those subdued, 

yet highly authentic, backgrounds and atmosphere which 

have been their foremost claim to fame. In portraying a 

24-karat role, Roy Milland turns in one of the best performances 

of his career, yet he is challenged for thespian honors 

by Ann Todd and members of a select supporting cast. 

Ray Milland, Ann Todd, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Leo G. Carroll, 

Raymond Huntley, Martita Hunt, Moira Lister. 

Big Town Scandal 

F 

Drama 

Paramount (4722) 62 Minutes Rel. July 30, '48 

This entry in the series predicated upon the "Big Town" 

radio show undertakes to concern itself with juvenile delinquency, 

but, in an effort to inject the action and suspense 

which are the basis of most Pine and Thomas offerings, it 

goes rather far afield in its treatment of that current problem. 

Consequently, the authenticity of newspaper backgrounds 

and atmosphere which distinguished predecessors in the 

series suffers considerably without the compensations of 

solving the sociological ramifications with which the script 

toys. Heading the cast are the same adult mummers who 

portrayed the stock characters in earlier chapters and their 

work is augmented by a collection of adolescent performers, 

many of whom are well known. This added weight to the 

cast will help the offering serve as a satisfactory supporting 

feature. Directed by William C. Thomas. 

Philip Reed. Hillary Brooke, Stanley Clements, Darryl Hickman, 

Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer, Roland de Pree. 

WalHlower 

Warner Bros. (726) 

Comedy 

78 Minutes Rel. June 12, '48 

Here is still another depiction of the tried-and-true yarn 

about the pretty and popular gal and her .dateless, ugly 

duckling sister who finally gets wise and blossoms out as 

the belle of the ball. Assembled for it was a competent, 

hard-working cast which does everything possible to spark 

a plot that is just plain tired out. The result is an agreeable 

but not very stirring light comedy, suitable for family consumption 

and given production values that allow for bookings 

as the topside entry on a dualer in subsequent run 

situations. In this instance the pretty sister is Janis Paige, 

with Joyce Reynolds as the Cinderella and' Robert Hutton 

the Prince Charming. They turn in standard performances 

but the standout for laughs is Edward Arnold as the girls' 

harassed papa. The smalltown atmosphere of the piece is 

effectively captured in Frederick de Cordova's direction. 

Robert Hutton, Joyce Reynolds, Janis Paige, Edward Arnold, 

Barbara Brown, Jerome Cowan, Don McGuire. 

L Jane Doe 

Republic (710) 

A 

Drama 

'.(»iii) 

The Time of Your Life 

United Artists ( ) 110 Minutes 

F 

Comedy 

Drama 

ReL May 28, '48 

Playwright William Saroyan's boundless imagination and 

the comparable boundless courage of the Cagneys (Brother 

William produced, Brother James and Sister Jeanne are toplined) 

combine to present a photoplay which undoubtedly 

will rate loud critical acclaim and considerable patronage 

from those seeking the artistic or unusual in screen entertainment. 

That much is assured if for no other reason than 

the film is based on the Saroyan play that won the Pulitzer 

prize and the Critics' Circle award. As concerns the rank 

and file of ticket buyers, however, the offering confronts the 

showman with a merchandising problem. Its blend of life'sseamy-side 

philosophy and cynicisms, although they are 

projected against a lush production background and are 

impressively propounded by a name-heavy cast, may prove 

a bit annoying to the masses. H. C. Potter directed. 

James Cagney, William Bendix, Wayne Morris, Jeanne Cagney, 

Broderick Crawford, Ward Bond, James Barton. 

Four Faces West 

85 Minutes Rel. May 25, '48 UA-Enterprise 90 Minutes 

Western 

Rel. May 21. '48 

Highly dramatic and oozing with material designed for 

emotional appeal, this accords Vera Ralston a title role in 

which she delivers her best performance to date. To give 

the offering further luster and commercial potentialities there 

is ample evidence of an unstinting budget, reflected principally 

in the weight of the co-stars and supporting players. 

Performances, under the sensitive direction of John H. Auer, 

who is credited also as associate producer, extract all possible 

suspense and entertainment from dialogue and situations 

which at times flirt with the maudlin and/or the extreme. ^^H 

''"' 

Most of the action takes place at a murder trial through which 

flashback technique tells the story of two wives of a bigamous, 

unmitigated heel whom one has killed. The other, a 

woman attorney, defends and saves the life of the slayer. 

Ruth Hussey, John Carroll, 'Vera Ralston, Gene Lockhart, 

John Howard, Benay Venuta, Adele Mara. 

Several original story twists and a cast headed by Joel 

McCrea, Frances Dee, Charles Bickford and Joseph Calleia 

place this western notches above the average sagebrush 

saga an.d into the general appeal category. It is based on 

the Saturday Evening Post serial, "Paso Por Aqui," by Eugene 

M. Rhodes. The time is the last century. The story 

tells of the dramatic manhunt across New Mexico of a bankrobber 

(McCrea) by a sheriff (Bickford) and his posse. The 

new angle is that McCrea gives up a chance for freedom 

by stopping to nurse a Mexican family stricken with diptheria. 

He also returns the money he stole and falls in love with a 

nurse (Miss Dee). Also different is the absence of gunplay 

and barroom brawls. There are excellent scenes of White 

Sands and EI Morro national monuments of New Mexico. 

Harry Sherman produced and Alfred Green directed. 

Joel McCrea, Frances Dee, Charles Bickford, Joseph Calleia. 

William Coruad, Martin Garrolaga, Raymond Largay. 

934 BOXOFFICE May 22, 

1948 933

. . . You 

. . . Unable 

. . And 

. . Who 

. . With 

. . Up 

. . There 

. . Loaded 

. . And 

. . The 

. . Where 

. . The 

. . When 

. . Loaded 

. . Don't 

. . Now 

. . 

OITIPS Suggestions for Selling; Adiines for Newspaper and Program 

SELLING ANGLES: "So Evil, My Love" 

Hold a matinee "preview" for a selected "jury" and take 

a poll to determine whether in its opinion Ann Todd's murder 

of Ray Milland was justified. Use the verdict in your 

advertising campaign. With local disk jockeys or band 

leaders as the judges, promote a contest for amateur tunesmiths 

to write songs around the film's title. Set up a contest 

in cooperation with a local newspaper around the controversial 

query, "Do women find fascination in wicked men?" 

with free guest tickets for the most interesting answers received. 

CATCHLINES: 

This Woman's Love Was an Evil Nightmare . . . For the 

Man Was a Scoundrel . Whispered Soft Wor.ds That 

Summoned Disaster . . . She Was Caught in a Trap That 

Led to Venom . . . Tragedy . . . And Death. 

The Screen's Newest, Greatest Dramatic Team ... As 

Exciting as the Adventure They Share . . . Unsurpassed for 

Romance, Suspense and Thrills . Was Heaven in 

Her Eyes . Hate in His Heart . . . It's a Story More 

Startling Than Your Wildest Dreams. 

e. 1 

itricl- 

dCk. 

en tl 

SELLING ANGLES: 

"Melody Time" 

Plug the title and the new songs in music stores, in juke 

boxes and with radio stations, asking disk jockeys to feature 

records by Dennis Day, Buddy Clark, Frances Longford and 

other radio and recording artists who appear in the film. 

Dress up the lobby with cutouts of "Johnny Appleseed,' 

"Pecos Bill" and other new characters. String large compo 

board musical notes around the marquee. Make tieups with 

jewelers on new watches, with copy reading: "For correct 

time—a Bulova For 'Melody Time'—the Blank Theatre." 

CATCHLINES: 

It's Music, Comedy, Drama . 

Fun . . . It's Romance, Thrills, 

. . 

Adventure . . . It's Everything 

You Ever Hoped Would One Day Come From the Land of 

Great Show Magic . Wonder of Wonder Shows From 

Walt Disney, the Entertainment Wizard. 

. . . You'll Love 

Out of This World for Music, Laughs 

Big New Walt Disney Show That's 

derful for Words 

. . . The 

Won- 

Every Minute of 

and Thrills 

Too Amazing and 

Happy 

the Screen's Newest, Greatest Novelty. 


"Big Town Scandal" 

Cash in on the popularity of the "Big Town" airshow by 

securing spot announcements on local stations which carry 

that airer or similar crime-smashing broadcasts. The newspaper 

atmosphere suggests you hold a special screening 

for local newshawks and journalism students in high schools 

and colleges. Brush up the "amateur reporter" stunt in a 

tieup with a newspaper whereby free passes are offered for 

the best news "scoop" turned in each day. Print up throwsheets 

qnd mailing pieces as tabloid newspapers. 

CATCHLINES: 

Here's Page One, Stop-the-Press Action Drama . . . Full of 

Thrills 

ture . 

. . . Packed With Excitement . With Adven- 

Your "Big Town" Radio Favorites Are Back Again 

. . 

Fighting the Forces of Evil. 

On the Screen Again . More Thrills and Excitement 

. . . It's Steve Wilson, Fighting Editor . His 

Beautiful Reporter, Lorelei . to Their Ears in Danger 

in This Action-Loaded Film" Adventure. 

SELLING ANGLES: "The Time of Your Life" 

In cooperation with newspaper or radio stations, conduct 

a contest in which entrants describe the most moving, interesting 

or hilarious "time of their life." Picture title can be 

worked into merchandising tieups such as: "You'll have the 

'Time of Your Life' behind the wheel of this new Bulck." 

Secure bookstore and library tieups on William Saroyan's 

literary output. Give James Cagney the marquee and advertising 

credits. Give the picture your personal endorsement 

via written or mimeographed letters to patrons or your mailing 

list. 

CATCHLINES: 

A Tremendous Achievement in Unusual Motion Picture 

Entertainment ... A Triumph of Love, Hate and Passion 

Will Live Every Thrilling Moment of a Story That 

is a Challenge to Your Heart. 

Dramatic Wildfire Is Coming Your Way . Compelling 

Story of People Who Live on the Outer Fringe of 

a Half-World ... In a Dead-End of Stifled Human Emotion 

to Escape Their Startling Destiny. 

ir~l\ 

SELLING ANGLES: "Return of the Bad Men" 

Make over theatre front in rip-roaring western style, improvising 

a stagecoach of heavy compoboard around the 

boxoffice with the cashier acting as "driver." Snipe the 

neighborhood with "Reward" posters. See if you can locale 

old-timers in the community who can relate stories of the 

"roaring west." They would be good subjects for newspaper 

and radio interviews. Work out library tieups on novels and 

other books dealing with this period in American history. 

CATCHLINES: 

They're Wanted ... By Stampeding Audiences! . . . The 

Bad Men Return . . . Roaring Out of an Action-Filled Saga 

of a Lawless Era . . . Reward! For the Boldest Bandits in a 

Fearless Land . There Was a Price on Every Head 

. . . and a Smoking Gun in Every Hand. 

Those Wild, Wicked Outlaws of the Rugged West . 

Bringing You Thundering Thrills . . . From the Roaring Turbulence 

of the Early Days . a Man's Life Was Only 

as Good ... as the Gun He Carried. 

SELLING ANGLES: "Wallflower" 

Commercial tieups are made to order with beauty salons, 

dress shops, drugstore cosmetics departments and other 

outlets, using the "Walflower" theme to show how Joyce 

Reynolds was converted from drabness to beauty. Stills of 

Janis Paige in bathing attire could be planted with displays 

of vocation-time togs. Secure music store tieups on 

"I May Be Wrong," old-time song hit which is revived in 

the picture, and talk local disk jockeys into featuring it. 

CATCHLINES: 

It's the 

It Was a Comedy Riot on Broadway 

Screen's Gayest Love Story ... It Just 

. 

Had to be a Movie 

... So the Whole Wide World Could Love the Girl Who 

Couldn't Get a Boy Friend . . . Until She Abandoned Brain 

Power for Blarney . 

The Laughs Will Ring Out From Coast to Coast ... at This 

Riot of Romance and Comedy ... as Two Brunette Bombshells 

Set Their Sights on One Handsome Man . . . It's 

Crammed With Chuckles . With Love. 


"Four Faces West" 

SELLING ANGLES: "I, lane Doe" 

Use a reward poster. This can be made up by mounting 

an eight by ten still on a board. The still should be of Mc- 

Crea, and the copy can read as follows: Wanted for Bank 

Robbery! Joel McCrea. Reward for information leading to 

his arrest. Was last seen at the Y Theatre in "Four Faces 

West." Frances Dee portrays a nurse in the picture. Tie this 

in with local drive to recruit nurses. Set up lobby recruiting 

station in cooperation with local nursing groups. 

CATCHLINES: 

Thrilling From Start to Finish ... A Great Saturday Evening 

Post Serial Explodes on the Screen ... A Manhunt 

That Will Leave You Breathless ... A Different Kind of 

Western With a Sterling Cast. 

He Took Chances No Other Man Would Take . . . Here Is 

the Glamor and Splendor of the Old West ... He Lived and 

Loved Dangerously 

. . . Hunted by All, Loved by One Woman 

. . . Powerful Drama. 

Conduct a "Who Is Jane Doe?" contest with newspaper 

and radio cooperation, selecting some well-known woman 

in your community to serve as "Jane Doe" and using clues 

by which she can be identified. Merchandising tieups can 

be effected along the lines: " 'I, Jane Doe,' recommend Blank 

Brand shoes." Hold a special preview for foreign-born 

women who married American soldiers during the war. Set 

up a "jury" to vote whether "Jane Doe" should be acquitted 

for the crime she commits in the picture. 

CATCHLINES: 

Every Woman Has a Right to Make One Mistake . . . Even 

as Tragic a Mistake as Jane Doe Made . Blame Her 

for What Happened . . . Until You Have Heard Her Suspenseful. 

Compelling Story. 

There Was No Other Love in the World for Jane Doe . . . 

Until That Love Turned to Unreasoning Hate . . . and Her 

Name Was Blackened Because She Did the Only Thing That 

Any Woman Could Do ... To Save Herself.

t 

— 

f 

piaions on Current Productions; Exploitips for Selling to the Public 

FEATURE REVIEWS 

I 

The Brothers 

Univ.-Int'l (- -) 90 Minutes Rel. 

Drama 

Jinx Money 

Monogram (4717) 

69 Minutes 

Comedy 

Rel. July '48 

fi 

A grim and powerful tale is told amid the magnificently 

photographed backgrounds of Scotland's hills and rough 

seacoast. A British-made release by U-I's Prestige Pictures 

unit, it should be a strong draw in art theatres where its 

players have become well known through previous British 

Although Patricia Roc's name has some boxoffice value 

films. 

in the neighborhood duallers, it's too dour and realistic for 

juvenile patrons. The happy ending seems sudden and incongruous. 

Among the scenes which are memorable for their 

cruelty and terrific suspense are the death of a helpless 

informer by attacking seagulls, the rowing contest between 

feuding clans which continues until all but one man drops 

from exhaustion and a gruesome bit in which the hero cuts 

off his thumb held tight in a crab's claw. The musical score 

is splendid. Directed by David MacDonald. 

Patricia Roc, Will Fyffe, Maxwell Heed, Finloy Currie, John 

Laurie. Duncan Macrae, Megs Jenkins, Andrew Crawford. 

jnlys 

idLTIlJ 

11. V 

,owrv 

ent. ) 

Ooli' 

Yet another in the tried-and-proven series featuring the 

Bowery Boys, the booking niche for this one is predetermined 

and showmen who have such a niche long since have learned 

the effectiveness of the films as supporting fare. This entry 

assays a few cuts higher than average, which appraisal is 

applicable to production values, story, performances and 

direction. Nonetheless the general aura and technique 

obtains, with just a little less emphasis on slapstick. The 

gang of heart-of-gold roughnecks herein finds $50,000 in hot 

money. Attempts of gangsters to recover the loot leads to a 

series of murders which keep the boys, the police and all 

concerned hopping until the mess is cleaned up. Also adding 

to the film's stature is the supporting cast, better than usual 

in both name values and delineations. Directed by William 

Beaudine. 

Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, Billy Benedict. David Gorcey. Benny 

Barllett. Gabriel Dell, Betty Caldwell, Sheldon Leonard. 

Dear Murderer 

Suspense 

Drama 

Campus Sleuth 

F 

Comedy 

Univ.-Int'l (658) 90 Minutes 

Rel. May '48 

It has frequently been set forth that in the manufacture of 

films in which suspense and crime are the principal ingredients, 

our British cousins have the magic touch. Herein, however, 

they seem to have lost it. The subject begins engagingly 

enough but shortly deteriorates into a labyrinth of 

melodramatic situations culminating in a highly-hoked-up 

climax which rings down the curtain without satisfactorily 

resolving the plot. Performances are generally fine but the 

English players will mean little or nothing on the marquee 

and the film's destiny in U.S. bookings appears to be as the 

lower half of a double. Its best asset, probably, will be the 

provocative title. The slayer so affectionately addressed is 

a husband who discovers his wife is unfaithful, plans the 

perfect crime in revenge, and falls into his own trap. Directed 

by Arthur Crabtree. 

Monogram (4713) 57 Minutes 

Rel. Apr. 24, '48 

An unfortunate departure from the formula heretofore employed 

by entries in the 'teen-agers programmers from Monogram 

results in this chapter emerging as one of the weakest 

to date. The basic, and by this time, overworked, story line 

about a group of adolescents trying to stage a school play 

is there. But all mixed up with it is a murder mystery, which 

is far from suspenseful and which fails comparably in its 

attempts at comedy. Further, the specialties engaged to 

bolster the work of the established cast—to wit—Bobby Sherwood 

and his Orchestra and Gerri Gallicm and his Piano 

are inferior to those utilized in predecessors. Musical interludes 

had to be lessened and shortened to allow footage 

for the whodunit phases. The best that can be expected 

is that it will get by on subsequent double bills. Directed 

by Will Jason. 

Eric Portman, Greta Gynt, Dennis Price, Maxwell Reed. Jack 

Warner, Hazel Court, Andrew Crawford. 

Freddie Stewart. June Preisser, Warren Mills. Noel Neill. 

Donald MacBride. Monte Collins, Stan Ross. 

Whirlwind Raiders 

Columbia (963) 54 Minutes Rel. May 13, '48 

The Durango Kid really gets around, but always in the 

great open spaces and before law and order came to the 

west. In this little action picture Charles Starrett is Steve 

Lanning, ex-Texas Ranger, when he wears a light shirt and 

rides a dark horse. Then more of the old presto-change-o, 

and with a dark shirt and riding a white horse he is the 

Durango Kid, hot on the trail of those Texas State Police who 

replaced the Rangers for a time and turned out to be crooks 

themselves. Smiley Burnette ambles along as an itinerant 

tinker, handier with a tune than with tools. There is a passel 

of villains, headed by one of the local big-wigs, who are all 

rounded up before Durango rides on to make way for the 

next in this series. Should please action houses and Saturday 

matinee patrons. Vernon Keays directed. 

F 

lociij 

Sfage Struck F 

""°''"'"' 

Monogram (4715) 71 Minutes Rel. 

Intended as straight melodrama and with a basically sound 

cops-and-robbers yarn as the framework, the film is cursed 

with an incredibly trite screenplay which rambles around 

considerably more than do the wandering girls with which 

it is concerned. The dialog so abounds in time-worn cliches 

that it at times becomes serio-comic and renders helpless 

the dogged efforts of a capable cast to put the point across. 

Judiciously exploited, the theme— girls who go to the big city 

and turn up missing—may engender some interest, but even 

in the supporting feature niche, the best spot it can hope for, 

the revenue prospects are not too bright. The involved plot 

concerns the efforts of Audrey Long to track down the murderers 

of her runaway sister. She and the police do so only 

after she masquerades as a nightclub entertainer and lures 

the killers into the trap. Directed by William Nigh. 

Charles Starrett, Smiley Burnette, Fred Sears, Nancy Saunders, 

"Little Brown Jug," Jack Ingram. Philip Morris. 

Kane Richmond. Audrey Long, Coiuad Nagel, Ralph Byrd. 

John 

Gallaudet. Anthony Warde. Pamela Blake. 

Voyage Surprise 

Comedy 

Duke International 80 Minutes Rel. 

A novel and engaging theme has been handled in heavyhanded 

slapstick fashion in this nonsensical French-language 

picture. The sheer absurdity of the antics of a group of 

uninhibited people on an unscheduled bus trip will get 

laughs but not enough to make it suitable for general audiences. 

Best spotted in art theatres. The story is a combination 

of Mack Sennett and 10-20-30 melodrama and Director 

Pierre Prevert has handled it in the fast-moving, jerky style 

of the early two-reelers. The characters include an elderly 

bus tour owner, delightfully played by Sinoel, and his 

assorted passengers, a spinster, a bride and groom, a stout 

matron and her little boy, a disgruntled travel agency 

employe and others. They become fugitives from the law, 

spend a night in a house of ill repute and are mistaken for 

a theatrical troupe. Duke International is at 18 West 55th 

St., New York City. 

SinoeL Marline Carol, Jacques Henri Duval, Claire Gerard, 

Max Revol, Pierre Pieral, Cecilia Paroldi. 

TI^ 

936 BOXOFHCE May 22, 1948 935 

1^ 

Blonde Ice 

îlm Classics ( ) 

73 Minutes 

F 

Melodrama 

Rel. June '48 

Produced by Martin Mooney, a long established master in 

writing and making constables-and-crooks subjects, this modestly-budgeted 

offering tells whodunit from scratch and then 

depends for its suspense and excitement upon efforts of the 

police to hang the rap on the guilty gal. The modern touch 

finds further manifestation in the fact that the title character 

is a thorough-going rotter who marries and kills husbands 

for wealth and position. For motivation the film leans rather 

too heavily on dialog with resultant sacrifice of the action 

so dear to the hearts of most patrons of the type of house 

where the picture will be booked. Good performances and 

the able direction of Jack Bernhard, however, go a long way 

in glossing over the paucity of movement and over-all consideration 

wins rating as satisfactory supporting fare. 

Robert Paige, Leslie Brooks, Russ Vincent, Michael Whalen, 

James Griffith, Emory Parnell, Walter Sande.

. . . There 

. . The 

. . She 

. 

. . The 

. . Those 

. . The 

. . Death 

. . They 

. . And 

. . Until 

. . Even 

. . They 

. . 

. 

EXPLOITIPS Suggesti0ns for Selling; Adiines for Newspaper and Progroit 


"Jinx Money" 

If you have not already done so, organize a "Bowery 

Boys" club with members acting as advance agents for 

coming pictures in the series. Issue 'membership cards, etc., 

and tie in the club's activities with civic measures to curb 

juvenile delinquency. Use the title in tieups with banks, 

building and loan firms and the like, with copy such as: 

"Idle money is 'Jinx Money'—put yours to work." Stage 

money, imprinted with picture and theatre credits, could be 

utilized for throwaways and mailing pieces. 

CATCHLINES: 

They're Coming to Town . Merry Madcaps of 

Mirth and Thrills . . . The Bowery Boys Will Treat You to a 

Laugh Tonic . . . Driving Away Your Blues With Explosive 

Drama and Sizzling Comedy. 

It's Jinx Money . . . It's Hot Money . . . $50,000 and It's All 

Theirs . . . Until Somebody Commits a Murder and the Fun 

Begins . Bowery Boys Track Down a Killer ... In the 

All-Time Best From Your All-Time Comedy Favorites . . . With 

Thrills and Laughs Galore. 

^ricl- 


"The Brothers' 

Patricia Roc, who was brought to Hollywood for "Canyon 

Passage" and has been seen in many British pictures including 

"So Well Remembered" and "The Wicked Lady," 

has marquee value but the others are best known to art 

theatre patrons. Mention that Finlay Currie played the convict 

in "Great Expectations' and that Will Fyffe was starred 

in "Rulers of the Sea" and other English films. Stress the 

ten t, Scottish locale by dressing the doorman or a ballyhoo man 

• 

in kilts, etc. 

CATCHLINES: 

A Woman's Love Dissolves Brotherly Ties . . . An Orphan 

Girl Precipitates the Outbreak of an Old Feud Between Two 

Scottish Clans ... A Picturesque Tale of Great Dramatic 

Import . Plighted Their Troth While Wind Howled 

and Rain Pelted Down. 

A Tale of Love and Murder Amid Scotland's Cloud-Capped 

Hills . . . Patricia Roc as the Lass Who Loved One Brother 

Yet Was Desired by Another. 


"Campus Sleuth" 

With a "Bobby Sherwood" trophy going to the winner, 

round up amateur musical talent from local schools for a 

stage contest in conjunction with the running of the picture. 

Arrange window displays of Sherwood's recordings with 

local music stores and see that your local jukebox distributor 

plugs Sherwood records. Take special ads in high school 

and junior college publications, and arrange to have the 

picture plugged at school events such as dances and games. 

. . . 

CATCHLINES: 

. . . It's Full 

When They Those Jitterbugs Have the Jitters . . . 

Huntin' for Harmony and Find Homicid'el 

Go 

of 

The Teen-Agers Are Back 

Melody, Mirth and Mystery . . . 

With Red Hot Rhythm and Cold Murder. 

They're Hep to Melody or Mystery ... No Case Is Too 

Tough or Too Rough ... No Pace Is Too Fast for These 

Smooth Sleuths . . . You'll Shiver When These Sleuthin' 

Smoothies Stalk a Murderer . . . You'll Thrill to Their Rollicking 

Romance and Frolicking Fun. 


"Stage Struck" 

Set up an invitational preview for members of women's 

clubs, parent-teacher associations, church groups, police officials 

and the like. Look through newspaper morgues for 

"missing girls" yarns and blow them up for lobby display 

and throwsheets. Snipe the neighborhood with "Reward" 

posters bearing a photograph of Wanda McKay. For street 

ballyhoo use a pretty girl carrying a suitcase on which is 

imprinted: "I'm 'Stage Struck.' Follow me to the Blank 

Theatre." 

CATCHLINES: 

The Dramatic, Daring Story of a Girl Who Wanted Too 

Much . . . And Died Because She Knew Too Much . . . An 

Intimate Tale of Youth and Its Struggles . . . There's Dramatic 

Power and Smashing Suspense in This Tale of the Fight for 

Fame. 

Action . . . Thrills . . and Murder! . Brutal Story 

About a Brutal Racket 

Cold-Blooded Truth About 

Cold-Blooded Crimes . It Hits a New High in Screen Shocks 

. . . The Frank Story of Youth on the Loose. 

TT 


"Dear Murderer" 

In semihumorous vein, arrange tieups with a local stationery 

store on a "letter-writing week" illustrated with large 

posters of blownup letters addressed to "Dear Murderer." 

Mimeographed letters so addressed could be distributed in 

office buildings or to your general mailing list. In advertising 

or heralds describe a man who will be at certain busy 

corners at specified times. Whoever identifies him as "Dear 

Murderer" receives free tickets. 

CATCHLINES: 

Is She Worth Murder? . 

Violence Won't Hold the 

Love of a Woman Like This . . . He Killed a Man Who Stole 

the Only Precious Thing He Ever Owned . . . His Wife . 

But Learned That He Couldn't Kill Them All. 

He Lied for Her ... He Killed for Her ... But With a Woman 

Like Her There Would Always Be Others . . . She Wanted 

Him Dead ... So She Could Live as She Pleased ... It 

Was a 'Perfect Crime' . He Learned His Wife Loved 

Another Man . Gained His Own Revenge. 


"Whirlwind Raiders" 

Sell this for what it is, an action film with plenty of hardriding, 

gunplay and a stagecoach holdup. Since it is laid 

in- Texas and has to do with that period when the old Texas 

Rangers were replaced by Texas State Police, many of whom 

were political crooks and were in turn replaced by the 

Rangers, something about this colorful period in Texas history 

should be written up for local newspapers. Feature 

Smiley Burnette and his songs (records may be obtained) 

along with stills of the Durango Kid. 

CATCHLINES: 

Durango and Smiley Fight and Sing With the Texas Rangers 

.. . Song-Swept Thrills, Bullet-Harried Spills . . . Bulletand-Rhythm 

Tornado Sweeping in From the Old West . . . 

Ride With Durango, Roar at Smiley. 

Texas Rangers Fight Corruption Among the Crooked State 

Police . . . Durango Rides Again to Uphold Law and Order 

. . . Tunesmith Smiley Burnette Tinkers With Old and New 

Tunes . . . Lots of Action, Lots of Music, Lots of Entertainment. 


"Blonde Ice" 


"Voyage Surprise" 

Lure the detective story fans with library and bookstore 

tieups on the Whitman Chambers novel, "Once Too Often," 

from which the film was made. Sell beauty salons on the 

idea of "Ice Blonde" coiffures and makeup, using stills of 

Actress Leslie Brooks in window displays to plug the stunt. 

Persuade a local drugstore to concoct a "Blonde Ice" sundae 

or see if a bar will feature a "Blonde Ice" cocktail. Use a 

blond girl in street ballyhoo carrying a suitcase or traveling 

bag on which theatre and picture credits are imprinted. 

CATCHLINES: 

She Was Sweet . Was Beautiful , . . She Was Lovely 

. . . But This Blonde Lady Was Utterly Evil . . . Her Love Was 

as Yielding and as Treacherous as Quicksand ... A Love 

That Could End Only in Death. 

Heaven Was in Her Eyes . . . But Hate Was in Her Heart 

Was Evil in Her Tender Touch . in Her 

Warm Embrace . . . And the Men in Her Life Were Marked 

for a Tragic, Pitiless Doom. 

Play up the fact that this was written by Jacques Prevert, 

author of the prize-winning "Children oi Paradise." Stress 

the comedy angle of the unconventional bus trip theme, 

similar to that in John Steinbeck's current best-seller, "The 

Wayward Bus," by renting a dilapidated bus to tour the 

nearby streets with copy reading: "Come Aboard for a 

'Voyage Surprise' at the theatre." Make a tieup with 

a local bus travel agency. 

CATCHLINES: 

There's Adventure, Laughs and Romance in a Bus Trip 

With No Itinerary Planned . Met Their Fate and Their 

Dreams Came True in a Surprise Voyage to Nowhere . 

Another Delightful Comedy by the Author of "Children of 

Paradise." 

Grandpa Found Much-Needed Excitement, His Bus Passengers 

Left Their Cares Behind Them While They Rode, 

Bicycled and Walked the Highway to Nowhere . . . Laugh 

Your Way to Happiness and Leave Troubles Behind on Your 

Doorstep.

' 

' 

: ifctors, 

I ' Gordon 

— 

KS lOc per word, minimum Sl.OO, cash with copy. Four insertions lor price of three. 

DATE: Monday noon preceding publication date. Send cojjy and answers to 

'Sq 

Box Numbers to BOXOFTICE. 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City 1. Mo. 

cuflfiine Hflusf 

4tf 

ik> 

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Bndll.. New Vork 1" 

iSiiii simdowtoi beaded screens, collapsible, 

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I 

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:St IVew York 19. 

|t iirew left. A marvelous buy! Simplex 

genuine Simplex rear shutters, double 

•Jiiis(. 

~ 

L 

iivcments. cast Iron traps, removable 

reillent condition, only $169.60, Star 

«ia Jiply, 459 W. 46th St., New York 19 

mpli 

real hut 

CSS 

^ Icn 

booth equipment at a bargain! Sim 

i.utter projectors, pedestals, magazines, 

mphoiises, rectifiers, RCA sound sysperfect 

condition, only $965. Star 

I'ply 459 W, 46th St,. New Y'ork 19. 

tra profits. Rebuilt and new coin 

• 

selective candy bar vending machines, 

»soi'.eighing scales, coin counting machines. 

Adair Company. 6924 Roosevelt. Oak 

list 

. II 

ir machines rebuilt and modernized by 

thods. All work guaranteed. Movements 

aj. Projection Service t Supply Co., 

11th St.. Minneapolis 3, Minn 

iffloli set. late model Holmes portable 35mm 

stands. Priced right. W. J. 

Ave.. Reno. Nev. 

iiclfl 3.000 chairs with leatherette insert 

I b.-|:. spring cushion leatherette bottoms, 

Sftelith center and end standards. All or 

r.'ain at $4,50 e.ich. Also 1.000 full 

n liacks with leatherette spring cushion 

mplete with slip covers, center and end 

!i Excellent condition. $4 each for all 

!i,li, Cleveland, General Tlieatre BquipiM 

2417 Prospect Ave, Phones: TOwer 

;r. Kirmount 4958, OeveLand. Ohio. 

abil^ generator, 80-160 amperes, excellent 

_ltlon{450. L. i N. Theatre Corp., Antioch, 

speed motors, 3, 7V4, 10 h.p., 4 speed. 

trial 

600, complete with controls. Ready 

lie shipment. Modern Craftsman, Bon- 

Spri 

, Kas. 

^ 

Owei used, 50,000 and 20.000, Attic fans, 

.lodern Craftsman. Bonner Springs. Kas. 

ll! machines, rear shutter, double bearing 

Completely rebuilt. Western Electric 

lound rebuUt by .Mtec, Extra pans, 

tftsman, Bonner Springs, Kas. 

nfi! Like new. 500 lege chairs consist- 

M r plush mohair backs and spring cushion 

oh bottoms having red mohair arm rests. 

pletoith center and end standards. All or 

$7 each, f.o.b, Cleveland. General Theatre 

pme Co., 2417 Prospect Ave. Phones: 

::tr 1 "7. FAirmounl 4958. Cleveland, Ohio. 

iiM rflinB equipment. 40,000 cu. ft., three 

i t( h,p. fan motor, remote control, five 

•pun motor, remote control. Four gas steam 

•rs. 3 each. One 7.500-vent fan, $25, One 

^ fc Cf !r. $5. Eight oil on velour murals with 

^T. ;5 each. 50 yards used carpet. $2 per 

>] wall light fixtures. $12,50 ea. One 

111 vchine, $150, Four ceiling fans. $30 ea. 

Avenue Theatre, Dallas, Texas. 

d Simplex mechanisms with upper and 

izines and complete sound equipment at 

gain, Boxoffice. A-3056, 

1.45 for complete rebuilt booth equipment 

'mi two Simplex rear shutter projectors, 

âzines, Ultraphone soundheads, ampli- 

.111 ipeaker, low intensity lamphouses and 

r Years of good service in this equip- 

'in deposit with order. BaLince C,0,D. 

•i| your needs? Get our prices first. 

m-illeatre Supply Co.. 1235 South Wabash 

fligo. Phone: WEBster 7268. America's 

owing Supply House, 

S, soundheads, .amplifier. Good condi- 

Plalnfield Theatre. Plainfield. Wis. 

GENERAL EQUIP.—USED (Cont.) 

Pair I'eerless L.l. lamps, $150: iir. iv amp, 

rectifiers, $95: pr. Simplex rear shutter heads, 

double bearing movements, spiral gears and cast 

iron traps, $400: pr. Larson soundheads, complete, 

$100: two amplifiers, each $90: pr. Gardiner 

K.W. lamps, new mirrors, $150: one Western 

Electric mirroplionic sound system complete, 62 

and 86 type amplifiers, with Uiphonlc speakers, 

excellent condition, $800: pr. Strong K.W. reclifiers. 

used one week, $310: pr. Syncrofilm soundheads. 

$150. All equipment guaranteed. Ilhudes 

Sound and Projection Service, 218 East 56tli St., 

Savannah, Ga. 

Will trade in late model 16mm, one UeVry and 

one Nalco. excellent condition, on late model 

35mm. Best offer accepted. Must be in excellent 

condition, E. C. Pamperln, Plymouth Theatre, 

Plymouth. Fla. 

Complete booth equipment. Pair Simplex rear 

shutter projectors, double bearing movement 

pedestals, magazines, uitraplione soundheads, motors, 

brand new amplifiers. Strong intensity 

lamps, 30 amp. rectifiers. Bargain. $975. Write 

to .\merican Theatre. 3621 Main St.. Indiiuia 

Harbor. Inii 

GENERAL EQUIPMENT—NEW 

Keep customers cool! Quickly order these: Air 

w,ashers to fit your present blowers at 1946 prices. 

5,000 cfm, $138: 7,000 cfm, $168: 10,000 cfm, 

$204: 15.000 cfm. $240: 20.000 cfm. $276: 

new blowers with motors and drives. 8,500 cfm, 

$172,50: 11.000 cfm, $229.90: 13.500 elm, $276: 

22.500 cfm. $348. Beat tlie heat, wire SOS 

Cinema Supply Corp., 602 W. 52nd St., New 

York 19. 

Drive- In Theatre Projection and sound equipment. 

Brand new: nothing else needed, $2,974. 

Theatre equipment $2,794, and $2,280, complete 

and installed. Ace Camera Supply, 150 N. Irby. 

Florence, S. C. 

Poster Cases. SUiinless steel or extruded aluminum 

poster cases, illuminated or none-illuminated. 

Available in all sizes. Prompt delivery. Poblocki 

and Sons. 2159 South Kinnickinnic Ave., Milwaukee 

7. Wis, 

(^rboii Savers: "Kirk's Three Screw" 6. 7, 

8mm. fits all standard lamps. $1,50 ea. Distributed 

by M, D, Kirkland. 3005 W. Lanvale St., 

Baltimore, Md, Send money order, 

New booth equipment, complete. Simplex intermediate 

high, super bases, projector R 7, 

R,C,.\. sound, electric ticket m.achine. etc. Save 

25%. Was purchased for theatre 1 had planned 

to build, 2340 North 110th, Seattle 33, Wash, 

New No. 42 Cretors double gas popper with 

stand and four trays. Never out of crate. $550 

c.-ksh. First cashiei^s cheek gets it. P.arma Theatre, 

Film Bid::,, Clcvrlinrl. Ohio, 

THEATRES FOR SALE 

Sell your theatre privately. Confidential correspondence 

invited. Leak llieatres Sales. 3422 

Ivinmore. Dallas: 1109 Orchard Liine. Des Moines. 

Iowa, 

Build double parking drive-In theatres under 

franchise patent No. 2,102.718. reissue No. 22.756 

and improvements, patent pending, tjp to 30% 

more seating capacity with little additional cost. 

Louis Josserand, Architect, 628 M & M Bldg.. 

Houston. Tex. 

We have theatres. Many theatres (or sale, 

worth Investleating. Contact us immediately. 

"Joe" Joseph, 2409 Sunset Ave. Phone Yale 

2-7650. Dallas, Texas 

MoRm pleture tJieatre. Can prove $60O-$600 

net per month. Price, $12,750 cash. BtKoffice. 

A-2996. 

Theatres far tale. Selected listings in Oregon 

and Washington now available. Write for list. 

Theatre Exchange Co.. Fine Arts Bldg,, Portland. 

Ore. 

For Sale: Tlieatre, 400 scats, good location. 

Reply Boxoffice, A-3035. 

300 seats. Super Simplex new machines, east 

Texas town l.SOO. $300 weekly gross business, 

bargain. $13,500. R. R. McCauley, Realtor, 1618 

Bryan. R-1832. "Dallas' leading business broker." 

For Sale: Two theatres by owner. 500 seats 25 

miles apart, action. Southwest Virginia. $26,000 

profit last year. No danger of competition. 

Write Boxoffice, A-3036. 

Only theatre in Virginia town with large mill 

under construction. Good lease and equipment. 

$15,000 cash. Boxoffice, A-3037. 

Northeast Iowa. Recreation center. Profitable 

theatre and building, including complete skating 

rink, sandwich shop. Ideal family combination. 

Everything. $16,500. $10,500 down. Leak Theatre 

Sales. New Wiirlitzer drink vendors. $595 

1109 Orchard Lane Des Moines. 

Ii ediate delivery. Pair used ESF portable 

im 

$3,335 down. Northern Oklahoma small town, 

sound projector.!. Perfect condition, includes building. Serious illness. Neglected. 

: 10 deposit. Balance CO D, Candy cases, $8,000 total. Leak. 3422 Kinmore. Dallas, 

"1 trim, four ft.. $135, Full line of 

'Hiiipment. Academy 

For Sale: Three theatres in western Kentucky: 

Theatre Supply 

So. Wab,ish Ave,. 

Wickliffe, county seat 1.100, 295 seats—$13,000. 

Chicago. WEBster 

Tiea's Fastest Growing 

LaCenter. tow-n of 700. 290 scats— $15,000, Arlington, 

town of 900. 275 seats— $11,000. .\lso 

Supply House. 

'- 

.omn booth equipment for small theatre. Mound City. III., county seat 2.500, 350 seats 

t f. rs 6A projectors, stands, magazines. 

ixd'ICE :: May 22, 1948 

$15,000. Terms, c.^sh only. All well established 

and stand inspection. Biiildin'js included except 

Wickliffe Box 471, Cairo. 111. 

THEATRES FOR SALE (Cont.) 

Western Illinois. 330 scats, second run product, 

new hl-lntcnsity equipment. Population 30.00U. 

Priced to sell, lieply Boxofflce. A-3044. 

Drive-ln, ooO-car capacity, living quarters and 

space in screen tower, I'lorida. Latest 

office 

modern equipment including in-a-car speakers, also 

seven-room modem home close by. This Is a very 

modern up-to-date theatre, operates the year 

round and doing a good business, other business, 

reason for selling. Will require $60,000 cxsh to 

handle deal. Ira B. Dyer. Rt. 4, Box 173, Ocala. 

Kla 

Only theatre, town 1,500, center limestone belt. 

Modern apartment. Reasonably priced. Terms. 

1', 0, Box 381. Oolitic. Ind. 

County seat 1.500. Southwest Texas. "Mile 

High City." Uelightful dry moiuiiain clhnatc. 

Ideal asthma, sinus, arthritis, respiratory. $100 

weekly profit, yet neglected, $7,750. $5,500 

down. Leak, 3422 Kinroore, Dallas 

Five miles from State College, 1.500 enrollment. 

Northern Oklahoma town 1,700. Centuries, 

Strong Highs. RCA, electric fountain, 390 upholslered. 

all new. Building included, home available. 

$20,000 down. Leak. 3422 Kinmore, Dallius. 

Unusual combination. Outdoor theatre, 60c ad 

mission, with apartment. Two beautiful fishing 

boats renting for $55 daily. Finest two-bedroom 

cottage completely furnished. Deep freeze, frigidaire. 

monel sink, range. Six-stool bar, lawn 

furniture. Augustine grass patio, silverware, linen, 

everything. Only show Texas Gulfs finest fishing, 

hunting resort. Rare opportunity make money, 

really enjoy life. Excellent staff will stay. Under 

$45,000. Liberal terms. Leak Theatre Sales. 3422 

Kinmore. Dalla 

Near Des Moines. Only theatre, community 

3,000, 400 cushion seats. New Star. Does $85 

weekly. Owner states payout under two years, 

$14,000, Lake Theatre Sales, 1109 Orchard 

Lane, Des Moines. Iowa. 

Modern 300-seat theatre, live growing town in 

Missouri. No shoppers. Reply Boxoffice. A-3049, 

Deal with owner, if you want the best theatre 

setup in west Tex:is. in a town of approximately 

2,000 population. Extra good territory. No opposition. 

Buyer must have good recommendation. 

$46,500 buys building and equipment. Would also 

sell residence .and other property. Need to chiuige 

climate. Reply Boxoffice. A-3050 

Lifetime exhihrtor retiring: First run rich Kansas 

county seat 5.000. One other theatre. New 

Simples booth. 550 Heywood chairs. Exceptional 

concessions. Two well cooling. Includes 

brick building, apartment, store. Priced, payout 

33 months. $66,000. $20,000 down. State 

finances. complete Identification. Boxoffice, 

A-3056. 

Five hundred car drive-in. West Texas city 

30,000. Perfect location four-lane highway. Fastest 

growing city southwest. National publicity. 

E-7s, Brenkert highs, RCA. Paved ramps. Concrete 

tower includes apartment. Nine month 

season. $2,500 profit first month 1948. Wired 

for car speakers. $50,000. $15,000 down. Your 

finances, identity please. Leak, 3422 Kinmore, 

Dallas. 

Near Dallas. Live trade center 1.000. 275 

seats, new Manley, perfect equipment. Newly 

decorated front. Long established. Illness. $11,000. 

$7,000 down. Leak. 3422 Kinmore, Dallas, 

For Sale: Drive-in Theatre, 300 cars. First 

and second run products, rich t,irming .and oil 

payroll. Large construction under way. Money 

maker, rare opportunity. Neglected by owner with 

other interests. Cash or terms. Boxoffice. A-3061. 

For Sale: Tlieatre. Clara Chapman, Speed, 

Kansas. 

Small theatre, 2.000 draw. $2,500 cash. Enfield 

Theatre Enfield. 111. 

Outstanding suburb. Only theatre, separate 

modern community, yet near everything. Texas 

metropolis, Texas' nicest town this size. Nationally 

known architect designed. 650 seats. 

Trade area 15.000. Perfect film setup. Highly 

profitable, $44,000. $29,000 down. Leak. 3422 

Kinmore. Dallas 

Theatre, 350 seats, county seat western Kansas. 

Competition 24 miles. Two rentals in building 

include apartment. Booth equipment new. 

town growing: potential business double present 

gross. Outside interests reason turning loose. A 

money maker. Sell direct, complete or equipment. 

Ten-year lease to right party. Boxoffice. 

A-30fi2, 

THEATRE TICKETS 

Prompt service. Speci.al printed roll tickets. 

100.000. $21.70: 10.000. $5,05: 2.000, $3.95. 

Each change in admission price, including change 

in color. $2.75 extra. Double numbering extra. 

Shipping charges paid to 500 miles, (^sh with 

order. Kansas City Ticket Co., Dept. 9. 1819 

Central. Kansas City. Mo, 

TICKET MACHINES WANTED 

Will pay up to $30 per unit for your old 

ticket machines. Require two unit or three unit 

size electric machine. Advise models and serial 

numbers If possible Ticket Register Industries. 

30 E. Adams St.. Chicago 3, III. 

THEATRES WANTED 

Sell your theatre privately. Confidential correspondence 

invited. Leak Theatre Sales, 3422 

Kinmore, Dallas. 1109 Orchard Lane, Dea 

Moines. Iowa. 

Is your theatre lor sale? Our ca»h buyers are 

waiting. We get quick results. Will give you a 

prompt estimate o[ your present theatre value. 

Write us today. "Joe" Joseph, 2409 Sunset Ave. 

Phone Yale 2-7650, Dallas, Texas. 

Cash for small towTi theatre, Texas. New Mexico, 

Arizona. Condition of theatre and equipment 

immaterial. Must be good town. Give all details 

first letter. Bub Yancey, Normangce, Tex. 

Will buy or lease theatre in good midwest town. 

Confidential. H. McCioughan, 125 East Second, 

Concord ia. Kas. 

$40^000 to purchase or as down payment on theatre. 

Prefer Virginia, North Carolina or South 

Carolina. All information first letter confidential. 

Reply Boxoffice, A-3050. 

$11,000 to invest. Iowa. Nebraska, Minnesota, 

Dakotas. Completely confidential. Boxoffice, 

A-3033. 

Wanted theatre, Idaho, Utah, Colorado. Theo. 

Sparks, Wheat Ridge, Colo. 

Want to sell your theatre? We have clients 

with the money waiting. Quick confidential sales. 

Correspondence invited. Morgan Wright, Nocona, 

Tex. 

Will lease theatre in Missouri or Kansas, small 

towns or cities. All correspondence will be confidential. 

State detaUs. Boxoffice. A-3034. 

HELP WANTED 

Theatre Manaser: Small town circuit, must tie 

sober and hard worker. State qualiric:itions._ References 

and salary expected first letter. K. Lee 

Williams Theatres, Inc., Broad at Spruce, Texarkana. 

Tex. 

Wanted projectionists and theatre managers to 

teach all phases of motion picture projection and 

theatre management. High school education required, 

college education preferred. Send summiu-y 

of education, training, experience, references, 

maritiil status, age, and state when available. 

Excellent opportunity for men seeking a secure 

future with opportunity for adviuicement. Address 

National Theatre Institute. Box 483. Dallas. Tex. 

Wanted experienced manager for downtown exploitation. 

Theatre growing independent circuit. 

Sahiry starts at $75 per week. Reference required. 

State ase .and qualifications, H, G. 

Bernstein, Bernstein Tlieatres, Bay City. Mich. 

POSITIONS WANTED 

Manag.^: 15 years experience housekeeper, exploiteer. 

Best references. Reply Boxoffice. A-3042. 

Manager, 20 years experience; both independent 

and chain operation: will go anywhere: age 37: 

single Al Tribbett, P. 0. Box 184. North Lansing, 

Mich, 

Projectionist, 20 years experience, single, sober, 

reliable Pennsylvania or bordering states preferred. 

all Tell first letter. Projectionist, Room 

:124. Milner Hotel. Harrisburg. Pa^ 

Manager or projectionist. 19 years experience. 

Write Willis Roberts, 184 Britain, Benton Harbor. 

Mich. 

Manager, experienced all phases theatre operation, 

wants job in the Carolinas. Address Box 414, 

Hamlet. N. C, 

Maintenance man and janitor. Wife will help. 

Please state salary and location. Boxoffice, A-3057. 

Want to learn to be manager of theatre. Please 

state salary and location. Boxoffice. A-3058^ 

Experienced executive of 30 years in management, 

booking and buying and all phases of theatre 

and circuit operation can be available within 

thirty days after acceptance of a proposition. 

Address Boxoffice. A-3059, 

Projectionist and manager for permanent employment. 

Experienced, reliable, references, Boxoffice, 

A-3060, 

REAL ESTATE 

Investigate this. Selling improved business property 

200x125 ft., in exclusive Chicago neighborhood. 

Included specifications for medical center, 

six retail stores, 32 howling alleys. l.OOO-seat 

theatre. References required- Owner. Tony Sheftic, 

Jr., 14501 Sherm.an .\ve. Posen. 111. 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE SUPPLIES 

In-a-car speaker. $14,95, Two cast aluminum 

water-proof speakers complete with junction box 

and line transformer: finest cnnstrtiction. For 

Information on complete line of drive-ln theatre 

equipment, write Drive-ln Theatre Manufacturing 

Co., 2017 Grand Ave, Kansas City, Mo. 

MORE CLASSIFIED 

ON PAGE 46 

29

M 

PROJECTION AND SOUND SYSTEMS 

Manufactured by International Projector Corporation 

55 La France Avenue • Bloonifield, New Jersey

TOTAL

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