Motion Picture Daily (Apr-June 1956)

'uesday, April 17, 1956 Motion Picture Daily 11 "lEVIEWS: S .overs and Lollipops rans-Lux Pictures 'he problems of adult courtship and ntics of an undisciplined, sevenu^ear-old girl in disrupting a love afair are presented successfully in this dpj.omedy that is a sequel to "Little la|j ,'ugitive" but with the female aproach. Spire Productions, which lmed "Fugitive," produced this film yc release by Trans-Lux Pictures ,:orp. Young Cathy Dunn, as the little irl who parallels "Peck's Bad Boy," 1 the central character, going about er "delinquent" ways to the chagrin f Gerald O'Loughlin who is courtlg Lori March, mother of the young:er. A moving but simple story by lorris Engle and Ruth Orkin, who Iso produced and directed, the comdy treats of the perplexing problems f O'Loughlin as he methodically 'oos Miss March, a widow. What access he attains with her are offset y Cathy who realistically displays ne pest-like antics a child might per)rm at that age, especially when imeone new apparently is going to 'titer the family. Cathy eventually is the cause of a grit between the lovers but they Me to their senses in time to realize leir loneliness for each other and re re-united. . The pace is leisurely, concentrating n human emotions and sentiment ither than suspense or drama. Filmed i New York, its locale treatment is omparable to that of "Little Fugive." Dick Vorisek's music blends 'ell with the story. Running time, 80 minutes. General lassification. For April release. J. E. Walk the Dark Street associated Artists — Dominant This melodrama involving murder nd starring Chuck Connors and Don oss slows down to a leisurely walk, ffsetting suspense which might therwise bolster the film. As a realt, "Walk the Dark Street" loses luch of its mystery, suspense and otential audience following. Both Connors and Ross offer nusual performances and offer as mch credibility as would be possible nder the circumstances. The techical reins were handled by Wyott 'rdung, who produced, directed and 'rote the story. The complex plot finds Connors as big game hunter sidelined by a bad eart, and Ross as an ex-Army lieu:nant from Korea. The murder elelent broadens when Connors, believig that Ross was responsible for the eath of Connors' brother while servig in Korea, envisions the killing of oss. The plan expands when Ross )mes to Connors to pay his respects nd Connors subsequently invites him a a hunting mission: hunting each ther down with camera guns in a iven area. Ross accepts but is igorant of the fact that Connors' cam Conn. House Sets Up Student Club Plan Special to THE DAILY WINSTED, Conn., Apr. 16. Mrs. Hazel Florian of Lockwood & Gordon's Strand Theatre has started a Strand Student Club, providing reduced admissions for teen-age high school students. Mrs. Florian, in an effort to encourage additional attendance by 12to-18 year-old bracket, is issuing wallet-sized identification cards for a service charge of 50 cents. This entitles the bearer to special admission price: 35 cents, matinees, and 40 cents, evenings and Sundays, as compared to adult charge of 50 cents, matinees, evenings and Sundays. A special show is planned for all card holders, with admission free. Other benefits are also scheduled. Disney Trailer Plugs UCP Fund Drive Walt Disney and a seven-year-old cerebral palsied boy are the stars of the new 1956 motion picture appeal trailer to be used in connection with the United Cerebral Palsy seventh annual campaign during May, it was announced b>r Leonard H. Goldenson, UCP board chairman and president of American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres, Inc. The three-minute trailer, "A Message from Walt Disney," was produced in the Walt Disney Studios and features little Jackie Martin of Los Angeles, one of United Cerebral Palsy's three 1956 poster children. United Cerebral Palsy will participate in the National Association of Radio and Television Broadcasters annual convention in Chicago this week with an exhibit booth. Chi. Tower Owners Seek an Operator CHICAGO, April 16. The Tower may soon reopen if the Tower Building Corp., owners of the building in which the theatre is housed, can interest a buyer in the complete property, or if it can get some well qualified person to operate it as a motion picture theatre. Balaban & Katz, whose lease on the theatre portion of the building expired on March 31, shut down the Tower about three years ago. In accordance with the terms of the lease, B&K continuously maintained it, thus eliminating the necessity for extensive remodeling. era gun holds a bullet rather than a roll of film. After more complex events that include mild romance, Connors gives in to his bad heart, while Ross settles down with Regina Gleason, one of the girls cast in the film. Tom Michaels and Richard Bernstein assisted Ordung as associate producers. Running time, 74 minutes. General classification. For April release. S. America to Spur Mexican Production MEXICO CITY, April 16.-A sharp increase in the number of Central and South American productions to be filmed in Mexico has been predicted by the National Producers Association here, following a ban imposed on Mexican film technicians working in those countries. Noting that some producers have inquired into costs and other financial data for future filming in Mexico, the association said a large share of the future film expenditures will come from Brazilian and Venezuelan producers, the hardest hit by the ban. Bolivar to Start Bolivar Films of Venezuela has indicated it will be the first to start production in Mexico, using Mexican technicians and some local theatrical personnel. Mexican producers working in Central and South America prompted those countries to ban the importing of Mexican technicians because of "dangerous competition" to native technicians. Buffalo Erlanger Stock on Market BUFFALO, April 16.-Foundation Theatre, which will operate the local Erlanger legitimate house, starting July 1, has put 5,000 shares of nonvoting stock on sale here. "Stock subscriptions in excess of $75 per person are respectfully declined," says part of an ad carried in the local press. Incorporation papers have been signed by Peter G. Becker, who will manage the Erlanger; William R. Raikin, general counsel, and Mrs. Harvey M. Rice, director. They will hold the 100 voting shares in the non-profit foundation. Money from selling non-voting shares at $75 a share will go into a fund for guarantees to producers of plays and musical comedies and for improving the Erlanger, Becker said. Organization of the foundation began when Dipson Theatres of Batavia, N. Y., sold the Erlanger to Ike Gordon of Rochester, who planned to raze it for a parking lot. Koken Is Convention Chairman for P.C.A. In the THEATRE EQUIPMENT and Refreshment WORLD . . . . . . with RAY GALLO THE W. J. Ruscoe Company, Akron, Ohio, has a new paint for drive-in theatre screens. It is called "Perma-Brite." The new paint has a rubber base and can be either sprayed on or brushed. It comes in five-gallon drums. A free sample of a half-pint is available to exhibitors writing the company on their letterheads. • To control insects at drive-ins there is a new device developed by the Detjen Corporation, Pleasant Valley, N. Y. It is a combination "garden lantern" and insect electrocutor. Flying insects are electrically destroyed as they try to reach the source of light. Conventional light bulbs may be used although a daylight blue lamp is recommended by the manufacturer. • John C. Dexter, formerly folding chair product manager for American Seating Company, Grand Rapids, Mich., has been promoted to the newhj-created position of Sales Promotion Manager, according to fames M. VerMeulen, vice-president of the company. Mr. Dexter has been with American since July, 1950. • For carrying refreshments to cars at drive-in theatres, the Keyes Fibre Company of Waterville, Me., has a new disposable tray of molded pulp. It has four cup compartments and "ample" space for sandwiches and other foods. The tray is water-proof, grease-resistant and has a non-skid surface. It is trade-named the "CarryOut Tray." • The Pepsi-Cola Company reports that its earnings and gross profits on sales reached a new high in 1955. The "Super Yardbird Streamliner" is the name of a new kiddie ride for drive-in playgrounds. It consists of Lee Koken, of RKO Theatres here, a motor-driven, pint-size train cornhas been named general chairman for plete with track, crossings and switch the convention of the Popcorn and turnouts. The ride is made by the Concessions Association, which will Charles William Doepke Manufacturbe held in New York, Sept. 20-24, in ing Company, Rossmoyne, Ohio. It combination with the annual conclave is available in both gasoline and elecof Theatre Owners of America, trie operated units. Theatre Equipment and Supply Man .==^=^=====:^= ufacturers Association and Theatre Equipment Dealers Association. Lester Grand, of Confection Cabinet Corp., Chicago, will be exhibit ^^^T^^yfMJ G ET ALL THREE chairman of P.C.A. Melvin B. Rapp. W jM ^HEN YOU ORDER of APCO, Inc., New York, will head SPECIAL TRAILERS the entertainment committee, and ^FjA^I from -m~w will be assisted by Kenneth H. ^^^T-^ ■ ■ . ~mT * Wells, of Theatre Confections, Ltd., ^"°K° ™* ///////iA*/* Toronto. 1