The Exhibitor (1950)

10 EXHIBITOR MSI KONGCOtFS NGW YORK THE OTHER DAY we went up to New Haven on a new gimmick for the world press premiere of U-I’s “Winchester 73,” containing such stellar personalities as Jimmy Stewart, Shelley Winters, Dan Duryea, Stephen McNally, Millard Mitchell, and others. We boarded a number of special cars at Grand Central Station, attached to the Yankee Clipper, which transported scores of newspaper and radio people as well as officials of Olin Industries, parent company operating the Winchester Arms organization, U-I officials and publicists, etc., in addition to star Shelley Winters. Upon arrival in New Haven the gang disembarked enriched by western, type headgear containing another plug for the film. Special buses transported guests to the East Haven Gun Club for an exhibition 01 fancy shooting by Herb Parsons, crack marksman and technical adviser on the production of the film. Since it was raining, the festivi¬ ties were dampened somewhat as the assemblage had to stay under canvas but Parsons’ shooting was still outstanding. After being duly instructed in the fine points and the proper usage of various Winchester guns, all departed for the Taft Hotel, where a cocktail party was held in the grand ballroom, and it seemed as though all of New Haven tried to squeeze in to say “hello.” A buffet type of dinner was next on the schedule with the film slated for the Shubert, normally a legit house. As we stepped out for some air, we noted that across the street from the Shubert at the Roger Sherman, “Colt .45” was playing, and we would say that the street seemed pretty well covered. We made it a point to stop in to say “hello" to some of the town's managers while we had a few minutes to spare, and they reported that business was off to some ex¬ tent. In addition to television, the siphon¬ ing off of available money for installment buying also was given as a reason for the drop. They agreed that one solution to bring people back to the theatres seemed to be the return of the two-price system apparently abandoned some years ago in New Haven. Under that plan, a lower price would be charged for the balcony seats as compared to the orchestra. We arrived at the theatre in time to witness the presentation on stage of a prize Winchester rifle to Miss Winters by John M. Olin, president, Olin Industries. The film is a tense, taut, western, and patrons should be well satisfied. The trip back to town was a merry one with the comment being heard Universally that a good time was had by all. (Aside to publicity manager Phil Ger¬ ard: Do we get anything special for letting Winters use our cowboy type hat most of the evening? And leave us say at this point, everyone on the staff did a swell job. Let’s do it again some time in the not too distant future.) SHORT SHOT: We stopped in at Leon and Eddie’s recently, no, not what you think, to see a short being made by Co¬ lumbia shorts producerdirector Harry Foster. It was the latest in the “Caval¬ cade Of Broadway” series of one-reelers and featured therein are Eddie Davis, famous host in the club; Jean Carroll, comedienne, and others. Saloon columnist Earl Wilson, as usual, will act as guide on the tour. When we arrived, the only one in evi¬ dence was Davis, going through his rou¬ tines, getting set for a “take.” Incident¬ ally, Foster has produced one and tworeelers for Columbia for about 20 years, and he is particularly proud of this series, which covers New York night life. He starts work on a new series of shorts EXHIBITOR'S Mel Konecoff tries to steal a scene from actress Shelley Winters in this photo, taken aboard a train bound for the recent press pre¬ miere of U-I's "Winchester '73", at the Shubert, New Haven. Miss Winters is starred in the film. shortly titled “School For Children,” with Wally Wanger’s dancing school being the subject of the first reel, “Stars Of To¬ morrow.” When we left, neither Wilson nor Miss Carroll had put in an appearance, so we’ll just have to let things go at that. THE MEN: A Paramount press agent swears up and down the street that working on “The Furies” were director Anthony Mann, second assistant A1 Mann, stand-in Leonard Mann, and maintenance man Joe Mann, and not one related to another. It must be the hot weather that brings on such items. THE METROPOLITAN SCENE: The March of Time got “Beauty At Work” off to c big start with a reception for the press. It’s all about models, the agency, and the particular adventures of one gal. . . . The opening of “Winchester 73” at the Paramount was ballyhooed by a cov¬ ered wagon, pretty models attired in western costume, and collection boxes on behalf of the Cerebral Palsy Drive. . . . The Rank film, “The Rocking Horse Win¬ ner,” was shown to members attending the 50th anniversary convention, Ameri¬ can Booksellers Association. ... A kingsize pressbook finally reached us on “Samson And Delilah,” as well as okeh entries on “In A Lonely Place” and “Frightened City.” . . . Jock Lawrence, Goldwyn vice-president, was off for Lon¬ don for conferences on “The Edge Of Doom” and “Our Very Own.” . . . We understand that one large circuit has effected 15 per cent payroll cuts almost ” Father " Strong ; Broadway Spotty New York — Radio City Music Hall was way out in front of the Broadway firstruns last week. Other business was spotty. According to usually reliable sources reaching Exhibitor, the breakdown was as follows: “RETURN OF THE FRONTIERSMAN” (WB). Strand, with stage show, hit $13,000 on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with the opening week heading toward $24,000. “WINCHESTER 73” (U-I). Paramount, with stage show, claimed a $61,000 open¬ ing week. “FORTUNES OF CAPTAIN BLOOD” (Col.). Rivoli was heading toward a $15,000 oDening week. “NIGHT AND THE CITY” (20th-Fox). Roxy, with stage show, opened to $42,000 for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with the first week sure to tally $70,000. “FATHER OF THE BRIDE” (MGM) . Radio City Music Hall, with stage show, reported $83,000 for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with the fourth week expected to garner $133,000. “ROCKETSHIP XM” (Lippert). Criter¬ ion anticipated the third week at $8,000. “PLEASE, BELIEVE ME” (MGM). Globe expected the opening week to hit around $8,000. “ROCK ISLAND TRAIL” (Rep.) . Maylair was heading toward $10,000 on the conn n r\ iiiddIz “THE 3RD MAN” (SRO-EL). Victoria expected $11,500 on the 12th week. “THE JACKIE ROBINSON STORY” (EL). Astor was heading toward $11,000 on the fourth week. “ANNIE GET YOUR GUN” (MGM). Loew’s State looked for $29,000 on the fourth week. “THE ASPHALT JUNGLE” (MGM). Capitol, with stage show, opened to a $58,000 week. “THE ROCKING HORSE WINNER” (U-I). Park Avenue claimed $8,000 for the opening week. Jersey Allied In AC Meeting New Jersey — Plans were completed this week for the annual convention of New Jersey Allied from June 15-17 at the Traymore Hotel, Atlantic City, N. J. Highlights will include election of offi¬ cers, a screening of “The Next Voice You Hear ... ”, a showmanship meeting, cock¬ tail party, closed exhibitors’ meeting, and banquet. Among those scheduled to be on hand are Gloria Swanson, Harold Lasser, Abram F. Myers, Trueman Rembusch, Richard Hodgson, Jonas Rosenfield, Mel Gold, Mike Simons, Leon Bamberger, Arthur Greenblatt, and others. Discussions of arbitration, television, and film will be reported. McDonald Denies Charges Chicago — E. F. McDonald, president, Zenith, denied last week that the company had ever made untrue or misleading adver¬ tising claims regarding Phonevision. His assertion followed announcement by the Federal Communications Commission that it had asked Zenith to explain some of its actions in connection with Phonevision. up and down the line. . . . The Rivoli denied rumors that it was closing, and also announced its usual Father’s Day contest with the prizes. June 14, 1950