Motion Picture Herald (Mar-Apr 1947)

Short Product in First Run Houses U. S. Approves 1 6 Bids for Theatre Building, Repair Sixteen applications to build or repair theatres in various parts of the country have been approved by the Office of the HousingExpediter in Washington. Six applications were approved on the basis of severe hardship : Richards-Lightman Theatres Corp., Hope, Ark., to replace a fire loss; Louis P. and J. R. Gold, Belle Blade, Fla., to replace a building condemned; H. N. Beamer, Hailey, Idaho, to relieve hardship through prior commitments ; Tuscarawas Amusement Co., Ulrichsville, O., to repair a fire-damaged theatre; H. W. Leriger, Lyons, Neb., and Ross B. Mehl, Walnut Creek, Cal., because of eviction from present premises. Neil Hellman, of Albany, received approval of an $8,000 open-air theatre on the grounds it would not interfere with housing. Nine were approved on the basis of veteran ownership: Thomas C. Riddles, Palm City, Cal. ; W. Lee Austin, Arvin, Cal. ; Robert H. Perkins, Woodbine, Ky. ; Keith A. Falcon, Zachary, La. ; Leslie M. Kessler, Oakland, Cal. ; Howard A. Anderson and John H. Holliday, Pamplico, S. C. ; Weldon G. Girard, San Diego, Cal.; Walter H. Kahler, Butler, Mo., and Robert M. Rockoff, Delton, Wis. A letter of authority to construct a drivein theatre in Fall River, Mass., has been granted by the Board of Selectmen to Salvatore L. Romano. Mr. Romano's permit was approved by the Selectmen on the grounds that he was a wounded war veteran and that the Government already had approved the construction permit. J. Leland Young, manager of the Broadway and Casino theatres in Clinton, S. C, has announced plans for a new $100,000 theatre, seating 846, in Spartanburg, S. C. May Relax Restrictions On Drive-In Building A spokesman for the Office of the Housing Expediter in Washington late last week said that a relaxation in restrictions on construction of drive-in theatres is being considered. A decision is expected by next week. The relaxation, it was reported, might take the form of a blanket exemption for all projects meeting certain qualifications or it might be in the standards the projects must meet to be approved by the Government. Settle Dispute Differences between owners of the Allerton, Beach, Kraft, Melba, and Park theatres, in New York, and the Motion Picture Theatres Operating Managers and Assistant Managers Guild were dissolved last week. The union and the owners agreed to a contract providing increased pay and other conditions. NEW YORK— Week of April 21 CAPITOL: Hound Hunters MGM Diamond Demon MGM Feature: Smash-Up Universal CRITERION: Big House Blues Columbia Feature: Odd Man Out Universal GLOBE: Mefody of Youth Warner Bros. One Meat Brawl Warner Bros. Feature: That's My Man Republic HOLLYWOOD: The Forgotten Casualty 20th Cent.-Fox Rabbit Transit Warner Bros. Feature: The Two Mrs. Carrolls Warner Bros. MUSIC HALL: Double Dribble RKO San Francisco RKO Feature: The Late George Apley. . . .20th Cent.-Fox PALACE: Melody Time RKO Flicker Flashbacks RKO Feature: Trail Street RKO RMLTO: Gooch Parade Paramount Jumping Jacks Paramount Feature: Fear in the Night Paramount RIVOLI: Ice Skippers RKO Pepito's Serenade United Artists Feature: The Farmer's Daughter RKO ROXT: Dead End Cats 20th Cent.-Fox Harvest of the Sea 20th Cent.-Fox Promotion Plans Are Set For Eagle-Lion Product Eagle-Lion's "Repeat Performance" has been allotted a budget of at least $250,000 in national advertising and exploitation, it was announced this week with the return to New York from Hollywood conferences of Max E. Youngstein, director of advertising, publicity and exploitation, and Jerry Pickman, publicity manager. The picture will have its premiere May 22 in Zanesville, Ohio. Highlighting the campaign will be a managers' exploitation contest for which $2,500 or more will be awarded in prizes. Also discussed on the coast were campaigns for "Red Stallion," "Love from a Stranger," "Out of the Blue," "Lost Honeymoon," "Green for Danger" and "Caravan," the last two British pictures. Alfred W. Schwalberg, vice-president and sales manager, and Mr. Youngstein will tour the company's 31 exchanges next month. Rocky Mountain Allied Increasing Membership "Growing fast" was the verdict of officers of Allied Rocky Mountain Theatres, as they announced arrival of many letters and membership checks at the Denver office last week. Members may use the unit's Denver office so "they will not have to humbly ask to borrow a distributor's telephone," a unit bulletin stated. More office space and a permanent location are sought. RCA Promotes O'Brien Jack O'Brien, formerly manager of RCA Theatres Equipment sales, has been appointed manager of the division. He succeeds J. R. Little, now sales manager of RCA Distributed Products. Feature: The Homestretch 20th Cent.-Fox STRAND: Cat's Tale Warner Bros. A Boy and His Dog Warner Bros. So You Want to Be a Father. . . .Warner Bros. Feature: Stallion Road Warner Bros. WINTER GARDEN: Miniature Musical Universal Feature: Stairway to Heaven Univ.-lnt. CHICAGO— Week of April 21 CHICAGO: Marine Miracles Paramount Feature: The Guilt of Janet Ames Columbia GERRICK: Kingdom of the Wild. Warner Bros. Feature: 13 Rue Madeleine 20th Cent.-Fox GRAND: Smoked Hams Universal Feature: Smash-Up Universal-lnt. ORIENTAL: Vaudeville Revue. . . Warner Bros. Feature: Boomerang 20th Cent.-Fox ROOSEVELT: Sentimental Over You Warner Bros. Feature: Nora Prentiss Warner Bros. STATE-LAKE: Island Fling Paramount Feature: California Paramount UNITED ARTISTS: Squatter's Rights RKO I Disney I Feature: Lady in the Lake MGM Joint Collection In N. Y. Talked Joint collection in the New York area's 700-odd theatres for national "Health Week" was approved at a board meeting of the Metropolitan Motion Picture Theatres Association this .week. Under the program, collection baskets for all charitable and diseasefighting organizations in the area would be passed. This would be the first such joint collection by exhibitors. The idea itself is not new. It was brought up last year for application on a national scale and received prompt approval by the three national theatre groups, including Allied States, the American Theatres Association and the Motion Picture Theatre Owners ot America. However, the plan had to be abandoned when both the March of Dimes and the American Red Cross expressed their unwillingness to participate. Although none of these two groups is expected to change their stand on the matter, the New York exhibitor association will consider the launching of a joint collection campaign for other causes like the American Heart Foundation and other groups. HENRY R. ARIAS PURCHASING AGENT Foreign and Domestic Film Distribution 729 7th Ave.. N. Y. 19. N. Y.. Circle 5-4574 Serving the Industry Since 1913. Negotiations In Any Language CABLE: HENARIAS. N. Y. 46 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, APRIL 26, 1947