render_links.js.erb

<% if @something %>
  $("#showing_<%= @showing.id %>").html("<%= escape_javascript(render(:partial => 'item', :locals => { :showing => @showing, :create => false, :showing_confirmed => true})) %>");
    $("#showing_<%= @showing.id %>").effect("highlight");
  <% end %>

showings_controller.rb

def render_links
    @something = true
    respond_to do |format|
      format.js 
    end
end