Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1958)

Wednesday, November 5, 1958 Motion Picture Daily 3 Marquee Inspections Slated in Detroit Special to THE DAILY j DETROIT, Nov. 4.-Charles E. Wen, deputy commissioner of the [department of Buildings and Safety i Engineering, reports all theatres in he city with marquees over five years [ild are (being sent violation notices, "his form of procedure does not [necessarily mean all marquees are contemned, but rather alerts theatres to lorthcoming inspection. This was set in motion by a series if falling cornices and facing stones, ilthough only one of these incidents involved a theatre. No one was inlured. The five-year ruling will affect virtually every theatre in the city. It is elt steel supports in many have deeriorated and must be removed or re>laced. Allen also said the current violaion notices will be followed by a imilar set regarding fire escapes. Revel, Composer, Dies; Wrote Many Film Hits Harry Revel, composer whose works vere featured in many films especially n the 1930's, died here Monday of a cerebral hemorrhage. He was 52. Bom in London, Revel started his professional career with a Hawaiian >rchestra in Paris. Following a tour >f Europe he came to America, enter ng motion picture work in 1933 when le handled the music for United Artsts' "Broadway Through a Keyhole." [n 1934 he joined Paramount and was issociated with many of that comsany's outstanding musical hits, including "We're Not Dressing," "Here omes the Groom," "Shoot the Works," "She Loves Me Not," "The Did Fashioned Way," "Stolen Harmony," "Love in Bloom," "Paris in the Spring," "The Big Broadcast of 1936," 'It Happened on Fifdi Avenue" and 'Collegiate." In the latter picture he dso appeared as one of the players. For M-G-M Revel collaborated on songs for "Two Girls on Broadway." The deceased is survived by his mother, Mrs. Rose Revel, and a sister. Mrs. Reni Schulman, both of New Sfork, and a brother, Sam, of Hollywood. Hyman Sees No Shortage ( Continued sure-fire boxoffice attractions, but there is no shortage of pictures. "Quality is all that counts today," Hyman said. "Mere numbers of pictures are meaningless. We no longer can charge admission: for the kind of entertainment that is available on television free." He noted that AB-PT is playing "Cat on a Hot Tin Root" in its Salt Lake City theatre for a tenth week, currently; something unheard of in previous years. Had the theatre been obliged to play lesser quality pictures, it might have been forced into double featuring and used 20 or more films in the same length of time. 'Smaller Theatres, Too' "Smaller tiieatres, too, will have to learn to adjust themselves to getting longer runs from the better product, and ease their film supply requirements in that way," Hyman remarked. He expressed the belief that most exploitation pictures are good only for two or three days of good business, "then fall apart thereafter, and they require a good, live, pre-opening campaign at that," he said. October theatre business was disappointing, the AB-PT executive said, due in his opinion to a minimum of high quality releases. "The theatres were given a strong boost in October by 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," he said. "In 1956, 'Giant' did the same thing. Last October, South for 'Houseboat' Paramount's "Houseboat" is setting •ecords in its first engagements in the South, the company reports. Cited as .ypical opening weekend (3-day) grosses were $12,721 at the Fox, \tlanta; $9,535, the Alabama, Birmingham; $6,303, Tennessee, Knoxville; and $4,945, Tivoli, Chattanooga. New ln~Car Heaters HARTFORD, Nov. 4. -The Berlin Drive-In, Berlin, Conn, has announced plans to provide free electric in-car heaters for the winter bringing to two the number of metropolitan Hartford outdoor theatres advertising such service. A similar plan has been in effect For several years at the Smith Management Company's Meadows Drive-In. from page 1 ) diere was no comparable, outstanding picture; as a result, die theatres suffered badly. "From now on, the releases look good," he said. "We have 'The Last Hurrah,' 'In Love and War,' 'Houseboat,' 'Mardi Gras,' 'Tunnel of Love' and 'Home Before Dark' this month. "For the pre-Christmas and Christmas Holiday period we will have 'The Buccaneer,' 'Geisha Boy,' 'The Inn of the Sixdi Happiness,' 'Roots of Heaven,' 'torn thumb,' 'Some Came Running,' 'Bell, Book and Candle,' 'Tonka' and 'I Want to Live,' 'The Old Man and the Sea' and 'Auntie Mame.' 'Rally' for Feb. 22 "I think it is a good thing," he continued, "that 'Rally Round the Flag' has been changed from a Thanksgiving-to-Christmas release and, instead, will be released Feb. 22; that 'The Perfect Furlough' has been changed from Christmas to Jan. 14, and that 'Separate Tables' has been changed from Christmas, except for four pre-release cities, to February. "These changes avert some of the congested release of the year end holiday period. The fact that they are furtiier spaced is a practical contribution to orderly distribution. I am sure exhibitors will recognize this and get behind these pictures with extra effort when they become available," Hyman said. "And from the first 1959 quarter on, the releases look very good." K. C. Ordinance ( Continued from page 1 ) action. That ruling was appealed by the city to the State Supreme Court, which disclaimed jurisdiction and assigned die case to the Kansas City Court of Appeals. In yesterday's action, the appeals court said the Equity Division of the Circuit Court, which granted the injunction against the city, had no authority to prohibit the municipality from enforcing an ordinance barring the showing of questionable motion pictures. 'Gigi' Big at Sutton MGM's "Gigi" drew capacity audiences to the Sutton Theatre here Sunday as in its first day as a continuous run attraction in New York. The gross of over $4,300 was the biggest Sunday at popular prices in die history of the theatre and was achieved in spite of heavy rain. The night before, "Gigi" wound up its reserved seat run at die Royale Theatre where it ran for over six sellout months. The total gross for the 255 performances at the Royale was nearly half a million dollars. Hyman Hails Magazines ( Continued from page 1 ) lication, having solicited nationwide exhibitor support for "SereenbiH" beginning several months ago. The first issue with a guaranteed circulation of several million will be out around holiday time. Since the announcement of "Screenbill," the Denver Post, at the instance of Robert Selig of Fox Intermountain Theatres, and other Colorado exhibitors, has given consideration to publication of a film rotogravure magazine for distribution by theatres. It would be supported by advertising and, as in the case of "Screenbill," would cost exhibitors only the sniping charges. The recent Theatre Owners of America annual convention in Miami Beach named Selig chairman of a committee to investigate the Denver publication further and report on its suitability for theatres in all parts of the country. Also, within the past few weeks, the Detroit News added a motion picture theatre section to its Sunday television and entertainment magazine on the urging of local exhibitors. ''Heaven' to Rochemont 'Tunnel' to Roxy "Embezzled Heaven," based on the Franz Werfel novel of the same name, has been acquired for distribution in the U.S. and Canada by Louis de Rochemont Associates. "The Tunnel of Love" the film version of the long-run Broadway comedy hit, will be the next attraction at the Roxy Theatre here, M-G-M announced. PEOPLE A testimonial dinner will be given in the Theatrical Grill, Cleveland, on Monday, Nov. 10, in honor of Carl Reardon, former local Universal branch manager who was promoted to manager of the Philadelphia branch, and Peter Rosian, district manager whose territory has been increased from five to eleven offices. Jim Levitt, Buena Vista branch manager, is chairman in charge of the affair. □ Morris Jacobson, president of the Strand Amusement Company, Bridgeport, Conn., circuit, has reopened the long-shuttered subsequent-run American Theatre, Bridgeport, Conn., operating evening performances only Mondays through Fridays, and continuous shows on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. □ James M. Totman, assistant zone manager, Stanley-Warner Theatres, has been elected a director of the New Haven Young Men's Institute. □ Frank O'Neill, formerly manager of Smith Management Company's Meadows Drive-in, Hartford, and more recently at the StanleyWarner Palace, Norwich, Conn., has been named manager of the S-W Delaware, firstrun Albany art-house. □ David (Skip) Weshner has been named producer's representative on UA's "I Want to Live. 'War' in Big Start; Adler Praises Support Jerry Wald's "In Love and War" opened in several situations at the weekend to exceptional box office returns, according to initial reports from the theatres. At the Center Theatre in Buffalo, the film took in $9,917 for the three days; at the Roosevelt, Chicago, $12,442; Keith, Cincinnati, $5,683. Upon receiving reports of the grosses, Buddy Adler, 20th CenturyFox executive in charge of production, issued a statement praising exhibitors for their support of the company's program of advancing young players to stardom. "It is most gratifying to see the enthusiasm and effort the exhibitors are putting into selling our 'young player policy'," Adler stated. Leases Theatres UPPER SANDUSKY, Ohio., Nov. 4. — Mrs. Leo Jones has leased the theatre properties of her late husband to Jack Armstrong, circuit owner with headquarters in Bowling Green, O. Houses involved are the Star, Upper Sandusky; Carey, Carey, O. and the Indian Trail Drive-In, Upper Sandusky. This increases the Armstrong circuit to 18 houses, including hard tops and drive-ins, all located in northern Ohio.