The Evening Standard from Uniontown, Pennsylvania • Page 5

New Comedy Set At Manos Soon BORIS DAY plays girl married to Richard Wldmark and determined (o hare a family, by hook or crook, In "The Tunnel of Love," MGM's hilarious filmlzallon of the Joseph Fields comedy hit which fan on Broadway for solid Film House Owners Not Well Known If somebody asked you to recite the names of, let's say, 20 people that you associate with motion pictures, it isn't likely (hat the request would catch you unaware. Quick as a flicker, you'd probably identify a dozen stars, a handful of directors, a few producers and --if you really know your tilms-- a fashion designer and a writer or two. But even if your list were 60 or BO names long, it is doubtful that it would ever occur to you to include the name of the person who owns or operates your local theatre. He may never be a candidate for anybody's roster of screen luminaries, but the motion picture exhibitor in your town, in your community or on the main street of your city is a rather remarkable person who presides over a rafher remarkable business. You should know more about him.

The man who runs the neighborhood picture house is essentially a retail businessman. Like other merchants, he has a weekly payroll to meet, machinery and equipment to maintain and replace; he's a client at the bank, advertises his in the local press, worries about the influences of weather on his patronage, and hopes. his ledgers will show a profit at the end of the year. But unlike his colleagues in commerce, the merchandise he has to offer can't be stored in pantries, ice-boxes, closets or garages. What he sells is glamour and drama, excitement a thrills, laughs and tears.

Some ot the packages come wrapped in' tinsel, others in conventional black and white, slill others in rainbow hues to match the mood of their contents. Merchants and shopkeepers don't have to be ardent picture fans to know that the movie theatre also has a lot to do with keeping the business wheels rolling. When people go to the pictures, they come in contact with the goods and services of other commercial establishments. They shop more and they buy more. By sharing i customers i businesses thai have sprung up around it, the theatre often plays a'key role in the economic well-being of ils village, its town or its island of trade in the big city.

Just how important is the movie theatre? For an answer, try to imagine a situation in which the pleasures of the screen were suddenly a totally cut off. The world no doubt would continue to rotate, but some of the zest and joys of life in thousands of communities would be gone. The loss would be felt. If the welfare of a community linked wilh its picture house, then it is also true that the local picture house relies for its success on the welfare ol its community. That's why you generally find the exhibitor taking a prominent part in all sorls of endeavors that concern civic betterment and progress.

When you hear about the "big heart" of show business, the movie exhibitor exemplifies it every time he donates his theatre and his screen to help raise funds worthy charities and humanitarian The man who runs the neighborhood theatre is more than a business man. He's a public servant. And he performs the dual role with pride. If he isn't already on your list of tilmdom's important people, he belongs there. Life would be pretty dull without him.

The Tunnel of Love," (he com edy about.love in the suburbs sometimes described as a bedtime story for- grownups, a been made Into a motion picture, fol lowing ils long-run success In New York and on the road, and wi! open soon at Ihe Manos Theatre Doris.Day and Richard Widmark play the suburban couple whose determination to have an heir brings hilarious if almost catastrophic results. Launched in February, 1957, the play created laughter on Broadway for a year and a and since then has continued as a touring success. Joseph i equaled with it the acclaim for such olher Fields stage productions as "Wonderful Town," "Junior Miss," "My Sister Kiteen" and 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes." He also produced (he ra wi(h Martin Melcher as co-producer, based on the play Fields and Peter De Vnes wrote from the De Vries novel. MGM is releasing the pic lure, filmed in Cinemascope. Haying co-starring rales with Miss Day and Widmark are Gig Young, a detouring husband; and Gia Scala, as the social worker who operates above and beyond the call of duty.

Elisabeth Fraser and Elizabeth Wilson repeat their original stage roles. Gene Kelly displays the same zip in directing as be docs in acting in this, the first picture he has directed in which he does not appear. There are two opportunities for Doris Day to sing in the production: a title song, "Have Lips, Will Kiss in the Tunnel of Love," and "Run Away, Skidaddle Skidoo." She and Richard Widmark offer a surprise in their comedy roles as Augie and Isolde Poole, a couple with a charming, reconverled barn in the suburbs but no baby in the bassinet. Having exhausted other possibilities, they seek to adapt a child, which brings Gia Scala inlo the picture as Ihe representative of an adoption home. To her worthiness, Isolde-even dons.her Girl Guide uniform, while Augie throws caution to the winds in his attempts lo pose as an acceptable father.

When the little stranger finally arrives, Ihings I stranger and stranger--the baby looks like a replica ot his adopted father. There is plenty' of saucy and sophisticated entertainment in the final unwinding of this complicated domestic mix-up. At Ihe ending, everyone is happy--and audiences have had a full quota of hearty laughter. Director Believes Advertising Work When Jean Simmons, a Rhonda Fleming and Efrerri Zimbalist. completed their winter location scenes for Warner Bros.

1 "Home Before Dark" in Marblehead, producer-director Mervyn LeRoy took a full page ad in Ihe local newspaper. It read: "To all citizens of Marblehead we thank you for very weather which was exceeded only by your warm hospitality." Hat Sets Mood For Gleason Think of James Gleason and you automatically think of hat he perches jauntily on his head. That hat military, fedora or straw is as much a part ol his acting technique as his voice and perpetual grimace. Now, in Columbia Pictures' Ford production, "The Last Hur rah," at- the Slate Theatre, Jimmy wears everything from a lop hat to a homburg, and nsu ally at an angle. Jeffrey Hunter Dianne Foster, Pat O'Brien, Basil Ralhbone and Donald Crisp also co-star in "The Lasl Hur rah." Gleason claims a headpiece invaluable in helping him to portray 3.

mood. When he wants to be tough, he snaps the i down and clamps his teeth on a long cigar. When he's puzzled, he sets his hat well back on his head. When and gay, he places, it at a rakish angle. When he's frustrated, he pulls the fell hat down over his ears and glowers.

When he snoozes. Ihe hat comes down over his eyes. iVo maffcr whal Gleason does, Kis hat does il with Four-time Academy Award- dinner John Ford directed a produced the Last Hurrah." WORRIED RESIDENTS CANTERBURY, England Low-flying airplanes and rielicop ters spraying crops with insect! cides brought a rush of calls to Kent police from residents who thought the planes were crashing. Tonight, Sat. Only SKY-VIEW Cirmichads 3--Big Features--3 "IN LOVE WAR" "BLOOD ARROW" "COLOSSUS OF NEW YORK" Weds, SlllffiYfVTti "TEEN-AGE DOLL" Car Heaters Available NewDeMille Drama To Appear Soon A film lhat'rc-unlles many ol Ihc great talents connected with (ho production of "The Ten Commandments," will soon make its bow at tho Stale Theater when spectacular Technicolor and VbtaVislon production, "The Buccaneer," Is presented.

This great historical drama was supervised by Cecil B. DeMille and co-stars Yule Bryn- and Charlton Heston, the two wen who were pilled against each other in the master showman's unforgettable Bibli cal epic. It is the first production assignment of actor Henry Wilcoxon (who also appeared in "The Ten and the first directorial achievement of fop sfar Anthony Quinn. "The Buccaneer," which also co-stars Charles Boyer and Claire Bloom, with Inger Stevens, Henry Hull and E. G.

Marshall, re-creates an exciting chapter in America's history-- Ihc crucial battle of the War of 1812, when the future of the United States hung precariously in the balance. It tells of the part played by the pirate king, Jean Lafittc, in lipping the scales in America's favor; of his lush stronghold, Barataria, where he openly sold the treasures he pirated on the high seas; of his passion for the beautiful daughter (Inger Stevens) of Louisiana's governor; of the love for him of a pirate girl, played by Claire Bloom; and of his alliance with General Jackson (Charlton Heston), climaxed by the blazing, spectacular Battle of New Orleans. New England Winter Provides Film Setting New England winter provides magnificient scenery for "Home Before Dark," now at the Manos. but it inflicted hardships stars Jean Simmons, Dan O'Her lighy, Rhonda Fleming and Efrem Zimbalist. Jr.

While were filming scenes for the Warner Bros, drama on location in Massachusetts, a res ranged from 20 to 40 degrees below zero and most 'of the action was shot out of doors. "Home Before Dark'," produced and directed by Me'rvyn LeRoy. is from the much-discussed best-selling novel by Eileen Bassing and concerns the struggle of a young wife to keep her'husband and her sanity when threatened with losing both. OPEN NITE STARLITE DRtVE-iy THEATRE LAST TIMES TONIGHT ELECTRIC HEATERS HEATERS Starts SUNDAY WILLIAM J4OLDEN 4 ROCKET PILOT.V.S.A. Hi THE UNKNOWN PLUS- FONDA-VERAMlUs ALFRED HITCHCOCK'S COMEI Drive-in Theatre Saturday Sunday "KINGS GO Frank Sinatra NiUlle Woods "FORT MASSACRE" McCKl "Girb of Pleasure Island" RHONDA FI.KMING, Efrem Zlmballsl, Jr, and Joan Simmons In an ainuslng bul dramadc scene tn Warner "llomp He- fore Dark," opening tomorrow nl Ihc Manos.

rate as nil Academy Award prosjiccl. Best Seller Goes On State Screen Pouring across the Stale Theatre screen tomorrow from tumultuous a of Edwin O'Connor's powerful best seller, John Ford's new production, "The Last Hurrah," stars Tracy in a truly brilliant performance as Mayor Frank Skcfting- ton. "The Last Hurrah," Tracy and his fellow players, Mr. Korrl and everyone else involved i making tin's new Columbia Picture, herewith get our vote for the best picture of the year. Twice winner of the Academy Award, Tracy is backed in "The Last Hurrah" an imposing array of co-stars including handsome Jeffrey Hunter, lovely Dl- anne Pat O'Brien, Basil Halhbone, Donald Crisp and James Gleason.

Skeffington, as Tracy a him and as best-selling novelist Edwin O'Connor described i is engaging, shrewd, flamboyant and witty--wilh perhaps an occasional touch of larceny. He presides over a large city and now, a political veteran, he stands poised for yet another campaign the hurly-burly of old-time politics with ils torch- i parades, baby-kissing, slashing attacks on his opposition and behind-the-scenes maneuvering for support. In addition, he finds lime to patch up the romance between Miss is violently opposed to him, and Hunter, his newspaperman nephew. the richcness of "The a Hurrah" as it slices ils exciting way around a great clly during a hot political campaign a only be hinled at lure. But Die sly laughter arid Ihe tears, (he drama and (he boiling cmolioo that are part of Iho novel have, all been transferred inlacl la the screen.

"The Last Hurrah" moves entertainingly a ly through the worlds o( Cily Hall and the slums, religious and financial fields, publishing a high society, perceptively direct- four-timc Academy Award winner John Ford. Tracy's performance as seasoned campaigner Is In tremendous keeping with his I e. O'Brien plays his staunch poll- lical ally and friend, as docs James Gleason, while a i Ralhbone as a banker-antagonist and Donald Crisp as a religious dignitary are other colorful fig ures in the. picture. Simmons' Co-Star Has Experience Dan O'Herlihy, co'slars with Jean Simmons in Warner "Home Before Dark," now at the Manos, was a star of Dublin's famed Abbey Players before going to Hollywood and win ning an Academy Award nomina lion (or his performance in Ihe title role of "The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe." -THE EVENING STANDARD, UNIOSTOWN, SATURDAY, Jean Simmons Reaches Peak (n New Movie A featured player at and a ilar at 16, Jean Simmons brings her challenging role In "Home Woro Dark," at Ihc Manos Theatre, starling lomorrow, Iho ciicnco gained 30 important motion pictures.

Tim beau- Kill young star has appeared In type o( picture Shako- ipcarcan drama lo gay musicals ike "Guys and Dolls." As Ophelia to Sir Laurence 011- 'ier's "Hamlet," Miss Simmons von an Academy of Motion Pio urcs Arts and Sciences nomina- ion. In Iho opinion of critics who have witnessed preview showings of "Hoiii" Before lark" she is certain lo again be i strong Academy Award con- cnder tor her poignant porlraynl )f a young wife whose reason otters when she Is threatened with fno loss ot her husband's ovc. The London-born Miss Sim- lions begun her film career al the age of 14 in the parl ot Mar- zaret Lockivond's "Give Us Ihe Moon." By Ihe lime she was 1C, she had achieved stardom In Oinrles Dickens' "Great Ex- Delations." After a brief and brilliant career in English tilms she camo tn Hollywood where her stellar slaluro baa grown steadily. In "Homo Before Dark," which Mei'vyn Lelloy produced and directed, Miss Simmons plays one of the most challenging roles o( her distinguished career. It is Ihe story of a young woman's struggle to regain her placo In normal society after hospilaliza lion for a mental breakdown.

In Ihe Warner Bros, picture, based on the Eileen Bnsslng novel, the bnmeltc actress appears al limes in gray hair, "And 1 loved ii," laughed the prclly actress. "I seemed to get a lift from IJ." AIlss Simmons admitted she had long admired gray hair, Duo Returns In Film Riot Dean Mnrtln ami Jerry Loivls, nailer! as the screen's funniest comedy team, are on Ihc loose again In "At War With Army" which also co-stars Polty Doigen. According to advance reports i comedy sensation which opens next Krlday at the State Theatre, is Hie maddest escapade them all, Ihc screwball comics arc cast ns two trouble- making (ils who subject the army la DIP slrniMl (csl it lias ever known, Before llicir hitch Is over, there is talk of adding a sixth side to the J'cnlagnn building to deal with heir hilarious misadventures. Lewis, the whose Incredibly flexible (ace docs everything but spell words, plays a (altered privnlo wilh a high sense ol duly and a low If). Martin, (ho handsome harltono with the manner, Is rank-conscious sergeant who keeps one eye mi tlic girls and (he other Together I lira salt! rollick Ihroiiuh a sc- ries of sldc-splilling complications that leave tliier commanding officer tottering on Iho brink of collapse and iimiicncc weak with laughter.

Co-star Polly Bergen a to Iho confusion by pUytog fat who wants Dean to settle A highlight of the picture Is thV scene In which Dean and Polly sing "You and Your Beautiful Xycs." Songwrit' rs Mack David a Livingston a provided Ihc bright and lovely score which' gives Dean and Polly ample op-' porlgnity lo display their famed, vocal styllngs. and Lewis havo an Offhand spontaneity to their comedy which Is refreshingly natural. As a matter-of-fact, this irresponsible duo greatest, ad libbing pair In Iho and ihcy improvise uproarious' routines in less lime lhan it takes. (o say Joe Several of fhs' side-spliltimj scenes you will $ce. In "At War Wilh The Army" were actually unprepared and 1 unrehearsed.

ROOSEVElT-Republic Sunday-Monday "HORROR OF DRACUli" "THE THING THAT COULDN'T DIE" a ollls An (r Martin ADULTS--Mr. CHILDREN--20c Does Your Wife Say; "WHAT GOOD IS MY OUTFIT, NEVER GO ANYWHERE!" A Good Movie Is The Answer! They're aH the lusty, gusty, brawling, toying, lovable people who made The Last Hurrah" one of the most colorful and memorable of afl-best-sdlersJ And at the head of them aB w.that unforgettable man among men, Franfc Skeffington, who made a city and a state his owiv Directed by John Ford; "The Last Hurrah" is a motion picture and size JOHN FORD PRODUCTION From Soob The II dan Jeffrey HUNTER-Dianne FOSTER- PaJO'BW Basil RATHBONE' Donald James 'joHNlMo WHO'S INCOMPETENT? TOI.KDO, Ohio ffl A civil, service test was hctri to pick a. replacement city refuse super-- intondonl Julius Horvath, whom' clly innnoficr Russell Rink wanlcd In fire as incompetent. The lop tuinlilicr among 10 ap-' plicnnls: llorvaih. DAY: Pat BOOXE, Gary CROSBY, Tommy SANDS in "MARDI GRAS" In Scope Color MANOS I BE IIERK BV P.

THE I A SHOWINGS OF "HOUSEBOAT" AND A SPECIAL SNEAK PREVIEW OF- OK OF THE SEASON BBT' Today's Schedule: "HOUSEBOAT" nl 1:43, 5:53 (Filial Showing)--SNEAK PREVIEW AT Area Premiere Showing'Starts TOMORROW! THE YEAR'S MOST TALKED- ABOUT PICTURE! THE MARRIED CAN UNDERSTAND WARNER BROS. DARINGLY PRESENTS JEAN SIMMONS HER HOST POttRflK. PtRFMWHCE Home WO DAN RHONQA EFREM by BIEEN aid ROBERT BASSNG'tfefled by HBfflN HAS YOl'R HOME BECOME A PR1SOX Sharpen your life wilh a change--set movie!.