Variety (February 1952)

20 NCTORES Wednesday, FcBrauy 13* 1952 Clips From Film Row ♦♦♦♦♦♦»♦♦♦♦♦4♦»»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦»♦♦»♦♦»♦♦»♦♦4444 4 ++ NEW YORK William B. Zoellner head of Metro’s shorts and newsreel Sales, back in town after a two-week tour of mideastern exchanges. James R; Grainger, Republic’s sales chief, due to return to home- office Feb. 25 from inspection of the Washington, Atlanta, Jackson- ville, Tajhpa and Dallas exchange areas. He took prints of company’s recently^ completed “Hoodlum Em- pire’’ and “The Quiet Man” with him:. Jack Sidney, for years publicist for Loew’s Theatres in Baltimore, named acting city manager of Loew’s Century, Valencia and Parkway Theatres: Charles Feldman, Universal’s domestic sales chief, returned to the homeoffice Monday (11) fol- lowing visits to exchange offices in. Los Angeles, San Francisco, Omaha, Des Moines and Chicago, . KANSAS CITY Directors of the Kansas Missouri Theatre Assn, at its January meet- ing set up a three-day series of confabs to be held here at - the Phillips Hotel Feb. 25-27. The February series Will be Climaxed by a drive-in session Feb. 27. Drive-In program is being Set by aj committee headed by Jack Brau- nagel, Commonwealth Theatres drive-in topper. The ozoner meet is the second scheduled here in as many weeks,' Allied Independent Theatre Owners . .of Kansas and Missouri having scheduled a na- tional convention for March 4-6. Delegation of film, row and theatre execs went to ;Wiehita, Kans., last week for opening of new Sunset Theatre, latest addi- tion to Slothower circuit. House is a subsequent-run seating 1,000. City censorship of films may be abandoned here, as part of finan- cial retrenchment being consid- ered by city fathers. Recommended budget proposed would drop pix censor program and its costs of $3,800, most of which goes for sal ary for current censor. Move was earlier suggested , by film, row and theatre reps, who cited that the censorship here is unnecessary in view of regulations exercised over film production. Also pointed Out that no censorship is exercised Over films used on TV here. after latter finishes its run at Jthe World, 13th week being set as final for latter. Art Anderson has been promoted from Warner branch manager here to acting district manager for the Prairie division into which Minne- apolis has been placed along*with St. Louis, K.C., Omaha ana Des Moines. He succeeds the ailing Hail Walsh arid will headquarter here. City salesman Myron Adcock succeeds him as local branch man- ager, ; ST. LOUIS A 10-year deal worked out by Stuart Marshall, Tamaroa, 111., and city, fathers of Benton, 111., where- by Marshall will construct a 300- car ozoner' on municipally-owned ground outside of. city. Under the terms Marshall will pay city 10% Of gtoss income after various taxes. Creditors of W. L. Cates,.former owner of the Klndy, Kinmundy, 111,, appointed Carl Dunlap to op- erate the theatre. Dunlap has the option of purchasing the house, which has been dark since late in 1950. Warren Moxley owner, of. Star- view, ozoner near Blytheville, 111., sold it to the Rodgers Circuit. Mox- ley will continue, to operate this Chickasa and Savor in Blytheville: A group of Evansville, Ind., busi- ness men bought the State in Clay; Ky., from Robert S. Jennings, and appointed O. M. Skinner, Who sold house , tb Jennings, to operate , the house. Thomas Faulk, operator of the Mattoon, 111., is prez of a newly formed company that will build and operate a new 400-car Ozoner near Tuscola, 111. Harry Miller, Festus, Mo.-, lighted the Hiway, a 700-seater in Crystal City, Mo., recently purchased from Tilden Dickson. He also owns the Roxy, a 500*seater in same town. Mat Schulter, head hooker for Fanchon & Marco here since .1930, resigned. Schulter, his wife and Jimmy Tappello are partners in a recreation resort near Lake Taney- coma in southern Missouri. relations director for Warners in this area* , Walter Deen made manager Of the Circle, Interstate house here, replacing William LaPrade, re- signed. Deen, formerly treasurer at the Palace will be replaced by Tony Todora, who* has left same post at the Melba. . J. R. “Bob” Euler, of Dallas, and Wayne McCombs, of Atlanta, Texas, promo ted to veepee of the Tri-States circuit. Circuit operates in Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. Karl Hoblitzelle, head of the In- terstate Theatres, donated a lot here to the First Unitarian Church up- on which the Church' Will build a school building to be dedicated to the late Esther .Hoblitzelle, wife of the circuit operator. on Continued from page 3 I MINNEAPOLIS “Death of Salesman” trailers: be ing.shown over TV here, although date of opening date has not been announced. Harry B. French, Minnesota Amus; Co. proxy, back at desk after' being in hospital three days for observation.. Bennie Berger interrupted a Ha- waiian vacation to attend national Allied States directors’ meeting in Washington and was accoiiipanied 'cast by S. P. Kane, North Central Allied counsel. Louis Orlove, Metro exploiteer, in from Milwaukee to help Ev. Sei- bel, Minnesota Amus. Co. ad head, to launch campaign for “Quo. Va- dis” which opens at Century here Feb. 27. Gov. Elmer Anderson appointed Bennie Berger, circuitowner, ; member of citizens’ advisory com mittee on penal institutions. Bert Johnson bought his part- ner’s interest in Midtown, deluxe St. Paul neighborhood. Hy Chapman, Columbia branch manager, sufficiently recovered from pleurisy to return to work. Minnesota Amus. Co. using Bank Night in some of its Twin Cities neighborhoods. “Lavender Hill Mob” scheduled to follow “American in Paris” Aside from personal relationships, the deal would be attractive, to Freed in that he’d participate' in profits and would have a chance for capital gains. Undercurrent of belief also per- sists that William Goetz, Universal studio topper and Mayer’s. son-in- law, likewise will eventually, join him in production setup* These moves are by no means imminent* since Gpetz: like Freed, has a con- tract that has about two years to go. Mayer,. Freed "and Goetz, inci- dentally, have ail roundly denied any plans to get together; but the top-echelon reports persist.. May-: er’s film plans, as a matter of fact, remain very much in, the formative stage despite the $200,000 he-laid down for “Wagph” last week. The former Metro Chieftain is now involved in oil, rehabilitation of his formerly extensive racing stables and, even more importantly at the moment, . campaigning for Senator Taft as GOP Presidential nomi You Ain't Heard Notti ' Yet! The First TRUE JOLSON STORY! In the Sensational New look "JIISTAH JOLSON’’ ,By MARRY JOLSON On Sale Today at To of Book Dealer HOUSE-WARVEN Publishers 5228 Holly wood Blyd., Hollywood, pal. Ratmtfom ’Walter Jacobi PITTSBURGH Joe Minsky, former Pittsburgh film salesman, named chief booker for WB in the New England zone,, now managed by Harry Feinstei , until recently with the circuit iii Pittsburgh. Minsky succeeds Herb Coplan, who resigned to go into exhibition in Cuba, where he used to be Warner theatre boss. . Frances Staboulis quit as man- ager of the Manos in Uniontown. With sale of Palace to a jewelry firm and its shuttering by the Har- ris; chain*. Bob Taylor was trans- ferred to be manager of the Lib- erty, with Les Bowser moving to the Northside, now operating weekends only. Max Arnold is closing his Nemo Theatre in Pitcairn and will con- vert it into a furniture store which he will operate. Still retains his interest in Maple Drive-In.. Bob Banze replaced Ed Marks in WB contact department, with Marks joining a. construction outfit. BOSTON Colosseum of Motion Picture Salesmen elected the following of- ficers for the ensuing year: Leon- ard Appel, prez; John Pecos, vee- pee; Louis Josephs, secretary; Jer- ry Callahan, treasurer; and Fred Shohet, (U) sergeant-at-arms. Larry Laskey, E. M. Loew part- ner, appointed chairman for Bonds for Israel drive in New England. Local No. 182 IATSE arranged with the local Red Cross to donate 12 pints of blood weekly. DALLAS F. W. Zimmerman purchased. the Interstate ; interests in . the Texas, Palace and Hays Theatres at San Marcos. C. A. Richter and Leon Newman denied a permit to construct an ozone near a high school in Corpus Christi. A $15,000 improvement program completed on Miller. Theatre at Navasota, operated by L. O. Wal- lace. House was recently .pur- chased by Wallace from the Long circuit. The 707 Theatre for exclusive Negro patronage opened at San Aneglo. Don Fuller and Bob Hen- drick are owners and operators of the house. C. R_ Johnson is man- ager. Amos Page has bought the’ Rogue at Matador from L. H. Dir- ickson. He also operates the Ava- lon at McLean. Dan Waters here to take over duties as exploitation and public Seattle; ‘Bend’ 7G, 3d Seattle, Feb. 12. Town is loaded with holdovers and new product also is not .help- ing much; However, ‘‘Lone Star” shapes socko at Liberty. “Girl in Every .Port” still is good in second Coliseum session. “Bend of River” wound up third stanza of five days with another terrific-figure. Estimates for This Week Blue Mouse (Hamrick) (800; 65- 9Q)—“See You in Dreams” (WB) and “Woman in Dark” (Rep) (3d wk-4 days). Okay $2,500. Last week, good $4-400. Coliseum (Evergreen) (1,829; 65- 90)—“Girl in Every Port” (RKO) and “Riders, Pony Express'’ (In- die) (2d wk). Good $8,000 after swell $.12,700 last Week.. Fifth Avenue (Evergreen) (2,366; 65-90) — “Dangerous Gr oun d” (RKO) and “Jungle of Chang” (RKO). Sad $6,000. Last week, “Model and Marriage Broker” (20th) and “Secret Flight” (Indie), $6;300. Liberty (Hamrick) (1,650; 65-90) —“Lone Star” (M-G) and “Light Touch” (M-G). Lofty $12,000 or better. Last week, “For Men Only” (Lip) and “Man Bait” (Lip), $5,200. Music Box (Hamrick) (85; 50-$l) —“Tales of Hoffmann” (Indie) (4th wk). Nice $4,000. Last week, $5,800. Music Hall (Hamrick) (2,282; 65- 90)—“Pandora” (M-G) and “Big Country” (M-G) (2d wk). Holding at $8,000 after big $11,600 last week. Orpheum (Hamrick) (2,599i 65- 90)—“Bend of River” (U) and “Lady Pays Off” (U) (3d wk). Ter- rific $7,000 in 5 days. Last week, socko $11,000. Palomar (Sterling) (1,350; 45-70) —“Ten Tall Men” (Col) and “Japanese Wat Bride” (20th) (2d runs). So-so $3,000. Last week, “Callaway” (M-G) and “Blue Yon- der” (Rep) (2d runs), $3,100. . Paramount (Evergreen) (3,049; 65-90) — “Aladdin” (Mono) and “Steel Fist” (Mono). Dim $5,000, worst here in some time. Last week, “Never Forget Youth” (20th) and “Hot Lead” (RKO), nearly as bad at $5,500. BOSTON (Continued from page 9) “Unknown Man” (M-G). Oke $16,* 000. Last week, “Quo Vadis” (M-G) (6th Wkr9 days), $17,000. Paramount (NET) (1,700; 46-85) —“Japanese War Bride” (20th) and ‘‘Secret Flight” (Indie), Fair $10,- 000. Last week, “For Men Only” (Upland “Man Bait” (Lip), $11,800. State (Loew’s) (3,500; 40-85) — “Westward Women” (M-G) and “Unknown Man” (M-G). Okay $8,500. Last week, “Quo Vadis” (M-G) (6th wk-9 days), $11,000. KANSAS CITY ; (Continued from page 9) “Bannerline” (M-G). Lively $14,- 000. Last week, “Quo Vadis’’ (M-G) (6th wk-9 days), smash $12,000, Run of 44 days at $1,24 top hit $126,000, topping anything house: has had for length of run and total gross. Missouri -(RKO) (2,650; 50-75)— “Woman Is Dangerous” (WB)’and “Diamond City” (WB). Medium $7,500. Last week, “Aladdin, and Lamp” (Mono)' and “Flight Mars” (Mono), $6,000. Paramount (Tri - States) (1,900;' 50-69)—“Room fo? One More” (WB) (2d wk). Satisfactory $7,500 after bang - up first week with $13,000. Tower, Uptown, Fairway, Gra- nada (Fox Midwest) (2,100, 2,043, 700; 1,217; 50-75)—“Decision v .Be- fore Dawn” (20th) and “Tales Robin Hood” (Lip). About holding own at $13,000. Last week, “Flame of Araby” (U) and “Girl on the Bridge” (20th), sturdy $15,000. Vogue (Golden) (550; 75-85) — “Lavender Hill. Mob” (13th wk). Steady $1,400. Last week, big $1,500. ‘MEN’ TAIL 16G, PORT; ‘BEND’ SHARP 13G, 3D Portland, Ote., Feb. 12. Oregon-filmed “Bend of the River” is still the. big noise here this week after two previous rec- ord-breaking frames. Biz continues good at all first-runs because of strong product and Sneak preview hypoing. “Ten Tall Men” shapes tall in two houses. “Room For One More” looms big at Mayfair; Estimates for This Week Broadway (Parker) (1,890; 65-90) —“Bend of River” (U) and “Lady Pays Off” (U) (3d wk). Sock $13,000 or near., Last week, torrid $18,000 after record-breaking $20,000 opener. . Guild (Parker) (400; 65-90)— The Medium” (Indie), So-so $1,- 7Q0. Last week; “Operetta” (In- die), $1,300. Mayfair (Parker) (1,500; 65-90)—■ ‘Room For One More” (WB) and “Girl On Bridge” (20 th) (rn.o ). Big $6,300. Last week, ‘‘Two Tickets Broadway” (RKO) and “On Loose” (RKO) (m.o.), $5,000. Oriental (Evergreen) (2,000; 65- 90)—“Ten Tall Men” (Col) and “Lady and Bandit” (Col), day-date with Orpheum. Tall $7,000. Last week, “Room For One More” (WB) and “Girl On Bridge” (20th), $6,- 400. Orpheum (Evergreen) (1,750; 65- .90)—“Ten Tall Men” (Col) and “Lady and Bandit” (Col), also Ori- ental. Fancy $9,000. Last week, “Japanese War Bride” (20th) and “Northwest Territory” (Mono), $7,- 500. Paramount (Evergreen) (3,400; 65-90)—“Red Skies Montana” (20th) and “Elephant Stampede” (Mono). Just oke $8,000. Last week, “Room For One More” (WB) and “Girl on Bridge” (20th), $10,500. United Artists (Parker) (890; 65- 90)—“Pandora” (M-G). Good $7,- 500 or oyer. Last week, “Westward Women”'(M-G) (3d wk), $5,500. ‘Woman’ Fat $12,000, Buff ; ‘Danny’ NSG 9G , Buffalo, Feb, 12. ‘This Woman Is Dangerous” looms as about the best bet among newcomers here this week. “Alad- din and Lamp” also shapes fine at Century. “Sailor Beware” landed great total in second week at Para- mount. Estimates for This Week Buffalo (Loew ? s) (3,500; 40-70)— “Pandora” (M-G). Opened here today (Tues.). Last week, “Elope- ment” (20th) and “Girl on Bridge” (20th), slight $9,700. Paramount (Par) (3,000; 40-70)— “Hong Kong” (Par). Opened here today (Tues;). Last week, “Sailor Beware” (Par) and “Elephant Stampede” (Mono) (3d wk). great $17,500. , Center (Par) (2,100; 40-70) “Woman Is Dangerous’’ (WB) and “Wooden Horse” (Indie). Big $12,000 or near. Last week, “Room for One More*’ (WB) (2d wk-4 days), $4,500. Lafayette (Basil) (3,000; 40-70)— “Meet Danny Wilson” (U) and “Bitter Springs” (Indie). NSG $9,000. , Last week, “First Time” (Col) and “Jungle Manhunt” (Col), s ame * Century (20th Cent.) (3,000; 40- 70)—“Aladdin and Lamp” (Mono) and “Flight to-Mars” (Indie). Fine $11,000. Last week, “Girl in Every Port” (RKO) and ‘.‘Slaughter Trail”. (RKQ), $12,000. Cleve.; ‘Room’ 13£G, 2d Cleveland, Feb. 12. About the best take for a new entrant appears to be Palace’s “Red Skies of Montana,” although it looks ..only mild. Greatest horn- over likely will be “Room for One More” at the Alien. “Quo Vadis ” in 12th week at Stillman, still is socko. Estimates for This Week Allen (Warner) (3,000; 55-80) — “Room for One More” (WR) (2d wk). Big $13,500 following $17,000 last week. . Hipp (Scheftel - Burger) 13,700; 55-80) — “Obsessed” (UA) and “Japanese War Bride” (20th). Fair $9,000: Last week, “Flame ef Araby” (U), nice $12,000. Palace (RKO) (3,300; 55-90) — “Red Skies of Montana” (20th); Mild $9,500. Last week, “Cimarron Kid” <U) t $9,000. State (Loew’s) (3,450; 55-80) >r-“Lone Star” (M-G). (2d wk). Off . to $10,000 after fapey $16,- 500 last week. Stillman (Loew’s) (2,700; 90- $1.50)—“Quo Vadis” (M-G) (12th wk). Astonishing everybody with $9,500: after big $10,000 last week. Tower (Scheftel - Bqirger) (500; 55-80) — “Hoodlum” (UA) and “Second Face.” Ordinary $3,000.’ Last - week, “Barefoot ’ Mailman” (Col) and “Indian Uprising” (Col), $2,500. ' DENVER (Continued from page 9) and “Family Secret” (Col), $8,000. Broadway (Wolfberg) (1,200; 40- 80)—“Too Young to Kiss” (M-G), (2d Wk). Good $8,500. Holds. Last week, $12,000. Denham (Cockrill) (1,750; 40-80) — “Sailor Beware” (Par). Record $20,000. Stays on. Last week, “Another Man’s Poison” (UA), $12,500, Denver (Fox) (2,525; 40-80) — “Room One More” (WB) and “Cage of Gold” (Indie), day-date with Esquire. Great $22,000. Last week, “Bright Victory” (U) and "Mr. Peek-a-Boo” (UA), $12,000. Esquire (Fox) (742; • 40-80) — “Room One More” (WB) and “Cage of Gold” (Indie), also Denver. Big $4,000. Last week, “Bright Victory” (U) and “Mr. Peek-a-Boo” (.UA), $2,500. Orpheum (RKO) (2,600; 40-80)— “I Want You” (RKO) and “Calling- Bulldog Drummond” (M-G) (2d wk). Light $7,500. Last week, fine $17,500. Paramount (Fox) (2,200; 40-80)— “Well” (UA) and “Sinners' Holi- day” (Indie). Good $11,000. Last, week, “Strange Door” (U) -and “Superman and Mole Men” (Lip), $9,000. Tabor (Fox) (1,967; 40-80) — “Meet Danny Wilsbn” (U) and “Great John L.” (Indie), also Alad- di , Webber. Okay $6,000. Last week, “Boots Malone” (Col) and “Family Secret” (Col), $8,000. Vogue (Pike) (600; 60-85) — “Ghost Goes West” /(Indie). Fair $2,000. Last week, “Marie du Port” (Indie), $1,400. Webber (Fox) (750; 40-80) — “Meet Danny Wilsbn” (U) and "Great John L.” (Indie), also Aladdin,, Tabor. Dull $2,500. Last week, “Boots Malone” (Col) and “Family Secret” (Col), $4,000. New York Theatres A GIRL IN EVERY PORT fiROUCHOMARX MARK WILSON J* tU *’S*G*N n~mmo cm music cm - Rockefellet Center CECIL B. D« MIUTS “THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH” Color by TECHNICOLOR plus. SfECTACOUI SHOE PM3CTTAIIM OUTDOOR REFRESHMENT, SERVICE from Coast foCoost lovor y 4 CoRtwry SPORTSER.*lCE CORP Refreshment Service for DRIVE - IN THEATRES $P09 T MQ v*Cf B.TC j, n,\i: ^