Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1955)

.londay, October 24, 1955 Motion Picture Daily 3 PEOPLE Dana Wynter, given star billing in ler first picture for 20th Century-Fox. iThe View From Pompey's Head," eaves New York today for a five-city our of the Eastern and Middle Atlanic States. n Mrs. Claude Lumley, has been lamed manager of the Dixie Theitre, Wrightsville, Ga., a unit of the Dixie Amusement Co., Swainsboro, Glenn Haviland of 20th-Fox sales itaff, in Portland, Ore., has returned :o active duty after an absence of :hree months due to a heart attack. He is president of Colosseum of Moion Picture Salesmen. Preston Henn, Georgia and North Carolina exhibitor, is the new owner of the Blair Theatre, Blairsville, Ga. Melvin Frank, writer-producer, has returned to Hollywood from New ♦York. Sam Briskin, producer, has returned to the Coast from New York. ' Villa' to Open in 10 %. A. Area Theatres V Edmund Grainger's "The Treasure of Pancho Villa" will open simultane1 Dusly in 10 theatres throughout the j'Los Angeles area Wednesday, it has 1 been announced by Walter Branson, RKO's world-wide sales manager. The theatres participating in the multiple run of the RKO Superscopei Technicolor release are: the Paramount, Los Angeles; New Fox, HollyI wood; Floral Drive-in, Belvedere Gardens; Compton Drive-In, Huntington Park; Vermont Drive-in, Inglewood; Victory Drive-In, North Hollywood; Reseda Drive-in, Reseda; -Vineland Drive-in, Puente; San Gaj'briel Drive-In, San Gabriel, and Stuj dio Drive-In, Westwood. \Onein (C/2in 'B' \As Legion Scans 9 "The Desperate Women" has been placed in Class C by the National Legion of Decency, which at the same time rated two other films— "A Lawless Street" and "Queen Bee"— as Class B. The remaining six, of the nine pictures reviewed, were placed in Class A. In Section 2 of this category are 'All that Heaven Allows," "Helen of Troy," "Return of Don Camillo" and "Treasure of Pancho Villa." "Lucy Gallant" and "Headline Hunters" were rated Class A, Section 1. Bermuda Is Hit by Censorship Hassle Special to THE DAILY HAMILTON, Bermuda, Oct. 23.Revenue to Bermuda theatres has been seriously affected by censorship of motion pictures by the Film Control Authority of the Bermuda Board of Education which was set up last Sept. 27 by the legislature. The agency has the power to permit the unrestricted exhibition of a film, restrict its exhibition to adults only, or prohibit its exhibition entirely. The legislation defines an adult as a person over the age of 17. The theatre receipts started to fall off when the agency began administering the censorship resulting in scores of protests from teenagers who claim that only about half of the films exhibited here since the censorship was introduced have been for unrestricted exhibition. The indignant teenagers claim that this deprives them of the opportunity of going to the theatre. Complaints have been also registered in the Colonial Parliament by the advocates of voluntary censorship who think that the censorship legislation, now in force, should be abolished. 237 Key Dates Set For 'Man With Gun9 United Artists has set 237 key bookings covering every exchange territory for Samuel Goldwyn, Jr.'s "Man With the Gun," it was announced by B. G. Kranze, general sales manager for UA. The bookings will kick off following the world premiere of Goldwyn, Jr.'s first motion picture production at the Loew's State Theatre in New Orleans next Thursdav. Kings Buy 'Adam' HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 23. "Mr. Adam," the story of a shy man who suddenly finds he is the only man in the world who can be a father, has been purchased by King Brothers and will be put into production early in December for distribution by RKO. '"Mr. Adam," a "best-seller" by Pat Frank, published by the J. B. Lippincott Co., is reported to have sold over 1,000,000 copies. The King brothers are currently talking with Alec Guinness to enact the key role. Tri-State Convention In Memphis Today; Elections Tomorrow Special to THE DAILY MEMPHIS, Oct. 23. Exhibitors from all parts of Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi were here tonight awaiting the gong which will open a two-day annual convention at Hotel Gayoso tomorrow of the Tri-State Theatre Owners. Nathan Flexer, Waverly, Term., president of Tri-State, is on hand to welcome delegates, present speakers, and preside over business forums. A moonlight boat ride— with a chuck wagon supper served aboard— will be tomorrow night's entertainment feature. A fashion show at Tuesday's luncheon has been arranged for the ladies. Speakers include: Warren Foster, Atlanta, public relations; Dick Stern, Bijou Amusements Co., Nashville; George Kerosotes, Springfield, 111., representing the TOA president, and Alex Harrison, Western and Southern division manager of 20th-Fox. Distributors will have many of their head men as guests at die convention. Business sessions are scheduled for tomorrow and Tuesday mornings. Tuesday afternoon die convention will recess for delegates to inspect Universal-International's new Memphis film exchange. Election of officers is scheduled for tomorrow. Fox Midwest Shifts Illinois Managers ST. LOUIS, Oct. 23. Personnel changes at the management level of the Fox Midwest Theatres include: Leon Koch, manager, Grand Theatre, DuQuoin, 111., promoted to manager of the Capitol Theatre, Benton, 111.; Harold Symthe, assistant manager of the Lincoln Theatre, and manager of the Illinois, Belleville, 111., succeeds Koch at DuQuoin; Dale Thornhill, manager of the Capitol, Benton, transferred to the Illinois Theatre, Centralia, 111., succeeding manager Pete Pekarek, who has been transferred to the Illinois, at Jacksonville, replacing W. W. Hilsabeck, who resigned. Carl Lowery succeeds Clyde Patton as manager for the Globe at Christopher, 111. Latter has been transferred to the Kansas territory. Danny Kaye to Tour ^ Hos(er h Dead Danny Kaye, who has just spent a month touring western Europe on behalf of the United Nations Childrens Fund, will spend the month of November on a personal appearance theatre tour and related activities on behalf of his next film for Paramount, "The Court Jester." Mrs. Boasberg Dies BUFFALO, Oct. 23.-Funeral services were being arranged at the weekend for Mrs. Celia Boasberg, mother of Charles Boasberg, special assistant to George Weltner, Paramount's world-wide sales head. Mrs. Boasberg died here suddenly Friday morning. ST. LOUIS, Oct. 23. Arch H. Hosier, owner and general manager, St. Louis Theatre Supply Co., died in his sleep at his home in Edwardsville, 111. A native of Virginia, he was for many years a technician for Western Electric, ERPI, and Altec, before entering the motion picture theatre supply business in 1946. New Drive-in Ready HARTFORD, Oct. 23. Perakos Theatre Associates will open its deluxe first-run, the Hi-Way Theatre, Bridgeport on Wednesday, following cleanup of flood waters. TENT TALK Variety Club News ALBANY.— The Variety Club, at a meeting where the report of 55 new members was received, elected the following crew: Harold Gabrilove, Jack Goldberg, Lewis A. Sumberg, Norman Weitman, Irwin Ullman, Jack Hamilton, Sylvan Leff, Aaron Winig, Charles Stevens and George Greene. Former chief barker Jules Perlmutter and Norman Jackter were chosen delegates to the Variety International Clubs' convention; Sidney Urbach and George Greene, alternates. A HOUSTON.-New Officers of the Houston Variety Club, Tent No. 34, are Paul Boesch, chief barker; Augie Schmitt, first assistant; Dick Gottlieb, second assistant; Mike Conti, dough guy, and John Paul Goodwin, property master. Board of directors consists of Kenny Bagwell, Paul Boesch, Mike Conti, John Paul Goodwin, Tom Johnson, Jem7 Kirby, Augie Schmitt, Sid Balkin, Addie Marks and James Hill. Retiring chief barker Mack Howard, with Bruce Layer and Paul Boesch, were named delegates. Fred Nahas is alternate. Rex Van is manager of the club. A MILWAUKEE.— Over 200 persons, including friends in exhibition, distribution and many others in the industry, attended a testimonial dinner in honor of Jack Frackman, branch manager for Republic here for over 20 years. The big affair, held by Wisconsin Variety, Tent No. 14, in the Schroeder Hotel, was for Jack's 35 years in distribution here in Wisconsin. Toastmaster at the dinner was Russell Leddy of Green Bay. A PHILADELPHIA.— Lewis Goffman, chief barker, announced that the proceeds from the recent benefit held at the 1956 Ice Capades will go to Tent No. 13's Summer Camp For Handicapped Children. Peter Tyrell, manager of the Arena, has helped make this annual benefit affair possible. Gualino Arriving for IFE Conferences Dr. Renato Gualino, president of I.F.E. Releasing Corp. and his wife, Fulvia, is due in New York today from Italy aboard the Italian liner "Andrea Doria." Doctor Gualino will stay in New York for two weeks conferring with other top executives of I.F.E. In early Nov ember, Gualino, who is also president of the International Federation of Motion Picture Producers, will go to Washington to attend meetings of that organization.