Variety (April 1953)

Wednesday, April 22, 1953 20 PICTURES •tp^st vADIT I dependent film distributor, in N. Y. riiuW IUKR. J to line up more product. Nat Liebeskind, long active in| Many of territory’s drive-ins the film industry, named veepee j ppening several weeks earlier than and general manager of Interna- j usually but have encountered noth- tional United Film Corp. Headed ? jng fc u t snow, rain and low tem- by David Coplan, company has 12 jj peratures, getting them off to slow films slated for national release. start Carroll Puciato, veepee-general Local Universal branch third na- nianager of Realart Pictures and j tionally in Charles J. Feld m a n Sil- Jack Broder, Productions, resigned j ver Anniversary sales drive, as officer and director effective! cu-euit owner Bennie Berger April 30; forming his own outfit to jy y. to catch champ called Carroll Pictures, Inc. J basketball game between Minne- C, Bruce Newbeiy, Republic s j £po iis j^er S (he’s part owner) and new sales chief, arrived in Den- j Knickerbockers. enroute to the with company ver Monday (20) Coast to confer prexy Herbert J. Yates on upcom- ing studio product. Accompanied by sales manager Francis A. Bale- man, he’ll visit some six western exchange areas prior to returning to homeoffice May 9. CHICAGO Joe Behan, formerly of Colum- bia, joined United Artists as booker. Ben Friedman, vet circuit owner, under observation in ML Sinai hos- pital. Harold Field, circuit owner, in Florida where he is recuperating after heart atta c k. Owners of Lyceum, local legit I house, who operated it themselves Bell & Howell, motion picture 5f rom 1945 - 48 , filed anti-trust con- 4 , i/»i — J «■ m 1 • _ ■ A , • X equipment outfit, had a _ record first quarter sales, reporting net] income of $315,554 as against $297,271 in 1952. Government appeal Jn Star-late 1 Drive-In conspiracy case post-; poned until May 11. Balaban & Katz is increasing the board of directors from five to seven With David Wallenstein, gen- eral manager and veepee, upped to the board and Sid Markley, Ameri- can Broadcasting Paramount The- atres veepee, the other new mem- ber. Chi' federal Judge Michael Igoe set over hearings on Theatre Operating Corp. (Grand Theatre) anti-trust suit to June 1. He also set SepL 21 as new date on Mid- town and Studio anti-trust actions. Balaban & Katz ordered six mpre stereophonic sound installa- tions in addition to that at flagship house, the Chicago. Circuit al£o ordered three Cinemascopes. Variety dub of Illinois will hold its annual golf outing at Elm- hurst Country Club July 3. 'John Sutherland Productions, Inc., Coast producer of institu- tional films, set up a local office with B. N. Darling as sales veepee. Associated with him are Harold W. Handley and R. J. Cunningham. spiracy damage suit against major distributors and Paramount thea- tre circuit. They allege house was unlawfully deprived of suitable screen product . Frank J. Havlicek, former busi- ness manager of athletics at Iowa U., named assistant to the presi- dent of Reid H. Ray Films, Inc., producer of industrial, commercial and TV films, in St PauL PITTSBURGH Adam C. Goelz is new manager of WB Ambridge Theatre. He suc- ceeds George Josack, transferred to the Harris in Tarentum. Albert Way, Ji% son of A. P. Way, the vet DuBois exhib, is in good health again and discharged after five years at Tuberculosis League Hospital here. Rivoli in Portage bought by George «T. Wasko from Rivoli The- atre Corporation of Tyrone, which also operates houses in Ebensburg, Cresson and South Fork. WaskO also runs the Rex in Portage, which he leased two years ago. Gregory Gorris, former manager of the Star in Glassport which is owned by his mother, Mrs. Stella Gorris, inducted into Army. His brother. Airman First Class Ernest P. Gorris, was cited last December for saving the lives of 13 men on a Superfort when be de-fused a 60-second bomb as his plane re- turned from mission over Korea. With Nat Cherkosly^s entry into exhibition at New Hazelwood The- atre, he has sold his film carrier trucking service to A1 Tannebaum. Bernard H. Buchheit, with Manos Theatres for 18 years until his resignation last summer, build- ing a drive-in- six miles from Greensburg. MINNEAPOLIS In Twin Cities to boost savings bond drive, Mary Pickford nar- rated excerpts from her original films at a Mary Pickford party in the Hotel Radisson here. Local film houses expecting to benefit from fact that Minneapolis employment currently as 8,200 higher than for corresponding period a year ago, according to state employment service an- nouncement .Don Urquhart added to WB sales staff, replacing Bob' Branton who resigned to enter another biz field. Circuit owner Charlie Ruben- stein vacationing in Hot Springs, Ark. Repeat dates" of ‘‘The Quiet Man’ since Academy awards chalking up bigger grosses than first time time around. No .adverse public reaction In TwiU Cities or throughout territory to Paramount # circuit’s admission boosts, complaints being conspicu- ous by their absence and grosses on the uptrend, according to Harry B. French, circuits prexy. Donald Swartz, Lippert and in- LOS ANGELES Howard Ross succeeded William Johnson, resigned, as Des Moine$ branch manager for Allied Artists. Gord-Banel, Inc., headed by Mil- ton Gordon and Sam Abarbanel, acquired distribution rights to “Tides of ’ Imamou,” adventure documentary filmed during two- year sailing cruise. Sol Lesser closed a deal to re- lease “Quest for the Lost City,” filmed by Dana and Ginger Lamb in the jungles of Mexico and Guat- emala. Ralph Carmichael, former Para- mount sales manager, signed as Los Angeles branch manager for Favorite Films of California, Inc. Sol Lesser, otoner of U. *S. .dis- tribution rights to the British package, “Stereo-Techniques* 3- Dimension,” .has retitled it “Royal Flush,” and fumed it over to state- righters for distribution. These include Seymour Poe for the east Max Roth for the midwest Her- man Belersdorf for the south and Red Jacobs for the west Elksville, HL, from William Ho#» who has retired. J. C. Davenport bought the Nox in New Haven, EL, from Henry Ashber, Norris,. HI. Y , Hugh Graham, owner of the La Cosa, St Louis county, took over management of ozoner near Salem, Mo., owned by Paul Hanamaker. New house being constructed at Oran, Mo., on site of the Majestic, destroyed by fire in August, 1952. Bernard Tenkhoff will operate it State Senator E. V. Long, Bowling Green, Mo., relighted his Senate, Elsberry, Mo., after face- lifting. . , , Damage done by windstorm^to ozoner near Mattoon, El., owned by Mattoon Theatres Co., has been re- paired and spot reopened. Loren Cluster, Salem, EL, exhib., piloted his plane to and from Flo- rida on his vacation. Hap Eaton, RKO publicist, moved his headquarters here from Denver. DALLAS The Leo Theatre, formerly the Queen, long a theatre landmark here, will be shuttered according to H. M. Clark, manager for the house operated by the Houck The- atre Circuit Vincent Price, Phyllis Kirk, Paul Picerni and Carolyn Jones dijl per- sonals at the Majestic when “House of Wax” preemed there. The Tivoli, operated by Jefferson Amus. Co., to be'closed for an indefinite period. House will be given a complete'facelift Louis B. Hess, who has been* as- sistant manager of Clasa-Mohme Him exchange in San Antonio, transferred to. Chicago where he will be general manager. O. B. Hancock purchased the Palace at Plana from Medlin Car- penter who Has operated the house for last three years. Picture Grosses Levant Dropped Continued from pare INDIANAPOLIS (Continued from page 8) Tort Sinister” (RKO). Big $13,000. Last week, “Off Limits” (Par) and “Marksman” (AA), $13,500. Keith’s (C-D). (1,300; 50-$1.20)— “Peter Pan” (m.o.). Big $8,000 for third consecutive week downtown. Last week, “Hans Christian Ander- sen” (RKO) (3d wk), strong $7,500. Loew’s (Loew*s) (2,427; 76-$l)— “Moulin Rouge” (UA) (2d wk). Big $10,000 after $14,000 first stanza. Lyric (C-D) (1,600; 50-76)—“Off Limits” (Far) and “Marksman” (AA) (m.o.). Oke $5,000. Last week, “Thunderbirds” (Rep) and “Winter Serenade” (Indie); nice $5,500. ‘Salome’ Hot $33,000, Denver; ‘Wae’ $15,500 Denver, April 21. “Salome” is easily copping top money here this week, playing at Denver and Esquire. A 4-inch weekend snow clipped biz some- what for second weekend in a row. “Never Wa ve At Wac” shapes good playing Paramount and North Drive-In day-date. “Hitch-Hiker is nice at Orpheum. “Kansas Pacific” is fair in three houses. “Girls of Pleasure Island” looms mild at Denham. Estimates for This Week Aladdin (Fox) (1,400; 50-85V — “Kansas Pacific” (AA) and “Fort Vengeance” (AA), day-date with Tabor, Webber. Fair $5,500. Last week, “Ma, Pa Kettle on Vacation” (U), $8,000. Broadway (Wolfberg) (1,200; 50- 85) — “Jeopardy” (M-G). Fair $6,000. Last week, “Sombrero” (M-G) (2d wk), $5,500. ‘CIRCUS’ OKAY $14,000, FRISCO; TROUBLE’ 15G San Francisco, April 21. Rainy weekend is held respons- ible for dampening first-run pix biz here this stanza. Surplus of holdovers and extended-runs is no help. Biggest moneys going to stageshow topped by Duke Elling- ton and Pearl Hailey with “Des- perate Search” at Paramount, but only rated fair for such setup. “Trouble Along Way” is also fair at the Fox while “Battle Circus” shapes okay at Warfield. “Man in Dark” is nice in Second Orpheum Session. “Moulin Rouge” still is sock in ninth? round at United Art- ists. Estimates for This Week ^ Golden Gate (RKO) (2;850; 65-95) —“Mildred Pierce” (WB) and “Old Maid” (WBr (reissues). Dull $9,- 000. Last week, “Peter Pan” (RKO) (3d wk), $12,000 at upped senile* Fox (FWC) (4,651; 65-95)—“Trou- ble Along Way” (WB). Fair $15,- 000 or close. Last week, “Call Me Madam” (20th) and “Fort Ven- geance” (Mono) (2d wk), brisk $13,000. Warfield (Loew’s) <2,656; 65-95) —“Battle Circus” (M-G). Okay $14,000 or near. Last week, “I Love Melvin” (M*G), $15,500 in 10 days. Paramount (Par) (2,646; 95-$1.25) —“Desperate Search” (M-G) plus vaude headed by Duke Ellington and Pearl Bailey. Fair $27,500. Last week, “Off Limits”, (Par) (2d wk), $10,000 at 95c top. St Francis (Par) (1,400; 65-95)— “Tonight We Sing” (20th) (3d wk- 4 days). Only $3,500. Last week. Denham (Cockrill)* (1,750; 50-85) I <8,000. i —“Girls of Pleasure Island” GPar/.| Orpheum (No. Coast) (2,448; 65- 95)— 4 “Man in Dark” '(Col) and INDIANAPOLIS Rex Carr took over Manny Mar-' cus’ lease on the Zaring and Ritz, north ride nabes; will move here from Cincinnati to operate them. A1 Blocher elected to Allied The- ater Owners of Indiana hoard to fill unexpired term of the late Claude Flater. Nabes here to give May 5 pro- ceeds to Indianapolis Hospital De- velopment Assn. Drive-ins plan rimflar donation May 12. Luther Siebert, formerly with Screen Guild in Cincinnati, joined Allied Artists sales staff here. Indianapolis Colosseum will hold annual dinner dance at Marott Hotel April 25. Richard Norton took over the Isis at Winamac. than the Federation- This we can- not tolerate.” Petrillo said he was proud of the AFM record “that for over a half a century; we have never broken a contract,” and we want to put him (Levant) in a position where he cannot break any future contracts.” Petrillo said that in other “involvements” Levant failed to respond to com- munications from the AFM. Petrillo’s action against Levant may result in Levant’s suspension or expulsion from the union. The charges against the pianist will be tried before the AFM exec board sometime in June.. Gee, meantime; said he was informing all other en- Poor $8,000. Last week, “Off I Limits” (Par) (2d wk), $8,500. Denver (Fox) (2,525; 70-$l) —] “Salome” (Col), Big $27,000. Last week, “Call Me Madam” (20th) (2d wk), $10,000. Esquire (Fox) (742; 70-$l) — “Salome” (Col). Big $6,000. Last week, “Call Me Madam” (20th) (2d wk), $2,500. North Drive-In (Wolfberg) (876 cars; 50-85)—"Never Wave at Wac’ (RKO) and “Port Sinister” (RKO), day-date with Paramount Good $4,000. Opening week of season. Orpheum (RKO) (2,600; 50-85) — “Hitch-Hiker” (RKO) and “Count the Hours” (RKO). Nice $13,000 or over. L ast w eek, “Trouble Along Way” (WB) and “Rogue’s March” (M-G), $12,000. Paramount (Wolfberg) (2,200; 50- tertainment unions and radio, tele- _ vision and film executives .of the 85)—"Never Wave at Wac CRKO) facts in Levant’s case. and "Port Sinister (RKO). Good $11,500. Last week, “Desert Legion” (U) and “Tarzan’s Savage Fury” (RKO) (Zd wk), $10,000. Tabor (Fox) (1,967; 50-85) — | “Kansas Pacific” (AA) and “Ft Vengeance” (AA). Fair $5,500. Last week, “Ma, PA Kettle on; Vacation” (U), $8,500. Webber (Fox) (750; 50-85) — ] “Kansas Pacific” (AA) and “Ft. Vengeance” (AA). Mild $2,500. S-W Divvy Continued from page 5 CLEVELAND WB’s 3,000-seat Uptown, largest nabe in Cleveland, chopped its schedule from seven days to play- ing only Fridays, .Saturdays and Sundays with a dual policy. Julius Lamm, its manager for 22, years, moved»to the deluxe Shaker Heights Colony. Jacob Brown, his assistant, upped to manager of Up- town. Lamm replaces Lou Milder, shifted from Colony to the “Vogue. Lattep formerly was managed by Allan Rubin, who resigned; A1 Golin transferred from Chi- cago Metro office to become field rep for Metro exchange here and Pittsburgh. Will work under Man- ny Pearson, division publicist for Cleveland, Indianapolis, Pitts- burgh, Detroit and Cincinnati. which period was prior to the or- ganization of Stanley Warner. He indicated that the operating profits, before provision for Fed-. —„ w eral taxes- and before profits and i Last week, “Ma, Pa Kettle on Vaca- losses from the sales of fixed assets I tion” (U), $3,500. for the companies now making up Stanley Warner, were lower than the operating profits for such com-1 panies for'the same period of 1952.. In appealing to stockholders to aid the industry’s fight to elim- inate the 20% admission tax, Fabi- an said that SW collected $9,064,- 000 in Federal taxes and $1,535,000 in state taxes for the year ending Aug., 1952. ST. LOUIS Town Hall, Hardin, EL, relighted Under management of Earl Vaughn and George Wyatt who’ purchased house from Mrs. George H. Var- ble, Kane, 111. . Earl and D, B. Stout, Cairo, 111., sold the Kay in Kamak, 111., to Robert Spurlock, who managed the bbuse for five years. The Stouts will, concentrate on'operating their ozoners. Luther McMurray, Chamness- town, I1L, purchased the Hope, “Magnetic Monster” (UA) (2d wk). Nice $11,000 or under. Last week, $19,500. United Artists (No. Coast) (1,207; 80-$1.50)—“Moulin Rouge” (UA) (9th wk). Sock $8,500, Last week, $9,000. Stagedoor (A-R) (370; $1.20- $1.80)—"Hans Christian Andersen” (RKO) (9th wk). Great $12,000. Last week, $13,000. Clay (Rosener) (400; 65-85)— “Importance Being Ernest” <U) (3d wk). Holding at big $2,800, same AC Iflcf v/Aftlr Larkin (Rosener) (400; 65-85)— “Don Camillo” Undie) (2d wk). Solid $3,000. Last week, $3,300. limits’ Modest $8,500, Seattle; Kooge’ 9G, 2d Seattle, April 21. Biz is dragging bottom here this round, with even “Off Limits” failing to catch on as expected at the Paramount. Steady diet of upped-scale films may have drained public of free spending coin, some exhibs believe. Best showing is being made by “Moulin Rouge” which continues big in second week at bandbox Music Box “Salome” is rated fair in 6-day third week at Fifth Avenue. Estimates for This Week Coliseum (Evergreen) (1,829; 65- 90) — “Jack McCall, Desperado” (Col) and “Prince of Idrates” (Col>. Good $8,500. Last week, “Gobi” (20th) and “Silver Whip” (20th) (2d wk-5 days), $6,400. Fifth Avenue (Hamrick) (2,366; 90-$1.25)—“Salome” (Col). (3d wk). PITTSBURGH (Continued from page 9) and “Desperate Search” (M-G, $4,000. Harris (Harris) (2,000; 65-$l)— “Call Me Madam” tzOth) (3d wk- 5 days). Fast $5,000. Last week, smart $10,000 on top of 16 grand opener, Penn *(Loew’s) (3,300r 85-$1.25)— “Moulin Rouge” (UA) (2d wk). Slipping off after smash start, but still socko at $15,000 or near. Last week, M Rouge” big $21,000. Squirrel Hill (WB) (900; 50-85)— "Brandy for Parson” (Indie). Good notices for this English comedy. Nice $2,500 or over. Holds, Last week, “Member of Wedding” (Col), $ 2 , 000 .. Stanley (WB) (3,800; 50-85)— “Destination Gobi” (20th). Sad $7,000. Last week, “Off Limits” (Par), good $11,000. Warner (WB) (2,000; 50-85)— “Mildred Pierce” (WB) and “Old Maid” (WB) (reissues). Modest $4,000. Last week, “Breaking Sound Barrier” (UA) f same. ST. LOUIS (Continued from page 8) (U). Opened today (Tues.). Last week, “Lone Hand” (U) and “Thun- derbirds” (Rep), fair $13,000. Loew’s (Loew’s) (3,172; 75-$l)— “Moulin Rou^e” (UA) (2d wk). c. j *.Annn .on rtnn oiuvuic vuui;. vou \wv'. after “ WQW s 30 * 000 Fair $6,000 in 6 days. Last week, initial frame. swell si i 7 on Missouri (F&M) (3,500; 60-75)— -» * 11 ’ — “Call Me Madam” (20th). Fast $14,000 or near. Last week, “Niag- ara” (20th) and “Darling Clemen- tine* (20th), $13,000. Pageant (St. L. Amus.) (1,000, 1 90-$1.20)—“Hans Christian Ander- sen” (RKO) (3d wk). Fine $7,500 after $8,000 second stanza. Shady Oak (S. L. Amus.) (800; 90-$l,20)—"Andersen” (RKO) (3d wk). Solid $8,000 following $9,000 in second session. BUFFALO (Continued from page 8) and ‘Woman They Almost Lynched” (Indie). Neat $12,000. Last week, “Off Limits” (Par) and “Wyoming. Roundup” (AA) (4 days) (2d wk), $7,500. . - Center (Par) (2,100; 40-70)— “Call Me Madam” (20th). Smash $14,000. Last week, “Trouble Along Way” (WB) (2d wk) (6 days), $7,000. v Lafayette (Basil) (3,000; 50-$l)— “Salome” (Col) (3d wk). Down to $7,500. Last week, fancy $12,000. Century (20th Cent) (3,000; 50- $1)—“Peter Pan” (RKO) (3d wk). Tall $9,000. Last week, $17,500. Liberty (Hamrick) (1,650; 65-90) — “Battle CircUs” (M-G) and “Woman Almost Lynched” (Rep) (2d wk). Slow $4,000 in 8 days. Last week, $7,800. Music Box. (Hamrick) (850; 90- $1.25)—“Moulin Rouge” (UA). (2d wk). Big $9,000, Last week, $11,800. Music Hall (Hamrick) (2,263; 65- 90)—“Lady Wants Mink” (Rep) and “Perilous Journey” (Rep). Poor $4,500 in 6 days. Last week, “Des- ert Legion* (U) and “Romance, Rhythm” (Rep), $7,800 in 8 days. Orpheum (Hamrick) <2,600; 65« 90) —“Anna” (IFE). Slow $5,500. Last week, “Trouble Along Way” (WB) and “Chief Pontiac” (Indie) (2d wk), $2,800 in 3 days. Paramount (Evergreen) (3,029; 65-90) — “Off Limits” (Par) and "Marksman” (AA). Mild $8,500. Last week, “Peter Pan” (RKO) (3d Wk), swell $10,300 at $1.25 top. Gio Gagliardl has been named head of the sound department of the Stanley Warner Corp,, succeed- ing Frank Cahill who became top technical engineer of Warner Bros. Pictures. Gagliardi, a graduate of M.I.T., has been with the Warner sound department for 23 years.