In the first half of the 1950s (when concepts of commerce and public supply were difficult to separate), the tasks of nationalised wholesale and retail trade really meant nothing else but technically orchestrating centralised distribution. Queues were familiar sights in front of the shops and as a result of various rumours, and most of all permanent hysterics, panic buying and hoarding often swept through Zalaegerszeg. The story is very similar to that of Állami Áruház (State Department Store) a Hungarian musical comedy from 1953, directed by Viktor Gertler, in which one of the main characters was acted by Miklós Gábor. In the film, due to a rumour, those wishing to make purchases occupy the shops of the Diadal Áruház (Triumph Department Store) to spend all their 100 forint banknotes within an afternoon …