Variety (April 1950)

PICTURES Clqis from Film Row ♦ ♦ ♦ » ♦ 4 # ♦ M ♦ ♦ ♦ »4- 4 » NEW YORK The TOO-seat, Iselin, theatre, Ise- Un, N, J„ leased for 21-year pe- Tlod to Gorporation headed by Wilr liam Infold and Leonard Richman. Kew/ inanagcment plans facelift, peal consummated, by Berk and Krujngold. Paraniount feted Tom Lee Lit tie, operator of two theatres and « drive-in in Camden, S. G.^ as the vet C'xhib began his 36th year in showbiz. Par handled the honors because Little . has played every; release of the company since 1915, Charles Freimart, Par h.O; rep, went to Camden for presentation of a scroll endorsed by the com- E any’s toppers, A1 Puren, Par’s ranch manager in, Charlotte, K, C., planned affair. : , James R. Grainger, Republic’s exec-veepee and sales chief, and assistant sales manager EdWa rd L. TValtohj headed for Chicago and Rock Island, 111., this week to at- ;tend world preem of company’s ‘■Rock Island Trail.” Pictiire opens day-and^date t o m o r r ib w (Thurs.) in pavenport. Rock fIs- land/ Moline and East Moline. Henry A. Linet, Phil Gerard and Charles SimohelU plane to Coast today (Wed.) for quickie huddles with David A. Lipton, U’s ad-pub topper, bn promotional plans for ■‘Winchester, 73,” “Louisa” and “Sleeping City,” ■ company’s new releases. Ad-pub execs expect to return to their h.o, over the week- : end^;: ■•■ PITTSBURGH George Davis, one of owners of Liberty theatre, Wellsville, O., aC-^ quired thp Beaver at Beaver, Pa., ruhning his string of holdings tp live, Other houses are the Liberty, Midland; Freedom, Freedom, Pa., and Skyline Drive-In, Wooster. Beayer was acquired from the es- tate of A. W. McCormick, who died recently of injuries suffered in an automobile accident while returning from a Florida vacation. Harry Norman Ball, owner of. Penn theatre, Ambridge, Pa., whose anti-trust suit against flock of dis- tributors was recently sustained by the Supreme Court, has plans to open drive-ins in Cuba, Puerto Rico and San Salvador. William Weiss, McKeesport the- atre owner, and his wife flew to Miami Beach to attend the golden wedding anniversary celebrations of their parents, Mr. ahd Mrs. Jo- seph Weiss. ; Sam Eineberg, head of Alexanr der Theatre Supply Co., who nar- rowly escaped death in an auto- mobile accident in Missouri several I Weeks ago, has gone to Phoenix, to recuperate. Fineberg was on the way there to visit his family at the time of the erackup, and was con- fined to the Lebanon, M^., hospital for some time. Speer Marpusis, veteran New Castle, Pa.; exhih, flew to Greece last week to visit members of his family, whom he hasn’t seen iii 30 ..■years.-'," Marvin Saniaelson, formerly with tVB in Cleveland, joined company’s local theatre department as booker; replaces Dave . Wald, who resigned to go with 20th-Fox as salesman in Erie territory. Bob Munn, one-time., salesman here with Eagle Lion, Warners and Selznick, became a West Vir- fiinia exhib; leased the Grand in Moundsville from Albert ^mythe. Pete Nemec named manager of new Hi-Way Drive-In now under construction at Garrplltdwn. ST. LOUIS Loren Gluster, JSalem, 111., ex- pects to light his new^rive-in just south of Salem on June 1. The Dickinson Operating Go. changed tag of the Star, Quincy, 111., to the Glen and has begun operations after extensive altera- tions. House was originally tagged the Colphade. The. Clark Theatres Circuit, op- CTating the S,tate, Bowling Green/ Mp., Is building a 4b0-qar ozoner on the outskirts of the town; $75;- 000 has been earmarked for the ■j,ob.- ^ The ^Gapitan Theatres CoTp/ Metropolis, 111., sold its 500-car drive-iri neBr Metropolis to the Massac Theatres, The., headed by Edward Clark. The Massac organiz- ation ope rates the Royal and Massac in Metropolis. George Kerasptes, president of the Kerasotes Theatres, Spring- field, Hi., will build a new 600-car ozoner near Decatur, HI. Kenneth Hunsacker and Ray McRee lighted the Deluxe, a 22^ seater, Camp; Point, HI., recently purchased^ William Zimmerman, Warren- lon; Mo., exhib, tagged his radio station, “The Count r y Station That Goes To Town.” In addi- tion to Originating / prograiiis in WaiTenton, Z i m m e r m-a it also broadcasts those* starting from St. Charles and Washington, Mo. Jones Enterprises, Inc.; owner of the Flora drive-in, on outskirts of Flora, HI., lighted the ozoner. A $22,000 open air theatre in Salem, 111,, as a memorial to the war dead of town^i will be built in the William Jennings Bryan Park there..'--^.■;.. ■■.■:• -V Rollen E. Robinson, Sandoval, 111,, lighted his Hollywood ozoner near SandovM* ;■,■■/■■/’ DALLAS Duke Clark, Paramount division manager for this area, who was seriously injured In aft automobile accident near Oklahoma City re- cently, has returned from the Wes- ley Hospital there to his home here, where he is reedvering. Lincoln theatre, for Negro patronage, opened here by James, Butler. House has a seating ca- pacity of 500. Haruld Schwarz, of Tower Pic- tures, has taken oyer Realart, dis- tribution here from John Franconi and Clair Hilgers; Schwara is con- solidating his Tower ; exchange with Realart and will operate un- der the former ftanie. Contract awarded to. J. P. Stubblefield Construction Go., to rebuild Cactus theatre at Pecos, recently damaged by fire. Mrs. W. Anderson is owner of building which is under lease to Griffith Theatres. M. I, Dubose leased the Avaftt building at Dilley for a fiyeryear period and has begun a remodel- ing program. The Strand at Kilgore sold by the East Texas Theatres, Inc., to Kilgore Developers, Inc.,, who will tear down building to make room for office building. House has been shuttered for several years, J. P. Ward named manager of Del Norte Driye-Iri at El Paso. For past year he held similar post at El Paso Drive-In, where he will be succeeded by. J. T. Garty. MINNEAPOLIS Northwest Variety club present- ed University of Minnesota With $80,000 check for heart hospital project, inaking $484,000 , total raised by the club. Peter Campbell coinpleting new 450-seater at Wailhalla, N. D., and will open it May 25/ St. Paul World booked “Tight Little Island” which rah for four weeks at Minneapolis World. After tour of Minnesota Aiftus, Co, circuit, visiting 23 towns, Harry B. French, head of .Paramount theatre circuit, says he, found a record amount of confidence and optimism among his house man- agers. Despite iftost unfavorable weather conditiOfts in years, busi- ness has held up well, he says. * Mary Diane Seibel, daughter of Ev. Seibel, Minnesota Amus. Co. ad-publicity head, directing and playing leads in radio.. Dale Cowle, North Star Films salesman; recovering from injuries suffered in collision that complete- ly wrecked his auto. Committee handling arrange- ments for Northwest Variety club’s annual banquet for past chief bark- ers, honoring ' Ted Bolnick this time, is; headed by S. D. Kane and Bill Elson. ' Metro to have Chief Mata/ and Top Challe here to plug “Annie Get Your Gun” during North Cen- tral Allied convention May 3-4. Bert Zats, Paramount booker, in hospital for appendectomy, PHILADELPHIA Jaiftes C, Reiriiel, b 0 Q k e P at Eagle Lion, turned songwriter, first tune being “My, Heart’s Aflame,” and recorded on Top Tunes label. Charles Simorieili, tiniversal ex- ploitatioh chief, lectured before classes in' public relations at Uni- versity of Pennsylvania last week, telling of campaign on ‘‘Francis.’’ American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and other vet groups Worked out fund-raising deal with William Goldmah to tie in with run of “Story of GI Joe,” at Karlton Theatre. CHICAGO Harris SHverberg, National Screen Service -manager, back at work after being hospitalized for heart attack. City tax depariment closed down Harvard and Mars theatres for failure to pay takes and renew licenses. No action has yet been taken to reopen them. Local drive-ins reporting thefts of portable loudspeaker units tRat are clamped on cars. Chi police last week arrested five men who had been smuggling units, out of Sky-Hi Drive-in here. John Balaban, Balaban & Katz president, appointed a member of Illinois board of directors of United Cerebral Palsy .A$sh. Arthur Stern’s newly-formed*Tri- angle Amus. Corp^ moves into new quarters on North Michigan Ave., in same building with Essaness .circuit; RKO branch office holding a “Herb Greenblatt Sales Drive,” May 6 to 26 in honor of district manager Herb Greenblatt. LpS A^lkLES Stratford /Pictures; Mbiio^am subsidiary, wilL handle playdate.S lift Ihis country for the Richard Todd starfer, “For Them That Trespass,” filmed last ; year in England. ... TWentieth-Fox will reissue “The Hound of the BaskerviUes,’^ Sher- lock. Holihes yarn filmed in 1839 with . Basil Rathbone and Nigel /B'ruce,. Cihema. Distribiitors, headed -by Ed Barison, acquired western rights to the old Hedy ILamarr picture, “Ecstacy/’ lipw titled “My Life.” With film exhibs already taking it on chin, biz is expected tp sufr fer further from daylight saving time, starting April 30. Nothing has been done about it to date, except to send but special trailers, stressing comfort of coriyentional theatres in comparison with driye- ins: KANSAS CITV City Pianriihg Commission dis- approved applications for drive-in theatre for Fairyland Park/ city’s outdoor amusement park. Roy Cato, manager Of the War- wick, Fox Midwest circuit contin- ues to take it easy, favoring heart condition. Jess White; assistant manager; currently Tbbks after '.hbuse,-' Ralph Morrow due back as city salesman at Universal exchange next week after several weeks away, undergoing surgery. TORONTO Motion Picture Theatres Assn, of Ontario named Stan GosneR as veepee and director replacing George Peters Who retired from film industry. Clare Appel is a new board ;.member. Resignation of DouglaB Rosen as Uhited Ariists’ branch manager here to join International Film Distributors as general manager has brought many personhel shifts in UA’s Canadian sales organiza- tion. George Heiber moves in from Montreal to assume Rosen’s old berth; Sam Kuhitzky, formerly at St. John,' N. B,, relieves Heiber ip Montreal. Lou Michaelsoh, identified with the industry since 1936, named St. John chief: ALBANY .^Alfred G. Swett. named manager bf the Madison, here, according to Charles A. Smakwitz, zone man- ager for Warner’s N. Y. 'state Cir- cuit. Swett managed theatres in ■Falmouth, Mass, St. Auguriine/ Fla., and in Maine and NewiHamp- . shire. . ' ■ ■ ■ • Colonial Little theatre ini Johns- town plays host to reps from near- by community theatre organiza- tions at a Tri-County Regional Conference early in June. Johns- town, Amsterdam, Ilion, Mayfield and Glpversvllle sent reps to out- lirte program for the conference. WASHINGTON ■ Carter Barron, area topper for Loew’s and D C. studio rep for Metro, will be. first recipient of yariety Club’s Tent 11 local Heart Award for outstanding civic serv- ice. Award will be made at a din- ner May 27, With Metro, and Loew toppers On the guest list. RE<y^^ Regina, boUght Hi"Art theatre, Weyburn, Sask., trom R. Sutherland/ who has retired. Bodnoff also has Wieyburn’s Sbo theatre.; SAII FRANCISGO Graham Kislingbury, district manager for North Coast Theatres in Frisco, elected to difectorate of Califoimia Theatres Assn. BUFFALO Mannie A. Brown, former Buf- falo branch manager for Para* mount, becomes manager for Film Classics here. \ ■' VcJwcwlay, April 2«, 1930 SAN FRANCISCO (Continued on page 13) (Col). Weak $7,000 or close. Last weeicj “Johnny, Holiday” (UA) (2d wk-5 days), $5,000* Stafedbdr (Ackerihan-Rosener) (370; 85-$l)r—“Glass Mountain” (EL). NSH $3,000 or under. Last week, ‘‘Major Barbara” (Iiidie) (re- issue), $2,700 in 10 days. Clay (Rbesner) (400; 65-85)^ “Titan” (UA) (2d wk). Off to $2,800, Last week, big $3,600. Larkin (Rbesner) (400; 65-85)— “Saints and Sinners” (Indie). Oke $2,000* Last week, “Sunshine Fol- lows Rain” (Indie), $2,40O.; . ; Geary (1,550; 6()-$1.80)—“Bicycle Thief” dndie) (7th wk). Down to $6,000 after oke $7,000 last week. For 8th and final stanza, house, goes to' 85-$r.20 scale and contin'- ubus policy.: ■ MonlT/'Happy’ j6G, 3d Montreal; April 25. . Cool weather is . giving . biZ a boori at all deluxers cuiTenUy; Holdovers in . all. but tsyp houses are still shaping strong. Ace new- comer is “Nevadan” giving- Im- perial itB biggest, session in weeks/ “LOve; Happy” continues big; in third Orpheum stanza. Estimates for This Week toew’s (GT.) (2,855; 40-65)— “Wabash” (20th) (2d wk). Down to $15,000 after smash $20,000 opener. Capitol (C.T.) (2,412; 34-60)— “Cheaper By Dozen” (20th) (2d wk). Holding nicely at $13,000 fol* lowing lofty $16,000 first round; Palace (G.TJ“2,625; 34-60)^ “Mother Didn’t Tell Me” (20th). 0kay:$17,000* Last week, “Nancy to Rik' (M-G) (2d wk), $12,000. Imperial (C.T.y (1,839; 34-60)— “Nevadan” (Col) and “Bodyhold” (Col). Great $13,000: Last week; ‘‘Buccaneer’s Girl” (U) and “Daugh- ter of West” (U) (2d wk), fair $6,- 500. ^ Princess iCX) (2.131; 34-60)-^ “Ambush” (M-G) (2d \vk). Off to $^000 after fancy $16,000 first week Orpheum (C.T.) (i;040; 34.60)— “Love Happy” (UA) and “Prison Warden” (UA)* (3d; wk). Still big at $6,000' after $7,OO0 for second week.." BUFF;‘DOW FAT ISG TORONTO (Continued on page 13) ‘■Chiltern Hundreds” (EL). Nice $1.3,000; Last week, “CinderellB” (RKO), wow $26,0()0. V DowntPwii, Oiendale, Scarboro, State (Taylor) (1,059; 955; 698; 694; 33-57) —“Dangerous Profession ’ (RKO) and “Prison Warden” (Col). Okay $13,000. Last week, “Border- line” (U) and “Golden Stallion” (Rep), $12;000. Egiinton, Victoria (FP) (1,080; 1,140; 38-67)—“Third Man” (SRO) (3d wk)i Big: $14,000. Last week, $14,500. Hyland (Rank) (1,357; 46-77) — “Tight Little Island” (U). Hefty $9,000. Last week, $10,000. Imperial (FP) (3,373; 37-59) — “Riding Hfgh” (Par) (3d wk). Nice $13,000. Last week, solid $17,000. Loew’s (Loew) (2,096; 38-67) — “Nancy To Rio”- (M-G). Rig $15,- 000. Last week, “Yellow Cab Man” (M-G) (2d wk), $9,000. Nortown, University (FP) (959; 1,556; 38-67)—‘Cheaper By Dozen” (20th) (3d ; wk). Nice $8,000. Last week, $11,000. Odeon (Rank! (2,390; 48-$1.15)— “Cinderella” (RKO) (3d wk). Big $12,000. Last week, $14,000. Shea’s (FP) (2,386; 38-67) — “Foolish Heart”, (RKQ): Okay $9,500; Laist . week, “Daughter Rosie O’Grady” (WB) (2d wk), big $9,000. Uptown (Loew) (2,743; 38-67)— “Kettles Go To Town” (U) (3d wk). Okay $6,500. Last Week, big $9,000. * Toyland’ 1st > Buffalb; ^prit 25. Not much rirength'-'&rb thi.s week albeit “Chbaper by Dozen” is sock at the Center. “Daughter of Rbsie O’Grady” also is doing nicely at Paramount. ‘’Cinderella’’ still is stout in third Centiiry week. Estimates for This Week Buffalo (Loews) (3,500; 40-70)“ “Third Man’V (SRO), ah4/‘‘Harbor Missing Men’’ (M6hb).' Okay $14,000; Last Aveek. ’‘Three Came ; Home” (20th) and ^‘Youhg Daniel Bobne” (Mono), $15,000, Paramount (Par) (3.000;/40-’?O)“ “Daughter of Rosie G’Grady” (WB); Nice, $15,000 or over. Last Aveek. “Ridirig High” (Par) (2d wk-4 days), $7.500*;■■ ■.-. ' Center (Par) (2,100; 40-70)— “Cheaper by Dbzen’’ .(20th):: Sock $18,000. Last week, “Stage Fright’^ IWB) (2d wk-3 kdays), $4,500. . ' Lafayette (Basil’s) 3,000;" 40^70— “Cargo Capetown” (Col) and“Mili- tary Academy’’ (Col). Oke $10,500. Lari week, “Ma, Pa Kettle To Town” (UA) and “Tyrant of Sea” (Col), big $19,500 in 10 days. Century (20th Cent.) (3,000; 40-70 -^“Cinderella!’- (RKO). and “Canine Dectective” (Mono) (3d wk): Nice $7,500 in 5 days. Last week, big $15,000* $EATTLE (Continued on page 11) “Tattooed Stranger’* V(RKO) (2d wk-5 days), $5,000. - Liberty (Hamrick) (1,650; 5ii-84) —“Gonspirator” (M-G) and *‘Biaok '' Hand” (M-G). Fine $9,500.-Last week, ;“4 Days Leave’* (FC) and “Western Pacific Agent” (Lip), slow $5,300 in 6 days. Music Box (Evergreen) (850; 59- ' 84) “Cinderella” (RKO) (m.o*), > Okay $4,000. Last week, I’Man With Horn” (WB) (3d wk); $3,200 in 6 days. Music Hall (Hamrick) (2;200; 59^ 84)—“Yellow Cab Man” (M-G) and “Side Street’* (M-G), Great $14,- 000 Or bver,; Last Week, “Cinder- ella” (RKO) (3d wk'6 days), swell $8,200. ’ Orpheuin (Hamrick) (2,600; 59- 84)^“Barricade” (WB) and “HBr-* bor Missing Men” (Rep). Fair' $6,500 in 6 days. Last week, “Buc- caneer’s Girl” (U) and “Twilight in Sierra’s” (Rep), $7,500. Palomar (Sterling) (1,350; 50-$ 1) ;;-“Gun Crazy” (UAl) i2d run) with Kay Starr onstage. Big $10,000, Last week, /‘Chaiif Lightning’^ (WB) (2d run) plus vaude, $4,800; Paramount (Evergreen) (3*039; 59-84)^“Riding High” (Par) and “Dangerous Profession” IRKC) (3d wk).' Good $5,000 ini 5 .days after big $9,200 last week. KANSAS CITY (Continued on page 11) $4,000. Last weekj “Congorilia” (indie) and “Borneo” (Indie) (re- issues), $3,700. Klmo (Dickinson) (550; 55-75)^ '’Bicycle Thief” (Indie) (3d wk). Healthy $1,560. Last week, $1,700. Midland (Loew’s) (3,500; 45-65) —“Third Man” (SRO) and “Girl from San Lorenzo” (UA). Topping average at $14,000. Last week. Outriders” (M-G) and “Military Academy” (Col), moderate $13,000. Missouri (RKO) (2,650; 45-65)— “Stage Fright’’ (WB) and “Palooka Meets Humphrey” (Mono). Slow Last week, “Cinderella” UvKO) (2d wk), continued good at $ 11 , 000 . • Orpheum (Fox Midwest) (1,912; of Treason” (ED* Drab $5,000, Last week, “Three C^me Home” (20th) (2d wk), fair $4,500 in 5 days. Paramount (United Par) (1900; 45^)—“Paid In Full” (Par). Thin W or less. Last week, “Riding High ’ (P^r) (2d wk), stayed only 6 days, $9,000/ good enough but not up to hopes. Tower-Uptown-Falrway (Fox-Mid- west) ^ (2,100; 2,043; 700; 45-65V— Kid from Texas” (U). Sturdy $ 16 ,* Opo. Last week, “Cheaper By Pozen”;(20th) (2d wk) big $17,000. ^ Hollywood, April 25: William LeBarbn and N o 1 i Gurney formed a new indie film- ing unit,. Wellington Productions, Inc,, to make a series of features, starting with ‘‘Babes in Toyland,” based on the Victor Herbert . stage musical. Picture will be made in Techni- color this summer on a budget of $1,000,000. Producers are angling for Jane Powell as femme star. Hollywood, April 25/ On completion of "Dark City,” currently in production, Hal Wallis will take a siesta until October. His contract with Paramount calls- for four pictures in 1950. . Of these, ‘‘My Friend Irhia Gbes West” is completed and “City” is bn the last lap. The other two, starting with “Quantrell’s Raid-./, ers,” are slated lor fall and early > winter shooting.