The Exhibitor (1956)

MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR 7 BROADWAY GROSSES (As of this Monday) "Trapeze" Off To Flying Start New York — The main stem’s only open¬ ing, “Trapeze,” Capitol, and “The Search¬ ers,” Criterion, created all the excitement cn Broadway last week. The rest of the first-runs, all with holdovers, were far below last year’s averages. The breakdown was as follows: “The Man Who Knew Too Much” (Par¬ amount). Paramount ($45,300)* — Fourth week was down to an estimated $32,000. “D-Day The Sixth Of June” (20th-Fox). Roxy ($40,000) — Second week was head¬ ing toward $32,000, with $28,584 already in for Tuesday through Sunday. Ice show on stage. “Bhowani Junction” (MGM). Radio City Music Hall ($144,300) — $80,000 was claimed for Thursday through Sunday, with the third week heading for $123,000. Usual stage show. “The Searchers” (Whitney-Warners). Criterion ($25,800) — Second week was sure of a dandy $32,000. “Trapeze” (UA). Capitol ($49,800)— Opening week was off to a sensational $97 000 “Forbidden Planet” (MGM). Globe ($14,800) — Down to $8,500 on sixth and lcist week “The Killing” (UA). Mayfair ($15,600) — Down to $4,000 on the last three days of the fourth week. “The Harder They Fall” (Columbia). Astor ($29,000) — Fifth week dropped to $14,000. “Crime In The Streets” (AA). Victoria ($20,400) — Off to $14,000 on third week. “Cockleshell Heroes” (Columbia). Loew’s State ($28,700) — Only $12,000 on second week. * Figures in parentheses represent the average 1955 weekly gross based on MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR reports. Lodge Golf Tourney Expects Record Turnout NEW YORK — The fifth annual in¬ dustry golf tournament sponsored by the Cinema Lodge of B'nai B’rith being held tomorrow (June 14) at the Vernon Hills Country Club was expected to enjoy a record turnout from all branches of the entertain¬ ment world, according to co-chair¬ men Marvin Kirsch and Harold Rinzler following their count of their initial entries. Lodge president Robert K. Shapiro and past president Max Youngstein and Burton Robbins joined in urging participants to make early reservations. Among those who had entered by last week were William J. Heineman, James Velde, Hugh Owen, Len Gruenberg, Edward L. Fabian, Solomon Strausberg, Morris Strausberg, Stan¬ ley Kolbert, Emmanuel Frisch, Joe Malcolm, Charles Okum, Joseph Felder, Dr. Arthur Epstein, Harry Goldstone, George Hornstein, Philip Fliasnick, Joseph Wohl, Joe Ingber, Joseph Sugar, Martin Kornbluth, Saul Gottlieb, Herman Ripps, Bernard Brooks, Norman and Alan Robbins, and Irving Dollinger. Ronald Howard, British star, recently arrived from London and was tendered a press reception at the Park Lane, New York, by Hall Bartlett, writer-producer of "Drango," on behalf of Earlmar, Jeff Chandler's newly formed inde¬ pendent company. Howard, who will appear in this film, is seen with Max Youngstein, UA vice-president. NEW YORK By Me / Konecoff EITHER WE’RE GETTING old or pro¬ duction people are beginning to sound more interesting. For instance, last week we saw Fritz Lang, the noted veteran actor who specializes in suspense films, and he felt quite proud about bringing in his last picture, “Beyond A Reasonable Doubt,” for RKO release seven or eight days ahead of schedule, which is translated into be¬ tween $100,000 and $125,000, which, in these days, he felt was pretty good. He did this by working ahead at home, blocking out his scenes as in a stage play and by working with the writer and set designer to break down individual scenes. He made the most of the five hour shoot¬ ing schedule in effect in Hollywood these days, and presto, there’s some money saved if the production is an average one. Other Lang observations included one that many people say they would like to play pictures with new faces, but, if you do so, then who do you publicize, say exhibitors, ergo you must have some sort of “name” in your films. . . . also, he is in the dark as to what audiences would really like to see, and this doubt is not lessened any by companies who refuse to reveal which of their films is losing money . . . maybe if you give an audience something different, there will be a fav¬ orable reaction . . . it’s very important to leave Hollywood once in a while to get a fresh viewpoint on everything. ALSO THERE WAS a session with Mar¬ tin Gosch, who heads Martin Gosch Pro¬ ductions in Spain, where he has put ( Continued on page 21) CAN NEWS (Trade Headlines Of The Issue) Corporate President Barney Balaban sees a record Paramount quarter at stockholders meet (page 8). Deaths Actor Jean Hersholt dies (page 11). Jacques C. ReVille, MGM Charlotte branch manager, mourned (page 12). Distribution Republic cuts staff and payroll; plans exchange consolidation (page 10). Exhibition Walter Reade Circuit promotes five to top executive posts (page 12). Legal Edward Kingsley fights New York censor ban on French-made “Lady Cliatterley’s Lover” (page 11). Legislative Networks, film syndicators clash at Senate hearings (page 15). Mel Konecoff Director Fritz Lang brings one in eight days ahead of schedule and discusses new faces; Martin Gosch has some nice things to say about filming in Spain; and a variety of other news highlights receive comment (pages 7 and 21). Organizations TOA president Myron Blank hits dis¬ tributors’ testimony before Senate (page 9). Production NBC buys half interest in Joseph Mankiewicz’ Figaro, Inc. (page 10). INDEX Volume 56, Number 7 June 13, 1956 Section One Editorial . 3 New York By Mel Konecoff 7 The International Scene 14 Showmanship Sweepstakes 16 This Was The Week When 21 News Of The Territories 22 Section Two The Servisection . SS-1 — SS-8 (The Pink Review Section) Feature Reviews on: “Magnificent Rough¬ necks” (Allied Artists); “The Eddy Duchin Story” (Columbia) ; “Earth Vs. Flying Saucers” (Columbia) ; “The Werewolf” (Columbia); “Madame Butterfly” (I.F.E.) ; “That Certain Feeling” (Paramount) ; “Track The Man Down” (Republic) ; “DDay The Sixth Of June” (20th-Fox) ; “Massacre” (20th-Fox) ; “The Black Sleep” (UA); “High Noon” (UA) ; “A Kiss Be¬ fore Dying” (UA) ; “Shadow Of Fear” (UA); “Behind The High Wall” (U-I) ; “Congo Crossing” (U-I); “The Black Rider” (National Telefilm) ; “Forbidden Cargo” (Jason) ; “Legends Of Anika” (Grand Prize). Konecoff June 13, 1956