getting a $name evaluated

[jjj0923]

I'm somewhat confused.

I've developed some additional code in index.php

PHP Code:

$fbmenu='';
if ($lastphoto < $userlastvisit) { 
    eval("\$fbmenu = \"".gettemplate('fb_menu')."\";"); 
} else {  
    eval("\$fbmenu = \"".gettemplate('fb_menu1')."\";"); 
} 


I've added fb_menu and fb_menu1 to my templates and added $fbmenu to the code in the 'Header' template but it won't evaluate and display the html contained in the fb_menu or fb_menu1 template.
My php code is down near the bottom of index.php and it outside of any conditional clauses and I know it's working fine because I did lots of testing before implementing it.

Does Vbulletin NOT evaluate code in templates (such as header)?
I've done this before but and added $variables associated with templates in index.php but the results of that code ($'name') was placed in forum_home

this one really has me stumped.... I know my php code is working, but vb doesn't want to associate $fbmenu with my template... any ideas???

thanks in advance.

- jeff