The Exhibitor (1959)

# # ^ UNSOLICITED • The letters from readers which appear on this page are not solicited. MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR does not suggest questions to readers in order to provide a flow of letters. From NEW YORK, N.Y. To say I was extremely pleased to find I had been honored by "making” the front cover of MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR is putting it mildly. I felt flattered and proud of the very fine tribute paid me. C. J. LATTA, Managing Director Associated British Cinemas, Ltd. EDITOR'S NOTE: We know that the tribute was a well-deserved one. From STAUNTON, VA. I have just finished the first week of a two week run on Universal’s "PILLOW TALK” and I would like to report that it is nothing short of a smash hit. If Hollywood could just give us more of this type of entertainment, I don’t think that any theatre large or small would need to worry about grosses. Keep up the good work in MOTION PIC¬ TURE EXHIBITOR, also. PAUL KERSHNER, JR., Resident Manager Visulite and Staunton D-I Theatres EDITOR’S NOTE : M. P. E. feels a certain amount of proprietorship in that success. Our Annual Laurel Awards poll of theatremen opinion was the first to team Doris Day and Rock Hudson as boxoffice champs. They have certainly lived up to our billing. From NEW YORK, N.Y. Upon reflection, "BEN HUR” gives one a lot to think about. It is a magnificent picture, overlong, but spectacular beyond description. As a motion picture I think it will be a sensa¬ tion. There is no question about it. But I think an Academy Award should be given to Joe Vogel, with the one word inscription "COURAGE.” HOWARD G. MINSKY EDITOR’S NOTE: We agree! And we second the motion on that foe Vogel award. From NESQUEHONINC, PA. As the New Year of I960 rolls around, I only wish that the major film companies would make a resolution to start delivering magnetic sound prints on their CinemaScope product. Fox and MGM do. But what about the others? EUGENE DE SANTIS, Projectionist Classic Theatre EDITOR’S NOTE: Magnetic sound and stereophonic high fidelity sound are two of many important advantages that the moving picture industry enjoys over its arch-rival. Failure to provide such prints would seem to be false economy. From EASTON, MD. I think MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR, its editor, and its staff are all pretty wonderful. All theatre managers need you. PHYLLIS YEATMAN, Manager Avalon Theatre EDITOR’S NOTE: Thanks Phyllis! We think you are pretty wonderful, too! From NEW YORK, N.Y. This is one for the books. During my 40 years in this business we have found many things in our theatres that were left there by our patrons. But last Monday night, Nov. 8, our porter found a pair of crutches. And here it is Friday the 13th, with no claimant. M. J. WALLACK, Proprietor St. Marks Theatre EDITOR’S NOTES Sort of "the miracle at St. Marks." the ONE Trade Paper that is frankly content THIS ... if he is a theatre executive . . . your best friend WILL tell you! From SHERMAN OAKS, CAL. I have bought film out of the branch office in Philadelphia, New York, Albany, New Haven, Washington (D.C. ), and Los Angeles, and I have found Philadelphia to be the toughest. The others were all very reasonable. Here, we have no trouble with any companies. SAM STIEFEL Sherman Theatre EDITOR’S NOTE: "Steve" Stiefel is one of the real "old timers,” born and raised in the industry. His views on relative " toughness ” might be checked against the number of lawsuits. From CHICAGO, ILL. I would like to compliment MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR on its new service "THE TIP-OFF on Business.” I think it is very well done and serves a very good purpose. It gives much more information than any other trade publication does. If it were possible, I would like to suggest one improvement. In addition to listing the total weeks run, and the percent average for the total of all weeks, if would be helpful if either the first week or the first two weeks were also given. In this way all pictures could be compared on the basis of their first week, or first two weeks. Under your present system, the longer a picture runs at a par¬ ticular theatre the lower its average will be because of the fourth, fifth, sixth, etc. weeks’ grosses. For example "IT STARTED WITH A KISS” hit 150 per cent in the one week in San Francisco, while its four week run in New York averaged only 112 per cent. Once again, let me repeat that the form, even as is, is extremely helpful. RAYMOND J. MARKS, President M & R Amusement Companies EDITOR’S NOTE: Sorry, but this would require nearly double the space. But it is for this same reason that we list both the total number of theatres and total number of weeks in each picture’s final standing. "Legs” is of great importance in any judgment of grossing possibilities. From DALLAS, TEX. I wish to thank MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR for the Achievement Citation awarded to me for my "A WOMAN LIKE SATAN” campaign published in the Nov. 4 issue. Enclosed find the weekly News Letter of the Trans-Texas Circuit, directed to all man¬ agers under date of Nov. 13. I know you will be as pleased with this reference as I was. ED LINDER Melba Theatre EDITOR’S NOTE: The News Letter, signed by Norm Levinson, congratulated Ed Linder "for being a citation winner” and ended "Who’s next for TransTexas?" Well, who is? From LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y. Please send four additional calendars for the year I960. M. J. BARANCO, Zone Manager Skouras Theatres Corporation From BALTIMORE, MD. Thank you for the I960 BOOKING CALENDAR. It would be very much appreci¬ ated if you could let us have three more for others in our offices. HELEN WILENSKY, Office Manager Schwaber Theatres From BROOKLYN, N.Y. Thank you for your courtesy in sending a 1960 BOOKING CALENDAR. Can we have three more. J. R. SPRINGER Springer Theatres From BINCHAMTON, N.Y. I find your BOOKING CALENDAR of inestimable value. I would appreciate your sending two more. ROBERT E. SUNNESS Sunness Theatres From MILWAUKEE, WISC. We would appreciate it very much if you would supply us with two additional BOOK¬ ING CALENDARS. JOE STROTHER, Buyer Marcus Theatres Management Company EDITOR'S NOTE: We are still work¬ ing ourselves out from under a flood of requests.